A hatrick from Abel Hernandez and goals from Robert Snodgrass, Mohammed Diame and Isaac Hayden ensured Jose Riga’s return to Charlton could not have got off to more of a horror start, as the Addicks were mauled 6-0 by the Tigers.
Lewis Catt reports from The KC Stadium
You would have to go back in time 32 years if you wanted to find a defeat as heavy as this one in Charlton’s history as the Addicks were humiliated for the second time in a week away from home this time at the hands of table topping Hull City. Karel Fraeye was dismissed after Tuesday nights humiliating 5-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town and Jose Riga joined the club as Head Coach for the second time on Thursday evening. This however would not be the fairy tale start Riga may have wanted.
Riga mad two changes to the side that were demolished at the John Smiths on Tuesday night with Jordan Cousins and Igor Vetokele coming in to the starting XI. Roger Johnson partnered up with Rhys Williams in central defence with Harry Lennon moving into left back in the place of Morgan Fox. Diego Poyet sat just in front of the back 4 in a 4-1-4-1 formation. The addicks started the game well and carved out the first opportunity on four minutes when a Charlton counter attack led to a Jordan Cousins chance being fired straight at Allan McGregor. It didn’t take the hosts long to get in he game and were handed the lead on a plate by Rhys Williams.
The on loan Boro man was hesitant in clearing the ball and was chased down by Abel Hernandez who beat Henderson 1 on 1 to put the Tigers ahead. 17 minutes gone and it was 2… More hesitant defending from the Addicks allowed Hernandez to create space and fire past Henderson. All the early signs of positivity were well and truly buried along with the heads of the Addicks whose confidence when conceding first is rock bottom.
It wasn’t long before it was 3-0 when Robert Snodgrass curled an effort into the top corner. Charlton came close through Johnnie Jackson who almost diverted a Williams headed cross towards goal. The confidence was completely and utterly diminished when Hull made it 4-0 before the break and it was Hernandez again who claimed his hatrick to all but confirm another humiliating defeat before the half time whistle had even gone. The second half continued as the first half ended and Henderson did well to save another effort from Hernandez followed by Sam Clucas scooping his shot over the Charlton goal.
However the 5th came just before the hour mark this time through Mo Diame. Some fantastic passing play from the tigers finished off by a divine curling finish. Henderson did well to prevent a 6th goal shortly after when he tipped a glancing header wide of the post but with 10 minutes left on the clock the 6th did come through Arsenal loanee Isaac Hayden.
The youngster’s long-range effort deflecting off Morgan Fox and wrong footing Henderson. Finally the final whistle went and all the travelling supporters could do was look on in silence at just what they had witnessed.
Gaffers Notes:
“Everyone is right to be concerned at this moment. We have to work tactically and technically, and maybe also need some help, and if we can join all these points then I am sure we can achieve this.
“I have never been relegated in my life and I don’t want it now. I am here because Charlton means a lot to me and today I am very disappointed for the team, the club and the supporters.” – Jose Riga
“Charlton gifted us the first goal really and it was always going to be an uphill battle for them after that. After that we scored two, three, four wonderful goals and that has been coming for us. – Steve Bruce.
Line Up:
Henderson, Solly, Johnson, Williams (Fox, 59), Lennon, Poyet (Vaz Te, 81), Jackson, Cousins, Harriott, Gudmundsson, Vetokele (Umerah, 66).
Man Of The Match:
Stephen Henderson- When you concede six and your goalkeeper is man of the match that speaks real volumes for the state we are in. Without him it could have been 10.
Key Points
· Our defence is appalling, we never pressure the opposition we always stand off and give them the space to shoot and cross.
· When trying to counter we are slow and static. No urgency about the side what so ever.
· A system with one striker DOES NOT WORK although I thought Vetokele did little wrong yesterday he had no support from his wide men.
· Gudmundsson has the Euros on his mind, never have I seen an Addicks player bottle more tackles than Johann at the moment.
· Tony Watt MUST STAY. Whatever anyone may think of him, he can be an important player in this side. Riga can get the best out of him
· Riga must spend. He stated in his post match interview that we “need help”; we need to get Bauer and Diarra back fit as soon as possible.
