Can't Be Unhappy With Another Point

Well, we cut that one a bit fine, didn’t we? Second consecutive 2-2 draw with the points decided only in stoppage time. Did we deserve to get something out of the game? Falls into the ‘maybe’ category. We had I think a stronger case for a point than at Barnsley, even though we ended up only a minute away from winning that one, especially if you focus on the fact that Wrexham had just two efforts on target all game (and none in the first half even though they took the lead) against seven for us. But you would have to add that going into the closing stages of both games it looked as though we would end up empty-handed (at 1-0 down at Barnsley it was hard to see where a goal might come from only for us to score twice, yesterday was much the same even well into stoppage time). So I’d say we can be reasonably pleased with both outcomes, especially given the players we are missing (to which I guess we now have to add Watson).

Of the four goals yesterday only one came from open play, which might say something about both attacks and both defences. I’d say the major differences between the two teams what that their front two caused us problems all afternoon, held the ball and used it well, kept us stretched, whereas we lost possession too often and too easily when balls were played forward. I think our back four deserve some credit for managing to keep them at bay for most of the time, although it often seemed to be a close call. Both of their goals involved good fortune, with the first scored by us, whether or not the OG is attributed to Coventry for the deflection or Mannion for his failure to turn the deflected cross away from goal, and the second when an excellent challenge by Mitchell ran sweetly into the path of their guy who’d played the ball in. They did clip the bar, courtesy of the returning Lee, and you might say our penalty was just a few inches from being blazed over the bar. But those are the margins in a game of very few really good chances.

We’d set up with the same 4-4-2 (although the BBC is describing it as 4-2-3-1) but with personnel changes. With Ramsay out of the picture Watson came in at right-back instead of Edmonds-Green, who (briefly) dropped to the bench, while in midfield Docherty and Berry swapped places with Taylor and Campbell(A) to partner Coventry and Anderson. Up front Campbell(T) returned to the starting X1 in place of Leaburn. On the bench there were no places for Dixon or Mbick with instead Hylton included alongside Leaburn. Really all looked like reshuffling the pack in light of the opposition and the state of legs after Barnsley, with all of us looking for a repeat of the performance against Birmingham in terms of intensity and determination.

The game was only a couple of minutes old when Watson went down and it soon became clear he wasn’t going to be able to continue, so Edmonds-Green was in action again very early. The early exchanges were inconclusive, one ball flashing across their box but not getting a touch, but any thoughts of just keeping a clean sheet until the break went out of the window on 15 minutes as a free kick on their right side was delivered well but we contrived to score for them, apparently off Coventry and then Mannion. Horrible and soft, but you have to say one of those that happen. Fortunately we were not behind for too long as on 22 minutes a corner was cleared but Edwards sent the ball back into the far post, where Gillesphey rose well and sent a looping header back over their keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Wrexham then had a couple of chances in quick succession, with Lee’s shot clipping the crossbar and then another guy blazing over from a good position. Berry had a shot deflected and saved, Campbell was causing them problems with his pace, but it was still a little surprising at the break to see from the stats that we had had a majority of possession and six efforts on goal with three on target against their four and none. The other first-half stat of note was 10 minutes of stoppage time, reflecting Watson’s injury, then the ref needing treatment after a collision, and his eventual departure with all the time it took to change technical equipment with his replacement.

It was also slightly surprising that Jones opted to make another change at half-time, with Leaburn coming on for Anderson, making it the second game in a row that he only lasted the first half. Wasn’t clear to me (or others) whether this involved any change of formation (to five at the back with Campbell as one wing-back) or rather just a switch for him to a wide position in a midfield four. He had been doing all of his good work in a wide position in any event.

Trouble was, with Leaburn still looking ring-rusty we continued to find it difficult to retain the ball in their half and consequently to be on the front foot. Instead Wrexham gradually gained a clearer ascendency and began to put us under real pressure. On 64 minutes Jones reacted with a double-change, with Taylor and Campbell(A) replacing Docherty and Berry, but the balance of play remained the same, even though Leaburn won a free kick on the edge of their area which was whipped in by Taylor only for their keeper to turn it over.

It wasn’t a big surprise that Wrexham took the lead on 70 minutes. A guy down their right in space played a decent ball inside. Mitchell stretched and prevented the forward from getting an effort on goal, but the first guy had kept running and the loose ball set him up perfectly to shoot across Mannion and into the far corner. It had been coming.

Hylton replaced Coventry with 10 minutes of normal time left. Just what formation that resulted in I’ve no idea, we were just getting desperate and had to try something to find an equaliser from somewhere. Some balls went into the box but it seemed as though Wrexham would be able to see out the game with some predictable timewasting with relative ease. The five added minutes were almost up when their guy hacked down Campbell(T) to prevent him from breaking clear and the resulting free kick was something of a Hail Mary, even though for some reason Mannion didn’t go forward for it (what had we to lose?). Instead the ball in was knocked back and their guy clearly moved his arm out instinctively to block it. It looked as though the rebound might be converted but when that effort was blocked the ref did the right thing and pointed to the spot. Godden remained calm (outwardly at least) and hit it hard and central into the roof of the net, with just about the last kick of the game.

You can’t be unhappy if you score an equaliser right at the end, just ask Barnsley. And it sent all Addicks home with a smile, even if we are well aware of our current shortcomings as the unavailable list gets longer (Watson, Ramsay, Jones, Aneke, Ahadme, Kanu), especially difficult as its split between three defenders and three forwards, so we can rotate the midfield at will but are short of some first choice players and cover in the other departments.

At least in terms of games which matter we have a period ahead of relative calm, just four league games in November (away at Exeter, home to Peterborough, away at Huddersfield and the only midweek one away at Burton). Just what happens in the three cup games scheduled, including the trip to Southend, I really couldn’t care less, other than for these games hopefully seeing some of those absent being able to return. We’re four unbeaten now, albeit with just one a victory, and it’s starting to feel like the backs to the wall unbeaten run under Jones late last season. Realistically we just have to hang on through November and remain in touch – even though of course we’ll be looking to win all four in the month ahead. There are still many ways to slice and dice the season to date, bottom line is we’re not firing on all cylinders and can’t expect to be with the current injury list. We just hope that changes as quickly as possible and that it isn't an excuse for letting standards slip in the interim.