A Game Too Far, But Still All To Play For

For the second consecutive match for us it was a case of win or bust (albeit bust meaning the play-offs, an option we would have been overjoyed with until recently). With the results of most of the other games having gone in our favour - with Wycombe losing and at the bottom Burton, our last game opponents, grabbing a last-gasp winner to leave them all but safe - we knew that a win would lift us to third – back above Stockport, who had come from behind to win – and leave it all to play for on the final day. At the same time Wrexham knew that a win and they would be promoted, end of story.

It proved to be a game too far for us. We needed to be at our best for this one and, with injuries and suspensions, we were not. At the same time Wrexham saw their chance and grabbed it with both hands. We wanted to be party-poopers but on the day ended up as ideal cannon-fodder and the game was effectively lost in the first 20 minutes. From two down we might have got back in it by nicking a goal, but the chances were very few and Wrexham were content to close out the game, able to start their party early with a late third.

The team/squad seemed likely to be down to whether anyone hadn’t sufficiently recovered from the Wycombe game, or any fresh knocks, and who would replace Aneke on the bench. It turned out that both Small and Berry would miss out with ‘minor injuries’, replaced by Watson and Anderson respectively, while Ahadme was apparently also unavailable, ruling out any thoughts of him proving to be an end-of-season hero, as well as Maynard-Brewer. Kanu did return on the bench as had been suggested, joined by Mbick and Hylton, with Mitchell and McIntyre drafted in to take the final slots. So you’d have to say that every senior player was either in the squad or unavailable.

Wrexham came out of the traps fast and caused our defence problems from the start. It was really no surprise that they took the lead on 14 minutes. A long ball forward caught out our back line, with Ramsay playing their guy onside, allowing him to get in behind. It took a desperate prod of the ball from behind by Gillesphey to stop him from scoring. The resulting corner was played short, then square, and their guy set up to shoot from range wasn’t closed down fast enough. He had the time to set himself and delivered a fierce shot which went through a ruck of players and past the probably unsighted Mannion.

It got worse on 17 minutes as Dobson progressed down their left, played it square, and their guy chipped in a ball over the heads of our back line for Smith to run on to. He adeptly diverted the ball dropping over his shoulder to leave Mannion stranded.

After that, Wrexham did ease up and the game became more even, although they looked like they were playing within themselves and intent now on keeping things tight at the back. Campbell was smothered whenever he got near the ball, his frustration evident in a first-half yellow for a late tackle. We did have a couple of chances to get back into it. First, from a Campbell cross Godden prodded the ball goalwards but their defender blocked the effort, then on the half-our was the real opportunity as a long ball down the right from Ramsay played in Watson, but on his effort with his left foot lacked conviction and was saved.

The half-time stats showed that we had edged possession 51-49% and had six attempts on goal, two on target, against only three for them – the difference being that their two on target went in. But those figures were misleading. They were well in control of the game.

The second half started off in the same vein, with a scramble or two in their box not producing a goal. My text to fellow Addicks at that point was ‘need to go ape shit crazy, put Mbick on as a wildcard factor and go for it, nothing to lose’. And he was introduced on 52 minutes, replacing the clearly struggling Jones, who it turns out had not been able to train all week after the Wycombe game. On 62 minutes it was Kanu for Anderson, with Godden dropping deeper, then on 72 minutes Gilbert for a limping Watson.

Any thoughts of a storming finish went out of the window on 80 minutes with Dobson again involved. A good cross from the right saw Smith attack the ball and get there first, rifling a header into the net from close range. And the game was summed up with the final chance in stoppage time as the ball dropped for Godden in the area but a Wrexham defender threw his body in the way of the shot. The consolation would have at least added another to his tally for the season.

So, we know it’s the play-offs, but we could finish fourth or fifth - third is mathematically possible but would require a very big win on the final day and Wycombe and Stockport drawing their final game. If Wycombe win that one, we will play Stockport – and vice versa. If we beat Burton we would have the assumed advantage of playing the second leg at home, whether against Wycombe or Stockport. So there is still something riding on the Burton game, just not the glory we had in our sights.

That said, the priority is ensuring that as many as possible are fully fit for the play-offs, with Aneke back available for the second leg of the semi-final. We can’t begrudge Wrexham their celebrations, the ridiculously over-the-top media focus on them notwithstanding. As Jones the Boss remarked, they have coped with that attention very well through the season. Good luck to them (even if I have a Wrexham friend who swears blind he didn’t want them to go up).

As our games and options become clearer, so do my plans. I bought a ticket for the Burton game on the off chance (it’s complicated, all will be revealed another day). After that, it appears that the semi-final games will not be available via CAFC TV for us International Addicks, so I will make my way to Lyon from Givry and station myself there to get to a bar in Old Lyon to watch them. Hopefully the morning after I’ll be booking another trip to London for a Wembley date.

All still to play for. COYA.

Focus Should Be On Astonishing Win

Today only a win would do if we were to keep alive our chances of automatic promotion. A loss and that would be mathematically impossible, leaving us to switch priorities to prepare for the play-offs; a draw and it would be pretty much the same. But win and maybe, just maybe we wouldn’t need to be wondering whether play-off semi-finals would be on CATV and making preparations for a late May trip to Wembley. I don’t mind admitting it was the first game this season I really felt nervous about.

Needn’t have worried as the outcome was something out of dreamland. Another superb defensive display to nullify Wycombe and four goals scored. But what is truly weird, we win 0-4 away at the team in second and I’m annoyed, for three reasons. First, did nobody tell the players that another goal or two might have made a massive difference. They were on the ropes and we eased off, but their goal difference is now 28 and ours 25. Even one more and it’s 27-26. As it is, Wycombe can probably get away with four points from their final two games to guarantee ending above us, rather than having to win both. Second, Wrexham scored twice and won. That means even if we beat them, a victory for them in their final game, at Lincoln, and we cannot overhaul them. Third, Aneke. The TV replays didn’t show the key moment(s), so no idea if he was unfairly treated. But for crying out loud, we’re winning 0-4 and he gets a red and presumably a three-game ban. Utter, utter stupidity.

I’m sure those feelings will fade and allow through the satisfaction from us having done a complete number on Wycombe, led by the outstanding Jones, despite him getting a yellow card after just three minutes.

The team showed one change from Northampton as Gillesphey was able to return in place of McIntyre, and as Jones stuck to the approach of having three replacement forwards on the bench he dropped out of the squad (meaning once more we had no real centre-back replacement, Watson as the only defensive alternative, Mitchell still out of favour it seems). But there was a change to those three, with Ahadme omitted in favour of Hylton. No doubt Jones had a reason for that, looking at possible requirements late in the game.

The early exchanges were scrappy beyond belief, but underneath the arial approach from both sides were important individual battles going on. Both teams were looking to establish domination that could be used for good effect later. The tone was set by the early crunching tackle from Jones which produced the yellow, which was harsh. And before the game had settled we took the lead.

After a couple of Edwards long throws Docherty found some space on the left side and sent in a low cross. Jones got to it first and prodded the ball goalwards. Their keeper seemed taken by surprise and wrongfooted, only able to get a hand to it but not keep it out. And if that had us running around shouting it got better as with only 23 minutes on the clock we doubled our advantage. A ball in from a free-kick was headed back across goal but a defender got to it first to poke the ball away, only for Berry to run onto it and hit a belter straight as the proverbial arrow into the top corner. Their keeper didn’t even move.

That was just about Berry’s final contribution as he went down injured and was replaced by Anderson, which given that we were two to the good helped to stiffen the defensive side of midfield. And for the remainder of the first half we kept them at bay quite comfortably, at least until right at the end we almost let them back in as a ball in was sliced by Jones and Gillesphey got his chest to the loose ball only to divert it just wide of the post.

The half-time stats showed they had enjoyed 60% possession but had been restricted to just one effort on goal and that well wide, against our three on target out of three. Clearly it wasn’t game over, and you fancied Wycombe to come out all guns blazing to try to get back into the game. Surely they had no choice.

Instead by the hour mark the game was over as a contest. We were the beneficiaries of one of those howlers that happen to all keepers now and then. A back pass and the guy just slipped. He did get up in time to try to clear the ball but Godden had closed it down and when it bounced kindly for him only had to knock it in from a yard out. Such a big goal – and just a few minutes later we had another. Small sent in the cross from the right and Anderson did a fair imitation of Berry to time his run well and head past their keeper, who again managed a hand to it but nothing more.

The final 30 minutes plus were slightly frustrating in that they were not surprisingly shell-shocked but despite the possible importance of goal difference we didn’t turn the screw and notch another one or two. There were some shots but when on 78 minutes Jones the boss took off Jones the player, plus Godden and Campbell, with Aneke, Hylton and Watson coming on, it was a fair indication that the priority was to avoid any silly red card for (for Jones) and to protect a couple for the games to come.

Mannion pulled off a good save diving to his left and a Wycombe guy might have converted at the far post. But it was all rather academic, as was Aneke’s shot which was saved and a decent effort from Hylton which was blocked. Until three minutes into five of stoppage time the cameras showed Chuks tussling with one of their guys and the next thing both of them on the ground holding their faces. The replays failed to confirm what had happened, but the ref and/or his assistants had clearly seen something and when Aneke got to his feet he saw red.

I can’t begin to imagine what Jones, and his teammates, will have said to Aneke. I’ve no doubt he is sorry, but there’s just no reason to do something to give the ref a decision to make. Unbelievable. It means that now without Leaburn, Kanu and Aneke our forward options for Godden are restricted to Hylton, Mbick and the out of favour Ahadme.

OK, but let’s not let that overshadow what was a magnificent performance, of course one helped by the goals. The Wrexham win can’t be ignored, given what it means for our chances of getting second. But we’ll worry about that, and the game against them on Saturday, starting tomorrow. For now let the focus be on Jones the player and those around him, for they delivered an astounding win.

Three Wins Away From Possible Greatness

On Friday we were all set up for a party. Big crowd, holiday weekend, up against a team we had demolished just before Christmas (a result which marked the start of what then looked like a highly unlikely run up the league), one just about already safe from relegation. Get the three points, guarantee the play-off place, relax in the sun, see where the other results leave us (hopefully Peterborough would do to Stockport what they did to us, and Birmingham at Wembley, which they almost did, Bolton would at least deny Wycombe, which they didn’t, and Bristol Rovers would pull off a miracle at Wrexham, which they did).

As it turned out we were only able to start the party on the final whistle (and for me the party extended through Friday evening and the Cote des Maranges on Saturday). For that you have to give some credit to Northampton, as they made it as tough as Cambridge had in the previous game. In December they had been docile, downbeat, and fell apart, they looked like relegation fodder. This time around they were a very different beast and for stretches of the game we were second-best as they both closed us down when out of possession and created danger in our final third when with it. But like Cambridge they ended up losing the game, and for the same reason: not being able to take the half-chances that came their way. In both games we did what we needed to do to win.

The team/squad was a case of two back and one out, with Jones (the player) returning to the starting X1 and Maynard-Brewer back on the bench, but Gillesphey the latest to succumb to ‘muscle stiffness’. So Jones resumed as the central figure of the back three/five and McIntyre shifting left to replace Gillesphey. Otherwise it was as you were, with Jones (the boss) sticking to the approach against Cambridge of having three central forwards on the bench (Aneke, Ahadme and Mbick) and only one defensive/wing-back option (Watson), with Mitchell missing out again.

It was scrappy stuff from the start and in the early exchanges we were by no means in control, with the fresh enforced change to the back line seemingly resulting in some uncertainty. But all that counted for nothing as inside the first 10 we took the lead. Down the right Small played it to Godden and his cross sought out Campell in the box. It didn’t get there, being intercepted by a defender, but the ball was diverted back to where Berry was lurking and he showed excellent technique to send in a shot on the turn, low and between goalkeeper and defender into the net. When this half-chance came he took it very well.

At that point we had visions of getting another, perhaps turning on the style a little. Any such complacency was quickly dispelled as Northampton clearly hadn’t read the script. A spell of pressure had us chasing the ball and when a cross came in to the far post up went the hand of McIntyre to punch it beyond their guy behind him about to get on the end of it. Only he knows exactly what went through his mind. His feet weren’t in the right place to enable him to challenge for the ball in the air, their guy had got in behind him and may well have headed in from close range. In the split-second available he made a choice and that resulted in a blatant penalty (and I know it’s the rules when a penalty is awarded but just how McIntyre gets away with no card seems odd to me). The penalty was dispatched well and we had to start again.

Through the remainder of the first half we did progressively get on top as their pressing efforts were eased. Campbell threatened on the left but was generally handled well by their back line, while Small was more involved than against Cambridge and sent in some good crosses (as well as blazing a shot well over the bar – and the stand). For them McIntyre failed to deal with a long ball only for their forward to shoot wide. All the time the ref was adopting a bizarre approach to what was and was not a foul, with for example Campbell barged off the ball in an advanced position and nothing given.

At the break our consolation came in the form of other results. As things stood then, even with only a draw the play-off spot would be secured – and with a win and other results staying the same we would narrow the gap to second place to just three points (plus goal difference). Anyway, this one had to be won first and that was by no means in the bag.

The first 20 minutes of the second half were nip and tuck with us having the better of half-chances but not a monopoly. Jones (the boss) made his first change early, on 53 minutes, with Aneke coming on for McIntyre, changing the formation with Small switching to the left, Campbell to the right. A good Ramsey interception and interchange with Campbell resulted in a cross which Berry couldn’t quite control, his header going wide, then a Small cross led to a shot from Berry which was saved. Just after that we fashioned the chance we had been waiting for. Small bamboozled everyone on the left, managing to keep the ball in play on the byline, then chipped it into the danger area for Godden to run onto it. The header was about an inch too high as it cannoned off the bar and out.

Gilbert replaced Docherty after that, but before we could start to get truly frustrated we did regain the lead. On the face of it the goal was simple route one. Mannion long kick out, Aneke flicks on, and Godden took it in his stride and slid it under their advancing keeper. But the simplicity doesn’t do justice to the timing of the run, to both be onside but gain a yard on the defence, or the coolness of the finish. Perhaps Godden was still smarting from not scoring the one before, or perhaps like all quality finishers he’d already written that one off and was looking forward to the next.

Still 20 minutes plus to see out, and in that time Northampton, like Cambridge, had a couple of opportunities to level it up, while there was always the risk of a scramble from a long throw falling their way. The closest they came was when we were caught on the break down our right side, resulting in a low cross which their guy at the far post just failed to get on the end of. But despite some confusion caused by a triple substitution in the final minutes – Watson, Anderson and Mbick for Godden, Campbell and Berry – and helped by a couple of very timely Mannion high ball takes, we saw things out.

So these two vital games were won, not in style but effectively. The other results ended up perhaps not surprisingly being not so positive for us as Wycombe beat Bolton, Wrexham equalised for a point, as did Stockport at the death. So it’s up to fourth but a five-points gap to second and only three to play. Before these two games my thoughts were that we win them both and, with automatic promotion probably beyond us, use the final games to plan for the play-offs. Instead we still have a chance – and as long as that’s the case we surely have to go for it.

We simply have to beat Wycombe on their patch on Monday (doesn’t mean we approach the game in any different fashion, but if we’re say level with 10 minutes left there would be no suggestion of settling for a point). If we lose, second place becomes mathematically impossible; if we draw, Wycombe would need just two points (perhaps just one given goal difference) from their final two games to be certain of finishing above us, never mind Wrexham. It would be effectively over. But if we win, we would be two points behind them – and their final two games are away at Orient and home to Stockport. Overhauling them would only require them failing to win either of their final two games, neither of which are gimmees – always assuming of course we win our last two. Which leaves Wrexham. Of course we have to beat them too. If we do, and have beaten Wycombe, Wrexham would have to win their two other games left to finish above us – away at Blackpool and away at Lincoln.

Friday’s win means that starting with the game against Northampton in December we have played 24, won 17, drawn four, lost just three, taking 55 points from a possible 72, a return which if delivered over a full season would afford 105 points. Of course in December we regarded a play-off spot as probably beyond us and would have taken that with open arms. Right now we have three games left and the chance for this team to make some kind of Charlton history. Sure it’s a massive ask, to go to both Wycombe and Wrexham and win both, then to beat Burton. But it’s there, staring us in the face.

Win Secured, Just About

The thinking ahead of yesterday’s game was pretty simple: just win, nothing more – and certainly nothing less. We managed to do that, but did come dangerously close to surrendering two points in the dying stages of an encounter that will have had football purists stunned into silence. As a spectacle it was truly horrible, as we seemed content to play a game in accordance with Cambridge’s style, although the conditions may well have played a part. No moans, we needed the points, but it wasn’t a performance to warm the heart.

The team was always going to be about whether Jones and/or Campbell would be fit to return and if anyone else had picked up a knock. We got one out of two in that Campbell was back in, but with Jones still sidelined. He returned for Anderson, who was back on the bench, where he was joined by Mbick as well as Aneke and Ahadme, with Dixon and rather strangely Mitchell dropping out of the squad. In a match in which the ball spent more time in the air than on the ground, and we ended up defending our box primarily against high balls, just why it was thought Mitchell might not be useful, and that instead we would have three replacement forwards, I really don’t know.

The early exchanges were mixed and scrappy, with a Campbell cross after a superb Ramsay interception and then lay-off from Godden causing confusion, then Cambridge threatening with a couple of balls into the box, then two McIntyre attempted clearances from inside the box rebounding off their players. Campbell took a whack from behind and went down injured, followed by Edwards after a strong challenge, all of which had every Addick mumbling about the approach of Harris teams, but they had their needs and priorities, we had ours.

Campbell took his revenge by opening the scoring on 13 minutes. A decent but simple ball down the line from Edwards saw him collect and then inexplicably allowed to cut inside. He then planted an excellent low shot across the face of the goal and beyond their keeper’s outstretched arm into the far corner.

That might well have been his final contribution as a few minutes later he was on the receiving end of another kick after laying the ball off and reacted badly, getting back up and shoving their guy in the chest. He went down clutching his face and rolling around. Fortunately the ref saw it for what it was and produced a yellow and not a red (although their guy’s initial challenge and subsequent histrionics went unpunished). But Campbell’s actions did oblige the referee to make a decision and some might have interpreted it as a red card offence.

Campbell soon after almost delivered a carbon-copy goal as this time Godden laid the ball back for him in the same area. Once again he cut inside, the shot was very similar, but this time their keeper got his fingers to it and turned it wide. And in what was with hindsight a golden spell for us shortly after Godden hit one from the edge of the box that beat the keeper but came back off the outside of the post.

As an attacking threat, you have to say that after that we rather disappeared. Campbell lasted the half but was clearly limping while Small on the other side was having a remarkably ineffective game. Our midfield was strangely content to loft every ball forward in the air, which gave us little to feed off. If anything the passing moves came from Cambridge, although the closest they came to equalising was when a smart ball across our area was met by Edwards and his effort to clear only just went wide of the post and behind.

The half-time stats showed Cambridge had had 59% possession but just three attempts on goal and none on target (against five and two for us). It was a fair indication of how we had struggled to hold onto the ball – or rather that we insisted on hoofing it forward in the air at just about every opportunity.

The second half was as a spectacle even worse than the first. We failed to create any really good chances, being restricted to a few shots easily dealt with and a header or two, with Jones’ substitutions adding energy (Anderson and Mbick), more height and strength (Aneke), and greater control down the right side (Watson) but nothing material inside the box.

At the other end, despite the probing of Stokes and Ballard, Cambridge were restricted to two key moments late on – although either could easily have cost us the win. First, with about five minutes of normal time left their guy was allowed to advance unchallenged and from just outside our box put in a slightly scuffed low shot. It ended up going just wide of the post with Mannion only able to watch. Then in the first of five added minutes chaos at a corner saw the ball headed back and reach two Cambridge players unmarked close in. Fortunately they managed to get in each other’s way, then the shot from close range came back off McIntyre’s face, then another shot over.

If either of those chances had resulted in an equaliser our mood would have been a great deal different. As it is we can gloss over some of the issues the game raised – such as why Small barely touched the ball (and when he did either miscontrolled it or slipped), why Aneke looked so leaden-footed, and why our midfield (and advancing defenders) were so happy to hit balls forward that we had no chance of getting on the end of. On the plus side Watson did well when he came on, as did Anderson and especially Mbick, even though our efforts in the final stages were focused on getting to the corner flag.

Instead we can look at the league table and know that another win on Friday guarantees us a play-off spot (in effect three of the play-off places are now pretty much decided - Wrexham/Wycombe, Stockport and us). Tantalisingly we have moved to six points behind Wrexham in second (and five behind Wycombe), but that’s to look at after Friday’s results – and Wrexham still only need seven points from their final four games, starting at home against Bristol Rovers, to ensure we cannot get automatic promotion. We hope football’s a funny enough game to make the top two, but let’s just guarantee top six on Friday and then see what the world looks like.

Importance Of Next Two Games Increased

After last night’s results I’d suggest that if anything the importance of our next two games has increased (although for sure every game at this stage is crucial given our situation). We know automatic promotion is beyond us, even if it remains mathematically possible (Wrexham need eight points from their last five games to ensure they finish above us, Wycombe 11). We also know that the points we require to guarantee a play-off place last night dropped to nine from our last five (no doubt the final number necessary will be less). What perhaps needs to be stressed is that getting maximum points from our next two games – away at almost relegated Cambridge and at home to almost safe Northampton – is vital.

That’s not to say we won’t get anything out of the following trips to Wycombe and Wrexham of course. But if we get the six points we can then pause and assess our position. Perhaps those points would be enough to guarantee a top-six place, perhaps even with them automatic promotion is finally ruled out. We could then start to plan a play-off campaign.

You surely don’t want to go into the play-offs having busted a gut in the previous games and carrying injuries. You want momentum for sure, but barring some poor performances we pretty much still have that (Stockport will probably be feeling the same, perhaps Reading too after last night). What you want above all else is all squad players fit, mentally and physically, and raring to go. If we can buy a little breathing space in our next two games, Jones could be able to look at one or two and consider whether they need a breather, whether in light of their recent knocks Jones (the player) and Campbell might be able to be treated with kid gloves. Imagine losing Godden to injury before the play-offs begin, imagine needing to call on Ahadme (and Gilbert) and him not having had some game time. Just as the importance of the next two games has in my opinion risen, so that of the subsequent two has declined; we can no longer view them as capable of firing us into an unlikely automatic promotion spot.

When it comes to the play-offs, assuming it does, I’m not sure it matters much whether we end up third, fourth, fifth or sixth. If we take on Stockport over two legs all the signs point to very tight games. Reading have taken four points off us this season and we haven’t scored against them, but there’s no reason to fear them. We’ve already beaten Wycombe, although like the home game against Birmingham that came about through strangling them as an attacking force. Can’t help feeling slightly disappointed that Bolton are now less likely to grab a top-six place, not because they aren’t a decent side but because we do seem to have the sign over them.

I know all these ifs and buts won’t count for much in the final analysis. For Jones and the players it will be take each game as it comes. Events will take their course and we will be surprised by some, hopefully very pleased by others, especially on 25 May.

What Might Have Been

Back at The Valley, against a team on paper at least decidedly mid-table with decidedly mid-table recent form, plus the knowledge before kick-off that three points would take us level with Wycombe – and would be needed to keep in touch with Wrexham. But this time around, unlike the previous two, we didn’t get them. We might easily have lost, having been two behind close to the hour mark; we might easily have won, had Godden’s header not been very well saved, as we were well on top in the closing stages, with still 15 minutes of normal time left when we equalised (and the expectation of a fair number to be added on to compensate for Lincoln’s time-wasting). But we didn’t and, while acknowledging the element of point gained, that focuses attention on what went wrong.

The team we knew would not show material changes on the back of two splendid – in their different ways – victories and given the continued absence of Maynard-Brewer, Leaburn and Kanu. The questions were whether Jones would return at the back, even though McIntyre had filled in very capably at Mansfield, and whether Campbell might be ruled out given his pulling up late in that game. Neither made it – and that provided the obvious main factor behind the outcome.

Without Campbell, Jones opted to play Anderson in his sort of area. That was, with hindsight of course, a poor choice, with no reflection on Anderson. Campbell has been effective, especially of late (even aside from his three goals in the last two games), playing as a second striker – but not really. Debate rages with other Addicks about just what formation we play. The BBC lists it as a 4-2-3-1, but for me that’s nonsense. I still insist we play with a back five, with Small and Edwards wing-backs. But Campbell naturally drifts wide left, which can have the effect of pulling central defenders out of position. With the ball he either creates something for himself, or crosses from the left – with Berry I assume under instructions to anticipate the space and be ready with Godden to get on the end of balls into the box. Expecting Anderson to duplicate that role was surely a long shot. He worked hard of course, but was never going to beat players with the ball and stretch Lincoln.

I said to friends at the time that surely the better option, if we were looking for something akin to like-for-like, would have been to start with Dixon, with him moving either down the left side or the right (in which case Small would cross over). If that option was not considered suitable, the only other one was to change the system, accept that playing it requires Campbell to do what he does. That would have meant a 4-4-2 and Ahadme starting alongside Godden. Not a problem if the players were ready for it (and I guess it’s possible Campbell was only ruled out late in the week) and were prepared to play in a different style. All you can say for sure is that the choice Jones made didn’t work, which is no reflection on Anderson, and it was only when we changed formation that we started to function, perhaps with an element of having to chase the game.

As it was, Jones said we looked off the pace in the first hour, that in the first 60 minutes “we were nowhere near the levels we needed to be and I take full responsibility for that”. Fair enough. Out of possession we were much the same, aggressive and allowing the opposition little time on the ball. But with it we were uncertain, because – I would suggest – players weren’t able to do what they have been used to in recent weeks. It doesn’t take much for a team not to function going forward, especially against opposition that were content to get numbers behind the ball and not see a lot of the ball.

That’s perhaps not giving Lincoln enough credit. They’re no mugs and had weapons to hurt us, especially from set pieces. They made few mistakes when in possession and took their opportunities when they came along. That they were time-wasting from pretty much the moment they scored their second, and that their antics sometimes were cynical, wins them no fans, but you can’t really blame them for that. It was up to the referee to call them to task, which he failed to do (and then compounded his sins by adding only five minutes at the end, despite multiple substitutions, injuries, three goals, extensive time-wasting etc and then blew on exactly 95 minutes despite stoppage time having a substitution and a yellow card incident).

As far as the key moments were concerned, them scoring first had a material impact on the game. The opening exchanges had been mixed but they had a spell of winning a few corners, the third of which was angled very well to the near post. As soon as you saw that their guy was going to get there first you feared the worst. Just needed a glance and that’s what it got, leaving Mannion with no chance. The delivery was very good, the header adept, our sin was in allowing the scorer to get free and be first to the ball at the near post. Poor from our perspective.

The closest we came to equalising was just after the half-hour as Small outrageously spinned past a couple, cut inside another, then instead of scoring goal of the season hit it over the bar. That was matched by a volley from them inside our box just before half-time which Mannion saved well to his right.

At the break we had enjoyed 58% possession and had six attempts on goal, one on target, against their two – both on target (the goal and the late shot). My impression at the time was that we were clearly in trouble and needed Docherty and Berry to up their contributions, as well as changing the formation. Jones did that, with Aneke on for the unlucky Anderson.

Before we had a chance to see how that would pan out we were two down. Another preventable one unfortunately. A routine ball down the line was headed inside by their guy to another. McIntyre clearly felt he could get to the ball and clear. He was wrong, and having committed himself was out of the picture. Their guy took it on and before another challenge to be made played it across Mannion and into the far corner.

It was a defensive error of judgement, nothing unique about that, Gillesphey and others have made them this season. But we paid for it. Might have been interesting to see how McIntyre responded, but a few minutes later Jones changed things again, with him and Berry withdrawn and Dixon and Mitchell sent on. Seemed to be a switch to four at the back, two up front, with a midfield four of Small, Coventry Docherty, and Dixon.

On 53 minutes we almost fell three behind as Mitchell was caught out and their guy shot over. But just after that Aneke turned and shot well, their keeper kept it out at the expense of a corner, and from that we pulled one back. It was messy, ball not cleared, Aneke scuffing it, but when it ran to Gillesphey he was composed enough to take a touch and then prod it beyond their keeper.

Another real momentum shift in the game and Lincoln retreated into their shell. On 74 minutes it was 2-2. A long throw from the left was headed out but Docherty collected, took a touch and then shot low into the corner through enough players to unsight their keeper.

15 minutes plus still to go and all us. We just needed to fashion the winner to make it another very good afternoon. And it so nearly came on 80 minutes. Small on the right laid it back for Coventry to cross. He sent in a good curling one and Godden timed his move to perfection. His header seemed destined for the net, only for their keeper to stick out a hand and turn it around the post. Looking at it again, Godden’s header was very good – but not perfect. Instead of the ball hitting the ground as it went past the keeper it bounced a little in front of him, rising high enough for him to get the hand to it. Excellent save nonetheless.

After that nothing quite dropped. Aneke shot wide from a corner; a free-kick on the edge of the area for a foul on Godden resulted in a Gillesphey shot saved. Gilbert and Ahadme were sent on at the death, for Small and Docherty, with by now formation rather a mystery, but when Gilbert prodded a shot wide it was curtains as the referee prematurely ended the game.

We can all see what the result and Wrexham’s win mean for the table, plus Stockport moving above us. Five games left and Wrexham need only eight points (probably only seven given goal difference) to rule us out of second place. If the gap was six and as we still have to play them it was still a reasonable possibility. Now it is very much a long shot. Nobody’s suggesting it’s impossible, we try to win each game and see what happens for sure. But perhaps there is some advantage to be had. If we have flogged ourselves to death to get second and narrowly missed out, that might have left us mentally not ready for the play-offs.

The notional target now is the fact that seventh-placed Reading can get to 83 points, so to be sure of a play-off spot we need 11 points from our last five games. Of course the real figure will be less, but that return guarantees us a top-six finish. Sure, two of the games are against Wycombe and Wrexham. Have to just wait and see where Tuesday night’s results leave us and focus on just beating Cambridge on Saturday.

More Reason To Believe, For Different Reasons

So soon after Saturday’s demolition of Huddersfield all we wanted was more of the same, for the result first and foremost and preferably the performance too. We knew we needed all three points if faint hopes of automatic promotion were to be sustained, with little expectation that Cambridge and Shrewsbury might do us a favour and take points off Wrexham and Wycombe respectively.

In the event we got the points, and unexpectedly the bonus of narrowing the gap to second by a couple of points. Did we get the performance? Yes and no. No, in the sense that there was very little that was beautiful in the game, with plenty of moments for both teams but very few real chances (even if you include the gift for our first goal). Yes, in the sense that we again showed admirable resolve and determination against equally committed opponents (on Saturday we won just about all the individual battles and nearly all the 50-50s, but Mansfield made that impossible), put bodies on the line, and fashioned a winner at a time when the match could have gone either way. We found a way to win.

Ahead of the game the issues for the team/squad had nothing to do with possible changes with improvement in mind, more a case of were there any legs in need of rest or knocks picked up from Saturday not yet overcome (we knew we would still be without Maynard-Brewer, Leaburn and Kanu). And turns out there was one, with Jones not recovering in time from a ‘minor calf injury’, McIntyre stepped into some pretty big shoes, with Mitchell taking the vacant place on the bench. No reflection at all on McIntyre but this was not welcome news, given Jones’ dominant display at the weekend and the risk of the enforced change having an unsettling effect. That the impact proved to be at the margins was down to a display from McIntyre that was all we could have asked for.

The game began with almost a carbon copy of Saturday’s explosive start. Campbell down the left sent in a good cross and Small, under pressure, couldn’t deliver the sort of finish that Godden had, heading wide. No matter, we bossed the early exchanges and looked quite likely to take the lead, even though Mansfield were causing us some problems, drawing free-kicks and with them scrambles in the box. But after around 20 minutes, just when it seemed our early advantage might count for nothing, after Small had cut inside and had a shot saved, we were handed the lead.

They tried to play out from the back but with a decent press their guy facing his own goal seemed to believe either that his ball back to the keeper would evade Godden or that he wasn’t there. Given the ball on the edge of the area and nobody around him, Godden drew the keeper, sent him the wrong way, and planted it comfortably into the net for his 14th league goal of the season (and now a strike rate of 144 minutes per goal, against 161 for May).

With minds perhaps turning back to Saturday, after that we maybe eased up a little. In any event Mansfield responded well to going behind and upped their effort, pushing us back. Before the half-hour it seemed to everyone watching that they had indeed equalised. A shot from the right side seemed to have found the net, only for it to prove it had gone wide, hit a post behind the goal, and ran along the back of the net. The relief didn’t last for long, however, as on 39 minutes they did draw level. We failed to deal decisively with another free-kick. It was headed out but only to find a guy inside the area who hit it cleanly on the half-volley, past a thicket of players and in off the bar, with Mannion having no chance.

From then until half-time we probably had our worst spell of the game as Mansfield, their tails up and backed by the crowd, might have taken the lead. Passes were going astray, Mansfield were doing a good job of crowding out Campbell and Small, leaving no easy outlet for balls forward, and their pressing was causing confusion in our half. Mannion was called on to make saves, in particular after a poor ball in midfield saw us lose possession, and there’s no doubt we were the happier side to get into the dressing room and regroup.

The half-time stats showed we had had the majority of possession (58/42); but five attempts on goal, three on target for us (including the gifted goal), against four and three for them reflected a tight tussle.

We did seem to have steadied ourselves after the break, but struggled to create real openings. Both sides were well aware of the importance of the next goal. We did have moments. A Small cross caused confusion and from the resulting corner a scramble resulted in a shot, possibly from Edwards, cleared off the line. Otherwise it was a grim battle and increasingly you had the feeling that the outcome could well be decided by the changes made by both sides.

Jones made his move on 67 minutes, with Aneke and Anderson introduced for Berry and Edwards. This meant Campbell moving over to the right and Small back to the left, although just what formation that resulted in is a matter of debate. One thing that did change is that Campbell, who had struggled to get the better of his marker on the left side, started to find more space, even if this usually resulted in him being pulled down, occasionally getting a free-kick for his pains.

Mansfield had moments too, with a superb Ramsay interception required to prevent a cross falling to one of theirs. But it was us who broke the deadlock on 74 minutes. The ball was worked well on the left, with Godden helping it on to Aneke. Chuks moved across the edge of the area and played it wider to Campbell. He took it on the outside and drilled a fierce shot low inside the near post and into the net. It was well taken, although if it was us we would be questioning whether it was a goalkeeping error, being beaten by a shot at the near post.

That still left 15 minutes plus to play out. Not surprisingly Mansfield made further changes, including planting Flint to contest balls in the air, and threw the kitchen sink at us. The defence stood up to the challenge. On 77 minutes Campbell went down with what looked like cramp and was replaced by Watson, to help shore things up, and later Mitchell came on for Small with similar intent. With Mansfield chasing the game there was the opportunity to hit them on the break, although without Campbell and with Aneke not able to outrun their defenders we couldn’t easily make use of the space.

On 80 minutes we had a repeat of the first-half incident with it appearing as if the ball had gone in, this time a shot from Godden. Understandably in the final minutes we were more intent on playing out time, although in the first of five minutes of stoppage time we almost had a goal of the season contender as a ball found Aneke on the right side a long way from goal and, with seemingly few other options, he hit an outrageous shot which required a good save. That proved to be the last meaningful moment and once again this season – in sharp contrast to previous campaigns – we had seen out a game with a one-goal advantage to take the points.

Did we deserve to win? On the balance of play and number of half-chances you’d have to say it was all pretty even. And they won’t be forgetting that they handed us the lead. But in the final analysis, when the game was there to be won, it was us who scored the goal.

We can’t tell yet how significant the three points will prove to be (obviously they kept us above Stockport, narrowed the gap to Wrexham and Wycombe, and increased our chances of at least a play-off spot). We move on to Saturday and another home game, against Lincoln, who like Mansfield and Peterborough before them would appear to have nothing but pride (and contracts?) to play for, but will no doubt provide another tough test. Wycombe travel to Reading, who badly need a win to revitalise their play-off hopes, while Wrexham will be at home to Burton, who desperately need a win for different reasons.

Whether we can further narrow the gap, perhaps shake free of Stockport at the same time, of course all remains to be seen. But as on Saturday we can take heart from what the team did last night, albeit for different reasons.

Starting To Believe?

I was away for the weekend in Bristol for a jolly with friends. But I’m pleased to say that, thanks to the kindness of the bar lady in the Sportsmans bar I was settled in front of a large TV with a glass of red in plenty of time to enjoy Small’s peach of a cross and Godden’s superb run and header. Several celebratory glasses later I was able, like all other Addicks, to settle back and appreciate what was without question an outstanding performance, from start to finish, in all departments.

I can’t remember a game in which we won such a high percentage of contested balls (leaving aside the dreadful challenge on Ramsay in the first half, which was surely a borderline red never mind a foul), or so many aerial contests at the back. At the same time we had weapons going forward, most obviously Campbell, that Huddersfield were utterly unable to deal with. I’ve seen the comments from Huddersfield fans bemoaning their display, but we simply never gave them a sniff. Towards the end we were hoping for the clean sheet to be maintained, not so much for goal difference and the accumulated total but rather because our display deserved to be written of in terms of such an emphatic scoreline.

No doubt there were several factors behind why it was so good. Jones will have demanded a response after Peterborough and the players gave him that. Perhaps we caught Huddersfield on a bad day (their form looks patchy of late). And no question it helps when you take the lead with a superb goal in the first minute.

The irony of course is that the day overall saw our chances of automatic promotion further eroded as another round of games was chalked off with no narrowing of the gap to Wycombe and Wrexham. Nothing as yet we can do about that. And it’s not as if tonight’s fixtures on paper raise our hopes. We travel to Mansfield, who may be starting to think about their summer holidays but have won their last two and only lost one in their last six, while Wrexham are at Cambridge and Wycombe host Shrewsbury, with both opponents some way adrift of safety at the bottom and perhaps starting to prepare for League Two.

But this is football, of course you never know. We can only concentrate on maintaining the standard on display on Saturday and keeping our fingers crossed for the other games, keeping the fact that we still have to play both Wycombe and Wrexham in the back of our minds. Would be nice for Stockport to fall away to give us more breathing space, but they are at home to Stevenage, who have lost two and drawn two of their last four.

All that aside, we can still take heart from Saturday. I remember the 1997/98 season. It was in March when we beat Notts Forest 4-2 at The Valley, having previously tonked them in the FA Cup, that I think we really started to believe. We all know what happened at the end of that one.