Pritchard isn't the most skillfull player ever but he provides something other players don't. The problem is that some people follow the ball when they watch football and others watch the game - a lot of what Pritchard brings to the team is done off the ball. People will see a misplaced pass or a player being tackled and not appreciate the effect a player who is everywhere (because of his game and engine) has to the side.
Not being disrespectful, but I would suggest that anybody that doesn't rate him highly, spends 20 minutes or so in a game, just watching what he does.
I know you're not being disrespectful, and neither am I when I say I have been attending Charlton matches for almost 50 years and am capable of reading the game and the players. As the game has developed, the need to retain possession has become more important in fashioning a successful team - look at Barcelona or the Spanish national side, for instance. This aspect has filtered down through domestic leagues. I reiterate: in my view, Pritchard (and Stephens, incidentally) gets knocked off the ball far too easily and concedes possession too often by misplacing passes. I'm not saying he cannot or will not improve.
I do agree with some of what you are saying, but I don't agree the Barcelona style has strongly permiated our game - especially at Championship level. From other posts, you may see I am passionate about the poor level of coaching our kids get, but I am putting that to one side and judging Pritchard in the context of a league where his energy levels and committment do have a massive impact.
I take your points, Muttley. If the Barcelona style hasn't exactly been adopted in the Champs (!), there may be aspirations in that direction. Yes, I have noted your passionate calls for better coaching for kids, and I applaud you. I think all our energy levels are good, and don't doubt our commitment - just our ability, from time to time....
But playing the way we and others do at this level - a player who is almost everywhere. even when he hasn't got the ball - does have a positive impact.
But playing the way we and others do at this level - a player who is almost everywhere. even when he hasn't got the ball - does have a positive impact.
Yes, Pritchard certainly doesn't shirk from getting stuck in. I'll never forget a chance encounter with Bill Gallagher, our physio when we were in the top division in the 80s: I got on a train at London Bridge and he was sitting opposite with a big folder of medical notes relating to a player in the care of one of the London hospitals. Gallagher was a friendly chap and very willing to chat to me. At that time we were struggling in the old First Division, getting regularly beaten. What is to be done?, I asked. He confirmed that the gulf in quality between the top two divisions was wide, and said one of the things we lacked was "guile" around the opposition box. I like that word, "guile", and sometimes think it's a quality we lack today. How can guile be acquired? From good coaching probably, and bags of first-team experience. That's why despite Joe Pigott's obvious natural talents, we need a striker experienced at unlocking tough defences.
But playing the way we and others do at this level - a player who is almost everywhere. even when he hasn't got the ball - does have a positive impact.
However, when Pritchard is careering round the pitch he's often on a mission to retrieve the possession he himself has just lost.
Pritchard looked far more effective when playing on the right and the team looked far more balanced. Anyone would look uncomfortable alongside Stephens when Dale is playing poorly. When Hughes and Jackson were in the middle Bradley helped to keep a tight centre which enabled Harriott and to a lesser extent Jackson get forward
His was excellent at Brighton were he sat on their playmaker in the centre and stop them playing. Away from home where we did so well he was often a key influence. His work rate was very important to a lot of the great results away from SE7
He does get muscled off the ball more than he should but he was, I think, the top assist maker in the team. It was also his first season at this level but he learns fast.
He missed far too many chances but at the end of the season seemed to have corrected that fault.
If you focus solely on a player's weaknesses you can make a case against anyone. Hamer- Not vocal enough to command his penalty area Solly-Too short, no threat at set pieces Jackson-Too slow Cort - " Morrison-Gives away too many yellow cards Harriott- No defensive nous Kermit- Never beats a defender for pace.. ...........and these are some of our best players. So to look at a player and see only his weaknesses does not tell the full story at all.
I like Pritchard,and I think he will get better now he has had a year to get used to Championship football.Against some of the teams with big players I thought he looked like a boy playing against men.
But playing the way we and others do at this level - a player who is almost everywhere. even when he hasn't got the ball - does have a positive impact.
However, when Pritchard is careering round the pitch he's often on a mission to retrieve the possession he himself has just lost.
I think that is extremely unfair tbh. I agree with Henry 100% and he was right to say he missed too many chances - but his game got him in positions to miss them. If he sorts that issue out- which I think he can ........ well the season will be starting soon - maybe somebody could resurrect this thread after a couple of months.
Pritchard is technically not quite as strong as some yet, but he is much more tactically adept. Lots of kids are coming through who are technically excellent, but won't make it due to being tactically inept.
Comments
His was excellent at Brighton were he sat on their playmaker in the centre and stop them playing. Away from home where we did so well he was often a key influence. His work rate was very important to a lot of the great results away from SE7
He does get muscled off the ball more than he should but he was, I think, the top assist maker in the team. It was also his first season at this level but he learns fast.
He missed far too many chances but at the end of the season seemed to have corrected that fault.
Hamer- Not vocal enough to command his penalty area
Solly-Too short, no threat at set pieces
Jackson-Too slow
Cort - "
Morrison-Gives away too many yellow cards
Harriott- No defensive nous
Kermit- Never beats a defender for pace..
...........and these are some of our best players. So to look at a player and see only his weaknesses does not tell the full story at all.