Charlton @ Everton [r]

[hartley]

Will the Toffees fare well now that Garveson is gone? They looked okay, but not as well as before, against Boro.

It is some make or break moments for the Addicks. We need to keep getting points. Three here would be huge with the next two Prem matches being against Liverpool and Newcastle.

I'm guessing we will start a 4-5-1 since this is on the road. But here, I will put forth a 4-4-2 lineup.

Kiely
Young - El K - Fortune - HH
Thomas - Holland - Murphy - Konchesky
Jeffers - Bartlett

Subs: Andersen, Kishishev, Rommedahl, JJ, Hughes.

Go Addicks! It is time to quietly move up the table.

[servotron]

it seems like that's what we do... quietly move up the table, without much accolades either. All the buzz around Pool and Boro, and Charlton almost never gets mentioned, even though we're just barely behind on points, and playing well.

[hartley]

Sssshhh -- Quietly. ;)

Everton's suffering a little with the loss of Graveson to Real Madrid. We know how that goes -- a kind of "Spottyless" play for the Toffees.

With that kind of excuse for them, we can again quietly win and climb up a spot. All the pundits will talk after about the fall of Everton. They won't bother with Charlton's great play. That's fine as long as we keep playing well and stay fairly close to that fifth spot.

go addicks go!

[sarabella]

It's a nice idea, but really, we're doing just fine without Gravesen. Kilbane really stepped it up a notch against Boro, we'll see if he can keep it up. The loss of Martyn hurts us more right now, as Wright is so blatantly incompetent. If you want to hurt us, you'll do it vs. the keeper and not vs. the midfield.

Should be a good match regardless. :D

[hartley]

Thanks for visiting. Really, I have been rooting for your Toffees against everyone else. Can't against us.

Your squad may see a change in formation, if they haven't already. Going back to a 4-4-2 with Bent and Beattie up front. Graveson out, Beattie in, rest of the lineup the same?

Good luck to you Everton. Maybe we both can get some extra play next year.

[sarabella]

We did switch to a 4-4-2, starting with the FA Cup match a couple of weeks ago. That was Beattie's first game. The problem with him, though, is that he's still not match fit. Plus, Bent works better on his own. He looked out of sorts on the right side last match.

But, with Gravesen out, yeah, we don't have much of a choice but to go with 4 in midfield. The remainder of the lineup has stayed the same, only Yobo has been starting. Not sure why.

[hartley]

I wonder, could Beattie play a little back and fool Bent into thinking he's a midfielder?

Let Bent do his thing and let Beattie run at the goal. Seems James is a bit better facing the goal, right?

We will start our 4-4-2 with Jeffers up front with Bartlett. The Fox will be motivated and he will be the difference for us again.

Everton 0 - 2 Charlton Athletic [Jeffers, Murphy]

Go Addicks!

[kevruth]

This doesn't look good. Here is the lineup:

Back four: Unchanged

Bartlett is the lone striker

The Midfield?: Thomas on the right, Konchesky on the left with Hughes, Murphy and Holland in the middle.

And the bench: Andersen, Fish, JJ, Stuart and Jeffers.

What's up with this? No Rommedahl and no Kish with Thomas out of position. I'm not optomistic about this.

[servotron]

Hoo ha!!
Go you Addicks!!!

1-0 to the Addicks, and the climb continues! We're tied for fourth on points!

[hartley]

Great goal by Matty Holland. Just what we needed to finish the first half.

What a nail biter in the second though. We went all defensive when we still had the chance of putting the match away.

Can't help but think that Hughes should have gone off. Pull Konchesky back to midfield left and let Thomas go to left wing. Then bring on Franny to play right wing with an eye of going forward. At least Jeffers can play some defense and knows how to pass out wide if necessary.

Glad Rommedahl wasn't in the side. That might have been scary.

Go, go, go, you Addicks! Keep up the quiet quest.

[doug001001]

Go, go, go, you Addicks! Keep up the quiet quest.

c'mon curbs.. buy an impact player and get to europe!!

I might have to plan another trip to SE7 for this spring. :)

[hartley]

It would be great to bring on an impact signing. But don't hold your breath.

The chemistry right now is cheap. No more signings until summer.

I am only hoping for a good finish to the season -- maybe fifth spot and UEFA Cup play. Also hoping for a good cup run.

Just keep cheering.