Paid Back In Kind, But Key Games Still To Come

It had been a while since we went into a league game as clear underdogs and, although the recent run of results left us content that anything out of the game would be a bonus, that doesn’t stop you craving another win, one that would send out a resounding message to the teams around us. We’d beaten them at The Valley back in October by strangling the life out of them in a dogged display, giving them barely a sniff of our goal, with at the other end Kanu running them ragged and laying on the winner for Godden. Yesterday we were paid back in kind.

Their control of midfield and defensive acumen left us with barely a sniff of their goal all game. Our only moments of real threat were Docherty’s blocked shot and Campbell’s good run to the byline wasted by an overhit cross, while our only effort on target (Docherty’s shot probably was also) came with Kanu’s shot from a tight angle easily saved. Other than that we had a header or two from set pieces which might have led to something but didn’t. Birmingham snuffed out our main sources of chances, with Campbell and Small well shackled, leaving Godden and Berry with nothing to feed off.

To our defence’s credit Birmingham weren’t able to run riot, but could easily have been more than one up at the break, even though the match stats show they only had two efforts on target all game. Going into the final stages we were at least still in it and you never know. But Birmingham saw out the game as comfortably as we did at The Valley, spending more time in our half than we did in theirs, leaving us with no cause for complaint (aside from some erratic refereeing and several strategic shoves by Birmingham going unpunished – but set against that was the officials’ failure to spot Maynard-Brewer’s early error).

There were no surprises with the team/squad, no changes made. There was I guess an element in that of laying down the gauntlet, Jones opting against any alterations in light of the opposition. Can’t argue with that, although perhaps there was an argument for freshening things up, with replacements getting increasingly rusty. But hindsight’s a wonderful thing.

After an edgy opening the game’s first real incident came on 11 minutes when Maynard-Brewer was trying to usher a ball forward into the box to enable him to pick it up. Trouble was he missed his final touch, leaving the ball still short, but opted to dive on it anyway. It was clearly still outside the box. Whether the punishment would have been a yellow or a red I’m not sure, but we got away with one. The outcome was made even better by their manager getting a yellow for his protests.

Next up, on 22 minutes we went behind, the only surprise being that it was the result of our mistake. Coventry was trying to shield the ball by the touchline but Stansfield got a foot to it and moved it past him, running onto the loose ball. To compound the error Coventry then lost his footing, leaving Stansfield with a clear run at Gillesphey, with options available. Gillesphey showed him the outside and held off making any challenge, so Stansfield moved it onto his right foot and hit a belter from the edge of the box into the roof of the net. Could Gillesphey have done more to close him down? Perhaps, but his priority as the last man was to try and hold things up. Could Maynard-Brewer have saved it? Possibly, but would have been a fantastic save.

The rest of the half was largely about us chasing shadows and trying to prevent them getting a second. They came close with a free-kick hit well over the wall and down, which beat Maynard-Brewer but struck the outside of the post, then a curler from the edge of the box which also had MB reduced to watching and hoping as it went just wide. Stansfield got the by-line and laid one on for another, which was well saved by Maynard-Brewer. Towards the end of the half we did have our two moments, the Docherty shot and Campbell wriggling free only to blow the cross, but at the break we were relieved not to be further behind.

The stats at half-time showed 58%/42% possession in their favour, with six efforts on goal, two on target, against five and zero for us. Just where the five came from I’m not sure aside from Docherty’s shot, which should have been marked down as on target.

There were two changes by us at the break, one enforced as Maynard-Brewer was replaced by Mannion, clearly the result (later confirmed) of an injury. The other was a change in formation, to a 4-4-2, which saw Small switch over to the left side – having got no change at all in the first half out of Cochrane, an England U20 international who only cost Birmingham something around £1.3m with add-ons – and Campbell more to the right. Did the change work? Hard to say. Yes, to the extent that Birmingham failed to have an effort on target in the second half; no to the extent that we seldom threatened to get back on level terms.

Our first changes, just before the hour mark, were Anderson and Kanu for Berry and Small, with Campbell clearly moving to the right wing. Not long after it was Leaburn and Gilbert for Godden and Coventry, with Aneke surprisingly left unused. If anything the only time we really threatened was not the Kanu shot but rather with around 10 minutes of normal time left Gilbert swung over a peach of a cross. Leaburn stretching got a touch on it but probably diverted it clear as Kanu was much better positioned just behind him. Otherwise the final minutes, including eight of stoppage time, were a damp squib as Birmingham dominated possession, made little attempt to score, but restricted us to desperate clearances that most of the time just came straight back.

It was disappointing for sure, but it wasn’t hard to recognise that Birmingham just had too much for us on the day and that by scoring fairly early were able to play without pressure. Our season isn’t going to be defined by a defeat to them, with no reason for any hangover effect from a first defeat in seven. If there was any sobering effect it was more that Birmingham with their current line-up might be viewed as a reasonable Championship side. If we get into the play-offs and glory be win them, just how much would need to be done to put us in that sort of position?

There’s a full week for the players to rest up and get ready to go again, at The Valley against Exeter. We sit and watch to see what happens on Tuesday night when Leyton Orient and Huddersfield, which both went back above us with victories yesterday, play their games in hand over us, away at Wrexham and Shrewsbury respectively. Then on Saturday something will again change, provided we win of course, with Leyton Orient away at Bolton, Reading hosting Birmingham, and Huddersfield at home to Peterborough. In an ideal world we will be back up to fifth with nobody around us having a game in hand, before we start March with a trip across the Thames to Leyton Orient, host Barnsley, then travel to Stockport. These are the games that are crucial, not yesterday’s.

Nobody Said It Would Be Easy

We knew we’re getting greedy, we know nothing ever runs smoothly in football. But we just wanted to win this one too, to round off the mini-series of five games with 13 out of 15 points, knowing that a win would take us up to fifth with Huddersfield not playing, hopefully closer to Stockport in fourth if they messed up a Bristol Rovers, and aware that next up are some pretty tough fixtures on paper. We were surely also aware that any drop in standards usually sees us come up short and of our poor recent record against Peterborough, a team most would have predicted a good deal higher at this stage of the season than they are.

That backdrop couldn’t really prepare us for the rollercoaster of emotions through the game as, after a sticky start, we took control of the game, peppered their goal, but failed to make the breakthrough. Then in the second half we were handed (quite literally) what we needed, had the advantage compounded by Peterborough reduced to 10 men, then lost our heads in a crazy few minutes and managed – unforgivably in the circumstances - to get caught on the break, conceded a penalty (which could have been accompanied by a red card) to be pegged back, then struggled for 25 minutes or so to regain the lead, only to be rescued in the last minute of normal time by Gillesphey’s header from a corner. My word (to put it politely) we made hard work of that one, but when the dust settled we had the points.

To absolutely nobody’s surprise, Jones named an unchanged starting XI, with the only change on the bench being Anderson returning (after having missed Stevenage for personal reasons), with new loan signing McIntyre missing out.

We began the game poorly, off the pace and looking vulnerable to Peterborough’s lively forwards. Unnecessary free kicks given away, an early error by Jones which almost let them in and resulted in a yellow card for him, guy in behind Gillesphey, all in the first 10 minutes. It had taken us perhaps 30 minutes to get to grips with Stevenage’s set-up on Saturday, but last night we adjusted faster and began to peg them back.

Once that happened you started to see why they have been conceding an average of almost two goals a game. They did manage just about to contain the threat from Small and Campbell down either flank, with the returning Edun limiting the former’s ability to run at him. But a 15-minute spell produced a litany of near misses. An Edwards cross saw Godden almost produce another near post finish, good work down the right saw Berry almost convert a Small cross, Berry had a shot blocked. Berry was then clearly fouled inside the box but nothing given, Campbell was able to use his pace to get in on goal but delivered a weak finish. Finally a Berry shot came back off the post with Steer beaten and closest of all Jones headed back a corner and Godden met it on the full, but his fierce shot was too close to Steer and was pushed away, while Edwards picking up the rebound had his first effort blocked and poked the second wide.

Things did calm down a little after that, Peterborough even managed an attack. But the stats at the break showed we had 63% possession and had nine attempts on goal, four on target, versus two and one for them. It felt like a game in which one goal would probably lead to two or three, just had to get that first one.

Thankfully we didn’t have to wait too long into the second half before it came, although the circumstances were surprising. A ball across their box saw Docherty pounce as the defender slipped. He played it inside to Campbell. His shot appeared to be blocked normally, but joy of joys the ref saw things differently and immediately pointed to the spot. Later the replays on TV did show that, although their defender was close to Campbell, his arm moved out to stop the shot. Good spot by the ref. Godden stepped up and put it beyond Steer’s despairing dive.

Things got better shortly after as their guy moving down the touchline seemed to overrun the ball and lunge in on Small, who took a painful blow. It was clearly a bad challenge, leaving the ref with no option, although it didn’t seem malicious and the replays indicate the guy had tried to flick the ball forward but missed, following through on Small.

Now in complete control surely we would knock the ball around for a while, take all the sting out of it, push them back, and finish off the game with another goal or two. Instead we quite frankly lost our heads. Players started running around intent on getting another immediately and made poor choices. Godden took a shot from an unlikely spot when others were better placed. And we simply forgot that Peterborough did have a game plan, even with 10 men: to spring forward at pace on the break if and when the opportunity arose.

It did and amazingly against 10 we were caught on the break short of numbers. Their guy got goalside of Ramsay. He tried to do just enough to put him off but not to bundle him over, but the forward opted to go to ground anyway and the ref again had little option but to award the penalty, even if the first contact might have been outside the box. The only question then was whether Ramsay would get a yellow or a red. I’m not sure on the rules, obviously it was a goalscoring opportunity, but with a penalty given Ramsay escaped with yellow. But the penalty was converted and stupidly we were back level again.

There was still around half an hour to play, so no need for panic, even if heads were collectively being shaken and I’m sure Addicks watching were, like me, distraught. And our nerves were not eased as, although we had a chance or two, we struggled to make our man advantage pay. Peterborough had a free kick and even though we had 11 against 10, and in Campbell and Small players capable of outpacing defenders, brought all 11 back. From a corner Ramsay had a goalbound header blocked by a defender’s head, Small had a shot saved, but in general Peterborough were containing us better than they had in the first half.

On 71 minutes Jones made his first change, Leaburn coming on for Edwards, which meant Small switching to the left and Campbell to wide right. Ramsay averted rare Peterborough danger, then Leaburn couldn’t quite get on the end of a diverted ball in from Small. Aneke and Gilbert were introduced for Berry and Godden.

With only a couple of minutes of normal time left it seemed it just wasn’t to be, as somehow from Campbell’s ball in Docherty’s header did not find the back of the net, as once again a defender managed to get in the way. But from the corner that resulted we were finally celebrating again, as Gillesphey’s header unlike others somehow managed to evade everyone and end up nestling in the far corner.

We were able to see out the six minutes of stoppage time, with Mitchell coming on for Campbell to help close it out. A mighty sense of relief with the final whistle that two points had not been thrown away after all, with a late Bristol Rovers equaliser against Stockport adding to the enjoyment.

We now go into another mini-spell of five games – away at Birmingham, Exeter at home, away at Leyton Orient, Barnsley at home, then Stockport away. Barnsley may have fallen away of late, with just one point from their last five, and Exeter are on a poor run, despite FA Cup heroics, a draw and five defeats in their last six. But away at Birmingham, Leyton Orient and Stockport are obviously massive games. The Birmingham game may be one we can view as anything from it is a bonus (which is not to say we don’t go there in good spirits and more than capable of taking something).

As for the other two, we’re not going to go looking for draws but the imperative is not to lose. You can only tip the hat to these teams, they are where they deserve to be and are obviously serious contenders. We’ve put ourselves in a position where we’re no longer in desperate need of victories against those around us to try to close a gap, but we can’t let them get away from us again. In an ideal world we draw the three away games, win the two at home, take nine points, then see what the world looks like as we approach the run-in. OK in an ideal world we win them all, but that’s just being greedy, isn’t it?

Tough Task Negotiated Excellently

Three straight wins for Stevenage, including one at Wrexham, to leave them only four points less than us with a game in hand, had turned this game from one we needed to win to get into the top six to one we needed to win to get into the top six and to keep a potential rival for a play-off spot at bay. Games against Stevenage are never pretty and their record of 27 for and 25 against in 27 games only deepened the expectation that this would not be one for the purists, one in which the first goal (if any) would probably be crucial (both teams not having lost this season after taking the lead). Score first, get the win, by whatever means, and move on.   

After some scares in the first half, including one moment that required a superb intervention by Maynard-Brewer to prevent Stevenage taking the lead, we pretty much did just that. Good goals either side of half-time completely changed the picture and after the second we were clearly in the driving seat. With the memory of surrendering a two-goal advantage against Blackpool still fresh, we kept up the pressure – Jones waited until the 88th minute before making changes - and Stevenage, despite making four substitutions in one go, followed by a fifth, never threatened to get back into it. We really should have scored a third or more, but in the end it didn’t matter.

The key question for the team, barring late injuries, would be whether new boys McIntyre and Gilbert would feature/start. Jones opted for no changes to the starting line-up, but both incomers took places on the bench, McIntyre taking the spot vacated by Edmonds-Green and Gilbert replacing Anderson, who it was said was unavailable for personal reasons (clearly whatever they may be we wish the best for him). That did mean that Gilbert would be our only midfield replacement.

Stevenage did have the better of the early exchanges, with their formation – one up top but three in support of him – causing us problems. Defenders weren’t sure where the runners were coming from and the uncertainty encouraged mistakes. Their guy shot into the side-netting from a tight angle. We did have a Berry free-kick from just outside the box hit into the wall, followed by some chaos as the ball was played back in (and I thought a shout for a penalty as their keeper failed to make contact with the ball and landed one on Jones instead), plus Berry headed wide from a good Edwards cross and might have done better. But the key moment came on 19 minutes. Edwards intercepted a pass but only ended up setting it up for their guy to play it forward to one of two onside and in on goal. The one with the ball opted to try to round Maynard-Brewer and he stuck out a timely arm to prevent that, the ball was cleared, and the danger over.

As the half progressed it was pretty even, although we were struggling to create anything going in their final third, despite the threat of Small and Campbell in wide areas. There were promising moments, with a Small cross only just deflected over a waiting Berry, plus a decent run forward and shot from Docherty. But we had to wait until just before the break for the deadlock to be broken, with a really well worked and executed goal. Campbell played the ball in low from the left side, Berry touched it on to Coventry, running across the box. He managed to play the ball back across goal and once more there was Godden in the right place at the right time to prod it home.

That changed the mood in the dressing-room no doubt. The stats at the break showed 53/47 for us for possession and six efforts on goal, two on target, against two and zero for them (which was a little harsh on Maynard-Brewer). Stevenage might have felt slightly aggrieved to be behind at that point, but can have no complaints about what followed.

Just a couple of minutes into the second half and we had some breathing space. A long ball forward was flicked on by Godden for Campbell on the edge of the box. He managed to get in a good, rising shot but it cannoned back off the junction of post and bar, only to drop for Berry to plant it back into the net on the half-volley. Excellent technique from him as it was one that was easy to blaze over.

The game is so much easier to play when you are 2-0 up and you have to say Stevenage’s response was rather lame, they looked beaten from that point on. It turned into a succession of near misses/lost opportunities for us: Godden controlled a long ball forward and almost set up Berry, Docherty set up Small in space but instead of trusting to shoot with his right foot he cut inside and the effort was blocked, then another break saw his shot from a good position saved.

As the clock ticked down the balance shifted clearly in favour of just making sure we did nothing silly. Leaburn, Kanu and Gilbert were brought on for Godden, Campbell and Berry, with Leaburn taking on the task of wasting time around the corner flag. We saw out the final stages and four minutes of stoppage time quite comfortably.

It ended up as a very good all-round performance. Nobody had a bad game and a man of the match award could have gone to one of several. Jones was commanding in defence, Coventry excellent in midfield, and Godden scored another, while Maynard-Brewer made a decisive contribution whatever the stats may say (55/45 possession, 15 shots and five on target, against three and none for them). Sixth spot was ours, with Leyton Orient engaged in the cup, and we now move on to Peterborough at The Valley on Tuesday night in I’d imagine very good spirits.

Answers To Questions

So, did we strengthen overall with the January transfer window? If we did was it enough? And do we agree with Jones (the boss) that our club is “in a wonderful place”? I’d say, in turn, ‘yes’, ‘no’, and ‘no’ (but with qualifications as what Jones is actually quoted as saying is rather mixed).

We have lost, either permanently or for the rest of this season at least, Taylor, Edun, Campbell(A), Potts, Mitchell(Z), Asiimwe, Edmonds-Green, and (possibly, possibly not it seems) Hylton. Some will question the wisdom of Taylor going (if Coventry is injured or unavailable we would seem to have a problem), and of selling Edmonds-Green (who was a regular squad member) to a promotion rival; but otherwise I’d suggest no quibbles if the goal was to slim down the squad and to give some youngsters the chance to get playing time and develop.

We’ve brought in McIntyre and Gilbert, both on loan (despite the club’s clear aversion to loan signings). It’s fair to assume that they have been brought in to challenge Gillesphey and Berry respectively – not necessarily to replace of course, but to be available as alternatives for key positions, to ensure we are covered for injuries, suspensions, and loss of form. That said, presumably Portsmouth and Middlesbrough will expect both to be given game time, although they are not the sort of loan signings which you would imagine come with commitments from us to play them.

Saying we emerge stronger overall obviously depends on how well McIntyre and Gilbert shape up. Clearly they strengthen us in their respective positions, given that they will compete with players already available. I’d say given the return from long spells out of Ramsay and Watson mean that the defence looks strong, with good cover; the midfield is more open to question given doubts about what we do without Coventry (any option – the obvious ones being play Docherty in a more defensive role, which means two changes rather than one, or try Anderson or Enslin, assuming Henry remains out of the picture); and forward options for me remain something of a lottery.

There was no statement signing in the window, which would have been another forward. It seems we ran out of time (whose fault was that?) to land on loan Sunderland’s winger Bennette. He would surely have been a useful addition, giving us another option from the bench if we switched during a game to 4-4-2 without having to move Campbell(T) back out wide. Him not coming in must increase the chance of Dixon being tried. But that’s not what we had in mind as a statement of intent, if the club wanted to shout out ‘our goal is promotion this season’.

We have numbers up front for sure: Leaburn, Aneke, Ahadme, Godden, Campbell, and Kanu (plus Dixon). Six competing for two starting places and two or three spots on the bench looks sufficient. But it’s not what it seems. Of the ‘big men’ we know Aneke can only manage 30/40 minutes and doesn’t start (and in his last couple of cameos seems to be trying too hard to make an immediate impression), Ahadme has disappointed so far, and Leaburn is really still learning the art of being a target man. Of the smaller option, for me Godden is a shoo-in (anyone still bemoaning the loss of May might like to look at the ‘goals per 90 minutes’ stats for League One this season, Godden’s score is a 149 and that of May 156). He is our most reliable source of goals and has an awareness in and around the box which others lack. So I’m always inclined to look at our forward options in terms of who pairs best with him. But Kanu needs game-time, more than a brief run-out from the bench (nobody should forget his excellent performance against Birmingham at The Valley), and Campbell is a work-in-progress, excellent with the ball and using his pace, not yet great off the ball or a consistent goalscorer.

It could all come good up front, especially if Gilbert increases our potency in the final third. If we’d signed another forward, presumably on loan, it might have come across as a slap in the face for Leaburn and Ahadme in particular, but that’s just too bad. They would hopefully react positively and make it harder for Jones to leave them out. They have time to impress, perhaps we do not – if promotion this season is the overriding goal.

And that leads us on to whether or not we are in a ‘wonderful place’. We are not. We are in League One. To be fair, it seems Jones actually said, as per the club site, “in a year’s time if we have made the same amount of progress that we’ve made in this year (his first as our manager) then we’re going to be in a wonderful place”. Although the jury might have been out before our recent good run, that’s fair enough. But he went on to say “I feel the club’s in a wonderful place”, which is rather different.

It’s akin I think to Jones saying that you can’t go from 18th in League One to promotion quickly. Sorry, but you can. In this division most clubs massively alter their squads each year, especially if loan signings are an integral feature. Building steadily is to be applauded, but each year there’s a cut-off point: have we gone up or not? The chances of us saying ‘yes’ to that question would have increased (IMHO) if we had gone overboard on another striker. We haven’t, so there it is. Bring it on, starting of course with Stevenage tomorrow (a game which by virtue of their three wins in a row has shifted from ‘one we need to win to get into the top six’ to ‘one we need to win to get into the top six and to keep a potential rival for a play-off spot at bay’).

No Point Dwelling On What Might Have Been - But Just Can't Help It

After the relatively relaxed win on Tuesday night, we all expected a tougher test today, against a side that has picked up materially in recent weeks, unbeaten in six - four consecutive draws rounded off with consecutive away wins – and back up to 13th in the table, presumably giving them thoughts of making the play-offs if they could sustain the recent momentum. They’d scored more (and conceded more) than us so far this campaign, but like us had no player in double figures, so the goals had been spread around. It would be a second consecutive game against a side which had already beaten us this season. But of course by now we’re getting greedy with six wins in eight having raised us to touching distance of a top-six spot, one which we could claim with a win and depending on other results (with Leyton Orient taking on Stockport and Bolton facing Reading).

Given all this, it was reasonable to suggest that ahead of the game a win would be fantastic, a draw not a bad outcome (depending of course on how it was secured), a defeat a setback but not the sort of kick in the teeth as the Rotherham game (again, depending on the nature of it) – although a defeat of any sort and no doubt the cries for signings before the transfer window closes would, justifiably, intensify.

In the event the spoils were shared and we were left with a real ‘glass half-full/-empty’ feeling. You can never be happy not to win when you have been 2-0 to the good, especially as both goals conceded were preventable, especially the second. Against that, Blackpool were dangerous throughout and understandably threw caution to the wind when chasing the game. For a period having gone two up we looked in complete control (sufficient to have us checking the league table); but once they got one back we were on the ropes – and once they’d equalised either side could have won it in a frantic finale. Doesn’t feel like it at the moment but it’s not a bad point, keeps the unbeaten run going. We have no choice in any event, take it, learn from it, and move on.

With Jones having retained the 3-5-2 formation for Bristol Rovers, it was always likely he would stick to that today, barring injury. The questions were perhaps whether Ramsay would be able to play a second full game in a week, whether Jones would go again with Godden and Campbell up front (the other Campbell heads north with our best wishes but at least it means we no longer have to talk of ‘CampbellT’ and ‘CampbellA’). He decided to go with the same starting X1 and squad.

The first half was a fairly even contest until the final 10 minutes, with few efforts on goal before then. Something of a contrast of styles and strengths, with Blackpool’s height advantage over our forwards encouraging us to play to feet and them looking most dangerous when catching us on the break. We had difficulty in getting Campbell and Small into the game to stretch them, which tended to leave Godden up against two central defenders, but we protected our box capably.

Towards the end of the half they did have clearly the better of things, coming close a few times. A Morgan free-kick got no touches but curled just beyond the far post, as did a header from a set piece, then a Blackpool break led to passes down their left side and a shot from a narrow angle that Maynard-Brewer managed to palm away, followed by a low cross which just had too much on it for their guy at the far post, who shot over. We did have a moment when Campbell played in Godden in a bit of space but his attempted pass across the box was blocked.

So we felt if not relieved at the break then for sure the happier of the two sides that the game was still goalless. The stats showed we had enjoyed 52% possession but much of that was in our own half. Our total of two efforts on goal (none on target) compared with seven (and one) for them. But once again at the back of our minds was the prospect of Aneke, Leaburn, Kanu to give us different options up front.

The second half was an altogether different affair, basically because from almost out of nowhere we scored twice in a couple of minutes. Fine margins as usual since before this happened Blackpool had a gilt-edged chance to go ahead themselves, their guy with a free header from close range from a corner, which he glanced wide rather than planted in the net. He scores and it’s a different game. Instead we took the game by the throat.

On 51 minutes Small crossed from the right. Their keeper palmed it away but it dropped to Docherty. His shot was blocked, Berry sent in another and Godden was on hand in the right place, as against Bristol Rovers, to turn it into the net. Two minutes later and we were two to the good. Docherty set up Campbell and his low cross from the left was deflected into his own net by a Blackpool defender.

For the next 15 minutes or so we kept things tied down, not giving Blackpool a sniff at getting back in the game. We were looking comfortable. But I guess there was just too long to go. Changes were made by both sides on the hour, with Aneke and Kanu replacing Godden and Campbell to offer a different threat with fresh legs. Chuks soon made his presence felt, bundling into their keeper, putting the ball in the net, then perhaps accidentally shoving the keeper over, getting a yellow for his pains.

Anderson replaced Berry on 69 minutes, but shortly after the unthinkable happened and Blackpool were back in it. Several challenges just failed to win the ball back and Morgan found himself able to look up. He picked out the right crossfield pass, to their guy on their left. In space but outside the box, still some work to do. Unfortunately he produced a dipping effort well placed which bounced just beyond Maynard-Brewer and into the net.

We now had 20 minutes or so to see out – or to notch a third and get the breathing space back. We didn’t manage either. We came close to the latter in the final 10 minutes as Docherty played in Kanu and from his low cross Docherty’s shot was blocked and Anderson couldn’t swivel sufficiently to score from the rebound. But at the same time Blackpool were looking threatening, having been revitalised by their goal. So it was no big surprise that they equalised, with four minutes of normal time left. Just unfortunate that it was the result of a clear error. We were pressuring them in their half and an aimless hoof forward seemed to carry no threat. But a backpeddling Gillesphey tried to control the dropping ball and failed. Their guy read the situation and took it in his stride, going on to crash his shot off the underside of the bar. For a moment it looked as though we’d get away with it, but the rebound fell to another and he made no mistake.

That ushered in a crazy final spell (with five minutes of added time) when either side might have scored a winner. A break by them had us scrambling, with plausible appeals for a penalty as Ramsay may have used his hand to assist his efforts, Small had a shot blocked then another. We were given a free kick right at the death and sent on Leaburn for additional height, replacing Coventry. The free kick came to nothing but as Blackpool pressed forward we sent the ball back into their half and suddenly had three on two. But a rusty, lame pass from Leaburn went to their guy, chance was gone, and the game was over.

We won’t know until the end of the season whether this proves to be a valuable point won or two crucial points surrendered. When the reckoning comes, if we miss out on the play-offs there will be many other performances and results to point to as responsible. As it is, with Stockport winning at Leyton Orient and Reading beating Bolton it has if anything all tightened up. Looking at the table you might say there are now eight teams (have to include Stevenage, who have rattled off three wins in a row) chasing three play-off spots, with three consecutive defeats having turned Huddersfield from cemented in third to now one of those eight.

In the next round of games we take on Stevenage at The Valley, Stockport host Barnsley, Huddersfield are at home to Reading, so six of the eight we play each other (Bolton have a home game against Crawley while Leyton Orient’s scheduled trip to Wrexham has been postponed due to the cup). We’re in the mix and in good enough form to ensure we stay there, may yet get a lift from a transfer window signing or two. But yes, you can’t help, for a little longer, musing on what might have been.

One That Went According To Plan

It would be disrespectful to Bristol Rovers to have suggested this one had a whiff of banana skin about it. Our record against them is pretty poor and they beat us at their place early in the season. But on the back of a good rebound from Rotherham and six points bagged, making it five wins and a draw in the last seven (with 16 points taken out of 21), our hopes – and expectations - were high. Even to the extent of thinking how good it would be to score an early goal or three and turn on the style a little, being able to relax a little – but at the same time hoping the players had no such thoughts, have to win the game first and we badly needed another three points, no room at all for any complacency.

In the event, glory be for once it went (almost) according to plan. Bristol Rovers started brightly enough, but once we’d taken the lead we progressively took over and had a second before the break. One more and it would have been truly game over, but in truth playing within ourselves against modest opposition – but defending well - it wasn’t needed and we never looked like throwing it away. We were even able to conserve some mental energy at least for Saturday and had the added good news before the game of Jones (the player) signing a new contract. A satisfactory evening all round, although you did feel a little for the Bristol Rovers fans who had made the trip.

The team showed a couple of changes, perhaps surprising ones. Ramsay was selected to start, not as a wing-back but rather as the third centre-back alongside Jones and Gillesphey, with Mitchell taking a break. Edwards and Small kept their places as the wing-backs. No change in the central midfield three, but up front Leaburn was also put among the subs with Godden starting, alongside Campbell(T), breaking the ‘big man/little man’ set-up. It meant Leaburn, Aneke and Kanu were the forward options from the bench. No idea whether the changes were to rest some tired legs and freshen it up, slight knocks, or something in the Bristol Rovers set-up that Jones thought we might exploit.

Again, they started the brighter, keeping possession well and with Sinclair threatening to do damage down their right, once getting past Edwards. But nothing came of it and with 12 minutes on the clock, after Small had sent a weak shot wide, we took the lead. Small again, but his ball across seemed to have been dealt with, only for Campbell and Docherty to work it back. Campbell put in what might have been a shot or a cross and Godden sneaked in behind defenders to get on the end of it and poke it into the net. It was a goal that emphasised his intelligent movement and poaching instincts within the box, something we have too often lacked.

Godden almost repeated the exercise just before the half-hour. Berry hit a free-kick which was palmed out by their keeper only for the ball to be played back in. Jones headed it goalwards and again Godden appeared in the space, only this time his touch was not decisive and the keeper was able to block it. A good contact and it surely would have been his and our second.

We at least didn’t have to wait too long as a spell in which we were dominant and might easily have added to the lead – a snap shot from Godden was turned over the bar, Berry got on the end of a Small cross and turned it just over, an unmarked Docherty headed wide from a corner,  and a Gillesphey header from inside the box was saved well – was rounded off on 35 minutes with a splendid goal from an unlikely source. Another free-kick was half-cleared and came to Edwards outside the box. He cut inside and from a central position hit a sweet low drive into the corner of the net. Great to see him score and also nice to see a left-sided player able to shoot (well) with his right foot.

After that we really just needed to see it out to half-time, which we did with no alarms, although Maynard-Brewer had to save to his left a curling free-kick by Sinclair from just outside the box. The stats at the break showed Bristol Rovers had enjoyed 53% possession but we had registered 11 attempts on goal, six on target, against their three and one (that free-kick) respectively.

Rovers made one change at the break and three more before too long and, with our intensity and ambition reduced, the game in the second half turned into a rather boring stalemate. We were content to protect what we had and to look to get another on the counter, they pressed but we defended well in our half and they only occasionally looked like they might get one back to put the result in doubt.

Of the two possibilities we looked more likely to add to our lead and probably should have done. An Edwards long throw dropped to Godden close in but he couldn’t turn it home, Godden played in Small but his shot was easily saved. Aneke and Kanu replaced Godden and Campbell on 76 minutes and you thought it was laid on a plate for Chuks to score. In truth he made a mess of the opportunities that came his way, shooting when others were in better positions. Perhaps he was trying too hard – with Jones having resigned and the focus now on whether Small will do the same, he may have been feeling a little overlooked as his contract also runs out in the summer.

The closest we came was when Aneke moved it on to Kanu, who cut inside but saw his low shot turned aside and Small was only just unable to put the ball in the net. Towards the end understandably Ramsay was looking knackered – but still managed an excellent header away under pressure inside our box, taking a bang on the head for his pains. And when the change came it was Edwards replaced by Edmonds-Green, Small changing sides. In truth we saw out the game comfortably.

The final stats showed their possession percentage had risen to 63% - which implied 73% for them in the second half. They were unable to do anything with it, as the goal attempts numbers confirmed – 19 attempts for us, 10 on target, just five for them, only one on target (that first-half free-kick). Their manager Calderon said after the game: “In the last third, when we have to create something, we are not doing it. Still, I would say in the middle of the park, I think we have been better than them. It’s true that in the boxes, where you lose or win the game, we were worse than them.” 

Other results were mixed for us. Stockport, Bolton and Leyton Orient all winning kept them above us, but Reading, Mansfield and Barnsley all lost and sit below us in the table. Moving into the top-six gets more difficult. We’re four points below Stockport in fifth (and they have better goal difference) but with a game in hand, one behind Leyton Orient (they also have a better goal difference), and one behind Bolton with a game in hand on them (and better goal difference). Be nice if those three weren’t in good form – Stockport have won their last three, Bolton have rattled off two wins after we beat them (and they sacked their manager), while Orient have won nine of their last 11. But on Saturday Orient play Stockport and Bolton are away at Reading. Away at Blackpool is going to be tough (they are unbeaten in six and have won their last two), we just have to do our job and see how other results go.

More Options Available Now, Even Without Additions

I’d imagine that among the issues being knocked around by Jones and his team are two that have recently arisen and which could also influence priorities before the transfer window slams shut. First, the very welcome return from injury of Ramsay (and Watson too) but the related issue of how to accommodate him; and second, the evidence of the past two games that we have gone on score and win only when the formation has been changed with replacements from the bench.

I did comment during our lean spell, when we were suffering from an extensive injury list, that surely some way needed to be found to get Small into the team, even though the excellent Edwards was holding down the left-side wing-back slot. He was too good an asset not to be utilised. As it transpired, Jones – absent Ramsay and Watson, Mitchell(Z) too, and with Edmonds-Green and Asiimwe not considered strong enough for the position - has asked him to switch sides and he’s grown into the role, providing us with a powerful attacking weapon (even given the desire for sometimes a better end product, which he admits himself). It’s worked so well that we will all breathe a little easier if he is still with us when the window shuts, ideally with a new contract signed.

The (welcome) problem now for Jones is that if Ramsay is ready and able to start games, and to last through them, how does he get accommodated? If we stick to 3-5-2/5-3-2 and wing-backs, he has to take Small’s place – and then the decision would be whether to have Small or Edwards on the other side. Either way, with that formation one of the three misses out, at least to start, assuming that the central defensive positions are not adjusted to include Edwards.

Of course, with also Watson seemingly available again there can be an element of rotation as and when, giving players a breather and resting tired legs. We’ve gone from having one true wing-back option for two positions to four, with cover on both flanks (assuming Ramsay and Watson are - or soon will be – capable of playing a full game if required). Any thoughts of needing to get cover for these positions have surely gone out of the window.

There is a way of accommodating Small and Ramsay on our right side, but it involves changing the formation, to some form of 4-4-2 with Small operating in the wide role. That would also need Campbell(T) to revert to an outright winger’s slot. I don’t know about anyone else, but the thought of having Ramsay and Small down one side and Edwards and Campbell on the other sounds exciting to me, even if it would risk being overrun in central midfield (nothing’s perfect in football). Would be a case of sacrificing the third central midfielder (in this case Berry) and going with Coventry and Docherty to shore things up. Risks involved for sure, but the line-up would cause problems for the opposition.

That all feeds into the formation consideration. Against Bolton we were losing with 70 minutes played but scored twice to win after the formation was changed (it began with Anderson coming on to bolster midfield and a switch to a back four) and Aneke and Godden were introduced from the bench. Against a determined Shrewsbury we struggled to make things happen in the final third despite dominating possession, despite the best efforts of Campbell and Small, and once again turned to Aneke and Godden to provide something different. They caused the Shrewsbury back line more problems and we went on to win the game.

Nobody’s blaming Shrewsbury for their approach to the game, but they’re not going to be the last team to come to The Valley and try to shut up shop. When that happens and space is restricted, the physical presence of Aneke and the more astute running and anticipation (and finishing) of Godden are more likely to open up defences than balls lofted forward for Leaburn. I’d even suggest that if we had Ramsay/Small and Edwards/Campbell down the flanks, it would be reasonable to expect better and more frequent quality deliveries into the box, which might even allow for Ahadme to show us more than he has to date.

Here too there’s nothing wrong with deciding to stay as we are but being ready to switch the formation and personnel during the game, as we have done in the past two games (and in the previous two league games: against Reading, Aneke and Godden came on in the last 10 minutes, against Rotherham Aneke was introduced at the break, Godden not long after). Ramsay and Small ended up together down our right when the formation changed. To some extent that is forced on Jones by not wanting (for good reason) to risk more than 30 minutes or so from Aneke, but I'm sure there's also his impact on tiring defenders in mind.

When it comes to what player(s) we need before the window closes, the clamour normally goes up for a creative attacking midfielder, one to prise open defences. That’s fine in principle, we could use a fresh option. But in effect it means a replacement/alternative to Berry. With Campbell(T) tending to roam across the front line, often out of instinct I guess ending up on the flanks, and at least not yet a real poacher, we are relying on Berry in the 3-5-2 to be up quickly in support of Leaburn. So we want his new rival to combine the box-to-box energy of a young Bowyer, the creative passing powers of a Zidane, and the goalscoring instincts of a Messi. Also, Jones will require him to chase and tackle and generally work his socks off. If such a player is out there and available I’d love to see him brought in.

We are in the thick of it now and can focus on those immediately above us in the league. For sure we have to keep standards as high as possible and go out and beat Bristol Rovers, having lost 3-2 at their place at the start of October (having been 3-0 down until late in the game). Neither grounds nor room for any complacency. After all, if fine margins had gone the other way we could easily have found ourselves with four fewer points from the last two games, even six, and bemoaning a season lost.

As it is, we hope for Bolton to slip up at home against Northampton, Reading away at Burton, Leyton Orient at Exeter, and Barnsley at Wycombe (let’s leave Stockport out of it for now, but hopefully Shrewsbury will put up as determined a display against them as they did against us). Doesn’t look on paper like a set of fixtures likely to materially change the picture, but who knows? And looking ahead to the weekend, Leyton Orient will be at home to Stockport and Reading to Bolton. Where will we sit in the league come Saturday night (and isn't it a pleasure to be thinking in these terms)?