Charlton Athletic 2 Doncaster Rovers 0
A welcome straightforward win at The Valley for the Addicks yesterday. Donny were quick out of the blocks, but we scored goals at the right time and were rarely troubled in the 2nd half as we played the game out sensibly in the last 20 minutes with no dramas.
Interesting that Bowyer reverted to the exact team and formation that beat Barnsley. From the radio and reading eye witness reports Bielik was good and defensively we were a better unit, although Dijksteel was a little wobbly on the right side early on.
Cullen controlled midfield proceedings and it was good to see Joe Aribo get on the scoresheet as we need to add more goals from midfield. Yesterday was Aribo’s 3rd of the season but only Fosu has a league goal to his name amongst the other middle men.
Taylor was carrying an injury and not his normal energetic self but he put a consummate pass onto Grant’s head for the second. Those two really are building a great understanding.
Taylor may sit out the next two games but I’m intrigued to see how the pace of Igor and Grant could hurt teams if we are set up right to feed them.
The Walsall game becomes significant now in my mind.
Addicks at The Valley: Albury Addick; Doctor Kish;
Bow: “People say maybe I’m a bit too critical at times,” explained the Charlton chief. I’m honest with them. Now I’m saying how good they were.”
Elsewhere: Looking back up the table this weekend. The top two had good wins at potential banana skins. Pompey at Bradford and Sunderland at Plymouth. Keiffer Moore got a late Barnsley winner at home to Southend, Rochdale held Luton 0-0 and Accrington drew at Cov 1-1. Peterborough went down to Wycombe.
Chicago Addick 
A middling performance but at least we got the points. Doncaster were the best team for the first 20 minutes but the goal settled us and we were in charge for the rest of the first half, The second half saw two moderate sides cancelling each other out. Not a performance of a promotion seeking side. Bielik was outstanding and in general the back four played well.
We will miss Taylor as I am not convinced Vetokele is a suitable replacement but alternatives are limited. We will miss Taylor defending at set plays so should play Saar preferably in a back three rather than left back to improve the aerial capabilities in such situations.
Lapslie was again an unused substitute and is not playing regularly for the U23s. He should be getting significant game time with us if not then out on loan. My experience is young players need to be playing otherwise their progress is badly affected (e.g. Phillips)