Charlton Athletic 3 Blackburn Rovers 0
I was at The Valley today, and I was moved by that performance and how it was saluted by a pulsating stadium.
We were irresistible in that 2nd half and thoroughly deserved the win in what was possibly the best pressing display I’ve seen from us under Nathan Jones.
The first 20 minutes were a little pedestrian, but Blackburn were the more slicker with the ball.
Josh Edwards had to go off with an ankle injury and he was replaced by Macaulay Gillesphey, who got a warm welcome. The Wembley hero made a quick impression with a couple of great tackles and some crisp passing.
Then on 31 minutes James Bree swung in an inviting free kick and there was Gillesphey stooping to direct a fantastic header into the far side of the net to give us the lead.
We didn’t really look back after that and had chances to get a second before the break.
The 2nd half was excellent. We suffocated them in midfield and I loved the way we went after them. It was relentless and so good to watch.
When Burke put over the bar when it was easier to score some doubt could have crept in that we weren’t going to slam home our superiority, but there was a confidence and an assurance about our play.
Not long after the crucial second goal did come, with game changers Leaburn and Olaofe on, the latter laid the ball into Carey’s path after another gut-busting run. Carey looked up and hit the ball hard and low into the corner. We were right behind that as it nestled in the net.
The Valley was bouncing now and yet red shirts continued to fly forward and in stoppage time, the excellent Bree side-footed home after great work by Docherty.
The skipper by the way was superb. He led by example and his mate next to him, Coventry, slightly edged him to the MoM.
Yet there were so many candidates, although not the referee, who I thought was awful, but Bree, Jones, Gillesphey, Bell, Carey were all fantastic. TC had some good moments and Kelman worked hard, but Leaburn and Olaofe were such a handful when they came on.
It was great to witness in the flesh. A little croaky but I will sleep well before heading home tomorrow.
🎙️“I couldn’t be prouder of Macaulay if he was my own child. He was massive for us last season, playoff semi-final, final, outstanding. It’s been tough for him not starting in the Championship yet, but we’ve shown our faith in him. I told him to stay ready, and today he showed exactly why.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Conor Coventry
🏟️ 19,004 (1,567 Blackburn)
📸 Chicago Addick
A truly startling performance! Just what we have been looking for!
Just fantastic CA! We are getting better with each game and we scored 3 goals. I completely concur with your match report. I am continually impressed by Bree, given we had some reports about him being a panic signing and one of NJ’s boys. Carey goal was a superb strike, and he has relished in the step up challenge. Back to back wins are things to celebrate. But we know it is still a long way to May, and there will be downs as the season progresses. But I am enjoying these ups and long may they continue.
Onwards to Derby, hoping for another 3pts. They are a direct side so need to be strong across the back.
One word sums the team up today stunning all of them can’t wait till Tuesday perfect write up again CA keep it up coyr
Yes, I commented BEFORE the match when I saw the team, and yes, I can see all angles, of course, and was not surprised Breen kept his place and was on the International site about so many wanted Leaburn and Tanto to start and yes people get confused about BEFORE and AFTER match comments and congratulated the whole squad in another post.
I got dogs abuse and personal attacks on me for stating what so many agreed with, and well delete these ignorant so-called supporters.
I was trying to point out only one so far of our “so called goal-scoring strikers has hit and the old cliche is who cares who scores the goals, and that is very true.
It still is a real concern, but we are used to it in Godden and May before getting their first league goal and yes acknowledge assists from Tanto and was it Kelman also and note you stated he worked hard (that is the least our supporters demand just to start with,
Wow we have a goal scorer and an assist from Breen who has been outstanding and all 3 goals were superb.
Yes, indeed another clean sheet and now scoring for fun and what a strike from Carey.
Now we have a run of is it 3 away games on the trot?
Wow, what a performance from the whole team,
especially in the second half. The goals were all good with some excellent passing, Alaofe works so hard, Bree very cool and accurate, pleased for Macaulay and what a terrific header, but they all did on the day. Long may it continue.
I’m so pleased you were there to see that performance in the flesh!! Wow. What a superb performance, from everyone. These really are times to savour. Incredibly, the gentleman who sits behind me in west stand lower was still complaining about our manager, how he has us set up and some of our individual players. Madness. You really cannot ever please everyone can you?
You cannot. Some people won’t ever be happy which is shame on them because as a football fan you have to saviour it when you can.
Oop’s, should have been Gillepshey, not Macaulay.
One word for that display….FAB-U-LOUS….especially the second half.
Just my luck to be on holiday and not able to attend the game but kept in touch with progress with Goggle….not quite the same as being there….compensation was a drink by the pool in 26 degree sunshine.
I caught up with the highlights later in the evening and what a truly great performance resulting in 3 points and Nathan is showing others that we are no push-over.
I’m looking forward to our next home game and being able to attend
Was on holiday so my friends son who sits with us, took his young son along in my place, but apparently he enjoyed watching the half time kick about by the subs more, as he was watching pepper pig during the game! Lol
Anyway managed to watch it on my laptop and until Gillepshey came on for the injured Edwards it was pretty tedious, with Blackburn looking the better side, but no efforts of goal from either side, as Brownie & Co implied don’t think we will see many goals as both clubs, apart from from Sheffield Utd, are joint bottom for scoring, with four a piece! But Mr G changed that and once he subbed Kelman and Campbell for Olafe and Leaburn, much earlier than his normal late subsitutions, in the second half, we looked like a totally different team, with all guns blazing. Olafe in particular brought so much energy to the forward line, surely he must now be given a start? The second half was the best performance so far this season, entertaining and great to watch. Though must admit when Burke missed that absolute sitter, I was a bit concerned, it could be another draw.
MOM IMO was Coventry he was everywhere, breaking up their attacks, getting stuck in when required, including some glorious long passes, which unfortunately weren’t picked up by Kelman or TC, who should have done better. This was by far his best game this season long may it continue, as he often goes unnoticed.
Will be interesting to see if any changes against Derby, though looks like Edwards won’t make it and could be out for a few games. Lets hope they can put in another good performance.