4-4-2 Anyone ?

Charlton could still lose even with no oppo !

Injury and suspension problems aplenty for the Addicks ahead of Saturday's game against Scunny. At least the management has had a full week to prepare in the knowledge of the absentees as it was pretty clear at 5pm last Saturday how things were shaping up.

I know Robinson loves his 4-2-3-1 formation. I know he loves it so much that he deployed it before acquiring the players that said formation would suit.

In fact, such a fan is Robinson that he didn't think he ought to change things against Millwall and persisted with Tony Watt in the lone striker's role following injury to Big Josh. The result was that we carried little goal threat which is hardly surprising as he doesn't suit the position aside from the fact that I'm about as fit as the Scot !

It seems barely credible if Robinson hadn't considered that his main man might at some stage pick up an injury especially given our luck in that area in recent seasons. However, his lack of an alternative system would suggest otherwise.

It would, of course, be difficult for any manager to cope without four centre halves let alone our shy and retiring manager. We are down to the bare bones there and an injury to one of the two starters on Saturday would spell further trouble.

The back four ought to be Solly, Konsa, Johnson and Chicksen. I say ought to be as there appears to be no alternative to any of them but to date both Slade and Robinson have done their damnedest to ensure that young Adam doesn't start in his favoured left back berth.

Amazing, since he's been one the better performers. He's been so good in fact that I'd have tied him down to a longer term deal by now. I believe his current one expires at the end of this season and it would be foolhardy not to keep him.

Robinson's midfield options are in better shape. Crofts had probably his best game in a Charlton shirt last Saturday and must start as should Aribo. That leaves a trio of Foster-Caskey, Holmes and Ulvestad pushing for a start too.

The striking choices are marginally better than the defensive ones but not by much ! Novak will probably play up front from the off as there's not really anyone else save for perhaps Hanlan to play in the lone role but he is very inexperienced. 

Ahearne-Grant and Watt may be battling for a place on the bench with Tony likely to get the nod. Maybe Ajose will find himself there too.

Playing The Iron was always going to be tough and the missing personnel makes it so much harder. To me it seems silly to exaggerate those difficulties by employing a system that is unlikely to bring any success. It would serve Robinson better to go with 4-4-2 but I'd surprised if he employs it.

Given Scunny's lofty position and our depleted squad any kind of result would be good. Let's hope we can get it.

Come On You Reds !