Many thanks to Tyler Rowlinson for helping us out with this weeks Trash Talk questions ahead of our Tuesday night clash at the Valley. Two or three familiar faces in the Charlton team, fingers crossed it’s not the curse of the returning player. I’d make yourself a brew if I were you, this is not a short article, but don’t let that put you off, its an excellent read.
1 – With the Transfer Window done and dusted, how has it gone for your club, some great acquisitions, or have you lost a player that you would really have liked to have kept for the run in?
Charlton’s January was interesting to say the least. I feel that we have strengthened with our permanent acquisitions in Chuks Aneke and Scott Fraser; two players you’re all too familiar with! Chuks was a player that we didn’t really replace from last season that offers us some much-needed quality and power up top, especially with his record at this level, and his ability to hold up the ball and shrug off defenders and his impact off the bench.
Fraser on his day is one of the most creative midfielders in this league and has already showed glimpses of that in the couple of games he’s played so far. Our two loan signings – Nile John and Juan Castillo – I think will prove to be quite pointless considering the players we already have in their positions, but I hope that they do get a run around and make an impact. On the departure front, we were able to loan out players that needed some regular football, but departures such as Charlie Kirk and Mason Burstow have caused some controversy. Kirk had a lot against him this season and needed to get away and come back a more confident player but loaning him out to the division above with Blackpool with an option to buy at the end, to me it’s just complete insanity.
With Burstow, he got his dream move to Chelsea and the club have got a decent fee for a League One team and for a player that hasn’t played a lot of games this season. Him returning on loan for the rest of the season though I’m not keen on, as I don’t think his head will truly be in it after making this big move. Overall, we have done some decent business, but our loan signings and the controversial exits leave question marks about our recruitment team, which proved to be a shambles in the summer as well.
2 – Where do you see your club being in the league table at the end of the season, and indeed where do you see the MK Dons finishing?
I honestly think we won’t do any better than our current position. While we have shown we can play football under Jackson while he was caretaker, for most of the season we have been mediocre and underwhelming – and that’s me being kind to us! At this point I just want the season to end because this won’t be getting any better for us. As for MK Dons, you guys will be comfortably in the top six and I wouldn’t put it past you making a late challenge for the automatic promotion spots. Never say never!
3 – Who is the best and the worst team you have played this season so far?
I’ve seen us come up against some tough teams this year. I’d say the best was Rotherham, we did very well to grab a deserved point off them at The Valley as they were tough to break down and well organised. They’re right up the top of the league for a reason. Honourable mention to Cambridge as well, very impressive side when they came to SE7 in December. Worst team: Doncaster and sadly no one else comes close. We tore them apart 4-0 in Jackson’s second game in charge. They just looked so deflated and uninspiring, weren’t any competition to us at all.
4 – If you had the opportunity which current League 1 player would you like to sign for your club?
If we want to get out of this league, we need another Lyle Taylor. Someone who can bag 20+ goals in a season and unfortunately none of our current attackers strike me as a player of that calibre. Plymouth’s Luke Jephcott is a player that I would love to see in a Charlton shirt. He’s still a young player and proved last season that he can score goals and consistently at this level.
5 – Promotion and playoff places are tight this season, who do you see filling those berths?
I think Rotherham are winning this league, with Wigan coming a close second. While Wigan have three games in hand, Rotherham right now just don’t look like slowing down. Both are strong sides, and they deserve to go up automatically. Playoffs is tough to call, and it will go down to the final day, but I think MK Dons will take third, Wycombe will come fourth, Sunderland fifth and I think Oxford will pip Plymouth to sixth place.
6 – One team always seems to come from nowhere to challenge for a playoff spot, who would be your pick?
Bolton, they’re one of the inform teams in the league and if they keep it going, they could put the pressure on those playoff spots. Ian Evatt has done a brilliant job this season and, while I don’t think they will end up making the top six, the foundations are there for a competitive season next year.
7 – Is there any MK Dons player that you fear could be a big influence on the result of our fixture?
Scott Twine. I was stunned when you signed him in the summer considering how good of a player he is. With 13 goals and nine assists, he’s been unbelievable this season and is a player that can have a field day if we can’t close him down.
8 – What style of play can we expect to see from your team?
Under Jackson we play a 5-3-2 or a 3-5-2 however you want to look at it. I’m not the biggest fan of it personally, but it did work a treat when he was caretaker. I would say expect a few long balls up to our strikers and watch out for our set pieces as we’ve been dangerous from them in recent games. We can move the ball nicely through the middle when we want to as well, I’m just hoping we can do that and grab a result!
9 – Can you tell us a player we should look out for from your team?
An easy choice: your former player and our new signing Scott Fraser. I think he’ll want to put on a performance against his former side and I don’t think I need to remind you about what kind of player he is. I’m hopeful he can make an impact in this game and cause problems for your defence.
10 – Many Thanks for taking part, all we need now is your match prediction?
In all honesty, I’m not confident at all. Like I said earlier, I want this season to end at this point. It’s just been so depressing watching us and I don’t think it’ll get any better than what we’re doing right now. You’re a strong side and while I pray that we can come away with the three points, I just can’t see it happening. I’m going with Charlton 1-2 MK Dons in the hope that it ends up being a brilliant case of reverse psychology and Johnnie Jackson’s Addicks come away with the win!
Thanks for asking me to take part in this and I wish you the best for the rest of the season, except for this game! Up The Addicks!
