Four takeaways from Charlton’s point at Wycombe: Rak-Sakyi the only creative spark for long spells
Charlton played out a 1-1 draw with Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park as they remain winless on the road in League One. Here’s Louis Mendez’s four takeaways from the trip to Buckinghamshire.
A TOUGH PLACE TO GO
It’s probably a good point. Wycombe were play-off finalists and only beaten four times on their own turf last year – but I did leave Adams Park feeling a bit flat. The Addicks started reasonably well, looking to take control of proceedings by claiming almost total custody of the ball. But they fell behind on 14 minutes as Gareth McCleary – a thorn in their side last season – brushed past Albie Morgan and drilled a cross in for Anis Mehmeti to drive home.
Thankfully, they were level barely 60 seconds later as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi powered Charlie Kirk’s centre into the roof of the net. But it was to be the hosts who enjoyed the better of what remained of the first-half – with Joe Wollacott forced into a string of important saves.
The balance of play was a lot more even in the second-half but eventually the game petered out without either side able to create enough to justify seizing all three points. Two wins out of Charlton’s first six league game, with just the one defeat. A mixed start – albeit with some early promise to cling onto.
RAK-SAKYI
Not only did he bag his second goal in just three league outings but Palace loanee Rak-Sakyi carried an unpredictable edge all afternoon. He showed superb composure to sidestep a challenge on the edge of the six-yard box before thundering home the leveller when the temptation would have been to snatch at it.
Rak-Sakyi was the only man in a red shirt who looked like he could create something, particularly in the second-half. His close control of the ball, particularly during one incident where he wriggled out of a tight spot in the Addicks’ half before launching a counter, was a joy to watch.
The midfielder is only 19-years-old and with that comes a fearlessness that allows him to bamboozle defenders and open up space to run into. A real gem so far.
EVERYONE WHO ISN’T RAK-SAKYI
The issue the Addicks had on Saturday was that Rak-Sakyi was the only one who looked capable of opening something up on the whole. Whilst the host’s threat was largely extinguished after the interval, Charlton’s was basically non-existent throughout. Two shots on target over the 90 minutes was a fair reflection of the amount the South Londoners seemed to be creating.
As per usual, Garner’s side dominated the ball. But they’ve struggled to turn that supremacy into serious problems for home stopper Max Stryjek. They are moving the ball well between the thirds – but things are breaking down too often in the final third at the moment.
Certainly, something that needs to be improved upon as the five-goal haul against Plymouth 10 days ago looks like an outlier right now.
DOBSON BACK TO HIS BEST
It may well have been a tactical decision when George Dobson was left out of the starting eleven against Derby County in the first home game of the campaign but it’s a tactical decision that Garner probably won’t be tempted to tinker with again.
Last season’s player of the year has returned to his imperious best since being introduced from the bench against the Rams earlier this month and he continued that and then some against Wycombe.
Garner has spoken about wanting the midfielder to improve aspects of his game, presumably on the ball. But there’s no one who can break up opposition moves like Dobson does. He made the highest number of tackles in League One last year and you wouldn’t bet against him repeating that feat this time around.
PHOTOS: Paul Edwards