Karel fed up with the boo boys
KAREL Fraeye has urged protesting fans to get behind Charlton Athletic and back them in their bid for survival in the Championship.
On-loan striker Simon Makienok cancelled out Ben Osborn’s firsthalf goal to see the points split between the Addicks, who were reduced to ten men in the 76th minute after Tareiq Holmes-Dennis was sent off, and Forest.
Before and after the clash, a large group of Charlton fans stood outside the West Stand to voice their disgust at the club’s boardroom team including owner Roland Duchatelet, with chants demanding their club back.
After the game, Fraeye said: “I think every team playing at home or even away, the support is very, very important and it affects mostly the players’ performance on the pitch.
“Out there, they really gave a lot of energy to the team. I think we played an even first half like the last game against Wolves and it was a tight game.
“Even with ten men, we were still looking for the winner and I think the team showed great desire and fighting spirit to the very last minute and I thought we were the team that wanted to win the most.”
Following a lacklustre opening 25 minutes, returning loanee player Callum Harriott nearly gave Charlton the lead when his shot was deflected just wide.
The visitors came into the ascendancy towards the end of the half and a minute before the break, they took the lead as Mendes cut the ball back to Osborn, who curled a right footed shot past Stephen Hender- son for his first goal of the season.
Fraeye brought Johann Berg Gudmundsson on at half-time and the Icelandic midfielder nearly had an immediate impact when he saw an on-target shot blocked by Jack Hobbs.
The Addicks kept the pressure up and Makienok forced Dorus de Vries to make a fine save after the Dane got a touch to Jordan Cousins’ header in the 58th minute.
Makienok, who overall was having a torrid game, would not make any mistake though in the 70th minute when he equalised, stretching his lanky torso out to reach Harriott’s cross from the left.
Just when things looked to be improving for Charlton, an error came with 14 minutes remaining when substitute Holmes-Dennis picked up his second booking in the space of five minutes for tugging back Osborn, making him the seventh player referee Trevor Kettle has sent off this season.
The visitors nearly snatched victory in injury time as Naby Sarr made a mess of clearing the ball, but thankfully for the Addicks, Harry Lennon got back to make a last-ditch tackle.
Harriott also had a chance to grab a winner at the end as he forced a save from de Vries.
Forest boss Dougie Freedman admitted his team needs a more ruthless streak but added the atmosphere in the ground seemed to really help their hosts.
“I think for 60 minutes we looked in control and passed quite well and had opportunities,” Freedman said.
“But when they went down to ten men, it gave them a lift and the crowd really gave them energy.
“If you don’t kill a team off, especially in the Championship, you are going to be vulnerable and that is what happened to us.
“It is tough when you come into an atmosphere like this and it helps when your support is right behind the team and credit to Charlton’s fans, they got behind their team for the whole 90 minutes.”