Charlton Athletic 0 Birmingham City 1
An unusual feeling yesterday. We simply haven’t been used to losing, but none of us expected that feeling to last well into September. We had to get beat some time and Taylor-less we now have to show how much we belong in this division in the coming weeks.
Yesterday I thought was fraught with classic banana skins. Possibly for the first time this season we were favourites to win a league game, the biggest regular home league attendance for about four seasons, and the 100th Valley birthday with loads of pomp and VIP guests. Probably why I was anxious beforehand.
We just never got going yesterday. It was a laboured performance after our momentum had to take an enforced two week break, and in that time Lyle Taylor gets injured. Bad day all round.
Bowyer said that the Blues would be hard to play against and they were. City have now rattled up 13 points without really dominating a game. Clotet said afterwards that they played to their strengths and minimized their weaknesses which they did and we were never able to dominate the midfield. And no Lyle to to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
City’s strengths were also plenty of time-wasting antics, which of course resulted in Bowyer getting sent off. Bow flabbergasted by the decision as was obvious from his post-match interview.
Almost a year unbeaten at home, and our first taste of defeat in The Championship, it is not a time to be down or critical. Bouncing back is important though, and we need Hemed at the forefront of that.
Addicks at The Valley: Doctor Kish;
Bow: “We have to [bounce back]. That’s the mentality that we have; we’re winners and we don’t like losing. This does hurt us and it’s how you react. I’ve just said to the players it’s how you react we go again next week, and we have to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Elsewhere: Leeds went back top after winning at Barnsley today. With an eye on the bottom both Stoke and Huddersfield lost again. The Potters home to Bristol City 2-1, and Terriers home to Sheffield Wednesday. Swansea also lost their unbeaten record to Forest. West Brom are now the only unbeaten side after their late draw at Fulham Saturday morning.
Photo: @K_AndrewsPhotos
Chicago Addick 
And add to all that, that it was our first game of the season and we were doomed before we started. If you’d like to have a whip-round I’ll happily go back on holiday until we have enough points to stay up.
Well LP. I should’ve known 😩
We have lost our best forward,Taylor, for a significant period. The possible replacements fail to impress Hemed has no pace and is way short of match fitness, Aneke might be a better option if used as an old fashioned centre forward to keep the central defenders under pressure to make space for his striking partner who could be Leko or Bonne. Hemed could then be used off the bench in the later stages of a game. Sarr could also be an option to play up front for the last 15-20 minutes if we are chasing the game, Basically we have to buy a good striker(s) in January or we will struggle thankfully our good start will give us a bit of breathing space.
I’m hoping Hemed makes up for lack of pace with intelligence, guile and experience. Brighton fans will tell you he has that. Needs to be Bowyer fit though.