Manager Nigel Adkins provided his verdict on the Addicks’ 1-1 draw at Gillingham on Tuesday evening.
Charlton took the lead through Elliot Lee on 18 minutes, but were forced to share the spoils after Ben Purrington’s unfortunate own goal 11 minutes into the second period.
“We could have put the game to bed, couldn’t we?” Adkins told CharltonTV. “It was a great goal from Elliot [Lee], super play from Corey Blackett-Taylor - he’s played 90 minutes, his first start. Just get him the ball, he’s electrifying when you go and see that. And we did; we had a lot of good opportunities. Conor [Washington] has gone through there as well. We’ve had a lot of good opportunities. I thought we played really well, it’s just a shame we didn’t score a few more goals in that important time.
“We knew that, similar to Saturday, the opposition were going to get the ball very direct,” explained the Addicks manager. “Could we have the ball for a longer period of time? Obviously we changed the shape from the weekend’s game and have gone back to the formation we played last season and at the start of this season.
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“We’ve got good technicians in there,” he continued. “We talked about them maybe playing a diamond with two full-backs that will be spare on the ball and Ben Watson playing there, he can get on the ball and play with the calmness to find players. Elliot Lee between the lines there in a forward position and Albie [Morgan] backing that up - a massive threat, really talented football players. It was a great finish [from Elliot] for his goal, really pleased. Since the day he’s joined you can see he’s a real intelligent football player and we’re trying to get him between the lines in the attacking half of the pitch.”
Adkins was pleased to welcome Purrington and Alex Gilbey back to the fold, while reserving particular praise for Josh Davison, who led the Addicks’ line at the Priestfield Stadium.
“I was really pleased Ben Purrington has made his first start for the season,” added Adkins. “We managed to get Alex Gilbey on the pitch. Josh Davison has worked his socks off up front. He’s had a start, he’s deserved his opportunity.”