Karl Robinson’s first league game in charge of the Addicks could scarcely be tougher. Bradford are fourth in the table, and unbeaten at home.
Bantams legend, Stuart McCall, has done a fine job at Valley Parade and will expect to take another three points from this game.
Robinson acknowledges the difficulty of the task but is equally confident. Though he has a number of injuries, and wants to enhance his squad in January, he simply states, “We are Charlton.”
For now, the new gaffer is likely to stick with a traditional 4-4-2 shape but will gradually mould his team into a 4-2-3-1 outfit.
Robinson is unlikely to tinker with the team he fielded against against former club MK Dons too much.
Kevin Foley was not involved in that game, and it is unclear if it was due to injury or tactical reasons.
Robinson played young Ezri Konsa at right-back, but he had to be replaced by Jorge Teixeira after picking up a head injury in the first half.
Charlton may look something like this:
Phillips; Konsa, Bauer, Pearce, Fox; Botaka, Crofts, Ulvestad, Lookman; Magennis, Ajose.
Subs: Beeney, Teixeira, Johnson, Chicksen, Aribo, Novak, Hanlan.
The referee will be Mark Haywood of West Yorkshire.
Robinson has been very upbeat about the quality of the squad he has inherited, but intimated that he will adopt a slightly different game plan.
He will put more emphasis on attack to make greater use of his forward players. Getting the balance between attack and defence right is the key to success, and Robinson will be confident of taking something from the game.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic