I'm unsure I can put into words the disdain I have now for Watford, Zola and the officials tonight. I thought Hollands did his role well, green was good but not as good as Saturday, kerkars crossing was not fantastic but at least he was in the positions to put the ball in. Fuller is fast becoming my favourite charlton player. He's like Simon jones in the 2005 ashes series, toss him the ball and something happens.
1 point from two home games against average opposition is working though even if the results don't reflect the performances.
And as for the amount of foul throws that went unpunished. I despair.
problem I'm finding with the majority of the players is that i cant have a go at them like the players we had back when pardew and dowie was about. the players we got now are in the most part trying their best, shame it aint good enough in this league. lack of pace and especially on the wing. fuck doing the diagonal deep crossing, get down the wing and get behind them. makes it harder for the defence and the goalie and makes it easier for the forwards. powell needs to make changes in the game and before it. BWP is a player who has always divided opinion, but for me he is too weak for this league. he needed 5 or 6 chances in league 1 to score, luckily the rest of the team were able to provide those chances, in the championship you don't get so many. kerkar has this annoying habit of showing to much of the ball. he also has this thing where he beats a player and then goes back and tries to beat him again. fuller looked good, glad his drink driving ban hasn't stopped him. their freekick goal was one which could of been avoided. firstly what was cort doing man handing the guy. second - hamers position seemed all wrong. third - the wall didn't seem to jump. I knew where the kicker was going to shoot, if it was a spot the ball comp i would of won it. seemed obvious. wilson, though not great was our only attacking threat in the second half due to our top heavy approach and dynamic duo in the midfield never wanting to get involved. poor performance, can we do better? maybe but not by much. unless they perform above their standards. either that or I've got soft and they are just not pulling their weight.
Not there, sitting in rainy Phuket, but hard to judge what went on from these comments.
We were crap, we played well, we were unlucky, we didn't deserve anything, we are definitely going down, we'll be fine in this division. Lawrie Wilson was our man of the match, Wilson was awful, BWP worked hard and was unlucky, BWP should be dropped, Hollands wasn't in the game (er, everyone seems to agree on that one), defence needs improving, defence looked solid.
It is all there in this thread.
Who do I believe? Golfie? Always too negative. AFKA? Perhaps a bit too positive. Think I'll choose ValleyGary whose short report seems to strike a good balance.
Don't listen to the extreme views, we played 'ok' but aren't getting the breaks or going that extra mile at the mo. For Watford it was a daylight robbery, nicking a set piece winner with their only chance in the 2nd half. But that's football, and we've all been there.
Defensively, we were sound. Solly on the left, despite doing nothing wrong, is still a big square peg round hole, and the balance just isn't quite right.
Keep attacking strength on Saturday was the amount of ball our two wide players had, and their impact on the game. Neither did it tonight, and Green in particular was a big step back from his performance on Saturday. Whether Watford did a specific mark on him, i didn't follow close enough.
We justdidn't create enough quality going forward. The one time we did, and a beautiful ball from Stephens, Fuller put away well. But over the 90, we just didn't force the issue enough.
I'm not panicking. We are a bottom half / potential mid table team. A bit of luck and this would have been 6 points out of two games and everyone would be raving. Small margins make the difference in football. I'm more annoyed at drawing on Saturday and not taking advantage of a Blackburn team clearly going through the motions, than losing tonight to a team who down to ten men were set up not to lose and nicked it off a set piece.
Wasn't there and wasn't even able to listen to the commentary tonight, but this assessment has a balanced ring of truth about it, I hope it is accurate. We do seem to be 'in' all our games and that suggests we're not far off where we need to be, but I've also heard that said about lots of teams that never find the magic balance and end up getting relegated.
I'd be interested to know if the switch to a 4 man midfield had anything to do with Green and Kerkar seeing less of the ball? If a 5 man midfield means we keep the ball better then I'd personally sacrifice BWP and play Fuller up top on his own as we're just not creating enough for BWP to get amoungst the goals and, whilst I don't subscribe to the BWP is lazy theory, it is true he doesn't contribute a great deal when he's not scoring.
Kerkar, Stephens and Green are all a bit inconsistent and Hollands seems to be close to the ceiling of his potential. Even bringing in Razak I'm not sure we are quite strong enough to be playing with a midfield 4 at this level right now and should focus on grinding out a few ugly wins by setting up to be very tough to beat, even at home. We have a solid back four as long as their not given too much to do and offered sufficient protection from midfield. That protection includes retaining the ball, something we seemed to do much better on Saturday than in any other game and I don't think it's a coincidence all 5 midfielders had probably their best game when they were deployed as a 5. If we're keeping the ball we're much more likely to keep it tight at the back and that takes the pressure of the strikers. We've scored in nearly every game so there are one nils there for us to win.
I see the ref gave Almunia his token booking just after I left. Why can't they book keepers for time wasting in the 80th minute, then they might stop doing it? Typical of referees, they'd rather leave it till there's no time left so they aren't forced to make a decision.
It was annoying having the Watford fans going on about only having 10 men. We only had 7, and you didn't hear us going on about it. The decision to not have a midfield at all again backfired once more. I'd pick Wagstaff, Pritchard, Razak & Cook v Blackpool for our next defeat.
Wow do all the moaners on Here actually go to games? most of u have thrown in the towel already 9 games into our 46 game season!!! Tragic, absolutely tragic. i don't think charlton r championship wise yet, this league is 20 times more better than league one, i agree our ball in the final third needs a lot of work but plz tell me what game this season have we been taught a lesson and been spanked? every game has been extremely close, this season is an experience for all the players bar a few, we will learn and i can see us very soon becoming championship wise!!! COYR
Wow do all the moaners on Here actually go to games? most of u have thrown in the towel already 9 games into our 46 game season!!! Tragic, absolutely tragic. i don't think charlton r championship wise yet, this league is 20 times more better than league one, i agree our ball in the final third needs a lot of work but plz tell me what game this season have we been taught a lesson and been spanked? every game has been extremely close, this season is an experience for all the players bar a few, we will learn and i can see us very soon becoming championship wise!!! COYR
My worry is that we are churning out the same poor performances. We concede the same goal time and time again because we can't defend corners. We couldn't dominate a midfield last year v Bury or Rochdale, so it's no surprise our midfield are hopeless now. And we play long balls in the air when we have a team that often comes up shorter than most.
Last night we were poor despite all the possession and pressure we didn't really trouble Almunia that much. We too often resort to the ball thrown into the penalty area where in the case of last night Watford were able to defend it reasonably easy. Midfield was a worry I like Danny Hollands but last night he was just ineffective, Stephens gave the ball away too much and both Kerkar and Green were not able to impose themselves. We need to be able to mix it, sometimes play down the middle a bit to release Fuller and BWP, by the way Fuller was the one bright spot in the team.
Defensively we look a bit fragile as well easily unlocked. Despite what anyone says I thought in the first half Watford looked more dangerous and they are not one of the better teams in the division! A long way to go but you can't argue with the start it has been poor and after 5 home games 1W, 2D and 2L this is form that will ensure we have problems come the end of the season.
We need to be more patient in our build up play and stick to the style that got us promoted into this division. There was too much long ball last night, even before Watfords second, and if we are going to play that way why take Green off?
4-4-3 at the end was never going to work, espeicially with three out and out centre forwards up top. If you're going to play that game you need some pace and someone to get behind the backline. That game tonight and the Blackburn match was screaming out for Wagstaff.
Hollands has been too inconsistent at this level and I think Razak has to be worth a go in the middle alongside Stephens.
We're missing Wiggins up the left without a doubt and how anyone can question Jackson is beyond me. Anyone watching that last night should be able to see how much we miss him.
Powell leaves his substiutions too late as well. Watford are a bunch of cheats and although Mike Dean sent one off, he could have been tougher on their players.
I'll give you the one paced and predictable bit, fair comment.
The rest is a bit dramatised for me though (at this stage).
In the back to back Sheffield games last season we played two even contests (probably on the backfoot in the United one), yet come away with 6 points from two free kicks. That's where i talk about small margins and a bit of luck influencing results.
I certainly agree that football is often about small margins but I think your example of last seasons Sheffield games is like comparing apples to pears. Last year we were far and away the best team in the league and rarely if ever were over run. Under those circumstances we were often able to claim the points because overall were were simply better. This season that will rarely be the case. We have to earn and graft for every point against at best equals. Our form is at present relegation I doubt relying on Lady Luck or a change in small margins working for us will alter that. I would dramatically suggest that of our first team squad that Wilson, Kerkar, Pritchard, Hollands, Evina, Taylor, Green, Wagstaff and I still think possibly Jackson are not Championship standard. There for me is the scary part. I remain convinced we are deep in the clatty.
Everyone knew where the free kick was going so why have the second smallest Charlton player at the end of the wall? It simply invites what occurred. Either have a man on the post (yes it plays everyone onside but how many times does a player score when there are 20 players in front of him?) or place Cort either on the end or one in from the end. If a player can still get the ball up and down then good luck to him.
CP has always had a problem with using his subs. Last night they scored in the 70th minute but he waited a further 7 minutes before introducing Hulse and Pritchard, giving neither enough time to affect the game. Why he didn't move to 3-4-3 immediately after half time when it was clear Watford were only playing Deeney up front is a puzzle. It would have put them on the back foot much earlier.
Still no better this morning and as Chrissys Army said, its worse than the Palace defeat - at least they were the better team.
Thought Powell needed to makes subs earlier (this needed to be done), thought Wilson looked a lot better and Hollands was poor. Kerkar good in first half, poor in second.
Getting a bit fed up with 'we were unlucky/ref was shite' comments (even from my mates). You get what you deserve.
Saying that thought most of the players had above average games, it's the use of them I'm concerned about.
He picked up a back pass that lead to a freekick; now utter bellends seem to be sending him messages like that.. And worse.
But this wasn't the free kick that led to the goal. That was because Cort committed a foul! Not only are they wrong to send these messages but it's even worse when they get the bloody facts wrong as well!
Just got into work and still proper peed off. We could have been playing all night and the ball wouldn't have dropped to a red shirt in the 6 yard box.
Watford were diving, timewasting cheating scrotes.
I don't think we played too badly and I just don't believe the stat on the BBC site that says we had 51% possession- must have been much more than that.
I think we often tried to over-complicate things when in the final third and should have been putting more balls with pace in as opposed to lofted crosses that are too easy to defend.
Kerkar defines hit and miss- clearly has good feet but so often makes totally daft decisions. He actually reminded me a bit of Lloyd Sam last night.
I always felt Hollands wouldn't be cutting it at this level- even last year I felt he was just very mediocre and doesn't have a stand out feature of his game; he isn't a good holding midfielder nor a powerful enough attacking midfielder and just sits very averagely between those two extremes.
Watford were an utter disgrace and Almunia's timewasting was as bad as I think I have ever seen.
The ref had a funny game; in the first half hour he seemed to be in control and I was actually quite impressed (for once). He then made a couple of iffy decisions, lost the crowd and subsequently totally lost the plot. How that man can be considered one of the country's top refs showing that lack of bottle is beyond me.
Watford fan in peace. The sending off aside, imo you lost last night purely and simply because you played route 1 league 1 hoofball, even when we were down to 10 men, and that doesn't take advantage of having the extra man. Your midfielders could have gone off for a cup of tea and not been missed. And what is Powell doing playing 4 across the back when we only had Deeney up front? Sorry but Powell lost you the game, strange as a few comments here rip into Zola's tactical ability, I'd say Zola was the one manager who got his tactics spot on. Got to laugh describing us as average. Okay then if thats what you want to believe have it your way, we were given about £12M in footballers over the summer. Our lwb is a full international, so is our rwb, and our central playmaker, the dfmid loaned from Chelsea is England's hotest young prospect in years.... I could go on but I'm sure you get the point. I'm actually disappointed in how you play now as I always cheered for you guys in the premiership, you knew how to pass a ball around and play good attractive expansive football in those days. Ciao.
Watford fan in peace. The sending off aside, imo you lost last night purely and simply because you played route 1 league 1 hoofball, even when we were down to 10 men, and that doesn't take advantage of having the extra man. Your midfielders could have gone off for a cup of tea and not been missed. And what is Powell doing playing 4 across the back when we only had Deeney up front? Sorry but Powell lost you the game, strange as a few comments here rip into Zola's tactical ability, I'd say Zola was the one manager who got his tactics spot on. Got to laugh describing us as average. Okay then if thats what you want to believe have it your way, we were given about £12M in footballers over the summer. Our lwb is a full international, so is our rwb, and our central playmaker, the dfmid loaned from Chelsea is England's hotest young prospect in years.... I could go on but I'm sure you get the point. I'm actually disappointed in how you play now as I always cheered for you guys in the premiership, you knew how to pass a ball around and play good attractive expansive football in those days. Ciao.
your rwb is an international? who for, st kitts and nevis? he was terrible.
and all the muggy in peace crap yet you have a few digs. ciao.
Comments
Haha.
1 point from two home games against average opposition is working though even if the results don't reflect the performances.
And as for the amount of foul throws that went unpunished. I despair.
lack of pace and especially on the wing. fuck doing the diagonal deep crossing, get down the wing and get behind them. makes it harder for the defence and the goalie and makes it easier for the forwards.
powell needs to make changes in the game and before it. BWP is a player who has always divided opinion, but for me he is too weak for this league. he needed 5 or 6 chances in league 1 to score, luckily the rest of the team were able to provide those chances, in the championship you don't get so many.
kerkar has this annoying habit of showing to much of the ball. he also has this thing where he beats a player and then goes back and tries to beat him again.
fuller looked good, glad his drink driving ban hasn't stopped him.
their freekick goal was one which could of been avoided. firstly what was cort doing man handing the guy. second - hamers position seemed all wrong. third - the wall didn't seem to jump. I knew where the kicker was going to shoot, if it was a spot the ball comp i would of won it. seemed obvious.
wilson, though not great was our only attacking threat in the second half due to our top heavy approach and dynamic duo in the midfield never wanting to get involved.
poor performance, can we do better? maybe but not by much. unless they perform above their standards. either that or I've got soft and they are just not pulling their weight.
Please learn from this defeat.
oh, and watford are cheats.
We were crap, we played well, we were unlucky, we didn't deserve anything, we are definitely going down, we'll be fine in this division. Lawrie Wilson was our man of the match, Wilson was awful, BWP worked hard and was unlucky, BWP should be dropped, Hollands wasn't in the game (er, everyone seems to agree on that one), defence needs improving, defence looked solid.
It is all there in this thread.
Who do I believe? Golfie? Always too negative. AFKA? Perhaps a bit too positive. Think I'll choose ValleyGary whose short report seems to strike a good balance.
I'd be interested to know if the switch to a 4 man midfield had anything to do with Green and Kerkar seeing less of the ball? If a 5 man midfield means we keep the ball better then I'd personally sacrifice BWP and play Fuller up top on his own as we're just not creating enough for BWP to get amoungst the goals and, whilst I don't subscribe to the BWP is lazy theory, it is true he doesn't contribute a great deal when he's not scoring.
Kerkar, Stephens and Green are all a bit inconsistent and Hollands seems to be close to the ceiling of his potential. Even bringing in Razak I'm not sure we are quite strong enough to be playing with a midfield 4 at this level right now and should focus on grinding out a few ugly wins by setting up to be very tough to beat, even at home. We have a solid back four as long as their not given too much to do and offered sufficient protection from midfield. That protection includes retaining the ball, something we seemed to do much better on Saturday than in any other game and I don't think it's a coincidence all 5 midfielders had probably their best game when they were deployed as a 5. If we're keeping the ball we're much more likely to keep it tight at the back and that takes the pressure of the strikers. We've scored in nearly every game so there are one nils there for us to win.
It was annoying having the Watford fans going on about only having 10 men. We only had 7, and you didn't hear us going on about it. The decision to not have a midfield at all again backfired once more. I'd pick Wagstaff, Pritchard, Razak & Cook v Blackpool for our next defeat.
Defensively we look a bit fragile as well easily unlocked. Despite what anyone says I thought in the first half Watford looked more dangerous and they are not one of the better teams in the division! A long way to go but you can't argue with the start it has been poor and after 5 home games 1W, 2D and 2L this is form that will ensure we have problems come the end of the season.
4-4-3 at the end was never going to work, espeicially with three out and out centre forwards up top. If you're going to play that game you need some pace and someone to get behind the backline. That game tonight and the Blackburn match was screaming out for Wagstaff.
Hollands has been too inconsistent at this level and I think Razak has to be worth a go in the middle alongside Stephens.
We're missing Wiggins up the left without a doubt and how anyone can question Jackson is beyond me. Anyone watching that last night should be able to see how much we miss him.
Powell leaves his substiutions too late as well. Watford are a bunch of cheats and although Mike Dean sent one off, he could have been tougher on their players.
CP has always had a problem with using his subs. Last night they scored in the 70th minute but he waited a further 7 minutes before introducing Hulse and Pritchard, giving neither enough time to affect the game. Why he didn't move to 3-4-3 immediately after half time when it was clear Watford were only playing Deeney up front is a puzzle. It would have put them on the back foot much earlier.
Danielle Foster @ellefoster90
@BenHamer21 why the f**k did you pick the ball up for!
is all about ?
Thought Powell needed to makes subs earlier (this needed to be done), thought Wilson looked a lot better and Hollands was poor. Kerkar good in first half, poor in second.
Getting a bit fed up with 'we were unlucky/ref was shite' comments (even from my mates). You get what you deserve.
Saying that thought most of the players had above average games, it's the use of them I'm concerned about.
But this wasn't the free kick that led to the goal. That was because Cort committed a foul! Not only are they wrong to send these messages but it's even worse when they get the bloody facts wrong as well!
Watford were diving, timewasting cheating scrotes.
I think we often tried to over-complicate things when in the final third and should have been putting more balls with pace in as opposed to lofted crosses that are too easy to defend.
Kerkar defines hit and miss- clearly has good feet but so often makes totally daft decisions. He actually reminded me a bit of Lloyd Sam last night.
I always felt Hollands wouldn't be cutting it at this level- even last year I felt he was just very mediocre and doesn't have a stand out feature of his game; he isn't a good holding midfielder nor a powerful enough attacking midfielder and just sits very averagely between those two extremes.
Watford were an utter disgrace and Almunia's timewasting was as bad as I think I have ever seen.
The ref had a funny game; in the first half hour he seemed to be in control and I was actually quite impressed (for once). He then made a couple of iffy decisions, lost the crowd and subsequently totally lost the plot. How that man can be considered one of the country's top refs showing that lack of bottle is beyond me.
What squad doesn't have a spare left back ?
Substitutions too late.
and all the muggy in peace crap yet you have a few digs. ciao.