Jan 2
I gave a little punch of the air yesterday as I queued for Doctor Doom’s Fearful at Universal’s Islands of Adventure when the final whistle blew at The Valley.
Back to winning ways to start the new year and into 5th.
Sounded as in the first half we were awesome, many describing it as our best football of the season with the team playing with confidence and finesse as Walsall chased shadows. Of course scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes will help that.
Nice one. Another straightforward result. This time on the road at Walsall. A clean sheet always gives you a chance and once more the defence, changed from Saturday, was strong and robust, fielding any flurries of Walsall activity.
We started well and grabbed an early goal from the spot. It’s very noticeable that we are winning more penalties than we have for many a year. 5 minutes in. The penalty was won by Fosu and Taylor dispatched. That’s 8 penalties this season. Lyle has scored four, but has missed two. Fosu and young Stevenson have put one away each.
Part One of my 2018/19 League One preview, which went from Accrington Stanley to Coventry City is here and Part Two that began at Doncaster and ended at Portsmouth is here.
When was the last time we put a game to bed..
I was following the game today via various wifi connections at airports and what a relief it was to put a game to bed in the last few minutes. Stephy Mavididi, who obviously is a talent, confidently tucking away after being set up by Tariqe Fosu, who appeared to quickly remind us of what we have missed these last few months.
From what I heard and have read it sounded a good game, with two attacking sides attempting to win the game. Credit to Walsall who included Mark Kinsella’s son Liam at right back.
Broken record..
The tale of Charlton Athletic is one big broken LP. Not taking our chances, conceding too many goals, no impact from the bench, nothing on the bench offensively at least, scrimping in the transfer window, a frail looking squad with no options, bemoaning the loss of world beaters Marshall and Reeves. Yup Karl, we have heard this tune before.
Part I, Lancastrians and Yorkshire folk here, Part II and the Manc’s here.
Onto Middle England then, which is a little sparse when it comes to League One clubs. Just Walsall the only proper Midlands side.
Last season was a whole lot of disappointment for Walsall’s supporters after the incredible campaign the year previous when they finished 3rd, but ultimately missed out on promotion in the play-offs. The man credited with that inspirational season was Jon Whitney, but last season he and his players were a million miles away from a repeat in what was a turgid if not relegation threatened season.
Another draw, our 16th, and unfortunately we were unable to build on Tuesday’s last minute winner although Tony Watt himself had a better game, more involved it seemed and got a good goal.
The first half sounded pretty rough, which was disappointing and I question why Robinson changed formation, but he does like to tinker. We went in at the break a goal down, although possibly could have been worse but the effort wasn’t questioned in the 2nd half as we probed and pushed and ended with the spoils shared.
Today was back in the old days what Addicks’ fans would call a ‘nice little away win.’ A tough place to go is Walsall, and our win today was the first one from a visiting team there since March.
Great to see Nicky Ajose get on the target. Both goals bundled in, the second more than the first, but he was there right place, right time and how well did Magennis do for that second one. The Irishman looks an astute signing.
Slade went unchanged again and once more managed Holmes time on the pitch. Ricky has been the stand out performer so far, but I’m worried we will over rely on him.
Please click for more
Part I is here and Part II is here.
Rochdale under Keith Hill have made the transition to League One look fairly comfortable. Two top ten finishes are not to be sniffed at as Dale keep company with much bigger and financially stronger clubs. Hill also remains at Spotland and unlike 95% of the countries managers, you have to think that the manager does control quite a lot of his own destiny.
Just a couple of additions aligned with a bit of a clear out, should mean that Dale at least stand still but with the lowest home attendance in the division last season, Hill must continue to get his players to punch above their weight. Led by young skipper Jamie Allen, it is not a squad of household names although Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, ex of Peterborough and Wolves, is there, but it is a young but clearly a non-intimidated group of players. Hill and is his team should expect a mid table finish again. Promotion 12/1. Relegation 9/2.
Please click for more
Walsall 2 Charlton Athletic 0
This is getting tedious. I only really write a match post to remind me in later life of results and performances, just in case Colin Cameron doesn’t get around to writing another book!
Yesterday I was making my way from Bermuda to Vancouver via Toronto but Charlton were alreay done and dusted by the mighty Walsall before I boarded my first plane yesterday. We were bad when Parky’s team lost to Walsall at The Valley earlier in the season and Powell’s charges weren’t much better yesterday as the Saddlers completed the double over us. At least it all but relegated that nasty piece of work Stuart Campbell and Bristol Rovers.
please click for more
Charlton Athletic 0 Walsall 1
Not for the first time this season we were woeful in front of our own fans, the only thing different this time was that we lost. No wonder The Valley crowds are falling. It seems that to get into the promotion spirit you have to travel the length and breadth of the country.
Mind you, if you have been following Charlton long enough, i.e. for more than 8 weeks then today’s result was no surprise at all. The bottom team without an away win since August and an away goal since mid-October only had to turn up, especially as our players didn’t.
Chicago Addick 