Today was truly depressing. We found out that our ambitions for automatic promotion are paper-thin and we should probably settle for a play-off place if offered now. Sheffield United presented some reasonable quality on Tuesday and bore that out with their win at Coventry today. Burnley, I'm afraid, were distinctly average and yet sauntered to a victory abeted by an inept Charlton performance. Owen Coyle must think he's won the lottery.
The first goal, after seven minutes, was simple. A free-kick was played into the near post and Andy Gray beat Sam Sodje to the header and steered it in. If that was disappointing the second was calamitous and followed shortly afterwards. Another free-kick, this time floated into the box and I don't believe anyone moved an inch apart from McCann who ran in and headed unopposed. Andy Reid replied before half-time having taken a cross unmarked at the back post and rifling home. I thought that was enough to set us up for a second half revival. No such luck.
Charlton played better in the second half and had an equaliser ruled out for offside but Danny Mills spoiled an otherwise decent performance by somehow managing to reach up and touch a cross that didn't look like causing too much danger otherwise. Bizarre - 3-1 down and that was it.
It's hard to account for this defeat. Semedo was dropped for Holland and both Thomas and Sam were also sacrificed for Ambrose and Varney. Holland did ok but Ambrose is lightweight and
I believe has had histime at the Valley. Varney had a good game and I was surprised at his substitution. Having said that, he and Iwelumo don't play as a pair and this needs attention. Reid had a better game but our four man midfield laboured for long periods. Zheng Zhi wasted a couple of good chances, notably when again blasting over when Reid was in acres of space to his left, I don't think McLeod touched the ball when he came on and we need to recall Dickson. I didn't think I'd ever say this, but thought should also be given to bringing Marcus Bent back to give us some options for Iwelumo.
Charlton drop to fourth, four points behind second placed West Brom, but the underlying situation is worse. Our home record is simply not good enough and we have had enough warnings and chances. I have no doubt we will respond in the coming games but that will be catch-up football and cannot make up for four home defeats in five games.
Looking at the bigger picture you have to say that we are nowhere near good enough to seriously consider a return to the Premier League with this squad of players. The inevitability of relegation would be all too obvious and we would be whipping boys.
Cardiff on Tuesday? At the moment I can't be bothered to even think about listening to it.
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