Charlton Athletic Online

Bristol City 2 Charlton Athletic 1

In some ways, you could lift any match report for this game pretty much from that of the similar result at Burnley on Saturday; one up at half-time, Charlton fell under pressure to not only hold onto their precarious lead, but to gain any points at all.

This time, City’s two second half goals came soon after half-time (unlike at Burnley, where at least the team hung on till the last quarter of an hour), both courtesy of Dele Adebola. It does seem that Matt Holland was unable to cope with Adebola’s strength in the air, but I guess that is to be expected from a make-shift centre back.

Tom Soares scored the Addicks goal, heading home a Nicky Bailey cross.

The positive news, which is what Phil Parkinson will no doubt be using, is that Therry Racon played well (until being sacrificed to save him from tiredness and also as he had already been booked). Darren Ward also had another solid game at centre back, and coped again with huge amounts of pressure, and Chris Dickson again impressed up front. The negative aspects are that one or two players got very bad press from the radio commentary, particularly Yassin Moutaouakil (for giving up on a ball), Lloyd Sam (for not chasing back) and Darren Ambrose (for arguing unnecessarily).

Personally, although last week’s victory was very important, I did not feel that Charlton would gather any points from these two away games, so for me, the position is the same. What must happen though is that the improved Valley performances must continue, and that has to mean that we do not lose to Cardiff at home on Saturday, provided the game does go ahead (which it may not if more snow arrives as expected on Friday).

Labels: Bristol City, Charlton

No time, no energy, and no enthusiasm for a full preview of the midweek game as Charlton take on Bristol City. We sit in 17th place in the league – not good! We need to put a run together or the predicted relegation battle will become a reality; if we lose against City and on Saturday against Burnley, we really could see Pardew being shown the door before any potential takeover comes to fruition.

This is the suspension and injury plagued side I think Pards will let take to the field on his (and our) behalf –

Nicky Weaver
Martin Crainie
Linvoy Primus
Kelly Youga
Grant Basey
Lloyd Sam
Matt Holland
Nicky Bailey
Hameur Bouazza
Luke Varney
Andy Gray

Subs from Elliot, Moutaouakil, Mambo, Ambrose, Wagstaff, Dickson, McLeod, Todorov.

Pedro45 just thinks that too much is falling apart at the moment and Pardew is not the man to superglue things together – I forecast another 2-0 defeat, though I desperately hope I am wrong. Without Hudson and Semedo, red carded on Saturday; without Shelvey who is off with young England; without Fortune and Zhi who are injured - we just have no chance. How our central defence will cope with six foot five defender McCombe at free kicks and corners is beyond me; then there are the rest of their team to worry about…

My one-to-watch is going to be Linvoy Primus (top) in this game; quite simply, he’s going to have to have a very good game if Charlton are to get any sort of result that brings us needed points.

Come on you reds!

Labels: Bristol City, Charlton, Linvoy Primus

Charlton Athletic 1 Bristol City 1

It’s fair to say that I saw and got exactly what I asked for - belief, heart, skill, passion, endeavour, and effort - sadly, all of this came from an excellent Bristol City side.

I left the ground wondering if Charlton had played badly, or if City had played so well that they made Charlton look poor; I am still unsure of the right answer to this poser, though others will have firmer opinion either way.

When you look at Charlton’s team as individuals, both centre backs (Paddy McCarthy and Sam Sodje) performed manfully; the midfield (Matt Holland – who was Charlton’s man-of-the-match - and Zheng Zhi) ran themselves into the ground; and Chris Iwelumo and substitute Andy Gray (who replaced big Chris halfway through the second half) both did their best as centre forwards, with little protection (again) from the referee. Jerome Thomas had some good runs, and Darren Ambrose was always looking to find a way to get a shot on goal. Luke Varney did miss a couple of good chances, one in each half – a volley just before half time that he screwed wide, and a header from an Ambrose shot that flew over (Was it going in before Luke headed it? East Stand-ers will let me know…) but played most of the game wide right as instructed. Nicky Weaver had a busy game but wasn’t called to make that many flying saves. Only the full backs – Greg Halford and Kelly Youga – had poor games in my opinion, both not supporting effectively when they ventured forward, and both suffering from appalling distribution. The other substitutes – Scott Sinclair and Lee Cook – did little in the combined 25 minutes or so they were on the pitch.

So if none of the team played that badly, why did we look so ordinary, and second best?

As a team, Charlton had less work-ethic and connectivity than City – the back four were often unprotected by the midfield, and many times gaps between the two were exploited and punished by Gary Johnson’s team. After switching to 4-5-1 (once we took the lead), Iwelumo was a very lonely figure up front, and with him unable to hold the ball up (as well as Gray for instance) the ball just kept coming back toward the Charlton goal. The full backs tried to get forward, but both lacked pace or penetration, and as mentioned, their passing was abysmal. Charlton were just not “joined-up”, and therefore performed as a team of parts rather than one cognitive whole.

And Bristol City really tore into us as a result. It was not pretty viewing watching little triangles of play being worked along the wing, taking out various red shirted players before being presented into dangerous positions. How many times was Dele Adebola (a journeyman footballer if ever there was one…) allowed to win his own second ball? And how many times, surely a record, did one of their centre half’s “dummy” his way past an onrushing Charlton forward to allow himself time to clear (pass) the ball forward?

In fact, I (and I suspect Alan Pardew) was grateful to hear the final whistle in the end, knowing we had held on for a point. It was that much of a one-sided game toward the end.

Bristol City, in my opinion, were the best side that I have seen at The Valley this season, and fully justify there place at the top of this division. If their finishing had been anywhere near as good as their overall play (many times scuffed shots trickled through to Weaver…), Charlton would have suffered another severe thumping.

As it was, the game was drawn. Charlton actually started brightly, and took the lead inside the first ten minutes. A delightful move (possibly one of the best of the season ironically) saw the ball shifted inside to the advancing Darren Ambrose, who drove the ball into the far corner. Maybe Charlton then thought this would be a cakewalk, because slowly, Bristol came back into the game, and realised that they could cause major problems for the Addicks. They were not helped by Adebola being off the pitch for over five minutes getting stitched up after a clash of heads which resulted in him being turban-like for the rest of the game. After Varney’s miss just before half time, they probably had the belief they needed to come back into the game, while Charlton may have had doubts and knew that a two-goal half-time lead wasn’t good enough last time at The Valley against Watford.

Apart from a few breakouts, and corners, the second half was all played out in front of the covered end; gaps became more frequent, and shots (mainly poor ones) started to rain in on Weavers goal. The game cried out for Pardew to change the formation and relieve some of the pressure but, as mentioned in my preview where I said that the bench options would be key, we had no Jose Semedo to come on and do a job when we really needed him. And this to me was the biggest area of downfall – why did we need two additional wingers on the bench? We had Varney playing wide; Ambrose and Thomas also on the pitch, and yet Sinclair was paired with Cook on the sidelines. Thatcher provider the defensive cover, but he is not as flexible as Semedo, and unless he had switched to right back with Halford moving forward, Pardew was constrained by his self-inflicted options. Another lesson learned Al?

City scored from a corner – several of which had been very dangerously delivered – when McCombe flicked home. Toward the end, a desperate McCarthy intervention directed the ball past Weaver but just wide of the post. In the last couple of minutes, Referee Dowd gave Adebola some protection where he had given Iwelumo none, and ordered a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. It was floated over the wall, but luckily for Charlton it hit the bar and bounced down, before being scrambled clear. The visiting supporters thought it was in, but they were disappointed. The five minutes of added time just seemed to prolong the Addicks pain, and it was a relief when the game ending whistle was finally sounded.

The game that City played last night was one that Charlton should really aspire to if they want to get out of this league going in the right direction; it was neat, simple football, played mainly to feet. City had good footballers, many of whom are pretty unknown in Championship terms, let alone the Premiership, yet they made Charlton look like park players at times. The point won may turn out to be crucial, as this was a game where we didn’t really deserve anything.

It proved that there can be no resting on laurels if we are to make even the play offs themselves, let alone try to win promotion. Dare we say roll on Saturday, when we take on in-form Preston North End? It doesn’t bare thinking about for a couple of days at least…

At least we can look forward to some more forward presence now Leroy Lita has arrived on loan from Reading until the end of the season.

Labels: Bristol City, Charlton

Labels: Bristol City, Charlton, Zheng Zhi

Bristol City 0 Charlton Athletic 1

Labels: Bristol City, Charlton, Chris Iwelumo

It was a truly great result for Charlton on Saturday, and Addicks fans will hoping for more of the same when the team travel to Bristol City on Tuesday night for another tough game. I didn’t make it Saturday, mainly due to the engineering works which compromised the trains, and I cannot get time off work in order to make it to Ashton Gate either.

The three points won by Chris Iwelumo (left) in the late, late show at St Mary’s have taken Charlton up to fifth in the league table, but a couple more wins would mean Charlton are right back in promotion contention. Winning will be tough at Ashton Gate, as Bristol City have had a very solid start to the season, and their passion and commitment has seen them rise to the heady heights of second place, leading the pack chasing runaway leaders Watford.

The red half of Bristol are playing well, and ex-Yeovil bass Gary Johnson has made an exceptional job of limited funds as he has tried to build a side capable of making the Championship play-offs. The City team have no stars, but the blend of journeyman footballers and youngsters hoping to make a name for themselves has worked so far, and given Johnson hope that he can bring Premiership football to this major city for the first time. They don’t seem to be scared of anyone!

Charlton are in a much more fast-tracked environment when it comes to building a team fit for the Premiership; but Alan Pardew’s buying skills have been good, and the make up of up-and-coming overseas stars and experienced English based players is settling in well, albeit with the odd blip (the three games in the last week in October for instance!).

The game is therefore set up to be a good one - can the City upstarts maintain their form and show that early season promise is something that they can maintain as the nights get longer, or will the undoubted class of Charlton’s midfield shine through and prove too strong?

Alan Pardew will obviously be hoping that that 93rd minute goal on Saturday has turned around Charlton’s fortunes (we haven’t had much luck for a couple of years really when you think about it…), and the solidity shown by the clean sheet (the first by a team against Southampton this season) and work ethic can be maintained with eleven players on the pitch.

Nicky Weaver finally had a chance to work hard during a game, and made several good stops at St Mary’s on Saturday. He has obviously found it hard to shine when most games have seen him only required to make the odd save here and there during the majority of matches. Saturday could have been a turning pint for him, as he won over the fans with his command of the penalty area, something he has failed to do while wearing a Charlton shirt over recent months.

The defence worked hard and also gathered plaudits; Danny Mills didn’t get booked for a change, and his experience alongside the central defence is definitely required. That is especially so when young Grant Basey is playing at left back. Basey has settled in during both of his first two starts, making good tackles, passing reasonably well, and getting forward when he has had the chance. He is quick enough without ever looking fast; tall, so reasonable in the air; and unfazed, it seems, by playing in front of twenty thousand plus crowds. Some of his tackling, or lack of, does worry me, as opposition players are obviously encouraged to take on the youngster, and although he doesn’t make mistakes, he does seem to get beaten too often. Maybe this is being harsh, but it is an early observation. Although Chris Powell travelled on Saturday, I expect Basey to continue to play until Powell is definitely ready to return. Centrally, Sam Sodje has at last started to bring to some attacking play to the centre of defence; no longer are we seeing players watching the ball and then reacting; Sodje goes for it and then picks up the mess afterwards. This has helped Jon Fortune, who now no longer struggles to communicate with his defensive partner, although he too still needs to improve and make his mark in each game.

The midfield played very well on Saturday, and after Jose Semedo was sent off and a re-grouping at half-time, really took control. The skill level from a midfield combination of Andy Reid, Zheng Zhi, Jerome Thomas, and Lloyd Sam is probably higher than at any other Championship club. What is needed though is a work ethic to match, and with the team down to ten men, this was very evident too. The options to replace the suspended Semedo are to either bring in a straight midfield replacement like Therry Racon, or to go with a more attacking option like Darren Ambrose. Alternatively, if Pardew wants to switch to 4-4-2, Luke Varney could return to the starting line up in Semedo’s place after his late goal-assisting cameo at St Mary’s. I fancy Racon will be asked to play, with options to attack later on the bench.

That will therefore leave big Chris Iwelumo to start again up front on his own. Although he scored the only goal at the weekend, his general play wasn’t great, but this may have been down to the volume of possession (41%), and the lack of anyone else being in his vicinity (especially after the team were down to ten men). Iwelumo does lead the line, and runs his heart out in every game; hopefully, he will have something left in the tank after Saturday. What has he done to his strapped up hands though? I don’t think Varney could do the one-up-front on his own, though maybe Izale McLeod could?

This is the side I expect Alan Pardew to send out in the Seahawk Blue and Denim shirts (provided they are back from the cleaners in time?)–

Nicky Weaver
Danny Mills
Sam Sodje
Jonathan Fortune
Grant Basey
Therry Racon
Zheng Zhi
Andy Reid
Lloyd Sam
Jerome Thomas
Chris Iwelumo

Subs from Randolph, Moutaouakil, Bougherra, Ambrose, Varney, McLeod.

The whole mentality around the club could and maybe should have changed after that late winner, and it would be great if the team could turn around a bad run of results from one week, and fly back with three wins to counter those three defeats. I’m not sure that we can though, even with the renewed confidence; Pedro45’s score forecast for this match will therefore be a 1-1 draw. I toyed with a 2-1 defeat, but hope that maybe we can hang on for a point. It definitely won’t be easy, and it really is becoming a bit of a pain playing against teams who see Charlton as a big scalp and then raise their game accordingly. Bristol will be one of those, and cheered on under floodlights by a partisan crowd, it will be another tough match, even if we can keep eleven men on the pitch for 90 minutes!

My one-to-watch at Ashton Gate is going to be Danny Mills. Danny boy has bags and bags of experience, and has now got the fitness levels he lacked in September up where they should be. We loves interacting with the crowd, and does get an awful lot of abuse. He also pushes his luck with referees, and is finding that he cannot get away with as much in the Championship as he did in the Premiership. We now need Danny to stabilise the defence – Sodje and Basey are new guys, and Fortune has gone through a bad patch. Without Semedo to bottle up the midfield, there may be a few gaps that Bristol will try to exploit; it will be up to Mills to prevent this happening if Charlton are to get anything from the game at all. The clean sheet on Saturday was a fillip to us all (and the first since September!); if we can get another in quick succession, then we will all be happy!

Up the Addicks!

Labels: Bristol City, Charlton, Danny Mills