Charlton show real promise
The scoreline in Charlton's 1-0 victory over Wigan at The Valley on Saturday did not reflect the gap in quality between the two sides. Some of Charlton's ball control was superb and there was a willingness to chase the ball when possession was lost and to win it back, something we have not always seen in previous seasons. Although the formation was formally 4-5-1, it often looked more like a 4-3-3 with Murphy and Rommedahl frequently attacking the Wigan goal.
If it had not been for some profligate finishing, Charlton could have won by a bigger margin against the 1-0 defeat specialists. It could be argued that opening matches against the promoted teams are relatively easy, but the points still have to be won and a 100% record and second place after the first two games is not to be sniffed at.
One Wigan lass in the pub before the game had a shirt bearing the legend 'Premiership 05' which perhaps reveals the extent of their ambition, i.e., it will all be over by Christmas.
The game started rather tentatively and quietly. Jerome Thomas won the Addicks a free kick in a promising position, but referee Styles failed to move the wall back the required distance and Murphy shot over. Chris Powell showed his mettle with a good clearance.
Charlton were indulging in clinical and efficient build ups which were rather fruitless. Luke Young made a good run. Wigan won a corner, but it was dealt with efficiently. Jerome Thomas burst through. Rommedahl ran at goal and I thought he was going to score, but he shot wide.
Teale was something of a threat for the Lactics and Roberts set up Francis with a cross from the left, but he headed well wide. Referee Styles contrived not to see a Wigan handball on the edge of the area.
As the half hour approached, there was a crazy spell of action in front of the Wigan goal. Rommedahl drew Wigan's efficient keeper Pollitt out of his goal. Rommedahl's initial cross struck Bent but Young played it back into the box. A header from Powell crashed off the bar. Young was able to pick up the ball and feed Powell again, but this time his header went over.
Rommedahl won the Addicks a corner, but Murphy's kick was poor. Young fed Rommedahl who gave the ball to Murphy but his shot went high and wide. Thomas then drew a save from Pollitt with a low drive. Thomas turned provider for Powell who put in a shot.
Charlton's goal on 42 minutes was set up by Murphy whose skill and persistence allowed him to get the better of the harrying Baines. His excellent cross found Bent who headed home.
Pollitt was then put under pressure by Chris Powell but saved well from his long range drive. Bent was then released by a good ball from Perry and found himself one on one with the keeper but somehow managed to put his shot just wide.
Half time: Addicks 1, Lactics 0
Wigan withdrew Mahon and brought on McMillan immediately after the break. Smertin won Charlton a free kick in front of the D, but Murphy's effort went over and wide. Rommedahl won Charlton a corner but it was caught by the 6ft 4" keeper. There was a hand ball shout when Rommedahl's cross struck McMillan, but Styles pointed out the rules stated that Charlton were not allowed clear penalties, let alone marginal ones.
A shot by Murphy from distance whistled just past the post. Murphy managed to poleaxe the threatening Teale in the nicest possible way and he had to be replaced by Ryan Taylor. He subsequently got a yellow card for a foul on Thomas. When Wigan did chances from set of pieces, their lack of accuracy meant that they were little threat.
JJ replaced Rommedahl on 77 minutes and put in a good cross to Bent whose shot crashed off the post. Bartlett was brought on in place of Thomas and five minutes from the end of normal time Hughes replaced Murphy who had gone down twice during the course of the game, but will have over a week to recover.
Luke Young made a good tackle to deal with a Wigan attack. Charlton broke from a Wigan corner (how often does one see that) and a late corner for the Addicks was taken short.
Despite the scoreline, the scale of Charlton's achievement is shown by the fact that the Bloke Behind Me did not call for Curbishley's resignation once during the match. As we pulled on to the M25 from the M11, we passed and pulled in front of the Wigan team coach. A little further on we saw a Wigan fans' coach that had broken down, an unhappy end to their first away excursion in the Premiership.
Match analysis
Hooch the Pooch and Homer the Cherry Hound fall out over the offside rule
Our canine reporters have been in a special training camp in Leamington for the last two weeks, working on their knowledge of the offside rule through Mutual Improvement Classes and building their fitness through dog wrestling bouts. Nevertheless, senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch had some difficulty in deciding who should receive the coveted Silver Bone and had to call for a straw poll in the pub after the match. The verdict eventually went to Smertin for his superb play making in midfield. When presented with the Silver Bone, the Russian asked if it was some kind of icon. Well, a talisman, certainly. In strong competition for the award was Chris Powell who reads the game so well, forging forward to great effect and come close to scoring twice, but also defending with great authority. And it's marvellous to have his post match celebrations again.
Andersen was not called on too much, but what he had to do was done well. He is innovative in the way that he disposes of the ball, at one time making a superb long throw to Bent well into the Wigan half of the pitch. The only point to watch would be a tendency to kick dangerously low balls down the centre of the pitch when under pressure. Captain Luke Young had an exemplary game, playing his part in setting up attacks. The Herminator looked strong and authoritative as a central defender and Perry played his part well. Murphy had a good game, although I think that he is helped by playing alongside Smertin. It was sometimes difficult to work out what role Kishishev was playing in the game and how he was contributing to it. Thomas has some good ball skills, but he thinks he is better than he is and is far too inclined to showboat. Rommedahl was far more impressive than last season. Bent was tireless in his contribution, positioning himself well and making great run forwards. Some people have put money on him at long odds as top Premiership scorer, but he will have to take all his chances if he is going to achieve that accolade. The three substiutes - JJ, Bartlett and Hughes - were not on long enough to make much impression.
Juneau the Soccer Cat had no hesitation in awarding the Hiss of the Match to referee Rob Styles. As well as missing a handball, he showed a remarkable ability to get in the way of Charlton players. Indeed, Thomas had probably not been so effectively man marked all season.
Crowd rating Did their best to get going in a far from full stadium with chants directed at Millwall and Palace. Got a bit quiet at times when the match went flat. 7/10
If it had not been for some profligate finishing, Charlton could have won by a bigger margin against the 1-0 defeat specialists. It could be argued that opening matches against the promoted teams are relatively easy, but the points still have to be won and a 100% record and second place after the first two games is not to be sniffed at.
One Wigan lass in the pub before the game had a shirt bearing the legend 'Premiership 05' which perhaps reveals the extent of their ambition, i.e., it will all be over by Christmas.
The game started rather tentatively and quietly. Jerome Thomas won the Addicks a free kick in a promising position, but referee Styles failed to move the wall back the required distance and Murphy shot over. Chris Powell showed his mettle with a good clearance.
Charlton were indulging in clinical and efficient build ups which were rather fruitless. Luke Young made a good run. Wigan won a corner, but it was dealt with efficiently. Jerome Thomas burst through. Rommedahl ran at goal and I thought he was going to score, but he shot wide.
Teale was something of a threat for the Lactics and Roberts set up Francis with a cross from the left, but he headed well wide. Referee Styles contrived not to see a Wigan handball on the edge of the area.
As the half hour approached, there was a crazy spell of action in front of the Wigan goal. Rommedahl drew Wigan's efficient keeper Pollitt out of his goal. Rommedahl's initial cross struck Bent but Young played it back into the box. A header from Powell crashed off the bar. Young was able to pick up the ball and feed Powell again, but this time his header went over.
Rommedahl won the Addicks a corner, but Murphy's kick was poor. Young fed Rommedahl who gave the ball to Murphy but his shot went high and wide. Thomas then drew a save from Pollitt with a low drive. Thomas turned provider for Powell who put in a shot.
Charlton's goal on 42 minutes was set up by Murphy whose skill and persistence allowed him to get the better of the harrying Baines. His excellent cross found Bent who headed home.
Pollitt was then put under pressure by Chris Powell but saved well from his long range drive. Bent was then released by a good ball from Perry and found himself one on one with the keeper but somehow managed to put his shot just wide.
Half time: Addicks 1, Lactics 0
Wigan withdrew Mahon and brought on McMillan immediately after the break. Smertin won Charlton a free kick in front of the D, but Murphy's effort went over and wide. Rommedahl won Charlton a corner but it was caught by the 6ft 4" keeper. There was a hand ball shout when Rommedahl's cross struck McMillan, but Styles pointed out the rules stated that Charlton were not allowed clear penalties, let alone marginal ones.
A shot by Murphy from distance whistled just past the post. Murphy managed to poleaxe the threatening Teale in the nicest possible way and he had to be replaced by Ryan Taylor. He subsequently got a yellow card for a foul on Thomas. When Wigan did chances from set of pieces, their lack of accuracy meant that they were little threat.
JJ replaced Rommedahl on 77 minutes and put in a good cross to Bent whose shot crashed off the post. Bartlett was brought on in place of Thomas and five minutes from the end of normal time Hughes replaced Murphy who had gone down twice during the course of the game, but will have over a week to recover.
Luke Young made a good tackle to deal with a Wigan attack. Charlton broke from a Wigan corner (how often does one see that) and a late corner for the Addicks was taken short.
Despite the scoreline, the scale of Charlton's achievement is shown by the fact that the Bloke Behind Me did not call for Curbishley's resignation once during the match. As we pulled on to the M25 from the M11, we passed and pulled in front of the Wigan team coach. A little further on we saw a Wigan fans' coach that had broken down, an unhappy end to their first away excursion in the Premiership.
Match analysis
Hooch the Pooch and Homer the Cherry Hound fall out over the offside rule
Our canine reporters have been in a special training camp in Leamington for the last two weeks, working on their knowledge of the offside rule through Mutual Improvement Classes and building their fitness through dog wrestling bouts. Nevertheless, senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch had some difficulty in deciding who should receive the coveted Silver Bone and had to call for a straw poll in the pub after the match. The verdict eventually went to Smertin for his superb play making in midfield. When presented with the Silver Bone, the Russian asked if it was some kind of icon. Well, a talisman, certainly. In strong competition for the award was Chris Powell who reads the game so well, forging forward to great effect and come close to scoring twice, but also defending with great authority. And it's marvellous to have his post match celebrations again.
Andersen was not called on too much, but what he had to do was done well. He is innovative in the way that he disposes of the ball, at one time making a superb long throw to Bent well into the Wigan half of the pitch. The only point to watch would be a tendency to kick dangerously low balls down the centre of the pitch when under pressure. Captain Luke Young had an exemplary game, playing his part in setting up attacks. The Herminator looked strong and authoritative as a central defender and Perry played his part well. Murphy had a good game, although I think that he is helped by playing alongside Smertin. It was sometimes difficult to work out what role Kishishev was playing in the game and how he was contributing to it. Thomas has some good ball skills, but he thinks he is better than he is and is far too inclined to showboat. Rommedahl was far more impressive than last season. Bent was tireless in his contribution, positioning himself well and making great run forwards. Some people have put money on him at long odds as top Premiership scorer, but he will have to take all his chances if he is going to achieve that accolade. The three substiutes - JJ, Bartlett and Hughes - were not on long enough to make much impression.
Juneau the Soccer Cat had no hesitation in awarding the Hiss of the Match to referee Rob Styles. As well as missing a handball, he showed a remarkable ability to get in the way of Charlton players. Indeed, Thomas had probably not been so effectively man marked all season.
Crowd rating Did their best to get going in a far from full stadium with chants directed at Millwall and Palace. Got a bit quiet at times when the match went flat. 7/10
posted by Wyn Grant at 7:32 PM
1 Comments:
Wyn, Wigan's nickname is "Latics", not "Lactics" (did they ever win the MIlk Cup?). This word is in fact a corruption of the last two syllables of the word "Athletic", with an s added,though it has never been used to describe Charlton or Alloa. It was always the nickname, in Lancashire, of Oldham, but now appears to have migrated to Wigan. Sic transit...
Terrific report on the game; just like being there.
Cheers, Jonathan
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