Charlton Athletic 0 Blackpool 0
Our first league clean sheet at The Valley for almost a year, so thank heavens for small mercies. Nonetheless you don’t lose many games when you keep a clean sheet and I will look at the result positively as another step in the right direction.
From what I’ve read (CAFC Player wasn’t working again, it’s useless it really is) it sounded like both sides busily cancelled each other out in an interesting contest with defences having the upper hand, and both sides pretty flaccid in front of goal.
This time last week I was looking at the two home games from behind the sofa, so to come out of them unbeaten is quite comforting. Of course we have to find a way to begin winning our home games, but it is important that Powell builds a foundation for the season, after a very difficult start to it.
The two-week international break allows us to work harder on the training ground, build on the clean sheet and critically get our injured players fit.
Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Charlton Casualty; Chris Powell’s Flat Cap; God, Charlton and Punk Rock; Blackheath Addick
Powell-ometer: An unchanged team unsurprisingly. I’d be interested to know why he replaced Gower with Pritchard so early in the 2nd half?
Elsewhere: Burnley stayed top following an impressive 2-1 win over Reading and QPR are hot on their heels after beating Barnsley at home. Leicester were beaten at Doncaster, but Watford won at Huddersfield and Forest at Brighton after a stirring 2nd half. Middlesbrough came from behind to beat Yeovil and secure their first victory of the season at the Riverside, and Millwall lost 5-2 at Bournemouth after being 2-up in 10 minutes. Steve McClaren’s in his first game in charge saw Derby beat Leeds 3-1, Wednesday were held by Ipswich 1-1 and Bolton won for the first time this season at Birmingham.
Gower was a bit anonymous, although Pritchard didn’t add much. It also meant that we then had a relatively inexperienced midfield.
I’d be interested to know why CP thought Harriot should start the second half, let alone stay on for the full 90 mins. He had his worst game since getting in the team.
He’s a winger, play him on the wing or don’t play him.
The midfield diamond brought the best out of Cousins and Stephens. The former was one of the main reasons for our clean sheet, but Wood Morro and Wiggins did play exceptionally well. I’d forgotten who was on the right until I read Wyn;s comment, which says much!
Harriott was completely ineffective at the diamond tip. His work rate was immense and he didn;’t stop trying. But that is not the position for him. I would have thought a player who can really pick a pass would be best there – Stephens, when in form?
I was a bit surprised that Blackpool have taken over as the new Stoke! Big capable defenders, and a long throw.
I take the positives from it like you. Two points this week that I wasn’t expecting against teams at the top.I’d persist with the diamond but put Harriott on the right, try someone else at the tip, and get Obika in on loan. There, easy!
Pembury Addick
A unanimous view on Harriott’s performance it seems. Whether he is suffering from a little bit fo 2nd season syndrome or not, he clearly needs to be out wide. Although in this current set-up CP has no one else to play that ‘diamond tip’ does he?
Kermorgant would be perfect there I think. He loves to drop deep to pick the ball up.
I’ve almost forgotten Powell’s preferred formation, if he was llowed to bring in another 3-4 players and had 25 to pick from, I’d be interested to what his plans would be.