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B2net Big Match Preview

Posted on: Wed 29 Feb 2012

It's bottom against top on Saturday when Charlton Athletic are the visitors to the B2net Stadium. The Spireites recent good run of results was temporarily (we hope!) halted last Saturday in the 2-1 defeat at Carlisle United. After leading for most of the game, two late goals scuppered any prospects of the victory that could have moved us clear of the relegation spots. Wycombe's 2-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers took them out of the bottom four and pushed us back into bottom place with 23 points from 29 games. Charlton with 64 points from 28 games are seven points clear at the top with a game in hand over their nearest rivals.

They arrive at the b2net looking to equal the club record for number of away victories in a season. Their away record reads won 11, drawn 2, lost 2 and those 11 victories are just one short of the record 12 earned by Alan Curbishley's side in 1999/2000 on the way to the First Division Championship and promotion to the Premier League. The Addicks game last Saturday was postponed because of the weather so the 31st January was the date of their last match - at home to Bury. The visitors looked like taking all 3 points but the match finished 1-1 thanks to Dale Stephens' 90th minute 30 yard screamer.

The Addicks scored two off-field victories over the Spireites on Friday. Firstly, Charlton midfielder and captain, Johnnie Jackson was named January League One Player of the Month in preference to our own Tommy Lee (and Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes). Secondly, Charlton manager Chris Powell was named January League One Manager of the Month over John Sheridan (and Huddersfield's Lee Clark). Let's hope the Manager of the Month curse is still active! And maybe we shouldn't be too upset about Johnnie Jackson's award as it was given largely on the strength of winning goals, from free-kicks, against both our Sheffield neighbours.

When the two sides met earlier this season at The Valley Charlton were 3-1 victors. A fair result but we were well in the game until Bradley Wright-Phillips scored Charlton's third in injury time. With a bit more luck and a less short-sighted referee we might have stolen a point. (The referee's failure to spot a blatant handball in the Charlton penalty area was the cause of John Sheridan's outburst which saw him banished to the stands and subsequently suspended). That game was in September immediately following our run of three successive league victories. In the previous game we had trounced Carlisle 4-1 at the b2net. Anyone looking for omens should consider the fact that we followed a home victory over Carlisle with an away defeat at Charlton ... therefore an away defeat at Carlisle should be followed by a home victory over Charlton! Perhaps a more reliable indicator comes from the two clubs' record over the last six games: In all competitions both teams have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 1.

Likely to be on the bench for the Addicks is striker Leon Clarke. He scored nine goals in 14 league games for us earlier in the season whilst on loan from Swindon Town. Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio (who we'll be meeting up with later in the season!) had previously vowed Leon would never play for him again and true to his word allowed Charlton to sign him once his Spireites loan spell was up. Three of his four appearances since signing on 1st January have been as substitute. He was in the starting line-up for Charlton's last game against Bury, when Bradley Wright-Phillips was rested. He has yet to score for Charlton. (A sentence written with some foreboding).

Nicky Ajose looks a likely starter for the Spireites, probably at the expense of Scott Boden. Jamie Lowry could also force his way into the starting line-up after a successful loan spell at Crewe Alexandra and his performance in the JPT win at Oldham Athletic. Craig Westcarr should also be in contention following his recovery from an ankle injury. Jimmy Juan is recovering well from his calf injury but unlikely to be ready in time for Saturday.

So, The Great Escape is still on! A few rock falls in the tunnel last Saturday didn't help but there's been considerable progress in the last few weeks and eventually there will be light at the end of the tunnel. (Just hope the end of the tunnel is the right side of the barbed wire fence!) It promises to be a great atmosphere on Saturday with Charlton bringing around 1500 supporters and a good following of home supporters guaranteed. Come on yoo blooooooooos!

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