I'm really not sure quite where to start with this one.
I suppose with the positives. It was Jack my son of fives first Charlton game, and despite the lack of atmosphere generated by such a large crowd, the boy done well. Asked lots of questions, and never really got too fidgety or bored. And has infact asked to return, on the understanding that we don't lose every game. (a real Charlton supporter in the making).
Chris Powell also looked 'super fly' in his coat and cheese cutter.
The first half we were not all that bad. A few half chances not taken, and never really looking that troubled by at that time a nervous and unambitious Exeter side. What did seem quite obvious to me were several points that left me in no surprise come the final score.
None of the players from the word go looked comfortable in the 433 set up. We lacked any decent width, Jenkinson, who actually had a much better second half looked nervous about going forward and taking players on. If this is the formation we are to go for then Jackson needs to be playing at wingback and we need to bring in a right sided defensive winger or wingback.
Doherty, who despite his lack of I actually like, had a woeful game. The back header that gave an Exeter side growing in confidence their second goal, was school boyish. I appreciate he then went on a mission to get a goal back, but it is the ability to do the simple things that makes a great centre back, and he did none of those again.
One of the final points I'd like to make is the captains role within the club and on the pitch. I can't fault Dailly in his application and professional attitude during a match. What we really missed yesterday, and have done for sometime now, was anyone roaring at their colleagues when things weren't going well yesterday, and taking the game by the scruff of the neck lifting their colleagues and supporters alike into putting in an effort full performance.
I noticed at times (loath as I am to say it, how disjointed the management team looked in the dugout). Lots of notes being written by Sir Chris who was often in dialogue with Matthews whilst Dyer sat pretty prostate in the background. I hope the team (management) find their collective feet soon. Powell looked quite confused at one point when the subs were warming up in a 'who asked them to do that' type of way.
The final 'negative' has nothing to do with the team but, once again the dreadful refereeing in this division. It's just so inconsistent. To be fair the oddest decision in this game was kind of in our favour. The penalty. Elliot seemed to take out the Exeter forward who was last man standing, but it was out of the area. Either way, this should have been a straight red card. However what we got was a penalty and a yellow card? Makes no sense to me, but I'll take it as at least Elliot has avoided suspension and I really don't think we'd have come back even if they had not got the third goal.
This is where we'll really see the metal of the board, the management, the players and the 'five pounders' in the way one and all react to this second consecutive defeat. I'm hoping a return to 442, a couple of loan signings (perhaps one of captain material) and six points from the next two games.
Come on you reds!!!!!!!!!!!!
