scrappy win, but a massive one......MOM Solly, even though I thought he was lucky to stay on after that lunge, thought the ref was reaching for the red...
Thought we played well on the whole. Walsall played some decent football and know how to break well.
Solly was fantastic, but maybe a bit lucky to be on the field. I also thought the referee was going to give him a red for the challenge. Maybe the crunch made it look worse than it was.
Was impressed with Prichard. He keeps the ball very well and links up well with other players. Amazing to think he is 25 and only just broke into the Football League.
Looking forward to the trip to Carlisle next week. I have a sneaky feeling Colchester are going to do us a big favour.
I notice a lot of people seem to be 'fearing' Carlisle and talking up how tough it is going to be. Typical worrying Charlton mentality. For some odd reason, I think they should be fearing us rather than us fearing them. Maybe it's the small matter of a win equalling promotion or having 91 points on the board. For crying out loud, stop worrying! If we play to our best and we support them to our best, then come next Saturday we will either be stood on the finish line, or even better, crossed it once and for all.
Walsalls first loss in 5 games and 7 games since they last failed to score. They maybe near the bottom but still looked a decent side. Speaks volumes about our performance.
Stephens was completely off the pace today, a central midfielder should always be looking to recieve the ball and he was caught out on one particular occasion and we lost the ball. Morrison looks a bit nervous but where has Cort been hiding? Great centre half! Yann was an absolute beast and Solly is quite clearly a cut above the rest, how old is he again? Gotta be a future premier league player - hopefully with us.
Not bothered about the performance, got the 3 points we needed.
Agree with AFKA on DN'G, he's doing a good job but not sure I'd want him to sign permanently. On Stephens I know many say he's a class act, but he's not shown it often enough for me. Another game in which he gives the ball away, plays others into trouble with passes and of course he's not the best defensively. Still young and the type that should make the right decisions and read the game better with experience.
Pritchard makes a few mistakes but generally did well - we needed energy in the midfield after with 2 games in 3 days.
Kermorgant battled away as usual, defence generally very solid as they often have been. Solly again showing more confidence and ability on the ball than he did earlier in the season, not that he was ever poor, but its showing the difference regular football is making.
I thought we looked a bit flat today. Morrison refuses to play even the simplest pass back to Hamer and will turn it outside instead. We were tested and stretched a bit in midfield and were more effective with the ball on the deck going forward than when punting it high, but a win, a clean sheet and 3 points......again. Nearly there. (Good to meet Rob for a drink after the game. Last met 46 years ago while in the same class at school).
Great win again, defence was immense, missed Hollands in the middle, Pritchard had a poor first half but better second, Stephens not as effective as normal. Plenty of time to consider how to strengthen the squad for next year but I would be happy to see our current back 5 start in August. Just seen another thread saying JJ should be dropped...how mad is that?
Definitely a game of two halves, but largely through fatigue I think. Stand out players were the back five and N'Guessan - slotted very easily onto the right flank and worked well with Solly, although faded a little. Defence won it for us today, and as with all good sides our team is built on that rock. We look a much better team with Jacko in it.
Didn't think Solly's challenge was worse than a booking, not least because Ledesma had been cheating all game, but with a ref who can watch Pritchard get fouled and wave play on with Walsall in possession who knows what colour card would come out of his pocket.
God I hope the officials are better in the Championship, because I think that's 5 games on the spin we've had utter dross.
Posting before reading. A win and a clean sheet again and 91 lovely juicy points. last goal conceded was a Jordan Rhodes penalty. It was a highly enjoyable game, and to their immense credit Walsall made a proper match of it. I was impressed with their 25, their winger with the orange boots, and their 6, Smith, who looked really good...a centre back with the mobility of Rufus and might be one worth making an offer for. But I was more impressed by our team and the result. Danny N'G set the tone in the first few seconds with his shot, we stormed away, but Walsall played their way back into the match with a good spell, then we would have a good spell and the game more or less fitted that pattern from then on. Our goal was an excellent JJ FK which Danny powered in in an impossibly crowded situation, and from then there were similarities with the Orient game, but without the second goal. I thought the players were tired no matter how much they played through their tiredness, the defense...well Morro especially looked jaded. Centre midfield battled away but missed Hollands, BWP was kept quiet...and it is a miracle how Yann lasted the 90, but he did, he is a wonderful footballer. We certainly felt the benefit of Jacko being back, he had an excellent game and would have walked my personal MOM but for Chris Solly. I've run out of superlatives for Solly but he was simply brilliant today, at one time it seemed as if it was Walsall verses Solly, he even took a yellow card for the team, and in a season of great displays by him, this was in my mind one of his very best...especially as Walsall were no mugs and seemed to try to target him, but he was up to everything they could throw at him, and he also had time to support our attacks on many occasions. If you're reading this Chris Solly take a bow, you are a real footballer and I am proud you play for us. Today the result was everything...two points a game gives you 92 in a season...always enough, we have 91 and I know it's not yet mathematical but we're in with a chance of promotion :-) Chris Powell, all of his staff, and the players have given to us in spades this season....more than some of the pampered premiership lot did in the past. What a great season, what a great great great season.
It was a struggle against a decent Walsall side, but we made it.
I am worried about central midfield though, Stephens was well off the pace, on more than one occasion we lost the ball because by being too slow he turned 50 50 challenges until easy interceptions for walsall. His tackling was a liability as well, by trying to make up for his own errors he gave away several needless free ticks.
I was impressed with Pritchard in the 2nd half, he tried a few too many Hollywood passes in the first half, but was really good in the second, providing some much needed energy.
I was afraid that after Saturday this would be a tough game so to come away with 3 points is just great. The second half was a bit of an anticlimax but for now and the rest of the season it's all about getting the points needed to get to the finishing line. By finishing line I mean the top spot. I know it's not important to some people but I want us to be champions. We've only won one league since the second world war so it would really mean something if we finish as champions this year. And to lose it after being top since September would definitely be a disappointment.
My only concern about today was central midfield. Stephens just didn't seem to be awake and Pritchard tried but was brushed aside far too easily for my liking. He looked out of his depth. We desperately need another Mark Kinsella for next season.
I thought we started off well & were a more attacking threat with N'Guessen on the right than we have been with either Waggy or Green ..........just a shame we couldn't have got a 2nd as I think that would have settled our nerves and we would have gone on to get a few more.
Due to the 9 v 10 only 2 days ago its little wonder the team died in the second half and so they should be forgiven a few mis-placed passes - although I do feel we try to over play it sometimes & wished the forwards (Kermy in particular) would go on their own a bit more & shoot. A few times they found themselves 30 yards out with time & space & yet they decided to pass out wide instead of taking it a pace & hitting it !!
anyway - its 3 more points & so off we go to Carlisle next Saturday hoping that things go our way and 3 years of hurt can be over !!
It's funny really, all other sides would give right arm for our position, but like all me mates around me in our seats, we were nervy and acted like we are not in the strongest position in the league. One win and one draw and we are up, if we can do that next 2 matches....then we can go on and win the title. 13 years since our last trophy.
Arise Sir Chris Powel.
Payers are tired and so are we as fans but this is my view of weak links and areas of improvement.
Our midfield needs strengthening big time, Russell and Stevens not quite Champ class, only Jacko is Champ class. Hamer I like but makes me nervous at crosses, he needs to mature quickly and focus more. N'Gessun and BWP and Kerm are Champ class, Morry and Solly Champ class for sure. Waggiy and Green def good enough and can improve. Pritchard is a work in progress. Missed anyone, many, but thats it for now. Dinner is on the table.
thank god for the nice looking china girl sitting in the bar at the back of the covered end today, really perked up the second half for me what with the game turning pony and the wet windy cold weather coming in!
Just told the missus were off to the Lake District on Thursday for a long weekend, dont think she's figured the real reason yet!!!
I can beat that PWO... it was my missus who suggested a lake district weekend including the match! Looking for a short walk in the south lakes... any ideas?
Comments
Another win, clean sheet and 3 points closer to the end
Sort of game that we would have drawn last season but the back 4 were immense again.
Considering Pritchard was non league not long ago he did very well today, did the job of 2 men as Stephens wasnt up to it again today.
We look shattered but we are almost there.
Solly was fantastic, but maybe a bit lucky to be on the field. I also thought the referee was going to give him a red for the challenge. Maybe the crunch made it look worse than it was.
Was impressed with Prichard. He keeps the ball very well and links up well with other players. Amazing to think he is 25 and only just broke into the Football League.
Looking forward to the trip to Carlisle next week. I have a sneaky feeling Colchester are going to do us a big favour.
I notice a lot of people seem to be 'fearing' Carlisle and talking up how tough it is going to be. Typical worrying Charlton mentality. For some odd reason, I think they should be fearing us rather than us fearing them. Maybe it's the small matter of a win equalling promotion or having 91 points on the board. For crying out loud, stop worrying! If we play to our best and we support them to our best, then come next Saturday we will either be stood on the finish line, or even better, crossed it once and for all.
Agree with AFKA on DN'G, he's doing a good job but not sure I'd want him to sign permanently. On Stephens I know many say he's a class act, but he's not shown it often enough for me. Another game in which he gives the ball away, plays others into trouble with passes and of course he's not the best defensively. Still young and the type that should make the right decisions and read the game better with experience.
Pritchard makes a few mistakes but generally did well - we needed energy in the midfield after with 2 games in 3 days.
Kermorgant battled away as usual, defence generally very solid as they often have been. Solly again showing more confidence and ability on the ball than he did earlier in the season, not that he was ever poor, but its showing the difference regular football is making.
" I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never going to keep me down"
Song by Chumbawamba is so apt for Yann. He is such an amazing battler.
Nearly there.
(Good to meet Rob for a drink after the game. Last met 46 years ago while in the same class at school).
Plenty of time to consider how to strengthen the squad for next year but I would be happy to see our current back 5 start in August.
Just seen another thread saying JJ should be dropped...how mad is that?
Didn't think Solly's challenge was worse than a booking, not least because Ledesma had been cheating all game, but with a ref who can watch Pritchard get fouled and wave play on with Walsall in possession who knows what colour card would come out of his pocket.
God I hope the officials are better in the Championship, because I think that's 5 games on the spin we've had utter dross.
A win and a clean sheet again and 91 lovely juicy points. last goal conceded was a Jordan Rhodes penalty.
It was a highly enjoyable game, and to their immense credit Walsall made a proper match of it. I was impressed with their 25, their winger with the orange boots, and their 6, Smith, who looked really good...a centre back with the mobility of Rufus and might be one worth making an offer for.
But I was more impressed by our team and the result.
Danny N'G set the tone in the first few seconds with his shot, we stormed away, but Walsall played their way back into the match with a good spell, then we would have a good spell and the game more or less fitted that pattern from then on. Our goal was an excellent JJ FK which Danny powered in in an impossibly crowded situation, and from then there were similarities with the Orient game, but without the second goal.
I thought the players were tired no matter how much they played through their tiredness, the defense...well Morro especially looked jaded. Centre midfield battled away but missed Hollands, BWP was kept quiet...and it is a miracle how Yann lasted the 90, but he did, he is a wonderful footballer. We certainly felt the benefit of Jacko being back, he had an excellent game and would have walked my personal MOM but for Chris Solly. I've run out of superlatives for Solly but he was simply brilliant today, at one time it seemed as if it was Walsall verses Solly, he even took a yellow card for the team, and in a season of great displays by him, this was in my mind one of his very best...especially as Walsall were no mugs and seemed to try to target him, but he was up to everything they could throw at him, and he also had time to support our attacks on many occasions.
If you're reading this Chris Solly take a bow, you are a real footballer and I am proud you play for us.
Today the result was everything...two points a game gives you 92 in a season...always enough, we have 91 and I know it's not yet mathematical but we're in with a chance of promotion :-)
Chris Powell, all of his staff, and the players have given to us in spades this season....more than some of the pampered premiership lot did in the past. What a great season, what a great great great season.
I am worried about central midfield though, Stephens was well off the pace, on more than one occasion we lost the ball because by being too slow he turned 50 50 challenges until easy interceptions for walsall. His tackling was a liability as well, by trying to make up for his own errors he gave away several needless free ticks.
I was impressed with Pritchard in the 2nd half, he tried a few too many Hollywood passes in the first half, but was really good in the second, providing some much needed energy.
My only concern about today was central midfield. Stephens just didn't seem to be awake and Pritchard tried but was brushed aside far too easily for my liking. He looked out of his depth. We desperately need another Mark Kinsella for next season.
Due to the 9 v 10 only 2 days ago its little wonder the team died in the second half and so they should be forgiven a few mis-placed passes - although I do feel we try to over play it sometimes & wished the forwards (Kermy in particular) would go on their own a bit more & shoot. A few times they found themselves 30 yards out with time & space & yet they decided to pass out wide instead of taking it a pace & hitting it !!
anyway - its 3 more points & so off we go to Carlisle next Saturday hoping that things go our way and 3 years of hurt can be over !!
Arise Sir Chris Powel.
Payers are tired and so are we as fans but this is my view of weak links and areas of improvement.
Our midfield needs strengthening big time, Russell and Stevens not quite Champ class, only Jacko is Champ class. Hamer I like but makes me nervous at crosses, he needs to mature quickly and focus more. N'Gessun and BWP and Kerm are Champ class, Morry and Solly Champ class for sure. Waggiy and Green def good enough and can improve. Pritchard is a work in progress. Missed anyone, many, but thats it for now. Dinner is on the table.