Charlton Athletic captain for the night, Matty Godden, has defended the right of fans to criticise the team following their 2-1 defeat to Crawley Town on Tuesday.
The loss leaves Charlton in 12th place in League One, with supporters vocalising their disappointment at the performance under manager Nathan Jones.
Fan Frustrations Acknowledged
Speaking after the match, Godden, who joined Charlton in the summer, admitted that the reaction from the Valley faithful was justified given the team’s lacklustre display.
“Listen, fans are entitled to say what they want to say and act how they want to act. It is their football club, and I’ve been coming here since I was little as well. It is up to us to be men on the pitch – try to take that away from our game, drive on and put in a performance.”
The striker acknowledged the team’s inconsistency as a recurring issue, stressing the need for Charlton to find stability in their performances.
Inconsistencies Holding Charlton Back
Godden pointed to recent matches as a microcosm of Charlton’s season. Strong displays, such as their FA Cup win over Walsall, were followed by setbacks like the Crawley defeat.
“We felt going into the Crawley match we could really try and build some momentum, but we suffered a setback that we didn’t see coming,” he said. “It seems like we take two steps forward and then get knocked back. We need to find that level of consistency because it is what this league needs.”
The striker noted that defensive lapses, particularly conceding from long-range efforts, have been a persistent problem.
“No team cuts us open with 10 or 11 passes. It seems we are conceding similar goals – long-range efforts. It’s something we need to learn from – and learn from quickly.”
Despite the disappointment, Godden remains optimistic about Charlton’s prospects in League One. Drawing on his past experiences, he highlighted how quickly a string of victories could transform their fortunes.
“I’ve been bottom in November at previous clubs and reached the play-off final,” he said.
Writer’s View
Matty Godden’s comments underline the thin line between progress and setbacks in League One. While acknowledging fan frustrations, he rightly emphasises the importance of consistency. If Charlton can address their defensive frailties and maintain momentum, their promotion hopes remain viable. However, time is running out to prove they can deliver under pressure in a fiercely competitive league.
