Charlton Athletic 4 Reading 0
A game of two halves. Trade marked.
The first half was best forgotten other than Reading really should have been ahead at the break.
I don’t know what Michael Appleton puts in their half-time tea, but I wish he would given them some before a game.
Charlton were excellent after the break, with CBT and TC unplayable at times. Dobbo dominated and Hector had one of his best games for a long time, if not ever.
Chuks was no different to the others in the first half, but got us up and running heading in a CBT cross for the opening goal. Sadly he then went down holding his hamstring, which is always distressing for everybody to see. Appleton said after we will know more in 48 hours. God speed Chuks.
TC then scored a peach to give us breathing space and from then on the Addicks were on fire.
CBT was at it again, crossing for Alfie May to get in on the action, and in injury time TC curled in a lovely cross with Leaburn timing his run perfectly to fire home a 4th on his 50th appearance.
Pony first half, thoroughbred second.
We have a team of game-changers, but better teams will pick us off when we are not at the races. I’m not here to dampen spirits though, night all.
MoM: Not applicable to the 1st half, but a close call between Campbell and Blackett Taylor. CBT.
Appleton of my eye: A clean sheet was actually the biggest plus today, but the head coach has to sort out these long periods of games where we look sluggish and futile.
Elsewhere: Pompey won late at home to Carlisle, and lead Oxford by 3 points at the top, 8 ahead of Barnsley in 3rd. Oxford drew 1-1 with Blackpool and Leyton Orient drew at home with Barnsley. Burton stuffed Bristol Rovers 4-1 after being behind. Derby are now below us in the table after losing away at Shrewsbury.
I’m reluctant to get excited by this team, we’ve been let down so many times in recent years.
But maybe, just maybe something is developing with this squad of players.
Dear old Chuks injured again. Appleton must now realise he can only be used as an impact sub.
We may have to recall Kanu now. (He scored four yesterday for Southend)
No, fair comment CA, Appleton said he was most pleased with the clean sheet and might he well be.
Rode our luck for sure with half-decent deliveries finding unmarked heads on a number of occasions, Reading could and should have been at least 1 up and would’ve choked the game.
But we do have game changers and class for this division, not sure it’s what goes in the HT tea tbf, more a case of the guile of Fraser again.
By no means not getting excited but I also think there might be something with this squad.
But please please can we field a no.3 who can at least impersonate being a footballer.
I had to agree with one of our fellow passengers the coach back to Kent. First half MOM was Maynard-Brewer without him it would have been a different story. What a captain Dobbo is. All in all just what we needed a good win
And in another cliche, take each match as it comes and deal with what’s in front of you. That’s seven unbeaten and we are getting to be in touch of the play-offs. We’re getting momentum and building a good squad spirit and just not losing. Every season we rebuild and then go through a sticky patch while the team gels and by the time it does we are too far off promotion to make up the difference.
As for the match, Reading played the first 20 minutes like a team determined to score a few goals and get their first away points – and then did what we often do, run out of steam and ideas. After that I was reasonably confident about the win and we turned the screw when it mattered, four goals all different in execution even if three came via CBT assists. We have loaded our bench with game changers so it seems the keep it tight and boring first half displays are a feature and not a bug.
We’ll miss Chuks for sometime – who knows how long but we have some forward depth with Leaburn, Tedic and May while Daniel Kanu scored four goals for Southend yesterday. He’s on a 28 day loan spell their which ends in a fortnight. At least he’s in form even if he isn’t in SE7.
Yep, agree with all of the above. My only worry is CBT will be a certain target for Championship clubs come January if he keeps scoring or assisting goals, as at the moment he is far too good for League One. As for ‘china Chucks’ yet another injury !!!!
I like other contributors to this blog thought Reading would score first, even win the game by their possession and the number of shots they took. Felt empathy for Reading, a great club struggling on and off the field. Let’s hope this fine club finds a way to avoid another relegation before the end of the season.
Another club f-d over by an obstinate and ignorant owner. Hope they regroup.
Since going to a game at Reading (Uncle Les Reed was at the helm) where we were hopeless and the Reading fans spent the whole match taking the p*ss by singing “Premier league you’re having a laugh”
They have joined M*llw*ll and Sheff weds as three clubs I detest.
I rather enjoyed Saturday’s result and hope they get relegated.
Haha. Fair enough OA