Blues 1 Charlton Athletic 1 .. Match Report

Last updated : 29 September 2004 By Richard Barker

The performance, however, was awful once again and there are several worrying signs - notably the apparent lack of any kind of system of play or tactics whatsoever.

Robbie Savage's return from suspension was obviously a boost for Blues, and he came into the centre of midfield, with Damien Johnson moving to his 'normal' right wing role. This meant that Jesper Gronkjaer shifted to the left, taking his place in front of makeshift left back Julian Gray. Mikael Forssell's injury gave Clinton Morrison an opportunity up front, whilst Dwight Yorke dropped to the bench alongside fit again David Dunn.

There was so little in terms of action in the game, that there's really not a lot to report. The first half was dreadful, with Charlton clearly intent to sit back and hope for a draw and treat a win as a bonus, and Blues clearly intent to play absolutely no football whatsoever once again.

Blues looked utterly clueless going forwards. There was absolutely no pattern to the play, no evidence of any kind of systems or worked set plays, and as they did at Middlesbrough, they resorted to hitting high balls at Emile Heskey. There have to be questions asked of the coaching at the club, and what effect Mark Bowen's departure and Eric Black's subsequent arrival have had on the side. Every single corner, for example, is taken by Muzzy Izzet, who hits a slow, looping ball to the edge of the six yard area every time. There's no variety, and no looking to be inventive. It's all pretty woeful stuff, to be honest.

The second half contained the action that the game saw, and that wasn't too much. Charlton went ahead fairly early on, as the Blues 'slow out of the traps in the second half' theme continued. Maik Taylor failed to hold on to a fairly routine low cross shot from Jonaton Johannson and Luke Young nipped in at the far post to tap the ball home into the empty net.

Things then went from bad-to-worse as Blues were reduced to just ten. Johnson, who had been booked for a bad challenge on his former team-mate Bryan Hughes in the first half, brought down Radostin Kishishev in the middle of the park. The Bulgarian did appear to be through on a counter-attack after intercepting Johnson's own misplaced pass, and so the tenacious Irish midfielder clipped his ankle and didn't even break stride in running straight for the tunnel and an early bath - not looking at referee Uriah Rennie.

Minutes later Steve Bruce threw on Yorke and Dunn for Morrison and the disappointing Kenny Cunningham. Blues now had a very attack minded set of players on the pitch, and it was no surprise that it was Dunn who began to influence something of a fight back. Finally this season Blues had a midfielder on the field who is willing to take a bit of responsibility and a few risks, and actually thinks about the game. Dunn was looking for quick free-kicks, playing balls in behind the defence, and was clearly looking to make up for lost time. Unfortunately for Blues, it looks like he's still well short of match fitness, but hopefully a run out in the Carling Cup against Lincoln City will help him along even further.

It was, however, the other Blues substitute who equalised and earnt Blues their point. From an Izzet corner Yorke made a great run to the near post and flicked an unstoppable header past Dean Kiely to open his account for Blues and perhaps silence one or two of those who have been critical of the club's decision to sign someone with a certain club on his CV.

With ten men Blues now looked the better side, though Jason Euell went close for Charlton on a counter attack. Gray and Gronkjaer put crosses in to no avail, and Izzet continued to waste the ball and generally take the impetus out of Blues attacks and Dunn tired late on.

All in all, to come back from a goal down when you're a man down is a decent achievement. However, there are worrying signs from Blues. Until Dunn came on, no one seemed to have a clue how to break a fairly mediocre Charlton side down. Izzet and Savage were tenacious but unproductive in midfield, and the side don't look a patch on the side that made a flying start to the season 12 months ago, despite the new arrivals. Whether this is down to the Bowen and Black situation, I can only guess, but it doesn't seem to have helped.

Blues: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Upson, Cunningham (Yorke 61), Gray, Johnson, Savage, Izzet, Gronkjaer, Heskey, Morrison (Dunn 61). Subs Not Used: Bennett, Martin Taylor, Clemence.

Sent Off: Johnson (57).

Booked: Johnson, Gronkjaer.

Goals: Yorke 68.

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Fortune, Perry, Hreidarsson, Kishishev, Murphy, El Karkouri (Rommedahl 76), Hughes, Lisbie (Euell 75), Johansson. Subs Not Used: Jeffers, Andersen, Konchesky.

Booked: Kishishev, Hreidarsson.

Goals: Young 49.

Att: 27,400.

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).