Despite an encouraging start when Nicky Bailey put them ahead with a super strike on four minutes, Charlton were simply overwhelmed by Wolves in today's 1-3 defeat at The Valley. The Addicks managed to hold on to their lead until half time, but they were increasingly stretched by Wolves as the game went on. Steve from Croydon thought that only two players had put in really good performances, Bailey and Hudson, and it was difficult to disagree with him. The defence was rickety, Gray was anonymous in attack and Varney missed some great chances to score.
At the beginning of the match we learnt that Chris Iwelumo would not be starting after all as he had injured himself in the warm up. Quite how this happened I have no idea, perhaps it was acknowledging the applause of the Addickted.
Charlton started brightly with an early corner and Bouazza having a punt from distance. The spirits of the Addickted when then lifted by Bailey's cannon shot from distance which put them 1-0 ahead.
Wolves then won a corner which highlighted the uncertainties in the Charlton defence which were to be a feature of the game. The ball was played out and then Weaver made a save. Good work by Lloyd Sam won Charlton a corner, but it ended in an offside call, the Addicks playing themselves offside in the game more than they should have done. Hudson made a good clearance in defence. Fortune made a safety first clearance into touch which is better than making no clearance at all.
Bouazza played superbly, evading a number of defenders, but his effort from distance was wide and perhaps he should have passed the ball. Wolves were making a lot of use of their left wing and often looked threatening. Varney was presented with an open goal, but put the ball just wide.
Bouazza burst through and drew a save from distance. After a particularly clumsy clearance, Weaver had to make a save. Hudson was once again called on to show his defensive qualities. Danger loomed as Weaver made a save on the ground, but the offside flag had already been raised. Bouazza powered through again but his shot was wide.
Youga provided a good defensive header. A Fortune error created danger with the ball going across the front of goal. Youga recovered from a mistake which created a one on one situation and managed to get the ball out for a Wolves corner which was cleared. Bouazza was given a good ball by Luke Varney but he put it wide.
Cranie conceded a corner to Wolves which was followed by a second, the move ending n a Wolves throw in. Varney won a corner for the Addicks, but it was poorly taken by Bailey. Wolves were given a lucky free kick. Lloyd Sam won Charlton a free kick in a promising position. A period of frentic play led to a Charlton corner and this was followed by a spell of pressure from the Addicks.
Wolves were given an opportunity to draw level before the break when a free kick was awarded in direct line of the goal for an attempted foul. Their effort came off the Charlton wall. Lloyd Sam received a yellow card.
Half time: Addicks 1, Wolves 0
Lloyd Sam put in a great cross and we thought that Varney was going to score, but somehow he missed. The threatening Ebanks-Blake signalled his intent with a fierce shot which was just wide. Luke Varney powered forward and then passed to Bouazza when he probably should have had a go himself. The West Stand lino was substituted. Bouazza drew a save.
Whilst its easy to blame the officials, I do think Pardew was right to question the free kick which led to the Wolves penalty and their equaliser. I marked it down as highly dubious at the time. Wolves were allowed to take it quickly and in the resulting mayhem Bailey received a yellow card for the foul that gave Wolves a penalty. Ebanks-Blake put the ball decisively into the back of the net.
Fortune received a yellow card. In what proved to be an inspired substitution for them, Wolves pulled off Jarvis and brought on Vokes. A Wolves attack saw a ball go across the front of goal, giving them a corner.
Cranie provided a great long ball to Luke Varney, leading to a free kick on the edge of the area. However, the Charlton effort came off the wall. The East Stand linesman made a very harsh offside decision that ended a promising Charlton attack. Varney had a half chance but sent the ball well over the bar. Varney won the Addicks a corner which was taken short and was unproductive as such corners often are.
Gray was taken off and Chris Dickson brought on and Lloyd Sam was replaced by Grant Basey. Wolves then went ahead through Vokes, Weaver spilling the ball. Jones received a yellow card and Basey won a free kick but once again it came off the wall, suggesting that some more worked is needed on set pieces.
Wolves pulled off Ebanks-Blake and brought on Edwards. Vokes then scored his second to make it 1-3 and much of the Charlton portion of the crowd of 21,542 understandably left. There were four minutes of time added on, but this simply gave the East Stand lino the chance to make another odd offside decision. By far the best team won on the day and on this form Wolves must be firm favourites for promotion.
Pards thought that we should have had a penalty for a foul on Andy Gray, but although I heard the penalty shout I didn't think it was worth noting down at the time. As overnight comments have shown, many of the Addickted are losing faith in Pards. Tuesday's match against Donny now assumes an even greater importance with Charlton 16th in the table. Odds on Parkinson and Kinsella being joint managers before the end of the season have shortened.
Match analysis
The Silver Bone was awarded by Ivy the Terrible to Nicky Bailey not just for his superb goal, but for his effort and commitment throughout the match. Weaver was somewhat below par and was arguably at fault for one of the goals. He seems to have been taking lessons on kicking out from Deano. Hudson was cool and commanding at the heart of defence, but his skill was not matched by Fortune. Although he did make some defensive contributions, a consistently high level of skill was once again lacking. Youga shows some flashes of real skill, but his inexperience also means that he is sometimes caught out. Cranie made a solid start as he adjusted to his new team mates, making some good passes forward, but whether he is a better option that Moutauokil will be a continuing debate. Holland was energetic and committed and did make some good interventions but lacks just enough pace to be a real box-to-box player which is what his position demands. Sam started quite well and put in one excellent cross, but faded as the game went on and was rightly withdrawn. Bouazza was not as impressive as he was against Reading and the combinations with Youga did not always work. Gray seemed to play little part in the match, although admittedly the team's performance if anything declined after he was taken off. Varney lacks the surgical skill which a striker needs to take advantage of opportunities. Dickson did not make a great difference after he came on, although his best opportunity was denied him by the East Stand linesman. Basey looked quite useful but was not on long enough to make a real difference.
The Hiss of the Match has been awarded by Juneau the Soccer Cat to the East Stand linesman for his strange and over rigorous interpretations of the offside rule. As one wag shouted to the ageing official, 'you'll make a referee yet.'
Crowd rating: Started well, but faded as the game went on. 6/10.
9 comments:
Pardew seems to be losing the plot. The game is all about balance and cohesion - witness England's performance in Zagreb. Moutauokil and Basey both contributed to the fluency and balance of the side against Reading and were factors in the good performances of both Sam and Bouazza. Unfortunately, as evidenced by the crazy decision to play Bailey wide right against Preston, it is becoming clear that Pardew has little idea how to set his team up and even fails to realise when he has found a winning formula by chance. The decision to bring in Cranie on loan to take Moutauokil's place is his worst yet; a very poor piece of judgement which creates a lose-lose situation.
The strong direction he received in the summer, combined with what Steve Waggot described in the programme as "greater teamwork", is clear evidence that the Board have lost confidence in Pardew's ability to build and manage a squad. That was supposed to be his strength. How long before they lose confidence in him as a manager? I wouldn't have said this six months ago, but my guess is that in the unlikely event the Club had the opportunity to bring back Alan Curbishley, they'd do so in a heartbeat.
Mr. Anon. All credit for your succinct summary of Alan Pardew's bizarre 'tinkerings' and alluding to the obvious negative effect for the whole team.
I am begining to wish he would find a club more suited to his expertise. And soon.
Not sure I am with you on your final paragraph, though.
I actually read the comment in the programme about greater teamwork as a reference to Richard Murray's diminished role. It is ironic that Pardew promised us a 'cracking' game in the programme. It certainly was for Wolves supporters.
Good to see you yesterday; pity the day went downhill not long afterwards. I thought the linesman running close to the East Stand had a good game, including giving offside against one of their forwards for being in Weaver's line of sight, even though he hadn't touched the ball. The crowd seemed against him, however. I particularly enjoyed one shout from the crowd, after a perfectly correct offside decision, of 'he nearly didn't give that'. So the officials are getting stick for almost not giving correct decisions.
It can't be said that the decision to bring in Cranie for Yassin is an obviously poor one. I really hope this season that Youga and Yassin will give the team drive and mobility going forward. But too many mistakes are being made. I guess we'll have to wait to see how the defence functions with Primus coming in.
Felt we were over run at times, a bit baffling as we have two combative midfielders in Bailey and Holland. Not sure what Cranie added, he did OK, but didn't link as effectively with Sam as Yassin M nor did he have Yassins pace. Which meant that down the right we were a bit stifled. Would have like to have seen Varney play from a bit deeper, where he could run at or through the defence. Wolves played well and look a tidy outfit, although their defence wasn't solid. It has taken them a few seasons to sort their side out, I can see we may face the same.
When are we going to devote some time to original set pieces.The crossing has been poor for the last thee seasons or maybe longer
Blackheath Addicted - I understand your perspective. However, my point about Cranie versus Moutaoukil is not based just on their likely contribution to the side in the short-term, though I'm sure Yassin offers more going forward, but on the longer term consequences. First, Cranie is only available until December at which time he will return to Portsmouth, especially if he plays well. Second, when that happens Pardew will need another right back so we'll have yet more change. Third, at this stage Moutaoukil will have missed out on 3 months of development and hence the chance to learn to cut out the errors whilst, in all probablity, being quite demotivated and lacking in confidence. Fourth, whilst he is not getting a game Moutaoukil's market value is steadily eroding. If Pardew doesn't rate him, why not get rid? He won't improve playing in the Stiffs.
In my view, a big mistake last season was that young and/or inexperienced players were not given sufficient opportunities, their chance to develop being sacrificed at the alter of the need for immediate results in the quest for an first-time return to the Premiership. Racon is the best example of that. Imagine how useful he might be now if he'd had the chance to develop. Last season perhaps the policy was justified even though it eventually failed, but my expectation was that this season would be different. The decision to bring in Cranie suggests otherwise and I firmly believe that it represents muddled thinking.
"When are we going to devote some time to original set pieces" - You did not notice the fake indecision and then Holland running around the ball, before they totally cocked it up, that was original!! Cranie is with us fort he season, its Primus who is having a South London holiday.
Cranie is here until the end of 2008 - see yesterday's programme.
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