'Frustration & clarity for Charlton after defeat'

Charlton Athletic's season closed with a familiar mix of frustration and clarity at Swansea City - a game that, in truth, probably meant more to Welshman Nathan Jones than it did to most supporters.

The frustration comes from this - when we abandon our pragmatic approach and try to play more expansively, we become easy to exploit. forestarrow.help

The 3-1 defeat brings clarity for Jones. The squad needs a major injection of quality for next season.

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Swansea, though, offered a glimpse of what a settled Championship side looks like. Along with Norwich City and Sheffield United, they've proved how misleading early-season struggles can be.

Following the sacking of Alan Sheehan in November, there is now a more progressive emphasis under Vitor Matos.

Swansea play with intent - aggressive pressing, forward-thinking football, and a real threat from the flanks and set-pieces. Charlton knew what was coming - and still couldn't cope.

There were positives. We contained them for 75 minutes, which other teams haven't managed.

Miles Leaburn's equalising header and Conor Coady captaining the side felt fitting - perhaps a final contribution in a loan spell that has brought leadership and standards.

You can see why Jones values Coady so highly. The pair feel aligned in mindset, even if a permanent move looks unlikely.

But once the game opened up, the gulf became clear.

Swansea controlled proceedings, carving through Charlton too easily at times. Their third goal, from a set-piece Charlton had been warned about, summed up the afternoon.

Conceding three times in the final 15 minutes exposed a side that, when stretched, lacks the nous and resilience required at this level.

There's a sense Charlton could have ground out a draw had they stayed compact. Instead, once the shackles came off, Swansea sliced through them like a knife through butter. It was uncomfortable viewing, but perhaps necessary.

Because if this match did anything, it sharpened the picture for Jones. Charlton can compete, frustrate, and pick up results, but to control games, to look like a side that expects to win, requires something more.

A ruthless summer now feels inevitable. Often, the team struggles to keep the ball with authority and pass meaningfully, make right decisions and be consistently clinical in front of goal. These are not small fixes.

The bigger question is whether the club can match Jones' ambition. Can Charlton evolve while living within their means? Or does progress demand greater backing?

Either way, by August, this needs to feel like a different side. Because while this defeat stung, it may yet prove useful - a reminder of exactly where Charlton are, and how far they still have to go.

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Derbyshire’s unlikely run-chase against Kent is already in tatters at 34 for four. Three wickets for Matt Milnes: Came, Jewell, Montgomery and Madsen all done and dusted.

Kevin Hand says that Glamorgan are on track for their biggest ever thrashing of Hampshire. And just to hurry things along, Felix Organ is obligingly lbw to Jamie McIlroy. Hampshire are six down, and still trail by 190.

A place in next season’s Champions League is at stake for Roma as they face bottom-half Fiorentina in a must-win clash at Stadio Olimpico. Anything other than a win for the home side would likely spell disaster for their hopes of overtaking Juventus down the final stretch.

Roma’s hopes of securing their first top-four finish in Serie A since the 2017/18 season received a major boost yesterday. Already-relegated Hellas Verona held Luciano Spalletti’s side to a 1-1 draw in Turin, giving the Giallorossi the chance to blow a top-four race wide open.

Sitting four points adrift of Juventus, Roma cannot afford a slip-up here if they’re to close the gap, especially with a mouth-watering Derby della Capitale against Lazio waiting around the corner. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men should be in a good mood after beating Bologna 2-0 on the road last weekend to extend their unbeaten streak in Serie A to three games (W2, D1).

Fiorentina shared the spoils with Sassuolo in a dull 0-0 draw at home last time out. However, unbeaten in seven consecutive league outings (W3, D4), the visitors have already staved off relegation fears, as they boast a comfortable nine-point lead over 18th-placed Cremonese ahead of Monday night’s kick-off.

Therefore, a point in the capital would seal the deal for La Viola, who will be out to avenge a 2-1 defeat in October’s reverse fixture.

Match Preview

Roma

Gasperini’s first season in Rome has delivered mixed feelings, but securing a place in the Champions League for the first time in eight years would be a resounding success. Roma’s tally of 61 points at this stage of the season marks their best return since they last secured a top-four finish.

However, that may still not be enough to pip Juventus and Como to a coveted fourth place. Eager to hold up their end of the bargain, Roma can draw confidence from their stellar home run, as they’ve not lost a league clash at the Olimpico since November (W7, D3).

Furthermore, they’ve emerged victorious from 11 of their 13 home league matches against sides starting this round below them in the table (D1, L1), conceding just four goals. In addition to their impressive defensive exploits, Roma have often been quick out of the blocks.

Only new champions Inter (28) have opened the scoring in more Serie A games than the Giallorossi this season (21). Another fast start would bode well here, given that Roma won 18 of those matches (D2, L1).

Fiorentina

Despite enduring a disappointing season, Paolo Vanoli’s men seem to have found their footing recently, going unbeaten in ten of their last 11 Serie A outings (W5, D5). Although they cannot finish in the upper half of the table, Fiorentina will target a strong end to the campaign.

Upsetting the odds at the Olimpico is not beyond La Viola’s reach. They’ve avoided defeat in four of their last five away games across all competitions (W3, D1) despite keeping just one clean sheet in that sequence. Against this backdrop, Fiorentina’s recent visits to the capital have often gone wrong.

Vanoli’s charges have lost five of their seven away clashes against Roma since their last win here back in April 2018 (D2). In fact, they’ve picked up just three wins from 51 previous visits to the Olimpico (D16, L32), highlighting the magnitude of the task ahead.

However, after conceding just one first-half goal across their last seven league fixtures, Fiorentina will fancy their chances of frustrating Roma early on and turning this encounter into a tense affair.

Team News

Star midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini has recently joined long-term absentees Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson in the treatment room. Roma will also be without diminutive winger Bryan Zaragoza due to a knee problem, while Neil El Aynaoui must serve a suspension. On the bright side, Manu Kone has returned from injury and is likely to make his first Serie A start since mid-March.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina talisman Moise Kean remains on the sidelines with a shin problem. His deputy, Roberto Piccoli, is also out with a muscular issue, with Albert Gudmundsson expected to lead the line in their absence. Niccolo Fortini and Tariq Lamptey are unavailable for selection, but Robin Gosens and Fabiano Parisi have both resumed full training.

Roma vs Fiorentina Potential Starting Lineups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Malen.

Fiorentina (4-3-3): De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Ndour, Fagioli, Mandragora; Harrison, Gudmundsson, Solomon.

Roma vs Fiorentina Prediction

Failure is not an option for Roma if they’re to close the gap on the top four. However, Fiorentina are no idle threat. With both teams enjoying strong runs of form, this feels like a finely balanced contest that could ultimately produce another of the spoils.

Six points clear of sixth-placed Bournemouth with three games left, Liverpool should secure Champions League football and deserve some credit for that.

But watch them on a weekly basis and it's clear to see this is a team that is struggling and cannot wait for this campaign to finish.

The injuries have been relentless and that was encapsulated with record signing Alexander Isak absent at Old Trafford and third-choice Freddie Woodman and fourth-choice Armin Pecsi as their two goalkeeping options.

Mohamed Salah, also ruled out with injury, watched on from the directors' box and how Liverpool could have done with the Egyptian, who has scored more times against Manchester United in the Premier League than anyone else.

Despite the absences, Liverpool would have been aware of the task against Michael Carrick's resurgent outfit and had all week to prepare, yet still delivered a woeful first-half performance.

Once again, they went behind first and despite United's best efforts to gift them a way back into the game and drawing level at 2-2, it was another Liverpool error which helped the hosts secure the three points.

Alexis Mac Allister will know he should have cleared his lines before Kobbie Mainoo's 77th-minute winner.

Arne Slot spoke earlier in the week about this summer representing the start of new cycle. At the bare minimum, he and his players need to ensure that includes Champions League football.

"I wouldn't say I'm concerned [about qualifying] but I am completely aware that we need three points and that is why I am so annoyed we did not get them," said the Dutchman.

"If you are 2-2 and have come back from 2-0 down, you should at least come out with a draw."

Deep down, he will know that regardless of Champions League qualification, Liverpool are in for a summer of change.