I'm still smiling at the Bikey run down the left wing. It was as if he'd completely taken leave of his senses because it was so out of the blue. But it was utterly brilliant/hilarious. My mate likened it to one of those American footballers whose job it is to bash everyone out of the way, while a smaller team-mate legs it through in his wake.
One or two people keep saying 'when we come up against a decent attacking side we're gonna get stuffed big time' (or something along those lines).
We've played Norwich, and beaten them without conceding. We've played Watford, and beaten them without conceding. We've played Derby, and beaten them. We've played Wolves, who also score lots of goals, and drew with them.
The major strength of our team is clearly the defence. Bob knows that I think, and trusts them to hold firm even if we concede most of the possession. And although we could definitely be improved up front with an addition or two, we are still scoring goals.
I'm aware that at some point the comparisons with last season are going to wear thin (if they haven't already), but I'm still much happier now than I was then. We are moving in the right direction.
Good post.
I think the reason there is a lot of negativity on here is that when the opposition teams have got the ball we all feel anxious, as that is when they might score. Given that opposition team are consistently having 60%+ possession at the Valley it means we feel anxious for most of the game,even if we are winning. Even if we go on and win our memory of the game is quite negative.
I say it as i see it, it seems you cant say someone has a bad game cos it upsets a few. Maybe next time i am giving players marks i shall mark them all 10.
All right in theory, but several of Henderson's clearances went straight out of play. And for those who are convinced that our defence is rock-solid, look again at this atrocious defending from a corner that led to Bolton's goal: http://youtu.be/O0fRYr9XXeI
The original header was won by a Bolton player (only just as he got a poor connection!) and as it bounced up awkwardly you could see Bikey making sure he didnt handle it. Player layed it back and it was a fairly decent strike in the end.
If thats the case against our defence not being rock-solid, then i think we'll be alright.
This.. sometimes people just expect too much and overstate their case .. I see no atrocities here ((:>)
We were terrible and I have no idea how we won. Once again we kept losing possession and conceded numerous corners - our luck will give way eventually. Bikey and George were our only decent players - the rest simply struggled. Not enjoyable to watch.
Our luck did give out. Didn't you notice we lost on Saturday?
What Manager said that if you want entertainment go to a circus. I am very happy to have got the three points, when we are down to the bare bones. Our bench was pretty much full of under 21s. Of course I would like to be entertained and it is great to play some great flowing football, but at the end of the day it is all about winning.
While I am on, a pet, hate of mine are football stats. We are bombarded with facts about possession, shots off target, shots on target, number of corners ad nauseam. When I first started watching Charlton 54 years ago we were relatively free of these stats, and all the better for it.
What Manager said that if you want entertainment go to a circus. I am very happy to have got the three points, when we are down to the bare bones. Our bench was pretty much full of under 21s. Of course I would like to be entertained and it is great to play some great flowing football, but at the end of the day it is all about winning.
While I am on, a pet, hate of mine are football stats. We are bombarded with facts about possession, shots off target, shots on target, number of corners ad nauseam. When I first started watching Charlton 54 years ago we were relatively free of these stats, and all the better for it.
Sky mate, its an American thing, they have stats on everything from minutes since the QB ;last scratched his nose with his left hand.
What Manager said that if you want entertainment go to a circus. I am very happy to have got the three points, when we are down to the bare bones. Our bench was pretty much full of under 21s. Of course I would like to be entertained and it is great to play some great flowing football, but at the end of the day it is all about winning.
While I am on, a pet, hate of mine are football stats. We are bombarded with facts about possession, shots off target, shots on target, number of corners ad nauseam. When I first started watching Charlton 54 years ago we were relatively free of these stats, and all the better for it.
Sky mate, its an American thing, they have stats on everything from minutes since the QB ;last scratched his nose with his left hand.
Two very good goals tonight, peach of a ball from Buyens to Tucudean who produced a great touch and finish for the first. Looks like it means so much to home which is nice to see. He lated off Jacko very nicely aswell for the second. I'm pleased for him as he's had some doubters but then he comes back in to the side and puts in a perfoance like that, good news!
Centre backs as solid as ever - loved Bikey's run down the left wing!!!
Cousins, although frustrating, was vital to the win today. He covered every single blade of grass, he collapsed to the floor as soon as the final whistle went!
Henderson put in a good performance, though not his best as he lost a couple of crosses in the air.
Wiggins was good when the ball was on the floor but he seems to really struggle when he has to defend a ball that is off the ground. Still, he was against a poor right mid, there number 7 offered nothing ... he was rightly subbed. Stand in RB Wilson had a good game.
Moussa had his best game for us today, he picked the ball up a few times on the half way line with his back to goal and distributed it well. Perhaps he can release the ball a little sooner however. Bulot worked hard which was nice to see.
Jacko and Buyens had very good games today, I was very happy to see Jacko score again aswell. That's the best this CM partnership has looked since Watford at home. It's a shame that we will be without Yoni, still at least he gets a rest if he's tired :-)
Look, we were under the cosh for much of the game but it felt like we were letting them have the ball rather than us being outplayed. We were very organised and kept our shape well.
Corners are a concern. It seems that we don't concede from the actual corner but the resulting passage of play after it. Seem to remember this being the case at Brighton x2, Bournemouth and now today. Something to work on.
I thought Bolton were decent today, Dervite is an excellent footballer. Chung-Yong was good aswell and caused problems between the midfield and defense.
Still, can't complain! 3 points and all! 7th place. 1 point of the three teams above us ... Life's good at the moment!!
So glad someone saw the same game as me. I would add that the move just before our first that ende in JJ having an air shot was sublime.
our defence is superbly organised and they all know what they are doing. They had a few long range shots and overall a deserved win. Some good solid performances across the team.
For those having a pop at Cousins, I love his work rate and heart. He is going to become one of our greats.
I have to admit, I gave Buyens a very low mark on the Players Mark thread, but have seen his pass for Tuc's goal and it was sublime. he does need to do that more often and cut out his airy fairy lunges to intercept a ball, which tend to push it to the opposition, a powder puff Claus Jensen when it comes to defending!
Rope-a-Dope football, still getting it done in South East London.
Very true! According to the stats thread our opponents have scored about four times from their 3,000 corners this season. Whereas our finishing is clinical - it has to be!
You can change the coaches, but it's seem to be in CAFC DNA of the last 15 years to defend a lead.
The Cardiff 5-4 game could have changed that thinking but after being battered for 25 odd minutes JJ popped up with a brace to level the score at h/t and we went for it 2nd half and attacked for 45 mins, then in added time retreated to our penalty area and conceded 2 goals in added time.
In recent seasons we can only ever take the game to the opposition for a short time. 25 mins against Derby, seems to be the most substained period of attacking, this term.
That said, we have stronger CB's now but Rotherham, Brentford, and Birmingham to name just 3 games where we became negative, and conceded ground, resulting in 1-1 scorelines.
if/when we bring in a couple of additions, this is where we need to improve.
One or two people keep saying 'when we come up against a decent attacking side we're gonna get stuffed big time' (or something along those lines).
We've played Norwich, and beaten them without conceding. We've played Watford, and beaten them without conceding. We've played Derby, and beaten them. We've played Wolves, who also score lots of goals, and drew with them.
The major strength of our team is clearly the defence. Bob knows that I think, and trusts them to hold firm even if we concede most of the possession. And although we could definitely be improved up front with an addition or two, we are still scoring goals.
I'm aware that at some point the comparisons with last season are going to wear thin (if they haven't already), but I'm still much happier now than I was then. We are moving in the right direction.
You forgot to mention that possession without creating any clear cut chances is meaningless.
Very true Addick_in_Exile. I remember Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan won the Champions League in 2010 beating Bayern Munich in the final by letting Bayern have all the possession but shutting them out when they got near the goal.
Very true Addick_in_Exile. I remember Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan won the Champions League in 2010 beating Bayern Munich in the final by letting Bayern have all the possession but shutting them out when they got near the goal.
They did it against Barca in the semi final as well.
I realise we are all talking about how we are binary bores with our recent run of 1-0 or 1-1 or 0-0 games. However, in binary, we beat Bolton 10-1. Just a thought
Comments
The latter is only on a 1 year deal.
If he did that every game, we would end up as champions!!!
@ValleyGary
I would hardly call that atrocious!
The original header was won by a Bolton player (only just as he got a poor connection!) and as it bounced up awkwardly you could see Bikey making sure he didnt handle it. Player layed it back and it was a fairly decent strike in the end.
If thats the case against our defence not being rock-solid, then i think we'll be alright.
This.. sometimes people just expect too much and overstate their case .. I see no atrocities here ((:>)
While I am on, a pet, hate of mine are football stats. We are bombarded with facts about possession, shots off target, shots on target, number of corners ad nauseam. When I first started watching Charlton 54 years ago we were relatively free of these stats, and all the better for it.
Id say 60% of commentary is a stat nowadays.
our defence is superbly organised and they all know what they are doing. They had a few long range shots and overall a deserved win. Some good solid performances across the team.
For those having a pop at Cousins, I love his work rate and heart. He is going to become one of our greats.
Whereas our finishing is clinical - it has to be!
The Cardiff 5-4 game could have changed that thinking but after being battered for 25 odd minutes JJ popped
up with a brace to level the score at h/t and we went for it 2nd half and attacked for 45 mins, then in added time
retreated to our penalty area and conceded 2 goals in added time.
In recent seasons we can only ever take the game to the opposition for a short time.
25 mins against Derby, seems to be the most substained period of attacking, this term.
That said, we have stronger CB's now but Rotherham, Brentford, and Birmingham to name just 3 games where we became negative, and conceded ground, resulting in 1-1 scorelines.
if/when we bring in a couple of additions, this is where we need to improve.