A close but deserved win over a very decent Walsall side, who belied their league position. The right winger, Nicholls, gave Wiggy a bit of a chasing early on but we eventually got to grips with him and, despite working some decent positions, Walsall never really got behind us.Ultimately, what did Hamer really have to do ?
A series of very good blocks and headers from Cort, which was just as well, as I felt that Morrison struggled today. Solly was immense as usual - his foul for the booking was not only essential but magnificently executed, to the point where he downed two of their players. This young man is going to reach the top.
Pritchard had a pretty good game - making up for a few poor passes with excellent energy levels - and I thought that Stephens was ok until he ran out of steam in the last 15 or 20 minutes. Very good performance and physical presence from Dany N'G.
91 points on the board is fantastic. Only 4 required for promotion and we may now have a decent shout at reaching 100 ( especially as Preston are looking safe now ). That would be the icing on a magnificent season....
Nearly there. If not next week, then the week later will see it.
Nerves were there today but Hamer did not have a save to make so was not all bad. N'Glasson has proven to be a great buy. Dissapointed with Stephens today but more than pleased with the rest.
I thought the first half performance was pretty decent. Created some good chances and played some nice stuff. The return of Jackson settled us; he played well first 45 then ran out of puff. Solly and Wiggins played well, as did Cort, but the on pitch relationship betwenn Morro and Hamer worries me a little. Seems a little lack of faith between them at times. N'Guessan did well but can't see us keeping him next season. Pritchard appears a little lightweight at times and can make some basic errors, but his commitment is second to none. Stephens concerns me. I think he is our most 'gifted' footballer but he made some bad calls today and put us in a few problems. Maybe the Championship will allow him more time, as when he is given it he is quality. Yann, while not as effective in the air today was a real presence, and as is usual of late, had clearly been targeted for some close attention. And again, was offered little protection by the ref. BWP did not have his best game. Powell was getting quite frustrated with him. Liked the moment after the game when Powell stood on the pitch alone. Clearly having some time to himself, kept looking up at the Heavens and shaking his head. Looked as knackerd as the players.There is a man who deserves a nice post season holiday.
Players looked tired, which made the win against a tough side still scrapping for points even better. It was a bit of an edgy performance in the second half, but i thought if we didn't score in the first half we would have in the second. We seem to sit back on leads, which is fine if you can hold onto them like we have done.... most the time.
Solly was brilliant, as was all the back four.
Stephens just seemed to get swept along with the game alot of the time.
Was very happy with Pritchard, got in and amongst them and forced them to play the ball back from short corners/throw ons near our box.
Carlisle is a massive game, i would love a point there but they will be feeling the heat for the play offs.
Thought we sagged after half time, but that was saturdays exertions catching up with us, not to mention being up against a decent footballing side having a go for a change. Also Kermy (the French Steve Brown?) was on one leg by then. But....on reflection very few clear chances for them, it was the same story as a lot of the season, resolute committed defending getting us over the line when other parts of the team don't quite pull it off.
Right, posting having not read any of the previous posts. Anyway. It was tense, it was nervy, it was real nail-biting stuff at times for no reason other than that we had just one goal in the bank, but most vitally, IT WAS A WIN. The points are all that really matter at this stage of the season.
As for the performance - we obviously were below par. Bar an excellent start, we looked a little lethargic and sloppy. This is no surprise given it was our second game in three days. However Stephens in particular looked off the boil and was not earning the "PassMaster" tag I had bestowed on him after the 70-yard chip to BWP against Bournemouth first day of the season. Pritchard looked game, with plenty of harrying, but a little lightweight - some weights training could do him good. Also surprisingly a little shaky was Michael Morrison who left an innocuous long ball for Cort to deal with at one point in the second half; miscommunication which is very VERY rarely a flaw of his - one time also when Hamer claimed a cross, he went up to head it anyway, Hamer spilt it and we just about cleared. That being said he and Cort put in some fantastic challenges and blocks, as did Solly and Wiggins. Solly, as ever, was fantastic - he has such a good turn of pace (low centre of gravity) and just is arch. Wiggins has fantastic acceleration over about 10 yards that gets him ahead of full-backs to whip in fantastic crosses. Jackson in front of him was classy and reassuring - we needed him back. One moment where he played a little ball over the top to Wiggins in the second half sticks out; so do the snapshot and slalom in the first half. N'Guessan on the other flank was very quick, very strong and not very aware of what was around him at times; he grabbed the goal though and looked lively; can't really fault him. BWP worked so hard. His efforts deserve a goal. Yann - warrior. Took a LOT of punishment(kinky) but matched them. Clearly his jumping was affected after a few injuries but his ground hold-up play was superb. Can't really say much about the subs; Haynes was quick and got us over the line with keeping the ball in their half; Taylor wasn't on for long enough; Cook made no real impact.
Walsall were a battling, fighting team who played some quick-tempo, incisive football. Manny Smith looked very good - please can we bring him in to play alongside Morrison - and their winger Nicholls was rapid. We did well to shut up shop especially with left-foot Ledesma waiting to add to his tally of 4 in his last 5 or something like that, and the wily Jon Macken up front alongside him.
Anyone else embarrassed with the ease that Solly manages to turn players inside out and come away with the ball. The little fella really is a class above.
Every time he does it I can't help but laugh to myself.
special mention to danny n'guessan who performed much better than i had ever hoped for rather than a soooped up kakpo he was more like an on fire emile heskey with goals
fairplay to the lad certainly proved my considerable doubts about him wrong today
Overall, can't complain. 3 points. I always said that come the end of season "promotion party", results like this won't be remembered, it's the points that matter.
Didn't think we looked that great, but then again we haven't looked outsanding in most of our games this season IMO, we have just grinded results out and added the bit of quality when needed.
One worry I had was that Stepehens and Pritchard looked shocking in the second half and SCP didn't seem keen on changing it. I can't understand what Andy Hughes has to do to get on that pitch! Last time I remember him playing was when he came on at half time and steadied the ship against Hudders at home. Today was crying out for him last 20 minutes, to calm the nerves and add that bit of experience to the middle of the park. I thought that Stephens was running about like a fairy didn't win any 50/50s, kept giving away clumsy fouls and passes - but we all know every now and then he can add that bit of class. Pritchard hasn't got much quality on the ball but fair play to the lad, he doesn't stop trying.
We came out of the blocks really fast and for the first 15 minutes looked quite unstoppable. We were actually quite decent for most of the first half, challenging for the ball, passing and moving at pace and putting lots of low crosses into the box. However we couldn't keep the early tempo going.
The second half was a different story. Midfield were too slow to challenge, we sat too deep (at least for my personal comfort) and we didn't look so good attacking. That said, the defence were solid as a rock.
Nervy, but thoroughly enjoyable match.
And now you're gonna believe us, and now you're gonna believe us...
Started out like a lion, finished like a lamb but scored once so all is good : - )
The team got sloppy later on which may have been tiredness or just the pressure Warsaw put us under. Hamer never really had a save to make although there were a few mix ups with the defence that could have let them in. Stephens was particularly poor 2nd half, Kermongant immense and Solly showed why he is walking the POTY vote. N'Gussen with yet another goal. A Jim Melrosesqe signing from CP.
But at this stage a win is a win. 3 points and just 4 to play. Two wins will take out up and out of the bloody division.
Nice to meet Adrian and Rob in the Lib. All the way from France and the US of A to sample SE7's premier drinking establishment.
Nice to meet you Henry, Adrian, MOG, AFKABartram and WSS I think it was. Didn't rate the Spitfire though. :-)
Also DelRoofer and missus after the game in the Greenwich suite.
Solly, showed why he will win player of the year. - just ahead of: YANN KERMOGANT= LOVE this bloke. NEVER stops, some of his layoffs were exquisite, keeps going even when injured and taken a battering... CAFC LEGEND STATUS ALREADY!
Also think that N'Guessan gives more options and variety than Green, and possibly Wagstaff. Didn't think Stevens played bad at all; from sounds in the stands, a new scapegoat for some. He did try and get stuck in, can't ask more than that. Pritchard excellent 2nd half. Morrison, the odd header and pass left us in potential trouble yet again, otherwise solid. Hamer, some dodgy kicking, but some great saves. Jacko: defo unfit, but his first half contributions very much appreciated.
This was all about the 3 points and with an under strength midfield we achieved that though, in typical Charlton fashion, we made harder work of it than we might have done. My old favourite I know but why do we get suckered into head tennis when we invariably come off second best?
A good team performance and difficult, perhaps unfair, to single out individuals. Jacko forced a decent save from the Walsall keeper but, understandably after his injury, seemed to flag in the second half. Yann was great with his flicks and impressed my daughter who hasn't seen much of us having been away at uni. For me Chris Solly probably shaded man of the match and, although the ref was booed off, he did us a massive favour only giving him a yellow for that challenge when Kettle et al would have brandished a straight red.
Definitely about the result rather than performance - Walsall deserved something. Thought SCP's subs were a bit odd. Would have liked to have seen Hughes brought on for BWP to stiffen central midfield after about 70 mins, as Stephens was all over the shop and Walsall knew it. Thankfully Pritchard recovered after a worrying start. Solly, N'Guessan and Cort all did well today I thought. Finally, probably not a popular view but I thought the ref was pretty good for the most part, apart from the Pritchard nonsense at the end.
I would like to pay tribute to those addicts fans who have supported our team at away games, they have been great , and must have helped the team feel that this club is worth playing for.Iam unable to get to these games but can assure you that listening to the commentaries online is the most nerve racking 90mins especially as I can't swear at the Terrible refs we have had this season.Where do they get them from, and I thought they were supposed to be neutral. I hope we will have money to spend next season it won't be easy to establish us in the CHAMPIONSHIP.
All those very late nights or early mornings have been wonderful...thank you Charlton...lets just get the job done and finished now then we can all relax and look forward to doing the same again next season.....proud of all the boys, but have to specially mention Sdog...immense!
Anyone else agree that SCP bringing in Cort over the last few games has strengthened the back four? the guys is an absolute rock, 4 clean sheets in 5 games at this time of the season is superb, well done the back 5. NG loan was inspired i love they way after bringing in Clarke SCP wasnt scared to admit it was a mistake and got rid sharpish. SCP we salute you Sir!!. After the carnage we have seen over the last 3-5 seasons if feels good to be sooooo close that we can taste the title, keep it going lads just 4 more games. COYR
Comments
A series of very good blocks and headers from Cort, which was just as well, as I felt that Morrison struggled today. Solly was immense as usual - his foul for the booking was not only essential but magnificently executed, to the point where he downed two of their players. This young man is going to reach the top.
Pritchard had a pretty good game - making up for a few poor passes with excellent energy levels - and I thought that Stephens was ok until he ran out of steam in the last 15 or 20 minutes. Very good performance and physical presence from Dany N'G.
91 points on the board is fantastic. Only 4 required for promotion and we may now have a decent shout at reaching 100
( especially as Preston are looking safe now ). That would be the icing on a magnificent season....
Nearly there. If not next week, then the week later will see it.
Nerves were there today but Hamer did not have a save to make so was not all bad. N'Glasson has proven to be a great buy. Dissapointed with Stephens today but more than pleased with the rest.
N'Guessan did well but can't see us keeping him next season. Pritchard appears a little lightweight at times and can make some basic errors, but his commitment is second to none. Stephens concerns me. I think he is our most 'gifted' footballer but he made some bad calls today and put us in a few problems. Maybe the Championship will allow him more time, as when he is given it he is quality.
Yann, while not as effective in the air today was a real presence, and as is usual of late, had clearly been targeted for some close attention. And again, was offered little protection by the ref. BWP did not have his best game. Powell was getting quite frustrated with him.
Liked the moment after the game when Powell stood on the pitch alone. Clearly having some time to himself, kept looking up at the Heavens and shaking his head. Looked as knackerd as the players.There is a man who deserves a nice post season holiday.
Solly was brilliant, as was all the back four.
Stephens just seemed to get swept along with the game alot of the time.
Was very happy with Pritchard, got in and amongst them and forced them to play the ball back from short corners/throw ons near our box.
Carlisle is a massive game, i would love a point there but they will be feeling the heat for the play offs.
As for the performance - we obviously were below par. Bar an excellent start, we looked a little lethargic and sloppy. This is no surprise given it was our second game in three days. However Stephens in particular looked off the boil and was not earning the "PassMaster" tag I had bestowed on him after the 70-yard chip to BWP against Bournemouth first day of the season. Pritchard looked game, with plenty of harrying, but a little lightweight - some weights training could do him good. Also surprisingly a little shaky was Michael Morrison who left an innocuous long ball for Cort to deal with at one point in the second half; miscommunication which is very VERY rarely a flaw of his - one time also when Hamer claimed a cross, he went up to head it anyway, Hamer spilt it and we just about cleared. That being said he and Cort put in some fantastic challenges and blocks, as did Solly and Wiggins. Solly, as ever, was fantastic - he has such a good turn of pace (low centre of gravity) and just is arch. Wiggins has fantastic acceleration over about 10 yards that gets him ahead of full-backs to whip in fantastic crosses. Jackson in front of him was classy and reassuring - we needed him back. One moment where he played a little ball over the top to Wiggins in the second half sticks out; so do the snapshot and slalom in the first half. N'Guessan on the other flank was very quick, very strong and not very aware of what was around him at times; he grabbed the goal though and looked lively; can't really fault him. BWP worked so hard. His efforts deserve a goal. Yann - warrior. Took a LOT of punishment(kinky) but matched them. Clearly his jumping was affected after a few injuries but his ground hold-up play was superb. Can't really say much about the subs; Haynes was quick and got us over the line with keeping the ball in their half; Taylor wasn't on for long enough; Cook made no real impact.
Walsall were a battling, fighting team who played some quick-tempo, incisive football. Manny Smith looked very good - please can we bring him in to play alongside Morrison - and their winger Nicholls was rapid. We did well to shut up shop especially with left-foot Ledesma waiting to add to his tally of 4 in his last 5 or something like that, and the wily Jon Macken up front alongside him.
Pleased.
Every little bit helps the cause to get a cross the line.
Every time he does it I can't help but laugh to myself.
we're nearly there
80% champions 18% runnners up 2% lloyd sam dumps us out of the play offs
fairplay to the lad certainly proved my considerable doubts about him wrong today
still dont want him next season tho !
Didn't think we looked that great, but then again we haven't looked outsanding in most of our games this season IMO, we have just grinded results out and added the bit of quality when needed.
One worry I had was that Stepehens and Pritchard looked shocking in the second half and SCP didn't seem keen on changing it. I can't understand what Andy Hughes has to do to get on that pitch! Last time I remember him playing was when he came on at half time and steadied the ship against Hudders at home. Today was crying out for him last 20 minutes, to calm the nerves and add that bit of experience to the middle of the park. I thought that Stephens was running about like a fairy didn't win any 50/50s, kept giving away clumsy fouls and passes - but we all know every now and then he can add that bit of class. Pritchard hasn't got much quality on the ball but fair play to the lad, he doesn't stop trying.
5 MORE POINTS PLEASE
We came out of the blocks really fast and for the first 15 minutes looked quite unstoppable. We were actually quite decent for most of the first half, challenging for the ball, passing and moving at pace and putting lots of low crosses into the box. However we couldn't keep the early tempo going.
The second half was a different story. Midfield were too slow to challenge, we sat too deep (at least for my personal comfort) and we didn't look so good attacking. That said, the defence were solid as a rock.
Nervy, but thoroughly enjoyable match.
And now you're gonna believe us, and now you're gonna believe us...
Also DelRoofer and missus after the game in the Greenwich suite.
Cheers chaps.
Also think that N'Guessan gives more options and variety than Green, and possibly Wagstaff. Didn't think Stevens played bad at all; from sounds in the stands, a new scapegoat for some. He did try and get stuck in, can't ask more than that. Pritchard excellent 2nd half. Morrison, the odd header and pass left us in potential trouble yet again, otherwise solid. Hamer, some dodgy kicking, but some great saves. Jacko: defo unfit, but his first half contributions very much appreciated.
THE REDS ARE GOING UP!!!
This was all about the 3 points and with an under strength midfield we achieved that though, in typical Charlton fashion, we made harder work of it than we might have done. My old favourite I know but why do we get suckered into head tennis when we invariably come off second best?
A good team performance and difficult, perhaps unfair, to single out individuals. Jacko forced a decent save from the Walsall keeper but, understandably after his injury, seemed to flag in the second half. Yann was great with his flicks and impressed my daughter who hasn't seen much of us having been away at uni. For me Chris Solly probably shaded man of the match and, although the ref was booed off, he did us a massive favour only giving him a yellow for that challenge when Kettle et al would have brandished a straight red.
Almost there! ONE AIM COYR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephens even when playing with Hollands has been poor leaves to big a gap and doesn't track his man at all
Didn't win one tackle yesterday
That said I don't care if we can win games when we have 5 or 6 players playing at a 5 out of 10
Then I don't care 1 jot come the 90 mins ,
I hope we will have money to spend next season it won't be easy to establish us in the CHAMPIONSHIP.
NG loan was inspired i love they way after bringing in Clarke SCP wasnt scared to admit it was a mistake and got rid sharpish. SCP we salute you Sir!!.
After the carnage we have seen over the last 3-5 seasons if feels good to be sooooo close that we can taste the title, keep it going lads just 4 more games. COYR