The New Alan Campbell Has A Lot To Live Up To

Predictably enough the news that Alan Campbell had signed for us was welcomed with comments from those of us rather long in the tooth such as “I thought we sold him to Birmingham a while back”. I hope the new Campbell(A) proves as valuable to us as the one I remember. In the interim it gives me the chance to look back – with the help of scrapbooks covering the period - at a player who for me in addition to being an excellent one for us represented a transition, even a coming of age as an Addick.

Before him (and others, including those who really straddled the period, most obviously Keith Peacock) was the post-Bartram era, the likes of Mike Bailey, Dennis Edwards, Billy Bonds, Eddie Firmani as a player, Lennie Glover, turning out in white with the red shoulder top, which was my first replica kit (an Xmas present), now proudly in the Charlton Museum. I know I saw them play many times, but apart from snippets (like hearing on the radio that Bailey had broken his leg in the cup replay at Middlesbrough and we had lost) I don’t have real memories of them on the pitch. It feels now like my father’s generation, under Frank Hill, whereas what followed was mine.

Campbell arrived in 1964 (actually signed apparently as a 15-year-old from Arbroath, which with hindsight explains why they are my favourite Scottish team), made his first-team debut in the 1965/66 season, still with the red shoulder kit. He came to the fore in 1966/67, after many of the old guard had moved on, Hill had been replaced as manager by Bob Stokoe, and then in 1967/68 as Firmani took over at the helm and players such as the late Graham Moore, Matt Tees, Ray Treacy and Paul Went were brought in, Peter Reeves emerged, paving the way for that glorious 1968/69 season when we came within a whisker of making the top flight, in front of an average attendance at The Valley of 32,768.

Things were never as good again, but until we sold him to Birmingham in October 1970 Alan Campbell was effectively a fixture in the team, despite (according to Colin Cameron’s ‘The Valiant 500’) his having “big differences” with Firmani. His record shows in 1965/66 he made 23 appearances (plus an early extra as a sub), 39 (and another sub) the next season, 40 the next (contributing 10 goals from midfield), and 42 in both 1968/69 and 1969/0. In all it was 196(2) league appearances (212 +2 in total), scoring 28 goals (29), in effectively four-and-a-half seasons.

As a player I just remember him being everywhere on the pitch, most effectively working in tandem with Moore. But fortunately, rather than having to rely on my patchy memories, Campbell’s arrival broadly coincided with my starting to keep scrapbooks (it was easier in those days just cutting articles from the printed press). So here’s a summary of some of the items through his Charlton career, with some photos at the end. I’ve done the best I could with the photos while any factual errors in what follows are mine alone.

A first report from August 1965 talks of Campbell truly “arriving” at Charlton with a goal against Ipswich in a 2-0 home win. He scored the winner against Millwall at The Valley in January 1968, then in ‘that season’ in August 1968 Campbell scored a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Palace (seems we went 0-2 up early in the game, played them off the park in the first half, only to concede two quick goals to go into the break level, went behind in the second half, Harry Gregory then missed a penalty, before Campbell scored, with still time apparently for Kember to miss a sitter). Points-winning goals against Millwall and Palace, no wonder we loved him. Campbell scored a late winner at Oxford in December (and Wright saved a penalty) to keep us around the top, although we were doing well in the league, there was an insight into Firmani’s management style from a report detailing him fining Moore and Tees for being late for training on Christmas Day. It quoted him as saying he told the team to “act like men or I’ll treat you like boys”. Those were the days.

A report around February 1969 – after the cup exit at Arsenal which followed the Treacy-inspired trouncing of Palace on their patch - was headlined ‘It’s all happening for Alan Campbell’. It talks of the possibility of a call-up to the full Scotland side with the Mexico World Cup in mind (they didn’t make it), after his selection for an U23 team to play England, and of interest in him from Manchester City (although he was to avoid the danger of that drop in status). The article describes Campbell’s main interest as golf, with a liking for motoring, and a plan to go into the restaurant business after football. At 21, this may have marked the pinnacle for Campbell at Charlton – and for us as well. Having beaten Middlesbrough 2-0 in April (with a goal from Ray Crawford – who had been brought in - and another from Tees) we only won one of our final four games, taking four points, and ended third. Some other team was promoted along with Derby (who we had beaten 2-0 at The Valley with a televised wonder strike from Treacy).

The following season Campbell finished our joint second-highest league goalscorer with five (Treacy managed six). Tees had been sold and Crawford was sacked by Firmani after he refused to go with the others for a seven-day training session at Bisham Abbey (his wife gave the explanation, that she was a very nervous person and had checked with Charlton that their players were never taken away before he signed for the club; he lost an appeal). Reports in late October talked of Arsenal being ready to submit a £100,000 bid for Campbell, but after chairman Michael Gliksten said “we will not sell Campbell and that is that” nothing materialised. But Campbell submitted a transfer request, saying he wanted First Division football. Firmani responded with “as far as I’m concerned he is a Charlton player and has signed a contract with us. It’s up to us to decide when he can go”. Those were indeed the days.

At one stage that season we had a record of P29, W5, D13, L11. Firmani was talking of the ‘big comeback plan’, saying he was convinced Charlton would get to the First Division. The veteran/crock Maurice Setters was brought in, promising “I saved Coventry now for Charlton”. On Easter Monday Firmani was sacked, after a 5-0 defeat at Leicester, commenting “one minute you are up, the next you are down”. He had brought in Gordon Jago but official assistant manager Theo Foley was given the job, initially as ‘acting manager’. Setters was dropped and in the final four games we lost one, drew two, and on the final day beat Bristol City 2-1 at The Valley (we had lost the game away to them 6-0) to escape relegation (a defeat would have sent us down). Campbell scored the first goal (Treacy the second before an 88th minute strike by Chris Garland, which apparently went in off Moore’s head, ensured a very nervous final few minutes). For the record, it was the third time in 10 seasons that we avoided relegation by winning the last game.

The 1970/71 season was to be equally fraught (we finished third from bottom again but with three points to spare this time, drawing the final two games and escaping having taken only 14 points from our first 26 games), but with the changing of the guard Campbell finally got his move. As an injury crisis eased and replacement Davies was brought in from Yeovil (his promising career was to be cut short by injury), a bid of £70,000 saw Birmingham get their man. My notes at the end of Scrapbook No.6 end with “we hope for a better season in Charlton Athletic Scrapbook No.7”. We finished 21st and were relegated to the third flight, for the first time since 1934/35, losing our final game 5-0 at Blackpool.

Campbell went on to play 175 times for Birmingham, then 167 for Cardiff, finally 31 for Carlisle. He apparently went on to play and manage in non-league football in the Birmingham area. Wikipedia has him as still with us aged 76. I very much hope he is well and enjoying retirement, that he has happy memories of (at least most of) his time with us (how could he not having scored against both Millwall and Palace), and that his modern replacement goes on to carry the name for us with the distinction it has. I trust he realises what he has to live up to.

It Just Gets Better

Safe to assume that everyone did indeed enjoy that one. Best team performance making it the best start to a season since we can’t remember when. Against a team which too often over recent years has given us a footballing lesson we conceded the bulk of possession but defended superbly, won the individual battles where it mattered, resulting in their forward players looking frustrated and/or getting subbed, and through the game had the better chances and made use of most of them. And it was so encouraging to see defenders, and those in front of them, taking pride and considerable delight in not just another clean sheet but in protecting Mannion to the extent that he had just a few routine efforts to deal with.

The plaudits can be spread through the team: Mannion may have had very little to do but he again made no mistakes; Small started the game with a poor pass and especially in the second half struggled to get past his opposite number but was otherwise excellent; Ramsay had a fabulous game at both ends of the pitch; Mitchell, Jones and Gillesphey kept their shape and discipline and defended heroically; Coventry made some really excellent tackles and set the team up well moving forward, he was my man of the match; Docherty and Berry harried and chased and for the second consecutive game contributed a goal; Ahadme worked tirelessly as did Campbell without much to feed off; and Aneke and Godden made a difference when they were introduced and combined for our second goal (Anderson did come on but rather late for an assessment).

So to keep our feet on the ground what are the qualifications? For one we scored at very opportune times: first to take the lead after just 10 minutes in a game of few chances, which meant again we were not left chasing the game, then just as we were preparing for a sweaty final period during which Bolton would presumably throw everything at us in desperation. We have so far this season not had to come from behind, or have to break down a massed defence.

Second, and I’m not sure if this is a weakness or a reflection of how well things are going, Jones must have been facing tough decisions over late substitutions. Replacing the front two seems de rigueur, especially given Aneke, but with Ness having left (with all our good wishes) and Fraser and Taylor not being considered, we have a shortage of options. Edmonds-Green came back into the squad as Small started in place of Edwards, but the only other centre-back is now Mitchell(Z), unless Potts now signs. Anderson was the only midfield sub available. We will have to assess that situation when the transfer window has shut.

Third, the forward combination you still can’t say is working as well as we would like. Ahadme and Campbell both worked hard, against tough defenders (albeit ones who gave the ball away to good effect for us). But neither enjoyed a sniff at goal and signs of them combining were few and far between. Godden when he came on gave an object lesson to Campbell in terms of how to look to feed off a bigger partner and how to make the space for yourself in anticipation of an opening.

Bolton manager manager Ian Evatt gave a generally fair assessment of the game, albeit understandably focusing on his teams shortcomings rather than our performance, but did say “we’ve gifted them two goals” and “they’ve had two opportunities and scored two”. Both our goals did indeed come from Bolton losing/giving away possession coming out of defence, but before we scored Small had played a similarly misplaced pass which put us at risk. The difference is that Bolton failed to turn the opening into a clear chance, as we covered the danger well, whereas when Small was presented with the ball he played a quick and decisive pass inside to Docherty and he was not closed down quickly enough, having the time to set himself before hitting a powerful shot into the net. The Bolton ball out was an error for sure, but there remained much to do to turn it into a goal. We did that and they could not.

For our second goal, Evatt may concentrate on them giving the ball away again coming out of defence, but that ignores what Godden did to score. When they were moving out he was being marked; as soon as we took the ball off them he moved away from his marker, who was caught ball-watching. So when Aneke received the ball on the right side he only had to put it into the area where Godden had moved into, which he did superbly. Godden stooped to head home well, but the goal came from him being alert to a potential situation. Again, the goal began with a mistake but was the result of good forward play.

And for the record, we had three chances and scored two. Aneke headed over when unmarked from a corner on 75 minutes. He really should have scored. And that made it three more good chances than Bolton created, even though the stats show that they had 13 attempts on goal to our six.

No doubt Reading away will present a different sort of challenge. They’ve had a mixed start to the campaign (won one, lost one, drawn one), obviously still have issues off the field which are limiting their ability to strengthen, but will be at home and in this division nothing comes easy. What Jones seems to have done is impress on the players just how hard you need to work to succeed, and with these efforts paying off it has a self-reinforcing effect. There will be setbacks along the way for sure, injuries and suspensions may change the picture, one day we will concede a goal. But for now we can think about other matters. Palace and Millwall in the relegation zone, dare we think about the perfect season?

Excellent In Many Areas But Room For Improvement In Others

We can forgive Jones for the exaggeration, but I doubt many Addicks would agree with him that against Orient we were “excellent start to finish”. In some aspects of the game, as against Wigan, we were indeed bloody good, very encouragingly so. We know and appreciate that the focus on clean sheets and working hard when out of possession doesn’t sit easily with free-flowing attacking football. As long as we’re winning/not losing there will be no (or few) complaints. But within these parameters looking at areas where there is room for improvement is not being negative, I’ve no doubt that Jones and his staff are doing the same.

First, our set pieces were lousy. Everyone identified before the season began our need to score a decent number from them and we now have Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey and Ahadme to utilise. But on Saturday we wasted a succession of corners (didn’t clear first man, one put behind for a goal kick, one easy for the keeper) and gave no impression that we had worked on training ground routines to improve our returns in this area. Yes, Jones did score at Wigan but that was from a corner cleared and the ball put back into the mix, which their defender made a pigs ear of. Welcome, but not exactly what we had in mind.

Coventry has made a good start to the season, we need him to continue in that vein. But his corners were poor (as was Small’s one). We had nine corners against Orient, six against Wigan. That’s 15 and really no return. I don’t know why the delivery has been poor, but either Coventry improves in this area or someone else takes them. And a bit of invention to (hopefully) confuse defenders would be welcome.

Up front Jones’ plans have been affected by Godden’s injury, hopefully now over. We are not, currently, blessed with many options up front, as Ahadme/Aneke effectively amount to one player (perhaps in some game Chuks will come on to partner Ahadme, which in particular circumstances could bully teams into submission, but that’s not happened so far), leaving Campbell and Godden as the partner options and Kanu available (and Leaburn not). So far we haven’t had to chase a game, or try to break down a massed defence, but right now we don’t have real options, just replacements – which is not to say Campbell, Godden and Kanu are similar, they each have different attributes, but they are all competing for the same spot and two of them are still learning the art.

What do we know about Ahadme? Strong, will do a good job of holding the ball with his back to goal, and a threat in the air in the box if given the service, as demonstrated by his effort late in the first half, which would have gone in had he not bounced up for their keeper. What do we know about Campbell? Always going to be a danger with the ball at his feet and running at players or between the lines. No sign yet that he knows how to feed off Ahadme or read situations inside the box to poach goals, while his natural inclination is still to move wide when looking for space, which tends to separate him from Ahadme. Godden we expect to provide those abilities.

So some simple rules to follow perhaps. If you’re looking to send it long aim it at Ahadme. He will expect it and then it’s up to Campbell to get closer to him, to take a chance on him winning the ball or to anticipate a second ball. It’s primarily up to the wing-backs to deliver good crosses for Ahadme to feed off, but if it’s a fast break he will probably struggle to get there in time. For Campbell it’s either to feet or between the lines, but here too if he gets on the end of such a ball others are going to be hard-pressed to get to him to support quickly enough. He will probably have to do it on his own. Godden may find space but unless inside the box will most likely look to hold it up, so the midfielders need to support him.

Our goal on Saturday from open play wasn’t the result of a fast, incisive break, but was reward for pressure and the willingness of midfielders to get forward in support. The ball forward was mundane, but Aneke ensured that it stayed in the danger area. Coventry read the situation and made the second key intervention, then Berry added the third by moving on to the ball and getting his shot away.

So what might this all say about forward combinations? For sure Ahadme and Campbell is not a match made in heaven and for me doesn’t get the best out of either. Ahadme and Godden look better suited, or if not why not have Campbell and Kanu together? They I think could work well together, although we would have to forget about the long ball in the air. I’d keep Ahadme and Aneke as a possible pairing if we are losing. Campbell coming on against a tiring defence might work well, as long as it’s not a massed defence. Hopefully Leaburn is not too far off being available, although clearly he will need to be nursed back. Then we would have more options.

This all assumes that nobody new comes in. We know that players have to leave before that’s possible; we’re also pretty sure that if bids come in Ness, Fraser and Taylor, perhaps Edun (although Edwards’ injury adds uncertainty on that front), would be allowed to go, possibly Asiimwe and/or Mitchell(Z) also on loan. Presumably Potts is still an option to bolster the defence, while hopefully a work permit enables Dixon to be brought into the squad for consideration.

I’m guessing but would imagine that Jones would be very happy if Ness and Asiimwe are sold or loaned (I’d much prefer the latter for both), possibly Mitchell(Z) too, and Potts is brought in (plus I’d expect that elusive ‘No.1’, even though Mannion has done nothing wrong as yet). That could see him replace or compete with Gillesphey, with one of them plus Edmonds-Green the back-ups. If Edwards is sidelined for a while presumably Edun stays (or goes and is replaced) in support of Small, with Ramsay and Watson competing on the other flank. We had no central defender on the bench on Saturday, I’m not sure why.

Similarly if Fraser and Taylor can find other clubs that would facilitate new signings. Fraser is still a good player and if he leaves it will be with some regret that we didn’t get the best out of him regularly enough. Taylor may well be too, just haven’t seen enough of him to form any sort of opinion. But if they are both out of the picture we only have Anderson competing with Berry for the third midfield spot. If they stay surely we have to make use of them as injuries and suspensions will take their toll.

As for being taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdullah, seems the rumours are quickly being quashed. It isn’t something that I’d want for our club, irrespective of the financial implications (including the possibility of the club buying back The Valley). But with no insight and no knowledge of the individuals concerned I’d assume any concrete interest would not be dismissed out of hand by our current ownership consortium. The club was packed up for them as an investment opportunity, not a lifetime commitment. If they can be provided with a decent return right now rather than the uncertain prospect of better in the future I’d expect them to at least stop and think about it.

Clean Sheet And One Opening, Good Enough

So, after the midweek unlamented early goodbye to a meaningless (for us) cup competition it was back to the real stuff. Nobody needed reminding that having beaten them on the opening day at The Valley last time around Orient went on to have a far more satisfying season than us, so there would have been no grounds for complacency, with their opening day defeat at home to Bolton no clear guide as to their prospects. What we got was in many respects a repeat of the Wigan game as we doggedly kept a clean sheet and that provided the scope for us to take all three points having scored with our only effort on goal which seriously tested their keeper. Much more of this and ‘1-0 to the CAFC’ could become the mantra for the season. With no complaints.

The team showed one change from Wigan for the starting line-up, with Berry coming in to start in midfield and Anderson dropping to the bench. There was the welcome appearance of Godden among the subs, although with both Aneke and Kanu also included – would we really need three replacement forwards? - it looked like Jones was taken a chance defensively, with Edmonds-Green left out of the squad, ostensibly wing-backs Watson and Small providing the only defensive cover, with presumably one of them filling in if a central defender was injured. By the same token Anderson was the only replacement option in midfield. It would be the usual 3-5-2/5-3-2, perhaps providing a contrast with Orient’s anticipated 4-3-3, just as Wigan’s 4-5-1 had given us problems especially in midfield. A chance perhaps also to say welcome back to Sean Clare, perhaps also Pratley and Jaiyesimi, who were among their subs, although Clare was to prove the villain of the peace.

The first half was a pretty even affair with neither side fashioning any clear-cut opening. If anything Orient had the better of the slender opportunities, with a couple of shots blocked and one saved by Mannion after Gillesphey had slipped. Campbell undoubtedly caused them problems with his pace, but with no sign of any understanding with Ahadme or indication that he is learning the art of finding space and anticipating possibilities inside the box when out of possession. Ahadme in stoppage time had probably our best effort, heading a cross goalwards but with it bouncing down and back up to enable their keeper to gather it comfortably.

So the result was a competitive, quite lively encounter short of moments of quality to unlock two determined defences. At the break we’d had 58% possession and six attempts on goal, with two on target, against their four and one, but if anything they’d looked marginally the more likely to score.

The major incident of the half involved two players who had been having their own personal battle from the start: Clare and Edwards. The ball was knocked out of our box and Edwards ran for it pretty much in a forward direction, Clare coming in from his right. It was a loose ball, there to be competed for, but Edwards got there first and played it on, only for Clare’s challenge to come in just after. No question about the foul, no question a card, but yellow or red? Some Addicks were clear it should have been red. For me yellow was probably right, but Clare could have had no complaints if he was off. Really a case of whether his challenge was rash, whether studs were showing. As it was the person who left the field was Edwards, stretchered off. To say we hope the injury does not prove serious is a massive understatement.

The second half was equally tight and short on goalmouth action, but we were more in the ascendency, with Orient perhaps increasingly inclined to view a goalless draw as an acceptable outcome. The question whether Clare could be induced into getting another card, or being caught out not wanting to make a challenge, became whether or not substitutions by either side – with plenty of knocks and tired legs with an early kick-off and a game so early in the season – might make the difference. Orient made theirs earlier than us (Small replacing Edwards notwithstanding) and for a while it seemed their fresh legs might swing the balance as we tired, especially up front.

In the end Jones waited until the 75th minute before Aneke and Godden were introduced, for Ahadme and Campbell. Chuks of course was involved in mauling contests from the off, Godden looked more likely than Campbell to be able to read a situation and take advantage. But the game was going into stoppage time, with both managers having been shown yellow cards, before the deadlock was finally broken, thanks to us having midfielders ready to take a chance and get forward. An ordinary ball forward was competed for by Aneke and it dropped for Coventry to take a touch to the side. That was probably with the thought of getting a shot away himself, but instead it ran for Berry, who had got ahead of his marker. He calmly planted it low into the corner past their despairing keeper.

After that it was to the corner flag at every available opportunity, but we saw out the eight minutes of added time without alarm, to for the second Saturday running to win a game that undoubtedly last season we would not have done. It’s inane to say that clean sheets make all the difference, but my word not having to chase the game and having the luxury to be able to wait for an opening and for one to be enough is nice. For that we can thank the back line, and those in front of them. One thing that struck me was that Mitchell was shouting and pointing at those around him, showing the kind of leadership we have been missing – and which Steve Brown has been despairing of. We’ve yet to show that we can win in style, I still think Jones got away with an unbalanced bench, but all those thoughts can wait, let’s enjoy the moment.

Club Screws Up With Daft 'International Supporters Day' Date

Nobody likes posting something negative about the club. But in its recent treatment of and evident attitude towards the International Addicks the club has behaved abysmally. Whether this reflects just ineptitude and lack of thought/consideration or a conscious – but misguided - decision to embark on a particular approach, one which would fly in the face of the goal to get more bums on seats for the coming games, I can’t say.

All Addicks will agree that the priority is to get more people into The Valley for games. We all want to see a packed house supporting the team, creating the sort of atmosphere many young supporters will not (yet) have experienced. It is for sure a chicken and egg process involving fuelling and feeding off success on the pitch, with the club expected to do all it can to attract back those who have stopped attending games and fresh supporters.

In that context, the branding of 16 home games this season as ‘themed’, which the club says allows it to “promote various causes and engage with supporters of all ages through a number of off-pitch activities”, is in principle positive. But the fact is that through its actions one of those themes, International Addicks Day, which has been run for the past couple of years and has been a great success, thanks to the efforts of the club but also the incredible enthusiasm of those heading up the IA groups, has probably been destroyed.

With no consultation with the IA groups, someone in their wisdom has decided that this season’s ‘International Supporters Day’ will be the home game against Barnsley, on a Tuesday evening (4 March). Who, for heaven’s sake, decided that a midweek fixture would be suitable for international supporters to travel to the UK to embrace? Some of us do work you know. No other themed game is a midweek fixture (the only one not a Saturday game is set for Friday 18 April, Easter weekend). So the club has basically chosen to rank all the other 15 themed games, including new creations as ‘Christmas Spirit Day’, as more important than International Addicks Day. It has gone out of its way to select the most difficult game for overseas supporters to attend, or does it just not care? Is this stupidity or plain mean?

Nobody's asking for any special treatment, just a little appreciation and consideration. To say that this is a slap in the face for all international supporters is an understatement. It indicates the club cares nothing about its overseas fan base. And it isn’t just insulting it’s short-sighted. Sure, International Addicks are not going to fill The Valley week in, week out. But in addition to spending a disproportionate amount on travel to watch games (and on getting club merchandise shipped overseas) they spread the word about Charlton, help foster a positive image of the club, and add what for any enlightened club would be considered a valued element to the support base.

It is worrying that this is not the only example of the club’s poor attitude to international supporters, which really means in turn a callous attitude towards all supporters. Communication over the future of CATV, an issue obviously of particular interest to us living overseas, was terse and curt. Perhaps efforts were made behind the scenes of which I’m not aware, but it left a bad impression, as does certain other recent examples:

https://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/98362/clubs-disappointing-treatment-of-swedish-addicks.

The only reasonable response to this is what looks likely to be adopted. The club can quite frankly shove its planned International Supporters Day. Instead, the International Addicks are designating the Saturday 16 October home game against Wrexham as International Addicks Day. This game has been designated by the club as the annual ‘Red, White and Black Day’, a longstanding and entirely praiseworthy event. We International Addicks will be pleased/proud to stand alongside the initiative on the day, to help promote it and support it, while at the same time celebrating International Addicks Day with our own events and activities organised around the game. Just what happens on 4 March nobody cares (and if nobody turns up and the club then drops International Addicks Day as a theme next season we will know for sure what was the intention). .

All that said, mistakes are made. The club has ample time to accept it has screwed up, apologise to the IA groups, and to at least change the International Supporters Day to a Saturday game. I don’t think anyone’s holding their breath, which is regrettable in itself.

Mixed Performance, Perfect Result

Ahead of yesterday’s game some things we knew: the shape – and bar one or two choices or late injuries the composition – of the team, that we would be competitive etc. But unlike last season, when we went into the first game at home against Orient quietly (arrogantly?) confident of victory, little suspecting then we would end up well below them in the league, our standing after the first game proving to be our highest for the whole season, nobody could be confident in the result. After all, what did we really know about Wigan? About their new signings, their expectations, even their formation? Happy to admit, personally not much, the bookies have them pencilled in for mid-table.

That we ended up with the same result/scoreline as a year ago was the outcome of some stout defending, including superb last-gasp interventions by Ramsay and Edwards in particular, and a goal curtesy of some poor defending on their part and an excellent finish by a central defender. Without the ball we were excellent; with it we were poor. Whether that was down to the clash of formations or some deficiencies on our part will only become clear after some more games. Probably a mix of both. You can’t say we were lucky to win. They may have had 65% possession and 13 shots on goal to our four, but they had only one on target, failing to take at least two clear-cut opportunities. I’d say if the game was played 10 times we would have won three times, lost three times, with honours even four times. So while we obviously embrace a splendid victory and take the positives, let’s not get carried away.

The contrast was provided by Wigan’s 4-5-1 and our 5-3-2/3-5-2. Wigan were bold in the sense that, as Peter Shirtliffe perceptively stressed, they were content to risk two against two at times and to get their full-backs forward. The result was we were usually outnumbered in central midfield and, with three centre-backs covering one forward, not able to do much with the possession we had, not being able to build through midfield and rather giving the front two just scraps to feed off. You would have thought that Campbell might have exploited the space available with his pace to get in behind, but that didn’t happen. In general I thought we failed to move/operate as a unit, with the available centre-backs and wing-backs not getting forward sufficiently to cause them problems. When we lost the ball we harried, covered, tackled, chased very well. Perhaps the conservative approach when we had the ball was all part of the plan, but I think we could have done more, which probably would have involved earlier and more substitutions since as it was many were out on their feet at the end.

With Godden still unavailable the starting X1 just about picked itself, the only decisions being to stick with Anderson over Berry in midfield and Ramsay and Edwards as the wing-backs over Watson and Small. As the three missing out were on the bench, along with the change of forwards and defensive cover, there were no last-minute surprises.

We had our best chance of the first half inside the first 10 minutes as a long ball was taken well by Ahadme and laid off for Docherty inside the box. He tussled well for it but the ball didn’t sit and he couldn’t get a shot away. Otherwise the contest was even, tight, the play generally messy and low on quality. The closest Wigan came to opening the scoring was a shot from distance which took a wicked deflection, one which on a bad day might have seen it fly into the net rather than behind for a corner. They also had a late free kick and a shot just over the bar but with Mannion having it covered. They had the bulk of possession but had done little with it, we struggled to get anything going offensively.

The second half was developing not necessarily to our advantage as Wigan’s substitutions seemed to give them fresh impetus. And they had three close calls in the period before 70 minutes were up. First, a ball into the box exceptionally found a guy in space, but he scuffed his shot on the turn from a very good position. Second, their main influencer Aasgaard took a ball well inside Ramsay and advanced into the box with just Mannion to beat. For some reason he hesitated for too long and Ramsay was able to get to him with a very well-time and legal challenge to snuff out the danger. Third, a cross from their left to the far post looked set to be headed home from close range only for Edwards to manage to get his head to it first.

There’s no doubt that during this spell Wigan were winning on points. If they’d scored they would probably have taken the points. We were creating nothing – a poor pass was intercepted and played on to Campbell, but his shot from a tight angle was easily saved. In that context our first changes came rather late, on 72 minutes, with Aneke and Kanu replacing Ahadme and Campbell, plus Watson coming on for Ramsay. Chuks always has an impact and, while not changing the course of the game, did help to balance things up.

It was still rather out of the blue when we took the lead on 80 minutes. An Edwards long throw was cleared and Watson’s ball back in looked rather aimless. But their keeper’s decision not to come and collect it seemed to cause confusion and left to head clear unchallenged their central defender made a mess of it, sending the ball sideways. It bounced past a couple and ran through to Jones, still up front for the throw, who hit it low on the turn into the net, a finish Super Clive would have been proud of.

Then just a case of whether or not we could see out the final 15 minutes. And with a couple more good defensive headers, plus a curled shot-come-cross from their left which went just wide, we did. Berry came on late for Docherty, while Mitchell somehow managed to stay on his feet for the duration.

It’s an excellent result to start the campaign. That there’s still ample scope for improvement is clear, perhaps involving one or two additions to the squad. The Carabao Cup game on Tuesday night is an unwanted distraction, one for Jones to ponder whether or not to send out Team B (I would). The two home games to follow, against Orient and Bolton, will be the ones that matter. Of course a year ago we followed an opening day 1-0 victory with four defeats on the spin and our first managerial sacking of the season (Holden). We expect shall we say something different this time.

As Encouraging As Wimbledon Was Not

Well that was altogether more encouraging than last weekend, although whether that was a reflection on us (both the approach and the line-up) or the opposition – just why Portsmouth wanted to play us of all people is a mystery to me – we will only find out in the weeks ahead after contests against varied opposition. But when your front two both score, albeit with considerable assistance from their keeper, you keep a clean sheet having restricted the opposition to literally just a couple of dangerous moments, and you pretty much dominate the game, it would be churlish to pick holes. While a week ago we struggled for positives (for me just Edwards and Mannion) this time around there were no negatives and some fresh encouraging signs, not least for me the performances of Coventry and Ahadme, both of whom might have been under a little pressure.

The game itself was of secondary importance. Campbell in his new role showed an ability to find space to open the scoring, after good work from Anderson and an excellent pass from Edwards, although nobody questions that their keeper should have done better. He might have had a second in the first half but skied his shot on the turn in space inside the box after Ramsay had laid it on for him. The second came early in the second half as Ramsay this time threaded a ball down the right side to Campbell. Their keeper this time must have thought he might get to it first as he left his box, only to get nowhere near the ball. Campbell went around him and provided a cross for a stooping Ahadme to head into an empty net.

We might have scored more, especially with Aneke not converting a header when well placed, Kanu’s shot saved, and other close-run things. By contrast, Portsmouth had one moment in the first half when a guy somehow retained possession and advanced on goal only to blaze well over the bar, and one in the second when Ahadme was dispossessed in a bad area and their guy cut across the box and saw his shot saved. I really can’t remember another moment when we were seriously threatened.

Can we attribute a better performance to changes in personnel? That is of course for Jones to ponder and draw his own conclusions. The only change in defence was Ramsay starting instead of Watson as right-side wing-back, the clear indication being that the Jones, Mitchell(A) and Gillesphey central three is Plan A, with Edmonds-Green, Mitchell(Z), Potts if he joins us, Ness if he stays with us, and others likely to have to wait for their chance. Ramsay did provide more of an attacking threat than Watson had done at Wimbledon, while Edwards had another very impressive game. Small may have been assuming he would be first-choice on the left side, but that may prove not to be the case. And with Ramsay, Watson and Asiimwe to choose from on one side, Edwards, Small and Edun on the other, we are amply covered as things stand.

The change in midfield was Anderson starting instead of Berry. Whether or not that was a factor, there was more zest in this area than a week ago. But for me the big difference was a more pronounced performance/contribution from Coventry, who tackled and covered well and in addition to keeping things moving played one or two perceptive balls forward which caught Portsmouth out. We expect big things from him, need him to have a big season.

Up front the starting change was Campbell in for the unavailable Godden. But for me the focus of attention was Ahadme. We’ve apparently paid a lot of money for the guy and hadn’t seen much to date, with it obviously far too early to draw any conclusions, especially as against Wimbledon he was introduced at half-time only to be withdrawn after 77 minutes. Yesterday he looked much more effective, doing good work outside the box and looking an arial threat inside it. I actually sent a message to our Addicks group during the game saying Ahadme looking better, be good to see him score. And he duly did a few minutes later.

For me, as things stand Ahadme is the variable which largely determines whether or not we have effective striking options. On paper if you say we have available to choose from Ahadme, Aneke, Godden, Campbell, Kanu, Leaburn hopefully soon, perhaps Hylton if he joins us all might seem well (especially with Casey and Mbick coming up on the rails). The alternative assessment is that Aneke still presumably can’t last more than 60 minutes, Leaburn will be coming back after a long lay-off and will need time, Kanu is still developing, Campbell is a converted winger who will still be learning the art of what to do inside the box. On that basis, while Godden we can assume is a reliable half of a partnership, if Ahadme struggles the options suddenly look less compelling. Ideally we want to have a forward partnership, replacements from the bench for the same set-up, plus alternative options if we need to change the shape/style. Absent a match-fit Leaburn and assuming only half a game from Chuks, plus the ever-present injury risk, and Ahadme is crucial. So I was hugely encouraged by his display yesterday.

With six substitutions made after the hour and a further four before the end, there was the opportunity for almost everyone to get involved (Asiimwe and Hylton the only outfield players in a squad of 24 not to get on the pitch, while I thought it was a little churlish not to give Maynard-Brewer some minutes, we may after all need him). And nobody had a bad game. Let’s be glad about that, and the fact that we don’t seem to have picked up any fresh injuries (and Godden’s absence seems to have been down to protocols over head injuries).

There are still questions over a few of the positions to start next Saturday at Wigan. But you’d probably say seven names are, if fit, nailed on to start (Mannion, Jones, Mitchell, Gillesphey, Coventry, Docherty, Ahadme), two more, the wing-backs, are a matter of spoilt for choice, leaving just the third midfield spot (Berry or Anderson) and the second forward position (Godden, Campbell, Kanu) to be chosen. That’s about as settled and promising as I can remember at this point in the calendar (without going overboard and keeping in mind that a week ago we were deservedly beaten by Wimbledon).