Hit and Hope Football Brings Defeat

Alan Pardew was at least prescient in one thing when he prepared for today's match. As he wrote in trhe programme, 'a win against us this afternoon would be another vital step in [Preston's] survival bid.' Charlton handed them the three points gift wrapped. Yet the Addicks remain in 5th position,

The performance replicated Pardew's account of the game against Bristol City: 'we just couldn't string three passes together. We really had an off night in terms of retaining possession and building on it ... we just made some naive passes that kept costing possession, something that is unlike us.' Well it was very much like us again today. There was too much reliance on the hit and hope long ball and the hoofed clearance - and it can't be blamed on Iwelumo as he wasn't on the pitch until near the end.

The team had four loan players which says something about our squad. Until we get a reasonably settled team, we aren't going to get anywhere. Pardew has to get a grip and I am hoping to see a changed performance when I go to Turf Moor on Tuesday night. I am pleased to hear that Pards is having the team in on Sunday.

Preston faced the unusual situation of a player being injured in the warm up, Chilvers having to be carried off the field. This seemed to have no adverse effect on them and they signalled their intent with an early corner. Then Zhi won Charlton a corner. It was played out, but a shot came in that was deflected just wide, leading to a second Charlton corner that was caught by the keeper.

A Charlton corner was overhit and went out of play, although the strong wind played a part. A Preston corner was followed by one of Youga's famous air balls leading to a North End throw in and then another corner for the visitors. Weaver pushed the ball out, Ambrose part cleared, but Preston won a throw in. Fortunately, the end product was nothing more than a Charlton goal kick.

Halford put in a good long ball (there are ones) to Varney but the resultant Charlton corner was caught by the keeper. A mistake by Youga let Priskin through on goal in a one on one with Weaver, but the keeper stood his ground and the shot went wide.

Matt Holland put in a shot from distance that drew a save (thus invalidating the claim by the Bloke Behind Me who was wallowing in his negativity that the Preston keeper did not have to make a save all half). Preston won another corner. Zhi did well to advance, but his effort was saved. Sam went down (he appeared to be in some trouble during the warm up) and went off to be replaced by Sinclair.

For a moment it looked if Brown was offside, but Sodje was down on the ground and played him onside and Brown made no mistake in putting the visitors ahead. What immediately became evident was a lack of pattern in Charlton's play. Youga forged forward, but put a shot well wide to the jeers of the visiting supporters when he could have passed to his left.

A Charlton free kick was taken by Ambrose and produced a Charlton corner, but the move ended in a goal kick. Preston won a free kick near the corner flag. This led to a Preston corner. Youga turned provider for Varney and the result was another unproductive Charton corner. An effort by Sinclair was well wide. Matt Holland defended well. As we entererd the three minutes of time added on, the Bloke Beside Me said that he would take 0-1 at half time with the hope that we could regroup in the second half.

Half time: Addicks 0, Invincibles 1

Gray was brought on in place of Varney. Preston were not simply trying to hang on to their lead and an attack created a chance which went just wide. Charlton won a corner, but once again it was caught by the keeper. Preston had a corner, but it looked like a Charlton one as the ball went out of play. The next one was overhit and a third was unproductive.

Nothing worthy of any note occurred until 71 minutes when Priskin, who had looked a little error prone, was taken off and replaced by Neil Mellor who was once a household name at Liverpool but has had injury problems.

Lita went on a run, but his shot was blocked for a Charlton corner. Sinclair won a corner for Charlton, the ball was played back in and McCarthy found the back of the net. But Charlton are always most at risk when they have got back in a game and Brown turned well eight yards out for a well taken winning goal.

Halford was taken off on 82 minutes and replaced by Iwelumo. Ambrose won Charlton a corner. Iwelumo won a free kick. It was taken by Ambrose whose shot was a good one, but the keeper was able to move to make the save for a Charlton corner. That was about it.

We can't say that the result was an unfair one. We replicated our poor form against teams fighting relegation such as Queen's Park Rangers, Colchester and Scunthorpe. To complete the weekend, Leamington lost 2-4 at home to Chavtown, possibly finishing their title hopes.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible was asked by The Observer after the match to justify the award of the Silver Bone to captain Matt Holland (who ended up with dirty pants) and her answer was 'effort, commitment and skill.' Weaver didn't have that much to do, but he let in two goals. Youga had a 'mare of a game, constantly sending the ball up in the air or hoofing it forward. Sodje also made more than a few errors. McCarthy took his goal well and is appropriately described by Steve from Croydon as a 'good, honest player.' Halford has his long throws, but does he have much else? I was surprised to see Sam starting but it turned out to be a cameo as he was injured early in the game. Ambrose didn't really contribute much. His corners are very ordinary and rarely pose a threat. Zhi generally had a poor game and I just wonder if he is tired. Lita has pace and had one good effort blocked, but I am sceptical on this performance about whether he is the answer to our hopes. Varney tries hard but his distribution was suspect in the first half and it was not a great surprise to see him substituted. Sinclair had his chance, but failed to live up to his billing. Gray is a cultured footballer, but when will he score? Probably against Burnley on Tuesday. Iwelumo gave the Preston defence some problems, but was unable to turn the tide.

Hiss of the Match This awarded by Juneau the Soccer Cat to the East Stand linesman who was either half asleep or did not understand the offside rule (or both).

Crowd rating: I think that the lack of patience of the crowd was a problem. For example, Zhi conceded a throw in when a back pass would have been a more sensible option, but he was being urged on by the crowd. Booing during the game does little to help a team suffering from lack of confidence. In his remarks after the game, Pards felt that the lack of patience of the crowd had encouraged players to take the cheap option and hit it long. 3/10.