Apr 2
This time of the season it is not about style and substance, it is about winning. The summer will be the time for Nigel Adkins to develop methods, systems and hopefully a missing identity, but for now it’s about keeping the season alive.
The performance was a little stodgy, and there was the occasional bit of routine sloppiness but overall we were more cohesive, tighter at the back and worthy winners.
A statement sending victory that one.
The tactics, game plan and the game management spot on. A magnificent defensive display again even with a makeshift back four, which became even more makeshift when Akin Famewo left the field with quarter of an hour left.
Portsmouth on the back of a very good run themselves presented our biggest challenge to date, and although we started slow, we grew into the game with the midfield four of Pratley, Shinnie, Forster-Caskey and Williams peerless, individually and as a collective.
This evening the newly put together Addicks squad proved they can do it on a chilly Tuesday night by the seaside as we left the Lancastrian coast with all three points.
The performance was once again a long, long way from perfect but there were encouraging signs. Ryan Inniss and Akin Famewo were dominant at the back against a good forward three for Blackpool. I thought Andrew Shinnie and Chris Gunter were more on point, and Alfie was once again a live wire, night cap and all.
Sarasota, Florida
