Give JJ The Clarity He Needs

Like losing at Bolton in midweek, there’s no point in kidding ourselves about yesterday’s defeat at Wigan. In both cases just the odd goal in it, in both cases we had short periods of the game where we were on top (and both times scored), in both cases we gave away poor goals. The differences were at Bolton we had our best period in the later stages, having changed formation and brought on Aneke and Fraser, only having equalised to be undone by another set-piece goal, whereas at Wigan we started brightly and were the better team in the first 20 minutes or so, but progressively faded as Wigan’s greater strength took its toll; they nullified our threat whereas we never managed to contain theirs and a second goal for them was always highly likely to be enough.

For sure there was an obvious reason, another common to both games. Against Bolton both Inniss and Aneke were rested; against Wigan Inniss returned but Aneke was not available, as was Washington; and to add insult to injury Fraser wasn’t available either, having tested positive for Covid. There was a sharp intake of breath when the team news was released. JJ had decided to make changes in defence, with Pearce and Famewo dropped (Pearce to the bench, Famewo not featuring at all, perhaps due to loan player numbers as both Castillo and John were included), with Clare and Purrington playing either side of Inniss while Matthews and Jaiyesimi were the wing-backs. With Pearce and Lavelle among the subs, it meant a curious situation of having one recognised centre-back out of three on the pitch while two recognised centre-backs were on the bench. In midfield Morgan was taken out, with a reformation of the Dobson-Gilbey-Lee combination which had worked so well in JJ’s early games. Up front we had what was available, with Burstow alongside Leko, the back-up from the bench being Kanu, who had played in the Youth Cup game in midweek.

Given that backdrop, I’m sure we were all delighted with the start we made. The plus point of the midfield and forward combination was that we were fluid and with decent passing we took the game to Wigan. And inside the first 10 minutes we scored an excellent goal. Matthews and Gilbey worked it well down the right and the former delivered an inviting cross, one which found Lee arriving late in space and able to head down and into the net. Questions about the marking for sure but a good ball delivered and a midfielder taking the initiative to get on the end of it, especially pleasing that it was Lee, who for a while has clearly needed a goal.

It almost got better five minutes later. Leko played in Lee, who moved it onto DJ in space. The ball in was half-cleared and dropped to Gilbey, whose shot rattled the bar with Amos beaten. If that had gone in, just maybe, maybe.

The only problem during this period was that although Wigan might have been surprised by our start to the game, they were looking threatening whenever they came forward. And ominously from any corner or long throw they had the height advantage. Clare had picked up an early yellow after a poor Matthews pass had been intercepted and Wigan broke, DJ managed to slice a clearance for a corner, which was to flash across our box, only needing a touch from someone.

Indeed, instead of getting two ahead before the half-hour we were back on level terms. Let’s face it, on 20 minutes quite how the ref didn’t give Wigan a penalty still bemuses me. An aimless long ball was allowed to bounce and Magennis read where it was going to end up. Purrington was coming from behind and when Magennis turned into him he was effectively taken out. Purrington did very well to go down looking hurt too, as if it might be seen as a genuine coming together, but the only person inside the stadium fooled by that was the ref.

Perhaps not surprisingly Wigan rather lost their rag for a few minutes, but instead of taking advantage of the break we politely asked if they would like another opportunity to ask the ref for a penalty. There seemed little danger as their guy was tight to the byline on their left, but Matthews allowed him to get clear of him without a real challenge and as he cut through Clare gave a touch and over he went. Soft for sure, but probably just about enough contact. And there was no way the ref was going to say no twice in so short a time. The penalty was converted.

To be fair we didn’t go to pieces and the rest of the first half was pretty even and featured another poor decision by the officials. Inniss was making his move for our corner and was blatantly held back by his shirt and hauled to the ground. Any sort of VAR would surely have given us the decision. Added to that were one or two moves which looked promising.

At the break some satisfaction that despite the absentees we had acquitted ourselves well enough was tempered by the feeling that Wigan might have another gear – and it was unlikely we had. And the second half was a hard one for us. There was a certain inevitability about a second Wigan goal, which eventually came curtesy of yet another set piece. Corner swung to the far post, MacGillivray starts to come for it but holds off, Purrington is outmuscled by their guy who nods it back into the danger zone, and their sub evades Dobson’s challenge to tuck it into the net.

We didn’t have an effort on target in the second half and progressively wilted, mentally as well as physically. Burstow and Matthews were replaced by Kanu and Castillo, with a change of formation seeing DJ play centrally. Surprisingly (for me), with Lavelle and Pearce both available, we left the option of Inniss staying forward until very late on. But by then there were a lot of very tired legs out there and we never looked like levelling the score.

The post-match discussion on Charlton TV between Minto, Brown and Curbs, mixed in with JJ’s interview, was telling and thought-provoking. What is best to do now, start picking teams with next season in mind or just keep trying to win every game – which is clearly the message that Jackson gave when asked. Add into the mix the possibility that JJ may have an incentive to achieve a certain position in the league and, with Jackson himself having commented recently that he needs some clarity on whether he will be here for next season, we are suddenly in a situation of considerable uncertainty.

It is time for TS to remove those doubts. The manager has asked for some reassurance and if that’s not forthcoming it can be telling – and undermining. Of course there’s a lingering doubt that Sandgaard had others in mind for the job and ended up getting pushed into appointing JJ because of the outstanding results. But if so he was only pushed into a curious form of permanence, involving get-outs for the club if certain league positions are not secured.

It’s not time to be overly-critical, with the January signings of Fraser and Aneke we can’t say we aren’t building with an eye on next season. Just that football isn’t an industry where performance targets sit easily. It was hardly Jackson’s fault that when we were flying we lost key players to injury and suspension and that we’ve not been able to consistently field our strongest team. I suspect JJ could use a lift so come on Thomas, give the guy the reassurance he is asking for and let’s get on with the planning.