Barnsley 2 Charlton Athletic 2
On the board tonight with a point up at Oakwell, and a base to build from.
The first hour is probably best left to the history books, although those committing hari-kari all over Twitter and elsewhere online this evening need to take a close look at themselves. I have always believed, especially in the modern game that players don’t bother themselves with what happens behind the scenes at clubs, until the pay slip doesn’t hit the current account, or until it individually impacts them.
They are professionals, young men, living a dream closeted together on a training ground, in a dressing room, or on a coach. As long as Chris Powell and his team can continue to separate whatever is happening in the dark corridors of egos and owners, then I think we will see plenty more of what we saw in the last 30 minutes of the game today. A fightback and a response that has been a hallmark of a Chris Powell Charlton team.
Questions can be asked why we waited until 0-2 down, but the introduction of the young Jordan Cousins appeared to have the desired effect. Whatever you think of Jackson, that team miss his influence, leadership and drive during games. But it was left to the 19-year old composed midfielder to get us back into the match.
Perhaps like Callum Harriott last season CP has unearthed a rough diamond who can have a positive influence on how we play. Be nice wouldn’t it?
Then 8 minutes after Cousins dragged us back in it, Simon Church pounced on a superb Kermorgant pass, out of keeping it seems with what had gone on before by the Frenchman, and our new No.9 tucked away the equaliser. As his shirt sponsor, I will take all the credit, but seriously I am pleased that the Welshman’s Charlton career has started so brightly.
Some bemoaned then that Powell should have gone for the victory, personally I didn’t see Evina replacing Harriott as negative, but after being 2-down, with no points, I would’ve thought every manager in the country worth his salt would have been content to take a point and not risk throwing it away in the last 10 minutes.
Addick Bloggers at Oakwell: Doctor Kish.
Powell-ometer: He must be concerned with hour lacklustre we were again for the first hour and also the sluggishness of some of last year’s stand out players such as Big Yann.
Elsewhere: Nottingham Forest are the only club with a 100% record after they beat Bolton 3-0, and Reading and Watford played out the game of the day sharing 6 goals. Middlesbrough had Marvin Emnes to thank for a point at home to Blackpool whilst Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday also drew 1-1 in the early game. Leicester beat East Midlands rivals Derby thanks to a first-half own goal from goalkeeper Lee Grant, QPR left it very late to snatch all the points against Ipswich and Brighton got off the mark by winning at Birmingham. Burnley continued their solid start beating Yeovil 2-0, Bournemouth had another superb home victory, with Grabban again with the winner against Wigan and Millwall were booed off after losing at home to Huddersfield 1-0.
