Saturday 27 December 2008

Weekend Championship Preview, Game 26

We always seem to get one grim trip as part of the Christmas/New Year fixtures and this year it's to Sheffield United who humped us five at home in Pardew's last game. The Charlton turnout will be very similar to that when I first went to Bramall Lane in April 1978. Naively misguided by the fear that I might never get the chance to see United at home again (we were falling like a stone and heading for the third division!), I coached it north with 250 others. We went one down just before half-time but, frankly, we weren't in it. Sound familiar? I only hope those making the journey tomorrow have a better end to the day than we did. We were chased out of the ground before the end and a PC tried to hold them back on the steps out of the ground to give us extra yardage back to the coaches/station. Ah, happy memories.

Barnsley v Preston North End
Intriguing clash this. Barnsley pulled off a great result winning at Burnley on Boxing Day whilst PNE were disposing of Derby. I think Preston might have the better side but will go with the Tykes to edge it here.
Prediction; 2-1

Birmingham City v Swansea City
Brum surprised me by digging in and winning at Ipswich on Boxing Day. The Swans drew again at home to Coventry and won't find St. Andrews an easy proposition.
Prediction; 2-0

Bristol City v Crystal Palace
City were surprise winners at Watford on Boxing Day and will be up for this one as they beat Palace in the play-offs in April. Palace are on a run but I believe they are over-achieving and will come back down to earth soon. Ashton Gate's a good a place as any to start.
Prediction; 2-1

Cardiff City v Plymouth Argyle
Good Boxing Day wins for both of these sides. Cardiff have been much more consistent and home advantage should tell.
Prediction; 2-0

Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday
I've absolutely no idea with this two - both are so inconsistent. I'll have to go for Coventry at home but wouldn't touch it with a barge pole on the coupon.
Prediction; 1-0

Derby County v Ipswich Town
Both of these sides lost on Boxing Day. Derby need to be careful. They recovered after an appalling start but have fallen away again and could easily get sucked into the dogfight. They should be favourites here but Ipswich might put up more fight after their home defeat by Birmingham.
Prediction; 0-1

Doncaster Rovers v Burnley
Rovers won't play a home game with more confidence this season after winning 4-2 at Forest. I hope Burnley will prove too strong for them because we don't look like catching four sides this season.
Prediction; 0-1

Norwich City v Nottingham Forest
A chance for Norwich to put 8 points between them and managerless Forest. I don't think Calderwood was the fundamental problem so it's very hard to see Forest springing anything here. This looks tailor-made for Leroy Lita.
Prediction; 2-0

QPR v Watford
I wasn't impressed with QPR at their place or at the Valley on Boxing Day. That said, Watford are hardly setting the world alight and their 4-2 home defeat by Bristol City will have taken it's toll. Can they bounce back here? I doubt it.
Prediction; 2-0

Sheffield United v Charlton Athletic
Phil Parkinson has been talking about his plans for the January transfer window which include Waggott and Murray's viewpoints, so the strong implication is that he thinks he's got an extension on the job. I just can't see this, particularly if we get beaten tomorrow. He might be least cost and we might be in a hopeless situation irrespective of the manager, but going down with a manager we knew couldn't arrest the Pardew decline will cost us £3m in season ticket losses during the close season and see us complete the 29 year turning-back of the clock. The Blades creamed us nine games ago at the Valley and our only hope is if they have been on the sauce since drawing at Wolves on Boxing Day. I don't think so.
Prediction; 3-0

Southampton v Reading
Nothing's going the way of the Saints right now. They went down at Plymouth on Boxing Day and have the poorest home record in the divison. Meat and drink for Reading who can get revenge for losing their home record to Southampton recently.
Prediction; 0-2

Blackpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves should be too strong here in the Monday game. A possible banana-skin but Wolves dropped two points at home to the Blades on Boxing Day and will want to get maximum return here. It looks like a perfect fixture for a Chris Iwelumo winner.
Prediction; 1-2

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