**Official Pre-Match Thread - Charlton v City**

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

With all this Christmas nonsense going on, it's easy to forget the really important things in life..........like how many are we going to lose by tomorrow?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Connolly at RB with Brayford on the left again. It really would make sense to see an extra man in midfield - Adeyemi perhaps for Le Fondre, with Harris playing just behind Jones? Perhaps a bit sophisticated for our Russell?

The one bright spot I can see is that Charlton are in worse form than City, but how many teams in that position have chosen the City fixture to turn things around.........

Hope for the best and plan for the worst......the wise words of Jack Reacher, funnily enough, not Malky Mackay!

Merry Christmas!

[macazAcademy Player]

Like the thread mate, would like to see turner dropped this week, maybe a 5 man midfield to stop getting over run in midfield, kj up on his own, similar back 4 to last week, however slade will stick to his rigid 4-4-2, but none the less a 0-2 win for city

[*** G L O V E S ***National Legend]

No doubt we'll go with an unchanged XI. Wouldn't be surprised to see us take all three points, either - that's the way the Championship works!

[Arkay DubyaGlobal Superstar]

I can't call this one at all. As Gloves says, The Championship is unpredictable at best!

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

Like the thread mate, would like to see turner dropped this week, maybe a 5 man midfield to stop getting over run in midfield, kj up on his own, similar back 4 to last week, however slade will stick to his rigid 4-4-2, but none the less a 0-2 win for city

I agree about Turner. Strong and direct as he is, he has been burned for pace against both Bournemouth and Brentford. There isn't much to choose between Morrison and Turner, but I think that Morrison just has the edge.

An alternative would be to play Connolly & Manga, with Brayford at RB and either Fabio or John at LB. Connolly hasn't let anyone down and CB is by far his best position and he is much better with the ball at his feet than either Turner or Morrison.

[CyncoedslumdogNational Legend]

I would still like to see three cb's with Brayford & Fabio using their attacking abilities as wing backs who can help in attack and defence. This would give us three in midfield to help the pedestrian Whitts and stop us being overrun as usual but still leave us with two up front.
Looking back, I wish I hadn't turned Tan's job offer down before he turned to Slade in desperation.

[RhysGlobal Superstar]

I too would not be surprised to see an unchanged team but perhaps with the diamond formation from the beginning.

Whatever happens, the fans are no mood for another poor performance, with all the usual off-field shenanigans unnecessarily stirring up the fan base.

What we need to see today:

a) A clean sheet
b) Players giving everything as a team
c) A larger share of the possession

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

I see that Tan has again stated that we will remain red. Fair enough, but on the eve of a game doesn't seem like the best timing to me.

[Cleve van LeefCaptain of Country]

I too would not be surprised to see an unchanged team but perhaps with the diamond formation from the beginning.

Whatever happens, the fans are no mood for another poor performance, with all the usual off-field shenanigans unnecessarily stirring up the fan base.

What we need to see today:

a) A clean sheet
b) Players giving everything as a team
c) A larger share of the possession

A win

Unfortunately can't see anything other than another defeat.

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

I see that Tan has again stated that we will remain red.  Fair enough, but on the eve of a game doesn't seem like the best timing to me.

I really don't get why people are having a go at Tan. All he's done is respond to the talk of a protest.
If you think it's bad timing, blame the people protesting. They chose to do it now.
Is Tan supposed to just sit back and let it all happen without putting forward his side of things? Is he supposed to just sit back while a few fucking idiots slate him, even though he's done nothing except for what was agreed when he invested in the club? Is he supposed to just sit back and let the morons scream and shout, get publicity etc?

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

Oh, and we'll win this game. I think there'll be 2 goals in it. I'll go for 3 - 1.

[Cleve van LeefCaptain of Country]

Marshall, Brayford, Turner, Morrison, Declan John, Aron Gunnarsson, Tom Adeyemi, Peter Whittingham, Craig Noone, Adam Le Fondre, Kenwyne Jones

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

According to Sky.....


1 Marshall
2 Brayford
5 Manga
6 Turner B
3 Fabio
40 Harris
17 Gunnarsson
7 Whittingham
11 Noone
10 Le Fondre
14 Macheda

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

Is that a 451 then? Le Fondre on the right.

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

Then, if we're doing ok, maybe push him up front and switch to 442.

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