Four takeaways from Charlton’s 2-2 draw at Accrington: Wollacott justifies selection but possession not converted into lots of chances

Charlton Athletic kicked off their League One season with a 2-2 draw at Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.

Rick Everitt was at the Wham Stadium, here are his four takeaways from the match.

WOLLACOTT BACKING UP DECISION TO MAKE HIM NUMBER ONE

New goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott has the number one shirt as of right for now, following a starring role in the opening draw at Accrington Stanley. Without his heroics, especially in the second half, Charlton would probably have lost the game.

It was the second week running that the former Swindon Town man has shone, as fans were also impressed with his display in the final pre-season friendly against Swansea City at The Valley seven days earlier.

At the Wham Stadium the keeper was kept busy for much of the second half, as Stanley bombarded his penalty area – and he couldn’t really be blamed for either goal, when he was twice left exposed by his defence for close range finishes.

It’s hard to see last season’s regular keeper Craig MacGillivray, who started 43 times in 2021-22, making a return to the League One line-up in the near future, unless Wollacott picks up an injury.

SPOTLIGHT IS BACK ON LEABURN

The once-familiar Valley cry of “Leeeea-burn” is set to echo round Floyd Road again.

Eighteen-year old Miles wasn’t really on the first-team radar last season, with Mason Burstow, Daniel Kanu and Tyreece Campbell from the academy set-up all used as first-team attacking options in the second half of the campaign.

Suddenly the spotlight is all on Miles and not just because of his family history. Father Carl was an iconic – if sometimes hotly debated – feature in the Charlton side as a striker from 1987 to 1998, before claiming a settled warm place in fans’ nostalgic affections in more recent years.

Mum Tracey is a significant and popular presence at the training ground as player liaison officer and has been prominent on the sidelines at home matches, as well as being publicly involved in club fundraising for good causes.

But this is Miles’ moment and he certainly looked the part after coming on as an impact substitute with 20 minutes left – even if he hadn’t sent fans behind the goal into a frenzy of celebration with his stoppage time goal.

As a player, he’s no clone of big Carl either. It’s a great story but one he will now write himself, even as his proud parents look on.

POSSESSION NOT CONVERTED INTO LOTS OF CHANCES

Charlton’s possession football isn’t necessarily going to translate into a preponderance of chances, which seems to have been the story at Garner’s former club Swindon too.

The Addicks were credited with 59 per cent of the play at the Wham Stadlum, but opponents Accrington had twice as many efforts on goal – a thumping 22 against the visitors’ 11.

Charlton also need to do better with those openings that do come their way. Both Diallang Jaiyesimi, before the break, and Jayden Stockley, after it, headed good chances wide. Apart from the goals, the Addicks had only one other effort on target.

Corey Blackett-Taylor menaced the home defence down the left flank in the first half, but he wasn’t really able to threaten the keeper. If Charlton are going to play with one central striker, they will need goals from out wide. It’s far from clear that Saturday’s starting wingers will be able to deliver them.

POSITIVE SIGNS FOR THE ADDICKS

It would be unwise to read too much into the draw with Accrington, as John Coleman’s physical side are a bit of an exception. They need to be to survive on their tiny crowds, with well under 3,000 at the Wham Stadium for the season opener – and 892 of them from Charlton.

Even so, there were encouraging signs for the Addicks. Fulham loanee Steven Sessegnon at left-back looked a class act at this level, especially going forward.

Charlton’s first goal was an excellent move and much of the credit went to Albie Morgan for his driving run through midfield to set up Jaiyesimi for the pull back, enabling Scott Fraser’s comfortable finish.

That looked like a textbook example for Garner’s preferred style of play, but he won’t have enjoyed the way his defence was pulled apart for the two Stanley goals.

Neither did the travelling fans, but fortunately the Addicks only have to face Accrington once more this season. They do need to find a way to beat them, however. One win in seven meetings since 2018 is pitiful given the mismatch in resources between the clubs.