Under-par Addicks fall to tame defeat

The pre-match huddle, not particularly effective this time

25,000 Charlton fans witnessed a predominantly tame and under-par performance from the Addicks this afternoon, as Barnsley's dominance in the midfield gave them the edge. It could easily have been a different result but Charlton weren't at the races for large chunks of the game, allowing the visitors to capitalise and grab the decisive goal.

After a fairly bright start in terms of possession, the slide began as players conceded possession far too easily. Aside from one deft touch, Razak looked isolated and failed to provide that vital link between the midfield and Ricardo Fuller. One alarming chance for Barnsley aside (forcing a block from Hamer after a cross into the six yard box) it was a half of very few substantial efforts on goal. A late resurgence saw a Razak free kick well saved, a Stephens cross almost land in the far corner of the goal, and Kerkar almost squeezing a corner in at the front post.

 Powell recognised the deficiencies at half time, withdrawing Razak and Hollands from play, paying the price for lack of ball retention, and brought on Wright-Phillips and Jackson. Despite upping the intensity, the problems persisted, and it always seemed like Barnsley had the extra man in midfield, enabling them to spread the play to either flank and threaten to get in behind. The clever and functional style paid off, when Cwyka exploited a gap on the right byline and curled a shot into the far corner. Perkins was running the show for Barnsley, always picking up the loose ball and spreading it away from danger.

Charlton continued to struggle, but still managed to get the ball into dangerous areas on occasions. The ball from Kerkar on the left was deflected and fell towards Solly inside the area, and a sliding defensive block prevented him reaching the ball, though the referee turned down a hugely convincing penalty shout, which incensed the home crowd. A cross from the right was fumbled by the keeper under Wright-Phillips' challenge, and Jackson's flick towards goal was blocked by two men on the line, before Alnwick collected and a mass of bodies piled on top of him. Definitely didn't cross the line, but frustration built. Ricardo Filler had pulled up with a damaged hamstring. Him being forced off acted as a hammer-blow to our comeback hopes, and may well have significant consequences for the weeks ahead. Wilson was booked for avoiding being clattered on the edge of the box, and despite Hamer coming up for a late free kick, Barnsley held on and secured the victory. The referee had ensured he was booed off but ultimately Charlton fans cannot blame him for playing poorly for most of the afternoon.

Powell has had to endure a tough summer but calls
to replace him are quite simply ridiculous.

The defeat is not a sign that we cannot compete or cope in the Championship. Good victories against tough opponents have.already proved we can. The predominant problem is inconsistency. Momentum has twice been stalled by an international break, and whilst its the same for everyone having two weeks off, we've not profited from the rest. Boardroom problems continue to haunt the club, so blaming Powell would be both short-sighted and unhelpful. We have thus far cooed valiantly without significant addition, and an issue avoided last season is sadly causing problems this year, as an injury crisis seems to be taking hold. Whilst Wilson has filled in well, fluency down the left of Wiggins has gone missing, as has the presence of Yann Kermorgant, who could have formed a dangerous pairing with Fuller. The latter now also appears to have picked up a knock, so hopefully Rob Hulse is able to step up and score some goals. But the main issue is the midfield. We were overrun today, always second best, losing loose balls and being pressured into mistakes by the intensity of the visitors. The lack of quality in the middle of the park results in difficulty linking with the forward line, and whilst Fuller fought valiantly he cut an isolated figure. Fluency is badly needed, and Jackson seems a better bet in the middle than Hollands. As long as Powell can keep confidence up there are quality players who can pull out the performances needed to create goal-scoring chances. Whilst it was a poor display, it was definitely more a bad day at the office than a capitulation that justifies a panicked over-reaction.

Tough fixtures follow, but this squad have surprised us before and will do so again. Injuries aren't helping but the ills are certainly not incurable. In a time of turbulent off-field activity, we need to give Powell and his players our full backing.

Charlton 2-4 Notts County

There was a sense of hope on the way to The Valley this afternoon. A defeat at home in midweek to Colchester was most unwelcome, but it was hoped the result would act as a kick up the backside and the team would return to winning ways today. Safe to say, that didn't happen.

Notts County fully deserved their four goals following
an excellent first half performance

The game started in the usual way - patient play from Charlton, but once again lacking the cutting edge. Notts County looked dangerous on the break, and took advantage of Jonathan Forte's lay-offs to move forward. The opening goal was desperately similar to that on Tuesday - the defence stood off and allowed a shot from distance, and Judge's effort beat Hamer into the corner of the goal. From my diagonal viewpoint, I couldn't tell whether Hamer should have done better, but I get the impression he should have done. Soon after, and this was a theme of the first half, County took advantage of an out-of-position full back and moved down the flank, putting in an excellent cross in for Forte to head in unchallenged. A disastrous start. 

Charlton then seemed to panic, and were desperately lacking in the basics. Too often County won the ball in midfield, and passes were misplaced. A bouncing ball towards Hamer's goal was shepherded by Taylor, but Hamer was indecisive and delayed his effort to take the ball, allowing Forte a chance to nip in and lob the keeper. A shambolic goal to concede. A fourth was added before the half as another ball across goal was tapped in at the back post by Forte, capping of an abysmal half of football from the Addicks. I am not a fan of booing, especially when we're doing so well this season, but the outburst of the crowd was entirely justified. It was the worst first half of football I think I've ever witnessed at the Valley following about 10 years of watching. There was a lack of desire, as County won every second ball, worked harder, and played much better. Powell would be thoroughly justified in giving the players a bollocking in the dressing room, and it sounds like he did.

Wagstaff gave Charlton hope by bringing the
score back to 2-4, but it wasn't to be

The second half was a vast improvement, as once again the goals showed that if you could get to the by-line and get a good cross in goals could be scored. After three minutes, Wagstaff ran round the left back and put a cross in, which both the keeper and Bradley Wright-Phillips challenged for. The ball looped into the air and Bradley's classy overhead-kick brought the score to 1-4. And before the hour mark, Wagstaff was this time on the end of a cross, heading into the bottom corner as the keeper failed to tip it round the post. The atmosphere at this stage was excellent - the crowd were fully behind the team, willing them forward, and there was a real sense that the most unlikely of comebacks was possible. There was a shout for a penalty as BWP was shoved unceremoniously off the ball as it bounced towards goal, but the portly referee said no, as did his equally incompetent linesman. No penalty, and the game petered out. The Addicks ran out of ideas and started hoofing it randomly forward. The momentum was lost and the game result that looked certain at half time was indeed confirmed. With both Sheffield clubs winning, the lead at the top was cut to 10 points, and just 11 points between first and third. 

What went wrong? The midfield was outplayed today. The first half saw County dominate there. They won more balls, passed more effectively and didn't put their own players under pressure, unlike those wearing red. Stephens has been poor of late, and today was another bad day at the office. He tries to be too clever and cute with his passing, which often puts us under a lot of pressure. Hollands was also weak in there today. Losing Haynes early didn't help, but in the 14 minutes he was on the pitch I can't remember him touching the ball. Wagstaff was very poor first half but improved in the second. Jackson, so often the key player, was ineffective, losing possession too often and getting caught out of position, along with the two full backs that contributed to at least two of County's goals. The centre halves were also poor today, Taylor especially. They backed off to allow the shot for the first goal and defended the crosses badly. The third goal was just a mess. Hamer and Taylor clearly had a misunderstanding, but as a keeper you just have to step out and collect the ball there. Hamer failed to do so and was left looking like a fool, with the ball in the net and the game effectively lost. Could he have saved the first goal? I don't know, but it was a very poor performance from him.

Bring back Hughes, I say

How do we change things? Well, I think teams are starting to realise they need to stop Kermorgant, and are committing fouls on him that prevents him jumping and winning headers. I think the midfield needs a shake-up, as I don't think Stephens is playing well enough to justify his place. I miss Andy Hughes in there. He allows Hollands to get forward and dissipates the pressure when necessary by playing the ball to the back four, or keeper. But in the main I think the team need to sort themselves out, as two defeats on the bounce poses a real risk of this becoming a slump. The first half performance and ensuing reaction should be what we need.

Onto Chris Powell. I don't think he can be blamed for that first half. His comments certainly show he was not pleased, and the reaction after his team talk certainly showed he's one that can give a half-time team talk.  The problem is we don't seem to be able to come out first half and be clinical. It often takes half time to turn things around, whereas earlier in the season things were coming more easily. I shared Powell's view that the first half was unacceptable:

Powell: "After you concede one... you respond. But it just wasn't there. We just didn't have the basics right at all. We made some bad decisions, so my dressing room at half-time was not a pretty place. My supporters here at the club love their team and they don't want to see their team do that. Stern words would be a gimme at half-time - it wasn't as if I was going to offer them a cup of tea. That's not going to happen, not at all. It was not acceptable for me being their manager. I will back them, because they have been outstanding for 35-and-a-half games, but that half? No."

10 games to go, and a 10 point lead at the top, but the jitters have well and truly set in. I want us to win this league properly, as we've come this far and played so well, to waste the chance now would be devastating. I have complete faith in Chris Powell to arrest this mini-slide and set us back on the right track. I just worry, having experienced the last few years, that nothing is certain at Charlton.

Keep the faith.

CAFC Preview: Cautious Optimism

So here we go. Charlton kick off their season against Bournemouth tomorrow (unless of course AFCB win the toss, but no matter). 15 new faces have arrived on the playing staff so far, and I doubt that will be the final total. Chris Powell inherited a squad unsuited to his style of football, and the poor run last season, culminating in a 13th position finish, was partially due to a poor squad, and also due to a manager not willing to play the style of football the squad preferred (hoofball, basically). Despite being dissatisfied with the results, I was encouraged by the football we began to play, and I finished the season thinking that Powell would be the right man to lead us forward, as long as he could do good work in the transfer market.

And what good work he has done!

A sight many Charlton fans will be hoping to see
 (though with a red shirt on)

Of all the new players signed, I have to say that Danny Green looks to me to be the most exciting. He has an ability to whip a good ball into the area from most positions on the right hand flank. He works hard, cuts infield every now and then and generally looks very skilful. Dale Stephens looks like a very good deep-lying playmaker, with a good range of passing. Him and Danny Hollands, a hard-working player whose work on the pitch slips under the radar, will form a superb midfield partnership. With captain Jackson on the left, I am very pleased with what we've got in midfield, especially given that Mikel Alonso - an unknown quantity at present, but has played at a much higher level - as well as Ruben Bover-Izquierdo - an exciting young Spaniard with great skill and creativity - will occupy the bench.

The strike-force looks one player light. Paul Hayes will play behind Bradley Wright-Phillips, as he has a good record of providing the main striker with goalscoring chances. However I look forward to the games Paul Benson plays. I have to say a lot of Charlton fans are not convinced by him, but I like his high work-rate, and he is a good finisher in the box. Danny Green supplied many of the crosses for Benson to score for Dagenham and Redbridge, which is why I look forward to seeing this combination at the Valley. I still think a target man style player is required, but as Jason Euell and Grzegorz Rasiak are on trial, I would not mind at all if they both signed.

The defensive aspect is a little less assured. The two centre backs signed - Matt Taylor from Exeter and Michael Morrison from Sheffield Wednesday - arrive with mixed reviews having not been first choices at their previous clubs. From what has been said they are not great aerially, which could prove a problem against a number of sides that choose not to play the was Mr Powell does. Rhoys Wiggins is a promising addition at left-back, but his performance in the friendly matches suggest his greatest strengths are attacking as opposed to defending. We'll see. Andy Hughes has been signed from Scunthorpe, whose fans did not make happy noises regarding his ability. A right-back that can play on the left or anywhere across midfield, he has been tagged as a player who puts in 100% effort but is limited technically. Will he fit in with the Charlton style of play? From what I've heard of his time at Leeds, where he is somewhat of a hero, I really hope he does well for us, as I'd really like to like him as a player. He is someone who loves the fans, so he can't be that bad, surely!

The goalkeeper situation has taken a strange twist in the past week. Ben Hamer was signed from Reading unexpectedly last weekend, and immediately handed the number 1 jersey. This seems logical, as reviews of his loan spells at Exeter reveal he is a very talented keeper, and someone who I'm sure will be successful at the club. However, he replaced Rob Elliot as numero uno, who decided that his second choice was 44. Many theories have been devised, particularly on the Charlton Life message board (a great fans forum, by the way). His failure to agree a new contract has been said to have caused Powell to sign Hamer, and many think that now he will be off. John Sullivan, the other keeper, must be feeling rather bemused at the whole situation, having signed earlier in the summer on a free transfer.

Predictions are always difficult. A vast array of different things can happen in a football season. However, the signings made by Powell have given every fan a sense of cautious optimism regarding the new season. 3 years in League One is enough to drive any fan with aspirations of Premier League football mad. Patience has not been exhibited often at the Valley in recent seasons, but I feel it needs to be this year. It is unlikely that such a new team will gel instantly, and many have not predicted a victory in the opening game. But I do think that the team should be capable of automatic promotion, so that is what I will go for. I may as well...