Reading 2 Charlton Athletic 0
We just weren’t at it today. I thought we poor with the ball and once again lacked decisiveness and bravery when in possession.
Our first league defeat and goals conceded, sadly in front of a large travelling support.
After a first half when we were given a bit of a lesson in the high press and controlling possession, we had the best chance when Docherty found Berry unmarked in the box, but his shot was saved just before the break.
Still, despite being clearly second-best, defensively we were sound and the hope was that Reading would tire in the second 45 and their inexperienced bench would be no match for ours.
That started to come to fruition as we began to get on top. Kicking towards the large bank of Addicks, Charlton started to control the ball and the crowd noise.
Then out of nowhere, Charlie Savage, son of Robbie, hit a peach of a goal from all of 30 yards.
Then, which was the worst aspect of the game, we just didn’t respond despite throwing on Aneke and Godden.
A Mannion cock-up the day after he was in effect given the no.1 shirt was unsightly but rescued by Ramsey and then a complete lack of awareness at a throw on saw them race away and get a killer second.
It was a poor performance and we were second best all over the pitch. If the game plan was the keep it tight and attempt to score late, then you need to have more threats and creativity if you go behind.
No need for a meltdown, but definitely a wake up call.
🎙️”This ain’t going to be a good interview, i got to be honest!” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Conor Coventry
🏟️ 14,778 (2,684 Addicks)
📸 Kyle Andrews
We’ve had three one-nil wins, and I’ve publicly wondered previously, what would happen should we go a goal down. Well now we know.
T. Campbell and Ahadme as a front pairing ain’t working. The pair of them won’t drag us back into a game as long as they have the proverbial hole in their arses.
Paying a relative fortune to Ipswich for Ahadme looks more ridiculous as every game goes by. Brought in to replace Alfie May, the 23 goal striker driven out of the club by Nathan Jones, has to be one of the most stupid decisions ever taken by a Charlton manager.
N. Jones is a self-opinionated bighead who some think is the Messiah. If we’re still in League one at the end of this season, he’ll be looking for a new job.
Correction: two, one-nil wins and one, two-nil with a one-nil cup loss in between.
Daggs and completely agree with you 200% and the whole team but been saying for a few weeks now our so-called strikers are just not functioning and the same subs each week and obviously they are not fit enough and don’t get me started on Ahadme and that chance which fell to him and not exactly trying to get to the ball and yes a great friend of mine stating since pre-season not impressive at all.
Cut all the BS out the lot of you and yes we are not surprised and cut out all comments and get on with your jobs.
Surely Jones must shake the front line up and why Kanu is not being given the chance but concerned with all areas of the pitch too.
It seems that not only are they unfit but at least 2 or 3 of them can not be trusted to have even play for even 20 minutes.
So what Jones very angry but it is he who puts the team out there and ffs what about the magnificient supporters and let down time and again.
He fuming but what about us and frankly disgusted!!!
We all wish we had a fraction of what they “earn”
Wake up call and you not as good as you think you are
A bit gutting, maybe in hindsight we were a bit too obvious?
This season we’ve had the same starting XI bar a couple of changes in every match and the played same formation. Reading went 4-3-3 and stretched us a bit and had clearly done their homework. Maybe we should have started DK or Matt Godden just to change things around a bit upfront?
Elsewhere we were a bit narrow, our wingbacks played well enough defensively but were well marked going forwards, again they’d done their homework. We only went to the bench late as is NJ’s wont, barring Karoy Anderson coming on, maybe some other earlier subs would have helped?
Hopefully a lessons learnt type of defeat and only the third in the league since NJ joined.
Could have lost by three if Ramsey hadn’t made another great tackle to spare Mannion’s complete cock up.
No matter how good our defence is, if the two starting forwards can’t even have an effort on target let alone score a goal, we will be floundering around mid table at the end of the season!
Jones has to change at least Ahadme in the start off pairing, if not both, four games played and apart from one long range header, Ahadme has not even had a shot off target, let alone one on goal! Yet Jones believes he is a better replacement for May, as he doesn’t like small players as they are not physical enough and don’t have as much energy for his pressing game. Well Mr Jones have a look at Birmingham four games played, four goals for May, whose laughing now! So far only one forward has scored a goal Godden and that was as a sub.
Try Godden & Kanu as a starting pairing, as they definately can’t be any worse, plus both can also hold the ball up.
couldn’t agree more,it is not pleasant to watch knowing that if we go a goal down we are unlikely to score
Mid table that high!!!
Always good to see you guys winging after one defeat and our first goals conceded, well done !! Given the released fixtures list i think anyone would be very happy with 9 out of 12 given at this point after last season’s start. Ahadme scoring record at this level is every bit as good as Alfie’s, and I note Ahadme has won 95% of his offensive ariel duels as against Alfie’s 1% so that may (no pun intended) give you a clue as to the thinking.
Mannion was never expected to be the No 1 this season, and notably that shirt is still vacant after 3 failed transfer attempts for experienced keepers, so please get off his back. !!
Everybody said it would take 10 games to allow the new squad to gel and to set the gauge. So suggest you all crawl back under your shells and lets see where we are after another 6 games shall we. #COYR
Still wondering about the goalkeeper, have seen Maynard Brewer play some great games!!
Personally I like AMB. He seems to be another one that N.Jones has decided ain’t good enough.
When Isted came in to replace Ashley he was worse, hence he’s gone.
But of course I’m not the Messiah, so what do I know?
Still only one point behind top spot, so not so bad at the moment, Bill Skudder
Ahadme and Campbell have played more than 4hrs as the starting pair and no sign of a goal or assist from either of them, surely enough is enough. As I have said before Campbell could be a 10 behind 2 strikers , he is not a striker. I pity Leaburn, as too much will be expected too soon, when he comes back.
Ahadme is not as good as Kanu, even 17yr old Mbick, who needs more time, would be an improvement.
But the midfield is not creative enough, hopefully A Campbell will be an improvement over the other Luton old boy, Berry, who has failed to deliver.
Credit to Jones for recruiting A Mitchell and Edwards to strengthen the defence, but Ahadme so far is proving as bad as the last expensive striker recruit, Ajose.
Jones has a predictable system and opponents’ analysts know this and create tactics to counteract it.