With temperatures plummeting, Charlton ground out a very welcome and routine looking win in front of 16,846 supporters this afternoon.
Charlton's 4-5-1 formation with Yann Kermorgant the lone striker were very slow to start this match and Blackpool should have taken a lead in the second minute. Nathan Delfouneso beat Chris Solly down their left and his back post chip was met by an unmarked Kevin Phillips. Kev's downward header beat Ben Hamer but Matt Taylor, I think it was, managed to hook the ball onto the post and out to safety. Blackpool continued to press but after ten minutes Charlton got a grip and our five man midfield of Jackson, Pritchard, Stephens, Wilson and the returning Wagstaff finally came into the game which allowed Evina, Taylor, Morrison and Solly to catch their breath.
As 20 minutes approached we began to string a succession of passes together and Blackpool fell back behind the ball. We forced a corner from the left and then another from the right and from that we cut-out a ball out of defence and it was played first-time back into the box where Johnnie Jackson took a touch, turned and hit a cross shot which looked underhit but it caught Gilks flat-footed and had the perfect line for the far post where it crept in. There was no immediate response from the Seasiders and I was disappointed we didn't go for the jugular.
The game was stopped for several minutes for a head injury to Taylor who re-started sporting a white bandage that looked increasingly like a bobble hat following a back-post header which went close.
The game rolled on until the stroke of half-time when a more determined looking Charlton attack saw Kermorgant meet a back-post ball in space but his strong header was blocked by Gilks. It rebounded out to Scott Wagstaff who fired home from ten yards to give Charlton a two upgoal cushion we hadn't really done enough to justify.
After the break we pushed on looking for a third and Wilson was busy down the right. He made several good breaks and got decent crosses in but we were unable to capitalise. It was crying out for a second striker but Blackpool weren't really troubling us and we soldi ered on. Gary Taylor-Fletcher came on after an hour as caretaker Steve Thompson looked to change the game. Fletcher-Taylor threw himself into the match and saw plenty of the ball but his first touch had deserted him and he looked a fraction of the player I am used to seeing.
Nathan Eccleston was given a polite round of applause as he entered the fray for the Tangerines after 68 minutes but Blackpool were really struggling to break us down now and we put men behind the ball. Tiago Gomez was also thrown on for Kevin Phillips before the end but it was too little, too late. Nathan Eccleston did manage a 90 minute consolation when he swept home a low volley from the edge of the area which beat Hamer inside his left post.
Another high point of the game was the debut for Calum Harriet who replaced Waggy after 74 minutes and whose pace gave Blackpool something else to worry about. He certainly looks worth another go soon.
The win moves us up to 14th, eleven points above Wednesday in 22nd (playing this evening) and seven points behind Watford in 7th. Blackburn will be a big test next week but if we can get something there and our match with Sheffield Wednesday the week after is not postponed owing to their extended run in the F A Cup (they have to beat MK Dons), things could get a little bit more exciting.
Charlton's 4-5-1 formation with Yann Kermorgant the lone striker were very slow to start this match and Blackpool should have taken a lead in the second minute. Nathan Delfouneso beat Chris Solly down their left and his back post chip was met by an unmarked Kevin Phillips. Kev's downward header beat Ben Hamer but Matt Taylor, I think it was, managed to hook the ball onto the post and out to safety. Blackpool continued to press but after ten minutes Charlton got a grip and our five man midfield of Jackson, Pritchard, Stephens, Wilson and the returning Wagstaff finally came into the game which allowed Evina, Taylor, Morrison and Solly to catch their breath.
As 20 minutes approached we began to string a succession of passes together and Blackpool fell back behind the ball. We forced a corner from the left and then another from the right and from that we cut-out a ball out of defence and it was played first-time back into the box where Johnnie Jackson took a touch, turned and hit a cross shot which looked underhit but it caught Gilks flat-footed and had the perfect line for the far post where it crept in. There was no immediate response from the Seasiders and I was disappointed we didn't go for the jugular.
The game was stopped for several minutes for a head injury to Taylor who re-started sporting a white bandage that looked increasingly like a bobble hat following a back-post header which went close.
The game rolled on until the stroke of half-time when a more determined looking Charlton attack saw Kermorgant meet a back-post ball in space but his strong header was blocked by Gilks. It rebounded out to Scott Wagstaff who fired home from ten yards to give Charlton a two upgoal cushion we hadn't really done enough to justify.
After the break we pushed on looking for a third and Wilson was busy down the right. He made several good breaks and got decent crosses in but we were unable to capitalise. It was crying out for a second striker but Blackpool weren't really troubling us and we soldi ered on. Gary Taylor-Fletcher came on after an hour as caretaker Steve Thompson looked to change the game. Fletcher-Taylor threw himself into the match and saw plenty of the ball but his first touch had deserted him and he looked a fraction of the player I am used to seeing.
Nathan Eccleston was given a polite round of applause as he entered the fray for the Tangerines after 68 minutes but Blackpool were really struggling to break us down now and we put men behind the ball. Tiago Gomez was also thrown on for Kevin Phillips before the end but it was too little, too late. Nathan Eccleston did manage a 90 minute consolation when he swept home a low volley from the edge of the area which beat Hamer inside his left post.
Another high point of the game was the debut for Calum Harriet who replaced Waggy after 74 minutes and whose pace gave Blackpool something else to worry about. He certainly looks worth another go soon.
The win moves us up to 14th, eleven points above Wednesday in 22nd (playing this evening) and seven points behind Watford in 7th. Blackburn will be a big test next week but if we can get something there and our match with Sheffield Wednesday the week after is not postponed owing to their extended run in the F A Cup (they have to beat MK Dons), things could get a little bit more exciting.
I think Powell got his tactics spot on with the lone striker. We bossed the midfield with 5 players & two of them popped up with goals.
ReplyDeleteAnthony
Its funny Dave most Blogs have said it was a fairly comfortable win for us. I spent most of the second half peeking through my fingers. The amount of Blackpool possession made me very twitchy.
ReplyDeleteLoved Scotty's contribution - especially the track back late on in the first half. I know he has his detractors, but the energy levels he puts in sometimes do make things happen.
Pembury Addick
PA - Waggy tends to make things happen and is no worse than Green and better than Kerkar. I just wish he would have more confidence in his footballing capabilities and not spend the whole time looking to win free-kicks by diving and acting.
ReplyDelete