Charlton Athletic 1 Shrewsbury Town 1
Draw no. 20. Very disappointing to finish off without a win, but at least The Valley had George Dobson to serenade on his final Valley appearance.
In 1926 we finished 21st in Division 3 South, and had to be re-elected, so I guess that is one positive for this season, but there really hasn’t been many and repeat to infinitum…. Nathan Jones has a lot of bloody work to do.
Shrewsbury had slightly more to play for than the Addicks at kick off, but the way they started compared to us, you’d have been forgiven to think that they were chasing a promotion place.
Chance after chance they missed with our defence as per doing their best to concede. Harry Isted playing comedy villain, and not for the no. 1 shirt. A new ‘keeper has to be top of the list.
Udon eventually gave Shrews the lead following more dire defending, and we were down at the break.
2nd half was immediately better when Dobbo scored in front of the Covered End after being put in by Connor Wickham. Dobbo scored the opening goal of the season at The Valley as well so bookended it nicely.
Celebrations were long, but tinged with sadness. The mis-management of the George Dobson situation really needs to be explained and I suspect we will be talking about this long into the summer.
Anderson had a good chance to win it with a free header but despite Aneke and Kanu joint the fray the game petered out to another draw.
Interestingly Jones began with a flat back four and a diamond shaped midfield, but quickly changed it after our feeble start. There also wasn’t one loan player in the squad. More fine work by Andy Scott.
Oh to be a fly on the wall in some of these Scott and Jones recruitment meetings this summer.
MoW: Dobbo. Thanks for the memories.
Elsewhere: At the top Derby now need just a point next at week at home to bottom placed Carlisle after they won at Cambridge. Bolton relegated Port Vale beating them 2-0. Fleetwood are also down, despite winning at Leyton Orient. Burton had a huge 3-2 win at home to Reading leaving Cheltenham needing a win in midweek at home to Peterborough to give themselves any chance of avoiding the drop.
Photo: Paul Edwards
Chicago Addick 
Oh well another draw that was predictable and the curtain is nearly drawn on a season that was turmoil to put it bluntly.
We became so close to being in a relegation battle and the SMT made important decisions that were poor and drew the attention of our American owners,so much so they were concerned about too.
The saving grace is appointment of Nathan Jones who has saved the club from league 2 and got the best out of a very poor squad.
The coming Summer will be an important milestone for us as we need to cull the squad and get players who can help us kick-on next season.
I’m hoping we can find a way of keeping Dobbo who performed a final farewell to fans today but it will be hard to achieve.
And we’ll be playing Rotherham next season with the hyper-animated, dreadful Scot, Steve Jones, running their show…
I just do.not understand why Alfie May was substituted on 60min against Barnsley when he scored two class and very good matching winning goals as it turned out.
Then again on 60min Alfie again substituted against Shrewbury. Even Curbs was surprised. Why of why?? Plus on personal not for Alfie he is going fir the Golden Boot Top Goalscorer fir the league.
As it stands with one match to go he us 3 goals ahead of Bishope of Pompey. So I ask that they pick Alfie very Wycombe and that he played the full 90 min plus.
We are divided the 14 match run playing vetu poorly so even more so that we need Alfue in the team for the fil 90.
Cheers
Peter (been supporting for some 70 years)
Hi Peter.
Agree with you. Makes no sense to not play for full games at this stage of the season.
Alfie May the only thing is that he might be carrying an injury so he is given 60 min. But if I am.honest I’m not convinced on that point of view. Someone let us know. Before I consider paying £10 to watch the Wycombe match I shall check the starting eleven and if Alfie is not there nor will I. If he starts and is taken off around 60 min again do I stop watching. ?
It’s the last game of the season Peter. Of course you have to watch it! 😀
Cliff
Not sure your Christian name is Cliff but it’s at the beginning of your email address. Regarding watching as its the last match of season, if Alfie is in the starring line up I will, if not I will not. Just to advise I used to live at 131 Charlton Park Lane just up from what was then the Sam Batram entrance behind north end of the then east terrace. Myself I was seven and a few more young lads used to go down to watch home matches and bunk in at half time. That’s when I started supporting them. So as I am now 78 that’s some 71 years. Yes a glutton for punishment. It was the time that they used to train on the then black cinders that was the then cark Park behind the old corrugated west stand. I used to watch players like Stusrt Leary, John Summers, Sam Lawrie, John Hewie and others that their names now allude me. Could do with a few of them in the team today. Cheers Peter. P.s. I really enjoy your summary articles keep it up.
When NJ took over we were one point above the relegation places having played up to three games more than our relegation rivals.
congrats to Nathan for making us much harder to beat.
But Shrewsbury highlighted how poor our recruitment has been. They looked technically better than us, particularly in midfield. Some of our recent signings drew attention to their lack of quality in certain areas, Coventry (who turned out to be a ‘free’ rather than an expensive signing), Thomas and Gillesphey in particular. Anderson again showed no lack of effort, but doesn’t yet look quite ready to be part of a relegation hunting team. Kanu similarly.
This summer’s recruitment will be crucial. The decline of our great club will continue without proper recruitment in the close season.
Credit to Jones for the improvement since he took over, but totally baffled by the selection of Thomas at right back. He is a left sided player who should be centre or left side of a back 3 or at a pinch left back. He has played both full back positions and all 3 of the back 3 positions and not allowed to settle. Is Gillesphey better on the left, I don’t think so.
I think Jones is right that we need to recruit several players but several players of modest ability have been recruited this season and will have contracts covering future seasons. Edun ,REG, Jones, Watson and Gillesphey spring to mind. Add in the incompetent situation around Dobson’s departure, I frankly have little confidence in whoever is making the decisions. Small and Wickham could be useful recruits but they appear to be at Jones’s suggestion. He needs to have a major influence on future decisions
The standard of loanees has also been poor and needs to be significantly better next season.
All good points rierti. I think Thomas may be in Jones’ plans as a utility squad defender, but he is not a versatile defender.
Did you read what Jones said about loan players. Sounds as if doesn’t want to have any or many at least next season.
I have my popcorn 🍿 ready for the fallout of the Jones and Scott summer recruitment conversations.
Have to agree CA,
SkySports need to show live the negotiations about future signings between Nathan and Scott…. 🤭
Pay per view 😀
I know who my money’s on…..😁
Maybe Jones will bring Appleton in for the killer punch! 🥊