Disappointment but no surprise
Charlton's defeat 1-2 at home by Leicester City in the FA Cup was a disappointment, but to me it was no surprise. Indeed, I had chosen a 1-2 score in the jackpot in the pub beforehand. For Leicester this was their cup final, whereas Charlton's performance was lacklustre. Romantic dreams aside, Charlton were never going to win the Cup because sooner or later they would have come up against one of the top three clubs who are streets ahead of them. It would have been nice to go into the 6th round and make some money by losing away at United, but on the day Leicester were a better side. And although the media will portray it as a 'shock', one has to remember that the Foxes were in the Premiership until last season and still have a very impressive team list.
When the teams were announced, there two grounds for concern. First, there was no Kishishev who seemed to me to be just the sort of player required for what is likely to be a rough and tumble encounter. Second, we were playing 4-5-1 which has served us well but was possibly too defensive against a lower division team at home. It meant that we did not take the game sufficiently to Leicester in the opening half hour and allowed them to build their confidence. What we did not know was that canny manager Craig Levein had completely changed his formation and approach, thus undermining the value of the advance work done by Charlton.
The Foxes came out in a grey kit that looked like prison leisurewear which set the tone for the opening phase of the match when neither side was dominant in a somewhat dreary midfield battle. With twenty minutes of the match gone I had hardly anything to note except some good defensive work by Bartlett and Hreidarsson and an attempt by lively Paul Konchesky which did not go far wide. Charm merchant Mark de Vries received a yellow card for dissent.
Leicester showed that they could be dangerous when Maybury put a ball across the front of Deano's goal. Leicester pressure continued, but then on 32 minutes El Karkouri put in a long ball to Bryan Hughes, but Walker in the Leicester goal was able to tip the ball over. Charlton converted the first corner into a second, but then Matt Holland had to act promptly to halt a Leicester break.
On 38 minutes Gudjonsson sent a free kick deep into the Charlton area. His Icelandic counterpart Hreidarsson jumped and missed, allowing Dabizas room to put the ball into the corner of the net at the near post.
Charlton were stimulated into some livelier play by going behind. Paul Konchesky put in a cross from the left in time added on and Bartlett was able to convert it scoring a classic poacher's goal.
Half-time: Addicks 1, Foxes 1
The insipid Rommedahl was replaced immediately after the break by Jerome Thomas who soon started to deploy his skill. Deano was called on to make a good save. Bartlett put in a good ball to Bryan Hughes, but his effort went wide. The Herminator picked up a yellow card.
On 57 minutes Thomas put in a good ball. Hughes had the goal at his mercy, but pressurised by Dabizas, the golden opportunity to put Charlton ahead was squandered and his shot went wide.
Charlton had been on top for the opening phase of the second half, but Leicester were forcing their way back into the game. Fortune made a good clearance in front of goal for a Leicester throw in.
On 70 minutes Curbs tried to change things around by bringing on a second striker, but it was JJ rather than the fox in the box who was not on the bench. JJ quickly won Charlton a corner, but it was unproductive. Thomas got a yellow card.
Following a Leicester corner on 79 minutes Deano did well to kick an effort from Dabizas off the line. With the goal unguarded after de Vries had got round Deano, El Karkouri made a somewhat dramatic acrobatic clearance. Euell was brought in place of Hughes. Bartlett turned provider for El Karkouri who drew a save from Walker at the foot of the post.
I was already planning the 45 min. journey up the M69 to the Crisp Bowl when Deano had to tip a dangerous ball over the bar. From the corner, with Euell falling over, Dublin was able to head the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-2 and give the victory to the Foxes in the 90th minute.
It has to be said that Leicester deserved to win. Charlton have a very poor record in cups against lower division sides and that becomes a self perpetuating problem because it means that they can come to The Valley (or is it now The Villy as Dave Lockwood called it at half time?) without any fear.
Match analysis
It's the end of the season for FA Cup match analyst Monty Martin from Blewbury, Oxon, but the last act of the dejected spaniel was to award the Silver Bone to Paul Konchesky. Konch was fully committed throughout the match and showed real skill. Deano made a few saves, but wasn't tested that much. It was difficult to say whether he could have stopped the goals, although the second came after a good save by him. Hreidarsson was competent enough, but seemed to be playing more defensively than he often does and was partially to blame for the first Leicester goal. Young made some good forays forward and carried out his defensive duties well. For me Fortune was insufficiently consistent to give the confidence that is needed in his position. Most of the free kicks were taken by Murphy, so El Karkouri had few opportunities to excel, but he was generally solid and make one crucial stop. Hughes drew a save from Walker, but was not in evidence all that much. Rommedahl had a poor first half in which he almost looked lazy and was withdrawn at the break. Holland seemed to be less reliable than usual, being being put off too easily by the robust Leicester approach to the game. Murphy was fully committed and much involved but some of his passing disappointed, e.g., putting the ball about a yard short. Bartlett scored and played his part all over the pitch. Thomas showed real skill when he came on and lifted Charlton's game. JJ put himself about and created some opportunities for the Addicks. Euell had his usual walk on part.
Hiss of the Match This went to the moaning Charlton supporter who called in to 606 slagging off Curbs and was rightly cut off by the presenter who pointed out all Curbs had done for Charlton. If the moaners eventually get their way and Curbs leaves, it will be interesting to see how far Charlton falls.
Crowd rating I know that the performance on the pitch was generally poor and it's difficult when the away supporters go beserk when they win a throw in, but more does need to be done to lift the team. I am all for discernment in watching football and not mindlessly supporting one's team, but the Addickted often go too far in the other direction, particularly in the West where I was. The Covered End did their bit now and then, but not often enough. 3/10.
When the teams were announced, there two grounds for concern. First, there was no Kishishev who seemed to me to be just the sort of player required for what is likely to be a rough and tumble encounter. Second, we were playing 4-5-1 which has served us well but was possibly too defensive against a lower division team at home. It meant that we did not take the game sufficiently to Leicester in the opening half hour and allowed them to build their confidence. What we did not know was that canny manager Craig Levein had completely changed his formation and approach, thus undermining the value of the advance work done by Charlton.
The Foxes came out in a grey kit that looked like prison leisurewear which set the tone for the opening phase of the match when neither side was dominant in a somewhat dreary midfield battle. With twenty minutes of the match gone I had hardly anything to note except some good defensive work by Bartlett and Hreidarsson and an attempt by lively Paul Konchesky which did not go far wide. Charm merchant Mark de Vries received a yellow card for dissent.
Leicester showed that they could be dangerous when Maybury put a ball across the front of Deano's goal. Leicester pressure continued, but then on 32 minutes El Karkouri put in a long ball to Bryan Hughes, but Walker in the Leicester goal was able to tip the ball over. Charlton converted the first corner into a second, but then Matt Holland had to act promptly to halt a Leicester break.
On 38 minutes Gudjonsson sent a free kick deep into the Charlton area. His Icelandic counterpart Hreidarsson jumped and missed, allowing Dabizas room to put the ball into the corner of the net at the near post.
Charlton were stimulated into some livelier play by going behind. Paul Konchesky put in a cross from the left in time added on and Bartlett was able to convert it scoring a classic poacher's goal.
Half-time: Addicks 1, Foxes 1
The insipid Rommedahl was replaced immediately after the break by Jerome Thomas who soon started to deploy his skill. Deano was called on to make a good save. Bartlett put in a good ball to Bryan Hughes, but his effort went wide. The Herminator picked up a yellow card.
On 57 minutes Thomas put in a good ball. Hughes had the goal at his mercy, but pressurised by Dabizas, the golden opportunity to put Charlton ahead was squandered and his shot went wide.
Charlton had been on top for the opening phase of the second half, but Leicester were forcing their way back into the game. Fortune made a good clearance in front of goal for a Leicester throw in.
On 70 minutes Curbs tried to change things around by bringing on a second striker, but it was JJ rather than the fox in the box who was not on the bench. JJ quickly won Charlton a corner, but it was unproductive. Thomas got a yellow card.
Following a Leicester corner on 79 minutes Deano did well to kick an effort from Dabizas off the line. With the goal unguarded after de Vries had got round Deano, El Karkouri made a somewhat dramatic acrobatic clearance. Euell was brought in place of Hughes. Bartlett turned provider for El Karkouri who drew a save from Walker at the foot of the post.
I was already planning the 45 min. journey up the M69 to the Crisp Bowl when Deano had to tip a dangerous ball over the bar. From the corner, with Euell falling over, Dublin was able to head the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-2 and give the victory to the Foxes in the 90th minute.
It has to be said that Leicester deserved to win. Charlton have a very poor record in cups against lower division sides and that becomes a self perpetuating problem because it means that they can come to The Valley (or is it now The Villy as Dave Lockwood called it at half time?) without any fear.
Match analysis
It's the end of the season for FA Cup match analyst Monty Martin from Blewbury, Oxon, but the last act of the dejected spaniel was to award the Silver Bone to Paul Konchesky. Konch was fully committed throughout the match and showed real skill. Deano made a few saves, but wasn't tested that much. It was difficult to say whether he could have stopped the goals, although the second came after a good save by him. Hreidarsson was competent enough, but seemed to be playing more defensively than he often does and was partially to blame for the first Leicester goal. Young made some good forays forward and carried out his defensive duties well. For me Fortune was insufficiently consistent to give the confidence that is needed in his position. Most of the free kicks were taken by Murphy, so El Karkouri had few opportunities to excel, but he was generally solid and make one crucial stop. Hughes drew a save from Walker, but was not in evidence all that much. Rommedahl had a poor first half in which he almost looked lazy and was withdrawn at the break. Holland seemed to be less reliable than usual, being being put off too easily by the robust Leicester approach to the game. Murphy was fully committed and much involved but some of his passing disappointed, e.g., putting the ball about a yard short. Bartlett scored and played his part all over the pitch. Thomas showed real skill when he came on and lifted Charlton's game. JJ put himself about and created some opportunities for the Addicks. Euell had his usual walk on part.
Hiss of the Match This went to the moaning Charlton supporter who called in to 606 slagging off Curbs and was rightly cut off by the presenter who pointed out all Curbs had done for Charlton. If the moaners eventually get their way and Curbs leaves, it will be interesting to see how far Charlton falls.
Crowd rating I know that the performance on the pitch was generally poor and it's difficult when the away supporters go beserk when they win a throw in, but more does need to be done to lift the team. I am all for discernment in watching football and not mindlessly supporting one's team, but the Addickted often go too far in the other direction, particularly in the West where I was. The Covered End did their bit now and then, but not often enough. 3/10.
posted by Wyn Grant at 8:40 PM
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