Southampton home. What was the score? 0-0
How terrible was that? Martin Tyler said during the commentary that
"if you were watching Charlton for the first time, then believe me this is not a typical performance." Well the two of us in the pub - the barman and I were not impressed.
There were times last season - pre Parker's move - when I thought we had one of the best midfield's in the Premiership. This season and particularly without Holland it is looking like any team can out think, out pass and out battle us in the crucial middle third of the pitch. The midfield stunk tonight - and you could perm anyone from the 7 players who tried their luck there - they were all atrocious.
Euell had the look of a chicken without it's head, Kishishev cannot replace work rate with quality, fact, and Murphy is looking like we signed him from Lincoln and not Liverpool - did he put one pass to a team mate all match? Rommedahl received a lot of the ball in the first period and got himself into good positions but his final touch was woeful.
The strikers can probably escape criticism because all they received were high and wayward passes, although I would question why Jeffers had to make way for JJ and not Lisbie or is it only Curbs who sees his threat?
Fortune was our best player by bundles. He handled the threat of Beattie and Phillips exceptionally well. Perry looked a touch rusty but also came out of the game with some credit and Kiely looked more assured and made an excellent save to prevent Delap scoring. A point most definitely won but Curbs, it needs to get better than this.
Reports from those who were there:
Sky Sports;
cafc.co.uk;
Football 365.