Bolton visited the Valley this afternoon, in rainy, wet conditions, likely with confidence in the strong set of results over the last few years. But Nathan Jones’s Addicks have shown they’re a different beast. Charlton met the Trotters head on. No longer are we weak. No longer are we calamitous. And we’re no longer ponderous. At times, Bolton got the better of us, but our backline stood firm, organised, and resolute, where previously they would have certainly buckled under pressure. We harried and pressed, limiting Bolton to only half chances. On ten minutes the opening goal came from a high press that resulted in Captain Greg Docherty being open to fire off a shot from eighteen yards, dead centre, that blasted past the Bolton keeper.
In the second half, Bolton started with renewed impetus. Charlton found it hard to keep up the pressure of the first half, but despite oodles of possession Bolton found it equally difficult to find a breakthrough. Where the press was lacking, Charlton made up for it by remaining organised. It wasn’t until deep into the second half, on eighty-eight minutes, that Charlton found success in the high press again, with subs Aneke and Godden combining to put the game away.
A clean sheet and we scored more than the single goal or the past two opening matches. A signal that Charlton are indeed looking to contend this season.
Charlton 2 Bolton 0
Over to you.
74
Comments
I can’t remember the last time I saw a Charlton defence consistently perform this well.
Rumour has it, we might win every game this season, and never concede again
Probably just going to repeat myself from the Match Thread... Bolton look a bit hungover from their Play-Off Final, but that only tells half the story, as you'd think that our victory is only because they didnt take their chances and we got lucky!!
Nah that wasn't the case, what happened was Bolton met an immovable object called the Charlton defence, and for all their pretty little passes couldn't create anything, even when they did they were half chances which annoyingly interrupted Mannion from making what turned out to be a very creative and lovely daisy chain. So credit to him for being able to occupy himself during games like that.
We've almost adopted an approach though that the opposition can have the ball, its fine... We'll get it back either when you piss about with it too much (e.g. the first goal), or when you get too close our own goal, when that happens... We get forward quickly, and either appear a little clueless of ideas / creativity, or we punish you - Its not overly pretty, its not going to win any Beauty Contests, but what it does do is put us in prime position at this early stage of the season.
- Loving the reactions from our defence when we celebrate a defensive clearance
- Loving Ramsay over on the Wing
- Loving Conor Coventry in his role, especially as he was one of the biggest question marks over the summer
As I mentioned in the game and on a serious note; Mannion might not be tested too much at the moment, but he's alert on the odd occasion he needs to be, his positioning is excellent, as is his kicking - I'll really feel for him, if we do end up getting a No.1 Goalkeeper, as at the moment he doesnt deserve to come out of the team. Especially given Jones' comments last week, about him having a tough start to life down here
Onwards.... Hopefully ever more upwards... Just 43-games left to win going by Berry's expectations from last week.
The level of fitness, and the intensity that the team played with over the whole 90 minutes, something we've not seen for years.
Not a bad player on the pitch today but special shout outs to the back 3 of Mitchell, Jones and Gillesphey.
Maybe, just maybe, this could be a very special season.
Onwards and Upwards !
Last couple of seasons I expected the opposition to equalise and they normally did.
Got a great feeling that this will be a great season.
COYA.
Mannion has looked very reliable, but after 3 league games has yet to make a difficult save, which is extraordinary.
Coventry was excellent today, Ramsay close behind him, while Godden is starting to look like the player I was expecting. Indeed he could play alongside Campbell, as he's strong and decent in the air.
I do wonder if the constant games during a season make life difficult for a Manager to really implement anything other than the ability to grind out results - So Jones' didnt really care about anything other than getting the job of avoiding relegation out the way, even if that meant us finishing 20th.
Pre-Season means he's had just over a month though to really work on the training pitch with the team, with the defence, implement his plans with no interruptions - and we're not seeing the fruits of that work put in
I don't BELIEVE it !!
What a performance from the lads in our absence !
Every single one of them gave 100% again & looked a huge cut above those taking the field in the red shirt last season.
Nathan Jones - You are our Welsh magician. Making men from boys in such a short period of time.
Not only a bullet proof defence, but together with the composure of all concerned on the ball leading to special goals.
What's not to like & long may it continue.
Fanny's moribund Tingle is back with a vengeance!
Onwards & upwards !!!!