Charlton Athletic's Danny Green writes for the KM Group
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There has been a lot of attention on
our recent wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United
but we knew that Saturday’s match against Exeter was going to be
hard.
In many ways, it was actually a
tougher match. There were more than 20,000 fans at the
top-of-the-table clashes against the Sheffield clubs and just 5,439
at St James’ Park, so it was a different kind of game.
You have to get yourself up for those
sort of games and winning such matches is vital if we’re to gain
promotion.
I thought we played well without being
at our best. But when you’re defending as well as we are at the
moment, it doesn’t take much to convert a half-chance into a
win.
I have to admit that my goal was a bit
fortunate but although the lads have been ribbing me that it was
own goal, I’m definitely claiming it.
I went to cross the ball but connected
with the outside of my foot and it went straight into the net. The
keeper tried to punch it clear but the fact that it went over the
line is all anyone was worrying about.
Exeter played with a five-man defence
and were compact, so it was difficult to break through and that’s
been the story of our defence as well this season.
To only concede 19 league goals all
season prior to the midweek match against Bury is impressive and we
seem to have taken it on to a higher level since New Year’s Day,
with only Fulham scoring against us in the FA Cup.
I’m told we’d gone more than seven
hours without conceding at the start of the week and that’s
testament to not only the goalkeeper and the back four, who take
the lion’s share of the credit but the rest of the team that works
hard to support them and close down players further forward.
It’s a joy to play with Chris Solly
down the right because he’s great going forward but also difficult
to get past, while Rhoys Wiggins down the left is like a winger
himself.
Matt Taylor is a no-nonsense defender
because he’ll put the ball into Row Z and get back into position,
while Michael Morrison is a bit more agile and will win headers and
dribble the ball out a bit.
Our lead was nine points at the start
of the week but I can honestly say we’re not giving it much
thought.
We’re only just past the halfway mark
and, with so many strong clubs in the chasing pack, we have to
maintain our form.
Thursday, February 02 2012
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