Charlton Athletic 1 v West Bromwich Albion 1

Having been beaten after 90 seconds for the Charlton opener, Dean Kiely produced a superb display to earn the Baggies a replay. This was a much better performance from an enthusiastic Charlton side who played 4-4-2 from the start and probably deserved to win the game - just a pity there weren't more Charlton fans there to see it.

Weaver started in goal and Sam Sodje-lookalike, Kelly Youga, made a fine debut at left back. In the absence of an injured Jonathan Fortune, Paddy McCarthy partnered Madjid Bougherra at centre-back. Yassin Moutaouakil was at right-back and provided foraging support for Lloyd Sam in the first half before taking a much more attacking second-half role as Sam moved inside. Holland and Zheng Zhi were in central midfield and Darren Ambrose was on the right. That left Luke Varney and Izale McLeod upfront.

Charlton could hardly have had a better start. Having played their way forward and into the West Brom box, Zheng Zhi turned and fired in a snap shot which beat Kiely's dive and squeezed in off the upright. We continued to attack West Brom for the opening 20 minutes when it looked like a second was on the cards. However, we were lacking height upfront and West Brom were in no danger from high balls into the box and they defended everything played in on the ground. Gera and Greening were finding plenty of space in midfield and prompting increasing Albion attacks - it was one of these that gave West Brom parity. A superb ball over the top of Moutaouakil was met in full flight by Chris Brunt who burst clear in the left and his cross was steered home by Ishmail Miller on 30 minutes. The first half petered out after that.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half were poor and full of mistakes, especially from Charlton, who looked to be trying too hard. Things improved after that and we began to create a succession of chances that should have given us the lead. McLeod was first to see his shot saved by Kiely as he was played in one-on-one. Luke Varney then finished off a fine Charlton move as he picked up a cut-back from Moutaouakil to shoot for the top right-hand corner, but Deano clawed that one to safety too. Ambrose had been creating from the left as well but most of his balls were crosses which the West brom defence were much more comfortable with. The Covered End faithful had been chanting "we want Chris Dick-son" for fully ten minutes before Pardew made a triple substitution as he gambled for the game. Grant Basey, Chris Iwelumo and Chris Dickson came on for Ambrose, McLeod and Varney. Charlton's high tempo continued, particularly down Moutaouakil's right and he was creating space for Sam as well as getting behind the West Brom right-back. Dickson was unfortunate to have an effort blocked by Kiely at the back post and was a foot short from connecting with a throughball that might have given him the chance he looked desperate for.

Charlton attacked for the final 4 minutes of added time but had to settle for a draw. The replay will favour West Brom but we should be confident we can go one better when they visit the Valley in the league. All in all this was a much better performance than of late. My man of the match vote was clear and easy. Kelly Youga was absolutely outstanding. He did not put a foot wrong, especially in the first half when he saw a lot of the ball. He has amazing energy and seems to be running at full pelt all the time. He is quick to move forward and support his midfield and was also across quickly to cover his centre-halves. Pardew should not be looking at anyone else for left-back next time out, even though Grant Basey looked strong when he came in on the left for Ambrose.

Weaver had little to do. McCarthy and Bougherra coped well with Ishmail Miller and were well supported by their full-backs. Holland and Zheng Zhi both had busy afternoons because they played second fiddle to their Albion counterparts, particularly Greening. Lloyd Sam had a decent match but still needs to find the confidence to beat the last man and shoot.

In summary, I think Pardew will be well pleased with his team and may have cause for more optimism, especially if we can get another one or two fit and in contention before the Blackpool game. It would be a big bonus at this point if we can actually make a couple of decent signings as well.

Norwich City 1 v Charlton Athletic 1

Charlton ground out a draw at Carrow Road as the Red Mist claimed another victim. For the third time in the last four games, Charlton had a defender sent off and it cost them two points. All this at a time when injuries are severely limiting Alan Pardew's options. Charlton's disciplinary record under Alan Pardew has been in marked contrast to that under Alan Curbishley where we were invariably in the running for the Fair Play award. Maybe that is more a reflection on playing in the Championship than anything attributable to management styles.

Jonathon Fortune and Danny Mills were spectators today having been sent off in recent games and Sam Sodje joined them following a two-footed tackle on Darel Russell after 30 minutes. It might have been so different if Sodje had managed to stay on the pitch as Charlton were leading thanks to a Zheng Zhi strike when he saw red. The Addicks had weathered the early Norwich pressure to breakaway and take the lead. Varney broke down the right and his cross was knocked back to Zheng Zhi who skipped passed the first challenge and beat David Marshall with a weak cross-shot. Jamie Cureton hit the side netting and Norwich finished the half attacking but couldn't get the equaliser. Nicky Weaver had made several good saves, the best coming from a Jason Shackell header after he had beaten Sodje to a corner.

Alan Pardew started the second half with Izale McLeod replacing Chris Iwelumo, whom I assume is still carrying a knock. Norwich were quick to re-start and Chris Powell had to clear off the line after a free-kick was headed passed Weaver. Charlton were inviting pressure but regularly counter-attacking, with Thomas and Zheng Zhi linking well on the break. Norwich upped the ante and Huckerby hit the side netting after 70 minutes. They weren't to be denied minutes later however, when Huckerby's corner was headed in at the near post by Darel Russell.

Dion Dublin was brought on to pressurise the Charlton defence in the final 15 minutes. Pardew responded by taking substitute McLeod off for Lloyd Sam, which doesn't say a lot for McLeod's chances of progressing his Charlton career when there is already plenty of speculation that he'll be pawned in January. Nicky Weaver saved from Huckerby on 90 minutes and Holland and Bougherra both blocked shots in the melee that followed. Charlton held on in the three added minutes for the point which pretty much maintains the status quo with the chasing pack.

Stoke equalised at Barnsley in the 90th minute. Ipswich and Wolves were both beaten by Leicester and Hull respectively. Below them, Plymouth beat QPR in the last minute and Palace won at Coventry. Unfortunately, Watford scraped a point at home to Cardiff earlier in the day and were joined on 44 points by the Baggies who humped Bristol City at the Hawthorns 4-1.

An even weaker Charlton side will take to the field at the Walker Stadium on Saturday and we will need another dogged performance to get anything from the game. The other fixtures on Saturday could see Watford and West Brom increasing their leads in the automatic places, so we will likely need to beat Colchester at the Valley on New Years Day to stay in touch with the chasing pack.

Charlton Athletic 0 v Sheffield United 3

Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and admit that you were beaten by a better side on the night and tonight was one of those for me. Sheffield United came to play and they counter-attacked as well as anyone at the Valley for a long while. They defended with spirit and ultimately wore us down.

Charlton started very quickly with Thomas and Sam attacking with pace and directness. Both were being backed superbly by Mills and Basey but our chances were limited to shots on the burst from both of them. Chris Iwelumo lead the line again but his head-ons and chest-offs from crosses were invariably to no-one as he was isolated up-front. Zeng Zhi and Semedo were contributing but Andy Reid was nowhere to be seen. The back four had a decent first half with the painful exception of the penalty that Sodje conceded with what looked like an unecessary far post push as a cross was whipped in. Nicky Weaver dived with everything he had but James Beattie's far too good not to score from the spot. So, 1-0 down at half-time with lots to do against a team who were breaking quikcly and supporting in numbers when they got the opportunity.

Alan Pardew made the switch to 4-4-2 at half time with Varney coming on for Sam and Semedo unfortunate to be subbed for Holland, but I guess Pards was hoping for more attacking midfield impetus to support the front two. For 25 minutes it looked like it was going to pay dividends as we began to up the tempo and stretch Sheffield at the back. Varney was providing more speed upfront and creating more space for Big Chris. Danny Mills was bombing forward and played a big part in our best two chances, one of which should have gone in. The first saw Zheng Zhi chase a long ball into the box taking two defenders with him. He played a neat ball back into the path of Danny Mills who skipped inside the first challenge and fired in a low hard shot which Paddy Kenny could only parry at the far post. The ball fell to the looming Iwelumo but his shot was somehow blocked again by the scrambling Kenny. Several minutes later Mills overlapped on the left wing and advanced towards the box before threading a pass in to Luke Varney. Varney took it in his stride beating the first man and careering in towards the near post. With everyone committed he rolled it back to Zheng Zhi but he blasted over with the goal gaping.

Basey was subbed for Madjid Bougherra and I can only assume he was hurt; he certainly took his time leaving the field.

Sheffield United were continuing to counter and Beattie had a goal disallowed for a close offside having finished off a three man move in the Charlton box. Not unlike the QPR game the warning signs were flashing brightly. United's second duly arrived on 75 minutes following our failure to clear a corner properly. The ball looped up to a United player who took it passed the first Charlton player and rolled it in to the six yard box where I thought Weaver had made it his own but somehow Cahill got a foot to it and poked it over the line.

Charlton huffed and puffed in the last ten minutes but you could tell the belief had gone and it was no surprise when United scored their third. Another swift breakout from their half and Beattie streaked clear on the right, he centred and his pass was knocked into the path of Armstrong who was clear on goal and beat Weaver with ease from 20 yards.

I'd certainly like to know what was wrong with Andy Reid tonight; he was even a yard slower than normal, anonymous in the first half and only marginally more effective in the second. Not sure what Alan Pardew does next. Maybe he perseveres, maybe he starts 4-4-2 at home on Saturday and goes for it? Burnley will certainly have their tails up after winning at Watford tonight. We've also handed West Brom the incentive they need at Plymouth tomorrow night. It's going to take another away win or two to make-up for this slip-up and we simply can't afford another blank on Saturday.

Preston NE 0 v Charlton Athletic 2

Ultimately a fourth successive clean-sheet win for the Addicks. A rare live TV victory and it never really looked in doubt.

Charlton were first out of the blocks and controlled much of the first half. Thomas was finding a lot of space and no real challenge on the right. Zheng Zhi was busy in front of him and Iwleumo laboured tirelessly up front. Lloyd Sam saw less of the ball and Andy Reid had a very quiet game or Charlton might have wrapped this up long before the end. The back four looked comfortable throughout. Basey and Mills were sound and it was left to Sodje and Fortune to huff and puff against what pressure Preston did have. Charlton created the few real chances of the first half and it was no surprise when Zheng Zhi controlled a ball on the penalty spot away from all of the rest of the players with his first touch and pushed a low shot back against the on-rushing defence and through a narrow hole into the far corner of the net. It was perfect timing, coming as it did on 47 minutes.

Preston tried harder in the second period and forced three good saves from Nicky Weaver; the reflex stop from Sedgewick's close shot was the best since he's been at the Valley and he deservedly collected the Sky Man of the Match award. Charlton didn't create a lot in the second half but continued to have plenty of possession in the opponents half and you felt we had another gear if we had to use it. Holland, Ambrose and Varney were introduced towards the end of the game and it was left to Varney to add the second late in extra time; Iwelumo headed on a throw from Count Basey into the channel and Varney latched onto it, accelerating passed the last defender and turning in to goal where he beat the unfortunate Lonergan on his near post.

This was a good, professional performance and came on a day when Watford, Bristol City, Ipswich and Coventry all lost. The Addicks have stormed into second and closed the gap on the Hornets to 5 points. We are a point in front of West Brom and they are now under pressure to beat Wolves in their derby game tomorrow. With two home games coming up this week we again have the opportunity to consolidate our automatic position, especially as West Brom face tricky away games at Plymouth and Palace after their derby tomorrow lunchtime.

Let's get behind them this week!

Colchester Utd 2 v Charlton Athletic 2

Before the game Alan Pardew would probably have settled for a point. As half-time approached he would have given anything to get level and at the the final whsitle he must have felt that a point was something of a missed opportunity. I certainly did.

Deciding to rest Reid after his midweek game for Ireland, Alan Pardew started with the weaker midfield that including Darren Ambrose, Jerome Thomas, Jose Semedo and Zheng Zhi. With the size of our squad and the anticipated quality of the opposition, I guess this wasn't the worst decision he could have made - that would have been leaving Reid out altogether.

The first-half started well enough but Colchester were giving as good as they got from back to front. We were clearly missing Reid's controlling and pushing influence in midfield. We needed a goal to up the ante but it was Colchester who struck first after half-an-hour. Teddy Sherringham continues to haunt us at 40. He fed Yeates who easily beat Nicky Weaver. Six minutes later and Colchester applied salt to the wound. For the fourth time this season a smaller opposing player has managed to beat the Fortune-McCarthy pairing virtually unopposed in the air from a set-piece to score. It had to be Kevin Lisbie. With fears of a rout on the cards, Todorov slid home from Iwelumo and settled the nerves just before the break. Collective deep sigh of relief and the chance to do something about this game.

Credit to Alan Pardew, he acted switfly at the break and introduced Reidy for Thomas. That added the missing ingredient in midfield at least and we began to hold and play. It was a Reid through-ball that resulted in Colchester losing Connolly to a straight red for a challenge on Big Chris. The home crowd were incensed and they may have had a point but I'd need to see it again before making Iwelumo the villain of the piece. As if to shelter Iwelumo from the abuse he was now receiving, Varney came on for him shortly afterwards and made a contribution to Zhengs equaliser with just less than 20 minutes remaining.

Beating 10-men has never been a Charlton forte. Frankly we struggled after the equaliser and some dreadful defending from McCarthy, Fortune and Weaver might have handed Colchester the winner.

We simply can't keep conceding goals like this and expect to get something from games. The Fortune and McCarthy partnership at the back is not working and there has to be a better option. Madjid, Sam Sodje and maybe Cory Gibbs have something to offer here?

On a more positive note, the point puts us up to 5th in the table with two home games to come this week against Norwich and Leicester and we should expect to get 6 or at least 4 more points from these two. The other Championship fixtures are doing us favours at the moment and I can see us climbing into the top 3 if we can take 4 or 6 points this week. However, the table is very congested with only 3 points separating 17 teams so we must take this opportunity. We have to be picking the players who are playing best for us....

Layer Road hasn't improved since I was last there in the early-80's. For me it serves as a perfect reminder of how far we've come as a club because the Valley wasn't much better in the early 90's after we returned. The Championship is the limit of Colchesters' ambitions because they cannot progress with their tiny and delapidated ground, however, that doesn't mean you can beat them just by turning up!