‘You can’t expect to get anything if you play like that’ – Dean Holden blasts Charlton’s first half showing at Oxford
Charlton manager Dean Holden said he had to have stern words with his side during the interval of this evening’s 3-1 defeat at Oxford United.
The Addicks were two goals down at the break after a woeful first period. Billy Bodin was unmarked as he tapped the opener home from six yards on 21 minutes. He was then involved again three minutes later as his long-range shot deflected in off Matty Taylor.
Half-time substitutes Corey Blackett-Taylor and Miles Leaburn combined superbly for the latter to halve the deficit with his seventh goal of the campaign midway through the second half.
But the game was put to bed inside the final ten minutes as Gatlin O’Donkor bundled over the line when Ashley Maynard-Brewer was unable to deal with Yanic Wildschut’s low drive.
The result means the Addicks have now gone eight League One games without a win for the second time this season. They sit three points above the drop zone.
Holden said: “To put it mildly, yes [I was disappointed with the first half]. There were words at half-time. You can’t expect to get anything from a game if you come out and play like that in the first half. First ten minutes we were okay but then we didn’t win enough duels. Two goals are really poor. Defensively we’re getting pulled all over the place. Basic defending, really.
“We didn’t play. We had moments where could use the ball better and we didn’t do that. There was work to do at half-time. We made three attacking changes. Second-half we showed a right good reaction. The youngsters came on. Corey Blackett-Taylor, Jes Rak-Sakyi, Aaron Henry in midfield at times showed what a good player he can be. We ended up with Tyreece Campbell at left-back because Richard Chin had blurred vision and it’s a position he’s not used to. That’s where we’re at, at the moment.
“We knew what we were walking into in terms of the squad. Where it’s at, how unbalanced it is. The youngsters showed in the second half how good they can be. It’s important we show a reaction.
“The transfer window opens pretty soon but for now we work with what we’ve got. We’ve got a couple of days to get ourselves ready [for Portsmouth]. It’s not something we’ll forget. We have to address it, to own it. Front it up. We said day one that there will be no excuse culture at this club. This is a test now. It’s not a time for going blaming people. It’s a time to look in the mirror and come out fighting.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS
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I feel I have to comment to get my frustration off my chest, but unfortunately, it is the same old, same old. No matter who the manager is, he can only work with the tools he has at his disposal and sadly the tools in the Charlton locker are just not good enough. Now and again we see glimpses of what can be done, but please, how can a team go onto the pitch in the situation that we are in and not at least put some effort in, even if you are not up to the standard. Second half proved it with the introduction of 3 players that wanted to try and change things.
On a managerial note, what is Dean Holden doing by playing so many untried and inexperienced players in the team ? I know there are a lot of games coming up in quick succession, but Charlton need points badly and one look at the line up and I just knew it would not be a good night for the Addicks. I am not sure about Mr. Holden’s credentials, but if he gets the reinforcements so badly required, perhaps Charlton will not be relegated to the depths of League 2, because, at present, that is very much on the cards.
On the ownership issue, I do wish we could have some transparency as to what is going on. Are Charlton about to be put in the hands of some more dubious characters or do the persons mentioned, genuinely have the interests of the club and supporters at heart.? So much uncertainty around the club AGAIN and it is quite depressing. Someone please have the decency to tell us what is happening and in an honest and truthful way.