Charlton Athletic 1 Sheffield Wednesday 3
Today at The Valley was about a lot more than a game of football and a result. It was a day long awaited by Addicks everywhere as the oppressive Duchatelet era appears to be close to an end. Proposed new chairman Matt Southall was in the crowd and spent time with fans before and after the game. We have seen other supposed saviours soak up applause with scarves around their necks, but Southall looked more assured and happily didn’t feel the need to wear a red and white scarf.
Many thousands of others did though, as CARD in a final gesture gave away red and white scarves before the game. Much more satisfying than a rubber animal. A few thousand was added to the expected gate as many changed plans late to make sure they were in attendance to witness a new dawn.
Sadly they had to witness an Addicks side torn apart by injury and then sudden illness which accounted Saturday morning for Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Ben Purrington and eventually Albie Morgan who threw up before the game and at half-time. 14 players were out, and then Lockyer stupidly got himself booked.
Yet, we hung in there until the 80th minute when a penalty gave back Wednesday the lead and they finished us off in injury time as we went searching for an equalizer. Oztumer impressed again, but was pinpointed by the Yorkshireman for some treatment.
Alfie Doughty had a very good game at left-back, as Deji played well in midfield. Both players out of position. Another positive was a sixth goal for Macauley Bonne after excellent play by Doughty.
We need players back and we need to stop the rot. It was a tough day on the field, but surrounding it there was a feeling of much better days ahead.
Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Blackheath Addick; Drinking During the Game; Doctor Kish.
Bow: “I’ve met and spoken to the potential new owners. They’ve said there is money to spend in January and that me and the staff are going to get proper contracts. It’s positive. It sounds good.”
Elsewhere: Barnsley won for the first time since the opening day beating Hull 3-1. Stoke lost at home to Blackburn 2-1 and Wigan likewise to Reading 3-1. Luton were thrashed by Brentford 7-0, whilst Middlesbrough were well beaten at Elland Road and Huddersfield similarly at Ashton Gate.
Photo: @K_AndrewsPhotos
Chicago Addick 
Loved all the protest scarves at the Sam Bartram. Even the 90 minutes couldn’t spoil my day.
What a Christmas present. Woke up smiling. xxxx
It didn’t go our way yesterday but the excuses are valid so we move on, Do you know why Pearce did not feature because Sarr let Fletcher get across him to head in the first goal, once again he didn’t attack the ball positively enough.
If Taylor stays my wish list is two quality full backs, a tall central defender, a holding midfield player a playmaker and a quality striker. Places can be freed up by sending Kayal back to Brighton (if his loan deals allows) pay up Hemed’s contract and get Aneke out on loan to a lower division. Here’s a left field suggestion if the new owners really mean business,resign Karlan Grant from Huddersfield, we know he and Taylor work well together.
I assume Pearce was rested, but Sarr is ultimately proving that he has got the speed of thought for this level.
That is quite a wish list by the way. As for Grant, I can see one of the lowly EPL sides taking a chance on him. Brighton or Villa maybe.
We have different opinions about Sarr I think he needs to be more aggressive in his approach when defending aerial balls in the box he is being caught out to often. I think he is a better footballer than many people give him credit but Div1 is his level.
As for the wish list you are right that Grant will probably move to a lower level Premership club who are in a similar situation to Huddersfield last year.
I did say it was a left field suggestion but we could pay big money for a striker who may not gel with Taylor and we know Grant does.
Regarding the match, an injury, illness and suspension ravaged side were always going to struggle and the defeat was not a surprise.
On to the new owners, after Lee Bowyer and his team sign deserved extended contracts I’d like to see Lyle Taylor and Jonny Williams be secured for the next few years. What about signing Josh Cullen on a permanent deal? He loves it here and West Ham clearly don’t want or need him. We need another striker to play alongside Taylor and I wonder if the interest in Ivan Toney will be resurrected? He’ll be out of contract at Peterborough at the end of the season and there are several Championship teams in the race for him, the Posh will sell rather than see him go on a free.
I was excited when we went for Toney pre the August deadline. Although I was unsure RD would actually sanction it, it did appear to have some legs.
He’s scored 13 already this season.
I think the deal for Toney back in August was based on Brentford signing Lyle Taylor, essentially we were going to flip the money on for Toney. But Peterborough wouldn’t sell and Taylor was persuaded to stay with the offer of a new contract. Re-signing Karlan Grant is an interesting idea, but wages might be an issue, rumours suggested that he was offered three times what we were offering and it was a no-brainer for him to move to Yorkshire. Could we afford those kind of wages now?