Charlton Athletic v Nottingham Forest | Wed 21 August | POST-MATCH VIEWS

This was my first game of the season, so please take that into consideration when reading.

I haven't written post match views for a little while, and between fourteen signings; a break between seasons; some truly phenomenal football; potential red card controversies; and a whole host of other what-ifs, I don't really know where to start. I suppose I'll start at the beginning.

In digesting the team news, I quietly thought - based on what I had seen and heard of previous games and player qualities - that Bowyer had gone for a very expressive team meant to impose from the off. I was surprised at Pearce's and Pratley's omissions given how well they had apparently acquitted themselves previously, but Sarr and Field being included was a clear statement that we would be playing as true a passing game as we could.

And boy was I proved right in that blazing first half-hour. We were extremely unlucky to only score the one goal in the first half. Josh Cullen appears to be farther up the pitch than last season (than this season? I wouldn't know), and he looks very tidy in attacking situations indeed, when I've always viewed him as more an N'Golo Kante-style midfielder. The intricacies he; Gallagher; and Oztumer pulled off in the middle were fantastic. Sam Field was a bit more of a water-carrier, maybe more in the Pratley role, and played with assurance if slightly less imagination.

I think the diamond shape was fantastically conducive to quick interplay and we used it very effectively, especially with the pacy Oshilaja - great performance at right back - a threat on the overlap. And Jonathan Leko, too - what a bag of tricks he has! Even he doesn't know what he's gonna do sometimes though. The dummy he sold the defender for the cross for that man Lyle Taylor Baby to power in, though, was class. Taylor played like a leader today. Maybe a little quieter tonight than he was in League One, but that's to be expected a league up. He still looks a nightmare to play against. Totally not a criticism, either.

In the rare instances Forest had possession in the first half, I wasn't ever that worried. We chased the ball like men possessed - something we probably paid for in the second half, but more to come on that. Silva (their 28) looked off, while Semedo and Ameobi were imposing without threat. Lockyer showed good defensive sense - anticipation and positioning - to marshal balls forward, while Sarr was given a lot of freedom as they didn't press. Also looked a rock in defence. Phillips didn't actually have much to do tonight, so forgive me for glossing over him. Purrington was steady and gave them bits to think about first half going forward.

Lockyer's challenge to stop an otherwise certain goal was one of the very best tackles I've seen by a Charlton player. Costa-esque. We should have been two up by that time though, probably.

Come the second half, and Forest seemed to have been given a kick up the backside. They started playing with more attacking threat, exploiting the narrow shape by relentlessly targeting the wings. Fair enough strategy and one we were coping with fairly well. But I thought their catalyst came through pushing Silva further forward, who was having an otherwise really rather indifferent game. Not that he played overly well, but it gave their attackers much more freedom, and they got a bit of a foothold in the game.

We played surprisingly well on the counter, and it was that sort of situation that gave rise to the Leko opportunity. His miss was so unfortunate, but maybe Taylor should have shot himself from the narrow angle?

Ameobi should have been sent off. No idea about the one on the edge of our area but a couple of Forest fans have said it was a very poor challenge.

We were gassed by 60-odd minutes, though. This was where the mood shifted from "score another" to "don't concede", quite fairly enough, but sustained defensive competence may be our Achilles' heel this season. Lockyer isn't tall enough to consistently win the battles, while the narrow shape we play - coupled with a lack of physicality - will always allow for opportunities. And Forest look good on the ball when they have time. 

The big mistake from Bowyer to make a double sub at a defensive corner has already been covered. He's got so much credit, though, that I won't hold it against him. After all I think it's a good point on balance. They seemed to have more in the tank after their goal (standard tails-up confidence, coupled with probably better stamina), and Williams as an outlet was chopped consistently so we had no flow in attack. Pratley played his role well I would say, while Aneke's physical presence gave them something to mull over but he didn't really impact the game as much as I thought he might.

Overall, especially as we had slightly battened down the hatches near the end, I think a draw was fair. But if we're able to capitalise on the phenomenal football we are eminently capable of playing, this could be a very good season indeed. Too early to say where that might land us in the league - but the good will from players, staff and fans is palpable. A very happy Valley indeed.

COYR!

cafc-west said:

Dazzler21 said:

2 point average will see us to safety. 

A 2 point average would give us 92 points and promotion...

Sounds pretty safe to me.