Valiant at the Valley

Andy Munro sees Blues battle for a point in South London.

Not many fans would have had Charlton down as a promotion-chasing club but their new manager seems to have turned them around even though he stereotypically speaks like a ‘boring Belgian’ and one wonders how he motivates the players at half-time.

Even fewer fans would have had Blues down to get a result but it continues to be a funny old game. Blues starting line-up included Caddis thankfully restored to right back and Gleeson hopefully now being given a run in midfield, which should give him the chance to live up to the hype when he first signed.
Up front, Thomas was left on the bench as we reverted to just one up front which seems to be a fairly successful formula away from home. In fact, most fans would have probably picked a not too dissimilar side apart from maybe young Grant Hall instead of the ageing Robbo.

Mind you, after just eleven minutes, it looked ominous when Charlton deservedly took the lead after a fast start. However Blues played themselves in and should have equalised through Donaldson but his goal was chalked off. Lee Clark’s view was that “we wuz robbed” as he felt Donaldson was in an onside position when he netted. However , while the linesman appeared fairly well positioned, it has to be said that referees have been far from our friends this season.
Eventually, we got a deserved equaliser when Davies threaded the ball through a crowd of players into the corner of the net and that will do his confidence no harm. Wes Thomas came on to predictably spurn a chance but at least he puts himself around and makes a nuisance of himself.

Demarai Gray came on and caused the Charlton defence more than a few problems and undoubtedly between Gray, Arthur and Reece Brown, we have some fantastic talent. Let’s hope that the club aren’t after easy money in the January transfer window but that must be a concern.

Clark appears to have got out of jail again for the moment but only on parole. With just one win in twenty five(?) home games, he must realise that the majority of fans are sick of turning up at Stan’s only to go home utterly depressed. Something has to change and that’s either the home form or the manager.