Stevenage 1 Charlton Athletic 0
That was awful. More awful actually watching them in the flesh than on CATV, at least then I can do something else more interesting like sort my socks into pairs.
It’s not so much losing, but it was the feeling of nothing. Nothing to cheer, nothing to get excited about, nothing to get you off your feet.
I thought the six changes was a sign of intent, and the starting XI looked balanced on paper. We did start brightly I thought, maybe even to coin a phrase, front-footed.
Yet, despite having some good possession we only had a Josh Edwards shot palmed away to show for it and as we reached the break Stevenage were on top.
Stevenage came out of the 2nd half gate with much more intent than us, but the introduction of Chuks Aneke on 57 minutes was greeted with renewed vigour from the packed away end who despite singing for the entirety were in danger of dozing off.
Chuks who was pinging in shots with ease during the warm-up, soon had a chance to do it in real time after he was put through on goal and with their ‘keeper horribly out of position all it needed was a shot on target, nothing more nothing less, but he lifted the ball powerfully into the travelling supporters.
Clearly a goal at that point changes the direction of the game, and of course soon later we were behind.
Now, Conor Coventry does a lot of work that goes unnoticed, but what doesn’t go unnoticed are his set-plays. They are atrocious. Conceding from our own corner is unforgivable, but that calamitous passage of play gave the hosts the points.
That Coventry was still entrusted with corners and free-kicks after was concerning, and despite an entourage of subs and a mini-barrage of un-coached balls slung into the box, we looked both unorganized and unconvincing in our search for an equalizer.
Some fisty cuffs which involved Luke Berry and Lloyd Jones as a poor attempt at peace-keeper showed at least frustration, but at the final whistle the away travel aired their dissatisfaction quite loudly.
The only good thing about the day was travelling up with my son and mate. I even got to see old pal Sue Gallop in the pub beforehand. Post game we declined the offer of a pint with Brownie and headed back to Kent. At least the return journey took half the time than the one up did this morning.
Back to Charlton TV Tuesday and my socks at least.
🎙️”We don’t show enough quality in the final-third and that’s why we’ve ultimately lost the game” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Lloyd Jones
🏟️ 4,701 (1,363 Addicks)
📸 Chicago Addick
sorry we didn’t get to connect CA….hope all is well
Ah, were you there? Guess that’s local to you. Sorry to have missed you NYA.
yes indeed….seat c58 is which looks quite close judging by your photo
I was in M45. Behind you.
For 20 minutes or so we were good but once Stevenage settled down we were neatly stifled out of the game.
As I’ve moaned about frequently, it’s the lack of creativity that bugs me, that ability to unlock tight L1 defences and get us a chance or two. NJ changed things around personnel wise but we need a midfielder/number 8 who can just add something to attacks. Defensively we look solid and we are set up to not concede very many but the lack of a cutting edge means that we can’t keep relying on keeping clean sheets.
Gassan Ahadme was injured but despite that there were five other changes which were NJ’s choice. You can’t change half the team and expect a flowing team performance.
I’d like to see us deploy a bit of width too, we look a bit too predictable and narrow in attack.
Agree with all your points, a shocking performance again. We are getting found out as a team with no invention/mid field/and lucklasted attack.. I was in the home stand at other end and wilted all through the game.
It was a tough watch in the away end, let alone the home one!
Luton old boys club is failing us. Wasn’t Danny Hylton bought in to coach our attackers? About time he started work then.
Spot on that’s what I have said previously at various times, all those Luton old boys aren’t performing, as they are not the same players when Jones had them years ago! Apart from his namesake Jones, he is the only one who looks a real decent player and he was brought in well before N.J. arrived! I suspect he will probably have 37 year old Danny Hylton on the bench Tuesday, to boost the forward line, as he is running out of ideas!
We have to be honest here, apart from Edwards & Mitchell all of Jones other signings are no better if not worse than what we had before! Unless Leaburn comes in and performs miracles we will be floundering yet again in the bottom half of the division as currently there are so many teams who are performing and look far better than us!
Nathan and the coaching team need to close the door and apart from roasting players come up with solution to ourcwieful and erratic performances of late. It was a dul and uninspiring game that we should have won if we clicked.
Bristol Rovers on Tuesday is time to bounce back and prepare for Birmingham at the weekend and the deadly threat of Alfie !!!
what we NEEDed a good goal scorer I have said this many times since May left who have we got to get goal .