Watched on line - that was a very, very tired performance. They looked just like a side playing its 11th game in 35 days. The fixture congestion is taking its toll. Never mind the physicality involved in the Championship it is the mental sharpness needed to play at this level that is also important.
Jackson and Adjarevic looked off the pace and you cannot expect 2 young lads playing in their 1st season, enduring their first end of season run at this level to consistently perform. Nathan Jones knows these lads very well and set them both challenges. Poyet did play through his mistake (Hamer was also culpable) and found his game but it was a Ray Wilkins "crab like" performance. BHA ran Cousins down blind alleys all game. I do not criticize the lad he was the only one who seemed to have any legs. He needs to go lay down until Tuesday!
Defensively we were uncertain as Brighton played round Poyet drawing him in and feeding runners off him which others were neither mentally or physically sharp enough to pick up. In the circumstances Morrison and Dervite did OK but looked uncomfortable with the Brighton midfield runners - in fairness so would most centre backs.
As for the goals we gave them the first, the 2nd does look suspicious and the 3rd one was largely irrelevant - although it did seem another deflection. I thought Brighton were average and fortunate to end up with a 3-0 score line.
I have to say though if were a defender playing in this squad I would not be signing any contract until I knew what the club planned to do about strengthening the front two.
I have some sympathy for Reza, such players needs runners to "feed and go" but as it is when he receives the ball he has precious few options and a defender does even have to think about it, he can literally close him down every time and unlike the continent he simply is not going to get the protection he needs to perform. That said his first touch was not good - and he definitely needs a summer in the "weights room".
I wish I could offer a comment on Sordell but I am not sure I have ever seen a more invisible performance. I maybe being unfair but I seriously suggest someone sits him down with a video of the game and politely ask him what he was trying to do - because whatever it was - it must have been in another dimension.
I respect that the service he is getting is not good but that was truly frustrating.
In the hotel, off out to try and forget that ! It was awful, really awful and worse thing was they did not appear to try or care ! People saying saving ourselves for Tuesday ! What that's turd, if we play like that again, we will not take another point this season. Can I be the first Riga OUT !
it's not just tues night though as we still have 5 games to go after that and against teams that like to score goals; Sheff W have scored 3 in consecutive games, Blackburn have Jordan Rhodes and Watford score their share too and I fear that we need to get above Blackpool & Donny as Millwall are picking up points and will soon be above us.
From last ten Mowow = 1.2 pts per game, Charlton = 1.4. Mwawl now have 4 games left, we have 6. On this form we would end the season with 49-50, Mwaaw with 44-45. Looking at the less attractive last 5 games as an indicator of form would leave us on 48 - 49, Mwuh on 47-48, but both of us would finish above 'Pool.
not worried about the last 10 games - what are the figures for the last 3 games ?? Millwall are on a bit of a roll with 7 points out of 9 available. There is usually 1 team that gets out of trouble by going on a late run (we did it last year) and I can just see Millwall not losing now until the end of the season.
OK. Thats why I also looked at the last 5. Of course, as you know, we have 3 from our last 3 and Mwall have 7. Extrapolating from THAT would give them between 9 and 10 points from their last 4, and would give us 6, ending with us on 47 and Mww with 50, above us and us above Bpool and Donny. And Yeaovil and Barnsleuh, natch.
(Or we could just look at the last game only as an indicator of form in which case Millwall will end on 52 points we'll get none and then we will get relegated which we no doubt roundly deserve and we can have a proper Charlton summer feeling shit about ourselves).
I watched the game on the live stream. The key moments of the game went against Charlton. I felt that Charlton were well organised and passing the ball well until the Poyet / Hamer error for the first goal.
Young players will make mistakes and I think that Charlton supporters should give Poyet their support. Poyet has still got some development to do. I hope he can do that at Charlton.
I thought Charlton would get a chance and it is disapointing that Reza hit the bar (again) and then Charlton conceeded an offside goal on the break. 2-0 against a good passing team such as Brighton was always going to be difficult as they are quick on the break. Keep things tight and don't concede and Brighton struggle. It is not a surprise that the second half was poor after the second goal. The management and team had clearly an eye on the next game.
It is disappointing for Charlton to lose. Any wailing and gnashing of teeth needs to be held off / resisted (fight that urge have a beer / glass of wine). The crucial game will be against Barnsley. Time for strong hearts. A positive result for Charlton on Tuesday will make all the difference.
Technically quite a few of our attacking players have been found wanting. The passing style is definitely the way to go but it needs a focal point of a technically adept centre-forward.
I know some people get offended at his mention, but what a difference Kermorgant might have made in a game like today, especially now we are keeping it on the floor.
That would be a nicely balanced team IMO with energy, a bit of steel and some quality and creativity. Not quite a promotion contender but good enough to get us out of trouble fairly comfortably. Switch Kermorgant for Sordell/Church/Obika/Piggott and suddenly there is a fundamental weakness sticking out like a sore thumb.
That looks a good team fair enough but put in Jackson for Kermorgant and I don't see a problem Tuesday especially with Harriot, Sordell and Obika on the bench. 4-5-1 is the answer with the players we have...you know the ones that want to wear our badge That's a mid table team but we will "only" be 18th on Tuesday!
I've been out all day and just seen the result and team selection. Now, we had little or no chance of winning this so I am not disappointed, but what I would have liked to see, is the dev squad play today and save the legs of the first team for Tuesday. No manager would have done that but in reality that is what we should have done. Our players were knackered in the last 20 minutes on Tuesday if we are not careful we will have a whole team who can't quite give enough, when now, we really need them to
I wasn't at Brighton today, but judging from reports it was a less than wonderful performance. To be honest, I thought the Yeovil performance was poor. We were just lucky to be playing a poor side and managed to get two goals while Yeovil's defence was asleep. A better team would have had it sown up at half time.
I think we can still escape, but don't be fooled. Wins make all the difference. If we win 1, draw 2 and lose 3 of our last 6 games, it could be curtains. Thankfully, there seem to be 3 or 4 other poor sides in this division. Let's hope they keep up their poor form.
I might seem like a doom and gloom merchant - it is not really in my nature usually. I just worry, like many others, that the painful lack of goals is going to bite us in the end.
Totally unacceptable performance that was very depressing to watch. The stats just say it all. We were not in the game except for a very brief spell early in the second half. The team look tired and bereft of any cutting edge or quality. Brighton were not that great and there was space to exploit, especially down their left but without any decent wide players we didn't have a hope.
Watched on line - that was a very, very tired performance. They looked just like a side playing its 11th game in 35 days. The fixture congestion is taking its toll. Never mind the physicality involved in the Championship it is the mental sharpness needed to play at this level that is also important.
Jackson and Adjarevic looked off the pace and you cannot expect 2 young lads playing in their 1st season, enduring their first end of season run at this level to consistently perform. Nathan Jones knows these lads very well and set them both challenges. Poyet did play through his mistake (Hamer was also culpable) and found his game but it was a Ray Wilkins "crab like" performance. BHA ran Cousins down blind alleys all game. I do not criticize the lad he was the only one who seemed to have any legs. He needs to go lay down until Tuesday!
Defensively we were uncertain as Brighton played round Poyet drawing him in and feeding runners off him which others were neither mentally or physically sharp enough to pick up. In the circumstances Morrison and Dervite did OK but looked uncomfortable with the Brighton midfield runners - in fairness so would most centre backs.
As for the goals we gave them the first, the 2nd does look suspicious and the 3rd one was largely irrelevant - although it did seem another deflection. I thought Brighton were average and fortunate to end up with a 3-0 score line.
I have to say though if were a defender playing in this squad I would not be signing any contract until I knew what the club planned to do about strengthening the front two.
I have some sympathy for Reza, such players needs runners to "feed and go" but as it is when he receives the ball he has precious few options and a defender does even have to think about it, he can literally close him down every time and unlike the continent he simply is not going to get the protection he needs to perform. That said his first touch was not good - and he definitely needs a summer in the "weights room".
I wish I could offer a comment on Sordell but I am not sure I have ever seen a more invisible performance. I maybe being unfair but I seriously suggest someone sits him down with a video of the game and politely ask him what he was trying to do - because whatever it was - it must have been in another dimension.
I respect that the service he is getting is not good but that was truly frustrating.
It was good to see Solly.
The battle continues.
Grapevine considering you watched it online I think this is a very accurate and well written analysis of todays efforts. Once again we had no outlet upfront and for me today Sordell just didn't put a shift in, I realise their CB's were decent but we never really tested them!! I totally get what you say about Reza, because to begin with I felt he was a bit lightweight - still do to be honest- but having watched him in the last few matches he is finding his level and he has got very very quick feet and certain style of play and I agree with you he needs an outlet running off the ball to give him something to work with. For me we seem very stable defensively at the back and midfield but we seem to lack any link up offensive midfield midfield to strikers whoever they maybe. Ben Hamer has had his critics early part of the season I was one of them, but I actually think he has been excellent last 8-10 games and ok today him and Diego had a misunderstanding which cost us an easy goal but for me they both still get my vote of confidence. Still think we will nick it as overall the team is looking more and more confident week on week…joust need to overcome the fear of playing it forward ON THE FLOOR !
Watched on line - that was a very, very tired performance. They looked just like a side playing its 11th game in 35 days. The fixture congestion is taking its toll. Never mind the physicality involved in the Championship it is the mental sharpness needed to play at this level that is also important.
Jackson and Adjarevic looked off the pace and you cannot expect 2 young lads playing in their 1st season, enduring their first end of season run at this level to consistently perform. Nathan Jones knows these lads very well and set them both challenges. Poyet did play through his mistake (Hamer was also culpable) and found his game but it was a Ray Wilkins "crab like" performance. BHA ran Cousins down blind alleys all game. I do not criticize the lad he was the only one who seemed to have any legs. He needs to go lay down until Tuesday!
Defensively we were uncertain as Brighton played round Poyet drawing him in and feeding runners off him which others were neither mentally or physically sharp enough to pick up. In the circumstances Morrison and Dervite did OK but looked uncomfortable with the Brighton midfield runners - in fairness so would most centre backs.
As for the goals we gave them the first, the 2nd does look suspicious and the 3rd one was largely irrelevant - although it did seem another deflection. I thought Brighton were average and fortunate to end up with a 3-0 score line.
I have to say though if were a defender playing in this squad I would not be signing any contract until I knew what the club planned to do about strengthening the front two.
I have some sympathy for Reza, such players needs runners to "feed and go" but as it is when he receives the ball he has precious few options and a defender does even have to think about it, he can literally close him down every time and unlike the continent he simply is not going to get the protection he needs to perform. That said his first touch was not good - and he definitely needs a summer in the "weights room".
I wish I could offer a comment on Sordell but I am not sure I have ever seen a more invisible performance. I maybe being unfair but I seriously suggest someone sits him down with a video of the game and politely ask him what he was trying to do - because whatever it was - it must have been in another dimension.
I respect that the service he is getting is not good but that was truly frustrating.
It was good to see Solly.
The battle continues.
What I find disappointing about Sordell is that he's getting an automatic start and not taking up the gauntlet. I was at The Valley on Tuesday and it was just the same - the goal was a surprise bonus. I was really fed up when Danny Haynes was sold because his pace forces defences to sit deeper and thus creating space behind him. If Sordell and partner could receive the ball facing their own goal, play it back to Midfield who immediately played it into space behind the defence or over the top for Haynes to run on to - a very different scenario. Equally, a pacey midfielder or two, linking with the strikers can use the third man running tactic - something I rarely see in Charlton's game
What is the passing style exactly? Walk around a bit, pass it five yards, pass it sideways, pass it back, back to Hamer, repeat process.
Without a suitable centre-forward then yes, I suppose it is.
Don't forget though, the manager hasn't had a clear week yet to train these blokes. Keep the manager, give him a whole pre-season to shape and train the squad and give the players a decent pitch to play on. In the meantime, try to scrape through.
We could have Messi upfront and it wouldn't matter because we don't work the ball that far forward.
In the hotel, off out to try and forget that ! It was awful, really awful and worse thing was they did not appear to try or care ! People saying saving ourselves for Tuesday ! What that's turd, if we play like that again, we will not take another point this season. Can I be the first Riga OUT !
Probably had this game written off before they started but goals count - another 3 conceded is not good news
Said before that it will go down to squeeky bum time on the last weekend. Sadly we seem so much better when it's not a Saturday. The good news is that we have only two more Saturday games to come! The bad news is that the last match is one of 'em...
Disappointing thing is that our goal difference was miles better than those around us a few weeks back but we've effectively chucked that spare point away by getting turned over 3-0 a few times recently.
Said before that it will go down to squeeky bum time on the last weekend. Sadly we seem so much better when it's not a Saturday. The good news is that we have only two more Saturday games to come! The bad news is that the last match is one of 'em...
Disappointing thing is that our goal difference was miles better than those around us a few weeks back but we've effectively chucked that spare point away by getting turned over 3-0 a few times recently.
Squeaky bum time - thanks, B.A, I came up with squirty bum time after Tuesday's game - squeaky bum is the one that doesn't immediately require Imodium, I guess? Agree with your post, especially on goal difference but I genuinely believe some games are winnable and some aren't - such is the lack of strength in the squad.
We will be fine. Never mind all this analysis. Look into my eyes, don't look around the eyes, not around the eyes, look into my eyes. You're under. Charlton will be fine by game 43.
Technically quite a few of our attacking players have been found wanting. The passing style is definitely the way to go but it needs a focal point of a technically adept centre-forward.
I know some people get offended at his mention, but what a difference Kermorgant might have made in a game like today, especially now we are keeping it on the floor.
That would be a nicely balanced team IMO with energy, a bit of steel and some quality and creativity. Not quite a promotion contender but good enough to get us out of trouble fairly comfortably. Switch Kermorgant for Sordell/Church/Obika/Piggott and suddenly there is a fundamental weakness sticking out like a sore thumb.
That looks a good team fair enough but put in Jackson for Kermorgant and I don't see a problem Tuesday especially with Harriot, Sordell and Obika on the bench. 4-5-1 is the answer with the players we have...you know the ones that want to wear our badge That's a mid table team but we will "only" be 18th on Tuesday!
I don't think 451 solves anything right now. You're right, it's probably the best we can do with what we have, but it still leaves us lacking a target man type player who can compete physically with centre backs and hold the ball up to bring the midfield and other forwards into the game. That could have been Kermorgant and I don't buy the theory he wouldn't have stayed for the right offer and I don't accept we couldn't have and shouldn't have matched Bournemouth, but that is all water under the bridge. Whether it was Kermorgant or a new signing, we were desperately lacking a player that ilk today because every time the ball was passed forwards for Sordell and later Church it just came straight back to us and that just puts too much pressure on the midfield and defence.
Barnsleh is going to be the time of maximum stress. They're going to come out like a wounded beast and with a game in hand themselves are going to see us as their last chance to clamber over the bodies to get out of the pit or else take some other b*stard down with them.
IF we can back this up with a win on Tuesday it won't matter but I really don't get the suicidal posts on here when we lose to sides in the top 6. The gap between top and bottom in this league is even wider than the prem.
Technically quite a few of our attacking players have been found wanting. The passing style is definitely the way to go but it needs a focal point of a technically adept centre-forward.
I know some people get offended at his mention, but what a difference Kermorgant might have made in a game like today, especially now we are keeping it on the floor.
That would be a nicely balanced team IMO with energy, a bit of steel and some quality and creativity. Not quite a promotion contender but good enough to get us out of trouble fairly comfortably. Switch Kermorgant for Sordell/Church/Obika/Piggott and suddenly there is a fundamental weakness sticking out like a sore thumb.
That looks a good team fair enough but put in Jackson for Kermorgant and I don't see a problem Tuesday especially with Harriot, Sordell and Obika on the bench. 4-5-1 is the answer with the players we have...you know the ones that want to wear our badge That's a mid table team but we will "only" be 18th on Tuesday!
I don't think 451 solves anything right now. You're right, it's probably the best we can do with what we have, but it still leaves us lacking a target man type player who can compete physically with centre backs and hold the ball up to bring the midfield and other forwards into the game. That could have been Kermorgant and I don't buy the theory he wouldn't have stayed for the right offer and I don't accept we couldn't have and shouldn't have matched Bournemouth, but that is all water under the bridge. Whether it was Kermorgant or a new signing, we were desperately lacking a player that ilk today because every time the ball was passed forwards for Sordell and later Church it just came straight back to us and that just puts too much pressure on the midfield and defence.
Hear what you say and should have added we.move towards 4-3-3 after 60 minutes with what we have and early subs... Never want to see Church again! I have posted elsewhere that the club needs to target and land decent forwards and other replacements over the summer...and ideally keep the best out of contract players. But forgetting next season, the way Riga is coaching I think we should be Okay...not long to wait to find out.
On a different note I feel sorry for the travelling fans today to watch that - I had the Mrs lobbying me at 11 this morning to make it a day trip with the kids - no thanks says I let's enjoy Tuesday instead!
IF we can back this up with a win on Tuesday it won't matter but I really don't get the suicidal posts on here when we lose to sides in the top 6. The gap between top and bottom in this league is even wider than the prem.
Hmm.
We've beaten QPR, Brighton and Leicester this year.
Was at the game. We were poor, barely got forward, barely had a shot. Poyet's mistake handed them the first goal. Unlucky to hit the bar, they then go 2-0 up and there wasn't much hope that we'd get back into it. Brighton passed, moved and controlled the ball well, we did not. When we won set pieces we passed them short and Brighton had their team behind the ball, we had no hope of finding a way through.
Still think Sordell's our best option up front, has a decent touch and at times can hold up the ball. If Obika's touch is anything like it was Tuesday he can't play that role. Church has had enough chances. Reza definitely can't play that role when we switch to 4-5-1.
As has been said in recent weeks on here 1 win and 1 defeat is better than 2 draws. Really does seem as if we're trying to save energy in the more difficult games, hoping we might sneak a result if we're lucky. Again we were losing and the better players in AA and Jackson were taken off.
We need to win Tuesday and at least one more with a couple of draws to be safe. Hope it doesn't go to the final day.
Can't put my finger on "why" but for the first time this season ( in the league) I've left a game feeling totally down & depressed.
Maybe it's because I was stupid enough to leave home without a coat & consequently froze in Row B.
Maybe it's because I dismissed the lack of choccy fingers as being unimportant( that'll teach me !)
But it's more likely that our performance on the pitch was very poor - possibly one of the worst of the season thus far, with the exception of Doncaster. TBH I could count the number of positives on the fingers of one hand....No-one stood out for me & I was especially disappointed with Marvin after, what I thought could be a belated but welcome start to his season last Tuesday.
Today reminded me how frail & threadbare our squad is & how fortunate we have been in recent weeks with injuries- or rather the lack of apart from Zorro Wilson. I live in fear of a couple of heavy knocks in one match that severely restrict JR's options. Could this also be in the minds of our players as they go in for a tackle ?
Hand on heart, I expected to lose today but the manner of the defeat troubled me & although I strive to remain optimistic, I'm now having a wobble ....Like the players, I fear I am starting to run out of steam with all these games in quick succession & I am realising more & more how difficult it must be to find a happy medium between rest/recovery and maintaining match fitness. Jose & his management team will surely earn their crust with knobs on if they manage to finish the season with our Championship status intact.
I'll be starting my training for Tuesday evening, beginning with extensive lie in (recovery) , followed by chicken salad (vitamins/protein) , several cups of tea ( hydration) , an hour of gardening ( warm up), 2 hours of ironing( intensive training) and finishing with several hours flat out in front of the TV (rest)
I'm hoping to be back in prime condition by 7.45 on Tuesday evening, ready to give my all for the lads in what will possibly be the most crucial game this season. And I sincerely hope that EVERY season ticket holder, EVERYONE who is debating whether to come along to buy a ticket on the night & EVERYONE that thinks of themselves as an Addick makes the effort to join me for 90+ minutes that may well determine whether we visit Tranmere or Middlesbrough next season.....and as the Big Man says "Let's make some noise !!!!"
Comments
Jackson and Adjarevic looked off the pace and you cannot expect 2 young lads playing in their 1st season, enduring their first end of season run at this level to consistently perform. Nathan Jones knows these lads very well and set them both challenges. Poyet did play through his mistake (Hamer was also culpable) and found his game but it was a Ray Wilkins "crab like" performance. BHA ran Cousins down blind alleys all game. I do not criticize the lad he was the only one who seemed to have any legs. He needs to go lay down until Tuesday!
Defensively we were uncertain as Brighton played round Poyet drawing him in and feeding runners off him which others were neither mentally or physically sharp enough to pick up. In the circumstances Morrison and Dervite did OK but looked uncomfortable with the Brighton midfield runners - in fairness so would most centre backs.
As for the goals we gave them the first, the 2nd does look suspicious and the 3rd one was largely irrelevant - although it did seem another deflection. I thought Brighton were average and fortunate to end up with a 3-0 score line.
I have to say though if were a defender playing in this squad I would not be signing any contract until I knew what the club planned to do about strengthening the front two.
I have some sympathy for Reza, such players needs runners to "feed and go" but as it is when he receives the ball he has precious few options and a defender does even have to think about it, he can literally close him down every time and unlike the continent he simply is not going to get the protection he needs to perform. That said his first touch was not good - and he definitely needs a summer in the "weights room".
I wish I could offer a comment on Sordell but I am not sure I have ever seen a more invisible performance. I maybe being unfair but I seriously suggest someone sits him down with a video of the game and politely ask him what he was trying to do - because whatever it was - it must have been in another dimension.
I respect that the service he is getting is not good but that was truly frustrating.
It was good to see Solly.
The battle continues.
(Or we could just look at the last game only as an indicator of form in which case Millwall will end on 52 points we'll get none and then we will get relegated which we no doubt roundly deserve and we can have a proper Charlton summer feeling shit about ourselves).
Young players will make mistakes and I think that Charlton supporters should give Poyet their support. Poyet has still got some development to do. I hope he can do that at Charlton.
I thought Charlton would get a chance and it is disapointing that Reza hit the bar (again) and then Charlton conceeded an offside goal on the break. 2-0 against a good passing team such as Brighton was always going to be difficult as they are quick on the break. Keep things tight and don't concede and Brighton struggle. It is not a surprise that the second half was poor after the second goal. The management and team had clearly an eye on the next game.
It is disappointing for Charlton to lose. Any wailing and gnashing of teeth needs to be held off / resisted (fight that urge have a beer / glass of wine). The crucial game will be against Barnsley. Time for strong hearts. A positive result for Charlton on Tuesday will make all the difference.
That's a mid table team but we will "only" be 18th on Tuesday!
I think we can still escape, but don't be fooled. Wins make all the difference. If we win 1, draw 2 and lose 3 of our last 6 games, it could be curtains. Thankfully, there seem to be 3 or 4 other poor sides in this division. Let's hope they keep up their poor form.
I might seem like a doom and gloom merchant - it is not really in my nature usually. I just worry, like many others, that the painful lack of goals is going to bite us in the end.
considering you watched it online I think this is a very accurate and well written analysis of todays efforts. Once again we had no outlet upfront and for me today Sordell just didn't put a shift in, I realise their CB's were decent but we never really tested them!!
I totally get what you say about Reza, because to begin with I felt he was a bit lightweight - still do to be honest- but having watched him in the last few matches he is finding his level and he has got very very quick feet and certain style of play and I agree with you he needs an outlet running off the ball to give him something to work with. For me we seem very stable defensively at the back and midfield but we seem to lack any link up offensive midfield midfield to strikers whoever they maybe.
Ben Hamer has had his critics early part of the season I was one of them, but I actually think he has been excellent last 8-10 games and ok today him and Diego had a misunderstanding which cost us an easy goal but for me they both still get my vote of confidence.
Still think we will nick it as overall the team is looking more and more confident week on week…joust need to overcome the fear of playing it forward ON THE FLOOR !
I was really fed up when Danny Haynes was sold because his pace forces defences to sit deeper and thus creating space behind him.
If Sordell and partner could receive the ball facing their own goal, play it back to Midfield who immediately played it into space behind the defence or over the top for Haynes to run on to - a very different scenario.
Equally, a pacey midfielder or two, linking with the strikers can use the third man running tactic - something I rarely see in Charlton's game
Without a suitable centre-forward then yes, I suppose it is.
Don't forget though, the manager hasn't had a clear week yet to train these blokes. Keep the manager, give him a whole pre-season to shape and train the squad and give the players a decent pitch to play on. In the meantime, try to scrape through.
We could have Messi upfront and it wouldn't matter because we don't work the ball that far forward.
Disappointing thing is that our goal difference was miles better than those around us a few weeks back but we've effectively chucked that spare point away by getting turned over 3-0 a few times recently.
Agree with your post, especially on goal difference but I genuinely believe some games are winnable and some aren't - such is the lack of strength in the squad.
I believe we will stay up
We will be fine. Never mind all this analysis. Look into my eyes, don't look around the eyes, not around the eyes, look into my eyes. You're under. Charlton will be fine by game 43.
IF we can back this up with a win on Tuesday it won't matter but I really don't get the suicidal posts on here when we lose to sides in the top 6. The gap between top and bottom in this league is even wider than the prem.
We need to get down the valley Tuesday and vocally back the lads from the first minute and drag them over the line to get the win.
Never want to see Church again! I have posted elsewhere that the club needs to target and land decent forwards and other replacements over the summer...and ideally keep the best out of contract players.
But forgetting next season, the way Riga is coaching I think we should be Okay...not long to wait to find out.
On a different note I feel sorry for the travelling fans today to watch that - I had the Mrs lobbying me at 11 this morning to make it a day trip with the kids - no thanks says I let's enjoy Tuesday instead!
We've beaten QPR, Brighton and Leicester this year.
Still think Sordell's our best option up front, has a decent touch and at times can hold up the ball. If Obika's touch is anything like it was Tuesday he can't play that role. Church has had enough chances. Reza definitely can't play that role when we switch to 4-5-1.
As has been said in recent weeks on here 1 win and 1 defeat is better than 2 draws. Really does seem as if we're trying to save energy in the more difficult games, hoping we might sneak a result if we're lucky. Again we were losing and the better players in AA and Jackson were taken off.
We need to win Tuesday and at least one more with a couple of draws to be safe. Hope it doesn't go to the final day.
Maybe it's because I was stupid enough to leave home without a coat & consequently froze in Row B.
Maybe it's because I dismissed the lack of choccy fingers as being unimportant( that'll teach me !)
But it's more likely that our performance on the pitch was very poor - possibly one of the worst of the season thus far, with the exception of Doncaster. TBH I could count the number of positives on the fingers of one hand....No-one stood out for me & I was especially disappointed with Marvin after, what I thought could be a belated but welcome start to his season last Tuesday.
Today reminded me how frail & threadbare our squad is & how fortunate we have been in recent weeks with injuries- or rather the lack of apart from Zorro Wilson. I live in fear of a couple of heavy knocks in one match that severely restrict JR's options. Could this also be in the minds of our players as they go in for a tackle ?
Hand on heart, I expected to lose today but the manner of the defeat troubled me & although I strive to remain optimistic, I'm now having a wobble ....Like the players, I fear I am starting to run out of steam with all these games in quick succession & I am realising more & more how difficult it must be to find a happy medium between rest/recovery and maintaining match fitness. Jose & his management team will surely earn their crust with knobs on if they manage to finish the season with our Championship status intact.
I'll be starting my training for Tuesday evening, beginning with extensive lie in (recovery) , followed by chicken salad (vitamins/protein) , several cups of tea ( hydration) , an hour of gardening ( warm up), 2 hours of ironing( intensive training) and finishing with several hours flat out in front of the TV (rest)
I'm hoping to be back in prime condition by 7.45 on Tuesday evening, ready to give my all for the lads in what will possibly be the most crucial game this season. And I sincerely hope that EVERY season ticket holder, EVERYONE who is debating whether to come along to buy a ticket on the night & EVERYONE that thinks of themselves as an Addick makes the effort to join me for 90+ minutes that may well determine whether we visit Tranmere or Middlesbrough next season.....and as the Big Man says "Let's make some noise !!!!"
Keep the faith !