Here’s Bazza’s view on the match at The Valley

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It is very easy to get downbeat and negative at a time like this when Sheffield United seem to be laying waste to all before them while we stutter against opposition we all believe we should beat comfortably. However what did we expect? That Charlton were just going to roll over because the mighty Brum were coming to town? No of course not; Charlton Athletic is a famous club with a proud tradition. True they have fallen on hard times and are rock bottom of the league with relegation to the third tier of the football hierarchy in England a virtual certainty. Their players remain professional and possess integrity to give of their very best against whomever they face despite their parlous state. Anything less would be grossly unfair to our rivals. We would want the clubs threatened by the drop to take the game to those challenging us and how many of us cannot say they have secretly hoped for an unlikely goal from the likes of Southampton, Charlton and Norwich when they are locked in combat against Wolves, Reading, Cardiff or Sheffield United?

The result yesterday is of course desperately disappointing but on the way home on the train I overheard a comment from a Blues supporter who said “we’ve got to look upon this as a point gained.” Indeed it is; there was in contrast a Charlton fan coming out of the ground who was having a right whinge up griping that Taylor had saved us and there was only one team in it and I don’t know who the team at the top of the table was because it certainly wasn’t your lot! Yadda yadda yadda! I belligerently replied that the team at the top was us and the team at the bottom; Charlton (take a look at the table sir!) and that we could have scored at least two goals ourselves although our chances weren’t as clear cut. “I don’t remember them” he said to which I replied that I was at the end of the ground where the incidents happened and asked him which match he had attended? Ah the view of the partisan; don’t you just love it? However, I know where he was coming from just as much as the Blues fan with his comment.

The Valley is one of the easier venues for me to get to and I went with my eldest son who is home from University. My in-laws live near Orpington and we killed two birds with one stone by paying them a visit, parking the car and going by train to Charlton via London Bridge. I met up with Aylesburyblue who had sent me an email earlier in the week. He said he was going to be sitting on the front row next to a fat bloke with a beard! Rather a harsh description but it helped with the identification! It was good to put a fellow blogger’s name to a face. What about the game? Well we did what we have done far too often this season; got off to a low tempo start which set the tone for the rest of the half. We were in complete control in the first 45 minutes when Charlton produced nothing. We didn’t move the ball quick enough and the passing was cautious and ponderous. At one stage I counted 15 passes across the back four incorporating the goalkeeper which resulted in not one single inch of territory gained. I know it pays to be patient but pace has to be injected at some stage to pull defenders out of position in order to create openings.

The first half was largely a waste and far too comfortable for our opponents. We attempted to play the same as against Doncaster and at Bristol City when the one up front system worked. We didn’t work the ball fast enough, didn’t get behind their defence and the crosses when they came were piled in from too deep making the job the thugs in the Charlton back line easy. Cameron Jerome is ill suited to this type of battle with his back to goal and this was why he was presumably replaced by Bent in the second half. The faithful didn’t like it but I could see the change made sense.

The second period was better and Blues attempted to get at Charlton a little more but they played their part also. Murphy allowed Lloyd Sam far too much room down their right flank and he gave us trouble. Ward scored a goal that should have stood having watched a replay this morning. He was onside when the ball was headed down to him but the TV commentary conveniently glossed over the fact that Phillips, who had come on for Larsson, was also onside as he received the ball in a goal scoring position only to be clipped in the penalty area. The offside flag was raised absolving the referee of all responsibility to award the penalty and produce a red card. That evened out I feel. In fairness both decisions were very tight.

Fahey produced two excellent saves from Elliot in the Charlton goal from a stinging shot from 25 yards and a close range header from Bent’s knock back. Phillips was very close from one of his trademark volleys and better control from Bowyer when well placed could have given Blues the lead in a quicker more exciting second half. Charlton had the better chances; of that there is no dispute. Taylor made three wonderful saves towards the end and it is true there was an element of good fortune at time especially when Sam crashed the ball off the near post from out wide. Taylor saved his best for last batting away a nasty deflection that was going over his head at pace with the keeper on his knees. The Charlton fan was right; Taylor did save us! However, it would be wrong to not acknowledge the huge contributions made by Ridgewell, Jonty and Carr. Ridgewell was man of the match in my view despite Taylor’s heroics. There was still time for one last break from Blues. Phillips picked up the ball just inside the Charlton half and ran at the defence. A space opened up and I thought “this is it, this is it!” The shot was fired from the edge of the box but it swerved two feet wide and with that our last chance to snatch the points. Phillips normally hits the target from there so it was disappointing to say the least.

Accentuating the positive, we are back in second place albeit by only a point; the point gained from this match. We still have automatic promotion in our hands although the title has probably gone. However, no further slip ups can be allowed. I still think Sheffield United will falter at some stage over the next four games but if they don’t I suggest our blade will have to be laid at their feet in recognition of an incredible achievement. There is no virtue in worrying about those teams around us at this stage. Concentrate on the next task Blues please; beat Plymouth and I don’t care how!

KRO SOTV