Charlton Athletic 1 Lincoln City 1
I’ve had time to dwell on tonight’s game, other wise known as three-quarters of a bottle of wine!
I want to look at the positives and I was encouraged more so by Jones’ interview afterwards than the actual performance that was overall still highly questionable.
First half was rubbish, no two ways about it. Yes, of course, we let the only shot they had on target in, but we played like strangers.
Every free-kick, throw-on, pass is beyond taxing for the players. They have absolutely no confidence and it shows.
Down at the break and getting a goal, not letting another in, putting two passes together or creating a chance looked remote.
The Valley was despairing but second half the crowd found the will to get behind their team as we kicked towards the Covered End.
Watson (T) got into the box and dinked a ball across the goal, which produced the first bit of excitement of the night. Watson was much better on the left side.
Then came the calvary. Aneke, Camara and Ladapo introduced in short order. Surprisingly it was May that made way for Chuks. Straight away Chuks was causing havoc. He was in the middle of every long cross or punt into their box. Twice he went down in a rough and tumble skirmish, and if only his hamstring’s were as durable as his head.
One ball forward saw Chuks win a challenge, shake off a tackle and the ball fell for Ladapo who fired in with a powerful shot. We were level.
After that it was not pretty or even good but we were on the front foot, put a lot of balls into their box and they showed plenty of fight.
This team was never good enough to instantly turn it around. It is a mess and it’s going to take a lot of remediation. Chuks and Camara back was great to see. The latter immediately steadied our midfield, which Anderson I thought had done a decent job to tick over.
Dobbo wasn’t at his best, but there was one 70-yard lung-busting run back to make a saving tackle to show that he wants still to be wearing that badge on his chest.
Ramsey showed promise, I was less enamoured by Edmonds-Green and I am not a fan of Bakinson.
This is going to be a proper slog, and we now play three of the best teams in the league one after the other. Don’t expect to sleep well over the next couple of months, Addicks.
MoW: Chuks. Game changer.
Elsewhere: Fleetwood and Reading shared the points, Cheltenham beat Blackpool 2-0 and Barnsley got a late equalizer at Shrewsbury. Cambridge lost at Pompey, who are 7 points clear of 3rd. Peterborough v Port Vale and Burton v Carlisle were postponed.
I thought it was better in the second half after the substitutions. For me Anderson was a passenger in midfield.. runs around, doesn’t win many challenges, and lacks any vision. Bakinson.. totally agree with you.. though probably had a better game .. but that is not saying much. We appear to have glut of midfielders of similar standard. Edun is major concern.. just worries me when tries to defend.
Let’s hope March is better month for getting some points on the board. 24 points needed I reckon from the 14 remaining games.. could be 24 from 11 when go into March. That’s 7 wins and 4 draws. No sleep til May !
I thought May was disappointing and Kanu was better. As for playing tough teams, in the past we have been able to raise our game.
At least we gotta point !
It was a performance that showed we stillwater a lot to sort out at Sparrows Lane.
The fans played their part and the drummer and choir behind the team spurred us on.
First half was poor and maybe nerves affected some players and Lincoln gave us a headache and of course scored.
Jones dropped Coventry and Watson for the game and the shake up seemed brave move.
The second half was much better and Dobbo was the driving force setting up chances for the forwards.
I can’t moan about the efforts displayed but it’s now a case of eliminating errors that we still seem.to make.
Nathan must be encouraged and we still face a tough run but my confidence is growing.
Keep the faith !!!!
Agree with most of the above but I thought Anderson was one of the better players.
After we scored I thought we would push on and win but we huffed and puffed but didn’t get anywhere.
If I remember correctly when Chris Powell became Manager he struggled until the end of the season when he could bring in his own players.
The Messiah played three a the back again! despite the system having failed for months. (no doubt he would say his squad leaves him little choice) One point at home won’t keep us up.
I was pleased to see Aneke shook the opposition up but we all know he can’t be relied upon. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks down again.
The next three are tough games. I predict one point from them (Pompey) After that, eleven games some against the marginally weaker teams in the division. That will leave us needing circa seventeen points from eleven games, whilst hoping Port Vale can’t buy a win.
Much better and look what happens when you have game changers on the bench…
There are still many areas that need improving – confidence and communication are the most notable but you can’t criticise the fight and intensity, bar a shot that hit the post Lincoln had nothing in the second half and only one team looked like winning it. In attack we were direct and got the ball forward quickly, but too often took one pass too many, a bit more conviction here and there might have created a few more chances.
Both Ladapo brothers scored for Charlton yesterday, Freddie against Lincoln of course and Tolu against Ipswich for the U21 side.
I thought may played well with little service. He feeds off knock downs.
Jones should look at the goal diiference , May had not playing for us we would be in deep dodo
That second half showing last night was much better but the league table this morning is sobering……..
We must have a top 6 wage bill, so these guys on 3,4,5k and more a week should not be lauded for putting effort in. That should be EXPECTED as a bare minimum for professionals.
After all, they play 1 sometimes 2 games a week, plus a couple of mornings training.