My second away of the season and I enjoyed it immensely. Our back 5 really are awesome. I'm loving Henderson more every game - his claims from crosses and corners give so much confidence - he knocks Hamer into a cocked hat as far as I'm concerned, Bikey - He just makes it happen - no nonsense, no shit. Bosh! TBH - Class. Solly - MOM for me today. A classic performance - he first competed, then subdued, then pocketed his opponent - and a classy assist with his left foot! Fox - Did very well - his best game so far I'd say. With that solid base we always have a chance and with Igor we know we have a goalscorer who can win us a tight game. He is so crucial to us. The whole team put in a shift (even Callum, although he continues to frustrate with his poor touch, lack of composure and head-down lack of awareness - but he gave his all, even as lone striker). Coquelin will be key soon I think, he looks classy. Shame George couldn't put the game to bed, but let's not crucify him, even Igor misses the occasional one-on-one - and there is a footballer in there somewhere. JBG was cream crackered at the end and I think Jacko was too (nice prof foul JJ). Enjoyed our crowd - even got to sit down although I was all set to stand! Full kit wanker was funny. Bob Peeters - he's got something hasn't he. Future Legend
Posting without reading. (although I spent the match with Reading fans!)
A rare attendance at an away match for me today courtesy of Len's Little Girl who managed to get us in her Company box where we met a delightful old Charlton fan who attended the 1947 FA Cup Win and, despite having a ticket for the 1946 final, was not able to attend as, yet to be demobbed, he was confined to barracks!
Anyway to the match. Best summed up by a Reading fan in the bar who I heard say to his friend Charlton had one chance and took it whereas "we" had a lot of ball without doing much with it and what we did create was dealt with by "their" 'keeper. I cannot really argue with that as a simplistic assessment.
The back 5 were superb particularly Henderson who, on a wet, windy afternoon, handled impeccably plucking numerous crosses from the air and making an excellent flying, diving save in (what was excessive) time added on to tip a fierce shot over the bar. Young Fox did all that was asked of him. The hypercritical would have a case for arguing that nobody really ran at him but he still put the tackles in ably supported by one of Cousins, Jackson or less frequently Gudmundsson. The little five foot three chappy was outstanding and very much lived up to the other song as to his ability which had a few well deserved airings by a Charlton crowd who sung throughout and completely drowned out a quiet Reading crowd.
At The Valley I sit behind the goal so it was an interesting perspective to sit side on which confirmed even more, if I had doubts which I didn't, just how hard Cousins and Jackson work. Both they and the back 4 put their bodies on the line to block shots from an increasingly desperate Reading. The Beast was dominant although felled by a Reading player who was lucky to escape with just a yellow. That said Jacko committed a blatant professional foul in time added on and other refs would have given red rather than yellow so perhaps there was an element of evening up. Ben Haim was class and managed to wind up the Reading strikers on more than one occasion. My side on view confirmed that, on a wet, windy November afternoon, this was no old pro seeking a cushy number for one more pay day. A fully committed performance from Tal.
Igor obviously isn't fit but Solly crossed and he was on the spot to absolutely bury a header. One chance one goal. The only other clearcut chance fell to Tucudean who, from my position should have done rather better than he did although the Reading keeper came off his line fast and made himself big. Our fans behind the goal will have had a better view of that than me though.
Anyway enough from me. An excellent hard fought three points.
Shaky start but comfortable after the goal and kept the ball better. Excellent save from Henderson with 10 mins to go. Nice buffer before we witness the customary charlton performance against the scum in 2 weeks time.
Reading really do the away game experience very well, bar staff wearing charlton t-shirts, showing videos of previous seasons on the screens and pints of guinness as good as you will get in any pub.
Just watched the highlights in FLS and what a cute header from Vetokele. As for George's chance, he's gone for the early shot and the second chance was a lot more difficult.
Firstly have to say the 'Reading away day' is one of the best I've been too. Charlton season DVDs playing, staff wearing the tops, actually cold lager! You can't ask for more than that.
Henderson - Best performance I've seen from him. Good in the air, good kicking, fantastic save at the end.
Solly - Back to the player we know and love. Superb cross for goal and kept their left winger quite all game. BBB is managing his injury well and it's paying off.
TBH - My favourite player, so calm on the ball and assured with everything he does. A real leader.
Bikey - He is THE BEAST. Deals with everything in the air and really led our back four today. I believe we have the best CB pairing in the league. Anyone else agree?
Fox - I felt Bikey covered him a lot but didn't have a bad game. He needs this run of games to grow as a player.
Cousins - Today was about workrate, getting behind the ball, blocking shots and defending a lead. Can't fault him on that side of his game. Going forward I would like to see more from him.
Buyens - Not as much of a presence as when he first joined. I'd like to see us passing from the back again and him being the defence - midfield link. May need a rest?
JJ - I'm his biggest critic as at times he looks like the game passes him by but today he put a shift in. Workrate and desire came through.
Harriot - Surprise starter but didn't disappoint too much. A lot of closing down and some nice link up play. End product is missing but he looks like his confidence is growing. Keep it up!
No7 - Pretty quite but always a danger, if anything he's always keeping the defenders busy with his movement. Key player for us.
Vet - Not fully fit but still does his job. Great goal for a small guy and always a pest. Can't describe how important he is to us.
BBB said that we controlled the game. I wouldn't fully agree with that as there were some nervous times but it seems he was happy to sit back and let Reading attack us. In my eyes that's a dangerous game but it shows he has faith in our ability to defend. He doesn't mind the other team having the ball. One things for sure we are very well organised and difficult to break down, something we haven't been in a while.
Football matches are meant to be entertaining and fun and that's what our trip to Reading today was. We sang our hearts out and the team responded. Solly was class and stood out. Nervy finish but we got there. Peters was overjoyed. He doesn't care that he's got no hair.
Finally at the seventh time of asking, CatJnr has seen his first away win. Much more solid I felt. Thought Reading started trying to stretch to both bylines but Solly and Fox were more than capable. Did our usual ceding of possession but, to me, looked like we were keeping a higher line. Igor top drawer.
Not a great display but good enough against a poor Reading. The centre half's were there usual self and allowed the midfield to get better after a shaky start. Once we got the goal we did look comfortable and Henderson only had 1 save of note to make.
Interesting when Igor went off Bob went with Harroitt up top. His pace frightens the oppo, it his decision making which needs too be improved.
Charlton are an average well organised side, well that what BBC Radio Berkshire said on my way home, well what does that make Reading.
I started the day with a networking meeting in the Reading Hilton and look who I bumped into. Then onto a Reading based Charlton fans home for beer and burgers and then onto the game.
Excellent performance and a deserved win. Other than the 2nd third of the first half, Charlton were the better team, even though we did not play at our best.
Fox looked a bit shaky first half but was coached along by TBH, Solly was excellent defensively and his cross for the goal sublime, although I do think there is some way before he is at his very best offensively.
Vetokele showed he is a class above anything else we have up front and took his goal well, hopefully his slight injury improves before Millwall, but he works hard for the team and he battled for the ball before passing to Solly who crossed for Igor to head in.
Overall a good team performance and excellent singing by the fans.
Hope u gave him a slagging for wearing socks with flip flops ? ;-)
Looks like we are learning from past mistakes and becoming a better team. Our form has slightly tailed off but maybe a chance to get a good run together.
Decent away day where all the team worked hard and deserved their reward.
The back 5 were immense with a rejuvinated Solly who sussed his winger out in the first five minutes and never gave him a sniff. Not only was he back to his defensive best but he found time to put in a peach of a cross for Igor to leap like a salmon and glance a lovely header into the onion bag. The two CBs continued in their fine vein of form and Fox played his part doing the basics well.
Midfield grafted and all put a shift in although I thought Coquelin was different gravy when he came on. JBG has the little bit of class to change a game and set up George late on who should have buried the chance for game over, sadly he also failed with the second attempt from a slightly more difficult angle.
Harriott worked and tried hard and both he and Igor were always a worry for their big less mobile CBs. My only criticism of the former is that he will persist in throwing his arms out in frustration if he makes a bad pass or does not receive a ball he thinks he should have, wasting precious seconds to retrieve the situation. Please stop it Callum, cut the dramatics, get your nut down and make amends.
Typical on the road performance, good team selection and subs by big Bob and I was pleased to hear the 'no hair song' catch on which also had a reasonable airing (excuse the pun) at Leeds on Tuesday. Well done to all those that were there cheering the boys on yesterday which definitely meant a lot to BB & JJ who shared a big hug in front of us at the end. Coach and Captain in perfect harmony. :-)
The stats for once DO tell the story, as they show that we had 4 shots on target while Reading only had 2! Reading might have huffed and puffed and had plenty of long shots, but created very little.
The only negative about yesterday was the passing in midfield, where too often in the second half, players tended to get rid of it, rather than actually finding a man. All the midfielders seemed to give the ball away a lot.
Great atmosphere in the second half, the Reading fans made some noise early in the match - I think the singing section was next to us - but we drowned them out in the second with the Bob Peeters song!
Bit late posting but a great three points yesterday. Needed that and let's hope it gives us a boost.
Igor's goal was brilliant, nice smooth head just like before.
Bikey was great at the back too. Not afraid to go in and winning most challenges.
Longest added time in the world though! Charlton, you know how to keep us in our toes.
COYR!!
Cant see what the argument is over the 6 mins added on at the end. Both teams made 3 subs each, so 6 x 30 secs = 3 mins, then Bikey was down for a couple of mins by the touchline and then another player ( Cousins ?) also needed treatment for about a minute. Therefore 6 mins added
Lyrics for the 'hair' song please, and is it to the tune of 'Stevie Gritt'? Watching on the stream there seemed to be a bit of a new chant that went on for about 15 minutes late in the second half, what was that?
Bit late posting but a great three points yesterday. Needed that and let's hope it gives us a boost.
Igor's goal was brilliant, nice smooth head just like before.
Bikey was great at the back too. Not afraid to go in and winning most challenges.
Longest added time in the world though! Charlton, you know how to keep us in our toes.
COYR!!
Cant see what the argument is over the 6 mins added on at the end. Both teams made 3 subs each, so 6 x 30 secs = 3 mins, then Bikey was down for a couple of mins by the touchline and then another player ( Cousins ?) also needed treatment for about a minute. Therefore 6 mins added
I was working so I couldn't make the game. Had to stream it on the laptop. Seemed longer watching it on that with the connection constantly going.
Lyrics for the 'hair' song please, and is it to the tune of 'Stevie Gritt'? Watching on the stream there seemed to be a bit of a new chant that went on for about 15 minutes late in the second half, what was that?
To answer the second question first Yes.
No not the the same as Gritty's song, variation on the theme.
'Oh Bob Peters, Oh Bob Peters He's got no hair but we don't care, Oh Bob Peters'
Second verse same as the first ad infinitum.
You'll soon pick it up Seth but might get chucked out of the West Stand singing it :-)
Comments
Our back 5 really are awesome.
I'm loving Henderson more every game - his claims from crosses and corners give so much confidence - he knocks Hamer into a cocked hat as far as I'm concerned,
Bikey - He just makes it happen - no nonsense, no shit. Bosh!
TBH - Class.
Solly - MOM for me today. A classic performance - he first competed, then subdued, then pocketed his opponent - and a classy assist with his left foot!
Fox - Did very well - his best game so far I'd say.
With that solid base we always have a chance and with Igor we know we have a goalscorer who can win us a tight game. He is so crucial to us.
The whole team put in a shift (even Callum, although he continues to frustrate with his poor touch, lack of composure and head-down lack of awareness - but he gave his all, even as lone striker).
Coquelin will be key soon I think, he looks classy.
Shame George couldn't put the game to bed, but let's not crucify him, even Igor misses the occasional one-on-one - and there is a footballer in there somewhere.
JBG was cream crackered at the end and I think Jacko was too (nice prof foul JJ).
Enjoyed our crowd - even got to sit down although I was all set to stand!
Full kit wanker was funny.
Bob Peeters - he's got something hasn't he. Future Legend
A rare attendance at an away match for me today courtesy of Len's Little Girl who managed to get us in her Company box where we met a delightful old Charlton fan who attended the 1947 FA Cup Win and, despite having a ticket for the 1946 final, was not able to attend as, yet to be demobbed, he was confined to barracks!
Anyway to the match. Best summed up by a Reading fan in the bar who I heard say to his friend Charlton had one chance and took it whereas "we" had a lot of ball without doing much with it and what we did create was dealt with by "their" 'keeper. I cannot really argue with that as a simplistic assessment.
The back 5 were superb particularly Henderson who, on a wet, windy afternoon, handled impeccably plucking numerous crosses from the air and making an excellent flying, diving save in (what was excessive) time added on to tip a fierce shot over the bar. Young Fox did all that was asked of him. The hypercritical would have a case for arguing that nobody really ran at him but he still put the tackles in ably supported by one of Cousins, Jackson or less frequently Gudmundsson. The little five foot three chappy was outstanding and very much lived up to the other song as to his ability which had a few well deserved airings by a Charlton crowd who sung throughout and completely drowned out a quiet Reading crowd.
At The Valley I sit behind the goal so it was an interesting perspective to sit side on which confirmed even more, if I had doubts which I didn't, just how hard Cousins and Jackson work. Both they and the back 4 put their bodies on the line to block shots from an increasingly desperate Reading. The Beast was dominant although felled by a Reading player who was lucky to escape with just a yellow. That said Jacko committed a blatant professional foul in time added on and other refs would have given red rather than yellow so perhaps there was an element of evening up. Ben Haim was class and managed to wind up the Reading strikers on more than one occasion. My side on view confirmed that, on a wet, windy November afternoon, this was no old pro seeking a cushy number for one more pay day. A fully committed performance from Tal.
Igor obviously isn't fit but Solly crossed and he was on the spot to absolutely bury a header. One chance one goal. The only other clearcut chance fell to Tucudean who, from my position should have done rather better than he did although the Reading keeper came off his line fast and made himself big. Our fans behind the goal will have had a better view of that than me though.
Anyway enough from me. An excellent hard fought three points.
COYR!!!!!!!!!!!!
rewind this about 1 minute from now (0.52)
Superb was the reply.
Henderson - Best performance I've seen from him. Good in the air, good kicking, fantastic save at the end.
Solly - Back to the player we know and love. Superb cross for goal and kept their left winger quite all game. BBB is managing his injury well and it's paying off.
TBH - My favourite player, so calm on the ball and assured with everything he does. A real leader.
Bikey - He is THE BEAST. Deals with everything in the air and really led our back four today. I believe we have the best CB pairing in the league. Anyone else agree?
Fox - I felt Bikey covered him a lot but didn't have a bad game. He needs this run of games to grow as a player.
Cousins - Today was about workrate, getting behind the ball, blocking shots and defending a lead. Can't fault him on that side of his game. Going forward I would like to see more from him.
Buyens - Not as much of a presence as when he first joined. I'd like to see us passing from the back again and him being the defence - midfield link. May need a rest?
JJ - I'm his biggest critic as at times he looks like the game passes him by but today he put a shift in. Workrate and desire came through.
Harriot - Surprise starter but didn't disappoint too much. A lot of closing down and some nice link up play. End product is missing but he looks like his confidence is growing. Keep it up!
No7 - Pretty quite but always a danger, if anything he's always keeping the defenders busy with his movement. Key player for us.
Vet - Not fully fit but still does his job. Great goal for a small guy and always a pest. Can't describe how important he is to us.
BBB said that we controlled the game. I wouldn't fully agree with that as there were some nervous times but it seems he was happy to sit back and let Reading attack us. In my eyes that's a dangerous game but it shows he has faith in our ability to defend. He doesn't mind the other team having the ball. One things for sure we are very well organised and difficult to break down, something we haven't been in a while.
Roll on Millwall
24.30 in is Reading vs Charlton
Millwall losing to Brentford just before on 22.56.
An excellent 4 minutes of football.
Vetekele's headed goal is excellent, flies into the goal, catches it just right from a great cross from Chris Solly.
Can't fault the performance.
Great 3pts.
Interesting when Igor went off Bob went with Harroitt up top. His pace frightens the oppo, it his decision making which needs too be improved.
Great support from those who went
Important 3 points that keeps us in the group chasing the playoff spot.
Hope u gave him a slagging for wearing socks with flip flops ? ;-)
The back 5 were immense with a rejuvinated Solly who sussed his winger out in the first five minutes and never gave him a sniff. Not only was he back to his defensive best but he found time to put in a peach of a cross for Igor to leap like a salmon and glance a lovely header into the onion bag. The two CBs continued in their fine vein of form and Fox played his part doing the basics well.
Midfield grafted and all put a shift in although I thought Coquelin was different gravy when he came on. JBG has the little bit of class to change a game and set up George late on who should have buried the chance for game over, sadly he also failed with the second attempt from a slightly more difficult angle.
Harriott worked and tried hard and both he and Igor were always a worry for their big less mobile CBs. My only criticism of the former is that he will persist in throwing his arms out in frustration if he makes a bad pass or does not receive a ball he thinks he should have, wasting precious seconds to retrieve the situation. Please stop it Callum, cut the dramatics, get your nut down and make amends.
Typical on the road performance, good team selection and subs by big Bob and I was pleased to hear the 'no hair song' catch on which also had a reasonable airing (excuse the pun) at Leeds on Tuesday. Well done to all those that were there cheering the boys on yesterday which definitely meant a lot to BB & JJ who shared a big hug in front of us at the end. Coach and Captain in perfect harmony. :-)
Igor's goal was brilliant, nice smooth head just like before.
Bikey was great at the back too. Not afraid to go in and winning most challenges.
Longest added time in the world though! Charlton, you know how to keep us in our toes.
COYR!!
The only negative about yesterday was the passing in midfield, where too often in the second half, players tended to get rid of it, rather than actually finding a man. All the midfielders seemed to give the ball away a lot.
Great atmosphere in the second half, the Reading fans made some noise early in the match - I think the singing section was next to us - but we drowned them out in the second with the Bob Peeters song!
Nice ground, but terrible location!
Watching on the stream there seemed to be a bit of a new chant that went on for about 15 minutes late in the second half, what was that?
Thanks.
No not the the same as Gritty's song, variation on the theme.
'Oh Bob Peters, Oh Bob Peters
He's got no hair but we don't care, Oh Bob Peters'
Second verse same as the first ad infinitum.
You'll soon pick it up Seth but might get chucked out of the West Stand singing it :-)