Hi, I'm from a Bolton Wanderers forum called Burnden Aces. We run a Q&A feature where we get the views of opposition fans ahead of games. If you would like to take part, just answer the questions below: Charlton currently sit in 12th place in the Championship, 6 places above Bolton. How has your season been so far? The Addicks won League One last year to earn a place in the Championship. Is a back-to-back promotion a possibility? After just one defeat in eight matches under new boss Dougie Freedman, do you think promotion could be a possibility for the Wanderers? Johnnie Jackson is currently Charlton's top scorer with 4 goals. Who else should the Wanderers be wary of on Saturday? Which Bolton player do you think Chris Powell will be earmarking as a potential threat to the Charlton goal? And finally, what do you think the final score will be at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday afternoon?
Charlton currently sit in 12th place in the Championship, 6 places above Bolton. How has your season been so far? Very dull in comparison to last season's roller-coaster ride, though most of us are happy with our league position and performances. There have been a few memorable moments - the 5-4 win against Cardiff was one of the craziest games seen at The Valley. The Addicks won League One last year to earn a place in the Championship. Is a back-to-back promotion a possibility? A very small possibility. Fans are optimistic of a slow ascent into the Play-Off's, but in reality very few of us are expecting a top 6 finish, let alone promotion. After just one defeat in eight matches under new boss Dougie Freedman, do you think promotion could be a possibility for the Wanderers? Always going to be one of the favourites for promotion having just dropped from the Premier League, but I'd be wary of making predictions based on the honeymoon period of a new manager - take a look at Chris Powell's first half-season in charge of us if you wish to know why. Johnnie Jackson is currently Charlton's top scorer with 4 goals. Who else should the Wanderers be wary of on Saturday? Certainly shouldn't be wary of Jackson . Chris Solly is a firm fan-favourite and possibly the best RB outside the Premier League. Yann Kermorgant is a beast in the air and not afraid to get stuck-in and wide up opposition defenders. Ricardo Fuller of course has his moments of magic, though may miss out through injury. Which Bolton player do you think Chris Powell will be earmarking as a potential threat to the Charlton goal? Kevin Davis will certainly be putting up some fight against our defenders and is surely a certain goal-threat. And finally, what do you think the final score will be at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday afternoon? A bore-draw, 0-0 or 1-1.
Charlton currently sit in 12th place in the Championship, 6 places above Bolton. How has your season been so far? Much better in the last seven matches, but I still feel we can do better if we strengthen in January. Powell seems to like fitting round pegs in square holes, although injuries have forced his hand to some extent. I would give our season 7/10 so far. The Addicks won League One last year to earn a place in the Championship. Is a back-to-back promotion a possibility? We have beaten both Cardiff and Leicester so far, so we shouldn't fear any team in this league. If we keep this run going into the New Year, then there is no reason why we can't sneak a play-off place. Perhaps that is wishful thinking, though... After just one defeat in eight matches under new boss Dougie Freedman, do you think promotion could be a possibility for the Wanderers? I wish all the worst luck on any former Palace player/manager. So, in answer to your question, it has to be a very big 'No, you have no chance in hell.' Johnnie Jackson is currently Charlton's top scorer with 4 goals. Who else should the Wanderers be wary of on Saturday? If Kermorgant and Haynes hit it off, they will be a handful for any defence in the Championship. Be warned, Bolton! Which Bolton player do you think Chris Powell will be earmarking as a potential threat to the Charlton goal? I really don't see a threat from Bolton, but Powell will obviously have a plan to deal with the aerial threat of Davies. And finally, what do you think the final score will be at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday afternoon?[/QUOTE] 2-1 to the Addicks.
1) Mid-table and holding our own-very happy with that 2)I sincerely hope not as we'd be nowhere near ready 3)Don't know 4)No great individuals apart from Fuller when he's fit, our strength is our team spirit. 5)Don't know 6)1-0 to Bolton.
1) Mid-table and holding our own-very happy with that 2)I sincerely hope not as we'd be nowhere near ready 3)Don't know 4)No great individuals apart from Fuller when he's fit, our strength is our team spirit. 5)Don't know 6)1-0 to Bolton.[/QUOTE Same as Bill plus answer to 3 is "no" and to 5 is "Chris Eagles". ]
I don't agree with that view. It is all a bit hypothetical, not because 4 points to a play-off place is such a big gap to make up, but because another 3 out of the top 18 teams are likely to do better than us. But, however unlikely, it is not impossible and if we had a chance of promotion we should grab it. We weren't ready the first time we went up with Curbs but it gave us three advantages: 1) Curbs could see who was up to top tier standard and who needed replacing 2) Younger players gained experience at that level 3) Most important of all, the money gained by bigger gates and TV money enabled him to strengthen the team so that second-time round we were ready. This would be even more the case nowadays with parachute money and greater TV revenue. The other issue is that if you don't take the chance when offered, who knows when it will come round again? Even if your team has improved by a year later there may be others who have improved more, or strong clubs just relegated. If it was felt we had not made every effort when we had the chance, it could cause bitterness in subsequent seasons if we got stuck in the Championship (or worse). It is actually more dangerous to get relegated after two or three seasons in the Premiership, because most of your players would by then be on enhanced contracts which are unviable back in the Championship.
