5 things we learnt from Charlton v Fulham

Following last night’s 1-1 draw, the tally of the number of games without victory for the Addicks against their fellow-London opponents rose to eight.

In fact, the last time Charlton beat Fulham in a competitive game was more than a decade ago when Talal El Karkouri scored the winner in a 2-1 victory at The Valley.

There were opportunities to end that record, especially Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s chance to make to 2-1 where he somehow managed to hit the side-netting rather than converting.

Additionally, Charlton created some more chances in the second half, including an effort from Tony Watt where he delicately chipped Marcus Bettinelli.

Sadly the ball just evaded Igor Vetokele and went past the far post.

However, the Addicks will be hoping to end that spell of winless runs against the Cottagers next season, unless Kit Symons’ side get relegated to League One of course!

2) It now feels like the end of the season

There’s no doubt that the second half of last night had a certain ‘end of season’ feel to it.

With Charlton’s safety secured a few games ago, Guy Luzon’s men have very little to play for, especially now after that Millwall defeat last Friday.

Having said that, the likes of Roger Johnson and Chris Eagles (above) will be hoping to impress enough to earn a new contract next year, so the duo are likely to be involved in a lot of the remaining games this season.

Some good news for Charlton fans is that in the last three seasons, a total of 44 points have been picked up in results over April and May, so recent history suggests the remaining few games could include a few victories.

3) The Johnson/Ben Haim partnership is not quite working…yet

There were times last night where the duo did not look quite as comfortable together as they probably should.

Fulham’s front pair of Matt Smith and Ross McCormack caused a lot of problems for Charlton’s centre-backs.

That was evident in their goal where a long ball found Smith who headed onto McCormack who lobbed Stephen Henderson with a neat header to give the visitors the lead.

Tal Ben Haim (above) and Johnson have played five games together, with six goals conceded during that time including four in the last two games.

The pair, whose combined age is 64, are very experienced and, especially in Johnson’s case, have a point to prove.

With both players out of contract in the summer, Luzon will be expecting some improvement in the next game against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

4) Morgan Fox continues to improve

During the 13-game mid-season winless run, there were a few fingers pointing at left-back Morgan Fox, harshly suggesting he was not good enough for the Addicks’ first-team.

However, under Luzon the Welsh full-back has been very impressive and has continued to improve.

The 21-year-old got the assist for Alou Diarra’s  goal in the 2-1 defeat to Millwall and also got the assist last night, where his superb cross found Gudmundsson at the back-post to tap home.

Defensively Fox’s positioning has improved, perhaps helped by Johnson who commands excellently in defence.

Moreover, there were a few suggestions earlier in the season claiming youngster Tareiq Holmes-Dennis will become more of a regular feature at The Valley after impressing at left-back on loan for Oxford United and Plymouth in League Two.

But at the moment Rhoys Wiggins, let alone Holmes-Dennis, will have to do a lot to replace Fox.

5) Johann Gudmundsson is still hot property

Following his tenth goal of the season last night, Johann Gudmundsson is still on the radar of a number of Premier League sides.

Gudmundsson, who incidentally is a former Fulham youth-player, would have impressed any watching top flight scouts again, despite the winger missing a glorious chance shortly after converting the equaliser.

The Icelandic international has been one of Charlton’s best assets this season and is in contention to win the player-of-the-year prize.

Some claim the 24-year-old goes missing in some games, but there is no doubt that when Gudmundsson is in top form so are his team.

The winger’s contract will run out at the end of next season, so Charlton may want to cash in this summer, especially if that Premier League interest turns into a concrete bid.

However, if the Addicks can keep hold of him for at least another year and bring in a few players, it could end up being  a successful 2015/16 campaign in SE7. 

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