Goals by Tony Watt and Morgan Fox ensured a winning start to the season for Charlton as QPR were beaten on their return to the Championship. Six minutes after coming on at half-time, Simon Makienok's dummy set up Watt for a low shot past Robert Green. Fox made it 2-0 with his first goal for the Addicks, a thumping 20-yard effort. Charlie Austin and Tjaronn Chery had QPR's best chances in the first half before Austin was taken off late on, to round off a miserable day. The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges without testing goalkeeper Nick Pope, too much. Austin rattled a post and Chery had a fine shot from distance kept out just before the break, but shortly after the restart, Watt put the hosts in front. Having just come on for Karlan Ahearne-Grant, the former Celtic striker found the target with a right-footed effort which beat Green at his near post, despite the former England goalkeeper getting a hand on it. Defender Fox, an unlikely scorer, wrapped up the points with just under 20 minutes remaining, with a long-range shot. And there was still time for Johann Berg Gudmundsson to come close to adding a third, his free-kick hitting the crossbar
On the way back now; We were well on top in the first half, had the vast majority of possession during that time but didn't test their keeper enough. Chery looked lively and stung their keepers hand with one great shot. Tony Watt came on and changed the game for them, his pace was too much for Hill and co. Poor result but I don't believe our squad is finalised yet so I'll judge at the end of September, however on today's evidence here's who let us down today. Rob Green, first goal was beaten near post and went through his hand. He can't dive and his footwork is atrocious. Matt Phillips, lazy, refuses to beat a man, disinterested. Charlie Austin, service wasn't great but his movement was non existent and his wave to the fans suggested he's off pronto.
Guardian: That losing feeling can be a hard one to shake off. Queens Park Rangers lost three of their last four Premier League games as they were relegated in May, including a 5-1 thrashing on the final day of the season against Leicester City. Now, starting afresh in the Championship, they came unstuck, and deservedly so against a Charlton Athletic side that could not have been more mid-table last season. They were 12th, as far from the play-off places as the relegation zone. Both teams were giving debuts to four players, but QPR were playing with 11 men in name only, as Charlie Austin, allegedly sought by Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, failed to put in a performance worthy of the name. But just as importantly on this hot day in south London, Charlton found some energy, in the shape of Tony Watt. The forward came on at half-time and changed the game, scoring the first goal and supplying the pass for Morgan Fox to score the second. Karlan Ahearne-Grant, who is 17, was picked to partner Simon Makienok in attack, but was replaced at half-time. In his place came Watt, a crowd favourite and assumed to be a first-team starter. However, some sort of dispute between Watt and Guy Luzon’s assistants meant he had to bide his time on the bench. When he came off it, he made no mistake. A hopeful ball found him on the left, but he attacked James Perch, cut on to his right foot to get past the right-back and beat Rob Green at the near post from eight yards out. Watt, a Scotland Under-21 forward, was again involved for the second goal. His pass was picked up by Fox, who was joining the attack from left-back, and after cutting on to his right foot, he beat Green from 20 yards out. Five players who started the last game of QPR’s ill-fated Premier League campaign started here at the Valley. Austin was, to the surprise of some, among that quintet, although you would scarcely have noticed it given how anonymous he was in the first 45 minutes. It has been assumed this summer that Austin would remain in the Premier League, with a valuation of around £15m. Here he was not doing his highlights reel any favours. One bicycle kick from short-range and a defensive block were the best things he did. He might want to attribute his shank from 30 yards out to summer rust, as the ball trundled out for a throw-in. Soon afterwards, he lost possession too easily, so barged over Patrick Bauer, the first Charlton defender he got close to. Bauer was one of those making his debut for Charlton, the German slotting into central defence with Alou Diarra, who, nine years ago, played in the World Cup final for France. The other new boys were the two central midfielders, Ahmed Kashi and El-Hadji Ba, and Makienok, the forward, all 6ft 7in of him. Strangely, despite Makienok’s height, Luzon, the manager, did not want his players to use the Dane’s aerial strengths. For QPR, Tjaronn Chery stood out. In an advanced role in central midfield, the Dutchman sought out the ball and was the one trying to keep QPR on the front foot. With six minutes in the first half remaining, the player signed from Groningen for £1.25m let fly with a powerful volley, saved by Nick Pope one-handed. That came 60 seconds after Austin’s shank. But the shot from Chery disguised the way the balance of play was going as Charlton gradually found more time on the ball. That trend was confirmed seven minutes after the break by Watt’s well-crafted strike. After Fox’s goal, Johann Gudmundsson was denied by the crossbar after trying his luck from 25 yards out with a curling, dipping free-kick. But Chris Ramsey, the QPR manager, did not need that to go in to know he has much work to do.
I share your frustration, Ciarrai, but we don't have much alternative but to observe for, as Col says, the next 10 games or so. Judging by the Guardian assessement, Charlie's heart is no longer in it - I wonder if that's shared by our fans that went to the match. Chery seems a genuine prospect
Can we wait until at least September to cry doom? Yes it was **** but there were plenty of **** performances even under Warnock.
You are Captain cliche I'm calling you out as a closet F*lham fan. You're no way near fatalistic enough to follow the rangers Jog on
Ramsey may pick the team but ultimately it is the responsibility of the 11 on the pitch to deliver Sadly we were let down today by the majority of the 11, all the more disappointing given that we always bring excellent support to The Valley Charlton are - I suspect - going to be mid table again this year; I think we will too as despite this poor start we do have sufficient quality to win games in this league. Not sufficient quality to get to the play offs I don't think, but I will reconsider at the end of September when the team has at least had a chance to, dare I say it, gel A disappointing start certainly - when is an opening day loss not? - but 45 games to go!
I hoped Ramsey would prove me wrong and show he has what it takes to be a good manager but he seems intent on showing that he is completely useless, it's like he has zero ability to motivate his players. I know it's only one game but what a poor way to start the season, any chance that teams would be nervous against us having been in the Prem last season has just evaporated!
Chery certainly looked lively as did Mackie. I liked the look of Luongo too. But the back 4 worries me and Charlton won the ball far too easily in front of their own goal I'd like to see a lot more rapid movement of the ball when we're in possession too often though our decision was to go backwards or sideways - easy for an opposing team We could do with a few Diakite driving runs from midfield. Though granted we would end the odd match with 10 men!
So I have to be a sheep and follow the herd do I? You call me out all you like mate.....I quite like Fulham as it goes. There, that proves I'm no sheep! Now you jog on fella and be happy. It's the first game ffs.
Charlton one of the pre-season relegation favourites, so this 'performance' doesn't bode well. The defence is suspect and, until we know where Austin, Fer and Phillips are going to end up on 1st September it's difficult to assess our prospects. Ramsey was quoted as saying we need five more players, well he needs to get his finger out sharpish or we'll be playing catch-up to finish mid-table...
Without question Col, got a slightly mixed reception when he went off. His attitude was all wrong and he simply cannot play as a lone front man. Couldn't hold up a tray.
