The lowdown on Rotherham United 4 Charlton Athletic 2 – Unbeaten run ends in spectacular style
Charlton’s six-game unbeaten run in League One came crashing to an end at the New York Stadium.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Rotherham United: Phillips, Rafferty, Jules, James (Raggett 78), Odoffin, Powell, MacDonald, McWilliams (Bramall 19), Humphreys, Green, Wilks (Holmes 89). Subs not used: Dawson, Kelly, Clarke-Harris, Hugill.
Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, A Mitchell, Jones, Berry (Anderson 61), Coventry (A Campbell 84), Docherty (Kanu 83), Edwards, Small (Aneke 45), T Campbell, Leaburn (Godden 61). Subs not used: Mannion, Edmonds-Green.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
The Addicks were off to the worst possible start as they found themselves two down inside 14 minutes. Former Charlton loanee Andre Green got the scoring started with a scrappy finish from close-range. The visitors were then the master of their own downfall as Lloyd Jones’ air-shot in the final-third gifted Green the ball – the forward squaring for Alex MacDonald to convert.
Miles Leaburn halved the deficit as he swept home from Greg Docherty’s cross in the final minute of normal time at the end of the first-period – but there was still time for Zak Jules to nod home after more haphazard defending in the Addicks’ penalty area.
The hosts had their fourth ten minutes after the restart as Malik Wilks latched onto a simple ball around the corner to lob Ashley Maynard-Brewer. Matty Godden grabbed a consolation in the 93rd minute but all was said and done long before that.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Nathan Jones made two changes from the midweek cup loss at Preston North End as he reverted to the side that started each of the four previous League One outings. This meant that Miles Leaburn was back in to start alongside Tyreece Campbell on his 100th appearance for the club. Ashley Maynard-Brewer was back between the sticks.
The chaotic start saw the Addicks switch to a midfield diamond after half an hour. Thierry Small was hooked at the break with Chuks Aneke introduced in his place. Matty Godden and Karoy Anderson were then brought on for the final half-hour but with the score already at 4-1 – there was little they could do to rescue the game.
STAR MAN
Tayo Edun. Peterborough hadn’t picked up a clean sheet all season until he made his debut today against Leyton Orient at London Road. He was still a Charlton man until Thursday so I’m counting that.
BEST MOMENT
Leaburn pulling one back just before the break. Addicks fans could enjoy a few moments of hope. Turned out that was naïve of them.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
If there was one thing we could rely on this Charlton side for this term, it was defensive solidity. That was sorely absent today – the worst we’ve seen this season.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
Momentum well and truly halted. The period before and after Christmas had proven a welcome relief after a difficult spell so today’s inexplicably chaotic performance almost came out of the blue.
But it has the potential to be damaging. Mistakes at the back, including from players like Lloyd Jones who have been dependable this year, can cause a ruction in the confidence that had been built up over the last six games.
It may serve as a blessing in disguise that the Addicks have to get back on the horse at Bolton in three days’ time. A chance to put things right quickly. But if it goes south once more, then you’re suddenly in a slump that undoes the good work built up recently.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“We were really poor. I didn’t think we did any of the basics right, that you have to win a game. You know when you come here what type of game you’re going to have. They were more aggressive than us, they ran harder than us, they won headers, they won second balls, they held the ball up and we didn’t do any of that.
“The goals are catastrophic, the goals are big, big errors in terms of a lot of things. Didn’t do the basics well, but they’ve had other chances as well. We didn’t defend our box anywhere near.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS