An apology. For all those who read my post about it being a Derby match , anyone can win on the day, we will create chances. I was obviously wrong. I don't think I have ever been to a game more unlike a local derby in my life. No atmosphere, no passion, no committment. Millwall were poor , Charlton worse. I can't fathom why when after seeing a first half where it clearly wasn't working, we start the 2nd half with exactly the same formation & tactics. I can forgive most things being a diehard fan but what I won't forgive is a less than win or bust attitude. As lots on here have already said, sideways & back won't win you games. We badly missed Kermorgant's muscle up front. It was the wrong game to pitch Piggott into and Powell waited far too long to recognise he was getting nowhere before changing it. Marginally better when Harriot, Sordell & Stewart came on but too late unfortunately. The only person to come out with any credit was Church, who at least did try. I think there are worse teams than us in this division and you'll continue to see results where you'll get unexpected results, but on this showing we will be looking more at the bottom end than the top. You can slate individual players and personally I can't see why Wiggins is worth a start at the moment but a lot of the others getting criticised such as Pritchard have been outstanding in most games so the question has to be about consistency or lack of it. These players really owe us a result at the Den, but it's getting boring not getting the right tactics and attitude when we play Millwall. ' We all laugh at Charlton' - on that showing I can't argue unfortunately.
I just can't get over the point where it was so painfully obvious we needed a change that it got to the point where we were all calling for a sub and Harriott to be brought on yet it took Powell a long while after to realise he needed to change it.
When were you "all calling for it" (whoever you all are) a "long while" before the 57th minute ?
The crowd was chanting for Harriott pretty much as soon as the second half kicked off. Powell made a token substitution by bringing Stewart on, but made no changes to the tactics. It must have been 10 mins before Stewart got the ball out wide, instead we just continued to punt long balls to no one.
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
You lot were far quieter than you were last year, and you had long periods of almost silence. But when you got going you did make some noise, as can anybody in that stand.
You know from comments on here in the past that you can never hear our part of the crowd that are 'up for it' and thats frustrating as hell because it was loud up there on Saturday. It's pointless discussing atmosphere at the valley, until people move from the north upper it will always be terrible.
The Chief Executive Martin Prothero wasn't at the game against Millwall, nor was Jimenez or Slater, but that is what we've come to expect isn't it? Maybe they figure they didn't have to be because it was on the telly, or maybe the simply can't be bothered any more, and they watch as and we watch our great club wither on the vine. Surely these people ought to turn up sometimes shouldn't they, or am I missing the point about owners/directors/executives?
I would probably be among the last to stick up for Prothero, Jimenez or Slater ordinarily - but from the North Upper I'm sure I saw Slater before the game come down from the Directors area and have a brief word with someone with the 2 families on the touchline before disappearing back up again - but of course Man City weren't playing until Sunday.....
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
You lot were far quieter than you were last year, and you had long periods of almost silence. But when you got going you did make some noise, as can anybody in that stand.
You know from comments on here in the past that you can never hear our part of the crowd that are 'up for it' and thats frustrating as hell because it was loud up there on Saturday. It's pointless discussing atmosphere at the valley, until people move from the north upper it will always be terrible.
Would agree with that. I think it's very hard to make an atmosphere on your own though, need a bit of noise coming back and plus it was quite a poor game so it does kill it a little bit.
With regards to your team though, they seemed to lack the energy for a derby game, seemed a bit languid, no urgency.
To be fair, until Abdou has come back in we've been the same. Bailey, Derry etc have tended to stroll and sit back, Abdou, whilst not blessed with a Scholes range of passing, helps to up the tempo and break up the play which we've missed. It was something that you seemed to lack too.
I actually thought your striker Piggot looked like he could pose a few problems to start with but it become quite predictable and easier to defend.
Appalling, clueless, gutless and depressing. I don't usually post this kind of comment but I was so pissed off on Saturday. What is it with us and Millwall? I have been watching Charlton for 52 years and can easily count on one hand the number of times I have seen us beat them. Too early to predict what will happen this season but on this showing we are relegation candidates
Knew we were up against it as soon as i saw the line up...I love Powelly but he needs to work on his subs and tactics i think..anyone with knowledge of football theory knows that you don't play a 3-5-2 against it's opposing 4-3-3, a formation it is always weak against from the start. Just fundamentally you are expecting your wing backs to hold their own side against a full back and a winger, which Wilson and Wiggins were not up to I'm afraid, and not really their fault. If you are going to go with it, you need to make sure you push from the back and have mobile CB's as your only zonal advantage on the pitch is that we have 3 |CB's against one striker. So ideally you would need your Left or right CB's to be ready to move across to LB or RB to allow the wing-back to bomb forwards a bit more. should have really gone with a 4-3-3 of our own or a 4-5-1 today, dropping Piggott+one of the CB's for Harriot and Stewart..
Saying that not all Powell's fault, completely agree with others on here that even though we were set up wrongly today the players didn't give the 110% I would expect from a game like this, absolutely gutted this is probably the only Charlton game ill get to watch here in Dubai this season, just utterly feeling let down. On to Tuesday!
This is spot on. The way Millwall set up - you could have made a case for one centre half. It doesn't mean the 3-5-2 is a poor formation. It just wasn't right for the way Millwall set up and I can already tell you that it won't be right for when Yeovil or Barnsley come to the Valley either. When teams like Watford come to the Valley it has much more merit. That is because they will come to beat us and we will need the extra defender and be able to utilise the gaps their positive attitude gives us. You do have to take into account how your opponents set up - we don't have centre halves that can become ball players when they have time and space and all you get is an extra pass or two - usually to somebody in a worse position which is what happened on Saturday.
An imaginative way to set up would have been to play Cousins instaed of Wood. He can play defensively if required or as the game panned out - push into the middle. The worrying fact is that Burnley away probably suits the 3-5-2 and Saturday's showing may mean we react rather than anticipate the different challenges this game will give us!
Don't normally post on the post match thread but I feel I need to this time.
Firstly I understand why Piggot started because ideally it is better to have a bigger striker in the forward line,his problem was that he is not yet up to the standard required at this level although as SLL says above there were moments where he looked as though he might be useful.
Like Smith who is playing well for the Wombles I would like Joe to bag a League side on loan and get a run of games. This means we need a cover striker for Yann. What would be wrong with Rob Hulse on a years contract ? I thought he led the line well for us last season and he could have done a competent job whilst Yann is unfit.
I wonder whether once it was decided that once Joe started that this meant SCP was not going to put Cousins or Harriott in the starting line up,he seems to play the Academy boys one at a time.
Millwall clearly knew what we were up to with the 3 5 2 and dominated the midfield exchanges in the first half.They had clearly done their homework on us.
I actually thought Richard Wood was our best defender and was surprised when he was withdrawn.Was this because Dervite and Morrison have played together more and therefore have an understanding?
Ironically we seem to do better against the top sides so let's hope we can bag points in the next three games.
Don't normally post on the post match thread but I feel I need to this time.
Firstly I understand why Piggot started because ideally it is better to have a bigger striker in the forward line,his problem was that he is not yet up to the standard required at this level although as SLL says above there were moments where he looked as though he might be useful.
Like Smith who is playing well for the Wombles I would like Joe to bag a League side on loan and get a run of games. This means we need a cover striker for Yann. What would be wrong with Rob Hulse on a years contract ? I thought he led the line well for us last season and he could have done a competent job whilst Yann is unfit.
I wonder whether once it was decided that once Joe started that this meant SCP was not going to put Cousins or Harriott in the starting line up,he seems to play the Academy boys one at a time.
Millwall clearly knew what we were up to with the 3 5 2 and dominated the midfield exchanges in the first half.They had clearly done their homework on us.
I actually thought Richard Wood was our best defender and was surprised when he was withdrawn.Was this because Dervite and Morrison have played together more and therefore have an understanding?
Ironically we seem to do better against the top sides so let's hope we can bag points in the next three games.
I don't like Millwall. I don't like the fact that they always seem to beat us, I don't like the fact that they think they're 'ard and that they thrive on it.
However, let's not let our dislike (eve hatred) change the truth. Saturday, just like last season they sold out their allocation and they made much more noise than we did. Sparrow Lane Lion is right, we (the fans - both attendance and noise) were poor. The Millwall fans, even though they didn't sing for the full 90 minutes made a lot of noise and supported their team in a way that we didn't.
It's a little like the chicken and egg scenario now. Do Charlton fans fail to turn up, or turn up expecting to lose because we always seem to put in gutless performances and lose, or do the players play like that because the fans don't believe in them (when it comes to Millwall games)?
Interestingly I knew we were going to lose and I was astounded that the bookies has us as evens for a win and close to 2-1 for both a draw ans an away win. They (bearing in mind it's how they make their money) should have known better. They deserved to lose money on Saturday.
Either way lying about what happened to save face with a Millwall fan that comes on here all the time - not just to crow when they beat us is pointless.
Neither the team nor the fans arrived at The Valley 'Up for the game' in my opinion. There was little belief in The Valley except in the South Stand!
As I suspected all along - it was the fans fault we lost. There was me thinking it was the fault of the £5 grand a week merchants on the pitch and in fact it was my fault.
I tell you something, the club should be dishing out refunds to the fans after that showing. Fking disgraceful.
I never said that. I was making the point that SLL was not talking out of his @r$e when he commented on how little support there seemed from the fans.
I, also, don't see what the relevance the players wages are, but I do understand your anger - I just don't feel it because I always expect us to lose to Millwall.
Pointless my adding to the comprehensive and well deserved slagging that has been given on the forum. I have been heavily promoting Joe Pigott, and I suffered with him on Saturday. I have belief in Joe who I know was distraught after the game, and apologising to his friends, but the truth is that his game is all about scoring goals. The way we played on Saturday made his task impossible, at Welling he was being played in by Yann and others and his finishing was immaculate. He has a strong family and friends around him and he will learn from the experience. As for the Club as a whole, I can only imagine that losing the financial support that was expected has left us in the proverbial kakky. That team that won League One in such style should have been strengthened. It is perhaps unfair to heap blame on all and sundry, so I pledge my support to this Club and I will be shouting louder than ever next time. We are now needed to lift the spirits, if only to help ourselves. BRING BACK THE ROBIN.
It ticked every box of a classic charlton millwall game. 2 workmanlike sides, us missing our 2 best players, them getting a lucky goal. Add to that the live on tv humiliation and the leg up into mid table for them. The Mike Small bizarre selection / dreadful debut award goes to Piggot. The only surprise that we can be thankful for was that they didn't rapidly follow the first up with a 40 yard fluke so they weren't able to fully relax abd start olaying. The quicker these owners sell up and piss off the better.
Only watched it on stream. Two poor teams.min spite of the knockers, Stephens is one of the few who can almost hold his head high
Disagree Stevens is to negative in his passing he just passes 2 yards backwards or sideways. The number of times Devite passed to Stevens who passed it back to Devite and then pointed to Devite to pump it up field. He will not invite a tackle rather pass it to poor old Bradley to deal with. Millwall just stuck Bailey on Pritchard to mug him all the time .. no one was put on Stevens. Stevens plays for his stats and that is it. I would be interested to see how many games we win with Stevens in the side as opposed to not playing.
So how often when Stephens received the ball did you see the other midfielders looking to move into space to receive? One of the problems we have had for a long time is not so much the individuals we have in midfield but how they often fail to work as a unit - I just wish SCP would decide on the best combination and stop messing around with it and then build/coach some flexibility in how they play in different circumstances.
For some inexplicable reason the team did not seem to anticipate the way Millwall would play - and then had no Plan B as to how to respond. All I can think is that SCP thought Kermogant would be playing and had to make a last minute change.
I have been heavily promoting Joe Pigott, and I suffered with him on Saturday. I have belief in Joe who I know was distraught after the game, and apologising to his friends, but the truth is that his game is all about scoring goals. The way we played on Saturday made his task impossible, at Welling he was being played in by Yann and others and his finishing was immaculate. He has a strong family and friends around him and he will learn from the experience.
What's your link to JP @Granpa or am I missing the obvious ?
The Chief Executive Martin Prothero wasn't at the game against Millwall, nor was Jimenez or Slater, but that is what we've come to expect isn't it? Maybe they figure they didn't have to be because it was on the telly, or maybe the simply can't be bothered any more, and they watch as and we watch our great club wither on the vine. Surely these people ought to turn up sometimes shouldn't they, or am I missing the point about owners/directors/executives?
Seth - the Directors are just representative of the fans. They either bottled it, decided to watch it on telly, or both. It doesn't explain why they miss so many other games but not being Charlton fans probably does.
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
Our fans don't turn up because most don't like the atmosphere created by Millwall pissed brigade (In the West stand last yr, mouthing it) plus the police gutless to stop it and inconveniencing us instead. There's a big difference between what we see as ordinary, decent behaviour and normal life at The Den (witness Sordell, Nigel Clough, Wembley etc, etc. )
Appalling, clueless, gutless and depressing. I don't usually post this kind of comment but I was so pissed off on Saturday. What is it with us and Millwall? I have been watching Charlton for 52 years and can easily count on one hand the number of times I have seen us beat them. Too early to predict what will happen this season but on this showing we are relegation candidates
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
Fair comment.
We were shit end of.
I can't understand why so many fans stayed away and for those of us that we're there, the game and the football just dragged us down, the Millwall fans were also quiet for long periods.
I'm still fcked off 48 hours later!
Wilson's on the website saying how bad all the players feel and then I read on another thread they've all had the day off, probably playing golf or meeting with their agents to discuss their next move!
All week I had the wife asking me not to go as it was my daughters christening on Sunday and we had loads to get ready, I told her that it if was any other game I wouldn't go, but not Charlton v Millwall, so I still go, I don't live round the corner so it takes me a while to get there (I live in West Ham land) and for what - to watch a sorry display from a bunch of players who clearly don't give a crap!
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
Fair comment.
We were shit end of.
I can't understand why so many fans stayed away and for those of us that we're there, the game and the football just dragged us down, the Millwall fans were also quiet for long periods.
I'm still fcked off 48 hours later!
Wilson's on the website saying how bad all the players feel and then I read on another thread they've all had the day off, probably playing golf or meeting with their agents to discuss their next move!
All week I had the wife asking me not to go as it was my daughters christening on Sunday and we had loads to get ready, I told her that it if was any other game I wouldn't go, but not Charlton v Millwall, so I still go, I don't live round the corner so it takes me a while to get there (I live in West Ham land) and for what - to watch a sorry display from a bunch of players who clearly don't give a crap!
Rant over - as you can see I'm still not over it!
And - following on from the above, I forgot the game was on SKY, so when I got into work today I had to listen to everyone telling me how shit my team is and 'how can you watch that week in week out' to be fair they weren't that complimentary towards Millwall either.
Most of them felt that Pritchard was the worst player on the park, one summed it up quite nicely, he said 'he looks like one of those busy players who gets up and down but his distribution is awful' maybe we look at our Bradley through rose coloured glasses...!?
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
Fair comment.
We were shit end of.
I can't understand why so many fans stayed away and for those of us that we're there, the game and the football just dragged us down, the Millwall fans were also quiet for long periods.
I'm still fcked off 48 hours later!
Wilson's on the website saying how bad all the players feel and then I read on another thread they've all had the day off, probably playing golf or meeting with their agents to discuss their next move!
All week I had the wife asking me not to go as it was my daughters christening on Sunday and we had loads to get ready, I told her that it if was any other game I wouldn't go, but not Charlton v Millwall, so I still go, I don't live round the corner so it takes me a while to get there (I live in West Ham land) and for what - to watch a sorry display from a bunch of players who clearly don't give a crap!
Rant over - as you can see I'm still not over it!
And - following on from the above, I forgot the game was on SKY, so when I got into work today I had to listen to everyone telling me how shit my team is and 'how can you watch that week in week out' to be fair they weren't that complimentary towards Millwall either.
Most of them felt that Pritchard was the worst player on the park, one summed it up quite nicely, he said 'he looks like one of those busy players who gets up and down but his distribution is awful' maybe we look at our Bradley through rose coloured glasses...!?
Rant over this time - I promise...
I am also wondering if we look at Chris Powell with "rose coloured glasses"
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
Fair comment.
We were shit end of.
I can't understand why so many fans stayed away and for those of us that we're there, the game and the football just dragged us down, the Millwall fans were also quiet for long periods.
I'm still fcked off 48 hours later!
Wilson's on the website saying how bad all the players feel and then I read on another thread they've all had the day off, probably playing golf or meeting with their agents to discuss their next move!
All week I had the wife asking me not to go as it was my daughters christening on Sunday and we had loads to get ready, I told her that it if was any other game I wouldn't go, but not Charlton v Millwall, so I still go, I don't live round the corner so it takes me a while to get there (I live in West Ham land) and for what - to watch a sorry display from a bunch of players who clearly don't give a crap!
Rant over - as you can see I'm still not over it!
And - following on from the above, I forgot the game was on SKY, so when I got into work today I had to listen to everyone telling me how shit my team is and 'how can you watch that week in week out' to be fair they weren't that complimentary towards Millwall either.
Most of them felt that Pritchard was the worst player on the park, one summed it up quite nicely, he said 'he looks like one of those busy players who gets up and down but his distribution is awful' maybe we look at our Bradley through rose coloured glasses...!?
Rant over this time - I promise...
I am also wondering if we look at Chris Powell with "rose coloured glasses"
Not the best time to start doubting him, doronron.
He needs all the support we can possibly give him at this time - no money, injuries to key players, tough games coming up etc
I'm looking to the players to step up to the plate big time on Saturday and for as many fans as possible to consider making the long trip to Burnley to get behind all concerned. This could be a crucial game for both our Manager & our season.
If you're considering an away game in the next couple of months, make it this one.
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
Fair comment.
We were shit end of.
I can't understand why so many fans stayed away and for those of us that we're there, the game and the football just dragged us down, the Millwall fans were also quiet for long periods.
I'm still fcked off 48 hours later!
Wilson's on the website saying how bad all the players feel and then I read on another thread they've all had the day off, probably playing golf or meeting with their agents to discuss their next move!
All week I had the wife asking me not to go as it was my daughters christening on Sunday and we had loads to get ready, I told her that it if was any other game I wouldn't go, but not Charlton v Millwall, so I still go, I don't live round the corner so it takes me a while to get there (I live in West Ham land) and for what - to watch a sorry display from a bunch of players who clearly don't give a crap!
Rant over - as you can see I'm still not over it!
And - following on from the above, I forgot the game was on SKY, so when I got into work today I had to listen to everyone telling me how shit my team is and 'how can you watch that week in week out' to be fair they weren't that complimentary towards Millwall either.
Most of them felt that Pritchard was the worst player on the park, one summed it up quite nicely, he said 'he looks like one of those busy players who gets up and down but his distribution is awful' maybe we look at our Bradley through rose coloured glasses...!?
Rant over this time - I promise...
I am also wondering if we look at Chris Powell with "rose coloured glasses"
Not the best time to start doubting him, doronron.
He needs all the support we can possibly give him at this time - no money, injuries to key players, tough games coming up etc
I'm looking to the players to step up to the plate big time on Saturday and for as many fans as possible to consider making the long trip to Burnley to get behind all concerned. This could be a crucial game for both our Manager & our season.
If you're considering an away game in the next couple of months, make it this one.
Please !
and don't you think the scumwall game was a crucial game for both our manager and our season,and more important our fans who didn't even bother to turn up for a home game
I thought you were utterly appalling. We were by no means Barca-esque, but at least showed a little more quality on the ball and building play up. Overall a very poor game though.
That Harriots looked a lively player.
What confused me, is Powell, Harriots and many on here were calling this a big SE London clash, how much it means to the club etc....then I witnessed the quietest, most subdued crowd with empty seats everywhere.
The only noise was that ridiculous drum. Hardly lived up to the electric atmosphere that Powell was expecting.
Fair comment.
We were shit end of.
I can't understand why so many fans stayed away and for those of us that we're there, the game and the football just dragged us down, the Millwall fans were also quiet for long periods.
I'm still fcked off 48 hours later!
Wilson's on the website saying how bad all the players feel and then I read on another thread they've all had the day off, probably playing golf or meeting with their agents to discuss their next move!
All week I had the wife asking me not to go as it was my daughters christening on Sunday and we had loads to get ready, I told her that it if was any other game I wouldn't go, but not Charlton v Millwall, so I still go, I don't live round the corner so it takes me a while to get there (I live in West Ham land) and for what - to watch a sorry display from a bunch of players who clearly don't give a crap!
Rant over - as you can see I'm still not over it!
And - following on from the above, I forgot the game was on SKY, so when I got into work today I had to listen to everyone telling me how shit my team is and 'how can you watch that week in week out' to be fair they weren't that complimentary towards Millwall either.
Most of them felt that Pritchard was the worst player on the park, one summed it up quite nicely, he said 'he looks like one of those busy players who gets up and down but his distribution is awful' maybe we look at our Bradley through rose coloured glasses...!?
Rant over this time - I promise...
I am also wondering if we look at Chris Powell with "rose coloured glasses"
Not the best time to start doubting him, doronron.
He needs all the support we can possibly give him at this time - no money, injuries to key players, tough games coming up etc
I'm looking to the players to step up to the plate big time on Saturday and for as many fans as possible to consider making the long trip to Burnley to get behind all concerned. This could be a crucial game for both our Manager & our season.
If you're considering an away game in the next couple of months, make it this one.
Please !
and don't you think the scumwall game was a crucial game for both our manager and our season,and more important our fans who didn't even bother to turn up for a home game
Of course I do but there's nothing we can do but move on now.
As some have stated, we didn't expect to win last Saturday so nothing new there.
But SCP is still our Manager & whatever your thoughts about him may be, he won't have lost the dressing room overnight. There's far more to our players and the relationship they have with him and the other coaches - but if he goes, it will take a special guy stepping into his shoes to command the same respect & engender the team spirit we've clearly seen up until now.
That's why I stated that I expect the lads to pull out all the stops at Burnley and from then onwards. They know they let the gaffer and the fans down last Saturday and will be champing at the bit to make amends and start taking the season forward positively. They don't want to lose SCP, I'm certain of that.
Remember that his head was rumoured to be on the edge of the chopping block before the Cardiff game at The Valley last season ...and how, with the help of the supporters that night and the players busting a gut, a crisis was turned into a triumph.
Every game is crucial. And a rallying call to all concerned whether they play their parts on or off the pitch is surely a step in the right direction .
Viewfinder, agree 100%. Personally I didn't think we lacked effort or team spirit. Nor was it in any way the fans' fault as others suggest.
We currently have a League 1 squad that is playing more or less at its level of ability. Our lack of quality is particularly visible in CM and up front.
Yes, Powell is making mistakes but trying to get a League 1 squad to compete at Championship level with most player contracts up in the Summer and being denied player investment would test even a seasoned manager.
Like many whatever happens I'll carry on supporting the club that I love. Things will get better I'm certain, but they may get a lot worse first.
Thanks for saying you agree with my observations and complaints, ValleyMick. As you rightly say, it's hard for us fans to accept that we are a very mediocre team of lower Championship or upper League One standard when naturally we have high hopes and ambitions. It's extraordinary that the stats show we had 60 per cent of the possession against Millwall; in that sense I have seen us play worse: the game against Boro I thought was dire, and some of those many home defeats last season when the opposition were swinging balls across our box at will were truly depressing.
The lack of authority in midfield is a huge handicap. I saw the warning signs in our pre-season game at AFC Wombles: it was a competitive match; we had returned from the training camp in Spain and looked fit and sharp. And yet there were long periods in the second half when the Wombles - two divisions below us - were swarming up front and pumping crosses into our box, and I remember thinking: our midfield has simply gone Awol.
The failure of our midfield to supply the two strikers with consistently incisive and penetrating passes is a big worry; it would be harsh to condemn our strikers out of hand, because they get such poor service and so few opportunities to shine. Often, we as a team appear to have no rehearsed moves, no set-plays that will put the opposition on the back foot. We are reactive rather than proactive, ending up throwing the kitchen sink in the final ten minutes when the damage has long been done.
A specific example, vivid in my mind from the Boro game a few weeks ago - Harriott was tight on the left wing between the half-way line and their penalty area, and a long ball from defence came hurtling at him, which he competently trapped. In the blink of an eye, three Boro defenders were in his ear; the best Harriott could do was try for a ricochet and win a throw in. Crucially, he had no help from the rest of our midfield - they were standing twenty yards away, staring at him. I often notice these isolated positions where help is far too slow in arriving. The best teams hunt in packs.
An earlier poster commented on the rather pathetic sight of our subs dawdling on the pitch at half time on Saturday and perfunctorily tapping the ball a couple of yards to each other. What also struck me was that with the exception of Cousins how physically small they are. Meanwhile the Millwall team had come out early and were warming up with some routines: they looked strong. It was men against boys.
Airman recently said on here that our club is "rotten to the core". He was referring to the situation off the field and behind the scenes. In my view there are fundamental weaknesses in training, too.
Comments
You know from comments on here in the past that you can never hear our part of the crowd that are 'up for it' and thats frustrating as hell because it was loud up there on Saturday. It's pointless discussing atmosphere at the valley, until people move from the north upper it will always be terrible.
With regards to your team though, they seemed to lack the energy for a derby game, seemed a bit languid, no urgency.
To be fair, until Abdou has come back in we've been the same. Bailey, Derry etc have tended to stroll and sit back, Abdou, whilst not blessed with a Scholes range of passing, helps to up the tempo and break up the play which we've missed. It was something that you seemed to lack too.
I actually thought your striker Piggot looked like he could pose a few problems to start with but it become quite predictable and easier to defend.
An imaginative way to set up would have been to play Cousins instaed of Wood. He can play defensively if required or as the game panned out - push into the middle. The worrying fact is that Burnley away probably suits the 3-5-2 and Saturday's showing may mean we react rather than anticipate the different challenges this game will give us!
Don't normally post on the post match thread but I feel I need to this time.
Firstly I understand why Piggot started because ideally it is better to have a bigger striker in the forward line,his problem was that he is not yet up to the standard required at this level although as SLL says above there were moments where he looked as though he might be useful.
Like Smith who is playing well for the Wombles I would like Joe to bag a League side on loan and get a run of games. This means we need a cover striker for Yann. What would be wrong with Rob Hulse on a years contract ? I thought he led the line well for us last season and he could have done a competent job whilst Yann is unfit.
I wonder whether once it was decided that once Joe started that this meant SCP was not going to put Cousins or Harriott in the starting line up,he seems to play the Academy boys one at a time.
Millwall clearly knew what we were up to with the 3 5 2 and dominated the midfield exchanges in the first half.They had clearly done their homework on us.
I actually thought Richard Wood was our best defender and was surprised when he was withdrawn.Was this because Dervite and Morrison have played together more and therefore have an understanding?
Ironically we seem to do better against the top sides so let's hope we can bag points in the next three games.
I, also, don't see what the relevance the players wages are, but I do understand your anger - I just don't feel it because I always expect us to lose to Millwall.
So how often when Stephens received the ball did you see the other midfielders looking to move into space to receive? One of the problems we have had for a long time is not so much the individuals we have in midfield but how they often fail to work as a unit - I just wish SCP would decide on the best combination and stop messing around with it and then build/coach some flexibility in how they play in different circumstances.
For some inexplicable reason the team did not seem to anticipate the way Millwall would play - and then had no Plan B as to how to respond. All I can think is that SCP thought Kermogant would be playing and had to make a last minute change.
As an added annoyance, our team never turn up.
We were shit end of.
I can't understand why so many fans stayed away and for those of us that we're there, the game and the football just dragged us down, the Millwall fans were also quiet for long periods.
I'm still fcked off 48 hours later!
Wilson's on the website saying how bad all the players feel and then I read on another thread they've all had the day off, probably playing golf or meeting with their agents to discuss their next move!
All week I had the wife asking me not to go as it was my daughters christening on Sunday and we had loads to get ready, I told her that it if was any other game I wouldn't go, but not Charlton v Millwall, so I still go, I don't live round the corner so it takes me a while to get there (I live in West Ham land) and for what - to watch a sorry display from a bunch of players who clearly don't give a crap!
Rant over - as you can see I'm still not over it!
Most of them felt that Pritchard was the worst player on the park, one summed it up quite nicely, he said 'he looks like one of those busy players who gets up and down but his distribution is awful' maybe we look at our Bradley through rose coloured glasses...!?
Rant over this time - I promise...
He needs all the support we can possibly give him at this time - no money, injuries to key players, tough games coming up etc
I'm looking to the players to step up to the plate big time on Saturday and for as many fans as possible to consider making the long trip to Burnley to get behind all concerned. This could be a crucial game for both our Manager & our season.
If you're considering an away game in the next couple of months, make it this one.
Please !
As some have stated, we didn't expect to win last Saturday so nothing new there.
But SCP is still our Manager & whatever your thoughts about him may be, he won't have lost the dressing room overnight. There's far more to our players and the relationship they have with him and the other coaches - but if he goes, it will take a special guy stepping into his shoes to command the same respect & engender the team spirit we've clearly seen up until now.
That's why I stated that I expect the lads to pull out all the stops at Burnley and from then onwards. They know they let the gaffer and the fans down last Saturday and will be champing at the bit to make amends and start taking the season forward positively. They don't want to lose SCP, I'm certain of that.
Remember that his head was rumoured to be on the edge of the chopping block before the Cardiff game at The Valley last season ...and how, with the help of the supporters that night and the players busting a gut, a crisis was turned into a triumph.
Every game is crucial. And a rallying call to all concerned whether they play their parts on or off the pitch is surely a step in the right direction .
The lack of authority in midfield is a huge handicap. I saw the warning signs in our pre-season game at AFC Wombles: it was a competitive match; we had returned from the training camp in Spain and looked fit and sharp. And yet there were long periods in the second half when the Wombles - two divisions below us - were swarming up front and pumping crosses into our box, and I remember thinking: our midfield has simply gone Awol.
The failure of our midfield to supply the two strikers with consistently incisive and penetrating passes is a big worry; it would be harsh to condemn our strikers out of hand, because they get such poor service and so few opportunities to shine. Often, we as a team appear to have no rehearsed moves, no set-plays that will put the opposition on the back foot. We are reactive rather than proactive, ending up throwing the kitchen sink in the final ten minutes when the damage has long been done.
A specific example, vivid in my mind from the Boro game a few weeks ago - Harriott was tight on the left wing between the half-way line and their penalty area, and a long ball from defence came hurtling at him, which he competently trapped. In the blink of an eye, three Boro defenders were in his ear; the best Harriott could do was try for a ricochet and win a throw in. Crucially, he had no help from the rest of our midfield - they were standing twenty yards away, staring at him. I often notice these isolated positions where help is far too slow in arriving. The best teams hunt in packs.
An earlier poster commented on the rather pathetic sight of our subs dawdling on the pitch at half time on Saturday and perfunctorily tapping the ball a couple of yards to each other. What also struck me was that with the exception of Cousins how physically small they are. Meanwhile the Millwall team had come out early and were warming up with some routines: they looked strong. It was men against boys.
Airman recently said on here that our club is "rotten to the core". He was referring to the situation off the field and behind the scenes. In my view there are fundamental weaknesses in training, too.