Hawks boss swoops to prevent Valley 'embarrassment'

Stephen Henderson will start for Charlton against Havant and Waterlooville in Saturday's FA cup match: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/stephen-henderson-set-for-charlton-athletic-action-in-fa-cup-first-round-tie/

In making selections, Johnnie Jackson also has to bear in mind the pizza trophy match with Leyton Orient next Tuesday.

It is still possible that the league match away to Burton Albion will go ahead.   Conor Washington has been called up by Northern Ireland and Chris Gunter will join Wales, but Harry Arter may not be picked by Ireland.

Faced with injures and suspensions, shell shocked Hawks boss Paul Doswell has swooped to bring in Leon Chambers-Parillon to avoid embarrassment at The Valley: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/hawks-brought-chambers-parillon-back-on-loan-to-help-avoid-fa-cup-embarrassment-at-charlton-athletic-3444576

How recruitment decisions are made at Charlton

Nigel Adkins says that Charlton have lost out on a couple of transfer targets to tomorrow's opponents Wigan but could not match the wages they were able to offer: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-player-recruitment-process-explained-as-nigel-adkins-makes-transfer-admission/

Adkins had little to say about whether Stephen Henderson would be offered a contract as reserve goalkeeper, sticking to the line that 'a lot is going on behind the scenes': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-asked-about-chances-of-former-palace-keeper-rejoining-charlton-athletic/

There have been rumours that Wigan have been offering £10k a week.

He also explains how the recruitment process works at Charlton with four decision-makers involved, all working within the constraints of a budget.   Ged Roddy is evidently in overall charge and he has attracted criticism from some fans.

It has been confirmed that Corey Blackett-Taylor has been training with Charlton for two weeks.

Conor Washington will not be available on Saturday, but Ben Purrington is expected to be back in training next week.

Adkins says that there are positives to be taken out of Charlton's performances and denies that they have been rubbish: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-on-charltons-low-points-return-at-start-of-league-one-season-why-performances-are-key/

Whether this will do anything to offset the all too typical wave of negativity and pessimism that has swept across Charlton supporters is open to question.    Losing two matches by one goal to sides tipped for the top six is hardly a catastrophe.

I don't agree with those who say that MK Dons are a poor side, I think they played a good, passing game. We do rely too much on long balls up to Stockley, but that reflects some of the deficiencies in the midfield.  However, until the transfer window closes, one can't assess the squad.

Alex Gilbey has been badly affected by Covid and won't be back for some time.

Charlton won't 'rush' signings says Sandgaard

Thomas Sandgaard hopes to make a 'handful of signings' before the end of the transfer window, but emphasises 'we're not rushing it' and that Charlton will be 'picky' in its recruitment: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-outlines-charlton-athletic-transfer-plans-and-backs-big-talent-charlie-kirk/

Former Addicks keeper Stephen Henderson is training with Charlton after his release by the Glaziers and may be signed as a back up keeper: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/stephen-henderson-training-with-charlton-athletic-after-crystal-palace-exit/

Farewell, then, Nick Pope

Burnley have improved their offer for Nick Pope to around £1m and a deal is close to being finalised: Nick Pope

It has been good to see Pope to develop from a non-league player to one capable of performing at Championship level and I am sorry to see him go. The Chicago Addick is more critical: Not up to it

Stephen Henderson may also be on his way out, with Nottingham Forest interested: Henderson

The Addicks will need to find a new first choice keeper. Who was that guy the Belgians brought over? Ah, yes, Thuram-Ullen, the maestro of punching the ball.

Addicks pray for Pope

Burnley, Celtic and Wolves are all interested in Charlton keeper Nick Pope, so even prayer may not keep him at The Valley: Nick Pope

Stephen Henderson is furious about being dropped at the end of the season which kept him out of the Irish Euros squad.

Birmingham, QPR and Notts Forest are among the clubs interested in signing Tony Watt who does not want to return to his native heath: Watt

Addicks need to win six games avoid relegation

Charlton need to win six of their remaining fifteen games to avoid relegation, states keeper Stephen Henderson: Target

Given that they have one from fifteen, this won't be easy.

Abysmal performance sees Addicks go bottom

Charlton are now bottom of the Championship after losing 0-1 at home to Bristol City. The first half was an inconclusive battle of two poor sides but the visitors won a penalty which Henderson should perhaps have saved to put them ahead.

Charlton rarely threatened, although the very windy conditions did not help good football. However, it was the same for both sides and Henderson had to make three fine saves in the second half to keep the score respectable.

As for Charlton's attack, it was largely non-existent with our first shot on target being a tame effort by Bergdich in the second half. With Vetokele injured in training, we lacked a threat up front. Lookman did not have the best of games.

Our play was disjointed with ineffective and inaccurate passing and became more so as the game went on and panic set in. The three substitutions made little difference.

The whistle happy referee did not help matters by constantly stopping the game.

The faint glimmer of hope after Rotherham has gone. I fear that we are doomed.

Player ratings

Henderson could have saved the penalty, but also made three good saves. Teixeira seemed solid. Lennon put in another decent shift and made some intelligent moves. Fox did get forward well at times, but remains a weaker leak. Solly was energetic and did set up some intelligent attacking moves.

Jackson was fortunate not to get sent off. Bergditch got a yellow card for a completely unnecessary foul and his shot was little more than a pass to the keeper. Cousins had a good game and was one of the best players on the pitch. Gudmundsson was responsible for the penalty and his free kicks failed to work.

Makienok made contact between his head and the ball a number of times, but that was about it. Lookman looked lightweight.

Reza made little difference when he came on. I thought this might have been a game when Harriott could have made a difference, but he didn't have a lot of time to make a difference. Ba had a cameo.

From bad to worse

Charlton's dismal form continued with a 5-0 rout at Huddersfield this evening.

Charlton lined up with a 4-5-1 formation against Huddersfield on a cold but dry night in the presence of around 150 Addicks.

Nothing decisive happened in the first quarter of an hour. Town then won a corner which then led to a second and an easy header for the unmarked captain and former Addick Mark Hudson to open the score from six yards out.

Charlton won their first corner, but Johnson put it wide.

Rhys Williams got a rather surprising booking for a tackle.

Town put in a low shot but Henderson got it under control.

Lennon conceded a corner. Henderson came out and missed the ball and Charlton went 2-0 down, having conceded twice from set pieces. Charlton has struggled to create anything in the half.

HT: Terriers 2, Addicks 0

Huddersfield won an early corner, but Henderson was able to grab it at the third attempt.

Poyet put in a shot, but it was the wrong option as Gudmundsson was running into the penalty area.

Fox received a yellow card.

Henderson had to be alert when Fox turned the ball back to his own goal. Town put in a shot that went straight at Henderson as the Charlton defence was caught out.

Reza and Holmes-Dennis came on, Fox and Williams went off.

A Charlton corner was followed by a second, but it was unproductive.

An attempt from Harriott went into the back of the stand.

Henderson had to make a great save with Lennon down and the keeper then kicked it out for a corner.

Makienok came on in place of Gudmundsson with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

Huddersfield had a free run towards the edge of the Charlton penalty area and Paterson scored their third.

A deflected shot saw Huddersfield score their fourth.

Charlton got a free kick on the edge of the box after Jackson was fouled. The ball hit the six man wall.

Huddersfield threatened again and won a corner. Reza got a yellow card and then a second and he was sent off.

In time added on Huddersfield scored their fifth after a scramble at the near post. A low shot from Harriott drew the first save of the evening from the Huddersfield keeper.

Karel Fraeye refused to meet the press after the game: Fraeye

Stephen Henderson had to step in. Henderson said 'The lads are lower than they could ever be': Henderson remarks

Marvin Sordell thinks that Callum Harriott can turn Charlton's season around: Sordell

Valley of Despair

Such hope as remained was extinguished by the 0-2 defeat of Charlton by Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Valley today. A young Charlton side played in a disjointed fashion and lacked the pace of their opponents. There were only two shots on target by the Addicks and the first of these came in the 71st minute.

Neither team imposed themselves in the first half. Towards the end the referee was poleaxed and there was a ten minute delay in the start of the second half while he was replaced. However, Wolves came out of the traps in determined fashion and scored after seven minutes, a Lennon own goal completing their total.

A call from the Covered End to 'Stand Up If You Want Them Out' received a good response from around the ground. Interim coach Karel Fraeye was booed off at the end of the game, but there was applause for skipper Johnnie Jackson. The unfortunate captain had a note passed to him by Fraeye during a break in play, but was unable to read whatever tactical gem it contained.

Having read Voice of the Valley it was not clear whether the approach for which Peter Varney was front man was for a minority stake or an acquisition. The Kuwaitis at Ebbsfleet may well have been involved. In any event, Varney got the brush off. There is no evidence that Roland wants to sell or that there will be a change of strategy. So we can expect more of the same.

The South London Press report is here: Tame effort

Stephen Henderson discusses the goals he let in here and appeals to fans to stick by the team: Hendo

Player ratings

Henderson probably could not have done anything about the two goals. He did make a couple of good saves. Despite the own goal Lennon put in a decent performance. Sarr was a little better than usual, but did have some dangerous moments such as passing the ball across the six yard line. Solly was the best player on the pitch. He made some good forward runs, intervened well defensively and won at least one 30/70 ball. Fox did get forward, but often looked nervous.

Jackson did make some contributions. Apart from one or two purple patches, Ba made a limited contribution. The loss of Lookman was a blow and diminished our second half performance. He had been getting forward well and troubling the Wolves defence. It was difficult to work out what Reza was meant to be doing. In any event he missed our best chance to score.

Vaz Te run around quite a bit, but didn't make much of an impact. I was surprised to see Ahearne-Grant starting and he failed to make an impression. But then, what was the alternative?

Makienok did manage to make contact with the ball with his head, but generally didn't send it anywhere useful. Holmes-Dennis did not make a great difference. The Ceballos cameo gave grounds for hope. He played the ball in well.

Temporary duo in charge

Wim de Corte contemplates the task ahead at Charlton

Karel Fraeye has been appointed as interim head coach at Charlton and he will be joined at Sparrows Lane this morning by fellow Belgian Wim de Corte: Carry on

De Corte is 43 years old. His previous clubs include Standaard Wetteren, Beerschot AC and Roeselare.

The club is to search for a new permanent head coach, but whether this search will extend beyond Belgium or the network more generally remains unclear.

According to The Times this morning, Malky Mackay remains interested in taking the job on a permanent basis. He was expected to become manager of the Glaziers in August 2014, but dropped out of contention after allegations of racist, sexist and homophobic text messages.

The Times also discusses the prospects for Alan Curbishley who has resumed his 'man in the stands' role at Fulham. That is not going to happen and I am far from convinced that such a 'back to the future' move would be the right one. The golden days have gone and they are unlikely to ever come back.

Stephen Henderson has said that all the Charlton players need to take a hard look at themselves and he includes himself: Players to blame as well

This article argues that Charlton have lost their identity: Identity loss

An online petition is now available for fans unhappy with the situation at the club: Communication wanted

A more specific petition asks the FA to investigate the running of Charlton Athletic and to review the fit and proper person criteria: New petition

In Shakespearean mode, Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt gives his latest thoughts on the situation at The Valley: Belgian play. Perhaps he'd like to come and watch Stratford Town at the Anne Hathaway Stadium?

Diarra suspended

Diarra is suspended for Saturday's game against Brentford after picking up a fifth yellow card: Diarra

Bauer, much missed on Tuesday, will be back and there are hopes that Stephen Henderson will at last be in goal. Sparrows Lane sources have suggested that if the club had known he was going to be out for so long, they would have brought someone in on loan.

Brentford won convincingly at Wolves last night, but according to 'Besotted Brentford' some of their fans are disappointed as it undercut their chance to moan.

I am going to a dinner in Great George Street tonight and I know that a leading Brentford fan will be there, so I am expecting him to give it large.

Six pointer in relegation league

Charlton face another six pointer at The Valley tonight. The Addicks have won just one of their last five home games against Preston (D2 L2), though it was in their most recent meeting at the Valley (5-2 in Nov 2011). Preston have scored either twice or not at all across their last seven meetings with Charlton.

The Addicks are winless in seven league games. Only Preston are on a current longer run in the Championship (9). North End have also scored fewer goals than any other Championship side this season (7).

No.1 Iceland Addick Olafur Johansson asks: 'It has always puzzled me why the other Preston club are called Southend. Why not either call them Northend and Southend or Preston N.E. and Preston S.E. to avoid confusion?'

Talking of Iceland, there are rumours that Gudmundsson may be out tonight may be out with a knock picked up at Reading. Not good news if true, but sources close to Sparrows Lane can neither confirm nor deny.

On the more positive side, Reza is apparently back which gives us more options up front.

Patrick Bauer is suspended for the visit of Preston. Stephen Henderson has beaten a shoulder injury and could return, but Cristian Ceballos, Simon Makienok (contrary to his claims yesterday) and Igor Vetokele remain sidelined.

Odds are: Charlton 17/10; draw, 11/5; Preston, 13/8. Charlton are 6/4 relegation.

I am still in Switzerland, so Lydia Burton has stepped in to provide a report of tonight's game. Swiss Radio gave me a language test today. I passed, but was then told that my East German accent would not be acceptable to Swiss listeners.

Cheesed off?

Basel, CH: Perhaps it's just as well I can't get to The Valley tomorrow night, given the pall of gloom hanging over Charlton supporters. Three points tomorrow night might lift it a little. Simon Makienok has tweeted that he will be in the squad, but some see him as just a poor man's Leaburn.

Stephen Henderson played for the under 21s in their win today so he must be close to a return. That could make a real difference.

I don't think Luzon's tactics at Reading were wrong. This was never a match we were going to win and playing for a point made sense. It all went wrong when Bauer got sent off.

The account given of the match in the Football League Paper was more positive than that given by supporters both in general terms and individual player ratings.

That is not to say that there is nothing wrong, but Preston are also afflicted by a lack of confidence in front of goal according to their manager. We share the two bottom places in the form table with them. I still think that with some strengthening in January and players returning from injury we can secure a lower mid-table position.

Of course, that is not good enough for some supporters and it is evident that many long-term supporters are giving up. But then people complained when we were 12th, 13th or 14th in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, the dust is settling here in Switzerland after Sunday's general election and the manoeuvring for seats on the governing Federal Council is under way. My colleagues at the English service of Swiss public radio are not at all interested in the six pointer at The Valley and have reminded me that I may be needed for other things tomorrow.

A mountain view of Charlton

On the day of the Fulham match I was 3,000 feet up in the Pyrénées in a village of about 150 inhabitants. I didn't expect to find much interest in the game! I was to have a surprise.

Going out for a stroll, I met a 76-year (as it turned out) inhabitant who, seeing an Englishman coming his way, ribbed me about the rugby. I am not an egg chaser, but I sat through the game listening to the French commentary and to the chortles of my host who was born in England but has taken out French citizenship.

The elderly inhabitant proceeded to tell me about his health. I thought he was talking about a hip replacement, but I discovered it was a hernia, after he changed into good English in exasperation.

In the house, I had already been advised to address the cat as 'tu' rather than 'vous' which was not convenient as I can remember the 'vous' declensions better. However, my host's French wife then mentioned that her son lived in London, was a Fulham supporter, and was even then en route to The Valley. Apparently, he supports Fulham because he couldn't afford to go to Chelsea (which is where his sister lives).

After a good French lunch with some excellent wine, I went for a siesta and woke up to be told the score. I thought it was respectable, but apparently Johnnie Jackson saved the day and the general response has been the usual negative one. I thought one Addick made sense when he said, 'the area of major concern is surely the horrendous injury problems we're experiencing? Two of our strikers have been missing for most of the season, and for all of it we've fielded a goalkeeper of League One standard.' Last year our results turned round when Hendo came back.

I took my translation of Katrien's controversial article to France with me and my host said it was correct (a few words and phrases had been the real problem). He remarked, 'She should be glad to deal with Charlton supporters rather than Millwall supporters.'

When I get time I will write something both about Katrien's ill advised interview (some Charlton supporters can read French) and the Roland interview in CAS Trust news, which I found rather disturbing. Apparently, more activity is promised in the January transfer window, but it would be better to use the money to buy one or two players of real quality rather than a lot of average ones.

Meanwhile, my linguistic struggles continued. On Monday we drove into Spain for lunch. I then had to cope with a waiter speaking Spanish, my host's wife addressing me in French and my host speaking English. With my head spinning, I asked for the bill in Italian.

Anyway, it seems that the Fulham supporter may offer me a role in his London company. I may need to take French lessons!

Pennant deal off

Various media sources, most importantly the South London Press, are reporting that Charlton have decided not to offer a contract to Jermaine Pennant: Jermaine Pennant

Charlton's long transfer window search for a winger which also involved James Henry and Jodi Jones is thus at an end, although the loan system could always be used if necessary.

The news has been taken calmly by Charlton fans with the streets in SE7 remaining quiet. Indeed, some fans expressed a sense of relief that the deal was not going ahead.

Stephen Henderson has tweeted, 'It's been a great week of rehab. Finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.'

Hendo praises Ben Roberts

Stephen Henderson has made a major contribution to Charlton this season and he in turn has a lot of praise for goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts: He's the best

Big summer for decisions

The 'people upstairs' have some big decision to make about recruitment this summer if Charlton are to press on next season says keeper Stephen Henderson: Hendo

To judge from the accompanying comments, Charlton fans are worried about losing players. We have always been a selling club and no club of our size is going to refuse a really good offer, nor is it really possible to stop a player moving to the Premier League. Fans sometimes feel that players sold have been under priced.

Another win for Charlton

Charlton's run of good form under coach Guy Luzon continued with a 2-1 win at Cardiff this afternoon.

The Addicks had to stage a second-half recovery. Keeper Stephen Henderson was unable to return after the break following a knock, Dmitrovic replacing him. Federico Macheda gave Cardiff the lead early in the second half, turning in Kenwyne Jones' knock-back.

But Addicks substitute Chris Eagles cut back a cross for Tony Watt, who was lurking off his markers to fire home. (In fact, it may have been Roger Johnson who put the cross in according to a tweet from Richard Cawley of the SLP). Then Charlton substitute Simon Church went tumbling under Sean Morrison's challenge in the area, with Yoni Buyens tucking the penalty away on 87 minutes.

Charlton remain 12th: in fact, there is quite a squeezed area in mid-tale with Birmingham 14th on 46 points and Sheffield Wednesday 10th with 49 points. They are, however, 2nd in the form table.

Millwall's troubles continued with a 1-4 defeat at home to Norwich. Beleaguered boss Ian Holloway was jeered by the Spanners every time he emerged from the dugout. Holloway decided to hunker down in his bunker, explaining 'I felt if I came out from the dugout the fans would vent their spleen on me and that would not benefit the team.' Looking for positives, he said, 'I felt the lads kept going and showed a Millwall spirit, but maybe I'm the only one in the ground who did.'

A Welsh report, not surprisingly, gives a more negative view of the game: Dominant Cardiff throw it away

However, the match stats do not really support a picture of dominance by the Bluebirds. Admittedly, they had a lot of shots off target, but led only four to three on shots on target and five to four on corners. Possession was 54-46 per cent in their favour.

This morning's Football League Paper gives its highest scores (8) to Tony Watt ('should have had a penalty') and Chris 'Red Robin' Eagles who replaced Lepoint on 60 minutes and 'galvanised Charlton ... It took the former Manchester United forward less than 60 seconds to register his side's first shot on target in an hour.' Stephen Henderson got a 7 and Jordan Cousins got a 7 for 'a game of two halves like his team. Quiet before the break but lively late on.' Christophe Lepoint gets slated: 'A poor man's Peter Crouch. Brought in to offer height and presence and lacked touch.' His miserable score of 4 will give some comfort to those who doubt the quality of some of our acquisitions.

On the two halves point, Guy Luzon gave the team a telling off at half time. He said, 'We didn't play well in the first half and I told the players at half time that something had to change if we wanted to take three points back to London. In my philosophy, there is no point to play long balls. If you keep the ball and move it, then you have the chance to score goals. That is the first thing of football. We also showed character when we were 1-0 down away from home to get the goal and then to continue playing after the goal.'

By now the evidence is accumulating that he is quite a skilled coach who is able to motivate the players, but hard liners insist they will only chant his name if we beat Millwall at The New Den. Given our record against Millwall, that is a tough challenge to meet. Others point that they have no quarrel with Luzon personally, but rather with Roland.

As far as Stephen Henderson is concerned, he twisted his ankle. Normally reliable sources say that he got on the coach without any strapping on his ankle and shout be fit for the clash against the chicken farmers on Saturday.

Charlton beat league leaders

Charlton beat Norwich 1-0 at Carrow Road tonight through a captain's goal by Johnnie Jackson on 86 minutes. It was a deflected shot from 25 yards out.

The Addicks were under the cosh for much of the match, with possession 61-39 in Norwich's favour, but rallied in the last ten minutes. They then had to hang on through over five minutes of time added on.

Norwich put the ball in the net for the first half, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Henderson. In the second half Norwich had a penalty shout but it was judged to be ball to Bikey's arm.

Henderson made some great saves. He was first called into action on three minutes when he had to make a smart near post save to deny Lewis Grabban. Vetokele tested Ruddy in the first half with a low drive.

On 68 minutes Redmond forced Henderson into a parry, Hoolahan picked up the rebound and Wiggins had to clear off the line.

Ben Haim was stalwart in defence. Gomez had a great game, but had to go off after picking up an injury, hopefully nothing too serious. Ahearne-Grant came on as a substitute to make his debut and looked lively.

Charlton are now 7th in the table, but have the same number of points as Wolves and Ipswich and are only one point behind Derby in fourth place and are only two points off the top spot. It was the first away win of the season for the Addicks who remain unbeaten.

A complaint has been lodged with Norfolk Police that a smash and grab raid took place on Carrow Road last night involving eleven men dressed in red shirts and directed by a Belgian master mind. It is also alleged that they were aided and abetted by a man in black, but this has been denied on the grounds that he was too busy issuing cautions to the raiders.'

Derek from Dymchurch says, 'I came up from campaigning in Clacton expecting to see that Belgian geezer get his come uppance. But you've got to hand it to him, he has a way of pulling victory from the jaws of defeat. It's a long time since we had such a lucky manager.'

However, Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt commented on Twitter, 'This is what is called earning your luck.'

One is enough - after 100 minutes

The Watford fan on the train complained, 'We conceded a penalty in the first two minutes, we bossed it for the next 88, but we couldn't score.' Part of the problem for Watford was that some chances were thrown away through wayward shots, but credit must also go to the Addicks for resolute defending. The Hornets complained that they were denied a penalty of their own, but it was difficult to get a clear view from where I sit. Having looked at it on television from behind, there was contact, although not a lot so it was easily missed.

After Buyens had dispatched the penalty, Watford came back into the game, but increasingly resorted to blatant fouls as their efforts got them nowhere. The referee was keen to dish out yellow cards, although the Addicks got their share in the second half.

The Hornets came out of the traps determined to score in the second half and for a while we lost our shape and composure. Deeney did score, but it was rightly ruled offside. However, I thought that we recovered somewhat towards the end of the game. Even so, possession was 62-38 in Watford's favour. But then last season we would have capitulated to such an onslaught.

On the way into the ground, a long-standing fan expressed the view that the David Whyte commemoration had gone over the top, albeit it with the best of intentions. However, I thought that the applause on the 10th minute was very appropriate and went well.

I don't know what went wrong at Charlton Station, but there was a long wait for trains and I was lucky to get on one at 5.30. My train from Marylebone had a noisy group on it who turned out to be dentists who had been to a course on botox which they had found 'very draining'. I found the match quite draining in an edge of the seat way, but it was absorbing and in no way like drawing teeth.

Charlton remain unbeaten and are 5th in a table that is tightly packed at the top. Wolves on Tuesday will be a crucial test. Home games are juts like buses: you don't get one for a month and then they come along in pairs.

As Steve Claridge said on The Football League Show, 'The sign of a good manager is doing the best with what you've got and there's no doubt that Bob Peeters is doing that.'

Derek from Dymchurch writes, 'That Belgian geezer can't go on riding his luck. As I've said before, the wheels are coming off. And, no, Acworth is not my long lost cousin.'

Match analysis

Stephen Henderson was my Man of the Match, not just for his saves, but also for his command of his area. One save in the first half required him to spot the ball through a crowd of players. In the second half he made two outstanding saves to keep us in the game. Bikey made a few errors in distribution, but I wouldn't like to face him if I was on the pitch. Ben Haim came close to giving away a penalty, but he also stood up to the onslaught. Solly had a good game, some nice skill and touches. Wiggins foraged forward a few times, but is perhaps not up to the standard of last season.

Buyens took the penalty very well. He made some errors going forward. Cousins didn't seem that involved a lot of the time and some of his corners were poor. Jackson looks a bit off the pace a lot of the time. Playing Gudmundsson when he had picked up an injury on international duty was probably a mistake. It must have been a disappointment for the two Iceland supporters in front of me to see so little of him. Tucudean has a good work rate, but got muscled off the ball too easily. Vetokele didn't seem to be too affected by his recent return from Africa, although he did have a chance to score in the second half.

I am a great fan of Wilson and he did managed to get forward when others didn't, but it wasn't the best performance by the player described in the programme as 12th on the head coach's list. Dyer managed to get round him to create a goal scoring opportunity, but fortunately his shot was dire. Moussa has energy and enthusiasm, but he squandered opportunities a couple of times by failing to pass the ball when he forged forward. Harriott couldn't score and he couldn't help anyone else to score.

If I was still doing Hiss of the Match I would give it to charm merchant Troy Deeney who seemed to think that his role as captain was to try and intimidate the referee.