The 3 Charlton Athletic dilemmas facing Dean Holden ahead of Peterborough United clash | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic‘s Carabao Cup triumph over Brighton and Hove Albion may be a tough act to follow for Dean Holden in his first game in charge of the club on Boxing Day, but it would appear that the 43-year-old has influence on tactics and team selection in midweek anyway.

Peterborough United will arrive at The Valley off the back of four straight defeats in League One, but despite that, Grant McCann has one of the fiercest attacking contingents in the division, spearheaded by the third tier’s top scorer in Jonson Clarke-Harris.

The Addicks will likely stick with the three at the back system that worked so well out of possession against the Seagulls, with some tweaks being made to ensure Charlton offer significantly more attacking threat.

Here, we have taken a look at three dilemmas Holden will have ahead of facing Posh…

Wide areas

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Jack Payne started at right and left wing, in the 3-4-3/5-4-1 system the Addicks deployed on Wednesday evening, the former looked seriously fatigued by the end of the game and his spot kick showed that, while Payne was substituted just after the hour mark.

Both probably performed well enough to keep their spots, but Holden has an array of potential straight swaps.

Corey Blackett-Taylor, Charlie Kirk, Diallang Jaiyesimi and Tyreece Campbell are available to come straight in while Miles Leaburn is capable of playing out wide having started as a number nine against Brighton.

Left centre back

The Addicks do not have a left-footer capable of slotting into left centre back or a left-footed centre back at the club, which can limit the effectiveness of a three at the back system in possession.

Lucas Ness stepped into the role against Brighton and performed very well, but with Sean Clare returning from suspension to be available on Boxing Day, it is likely that he slots into the backline, with Ness, 20, possibly being the less experienced defender to make way.

The left centre back also needs to be a strong defensive option, because they will have to cover for Steven Sessegnon’s forays forward, with the latter’s strengths lying more in the attacking third.

The centre back options available to Holden are: Clare, Ryan Inniss, Sam Lavelle, Ness, Zach Mitchell, 17, and potentially Terell Thomas – all are right-footed.

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Goalkeeper

Craig MacGillivray missed the Addicks’ 2-1 defeat at home to Bristol Rovers through illness, but returned to the bench for their cup win.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer was one of the standout performers on the night, and for that reason will be difficult to drop.

Having said that, with the Addicks just four points above the relegation zone and set to come under pressure in facing Posh, Holden may be tempted to select MacGillivray and favour experience over youth.