The lowdown on Charlton 0 Mansfield 0 – Lack of goals is an issue for Addicks
Charlton Athletic drew 0-0 with Mansfield Town at The Valley this afternoon.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, A Mitchell, Jones, Small, T Campbell, Coventry, Taylor (Berry 61), Anderson (Ahadme 79), Kanu, Godden (Leaburn 46). Subs not used: Mannion, Docherty, Edwards, A Campbell.
Mansfield Town: Pym, Hewitt, Cargill, Akins (Boateng 56), Lewis (Flint 89), Bowery, Evans (Oates 72), Baccus, Blake-Tracy, Oshilaja, Reed (Maris 55). Subs not used: Flinders, McLaughlin, Waine.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
A draw was probably around right in another match that you definitely could not say was a classic. The Addicks did have some chances with Miles Leaburn’s header coming off the outside of the right post. Karoy Anderson also had an early opportunity but a lack of composure in terms of his touches of the ball allowed Mansfield keeper Christy Pym to save. Leaburn also had a great opening when Tyreece Campbell – who set up all three of the moments noted here – slipped him through but the substitute sent his attempt wide of the right upright. Mansfield had a couple of poor finishes with Lucas Akins and Elliott Hewitt both showing a complete lack of composure at close range.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Mansfield were a big team and Jones admitted post-match that the decision to start Matty Godden and Daniel Kanu up front did not pay off. The Welshman subbed off Godden for Leaburn at the break. Jones went with a three-man defence with Campbell and Thierry Small at wing-back. Campbell offered creativity but Small only put in one cross of note, Luke Berry sending a shot over from a fairly tight angle. The hosts had 55 per cent possession and it is a bit of a surprise that Mansfield had the greater xG (expected goals) of 1.37 to 0.99.
STAR MAN
Alex Mitchell. Could make a case for any of the centre-backs. But the former Millwall player made the most clearances (14) of any player and made the second most tackles for the hosts.
BEST MOMENT
The game wasn’t exactly littered with standout moments so I’d have to go for the well-worked early chance for Anderson.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Home supporters were not impressed with referee Benjamin Speedie and the officials were booed off at the end. Jones felt that Charlton were denied a penalty for a foul on Leaburn – adding that if VAR had been in use then it would have been given.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
The lack of goals, particularly blanking in the last three matches. The only times that the Addicks have scored more than once in a game since the 2-2 draw against Wrexham on October 26 has been in cup competitions – 4-0 against Walsall and 3-0 against Chelsea U21s in the EFL Trophy. Only five teams have conceded fewer goals than them and three of those are in the top four. But only five clubs have scored fewer. Eighteen goals in 19 league matches is a poor return. It’s three clean sheets in four league fixtures but defensively stability it not going to be enough on its own to turn Charlton into a team that can mount a top-six push.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“We’re not happy with that stat (one win in nine matches) and we know we need to be better, wins-wise. I’m not sitting back being defensive. We are aggressive. Us and Birmingham are the best pressers in the division – we are going after teams and being front footed. We’re not taking chances but I’m sure that will change.”
PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS