The Cat wins the game

Charlton piled on the pressure after the quarter hour mark with a succession of corners.  A big argument broke out in the penalty area after the third corner.  It looked as if Oshilaja was holding Stockley down.  He may have hit out with his arm.   Both players were sent off.   Steve Brown said at half time that he thought that neither the referee nor the assistant referee knew what was going on.

Charlton won another corner, Famewo flicked it on, bypassing two defenders and Purrington scored from within the six yard box.  He read the situation very well to score his third goal of the season. 

Lee got a yellow card after a trip.  The referee talked to both managers as they clashed in an increasingly heated atmosphere.  Jacko gave as good as he got from Hasselbaink. Kettle booked DJ for hitting the ball off the hoardings.

Hemmings was booked for a dive in the box.

Charlton had around two-thirds possession in the half.   Burton had not had a shot on target.  Five minutes were added on.  Famewo was booked for time wasting at a throw in.  This means he will be suspended for the next game.    The steaming Kettle booked someone in the tunnel.    Apparently it was Arter, an unused substitute.

HT: Brewers 0, Addicks 1

MacGillivray made a great save from Powell at the near post as Burton started on the front foot.  Charlton were able to clear the resultant corner.  

A good cross from Davison was headed behind before DJ could make use of it.

Burton were playing further forward than in the first half.   At times Charlton struggled to get out of their half.

The hard working Davison who showed signs of tiring came off and was replaced by Blackett-Taylor. 

The 1,000 or so of Addicks fans in a crowd of 3,500 made a lot of noise. 

Famewo did superbly well to win a free kick for Charlton.   O'Connor shot straight at MacGillivray.

Good play from Lee teed up Purrington and led to a Charlton corner.  

On 83 minutes DJ, who had pointed to his groin, was replaced by Elerewe.    Gilbey headed away from a free kick.

Four minutes were added on.    Famewo made a great tackle and brought the ball away.   Lee made good covering defending and Charlton won a free kick.   Jacko and the players celebrated with the fans.

Steve Brown said that we were very resilient, something we had been over the last four or five games, it was a brilliant clean sheet.   Defensively we were doing things very well.   The balance of the side had changed, we had been too easy to play through.  We had a nice balance in centre midfield.  Gilbey covered run after run after run.

The Cat said the sending offs affected the way Charlton pressed.   In the second half Burton had a lot more of the ball.   We were showing that we were a solid compact unit, getting to know each other.  It was a completely different story, we knew what we were doing in possession.

Jacko said it was a great win, a strange game.  It was a proper away performance, you have to suck up a little bit of pressure.   We limited them to very few chances.   He thought that the referee should have booked both Oshilaja and Stockley.  I thought we had a real good shape about us.  What you need is that whole hearted honesty (referring to DJ).

Comfortable win

 Both sides had a cagey start, but the game burst into life when Doncaster cleared off the line from a shot by Lee after ten minutes.   At the other end Famewo received a yellow card.  

Leko was injured and replaced by DJ.  He did have a slight groin injury coming into the game.

Lee put Charlton 1-0 ahead on 21 minutes from a free kick.

Doncaster's finest

Amusement was caused by a topless bloke in the Doncaster end throwing some sparring punches towards the East Stand from 50 feet away. He did briefly get on the pitch and was led away.

Doncaster were having most of the possession, but weren't creating anything.

Gilbey was brought down and the referee awarded a penalty. Conor Washington scored on his 50th appearance for Charlton on 33 minutes to make it 2-0.

Dobson was playing a key role in midfield in winning the first ball.

A shot by Washington was saved well to deny Charlton a third.

Dobson put in an excellent ball to Washington but Purrington put it wide at the near post.

Doncaster did not really create anything in the first half.

HT: 2-0

DJ put in a cross and Charlton won the corner which was taken short and cleared.

The ball was cleared off the line after Stockley got something on it.

A header from Stockley was straight at the keeper after good play from DJ. Doncaster made a substitution with their top scorer Rowe coming on.

Charlton had a free kick in a promising position. Lee took the free kick and Stockley made a run across his man to make it 3-0 on 62 minutes.

Purrington got his claws out to make it 4-0 at the far post on 70 minutes with a superb header after a great ball from DJ.

On 75 minutes Lee went off to a standing ovation and was replaced by Clare. Doncaster also made a substitution.

Davison replaced Washington.

Gilbey put in a shot but the keeper saved to his right after it nearly crept past him. Dahlberg then flicked Stockley's header on to the bar. Without the keeper it could have been six or seven.

Stockley's header went straight at the keeper following a Charlton corner.

Charlton moved out of the relegation zone. A sterner test awaits on Tuesday. Rotherham beat Sunderland 5-1 today with any head butts. Curbs said it would be a totally different game. If we could get anything against Rotherham we were suddenly looking upwards. We should look at five or six games before making a decision about a manager.

Elliot Lee said it was a good atmosphere with the supporters singing, it gave a lift. 'I am getting my fitness, my sharpness, I had flu three weeks ago. We were better than them all over the pitch. We know we could have got more but we'll take 4-0. It will be a tough game on Tuesday night. We're all high on confidence now.'

Johnnie Jackson said he was really pleased with the clean sheet, a good solid performance, probably should have scored more. It was a blow losing Leko so early, credit to DJ he was ready to come into that role, we had done some work with him for that eventuality earlier in the week. The skip (Pearce) was an absolute rock. We had a real good shape about us, limited them to very few chances. We got the better of them through hard work, Doncaster are a good team. We got 100 per cent commitment from what we were asking of them. There's so much quality in that room but we haven't been showing it. Through pure endeavour and pure intent your quality will show through. An incredibly proud day to see the Valley rocking.

Gomes signing in the balance

Ryan Inniss will play 60 minutes at Fulham on Saturday as part of his carefully managed return after he put in a good session at training yesterday says Nigel Adkins: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-explains-absence-of-charlton-defender-ryan-inniss-during-pre-season-draw-at-palace/

Ben Watson has been making progress and Ronnie Schwartz has been 'running around a bit'.

The future of trialist Madger Gomes is uncertain after he played at Palace last night, although Adkins made some supportive comments.   Fans' reactions were mixed from 'useful squad player' to 'wouldn't be disappointed if he didn't come: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-has-say-on-trialist-madger-gomes-with-former-doncaster-mans-charlton-future-still-up-in-the-air/

Ben Purrington will miss the first game of the season with a hamstring injury.  Chris Gunter played at left back last night.

Inniss being prepared for Massive game

Jayden Stockley missed today's 1-1 draw at Reading because of a stomach upset: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-assistant-boss-explains-absence-of-jayden-stockley-discusses-first-friendly-game-time-for-ryan-inniss/

Ryan Inniss took part for 30 minutes.   Some Charlton fans were concerned that was all he could manage, but Johnnie Jackson explained it was part of a detailed plan to have him ready for the opening league game against the Massives.

Ben Purrington had to come off with an injury and it is still being assessed.   Some fans don't rate 'The Cat', but I think he is a competent defender capable of getting forward.

Purrington to start

Lee Bowyer has confirmed that Ben Purrington will definitely be starting against Gillingham on Saturday: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-confirms-one-player-guaranteed-to-be-start-saturdays-game-against-gillingham/

Until recently Purrington was derided by some fans, but his experience offers more defensive solidity than the energetic Ian Maatsen who gets forward well but can be caught out in defence.

Clean sheet, three points

Charlton beat Rochdale 2-0 this afternoon at the Crown Oil Arena.  The goals came in the first half from Aneke and Oshilaja.    Charlton are back in 6th place.

Charlton were in control of the game from start to finish.   Playing against the wind in the second half, the Addicks did not score again but were able to deal with Rochdale's pressure.  

Everyone in the team contributed.  Curbs said afterwards, 'The whole game plan worked today.'

Lee Bowyer said afterwards: 'We did the basics today well from start to finish, created chances.  Nit picking should have more, [but] I'm happy.'   More post match comments from Bowyer here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/deji-oshilaja-had-been-knocking-on-my-door-and-asking-for-his-chance-charlton-manager-lee-bowyer/

On six minutes Purrington found Millar who made a great run and fed Aneke who turned brilliantly to score the opener.

Dale tried to get back into the game and Amos read the ball well.   Pearce cut out a dangerous cross.  Purrington made a great tackle.  An effort from Millar was deflected and went off the crossbar.

Charlton worked well on their left and Purrington won the corner.   A header from Stockley was tipped off the bar, Forster-Caskey recovered the ball, Pearce passed it on and Oshilaja made it 0-2 on 27 minutes.

Charlton went to sleep for a minute and Pearce defended well.   On 33 minutes Aneke struck from distance but the ball came off the post.   Oshilaja defended a counter attack well.

Millar was brought down in the area and there should have been a penalty for Charlton, but the referee paid no attention.

Baah had been kept quiet and a shot from him went harmlessly over.

Gunter won Charlton a corner from a Forster-Casker ball, but Stockley headed over.

HT: 0-2

Purrington headed away an early Rochdale corner.   Charlton launched a good attack, but Millar was off target.

A Rochdale free kick came off the wall and led to a corner.   Baah fell over, but Millar ran forward with the ball.   Gunter got a yellow card.   Rochdale made a double substitution on 59 minutes.

Manchester City prospect Baah started to look more lively and a Rochdale corner came off the post, possibly helped there by Amos.   On 67 minutes Dale made two more substitutions, bringing on Conor Grant.

Following good work by Stockley, Aneke was up ended just outside the area and O'Connell received a yellow card.  Aneke took the free kick rather than Shinnie or Forster-Caskey and it went over the crossbar.

An Aneke shot was tipped past the post by the keeper, but the referee ruled that it was a goal kick.  On 77 minutes  Matthews and DJ came on for Gunter and Shinnie (who had played well).   DJ looked good.  Rochdale brought on their fifth substitute.

Danger man Humphrys put in a shot that Amos claimed at the second attempt.  Aneke turned provider for Millar who could have scored if he had shot straight away.  Oshilaja defended well.

On 85 minutes Schwartz replaced Aneke.   Dale applied some late pressure, but Charlton rode it out.

Oshilaja was man of the match.   Ben Purrington is often criticised by fans, but put in an excellent shift today.

Bowyer tried formation change

Excuse me for leaving the bling aside for a while, and talking about football, but spinning supremo Lee Bowyer has been doing just that. After two bad results, Bowyer tried a formation change against Boro and it clearly didn't work: Thinking on formation change

Asked about Purrington's costly mistake, Bowyer said: 'Maybe it was nervousness. He has been out for a bit, so maybe it was lack of game time. It could be a combination of things. But you can’t be giving a goal like that away – it’s hard enough as it is to win games without giving teams the lead.'

At least the turmoil of the club has given the 'Bowyer out now' crowd something else to think about.

'An afternoon to forget'

That was the judgment of Louis Mendez after Charlton went down to a 3-1 defeat at Stoke City this afternoon in front of 1,934 Addickted. A fan tweeted, 'You’ve got to feel for the fans who made the trip. Traveled to Stoke, the arse end of England, on a cold Saturday to see us get completely out played from the first minute. Embarrassing is an understatement.

Charlton have been overtaken by Huddersfield and Stoke are now 21st, four points ahead of Wigan who lost at Preston. Barnsley drew at home against the Massives.

In a poor first half, Charlton rarely troubled Jack Butland in the Stoke goal. The home side went ahead from a free kick. Then thirteen seconds of dominance and a cross from Green allowed Ben Purrington to score an injury time equaliser.

However, the hope was short lived. Charlton are vulnerable just after the break and Stoke went 2-1 ahead on 47 minutes, then scored a third on 67 minutes.

A late flurry from Lyle Taylor was little consolation.

One fan commented, 'Completely off the boil today. Some sloppy play, can't seem to keep the ball. Stoke have so much time and space in possession. No movement when we are in possession either.'

The report from Louis Mendez is here: Disappointing display on the road

Shell shocked supremo Lee Bowyer said: 'Not good enough from start to finish. They were better than us. Too many players weren’t at it today. Too many were nowhere near as well as they can play. We have a squad that have to be at their best to compete in this division and they weren’t.' Of course, the bigger question is, why?

Bowyer said that he thought the players returning from injury were not at their peak: Extremely underwhelmed

Former director Bob Whitehand had no doubt about who to blame: 'Bowyer at fault. Continues to pick Purrington and Pearce , why can he not see they are not up to it. Purrington is a shocking defender , slow, no positional sense. Pearce tries hard but too slow and can’t pass to save his life. Big mistake not to get defenders in the window.'

Injured players return

Three players who have been out injured should return for Saturday's match against Derby County: Tomer Hemed, Beram Kayal and Ben Purrington. Lee Bowyer is particularly pleased to have Purrington back as the left back position has been a concern: Returning players

Charlton are purring

Charlton are purring after they started their Championship campaign with a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers with goals from Ben Purrington and Lyle Taylor. 1,077 Addicks were there to see the victory. It was the first time Charlton had won their opening away game of the season for 14 years.

Naby Sarr got an early yellow card on 8 minutes. Charlton did not spark into life in the opening exchanges, finding it difficult to get out of their own half. It was 15 minutes before they had a real spell of possession.

On 26 minutes Lockyer did well to head a Downing cross away. Williams linked up well with Purrington, but his low cross was kicked away. On 36 minutes Taylor forced a good save from Walton.

On 43 minutes 'The Cat' bared his claws. Using a cross from Williams, he put in a left footed shot from close range that went over the keeper to put the Addicks ahead.

Half time: Rovers 0, Addicks 1

On 54 minutes Rovers scored a bizarre own goal. Dijksteel headed off the line and Charlton thought they have cleared the ball but it went off the back of Phillips into the goal.

Taylor fired over from the edge of the box. Phillips made a good save. Pearce did well to turn a cross behind. Sarr had not been doing well at left back and was replaced on 66 minutes by Gallagher. Blackburn made a double substitution.

Purrington made a great block. There were yellow cards for Pearce and Forster-Caskey. Gallagher made good use of a throw in from Dijksteel, but his shot was deflected into the side netting. From the corner Pearce headed the ball and Taylor back heeled into the net to put Charlton ahead again.

Williams was replaced by Morgan on 80 minutes. Forster-Caskey was denied by the keeper from close range. Lapslie was replaced by Oshilaja, making his first appearance.

Six minutes were added on, but Charlton stood firm to take the three points.

Charlton are 3rd in the tentative table.

Report from Louis Mendez: Battle to opening day win

Lee Bowyer praised the impact made by Conor Gallagher but said more signings are imperative before the window closes: Bowyer's verdict

Deal for 'The Cat' close

Charlton are close to signing Wembley goal scorer Ben Purrington who may be able to join the summer camp in Spain: Deal is close

Purrington set for Valley Return

Rotherham manager Paul Warne would not stand in Ben Purrington's way if the left back wanted to return to The Valley: 100 per cent open to Charlton

Some fans think that 'The Cat' is not good enough for the Championship, but he has developed under Bowyer. And we are not in a position to splash the cash.