Charlton v. Birmingham [r]

[hartley]

Do we know any more about the injuries to Fortune and Euell? I would assume Euell will not start. Even if fit, he was less than impressive from his midfield position. I still don't know why he isn't tried as the lone striker. If Fortune cannot return, it seems old Fish will have to play. If not, we may have to put HH in the middle and start Knochesky outside. That wouldn't be all bad. HH has been quiet lately and Konchesky has been doing the business. Just think of Konchesky and Thomas both working the left side. Whew!

Birmingham haven't exactly played well as of late -- even if they took it to Leeds in their FA Cup match. I guess the big question wil be if Savage plays or not.

We drew at their place. Let's hope it isn't another Southampton type of matchup. We should be able to take all the points in this one. And really, it sizes up as a must win to keep pace with our neighbors above -- Hotspurs, Boro, Liverpool -- while staying ahead of Man City and the Villians.

I would like to see us keep a clean sheet on this one. But with the back line probably changing somehow, I will go with 2-1 to our beloved Addicks.

Lineup: Kiely, Young, El K, HH, Konchesky, Kishishev, Holland, Murphy, Rommedahl, Thomas, Jeffers.

Subs: Andersen, Fish, JJ, Hughes, [Euell???]

Boy do we need another striker -- and a tall one too -- someone who can be dangerous in the air.

[servotron]

Looks like we've done a smashing job in putting down City. Go you Addicks!

[hartley]

Great win and we needed it with the other important matches coming up for us.

Nice to see us go back to the 4-4-2 with Jeffers providing quite a spark.

Just wish the BBC guys would learn to flip the switch over before the match starts. I was hoping to catch the first 15 minutes before I had to run some errands. But of course I could not. Was able to get on after getting back home -- right after City's equalizer. Listened the rest of the way as Jeffers comes on and helps us finish them off.

Highlights were fantastic. If we go with the 4-5-1 again, Jeffers could play on the wing for a while before the all out switch to a 4-4-2. Would be nice to see the Fox get a start.

It would also be nice to see Konchesky get a start. He keeps coming off the bench to help in great ways too.