Turned into a good day and a v good result. However, two rather large notes of caution, and one other concern:
Really not impressed with Hamer- he flapped at a lot, did not give defence confidence, and distribution was a hoof down field - did not throw it out at all as far as I can recall. He may be young, and can improve, but we need a really strong and commanding goalie now for a promotion push. Don't know if Sullivan is the answer, either.
Really missed BWP. Waggy ran himself into the ground and couldn't have done anymore, but he is not really a CF - not yet, anyway.
Taylor and Morro were excellent today, but if either had got injured, then Mambo is next in line with Doc injured. Feels a bit fragile and hoping for the best.
So, if I were Chris, would want to get more cover at striker and CH, and would still try v hard to keep Robbie.
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Fact is, even with the new investment, while we're in League 1 we ain't going to be able to afford or attract the complete article in any position unless one comes through the youth setup (I think Randolph may have been that - but that's water under the Bridge now). We just have to hope that our players generally have more strenghts and less weaknesses than other team's. Early signs are we do.
I remember schlepping up to Maine Road for what was Bob Bolder's Charlton debut. After his performance that day had he never played again it would have been too soon. Things worked out well in the end though.
We do need another CB - but we can only sign players who either want to come to Charlton or who are available, there seems to have been a dearth of decent CBs being openly discussed as transfer targets, so I hope that CP et al are biding their time and will get the right player in, rather than making a panic acquisition.
Up front, a shame than Benno picked up an injury mid-week as he would have started yesterday.
Only saw Hamer vs Reading and he looked good enough to me. We have 3 keepers all of similar ability, we should play a different one every week.
Hamer may have been told to kick it long, the fact he did not throw it out as much is not a massive concern after one game. He did not inspire great confidence but again- only one league game and he will improve and get better. He is still getting to know his CBs and after reading the Exeter thread on Hamer, he will imho turn out to a fine GK for us.
The Striker and CB is more of a concern but more so because BWP and Taylor have had their fair share of injuries in the past. Waggy and Doc can do a job but would be nice to strengthen those areas- especially now Benson looks like leaving.
Powell has shown his hand. Not buying all this time off due to transfer speculation.
Weegie, I have to take issue with you regarding Hamer. He played well against Reading & also against Bury.
He had no chance for Bury's goal & his kicking is miles better than Elliot or Sullivan's. He can kick the entire legth of the pitch. I grant you he didn't throw many / if any out, but when you have a kick as big as his, you're much more of a threat.
He also made an excellent double save in the 2nd half at Bury.
Yes, he missed one cross, but that was all.
He looks bigger and more commanding than Elliot & I'm hopeful he will be the better keeper.
TBH I think you're being extremely harsh because you want Elliot to remain 1st choice, which won't happen as he won't sign a new contract.
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I've seen the goal he conceded, and I think he is partially to blame in that he should have directed someone to stand over the ball until the wall was ready and he should have realised that the ball was potentially live so he should have have been aware that an incoming shot was possible. A quick and good bit of thinking by Bury which didn't prove to be too expensive in the context of the match, but It might be that conceding a soft goal like that will have taught him a lesson. I hope next time there's a freekick within goal scoring range that remembers this match and remains alert.
Hamer is better than Elliot, he did miss one cross fair enough but i have alot more confidence in him than Elliot, his kicking is much better ,he is quicker on his feet than elliot and talks more to the deffense. He made one fantastic save in the first half making himself big and getting injured as a result, fortunately the Bury player was offside anyway.
I don't disagree BFR, but directing a player to stand over the ball is "gamesmanship" and could result in a yellow card. It is questionable whether I would call that good goalkeeping, but I take your point.