Coventry City 3 Charlton Athletic 1

The Addicks went down to a fourth consecutive defeat today, and that’s 11 goals conceded in a week, just one less than in all the 15 games prior.

It was better though, I felt like the spirit was back, and the first half hour lifted hopes that those first 15 games were not an apparition.

Amari’i Bell started in a back four with Coventry and Carey ahead of them, TC, Knibbs and Bree behind Olaofe.

Bell’s presence immediately gave us balance and visibly more competency. The formation, 4-2-3-1, looked solid, but allowed us to break with pace.

It was solid opening from us and on 14 minutes we won a free-kick out on the right. TC tried to make something of it, but the ball fell to Knibbs who calmly slotted home to give the Addicks an unexpected lead.

What was noticeable after that was how our confidence was lifted. We were pressing, winning second balls and defending man for man. We were also getting men quickly into the box when either Olaofe, Knibbs or TC broke.

The game suddenly became very open as we went toe to toe with the runaway leaders. Kaminski made a great save but then in a five minute spell Lloyd Jones had a header cleared off the line, Tanto was denied from an angle and then TC blasted across the goal just inches from Tanto’s outstretched boot.

In all of that Bell could have been sent off, and have given a penalty away, but it was end to end stuff and this was the Charlton side that we had witnessed up until the last few games.

However, that all changed on the half hour as Bell went down and wasn’t able to continue. That changed the whole game and I do think Tanto being forced back into a deeper role eliminated his strengths and reduced our ability to break with pace. Leaburn is always going to look to play with his back to goal. I know it was probably round pegs and square holes on the bench but I do think Jones could’ve found a better fit.

We were visibly shaken and looked unprepared for Bell to pull up injured. Coventry smelt trouble and sure enough two quick goals (again) swung the pendulum before half-time.

The 2nd half Coventry patiently kept the ball waiting for an opportunity to extend their lead and we had to rely on the odd break, but did not have the quality to hurt them.

Carey had our best chance at 2-1, he got himself into an excellent position to collect the ball from Leaburn but blasted just over.

At 2-1 there is always a chance but a 3rd Coventry goal killed the game off on 77 minutes. They also hit the post.

We have finally made it to the end of this week, but it feels like we’ve been run over by a juggernaut. Time for a big reset, and to remind ourselves that for 30 minutes we held our own against a team who will be up by Easter.

We also have to hope Bell just needs a modern day magic sponge because he showed how vital he is. Sadly we have other players who don’t look as suited to the step up to The Championship as we had hoped.

🎙️“Now we have to go into December, stem the tide and make sure we come out of that month in a significantly better position than we are now. We have to make sure we pick up points that month. We need to reboot on Monday because we have got some big games – and games we need to win.” – Nathan Jones

⭐️ Conor Coventry

🏟️ 31,141 (2,123 Addicks)

📸 Kyle Andrews