Crawley Town 0 Charlton Athletic 1
Was that as nervy as it seemed to me?
It might not have been, but Crawley presented a real banana skin tonight and we dealt with the pressure and delivered. Three more points and a clean sheet win on the road.
Another sell out away end witnessed and backed another incredible shift from Charlton tonight who defended stoically and created enough chances to put the game out of reach.
A lack of composure and Joe Wollacott prevented an easier night although the ex-Addick perhaps should’ve done better with our goal.
Thierry Small knows how to celebrate though, and after receiving the ball in the box, he switched it to what was his weaker right foot and thrashed in a shot almost through Wollacott to score on 37 minutes after we quickly moved the ball up the pitch.
It was another assist from Gilbert, who started in place of new father Docherty (I’m hoping he doesn’t get the paternity leave companies give these days). The Middlesbrough loanee was involved in our best first half chances.
In the 2nd half Anderson had a shot saved, Godden saw a couple of efforts blocked, Leaburn was thwarted by Wollacott and TC made a flying run into the box and was inches wide.
Crawley have impressed in the two games against us though. They were threatening going forward and have an easy on the eye style of play. Other ex-Addicks Camara, Armando and Barker all impressed, and although it looks a tough ask, I really hope Rob Elliot can keep them up.
It was a far more open game than Saturday’s, maybe a little too open, but once again Lloyd Jones, Gillesphey, Ramsey, Mannion and Coventry were peerless. Jones, especially, had a hell of a game.
One negative was that Josh Edwards went off with an aggravated groin and I will say the players looked a little leggy at the end.
Rest up Addicks, and sleep well.
🎙️“It was a really professional performance today. We turned the ball over more than I would have liked but we created enough chances and enough situations to have won it by more than one. But I’ll take a 1-0 win away from home because it shows you have scored, kept a clean sheet and been a proper side again.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Lloyd Jones
🏟️ 5,489 (1,418 Addicks)
📸 Kyle Andrews
Perhaps the big news from the night were the defeats of Wrexham and Bolton.
We did what we needed to do in the match, that is grab a goal and keep a clean sheet and take the points, that’s another match ticked off and we jump to fourth place. We took the hard way to the points by squandering a few opportunities and we gave up too much possession in midfield for my liking, I’d have liked to have seen us win a few more of those second balls, at times Crawley played a bit too much football.
Elsewhere, Charlie Methven is selling his stake in the club, I’m hearing rumours that a new investor is incoming.
Yep that was a nervy game to watch and Crawley did have us worried at times….Theiry scored a great goal and was super-hyped up all game fully committed to his role.
I hope that Rob Elliot can keep Crawley up as I feel they put on a good performance…pity he fell out with our coaching staff during the game but that’s part and parcel of football.
Do we dare to think about getting that automatic spot. That is the burning question.
Decades of supporting Charlton have taught me that hope is a cruel thing, but…
10 games left…
our current form…
the indifferent form of Wrexham and Wycombe…
Can we allow ourselves that hope??
There’s always hope Andy. 🔴⚪️
I ve been an addick since 1980 it’s actually quite exciting this season but can I start being optimistic just asking for a friend
Your friend has been through the wringer 😉.
Enjoy the moment, it’s nice to watch Charlton players that you can believe in and have something to get behind is how I am viewing it.
Good result ,great defensive display and Gilbert made a significant contribution on his first start. Anderson worked hard but tended to overplay and his final pass lacked quality. I hope Edward’s injury is not serious as I thought he was excellent last night. When he went off Small moved over to left back and Campbell switched to the right of the front three, and he proved that he is even better on the right.
If Edward’s misses the Wigan game will McIntre be the replacement allowing Small to resume an attacking role.
Wollacott should have saved Small’s shot although it was a powerful effort.