Charlton Athletic 0 Hull City 0
We were at the pool today so the only real observation I can make is that I was about as wet as those at The Valley.
5 points from our opening three games is a more than decent return especially when I think that all three opponents will be challenging for a top 6 place. Rather sadly, because I am pretty convinced he’d be a Charlton player if it wasn’t for a change in our financial situation, Sone Aluko sounded the Tigers most influential player and it is a wide, quick and direct player that we probably lack the most.
Kerkar could be up to the task or Jordan Cook, I don’t know, but the four midfielders that Powell has started with for all of our three games may each have qualities that should see them survive and perhaps thrive a step higher but they each lack quality and apart from Pritchard pace.
The squad is full of character but it does lack quality in the middle of the park and I am really hoping Powell can and is allowed to address that next week, even with a loan deal. Powell knows that we could get overrun in midfield and that is why from pre-season he sought to address that by filling it with more numbers and utilising our natural wide men rarely. Word is that either or both Waggy and Green could be off this week.
It sounded like Kermorgant had a fine goal cancelled out but for the 3rd successive match we were under the cosh at the end and Hamer again stood up very well. I would have thought mind, after a tough game Tuesday and the weather today, this afternoon called out for a couple of changes in the last 15 minutes. Anyone see any reason why CP didn’t make any subs?
Addick Bloggers at The Valley: God, Charlton and Punk Rock; Drinking During the Game; Doctor Kish;
Powell-ometer: He must have had his reasons why he didn’t make any changes, seems a strange one but it has been a solid start from CP and his team.
Elsewhere: Blackpool won their 3rd straight match thrashing Ipswich 6-0. That man Llera scored twice as Wednesday came from behind to beat Millwall, Sam Baldock scored in the impressive 4-2 Bristol City win over Cardiff and “pensioner” Pederson scored in Blackburn’s 2-1 win over Leicester, the Foxes second defeat in a week. Huddersfield beat Burnley, with Jordan Rhodes scoring his 2nd in two games, Watford beat Birmingham, who have just a point from 3 games and Wolves and Derby drew. Brighton hit Barnsley for five and Peterborough and Palace both lost for the 3rd game against Leeds and Middlesbrough respectively.
enjoyed your read and thought of the pool. Powell for me has lacked a plan b since the beginning of last season in terms of formation and subs. whilst probably in a minority of one, I remain yet to be convinced that he will remain for the whole trip. I’d like to be proved wrong and am sure he will develop as a manager but am sceptical. last season we played well and were always a threat but we regularly came up against teams at home that employed a 4-2-3-1 formation which we never really came to terms with. our ability to score without really controlling large periods of games saw us through. as for subs, whilst not at yesterdays game, Powell is often slow to replace players when clearly change is needed for fitness or tactical reasons.
All that said, I felt the performance against leicester was a big step up from last season, they played with passion, skill and heart for 90+ minutes which will undoubtedly bring more people through the gates and see the team improve. Alas, I agree with your view of our midfield and would add that a plan c and even d will be needed.
cheers sweetpea.