Charlton Athletic 0 Colchester United 2
It had to happen sometime, even to me who hadn’t even seen us let a goal in during the 5 live games I’ve been witness to this season. This recent 3 week run of Saturday/midweek games was always going to be difficult to stay unbeaten.
I told my son on the way up that this had all the makings of a classic Charlton hiccup. We haven’t often impressed under The Valley lights this season and I have a long memory. This is Charlton after all and I vaguely remember Colchester beating us at home the last time we won promotion from this division.
We wobbled a bit then 30-odd years ago but this team is better than that and there wasn’t as much room for slippage then. Lying in bed last night I couldn’t help think (and I hadn’t been drinking) that this might not have been a bad game to lose. With the chasing pack taking it in turn to fall at a hurdle, a defeat to an inconsequential rival (no disrespect) is a timely reminder to us all that there is still a job to be done.
Powell has proved to be a quick learner this season and to me there were a few lessons last night on show.
We were far more dangerous when we kept the ball on the deck in the first half and Solly and Wiggins were very effective at bringing the ball forward from wide areas and playing balls into feet, often cracking the Colchester no-go zone around the penalty ball with deft passes. The way we were playing I could smell a goal. Second half I couldn’t. Naturally I suppose we played longer balls looking for Kermorgant knock-ons, playing the numbers game instead of being a little more in charge of our destiny.
The calamitous second goal killed it, the first was superb incidentally, and before that second Powell should have injected some new impetus into the side, and the crowd, by throwing on a couple of substitutes. When he did bring on Haynes and Clarke the game was over and any impact was lost in the chilly night sky.
The midfield just isn’t firing, Green was better than he was on Saturday but the team needs more width and he doesn’t do it for me. It thought Stephens played okay, but he goes round in a lot of circles without hurting the opposition and him and Hollands don’t appear to dominate the middle as much as Hollands and Russell or Hollands and Hughes did.
Oh and Hamer’s over confidence came to bite him on the bum. Another lesson learnt hopefully.
Strangely even though I only get to see them in the skin occasionally I wasn’t overly disappointed last night. We have played worse and won and the last two defeats saw renewed focus and energy.
I was disappointed in the crowd and apart from cheap tickets I don’t really know what else they have to do to bring in more than the hardcore. As I turned my back to leave though I was heartened that the players were clapped off though. This season is and will be bigger than one game.
Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Drinking During the Game; Stickleback; Kings Hill Addick; And Nothing Else Matters; Mike’s Meanderings; Charlton Casual.
Powell-ometer: One can’t legislate for a screamer and a cock-up but I do wish he would be a little more decisive in his substitutions. Also it has to be time to delve into the squad, Pritchard, Hughes, Russell, Haynes and others must be chomping at the bit.
Elsewhere: After a second straight defeat Danny Wilson might well be looking over his shoulder. Yorkshire’s a nervy place right now. United lost to lowly Walsall 3-2 but David Jones’ Wednesday made light work of Bury winning 4-1. Huddersfield were a little fortunate to beat Hartlepool on the road 1-0, but MK Dons were surprisingly beaten at stadium:mk by Yeovil. Notts County dropped two points after John Welsh scored a late equaliser for Ronnie Moore’s Tranmere and Brentford beat Exeter 2-0. Paul Hayes was on the sheet again as Wycombe rattled in another 4 goals at Adams Park beating Leyton Orient.
Quite right CA – I had convinced myself of the same before turning into Charlton Lane last night. My boy really must use subs a bit earlier. It wasn’t as if we didn’t create chances to start with and if Bradley were on better form it could have been different. I am worried about the midfield too – I just don’t feel the strength.
And I’ll forgive Hamer – this time. (Don’t ever, ever do it again though you silly boy).
And yes, the crowd was disappointing – but it feels like an awful lot of games even to me. I was quite glad the ridiculous boo boys were missing.
I did say yesterday we had got two hard home games – one down.
Very good report CA. I too am disappointed with the midfield set-up of Hollands and Stephens and perhaps that is our the main area of concern. BWP is still mis-firing and Danny Green just doesn’t show any real pace, or thought for that matter, Why not let Danny Haynes have a run in the side for the remaining games, he’s certainly more than fast enough for these League One defenders. Solly was outstanding as usual. Hamer got his come uppance for dwelling on the ball for to long, like many other keepers and I’m sure it a lesson learnt in his case.
Grateful most of our rivals floundered as well. The most amusing piece of the night was our big screen, did anyone else notice that our next home game is against “Notts Cunty”!!