No Gifts And Points Won

I think the last time we went into a game in this division actually fearing the worst was the trip to Sunderland for JJ’s first game in charge. We put in a resolute performance then to come away with a 1-0 victory and the points, so yesterday’s repeat of that came as a very welcome surprise. Everybody on the pitch put in a real shift, with understandably the defence getting most of the plaudits. For Rotherham to have 60% possession and only one effort on target speaks volumes – although let’s not forget that defending was not confined to the back 5, Stockley headed away all number of crosses.

The only complaints for me centred on two issues. First, we should have scored more as especially in the second half we failed to make the best of very good situations through poor choices and poor execution. Second, although Jackson when asked about it after the game understandably preferred to focus on the positives, there is a feeling of frustration that this team gave us another look at what might have been, something which still muddies the waters when it comes to the pros and cons of a real clear-out for next season.

Without Lavelle and Inniss we knew there would be team changes. In the event Pearce and Famewo came into the back three alongside Clare, Matthews kept his place as right-side wing-back while Blackett-Taylor came back in for Jaiyesimi on the left. Changes in midfield too as in front of Dobson Gilbey returned from his one-match suspension and Morgan was brought in, with Forster-Caskey given a rest, dropping to the bench, while neither Lee nor Fraser made the squad (both apparently injured). Up front it was Stockley and Washington. The bench understandably looked a little light, with Purrington the only recognised defender.

The first half was competitive but very scrappy. Rotherham set out their stall by getting balls into our box at every available opportunity, we were content early on to rely on the long ball out towards the front two, without much joy, but as the game wore on we had more joy getting in behind them. I did think we had a good shout for a penalty on 14 minutes as CBT got the better of their guy at the by-line and seemed to be pulled down by him. Perhaps not enough contact, but I’d have given it. After that there were occasional chances but no real pattern to the play. Rotherham had what proved to be their best opening all afternoon as from a throw the cross came in and their guy glanced his header wide.

Then on the half-hour Washington did superbly to steer the ball around their defender to give himself a clear run on goal. He seemed to hold off the defender chasing him, but as he steadied to pull the trigger that guy managed to get in a block. And right at the end of the first half CBT showed their defence a clean pair of heels but ended up with either a shot that was very wide or a driven cross which was too far ahead of the chasing pack.

At half-time I felt we had a fair chance of a goalless draw, that if we could nick one from somewhere we ought to at least get a point, but that if Rotherham scored first it would be very tough to get back into it. But if anything through the second half we got progressively on top and Rotherham seemed to run out of ideas and steam, despite making a number of changes. Perhaps the goal changed things; it certainly gave us a lift and increased determination.

Just ahead of it we put together our best attack of the game to date, with Clare moving it on to CBT, then on to Morgan. His cross to the near post found Washington but his chip was gathered by the keeper. No matter, on 55 minutes we were ahead, from what has come to be seen as a most unlikely source. It was another initiated by a MacGillivray ball out, which we collected and worked it around on the left side with again CBT and Morgan. This time the ball was squared and to an advancing Dobson, who sent in an absolute cracker, hitting across the ball and sending it flying into the net.

Now during last week the club arranged a zoom call for us International Addicks, with Connor Washington and Megan Wynee. Towards the end one of the German Addicks cheekily asked if Dobson was under instructions not to shoot in games. Washington replied to the effect that if you’ve seen him shoot in training you would know why. Now perhaps that made it’s way back to the dressing room; either way, nobody’s going to make jokes about his shooting abilities again for some time. The strike even led to Dobson shortly after doubling his number of shots for the season.

After that, while nobody would say it was comfortable, we really restricted Rotherham to a scramble or two, helped by MacGillivray claiming a number of balls into the box and the tireless efforts of those in front of him. And we could have made the game safe. Clare made a great run down the right and his cross was only just smothered, CBT had a fierce shot wide and later blotted his copybook by getting free on the left side only to badly overhit the cross. Stockley played it on to Washington but his attempt to chip the keeper didn’t have enough on it.

None of that mattered in the end as we played out the game. As was stressed on Charlton TV afterwards, Rotherham just didn’t seem to have a Plan B and came across as very limited, on the day, something for which we take the credit by making them look that way. There were mistakes of course but we didn’t gift the opposition anything. And we’ve not been able to say that too often this season.