Really enjoyed the game today but its soooo frustrating being a Charlton fan. I was begging them to hold on today. That Jack Butland is going to be some keeper in the future. My MOTM by a country mile. Singlehandidly kept them in the game today.
Really enjoyed the game today but its soooo frustrating being a Charlton fan. I was begging them to hold on today. That Jack Butland is going to be some keeper in the future. My MOTM by a country mile. Singlehandidly kept them in the game today.
Thought his kicking was not as high quality as Hamer. And some of the way he dealt with crosses looked a bit scary. But he looks very good overall, especially for a 19 year old.
Today, without a doubt was our best home performance for a fair while. Birmingham looked bereft of quality and ideas and we transferred the pressing game we play when lined up 4-5-1 with both Kermy and Fuller working hard up front.
In midfield we harried and played a good passing game. Rarely was the ball 'hoofed' up to our front two. Out wide, Wagstaff and Wilson plated sensibly and effectively. The back four looked comfortable, without full backs both impressing.
We dominated. Fuller played beautifully. His touch is quality and his ability to manouevre himself past defenders is fantastic to watch. Two nil at half time would have been a fair reflection of the game.
Second half started brightly and Butland was the difference. His save from Waggy's shot was exceptional. Then scoring so close to full time saw us contemplating a well earned victory. But, it wasn't to be and the inevitable happened.
The blame? I would not apportion it to anyone.. Well, maybe Green for his sliced clearance. The players gave their all and you can see how devastated they were. Yes, we sat back but this is more often due to the other team taking risks and pushing players forward. It happens all the time in football.
I, for one, really enjoy watching this team. Yes, it is frustrating and yes, we should be further away from the relegation zone points wise. But we are a low standard Championship side/top half League one team in terms of the ability of the squad. So, we will play like one and that means getting it wrong at times.
But I don't doubt the effort, application and determination of this team or our manager and that to me is of great importance.
Played well for 90 minutes. I dont like crtitising Powell and have defended him in the couple of weeks. However today he certainly sent the panice message round the team. He might as well have got "don't panic Mr Mannering" up the board because we had 4 minutes of headless chickens - totllay lost shape and the desire to play football. THank goodness there was only 4 minutes of added time.
Absolutely sick of watching us descend into jelly legged panic when we are put under pressure at the end of matches.
The worry is that now we have established a pattern, this can only continue to grow as an issue. No team playing against us is ever going to believe that they're defeated, even if they're two down with five mins to go. And until we somehow manage to break the trend, the jelly-legged panic is going to get worse and worse every time we hit the last 10-15 mins and find ourselves in front.
After the last two weeks, I was actually thinking today 'don't score too early. 80th minute will do fine and then we can see it out at 1-0.'
But even taking the lead in the 88th min, we still couldn't protect it.
Not sure what Powell can do about it from the dug-out. He probably needs to look to the senior and most experienced players - Fuller, Jackson, Morrison - to take charge and show some leadership in these situations.
Im livid. And I have resisted the temptation so far to say this, but the blame lies fairly and squarely at Chris Powell's door. I am a fan and will stand up for him, but he is not learning lessons. The team played well today despite a glue pot pitch. There was absolutely no reason whatsoever today after we took the lead to change anything. We simply had to see out two minutes playing well against a team that was offering almost nothing coming forward. So what did he do? Completely disrupted the flow of the team, introduced an extra centre half to confuse the two who had played well all day and tried to defend so deep that the entire team except Kermit was inside our own penalty box when we conceded. Stupid stupid stupid!!!! And it's not the first time so he should know. Now there is a damned if he does damned if he doesn't issue with substitutions and if Brum had scored a worldly some would have moaned that he didn't take steps to shore up. But get real folks, there were two minutes to go and one of those was because we made two substitutions!! Piss poor management and it is now costing us big time. No doubt I'll get pelters for saying so but we cannot go on throwing points away like this. There. It's off my chest now.
As to the rest of the game, I thought we played well. Best game I've seen Jackson play this year. Solly and Evina were terrific. Morro very solid. Only disappointments were Stephens for whom nothing came off despite a lot of effort, and Wilson who has lost confidence and looked to me to be avoiding involvement. Worrying.
Special mention to the ref who apart from a couple of very odd decisions in the second half allowed the game to flow on a horrendous pitch. I've seen refs ruin games on surfaces like this and he didn't. Not seen the pitch look so bad in recent memory.
We may well have a relegation fight on our hands and scenarios like today will not help confidence. CP needs to get a grip and soon.
Before the match I would certainly have taken a point, given the importance of breaking the losing streak. Of course the late equaliser was a sickener which leaves it feeling more like a defeat.
However, like others, I really enjoyed the game and felt it was one of our better home performances. We showed we CAN knock it around even on that disgrace of a pitch and the performances from Solly, Evina, Stephens and Fuller in particular were excellent.
I'm an optimist, and now that we have broken the losing streak I fancy us to get at least a point at Hull next Saturday. We all knew that a decent mid-table finish was our likely best scenario this season and that is how it is continuing to look. The most optimistic among us will still be hoping for a late push for the play offs; those of a more pessimistic outlook will be nervously looking down but I will be well happy with a mid-table finish and hopefully a chance to strengthen in the summer for a stronger push next season.
Dominated the game, had plenty of chances, their keeper played well, we eventually get our noses in front - deservedly - then their bloke tries a shot, miss hits it and it falls straight to one of theirs for a tap in.
That's football I guess.
Don't really understand the need to blame or point the finger every week.
We played well today, it just didn't go our way - again.
Disappointed again feels like we've chucked 9 points away in the past 3 games.
We played well today, pitch was poor, again not clinical enough in front of goal and just like the reverse fixture they score a last minute equaliser.
Strange league we're 6 points off relegation, yet there are no outstanding teams in this league not from what I've seen anyway. Just need to keep working hard and a bit of luck to fall our way and we'll be okay.
talking of throwing leads away middlesboro were so far clear of everyone for a play off place a month ago then lose the last 5 and everyone closes up.There are plenty more twists and turns to come .With 4 straight defeats millwall are now in the mire.The team spirit is good .In chris we trust.
Powell alone lost us the previous two games through failure to make substitutions when players were tiring. Against Palace, Jackson and Pritchard had a good 70 mins undermined by a leg-weary 20. Not so today, as we dominated throughout against hapless opponents. Why then did we fall into the same trap of dropping too deep and hoofing it when we just needed to play out stoppage time on the front foot (where we'd been since 3'oclock)???? Once again, this is all down to manager and coaching staff..Arguably B'ham have only 2 or 3 players (Caldwell/Redmond/Burke) who are good enough to get into our side -and that's with the media and Powell himself talking endlessly about us 'consolidating'. I'm talking expectations here. A sobering thought perhaps, but with greater belief we'd be in the top 6 tonight!
Birmingham were second best to everything and we picked them off at will sometimes. I just wish we were a bit more direct in the final third instead of trying to walk the ball into the back of the net for 90 minutes.
I can't help but feel Powell's late substitutions disrupt the team and cost us points. Just a theory. I also don't understand, why, after 88 minutes attacking a side and putting them on the back foot, we suddenly sit deep and invite them onto us. That's what cost us today. What was so wrong with going for a second?
On a pudding of a pitch that looked better suited to Rugby League, I thought we were great. Similar first half to last week with Ric showing why the Stoke fans worshipped him and with everyone working so hard to win & keep the ball .
No goals at half time though despite several well crafted opportunities to score, zero luck and a gifted Brum 'keeper.
Normal service resumed in the 2nd half with further chances to open the scoring and more skill & endeavour shown by our lads. Like a previous Lifer, I was thinking that the later we score, the less time we have to capitulate...again.
A well worked move and The Beast rose majestically to head the ball home ! No more than we deserved, but...and there is always a "but" where Charlton are concerned..... several minutes still remained on the clock. Subs were made ( were they really needed ?) and then, as though the Apaches were attacking from the North Stand, the bugle sounded and our brave boys retreated as one to defend the Fort Seed goal. Panic ensued, heads were lost and the inevitable happened ...again.
Yes, we do live to fight another day and a point is better than nothing. But we were SO much better than our opponents today .We deserved to win - with knobs on. We played some bloody good football in difficult conditions. But we didn't put our chances away and we couldn't stay strong to the last...again.
Couldn't really fault anyone out there this afternoon although I felt Stephens & Wilson fell short of their usual competent displays . Yann, Ric, Solly, JJ , Ceddy, Morro - all played their hearts out with Waggy & Cort close behind and Hamer a virtual passenger. If only we could concentrate until the final whistle's blown !!
Ah well, onwards to Hull and hopefully another competent away performance with something to show at the end of it.
Comments
In midfield we harried and played a good passing game. Rarely was the ball 'hoofed' up to our front two. Out wide, Wagstaff and Wilson plated sensibly and effectively. The back four looked comfortable, without full backs both impressing.
We dominated. Fuller played beautifully. His touch is quality and his ability to manouevre himself past defenders is fantastic to watch. Two nil at half time would have been a fair reflection of the game.
Second half started brightly and Butland was the difference. His save from Waggy's shot was exceptional. Then scoring so close to full time saw us contemplating a well earned victory. But, it wasn't to be and the inevitable happened.
The blame? I would not apportion it to anyone.. Well, maybe Green for his sliced clearance. The players gave their all and you can see how devastated they were. Yes, we sat back but this is more often due to the other team taking risks and pushing players forward. It happens all the time in football.
I, for one, really enjoy watching this team. Yes, it is frustrating and yes, we should be further away from the relegation zone points wise. But we are a low standard Championship side/top half League one team in terms of the ability of the squad. So, we will play like one and that means getting it wrong at times.
But I don't doubt the effort, application and determination of this team or our manager and that to me is of great importance.
After the last two weeks, I was actually thinking today 'don't score too early. 80th minute will do fine and then we can see it out at 1-0.'
But even taking the lead in the 88th min, we still couldn't protect it.
Not sure what Powell can do about it from the dug-out. He probably needs to look to the senior and most experienced players - Fuller, Jackson, Morrison - to take charge and show some leadership in these situations.
For all those who may think we're DOOOOOMED! .......may ye take heart, you could be a Spanner.
5 League games without a win, 4 defeats on the spin.
And they conceded a late late injury time winner.
As to the rest of the game, I thought we played well. Best game I've seen Jackson play this year. Solly and Evina were terrific. Morro very solid. Only disappointments were Stephens
for whom nothing came off despite a lot of effort, and Wilson who has lost confidence and looked to me to be avoiding involvement. Worrying.
Special mention to the ref who apart from a couple of very odd decisions in the second half allowed the game to flow on a horrendous pitch. I've seen refs ruin games on surfaces like this and he didn't. Not seen the pitch look so bad in recent memory.
We may well have a relegation fight on our hands and scenarios like today will not help confidence. CP needs to get a grip and soon.
However, like others, I really enjoyed the game and felt it was one of our better home performances. We showed we CAN knock it around even on that disgrace of a pitch and the performances from Solly, Evina, Stephens and Fuller in particular were excellent.
I'm an optimist, and now that we have broken the losing streak I fancy us to get at least a point at Hull next Saturday. We all knew that a decent mid-table finish was our likely best scenario this season and that is how it is continuing to look. The most optimistic among us will still be hoping for a late push for the play offs; those of a more pessimistic outlook will be nervously looking down but I will be well happy with a mid-table finish and hopefully a chance to strengthen in the summer for a stronger push next season.
That's football I guess.
Don't really understand the need to blame or point the finger every week.
We played well today, it just didn't go our way - again.
Powell out!
best way to win games is to score more goals than your opponants - i say it week in & week out but sadly CP eiether never listens or he doesn't learn.
I'm not looking to thrash teams 5-0, just another goal in each of our last 3 games would have seen us with 5 extra points..............
We played well today, pitch was poor, again not clinical enough in front of goal and just like the reverse fixture they score a last minute equaliser.
Strange league we're 6 points off relegation, yet there are no outstanding teams in this league not from what I've seen anyway. Just need to keep working hard and a bit of luck to fall our way and we'll be okay.
(where we'd been since 3'oclock)???? Once again, this is all down to manager and coaching staff..Arguably B'ham have only 2 or 3 players (Caldwell/Redmond/Burke) who are good enough to get into our side -and that's with the media and Powell himself talking endlessly about us 'consolidating'. I'm talking expectations here. A sobering thought perhaps, but with greater belief we'd be in the top 6 tonight!
I can't help but feel Powell's late substitutions disrupt the team and cost us points. Just a theory. I also don't understand, why, after 88 minutes attacking a side and putting them on the back foot, we suddenly sit deep and invite them onto us. That's what cost us today. What was so wrong with going for a second?
No goals at half time though despite several well crafted opportunities to score, zero luck and a gifted Brum 'keeper.
Normal service resumed in the 2nd half with further chances to open the scoring and more skill & endeavour shown by our lads. Like a previous Lifer, I was thinking that the later we score, the less time we have to capitulate...again.
A well worked move and The Beast rose majestically to head the ball home ! No more than we deserved, but...and there is always a "but" where Charlton are concerned..... several minutes still remained on the clock. Subs were made ( were they really needed ?) and then, as though the Apaches were attacking from the North Stand, the bugle sounded and our brave boys retreated as one to defend the Fort Seed goal. Panic ensued, heads were lost and the inevitable happened ...again.
Yes, we do live to fight another day and a point is better than nothing. But we were SO much better than our opponents today .We deserved to win - with knobs on. We played some bloody good football in difficult conditions. But we didn't put our chances away and we couldn't stay strong to the last...again.
Couldn't really fault anyone out there this afternoon although I felt Stephens & Wilson fell short of their usual competent displays . Yann, Ric, Solly, JJ , Ceddy, Morro - all played their hearts out with Waggy & Cort close behind and Hamer a virtual passenger. If only we could concentrate until the final whistle's blown !!
Ah well, onwards to Hull and hopefully another competent away performance with something to show at the end of it.
Something other than disappointment !