Hold the front page - No more doom & gloom at Charlton

I did have a review of a most enjoyable Pale Ale festival at the Gun in Docklands lined up for publication, and as Andy Reid's wizard of a free kick sailed into the top corner of Ben Hamer's goal in the third minute it seemed like that was going to be an obvious choice.  After all who wants to read about another disappointing defeat for Charlton?

Well thankfully that didn't happen so it will have to wait for another day as the Addicks in one of their best performances of the season held Nottingham Forest to a deserved 1-1 draw.

The talk on twitter during the day was for calm heads and full support and the fans gave it in spades despite the early set back from the former Charlton player.  With an injury ravished squad it wasn't difficult to select the team rather a case if who was fit to play but the selection still left some heads scratching on the formation with no natural right winger starting. The nearest the pre-match crowd in the Rose of Denmark could work out was some form of diamond formation with Harriott providing support to the two strikers, in any case the movement was so fluid it was difficult to follow during the game with many players

We sacrificed the greater possession seen in previous games in return for more shots on goal and it proved the right tactic as wave after wave of attacks reigned into the Forest goal mouth.  As a fan it was great to see the sparkle back from both the team and the crowd.  The most pleasing aspect was the support not settling for the draw and frantically heckling the forest keeper for time wasting in a game most were expecting them to win. 

Wood and Cousins justified their starting places with solid performances, and Laurie Wilson's display made up for what were judged poor performances by some fans in the previous two games.  I can see why Andy Hughes is retained by Powell, his enthusiasm  and vision during his brief spell on the pitch kept spirits high and heads cool. From his mad waving for a free kick to come his way as he slyly broke away from his marker, to choreographing some if the younger players into better positions he has an excellent spacial awareness

With a fully fit squad I can see a few potential selection headaches for the manager. One thing it certainly has done is forced his hand in using the youngsters in the books.  Whereas I think in the past he would have erred on the side if caution with more experienced hands but the likes of Cousins, Pigott and Harriot have shown Powell that they can step up to the mark.

It was also great to see some chivalry in football as Billy Davies congratulated the home team and admitted they were the better side on the night.  Lets hope we can keep up the momentum for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday which I hope to be combining with a visit to the Pelton Arms in Greenwich which has a beer festival this weekend.  Its also the Oktober Fest this weekend in Millwall park so it looks like we'll be back to a few beer related postings shortly.