Charlton Athletic @ Valencia

[hartley]

Listening online. Hooray, Addicks soccer webcasting again.

Valencia finished third in La Liga last season. A big test for the Addicks. Valencia is also ahead in training by a week or two.

At Halftime: Addicks 0 - 2 Valencia [Baraja and Morientes]

Lineups [this list from Valencia web site]
Charlton Athletic
MYHRE, YOUNG (C), TALAL (SARONDO 34), HERMAN, DENNIS, AMBROSE, HUGHES, HOLLAND, HASSELBAINK, BENT, ASHTON
Subs: SARONDO, KISHISHEV, EUELL, ANDERESEN, WALTON, FORTUNE, GISLASON

Valencia
Butelle, Curro Torres. Cerra, Moretti, Albiol, Pallardó, Regueiro, Baraja, Morientes, Angulo, Vicente
Subs: Córcoles, Mora, Pablo, Edu, Nacho Insa, Marchena, Cristián, Jorge López, Silva, Cañizares

[hartley]

I must say, I don't like the "soft" middle that started with Holland and Hughes. Two holding type mids who aren't tough tacklers really.

[hartley]

Early in the second half and Sorondo scores for the Addicks. First Sorondo gets a header on goal that is saved out for a corner. Then on the corner, Sorondo apparently throws himself at the ball and forces it cross the line!

Go Addicks!

[hartley]

Not clear of all the changes in the second half.

On for Addicks: Andersen, Kishishev, Sam

On for Valencia: Edu, Silva

Addicks in 4-5-1 with JFH alone up top. Kish in the dmid hole.

[hartley]

Commentators mention how JFH gives Andersen some grief for kicking the ball out instead of to him. JFH knows how important posession is.

JFH is going to bring grit we haven't seen since Parker and DiCanio wore the Charlton kit.

[hartley]

Final

Addicks 1 - 0 Valencia

The Spanish squad adds one later in the second half. They were the better club throughout the match. The Addicks did have their moments.

I'm concerned what we are going to do in the middle of the pitch. And a little with our central defense. Sorondo played well in taking El K's place. I guess Tala took a knock. I hope it's not bad. We need all the central defenders we can get for subs and training. I don't think Tala will start for us this season. And he may well end up leaving us again if we bring in others.

I certainly look forward to Gibbs getting on the field with Sorondo -- if not Gibbs with someone else we sign.

Sam played well after some time struggling to find space. We seemed to hold the middle better once Kishishev came on. But then, we went 4-5-1 according to the commentators, so we should have controlled the midfield we crowded.