Nottingham Forest 2 Charlton Athletic 1

Away games can often stick long in the memory because of the overall day and not the hour and a half squeezed, sometimes unfortunately, in the middle. Yesterday was one of those games.

My son and I along with a couple of mates travelled up on the train with Dave and Pete and we had plenty of time to manage our expectations over a few pints in The Canal House before the walk to the City Ground, which these days like many of the countries historical old stadiums is a mix of large modern double tiered stands stood next to low and cramped wooden ones as clubs decide to stick or move.

We each agreed beforehand that a point would be a terrific result, but in truth despite a very late flourish Charlton were never at the races and were often outclassed by an impressive looking Forest side.

From the off our midfielders, that were playing in a formation that was hard to decipher, were chasing shadows as the home side led by Andy Reid (who got a warm reception from travelling Addicks) and Adlene Giedioura moved the ball quickly and incisively. Time and again they cut through our defensive ranks and we found it impossible to retain possession, let alone create some attacking play ourselves.

Frankly we were lucky to be just a solitary goal down at the break. The more optimistic amongst us hoped that our spirit would see us go in search of an equaliser in the 2nd half, and although we were better Forest were on a different level.

Both goals conceded on the face of it and enhanced by the highlights were dubious, but there was no doubting that the better team won on the day. Even a Ricardo Fuller fuelled last 10 minutes (including injury time) when we may have even snatched an equaliser would have been a travesty. Fuller’s introduction was the bright point though.

Where Kermorgant and BWP spent a frustrating afternoon waiting for a better ball to attack, Fuller grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. Within seconds of his belated introduction laying deep he ran at the opposition with power, which was uplifting to see. He also of course scored, or at least should be credited with the goal after rising head and shoulders above everyone else to meet a pin point Solly cross.

Still a long way from fitness Fuller will I am sure give Addicks’ fans much to get excited about this season. My only hope is that Powell is able to sign an out of contract midfielder or loan one before too long. We are desperately short on quality at this level in the midfield area not helped I have to say by Powell experimenting with his formation and his propensity to play a defensive game, particularly away from home.

Salim Kerkar too much improved things when he came on, and for the first time in the game we found some width on the pitch to provide crosses, which our play for most of this season has lacked.

As I said earlier it was hard to work out what midfield formation Powell was playing. Cook looked lost and confused and gave the ball away every time he received it. Pritchard, who I like and admire, but have to concede looked like a non-league player (he once was) in an FA Cup 3rd Round match chasing much better players around the pitch. Jackson continues to struggle to adjust to a higher level and Hollands, who was a best performer, spent the entire match trying to cover for his colleagues.

A problem then that Powell needs to resolve or be more decisive on. Stephens was probably missed, someone that can slow the game down and pick a pass. I hope that he returns to Sparrow Lane tomorrow not to affected by last week’s going ons.

We won’t play many better teams than Forest though and it has been a very hard start to life back in The Championship but we mustn’t be disheartened by how we have played so far nor our points return.

A two-week break then until the little matter of those no-marks from Croydon. Come on you reds.

Other Addick Bloggers at The City Ground: Drinking During the Game; Doctor Kish
Powell-ometer: Powell must convince the board that he needs one or two more players to add quality to the spirit that he brought up from League One. The formation is a concern as is his tendency to not act quick enough with his substitutions.
Elsewhere: Brighton, whose fans we saw on the Northern Line won at Turf Lane 3-1, Leeds and Blackburn shared 6 goals and Ipswich and Huddersfield 4. Leicester beat previously unbeaten Blackpool 1-0, Hull had a fine win over Bolton, Derby put 5 past the already inconsistent Watford and Barnsley beat Bristol City. Millwall beat Boro 3-1 and Wednesday lost for the first time, to Palace. Peterborough are now the only team yet to get of the mark losing at St Andrews.