We definitely deserved something from that game, but we robbed ourselves with our shocking defensive mistakes - not one of our back 4 was good enough to play at this level. Evina's so bad it's a cliché to criticise him, and our centre-backs lack both concentration and the ability to pass (half our problems were trying to build from the back when Woods and Morrison really have poor passing).
On Adjarevic, his natural position is a left winger, so he was playing in his favoured role, but he was frequently out of position. I couldn't initially decide if he was free-role or not, but given the number of times other players were looking for passes not there, I'd fall on the side of poor positioning (same for Green, shocking).
Our problem was we have a poor defence, and this was not sorted out in the transfer window. If we stay up, it'll be through our midfield creativity and good defensive performances of Poyet (who was the only defensively-minded player with credit) or Thuram (undecided on him), or through other teams being worse than us.
Anyone who says we aren't missing Yann because we have Reza is, I believe, forgetting that we play with two strikers, I'm guessing that they are happy with Sordell then?
Football is cruel. We were the better team yet lost. Result aside (yeah I know) I thought there were lots of positives. Poyet, Ajdarevic, Reza and Cousins all look like they can get us out of trouble but not on their own and without some more quality coming in. Evina, Jackson, Sordell and Church are nowhere near good enough and SCP must be ruthless. Wiggins and Solly greatly missed but I doubt we can rely too much on seeing Chris playing many games now mores the pity. We need a creative midfielder and a winger at very least. I think they will come in over the next ten days. It's going to go right to the wire but I'm still hopeful.
stuck somewhere between thinking how refreshing it is to see some players with comfort and ability on the ball and realising we have a mixture of young and foreign, possibly talented players in a relegation battle and trying to play football on a terrible pitch. Logically speaking, it doesn't look good. I think the thing we were crying out for was a presence / target man up front - I think Bournemouth have one now. Reza looks like the perfect partner for kermo - how on earth have we let kermo go or if there is a good reason, why didn't he get on the pitch til too late? Baffling to be honest.
Can't agree Airman, yes CP is Charlton to the bone, yes he did wonders in the promotion season, this season we have been crap, consistently and totally crap. There are mitigating factors but if Powell was half the manager some paint him as then he would get better out of this lot. He got a good run going at the arse end of last season, we know the players have it in them, they aren't showing a sign of it. He HAS to be at least in part responsible.
Fuller, Haynes, Hulse, Obika and Kermorgant.
Sordell, Church, Pigott, formerly Kermorgant, and now Reza and unpronounceable Pete.
No comparison to date.
I can see your point, and it's a good one, but I still can't totally agree I am afraid. Fuller and Haynes spent as much time injured as fit, which does not make them particularly valid comparisons, and Obika was at best a super sub. And frankly, no there is no comparison between Hulse and Reza/Pete the Pole. Reza already looks the better player, Pete has not had much time to make an impact but from reports and what little we've seen in training videos can hardly be worse, let's face it. Pigott I will grant you, though is young and may yet improve, and Church is undeniably a step down, but Sordell has premiership experience and a decent record. If he really is playing so badly, there seems a lack of motivation... and you can't possibly say CP has not got a part to play in that, especially with his much-touted man-management skills.
The fact remains that Powell is lauded by his fans for rejuvenating and motivating players who were stuck in a bit of a rut. This does not seem the case this season! I fully understand there have been mitigating factors that would make any managers job much harder, but five wins all season, and our recent diabolical form, is just not acceptable. I maintain that a new manager, probably one new to these shores but known to RD and co, cannot possibly get the players playing any worse than they are now, and may have new ideas to freshen things up.
If you disagree, that's fair enough, I don't want to start any arguments and this long post is purely speculation and opinion on my part, not factual at all. But I really don't think that you can argue that the team is not performing well with the current manager, and that contemplating a change is not a valid option - even if ultimately Powell IS given backing and a new contract. I respect and admire Powell greatly, his achievements over the past three years are truly fantastic, but he like any other manager, regardless of their Charlton blood or nice personality, is only as good as his current form to me. My patience is not quite running out, but I want to see a team that at least looks like it just might score. One or two clear chances over 90 minutes is not too much to ask, surely?
(Yes we scored against Wigan, and Reza hit the bar. One game, two chances, and we still lost. Doncaster and Birmingham we have looked as toothless as an OAP who got hit in the jaw with a plank of wood.)
On Adjarevic, his natural position is a left winger, so he was playing in his favoured role, but he was frequently out of position. I couldn't initially decide if he was free-role or not, but given the number of times other players were looking for passes not there, I'd fall on the side of poor positioning (same for Green,
I disagree - AA's natural position is through the centre just off a number 9, hence why he often drifted in. He's in no way a left winger at best he could play on the left of a midfield 3.
we aint going to miss yann as we can play to feet, instead of aimlessly hitting the ball in the air for the opposing midfielders and defenders to clean up the knock ons,
we aint going to miss yann as we can play to feet, instead of aimlessly hitting the ball in the air for the opposing midfielders and defenders to clean up the knock ons,
is The dilemma is, either way we are not scoring goals. I liked what I saw of us playing to feet yesterday, but unless we solve the goalscoring problem quick we are doomed to League one
There was a marked change in style of play yesterday...i.e. we tried to pass and keep possession. This was of course helped by Birmingham sitting so deep and allowing us the ball but at least we didn't resort to aimless channel hitting. I hadn't seen the new players before so here's my view...
I thought Reza showed a lot of promise and was very often on the shoulder of the last defender. Against teams with a higher line, I can see him getting in behind because he's got that burst of pace. A Paul Williams type perhaps? We've just got to find him the right partner and it looks like it will have to be 4-4-2 if he is to be a regular. Yes he's pretty light but stamina and strength can be improved and he certainly seems to have the desire. What we have yet to see is whether he can finish a chance when it comes.
Adjarevic was very sound technically and probably on a different level to most of our players. Physically he's got the attributes and just needs to work on his fitness and drive. He faded a bit in the second half and I hope he hasn't got an inclination to cruise but overall I was impressed.
I thought Thuram did ok too. No real chance at all with either goal, he caught one cross, punched another a long way, played the ball out to the defenders well and was good one on one. Ok his kicking needs work but I can live with that. I can see why there is a nervousness from some about his play but I also see ability and potential.
Poyet was very promising indeed. Technically he looks very sound and seems to have vision. Our Academy coaches deserve a lot of credit because they do seem to be turning out technically sound players, who display a maturity which belies their inexperience. Poyet will bulk up a bit and his fitness will improve but he already looks to be a fair way to being a 1st XI player.
Polish Pete wasn't on long enough to form much of a judgement. He didn't appear to be as physically strong/big as I'd perhaps thought but again this can be worked on.
We know the team is unbalanced but I can see CP's thinking about playing Cousins on the right. He probably thinks we'd be too open if we played Green there and sees Cousins playing more of a Graham Stuart role rather than that of a winger. However, I suspect the switch will be temporary and the (sad) decline of Jackson, will see Cousins moved back inside and either Wilson or a new face coming in on the right. The losses of Solly and Wiggins are being keenly felt and even the return of one of them would help enormously.
Ok...we lost at home against a very moderate team and relegation is a real possibility. And it's unlikely that a crop of young players will suddenly transform a losing team into a winning one but if we do go down, I don't think it will be for the want of trying. So, I'll be at Sheff Wednesday next Saturday.
Sub comes on with 15 mins to go, takes a corner and doesn’t clear the first defender, ball comes back to him and the resulting cross doesn't clear the first defender.
Sub comes on with 15 mins to go, takes a corner and doesn’t clear the first defender, ball comes back to him and the resulting cross doesn't clear the first defender.
Sub comes on with 15 mins to go, takes a corner and doesn’t clear the first defender, ball comes back to him and the resulting cross doesn't clear the first defender.
This guy gets paid to play football FFS.
What goes on in training?
Think he is trying to score from the corner, still is was a bit better than his free kick that hit the wall.
4-3-3 away from home against a team that plays 4-4-2. Very brave playing 3 against 4 in midfield. What's your style of play? You obviously can't rely on the full backs to get forward and get in crosses, as they will have their hands full covering the oppositions wide midfielders and full backs overloading them 2v1. Maybe you are asking Church on the right and Reza on the left to work back and cover the full backs when they run forward. A bit much for out and out forwards.
Writing without reading so sorry for repeating chuff that others have mentioned
Seriously Evina should never play again he was beyond useless and I've been saying that for a while he's not good enough AA looked decent in patches especially when he somehow pulled down the 5 yard pass from Evina that was above his shoulder As I said after Wigan match Reza goes to ground too easily and refs won't fall for it and looks like they e cottoned on already and he'll end up not getting decisions he should due to his play acting I thought Morro and Wood looked shakey Didn't think we played too bad but we miss that bit of magic that Kermo could produce to get a goal from somewhere We need some creativity because I don't think Cousins or Poyet have got it in them yet Cousins hit the keeper with a great chance We're gonna be in the shit for the rest of the season and I don't think we've got it in us to get out of it
18% Championship football next season 82% League One and the laughing stock of football again
I do agree with Airman's conclusions. Whilst I think Chrissy is a bit too safety first for my liking sometimes, it has been pretty clear that we have needed a couple of a certain type of player for some time and Chrissy has not been given the support he needed/needs to get them. If he gets the backing he needs and fails, fair enough, but he is having to work in the most challenging of circumstances. It doesn't seem to help when refs always seem to choose the Valley to show how 'neutral' they are!
It isn't too late, ut the supporters need to keep supporting the manager and the team, and the owner needs to see that he is going to have to spend some money now to save some money later. I don't think we can afford to wait - loans in need to happen now. The new owner is clearly no fool, so surely we should expect something to happen!
I think your member pic says it all... The crowd were silent 90% want a change , it was strange today no normal songs with CP involved. Typical remark from another trainspotter.
From yesterday's game it seems like the shortcomings were at the back. The Brum first goal was laughable. What was Morro doing? I suppose Rome wasn't build in a day and it just shows what a lack of quality we have had to live with this season. And now that we are getting decent replacements in it is showing the weaknesses we still have. And, like I said, that now appears to be at the back. Chris has had a lot of bad luck with Wiggins, Solly and Cort but I have questions about the ability of the centre of the defense of Morro, Wood and Dervite. Maybe that is where we need to strengthen in the emergency loan window. It seems to me this season that it has happened too many times where Chris has been taking his cautious approach, trying to keep it tight and waiting for a goal for us to open things up, and then a blunder at the back undoes everything that he has been planning. And once we go a goal down I just don't think we have had the nous to come back from that.
Maybe we're overlooking where quality really is lacking now - the centre of defense.
I do agree with Airman's conclusions. Whilst I think Chrissy is a bit too safety first for my liking sometimes, it has been pretty clear that we have needed a couple of a certain type of player for some time and Chrissy has not been given the support he needed/needs to get them. If he gets the backing he needs and fails, fair enough, but he is having to work in the most challenging of circumstances. It doesn't seem to help when refs always seem to choose the Valley to show how 'neutral' they are!
It isn't too late, ut the supporters need to keep supporting the manager and the team, and the owner needs to see that he is going to have to spend some money now to save some money later. I don't think we can afford to wait - loans in need to happen now. The new owner is clearly no fool, so surely we should expect something to happen!
Well said, Mutts.
Hope I'm right when I add that RD will know where this team's weaknesses are and won't let us down.
Katrien will be fully aware after watching yesterday's match and will have passed on her concerns regarding lack of goals etc. RD will also know the short & long term situation re Chris Solly so expect to see some business done very soon to address said problems.
The advantage over the last time we went down is that a couple of players wouldn't have been enough then - this is still fixable! And with Wiggy out - yes it weakened us at the back - not mentioning Solly and Cort as longer term issues. But that isn't our problem area in my view.
Another thing I noticed and have noticed a few times is clearly linked to confidence. In the second half Birmingham were set up to be pushed back - but a lot of times the option to play a penetrative ball was declined for the easier option (leave it for somebody else to get a moan or groan). Last season Harriot was successful because he had no fear and went for defenders and we have to try to get players to take responsibility to try and make things happen. Of course the crowd plays a part in this, and we need to be more patient when an attempt at a killer ball doesn't come off.
I won't moan at Green for losing the ball for this reason.
Comments
On Adjarevic, his natural position is a left winger, so he was playing in his favoured role, but he was frequently out of position. I couldn't initially decide if he was free-role or not, but given the number of times other players were looking for passes not there, I'd fall on the side of poor positioning (same for Green, shocking).
Our problem was we have a poor defence, and this was not sorted out in the transfer window. If we stay up, it'll be through our midfield creativity and good defensive performances of Poyet (who was the only defensively-minded player with credit) or Thuram (undecided on him), or through other teams being worse than us.
The fact remains that Powell is lauded by his fans for rejuvenating and motivating players who were stuck in a bit of a rut. This does not seem the case this season! I fully understand there have been mitigating factors that would make any managers job much harder, but five wins all season, and our recent diabolical form, is just not acceptable. I maintain that a new manager, probably one new to these shores but known to RD and co, cannot possibly get the players playing any worse than they are now, and may have new ideas to freshen things up.
If you disagree, that's fair enough, I don't want to start any arguments and this long post is purely speculation and opinion on my part, not factual at all. But I really don't think that you can argue that the team is not performing well with the current manager, and that contemplating a change is not a valid option - even if ultimately Powell IS given backing and a new contract. I respect and admire Powell greatly, his achievements over the past three years are truly fantastic, but he like any other manager, regardless of their Charlton blood or nice personality, is only as good as his current form to me. My patience is not quite running out, but I want to see a team that at least looks like it just might score. One or two clear chances over 90 minutes is not too much to ask, surely?
(Yes we scored against Wigan, and Reza hit the bar. One game, two chances, and we still lost. Doncaster and Birmingham we have looked as toothless as an OAP who got hit in the jaw with a plank of wood.)
The dilemma is, either way we are not scoring goals.
I liked what I saw of us playing to feet yesterday, but unless we solve the goalscoring problem quick we are doomed to League one
I thought Reza showed a lot of promise and was very often on the shoulder of the last defender. Against teams with a higher line, I can see him getting in behind because he's got that burst of pace. A Paul Williams type perhaps? We've just got to find him the right partner and it looks like it will have to be 4-4-2 if he is to be a regular. Yes he's pretty light but stamina and strength can be improved and he certainly seems to have the desire. What we have yet to see is whether he can finish a chance when it comes.
Adjarevic was very sound technically and probably on a different level to most of our players. Physically he's got the attributes and just needs to work on his fitness and drive. He faded a bit in the second half and I hope he hasn't got an inclination to cruise but overall I was impressed.
I thought Thuram did ok too. No real chance at all with either goal, he caught one cross, punched another a long way, played the ball out to the defenders well and was good one on one. Ok his kicking needs work but I can live with that. I can see why there is a nervousness from some about his play but I also see ability and potential.
Poyet was very promising indeed. Technically he looks very sound and seems to have vision. Our Academy coaches deserve a lot of credit because they do seem to be turning out technically sound players, who display a maturity which belies their inexperience. Poyet will bulk up a bit and his fitness will improve but he already looks to be a fair way to being a 1st XI player.
Polish Pete wasn't on long enough to form much of a judgement. He didn't appear to be as physically strong/big as I'd perhaps thought but again this can be worked on.
We know the team is unbalanced but I can see CP's thinking about playing Cousins on the right. He probably thinks we'd be too open if we played Green there and sees Cousins playing more of a Graham Stuart role rather than that of a winger. However, I suspect the switch will be temporary and the (sad) decline of Jackson, will see Cousins moved back inside and either Wilson or a new face coming in on the right. The losses of Solly and Wiggins are being keenly felt and even the return of one of them would help enormously.
Ok...we lost at home against a very moderate team and relegation is a real possibility. And it's unlikely that a crop of young players will suddenly transform a losing team into a winning one but if we do go down, I don't think it will be for the want of trying. So, I'll be at Sheff Wednesday next Saturday.
What happened to the North Upper? Didn't seem to be supporting the manager or the team. Very disappointing.
Sub comes on with 15 mins to go, takes a corner and doesn’t clear the first defender, ball comes back to him and the resulting cross doesn't clear the first defender.
This guy gets paid to play football FFS.
What goes on in training?
but Evina is not up to it, Reza did all Sordell's running and Jackson struggled in the centre.
Poyet looks like he's played 100 games, Reza and Ajdarevic were good and I didn't think Thuram was that bad, just a bit unorthodox.
came away very dejected because B'ham did not impress and we still got beat.
no don't answer the question, I think I know it
I reckon we should play 2-3-5.
Seriously Evina should never play again he was beyond useless and I've been saying that for a while he's not good enough
AA looked decent in patches especially when he somehow pulled down the 5 yard pass from Evina that was above his shoulder
As I said after Wigan match Reza goes to ground too easily and refs won't fall for it and looks like they e cottoned on already and he'll end up not getting decisions he should due to his play acting
I thought Morro and Wood looked shakey
Didn't think we played too bad but we miss that bit of magic that Kermo could produce to get a goal from somewhere
We need some creativity because I don't think Cousins or Poyet have got it in them yet
Cousins hit the keeper with a great chance
We're gonna be in the shit for the rest of the season and I don't think we've got it in us to get out of it
18% Championship football next season 82% League One and the laughing stock of football again
It isn't too late, ut the supporters need to keep supporting the manager and the team, and the owner needs to see that he is going to have to spend some money now to save some money later. I don't think we can afford to wait - loans in need to happen now. The new owner is clearly no fool, so surely we should expect something to happen!
I'm not saying I agree with Chris' decision but I can understand the thinking behind it.
Maybe we're overlooking where quality really is lacking now - the centre of defense.
Hope I'm right when I add that RD will know where this team's weaknesses are and won't let us down.
Katrien will be fully aware after watching yesterday's match and will have passed on her concerns regarding lack of goals etc. RD will also know the short & long term situation re Chris Solly so expect to see some business done very soon to address said problems.
RD knows it makes sense ....
I won't moan at Green for losing the ball for this reason.