The eagerly anticipated opening match of the season turned out to be the damp squib many would have feared. In a tight game with hardly any chances, Charlton looked like the home side but didn't do nearly enough to have claimed even a moral victory. A lone first-half attack that saw Jayden Stockley head wide from 15 yards was the highlight and Wednesday's only real chance came towards the end when Barry Bannon danced past a couple of challenges before firing wide.
The rain probably didn't help but the pitch held up and it shouldn't be used as an excuse. Strangely, Adkins seem content with the players he had on and the only substitution he made was in the 88th minute when Clayden came on for Washington. That made it clear to me that he was satisfied with the point which was disappointing to see because I don't think Sheffield Wednesday offered very much other than a desire not to lose.
MacGillivray had next to nothing to do. The back four were busy enough but there was precious little threat. Matthews squandered possession on several occasions when playing out but Gunter was better which will disappoint the boo-boys.
For me, George Dobson was the star act mopping up everything at the back. We didn't see enough from Clare and Morgan was guilty of ballooning several chances that came out to him in the second-half.
Stockley was given the man-of-the-match award and I wouldn't argue, although he earnt it in his own box, heading clear six or seven Wednesday set-pieces. Washington and Jaiyesimi huffed and puffed on the flanks but there was no decisive ball for Stockley and neither managed a real effort on target either.
I will be interested to hear what Adkins has to say about not making better use of the bench. Our squad may be thin but when you are being held at home, you have to consider making changes to try to win the game and he didn't do that. Hard not to feel that we lost two points today or that our team looked short on quality, which frankly it does. I was also struggling to see this new brand of football we are supposed to be playing. We didn't pass it around the back quite so monotonously but there was little else to note.
Perhaps my disappointment needs to be held in check and I need to take a deep breath but Thomas Sandgaard has acknowledged we have more players to come in and I don't understand why we are prepared to wait - it will cost us precious points.
Oh, and you can forget dropping 'the Red, Red Robin' for that Addicks to Victory number. I am really surprised he had the front to do that. It's a bit of fun but don't get ahead of yourself.
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