Four takeaways from Charlton’s 2-0 home reverse against Wigan: Winless run continues

Charlton’s winless run at the start of the League One season continued as Wigan struck twice late on. Here’s LOUIS MENDEZ’s four takeaways from a toxic afternoon at The Valley.

JUST ONE POINT FROM FOUR GAMES

Charlton are now four without a win at the start of the campaign – the first time that has happened in a quarter of a century. And it’s the first time ever it’s happened in the third tier of English football. Results are the key here but there are plenty of issues with the performances as well. It’s no good having moments and passages in games when you can’t control larger spells or work the opposition goalkeeper more, something that Nigel Adkins admitted himself after full-time. Momentum can make or break a season and this campaign is off to an absolute stinker in terms of points on the board.

CREATING CHANCES

The Addicks have fashioned just one shot on target over the course of their two home league games so far this season. Although we’re not entirely sure where the one that the statisticians awarded them today came from. They have players who on their day should be able to be that creative spark but once again couldn’t get the ball to them enough – Charlie Kirk and Diallang Jaiyesimi had moments but were 8^th and 10^th down the list of Charlton players with the most touches. Nigel Adkins will be desperate to find a way to get his wide men involved more at The Valley so they can provide more service to Jayden Stockley.

FANS ARE RESTLESS AND UNDERSTANDABLY SO

There was a chorus of boos at full-time as the pressure the results have piled upon the team boiled over. We cannot get away from the fact that the messaging from the club hierarchy over the summer set the fans’ expectation levels. They clearly haven’t been reached yet on the pitch or off it. Therefore, it’s no surprise that a number of fans are feeling short-changed at this moment in time. We’re four games in and the transfer window is still open – Adkins has reiterated that the Addicks need more players and it’s becoming urgent.

MAC NEEDED THAT

Craig MacGillivray arrived in SE7 with an impressive reputation and the Portsmouth player of the year trophy nestled in his suitcase – but had endured a slightly wobbly start to his Charlton career. His confidence will have been dealt a major boost by his performance this afternoon – especially the two or three flying saves he made in the first-half. He adds something the Addicks didn’t have last year as well with his ability to see danger early and come haring off his line to cut out through balls. It can be quite unnerving as a spectator as I still have visions of Sasa Ilic trying it and missing the ball completely to allow a visiting player to score at home to Everton in about 1999 but so far, so good on that front from big Mac. He was rounded for the second Wigan goal but the circumstances were different there, he had to come out to narrow the angle.

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS