Saturday 8 August 2015

Tony Watt! Watt! Watt!

That was the chant at The Valley at the end of today's 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers. Watt came on in the second half after being dropped from the starting line up following a training ground incident involving him and Luzon and upped Charlton's game, scoring one of the goals.

However, it has to be said that this was a game in which the all round contribution was a good one with keeper Nick Pope getting man of the match in the lounges for a performance that exceeded my expectations. One Addick commented, 'The new players fitted in well and I particularly liked the fact that we seemed more combative than usual - nagging at the QPR players when they were in possession and forcing errors.'

It was a bit of a stuttering start for Charlton with QPR winning a succession of corners, but not able to make anything of them. We seem quite exposed on our left and had difficulty making progress on the right. However, after twenty or minutes or so we started to get into the game and put some pressure on the visitors. However, neither side really had a chance in the first half. Charlie Austin looked increasing sulky as things didn't go his way.

Half time: Addicks 0, Super Hoops 0.

The visitors have been putting in a few heavy tackles, while going to the ground themselves at the slightest contact. I was a bit surprised when the first two yellow cards went to Charlton.

Watt settled Charlton nerves with his strike and then played in Morgan Fox to allow the left back to score his first goal for the club. Gudmundsson came close to getting a third with a shot from a free kick that rattled the crossbar. The tempo of the game slowed somewhat as the sun came out and the pitch heated up. Austin, supposedly worth £15m, was eventually withdrawn to derisive waves from the Addickted. The Super Hoop supporters, who had plenty to say about The Valley being a library in the first half, quietened down after the first Charlton goal and started to leave early.

It was a good start to the campaign for the supposed relegation candidates. For what it matters at this stage, we are 2nd in the table.

I missed a trick with Voice of the Valley. I handed over the usual £2, then found the cover said 'Fee undisclosed.' If I had known that, I would have offered £1.20 plus add ons, although 30p would have gone at once as it would have been for an issue without a rant about the Belgians by Dicko. As he has now joined the staff at Leyton Orient, he can no longer contribute.

Well, it doesn't look as if we are going to be taken any more seriously by the new Channel 5 programme than by the old Football League Show and at least they didn't have a daft studio audience. Decent highlights here: Sky Sports

Player ratings

Pope made three excellent saves, possibly the most tricky one being from a free kick. Bauer very much looked the part and was very effective. Diarra did his job well. Solly was very much involved and, as always, had some nice touches. Fox took his goal well but, particularly in the first half, he was often poor. He gave away an unnecessary corner and failed to get forward down the wing when opportunities presented themselves.

Kashi justifiably drew a lot of praise from the Addickted. He hardly put a foot wrong and showed real skill. Ba had a bit of a slow start, but then got involved. He passes the ball well. Cousins was once again active and effective. Gudmundsson got involved and was unlucky not to score.

Ahearne-Grant was given a difficult job in starting, he did his best but made relatively little impact. Makienok put himself about in defence as well as attack and was intercepting high balls. How effective he will be as a striker remains to be seen. Watt made a real difference when he came on. The other week I was driving through the Orkney settlement of Twatt, but you wouldn't know it as the council have got fed up with replacing the road signs taken as souvenirs. Orcadians who derived their name from the village sensibly changed it to Watt. Bergdich wasn't that prominent when he came on. Ceballos had a cameo.

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