Charlton kicked off the season with a confidence-building performance, managing a solid, composed showing to run out one nil winners in Wigan.
The hosts kept possession effectively in the first hand but failed to do a whole lot with it. Charlton were solid at the back but blunted in attack.
The second half was a bit more lively. Kane Ramsay’s last ditch tackle was a high point. Moments later, Wigan’s defender went straight through Karoy Anderson in the box but, bewilderingly to me, was not deemed a penalty. Wigan made what seemed a load of changes to refresh tiring legs and Nathan Jones soon did the same, brining on a new front line in Daniel Kanu and Chuks Aneke, as well as Tennai Watson. The subs made an immediate impact that nullified Wigan’s own and suddenly gave their backline a whole new set of problems.
The breakthrough came when substitute Tennai Watson’s wafted high ball fell beautifully to Lloyd Jones at the back post who caught it on the volley to score the difference maker.
I thought we looked solid and difficult to break down, if a little stunted in attack until the changes. But it’s a game of chess moves and Nathan Jones had a deep bench to work with and used them effectively. A clean sheet and three points away from home is a great start to the season.
Special mention to Josh Edwards who made a fine league debut. I thought Chuks had his markers questioning themselves as soon as he came on and I thought Ramsay, Coventry, and Mitchell all had good games. And a sweet finish from Lloyd Jones that was worthy of any striker.
Wigan 0 Charlton 1
Lloyd Jones ‘81
Over to you.
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Comments
We’re going to win the league
The lack of quality was slightly alarming and I think we need 2-3 top quality League One players to make it through the season but a clean sheet away win first game of the season is just unreal.
Would've taken a draw looking at how the game played out but luckily we were able to take advantage of a mistake at the back.
The 'where will the goals come from' will linger due to the lack of chances created but we won and that's all that matters.
Hopefully today indicates that the defense will be a real asset this season, rather than a liability.
I thought Edwards and Ramsey were superb .
Josh Edwards.
Terrific performance.
On day one."
Edwards was our best player imo and made a few excellent challenges. Ramsay also with a lovely tackle when Wigan were through on goal.
We’ll need to create more chances than we did today but a wins a win.
We aren’t going to be pretty but we will keep clean sheets and scrape wins and I will take that all season long if it means we are up there.
I thought we should have had a pen with the player going in recklessly on Anderson. And a clean sheet at Wigan is a real positive and suggests we are going to be hard to beat this season. Early days and we have to see how it goes but positive after today.
- deserved clean sheet
- Wigan were solid
so good start.
Hate Sky.
A gritty away win built on defensive solidity and hard work. The defence won us that one, even down to the scorer of the winning goal. Something I don’t think we were able to say once last season. A great way to start the season with what is not the easiest set of August fixtures, on paper.
It looks like at the bare minimum we will be tough to beat this season and that is a big step forwards from recent seasons. You can see the aggression, work rate, and commitment has gone up a notch or two even compared to how we were under Jones last season, let alone Appleton, Holden, Garner etc.
The aggression of our press was good, particularly first half, and a couple of great bits of last ditch defending from Ramsay and Edwards highlighted the desire to keep a clean sheet.
Hopefully we can keep that up and add some attacking fluidity because being tough to beat can take you a good way on this league.
Love a clean sheet win!
Early days, but some very promising signs
I’ll wait until after the next two home games before I get to worried.