I'm pretty sure we'll be looking for one in the summer window. Neither Konsa nor Dijksteel are specialist in the position.
Neither was Sam Bartram when he signed for Charlton, left half wasn't he? Or Brian Kinsey come to that matter LW turned LB. Phil Warman also was a LW in junior football turned LB for Charlton how do I know? I used to play against him .
If you went to the last 3 games with someone who hadn't been before, and you tried to explain what we were like previously he wouldn't believe you. You'd tell him that the previous manager said that Ajose didn't want to play for Charlton; that he didn't rate Zyro enough to give him more than a few token minutes here and there; that Reeves had been ineffective, wandering round like a lost soul; that Aribo wasn't a regular starter, that we were easily bullied; he would laugh in your face.
Special mention for the Ball Boy at the Covered End, who after they had scored their goal and their Keeper decided to suddenly get all excited, after trying to retrieve the ball for a goal kick after going behind the advertising hoardings. The ball boy picks up the ball, then sees the keeper coming over the boards to collect it, so promptly then drops the ball behind himself so the keeper can't get to it quickly, it made me laugh anyway.
Agree RE the konsa comments - doesn't look like he's 'in the programme' as far as the players all having the bit between their teeth since bowyer took over. Dijksteel back in for me next week - dominates his man, stops the crosses - agreed he gets sucked in to the centre half position but for me, he is ahead of Konsa who I've always felt is overrated - not good enough in the air or brave or dominant enough for centre half, and we have better at RB and CM. The other 2 decisions for next week are who plays instead of Fosu and does Da silva play instead of Page? The latter might be governed by the loan agreement but I reckon there are 3 vying for the fosu place - Marshall, Kai kai and Mavidivi. I think Bowyer likes to keep Mavidivi up his sleeve for the last half hour impact so between the other 2. Kai kai blows hot and cold but he puts a hell of a shift in, isn't afraid to get hurt and I think has more potential than Marshall once it all comes together for him. I'd probably persevere with him. Would keep everything else as is. Pearce was immense yesterday, loved the way he tried to tackle their player with his head in the last minute. He epitomises the new tenacious drive we seem to have. Doubt Bowyer will let anybody in the team now who isn't up for it like that and I reckon Konsa will be the first victim.
A solid win today against a decent team. The big difference now is that we look dangerous, we actually pack a real offensive threat, and the formation change has made a massive difference as we can now go direct as well as playing the intricate football, giving defenders real problems. Drop deep, our skilful players have lots of space, push up and Ajose and our speedsters can break.
The first goal for example, Ajose makes a nice run towards a great pass by JFC(?). If the player had been up there by himself, whether Ajose, Zyro or Magennis the slight miscue by the defender would have been collected easily by another defender and been a non event. Instead because we have TWO attackers up there, it falls for Zyro (great shot)
The third goal is all about Aribo, but Ajose again plays a part attracting defenders to create space and putting the ball first time into Ajose's path instead of dawdling on it.
I was slightly disappointed Ajose was taken off so early, as he seemed quite fresh still I would have loved him to score the goal his work deserved. Mavididi is a skilful player, but less direct and seemed to be in 3rd gear. Not convinced Konsa at RB is better than Djiksteel either.
In regard to Konsa v Dijksteel I do wonder if the swap was to protect that right side, I felt we looked shakey there against Plymouth and someone said the same after Northampton
Konsa definitely got forward less so than often and reckon off that basis it was a preference from Bowyer to technically play with three CBs
Dijksteel was a bit raw but his main problem versus Plymouth was the lack of cover so was often facing two of theirs. When he was one on one he put his foot in and generally came away with the ball. Konsa had the same issue re lack of cover but when he was one on one their guy nearly always got the cross in.
I don't hate Karl but feel a bit guilty. If we were not calling for 4-4-2 as fans, would he have perhaps been more open to it. Was it his ego failing to see the blindingly obvious. If say he had changed it, would it have looked like we were right and he was wrong? It is sad because in many aspects he did a decent job for us. I really hope he does learn from this - he is still young enough. It will require being quite hard on himself.
If we play Oxford next year (Christ, I hope we don't) I'd want him to be the same tactically inept loudmouth he was with us.
Just a few points to add to the already brilliant posts:
Mavididi should have come on for Fosu - Kaikai is pants & still did nothing even though the rest of the team is buzzing. . Once Fosu went off we lost our forward momentum - Da Silva can't go past players & Mavididi would have injected some more directness.
So want Ajose to get a goal - worked hard but nothing fell for him.
I've seen us score 9 goals in 3 games - I think I must have seen that amount from xmas until slobby left. So much more direct & a lot harder to beat. As their manager said, we were better in both boxes & that is all that matters.
onwards & upwards. We will not win all 7 games, but if we can pick up another 11 or 12 points then I'm sure the play-offs beckon.
I, too, wanted Stephy on in place of Fosu-Henry but when Stephy did come on, he looked rusty, off the pace, and generally ineffective so Kaikai was probably the right call given how much of the match was still left to play.
Looks to me that they are being extra careful with nursing Mavidivi back knowing how important he could be if we are to win the play offs. He came on at Northampton and went full throttle straight away - wouldn't surprise me if he's been told to jog about a bit for the first 5 when he gets on to warm up a bit to try and avoid doing his hamstring again - he was also a bit greedy against Northampton - should have laid kai kai in for an easy finish but didn't and messed up - looked a bit like it was all about him and not the team so wonder if that factored in kai kai getting the nod yesterday rather than him.
Did anyone else feel that Dijksteel was the better option at RB than Konsa. A few times Konsa looked out of position and hacked at clearances...
Yes, I thought Konsa looked a bit casual at times and slightly lethargic
Dijksteel makes mistakes, but is so fast that he can recover from nearly all of them.
I'll concede he's not really a right back but yes, Konsa does look more 'relaxed' than he ought to be. Perhaps as a result of being one of the better players in youth football, everything came easily. He just looks a bit slack carrying on like that at this level. He let Rotherham in for a chance within the first minute. He needs to be at it from the word go, not cruising around looking cool.
First home game in yonks (due to boycott but I still didn't pay) and first win I've seen home or away since last April!
I hold my hands up, as I was of the belief that our players were not as good as we perhaps thought they were, but the last three performances would certainly challenge that theory.
I actually thought Rotherham started well and should have gone in front. Who knows what affect that would have had, but the response was good, lots of effort and enthusiasm all round.
Zyro's goal was a cracker, having thought he had turned back into trouble, it was a fantastic shot and goal. Poor defending for our second, but the third was a quality break-away goal - a joy to watch and superbly controlled run and finish.
I though Dasilva started rusty but really grew into the game and was impressive.
It really did feel more like the old days again at times.
My last game was Donny away and the difference (despite us dominating that game) between that game and this one was huge. Plenty of challenges to come and will be interesting how we react when we go behind in a game, but I think there will be a strength of character there that we have not seen for ages.
Love Bowyer and his insights - already booked up for Pompey away but now also contemplating a half day for Shrewsbury away!!
I'm pretty sure we'll be looking for one in the summer window. Neither Konsa nor Dijksteel are specialist in the position.
Neither was Sam Bartram when he signed for Charlton, left half wasn't he? Or Brian Kinsey come to that matter LW turned LB. Phil Warman also was a LW in junior football turned LB for Charlton how do I know? I used to play against him .
No but we are not weak at RB at League One level with either playing there.
Agreed, but you'd hope that next season Dijksteel in particular might get a chance to play in what is supposed to be his best position. I'm really looking forward to seeing that. With any injuries to our centre backs, Konsa is likely to have to cover. It's all looking good at the moment because Pearce and Bowyer are both fit.
I'm pretty sure we'll be looking for one in the summer window. Neither Konsa nor Dijksteel are specialist in the position.
Neither was Sam Bartram when he signed for Charlton, left half wasn't he? Or Brian Kinsey come to that matter LW turned LB. Phil Warman also was a LW in junior football turned LB for Charlton how do I know? I used to play against him .
Don Townsend was a centre foward banging in goals for the reserves before he was converted to left back by a certain Mr Seed.
First home game in yonks (due to boycott but I still didn't pay) and first win I've seen home or away since last April!
I hold my hands up, as I was of the belief that our players were not as good as we perhaps thought they were, but the last three performances would certainly challenge that theory.
I actually thought Rotherham started well and should have gone in front. Who knows what affect that would have had, but the response was good, lots of effort and enthusiasm all round.
Zyro's goal was a cracker, having thought he had turned back into trouble, it was a fantastic shot and goal. Poor defending for our second, but the third was a quality break-away goal - a joy to watch and superbly controlled run and finish.
I though Dasilva started rusty but really grew into the game and was impressive.
It really did feel more like the old days again at times.
My last game was Donny away and the difference (despite us dominating that game) between that game and this one was huge. Plenty of challenges to come and will be interesting how we react when we go behind in a game, but I think there will be a strength of character there that we have not seen for ages.
Love Bowyer and his insights - already booked up for Pompey away but now also contemplating a half day for Shrewsbury away!!
Did the club give you a free ticket or was it a ticket someone else had paid for?
Comments
Dijksteel makes mistakes, but is so fast that he can recover from nearly all of them.
#justsaying
Whats to say we wont see old Solly when he's back under Bowyer
I hold my hands up, as I was of the belief that our players were not as good as we perhaps thought they were, but the last three performances would certainly challenge that theory.
I actually thought Rotherham started well and should have gone in front. Who knows what affect that would have had, but the response was good, lots of effort and enthusiasm all round.
Zyro's goal was a cracker, having thought he had turned back into trouble, it was a fantastic shot and goal. Poor defending for our second, but the third was a quality break-away goal - a joy to watch and superbly controlled run and finish.
I though Dasilva started rusty but really grew into the game and was impressive.
It really did feel more like the old days again at times.
My last game was Donny away and the difference (despite us dominating that game) between that game and this one was huge. Plenty of challenges to come and will be interesting how we react when we go behind in a game, but I think there will be a strength of character there that we have not seen for ages.
Love Bowyer and his insights - already booked up for Pompey away but now also contemplating a half day for Shrewsbury away!!
With any injuries to our centre backs, Konsa is likely to have to cover. It's all looking good at the moment because Pearce and Bowyer are both fit.
Edit: That was the official attendance anyway. Actual bums on seats? Pass.