Charlton Athletic Boss Claims “Only One Team Was Trying To Win” Despite Disappointing Defeat
Charlton Athletic Boss Claims “Only One Team Was Trying To Win” Despite Disappointing Defeat
Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden has claimed that his side were “the only team trying to win” despite Bristol Rovers snatching victory in injury time on Tuesday.
Rovers took the lead just before the hour mark, as former Addicks loanee Scott Sinclair scored from close range after an initial free kick was saved.
Eighteen-year-old forward Daniel Kanu got the Southeast London side back on level terms, netting his first league goal for the club, but there would be heartbreak for Dean Holden’s side late on.
Charlton’s summer signing Alfie May hit the post at one end before Luke McCormick’s shot squirmed beyond Ashley Maynard-Brewer to seal the win for the Gas.
The hosts had 53% possession, but registered just five attempts on target to the visitor’s seven, despite the 43-year-old’s claims that Joey Barton’s side had only turned up for a draw.
Former Bristol City and Oldham Athletic manager Holden also cited mistakes made in both boxes as the reason his side suffered a gut-punching defeat.
The loss leaves the 2019 League One play-off winners 15th in the table after three games, with victory over newly promoted Leyton Orient on the opening day, before a narrow 1-0 defeat to promotion hopefuls Peterborough United followed on Saturday.
What’s been said?
As reported by South London Press, Holden said: “There was only one team trying to win the game of football. They came for a point and ended up getting a smash and grab. Fair play to them. We’re conceding poor goals at the moment. We need to be more clinical in both boxes. That’s the only thing that’s letting us down.
“Ash [Maynard-Brewer] made a really good save from the free-kick and nobody reacted. There’s three or four there for the tap in. That’s not good enough. We’ve got to see them moments off. It’s a concentration thing and a little bit of naivety.
“The second one. We had a free-kick on halfway. Should put it into their box but we’ve gone short and ended up losing it. They boot it up the pitch, a set-piece or two later and they’re in. We don’t react or mark well enough in the box and it’s a sucker punch.”
Writer’s View
They’ve not reacted well to the second phase of play for either goal, and Maynard-Brewer will be disappointed that after getting a hand to McCormick’s shot, he’s not been able to keep it out.
I share Holden’s sentiments that defensive errors have cost his side, but I believe Bristol Rovers were good value for their three points.
If not for a poor miss and a piece of heroic defending, the Gas could easily have found themselves 2 or 3 goals to the good before the equaliser.
Leave a Reply