Disappointment at away draw
The 0-0 draw at Fulham on Saturday moved Charlton above Spurs in the Premiership, but many of the Addickted were disappointed about the outcome. Fulham failed to impress and with a little more inventiveness and imagination Charlton might have got all three points.
At one time the crowd were chanting '4-4-2' and 'There's only one Frannie Jeffers.' But, of course, when we played 4-4-2 away we were getting beaten 4-0 by the likes of Manchester City. And, leaving aside the home win against Villa, Jeffers has not impressed me that much either in the first team or the reserves.
After the game we talked to one of the neutral supporters for which Fulham makes such generous provision and his view was that Charlton were the sharper team, more fluent in passing. He was impressed with the way the Addicks worked for each other and broke forward together. What they missed was a decent striker.
We arrived at the ground in time to read something of the rather good programme which contained a curious 'Everyone hates us, we don't care' piece which complained that 'the press seem to adore the Addicks.' The stand we were in seemed to have been assembled from a flat pack from Ikea, although it provided good resonance for stamping one's feet.
The run up to the match featured violin music over the tannoy and selections from Aida. Is it a wonder that people call Fulham 'arriviste' as the programme complained? A rather plummy voice then asked us to take our seats as the players would be on the pitch in a few minutes. It was rather like being in a West End theatre and being told that the 'performance' was about to start. We were then advised that this was a 'South London derby'. I thought that Fulham was north of the river, in the West London borough of Hammersmith where, of the three teams in the borough, they were the small team from Putney.
Charlton had their best chance in the opening minutes of the game. Kishishev released Konchesky on the left and he played the ball to Murphy. Rather than shoot he took the cautious course of playing the ball back to Konch who then found Bartlett. But a moment's hesitation by the Springbok allowed Goma to make a block on the line.
Fulham were then given a couple of free kicks in potentially dangerous positions by the referee. Harrod's hampers may no longer be on offer, but his decisions sometimes made you think he might still be after one. Both free kicks were cleared, the second by Luke Young. Charlton then made a break but it was ruled offside.
Jerome Thomas was brought down and required treatment. The Charlton free kick led to a Charlton corner but this produced nothing more than a throw in. Fulham were starting to apply some pleasure and Murphy had to clear the ball. A Fulham corner led to a header from the unmarked Knight which was only just outside Deano's post.
The Addicks were showing a lack of penetration in their play. Kishishev, who had been warned earlier, received a yellow card. Deano had to make a save which he spilled, but a defender was on hand to clear.
Then Kishishev released Luke Young on the right who put the ball across the front of the goal. Bartlett was able to get a shot in but the impressive van der Sar was able to clear at the expense of a Charlton corner that was unproductive.
The Herminator had to make a desperate clearance as the Cottagers bore down on Charlton's goal. It looked to me as if an offside decision should have been given but instead Fulham got a corner that was eventually cleared.
El Karkouri put in a good long ball to Konchesky but nothing came of it. Deano had to make a diving save. Konchesky went on a run and turned provider for Murphy who drew a save from van der Sar with his on target effort. Murphy was then called on at the other end to clear from a scramble in front of Deano's goal. A Fulham corner was wasted. Deano had to have treatment for an injury to a finger.
Thomas turned provider for Konchesky, but his effort went into the side netting. Konchesky was then fouled, but no free kick was given by the referee.
Half-time: Cottagers 0, Addicks 0
Paul Konchesky won Charlton an early corner, but it was unproductive. Charlton were applying some pressure, but it fizzled out in front of goal. Andy Cole chased a long ball forwards, but was hauled back by El Karkouri. Bennett had blown up for a foul, but charm merchant Cole chased the Moroccan and hauled him to the floor, an incident that led to yellow cards for both players. Goma put in a good shot from the free kick which Deano did well to save.
Kishishev had a go, but on his target effort was easily saved by van der Sar. Jerome Thomas contributed well to some Charlton pressure. A good Charlton move was dubiously ruled offside to the indignation of the Addickted.
A Fulham corner was followed by a blatant foul on Bartlett by Knight which did not lead to a yellow card. Claus Jensen was replaced by Collins John, the former Addick leaving to a mixture of boos and applause from the Charlton crowd. Curbs then made his substitution, but it was not Jeffers who came on as the Addickted wanted, but JJ who replaced Thomas.
Murphy won Charlton a corner. JJ won a corner for the Addicks which was more productive. Konch collected the ball on his chest and put in a superb half volley that was heading for the corner of the net, but van der Sar pulled off an excellent one handed save. When assessing the match, it should be remembered that not many goalkeepers would have been able to deal successfully with that ball.
Murphy put in a disappointing effort which was well over. A Fulham corner in time added on led to fears that the home side might sneak in a late winner. The end of the game was greeted by some booing by the Addickted. It was a frustrating game, as Curbs later admitted. He also said that he might give some of his players more of a license to be a little more offensive so in that sense a useful lesson might have been learned.
Match analysis
Senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch has awarded the Silver Bone to Paul Konchesky. He made some excellent runs forward on the left and had one of the best attempts on goal. Deano was not under massive pressure for much of the game, but made some decent saves. El Karkouri showed hesitation in defence once or twice. Perry had a good game and was a model of dependability in defence. Young forged forward well and look after things carefully from a defensive standpoint. Hreidarsson was not as prominent as he is in some games, but played his part well. Kishishev performed well as the defensive anchor of the 4-5-1. Holland was rather quiet. Thomas can be hustled off the ball and is a little bit too inclined to engage in showboating, trying complex moves when something simpler would do. Murphy generally had a good game, although one or two passes went astray. Bartlett had few opportunities given to him. JJ tried his best when he came on, but added little to Charlton's performance.
Hiss of the Match None of the three officials was prepared to give any 50/50 decision to Charlton and referee Bennett ignored some blatant fouls.
Crowd rating Welsh Whinger Chris Coleman has been engaged in something of a battle with the Fulham crowd about their passivity and was rebuked by a Fulham caller on 606. They may be one of the wealthiest group of supporters in the Premiership, but they are certainly one of the quietest. The Addickted were in good voice and we even had a rendition of 'Goodbye Horse' which is always a good sign. 8/10
At one time the crowd were chanting '4-4-2' and 'There's only one Frannie Jeffers.' But, of course, when we played 4-4-2 away we were getting beaten 4-0 by the likes of Manchester City. And, leaving aside the home win against Villa, Jeffers has not impressed me that much either in the first team or the reserves.
After the game we talked to one of the neutral supporters for which Fulham makes such generous provision and his view was that Charlton were the sharper team, more fluent in passing. He was impressed with the way the Addicks worked for each other and broke forward together. What they missed was a decent striker.
We arrived at the ground in time to read something of the rather good programme which contained a curious 'Everyone hates us, we don't care' piece which complained that 'the press seem to adore the Addicks.' The stand we were in seemed to have been assembled from a flat pack from Ikea, although it provided good resonance for stamping one's feet.
The run up to the match featured violin music over the tannoy and selections from Aida. Is it a wonder that people call Fulham 'arriviste' as the programme complained? A rather plummy voice then asked us to take our seats as the players would be on the pitch in a few minutes. It was rather like being in a West End theatre and being told that the 'performance' was about to start. We were then advised that this was a 'South London derby'. I thought that Fulham was north of the river, in the West London borough of Hammersmith where, of the three teams in the borough, they were the small team from Putney.
Charlton had their best chance in the opening minutes of the game. Kishishev released Konchesky on the left and he played the ball to Murphy. Rather than shoot he took the cautious course of playing the ball back to Konch who then found Bartlett. But a moment's hesitation by the Springbok allowed Goma to make a block on the line.
Fulham were then given a couple of free kicks in potentially dangerous positions by the referee. Harrod's hampers may no longer be on offer, but his decisions sometimes made you think he might still be after one. Both free kicks were cleared, the second by Luke Young. Charlton then made a break but it was ruled offside.
Jerome Thomas was brought down and required treatment. The Charlton free kick led to a Charlton corner but this produced nothing more than a throw in. Fulham were starting to apply some pleasure and Murphy had to clear the ball. A Fulham corner led to a header from the unmarked Knight which was only just outside Deano's post.
The Addicks were showing a lack of penetration in their play. Kishishev, who had been warned earlier, received a yellow card. Deano had to make a save which he spilled, but a defender was on hand to clear.
Then Kishishev released Luke Young on the right who put the ball across the front of the goal. Bartlett was able to get a shot in but the impressive van der Sar was able to clear at the expense of a Charlton corner that was unproductive.
The Herminator had to make a desperate clearance as the Cottagers bore down on Charlton's goal. It looked to me as if an offside decision should have been given but instead Fulham got a corner that was eventually cleared.
El Karkouri put in a good long ball to Konchesky but nothing came of it. Deano had to make a diving save. Konchesky went on a run and turned provider for Murphy who drew a save from van der Sar with his on target effort. Murphy was then called on at the other end to clear from a scramble in front of Deano's goal. A Fulham corner was wasted. Deano had to have treatment for an injury to a finger.
Thomas turned provider for Konchesky, but his effort went into the side netting. Konchesky was then fouled, but no free kick was given by the referee.
Half-time: Cottagers 0, Addicks 0
Paul Konchesky won Charlton an early corner, but it was unproductive. Charlton were applying some pressure, but it fizzled out in front of goal. Andy Cole chased a long ball forwards, but was hauled back by El Karkouri. Bennett had blown up for a foul, but charm merchant Cole chased the Moroccan and hauled him to the floor, an incident that led to yellow cards for both players. Goma put in a good shot from the free kick which Deano did well to save.
Kishishev had a go, but on his target effort was easily saved by van der Sar. Jerome Thomas contributed well to some Charlton pressure. A good Charlton move was dubiously ruled offside to the indignation of the Addickted.
A Fulham corner was followed by a blatant foul on Bartlett by Knight which did not lead to a yellow card. Claus Jensen was replaced by Collins John, the former Addick leaving to a mixture of boos and applause from the Charlton crowd. Curbs then made his substitution, but it was not Jeffers who came on as the Addickted wanted, but JJ who replaced Thomas.
Murphy won Charlton a corner. JJ won a corner for the Addicks which was more productive. Konch collected the ball on his chest and put in a superb half volley that was heading for the corner of the net, but van der Sar pulled off an excellent one handed save. When assessing the match, it should be remembered that not many goalkeepers would have been able to deal successfully with that ball.
Murphy put in a disappointing effort which was well over. A Fulham corner in time added on led to fears that the home side might sneak in a late winner. The end of the game was greeted by some booing by the Addickted. It was a frustrating game, as Curbs later admitted. He also said that he might give some of his players more of a license to be a little more offensive so in that sense a useful lesson might have been learned.
Match analysis
Senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch has awarded the Silver Bone to Paul Konchesky. He made some excellent runs forward on the left and had one of the best attempts on goal. Deano was not under massive pressure for much of the game, but made some decent saves. El Karkouri showed hesitation in defence once or twice. Perry had a good game and was a model of dependability in defence. Young forged forward well and look after things carefully from a defensive standpoint. Hreidarsson was not as prominent as he is in some games, but played his part well. Kishishev performed well as the defensive anchor of the 4-5-1. Holland was rather quiet. Thomas can be hustled off the ball and is a little bit too inclined to engage in showboating, trying complex moves when something simpler would do. Murphy generally had a good game, although one or two passes went astray. Bartlett had few opportunities given to him. JJ tried his best when he came on, but added little to Charlton's performance.
Hiss of the Match None of the three officials was prepared to give any 50/50 decision to Charlton and referee Bennett ignored some blatant fouls.
Crowd rating Welsh Whinger Chris Coleman has been engaged in something of a battle with the Fulham crowd about their passivity and was rebuked by a Fulham caller on 606. They may be one of the wealthiest group of supporters in the Premiership, but they are certainly one of the quietest. The Addickted were in good voice and we even had a rendition of 'Goodbye Horse' which is always a good sign. 8/10
posted by Wyn Grant at 8:06 PM
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