Giving Fresh Meaning To Winning Ugly

With Docherty added to an already extensive list of unavailables, and on the back of two straight defeats and five games without a win, we went into this one desperate for a win (at least I was) and with little thought about quality of performance to achieve it. No disrespect intended there was going to be no glory in victory against the team propping up the division – and anything less and the murmurings of discontent, resigned talk of the season already wasted, would only increase. And with a near full round of games being played, another defeat and it wouldn’t bear thinking about where we might stand in the league.

And it’s just as well that we (and Jones it seems) didn’t care about quality, because this turned out to be about as ugly a win as is possible. That we had plenty of half-chances to score more than one was evident, the fact is that until Burton were reduced to 10 men they had come closest to a goal (only prevented by an excellent save by Maynard-Brewer) and until we brought on Campbell(T), to play as a winger, and Small the only football on show had come from them (especially in the form of the guy who lost his head and saw red). We are happy that the rot has been stopped.

The team was flagged as a change to 4-3-3, with Berry in to replace the suspended Docherty and Ahadme given a start in place of Small. The suggestion was a back four of Edmonds-Green, Mitchell, Gillesphey and Edwards in front of Maynard-Brewer. Midfield trio of Coventry, Anderson and Berry and a front three of Leaburn (thankfully not crocked despite hobbling off on Saturday), Ahadme and Godden – although in practise it was really the two big guys up front with Godden tucked in behind. On the bench Laqeretabua and Small provided the defensive options, Taylor and Campbell(A) for midfield, and Campbell(T) and Hylton alternatives up front.

I don’t know what the thinking was behind the formation. Just how a front trio with no obvious width and no real pace might work, especially with Godden occupying the space which you would expect to see Berry move into, and with a back four and the midfield choices also suggesting nothing down the flanks. Sorry to say but at first sight – and before a ball was kicked – it looked like a dog’s dinner to me. Perhaps it was a team and formation put together in light of Burton’s perceived weaknesses – they’d scored just about as many as but had one of the worst defensive records in the division – or perhaps it was just down to our available resources (which might not be music to the ears of the likes of Edun, Asiimwe, even Dixon). It promised a primitive approach to the game – and that’s what we got.

These days we don’t expect anything from the first half, which is just as well. There were some chances – a weak Leaburn shot after he cut inside, a long throw touched on by Ahadme for Leaburn to connect with on the turn which bounced beyond the far post, and some dangerous crosses – but nothing you’d say was gilt-edged. And at the other end Maynard-Brewer was a virtual spectator, despite some periodic reasonable approach play by Burton, especially down their right side. For the most part is was all kick and rush, no shortage of effort but no sign of quality on the ball.

The stats at the break showed they enjoyed 55% possession but had only three efforts on goal and none on target, against nine and three for us. That pretty much summed it up, if it’s kept in mind that our three attempts on target required nothing more than a routine stop.

We weren’t losing so there were no changes at the break, but the pattern of play did shift. Burton looked more purposeful and on 56 minutes almost took the lead. A ball squared and their guy turned and drilled a low shot, which Maynard-Brewer got down to very well and managed to keep out with a strong arm. The change in the balance of play did prompt Jones into action before the hour mark, with Ahadme – who had disappointed with a couple of headers he might have done more with - and Anderson giving way to Campbell(T) and Taylor, prompting a shift to more of a 4-4-2.

The changes did lead to our closest attempt on goal, as Campbell down the right fed Edmonds-Green, whose cross to the far post found Leaburn, but his powerful header came back off the outside of the post. But it was the incident on 67 minutes that changed the game.

Burton were breaking quickly and Taylor opted to take one for the team, holding onto Webster and preventing play from moving on. He did hold on rather long, just to make sure, and Webster just lost it. He charged at Taylor and even though he seemed to think better of it at the last moment, not really headbutting him, he did clatter into Taylor and gave the ref no option other than to pull out a red (plus the yellow for Taylor).

The man advantage and the outlet of Campbell on the right did encourage us to try passing the ball and working space. But we were into the final 10 minutes of normal time before we finally broke the deadlock. A delivery into their area found Small – who had only just replaced Edmonds-Green – in front of their keeper. He smothered the effort on goal but the ball bounced out for Coventry to fire goalwards. His good shot was well saved but rebounded to him and the second attempt, altogether less crisp – found its way into the net.

Not surprisingly after that Burton came back into the game more as an attacking threat, having nothing left to lose, and we rather nervously defended what we had. Laqeretabua and Hylton came on at the death for Godden and Leaburn, we picked up more yellow cards (six for the game, including three for substitutes), and we went for the corner flag whenever possible. But we did see it out, and that was by a distance the most important fact.

The final stats showed we had 24 shots, 11 on target (with eight off target and five blocked), to their one on target. If that one had gone in, which it might well have done, we might be feeling very different this morning. As it is we hope the memory of the actual game can be expunged as quickly as possible and move on. Sure we will want to win at Walsall on Saturday, but for me the priorities will be no fresh injuries/suspensions. Whether or not we will get any of the injured back for Crawley the following Tuesday night I’ve no idea, but at least we will be able to go into that game thinking about what another win might do for our league position rather than the reverse.

Some Credit For Spirit in Adversity But Another Defeat

It's hard to be angry or frustrated after that one, but that’s perhaps a reflection of downgraded expectations. We put in a spirited performance in the second half when down to 10 men, against a decent – but not exceptional – Huddersfield side. There is credit in that, especially considering the injury list (two weeks off for the international break but only one returning, another dropping out). Against that, we were poor (yet again) in the first half, might easily have been two down before we got back into it with a rather soft penalty, then - after paying the price for a rash challenge by Docherty, one which on another day might have just been a yellow but one you can’t say was an error by the officials – failed to make the most of some chances to draw level, against a Huddersfield side which struggled to kill off the game.

When the dust settles all we will be left with is now a five-game winless run in the league, with concerns that Leaburn could be added to the unavailable list with two more away games coming up. Oh, and into the bottom half of the league, now closer to the relegation places than the play-offs. By virtue of their win Huddersfield move into the top six, on the sort of run that we can only hope to put together, possibly, at some point in the future when players return.

The side showed three changes from Exeter with Mitchell(Z) seemingly not available through injury, replaced by Edmonds-Green, Taylor dropping out of the squad for some reason and Anderson in, plus Campbell(A) moving down to the bench and Small getting a start, in a 3-5-2. The surprise was he started on the right side, with Edmonds-Green, Mitchell(A) and Gillesphey the central three, Edwards the other wing-back. A midfield of Coventry, Docherty and Anderson, with Leaburn and Godden up front. On the bench the only defensive option was Laqeretabua, Campbell(A) and Berry for midfield, and Campbell(T), Ahadme and Hylton available. Of those assumed to be fit, no places in the squad for Taylor, Asiimwe or Edun, or Dixon.

After a fairly nondescript opening to the game we went behind, all too easily. We’d already appeared uncoordinated from their set pieces when a corner from their right was delivered well and from a central position their centre-back was able to shrug off the weak challenge of Small and plant what amounted to a free header in off the far post. Huddersfield had been taking a grip on the game and really should have doubled their lead before 20 minutes were up, another header from the same player, this time simply unchallenged from a decent free kick in from their left. His second effort crashed back off the bar.

We had shown nothing in their half in the first half-hour, but amazingly found ourselves level, curtesy of some Leaburn trickery causing confusion and a rather clumsy resulting challenge involving Edmonds-Green being able to go to ground under some contact. Whether or not he was already heading there before the contact is hard to say. No matter, Godden stepped up and converted well.

We were back in a game which Huddersfield had been clearly bossing, but after another five minutes the pendulum swung back against us. Out on the touchline their guy stuck out his foot to move the ball and Docherty saw enough of the ball to swing his own foot at it, the intention being to hoof clear. Instead all he made contact with was the outstretched foot. It was without malice, not especially dangerous, but probably painful (and their guy did make a meal of it). The ref thought long and hard (another way of saying he was waiting for instructions), eventually pulling out a red card. It was harsh, but the challenge gave him a decision to make.

Jones made no change in response and did manage to see out the half with no further alarms. But nobody was in any doubt that the second half would be a real slog.

We actually started the second half quite brightly, with Leaburn causing them all sorts of problems when given the ball. But eventually we were pegged back by Huddersfield’s decent use of the ball to exploit their man advantage and just after the hour turned that into a goal. Good interplay moved us around and ended with a ball laid back for a guy around the edge of the box. He shot home powerfully before the challengers could get to him. Echoes of the previous patch when we were conceding goals from long range by not closing down fast enough, although this time we were one less to cover.

You kind of thought then that the priority had to be to hang in there, not concede a third, and hope to apply some pressure in the dying minutes to try to get something from the game. Instead, as Huddersfield perhaps relaxed a little, we had probably our best spell in terms of actually creating chances.

Campbell(T) came on for Edmonds-Green, with Small moving over to the left and with around 20 minutes of normal time left we fashioned a couple of chances. Small beat his guy down the flank and whipped in an excellent cross. It seemed to take a deflection off a defender but either way was met by a firm Leaburn header, which whistled just past the post. Ahadme was introduced for Godden and just about his first action was to fail to convert probably our best opportunity. Their keeper failed to cut out a Coventry corner but instead of heading home from a yard or so Ahadme failed to make decisive contact, perhaps distracted by their keeper’s miss but nevertheless. In our position we just couldn’t afford not to take a chance like that.

Thereafter Huddersfield had their opportunities too, not surprisingly given the state of the game, and it required good saves by Maynard-Brewer to keep us in with a chance. Worryingly Leaburn went down with the ball a long way away and was replaced by Hylton, with Berry replacing Anderson at the same time. In the dying minutes Ahadme won a header and Hylton set up Berry, but he wasn’t able to get the shot away, then at the end of five minutes of stoppage time we won a free kick on the edge of the area but made a mess of taking it quickly, the game ending in some confusion right after that.

So yes, there were some positives in terms of commitment and creating chances even with 10 men. I wouldn’t say we deserved a point, Huddersfield were in charge through the first half and for periods of the second and led for the final 30 minutes or so. But we might have nicked one, with better finishing.

No doubt the dressing room will be down after a second consecutive defeat, again by the odd goal. Jones has to lift them quickly as away at bottom-placed Burton on Tuesday night is one which, even at this stage of the season, we just have to win, if we are to give the impression of possibly being able to hang on long enough to give us hope when players return. Our record against the teams around the bottom has so far been good. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

Why Is Our Record So Poor Against Midtable Teams?

A disappointing game, performance and result, one that you really struggle to take any positives from. Perhaps one or two lessons. From our perspective the first half, Godden’s early header chance notwithstanding, was an embarrassment as progressively Exeter pushed us back and for periods we were unable to either control the ball and possession (other than passes across the back line) or find any outlet with long balls forward. We did improve in the second half, but until late on only to the extent of making it an even contest.

The chances which Jones said not taking cost us the game came in the closing minutes, by which time we had thrown caution to the wind. Yes, we should have taken at least one of the two gilt-edged ones. That would have given us a point, perhaps shifted the focus in favour of five unbeaten (forget the cup games) instead of now four without a win. Even then it would only have amounted to sharing the spoils with another mid-table team, one which carried very little attacking threat, despite a decent display of leading the line by Magennis, but which gave a demonstration why they have conceded only 10 goals in 13 games. We started the season with three wins on the back of three clean sheets, keeping things (very) tight at the back and relying on nicking one at the other end. We can hardly complain that Exeter pretty much did the same to us.

Not much point a day later dwelling much on the game itself. In the first half early on we had a good Godden header saved and later a Taylor volley which may have been on target but was blocked. Exeter had a couple of promising situations but seemed to take wrong options. At the break both teams had had one effort each on target; but Exeter’s 58% possession and 11 corners (to our two) told the story. We did show an improvement in the second half but, after a whipped Edwards cross just eluded Leaburn, went behind as a central defender was allowed to move freely from a central position to meet a corner at the near post and gave it the deft flick necessary to divert it into the net. Our two golden chances to equalise came in the final 10 minutes of normal time. First a long ball forward was nodded down (by Purrington it seems) and dropped kindly for Godden in space, but his shot on the turn went agonisingly wide. Then from a corner Docherty headed back and Mitchell(A) missed the target from close range. Exeter did also clear a stoppage time scramble off the line.

The team may have shown only two changes from Southend but there were five from our previous league game (Wrexham). It seems that Mannion and Anderson were unavailable and according to Jones Edun on the bench wasn’t fit to play a part. That meant effectively we went into the game short of Mannion, Ramsay, Watson, Potts, Edun, Anderson, Aneke, Campbell(T) and Kanu. If you look at the whole squad really of those available only Asiimwe (just back from loan), Dixon, Rylah and Mbick, all players still learning their trade, were not involved. That is getting down to the bare bones.

Injuries have had a serious impact on recent campaigns, just that we hoped this one would be different. It isn’t an excuse for underperformance but is a mitigating factor, especially as the changes it means work against continuity and developing understanding. Perhaps it’s also having an impact on our approach to games. For too long yesterday we seemed content to be at 0-0. That might be acceptable against Birmingham, even at a stretch at the moment Wrexham. But surely not yesterday.

Jones said after the game that we were “nowhere near” in the first half. But that has happened so often this season (once again I’d highlight our first half v second half record) that it only raises the question why. Is it the mindset going into the game? Is it the gameplan they go onto the pitch with? It’s as if we’ve got locked into a pattern we can’t break, one which early in the season had at least some rationale as we looked to Aneke, then Leaburn, to get off the bench. Now we’re making changes to personnel and formation when we go behind and have to chase the game. Whatever happened to imposing yourselves on the opposition, giving them problems to try to deal with? Our passive approach while level – once behind we brought on Ahadme and Small with a switch to a back five, then Berry was introduced – cost us the game, not taking the late chances denied us being able to take something from it.

So where does the problem lie? Is it a midfield without pace unable to provide support to the front players, or forwards’ lack of movement and ability to hold the ball (or to combine effectively)? Or is it an unavoidable consequence of the ‘safety first’ approach, which involves midfielders so often lofting the ball forward without direction any time they are put under pressure? I suspect all three.

What’s the answer? Has to begin with a deep conversation with the physios. Just how long are we going to be without certain players, most obviously Ramsay, Jones and Aneke, also Kanu and Campbell(T), the two forwards who provide the pace option from whatever position. On the basis of that, look at what we do have and decide whether we are just looking to hold the fort until players return or whether we have to plan without them - in which case all thoughts of Plan A, or B, should go out of the window and you start from scratch looking at what you have. 

If you look at a breakdown of our results for the 14 games so far there might be a clue. Our overall record against the teams above us (won two, drawn three, lost two) is pretty much on a par with that for those below us (won three, drawn one, lost three). But the more remarkable thing is that the two defeats to those above us have been against Reading and Exeter, teams outside the top six. We’ve played four of the top six and haven’t lost (one win, three draws). And of the teams below us, our three wins have been against teams in the bottom six (Shrewsbury, Leyton Orient, Wigan).

So if you take out games against the top six and the bottom six – which arguably leaves the games you need to be winning consistently, or at least not losing, to be in the promotion frame – our record reads played seven, won one (Bolton, a team most would have expected to be in the top six), drawn one (Rotherham ditto), and lost five (Reading, Blackpool, Stevenage, Bristol Rovers and Exeter). If it’s types of games/opposition we are underperforming against you want to identify, there it is. Just why this should be is another matter of course, but you might conclude that against the leading teams we go out full of determination and resolve, against the worst teams we have the power to beat them, but against those around us, especially those which do not look strong on paper or reputation, far too often we are coming up short. That smacks of either not being in the right mindset for a scrap, or having the wrong tactics/formation for particular opponents, or just not being good enough when our backs are not against the wall – or a combination of all three.

It is far too soon to be talking of another season lost (which is not to deny that it is clearly a possibility). We know we can be competitive against the best in this league and we know we need key players back available asap. What is also obvious to all is that we have to improve if we are to get into the play-offs 

Taking Stock

It seems as if the season has barely started, but this probably reflects the impression that we are still a work in progress and that a lengthy injury list will work against us firing on all cylinders for a further period. Fact is the season is already more than a quarter over – and by this stage the table doesn’t lie. Overall 19 points from 13 games is obviously not a return that can get us promoted while breaking it down throws up such mixed conclusions and implications.

The 13 games have included three successive wins at the start and three consecutive defeats. Strip out both – if you treat them as exceptional - and you get 10 points from seven games, still well short of what is required. Take out just the start and 10 points from 10 games would put us in a relegation scrap if extended over a full season. A total of 15 goals in 13 games is clearly not enough – unless you have an impregnable defence. We thought we did when we rattled off three clean sheets to start the campaign, but nobody needs reminding that including the Southend cup game we’ve shipped 11 in the last six, utilising a different formation from the opening 5-3-2/3-5-2, even though we’re unbeaten in the last five. I’d add to this as previously highlighted the stark difference in our points return in the first half of games and in the second. And for every Bolton and Birmingham there’s a Bristol Rovers and a Stevenage (no disrespect intended, they earned those wins, as did we).

Throw in an injury list which now includes Ramsay, Jones, Potts, Watson, Aneke, Kanu, and it seems Campbell(T), partially redressed by the return of Ahadme and Asiimwe and the improving match fitness of Leaburn, and you can understand that any assessment of our current position and immediate outlook is likely to centre on the impossibility of fielding a first-choice squad and the absence as yet of a real spine to the team as well as lack of clarity on our best formation.

Injuries and suspensions aside, and accepting Jones’ complaints that keyboard pundits don’t see what goes on in training (or for that matter devote sufficient time to studying the opposition) I’d suggest that a successful team contains perhaps six that if available you expect to start week in, week out and a pool of say 12 from which to make up the other five and the substitutes (with another half dozen sometimes included on the bench). I’d say right now shoo-ins to start are only Mannion (despite a hiccup or two of late and Maynard-Brewer’s excellent display against the Chelsea U18s), Mitchell(A), Edwards, and Godden; if Ramsay and Jones were available they would be added.

Before thinking of who fits the bill for the other spots, you have to decide on the formation. We currently seem to be alternating during games between a 4-4-2 (with the ‘box’ midfield) and a 3-5-2/5-3-2 as and when we need to chase the game. For me, the way we play 4-4-2 is best kept as an option for particular games. It was a superb call by Jones for the Birmingham game, especially with Kanu running their back line ragged. If you are looking to stifle opposition especially adept at playing through the middle it is undoubtedly an option to call on. But it is inherently defensive and negative, in general (but not always) working against actually scoring and winning games. It stifles space and movement for us with the ball as well as the opposition. Is it really the best we can muster against lesser (on paper) teams?

The loss of Ramsay and Watson does undermine the case for now for 3-5-2. For it to work well you need specialist wing-backs on both sides. Whether Jones considers Edmonds-Green, or Asiimwe, as ready to fill the slot on the right, or indeed whether one of the left-sided options might be able to change over, I’ve no idea. The problem is compounded by not having Jones the player (and Potts) available and being stretched in central defence for a back three if Edmonds-Green plays wing-back, even including Mitchell(Z). I am hoping that nobody’s thinking in terms of Campbell(T) playing wing-back, if he is available. Did we learn nothing from trying that with Blackett-Taylor?

I’d at least consider a more traditional 4-4-2, dropping the box midfield and using players more comfortable in wide positions. If Campbell(T) isn’t available to play wide (and/or Jones sticks to the view that wingers need to be converted into central forwards, as also with Rylah against Chelsea) that might suit playing Small in front of Edwards on the left (and conceivably Asiimwe in front of Edmonds-Green on the other side). Given our current injury list it looks like a waste of a very useful asset for Small not to be involved. We know he can work the line well and deliver good crosses.

Would this leave us too exposed in central midfield? Potentially, but nothing is without risks, pros and cons, and the choice would also set problems for the opposition, perhaps obliging them to change their approach. Also, it’s not as if a midfield four with wide players has never worked for us. Remember Newton and Robinson either side of Kinsella and Jones? Or the central partnership of Parker and Jensen? For sure if it’s a central two the emphasis is more on their tackling and defensive cover abilities than forward play; ideally you have a real box-to-box option like a young Bowyer. Of course it’s a question of what is available, but I refuse to believe that there are perfect formations, just styles.

For me the two main disappointments of the season so far are: first, the failure to sustain the dogged and aggressive approach to defending our box evident in the early games (and to be fair when it was needed against Birmingham), perhaps it just isn’t sustainable; and second, the failure to date to craft effective central midfield partnerships. Perhaps it’s too early, but I did expect more collectively from Docherty, Berry (obviously his goals are a balancing factor) and Campbell(A). Add in Coventry, Taylor, Anderson, possible Edun too, and you have the numbers, for either the box midfield four or a central three, but not to date the quality and effectiveness to make midfield numbers the determinant of formation (IMO of course).

Up front, our immediate options have changed with the return of Ahadme and the settling back in of Leaburn, plus the recent inclusion of Hylton, but also the unavailability of Kanu and perhaps Campbell(T), plus Aneke (for who knows how long). At the moment if two start up front and we have two on the bench it’s a case of four from four, unless Mbick and/or Dixon are added. It really is a case of play it by ear for now in consultation with the physio team.

Any chance of a conclusion? If pushed, I’d say if everyone was available my preference would be for 3-5-2 and a starting X1 of something like: Mannion, Ramsay, Jones, Mitchell(A), Gillesphey, Edwards, Coventry, Taylor (not least for the set pieces), Berry, Leaburn and Godden, with Maynard-Brewer, Edmonds-Green, Small, Docherty, Campbell(A)/Anderson, Ahadme/Aneke and Kanu/Campbell(T) on the bench. Of that starting line-up only two are currently unavailable (Ramsay and Jones), along with one who would be a replacement (Watson). Be ready to go with 4-4-2 and the box midfield for selected games. Be ready to consider a more traditional 4-4-2 depending on the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses. And pray to whatever might be available to you that the injury list shrinks in the weeks ahead.

On other fronts it goes without saying that we’re all delighted by another gong for Sir Chris, saddened by news of the death of Albert Uytenbogardt, who was I believe the oldest former player (now Eddie Firmani?). We all know his record of six appearances in around five years in the thankless role of understudy to Sam Bartram, which earns him a special place in our affection. And you’ve got to love this offer:

https://prints.colorsport.co.uk/football/albert-uytenbogardt-charlton-athletic-8240959.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6DXdA-EYkehBvQJt7eyAo6bcnbj__rbFlX651UnfTsUhzuu1z

Get a wall print of Uytenbogardt making a save in the game at Blackpool in September 1952. Given that we lost the game 8-4 a picture of an actual save by him is truly a collector’s item.