Bolton 1-1 Charlton: Battling Addicks Fight for Important Point

Whilst not quite at their best at times, each Charlton player gave everything to earn a deserved point against one of the league's biggest underachievers. 

'Could today be the day our fortunes finally change?'

The away trip to Bolton had all the hallmarks of one of those battling Charlton performances that were so often produced last season - underdogs nick three points thanks to a superb team effort. The scent of optimism was enough to tempt me into travelling to the Reebok for a second year running. A late Ngog brace had sunken us that day, leaving me with a feeling of unfinished business.

When you've suffered the pain of defeat at a ground before,  the thought process reaches a fork in the road - either its a bad ground, and we'll lose again, or this time we can get the right result. For most of the journey North, the mind kept venturing nervously up both paths. I couldn't decide if it was our day or not.

Traffic on the M6 distracted me from those mental wanderings. Every other car seemed to have Manchester United fans in them, heading to Old Trafford from down south. We support our local team, and all that.

Eventually the congestion cleared and we arrived at the Reebok to the joyous news of a Chris Solly return. Wilson has done an admirable job at right-back, but the return of the tenacious 5'3" defender was exactly the lift we needed.

Wilson pushed forward to right midfield, with Green dropped to the bench. Powell made two other changes, with Dervite and Pritchard being replaced by Richard Wood and Simon Church. It meant a return to the standard 4-4-2 formation; a risky move given Bolton's strength centrally.

Nerves built in the away end. The tumultuous experience of watching Charlton for 90 minutes was about to begin...

The game:

Charlton started by far the better of the two sides, playing some swift and clinical counter-attacking football.

Kermorgant immediately found himself in the game, exhibiting excellent control and flicking on headers with skill. Wilson broke down the right and the ball found its way to the Frenchman outside the box, and despite the scuffed shot, Lonergan had to dive to tip the ball around the post.

Soon after, Wiggins stole the ball up the pitch and skilfully beat two players. He advanced towards the box before clipping a cross towards Yann, the nearside of the penalty spot. He swept the bouncing ball towards goal on the turn with a clean left footed strike. It found the inside of the far corner. The Addicks were one up.

Unexpected joy in the away end. Yann had started with real intent and had his first goal since his return from injury. Only Charlton's 17th of the season, but one that gave them a great chance of taking three points away from the Reebok.

Bolton had been sloppy with their passing in advanced areas of the pitch, and the home crowd grew increasingly frustrated.

Charlton had further chances - Yann was inexplicably unmarked at the back post, heading a free kick across goal and winning a corner - but none as clear-cut, as Bolton finally grew into the game. Spearing, Danns and Moritz started to test the Charlton back line, with Joe Mason looking to get on the end of any loose balls.

The first couple of chances were blasted well wide and over the bar, but the warning signs were there for the Addicks. If anything, the midfield were sitting a little too deep, allowing Bolton time to build attacks.

Chung-Yong Lee came closest to scoring the equaliser. His header back across goal from the far post was diverted away by Richard Wood, skillfully avoiding a potential own goal, before Morrison was able to hoof the ball clear.

A cross to the front post was almost clipped in by Mason, but it was too close to Alnwick who was able to make the save. Cousins and Morrison were also forced to make key blocks to avert danger.

Charlton were struggling to relieve the pressure, and just before the half time whistle came the sucker punch. Having failed to clear, the ball found its way to right-back Kevin McNaughton, who jinked left before getting his body around the ball and curling a lovely shot into the top corner.

It was a painful end to the half but not something that was unforseen.

Charlton were an improved side following the interval, with periods of defensive solidity broken by forays forward.

The best chance was created by Kermorgant following a cut back from Cameron Stewart. Yann and Wilson both went to control the ball, but Wilson tapped it aside for Yann. As the ball fell down the Breton dinked a magnificent dipping shot towards the top corner, but Lonergan was able to tip the ball over the bar at full stretch.

Kermorgant again won the ball up the pitch and threatened to beat players. He made it to the by-line and curved a cross towards the penalty spot, only for it to be blocked by an outstretched arm. No penalty, despite it being in clear view of an incensed away end. Still no sign of any luck regarding refereeing decisions.

Bolton were spurred on again and once again controlled the game. Powell switched to a more defensive formation, replacing Church with Evina. The former had struggled to get on the end of flick ons for much of the game, despite his great industry. Kermorgant stood staring at the bench in disbelief at the move. He clearly wanted to try and win the game.

At that stage, it could've gone either way, but Bolton's attacking threat gave Powell a cause for concern.

The defending became a little more panicked, with tackles not cleanly winning the ball. Alnwick had to dive at full stretch to push a header around the post. Solly dived in recklessly and gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Eagles' effort was headed away by Wiggins in the wall.

Given the amount of defending the Addicks had to do, they continued to put every effort into their performance. Nobody threw in the towel. Yann charged around after defenders, hoping to force an error.

Dervite replaced Stewart as 90 minutes approached; the forward had troubled but was limping after picking up a knock. The move meant all Charlton players ended up defending down the far end. Panic ensued in the away end, the potential torment of conceding a late winner too much to bear.

Charlton had no options up the pitch to clear to, but twice they were denied a counter-attack by cyclical fouls. Only one received a booking thanks to increasingly random officiating. Despite that, Charlton seemed content to let the game calm down.

One last chance fell to Mark Davies on the edge of the area, but his powerful shot flew narrowly over. Alnwick looked to have had it covered. Just.

The whistle eventually came, greeted by boos from the home crowd, and a huge collective sigh of relief from the travelling Addicks. It had been battling performance but the late onslaught left many feeling weary - both off the pitch and on it.

Yann was the most prominent player to thank the away fans, who responded with appreciative applause. He'd been by far the best Charlton player, constantly threatening and winning the ball.

Powell clapped the fans after most players had filed down the tunnel. He looked slightly apologetic for the team sitting deep late on, but appeared pleased with a point and appreciative of the support.

Once he'd gone, Yann ran over to the front of the away stand. Not pleased enough with his heroics on the pitch, he pulled off his shirt and handed it to a kid. He ran off to the dressing room having thanked the fans once again. Inspiration.

Analysis:

It wasn't Charlton's best performance in terms of pure football, but once again the fight and determination was there in spades.

At 0-1, another goal was needed but it didn't quite fall for us. Defensively we resisted but couldn't withstand the relentless pressure before half time.

Alnwick made a couple of fine saves to keep Bolton from going ahead, but the same could be said of Lonergan in the opposing goal.

Solly demonstrated how well he reads the game, making a number of crucial defensive interventions. Wiggins was more successful in attack but also defended well.

Richard Wood was a welcome presence, and made a vital headed clearance off the line, but a couple of errors almost resulted in goalscoring opportunities. He's still the right man to partner Morrison, though. Both won headers and tidied up at the back, despite the odd panicky moment.

Dale Stephens didn't have his best game. On a few occasions his touch deserted him, and in the first half a misplaced pass went straight to a Bolton player free to run at the defence. Cousins worked hard again, making plenty of tackles, but lacked consistent authority to protect the centre backs all game. That said, he was one of the best defenders, putting himself about attempting to nullify Bolton's dangerous midfield.

Wilson's crossing wasn't quite as clinical as hoped, and he spurned a great chance early on at the back post by firing wide. He was strong in defence alongside Solly. Stewart was largely prevented from cutting inside, but he gave McNaughton the runaround and threatened. His crosses were just a little too close to Lonergan.

Church fought hard to latch onto long balls over the top but couldn't find himself in genuinely threatening areas. The nature of our counter-attacking game means he only ever gets to feed off scraps.

Kermorgant was fantastic. Winning the ball in the air, exhibiting great control to create chances and chasing the ball down with hunger. It was an archetypal Yann performance - his best of the season. He scored a great goal and almost had a brilliant second. He looked desperate for the three points, shown by his reaction at the Church substitution and his disappointment at full-time. A fit and firing Kermorgant is a huge asset to Charlton, and hopefully he can continue to lead the team going forward.

One thing the Addicks missed today was the organisation and inspiration brought by Johnnie Jackson. He might not appear to be the most skilful player, but we needed his influence in defence today. A poor red card decision has cost us his presence, but whilst it was unlikely that the final result would've been affected, he could well have strengthened the defensive areas. His leadership inspires both players and supporters - hopefully he can come back into the side and make a positive impact.

Powell's tactics today were perfect in terms of nicking the goal, but ended up seeming overly defensive towards the end of the game. Bolton's strong midfield meant they were always going to dominate possession, but the midfield sat a little too deep, pushing the back four even deeper. Once Bolton grabbed a foothold in the game they were able to start threatening.

Powell placed more value on securing the point than risking none to grab three. Away from home against a side with a lot of quality in it, the decision was understandable.

As the horror of clinging on for a point subsided following the final whistle, the result appeared better than initially thought.

 It was a hard-fought team performance, with all eleven players giving it their all to secure the point. The performance typified the belief Powell instills in his players. With a little more ambition and confidence in the upcoming home games, the results really could start to come.

Yann's desire was great to see - his heart is in this club and he wants us to turn the corner more than any. It was uplifting and inspirational to see him back to his dominant best. His belief needs to be replicated in the stands for the remaining games.

Chris Powell is the man to lift us away from relegation, as performances like today's show. With continued faith, the growing confidence of these players will translate into more points.

There remains a lot of work to do, and the next two home games are vital. But performances like today's can fill you with nothing but hope. A hard-earned point against a good side away from home. There's more to come from these players.

And Yann is well and truly back.

Charlton 0-2 Derby: Victory Eludes Spirited Addicks

15th December 2008: Under the stewardship of caretaker manager Phil Parkinson, it looked like the Addicks might secure a vital three points to give hope of survival. 2-1 up in the 4th minute of stoppage time, Derby had a throw which bounced away from one defender, was flicked on by another and bobbled its way straight to an unmarked Nathan Ellington in the box, who fired home an equaliser. The only feeling I can remember is one of utter dejection. Whilst yesterday's game was slightly different, it resulted in a similar low following the full-time whistle. 

Saturday's game was always going to be a tough one. Derby arrived on the back of five straight victories, following a revival in fortunes brought about by the appointment of Steve McLaren. Charlton had failed to win in three, with a broader trend of 4 goals in 5 games suggesting reason for concern. Defeat was not a surprise, therefore, but the match left an unexpected feeling of misery and dejection - the pattern of the match again followed a similar trend to those of recent weeks, as the Addicks were competitive and full of energy, but again fell agonisingly short.

A shift in tactics saw Powell give another chance to Danny Green on the right-wing in place of the industrious Simon Church, whilst Pritchard returned centrally in the absence of Johnnie Jackson. It meant a 4-5-1 formation with Kermorgant on his own up front, and whilst the defensive approach is never completely welcome at home, it was understandable given Derby's strong recent form.

McLaren's impact on Derby was clear to see from the outset. Short goal kicks were taken to give the ball to the centre back, who worked with the full back to try and move the ball forward, shifting play to the other flank if the route was blocked. Charlton didn't press relentlessly, but they did their job sufficiently to force some long balls forward. The home side stole the ball in midfield and played it forward to Kermorgant on occasion, with the Frenchman distributing the ball to the wider areas.

Chances came. Morrison found himself in space 25 yards out, and whilst his powerful shot was on target, it was comfortably caught by Grant in goal. Stewart's cross found its way to Stephens in the area but his volleyed effort went over, with the timing made more difficult by the blustery wind. Green curled a free-kick towards the far post, and it ended up heading for the top corner, only to be tipped over the bar. Kermorgant was forced to improvise, given the absence of a strike partner, but Pritchard's advanced role meant he could collect a number of the knock-downs. Stewart was quiet, but Stephens and Green were positive, whilst Jordan Cousins was covering a lot of ground in an excellent defensive display.

Derby threatened too, but the game remained even. Chris Martin had a shot from outside the box delfected on its way wide, and Alnwick caught a header following the corner. Some neat play worked the ball forward outisde the area, where a clumsy Dervite intervention conceded a free-kick. Jamie Ward struck his effort towards Alnwick's left post, but as the keeper dived across, the shot flicked the head of Wiggins, deflecting it to the right of the keeper and into the back of the net. It was a sucker punch following positive Addicks play. Another example of luck deserting the Addicks.

Charlton didn't respond to the goal well, and Bryson found space among a number of red shirts who didn't close him down, striking his shot across goal towards the top corner. Alnwick was forced into a two-handed save high to his left to keep the score at 0-1 going into the break. A late half-chance fell to Kermorgant, 35 yards from goal following a headed clearance by the keeper, but he couldn't manage to reach the goal with his chipped effort and it was headed clear.

The response after half-time was much better, and almost immediately rewarded. Wilson broke down the right and crossed for Stephens, who couldn't connect cleanly and his shot bounced wide. Kermorgant had a chance to shoot through a clutch of players, but it bobbled towards goal, and Morrison failed to control on the turn to keep the chance alive.

Derby were attempting to control the game, taking time out whenever they could and making subtle fouls to kill any momentum the Addicks could build. The home side struggled to break down the well organised Rams but it wasn't down to a lack of effort. Dale Stephens was throwing himself about in midfield, riskily but bravely jumping into tackles in an attempt to win the ball. Cousins continued to mop up defensively alongside him. Green couldn't get into the game - a familiar tale - and was replaced by Simon Church, with Pritchard being hauled off to unfair sarcastic cheers, to be replaced by Callum Harriott.

Powell changed the formation to a rather lopsided one, with Harriott employed as an attacking midfielder just behind the strikers, whilst Stewart continued to play left wing. Initially, chances were hard to come by, but as Derby sat deeper and deeper, Charlton began to create. The best of them fell to Morrison, who found himself at the back post leaping to get on the end of an exquisite chipped cross from Kermorgant. His header went narrowly, agonisingly wide. A big miss.

Stewart threatened sporadically, whilst Harriott twisted and turned but couldn't beat enough players to get a clear shot on goal. The Addicks' attempts to score were summed up when Kermorgant struck a shot from a cross, which was blocked by Harriott standing just a couple of yards in front of him.

Charlton could have had a penalty if it weren't for weak, feeble refereeing. Kermorgant was marked from a corner by two players, both with arms around his chest. In attempting to free himself, the Frenchman went to ground, but was inexplicably penalised for an infringement, despite having been contained by the arms of the opponents. The decision was especially galling when Morrison was later deemed to have fouled Martin (who was backing into him) for putting his arms around his chest. It typified the inconsistent performance of the referee, and once again the Addicks didn't get the decisions. Kermorgant didn't get a decision all game, until late on when the referee finally gave him a free-kick. His sarcastic applause of the ref was thoroughly warranted, such was his incompetence, but out came the yellow card. Another jobsworth.

Derby continued to grind, wasting time and using their physicality to impose their defensive strength. The ref only waved his arm occasionally to encourage quicker play. They had to cope with spells of good pressure, but only one chance caused any great alarm. Kermorgant flicked on for Church, bursting through into the box alongside a defender, but his rushed effort from the angle was well saved. It was a tough chance.

In a late gamble, Powell hauled off Wilson and sent Sordell on up front, though all he managed was one overhit pass when a counter-attack beckoned. The gap at right-back allowed substitute Connor Sammon into space following a poor clearance, and he slid a through ball to Bryson who chipped Alnwick and put the game to bed. It was a sickening late blow but all too predictable given the recent run of luck endured by the Addicks.

All the passion and anger directed at the referee and the frustration at Charlton's lack of an equaliser was replaced solely by a feeling of deep resignation. The Valley fell flat. For all the fight they had showed, once again the Addicks had fallen short, and though the result had been predictable all week, the nature of the game meant that there was a lot of hurt.

--

There weren't really any players who could be singled out as having poor games, but I am increasingly inclined to think that we are better off with Richard Wood at the back instead of Dervite. He looked a bit clumsy in defence today, and whilst he is assured on the ball, the organisation and conviction brought by Wood is something we really need at the minute. Wiggins didn't quite hit the heights of his performance at Yeovil last week, whilst Green again struggled to come up with that well executed cross.

Cousins and Stephens again played well, the former in particular impressing thanks to his defensive exploits. We aren't being outplayed in midfield, but that is largely as a consequence of fielding an extra player centrally so as not to be overrun. That in turn is having an impact on our goal-scoring ability. Kermorgant did his best in isolated circumstances, but he was missing a player ahead of him who he could link with and create chances for. When someone clicks with him, it'll be a hugely profitable partnership, but it is something still eluding us. Stewart was kept quiet, but he is always a threat when cutting inside off the left, and can make ground to put in crosses as well.

Derby were strong, and you can see why they have been winning games. It is a confidence thing. Powell can only instill a certain amount of that in his sides, but the rest is down to results, which continue to evade Charlton. That tiny absence of conviction when critical moments arise is what is costing us at the minute. With the resources available we don't have a large array of tactical options open to us, and Powell is trying to make the most of what he has available. Its not easy, hence the struggles, but criticism of effort and desire is definitely a long way wide of the mark. Faith in these players is needed, as we are unlikely to be able to bring many others in. These are the players who will have save this club from relegation. Full backing them is crucial if we want to avoid a repeat of the last time we were relegated, and ended up sinking without trace.

Powell tried a new system against a side which needed to be contained, and it was largely successful. The only breaches to the defence were caused by a deflected free-kick and an absent right-back late on when chasing an equaliser. The players once again played well, but the failure to seize upon those crucial moments in the match is what is frustrating at the moment. Had Morrison's headed chance found the net, it could well have acted as a catalyst enabling Charlton to go on and win the game. Instead, it went wide, and further chances could not be taken either. Whilst the absence of goals is one of the major reasons we find ourselves struggling, again you got the impression that fortune was not on our side. Our league position cannot be blamed simply on bad luck, but fortune has definitely not helped recently. Decisions are more often than not going against us. More decisive performances are needed on the pitch, but also you sometimes need that rub of the green to help you out.

A few words on the relegation battle, and reactions after defeat: Again there has been widespread criticism of the performance, brought about largely thanks to the result. Powell's suggestion that the players gave it their all has been met with scepticism by a number of fans, but this feeling is simply born out of a frustration at the result. When times are tough, there is obviously anger at the situation, but many choose to channel this in completely the wrong way by vehemently criticising the players and the manager, when ultimately they put up a good fight. It indicates that many fans feel that Charlton have an obligation to them to win games, and that failure to do so justifies any form of criticism. Whilst everyone has a right to complain, in the aftermath of a defeat it is rarely constructive in nature, and the direct attacks on players and individuals is more likely to have negative consequences than positive ones. The existence of social media means that instead of calming down over a pint, or in the car on the way home, the immediate feeling of frustration is encapsulated in a series of tweets, often directly attacking the club's players. The atmosphere between fans of differing views can become poisonous, and particularly so given that many take a perverse pleasure in moaning after defeat. The dissenters are a vocal minority, but one that can clearly have an impact on player morale.

The critical, negative reaction comes from an inability to be objective about things, and view the wider situation that the club, players and manager are in. The game frustrated, but it didn't tell us anything we didn't already know about the situation that Charlton Athletic Football Club is in. The squad is weaker than it was last year thanks to the dire financial situation, and we have a co-chairman who is gambling with the contract situation which is creating a huge amount of uncertainty off the field. You cannot suggest that this doesn't impact on the playing staff in any way. Whilst commitment is visibly there, contractual uncertainty breeds doubt, which is not something that helps keep a group strong and resolute. Powell has no money for additions, thus must make the most of what he has available. What he has achieved so far is remarkable, and thankfully the majority realise this.

Powell is undoubtedly the man we want in charge, as his fighting spirit and resolve has often been embodied by Charlton in some of the more unlikely victories during his tenure. We must stick together and keep the faith, as the season ahead will be full of difficult times. Supporting a football club is not a one way street - the players need us to back them. Their effort is there. All that is lacking is that little bit of quality, and that little bit of luck.

Objectivity after defeat is difficult. I had to avoid social media last night due to the outpouring of emotion following the result, as I knew it would further increase the pain. We all feel the pain of defeat, but we need to accept that times are tough. I have always been one to have faith in the people I support, and I see no reason why these players, and this manager, cannot turn the current run of form around. It will be hard, but it can be done.

Keep the faith.

Charlton Athletic 2-0 Doncaster: Three Points, Job Done

Despite the catastrophic public transport failures trying to prevent fans getting to the game, nothing could stop the Addicks securing a vital victory over Doncaster.

The Addicks ready to defend a free-kick

Utter chaos at London Bridge made the journey to the ground an absolute nightmare. Instead of the train to Charlton, I was forced to get the DLR, a tube, two buses and then had to run to make kick off. It took about ten minutes for the stress to subside and to settle into watching the game.

The smaller crowd (caused by a combination of public transport incompetence and apathy towards the fixture) meant the Valley struggled to create the intense atmosphere synonymous with a floodlit midweek game. That said, the home side were dominant.

Church had an early chance, controlling a through ball on his chest with only the keeper to beat, but he couldn't repeat his fine finish from the Blackburn game, skewing his shot wide of the left post.

Charlton continued to threaten, largely brought about by the control that Stephens and Cousins were bringing in central midfield. The defence repelled Doncaster's long balls forward with ease, and stood firm when they countered on the floor.

Further chances came and went. Kermorgant found the ball at his feet twelve yards from goal after a good attack down the left and a dummy from Stephens, but his first-time side-footed effort wasn't hit cleanly, and bounced off the post despite many (including myself) thinking it was heading into the net. Soon after, Church tried an acrobatic volley from the edge of the area, which was well hit but soon blocked.

Doncaster struggled to get create chances despite often breaking forward with slick passing football. These forays were too infrequent. When they eventually got the ball to Macheda in the box, he spun and turned like a competent Artur Boruc, before firing over the bar from a tight angle.

As half time approached, Charlton found themselves on the attack once again. Cameron Stewart was playing on the right as Jackson was deployed on the left, but was still a constant threat to the Doncaster defence. His ball into the box rebounded out to Stephens, who twisted in the air to fire an outstanding shot across his body from outside the area. It was struck with such power and dipped viciously, which took it under the bar and into the top left corner. What a strike!

All those chances, yet we'd scored from by far the most difficult.

Only one nil up at half time, but that could easily have been more as Church had missed a couple of great opportunities. Doncaster weren't looking a particularly coherent threat, but there was still work to be done before the three points were secure.

The second half progressed much in the same way as the first, though an element of caution had crept into our play which prevented over-committing in attack. Powell kept with the same formation, but Kermorgant had a deeper role behind Church which added extra defensive protection.

Wilson found himself with the ball near the area on the right, with Stewart overlapping, but a slip from the defender allowed him a clear run into the box. His shot was well parried by Turnbull, and Cousins couldn't get his shot on target from outside the box.

Charlton broke forward again on sixty minutes, Jackson carrying the ball down the left. He slotted a beautiful diagonal pass between the two centre backs to the feet of Church. Clean through on goal, he took the ball into the box, waited for Turnbull to go down and slotted to his left. The ball clipped the post before going in, but the Addicks had doubled their lead! Church looked relieved more than anything, but a smile of delight was visible on his face. Instead of joining in with the celebrations in front of the North-East corner, Yann decided to go and give a short defensive lecture to the back four. What a hero.

Church celebrates his goal with team-mates, while Yann
offers some instruction to the defence in the background

Two more chances were created by Stewart, choosing to shoot on both occasions after a sharp cutback onto his right foot. The first was just outside the box, well tipped over the bar by Turnbull, but the second was outrageous. When it looked like he should've passed to set up a better opportunity, he unleashed a dipping thirty yard strike that crashed back of the crossbar. He really has got a fantastic right foot. And I still maintain he should've passed!

Another glorious opportunity to make it 3-0 went begging, as the ball bounced across goal towards Church, twelve yards from goal. His swivelled effort saw him mis-kick horribly, and he just lay on the turf in despair. Turnbull helped him to his feet, probably thinking him for keeping the score down to two nil.

Charlton controlled and the game well, but Macheda had a couple of half chances before the end. One shot was well saved by Alnwick, deputising for Hamer after an injury in the warm up, and another flew over the bar much in the same way his chance in the first half had done.

Church and Jackson were replaced after excellent shifts, although the former probably should've had a hat-trick. Andy Hughes came on to much joy, as did Sordell, who ran a bit before getting bored. Green replaced the excellent Stewart, and promptly fired a shot from wide into the post, though the whistle had gone for offside.

Doncaster had precious little to offer going forward, unable to utilise the assistance of a waterlogged pitch this time round. "3-1, and you f-cked it up" was the rather harsh but amusing view from the North Upper.

Full time was greeted with muted cheers, with the result hardly in doubt from the moment Charlton went two to the good. The players clapped the fans as they went off, with Andy Hughes looking paticularly enthusiastic and inspirational. Chris Powell did his usual and waited to be the last man down the tunnel. The crowd expectantly waited him to re-emerge for his celebratory jump, and he did so having gloriously donned his flat cap. A fine way to end the night.

It was a professional performance by the Addicks, and much needed after a couple of defeats which had checked our momentum. Doncaster were poor, and struggled to have any significant attempts on goal. The Addicks defence restricted them to just the one shot on target. Morrison and Dervite won most of the aerial balls aimed at them, with the two full backs as energetic as ever. Wiggins and Wilson bombing forward is vital to our attacking threat, but they also defended stoutly.

Cousins and Stephens provided the real foundation for the victory. They tackled well, played some excellent short passes between themselves and spread the play going forward. It's great to see a settled duo, especially as it allows Stephens to play in a more advanced position. His passing was particularly good, whilst his goal rivals Cameron Stewart's volley as one of the best we've seen all season.

Stewart was fantastic, a constant threat down the right hand side. He has a tendency to cut onto his right foot a little too often, but Doncaster failed to cope, and he came incredibly close to scoring. He also managed to put a couple of dangerous crosses in, which is more difficult to do when he plays on the left. Jackson's role on the left was more defensive, seeing him tucking inside to provide defensive assistance. His pass to set up Church was exceptional.

Church really must be on the verge of scoring a shed load of goals. He continues to get into great positions and his understanding with Kermorgant is developing nicely. Even though it wasn't his night, he still managed to score. A little too often the defence played long balls over the top to run onto, but again his work rate was outstanding.

Kermorgant showed flashes of his brilliance, with a couple of magnificent and perfectly accurate flick-ons. He was deployed in the deeper centre forward role, meaning he wasn't in the box as often as would be liked, but the defensive duties he carried out made up for that. It was great to see the big Breton back on the field.

Powell got his tactics right, and although the opposition performance was below par, it was a professional job to secure three points as comfortably as Charlton did. The defensive-minded 4-4-2 formation has its limitations in attack, but has provided the side with extremely solid foundations on which they can build on. Another clean sheet and a vital three points will certainly lift the squad after Saturday's narrow loss at QPR. It also shows a steely resilience, as there was no sign of lingering disappointment from the game three days earlier.

For those that could make it, the display was a very encouraging one from a side who've struggled for goals. Ipswich at home on Saturday provides another opportunity to move up the table and build some momentum. Once again Chris Powell has lifted his players to achieve a great result. Here's to more of the same with him at the helm. I doff my flat cap to him.

Up The Addicks!