Every game that we are at home I am going to sit back and watch a specific player more than anyone else, both on and off the ball and then write about them here with a brief overview of that player and a review of their performance in the game, if it catches on I will hopefully work my way through the team.
Bradley Pritchard - a brief background
Bradley Pritchard started his senior career at CAFC, (Carshalton Athletic) and steadily worked his way around mostly conference sides until he came to Charlton. He was about to pack it all in and get a "real job" when he decided to take part in a trial at Charlton where he had been working as a performance analysis. He got offered a one year contract off the back of that and hasn't looked back since.
The fans seem relatively undecided on Pritchard, but I don't think many would question his work rate, he seems to be a real box to box midfielder with real determination although it might not always come off perfectly. Despite his relatively young appearance, Bradley Pritchard is actually 27.
Pritchard vs DerbyPritchard started the game off relatively well with his usual work rate, he was often the first midfielder back and often the first midfielder forward. At one point in the second half this was particularly pronounced when he covered for Bradley Wright Philips who won the ball in the Charlton half. Pritchard made a great run forward but couldn't quite get to the pass from BWP.
He was consistently snapping at the heels of the opposing midfield, but never going into tackles rashly or recklessly. In the 23rd minute by the west stand he worked really well to intercept Derby moves twice within a few seconds as they were looking to move forward, showing some really good defensive play.
He was as I have previously mentioned constantly looking to receive the ball, he was always there when we had a throw in and although he doesn't put many killer balls through he proves useful on the wings and whipped a few balls in. Perhaps his best effort going forward was when he managed to dispossess O Connor in the 53rd minute, and in doing so was making a great run towards the box when O Connor felt he had no choice but to bring him down, and as a result earned himself a yellow card.
He did however have one major moment which had the fans with their heads in their hands. On the 66th minute he received an absolute strikers dream, a pass was put in to him about 10 yards out, with the keeper flailing to get across the goal, he beat the keeper with a hard hit strike... And hit the crossbar, which left fans unsure whether to applaud the fantastic Charlton move that led up to the attempt or whether to shout in fury at missing what seemed a sure goal, and as it happens would have been the winner. In the end it sounded like a combination of both applause and fury.
Towards the end of the game from about the 70th minute Pritchard seemed to slow down dramatically, although the rain was pouring down his pace seemed to slow more than most, which in my opinion led Lawrie Wilson to take on a much more central and attacking role in his place.
Overall I would give Pritchard a
7 for the game, he missed a sitter but he worked tremendously hard to get into that position no one would be more angry than he would be at himself. His reaction when he scored reminded me of a certain Jose Semedo when he scored a couple of seasons before.
As a
player at Charlton and a person I give him a 9. The story of Conference to Champ in a couple of years has all the hallmarks of a Disney tale.
What have your thoughts been of Pritchard so far ? 
Comments
I'm a huge fan of Bradley. The workrate he gets through and his approach is always flawless. Seems like he had another strong performance vs Watford today, and the commentators described him at one stage as:
"Bradley Pritchard has the lungs of a cheetah. He turned defence into attack."
Representing CAFC - quality
I like the way CP uses him - there could be a temptation to ovrr-use him or leave him on the bench but he's given him several extended runs in the team and then drops him to the bench for a week or two to prevent him from getting over-exposed.
What I love about Pritch is his sheer enthusiasm and joy of actually playing - and the privilege of playing for Charlton.
The consummate team player, always covering and tracking, knowing when to tackle and when not to, the tidy pass invariably to feet, the lung busting run from deep - the type of player that makes a team greater than the sum of its parts.
Sure, he's physically slight but his sense of timing compensates for that.
Well done, Pritch .......and I feel the best is yet to come.
If he can't I really fear should SCP leave pritch will spend more time on the fringes than the first team
He is raw and has been coached into a good championship standard midfielder
He needs to make more space for himself by improving his first touch
I think he is a great addition to the team and would always be picked by me to feature
Think his endurance and his engine is un real
When i grow up i want to be pritch. Some might say for a 15 stone 25 year old thats a bit ambitious.
A bit slow when on the hoof with the ball at his feet. Usually misses his half chances (missed three today at Watford!) but as others say I love his effort and enthusiasm.
It was a bad miss but he missed it in the right way, if that makes sense. He didn't snatch at it or just aimlessly divert it goalwards without really thinking about avoiding the keeper's dive or any defenders on the line, there was a certain composure about the way he went about taking his shot. I think the fact he keeps getting into these positions and doesn't seem fazed when in front of goal bodes well. If he keeps getting starts I'm predicting he will have half dozen goals to his name by the end of the season.
Even at the age of 27 he has the potential to become the nearest we've had to Scott Parker since he (Parker) left.
Nice to hear that he is changing a few opinions of him over the course of the season.