Charlton Athletic 1 Ipswich Town 2
I felt I needed to sleep on last night’s game.
That wasn’t particuarly successful as I couldn’t get our situation out of my head, plus my alarm went off at 4.30am as I had an early flight to catch. The anxiety is real.
This season has gone from enjoyment to anguish. We have written our own disaster movie here. Tough to think that we only needed 4 points after that great win at Middlesbrough, and that was 7 games ago.
The finish line is only 9 days away but the way we are running it seems like an eternity.
Jones made 8 changes to the starting line-up as he looked for solutions, and I have to say I really liked the way he set us up. Injuires and the now forlorn hope of finding a gamechanger meant we finished the game in typical bombastic style, of which technical ability was zilch, but there was a lot to like in the first half against one of the best couple of teams in the division.
We had a dream start, Docherty who put in a real skipper’s performance, put us ahead within the first minute after Campbell had led a high press charge to win a stray Ipswich pass.
The mobility of Kelman and Campbell was good, supported by the probing Rankin-Costello and the work rate of Docherty and Coventry.
Ipswich were slow to respond, but Kelman had a good chance to give us another but shot when passing was a better option. That move all came from Sichenje, who had an impressionable half.
Ipswich did draw level and although it wasn’t quite out of the blue I was thinking we looked comfortable at the back until then. It took another shot from outside the box, which has become atypical.
The worse part of that half was losing Bell. It seems every time he plays at left-wing back he gets injured. Campbell was another who was off injured. A challenge on him looked innocuous, but the replay showed he got his lower leg caught in an awkward position.
Chambers was already on for Bell, but we are a less organized side without him. Dykes was on for Campbell and cue the long balls.
Frustratingly and I have no idea what Jones can do about this because I am sure as hell they don’t practice it in training, but it was another gift for their goal. McGillesphy the villian needlessly infringing their player in the box, who was moving away from goal. A year is certainly a long time in football.
To add salt to the wound. Kaminski really should have saved the penalty.
After that it was all huff and puff from us with no end product. We didn’t have a shot on goal and only managed to win our first corner in injury time. For Ipswich it was about managing the game and the aerial threats which they did easily.
Kaminksi did make a late double save, and goal difference was what flashed across my mind at that point, as Ipswich broke numerous times, but mostly seemed content with aiming for the corner flag.
Worse was the follow on the injury front. Godden’s injury looked bad. He could hardly put one of his feet on the ground, but he carried on manfully, which we might all come to regret.
I feel regret now, but we now have 9 days to abolish that word from our heads.
🎙️ “We need to do a full 90 minutes of concentration of defending, of doing all the basics, and at times when you get opportunities to hurt them, you hurt them with a bit of quality. Everything has to come together for one performance.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Greg Docherty
🏟️ 19,706 (3,459 from Ipswich)
📸 Kyle Andrews
Firstly : No complaints about the result last night. Ipswich were superior all over the pitch and fully deserved their win.
The injuries to Bell and Godden are a real worry and they come on the back of the dubious fitness of Ramsay and Burke so what our defence will look like on Saturday…who knows?
We are running on empty at the moment and it is going to take a massive effort from everyone on Saturday to get the precious point we so badly need.
It is obvious that we have too many players who are not quite up to championship standard so if we do stay up there is going to have to be a huge turnaround of players in the summer window.
If we go down…..Can’t even bear to consider the consequences.
I have no idea what was going through Gillesphey’ mind when he gave that penalty away, but that one moment confirms that we have too many players who are out of their depth, and it is really costing us now. Every mistake is being punished. Much like every marginal decision is going against us! Still can’t quite fathom how Kelman being rugby tackled didn’t warrant at least a yellow card?
Whilst the first half was good, the energy levels seemed to drain away by half-time. Is this a consequence of what has been a long season for many players, many of whom have been playing in League One for much of their careers?
Hopefully, the good start to the season will be enough to see us through, but it is all on us to get that point against Hull on Saturday, and put this season to bed. Fortunately, it is still in our hands to do it…
Goal difference now will only go against us, if we lose both games and Oxford win both, they will have the better goal difference. It didn’t matter how many we lost by last night,
So close to getting the point we needed but again we fell short on the night to an Ipswich team that were resiliantent and focused on getting goals.
I’ve never never wanted to get a point so much and disappointed that didn’t happen….
Boy oh boy my nerves are shredded and again injuries during he game didn’t help with both TC and Godden being subbed.
Saturday will be tense and difficult game and just hope for once that Millwall will get a win at Oxford to help our plight….
I can’t relax till we are assured of the missing point we crave.
COYRs !!!!!
Like everyone else CA my nerves are shot , my son and I off to the valley again Saturday early start from Manchester. Last night we set up well but again couldn’t find a second goal the penalty what earth was he doing and I agree kaminski should of saved it. The loss of bell a problem along with godden , let’s get behind them one last push in a difficult season coyr
We didn;t really deserve a point last night,but if we had got one I wouldn’t have complained.!!! Ipswich were superior all over the field and it was only a matter of time for them to equalize after Docherty’s opener. We huffed and puffed but were really no threat, and at one time, possesion was 30/70 against us. Second half started and we were reduced to ‘hoofball’ All season we have lacked quality going through the midfield….we have battlers in there, but nobody who can get the ball down and move it forward with intent. Ipswich did it with aplomb, and we were chasing shadows. We did press in the last quarter of an hour,but never looked like getting the point. So, what now……I can’t see us getting anything against Hull as they are looking for a top six finish, and are a big attacking threat. Sheffield Wednesday could do us a big favour and nick a point against Oxford on Saturday or it all could go to the last day of the season, when, if we get no joy at Swansea, our neighbours from New Cross could help us out by taking the points to send Oxford down. Lets all hope we don’t have to leave it down to that.
Not the ending we were hoping for by anything. We have already got our tickets for Swansea.. although not mentioned I thought Fev’s had a really good game as well.
He was good. Gave us a real good attacking outlet 1st half.
Another master class from the Messiah. Another missed opportunity by his team.
Let’s face facts. We are not going to save ourselves. We are going to end up hoping our jolly chums down the road, beat Oxford on the last day of the season. What an utter shambles.
P.S. looking forward to ‘Eaststand’ responding by insulting me and justifying the incompetence of NJ. As usual. 🙂
Daggs totally agree and your right about Eaststand and his co pilot Eastender, both complete dickheads, who both insult anyone on here who don’t agree with their single minded views and don’t worship the Messiah, I doubt if either off them know what a Messiah is! Until these two Jonny come lately’s came onto this site this season, it was all reasonably good banter between opposite opinions etc, but between them they have dragged the site down, to the larger louts they both appear to be!
To be honest I am surprised CA hasn’t banned them as, whilst they have had a go at me plus others, you and John West seemed to have really received an ear bashing and insults which I hadn’t seen on here before and one of the reasons, the other is personal, why I decided a few weeks ago, after many years, of not posting anymore.
No doubt the two morons will be happy to see me not post anymore, but like you Daggs and nearly everyone on here, whatever we say about players, managers, signings etc, we all want Charlton to play a decent standard of football and do well, but unfortunately those two numpties don’t understand that!
Anyway I will sign off with why NJ needs to go whether we stay up or not, which will really get their goat 🙂
This season NJ has signed, (loan players not included)
Eleven players only five IMO are up to Championship standard
Carey a freebie, Bell and Sichenje plus (Apter & Costello, but obviously NJ doesn’t as he loaned out Apter and hardly plays Costello)
Players who we need to get shot of
Kaminski – Not as good as Mannion and at £20,000 a week our most expensive wage earner, definately hasn’t earned it!
Burke – Injury Prone, which everyone knew incl NJ, and slow
Olafe- Loaned out as like Apter not good enough according to NJ
Knibbs- Way to slow for this league, apart from two goals has never done anything apart from getting booked
Dykes- Way to slow can’t go past anyone, one on one and apart from a couple of goals has hardly had any other effort on goal, for a big guy can’t recall him ever heading a ball towards goal, from a freekick or corner!
Kelman- Most expensive signing has been a complete flop hardly ever manages a shot on target.
Plus lets not forget last seasons biggest spend of £1 million Ahadme!- Probably the worst No 9 I have ever seen wear a Charlton shirt.
So, besides the totally negative and same old tactics in nearly every game, if you take the amount spent overall and the number of players NJ’s has totally wasted money on as they just aren’t up to it, as Owners would you trust him to spend even more next season if we stay up, to get in the right players? Plus they also need to play a decent entertaining standard of Football, as for sure as eggs are eggs, they also won’t get all these extra corporate seats filled if not, as they are currently struggling now to get them anywhere near filled!
So hopefully, but NJ will probably bluff his way through to continue, he goes next season, as no matter who he brings in, it will be much of the same waffel and negative football, as he just doesn’t know any other way to play.
Signing off
PS -CA A Very Big Thankyou for all your hard work you have done on this Blog for many years and I have enjoyed being part of it. So long may you continue, even with certain Muppets you have to put up with! 🙂
COYR
Why would CA ban me, it’s a blog and it’s about options. I’ve not insulted anyone just challenged the constant negativity and hatred towards NJ. Bullies are just cowards!!
Seeing as I’m living in your head Daggs I might as well take up your invite to reply. Nothing to say about your comments above as it the same old wash, rinse, repeat. I’m looking forward to Saturday when we get the point to keep us in the Championship and then watch the Messiah drink the adulation from the covered end fist pumping and loving every moment. Can’t wait 😛 Hurts doesn’t it!!
Thank heavens! for a while there I thought you weren’t going to add your insight.
The only thing that “hurts” is the way NJ fails week in week out and has now left us on the precipice of relegation. Yet some still think he’s the right man for the job.
We are like a marathon runner who’s legs have gone but is still staggering drunkenly towards the finish line.
We can’t score goals – well not more than one in a match and we are just too easy to defend against. We scored after 45 seconds or something but at no time in the next 89 minutes and 15 seconds did we really look likely to add a second. Their equaliser was coming and not unexpected then we gifted them a penalty with Gillesphey getting caught slightly out of position and opting for an unnecessary foul with the referee a few yards away. He had a great year for us last season – but his lack of pace is a real weakness at this level. Saying that Collins Sichenje again looked good and should get better with experience.
I’ve got vibes from the last time we were in the Championship and Bradford somehow beating promotion chasing Brentford on the last day of the season. Oxford should beat Sheffield Wednesday and if we lose to Hull then what do they have to lose against Millwall? A draw and they are down so they have a free pass to attack while we are away at Swansea.
I think we’ll survive, but this last month or so has been a lesson that we have to learn from. We need to sign some genuine Championship players and not those who look good at League One and above all we need someone in midfield with a bit of quality to unlock defences.
Succinctly put as always SP.
I think it was Barnsley that beat Brentford. I don’t like that parallel by the way.
I cant believe another game where we could only score 1 goal yes I know ipswich are one of the best teams in the league but didn’t we do that against Wednesday, oxford and bristol city they couldn’t score 2 in a game while they have got a hole up their arse. Shambolic is the word I ve been using but there are so many more words I could use but don’t want to on here I ve been an avid supporter since 1980 and thinking twice about renewing my season ticket. Last thing CA I dont like reading the comments on here slagging people off like I said before there are bigger things in life to worry about so lets just stop ✋️ and think what we are typing because there are a lot of unkind people in this world without some of us adding too the list we just don’t need it on here please and thank you
💯
Totally agree slagging others off is not something welcomed in here…..CA will be disappointed that we can all share different opinions (and we do)….and making rude and crude responses is disappointing…..behave or get outta here!
Exactly chris it’s a shame some people are just naturally not very nice and waiting for an argument at every turn they shouldn’t need adults like us to tell them how to behave
Exactly Chris some people are naturally not nice people they are just unkind at every turn and putting others down they surely don’t need adults like us to tell them how to behave do they