Charlton Athletic’s six-match unbeaten run in League One came to a shuddering halt today as they lost 3-0 at Peterborough United.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Peteborough United: Steer, Collins, Wallin, Mothersille (Fernandez 84), Odoh, Poku (Hayes 54), Jones, Susoho (De Havilland 84), Dornelly (Johnston 61), Mills. Subs not used: Bilokapic, Conn-Clarke, Katongo.
Charlton Athletic: Mannion, Watson (Aneke 55), Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey, Small, Coventry (Ahadme 82), Docherty, Berry (McIntyre 69), Campbell (Anderson 82), Godden (Gilbert 69). Subs not used: Bouzanis, Enslin.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
Nathan Jones was out quickly post-match to conduct his media interviews – calm despite the final scoreline – and talked about his side not being able to make their opportunities count. The stats back him up. Charlton had 25 attempts on goal although Peterborough had two more on target (eight) and 16 in total. The Addicks also had 48 touches in the opposition box compared to their hosts’ 25. But none of that matters when the full-time whistle goes and you’ve lost 3-0 on the road. Posh were more dynamic on the ball – especially when possession turned over – with Ricky Jade-Jones, Malik Mothersille, Kwame Poku and Abraham Odoh, who used to be in Charlton’s academy, causing plenty of problems for one of the best backlines in the division.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Charlton were unchanged from last weekend’s win over Wigan although Chuks Aneke, who failed to get a couple of second-half chances on target, and Alex Gilbert were both back in the matchday squad. Jones did make shape changes – including switching over his wing-backs towards the end of the first half, but Peterborough were presented with more openings after the restart as the visitors had to try and force the issue to reduce the deficit.
STAR MAN
Malik Mothersille. The Croydon-born player was excellent. It was his pass for Odoh’s goal. Lloyd Jones made a vital block to deny Mothersille in the 18th minute and he then failed to take a couple of chances in the second half. He also produced a deft flick to Cian Hayes in the lead-up to getting on the scoresheet, the substitute putting in a low delivery which the former Chelsea youngster converted first time. Only aged 21 and he has got 11 goals and seven assists in League One this season. Looks a real prospect.
BEST MOMENT
Scraping the barrel when it comes to picking a Charlton moment in a game that they not only lost but also failed to score in. One of their better moves early on saw a Gillesphey long ball nodded down by Luke Berry but Matty Godden’s shot was charged down by Oscar Wallin.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Now this is easier than the last section – Will Mannion picking up a close-range backpass from Kayne Ramsay. Maybe it was just a split-second of panic but it led to an indirect Peterborough free-kick six yards from goal. Charlton, who had eight men on the line, managed to thwart the initial danger but then Poku floated in a cross which Sam Hughes headed in at the back post. Tennai Watson was the closest Charlton player to the Posh skipper but the chaos caused by the free-kick meant that any marking duties had been tossed to the wind.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
Is that the top two over? Wrexham’s 1-0 win over Stockport County today means the gap now is eight points with eight matches to play. The key priority now has to be just to finish the campaign strongly. Not only will that guarantee a play-off place for the first time in five seasons at this level, it would also mean that confidence levels and belief are where they need to be.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“We didn’t show enough quality. First half we showed it and had enough opportunities without really getting outcomes, making the keeper save. We got in behind them. We should have made more of a mark on the game but we looked open defensively when we turned the ball over.”
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