Wigan Athletic 0 Charlton Athletic 1
A 1-0 clean sheet away win, something that was improbable all of last season. It was a fine way to start the season.
Lloyd Jones’ 81st minute controlled finish the difference between the two sides with solidity, concentration and hard work overcoming Wigan’s possession based style.
It wasn’t a game that will last long in the memory but Nathan Jones’ side would have given almost 900 Addicks a very pleasant Saturday night’s journey home.
1st half was pretty even, with the game falling into patterns of slight dominance for either side. Docherty having our best opportunity.
Wigan’s passing game did start to open us up either side of the break, and with some early 2nd half subs thrown on by the Latics they threatened to move the ball around us with Jordan Jones a danger out on the left wing.
Yet, we stood big and strong and Coventry did a good job of picking up any scraps. The one time our back line was breached by Aasgaard, Ramsey made a super tackle to prevent a shot at goal.
On 73 minutes Nathan Jones’ introduced Aneke, Kanu and Watson, and for me it was the latter who helped swing the game our way. Although Ramsey had a good game, Watson was playing much further up the pitch which allowed us to breathe at the back and bring our own threats.
It was Watson’s cross that wasn’t dealt with by Wigan’s back line, and the ball found its way to Lloyd Jones, who planted a striker’s finish into the back of the net.
After that the heart rate was pretty steady as we saw out the game without any duress.
I would say we did lack creativity and we need to improve when in possession, but were very organized at the back with Edwards excellent and Mitchell and Jones assured. Mannion did everything he was asked to do.
One thing Jones is a proponent of is having game changers in his squad, and the bench was probably one of the best on an opening day for many a year. Aneke did what Aneke does, and Kanu stretched tired legs. Berry came on late to bring an air of calm.
The ability to keep a clean sheet gives you such a foundation to win games, and win we did.
🎙️”We’re going to be more fluent in games, I know that.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Josh Edwards
🏟️ 9,564 (862 Addicks)
📸 Kyle Andrews
We got a bit swamped in midfield at times but the defence was solid, we won just about every first ball into the box and unlike last season we were decisive in clearing the ball. There was no fannying about trying to play the ball out or looking for a release pass and then getting caught in possession. Josh Edwards was superb on debut and Ramsay’s tackle on Aasgaard the champagne moment of the match, that was worthy of a higher division.
These are the sort of games we need points from – come next May Wigan will be up there in the top third of the table so a valuable three points against a rival with the added benefit of a clean sheet and a defender netting the winner. We lacked goals from our defensive unit last season and on an afternoon when our forwards didn’t get much of a sniff it was important that we found another way to score.
Grumbles, our midfield three grafted hard but lacked a bit of creativity, maybe Mannion in goal was a bit to stuck on his line for crosses and generally we lacked a bit of fluidity, but that will come.
But overall after another summer rebuild we looked strong and you can’t argue with three points on the road.
Fair play and would like to do things quietly and under the rador, so to speak and agree we do have so many midfielders but not enough creativity.
Yes concerned about the GK position and yes wondering who is going to score the goals but fair play the defense was very solid and Edwards had a blinder.
And a clean sheet but Mannion did what was aked of him but hoping we can get one or tw over the linem but appears Ness and Fraser have to be shipped out but itappears CAFC having trouble in getting rid.
I also hope Godden’s injury is not going to be more serious than first thought and we have had theseissues before.
By the sound of it a couple were cramping up a bit but it looks no one injuredm otherwise.
COYR and please keep your feet on the ground and try ot to say too much but what a brilliant strikers goak from Jones and that tackle from Ramsey WOW!!!
My worry is that the three midfielders lack creativity and are the weak link in the team, we need to recruit somebody who can play the killer pass and be more physically imposing.