POST-MATCH THREAD: Charlton Athletic v Wigan Athletic: Saturday 15th March 2025: KO 15:00

IanJRO

Callumcafc said:

It looked busier in the stands on yesterday’s stream. Did it feel like that in the crowd?

Yes, was noticeably busier than usual. Winning matches helps but also we are a bit short on 3pm Saturday home games at the moment and the sun was out so that plays a part! 

Hopefully the support continues for the run in even if it did take longer to drive back to the A2! 

Bailey

PragueAddick said:

Bailey said:

PragueAddick said:

I woke up with a nagging feeling I can’t shift; that @golfaddick sort of has a point. 

Of course a win is a win, but they should have been buried alive in the second half. I never felt that was going to happen, after TC missed that early chance. We attacked, some of the approach work was excellent. But how many near misses were there? The very first minute, and then that’s it. There were a lot of dangerous situations, usually TC getting to the by-line on the left of the box, sometimes Small on the right. But the ball in from them never found a red shirt. 

I suppose that the stats for shots on target would be the one that might shed some light on this, if someone could look at that for the top 6, but maybe since the turn of the year, once we became good.

Suppose we get less on target than our now rivals, why might that be?. Well, we haven’t got enough finishers on the pitch. TC cannot-yet-finish like JR-S could. 15 goals that boy got for us, in a crap team. Anyway yesterday TC was mainly all about trying to set up the final pass for a finisher, and there really was only one on the pitch at any one tîme, Godden or Miles - and Godden obvs much more the fox in the box type.

Its still the part of the NJ plan that I don’t quite get. If we had JR-S In TC’s place then I would get it. CB-T? Not so sure about that. He scored a few but he wasn’t very poised. Presumably the idea of the plan is that midfielders do some of that finishing. Berry does it sometimes but I dont recall him with a shot on target yesterday? Maybe Gilbert. He was certainly trying to get on the scoresheet on Tuesday and he wasnt far off.

Just my nagging doubt…

Maybe this helps Prague, January 1st Wycombe had played 23 games they scored 49 goals at that point, since that date they have scored 12 goals. January 1st Wrexham had played 24 games and scored 36 goals, since that date they have scored 15 goals. January 1st Charlton had played 22 games and scored 27 goals, since that date they have scored 22 goals. So based on those stats and if current form was to continue, Charlton with an average of 1.46 would finish higher goal scorers than both Wycombe and Wrexham, sorry but Golfie's arguments fly in the face of the stats. 

Those stats are not really addressing my point. It's about shots on target, stuff that makes the keeper work. The lack of them yesterday, especially in the second half made me feel less comfortable than I should have done given our overall dominance. It's not like we weren't trying to score.

Apart from the very first minute how many serious efforts on goal did we have in the second half? 

Ok I get your point, but where the stats come in is in relation to other clubs, you know that. You have to look at that stat but not in isolation to Charlton. I watched Mansfield vs Wrexham a couple of weeks back and in fairness to both sides, it was a wind affected game and free flowing football was in short supply, but Wrexham created the better chances and deservedly won 2-1 after Mansfield had equalised. From my eyes, Wrexham were not dominant, though they created the better chances, but they were few and far between and at 2-1 Mansfield could have sneaked back into the game, they didn't and the better side won the day, just like Charlton yesterday. My point is, is that for Wrexham, Wycombe Stockport and whoever, it's not different but posters like Golfie are trying to make out it is, his narrative is that 'we don't score enough goals' well I have proved that we do, because, we don't concede very often and at 1.46 as a goals for ratio, a team needs to score two to beat us and that hasn't happened since Blackpool, when we drew 2-2. and for a win against us, Rotherham 18th  January. 

_MrDick

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m feeling a little flat this morning. Nothing to do with the way we played yesterday, I thought we were excellent throughout. What’s got me down is the Wrexham result against Wycombe. There’s still that psychological 5 point gap between us and second place. Was hoping for the draw but with games now starting to run out, we can’t afford any slip ups if we want that second place. Still all to play for with many more twists and turns. On Tuesday, I will be supporting Rotherham .. COYR

Chunes

_MrDick said:

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m feeling a little flat this morning. Nothing to do with the way we played yesterday, I thought we were excellent throughout. What’s got me down is the Wrexham result against Wycombe. There’s still that psychological 5 point gap between us and second place. Was hoping for the draw but with games now starting to run out, we can’t afford any slip ups if we want that second place. Still all to play for with many more twists and turns. On Tuesday, I will be supporting Rotherham .. COYR

Wasn't that long ago that we thought the season was over, and only very recently 2nd place seemed beyond our grasp. So automatics are just a bonus. We don't have much right considering the season we've had. I'm a little worried by how many fans have raised their expectations to 2nd. 

IdleHans

_MrDick said:

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m feeling a little flat this morning. Nothing to do with the way we played yesterday, I thought we were excellent throughout. What’s got me down is the Wrexham result against Wycombe. There’s still that psychological 5 point gap between us and second place. Was hoping for the draw but with games now starting to run out, we can’t afford any slip ups if we want that second place. Still all to play for with many more twists and turns. On Tuesday, I will be supporting Rotherham .. COYR

I think that result was ok for us. If Wycombe had got a point and then win their game in hand they'd be six points clear of us in second.

PragueAddick

@Bailey,

@FishCostaFortune has provided a stat. for shots on target across the season, which has us 9th, and it's probably reasonable to assume it has improved since the Crawley game, so maybe I am worrying unnecessarily overall.

I only mentioned @golfaddick  in this context to wind people up but it is understandable if people are a little sceptical about us being able to win by keeping the oppo out. It has been a long time since you could say that about a Charlton team, and at this level consistency from individual players cannot be expected as it is at elite level. 

I was definitely in the camp of "Where are the goals coming from?"   (a camp with Curbs as its leader) earlier in the season. Matty Godden to give him his dues has to some extent answered that. But if not him? Wrexham have no less than seven recognised strikers to choose from. If we get to the playoffs and meet Challinor's Pub Team again, I fear we might make one mistake and they take the lead- and then we will struggle, especially if we have a ref like in the game up there.

charltonbob

Lincsaddick said:

Been hinted (and by some in stronger terms) at a few times on this thread, we do have a nasty habit of getting in front and then relaxing into cruise mode from which it always looks difficult to get back into top gear.
We can't afford to that any more. The team needs to be a lot more ruthless and to keep on the gas until the final whistle.
Having said that, we are of course on a great run. I reckon our play off spot is assured unless there is a major collapse. Wycombe and Wrexham are getting a wee bit inconsistent, SOOOO a 2nd place finish is not impossible, not likely, yet not impossible 

Exactly this, we have some tough games coming up & I think 2nd place could be a step too far, it's a shame we didn't get on this run a month earlier. Still before Christmas a lot on here (including myself) had us down for a midtable finish so lets wait & see 

ValleyGary

4 months ago youd be locked up for thinking we’d get playoffs, so the fact we are even discussing 2nd is nothing short of a miracle. Let’s not get greedy eh.

Braziliance

Really nice day, nice weather, Valley seemed fairly full, was an enjoyable game and we just keep climbing. 

Can't complain, Godden the obvious man of the match, but I'd give a shout for Docherty as well, he was absolutely everywhere. 

Vlog up for this for anyone interested: 

https://youtu.be/cl8pXlMxu-M?si=FEBM_H5DiZHQxiQQ

Happy Weekend all 

Braziliance

I did plan to get this up sooner (yesterday) but went out for a few. 

Proper rumbled on the ring surveillance.

https://x.com/BigBadBraz/status/1901247109522653441?t=fTf7ahkL2qvz7EHLBRw8wA&s=19

killerandflash

Croydon said:

Callumcafc said:

It looked busier in the stands on yesterday’s stream. Did it feel like that in the crowd?

Yeah it definitely felt busier in the Covered End. Floyd Road was noticeably busier pre match and was rammo afterwards.

It's a great feeling when there's a big crowd walking back to the station, and there's pockets of fans all around still singing.

The Curbs concourses were really full, the catering units were completely overwhelmed 

fenaddick

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

stoneroses19

swordfish

Bailey said:

PragueAddick said:

I woke up with a nagging feeling I can’t shift; that @golfaddick sort of has a point. 

Of course a win is a win, but they should have been buried alive in the second half. I never felt that was going to happen, after TC missed that early chance. We attacked, some of the approach work was excellent. But how many near misses were there? The very first minute, and then that’s it. There were a lot of dangerous situations, usually TC getting to the by-line on the left of the box, sometimes Small on the right. But the ball in from them never found a red shirt. 

I suppose that the stats for shots on target would be the one that might shed some light on this, if someone could look at that for the top 6, but maybe since the turn of the year, once we became good.

Suppose we get less on target than our now rivals, why might that be?. Well, we haven’t got enough finishers on the pitch. TC cannot-yet-finish like JR-S could. 15 goals that boy got for us, in a crap team. Anyway yesterday TC was mainly all about trying to set up the final pass for a finisher, and there really was only one on the pitch at any one tîme, Godden or Miles - and Godden obvs much more the fox in the box type.

Its still the part of the NJ plan that I don’t quite get. If we had JR-S In TC’s place then I would get it. CB-T? Not so sure about that. He scored a few but he wasn’t very poised. Presumably the idea of the plan is that midfielders do some of that finishing. Berry does it sometimes but I dont recall him with a shot on target yesterday? Maybe Gilbert. He was certainly trying to get on the scoresheet on Tuesday and he wasnt far off.

Just my nagging doubt…

Maybe this helps Prague, January 1st Wycombe had played 23 games they scored 49 goals at that point, since that date they have scored 12 goals. January 1st Wrexham had played 24 games and scored 36 goals, since that date they have scored 15 goals. January 1st Charlton had played 22 games and scored 27 goals, since that date they have scored 22 goals. So based on those stats and if current form was to continue, Charlton with an average of 1.46 would finish higher goal scorers than both Wycombe and Wrexham, sorry but Golfie's arguments fly in the face of the stats. 

His arguments fly in the face of those stats.

Some said we were destined to stay in league one for at least another season in December, understandably not expecting a transformation of form after the Crawley defeat at home. 

I wonder how many now expect our goal scoring form to continue until the end of the season though? Nothing wrong with you trying to allay the fears of those concerned with our goal tally across it's entirety, and hopefully you'll be right. 

However, I wasn't one who thought the season was over before it was half complete, and I have reservations too as it isn't over yet. If I've learnt anything in my years supporting Charlton, it's that things happen you least expect.

PragueAddick

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu. 

They brought in Smith in the window, whom a few on here were talking up, and the other six are all seasoned pros or a young player for whom they paid decent money. I have seen it suggested that such a large number of senior strikers brings its own problems, but I doubt Parky would take any of ours over his right now.

cafcnick1992

killerandflash said:

Croydon said:

Callumcafc said:

It looked busier in the stands on yesterday’s stream. Did it feel like that in the crowd?

Yeah it definitely felt busier in the Covered End. Floyd Road was noticeably busier pre match and was rammo afterwards.

It's a great feeling when there's a big crowd walking back to the station, and there's pockets of fans all around still singing.

The Curbs concourses were really full, the catering units were completely overwhelmed 

The catering staff on the Curbs concourse are overwhelmed even when entire stand is shut for a first round FA cup game.

Hopeless 

charlton_hero

Wrexham will wobble, we just need to be able to capitalize. 

fenaddick

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu. 

They brought in Smith in the window, whom a few on here were talking up, and the other six are all seasoned pros or a young player for whom they paid decent money. I have seen it suggested that such a large number of senior strikers brings its own problems, but I doubt Parky would take any of ours over his right now.

That’s a different argument. I’d argue he’d definitely take Godden though especially given Mullin’s struggles for goals this season. Rodriguez is very expensive and not scoring and neither is Ollie Palmer. I bet they’re rather have Leaburn over Palmer

golfaddick

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu.

And this is my fear. An injury or suspension to Godden & Leaburn could see us entering the play-offs with those 4. 

I've not commented on the "discussion" being had on here, which was in part started by me after the match yesterday & since taken up by @PragueAddick, but I just wanted to reiterate my fears. We are so close to the play offs but just have this feeling we could be rueing a missed opportunity if we dont bury our chances when they cone along. We narrowly beat Crawley and we under pressure the last few minutes when they had a few corners & the ball was bouncing around in our box. Yesterday we should have been out of sight after an hour and let Wigan back into the match. Sooner rather than later it might come back to bite us on the bum. 

For once I would like to be able to enjoy the last 20 mins of a match and not be counting down the seconds when the referee blows for time. 

IdleHans

Did you not see us against Exeter, Stevenage or Bristol Rovers?

PragueAddick

fenaddick said:

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu. 

They brought in Smith in the window, whom a few on here were talking up, and the other six are all seasoned pros or a young player for whom they paid decent money. I have seen it suggested that such a large number of senior strikers brings its own problems, but I doubt Parky would take any of ours over his right now.

That’s a different argument. I’d argue he’d definitely take Godden though especially given Mullin’s struggles for goals this season. Rodriguez is very expensive and not scoring and neither is Ollie Palmer. I bet they’re rather have Leaburn over Palmer

Different to what? I'm saying that I still worry about where the goals come from if we fall behind in one of the crucial games coming up against our rivals for promotion (including the likely re-matches with Stockport in the playoffs). You've mentioned Godden and Leaburn there. Well, as we know, there are plenty of people on here who don't think Leaburn is currently worthy of a start. As for our other four, if there were no transfer window, would any of our rivals take any one  of them to help them clinch promotion, even from the bench?  Come on.

But then again, if you'd reminded me that we went to Wembley with just Lyle Taylor and...er....Josh Parker, then maybe I'd have shut up😀

ValleyGary

fenaddick said:

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu. 

They brought in Smith in the window, whom a few on here were talking up, and the other six are all seasoned pros or a young player for whom they paid decent money. I have seen it suggested that such a large number of senior strikers brings its own problems, but I doubt Parky would take any of ours over his right now.

That’s a different argument. I’d argue he’d definitely take Godden though especially given Mullin’s struggles for goals this season. Rodriguez is very expensive and not scoring and neither is Ollie Palmer. I bet they’re rather have Leaburn over Palmer

I thought Palmer was superb at the Valley. Looked a right handful.

Manic_mania

Why can't we just enjoy the wave of this incredible run we are on and just back the team and manager instead of stressing about ifs and buts - "what if X Y Z get injured?" "so and so isn't good enough" "we don't have enough shots" etc etc If your view point in life when things are going well is to constantly second guess it or complain that everything isn't EXACTY perfect then by all means have at it but it must be so exhausting. 

Jints

IdleHans said:

Goal difference can at most be worth only half a point. It's not worth risking the result of a game for.

Exactly. Two 1-0s are better than a 10-0 and a 0-0

Off_it

Manic_mania said:

Why can't we just enjoy the wave of this incredible run we are on and just back the team and manager instead of stressing about ifs and buts - "what if X Y Z get injured?" "so and so isn't good enough" "we don't have enough shots" etc etc If your view point in life when things are going well is to constantly second guess it or complain that everything isn't EXACTY perfect then by all means have at it but it must be so exhausting. 

But ..... but ..... but what if a meteor hit the training ground and took out all of our first team squad??? ....... I've seen strange chalk marks on the floor in the car park and everything!!!

fenaddick

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu. 

They brought in Smith in the window, whom a few on here were talking up, and the other six are all seasoned pros or a young player for whom they paid decent money. I have seen it suggested that such a large number of senior strikers brings its own problems, but I doubt Parky would take any of ours over his right now.

That’s a different argument. I’d argue he’d definitely take Godden though especially given Mullin’s struggles for goals this season. Rodriguez is very expensive and not scoring and neither is Ollie Palmer. I bet they’re rather have Leaburn over Palmer

Different to what? I'm saying that I still worry about where the goals come from if we fall behind in one of the crucial games coming up against our rivals for promotion (including the likely re-matches with Stockport in the playoffs). You've mentioned Godden and Leaburn there. Well, as we know, there are plenty of people on here who don't think Leaburn is currently worthy of a start. As for our other four, if there were no transfer window, would any of our rivals take any one  of them to help them clinch promotion, even from the bench?  Come on.

But then again, if you'd reminded me that we went to Wembley with just Lyle Taylor and...er....Josh Parker, then maybe I'd have shut up😀

Your argument appeared to be “they have more strikers so should score more goals”. In the system we play there’s only space for one out and out striker and yet still two of our strikers have scored more than most of theirs. I actually think Kanu would do well there too, the only reason he hasn’t played much for us this season is he’s directly competing with Godden in a way Leaburn and others aren’t quite 

fenaddick

ValleyGary said:

fenaddick said:

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu. 

They brought in Smith in the window, whom a few on here were talking up, and the other six are all seasoned pros or a young player for whom they paid decent money. I have seen it suggested that such a large number of senior strikers brings its own problems, but I doubt Parky would take any of ours over his right now.

That’s a different argument. I’d argue he’d definitely take Godden though especially given Mullin’s struggles for goals this season. Rodriguez is very expensive and not scoring and neither is Ollie Palmer. I bet they’re rather have Leaburn over Palmer

I thought Palmer was superb at the Valley. Looked a right handful.

Definitely a handful but doesn’t score goals 

PragueAddick

fenaddick said:

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

PragueAddick said:

fenaddick said:

@PragueAddick Wrexham might have seven strikers but we have six strikers and none of them have got in double figures for them. Their highest goalscorer has seven goals (Lee, Cleworth and Fletcher all tied). They’re sharing goals out too

Four of our six are Ahadme, Aneke, Hylton and Kanu. 

They brought in Smith in the window, whom a few on here were talking up, and the other six are all seasoned pros or a young player for whom they paid decent money. I have seen it suggested that such a large number of senior strikers brings its own problems, but I doubt Parky would take any of ours over his right now.

That’s a different argument. I’d argue he’d definitely take Godden though especially given Mullin’s struggles for goals this season. Rodriguez is very expensive and not scoring and neither is Ollie Palmer. I bet they’re rather have Leaburn over Palmer

Different to what? I'm saying that I still worry about where the goals come from if we fall behind in one of the crucial games coming up against our rivals for promotion (including the likely re-matches with Stockport in the playoffs). You've mentioned Godden and Leaburn there. Well, as we know, there are plenty of people on here who don't think Leaburn is currently worthy of a start. As for our other four, if there were no transfer window, would any of our rivals take any one  of them to help them clinch promotion, even from the bench?  Come on.

But then again, if you'd reminded me that we went to Wembley with just Lyle Taylor and...er....Josh Parker, then maybe I'd have shut up😀

Your argument appeared to be “they have more strikers so should score more goals”. In the system we play there’s only space for one out and out striker and yet still two of our strikers have scored more than most of theirs. I actually think Kanu would do well there too, the only reason he hasn’t played much for us this season is he’s directly competing with Godden in a way Leaburn and others aren’t quite 

Nope. As an observation I noted that they have more strikers who are already established as such at this level (Kanu isn't and there's a case for saying Miles isn't either)  are generally available for 90 minutes (Aneke isn't, and Hylton practically isn't) and have not been terminally useless for the season up to now (as Ahadme has been). So Parky has more good choices up front than we do. Generally, that's an advantage. 

The issue, if there is one, maybe there isn't, is that we are not great at turning superiority into goals, and when we come up against good teams we might come to regret that.

@Manic_mania I assume you watched it yesterday. If so can you honestly tell me that when the second half reached 70 minutes and we still hadn't turned our superiority into a third goal, you were chilled and saying to yourself, "no worries, we've got this"? If so, you are a far less anxious person than me, and I envy you.

peterreeves

ValleyGary said:

4 months ago youd be locked up for thinking we’d get playoffs, so the fact we are even discussing 2nd is nothing short of a miracle. Let’s not get greedy eh.

Quote of the Season! 

MuttleyCAFC

It isn't really about getting greedy. If we have the attitude that automatics are on but if not we still have the play offs, nothing wrong with that.