There is much work to be done

Today's 1-1 draw against Scunthorpe at The Valley shows that there is much work to be done before the new Charlton side plays together effectively as a team. Although there is much in the comment of the Bloke Beside Me that the performance was better than the result, a number of deficiencies were evident.

First, with Darren Bent gone, we lack a reliable goal scorer. There were a number of good chances that were not used. This is not just a question of the strikers, although it is far from clear who our best pairing is. We also need to be able to score goals from midfield.

Second, the midfield remains a problem. We were particularly ineffective on the left today with Jerome Thomas out injured. His return, together with the availability of Zheng Zhi and possibly the new French midfielder could give us the control we need in the centre of the park.

Third, the loss of Diawara was a blow and our central defence does look a little suspect.

Referee Mr Kettle was off the boil for much of the match and ignored some shoving and fouling by Scunthorpe, as well as their time wasting, while he was eager to give marginal decisions against us.

The train driver at Charlton said 'change for promotion favourites Charlton' and that is always a dangerous position to be in. I think that there has been a certain amount of lazy journalism of the 'what goes down must come up' type. It's not going to be an easy ride.

Scunthorpe are a side of journeymen, but they played together effectively as a team, although I thought that we were more skilled, and they stuck to their game plan, packing the defence when needed. They are a decent side and just as we should not be too optimistic, we should not be too pessimistic on the basis of one match when the team is still not playing as a unit - although some of the passing was fluent.

The game had a rather ragged start and Charlton's first chance came when Bent turned provider for Reid who put the ball only just over. Weaver was called on to make a save, poking the ball out when perhaps he should have gathered it.

A Charlton corner taken by Ambrose was poor. A Scunthorpe free kick when just past the post with the Addicks defence worryingly caught unaware. Marcus Bent won a corner for Charlton which was taken short by Reid. Sam won Charlton a corner and Bent's effort was just over, ending up in the netting. Then Bent had another chance when he was one on one with the proficient Murphy in the Scunthorpe goal, but he missed the target. Ambrose dithered and failed to make anything of an opportunity.

Bent stormed forward, but didn't pass the ball when he could and sent it well wide. It's fine to be selfish if you then score. Lloyd Sam showed great skill and forced a good save from Murphy on the ground. Good work on the right produced a cross to Ambrose but his header went wide. The half had not lacked chances for Charlton, but they were not taken.

Half time: Addicks 0, Iron 0

Whatever Pards said at the break, it didn't produce an immediate improvement in Charlton's standard of play. Lloyd Sam won Charlton a corner. Bent was tripped as he advanced on goal, I didn't have a clear enough sight of it to see whether it should have been a dangerous free kick or a penalty. The referee did consult the East Stand lino, but nothing was given.

Charlton won a corner, but it was unproductive. Indeed, nothing much seems to have improved in that respect. On 62 minutes the breakthrough came when Marcus Bent scored. There was some initial doubt about whether the goal was offside, but after consulting his lino, the referee allowed it. Kevan Hurst received a yellow card, presumably for dissent.

Reid put in a good shot which was initially spilled by Murphy, but he was able to gather it. Ambrose had a half chance, but put the ball into the side netting. An Iron goal was correctly ruled offside. Todorov was taken off and replaced by McLeod.

The impressive Moutaouakil gave away a soft corner. The Iron fans became very excited, whereas a Charlton corner provokes cynical indifference. A second corner was won, it was well taken and on 69 minutes the unmarked Iriekpen had a free header to make it 1-1.

Charlton put in a decent cross, but Bent missed. Jonathan Forte was taken off by the Iron and replaced by Martin Paterson. Marcus Bent, who had taken a couple of knocks, was replaced by Iwelumo. Paul Hayes was replaced by Matthew Sparrow for Scunthorpe. An unmarked Iron managed to put the ball just over the crossbar, reinforcing my concerns about the defence.

Reid burst through, but he took his effort on his right foot and it went just wide. Scunthorpe won a succession of corners, one of which I thought was very dubious. Five minutes of time were added on, but Scunthorpe's time wasting ensured that very little of this was available for effective play.

Maggie was able to go back to the pub to collect her winnings for her 1-1 forecast in the jackpot. Inspector Sands also forecast a draw. Hopefully, the game will be a useful reality check.

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Lloyd Sam who showed an ability to penetrate down the wing with real skill and unsettle Scunthorpe. Weaver was not tested that much and was not really to blame for the goal. His distribution from kicks was intelligent and often found a Charlton player. Moutauakil had an excellent game, apart from giving away the soft corner which led to the Scunthorpe goal. But he is a worthy replacement for Luke Young. Thatcher was strong and effective and might be a better captain than Andy Reid. Bougherra was involved a lot, but I have some reservations about his skill level. McCarthy gave a determined impression, but how good is his anticipation? Was he always in the right place at the right time? Semedo showed some nice touches, but perhaps did not stand out as much as I had been led to expect from reports of pre-season matches. Perhaps because he was captain, Reid felt a need to compete for every ball which was perhaps not the best strategy. He should have come out to the left more. Ambrose was as enigmatic as usual, making some useful moves but disappointing in terms of finishing. Bent was much more energetic than I have ever seen him, pity that he could not take more of his chances. Todorov showed some real skill with the ball, but could not find the back of the net. McLeod is a busy player, but I have doubts about whether he is Championship standard. Apparently, he has a record of being sent off a lot. Iwuelemo put himself about a lot, but I remain to be convinced.

Juneau the Soccer Cat has given her Hiss of the Match to one economy that was made and one that was not made. We have been hearing a lot about 'economies in all departments', but has that much money been saved by downgrading the big screen? There is no longer a 'time remaining' counter, and even Leamington can afford an electronic scoreboard with time elapsed (sponsored by a local electrician). When Bent scored, I half expected to see a giant hand and appear and put a new slide on. The economy that was not made was getting rid of the ingratiating pitch announcer who he is still informing any unfortunates who thought that they were at Park View Road to see Welling play Bognor Regis that in fact they are at The Valley. Everyone around me wished his services had been dispensed with.

Crowd rating Very quiet at times when expectations were not met. 6/10.