AA I agree with you. I also thought Stephens didn't have a bad game. I don't think he's being made out to be the scapegoat though because of late, the criticism he's received has been deserved. I can also see why people don't think he had a good game because he lost possession a lot but what people are missing out on is that he worked bloody hard to get it back. He did also get a cheap yellow too. Other than that, he was really good. Would've been my MOM but for that.
Good three points. One thing concerned me. From the Covered End Upper - the kit Hamer chose made it look like he was playing for Blackpool. Did anybody else notice that?
And the kit the Blackpool keeper wore (yellow) made him look like the referee and 2 assistants :-)
For me, we didn't look particularly great, but were extremely difficult to break down. Waggy played like typical Waggy, he won't terrorize a full back or swing in beautiful crosses but he will give 100%, battle and is capable of scoring goals. Deserves a run now IMO. Think Stephens was well too deep in 1st half but improved after break. One of jacksons better games and Taylor/Morrison no each other well. Think we have about found our position in the table now.
Actually Stephens is a real workhorse who has been improving enormously in last three games and starting to pass forwards but (a bit like Semedo) I see him more as a defensive midfielder than a creative one . Even so people who dismiss him don't appreciate the fact that we do better at a high tempo and he definitely helps up the pace in his tackling and general demeanour. Good player for us.
An excellent shop window performance from Waggy .Another one or two like that and Powell ought to be able to generate a bit more cash to get the Wordsworth deal over the line.
An excellent shop window performance from Waggy .Another one or two like that and Powell ought to be able to generate a bit more cash to get the Wordsworth deal over the line.
Yes really.would not have said it if I did not believe it.it would be great to see Waggy remain ,get some games and push on as a regular squad member and prove that footballers can have 1 club in their career and for whom they love playing.sadly however i think that the writing is on the wall for Waggy and despite his energy and commitment he will struggle to continue to figure unless we are absolutely skint and Powell simply cannot afford to move him on .hope that I am proven wrong but I doubt it.
Great performance from pretty much the whole team, with the unfortunate exception of Stephens (again). Great result.
??? Thougth he had a decent game, don't get why he has become the scapegoat week in week out. I think he is a decent player and can get better in a Charlton shirt. If we were to lose him we would struggle to find a decent replacement on our budget
Agreed AA...some very blinkered eyes looking at what he does for the team and how they look to him, for the most part, when playing through the middle.
I'll agree that his performance has improved since the last home league game but then I, and many others, rated him pretty low for that game so that improvement was needed. I still felt that he lost possession too often, often turning into trouble whilst looking for a pass and whilst it was nice to see him tackling again I always worry when he does that as he has a touch of the wild Scholes-type tackle about him, especially after losing possession, and we cannot afford to go down to 10 men.
I think Rizzo gives a decent argument, which is good and takes the debate away from the 'scapegoat' stuff that any criticism seems to be labelled with.
I wasn't there Saturday but the Watford game I thought his tackling was spot on and he added the much needed 'bak to basic' approach.
I can forgive a few wayward passes, he's not gonna get it right everytime and its good to see him trying to play football when the team is working hard around him.
There's also the element of options. He can get caught in possession as we haven't quite clicked in the pass and move part of our game.
But like I say, if we carry on working hard then the rest will follow and Stephens performances will continue to improve. He's not found his best form but its on its way.
If anybody listens to the Football Weekly podcast, they talk about Michael Carrick and his performances/ability for United. You could say the same about Stephens with us.
And no, I'm not saying Dale is anywhere as good as Michael Carrick.
The ability and performance of players will always be a talking point - and discussion is about exchange of views; not about who's right or wrong. It brings out what's best on Charlton Life.
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I wasn't there Saturday but the Watford game I thought his tackling was spot on and he added the much needed 'bak to basic' approach.
I can forgive a few wayward passes, he's not gonna get it right everytime and its good to see him trying to play football when the team is working hard around him.
There's also the element of options. He can get caught in possession as we haven't quite clicked in the pass and move part of our game.
But like I say, if we carry on working hard then the rest will follow and Stephens performances will continue to improve. He's not found his best form but its on its way.
And no, I'm not saying Dale is anywhere as good as Michael Carrick.
The ability and performance of players will always be a talking point - and discussion is about exchange of views; not about who's right or wrong. It brings out what's best on Charlton Life.
My mate has missed 4 home games, the 3 midweek wins and this one.....thinking of confiscating his ST !
It's more important than that, he might sneak in with a purchase/borrowed ticket. Send the boy's round !
Great performance from pretty much the whole team, with the unfortunate exception of Stephens (again). Great result.
'The unfortunate exception of (MOM) Stephens. Did you really watch the game Saturday!