Curbs is satisfied averaging a point a game at the moment and seems confident that a mid-table finish is achievable based on current form, which combined uncharacteristically with a couple of cup runs has meant the season hasn’t been too bad overall.
The last seven days have been good in terms of results, even though not a single goal was scored in 180 minutes of top-flight football involving Charlton, by either side.
Maybe the manager had been expecting Michael Chopra to start last Wednesday, despite him missing Newcastle’s previous three league and cup games. After the draw at St James’ Park, Curbishley admitted that preparations hadn’t been made to face the same Newcastle line-up that had ended their FA Cup victory over Southampton a few days earlier. Shola Ameobi was a lone frontman for the second successive occasion with Alan Shearer only partnering Michael Owen on the sidelines.
Although a draw was achieved it was done in a different fashion to the performance at Chelsea where a goal was required after falling behind early on. Regardless, it was the same five players in midfield that found a break through almost as soon as Marcus Bent was introduced before holding on for the remaining 50 minutes. This time it was Kishishev, Holland and Hughes occupying middle ground and combating the home side’s domination of possession for the first 70 minutes. Three points might have been there for the taking if more onus had been placed on attacking Newcastle’s backline, but at least they had a go towards the end, but why risk going behind early on yet again? It was evident by the manager’s comments that he was delighted with the early effort put in to claim the point which keeps us a win ahead of Fulham in the table with the west Londoners hosting Arsenal, while we face a daunting trip to Liverpool this weekend.
Charlton’s second game in the space of four days, found Curbs unable to reverse the changes to his line-up that he intended prior to injury and illness affecting Smertin and Powell’s chances of a return. Up until Villa altered their approach in the second half it had been a fairly entertaining game as the home side at least threatened to score a goal. However, once Kevin Phillips replaced the ineffective Angel, it meant Charlton needed to operate as a firm defensive unit and there was little opportunity for Jay Bothroyd after he had come on, or for Darren Bent to score in front of the England coach, ahead of the international friendly this week.
Any anticipation of the scoreline being nearer to a repeat of the 2-0 win over Birmingham last month, even on the back of the surprising win against Liverpool, would have been a mistake.
At least the outcome marked an eighth successive home game undefeated, and only a second draw in that run since no goals have been conceded in the league at The Valley since Arsenal back on Boxing Day. Having welcomed our neighbours from the capital to visits from the sides in the Midlands, it’s opponents making the long trip from the north-east next throughout March, and hopefully that impressive record can be kept intact.
Despite it being another goalless draw on Saturday, it ought to be put into perspective by recognising that since Villa’s shock League Cup exit at Doncaster, they haven’t lost away from Villa Park since October 31st. They were always going to be a hard nut to crack, their previous two visits to London had ended all square, 0-0 at Spurs and they even took the lead (for about a minute) at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. David O’Leary’s side will be aiming to reverse their Halloween defeat at Eastlands to stand any chance of a re-match with Charlton in the FA Cup, perhaps at the semi- final stage, or dare I say it, the final in May.
Three very good results in the Premiership already this year, and two of those as a consequence of stopping the opposition play, chalking up single points along the way is what a mid-table finish to the season is all about.