A very pleasing first half, comfortably in control, apart from dodgy defending during the Gills first attack. Then we lost composure in the second half and became very panicky at times. Gills didn't give up but were pretty crap. They had one chance to score but thankfully it was blazed over the bar. Not sure why Harris thought they deserved a point. It was pleasing to see Mac making a couple of catches. Robert Lee was such a sublime player. Neither of his kids are anywhere near as good as him. Olly is better than Elliot imo. Not sure if we would want to entice any of their players to the Valley next year. At least I can go to bed with a smile on my face tonight.
Tonight was never going to be an exhibition of the beautiful game - we were always going to have to grind it out - well done to the players for doing that
Stand outs - CBT, Dobson, Gilbey and Fraser
Why Fraser - well it was not a game he was going to be able to display his skills to full effect, but he hung in there and put a shift in - it was noticeable that when Lee replaced him, our midfield melted and we lost control
Lee was dreadful - I think his first 5 or 6 ‘passes’ he gave the ball away, although he did well at the end to help count the time down
No idea what the trouble in the away end was all about, it was getting quite tasty though
I went by car - be interested to hear what it was like at Charlton station and on the train post match ?
"I knew I would get a response from the lads. They stood up, to a man - it was a real team effort and I'm really pleased for them." - Jackson
To win 1-0 against 21st in the divison.
Literally standards have never been lower. Glad it looks like we are staying in the division this season but we need to start planning now for next year. Some coaching changes need to be made behind the scenes.
We were still pretty shite but a better level of shite.
We, for the most part, looked like a team that knew what it was doing and not a bunch of people strolling around the pitch, small passages of play and movement here and there. We've progressed to being able to play 70 minutes looking competent rather than 20. Gills helped a lot by being complete wank though.
Stockley and Washington on the pitch together makes a massive difference, not necessarily because they're top quality players, but they cover a lot of the teams failings. Stockley aiding defence and being a battler, Washington running himself into the ground.
Further away from relegation and some decent breathing space. Still plenty of work to do going forwards though, absolutely nowhere near progressing to being a top 2 team yet.
Massive relief. Still anxious about getting enough points to stay up. CBT MoM for me. On Lavelle, he was excellent the whole of the second half because he had been told to always be the guy to go for the first ball, let the other players worry about what happens next, It worked well and he was used appropriately. In the first half his main contribution was clearing the ball for throw ins.
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.
And still picked for international duty, on a regular basis
Thought we were as bad as we have been recently but Gillingham are dreadful so even when, in the second half, we desperately attempted to press the self implode button with Lee, Dobson and others giving the ball away so cheaply I'm the middle to set up their counter attacks, they couldn't capitalise.
3 points, near enough safe. Win one more and we can experiment with some kids and different formations and start planning to blow this league away next season.
Tonight was never going to be an exhibition of the beautiful game - we were always going to have to grind it out - well done to the players for doing that
Stand outs - CBT, Dobson, Gilbey and Fraser
Why Fraser - well it was not a game he was going to be able to display his skills to full effect, but he hung in there and put a shift in - it was noticeable that when Lee replaced him, our midfield melted and we lost control
Lee was dreadful - I think his first 5 or 6 ‘passes’ he gave the ball away, although he did well at the end to help count the time down
No idea what the trouble in the away end was all about, it was getting quite tasty though
I went by car - be interested to hear what it was like at Charlton station and on the train post match ?
I so agree about Elilot Lee. He was awful after coming on, constantly giving the ball away and the reasonably comfortable control we had had of midfield just disappeared after his appearance.
I know it will upset his dad if we don't sign him but surely there must be better alternatives to him out there.
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.
Yet he is always picked for international duty. Not bad for a Div One player
We were still pretty shite but a better level of shite.
Alex Gilbey.
We, for the most part, looked like a team that knew what it was doing and not a bunch of people strolling around the pitch, small passages of play and movement here and there. We've progressed to being able to play 70 minutes looking competent rather than 20. Gil's helped a lot by being complete wank though.
Alex Gilbey.
Stockley and Washington on the pitch together makes a massive difference, not necessarily because they're top quality players, but they cover a lot of the teams failings. Stockley aiding defence and being a battler, Washington running himself into the ground.
Alex Gilbey.
Further away from relegation and some decent breathing space. Still plenty of work to do going forwards though, absolutely nowhere near progressing to being a top 2 team yet.
Alex Gilbey.
The second verse onwards gets a bit complicated but I like it.
We won & on the whole looked a far better outfit than we've seen for some time. Shout out for young Corey, Gilbs & Wash.
The down side ?
They won without the Fanackapans.
Seriously, this performance should have given the lads a real confidence boost for the remaining games - something, as well as important players, that's been missing of late.
A goal from open play & a clean sheet too ! What's not to like ?
Just a shame my birthday bash in Wimbledon's been cancelled....
PWR. We won and that is what really matters given I think it ends the spectre of relegation. An improved performance against a poor Gills side who I thought were a little insipid for this type of game.
Most of their breaks into our half were a result of us giving the ball away by being sloppy in possession or choosing the wrong pass.
CBT our best player. Thought Fraser did some good things and actually did some of the dirtier side more than I thought he would. We looked poorer without him. Hoping his knock isnt too serious as Lee as a replacement was not as good and continues to frustrate. Washingtons running always a nuisance. Lavelle gave a proper no nonsense defensive performance.
We were poor, they were worse. At least we battled and deserved the 3 points. Mind you if we'd been playing a top 6 team we would probably have lost. Anyway, I don't care, we won and that's all that matters right now.
We weren't great but we scored and could have had more with a bit of luck. And we didn't concede. I think Dobson is going to enjoy playing alongside Fraser. The 2 of them complement Gilbey in that they can do the football and he can do the running. Pleased Mac came for the ball. CBT was good. So was Matthew's 🤷♂️ No one was terrible apart from Elliot Lee. Gills were awful. Still think they might escape the drop but tonight was one of their more winnable games
They won’t sell too many DVDs of that one but it was a very important 3 points. That’s relegation fears pretty much wiped away and thankfully the spiralling mood of negativity will lift for a bit. Not that you’d realise it in the ground, despite there being really scarce numbers the crowd backed well, were very patient during some of the stale periods and never got demanding and adding further pressure. Well done everyone!
Players deserve some credit too. I feared this was going to be a game we’d be bullied and our soft underbelly pathetically exposed. But they all stood up to it well. Gillingham were a very basic team playing in a basic way, all 11 deep behind the ball in their own half and sitting off and not pressing our back three. It was like watching San Marino defending at times, and some people said they be happy with Harris as manager!
Playing against teams set up defensively like that you really need players who offer something different, otherwise it’s a training game of keep ball, moving it around sideways and backwards. CBT was the one player on the pitch able to offer that something different; pace on the outside and then when they feared that cutting in. We’ve missed him far more than I thought we would.
Elsewhere, Stockley and Washington gave us a proper forward line and as a result a better shape to the team. Fraser looked like he is gradually getting fitter and improving, Dobson did what was needed and Gilbey gave us some energy.
Given the current awful situation, a satisfying win and just nice to walk out the ground after a win. Well done lads
Interesting comment from Rob Lee after the game, saying that our squad is far too big. He reckoned we need a core of 18-20, whereas he counted 29?
Finally 3-5-2 pays off for JJ. Wonder if he'll stick with it now we've won a game.
To be fair we looked comfortable for much of the game, but Gills were poor and if we didn't need to get out of second gear, it was because they ever got out of first. Harris must be livid.
We were not very good. They no better. Our goal due to a keeper mistake was the only chance in the first half. CBT half chance in second half. That was it. Still no creativity. A draw would have been fair result. No further forward.
The result was everything tonight. Dare I say it, with the 10 point gap plus much superior GD over the bottom 4, that was effectively a season ending result, in the positive sense that now we are realistically playing for pride, with only a very small chance of relegation. If we had lost, the 4 point gap to Gillingham would have made things really tense.
Indeed I was "disappointed" with Gillingham, when we were potentially there for the taking. Rob Lee was a good guest as he was able to explain that this was how they always play. The nightmare situation was that early ball across the box being converted, and them hanging for 89 minutes.
We were reasonable, not great. CBT's individual flair made a big difference, but some of the lesser rated players like Matthews and Purrington did their jobs well tonight. Fraser didn't create much but did the basics well, and it was a major step backwards when Lee replaced him. Morgan would have made a much better replacement.
Dobson survived the booking and 2 game ban. Seriously surprised how bad they were. Massive sigh of relief and hopefully we back it up with another win Saturday.
As my son said to me, amazed that Harris didn't go for the jugular and press us like every other team in this recent run. By sitting back and inviting us on he allowed us to build a little momentum and confidence. Still that first goal was crucial. That said we were patently the better side in the first half and as has been said Stockley and Washington back together made a big difference as did MOM CBT running at their defence and making things happen. Second half was mediocre but we saw out the win which was very much deserved. Let's not get carried away though.
As has already been said,a welcome 3 points,thought we played some decent stuff in the 1st half,well,decent in comparison to how we've played lately,but that 2nd half was complete turd from both sides. The game just sank to lots of niggly fouls and some real schoolboy mistakes. We were just less shit than gillingham who i thought were on a par with Doncaster for shitness. To be honest i spent the last 10 minutes of the match watching the shenanigans amongst the away fans,looked interesting and you have to wonder where the police were. Anyway,a big 3 points which is all that matters.
Interesting comment from Rob Lee after the game, saying that our squad is far too big. He reckoned we need a core of 18-20, whereas he counted 29?
Finally 3-5-2 pays off for JJ. Wonder if he'll stick with it now we've won a game.
To be fair we looked comfortable for much of the game, but Gills were poor and if we didn't need to get out of second gear, it was because they ever got out of first. Harris must be livid.
With our injury record in recent seasons a squad of 18-20 platers means the youth team players would be on constant standby!
I note that the starting lineup didn't have a single loan player. Anyone know the last time this happened?
Tonight was never going to be an exhibition of the beautiful game - we were always going to have to grind it out - well done to the players for doing that
Stand outs - CBT, Dobson, Gilbey and Fraser
Why Fraser - well it was not a game he was going to be able to display his skills to full effect, but he hung in there and put a shift in - it was noticeable that when Lee replaced him, our midfield melted and we lost control
Lee was dreadful - I think his first 5 or 6 ‘passes’ he gave the ball away, although he did well at the end to help count the time down
No idea what the trouble in the away end was all about, it was getting quite tasty though
I went by car - be interested to hear what it was like at Charlton station and on the train post match ?
Quite soon after he came on he chose to play a dinked pass over a defender’s head to Washington who was tightly marked rather than play in CBT, who was unmarked, to his left. Really poor choice, especially when Corey looked so threatening. He’s a maddening player, because he looks decent in spells.
Comments
Stand outs - CBT, Dobson, Gilbey and Fraser
Why Fraser - well it was not a game he was going to be able to display his skills to full effect, but he hung in there and put a shift in - it was noticeable that when Lee replaced him, our midfield melted and we lost control
Lee was dreadful - I think his first 5 or 6 ‘passes’ he gave the ball away, although he did well at the end to help count the time down
No idea what the trouble in the away end was all about, it was getting quite tasty though
I went by car - be interested to hear what it was like at Charlton station and on the train post match ?
To win 1-0 against 21st in the divison.
Literally standards have never been lower. Glad it looks like we are staying in the division this season but we need to start planning now for next year. Some coaching changes need to be made behind the scenes.
Not totally convincingly but we were better than very poor, toothless, Gillingham team.
CBT (MOTM) made a big difference as did our keeper coming for some crosses.
Elliot Lee? Why?
We were still pretty shite but a better level of shite.
We, for the most part, looked like a team that knew what it was doing and not a bunch of people strolling around the pitch, small passages of play and movement here and there. We've progressed to being able to play 70 minutes looking competent rather than 20. Gills helped a lot by being complete wank though.
Stockley and Washington on the pitch together makes a massive difference, not necessarily because they're top quality players, but they cover a lot of the teams failings. Stockley aiding defence and being a battler, Washington running himself into the ground.
Further away from relegation and some decent breathing space. Still plenty of work to do going forwards though, absolutely nowhere near progressing to being a top 2 team yet.
Alex Gilbey.
Still anxious about getting enough points to stay up.
CBT MoM for me.
On Lavelle, he was excellent the whole of the second half because he had been told to always be the guy to go for the first ball, let the other players worry about what happens next, It worked well and he was used appropriately. In the first half his main contribution was clearing the ball for throw ins.
3 points, near enough safe. Win one more and we can experiment with some kids and different formations and start planning to blow this league away next season.
I know it will upset his dad if we don't sign him but surely there must be better alternatives to him out there.
The second verse onwards gets a bit complicated but I like it.
We won & on the whole looked a far better outfit than we've seen for some time. Shout out for young Corey, Gilbs & Wash.
The down side ?
They won without the Fanackapans.
Seriously, this performance should have given the lads a real confidence boost for the remaining games - something, as well as important players, that's been missing of late.
A goal from open play & a clean sheet too ! What's not to like ?
Just a shame my birthday bash in Wimbledon's been cancelled....
Most of their breaks into our half were a result of us giving the ball away by being sloppy in possession or choosing the wrong pass.
CBT our best player. Thought Fraser did some good things and actually did some of the dirtier side more than I thought he would. We looked poorer without him. Hoping his knock isnt too serious as Lee as a replacement was not as good and continues to frustrate. Washingtons running always a nuisance. Lavelle gave a proper no nonsense defensive performance.
Oliver and Tutonda the best players for Gills.
At least we battled and deserved the 3 points.
Mind you if we'd been playing a top 6 team we would probably have lost.
Anyway, I don't care, we won and that's all that matters right now.
I think Dobson is going to enjoy playing alongside Fraser. The 2 of them complement Gilbey in that they can do the football and he can do the running.
Pleased Mac came for the ball.
CBT was good. So was Matthew's 🤷♂️
No one was terrible apart from Elliot Lee.
Gills were awful. Still think they might escape the drop but tonight was one of their more winnable games
They won’t sell too many DVDs of that one but it was a very important 3 points. That’s relegation fears pretty much wiped away and thankfully the spiralling mood of negativity will lift for a bit. Not that you’d realise it in the ground, despite there being really scarce numbers the crowd backed well, were very patient during some of the stale periods and never got demanding and adding further pressure. Well done everyone!
Players deserve some credit too. I feared this was going to be a game we’d be bullied and our soft underbelly pathetically exposed. But they all stood up to it well. Gillingham were a very basic team playing in a basic way, all 11 deep behind the ball in their own half and sitting off and not pressing our back three. It was like watching San Marino defending at times, and some people said they be happy with Harris as manager!
Playing against teams set up defensively like that you really need players who offer something different, otherwise it’s a training game of keep ball, moving it around sideways and backwards. CBT was the one player on the pitch able to offer that something different; pace on the outside and then when they feared that cutting in. We’ve missed him far more than I thought we would.
Elsewhere, Stockley and Washington gave us a proper forward line and as a result a better shape to the team. Fraser looked like he is gradually getting fitter and improving, Dobson did what was needed and Gilbey gave us some energy.
Finally 3-5-2 pays off for JJ. Wonder if he'll stick with it now we've won a game.
To be fair we looked comfortable for much of the game, but Gills were poor and if we didn't need to get out of second gear, it was because they ever got out of first. Harris must be livid.
Indeed I was "disappointed" with Gillingham, when we were potentially there for the taking. Rob Lee was a good guest as he was able to explain that this was how they always play. The nightmare situation was that early ball across the box being converted, and them hanging for 89 minutes.
We were reasonable, not great. CBT's individual flair made a big difference, but some of the lesser rated players like Matthews and Purrington did their jobs well tonight. Fraser didn't create much but did the basics well, and it was a major step backwards when Lee replaced him. Morgan would have made a much better replacement.
By sitting back and inviting us on he allowed us to build a little momentum and confidence.
Still that first goal was crucial.
That said we were patently the better side in the first half and as has been said Stockley and Washington back together made a big difference as did MOM CBT running at their defence and making things happen.
Second half was mediocre but we saw out the win which was very much deserved.
Let's not get carried away though.