Shrewsbury Town 0 Charlton Athletic 1
An excellent win that, backed up by a solid defensive display with the two centre-backs dominant.
After two home wins we needed to go to Shrewsbury, which still brings back bad memories of the play-off defeat, and grind out a result against what is always a physical side. And so we did.
I thought Jes Rak Sakyi had turned into Agent Rak Sakyi after those first half bloopers, but he came good when it mattered and was again in the right place on 69 minutes, but this time he put his chance away following a Jack Payne pass.
Payne himself was excellent when he came on for 19-year old Tyreece Campbell, who put in a very lively performance on his full debut.
The game as a whole was finely poised and both sides had spells where they were on top, but I thought the Addicks were more assertive, created the better chances and deserved the 3 points.
Once we were ahead, we managed the game really well and Garner made good use of his substitutions.
Lovely to watch us win at home from the sanctuary of my couch, but super pleased for those hardy Addicks who have travelled the country this season.
Ben Garner: “We spoke about our fans at half time and how we’d be kicking towards them in the second half and we really wanted to give them the three points, so hopefully they enjoyed it and will enjoy their journey home.”
Stats (CAFC first): Possession – 58% / 42%; Passes – 451 / 320; Accurate passes – 366 / 223; Shots (on target) – 17 (4) / 9 (2)
Chicago Addick 
Another good win but could have easily blown it with some of that stupid trying to pass it out from the back when under pressure! Garner really needs to sort that out especially with Inniss.
Looking Much better playing 442. Midfield is more solid! Looking forward to Tuesday 😊
Yes BG is beginning to show me so wrong and eating my words I was concerned with the October period with so many fixtures together with our forward options and injuries to key players. Now hopefully we don’t trip up against MK Dons who are getting desperate themselves sitting bottom of the league.
At last a performance that was professional and showed what the team can achieve…roll on Tuesday !!!
Overall a decent performance again. 4-4-2 is a much better formation considering the players we have at the moment. I think though, we lack the defenders who are comfortable enough on the ball to play out from the back in the way Garner wants.
Proving me wrong, I’m so pleased…great result yesterday and a brilliant run….fingers crossed for the coming week
And for around five second half minutes we were in a play-off spot.
A great win on the road but with some better finishing it would have been comfortable. I liked Tyreece Campbell’s contribution, he was lively and could have had a goal and was wisely subbed off after an hour. Credit to BG for starting him and not playing safe by putting an experienced player on the team sheet who wouldn’t have been a specialist in that position.
MK Dons up next who are on a bad run of form – we need to keep our concentration.
Things are coming together nicely.
No coincidence that our upturn in results has been since the change to a 442 formation. Having proper fullbacks helps too of course, but i just think that our midfielders are more comfortable in this system, and two up top just makes sense at this level. Credit to BG for making the change.
I went to Shrewsbury last season, it was a dreary match, a very cold day and we lost to a single goal in the last minute. Not ideal for my Japanese partners first away game, the drive home from a further excursions to Chesterfield through snow covered country roads however, was stunningly beautiful. What a lovely part of the world.
We have improved so much from last season, our league position does not tell that story as well as our style of play but, we are progressing and it is good to see. I know that I’m always more optimistic than most (It’s the hope that kill you) but, it looks to me that we are not too far away from being a good team at this level.
It is also really good to see that our youth system is bringing forth such talent. Let’s hope that we can get that cat1 status soon or they’ll all be lost for ridiculously small fees.