From the handfull of games I have been to this season, listening to commentary and reading other fans comments who attend regularly it would appear that we are essentially a long ball outfit this season (as we were towards the back end of last season). I wonder who dictates this style of play?
When CP first joined the club he made it clear he wanted players who could play the game his way. Is his preferred approach the long ball game that the team appear to play the majority of the time or does he have a vision of playing fluid, effective passing football? If it is the latter then why does the team appear to start the first 10 - 15 mins of games playing this style of football, putting teams on the back foot only to revert to the long ball option up to Kermogant/Hulse which is so ineffective? Are the players simply carrying out CP and his coaches instructions, are they not confident in their own ability (with the long ball being the easy option) or just not good enough at this level? If they cannot implement the coaching staffs instructions on the pitch then this needs to be addressed by the gaffer.
I stated on a another thread that I think Kermogant is not good enough at Championship level but thinking about it further I think I may be doing him an injustice. The guy clearly has great ability (as we saw on numerous occassions last year) and an intelligent footballing head on his shoulders but I think his game is restricted by the long ball game we play so often. We also have Stephens who is comfortable on the ball and when he is on top of his game would clearly be an asset if we were looking to knock the ball around and build from the back. The style of football we play is not getting the best of our players it would seem.
Would be interested to hear the thoughts of others on this subject.
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A big part of our play last season was Wiggins attacking play and pace down the left. Evina was the natural replacement but he got injured and we've had to play a RB and CB on that side.
With a new CM (or Frimpong staying and stepping up) LM and striker and a more settled side we should do well this season. Improve the midfield and they'll start more attacks and we'll play decent football.
Charlton play a solid shape and hope to catch teams out when they commit forward.
They don't create much space through midfield movement both on and off the ball. I believe this is a deliberately cautious tactic by CP. Avoid relegation and it is a valid tactic.
We are up against far superior teams in terms of ability and organisation this season, who are not allowing us the time and space to knock the ball about at will. If defenders and midfielders continually see a lack of options, then they will play a longer ball...especially at home where the pressure to score is greater.
We have also gone behind in games quite a bit, which means the opposition tend to drop back and deny space around the penalty area. Again, this shuts down the options and with time running out, the ball is played directly towards the danger zone. We don't have a Leaburn anymore, who was an expert at knocking the ball down, thus keeping it alive around the penalty area...plus the defenders tend to be of a higher standard so our big men don't win as much in the air around the box as last season. .
Ultimately, it's down to having good enough players to play a pass and move game. I'll use Chris Solly as an example; he is Charlton's best player but one of the weaker parts of his game is his passing. Quite often he'll be the one who will be playing the longer type of ball to the forwards (partly because the options aren't really there and partly because it's what he feels comfortable doing). But with better players around him, that part of his game would go un-noticed because he'd have more options. I suspect that one of the reasons Dervite was preferred to Cort was that Powell feels he's a better man for starting moves from the back and it showed me that we were TRYING to change our style of play. Ultimately we missed Cort for his defensive abilities and organisational skills.
There is also a lack of pace a lack and running ability in the midfield. Jensen didn't have pace but think of how he used to open the pitch up by his running with the ball. This is possibly where Kerkar or Green could be employed to good effect, in the way that Mortimer (a very left footed player) looked better when he played centre-mid (you'd have to play 4-5-1 though because either Green or Kerkar would be exposed in the centre of a 4 man midfield because neither can tackle or head).
So...if I had everyone available and we'd decided to go the footballing route, I'd try; Hamer - Solly Morrison Cort Wiggins - Wilson Stephens Green Jackson Kerkar - Fuller (with big roles to play also from Hulse, Pritchard, Kermogant, BWP).
Leeeeaburn, very funny, terrible but still a Charlton legend for me, just for reaction at Chelsea away, you'll know what I mean if you were there.
We are a solid hardworking side who will take points consistently through the season without ever really impressing and going on a run. As Scoham says this is pretty much how Curbs set us up in the Premier league when competing against teams with better resources and unless the money is there to significantly strengthen then a mid table finish with this style of play would be a good season in my eyes.
Were up against better players. At least we are keeping games tight.
Every game I've seen this season has been dire, but we got a few results & are are well above the relegation places (so far). When we have Barcelona type players, I expect us to play like Barcelona, until then .. never mind the quality, take what we can get
Tactics - They should change with the opposition and whether the match is at home or away. CP has had his moments when he has picked the wrong system - the Diamond at Forest stands out - but he has got it right on most occasions. Brighton at home is the best example. All managers are vulnerable to players under performing. He will know who he can rely on and who has not been capable of doing the job. But overall, CP has adapted his tactics well - like all managers, he needs better quality in the squad if we are going to push on, particularly in central midfield where most games are won and lost.
Is this by design because that's the way he wants to play or did he expect money in the summer to bring in more creative but expensive players?
If money's there we'll improve in time but for now with the likes of morro jj Kerms and Solly pulling on the shirt I don't worry about relegation