Charlton Athletic @ West Ham United [r]

[hartley]

Well, it's time to wind it up and get the new season started.

Here's the latest list of Ins and out for both clubs.

Charlton Athletic
In: Cory Gibbs (Feyenoord, free); Gonzalo Sorondo (Inter Milan, free); Simon Walton (Leeds United, undisclosed); Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Middlesbrough, free); Amady Faye (Newcastle, £2million); Djimi Traore (Liverpool, £2million), Christian Bolanos (Deportivo Saprissa, season loan)

Out: Jonathan Spector (Manchester United, end of loan); Shaun Bartlett (Kaizer Chiefs); Jonatan Johansson (Malmo, free); Francis Jeffers (Blackburn Rovers, free); Chris Perry (West Bromwich Albion, free); Jay Bothroyd (released); Chris Powell (Watford, free).

West Ham United
In: Lee Bowyer (Newcastle United, undisclosed); Jonathan Spector (Manchester United, £500,000); Carlton Cole (Chelsea, undisclosed); Tyrone Mears (Preston North End, £1million); John Pantsil (Hapoel Tel Aviv, £1million); George McCartney (Sunderland, £600,000 plus Clive Clarke)

Out: Lionel Scaloni (Deportivo La Coruna, end of loan); Yaniv Katan (Maccabi Haifa, season loan); Elliott Ward (Coventry City, £1million); Chris Cohen (Yeovil, undisclosed); Shaka Hislop (FC Dallas, undisclosed); Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace, £400,000); Clive Clarke (Sunderland, as part of George McCartney deal)

[hartley]

Anyone have predictions on the starting lineup for the opening match?

Here's what my lineup would be:

---------- Andersen ---------
Young - Sorondo - HH - Traore
------------ Faye ------------
Rommedahl - Ambrose - Bolanos
-------- JFH - D. Bent --------

Subs: Mhyre, El Karkouri, Walton, Kishishev, Hughes, Sam, M. Bent

Ambrose in the middle you say? Well, Taylor has played him in the middle in U21s and he has done well there.

And I quote ID after the Utrecht match: <<Darren is a very talented boy and we've got to keep him in the game. When he is on the ball he is a threat and has got a great passing range. He certainly can play and carry the ball and did that for long periods before tiring.>> Sounds like the attacking mid in the center we need. He is wearing number 11 this year too. And with Faye ball winning and tackling behind him, we won't have to worry too too much about Ambrose' defense.

What say you?

[hartley]

I saw one Charlton Athletic blogger, Views From an Iberian Valley, who predicted this lineup from analyzing the lineups of the preseason matches.

Myrhe, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Traore, Holland, Hughes, Faye, Rommedahl, Hasselbaink and Darren Bent

Subs: Anderson, Ashton, Sorondo, Marcus Bent, Bolanos

I certainly hope it isn't Mhyre, El K, and Holland. The weak links that have let in the early goals. I could take Hughes in the middle middle instead of Ambrose. But I would still prefer my lineup above.

If ID is going to play a 4-4-2, then he should be sure to play wingers outside. And I think he really plans to do so. I believe he did so at his former job.

[doug001001]

Anyone have predictions on the starting lineup for the opening match?

Here's what my lineup would be:

---------- Andersen ---------
Young - Sorondo - HH - Traore
------------ Faye ------------
Rommedahl - Ambrose - Bolanos
-------- JFH - D. Bent --------

Subs: Mhyre, El Karkouri, Walton, Kishishev, Hughes, Sam, M. Bent

What say you?

I don't think bolanos will play his first epl match in the starting 11, I bet ID will go with 2 of holland/hughes/faye in the middle and have Ambrose on the left. But.. I was thinking that your lineup will be where they land in after a few matches and there is some proven offensive midfield depth on the bench (thomas or one of the youngsters looks good).

oh, are there more bench spots this year?

[MoRado]

Bolanos should come in from the bench in the second half, the other team players are gonna be tired, Bolanos is gonna come from the bench with speed, dribbling and a lot of energy in the right wing, i hope the best for him and for your team

[hartley]

doug,

you are probably right -- but that's ID being like Curbs. I don't want to see us go too conservative or to play for a draw on the road.

By the way, here's hoping my Wizards put out the Fire twice this week. What a murderous schedule.

[hartley]

Hammers' Ashton out with a broken ankle. I can't say I'm sad he will miss this game against us. Too bad he doesn't get his cap for England, though. But then again, this could open the door more for D. Bent.

[hartley]

---------- Andersen ---------
Young - Sorondo - HH - Traore
------------ Faye ------------
Rommedahl - Ambrose - Bolanos
-------- JFH - D. Bent --------

Subs: Mhyre, El Karkouri, Walton, Kishishev, Hughes, Sam, M. Bent



So, here's my new lineup.

------------- Carson ------------
Young - Sorondo - HH - Traore
------------ Faye ------------
Rommedahl - Ambrose - Bolanos
-------- JFH - D. Bent --------

Subs: Andersen, El Karkouri, Holland, Kishishev, Hughes, Sam, M. Bent

Yeah, I'm sticking with Ambrose to start in the middle and Bolanos out left with a start.

You blokes have pointed out that it will probably be Holland or Hughes in the middle with Faye, but I think we have more quality with Ambrose attacking from there. We should work at keeping teams like West Ham on their heels. Let's make the other teams defend.

[hammermolder]

Alright you lot,cant wait for the start of the season,you have a good record against us,but i really like our chances on saturday,3-1 to the hammers,but have a good year

[hartley]

Alright you lot,cant wait for the start of the season,you have a good record against us,but i really like our chances on saturday,3-1 to the hammers,but have a good year

Thanks for the good cheer. Good luck to you too.

I must say, though I'm glad we won't have to face Ashton, that's tough luck for him and your club.

And he was to be playing for England tonight against Greece.

I think it will be a close match and could go either way. I predict a draw.

[hartley]

New lineup from me AGAIN [if ID would just stop buying new players, goodness]

------------- Carson ------------
Young - Sorondo - HH - Traore
------------ Faye ------------
Rommedahl - Ambrose - Reid
-------- JFH - D. Bent --------

Subs: Andersen, El Karkouri, Kishishev, Bolanos, M. Bent

Or DO we get 7 on the bench this year? If yes, then add Hughes and Sam.

[doug001001]

New lineup from me AGAIN [if ID would just stop buying new players, goodness]

------------- Carson ------------
Young - Sorondo - HH - Traore
------------ Faye ------------
Rommedahl - Ambrose - Reid
-------- JFH - D. Bent --------

Subs: Andersen, El Karkouri, Kishishev, Bolanos, M. Bent

Or DO we get 7 on the bench this year? If yes, then add Hughes and Sam.

According to reports, Reid has had fitness problems so if he is available it will probably be from the bench.

Any TV for this one?

[Batcave Brigade]

According to reports, Reid has had fitness problems so if he is available it will probably be from the bench.

Any TV for this one?

Its on Setanta on tape delay, 2:30 PM EST.

[hartley]

According to reports, Reid has had fitness problems so if he is available it will probably be from the bench.

Any TV for this one?


Yeah, but he had to pass a physical before we signed him. Even so, it might be a fitness test and familiarity with the team that puts him on the bench or could even keep him out of the side. Still, I like his chances at getting on. ID will be bringing some surprises every week no doubt.

[doug001001]

Yeah, but he had to pass a physical before we signed him. Even so, it might be a fitness test and familiarity with the team that puts him on the bench or could even keep him out of the side. Still, I like his chances at getting on. ID will be bringing some surprises every week no doubt.

Another kink in the works might be Bolanos's work permit. He might be a doubt for the bench also.

So I'm going with my original thoughts earlier in the thread.

[doug001001]

Its on Setanta on tape delay, 2:30 PM EST.

Thanks.. I guess I'll have to upgrade my Directv package..

Now I'll be able to watch Hurling everyday!

[hartley]

Just as a point of interest. Last year the Addicks started the season away to Sunderland. Here is the lineup that produced a 3-1 victory.

Anderson, Young, Powell, Hreidarsson, Perry; Ambrose, Kishishev, Murphy, Smertin (Hughes 88), Rommedahl (Thomas 58); Bent.

Subs (not used): Bartlett, Fortune, Myhre.

So, from my calculations, only Young, HH, Rommedahl and Bent seem to be locks to start this season. Ambrose could start, but no one is really sure. Andersen seems to be odd man out at this point with Carson coming in and Myhre seeming to be the other "starter". I suppose even Kishishev could get the start with Faye in the middle if ID sticks with his holding only middle.

No Powell, Perry, Smertin. And NO Murphy, good riddance. And no 4-5-1.

[servotron]

Let's go Addicks!!! I know you can have a good season.. whatever you do, be consistent that's all I ask!

[doug001001]

Let's go Addicks!!! I know you can have a good season.. whatever you do, be consistent that's all I ask!

Yes, please c'mon Addicks.. try not to lose any games 4-0 this season.. is all I ask.

[MoRado]

Another kink in the works might be Bolanos's work permit. He might be a doubt for the bench also.

So I'm going with my original thoughts earlier in the thread.


confirmed, bolanos is NOT playing, no work permit yet, he is flying to England with his girlfriend and daughter right now.


Good luck in the game!