3 things we clearly learnt about Charlton Athletic after 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers | OneFootball

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Football League World

·28 January 2023

3 things we clearly learnt about Charlton Athletic after 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers

Article image:3 things we clearly learnt about Charlton Athletic after 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers

Charlton Athletic‘s three-game win streak in League One came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers.

The Trotters have now done the double over the Addicks in the last two seasons, and Ian Evatt will be pleased to see his side pick up six points in a week after losing to Derby County.


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Bolton were much the better side, particularly in the first half, and would have been bitterly disappointed to only go into half time one goal to the good.

Aaron Morley’s sensational free kick was cancelled out by Albie Morgan’s low drive in the first 30 seconds of the first half, before an individual error from Ryan Inniss and some poor positioning from Ashley Maynard-Brewer allowed Dion Charles to sweep home into an empty net to ensure the three points headed back to The UniBol.

Here, we have taken a look at three things we learnt from the Addicks’ loss to Bolton…

Ryan Inniss continues to be a net negative

Inniss rarely seems to be too far away from an individual error that costs his team a goal, a red card or an injury, and the 27-year-old may be unlikely to pick up a new contract in the summer, despite clearly being an integral member of the dressing room.

Headers, like the miscued one that led to Bolton’s winner, should be bread and butter for a defender of Inniss’ physical stature, and with Eoghan O’Connell returning to fitness in the last month or so, the Irishman may come in to partner Lucas Ness in the South Londoners’ next match.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi a handful for any third tier opposition

The Trotters have been in great shape defensively of late, conceding four goals in their last nine league games, including this afternoon, and they would have had a plan to deal with Rak-Sakyi, given how bright he has been for the Addicks on loan from Crystal Palace this season.

However, the 20-year-old still found a way to hurt the Trotters with his elegant dribbling style, and it will be interesting to see if the winger stays at The Valley for the rest of the season, with his parent club having a recall option until the end of the window.

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Article image:3 things we clearly learnt about Charlton Athletic after 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers

Real or fake: The club was founded over 125 years ago!

Matt Penney looks the part

It was a competent first match in a Charlton shirt for Penney, the 24-year-old was always available in the attacking third and tidy in possession, while dealing well with Conor Bradley on the right flank for the visitors.

The Addicks have been in need of a more reliable left back than Steven Sessegnon, who is also right footed, due to the Fulham loanee’s fitness issues and Penney looks like a smart pick-up on loan from Ipswich Town.

An opportunity could emerge for the Addicks to sign Penney for free in the summer should things go well, with the attacking full back out of contract at Portman Road.

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