Charlton midfielder Greg Docherty: Heavy loss at Rotherham United is a ‘reality check’
Charlton skipper Greg Docherty says the performance during the 4-2 loss at Rotherham United on Saturday was a “reality check.”
The Addicks slipped to a first defeat in seven league outings after falling two goals behind inside a chaotic opening 14 minutes at the New York Stadium.
Miles Leaburn pulled one back but the Millers reestablished their two-goal advantage moments before the interval through Zak Jules.
Malik Wilks added the Millers’ fourth 10 minutes into the second-half – with Matty Godden’s added-time consolation counting for very little.
It was only the second time the Addicks had lost by more than one goal in League One this term – and the first game in which they had conceded four since April 2023.
Docherty, who laid on the assist for Leaburn’s goal, said: “We spoke before the game on how Rotherham have a way of playing. We shoot ourselves in the foot so early on. The two goals are so, so poor from our perspective and then from there you’re giving yourself a mountain to climb. It gets edgy, their crowd get a lift and they’re playing how they want to play and they make it really difficult.
“It’s so frustrating because we talked about it, we know what was coming. Uncharacteristic, but it’s just no excuses, it’s just simply not good enough.
“It’s not happened often this season. Maybe Bristol Rovers is probably the only time a performance like that has happened, but we rode through it and then we get ourselves a lifeline. To score just before half-time and then concede, that’s inexcusable. As a team, as a collective, that can’t happen.
“We’ve learnt the hard way today, harsh lesson and a reality check really of what we want to do. There’s 22 games left this season, there’s a lot. It’s all well and good, taking the praise over the Christmas period, we’re playing well, we’re doing this, that but basics are absolutely core to today and we know that from everyone that entered the pitch.
“There’s a real harsh lesson and I’m going to also apologise to the fans that travelled up here. They’ve put miles in so far this week, and we’ve got another one coming up [at Bolton on Tuesday evening].
“I know they’ll back us, but we need to put it right now. There’s games to come and the perspective is that there’s games ahead that we can put it right but we cannot shy away from that. There’s been some harsh words said, rightly so, and a lot of people are looking in the mirror tonight.
“[Bolton is] our game in hand. The schedule’s busy but in times like this when you come off a defeat, you want the game. We need to recover but I wish it was tomorrow. A lot of people want to prove things wrong.
“It’s a real sore one but we can’t dwell. We just need to look forward. It’s a really, really difficult day today but Tuesday’s a chance to put it right.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS