With the CAFC Development side in my neck of the woods twice in the last week, I thought I'd go and take a look at them in action versus Cardiff and Swansea City. In case anyone's interested, here's some thoughts re. what I saw, and some iffy photos at the end!
At Cardiff last week, a very good quality game saw Charlton hit the post three times either side of two fine goals from the home side.
Cardiff had a strong side out, but the young Addicks defence did well to keep them at bay for the majority, with a little help from Scott Wagstaff whose class shone through.
Dnany Haynes looked hungry and ran miles. Deserved a goal really, for endeavour if nothing else... the guy was playing like it really mattered, which is always encouraging.
Mambo had a decent game. Might be a good extra option for CP later in the season if the spell at Wimbledon goes well.
Smith up front impressed as well - he was desperately unlucky not to score himself, it seemed everything he touched was hitting the post at one point.
In the second half, Cardiff stretched Charlton a fair bit, but it took two goals of the finest quality, from Conway and Declan John to settle it. Look out for both in the coming seasons, and Kevin Sainte-Luce, three very promising Championship players of the future. From a Charlton perspective, Courtney Harris showed some great touches and delivered some excellent long passes - definitely some good raw talent there to work with.
In Swansea last night, Joe Piggott started and did well leading the line. He combined nicely with Callum Harriot, who had a good game and showed some terrific skill, pace and footwork at various points in the game. Of all the Addicks on show, these two looked the most lively.
Fox was decent too, crashing one off the post in the early stages, though he didn't make the best of a free header just before half-time.
Clingan only featured sporadically, forcing a save at one point but largely contributing in spurts, keeping things moving.
The goals, well Swansea's opener was a gift - a routine free-kick spilled in the 3rd minute which the keeper should have dealt with a whole lot better. At that point it looked like it could've been a mauling, but the Addicks did well to calm things down and they played their way back into the game, with more cohesion than what was shown at Cardiff.
A trio of chances at the end of the half saw the equaliser forced in from a corner - Ajayi putting it in from a bit of a scramble.
Then in the second half there was some good stuff played, after a tentative first 10 minutes. Harriot and Jordan exploited the left a few times, the latter squaring for Piggott to finish well just shy of the hour. Bradley Jordan made it three with a great quality strike from the edge of the box to wrap things up.
Two decent little outings then for the development side - I'd imagine that playing in these new stadiums alone will be beneficial to a few of the boys. Some positives to draw on, and a decent win as well, well worth popping along.
Comments
Interesting stuff and good that Waggy is getting better. Haynes, unfortunately, has subsequently done a hamstring yet again it appears!
Always hoped he might have a role to play this season in the first team.
Waggy seemed on the ball at Cardiff, though obviously wouldn't have been going full-out and came off around the hour.
Shame about Haynes - looked really motivated against Cardiff so bit of a blow that.
I just hope oohahh dosen't see the pictures.
The away support is shocking. Although the home support is no better.