Midweek’s turnaround against Nottingham Forest ended up feeling like a win despite not finding the elusive winner.
Try as they might, the Addicks were thwarted time and time again by Karl Darlow and at one point even the post came to the opposition’s rescue.
It’s funny what 90 minutes can do to change the mood of some fans. Forest’s manager Billy Davies was full of praise for the spirited performance put up by the Addicks and so were most fans, delighted by the desire and heart shown by all 14 players involved. It’s sparked a fragile wave of optimism through the club going into this weekend’s fixture at home to Blackpool. A win could be the kick-start to the season we’ve waited for but a loss may well leave us at square one and most likely in the bottom three come 5pm on Saturday.
The tangerine visitors have performed above most people’s expectations so far this season, sitting 6th from top rather than 6th from bottom. Paul Ince’s men have suffered just one defeat all season but drawing on a Tuesday night with a poor Bolton - a team who are yet to pick up a win this season – can only be a good omen for the Addicks. Here then is an opportunity to stop the red rot while beginning a tangerine one.
That, of course, won’t be easy. Ricardo Fuller signed terms with Blackpool over the summer after failing to agree an extension at the Valley and we all know how he can turn games with moments of brilliance but Blackpool are by no means a one man team; for starters, Paul’s son Tom is more than capable on his day of winning a game out of nothing. Subject to transfer rumours window after window, a summer move to Cardiff fell through much to the delight of those in Blackpool. He’s been given at least another half season to terrorise Championship defences and after having an ineffectual game at the Valley last season, you might expect something more noteworthy from the young left footer this time around.
Up front, more experience comes in the form of Stephen Dobbie who possesses great skill, a footballing brain and a sweet right footed shot while McKenzie, Cathcart and Broadfoot are three no nonsense centre halves in front of Matt Gilks, a ‘keeper with Premier League pedigree. It may be in the central areas of midfield where the Addicks could win Saturday’s battle. Grit and determination you could use to describe Neal Bishop and Isaiah Osbourne in Blackpool’s centre yet neither are anything to fear, they may be the soft underbelly.
The Addicks line-up is likely to be unchanged given the impressive result in midweek. Ben Hamer may find he makes way for Ben Alnwick after another shaky performance in front of an unsure defence yet I expect the back four to keep their places after a good display while the midfield four equally impressed. Should Johnnie Jackson be fit, we may see him replace Mark Gower on the left on the newly adopted diamond. With Simon Church running himself into the ground game after game and Marvin Sordell on the scoresheet in midweek, Yann Kermorgant may make a return but on the bench.
As much as I’d love to see one, another tough game this weekend makes it difficult to predict a dominant Addicks display. An inability to keep clean sheets coupled with the curse of ex-players means that I fully expect Ricardo Fuller to be involved in a tangerine goal on Saturday afternoon as the game finishes 2-2, leaving Chris Powell’s men waiting for their next win.
CM
