That's Better!

Saturday saw the Addicks overcome an in form Wycombe team with probably their best display of the season.

It wasn’t perfect of course as anyone who witnessed the first 20 to 25 minutes of the second half will testify. However, it was a lot better than what has gone before in previous games.

We started the game brightly, were on the front foot and got forward well. Overall CBT had a good game and one that was nicely rounded off by his goal where his run got the finish it deserved.

That first half dominance ought to have delivered more goals or at least scoring opportunities but sadly CBT was unable to produce a decent cross.

It’s a double-edged sword really because if he were able to consistently supply those crosses and make better decisions he wouldn’t be with us. As it is crunch time is looming with his contract due to run out soon and a number of clubs looking at him. Both the player and the club have a decision to make soon.

Having Leaburn, Tedic and Aneke now available makes a huge difference to our squad and the options within. Holden must have allowed himself a rueful smile when he saw the 18 players named at 2pm!

Appleton used the subs to good effect and Tedic and more notably Tennai had an immediate impact. Finally, we looked like we could attack down the right side of the pitch.

Watson’s debut augers well and he needs to stay in the team and ought to be starting games.

Right back is obviously not Abankwah’s bag and see no issue in playing him in central defence. He can do no worse than Hector who had another error strewn game. I was pleased to see him get hooked in the second half.

Prior to kick off and I wondered whether Isted would keep his place. Following his impression of a Tiller girl at Stevenage I wasn’t’ expecting he would. He did of course and despite claiming, in my view, some routine high balls in to the box, I wasn’t impressed.

Why there no attempt to stop the shot for Wycombe’s goal is a mystery. It was well struck and even if slightly unsighted I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect him to react in some way but there was nothing. I think his continued presence creates uncertainty. That really doesn’t help when one of two of our defenders look jittery enough!

Jones remains at the stand out defender. Thank God we’ve got him. He has been consistently good. We have hope he doesn’t get injured or suspended anytime soon.

I’d love to see us go to 4-4-2. I’m sure most managers love a more modern formation be it 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or whatever. However, you sometimes just have to accept that the ability of the players you have won’t allow you to do that.

At a minimum, two up front is a must for us. Having Leaburn out wide was silly and greatly lowered our attacking threat. The difference when Chuks came on and imposed himself was plain for all to see.

This is league one. It’s a more physical game. You only need to look at the table and see how a Steve Evans side is doing to know that! There’s nothing cultured about the football that his teams play.

Focusing on the positive it’s now 7 points from the last three games and that is a big improvement. The use of the whole squad is more like it and Appleton is obviously not afraid to get two or three on in one go.

The manager had another clear week to work on weak aspects of this squad. Hopefully, we can go and get a result at Shrewsbury and one that would see us make a more significant move up the table.