Strong case for defence at The Valley

Latics assistant manager writes every week for Chron Sport
AS A TEAM, we approached the game at Charlton aiming to weather the storm in front of a big crowd.

And we managed to achieve that to a large extent.

Aside from restricting the league leaders going forward, there were also one or two little glimpses in the opening half that we could get in behind them.

The game was goalless at half-time and we coped with the situation well up to that point, with our two centre-backs Zander Diamond and Nathan Clarke, in particular, standing out.

As the second period progressed, we got more into the contest as an attacking force and on three or four occasions, really cut them open with good passing moves.

Charlton's goal came about as a result of indecision on the part of goalkeeper Alex Cisak, while our centre-backs didn't squeeze up inside the penalty area.

It was simply one of a number of crosses they threw into the box, but this time we didn't deal with it well enough and were punished. As for our equaliser, it came from a great passing move and was finished with a great strike from Filipe Morais. Before our equaliser, changes were made that definitely helped the team.

Filly scored the goal, but Matt Smith was also part of a double-substitution that caused them all sorts of problems. If you had asked the manager before the game if he would take a 1-1 draw, he would probably have accepted it.

But as the final whistle approached, we were playing the better football and could have gone on to become the first team to win at The Valley this season.

Hartlepool on Boxing Day will be a difficult test. They played very well against Colchester last week and were unlucky to lose the game.

We know they will be a difficult proposition — a big side, who play to their strengths — so we have to guard against that and be ready for it.

From my point of view, we head into the game on the back of what I regard as an excellent defensive display. The things we work at on the training ground, we replicated on the pitch at The Valley.

Apart from the goal, which you can forgive to an extent, we restricted their opportunities well.

I would say it is the best defensive showing we have produced since I have been at the club.