Hull City 1 Charlton Athletic 0
“We gradually got into it but a few things went against us today but the players soldiered on”
Notwithstanding it was always going to be a tough game I heard little on the today’s commentary that gave me cause for optimism.
It was a sluggish start but just as we started to get more of a mention Hamer missed a straightforward corner and the Egyptian Gedo bundled in. I am a big fan of Hamer but his errors are becoming too frequent and I wonder if it is time for Powell to give Button a chance.
We worked hard against a big Hull side but never threatened and it wasn’t until after Haynes was introduced that we had our first shot on target when he shot straight at Stockdale. It was then with the locals apparently a little anxious we should have gone for it and apart from another save from Haynes the game dwindled away and it is now no win in four with another formidable away trip next on the horizon.
The side is screaming out for a new face or two to give us a nudge back in the right direction but Powell has to wait until some salaries are freed up. The Gaffer has put together a hardworking squad of players but against a lot of opposition that is not enough and we still lack the quality in both midfield and up front to be in a better position than we find ourselves.
Addick Bloggers at The KC: Addicks Championship Diary; Doctor Kish.
Powell-ometer: He changed the forwards in the 2nd half to give us more pace on the ground, but CP continues to tinker with what he has with no funds available.
Elsewhere: Cardiff beat Bristol City 2-1 earlier in the day, Palace showed their promotion credentials thrashing Middlesbrough 4-1, oh for their home form, and in-form Watford put four past Birmingham at St Andrews. Billy Davies’ homecoming at the City Ground fell a little short though as Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Bolton.
Having been there CA, it was a very creditable performance given our respective league positions. We weathered the various storms and in the last 20 mins had three very good chances we failed to put away. A 1-1 draw would have been a fine result – such are the slim margins in Championship football. The fact that our top goal scorer is a midfielder with 7 says much about one of our problems.
Whilst we were playing a sort of 4-4-2, there is almosty no link between Fuller and Kermit. the latter wins a lot of headers that never quite reach Fuller – last season you could substitute the name Fuller for BWP. Wilson looked out of sorts again, and rather than replace him with Waggy, Chris opted for 4-3 -3 by bringing on BWP. Its the not the first time he he’s tried this and its not the first time its failed.
Evina didn’t look solid – not sure if this due to lack of protection though. He did not look great going forward either. With Rhoys now fit, methinks Evina won’t play at Leicester.
Our MoM was Cort – its usually him, Morrison or Solly, which again tells you a lot. Hamer came for and missed two corners – one of them was scrambled in…
The Hull fans were far more vocal than Watford and Wolves (our other two outings this season), although they have good reason to be. Its a fantastic stadium, and we enjoyed some pleasant hospitality before the game. Apart from about 100 of us the Charlton fans were very quiet – just wish the others could have sung some – it could have made the experience far more fun. Also wish the Charlton players could have come over and applauded us after the game. Johhny came right over and donated his shirt . A couple of players clapped from the centre circle – the rest sodded off soonest. Not classy.
Chris has a league 1 side, plus Fuller who can offer occasional bits of magic. He isn’t far short of a side that can compete in the Championship through hard work and solid team play, but no one has blossomed in to a match winner since moving up. I think it will be marginal whether we go down or not, depending on whether we can sort our home form.
Pembury Addick
Thanks for the report PA. Disappointed about the level of the noise. That was normally a prerequisite for going away.
Wiggins will start tomorrow I feel. Maybe Evina will play further up and Pritchard on right.