I’d never been to Sint-Truiden in the Haspengouw region of Belgium before. Neither had I seen disco flood lights together with a 3G pitch either in a football ground.
New players Yoni Buyens, Franck Moussa and the trialist, Tomasz Cykwa all started, and of course it was interesting to see how they all adopted to their new surroundings. To be honest, I’m none the wiser if these will be inspired moves or not. Nothing can really be assumed based on this match, which was really nothing more than a 45 minute training exercise.
A goal scoring midfield player looks a useful addition to the team with Franck Moussa, joining from Coventry City, although as Bradley Wright Phillips would testify, it’s easy enough scoring in the 1st Division, but virtually impossible in the Championship. Time will tell.
You would have thought that given the association between Standard Liege and Charlton that they would have talked to each other with regards which kit they would wear. But no ! Both turned up in a similar kit resulting in Standard Liege playing in yellow bibs. Piss up’s and Belgian brewery’s come to mind.
Of the new players, Yoni Buyens and Franck Moussa showed nice touches in places, but Tomasz Cykwa strangely seemed to be playing out on the wing, whereas he’s surely a midfield player really. I think I’d like to see a full game from him in a more familiar position before making any judgement.
Nick Pope made a good early save from a free kick, but had no chance with either of the Standard Liege goals.
Loic Nego caught the eye going forward, but unfortunately there was no end result to his marauding runs, and some of his passing was woeful.
Michael Morrison was steady without really breaking out into a sweat.
Harry Lennon looked “busy” and put in a good shift.
Morgan Fox stood out with several good tackles, and looked fitter than some of the others. Probably the best Charlton player.
Jack Munns was everywhere in central midfield, although his passing was wayward at times. You have to be very good to be this size and succeed in football. He really is tiny. I’ve seen bigger mascots at games.
The forward “unit” of Simon Church and Zak Ansah didn’t threaten Yohann Thuram-Ulien in the Standard Liege goal at all. Ansah having the one shot we did have at his goal. I swear I also saw Thuram-Ulien actually catch the ball on one occasion.
It’s early days yet, and it was obvious that Standard Liege were a bit ahead in both skill and fitness, so no need to panic yet. Allez les Rouges.
For anyone interested the teams were-
Charlton Athletic: Pope; Nego, Morrison, Lennon, Fox, Cykwa, Moussa (Harriott 32), Munns, Buyens, Church, Ansah.
Standard Liege: Thuram-Ulien; Milec, Arslanagic, Maee, Yasa, Desart, Marquet, Ono, De Camargo, Mujangibia,Ezekiel.
Goals: De Camargo 17, Ezekiel 45
Charlton Athletic-"the team for me" 