That was the definitive hard won three points. We started very well (as we seem to do this season at the Valley) but faded, as Watford got their passing game together. George Tucadean was unable to get hold of the ball and bring others into play, although Igor's pace scared the living day lights out of their central defenders.
We defended extremely well in the second half and Ben Haim and Henderson were excellent, with Bikey and Solly not far behind. Buyens was dominant in the first half before fading a little in the second and Wilson put in a very strong performance after coming on - he and Solly are a real force down that right side.
Watford are likely to be serious play-off contenders and on their current form, this is a game we would have lost last season. The fact that we picked up the three points is testament to the grit and determination of the players, the greater quality we now have at our disposal and the shape and organisation that Bob and his coaches have put in place.
We all know that we are a couple of players short but, whilst recognising it's early days, we must be one of the most improved sides in this division.
We look like a mature side that know how to win but I'd like to see a bit more control, if we had a ref who made some different decisions we would've lost.
A slightly lucky 3 points, it was one of those days when the deflections went wide, when last season they would have gone in. Henderson was excellent, he's clearly shown his worth today, Bikey immense, TBH good and Solly got better and better. Poor up front, Igor was dangerous but clearly tired, Tucudean was ineffective, but both Moussa and Harriot were very poor today, headless chickens! Church would have done a better job than those two!
Henderson saved us in the second half. I have started to forget Hamer now. Ben Heim was just great, reading the game so well. Bikey immense in the air. Wiggy much better and Solly back to his best after a disappointing first half. When Jacko went off we lost our general. We had two headless chickens for the last 15 minutes unable to suss out a final ball for Igor. Did anyone else think that Buyens should have been subbed in the 2nd half? He seemed totally knackered. Overall Watford kept blowing their chances big time. Bit of a lucky win. Super Horns will tell us!
Thought we held on well. Big shift from all defence today and a couple of excellent stops from Henderson. There was a moment in the second half when a Watford player went past Solly and he caught up, overtook, got the ball and took it forward again. It's cameos that like that that liven up the game. Thought Watford were really menacing and would have had a point or even 3 if theor strikers had had more shots on target.
Class from Watford fans clapping on 10 minutes as well. I have to say I thought we were going to concede in the last 10 minutes or so, so well done to the players for resisting Watford throwing everytthing at us.
I thought each decision the ref took was probably right in isolation, but there was no way that game deserved 8 yellows.
Genuinely think Bikey's head is made of concrete and he has jetpacks on those different coloured boots of his.
We've got a Bikey You can watch him if you likey He's a mountain, he's a beast With boots that make him look good. We'll sell him to you if we could You're not having him!
Here we go... Interesting you would point him out for criticism rather than Moussa who lost the ball about 5 times. What exactly did Harriott do wrong? Watched on TV and he got singled out for praise by the commentators for being sensible with possession.
Because I have a history of slagging Harriot off don't I?
Talk me through his run and "shot" when Moussa was completely free to his left. The several blind alleys he ran up and his need to perform a variety of step overs when a simple pass will do.
He has no football brain at all.
Him and Moussa were equally culpable in the last 5 mins.
Moussa wasn't free, he had a player in front of him. Harriott had every right to have a shot and did well to make space to do so.
Oh right, the classic stepover criticism. Good one.
He ran the ball into the corner as he should. He gave the ball away once. Moussa had BP smashing his water bottle on the floor - twice. So why would you pick out Harriott?
"He has no football brain at all" does sound like you have a history of slagging him off.
Here we go... Interesting you would point him out for criticism rather than Moussa who lost the ball about 5 times. What exactly did Harriott do wrong? Watched on TV and he got singled out for praise by the commentators for being sensible with possession.
Lol watched on tv
I live in Hong Kong. It's a bastard of a commute.
Actually being there I have the advantage of being able to see most of what was going on. Not just where the camera goes.
You seem to be basing your argument on some praise from the commentators.
For what its worth, I really hoped Harriot would push on after his form at the end of last season. He hasn't and is regressing.
Do me a favour... You seem to be basing your argument on stepovers. The one example you've given isn't even true. I have the advantage of seeing the whole pitch, with replays, and not being blinded by damning Harriot as having "no football brain at all."
Chunes, I am a big Harriott fan and I assume from your posts you are too, but he was cack when he came on today. His first two touches he gave the ball away both times and tbh didn't do much else all day. He could have easily freed Moussa, but chose to shoot. I wouldn't have minded but his shot was Churchesque.
Rest of the team were class, we have some really good players in this side. This is some of the best football I've seen us play for years.
Harriott's "header" was one of the most pathetic things I've seen a professional footballer do on a pitch. Time to give it up lad, this game isn't for you.
Would probably av lost this game last year the way we played today ,started well moving the ball superbly for 1st 20 mins , then watford took control ,but it's 3 points onwards and upwards .
I think BP likes his wingers to be able to cut in and get involved in the scraps, Harriott is incapable of that, and like any other winger he drifts in and out of games. Against, and for the, right team he can be gold dust but doesn't quite fit in with our set up atm I wouldn't say.
Harriott for me would be better utilized as a sub striker than a winger. Use him to his strengths - get him stretching the play with his pace and give us an outlet when we need it. He can finish too.
If you get him involved in the scraps in the midfield when we're hanging on for dear life it simply won't work.
Anybody know if Bob Peeters is religious? Blimey, someone - apart from our wondrous back 5 - was looking after us today!
Said to a QPR mate after their play-off final win against Derby that was the most unfair scoreline I had ever seen. Today, however, runs that close.
All that said, great fighting performance from the team. Goalkeeper and defence were immense. Just a shame that Tucudean had another disappointing performance.(Fact he has been substituted in all 6 league games speaks for itself). Desperately need another option up front.
If I win the lottery tonight I'll be paying to bring Yann back on loan.
Agree with fortune about kermogant, could really have done with him alongside igor today! Back 5 were exceptional, Henderson tbh and bikey in particular. Thought solly really grew into the game and linked really well with Wilson. The moussa situation was odd, I thought the first 20 or so he was on he looked good and provided a lot more than tucudean, but his decision making in the last few minutes was terrible. Think he's an asset though and will prove his worth throughout the season.
Quick word for cousins who despite still being stuck out on the left put a real shift in and did brilliantly to create the penalty for igor.
The squad clearly needs more depth - hopefully Bulot and Gudmundsson available on Tuesday. Vetokele was a complete star with his pace and touch securing the penalty and three bookings. I really thought one of theirs was going off second half...can't wait to see Vetokele against lower half teams. Longer we stay top six the better and come January M.Duchatelet and Meire strengthen the squad...again! I was always hoping for four points from today and Tuesday...thinking that Wolves will be our easiest game so far.
So far at home we have had three tough opponents, all of whom played open, aggressive football; three exciting, incident-packed games and three narrow, dramatic wins .... Our latest brand-new team has numerous talented young players, plus some older ones of immense character - real footballers indeed, and every one of them Charlton to the core. We're fifth in the table, and only a point behind the leaders. So then - what more does it take to get people along to The Valley ? Are we football's best-kept secret ? In all three matches (at times) our football has been superb. Our ticket prices cannot be considered in any way unreasonable. Our attentive new owners are doing all they can to take the club forward. All we seem to be missing are more spectators. The absentees don't know what they're missing.
On a very delayed train home, but very happy. First visit to the Valley this season and doesn't it look good. Much better display than at Hudds but we still tend to give the ball away needlessly. Others have said most of it but I'd add that whilst some of our players were tiring towards the end it seemed that our tactics wore out the opposition so that while they had the possession they couldn't do much with it but Moussa really messed up a couple of chances at the end.
Watford possession figures don't reflect how much they were forced to play across the park in front of our defence. We'll really hurt some teams when we manage to sustain our game for more than the first 20 minutes.
If Charlton was a cat then we may have used a few of its life's today, but it does not matter how you win, the result is more important. Tomorrow's fish and chip paper will show a one nil win. You don't get any bonus points for artistic movement.
Henderson and the defence had a great game, if any striker in the championship is stronger than Bikey then I haven't seen him!! Yoni Buyens is a class above, hope the players are 100% for Tuesday, all looked very tired at the end of the game. COYA!!
....and wasn't even on the bench today according to BBC Sports site.
Talk about squeaky bum time ! There was a loooong queue for the ladies after the final whistle...
Fantastic defending today & so pleased to see a very competent performance from Henders with a couple of excellent saves.
I hate to admit it, but I do agree with the majority about young Callum. Clearly a player who can" turn it on " as we witnessed towards the end of last season but oh so frustrating on so many occasions. Wonder what Bob's plan is for the lad ?
So, our first clean sheet & another valuable 3 points. Tuesday evening will be another toughie with our players having barely 72 hours to recover from a pretty gruelling 100 minutes today. I'd expect to see Joe Gomez in for Chris Solly but, depending on JBG's injury, an otherwise unchanged side starting. And I can't wait !
Onwards & upwards with Big Bob pulling the strings !
Comments
We defended extremely well in the second half and Ben Haim and Henderson were excellent, with Bikey and Solly not far behind. Buyens was dominant in the first half before fading a little in the second and Wilson put in a very strong performance after coming on - he and Solly are a real force down that right side.
Watford are likely to be serious play-off contenders and on their current form, this is a game we would have lost last season. The fact that we picked up the three points is testament to the grit and determination of the players, the greater quality we now have at our disposal and the shape and organisation that Bob and his coaches have put in place.
We all know that we are a couple of players short but, whilst recognising it's early days, we must be one of the most improved sides in this division.
Poor up front, Igor was dangerous but clearly tired, Tucudean was ineffective, but both Moussa and Harriot were very poor today, headless chickens! Church would have done a better job than those two!
Class from Watford fans clapping on 10 minutes as well. I have to say I thought we were going to concede in the last 10 minutes or so, so well done to the players for resisting Watford throwing everytthing at us.
I thought each decision the ref took was probably right in isolation, but there was no way that game deserved 8 yellows.
You can watch him if you likey
He's a mountain, he's a beast
With boots that make him look good.
We'll sell him to you if we could
You're not having him!
I'll get me coat.
Rest of the team were class, we have some really good players in this side. This is some of the best football I've seen us play for years.
Rest of the team were class, we have some really good players in this side. This is some of the best football I've seen us play for years.
indeed. Bring on the spanners.
Second half was nervy though, like many others I'm sure I was always waiting for the equaliser. This team looks different though!
Peeters 1 Garcia 0
If you get him involved in the scraps in the midfield when we're hanging on for dear life it simply won't work.
Said to a QPR mate after their play-off final win against Derby that was the most unfair scoreline I had ever seen. Today, however, runs that close.
All that said, great fighting performance from the team. Goalkeeper and defence were immense. Just a shame that Tucudean had another disappointing performance.(Fact he has been substituted in all 6 league games speaks for itself). Desperately need another option up front.
If I win the lottery tonight I'll be paying to bring Yann back on loan.
Starting to really like a lot of this team already, and the tightness and work ethic is hugely impressive.
Did some punching of air of almost professional standard at the end. Great stuff
Quick word for cousins who despite still being stuck out on the left put a real shift in and did brilliantly to create the penalty for igor.
Longer we stay top six the better and come January M.Duchatelet and Meire strengthen the squad...again!
I was always hoping for four points from today and Tuesday...thinking that Wolves will be our easiest game so far.
So far at home we have had three tough opponents, all of whom played open, aggressive football; three exciting, incident-packed games and three narrow, dramatic wins .... Our latest brand-new team has numerous talented young players, plus some older ones of immense character - real footballers indeed, and every one of them Charlton to the core. We're fifth in the table, and only a point behind the leaders. So then - what more does it take to get people along to The Valley ? Are we football's best-kept secret ? In all three matches (at times) our football has been superb. Our ticket prices cannot be considered in any way unreasonable. Our attentive new owners are doing all they can to take the club forward. All we seem to be missing are more spectators. The absentees don't know what they're missing.
First visit to the Valley this season and doesn't it look good.
Much better display than at Hudds but we still tend to give the ball away needlessly. Others have said most of it but I'd add that whilst some of our players were tiring towards the end it seemed that our tactics wore out the opposition so that while they had the possession they couldn't do much with it but Moussa really messed up a couple of chances at the end.
Talk about squeaky bum time ! There was a loooong queue for the ladies after the final whistle...
Fantastic defending today & so pleased to see a very competent performance from Henders with a couple of excellent saves.
I hate to admit it, but I do agree with the majority about young Callum. Clearly a player who can" turn it on " as we witnessed towards the end of last season but oh so frustrating on so many occasions. Wonder what Bob's plan is for the lad ?
So, our first clean sheet & another valuable 3 points. Tuesday evening will be another toughie with our players having barely 72 hours to recover from a pretty gruelling 100 minutes today. I'd expect to see Joe Gomez in for Chris Solly but, depending on JBG's injury, an otherwise unchanged side starting. And I can't wait !
Onwards & upwards with Big Bob pulling the strings !