AFC Bournemouth 2 Charlton Athletic 1

Disappointing as always to lose the first game of a new season, but it’s never easy to go to a newly promoted club with the wind still in it’s sails. Those already writing us off have obviously never read a book beyond the first page before.

The Cherries were deserved winners today, although my temperature rose when Yann thundered in a very early contender for goal of the season at the start of the 2nd half, however the Addicks couldn’t wrestle control from the home side and Grabban produced his very own moment of magic to claim the 3 points.

I was surprised that Powell started with Sordell partnering Kermorgant, I was sure he would play five in midfield with the Frenchman alone up front. As it was Pritchard failed to impress wide right and then late on just to put a lid on a bad day he gave himself a 3-match ban.

I am also making the assumption that we missed Jackson’s driving force, even though Hughes took his place, which was also a surprise as he was absent from a lot of the pre-season games. I am sure we would have lacked a cutting edge from the centre but as always in this division though its about how you bounce back.

It was good to hear that the boys were noisily backed today. Let’s remember it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Addicks Bloggers by the seaside: God, Charlton and Punk Rock; Doctor Kish
Powell-ometer: He’s kept an honourable lid on it but I reckon this has not been an easy pre-season for Powell. Hopefully he is allowed to further strengthen and plenty of time for him to mould this squad into a much stronger unit.
Elsewhere: Wigan made light work of Barnsley winning 4-0 at Oakwell, Reading beat Ipswich and QPR came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Loftus Road. Leicester won at Middlesbrough, Blackpool had a good win at Doncaster and the surprise of the day was Yeovil putting a dent in pre-season expectations for Millwall’s fans at The Den. Leeds beat Brighton with a late goal, Watford held on to an early lead to beat Birmingham 1-0 away and Henri Lansbury scored Forest’s winner at home to Huddersfield. Friday night Burnley and Bolton shared the spoils kicking off the Football League’s 125th anniversary.