Chuks looked like he pulled his groin ,probably out for the season
Certainly looked like it on the stream, although it didn’t stop him getting into the handbags at the end. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s in the squad on Monday.
That was a tough game, Northampton deserve some credit as they didn’t back off at all. But also one of the dirtiest teams I’ve seen for a while, and as typical in League One, some of the worst refereeing I’ve seen for some time.
But they don’t give up, and turned a hard game into an excellent win. A special one for me too as a lot of my family joined me in the F Block for the game too which made it extra sweet
Only thing that let it down for us was the bunch of kids left to run riot with the parents not caring at all, spoiled it for some of my family.
Northampton were poor finishing away from going in at halftime ahead today. They gave us problems all game, always finding space and looking dangerous. We only looked really dangerous after Aneke arrived, just because it gave Godden some support and saw the back of the hapless McIntyre.
And so nearly a 4th, played a lovely short ball to Mbick, defender just got a foot to it, otherwise I reckon the boy would have tucked it away. Flash of the old Chuks there, mayhem in the box. NJ has obviously drummed into him that assists are just as valuable as goals from him, but I think he has a goal in him between now and season end, when and wherever it ends.
Was a struggle but 3 more points in the bag and play off's secured.
If and it's a massive IF we can beat the two above us we have an outside chance of 2nd, but realistically I'm looking forward to Wembley! But please, not against Orient - Pratleys last game of his illustrious career...... coming on and banging in a winner.
NJ writing his own narrative here. Back in the summer I don't think anyone was questioning the signing of Godden. What a lot of people were questioning was the sale of Alfie May.
I never thought I would have said this earlier in the season but we missed Gillesphey today, we don't look like conseeding with him in a back three. Great to see 20k fans in the ground, we need gates like that every home game if we are to move forward as a club again.
Nice to see the Valley relatively full. Thought the atmosphere was a bit flat. Covered End superb as always. At one point they started a "if you love Charlton stand up" and it genuinely looked like about 80% of the stadium (excluding CE) remained seated.
Got a team in 4th, chance of autos and people still don't back the team other than when we score. Hopefully in the play-offs (if we don't sneak 2nd) we can vocally back the team a bit more as a one off at least.
They did their homework, TC was marked out of the game, and no TC, no party. A great Chuks knock on gave us a good chance and I think most people expected Godden to bury it, great finisher.
Hopefully that's enough of McIntyre now and either Gillesphey will be back or Alex Mitchell can come into the fold.
Far too much criticism of the team and not much appreciation of how difficult Northampton made it. We all love a goal fest but teams like Cambridge and Northampton, need the points as much as we do. Whatever happens against Wrexham and Wycombe, don't think Burton will roll over, far from it.
Decent go this season overrall. I expected top4 this season so I can't say I'm too surprised we are here in the grand scheme, but it's still hard to believe we clawed our way back up the table, were we 20 points behind Wycombe at some stage?
The consistency with which we’ve been just “getting the job done” has been hugely impressive. But I’m still left with this nagging feeling that we haven’t hit top gear yet. There’s flashes but we still don’t always look that fluent in attack. It has been improving though.
In 97/98 and 18/19, by this stage of the season I feared no one and was confident we would get the job finished in the playoffs. This time around, despite our form l, I’m less certain that we’ll make it happen. We obviously have a great chance and I wouldn’t say I fear anyone but I’m just not so bullish that we will win through in the end.
Where that gives me hope is that we have perhaps saved the best to last and maybe those final one or two pieces will click into place in the next few games and we’ll finish the season in real style. There’s signs it could go either way.
In hindsight what has derailed our season most was losing Ramsay for such a long time and then with Lloyd Jones out we couldnt get settled at the back and our attacking game has only got going in flashes, with a few more games it may all click
I reckon you should give credit to Northampton. Their press was the best I have seen at the Valley this season. They did not have to stand a yard off one of our players but had the pace to cover 5 yards and beat our player to the ball or at least make him get rid of the ball without awareness. They also got the better of the aerial battle. When we won a header it was and under clearance with the player having no idea where the ball was going. The positive was the counter attacking play when we had the chance, and the clearances in the box.
Before people get too despondent, it’s worth remembering that Northampton are one of the form teams at the moment. Draws with Birmingham, Reading, and Stockport, as well as a four nil win over Peterborough who beat us three nil. Clearly a decent side.
I thought we started the game really well, but their goal completely unsettled us. Northampton actually started playing some very nice football, but then resorted to the old time wasting and disrupting method. It wasn’t looking good until we made the substitutions and we started winning the physical battles, partly thanks to Chuks. Great flick on header by him for Godden’s winner.
A really good three points although it wasn’t pretty at times. Bit disappointed by the amount of abuse being hurled at some of the players once the game got messy. How does that help? Team showed a lot of resilience to battle back to grab the win.
As everyone says, it was tough watch, but we ground out a win which in itself is the mark of a good team and even more so when taken into the perspective that two of our three rivals both dropped 2 points so credit where credit is due.
Comments
And why are we returning to hoof ball?
https://x.com/cafcofficial/status/1913280033507992034?s=46&t=A-w3Eq0EWWpjMxring904Q
We had to find another way ... and we did!
Only thing that let it down for us was the bunch of kids left to run riot with the parents not caring at all, spoiled it for some of my family.
Also mentioned he may have injured himself so possibly back to normal!
If and it's a massive IF we can beat the two above us we have an outside chance of 2nd, but realistically I'm looking forward to Wembley! But please, not against Orient - Pratleys last game of his illustrious career...... coming on and banging in a winner.
https://x.com/tom5mc/status/1913278181601116398?s=46&t=MojDVxh_AjG5taAWPQn6Tw
Nice to see the Valley relatively full. Thought the atmosphere was a bit flat. Covered End superb as always. At one point they started a "if you love Charlton stand up" and it genuinely looked like about 80% of the stadium (excluding CE) remained seated.
Got a team in 4th, chance of autos and people still don't back the team other than when we score. Hopefully in the play-offs (if we don't sneak 2nd) we can vocally back the team a bit more as a one off at least.
They did their homework, TC was marked out of the game, and no TC, no party. A great Chuks knock on gave us a good chance and I think most people expected Godden to bury it, great finisher.
Hopefully that's enough of McIntyre now and either Gillesphey will be back or Alex Mitchell can come into the fold.
Anyway happer Easter all, roll on Monday.
Where that gives me hope is that we have perhaps saved the best to last and maybe those final one or two pieces will click into place in the next few games and we’ll finish the season in real style. There’s signs it could go either way.
Going to be a fascinating few games to come.
https://x.com/cafcofficial/status/1913289674392494096?s=46&t=MojDVxh_AjG5taAWPQn6Tw
Their press was the best
I have seen at the Valley this season. They did not have to stand a yard off one of our players but had the pace to cover 5 yards and beat our player to the ball or at least make him get rid of the ball without awareness.
They also got the better of the aerial battle. When we won a header it was and under clearance with the player having no idea where the ball was going.
The positive was the counter attacking play when we had the chance, and the clearances in the box.
It wasn’t looking good until we made the substitutions and we started winning the physical battles, partly thanks to Chuks. Great flick on header by him for Godden’s winner.
Bit disappointed by the amount of abuse being hurled at some of the players once the game got messy. How does that help? Team showed a lot of resilience to battle back to grab the win.