Season 2006-2007

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

2 v 0

NEWCASTLE UNITED

I went into with this game quietly confident after our shambolic midweek UEFA Cup exit (Drinking Stella before 11am on a Sunday might have added to this). Although Charlton are fighting for their premiership survival I fully expected a blacklash performance against what can be only described as a poor team (them, not us). 

We just about shaded the first half although it was pretty obvious even within the first 45 min that things weren't happening for some of our players (although the commitment seemed to be there). Parker controlled the midfield in the first half, winning pretty much everything he went for and spreading the ball well across wings, but surprisingly went missing in the second half (please don’t tell me that had anything to do with Amady Faye coming on as a sub for Chartlon). 

As I commented in the the Alkmaar thread about our long ball tactic, I was completely baffled to see us continue to pump long balls forwards towards Sibs. IT DOESN’T WORK! (and I hope to god that it never will because that’s not what we are about and certainly not what I want to watch week in week out) 

Martins first touch is still holding him back from being the world class player that I think he can be. A lot of the focus will be on the sitter he missed early in the second half (although it was a chance he superbly created for himself) but for me it was his inability to control the ball throughout the game which numbed our attack. (It’s a shame we can’t cut Nobby’s feet off and put them on Oba!)

As for the goals, a foul on Faye (groan) by Milner give Bent the chance to try one from what must have been 30 yards. The shot hit the crossbar and for some reason we just stood there and watched the ball rebound while Zhi was the only player to follow up and head the ball into the back of the net. The second was a pretty much clear cut penalty with Nobby bring down Zhi (who was now looking impressive). Jeromo Thomas (who?) converted the spot kick. We were denied a blatant penalty when Dyer’s cross clearly hit El Karkouri arm and I think if we had gotten that decision (when it was 1-0) we would have held on for a draw but as soon as the ref ushered play on you saw the final bit of determination from our players just ebb away.

Other things that stick out:

Emre was awful. You can’t criticise Duff when we play him at left back. Dyer is not a winger /or is not fit. The guy sitting next to me left Newcastle on Thursday morning for the game at Alkmaar and flew into London yesterday, now that really is a bad 4 days!!

AUSSIE MAGS