A Work in Progress

This was the comment made by Steve from Croydon during last night's 1-1 draw at The Valley with Bristol City. I can see what he means. We are still uncertain what our best team is and the team is still failing to gell. Perhaps there has been too much tinkering with different combinations of players.

Charlton started well and were rewarded with a well taken goal from Darren Ambrose. The Addicks continued to be on top in the first half but were unable to find the net again. As for Bristol City, they were rarely able to penetrate the Charlton defence and Weaver did not have a significant save to make.

City stepped up a gear in the second half and Charlton's frailties were exposed. We kept losing possession and, in particular, passing the ball direct to the opposition. We might also have done something about the fact that City were try to put everything through Adebola. The inevitable happened and City equalised from a corner. Whether they would have scored from open play is a matter for debate, but whilst we never threaten from corners, we are always threatened by them.

It looked as if City were more likely to score than we were and in the five minutes of time added on, we nearly put the ball in our own net. However, we held on for the draw. This was clearly not enough for some of those around me who booed at the end of the game. Once again, there is a need to adjust expectations. I do not think that we are ready to go up this year (but neither are Bristol City).

The acquisition of the formerly well run Chiltern Railways by Deutsche Bahn has not led to an outbreak of Teutonic efficiency. Some trains have been doubled in length, but half of them is often locked out of use. I am told the reason is that they don't fit all the platforms. When I got to London Bridge, I was only able to get on the third train to Charlton. I suppose commuters face this every day, although one might think that a down as well as an up football special might be possible.

At the ground we were regaled by the pitch announcer who kept telling us that Bristol City were a table topping team which encouraged more repetitive renditions of 'We are top of the league' and led one Addick to raise his hands to the loudspeakers in despair. Lee Mason had been advertised as the referee, Uriah Rennie was then named as his replacement, but in the end we got Phil Dowd who lost no opportunity to use his whistle.

Luke Varney put in an excellent cross across the front of goal, but there was no one there to connect. Another good cross came in and Iwelumo tangled with City's Brazilian goalkeeper. Charlton continued their good start with a save drawn from the keeper. Invincible hard man Darren Ambrose had handbags at six paces with City charm merchant Jamie McAllister and both players were rebuked by the referee.

Darren Ambrose signalled his intent by pressurising the far from secure keeper. Then in a good move, Youga played the ball in and Ambrose was able to slot it home past the stranded keeper to make it 1-0.

City were awarded a free kick, but it was cleared and Charlton continued to apply good pressure. Youga put in a good and fair tackle, but it was judged to be a foul and City were awarded a free kick. Although we were on top at this stage of the game, I still felt that the midfield were losing a bit, but there was no real pressure on our goal.

Thomas tried his luck with a decent shot from distance which drew a save. A poor ball by Zhi led to a City throw in. Youga defended well. Danger man Adebola had to go off to the dressing rooms to have a head wound bandaged. He was away for some time with City down to ten men, and given that he also had a defensive role we should have pressed home our advantage but failed to do so.

Iwelumo won Charlton a corner and then drew a save on the line from the keeper. A threatening Charlton break was stopped by a blatant foul by McAllister who was yellow carded, but why should he care? The Charlton free kick was taken by Holland and led to a corner, followed by a second, but this one was overhit and produced a City throw in.

City tried to produce some pressure, but it was ineffective. A City free kick was saved by Weaver who was fouled anyway. As Charlton advanced there was pandemonium in the City box, but we couldn't get the ball in the net. City were awarded a free kick for reasons known only to the referee.

With only one minute of time added on (odd given the time that Adebola was being treated on the pitch) Iwelumo juggled the ball well and set up Thomas in the box, but the chance was missed when he put the ball wide.

Half time: Addicks 1, Robins 0

As part of their revised game plan, City took off Sproule and brought on Darren Byfield. Youga had been playing quite well in the first half, but suddenly started to make serious errors. The first of these created a dangerous opportunity, but fortunately the ball went over. Pards should have pulled him off then and brought on Thatcher. Charlton started to give the ball away.

Varney tried his luck with a long distance shot and nearly beat the keeper who put it over for a Charlton corner. Charlton threatened the City goal, leading to a corner. Pards called Weaver over to the touchline and the keeper then shouted something to Youga.

Darren Ambrose conceded a rather unnecessary corner and it was this which led to their equaliser. Someone in the Covered End would have had a better idea of whether it could have been defended more effectively. Iwelumo was taken off and Gray came on.

Once again there was pandemonium in front of the City goal, their defence being far from secure, but somehow the ball failed to go in. Adebola put in a shot that was just wide. Charm merchant Byfield felled Sodje and received a yellow card for his troubles.

Thomas was taken off and Scott Sinclair came on to boos from the visitors. Dowd decided to award City a dubious free kick in the D and their effort came off the woodwork. A Luke Varney run won Charlton a corner.

Holland put the ball in, but somehow Varney deflected it over at an angle and the City keeper required treatment. Ambrose was taken off in favour of Cook. Five minutes of time was added on and somehow we managed to put ourselves under pressure, nearly scoring an own goal after a Bristol corner.

The City fans had been singing 'We shall not be moved' and went beserk at winning a point, having been repeatedly told they were up against a Premiership team. There was some trading of insults across the platform at the station.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible had real difficulty in awarding the Silver Bone as no Charlton player had an outstanding performance but eventually gave it to Luke Varney who was at least consistent in terms of effort, if not flawless. Weaver did not have that much to do and was hardly at fault for the goal which came in at a very acute angle. Halford makes a contribution through his throws, but his defending is sometimes suspect. Youga had a mare of a game, making error after error through a triumph of enthusiasm over experience. With the experienced Thatcher back on the bench, his place must be in doubt. McCarthy was solid and reliable. Sodje made a few errors. Holland was energetic, diligent and attentive, but is the quality there? Ambrose took his goal well, but faded as the game went on.
Zhi had an up and down game, making highly effective interventions at times, but looking jaded at others. Thomas had a poor game overall, even though he moved forward well at times. But there was generally no final product that created a chance and he seemed to show a lack of urgency in getting to the ball at times. When he gave a rare smile at the start of the game, my hopes were raised, but once again it was sulky rather than silky. Iwelumo was constantly fouled and got little protection from referee Dowd. Gray seems to have recovered from his mysterious 'flu but was largely anonymous when he came on. Sinclair had some nice touches, but gave the ball away on other occasions and does not look like the answer to our problems. Cook had little time to make an impression.

Juneau the Soccer Cat gave the Hiss of the Match to the Bristol City supporters. It is a long time since I have seen a group of fans so up themselves and this was exemplified by the incident when a flare was thrown on to the pitch. They will have a rude shock if they do get to the Premiership and become cannon fodder.

Crowd rating The Addickted became edgy in the second half for good reason, but I think this reinforced the team's nervousness and lack of confidence. 6/10.