Relieved we won, and happy we looked a little better (mainly thanks to CBT and his pace).
That being said, still, for me, we are a very poor footballing side. I think we have enough quality to win most of our last set of games, but I feel like it will paper over the cracks.
We just never seem to move the ball fast enough, or have a confidence to play the ball through the lines in the centre of the park. And because of that, better sides are able to pressure us more effectively, and turn us over easier.
Maybe I will see more second half vs Rotherham and first half came Portsmouth performances which will make me feel differently - but at the moment I’m slightly worried for next season.
PWR. Just a couple of quick observations... 1st time I've seen this team play live. Gillingham never pressed or harried us, which suited us just fine. We had time to stroke it about. CBT was our brightest player by far. Stockley ain't that great, quite surprised how infective he was. Foster must still be COVID effected, because I didn't think he had much influence tonight. And lastly for now, we'd be totally fucked if we didn't have Dobson.
Stockley definitely looks rusty. But it's worth noting he was out for about three months and going by the sounds of it it might have been hard for him to walk during that time. Given that slipped discs and pinched nerves don't usually go away on their own from what I understand, he may still be playing through pain as well.
But even an off the pace Stockley is such a massive presence for us in both boxes that we don't otherwise have.
Three points that I think we actually deserved overall. Not a brilliant performance but maybe one of Curbs' (in) famous "stop the rot"/back to basic wins - should be us safe now but let's try and find some form to see out the season.
The Stockley/Washington double act is by no means a footballing revolution but it does work. CBT looked bright and direct, Fraser looks like a player with a higher ceiling than most on the pitch, albeit his "cramp" will probably be a previously undiagnosed season ending issue - this IS Charlton after all.
Much better. Lavelle looking proper, CBT and Fraser starting to show. Washington and Stockley are crucial.
Maybe it has been the injuries and we’re not such an awful side?
I like Lavelle but I thought he was well off the pace for much of the game tonight. He was consistently beaten in the air by Vadaine Oliver. He really only started looking up to it in the final 20 minutes or so.
I think Oliver has the best aerial success rate in English football by a distance, so no shame in that. I’d take him as backup for Stockley next season.
It's why unlike some I like Gilbey. He gets the chances even though he misses too many. Another player doesn't get them. Sort that out and he will score more and his energy helps us.
For some reason Gilbey seems to play much better when Washington is in the team.
The worrying thing is how much better everyone plays when Washington plays. He isn't THAT good.
It's why unlike some I like Gilbey. He gets the chances even though he misses too many. Another player doesn't get them. Sort that out and he will score more and his energy helps us.
Agreed. I'd also like to see him come deeper into space to collect. But he had a decent game!
It's why unlike some I like Gilbey. He gets the chances even though he misses too many. Another player doesn't get them. Sort that out and he will score more and his energy helps us.
For some reason Gilbey seems to play much better when Washington is in the team.
The worrying thing is how much better everyone plays when Washington plays. He isn't THAT good.
Its because you can aim for the goal, yet hit the corner flag and Washington will still run for it.
He'll more often or not get to it too, so he'll make it look as though its been done deliberately.
Pretty poor game, but Washington, Stockley and CBT were the difference
Lavelle literally didn’t win a single header against their No 19 all night, I’m not having anyone say he looked solid!!!…time and time again he was beaten in the air
Fully deserved scoreline flattered Gillingham who were never really in the game .. CBT was excellent Laville was a man mountain at the back … Fraser had his best game … well done guys
We were the least worst on the night and I thought Gillingham were terrible for a team on a bit of a run.
However, coming off the back of no wins in 7, you can understand the laboured victory.
We gave them something to think about in the first half with CBT lively and he’s a much better option than anything else down that side.
It’s going to take more than this for me to give them much praise, they haven’t earned that yet.
New name for Elliott Lee after his cameo tonight, ‘Brookside’. The man can sniff a cul-de-sac out from miles away. Some very silly over elaborate touches when the simple ball was on.
We need a lot better than most of these players next season
Fully deserved scoreline flattered Gillingham who were never really in the game .. CBT was excellent Laville was a man mountain at the back … Fraser had his best game … well done guys
Pretty poor game, but Washington, Stockley and CBT were the difference
Lavelle literally didn’t win a single header against their No 19 all night, I’m not having anyone say he looked solid!!!…time and time again he was beaten in the air
Bit harsh to hold that against him, Oliver has been an absolute monster for most CBs at much better teams/sides than ours to handle.
Think Purrington played a lot better tonight than he's getting credit for. Kept that side very quiet, overlapped for CBT to give him space, passing was excellent, one superb bit of covering Lavelle, and strong in the air. Back to earlier-Jacko Purrington.
Elliot Lee isthe most mediocre player to ever have a song sung about him.
came on, didn't pass to anyone, tackled his own player and then held it in the corner for a couple of minutes. Nile John must be absolutely diabolical to not get a look in for at least one game ahead of him
It's why unlike some I like Gilbey. He gets the chances even though he misses too many. Another player doesn't get them. Sort that out and he will score more and his energy helps us.
For some reason Gilbey seems to play much better when Washington is in the team.
The worrying thing is how much better everyone plays when Washington plays. He isn't THAT good.
Its because you can aim for the goal, yet hit the corner flag and Washington will still run for it.
He'll more often or not get to it too, so he'll make it look as though its been done deliberately.
There is that but I think it's more to do with he makes the same run 10 times a game and other people know either where he, or the space, is going to be.
Twice tonight Stockley no looked played it to where he knew Washington would roughly be running and at least twice Gilbey ran into the space Washington created by making the same run.
I will had there was no reason why he couldn't have made the same runs slightly wider in a front 3. He isn't necessarily a "between the posts" player.
Highlight for me was seeing MacGillivray actually coming and claiming 2 crosses.
After the second one, it looked like nearly the whole team came and gave him a congratulatory hug!
Apart from that, the difference between having Stockley and Washington up front, or not having them, is like night and day. If only we could keep them fit all next season.
And whilst it may not have been a classic, finally, we get to beat a Neil Harris team. That sends me to bed happy!
A very good first half and a slightly flakey second but opening up a 10 point gap over Gillingham in the last relegation slot (with a game in hand) is a huge relief. We are also 10 points ahead of Fleetwood and Wimbledon and it's almost inconceivable that all 3 of these teams will now overtake us in the remaining games, especially given their vastly inferior goal difference.
The Gills are a basic old team but I thought that we stood up pretty well to their attritional high ball game, although the early throw bouncing around in our 6 yard box didn't appear to bode well. In the event, we controlled the first half, with Blackett-Taylor a constant menace. Gilbey should have done better with two earlier chances but lacks composure, although happily he got it right just before half time.
The second half was more even but we managed to see the game out for a vital 3 points. Let's hope that Blackett-Taylor, Washington and Fraser (or at least 2 of them) are fit for Saturday. Moving the AFC Wimbledon game from next Tuesday will also help us.
Just wish more players would have a pop from outside the area. CBT showed what can be done and it’s a damn side more exciting than passes going sideways and backwards with no end result.
We won but we didn’t play particularly well against a poor team. It’s three points but I can’t get too excited about it. May mean we will finish near the top fourteen which is some achievement.
And our goal came from their keeper dropping one....
We were the better team, just.
We were the better team and we won with a clean sheet, if we had a serious striker we would have won 3-0 and would not have to rely on 1-0 and moments of panic in the second half. but very pleased with 3 points and a clean sheet. Let’s get another 3 points on Saturday 👍👍👍
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But even an off the pace Stockley is such a massive presence for us in both boxes that we don't otherwise have.
The Stockley/Washington double act is by no means a footballing revolution but it does work. CBT looked bright and direct, Fraser looks like a player with a higher ceiling than most on the pitch, albeit his "cramp" will probably be a previously undiagnosed season ending issue - this IS Charlton after all.
The worrying thing is how much better everyone plays when Washington plays. He isn't THAT good.
He'll more often or not get to it too, so he'll make it look as though its been done deliberately.
Lavelle literally didn’t win a single header against their No 19 all night, I’m not having anyone say he looked solid!!!…time and time again he was beaten in the air
done guys
However, coming off the back of no wins in 7, you can understand the laboured victory.
It’s going to take more than this for me to give them much praise, they haven’t earned that yet.
New name for Elliott Lee after his cameo tonight, ‘Brookside’. The man can sniff a cul-de-sac out from miles away. Some very silly over elaborate touches when the simple ball was on.
We need a lot better than most of these players next season
came on, didn't pass to anyone, tackled his own player and then held it in the corner for a couple of minutes. Nile John must be absolutely diabolical to not get a look in for at least one game ahead of him
Twice tonight Stockley no looked played it to where he knew Washington would roughly be running and at least twice Gilbey ran into the space Washington created by making the same run.
I will had there was no reason why he couldn't have made the same runs slightly wider in a front 3. He isn't necessarily a "between the posts" player.
After the second one, it looked like nearly the whole team came and gave him a congratulatory hug!
Apart from that, the difference between having Stockley and Washington up front, or not having them, is like night and day. If only we could keep them fit all next season.
And whilst it may not have been a classic, finally, we get to beat a Neil Harris team. That sends me to bed happy!
The Gills are a basic old team but I thought that we stood up pretty well to their attritional high ball game, although the early throw bouncing around in our 6 yard box didn't appear to bode well. In the event, we controlled the first half, with Blackett-Taylor a constant menace. Gilbey should have done better with two earlier chances but lacks composure, although happily he got it right just before half time.
The second half was more even but we managed to see the game out for a vital 3 points. Let's hope that Blackett-Taylor, Washington and Fraser (or at least 2 of them) are fit for Saturday. Moving the AFC Wimbledon game from next Tuesday will also help us.
and moments of panic in the second half.
but very pleased with 3 points and a clean sheet.
Let’s get another 3 points on Saturday 👍👍👍
We put ourselves under pressure with some stupid mistakes.
Deserved to win as Gillingham were even poorer than us.
Elliot Lee is not worth persevering with.