Jan 16
Much better. It wasn’t just the result, although did we need it, it was more than that. It was more like the Lee Bowyer’s Charlton we know.
We played an uncomplicated 4-4-2 which allowed us to move up and down the pitch quickly using attractive link play and both wings. A solid back four earned us a long overdue clean sheet and gave us a concrete base to build on. Then up front we created copious chances, and eventually won the game with a fluky goal.
The salary cap is an annoyance isn’t it. The first time since our promotion from League One under the spiffs have we got a few bob to spend and we can’t spend it.
January transfer window activity is notoriously hard, even before the current EFL restriction and in the wider context of what the pandemic has brought, but I do foresee Thomas pushing through a fair bit of January turnover.
A massive win with real positive early signs that Lee Bowyer has re-ignited all the character traits that we have come to admire.
I watched the game on Valley Pass and think because I was fully submerged in it didn’t really miss the crowd, although the players entering the pitch like they had come for a kickabout was very strange, only added to by the fact I had no commentary for the first few minutes. The silence was very eerie.
We were definitely second out of the blocks as Hull won a couple of early set plays, but in an unfamiliar 4-4-2 we got going with Albie Morgan at the centre of most of it.
What a cracking game. I’ll say it again. What a great division this is. It was fast paced with plenty of blood and thunder, and some really good football played.
WBA have some very classy players, and a deep bench but for the second league match this season we gave them a proper game. Just like at the Hawthorns we never stopped chasing, hustling, snapping at heels and running. Despite being behind twice our heads never dropped.
It was a special atmosphere and I have seen many photos on social media from Addicks who made their way back to The Valley after refusing to attend under the previous owner.
Today at The Valley was about a lot more than a game of football and a result. It was a day long awaited by Addicks everywhere as the oppressive Duchatelet era appears to be close to an end. Proposed new chairman Matt Southall was in the crowd and spent time with fans before and after the game. We have seen other supposed saviours soak up applause with scarves around their necks, but Southall looked more assured and happily didn’t feel the need to wear a red and white scarf.
Pah to the transfer window. Lee and Steve go on. Today 27-year old Welsh right back Adam Matthews signed a one-year deal after a successful trial.
Matthews played 28 games for Sunderland last season, even appearing in their final league game. He left in the summer due to his high wages, one of many still at the Stadium of Light signed in Premier League days. Sam Allardyce signed the then 23-year from Celtic for £2m in 2015, but within weeks Allardyce had gone and David Moyes was chosen. Relegation came next and four further managers, and a another relegation for Matthews to work under.
Again, if someone had told us a year ago, even in the middle of the summer, that we’d be gutted not to beat Nottingham Forest in The Championship, then we’d be left with no choice but to unravel that ‘Liar’ banner again.
A sublime first half performance that had Addicks salivating at The Valley and at home sadly couldn’t be sustained, as Forest equalized late to grab a point.
Bowyer made a number of changes as Erhun Oztumer and Sam Field made league debuts and Naby Sarr took Jason Pearce’s place as Bow again showed he is not afraid to make changes depending on the opposition. Deji Oshilaja took Solly’s place at right back and Lyle Taylor was given the armband.
About 9pm tonight Charlton’s OS and Twitter burst into life as the club announced the signing on a free transfer of Deji Oshilaja, a 26-year old centre-half. Oshilaja turned down new contract offers with AFC Wimbledon and allowed his contract to run down, leaving in June. Since then he has been on trial at Luton Town, even playing for them last week. Hatters’ manager Graeme Jones was said to be impressed, yet a few days later, he signs for us.
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
