I wasn't there... Nor was I at Blackpool but reading the Twitter... Pope was making good saves left right and centre today.
Our problem seems to be a lack of concentration at the back and a lack of creativity in the middle. Why don't you play Harriott on the left? That's where he caused the opposition problems at the back end of last season. Play Tucudean and Igor up top. At the start of the season, Igor got his goals as Tucudean was bringing him into play.
The draws are becoming frustrating but I'd never go to Blackburn and expect is to win so a draw would've been a good result... However bringing Pigott on to save the day so early into the game was a poor move.
Q: You decided to take Morgan Fox off quite early today. Was that a tactical decision or was that based on his performance?
BP: "I think Morgan was struggling a bit. He is a young gun and he didn’t play his best games these past few weeks.
"[Alex] Baptiste was always coming in the first half that is why I put the more experienced Chris Solly against him.
"At that moment I think the game turned a bit and they weren’t that dangerous anymore. Sometimes you need to upset players to get more of a grip in the game."
...
I'm a little lost, if he's not being playing his best game these past few weeks why chuck him in against Baptiste?? That substitution was an admittance he got his team totally wrong from the off. Bob needs a wee break and we need some fresh faces as it won't get any better before it get's worse imo
I think we need to all just look at the big picture. When we started the season in superb form, many of us including me were perhaps overly optimistic on how this season would pan out. We've almost completely rebuilt our squad that finished 18th last year and perhaps we've become impatient with the squad now that form has gotten worse. I'm the biggest believer that Bob got the formation totally wrong today and I would have liked to see George instead of Pigott. However we still aren't in any clear danger at the moment so to those already dressing a relegation fight, just calm down. At the very least we are still a mid table side, and when we become fit there's no doubt weel improve. Bob will figure it out, so stay positive.!It's on to Cardiff, I'd love a good 3 points as a Christmas present.
Only 4th defeat but here are a few perhaps more sobering stats:
(1) Won six out of 22 games this season
(2) Scored 23 goals in 22 those matches
(3) Second top scorer in open play has two League goals
(4) Our top scorer has netted three goals in his last 15 games
(5) One win and just eight points from the last nine matches - only the bottom two have taken less points in that time
No need to panic quite yet but we have to arrest this run through the introduction of two or three quality players in January because otherwise, rather like our run of draws, a run of defeats will become a habit.
To add to your excellent post it seems very odd to have only lost 4 games & have a minus goal difference.
Q: You decided to take Morgan Fox off quite early today. Was that a tactical decision or was that based on his performance?
BP: "I think Morgan was struggling a bit. He is a young gun and he didn’t play his best games these past few weeks.
"[Alex] Baptiste was always coming in the first half that is why I put the more experienced Chris Solly against him.
"At that moment I think the game turned a bit and they weren’t that dangerous anymore. Sometimes you need to upset players to get more of a grip in the game."
...
I'm a little lost, if he's not being playing his best game these past few weeks why chuck him in against Baptiste?? That substitution was an admittance he got his team totally wrong from the off. Bob needs a wee break and we need some fresh faces as it won't get any better before it get's worse imo
Managers get pelters for being too quick for changing the team around. Bob is getting pelters for not changing it. He's the only fit left back in our squad and if we'd played Solly left back from the start people would still be moaning. 100% guaranteed.
We are an average mid-table championship side who punched above our weight early on in the season. We're now finding our level. There are a lot of better sides than us but also quite a few who are worse. We need to strengthen in January, that much is obvious but i'm sure we'll still be comfortably mid-table come May. We are also absolutely abysmal at coming from a goal down. Can anyone remember the last time we won a game when we conceded first?
just home from the match it wasn't a match as were no match for them, OK Pope did make a bad mistake for,the second goal but also pull off at least 4 very good saves, when Wilson came on and Solly went LB we started to play some football but at no time was there a goal threat in our team whereas Bburn looked like they had at least three players who could score. We were outplayed and out thought, some players treid hard others shirked their responsibilities.
Heard from a source that we have 5 players coming in Jan including a 17 yr old striker from Anderlect
Positive news. Lets hope there is some quality within those 5 players. Can't come soon enough.
They have to be better than the majority of the last January window. We have Ahearne-Grant, I hope the 17 year old is not lined up to be Vetekele's strike partner. One striker and a thin squad was clearly not going to be enough but still it happened. It is clear to the tea lady and all at the club whats needed. Is RD going to let reality into his planning ?
just home from the match it wasn't a match as were no match for them, OK Pope did make a bad mistake for,the second goal but also pull off at least 4 very good saves, when Wilson came on and Solly went LB we started to play some football but at no time was there a goal threat in our team whereas Bburn looked like they had at least three players who could score. We were outplayed and out thought, some players treid hard others shirked their responsibilities.
Heard from a source that we have 5 players coming in Jan including a 17 yr old striker from Anderlect
Be interested to know what formation we actually started off with today - a flat 4-2-4 or the diamond shape that we started off with last week?
just home from the match it wasn't a match as were no match for them, OK Pope did make a bad mistake for,the second goal but also pull off at least 4 very good saves, when Wilson came on and Solly went LB we started to play some football but at no time was there a goal threat in our team whereas Bburn looked like they had at least three players who could score. We were outplayed and out thought, some players treid hard others shirked their responsibilities.
Heard from a source that we have 5 players coming in Jan including a 17 yr old striker from Anderlect
Another disappointing performance by the sounds of it, and game over pretty early on.
Perhaps I'm being soft but also disappointing how reactionary everything is these days. Win a couple of games and Big Bob is a legend, lose a couple and he is out of his depth and hasn't a clue.
Neither is true of course. Whether he is a good or bad manager I don't feel we can accurately judge yet, but our painfully thin squad, with primarily inadequate up front and what's looking like a similar thing in goal, is costing us games. That in turn effects confidence and everything then goes on a negative slide.
Looking tough at the mo. A decent Xmas win will certainly do a lot for everyone's confidence, but squad strengthening is absolutely vital.
Look forward to hearing from those there. What a shite journey home that must be.
Well we've only won 6 games all season. Has been hard at any point to think of him as doing a brilliant job as we have been average all season, hence the high number of draws.
To try something that didn't work against a side bottom of the league, not get a result, and then try it again the following week though - that is mental.
just home from the match it wasn't a match as were no match for them, OK Pope did make a bad mistake for,the second goal but also pull off at least 4 very good saves, when Wilson came on and Solly went LB we started to play some football but at no time was there a goal threat in our team whereas Bburn looked like they had at least three players who could score. We were outplayed and out thought, some players treid hard others shirked their responsibilities.
Heard from a source that we have 5 players coming in Jan including a 17 yr old striker from Anderlect
Positive news. Lets hope there is some quality within those 5 players. Can't come soon enough.
It looked like Igor up front then a diamond midfield with Gudmundason at the front and Buyens at the back, Solly RM, Harriott LM and Cousins CM. When Fox went off Solly went to LB and Wilson RM. When Pigott came on it looked more 4-4-2
After last Saturday's performance this had the look of a 2-0 defeat and after the opening 20 I'm relieved that it didn't end up as an embarrassment.
Now as the old year ends and the new year arrives, we will learn much as to the intentions and ambitions of Roly - 3 quality signings of the standard of Le Coq will up our enthusiasm and hopefully both attendances and league position.
If on the other hand we only bring in some left overs from SL including the waste of space that is Tony Watt then attendances will fall along with our league position.
Life's never dull at SE7 - now what will we be fretting about this time next season..........
Another disappointing performance by the sounds of it, and game over pretty early on.
Perhaps I'm being soft but also disappointing how reactionary everything is these days. Win a couple of games and Big Bob is a legend, lose a couple and he is out of his depth and hasn't a clue.
Neither is true of course. Whether he is a good or bad manager I don't feel we can accurately judge yet, but our painfully thin squad, with primarily inadequate up front and what's looking like a similar thing in goal, is costing us games. That in turn effects confidence and everything then goes on a negative slide.
Looking tough at the mo. A decent Xmas win will certainly do a lot for everyone's confidence, but squad strengthening is absolutely vital.
Look forward to hearing from those there. What a shite journey home that must be.
Well we've only won 6 games all season. Has been hard at any point to think of him as doing a brilliant job as we have been average all season, hence the high number of draws.
To try something that didn't work against a side bottom of the league, not get a result, and then try it again the following week though - that is mental.
I disagree. After a good start there were plenty of posters prepared to go well over the top in their praise. Now there may have been other agendas at play, but it's only recently that the honeymoon period has been well and truly declared over.
We all know the problem is the lack of any squad depth so when a critical player like Igor's out of form like now, or injured as recently, we have pretty much zero in reserve. BP is shuffling the cards to come up with a winning formula but needs RD to deal him an ace or two to help him out. Whether that happens in a week or two will define our season.
Since JJ got injured we have been poor. And for me BP is to blame.
We've played Solly in midfield, Wilson on the left, Solly at LB, JBG everywhere but his preferred position and Harriott as a striker. Just play them in their proper positions, it's not difficult
This over & over again,it's just ridiculous. It's like sitting back on a 1 goal lead instead of going for another, it doesn't work Bob so if we're going to leak a goal lets do it attacking the opposition with players in their correct position FFS
Losing away would be easier to accept if we were winning at home - but in front of 15,000 encouraging fans last week we couldn't even beat Blackpool, five points adrift at the bottom, when we were 2-1 up with 35 minutes to go. We had plenty of forward possession on the flanks, approaching the box - and then we turned backwards.
Are our men played out of position? Do they lack confidence? We have a rookie manager who starts with only one up front at The Valley: that's inviting trouble. Our midfield, a push-over anyway for the last three years, simply evaporates when Jackson is out through injury.
Under Duchatelet we have watched a sorry procession of players who can't cut it: Thuram, Lois Nego, Koc, Bulot, Polish Pete, Reza, Ajdarevic, Tucudean and the rest. It's nothing more than conceit to think that our academy players are any better than those of our opponents. We aren't short of effort - we fail because our thin squad lacks technical skill, physical toughness, and quick intelligence.
When asked at a press conference in the summer: What are your ambitions for Charlton this season?, Duchatelet mumbled: "Avoid relegation." We have an owner with unspeakable wealth who is proud to be a skinflint.
Q: You decided to take Morgan Fox off quite early today. Was that a tactical decision or was that based on his performance?
BP: "I think Morgan was struggling a bit. He is a young gun and he didn’t play his best games these past few weeks.
"[Alex] Baptiste was always coming in the first half that is why I put the more experienced Chris Solly against him.
"At that moment I think the game turned a bit and they weren’t that dangerous anymore. Sometimes you need to upset players to get more of a grip in the game."
...
I'm a little lost, if he's not being playing his best game these past few weeks why chuck him in against Baptiste?? That substitution was an admittance he got his team totally wrong from the off. Bob needs a wee break and we need some fresh faces as it won't get any better before it get's worse imo
Managers get pelters for being too quick for changing the team around. Bob is getting pelters for not changing it. He's the only fit left back in our squad and if we'd played Solly left back from the start people would still be moaning. 100% guaranteed.
Not me, I said last week if we were going to play Solly & Gomez than Solly should be at left back. As somebody mentioned earlier, BP said Fox hasn't been at his best recently, so why are starting with him ?????????
Just got in. Thank God I only had a 100-mile round trip. I haven't read the previous posts, but that was arguably the worst display I have seen from us in all the 37 years I've been going to games. Should have seen it coming when the team sheet was published. BP must take responsibility, square pegs etc. Solly didn't have a clue, Gomez got a nosebleed every time he went over the 1/2 way line. Both surrendered possession effortlessly. Harriott has gone backwards since last season, although he has shown the odd glimpse of promise recently, today there was absolutely no attacking threat. He was run off the ball time and time again. Then there's the issue with Pope. His confidence seemed shattered from the start. Their support dug the knife in every time the ball went near him. You could actually see the pressure getting to him. To give him some credit he did make 2 brilliant saves 2nd half, but for me that's 4 goals out of 4 he needs to answer for. I can't understand why Bulot didn't start, and early on in the season Igor was feeding off George really well and plenty were saying George would get better and better given time. Obviously no vote of confidence from BP, the goals have dried up for Igor and it looks like we will need to rely on RD for new recruits. My son wants me to mention he thought Igor worked tirelessly especially in the 2nd half. BP has been hit hard losing the Coq, but he's showing a certain level of naivety the last few games with his inept set up.
Diff was a striker that costs 10 mill pounds .... if we paid that amount for a striker I would expect him to win us games every week and that what he does .. Without Rhodes Blackburn would be a div 1 team by now......
That the diff ....
Thank you for your insight as always.
Thirteen months ago we won up there, without conceding. The same 10mill striker was playing then. Can you help me understand the difference?
Touch of the later day Powells about Bob at the moment; defensive outlook and players being played out of their natural positions. I do find it a bit incredible that we got so many players in over the summer and yet we're playing our best players in random areas of the pitch. Feels like Bob is flinging things at the wall and hoping some of them stick but very little is. Igor needs a partner (and a rest) to help us hold the ball up the pitch and we're desperately short of midfield creativity and the feeling that we can take games by the scruff of the neck and change things from the bench. If we can get some proper players in during the next window we'll be ok but if not we're going to have to make sure we pick up some early wins in the new year or we'll be looking over our shoulders come March.
I wonder if RD knows what and who he I taking on here?
At SL he's had protests and riots from the fans by doing it his own way regardless of their opinion.
Well we are English Roland. We are world champions at the "tutt" and "tsk". You have seen nothing until you have seen mass grudging acceptance that we are just shit.
We are in free fall and will will do well to avoid relegation. The jury is out so far as Bob P is concerned but he is beginning to look very much like a rooky Manager. Perhaps we should have stayed with Riga??
Comments
Our problem seems to be a lack of concentration at the back and a lack of creativity in the middle.
Why don't you play Harriott on the left? That's where he caused the opposition problems at the back end of last season.
Play Tucudean and Igor up top. At the start of the season, Igor got his goals as Tucudean was bringing him into play.
The draws are becoming frustrating but I'd never go to Blackburn and expect is to win so a draw would've been a good result... However bringing Pigott on to save the day so early into the game was a poor move.
Onwards and upwards.
BP: "I think Morgan was struggling a bit. He is a young gun and he didn’t play his best games these past few weeks.
"[Alex] Baptiste was always coming in the first half that is why I put the more experienced Chris Solly against him.
"At that moment I think the game turned a bit and they weren’t that dangerous anymore. Sometimes you need to upset players to get more of a grip in the game."
...
I'm a little lost, if he's not being playing his best game these past few weeks why chuck him in against Baptiste?? That substitution was an admittance he got his team totally wrong from the off. Bob needs a wee break and we need some fresh faces as it won't get any better before it get's worse imo
We are also absolutely abysmal at coming from a goal down. Can anyone remember the last time we won a game when we conceded first?
They have to be better than the majority of the last January window. We have Ahearne-Grant, I hope the 17 year old is not lined up to be Vetekele's strike partner. One striker and a thin squad was clearly not going to be enough but still it happened. It is clear to the tea lady and all at the club whats needed. Is RD going to let reality into his planning ?
To try something that didn't work against a side bottom of the league, not get a result, and then try it again the following week though - that is mental.
on the OSin the SLP.Odd to go with the same formation as last week and hopefully that is the end of that experiment.
Ultimately nothing has changed. Our first 11 is good enough to challenge for the play offs. The squad isn't deep enough.
3-5 players required to push on.
Now as the old year ends and the new year arrives, we will learn much as to the intentions and ambitions of Roly - 3 quality signings of the standard of Le Coq will up our enthusiasm and hopefully both attendances and league position.
If on the other hand we only bring in some left overs from SL including the waste of space that is Tony Watt then attendances will fall along with our league position.
Life's never dull at SE7 - now what will we be fretting about this time next season..........
We all know the problem is the lack of any squad depth so when a critical player like Igor's out of form like now, or injured as recently, we have pretty much zero in reserve. BP is shuffling the cards to come up with a winning formula but needs RD to deal him an ace or two to help him out. Whether that happens in a week or two will define our season.
Noticed the other day that he's now back in the team and is Standard's first choice keeper!
Are our men played out of position? Do they lack confidence? We have a rookie manager who starts with only one up front at The Valley: that's inviting trouble. Our midfield, a push-over anyway for the last three years, simply evaporates when Jackson is out through injury.
Under Duchatelet we have watched a sorry procession of players who can't cut it: Thuram, Lois Nego, Koc, Bulot, Polish Pete, Reza, Ajdarevic, Tucudean and the rest. It's nothing more than conceit to think that our academy players are any better than those of our opponents. We aren't short of effort - we fail because our thin squad lacks technical skill, physical toughness, and quick intelligence.
When asked at a press conference in the summer: What are your ambitions for Charlton this season?, Duchatelet mumbled: "Avoid relegation." We have an owner with unspeakable wealth who is proud to be a skinflint.
Should have seen it coming when the team sheet was published. BP must take responsibility, square pegs etc. Solly didn't have a clue, Gomez got a nosebleed every time he went over the 1/2 way line. Both surrendered possession effortlessly. Harriott has gone backwards since last season, although he has shown the odd glimpse of promise recently, today there was absolutely no attacking threat. He was run off the ball time and time again.
Then there's the issue with Pope. His confidence seemed shattered from the start. Their support dug the knife in every time the ball went near him. You could actually see the pressure getting to him. To give him some credit he did make 2 brilliant saves 2nd half, but for me that's 4 goals out of 4 he needs to answer for.
I can't understand why Bulot didn't start, and early on in the season Igor was feeding off George really well and plenty were saying George would get better and better given time. Obviously no vote of confidence from BP, the goals have dried up for Igor and it looks like we will need to rely on RD for new recruits. My son wants me to mention he thought Igor worked tirelessly especially in the 2nd half.
BP has been hit hard losing the Coq, but he's showing a certain level of naivety the last few games with his inept set up.
Thirteen months ago we won up there, without conceding. The same 10mill striker was playing then. Can you help me understand the difference?
At SL he's had protests and riots from the fans by doing it his own way regardless of their opinion.
Well we are English Roland. We are world champions at the "tutt" and "tsk". You have seen nothing until you have seen mass grudging acceptance that we are just shit.