Middlesbrough 1 Charlton Athletic 0
Nothing lacking in effort or team spirit today but it’s a team that is desperately calling for some investment, especially in the attacking third.
There is a lot of wariness amongst Addicks at the moment and when news came through that Yohann Thuram would start in goal and there was no Hamer or Alnwick, Addicks collectively shook their heads.
Almost immediately Ben Hamer tweeted that he took another knock on his ankle on Thursday and didn’t travel north. “Not going anywhere ” he said. Then we were told that Ben Alnwick had been taken ill, so Thuram got his chance and luckily youngster Dillon Phillips was taken for the bus ride and sat on the bench.
The head shaking went into overdrive on 16 minutes when Ledesma’s 25 yard shot skidded on a wet surface and bounced over Thuram and into the net. The 250 that made the long journey must have wished that they had joined the players in wearing all black.
However, like the Ipswich game, we worked our way back into the game, dominated possession and had some chances. Thuram even started to endear himself to the travelling Addicks and improved as the game went on. Astrit Ajdarevic came on for his debut and look strong and Dale Stephens was adjudged to be the game’s best player.
Amongst the hardcore at the Riverside wasn’t luck, which never made the journey. Again. All the travelling faithful had to show for their loyalty was a dubious disallowed goal by Simon Church (photo) and a fantastic save from the still excellent Shay Given in the dying moments of added time.
To round things out Rhoys Wiggins was sent off, wrongly according to CP, so a three-game suspension for the left back and he will join Chris Solly, rumoured to need more surgery, Sordell, Hamer and Alnwick on the sidelines. Jordan Cousins is crying out for a rest as well. Threadbare ain’t the word
News of a new signing tonight though. 18-year winger Anil Koc on loan from, well where do you think? Koc has played five games for Standard, and according to local journalists is a good prospect, but an 18-year old in a relegation battle?
But I will sleep better tonight knowing that Standard won again today, and are now 7 points clear at the top of the Belgium Pro League.
Addick Bloggers’ analysis: Chris Powell’s Flat Cap
Wondering if CP actually wants these players or is he being told to take them. What did he know about these players, other than Astrit, before the takeover.
I don’t know. I am sure Phil Chapple’s scouting net is pretty wide and CP is probably pleased to get more bodies in, but did these 3 names appear on his target list? I wouldn’t have thought so.
Interestingly I saw that Andy Hughes mentioned that Astrit had to be spoken to about his attitude when he first arrived, but he took note. As long as Thuram and Koc listen to the senior pros too, then that has to be a positive.
What we need is for RD to back Powell in the transfer market – hasn’t got to be big money, just let him pick players that he wants (he has done a pretty good job picking a player previously). Trouble is, will RD entrust him with money. He gave hardly any money to the managers at Standard until Luzon was appointed – someone that RD knew very well.