It’s not always an easy game to play against The Bantams, especially at the historic Valley Parade as our record shows just three away wins in twelve games since 1927, including last year’s 1-0 win with Jake Forster-Caskey grabbing the winning goal.
This is a new Charlton revived under Lee Bowyer and now is a real chance to show what he can really do with a huge test like Bradford, this team knows how to win there and with the new arrivals it can only make our chances better going in to this fixture.
Let’s not forget our young players who are starting to make a name for themselves in the squad, I would like to see more of George Lapslie as I feel he has been a real breakout featuring in all seven of our games so far, so I would like to see him start again.
Historical Game
Way back in 1997 Charlton played Bradford at The Valley and what a game it was, it had everything you want from a football game, controversy, punch-ups on the pitch and of course great goals.
Some real memorable moments in this one, from what I remember(although I was only two!) Mendonca scored two goals and the other two were delivered in supreme fashion, there was Paul Mortimer swinging in and out of the defence to drive a low shot in to the back of the net and it was probably the best goal he had ever scored.
Now we come to the Steve Brown special, the legendary Charlton defender shocked everyone with what was the best goal of the afternoon on Sky and he made the most of his time in the spotlight as he drove a pounding shot from around 40 yards in the bottom of the goal.
Here’s where the controversy is, from what I remember Brazilian striker Edinho handballed the ball to give Bradford a goal and after that he was also involved in a scrap with Mark Kinsella after Kinsella had fallen on top of the ball as Edinho and another Bradford player then decided to start kicking him whilst he was on the floor, but we all know Mark Kinsella and we know he’s not one for backing out of a fight, he then proceeded to get up and grab those Bradford players by the collars until the referee intervened, luckily for everyone involved Kinsella did not release his full force, oh yes and there was no reds lucky for everyone really.
My Prediction
It will be a tough game due to the fact that new manager David Hopkin could breathe new life in to Bradford after a disastrous start to the League One season with manager Michael Collins being sacked after just two wins in seven games.
I think a 1-1 draw looks to be on the cards for this one so to me a win will be a surprise despite Bradford’s slow start to the campaign.
Tickets will be available at the door tomorrow.
What do you think the score will be? Will you be part of the travelling crowd?
Please leave your comments in the comments section.
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