'It would be nice to have a win'

That was one comment I heard as I left The Valley tonight and I know what they mean. It was Charlton's third home draw in a row as they saw Birmingham City pull level with them to record a 1-1. On a day on which there were a lot of draws in the Championship, the Addicks remain in 6th place. We hold the same position in the form table.

The Addicks started brightly. Vetokele had his own run on goal, outfoxing defenders and was unfortunate not to get the ball in the net. Then on eleven minutes Bulot provided a pinpoint cross and a bullet header from Vetokele saw Charlton go a 1-0 ahead.

However, Charlton were unable to capitalise on their lead. It looked as if the visitors had equalised, but the goal was disallowed for offside, possibly harshly. In any event, it was a matter for concern how easily the Blues had been able to slice through our defence.

After the break Vetokele supplied Lawrie Wilson at the back post only for him to blaze over. At the other end, Addicks goalkeeper Stephen Henderson kept out Paul Robinson's header from a free-kick, but was unable to stop Davis's low drive for 1-1. This was the result of a corner routine which seemed to catch the Addicks unaware. Whether it was a good application of a training ground routine or simple opportunism, it is difficult to say.

Cousins had to be stretchered off late in the game and I hope that his injury is not too serious. Apparently he has tweeted that he is fine and the stretcher was just a precaution. Six minutes were added on, but Charlton were unable to impose themselves on the game.

I think that the Bloke Behind Me had a point when he said that Charlton had failed to apply sufficient consistent pressure on the Blues, although some credit must go to them for breaking up our attacks. The Blues did look quite vulnerable defensively.

Incidentally a nice touch from Darren Randolph to climb up on the Covered End to talk to some supporters after half time.

Match analysis

Henderson put in a good performance, although a surprising number of the Blues shots were wayward which perhaps helps to explain their league position. I don't blame him for the goal. Towards the end of the second half he saw a ball coming, changed his position and came out and claimed it. This is what a good keeper should do. Bikey is a little eccentric at times, but 'the beast' did his job well. Morrison was a concern for some before the match, but he was solid and tried to get the ball forward. Solly got the highest score this morning from the Football League Paper this morning, but I thought it was short of a Man of the Match performance. Perhaps this is because I am in the East Stand, but I thought that he got forward more in the second half. Wiggins didn't get forward as much as I would have hoped and he found some of the opposition players a bit of a handful.

Buyens was a disappointment, indeed he has faded after a good start to the season. As the link man between the back four and the rest of the team, he wasn't doing the job, although he did start to make more short passes that were completed in the second half. For a big man he is hassled off the ball too easily and lost possession dangerously at least three times. Jackson did put in some good tackles, but he was not really contributing enough and was substituted, which he wasn't too pleased about. Cousins had to play on the left and in the centre and had a good work rate. Whilst I am fan of Wilson I thought that he had a poor game and that seems to be the general opinion. His crosses were poor.

Bulot got in trouble with Vitokele for playing the wrong ball at times, but on the whole I think that he is a threat. His cross for the goal was first rate. Vitokele scored an excellent goal. For much of the game he lacked the quality of service he needed. The Bloke Beside Me criticised him for not being involved enough all over the pitch, but I did see him make one good defensive intervention. But for me it is his goals that matter.

Moussa was lively, but didn't really change the course of the game. Tucudean contributed very little. Our greatest need is another striker. Drinking During the Game thought Roland might have been at the game, so perhaps he will have realised that. Fox had a cameo, but did contribute. Good to see Thomas on the bench.

I thought that the referee had a decent game, but that is not Lee Clarke's view who has called for a system for reviewing referee's decisions.

Yann Kermorgant got sent off for Bournemouth yesterday for a high boot so we won't face him in our next game after the international break.

Well done Igor!

Igor Vitokele has been named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month: Vitokele . He is currently on international duty with Angola, so Bob Peeters accepted the trophy for him.

He has quickly established himself as a favourite with Charlton fans, offering a challenge to the belief that no decent players will be brought in under the regime of Roland.

I just hope that being Player of the Month doesn't bring the bad luck that often afflicts the Manager of the Month (Kenny Jackett from Wolves this time).

Late goal denies Addicks three points

We would have taken a draw before the game, but the 2-2 draw between Brighton and Hove Albion and Charlton today feels a bit like a defeat after the Seagulls scored an injury time equaliser. The Addicks are now 6th in the table.

Igor Vitokele opened the scoring for Charlton in the fourth minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Charlton hit the hosts with a fast break and Yoni Buyens played in Vetokele, who beat goalkeeper David Stockdale with a well-placed low shot for his fourth goal of the season.

Brighton came close to wiping the deficit out less than a minute later when Portuguese midfielder Joao Teixeira, on a season-long loan from Liverpool, forced keeper Stephen Henderson to make a brilliant one-handed save.

Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith failed to control an inviting pass into the box from Joe Bennett before Jake Forster-Caskey had a low goal-bound shot blocked for the Seagulls. Buyens was forced to put the ball behind for a corner from a cross by Andrew Crofts after Bruno Saltor had turned provider. Brighton threatened when a corner from Danny Holla was headed down by Dunk and Spanish striker Adrian Colunga was unable to direct his shot on target at the far post.

Charlton, who were frustrating Brighton with a well-organised defence, pushed forward before the interval and Johann Berg Gudmundsson saw a deflected shot fly wide before George Tucudean was off target with an angle drive from outside the area.

The Seagulls looked lively after the break. Dunk scored for Brighton on 67 minutes from a corner, but Vitokele scored a second.

The Angolan international latched on to a Simon Church cross, weaved his way past the Seagulls defence and struck a powerful shot to put the Addicks back in the lead. Charlton almost scored a third towards the end of the match, but Andre Bikey's header flew wide.

It was a miss the Addicks would come to rue, because in the 93rd minute, Kazenga LuaLua's ambitious cross fell to Dunk, who headed the ball into the net.

Player ratings

Provided by an Addick in attendance visiting from overseas:

Henderson One superb stop when their player was allowed through. Otherwise not much to do. I would like to see the goals in TV tonight to see whether he could have done better. Solly Good tackling skills, reasonable distribution, but I felt he gave far too much room to a very good winger. The first goal seemed to go over his head. Wiggins Disappointing to me. Capable in winning the ball but too predictable in turning inside and passing back. Bikey Danny Shittu lookalike, athletic and hard to muscle off the ball. A few lapses of concentration that could have been punished, especially the overhead kick. Haim Experienced and capable. Could have the same effect on our defenders as Costa had in his day at the higher level.

Gudmundsson Started brightly but faded. Should become a decent player. Jackson Skilled and intelligent but too slow and overall does not contribute as much as the team needs Buyens The player we have needed for a long time. Good timing at interceptions, quick to move the ball forward, athletic and strong. Cousins My first view of him and I was disappointed. He looked too slight and also looked uncomfortable in front of Wiggins. Possibly the lack of options given by Cousins was the reason for Wiggins passing back so often. With Buyens in control in the centre he may do well alongside or on the right but I think he looked out of place today.

George Did not contribute a great deal and no surprise he made way at half time. Igor Saving the best until last. The most exciting player I have seen in a Charlton shirt for some time.

Subs: Church Did what he was supposed to do, linking up and putting the defence under pressure, but does not seem a goal threat. Wilson Caused a midfield re-shuffle when he came on. Worked well with Solly but does not create openings going forward. Fox looks composed enough and places himself intelligently but the game rather passed him by apart from one nice idea that unfortunately was read by the defence.

I think we really need a strong central midfielder beside Buyens who can power through to support attacks and shoot without fear. Too many attacks petered out through lack of midfield support and the ball ended up going backwards from promising positions.

Glass Half Empty

Derek from Dymchurch writes: That Belgian geezer has some questions to answer. We should have won at Brighton and Brentford. We are already slipping down the table. We may be scoring goals, but we are also shipping them. We are playing too much football. It's all very well having possession, not that we had much anyway yesterday, we need to get the ball forward rather than passing back to another Charlton player.

Charlton go fourth

Charlton took fourth place in the Championship after defeating Derby County 3-2 at The Valley yesterday evening. The Addicks have now beaten two of the teams who made the play offs last year, although as promotion favourites the Rams were faster and fitter than Wigan. After going 2-1 ahead just before half team with a penalty, the Addicks made it 3-1, but then allowed Derby to get back in the game with a second goal. This made for a tense finish with four minutes added on, but the Addicks survived to claim all three points.

In the first five minutes of the game we played some of the best possession football I have seen at The Valley, putting together something like forty passes. Charlton were ahead in the 11th minute when Tucudean latched onto Jordan Cousins' cross to smash the ball past Derby keeper Lee Grant. I think that the new wider pitch does help our players to make more use of the wings.

Derby started to get back into the game. They were given too much space and were progressing down the wings in particular. At times our midfield lost its shape. After Pope had made one good save, he could not stop a powerful equaliser from the dangerous Ward going into the top corner in the 31st minute. The Rams went close to taking the lead but Craig Bryson and Jeff Hendrick shot tamely at Pope. During this phase of the game Big Bob was going ballistic on the touchline.

As everyone was whistling for half time, four minutes being added on, Tucudean advanced into the area and was brought down by Keogh. Buyens, who has replaced Jacko as penalty taker, dispatched his shot with coolness and force into the goal.

Franck Moussa fired wide from close range before Vetokele headed in Laurie Wilson's cross, the move having been started by Jackson. A weak effort from Ward squeezed through Pope's legs to give Derby hope of snatching a draw but Charlton held on for the three points.

Here's what the Derby paper thinks of their team's failure to secure an historic clean sheet: Ram View

Congratulations to the guy who flew from Melbourne to see the game and got there just in time despite flight delays and a big queue at immigration. His dad and uncle were waiting for him at the gate.

Match analysis

Ivy the Belgian Shepherd has awarded George Tucudean his first Silver Bone. Even though he had to go off at half time, his opening goal was well taken and then won a penalty on the brink of half time.

Before the game one prominent Addick was arguing that Nick Pope should remain in goal when Henderson was fit (hopefully for Saturday). Pope still has a lot to learn and tonight will have made a valuable contribution towards that process. He has lots of potential, but the Championship is different from League 2 in terms of the crowd and the quality of the play. We shouldn't have played so many back passes to him. Bikey once again showed that he is an effective central defender, although he did fall over a lot. Tal Ben Haim put himself about, requiring treatment at one point. Gomez showed what a promising player he is, shame that the referee gave him a yellow card. Wiggins had a far better game than on Saturday. Buyens took his penalty well and has a great work rate, we are fortunate that personal circumstances required him to spend a year away from the mother ship. Jackson looked sharper and fitter and was much more involved than on Saturday. See him accept the ice bucket challenge here: Ice bucket Cousins perhaps wasn't quite as good as on Saturday, but still made an effective contribution. Gudmundsson showed a good turn of speed and had one shot saved. Vetokele was muscled out of the game somewhat in the first half, but his goal was well taken. Moussa did not make as great an impact on Saturday. One promising attack ended when he slipped up. Once again Wilson was an effective substitute. Fox had a cameo.

Fat Cat Fleur has awarded the Hiss of the Match to me for being home late, but I was back in Leamington by midnight which is something of a record. Just as well as I have to be in London by 12.30 for lunch.

Glass Half Empty

Introducing the pessimistic view contributed by Derek from Dymchurch.

I must admit I had some cogitating to do on the coach home. The Daily Express said that this Belgian geezer was useless, had managed the equivalent of a pub side, but it seems he knows how to get the team to play football. It was cold on the walk back to the bungalow and the Daily Express said the other week that we were going to have the hottest weather ever. If you can't believe what you read in the papers, where are you?

But it's early days. We've only played three matches, two of those were at home and we won each of those by a margin of just one goal. Why can't we hang on to a lead? When we went 3-1 ahead, Peeters should have gone for the fourth or parked the bus. He did neither. Belgians don't know whether they are French or Dutch and they don't know whether to attack or defend. We may be fourth from top now, but we could well be fourth from bottom by Christmas!

Away point at Brentford

Most Addicks would take an away draw at Brentford as a decent start to the season. Igor Vetokele, who joined the Addicks from FC Copenhagen in the summer, headed his side ahead at Griffin Park. Unfortunately, George Țucudean and substitute Callum Harriott wasted chances for Charlton. They were made to pay as Smith's late deflected shot ensured Brentford a share of the spoils.

England manager Roy Hodgson was in the crowd at Griffin Park as was Football Association chairman Greg Dyke, the former Brentford chairman. And they witnessed a hard-fought London derby. Midfielder Alex Pritchard, on loan from Tottenham, went close from 20 yards in the opening stages before Judge forced Addicks keeper Henderson into a fine 40th-minute save. It was 0-0 at half time.

But Charlton created the better chances and will likely rue those missed opportunities. With the game goalless, Țucudean was clean through but Bees keeper David Button stood his ground to make a fine save. However, Tucudean's second touch could have been better and already some fans are denouncing him. Charlton, in their first competitive match under Belgian Bob, took the lead when Vetokele struck with a header from a corner shortly after the 22-year-old had been denied by Button. Rhoys Wiggins went close with a drive, but the Addicks then squandered a good chance to double their lead when substitute Callum Harriot hit the bar with an open goal gaping after Vetokele had beaten Button to a back pass.

But Smith equalised six minutes from the end with a shot that hit Charlton's former Chelsea and Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim before finding the net. Some Addicks were puzzled by his selection over Morrison and thought that he was too inclined to argue with other Charlton players.

It is therefore interesting that on the Football League Show, where we were the featured match, Leroy Rosenoir and David Kitson gave particular praise to our defence, arguing that we had one of the strongest back fives in the league. From what I saw, Henderson looked up to the job. It could be argued that Rosenoir and Kitson don't know what they're talking about, but they pointed out that they had both played against the centre backs and they were formidable. However, I think that the argument of some Charlton fans is that they lack pace.

In his post-match interview, Peeters rued our failure to take our chances.

The Bee who wrote our preview commented: 'Charlton look a disjointed side, but we struggled for most of the second half. I was impressed by your two left sided players - Cousins and Wiggins.'

What the form book says and what Belgian Bob predicts

I am never sure that performance in previous games against a particular team, or how one performs at a particular point in the season, is much of a guide to anything. Given the small numbers involved, there is no statistical basis for drawing conclusions and it gets close to superstition: 'we have never lost to this team at home on a Tuesday in February.' One of the things that marks out the Championship is that any team can beat any other team on the day and that makes it a more interesting competition than the relatively predictable Premiership.

But for what it's worth Charlton won the last two meetings, most recently winning 2-0 at The Valley in League One in January 2012. Brentford's last win in all competitions was 3-0 at The Valley in the paint drying trophy in October 2011. Charlton won the last meeting at Griffin Park 1-0 in League One in November 2011 - their only win in the last seven meetings there in all competitions.

Brentford are unbeaten in their last three games on the opening day, winning one and drawing two. Their last defeat was 2-0 at Carlisle in League One in August 2010. Charlton have lost only one of their last seven games on the opening day, winning four and drawing two. Their only defeat since 2006 was 2-1 at Bournemouth in the Championship last season.

Player interviews are rather formulaic. Igor Vetokele says that we 'have a great spirit and are ready', but he is hardly likely to saw morale is low and the squad is in chaos (not that I think that is the case): Igor Vetokele.

The Bob Peeters interview is a bit more interesting, although spoilt by a picture of him a bobble hat that makes him look ridiculous. He talks about the relationship with Roland and reveals that English will be used in the dressing room, although he may speak individually to players in other languages: Bob Peeters

Despite last night's draw between Blackburn and Cardiff which put them join top Charlton remain 9th in the table.

Charlton win friendly

Charlton won their friendly at Portsmouth 2-1 in spite of a missed penalty. Vetokele won the penalty in the second half, there was an argument over who should take it, so Bob Peeters decided that Jackson should and he missed.

Addicks goalkeeper Stephen Henderson was given a welcome reception on his return to Fratton Park. The same could not be said for Tal Ben Haim, however, who was roundly booed every time he touched the ball.

All the goals arrived in a six-minute first half period, as Danny Hollands’ header was sandwiched between Igor Vetokele and George Tucudean strikes. It was Charlton who broke the deadlock on 19 minutes when Vetokele hammered an unstoppable shot past Michael Poke from the edge of the box. But Pompey hit back moments later, with former Addick Hollands stooping to head home from virtually on the line after Wallace’s cross had been sent back across goal by Ben Chorley. The Addicks soon restored their advantage, however, as Tucudean was left in too much space to drive home a fine finish. There was almost a second equaliser by the hosts immediately after, but Henderson made a fine stop to keep out James Dunne’s well-struck effort.

In the second half Devera made a crunching challenge to prevent Addicks substitute Simon Church racing through on goal.

Of the crowd of 3,912, 362 were Addicks.

Igor Vitokele

As yet unconfirmed reports are stating that Igor Vitokele has passed his medicals at Charlton and has signed a five year contract for a fee of €3m (approximately £2.4m).

Seeing him displaying his skills here: Vitokele

Fee agreed for striker

Igor Vitokele

Charlton have agreed a fee with FC Copenhagen for striker Igor Vitokele. He is yet to take a medical or agree personal terms. He has played for Bob Peeters before. Standard Liege had a bid turned down for him in January.

He scored 13 goals in 29 Superligen matches for Copenhagen last season and featured in two Champions League matches. He played for Belgium's under 21s, but is now a full Angolan international. He commented to Richard Cawley of the SLP, 'I have always wanted to try playing in England. This is a good opportunity for me, although it was not an easy decision.'

The Belgian-Angolan is 22 years old. Watch his skills in this video: Vitokele