A few drinks down the Oak before the game.... then watch a nice comfortable 10 pinter down the Anchor afterwards followed up with a feast at the Viceroy.
2-1 win. 2-0 up at half-time Burton, Shelvey goals then they score early in second for a nail biter. positive result with much to build on, but must play better if promotion is to become a reality!
yea 4-4-2 is what the formation will be i wont say the score cos anything can happen on the day but i do think they will score first then maybe 2-1 us.
A new division for both teams so I suppose it's a step into the unknown for both. I think 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) is the ticket even if means playing Shelvey in the hole and attacl, send a statement of intent. We need to win the majority of our home games. Interested to see an article on the BBC website and Oldham's Dave Penny saying he's ready for the challenge of the 'BIG FOUR' of Norwich, Southampton, Leeds and Charlton. Seems that most see us as one of their 4 cup finals and may wll raise their game for us which could potentially hinder us.
3-0 on Saturday. 1-0 until last 10 mins and then two late goals.
Shelvey does need to learn the more defensive side of the game too, which he looked to be doing at Bournemouth on Saturday.
If he's been playing just in behind burton, with only one up front. Just how defensive do we need him to be? If only playing one up with him in behind is a bit negative to some, how negative is it to play one up and have Jonjo defending. Horses for courses, you dont have someone playing off the front man and expect him to protect the back four... Just my thoughts ... By the way very comfortable 3-0 win
Gets the best out of Shelvey, he can push on a lot and look for space, so it's near enough 4-4-2, just lacks pace. Dickson, McLeod and maybe Wagstaff on the bench can add that if/when pace is required.
I am so looking forward to the start of the new season. When last season ended, I hoped, but did not believe that we would still be seeing Jonjo, Sam, Bailey, Racon, Gray and Burton still playing for us in League 1. We are where we are and with Dailly, Richardson and Llera added rather than a host of loanees, I believe we have a really strong 1st team - what we lack is depth and PP knows this. I think Burton will statr ahead of Gray and Youga ahead of Basey, but otherwise same team as many above and us to get a 3-0 win - Burton 2 (1 pen) and Bailey.
Honestly? Pre match thoughts? Why on earth did so many sad losers decry Curbs before the start of each of his last four seasons? League 1? Its meaningless until we get out of this swamp of sub=mediocracy. Hope to get to 9 away games this season, thanks to our Phil - such a joy to visit such jewels of English football.
I guess these 3-5-2 line ups are just ideas, because it's clear we aren't going to play that sort of formation after seeing us use 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2 throughout preseason.
Sorry that formation was actually what i would do differently which was one of the questions ..... I dont think much would get past that deffence in this division, not with Bailey sitting in front. I think Sam Racon and Semedo could control most midfields with Jonjo in front between forwards and midfield. I also feel that with two to hit up front it gives the midfield and especially jonjo more to aim at and dont have to look one way for the pass everytime. Also this system makes it so hard for the defence to pick up the spare man. Which in this case is Jonjo. I doubt this will happen but i dont doubt it would work. I just think with that talent in this league it would worry most teams. ... But its just what i would do differently
Yeah i did think about the wide issue. With two up front that gives Jonjo the chance to shut down the forwards . Defend from the front is always the best way .We all know how much mileage jonjo puts in so it wouldn't be hard to keep them in their own half. Also it will have to be a very brave team that would go all out attacking down the wings when with two up front and a decent pass from our midfield and its all over. In this league they should be worried about stopping us not like last year when we were trying to stop teams. I think with that system it could possibly a really entertaining year of football
Cheers Sco, i thought he was ok and just being rested after the dead leg he got. Hope he plays, as him and Racon could be a decent pairing for us this season.
Semedo got a dead leg after colliding withon Racon, v Ipswich which was why he was subbed at HT.
Last Saturday's match at Bournemouth came round a bit quick for Semedo, but normally a player would be recovered after 10 days - should have even got some training in.
With the current crop of players we have at moment it would be criminal to suggest anything other than a home win. Knowing Charlton they'll do their best to make hard work it though.
Comments
I wish we would go back to 4-4-2 at home. 4-5-1 at home depresses the shit out of me.
Semedo we need you.
Playing a 4 4 2 system
Lets hope for a happy Valley either way
3-0 on Saturday. 1-0 until last 10 mins and then two late goals.
If he's been playing just in behind burton, with only one up front. Just how defensive do we need him to be? If only playing one up with him in behind is a bit negative to some, how negative is it to play one up and have Jonjo defending. Horses for courses, you dont have someone playing off the front man and expect him to protect the back four... Just my thoughts ... By the way very comfortable 3-0 win
Gets the best out of Shelvey, he can push on a lot and look for space, so it's near enough 4-4-2, just lacks pace. Dickson, McLeod and maybe Wagstaff on the bench can add that if/when pace is required.
Elliot
Richardson
Dailly
Llera
Basey
Sam
Racon
Semedo
Bailey
Shelvey
Gray
2-0 to us
Elliot
Dailey
Richardson
Llera
Bailey
Sam
Racon
Semedo
Shelvey
Burton
Dickson
Pre match thoughts?
Why on earth did so many sad losers decry Curbs before the start of each of his last four seasons?
League 1?
Its meaningless until we get out of this swamp of sub=mediocracy.
Hope to get to 9 away games this season, thanks to our Phil - such a joy to visit such jewels of English football.
I guess these 3-5-2 line ups are just ideas, because it's clear we aren't going to play that sort of formation after seeing us use 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2 throughout preseason.
It sounds good if they could get it right. Though wouldn't Semedo sit in front of the back 3 and have Bailey on the left?
I'd be happy to see it if we were chasing a game. One problem I see is it's a lot of work for two wide players.
Will be interesting to see if Gray plays and even more so if he scores.
Because he missed the Bournemouth match due to injury.
Don't think it was anything serious so he should be back in time.
I guess the OS will have a match preview up this afternoon so we should find out then.
Last Saturday's match at Bournemouth came round a bit quick for Semedo, but normally a player would be recovered after 10 days - should have even got some training in.
match preview is up on the os, havn't read it yet though !