Friday 18 April 2014

Charlton Athletic 0 v Bolton Wanderers 0

A point that lifts us above Blackpool who were beaten in the 5pm kick-off at home to Burnley. We will all need to hold our breath tomorrow and hope that Middlesborough and Leeds can beat Millwall and Barnsley.

It was a much better performance than on Tuesday, but it would have been hard to imagine anything as bad. Marvin Sordell was an enforced absentee and Callum Harriott was finally given a day off. Morgan Fox came in for Rhoys Wiggins and was outstanding, a clear man-of-the-match. Michael Morrison ran him a close second as he returned to partner Dorian Dervite and Lawrie Wilson gave Chris Solly a rest at right-back. Asdarevic came into midfield and Reza joined Simon Church in a changed attack.

I thought we played pretty well against a solid and disciplined Wanderers side who threatened little but looked capable on the break of scoring. I haven't seen the stats but we must have edged possession and chances, although what was clear once again was our lack of cutting edge. We created more than on Tuesday night but were left with half-chances and what-might-have-beens. 

Simon Church caught Bogdan out dawdling on a kick-out in the second-half and he went down appealing for a penalty but it was never going to be given in the circumstances. We somehow kept Bolton's best effort out in the second-half with a goal-line clearance after Hamer was beaten but a Bolton victory would have been robbery.

We still need two victories as far as I am concerned and we may be under pressure at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday. It's crucial we stay out of the bottom four this weekend because we will have the best chance of escape with Blackburn and Watford at home to come become for final day at Bloomfield Road.

I am left, once again, reflecting on the folly of selling Yann Kermorgant in January when we needed to strengthen our striking options. If we go down this season there will be no hiding place for Roland Duchatelet.

1 comment:

  1. Hav to agree with the Kermorgant comment, or at least a proven replacement. Still given up the thought of Blackpool away?

    ReplyDelete

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