Just keep winning and we will make up the points - Impossible to predict who will drop out and Barnsley are in the mix too. Big defeat for Donny today IMO. Two late goals - probably caused by fatigue from the FA Cup!
Very enjoyable watching from afar. Great team performance. Felt like Williams had been there forever. Particularly unselfish of Taylor to let Grant take the pen - important for his confidence after the 1on1 misses.
Didn’t think we dominated the first half at all. If anything Shrews had the better of it. We got our noses in front though and when Bowyer tweaked things at half time, we never looked back. Could have been 6 or 7 in the end.
Karlan has missed a few chances in recent weeks, and we know he’s a confidence player so thought it was great from Taylor to give him the penalty to try and keep his chin up. His effort levels remained high though and his pace was definitely unsettling their clogging lower league defenders.
Taylor was his usual self, i.e. a handful, should have at least another goal himself too. Midfield got better as the game went on. Pratley had a good second half, Williams was quality, had the best bits of Fosu and Reeves, doesn’t appear to mind a tackle either. Great to be able to bring players off the bench without seriously weakening the team, thought all the subs did well.
Back four fairly solid, thought Sarr was the pick of the bunch. It’s been a long road back for him, but he’s finally starting to look reliable as well as showing flashes of composure and quality. Low key debut from Purrington, but that’s fine from a fullback in an away game because it means he did his defensive duties without fuss. I’m sure he’ll grow in stature as he settles in.
Finally Phillips - dealt with balls into the box, started some attacks, and made a couple of good saves first half to keep us ahead at halftime. Can’t do much more than that so absolutely deserves to keep the his starting place right now.
On a further note it remains frustrating that everyone around us has a game in hand yet that looks to be wrapped up by mid-February
Although none of them appear to be that easy
As a break down
Portsmouth and Luton both have a game in hand on us: (Tues 29th Jan: Luton v Portsmouth) Sunderland have two games in hand (12th Feb: v Blackpool and 19th Feb v Gillingham both at home) Barnsley also have two games in hand (29th Jan v Oxford (A) and one other which hasnt been confirmed yet)
Have a feeling that Barnsley will get one of the automatic spots, they're a really good side.
Sunderland draw too many games and Maja looks like leaving. Luton i expect to drop off a bit now that Jones has gone. Portsmouth still have to play away to us, Luton and Sunderland and also could be distracted by still being in 2 cups.
So it's up to us to march on and nick the other promotion spot.
If we beat Luton and Pompey at home we won't be too far off them. Personally, I think we are better than those two - but they have picked up more points to date for a reason. It is up to us to put that right. If Taylor stays fit we ought to be feared. Jacket is a clever manager and has a system. But Lowe is the only Portsmouth player who would get into our best eleven for me.
Great day out. Good team performance, everyone worked hard and showed no little skill. So pleased for Pratley and Grant. DP gets more stick than he deserves, but you should have seen the smile on his face when he scored. KAG would have been remembered for m missing three great chances. I think sometimes football is better when played more instinctively at a faster pace. With all three of those chances he looked like he was thinking too much. Not to worry though other aspects of his game were great and he earned the penalty. Good unselfish behaviour from Taylor in letting him take it. Taylor himself was outstanding: He scores, he holds the ball up, he creates great opportunities for others. What a guy! Very impressed with Williams. All others did well.
Great singing from the Charlton fans and some comedy kicking from the Shrews' keeper. What more could we ask for?
Watched on a stream with commentary from @KillersBeard and co. Thought Williams played very well, Purrington did nothing wrong and grew into the game, Taylor and Grant are now a good pairing up front and Grant could've had a hat-trick in second half. Sarr and Belik were immense, in fact overall a great performance all round.....well done lads. Excellent - onwards and upwards.
Saw their fans waving goodbye to ours on the stream to be fair to them. At least I thought it was that. They seemed to have problems opening their hands whilst doing so. I know there is a medical condition that causes it but didn't realise it was so common. Might be very infectious.
Looking forward to seeing Williams playing a full game at The Valley , great result , could be exciting times ahead , with players to come back into the side. Just got to hang on to the rest of the team for January !
On a further note it remains frustrating that everyone around us has a game in hand yet that looks to be wrapped up by mid-February
Although none of them appear to be that easy
As a break down
Portsmouth and Luton both have a game in hand on us: (Tues 29th Jan: Luton v Portsmouth) Sunderland have two games in hand (12th Feb: v Blackpool and 19th Feb v Gillingham both at home) Barnsley also have two games in hand (29th Jan v Oxford (A) and one other which hasnt been confirmed yet)
Have a feeling that Barnsley will get one of the automatic spots, they're a really good side.
Sunderland draw too many games and Maja looks like leaving. Luton i expect to drop off a bit now that Jones has gone. Portsmouth still have to play away to us, Luton and Sunderland and also could be distracted by still being in 2 cups.
So it's up to us to march on and nick the other promotion spot.
I still think it'll be Sunderland plus one other
Portsmouth: Need to drop a lot of points, might now happen with the loss of Ben Thompson Luton: I think the loss of Nathan Jones has ended their hopes Sunderland: Look very impressive at the Valley, they have their faults but their games in hand might just be enough Charlton: We know where the goal is but we do leak goals, if the attacking midfielder is our last incoming then that could be a BIG signing Barnsley: Do they have enough goals in them? Peterborough: After an impressive start they're having their usual season and dont see them as a threat Doncaster: Doing really well to keep pace but dont think they've the talent at the end of the day to be a serious danger
Wasn't there so followed it on Soccer Saturday where somehow our score was updated by someone out of shot & before Jeff could tell us..........weird.
Anyway, a great win & I'm now eating a large serving of a pie that you cant buy in the shops. Always said that man Pratley was a good 'un
super happy tonight & looks like its 6 from 7 for the play offs - surely we will get one of those 6 spots . but unfortunately I don't think it will be one of the top 2, but one thing is for certain we are a better team than last season & will give any of the other teams a good run for their money over 2 legs.
Comments
Also his penalty at Burton felt weak so expected the same today - Yet much better as you say
I'm not sure we have an allotted penalty taker, seeing that Grant and Fosu have both taken them with Taylor on the pitch
Didnt Grant take the Burton penalty for the same reason, and today took it what seemed like on the insistence of Taylor
Karlan has missed a few chances in recent weeks, and we know he’s a confidence player so thought it was great from Taylor to give him the penalty to try and keep his chin up. His effort levels remained high though and his pace was definitely unsettling their clogging lower league defenders.
Taylor was his usual self, i.e. a handful, should have at least another goal himself too. Midfield got better as the game went on. Pratley had a good second half, Williams was quality, had the best bits of Fosu and Reeves, doesn’t appear to mind a tackle either. Great to be able to bring players off the bench without seriously weakening the team, thought all the subs did well.
Back four fairly solid, thought Sarr was the pick of the bunch. It’s been a long road back for him, but he’s finally starting to look reliable as well as showing flashes of composure and quality. Low key debut from Purrington, but that’s fine from a fullback in an away game because it means he did his defensive duties without fuss. I’m sure he’ll grow in stature as he settles in.
Finally Phillips - dealt with balls into the box, started some attacks, and made a couple of good saves first half to keep us ahead at halftime. Can’t do much more than that so absolutely deserves to keep the his starting place right now.
Sunderland draw too many games and Maja looks like leaving.
Luton i expect to drop off a bit now that Jones has gone.
Portsmouth still have to play away to us, Luton and Sunderland and also could be distracted by still being in 2 cups.
So it's up to us to march on and nick the other promotion spot.
Taylor himself was outstanding: He scores, he holds the ball up, he creates great opportunities for others. What a guy! Very impressed with Williams. All others did well.
Great singing from the Charlton fans and some comedy kicking from the Shrews' keeper. What more could we ask for?
Portsmouth: Need to drop a lot of points, might now happen with the loss of Ben Thompson
Luton: I think the loss of Nathan Jones has ended their hopes
Sunderland: Look very impressive at the Valley, they have their faults but their games in hand might just be enough
Charlton: We know where the goal is but we do leak goals, if the attacking midfielder is our last incoming then that could be a BIG signing
Barnsley: Do they have enough goals in them?
Peterborough: After an impressive start they're having their usual season and dont see them as a threat
Doncaster: Doing really well to keep pace but dont think they've the talent at the end of the day to be a serious danger
Was back n forth n Phillips made a good save off his line early which was v important.
Once Taylor scored we went to 4-4-2 and seemed to get more in control as the game went on.
Shrews lost the will to fight after they went 2-0 down.
Good full debut for Purrington and Williams whose clearly capable of at least Championship football.
Anyway, a great win & I'm now eating a large serving of a pie that you cant buy in the shops. Always said that man Pratley was a good 'un
super happy tonight & looks like its 6 from 7 for the play offs - surely we will get one of those 6 spots . but unfortunately I don't think it will be one of the top 2, but one thing is for certain we are a better team than last season & will give any of the other teams a good run for their money over 2 legs.
Good report saying we outclassed them.
Nah fuck that
Champions we are going to go up as champions