Keeper nominated as player of the month

Craig MacGillivray has been nominated along with three other players as League One player of the month.   He is described as 'a calm presence and cornerstone in Charlton's revival: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-keeper-nominated-for-league-one-player-of-the-month-for-december/

Honours even

I would have taken a draw before the game and it was a battling performance from Charlton at The Valley to share the points with Rotherham 1-1.  The Millers went ahead through Miller in time added on in the first half.   

Charlton played well in the second half, although McGillivray had to make a superb save to keep the Addicks in the game.  Washington equalised for Charlton in then 82nd minute.   It was tough test and Charlton came through.

Curbs said that in the second half Charlton took the game to Rotherham, they weren't afraid.  We matched them in the first half.  We got bodies in the way, no one had a free shot.

Charlton are now up to 18th.

Curbs said that the referee was inconsistent all night.

Conor Washington said: 'There were a few missed chances.   The overriding feeling is disappointment we couldn't go on to get the three points.  I felt I was going to get in on one of those long balls.   On balance, especially the second half, we deserved to win the game.   This place can be a real fortress for us.  The fans were brilliant.  We might be guilty of not being clinical enough, that is something we have to work on.'

Johnnie Jackson said: 'It was a good game, two good teams going at it.   They made things very difficult. We had to come out second half.   If one team was going to go and win it, it would be us.  We were relentless in our attacking play.  I'm disappointed with the nature of [their] goal.   I am absolutely delighted with the lads, I demand that they play for the shirt and become a battling team, they're doing that.   Conor chases lost causes all night, it was a great goal, chasing a defender down.'

Jayden Stockley got a yellow card for leading with his arm on three minutes and perhaps this subdued him a little.  Washington was wide.  Stockley headed away from a Rotherham corner.   A Charlton corner was wasted by taking it short.DJ shot straight at the keeper.  Famewo got a yellow card for a foul.  Wiles got a rather soft yellow card.   Washington shot at the keeper from a few yards out.  Smith got a yellow card for a foul on Pearce.

In two minutes added on a Famewo error required Gunter to make a block.   Following a long throw, Miller scored for Rotherham.  It was their first shot on target.   There were complaints that the ball had gone out of play.  The marking could have been better.

HT: 0-1

Charlton started well.   Following a free kick, Gilbey had a scoring opportunity but blasted over.  Ihiekwe should have got a second yellow card after bringing down Gilbey, but the referee bottled it.  He was taken off immediately.

MacGillivrary saved from Smith at the expense of a corner.   He then had to make a superb save at short range.

Rotherham had a spell of pressure and there were signs that Charlton were tiring a little.  Blackett-Taylor replaced DJ.

Conor Washington forged forward and a deflection helped the ball into the far corner of the net.  Purrington got a yellow card for a challenge.

Five minutes were added on, but Charlton were not able to take advantage.   We are starting to look up rather than down.   The next league game may not be until the 20th against table topping Plymouth.

Four key lessons from failure

The SLP's Louis Mendez sets out four takeaways from Charlton's winless run: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-2-0-home-reverse-against-wigan-winless-run-continues/

Given the way in which expectations were raised over the summer, it is understandable that fans are restless.  However, Mendez praises Craig MacGillivray, criticised by some fans, noting that he does add something to the side in terms of his ability to anticipate danger.

However, it is no good if you can't score goals and I note that Chuks Aneke added one from the bench in the 5-0 win by Bowyer's Birmingham at Luton.  But, then, as his critics said, all he does is score goals.

Good to see Patrick Bauer score for Preston in a long absence from injury, indeed it was actually a back-to-back goal in terms of matches he had played in.

Kevin Nolan's take on Saturday's game here: https://charltonchampion.co.uk/2021/08/22/kevin-nolans-valley-view-charlton-athletic-0-2-wigan-athletic/?fbclid=IwAR23ke4-NEWrCJmPCltOwBvMoaK9L9BEVpAv4IGDEcr5QPqi4SNIjWHF7pA

More signings on the way

Steve Gallen has told Richard Cawley of the SLP:  'I expect players to be coming in. I won’t put any timeline on it, just yet. It’s all in motion. There’s going to be some more happening now.'

'Once you get one or two [signings] then one or two more will start happening. We’ll get it moving now.'

Not too soon for some of the more impatient fans!

Gallen also revealed that he did a character check on Charlton's new goalkeeper which confirmed that he is consistent and mature: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-transfer-chief-reveals-talks-with-ex-millwall-duo-as-he-did-character-check-on-new-boy-macgillivray/

The South Norwood Addick assesses Craig MacGillivray and concludes that he is an excellent shot stopper, although less good at playing out from the back: https://southnorwoodaddick.com/2021/06/29/clash-of-the-titans-craig-macgillivray-v-ben-amos/

Portsmouth supremo Danny Cowley has revealed that keeping MacGillivray did not make sense for the cash strapped club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/portsmouth-boss-explains-why-deal-for-charlton-new-boy-macgillivray-didnt-add-up/

Keeper signs reports

Unconfirmed reports are stating that Portsmouth keeper Craig MacGillivray has signed for Charlton.

Career details (already listed as playing for Charlton): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_MacGillivray_(footballer)

Charlton interested in Pompey keeper

Charlton are interested in out of contract Portsmouth goalkeeper Craig MacGillivraiy: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-charlton-athletic-interested-in-portsmouth-goalkeeper-craig-macgillivray/ 

There is the possibility of a contract extension, but this would mean a jump in wages and cash strapped Portsmouth are trying to cut back on their wages bill.

He started his career with Harrogate Railway, going on to Harrogate Town.  He has been called up for the Scotland squad once: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_MacGillivray_(footballer)

This does not mean that the club wants to get rid of Ben Amos, but he is also out of contract.