Charlton Athletic 1 Blackburn Rovers 1
Another encouraging performance from the Addicks yesterday. I was in the ‘happy to take a point’ before the game camp, and by the sounds of it we should have had all three.
Blackburn may have a host of predicaments off the field but a good manager will have a lot to play with whenever he takes the reigns. Unless they re-appoint Steve Kean (come on, you never know?) then Rovers should be one of the stronger forces in this division.
Nonetheless it was Charlton who were the superior side yesterday, defending well, and with a 5-man midfield allowed Dale Stephens to have a lot more influence on the game.
Many have called for a 4-5-1 formation and like in the best days under Curbishley, the squad that Powell has developed does lend itself to this structure.
5 midfielders gives us plenty of width and a little more of a security blanket in the middle. Passing is encouraged also to be shorter and I think it allows the side to be more patient in their build up rather than look for a quick ball to Kermorgant.
Ricardo Fuller was sent home apparently due to illness, but is a perfect choice for a solitary striker and BWP, Kermorgant, Jackson, Pritchard and Cook can all play in the hole. BWP is a willing worker, but thrives on good service in a narrow band between the centre circle and the box.
In saying that new boy Abdul Razak maybe the kind of player who can thread inch perfect balls into Wright-Phillips’ feet. Razak signed yesterday for 3 months on loan from Manchester City. He has been in and around the 1st team at City and the move helps all parties. I read that Razak may well remind us of Alex Song when we had him on loan, which will do for me. Whispers too, that Rob Hulse may join Razak on loan at The Valley during this week.
Anyway back to the game yesterday and by all accounts our best showing of the season and it was a shame not to get the win – my tea almost went in the air when BWP had his overhead kick saved in the final minute – but we are starting to impose ourselves on this division. Maybe the 2nd half at Derby was a turning point.
Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Charlton Casualty; And Nothing Else Matters; God, Charlton and Punk Rock; Deepest Darkest; Blackheath Addick; Addicks Championship Diary; Stickleback; Drinking During the Game.
Powell-ometer: Forced into a formation change, Powell may have just found the right formula.
Elsewhere: The games again threw up some inconsistent results. Palace won again this time at Bolton with a late penalty, Watford won away at Huddersfield, Birmingham inflicted Brighton’s first defeat at the Amex and Peterborough won their first points at the season at Hull. Millwall got a late equaliser at Burnley, Diouf scored twice as Leeds won at Bristol City and Cardiff stuffed Blackpool 3-0, the Tangerines conceding 6 in a week. Wolves climb to 3rd as they beat Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester won for the 3rd consecutive time, winning at Middlesbrough, Barnsley and Ipswich drew 1-1 and today Derby won at Forest in an ill-tempered game.
Chicago Addick 
Good description about the security blanket CA. the 5 in midfield does seem to give us that, and tends to bring out the best in Stephens.
Like a lot of Addicks I was pleased with the point – and I enjoyed the game too. Thought process before the game was that Rovers had only lost one, but had just lost their manager (was that good or bad?) we were missing two of our best strikers, and Bradley couldn’t play loan man up front etc. – my metaphorical arms were doing a real up and down on the metaphorical balancing scales – if you see what I mean.
We were the better side across the 90, and deserved a win (did they have a corner at all? we were longing for them to have one in the first half..). But I though it was very soft pen – may be thats why Deadman let Robinson jump forward a metre then have a cup of tea before Jacko had struck the ball..
Deadman also made some real howlers about playing advantage!
Not sure if their goal was offside. It was right in front of us, but I though he was on, everyone else around me was certain he was off!
I do have to wonder about the reason for having Evina, Cook and Smith in the squad if we aren;t going to play them though. Hulse seems to be on his way in, so presumably the later two are surplus to requirements or Chrissy wants to them to develop in to something better – but how and when does this metamorphisis happen?
At the moment they just seem to be adding to the wages bill.
A bit more confidence and we could have won it Chicago. Not sure I like all these loans again – I always feel sorry for OUR players even if the ones coming in are better. Hey ho, what do I know?