Tuesday 28 January 2014

Doncaster Rovers 3 v Charlton Athletic 0

Doncaster Rovers exacted sweet revenge this evening for the poor hand they were dealt at the Valley earlier in the season. I felt strongly after the rain-abandoned match with them winning 3-1 that we would win the replayed match and that proved to be the case. After beating them 2-0 at the end of November, I made a mental note that we would be up against it in the away fixture.

After two away wins in succession and having kept the squad together in Yorkshire since Saturday, I was hoping we would put out an unchanged side this evening. I was also hoping that the two cup victories were spurred on by a team determined to do it for their job-threatened boss. We managed neither.

The pre-match doom and gloom centred on news of Brighton's interest in Dale Stephens and Bournemouth's in Rhoys Wiggins, which had predictions across the board of who wouldn't be playing to save them for their new clubs, coming on the back of rumours about Morrison and Kermorgant. As it was, Chris Powell made three starting changes from Saturday, with Ajdarevic, Sordell and Harriott dropping out to make way for Lennon, Cousins and Kermogant. I don't think there would have been too many complaints on player selection before kick-off, but there was plenty with the 3-5-2 formation. 

Perhaps the formation wasn't entirely to blame but Rovers tore into us from the off and  it was apparent we were going to need to ride our luck again, as on Saturday at Huddersfield. However, it ran out after 26 minutes when Alnwick was finally beaten after a succession of crosses and corners which had tested our defence. Thirteen minutes later Lawrie Wilson was sent off for a professional foul in conceding a penalty and Brown scored from the spot to put Donny in the box seat.

Powell re-jigged at half-time with Wood coming on for Evina as we went 4-4-1 but it really was a case of damage limitations and after 67 minutes Duffy notched a third to finish the contest. Wigan away looks like another major effort on Saturday.

We are in desperate need of a major shot-in-the-arm and I am not talking about drawing Wallace & Gromit Wednesday away from home in the cup. M Duchatelet, hear my plea and sort some contracts out for the players whom you are relying upon to protect your investment. The lesson of the last pair of clowns was there for all to see. If no-one's told you either, this side isn't too good to go down and your fringe players from your non-Championship leagues aren't going to save us.

As I said yesterday, this could prove to be a pivotal week in the fortunes of Charlton Athletic Football Club.

3 comments:

  1. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

    I can't see us getting anything at Wigan either.

    RD best have a credible plan, however, at this moment, I don't see a glimmer of one.

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  2. With rumours that our best players are fleeing to the south coast we seem to be deep in the brown stuff with respect to staying in the championship. With RD invisible how do we make a show of our commitment but also our disgust at the treatment of our club. How about a mass turnout for the cup game at the Wendies? Lets make some noise

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  3. UIN Number - I admire your spirit but suspect a mass boycott of the Wendies cup match is more realistic!

    ReplyDelete

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