Rotherham arrived at the Valley (late!) in poor away form after a long string of losses, with Charlton looking desperate to put their disappointing performance against Reading in the rear-view mirror. It was Charlton that started better, controlling the first half but for a five minute spell that saw Rotherham grow in possession and threaten Will Manion’s goal a couple of times. But it was Charlton’s Gas Ahadme who had the first real opportunity when the ball fell to him in the box, only for him to blaze wide from four yards. He worked himself into a great position and, even though he was under pressure from a lounging challenge, he should have done better to test former Addick Dillon Phillips.
The second half saw more of the same plodding back and forth, with Charlton dominating without much real threat. When Rotherham were on the ball they rarely looked dangerous and how good form at the back meant we were again hard to break down. But Rotherham did find an opening on 58 mins with a long-range rocket whistled past three charging Charlton defenders, through the box, and past the diving Mannion and into the back of the net. Two thirty yard screamers in back-to-back matches are suggestive of a worrying pattern. Changes were made, with newcomer Alan Campbell making his debut, alongside Tyreece Campbell, and Chuks Aneke. The three made an immediate impact. TC was threatening the already tired Rotherham legs with his pace and trickery. Alan Campbell put himself about and pushed the Addicks forward. And Chuks, as he does, made his presence felt immediately. It was Alan Campbell and Chuks Aneke that combined to find the leveler on 72 mins, with Chuks curling one past Phillips and into the top corner from eighteen yards out. That gave us a sense of momentum that maybe the winner was there for us in the next 20 mins.
With the score even, the two sides went back and forth a bit but there was no breakthrough either way. Charlton will be happy with a point, as a second consecutive loss would have been difficult to digest. The performance, on the whole, was okay. Had Ahadme scored his chance, Rotherham would likely have found it difficult to stave off capitulation. But we aren’t ruthless in attack, yet. We still look mostly solid in defence and somewhat pedestrian going forward. We’re clearly a piece (or two) off of where we need to be to be the crème-de-la-creme.
Charlton 1 Rotherham 1
Over to you.
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Comments
Not good enough for promotion.
We just aren't creating/finishing well enough. Unless the opponents gift us a goal we look clueless going forward.
A point was very important after last week but it was all a bit meh. We didnt play well, and the lack of firepower is a massive worry.
Leaburn and Edwards go straight into that team IMO. And they could be the difference between a mid table finish and pushing for the playoffs.
Next week will be a big test for me - how do we go to an away game we SHOULD win and get the job done with minimal fuss?
Also - Chuks. Brilliant with his feet. Shocking with his head in front of goal again.
Ahadme? Did a few bits ok but I am veering more and more towards guff every single week
It wasn't a great game...but I didn't think it terrible or boring.
I thought we had good endeavour and are not too far away from "clicking"
Draw was fair result
I think, based on results and performances so far, that we have a fair shot at playoffs...
Dont eat too many burgers kids, the food destroys your brain it seems
No creativity in midfield
Powder puff forward line
Gas & TC off around 70 minutes
Rinse & Repeat
I am just glad that Wrexham………..,
Will struggle this season
Have a weaker squad than us
Have not signed any decent players
And will finish below us
The subs improved us, with TC causing their defence more problems, Chuks scoring a worldie and AC being very busy. I do worry about our lack of any plan B, our subs are very much like for like changes, with the same formation.
And our bench looked unbalanced too. Once we made the 3 subs, all we then had was 3 defenders.
Rotherham looked like they will get better over time. They have invested in their squad and should improve. Odafin and Clarke-Harris their standouts for me. Possibly a good time to have played them!
We came from a goal down to get a point
We are averaging 2 points a game
Defence looks solid.
Negatives......
Only 1 shot on target.
Tactic seems to be to launch it upfield to target man.
No creativity.
As someone above has said, next week at Shrewsbury will be the acid test. A team looking to be top 6 need to be going there and winning. And not by a scruffy 89 min scramble but by 2 or 3. At least rest their keeper.....sting his palms.
Midfielders are all too similar, we've not found a front two that have clicked as a pair and there is not enough threat from the wing backs.
Ramsey was good, but most of his impressive play was in our half. I've no idea what has happened to Thierry Small, but I am hoping Edwards won't be out for much longer.
Another clanger from Lloyd Jones and Gillesphey back to looking shaky again.
T Campbell and Chuks both influenced the game, but you know neither will have an impact like that if they start. Anyone else see Chuks slumped over on his haunches at the end? Injured or just knackered?
That is 3 worldies we have conceded now. All 3 were poorly defended with half hearted attempts to stop the player getting a shot away.
Can't not mention set plays. Absolutely abysmal again.