Charlton 0 Blackpool 0.
Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.
Though lacking the pizazz of the midweek barnburner which rattled Notts Forest, there was still something tangible for Charlton to savour after this dour stalemate against promotion seekers Blackpool.
Not least among its merits was the point that kept their nose above the Championship’s relegation waters. That temporary edge provides psychological relief, as did their first clean sheet of an already troubled season.
Both plus points were achieved by a threadbare squad, deprived of five potential starters, but fully committed to papering over the cracks. It’s almost possible now to forget the miserable capitulations to Millwall and Burnley. Almost but not quite. But his selection problems might usefully be borne in mind by the minority of theoreticians routinely second-guessing Chris Powell and regularly rhubarbing for his removal. Tactically switched-on thinkers, every one of them. And privy, of course, to everything that goes on inside Sparrows Lane.
Charlton’s chances this term will depend rather less on formulaic systems than on sheer heart and ability – that is until football is turned over to dust-dry analysts to be mulled over by cost-conscious accountants. If and when that day arrives, you can keep it -or, better yet, stick it down that tactical “hole” they go on about. And chuck the “diamond” after it. Some of us are still coming to terms with the “W” formation
The heart and ability Charlton need has been epitomised recently by 19 year-old Academy graduate Jordan Cousins. Asked to step up from the Development Squad to plug gaps in a dwindling squad, the tall, athletically-built kid has responded magnificently. He followed an outstanding midweek contribution with another man-of-the-match performance on Saturday. As one appreciative fan was overheard to remark, “he’s a proper footballer”. He’s certainly one opponents find difficult to bully off the ball. That’s an important quality the likes of Callum Harriott would do well to emulate.
Partnered unselfishly by a revitalised Dale Stephens, Cousins dominated central midfield under the frustrated gaze of self-styled “Guvnor” Paul Ince, an expert better qualified than most to evaluate the youngster’s dynamic all-round qualities.
Neither Stephens nor Cousins shied away from the uglier requirements of tackling, covering or, in Stephens’ case especially, lending last ditch support to redoubtable defenders Michael Morrison and Richard Wood in the Addicks’ penalty area. That last ditch boot or head which lustily cleared its lines when all hands were called to the pumps frequently belonged to Cousins but even more often to Stephens.
While hardly a spinetingler, this honest-to-goodness game was no scoreless bore. Chances were few, defences remained largely in control but there were moments when a flash of inspiration -or more likely a lapse in concentration- might have settled the issue.
For the Seasiders, savvy old pro Ricardo Fuller needed constant supervision. It was his meaty header from one of Jack Robinson’s huge throws near the end of a cagey first half, which forced an excellent, full stretch save from Ben Hamer.
“Before you could say Jack Robinson” was, by the way, a meaningless boast in this bloke’s case. That seemingly endless delay as he laboriously crisscrossed the field prior to heaving the ball into Charlton’s penalty area meant you could namecheck his entire family tree while waiting for play to resume. Stick a time limit on throw-ins and “Jack” might have heaved the ball back in play before we realised his surname was “Robinson.” Just an idle thought.
Carrying most of Blackpool’s threat, meanwhile, was Ince’s son Thomas, a much coveted 21-year old in no need of nepotism from this dad. Dangerous if allowed to hit his stride, he was handled with authority by Rhoys Wiggins but popped up with a chance to steal the points in the closing moments. Gifted clear sight of goal by a misplaced header from Lawrie Wilson, the normally accurate sharpshooter dragged an unconvincing low drive harmlessly wide of the left post.
Ince Jr’s miss effectively confirmed the scoreless stand-off, an outcome Cousins had earlier placed in doubt with a 25-yard rasper which Matt Gilks smuggled around an upright. Unhibited shooting is another of his assets. A useful goal or two would come in handy.
Teetering nervously one place and one point above the bottom three, the Addicks will use the international break to assess their parlous position and work on the walking wounded. On Saturday, Powell was down to the bare bones in naming an 18-man squad, his lack of options obvious to all but his remorseless detractors. Skint as he is, he might have grasped the irony that Blackpool, having presumably sold their soul, are sponsored by Wonga, those compassionate champions of the financially oppressed underdog. He could do with a bob or two himself but that ain’t the way to go. Got Faust into more trouble than he baragined for.
Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Wood, Wiggins, Gower (Pritchard 57), Cousins, Stephens, Harriott, Sordell (Pigott 86), Church (Stewart 76). Not used: Alnwick, Hughes, Evina, Dervite.
Blackpool: Gilks, Broadfoot, Cathcart, MacKenzie, Robinson, Basham, Osbourne (Gosling 74), Ince, Bishop, Dobbie (Barkhuizen 83), Fuller (Davies 79). Not used: Orr, Chopra, Grant, Martinez.
Referee: Keith Hill (spot-on all afternoon). Att: 15,487.
Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.