Charlton Athletic’s players are gonna check out Wembley before the big League One play-off final on Sunday. Macaulay Gillesphey thinks this visit will be a massive boost before they face Leyton Orient on the famous turf.
The 29-year-old defender has been to the national stadium before, but it wasn’t a great time as Plymouth Argyle got hammered 4-0 by Bolton Wanderers in the 2023 EFL Trophy final back in April. Ouch. Luckily, Plymouth still managed to win the League One title, so it wasn’t all bad.
Gillesphey mentioned to the South London Press that having been to Wembley before will help him and his teammates going into the match against Orient. Last time they didn’t even visit Wembley the day before, which was a shock to the system. This time, they’re getting the full experience by visiting the day before, which he thinks is a good thing. This play-off final is probably the biggest game of his career, and he knows how much it means to everyone involved.
The Charlton squad only needs one more win to secure their spot in the Championship. Gillesphey joined the club in January 2024, dropping down from England’s second tier. It was a bit chaotic at first with the change in management, but he feels like he’s improved a lot under Nathan Jones. The team’s defensive strength comes from their pressing game, and as defenders, they’re all about keeping clean sheets.
Jones has been pushing Gillesphey to be more aggressive defensively, which has added a new dimension to his game. He’s always been confident on the ball, but now he’s more proactive and reads the game better. The manager expects nothing but the best from him every day, which keeps him on his toes.
Around 15 of Gillesphey’s family and friends will be at the Orient game to support him, except for his mum who can’t handle the nerves of watching him play live. It’s all good though, he’s feeling pretty calm and looking forward to the match.
Overall, the visit to Wembley before the final will give Charlton a much-needed boost, especially for players like Gillesphey who have experienced the pressure of playing on the big stage before. The team’s defensive strength and aggressive play will be crucial in securing a win and moving up to the Championship. The support from family and friends adds an extra layer of motivation for Gillesphey, despite his mum not being able to attend. It’s all coming together for a nail-biting finish to the season.
