Phil Parkinson will have poured himself and Mrs P a large glass of their favourite tipple in their Greenhithe home last night. As he and Mrs P enjoyed that, he will have reflected upon the fact that merely two matches on from the embarrassing home thrashing by Brighton, his side have entered the play-off positions following two successive wins. Not a single chant of "Parky Out" and the nay-sayers have been silenced for weeks to come at worst.
Credit where credit's due. After a less-than-convincing win at Carlisle last week which no-one predicted, the Addicks played a very tight and controlled game yesterday and got the goal necessary to win the game against a strong if limited Sheffield Wednesday. The key for me, as highlighted by Blackheath Addict, was the best midfield performance by Semedo and Racon this season. Their work-rate was immense and they out-fought and out-thought their opponents. That provided a level of protection the back four have lacked in too many games this season and with the running and industry of Jackson and Wagstaff, we were on the front foot for most of the match.
Wednesday themselves were limited in terms of attacking intent and apart from a cameo role from Neil Mellor, they lacked the ambition necessary to win the game. Backed by close to three thousand supporters, they probably deserved better but didn't really look threatening until they brought on Johnson and Morrison in the last third.
The first-half was largely a Charlton affair and we held most of the possession without creating too many scoring opportunities. An almost unrecognisable Nicky Weaver made a superb diving save from a pile-driver from Jackson (or Fry?) as we upped the ante and the goal , when it came, was from a typical piece of first-half pressure. A ball from a corner was played around the box and found it's way to Wagstaff on the right whose first attempt cannoned off Benson and fell back to him with the Wednesday defence still shaping to defend the first shot. From where I was sitting, there was a clear route to the corner of the goal through the melee of players and Waggy saw it too. His low shot picked the perfect angle and Weaver could do nothing about it.That was pretty much it at half-time although Rob Elliott was called upon to produce a smart save before the break.
Mrs Peeps was making a now rare appearance at the game and I commented that we were due a poor second-half based upon form to date. Wednesday stepped up their efforts after the break but we still held the upper hand and for the first time this season put in a full 90 minutes. There were chances for a second but 1-0 was probably the right result having failed to score a second in the first-half. Wednesday looked better in the last half-hour as Johnson and Morrison attempted to up the tempo but they were still some way short of a goal.
Up to sixth then and only a point off second place. Swindon away on Tuesday and Peterborough at London Road a week next Saturday will test the new resolve but I am much more confident than a fortnight ago. Both of those sides lost yesterday and one win would probably be enough to keep us in the hunt. I won't be going to Swindon but have tickets for Barnet and am swithering now about Peterborough.
It was good to share a pint with Chicago Addick and his regular pals yesterday although I fear he's probably wondering what all the fuss has been about this season as we made a routine win against a relegated side look relatively straightforward.
As delighted as i was to see us manage a victory. If we go back to our old ways again at Swindon. Parky's new found breathing space will very quickly disappear again.
ReplyDeleteWe need to go a run of successes to re-convince all the doubters (me included)
We have to get back to the Championship pronto. I see the play-offs as better than nothing but not really good enough. Automatic is what our club needs and with Brighton creating a healthy gap already, second place must be our target.