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Charlton 6-1 Town - Match Report Saturday, 29th Jul 2017 16:50
Town’s pre-season programme ended on the worst possible note as the Blues were thrashed 6-1 by League One Charlton Athletic at the Valley. Patrick Bauer, Tariqe Fosu and Josh Magennis (2) put the Addicks 4-0 up at half-time before two Ricky Holmes strikes sandwiched Andre Dozzell’s solitary goal for Town.
David McGoldrick and Bersant Celina joined Town’s list of absentees due to illness with Tom Adeyemi (ill), Emyr Huws (achilles), Teddy Bishop (groin) and Luke Hyam (ankle) also still unavailable.
Better news for manager Mick McCarthy was that Cole Skuse was back at the centre of midfield alongside youngster Flynn Downes with Dozzell in the first-team squad and on the bench for the first time during pre-season after a hip injury sustained while helping the England U19s to win the European Championships. Former Blues striker Billy Clarke starts for the Addicks.
At a drizzly and virtually empty Valley, Town threatened in the opening minute. Grant Ward, who skipped into the area and hit a low shot which six-goal pre-season striker Joe Garner was almost able to turn past Charlton keeper Ben Amos as he grabbed low down.
On three, Danny Rowe cut in from the left but shot well over, then in the seventh minute Garner rose high to head wide from Ward’s cross following a corner on the right.
The Blues had had much the better of the opening minutes but in the 11th minute the home side went in front from their first attempt of the match. Ricky Holmes sent over a freekick from the left - which had been a touch harshly awarded against skipper Luke Chambers - and Bauer glanced a header past Bartosz Bialkowski.
Following the goal, the Addicks enjoyed the greater share of the ball and in the 27th minute they added to their lead. Rowe’s poor pass into his own area on the left was seized on by Clarke, who teed-up the breaking Fosu and his low shot flew past Bialkowski and into the corner of the net.
Four minutes later, it was 3-0. Holmes crossed from the right and Magennis held of Jordan Spence and flicked a header across Bialkowski, who was only able to palm the ball into the net.
The home side continued to dominate and in the 39th minute they added a fourth. Clarke beat Chambers on the left of the area before cutting back to Magennis, who shot low past Bialkowski.
Neither side seriously threatened again before the whistle with plenty of the small number of Town fans who had made the trip having long made their exit for a half-time pint.
The Blues had started the half positively enough but after the first goal the Addicks had dominated - scoring with each of their four shots at goal - with Town unable to regain a foothold in the game.
Town made three changes ahead of the second half with Dominic Iorfa replacing Spence at right-back, Adam Webster skipper Chambers at the centre of the defend and Dozzell Danny Rowe, who had suffered a number of knocks during the first half.
Freddie Sears moved to the left of a front three with Garner in the centre and Ward on the right, while Dozzell was ahead of Downes and Skuse at the heart of the midfield.
The Blues created the first chance of the second half, Jonas Knudsen crossing from the left and Garner heading over.
But in the 51st minute the home side made it 5-0 with the best goal of the afternoon. Fosu played the ball inside to Holmes, who hit a powerful, curling effort past Bialkowski from the edge of the box.
Fosu went looking for a sixth in the 55th minute but blazed over, then two minutes later Garner had the ball in the net from distance but referee Gavin Ward had already blown up for a foul.
A minute later Knudsen crossed from the left and Downes headed down but straight at Amos, who made his first save since the opening minute of the match.
On 64 Fosu deftly chested down a looping ball midway inside the Town half and brought it forward to the edge of the box before hitting a shot straight at Bialkowski when he ought to have laid off to team-mates either side of him.
Five minutes later Iorfa won a corner on the right having made a pacy run. Smith’s header from the flag-kick was too close to Amos. On 70 Dozzell played the on-loan Wolves man in on the right and Amos again saved but with the flag already raised.
Town pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute when Ward crossed from the right, Knudsen nodded back across goal and Dozzell turned home from the edge of the six-yard box. Had the England U19 international not scored the Blues would probably have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Garner who was sent crashing to the ground as he looked to get on the end of the knockdown.
While the teams lined-up Myles Kenlock and Tristan Nydam replaced Knudsen and Skuse, then on 77, as Charlton prepared to take a freekick, Ben Folami replaced Garner, who had already left the field, presumably having suffered a knock when he was felled.
The Addicks made it 6-1 from the freekick with Holmes curling his second of the afternoon over the wall and into the top corner of the net.
Australian youngster Folami forced a save from Amos with a shot from a tight angle on the left of the area on 81, then Charlton should have made it seven when Magennis played in Jake Forster-Caskey but Bialkowski did well to save.
There were no further chances before referee Ward blew the final whistle to inevitable boos from the Blues support behind the goal.
Town improved to some extent after the break - they couldn’t have been as poor as they’d been in the first half - but still only rarely seriously threatened, while Charlton always looked the more dangerous side going forward and may well feel they should have scored at least once more.
Blues boss Mick McCarthy will have wanted to go into next week’s opening game of the season at home to Birmingham having won today, however, such a comprehensive defeat to a team from a lower league will only serve to raise concerns among fans regarding the Blues prospects for the season ahead in what is now a very difficult Championship.
Soon is the winter of our discontent. It might even be a nuclear winter if we end up in League 2. Even looking at it optimistically, it's going to be a long, hard slog. Just watching Dutch women vs Sweden women: I reckon either of these teams would play us off the park at the moment. "Frustrated" is putting it mildly....! Doh!!!
Having gone to the Col U game I came away with hope after The Kings Lynn game a wee bit worried at our lack of back up apart from Dozzel who proved that today Patterson aand Crowe the rest would struggle even in today's team after travelling to Charlton well if Knudsen,Chambers are anything but back up I will agree we are in for a torrid season. However nobody has mentioned that Charlton appeared well organised and able to move the ball quickly. A punt at 18/1 +10 points on the hcp each way could be value.
Iv been watching and reading posts all pre season and seen same old people happy with our so called signings and micky mouse results pre season.We are in sh't street as a club as a ragball rovers team patched together with an long out of date manager who will pull off the odd strange result but the facts are still there from past seasons we are going nowhere as a club and I wont be going over again this season with my beloved club in this state a total disgrace to everyone associated with Ipswich Town FC.
Toronto Tractor that is probably the worst ever case of grabbing at straws I've ever heard. Further recruitment needed to start in May not 7 days before the kick off.
On arriving in London last night to visit him my Son he suggested we should go to the game this afternoon therefore off we went only to witness Micks favourites put on a display that 8 year olds would be ashamed of and the absolute capitulation was an utter disgrace, how can Mick defend his proper blokes after that(pre season or not these are well paid so called footballers) couldn't give a toss performance they were an utter disgrace to our great club, as for Skuse what that man brings to the side is absolutely nothing he should be paid up and thrown out and never seen again perhaps his hospital passes were designed to make Bart look bad and get his mate Gerks back between the sticks the man is a liability, but then our blinkered leader sees no wrong in him, unless a massive shake up proper blokes wise happens then we are in for a very difficult season.
blueboy. You forms most of your time in here attacking others opinions and down marking those whose opinions you don't agree with.
You remain ignorant. No doubt you will continue in your shallow vein throughout the season. btw do you even go to matches or are you the ckasdice armchair "expert"? Finally I'll ask you politely NOT to threaten other fans on this forum. You remain ignorant.
...... clever stuff ArnieM - I won't lower myself to reply in your chosen vein, my standards are proudly higher.
I would respectfully ask you to NOT cast aspersions that are untrue - I have NEVER threatened anyone, on this forum, or otherwise - I leave that to the people it suits, and that's not me.
If Phil choses to check through every post I have made on this forum - I am more than prepared to have him compare mine with yours, and judge accordingly as to who is ABUSIVE. You don't know me - so how you can use words such as CRETIN and IGNORANT towards anyone is beyond me - and get away with it.
This is the second time on this thread today you have verbally abused me - only for having an opinion different to yours. That is NOT how it should be, or what the forum is for.
Some allowances should be made for Chambers & Skuse missing so much of pre-season, but many others have no such excuses.
I thought Bart played like a player who is disappointed he didnt get a move and as far as I am concerned the GK position is up for grabs after today. Spence is a talented defender but he needs a kick up behind. I am glad Iorfa is there to provide serious competition. For me Chambers and Smith doesnt work, while both lack pace that can be compensated by good reading of the game and Smith never convinces me in that regard.
With regard to midfield, Downes emergence is a real bonus but inevitably his lack of experience will show at times, particularly with regard to defensive positioning and tracking of runs. Dozzell should have big part to play this season given that we are looking to play more of a passing game. However I hope he has the workrate to match, otherwise he will be a luxury we cannot afford. For me Ward is a CM, probably best in a three, a box to box player or maybe even a RWB but in the absence of McGoldrick/ Celina, we certainly cannot look to him for attacking creativity in a midfield 4, as we did today, he hasnt got that in his locker and Rowe is far happier in the position Ward occupied today.
Up front with one more addition and everyone fit, I think we will be ok but McGoldrick is key.
Defensively Berra was missed today and I am sure there will be thoughts of reverting to a 532.
@swn, chin up, I'm sure you'll revert back to your 'old self' IF and I mean IF, we scrap a bore draw against 'we're in it to win Brum'. No prizes for working out whether McCarthy or Rednapp will play to WIN!!!!!!
Reading all these comments I think we are well and truly warmed up for the new season ahead. We're 5th favourites to be relegated. Let's face it, if we finish 5th from bottom it will have been a goood season judging by our current squad.
Some of these lightweights should never be on anyone's team sheet. Nothing has changed from pathetic show at Forest in May. They couldn't care less, and if they say they do, they're fibbing
I'm not gonna slay the Dino 'much' on this occasion, as sometimes the players just have to be made accountable, friendly or not, these players were meant to be playing for a place next week, or maybe they are nailed on already. If the Dino keeps blind faith in the likes of Chambers, Smith, Knudsen & Skuse, their comes a point where sympathy runs out, unfortunately that was 2 years ago from my point of view! On a positive, Spence got forward well, lorfa looked a real handful, Dozzells goal & obviously the return of the "court jester" are the only positives you can take from today.
Appreciate this is only a pre-season match and we have key players out BUT if this performance will be indicative of championship games (when it matters) then our depth of squad has just been revealed. That plus the tactless baffoon MM. If ever there is clear evidence that we need a few more players then this is it. Can someone kick ME up the arrrsss and can the manager finally be replaced. Want my club to do well and, like most fans, the season is starting to feel long already. Lets change now or we may be passing Charlton in a different direction at the end of the season and we do not want that!
Notice that 3 of his 'real blokes' started in Skies, Knudsen and Chambo Wonder whether this result will make him think twice about starting them for every game (if fit); like last season. More likely he will give them (yet) another chance to atone for todays fiasco,stating injuries, illness etc. Think he now realises he has problems, judging by post match comments
Bluetone, i could copy and paste your entire 18:05 post. Possibly, like you, i can go back as far as the likes Ray Crawford, Ted Phillips etc. I havn't attended for some while, but can say that while i was watching there were few town teams that didn't give 100% even when out of their depth. That is all you can reasonably ask of any player at any level. If a player isn't up to the task asked of him from management, then whose fault is it?
On that showing we will be relegated for sure as we were truly dreadful. Bart looked unconvincing today and Chambers was to be brutal an embarrassment. I like the guy for his commitment and his talisman status but I am afraid he may well be a liability if MM persists in playing him. There was very little to inspire our display today and this is supposedly a near starting line up for next week. If this is the case heaven help us. Berra please come back as we have no battering ram at the back now and we made it all too easy for Charlton. Knudsen was poor today but was not alone. Skuse looked way out of his depth playing in a straight 4 across midfield. If he is to play at least play him in the holding role. Rowe did nothing to convince me that he will be regular and Ward flattered to deceive. Sears ran down blind alleys to no effect whatsoever but at least the guy tried but not good enough for me on todays performance. The only bright spot for me was the performance of Andre Dozzell who at least gave it a real go and did not look out of his depth. On todays showing would prefer Iorfa to Spence and he did show some commitment up and down the right flank. The bug that is going through the Club does not help but the players on display today need to look at themselves as does the management team. That is two weekends away to watch us embarrassingly beaten by Division One Clubs both of whom thoroughly deserved their victories. Any early optimism has for me disappeared I'm afraid and it looks like a long hard season beckons.
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