One way or another:- Charlton bound for Wembley?

As a Charlton Athletic supporter, the last five years or so have been an emotional roller-coaster. From top flight Football to League one in just a matter of seasons to then win League one and get a top half finish in our return to second tier Football at the end of last year. But this year, once again is a very different story.
             
The Addicks have had what can only be described as an dreadful season in the Championship so far. Sitting third from bottom with the lowest amount of goals scored by any team is not where many fans expected their team to be when the season kicked off. Scoring just one goal in their last five league games (which came from a 92nd minute corner), Charlton simply have to improve if they are to remain in the Championship next year. They have bought in several new faces in the January transfer window but also sold a few, including French fan favourite Yann Kemorgant who netted a hat-trick for his new club Bournemouth this past weekend. So many fans expected the reds to travel to Wembley this year. But as scary as the end of the season may seem, their dreams are still within reach.

Church sends Charlton through to the Quarter Final

The team are fighting for a spot at Wembley in a very diffe
rent way. A way in which no one could have imagined. The FA Cup. A trophy which year after year brings us shocks, incredible plot twists and fascinating Football. The Quarter finals will take place this weekend and the under-dogs are in perhaps the most enviable position of any team as they take on League One team Sheffield United. It sounds like a god-send for Charlton after beating one half of the Steel City but they may have their work cut out. The blades have now won 8 matches in a row since the start of February including a 1-0 over Premier League team Fulham in the FA Cup.

Sheffield will go into this match with a lot of momentum, there is no doubt about it. It will be up to the Addicks to halt that momentum from the word go and ideally get themselves an early lead. They have the talent to do it. Simon Church has become a crucial part of the offence in recent weeks and new signings Nego and Reza Ghoochannejhad will be eager to prove to the clubs new owner exactly what they can do.

Iranian international Reza Ghoochannejhad
will be keen to net his first goal
for his new club this weekend.

IF Charlton get past Sheffield Wednesday, they would be just 90 minutes of Football away from a game at Wembley. This is the furthest Chris Powell's men have ever gone in a Cup Run and they certainly will not want it to end any time soon. But, standing in their way are going to be three of the potentially most dominating teams imaginable. The other three games this weekend are as follows.

Arsenal vs Everton
Hull vs Sunderland
Manchester City vs Wigan

This means that no matter what the outcome, Charlton will have to face a top flight Premier League side in both the Semi Final and the Final. Current cup holders Wigan are in a rematch of their final last year as they take on runners-up Manchester City. Wigan have beaten the blues before and are well equipped to do it again. But City will be determined to play as well as they are in the league and stop Wigan from retaining the decorated trophy. So either way, Charlton IF matched up against either of these, are going to have an almighty task on their hands.

Current holders Wigan could potentially retain their title.

With the other four teams perhaps poising to be just as much of a threat, all Charlton can do is their best. Miracles do happen, and if the Addicks can make their way into the final even in the flukiest of ways. It will restore both hope and faith. Two emotions that possibly had been lost months ago for fans across the country. The squad morale would be through the roof and if they could carry that into their remaining league fixtures, including the two they have in hand over the teams around them, then maybe...just maybe..they could avoid relegation and bring home the team's first ever F.A Cup.

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NFL The Power 5:- teams to keep a close eye on this season

Football season is almost upon us with pre-season games hitting their fourth and final week. Now Pre-Season isn't a fully accurate representation of what we could see in the NFL but there are some encouraging signs and some teams who will most definitely be on the hunt for the Lombardi trophy this season.

 5) Miami Dolphins 
 Like many in their debut season, Ryan Tannehill showed glimpses of greatness. In week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, Tannehill threw for a very impressive 431 yards whilst in others he simply could not deliver. But overall, the rookie out of Texas also became the fifth quarterback in team history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season. Couple that with the addition of receiver Mike Wallace and there is no reason why the Dolphins can't be one of the most intimidating offences in the NFL and challenging for a play off spot at the end of the season.


4) Detroit Lions
The Lions have had a great pre season so far including a demolishing victory over the Patriots. Matt Stafford has been on unrelenting form as of late and is going to be one of the most powerful quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Calvin Johnson has the potential as he always does to make some of the most important catches a receiver can make a long with some of the most impressive. If LeShoure can avoid injury and Reggie Bush can chip in where needed, this could be the balance the offence so desperately craved last year.
     The team suffered a horrible record last season but with the NFC West becoming one of the most unpredictable divisions in the league, this could be the year they return to the top.

3)San Fransisco                
  So close yet so far, the 49ers will be looking to come back with a vengance this season as they look to return to the Superbowl for the second year running. You could argue that out of the big 4 Quarterbacks going into this season, (Kaepernick, RGIII, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson) that The Nevada star comes the most equipped. With a Bazooka for an arm and the agility of a Moto GP rider, Colin is always going to be a threat no matter what defensive line you put in front of him. 
   The defense is also going to be extremely fired up. For the third year running the line will compete as one of the best in the league, not just the division or the conference, the league. Eric Reid will start as free safety in week 1, and for the LSU rookie this could be the opportunity he needs. With one of the best defensive units in the league, he can learn so much and really take the first step on the road to greatness. 
    There are not many teams in the NFL where you look at them and expect them to make the play offs year upon year yet the 49ers constantly exceed our expectations with demolishing defeats and sheer fire to make the play offs and ultimately lift the Lombardi trophy.

2) Seattle
If there really is a war forming between the Seahawks and the 49ers in the NFC West then Two words are going to turn it into a nuclear battle, Russell Wilson. He was absolutely sensational last year, completing 64 percent of his passes for 26 touchdowns against 10 interceptions for a 100 passer rating. Now THAT does not come easy in your first season as a QB. So just how much of an impact did he make? The Seahawks posted an 11-5 record in 2012, the third most wins in franchise history and went undefeated at home for only the third time in franchise history.
     It isn't all down to Wilson however, the defense who started with a 4-4 record helped turn the season around to lose just one more game of the remaining 8. With the signing of nickel corner Antoine Winfield as well, the Seahawks are entering 2013 with VERY few weaknesses.

1) Philadelphia
Okay so the Eagles may not be Superbowl material just year but with the departure of head coach Andy Reid and the arrival of ex Oregon coach Chip Kelly, it's clear to see in the pre season alone that the Eagles offence has been completely reformed. Every play has the ability to turn into the pace seen in a 2 minute offence with a consistent run of first downs and the defense are no longer left picking up pieces but in face helping to lead the charge to restore the Eagles to their former glory.
     Kelly named Vick as the starting QB this season and Mike himself has said all pre season long that he has nothing but praise for the new playing style and you can see this in his opening pre season games. Vicks accuracy and ability to out run most defensive players helps to slot him in perfectly to this new playbook.
   Nick Foles the man who replaced the injured Vick last season will sit in at number two but it seems he reacted to the news of not getting the number one spot just as Chip intended as he completed 10/11 throws against the Jaguars helping the Eagles reach a 31-24 victory.
    McCoy is also looking as dangerous as ever along with tight end Celek and the ever impressive DeSean Jackson, this could be the year the Eagles look competitive again. But to do that they need to overthrow the highly rated Redskins in week one of the regular season in the NFC East rivalry game. 
  

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