Cheltenham Town 1 Charlton Athletic 3
Job done tonight in Gloucestershire, but it was not easy on the eye.
Contrasting halves neither pretty, but we finished strong and we now sit in the rarefied air of 14th, and although teams below us have games in hand they all play each other.
The opening period was rabid and ugly, with the ball spending the majority of the time in the sky and neither side able to settle.
Then the first bit of quality came from us and we scored from it. Dobson inside to Coventry, out to Watson (T) who crossed beautifully for Kanu to slide home.
After that we had so many opportunities to get a second. Alfie May, buzzing all over his old patch, could have had a hat-trick on his own. Yet, our defensive failings had me screaming at the screen with any chance the opposition having generally coming from a cock-up. The half as a whole was error-strewn from both sides but we should’ve have had a sizable half-time lead.
Cheltenham after their start to the season, have done so well under Darrell Clarke to even give themselves a chance of staying up, and they were bound to up their game in the second half and slowly they got on top.
On 70 minutes The Robins equalized and I was pointing the finger at Isted, who to me pushed a reasonably innocuous shot straight into the path of Sercombe who scored.
We then weathered a bit of a storm and Jones replaced an out of sorts Anderson and Kanu, who was again excellent, with Bakinson and Ladapo.
We looked more settled, particularly in midfield and Dobson landed a lovely ball into Cheltenham’s box that Bakinson had followed, controlled on his chest, and turned and got a shot off that their keeper could only half parry and we were ahead with 5 minutes to play.
Again, instead of sitting back we continued to get the ball forward and Thierry Small, who has been such a great find, chased down a defensive error and unselfishly passed across goal to May to roll into an empty net.
Alfie didn’t celebrate his goal, even though he got booked for over-celebrating Bakinson’s goal five minutes earlier!
It was a big, if grisly win, but we have spent so long not being able to win in any manner, that tonight we should toast the victory. It was especially enjoyable to see Nathan Jones and the players celebrate in front of another terrific away following.
MoW: A close one, but I thought both Tennai Watson and Thierry Small were excellent, but I’ll give it to Watson who has improved immeasurably under Jones. He is carrying an injury too.
Elsewhere: Peterborough beat local rivals Northampton 5-1 and Bolton battled back to get a vital point at Barnsley.
Winning ugly is not as good as winning pretty but hey, we needed three points. If we can cobble together another three points against Carlisle then the pressure is relieved somewhat.
A win is a win…we worked hard and as you point out we created the opportunities to be handsomely ahead at half-time. After the Bolton/Pompey/Derby matches we needed to follow up with points in this sort of match and we delivered.
Other thoughts…Karoy Anderson was showing the effects of a few too many games in succession and if we can be critical of Nathan Jones subbing him off should have happened at least 10/15 minutes earlier. We were losing the midfield battle and needed fresh legs.
Both wingbacks were excellent and both registered an assist, clearly getting them to play as wingers who defend a bit rather than defenders who occasionally get forward is a ploy and leaving Tayo Edun out of the match day squad was a sign of NJ’s confidence in Thierry Small. On the right Tennai Watson got up and down the pitch and his pass for Dan Kanu was perfect, all he had to do was angle the ball into the corner.
I’m pleased for Bakinson too – he’s had a lot of critics since he joined the club but he showed another string to his bow by being the physical target man in attack, as much as I like Kanu and May I couldn’t see them winning and holding onto the ball while being back to goal and then turning and finishing as he did.
Onto Carlisle…
I’ve been a Bakinson critic but I was calling for him last night to replace Anderson. He finished his goal really well.
Recent results have shown a great improvement under the influence of NJ and the players are getting to know each other.
I have a concern that Isted is not good enough. He was at fault last night and on Saturday. I thought that a stronger goalkeeper would have attacked the cross for the the Derby goal last Tuesday even if it meant cleaning out his defenders.
I think GK is the first position we need to begin again in the summer. I’d be happy with a season long loan if I’m honest for #1.
I note your comment about Isted but I do feel we are more solid with him behind us than AMB who has poor distribution, no real direction to those in front of him and too often indecisive when he needs to come for a loose ball or cross.
Scrappy but good result👍
The shoots of growth are showing and three points is important however we get them.
Scrappy and hard fought game but the team showed Nathan Jones determination to win.
Carlisle are next and can we dream of a home win on Saturday ?
What is going on with iceman Watson ?..not featured in the team squad for a few games.
The Eskimo is missing. Jones knows him well, but he is now the third manager that hasn’t played him.
Hi CA
That’s a bit worrying…Scott can expect his phone to ring soon from Luton manager….I really really feel he’s a bonus to have in the team….hopefully Saturday ?
NJ thought we were magnificent! Well actually it was scrappy and messy at times. However, a welcome three points and frankly I don’t mind how we get wins while things are the way they are.
I wish NJ would use his subs quicker, we were begging for a half-time change.
Anyway I reckon nine or ten points from the last nine games will see us safe. On paper, an easy chance for three on Saturday.
Daggs !!!!
You know us…!!!
As been said, scrappy but three points. We have looked better organised under Jones than at any time under Appleton. Still a way to go though, but the squad now seems to have some purpose and fight.
Winning
Winning ugly is a prerequisite in this division. The players are not so good, the pitches are not good, the refereeing is frequently poor. This is the way to get out of this division. I don’t particularly like it but needs must.