About Me

Old Coulsdon, United Kingdom
An acquired refugee from the days of exile at Selhurst Park, my first game being a dreary 1-1 draw with Millwall. I followed the team back to The Valley, and have now been with them for over twenty years. You will find me in the Rose of Denmark or in the Lower West. Follow me on Twitter @DeepestDarkest1

Sunday 13 January 2013

Charlton 2 Blackpool 1

A strangely untroubled match for the Addicks yeterday, which was odd given that Charlton hardly touched the ball in the first twenty minutes. Other than Taylor's clearance off the line from a Phillips header, the Charlton goal wasn't really threatened despite the neat passing play of the Seasiders in the first period. We got lucky with Jackson's goal, coming as it did from a deflected Solly pass, and a scuffed shot from the captain that managed to squeeze inside the keepers right hand post, but hey, thems the breaks.

Powell set the team out to match Blackpool, so a fluid 4-5-1 saw Wagstaff playing in the hole behind Kermorgant for the most part, and Charlton's forgotten man duly put himself in the right place at the right time to fire home the second before the break. It was a goal that Wilson played no small part in, and for me he was the man of the match yesterday, not just for his precision cross, but his support of Solly who was in danger of being pulled apart by Delfouneso in the early part of the first half.

It was obvious that Solly was being targerted, and Delfouneso turned out to be the tormentor in chief, gaining advantage over Solly more often than not, until Wilson started to drop back and help him out. As soon as that started to happen Delfouneso went quiet, and didn't really threaten again. With that threat nullified, Wilson started to forage forward, and the just reward was an exquisite cross that Kermorgant headed with full power, and which their keeper could only parry into the path of the onrushing Wagstaff.

Elsewhere Taylor had a solid game, gaining confidence from his vital line clearance two minutes in, and putting his head where it hurts, collecting a comic looking bandage hat that would not stay on for his pains. His presence was a timely reminder that at this level you really do need four good centre halves. Whilst I can believe that Green, Wagstaff, Wright-Phillips, Hollands, and Sullivan, would all be available to leave should anybody be interested, I would be dissapointed if Taylor was also on that list.

So, back to back league wins set Charlton off on a sound start to 2013, and it could get even better if Powell is allowed to wheel and deal in this transfer window. It is difficult to say where he will strengthen, however, as much will depend on who can be moved on, and where the resultant gaps are. I still hope a first choice central midfielder is the number one priority, although it would be fair to say that the centre of the pitch more than held its own yesterday, as did every other area on the park.

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