Charlton Athletic 0 Reading 0
Disappointed not to win that. It has been rare this season when we haven’t won when we really deserved to, so I’ll take that as a positive.
Reading have also been on a good run, and had chances themselves especially in the 1st half, but we grew into the game and more than shaded it.
As expected Jones named an unchanged team with Chuks coming on to the bench.
Full disclosure. I didn’t see the game as I was on a three-hour drive but was passenger so was clung to the phone. It sounded like a good match, and if we’d been more clinical in front of goal we would’ve been worthy winners.
Edit. Just spoken to a mate on his way home from the game and reiterated my perception that we played well and he was “gutted” not to have won.
TC had a goal disallowed – my mate thought it was called right, but the question is whether it hit their player on the way in. Leaburn had chances, as did Small and Godden after he came on late in the game.
It sounds as if Small and TC equally excited and frustrated. They both lack composure but should take a large chunk of credit for the way we have been playing.
It’s much better though isn’t it. A more easier on the eye style that is delivering better results. The trouble is we have given us so much to do after a piss poor couple of months.
🎙️“What we’ve done, we’ve let ourselves down once or twice, but now we’re looking like the side I want us to be in terms of front-footed attacking. We’re creating chances, we’ve had 18 shots again today. And with a little bit more quality, we win that game. These are a good side, but we’ve been the better side today in all departments.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Conor Coventry (my mate’s pick)
🏟️ 15,526 (2,665 from Reading)
📸 Paul Edwards
Yep, two points dropped, a bit more clinical in front of goal and we would have done more than just shade it. Defensively we kept them down to one shot, which Sam Smith should have taken, but in the last quarter we bombarded their goal, unfortunately shots were blocked or were aimed straight at their keeper.
For me TC was just offside when the ball was played through but it was a good finish which shows his confidence is good.
Reading will be happier with the point.
We need to find a goal scorer, a creative midfielder and although Macauley Gillesphey looks good with Lloyd Jones alongside him he was barged off the ball a bit too easily for Sam Smith’s chance. Maybe a left-sided centre back and speaking of that position, we need to get Lloyd Jones’s contract extended.
If only we had a quality goalscorer. Someone like Alfie May perhaps ……………….
Personally thought we battered them and are looking like a team.
When the we’re Charlton and we deserve to be in the Championship brigade have a reality check I think they’ll find we’re on an upward, albeit slow and steady and maybe not paying £15k a week for want-away striker, trajectory.
If you’re suggesting Alfie “wanted away” you’re wrong. He was forced out by the Welsh Messiah.
Good performance, well done!
The return of Jones to our backline has been the turning point (I know other came back in as well).
I’d really like us to bring in another centerback this window. Piergianni would be my first choice, one of the top defenders in this league IMO.
The officials were poor which didn’t help us especially as the Reading throw in ‘specialist’ was consistently allowed to throw the ball long distances by using one arm? He held the ball in his right hand drew it back and threw it touching the ball momentarily with his left before release? Blatantly cheating which I noticed some of our players trying to inform the referee about the indiscretion but to no avail. It’s akin to a bowler in cricket throwing the ball.
3 points dropped but the performance was top !
We need to focus on finishing…95 % positive play 5 % improve finishing