Talking points from Charlton’s 1-0 win at Crawley Town – Jones wants his players going flat out – not flat white – in League One promotion charge
Charlton Athletic moved up to fourth in the League One table after a 1-0 victory at Crawley Town on Tuesday night.
Here are Richard Cawley’s talking points from the match.
ANY WIN WILL DO
When you are chasing automatic promotion – because the Addicks’ hugely impressive form is beginning to make this look a more realistic proposition – then all that matters is the result.
There have been times in recent weeks when Nathan Jones’ side have not been at their best but still managed to get the points outcome they wanted.
Struggling Crawley Town certainly gave them some problems in West Sussex and they needed big performances – most notably from Lloyd Jones – to keep them out.
Former Charlton goalkeeper Joe Wollacott will probably be disappointed with his part in the only goal of the contest.
Macaulay Gillesphey’s cross was not met cleanly by Alex Gilbert but then ran for Thierry Small, who shifted on to his weaker right foot before shooting. Wollacott could only fumble it over his goal-line.
Middlesbrough loanee Gilbert, brought in for Luke Berry, had a couple of scoring opportunities but saw one effort blocked away for a corner by Wollacott and also smashed over after Tyreece Campbell had knocked down a diagonal ball by Gillesphey.
I made it 62 minutes until Charlton goalkeeper Will Mannion had an effort of note to save. The former Hull City and Cambridge United keeper is happy to come – and collect – crosses which helps to calm nerves.
It’s worth noting that only three teams have had superior xG (expected goals) than the Addicks in the past 12 matches – Stockport, Birmingham and Bolton – and they still managed to take four points from those fixtures.
Crawley, despite some dangerous moments, had an xG of 0.35. Some of the other recent ones against Barnsley (0.38), Exeter (0.29), Stevenage (0.08) and Bristol Rovers (0.18) underline just how difficult the South Londoners are to breach. They simply don’t get carved open.
JONES DELIVERING
I lobbed out a question on social media on Wednesday asking which player would Charlton fans be picking if they had to vote for their Player of the Year now – and the answer was pretty much exclusively Lloyd Jones.
The centre-back, wearing the armband in the absence of Greg Docherty due to the Scot’s partner giving birth, led by example at Broadfield Stadium in midweek.
Jones was involved in the play leading up to Small’s goal but also had the most defensive actions, clearances and successful duels.
He recently signed a new contract and has underlined his value to this side time and again.
EDWARDS SETBACK
The only negative for Charlton was Josh Edwards going off in the 55th minute with a groin injury.
The left wing-back was grimacing and touching the problem area early in the second half before he went down for treatment.
His departure saw Matt Godden come on to partner Miles Leaburn in attack, Campbell shifted to right wing-back with Small moving to the opposite side.
Edwards must at least be a doubt for tomorrow’s home game against Wigan and his industry down the flank would be missed.
If Campbell has to play deeper it makes it harder for the academy product, who was impressive against Crawley, to provide the same penetration he manages from a more advanced starting position.
CAFFEINE FREE
Some of Nathan Jones’ post-match comments have been memorable and on Tuesday there were a couple more classics from the Welshman.
The former Luton Town boss is like a frenzied orchestra conductor on the sidelines during matches.
But that intensity doesn’t totally slacken off after a match.
When asked about Docherty not being available, Jones was smiling but responded: “I don’t know who books a caesarean the day before a game but, hey, that is what happens. Congratulations to him, we’re glad everything is good but we’ve won a few games without him – it could be to his detriment.”
And in his Charlton TV interview he talked about players sacrificing the next eight weeks of their lives.
He added: “You’re not shopping, you’re not bowling, your diet is good – if your wife or girlfriend wants to go shopping then they have to make the same sacrifices.
“It is a massive sacrifice for us to achieve something. You can’t now go to Bluewater, walking around and high-fiving – going Costa Coffee – when you should be resting.
“Now the professional has to be paramount.”
No flat white – just flat out effort.
SUPER SATURDAY
Charlton’s 18th win of their League One season moved them ahead of Stockport County and also opened up a five-point cushion on seventh-placed Huddersfield.
It is the same gap between the Addicks and second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who have a fixture in hand.
Charlton have to beat Wigan but then all eyes will be on the Chairboys’ result at home against third-placed Wrexham.
The South Londoners still have to go to the two clubs directly above them in the table – successive away matches towards the end of April – and they could be the mother of all six-pointers.
Stockport, in fifth, head to sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers tomorrow in another fixture which will have a big bearing on the complexion of the top six.
The bookies still heavily fancy Wycombe or Wrexham to snare that second automatic promotion place behind Birmingham City.
But Charlton – priced at 9/4 last time I checked – will get them changing those odds if they can continue clocking up the wins.
PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS