One of those 'if you can't win, just don't lose' games. It was clear that their new instructions were to play everything along the floor. A nice alternative to 'hoofball' but our players just don't have the quality to play like that, without misplacing passes. I'm glad it was exposed though because people on here love to list our faults without offering alternatives. Well tonight an alternative was tried out but new problems arose. Maybe a balance is needed.
We just can't score. Yet the bloke who scored two goals the last time he played in right midfield, is still stuck at right back. If this is the idea of Dyer and Matthews then I hope they move on. Wilson is one of the few players in our team who can actually shoot. Cousins playing wide is another crazy move. I hope Riga is clever enough to make up his own mind about where players should be played.
Can't be too disappointed with that. Set up to be more positive than of late which I liked. Sordell was lively. Overall thought we did ok. Major down for me was the performance of Wiggins again. Looked very out of sorts. First touch and decision making were frightful. We still need those same players to come in on loan. Our midfield is talented but very slow. All of Jackson, Ajdarevic, Poyet and Cousins are ponderous. It hinders us linking attack and midfield.
Looks like we are trying to pass the ball much more than before, which suggests that Riga is already having some influence. After Sunday the first thing is to stop the rot and I think that was achieved. Thought AA was our best player - he was involved in most of our best moments. Signs that him and JJ are starting to link up nicely. Poyet was good too, but I would like to see him contribute a bit more offensively. On the debit side, I can't remember seeing Rhoys play that poorly before, and sadly Reza seems to be out of his depth at this level, although he did come close with a shot late in the first half. Sordell did not too badly and was a bit unlucky with his goal attempt in the second half.
In summary, we looked obviously short on confidence, and as has been the case all season, not enough of a threat on goal. There was just a hint of improvement however, and I thought we looked better balanced tonight. We ain't down yet!
Turning to Mr Riga, I thought he exuded calm authority from his technical area. Its just an early impression, but he inspired a bit of confidence to me tonight. His was mildly booed before the match but I don't think that will be repeated unless there are some mishaps. Also, I'm sure the female fans will have noticed a slight resemblance to Daniel Craig!
Top marks to the crowd for a superb minutes applause for SCP. That was really touching.
After living in the Charlton Life bubble for the last few days, I was surprised to find that tonight was just like a normal football match. Thought it was a spirited performance from Charlton, clearly lacking confidence in front of goal, but creating enough chances to win.
We deserve a draw. We had some decent chances but Hudds are nothing special.
Good save from Hamer early on but three high balls he didn't come for.
Wiggins well out of sorts but the rest of the back four good.
4 - 2 - 3 - 1 was odd. Reza was a fish out of water wide and missed two good chances. Harriot was effective and Sordell did some good stuff. But Marvin had the best chance with a 1 on 1 and another run on goal when he didn't hit the target.
First sub was early but Colinsams must have some cognative dissonance having got rid of Powell but having Pritchard back : - )
We so so need a new strike force.
Any claims that this was proof that Powell was right/wrong or that Riga is a genius/clown are false.
Nothing much has changed so far and we finished with only AA of the RD players on the pitch
Back, and yes posting without reading. The first half was sort of promising in general play, the second half the players got tired quite quickly and could not force a win. There was energy, lots of quick decision making, one and two touch passing, one twos, and little bits of skill here and there, a lot of corners brought about by energy from the red team and safety play from Huddersfield. That was the first half. The second half was not as good although Marvin Sordell might have got a winner after a great ball from Poyet. Reza missed chances and was replaced by Pritch, and Church came on straight after Marvin failed to take his chance. The game was a bit meh all round, tho' the pitch was decent. It was only one point, so Jose failed to win in our crucial game in our relegation fight. A poor start for him and his identically dressed companion whoever that was. The crowd was probably about 10k, and the support for the reds was sustained pretty well, but not that fullsome, there were moans and groans as the second half wore on. Huddersfield were no better than the reds, but in a game like that they may have snatched a winner.
Interesting views on here. Personally feel that was a winnable game. If the team can beat QPR, who were far superior, then they should have beaten Udds tonight, who were slightly inferior. Time is running out for applauding the odd decent move- points are what's needed.
Was the mirror image of Sunday. Started brightly, kept using Morrison and Hamer and then over to Wilson/Wiggo then we get unstuck. Sordell was alright, no one else stood out, was a boring game and we are bottom because none of our players can score, Hudds looked settled at 0-0. Reza looks like a waste of time in this league
I'm sorry but that's bollocks. Were we watching the same game? Mirror image of Sunday? We were appalling Sunday where as today we was much better. I know some are still annoyed at the Powell situation but we were good today. Credit is due.
I was at both games and watched with open eyes. What made us better today than Sunday? We played with the same tactics, start from the back and play about for a while and then come unstuck and let Morro hoof it or pick out a pass to someone facing back to goal. Huddersfield were the better team than us today, bar our spell of corners and a couple of good chances (we are the lowest scoring team in the league - after all, it is to be expected), there was not much to either team.
Sordell was better than Church was at Sheffield, and Ajdarevic had some neat play but nothing that ripped open Hudds. We had 2 shots on target, Huddersfield had 4. To only get 2 shots on target from 12 corners alone is quite poor, let alone the time around it!
Sorry Seth you are becoming ridiculous with you're childish slating of Riga who could not have had an ounce of influence on that game. Hardly a poor start given how bad we have been all season.
First half we were on top and for periods in the 2nd, the game ebbed and flowed without either side looking that dangerous. I thought Sordell looked lively and with a little more game time would have had the edge to bury his chance.
Overall the crowd and players appeared to not let the occasion get the better of them. It was strange seeing someone else in the technical area instead of CP but our league position means we can't dwell on that for any length of time, we can get out of this and with a little more composure in front of goal will do.
Missed the first 8 mins due to traffic approaching the tunnel and only one ferry but could hear the crowd as soon as we parked in Frank Burton Close so well done Covered End, the players, senior and junior would have appreciated that. LLL&BH
We deserve a draw. We had some decent chances but Hudds are nothing special.
Good save from Hamer early on but three high balls he didn't come for.
Wiggins well out of sorts but the rest of the back four good.
4 - 2 - 3 - 1 was odd. Reza was a fish out of water wide and missed two good chances. Harriot was effective and Sordell did some good stuff. But Marvin had the best chance with a 1 on 1 and another run on goal when he didn't hit the target.
First sub was early but Colinsams must have some cognative dissonance having got rid of Powell but having Pritchard back : - )
We so so need a new strike force.
Any claims that this was proof that Powell was right/wrong or that Riga is a genius/clown are false.
Nothing much has changed so far and we finished with only AA of the RD players on the pitch
This... A solid 6/10 start for Messer Riga. I liked the way we tried to keep the ball and pass it around. We created chances which is a positive but we desperately need to put some of them away. All in all, a good point and disappointed that we didn't get all 3
played some good football.. just can't stick the ball in the back of the net! the support was good emotional scenes for powell... onwards and upwards...
Was quite impressed. No hoof ball and a bit of imagination on occasions. Wiggins and reza very poor, Poyet, AA and Calum excellent. Sordell looked interested.
Was the mirror image of Sunday. Started brightly, kept using Morrison and Hamer and then over to Wilson/Wiggo then we get unstuck. Sordell was alright, no one else stood out, was a boring game and we are bottom because none of our players can score, Hudds looked settled at 0-0. Reza looks like a waste of time in this league
I'm sorry but that's bollocks. Were we watching the same game? Mirror image of Sunday? We were appalling Sunday where as today we was much better. I know some are still annoyed at the Powell situation but we were good today. Credit is due.
I was at both games and watched with open eyes. What made us better today than Sunday? We played with the same tactics, start from the back and play about for a while and then come unstuck and let Morro hoof it or pick out a pass to someone facing back to goal. Huddersfield were the better team than us today, bar our spell of corners and a couple of good chances (we are the lowest scoring team in the league - after all, it is to be expected), there was not much to either team.
Sordell was better than Church was at Sheffield, and Ajdarevic had some neat play but nothing that ripped open Hudds. We had 2 shots on target, Huddersfield had 4. To only get 2 shots on target from 12 corners alone is quite poor, let alone the time around it!
I too think you were watching a different game?! Though we passed really well and looked dangerous at times. Harriot was superb today. Udders were the better team? Laughable comment
Good periods of play, much improved on some recent performances. Thought we were unlucky not to be 1 up at half time. Legs started to look bit tired in 2nd. Would have personally brought Jackson off for Counsins, instead of Harriot. Wiggins had a bad game too, looked shaky defending but think him and harriot work well as a attacking duo
Definitely an improvement on Sunday but the football was no better than Birmingham imho, just that we didn't concede against the run of play as happened then. I don't think it can be considered evidence of Riga's influence personally but I'm definitely going to give him a chance as he didn't blindly pick the newbies.
Cousins put on left wing when he came on. I thought he would have replaced JJ instead of Harriot. Cousins is no more a left winger than a right one, We now ve a mangement team of Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, Assistant Manager, and First Team Coach, JR seemed to consult AD & DM before making subs, the whole evening seemed very flat after the third minute, suprised that Thuram did not take part in the half time subs warm up.
Thought the first half was about as well as we played this season. Just ran out of steam after a really gutsy first half, some real quality especially in the wide areas and through AA. Lost our way second half, looked worryingly like we'd done our bullocks in the first half and it started to get disjointed and we really do lack someone who take the ball into feet at the top of the pitch and bring others into play. All in all I've seen us play a lot worse
Comments
In summary, we looked obviously short on confidence, and as has been the case all season, not enough of a threat on goal. There was just a hint of improvement however, and I thought we looked better balanced tonight. We ain't down yet!
Turning to Mr Riga, I thought he exuded calm authority from his technical area. Its just an early impression, but he inspired a bit of confidence to me tonight. His was mildly booed before the match but I don't think that will be repeated unless there are some mishaps. Also, I'm sure the female fans will have noticed a slight resemblance to Daniel Craig!
Top marks to the crowd for a superb minutes applause for SCP. That was really touching.
Slightly concerned that AA can't yet seem to last a game without tiring. By now I'd have thought he'd have come to terms with it.
We deserve a draw. We had some decent chances but Hudds are nothing special.
Good save from Hamer early on but three high balls he didn't come for.
Wiggins well out of sorts but the rest of the back four good.
4 - 2 - 3 - 1 was odd. Reza was a fish out of water wide and missed two good chances. Harriot was effective and Sordell did some good stuff. But Marvin had the best chance with a 1 on 1 and another run on goal when he didn't hit the target.
First sub was early but Colinsams must have some cognative dissonance having got rid of Powell but having Pritchard back : - )
We so so need a new strike force.
Any claims that this was proof that Powell was right/wrong or that Riga is a genius/clown are false.
Nothing much has changed so far and we finished with only AA of the RD players on the pitch
The first half was sort of promising in general play, the second half the players got tired quite quickly and could not force a win.
There was energy, lots of quick decision making, one and two touch passing, one twos, and little bits of skill here and there, a lot of corners brought about by energy from the red team and safety play from Huddersfield.
That was the first half. The second half was not as good although Marvin Sordell might have got a winner after a great ball from Poyet.
Reza missed chances and was replaced by Pritch, and Church came on straight after Marvin failed to take his chance.
The game was a bit meh all round, tho' the pitch was decent.
It was only one point, so Jose failed to win in our crucial game in our relegation fight. A poor start for him and his identically dressed companion whoever that was.
The crowd was probably about 10k, and the support for the reds was sustained pretty well, but not that fullsome, there were moans and groans as the second half wore on.
Huddersfield were no better than the reds, but in a game like that they may have snatched a winner.
Sordell was better than Church was at Sheffield, and Ajdarevic had some neat play but nothing that ripped open Hudds. We had 2 shots on target, Huddersfield had 4. To only get 2 shots on target from 12 corners alone is quite poor, let alone the time around it!
Overall the crowd and players appeared to not let the occasion get the better of them. It was strange seeing someone else in the technical area instead of CP but our league position means we can't dwell on that for any length of time, we can get out of this and with a little more composure in front of goal will do.
Missed the first 8 mins due to traffic approaching the tunnel and only one ferry but could hear the crowd as soon as we parked in Frank Burton Close so well done Covered End, the players, senior and junior would have appreciated that. LLL&BH
A point and a clean sheet. It's a start.
More of my thoughts later.
Positives - no hoofing from the full backs. Played some decent stuff. Sordell much better. Pitch greatly improved.
Negatives - midfield needs an injection of pace. The strikers available to us aren't going to score enough goals. Wiggins really off form.
It ain't over yet.
Just ran out of steam after a really gutsy first half, some real quality especially in the wide areas and through AA.
Lost our way second half, looked worryingly like we'd done our bullocks in the first half and it started to get disjointed and we really do lack someone who take the ball into feet at the top of the pitch and bring others into play.
All in all I've seen us play a lot worse