Charlton Athletic 2 Blackpool 2
If only we could defend. If only Chuks could last 90 minutes. If only CBT could finish like that on a regular basis. Ad infinitum.
An enthralling game today where it could have gone either way at the end, but a draw keeps Michael Appleton’s run going.
We started well, but moved into a holding pattern of passing the ball sideways and backwards without being able to pierce a very well-drilled Blackpool side.
For 80 minutes Neil Critchley’s team had carried out the classic away day plan, and the points were on the bus. They frustrated us, got men behind the ball, passed it well and slowed the game down.
Jordan Rhodes shakes Terell Thomas and scores before half-time, and then midway through the 2nd half after a period of sustained pressure from us, Michael Hector makes anther inexcusable mistake and then it is game over.
Or was it.
Once again Michael Appleton was brave with his changes, and all five of the subs – all brought on in two spells during 10 minutes – had major impact’s on the game.
Asiimwe and Tyreece found real joy on the right side, especially TC who was involved in so much in the last half hour. Although I thought Louie Watson did well, Fraser brought a more attacking verve. Then there was Aneke, who was all action, setting up Alfie May’s goal beautifully and twice going close for the winner.
Ness was the other sub who came on for Jones, and was left to watch Hector, ten years his senior, make a now customary cock up. I actually thought he was playing well, but we cannot put any trust in our defending.
Going forward is another story, and May’s unruffled finish and CBT’s superb one meant that spoils were shared.
If you are going to draw, then make it an exciting comeback type of one, which had the Covered End going ‘til the very end.
MoM: One of the subs. I’ll give to TC.
Appleton of my eye: The project of playing Tedic out wide right is not working, and Miles was not on it today, but once more Appleton was decisive with his subs. Underscores that he has them fitter and riled up to not give up the ghost,
Elsewhere: Oxford and Pompey have opened a little gap at the top as they beat Bristol Rovers and Port Vale respectively. Stevenage beat Wigan 1-0 with both teams finishing with 10 men. The result of the day was by Carlisle, who won at Bolton 3-1.
If only we had some squad depth and quality CA, bad enough playing Thomas anyway but out of position…defence is a downgrade on last season and that’s saying something. Last season also we had one of, if not the best right sided attacking players so not great seeing Tedic out there for sure.
BUT, agree, they are looking fitter, better drilled and obviously have a bit of spirit about them so with some bodies back and a fit and unplayable Aneke we might yet claw our way up with a we’ll score one more than you approach.
The first half was as dull a performance as I can remember. Very reminiscent of Garnerball. I sat there revising downwards my opinion of our top 6 squad. Second half we were trying harder but noticed a few times that Dobson was getting frustrated trying to get more go forward in the team and my son commented he’s never going to sign a new contract if we play like this. Just before Aneke came on we were checking live departures for Charlton station and had decided to leave at 85 minutes. Obviously we didnt as suddenly a switch was thrown and we started playing with two fantastic goals. On the train post match had a chat with some Blackpool fans who explained that they don’t like Appleton, essentially he got them into relegation last season and other unflattering comments, and they had a point to prove here. My observant son then said is that why when we scored Appleton faced the away fans and cupped his hands to his ears as if to say can’t hear you singing now!
Yeah. Clearly not loved by the Seasiders. He only managed them for 40 games in two spells. The first time he walked out on them and second time was duly sacked, but Mick McCarthy hardly improved them.
Thrilling home draw is all very well, but we have stop giving away silly goals, it’s becoming an epidemic.
If we have any hope of top six we need to win our home games that means not going a goal behind (or two)
Our attacking play is improving, our defence isn’t. Hopefully come January there will be some money for a couple of new and better defenders.
Selling some of the now fringe players could help fund them. Kirk and McGrandles spring to mind plus Jaiyesimi (if at all possible)
But we can’t keep wishing for the next window. Ness has to play now for me alongside Jones.
Agree, Hector is no better than Inniss with his continual cockups and slow pace, the only difference is he doesn’t keep getting injured! Which in all reality, is probably worse as Appleton seems to like him, so won’t drop him, no matter what mistakes he makes.
The interesting thing is, I don’t believe Hector has ever been dropped because of his performances since he arrived, apart from niggle injuries &/or too many yellow cards, whereas everyone else in defence has been, at one time or another since Holden. So could it be, Hector is actually the weakest link!!!
First half – frustrating, we know how teams are going to play against us at the valley, they are going to sit deep, play in numbers and clog the defensive half up with bodies. We need more movement off the ball and to counter-attack with a bit of pace to catch them off guard. Instead we look surprised and a bit unsure about what to do, so the ball gets played backwards, sideways, a bit forwards and any chances are usually blocked out.
Second half/after the subs come on it’s a different story we have a bit of pace and the game opens up. Then we look dangerous and with four forwards in our squad we create chances and consistently score goals.
Defensively we need some new blood, we look weak at full back with Tennai Watson at right back and Michael Hector isn’t proving to be the defensive mastermind we hoped he’d be. Maybe those couple of seasons he spent sat on the bench for Fulham are playing out here? He has the experience but he’s just a tad too slow to anticipate what’s going to happen.
But six games unbeaten and confidence growing. I hope that Appleton would start a game with Scott Fraser at 10 and push May up alongside the other striker. He was mustard again yesterday – literally all over the place and is making us tick offensively.
That lung bursting run into the box for his goal by Alfie was absolute mustard wasn’t it.
What a game !!
I really thought that the game was over after gifting Blackpool two goals and the atmosphere in the ground diminished.
Typically we rallied and scored two brilliantly taken goals with a 3 minute spell and Neil Critchley must be scratching his head at our draw.
Great to see Albie Morgan who found it very strange but pleasing to be back at the club.
Appleton still needs to resolve our defence as it was woeful at times.
For me, Tyreece Campbell has to play, and that has to be on the right. What the hell Tedic is doing out there God only knows. TC gives you an ‘out’ and also has the pace and ability to create offensive moves. Put either Tedic or Chuks (don’t play both) down the middle with Alfie May feeding off of them.
As for the defence ?…..I don’t have enough space on here !!!!!
The defence will iron itself out Michael said. Needs a bloody big iron.
Up front has had me off my chair, which hasn’t happened for a while, but I think Michael is still trying to find the best structure. They’ve all been playing in non-natural positions, but Leaburn as a lone striker and Tedic out wide is not the answer. I’d still rather see two up top personally, with true wide players wide.