Ideally draws a line under the last six weeks and we can get on with rebuilding. Puts paid to the line that Ben Haim and others won't play for Luzon. Obviously we need to work out how to score but hopefully that one is solved next Saturday!
And Henderson, Bulot and who knows to add to what was available today.
There's still the small matter of M.Duchatelet telling us via his spokesperson that we have to accept his way. Frankly as someone who was a shareholder and a founder board member of the supporters Trust I don't accept that. But at least this can be discussed from a mid-table perspective and not a relegation struggle again (hopefully).
One might wonder why I mention this? Well it's out there in black and white and the fact is no fan of our great club with its unique history of fan involvement has to accept such an ultimatum.
With the air of doom and last week's abysmal result fresh in the mind it was with some trepidation that I joined the match thread just before half-time. Relieved to find the game goalless and even more relieved that we made it through to the end to get a point. Yep, chuffed with today's result.
Good point and looks like a decent response to the new boss. This squad need to regain their belief and hopefully this result will go some way to achieving that. 4 big games coming up (3 at home) and 5 points would be a good return at this stage.
The first half was a non event, not a spectacle as both sides cancelled each other out.
The second half was a different story both teams had a go and we had the better clear cut chances. our new keeper had assured handling, some wayward kicking but did make one important save. Our new number five quietly and confidently played as if he had been with us all season, excellent energy and was readily available for the give and go pass link up play. We played some very good football at times again.
Igor and Callum ran their socks off and got their centre backs ruffled. Watt made an immediate impression and so nearly scored.
Luzon was active and demonstrative in the technical area, cajoling,gesticulating, shouting.
We played a higher back line, it enabled us to be in touch with the midfield.
What we got today was a deserved point from a team that played as a unit, disciplined and organised and a most welcome platform on which to build particularly after the debacle I witnessed last Saturday. Everyone put in a shift, good to see again.
Said before the game that all I really wanted after last week was for the players to put a proper shift in, and they did.
First half was nothing with them having slightly the better of it.
Second half we looked more fired up and fought for every ball, epitomised by Chris Solly but could equally apply to every player out there. We also had more of the chances in the second half with Watt making a few good runs into their box.
It was really pleasing to see after having witnessed the disgrace which was last week, and full effort should be the minimum requirement but they really did fight for this result against a team who had won their previous four and that is what is most pleasing.
Just got in , honestly got to say Chris solly awesome today , Tony watt different class for giving my boys mate your shirt superb , look we can av manager / coach ok I ain't happy with wots gone on but fuck it I follow the badge and wot it represents and it's the club I love whoever is in charge today not the greatest performance but personally we was the better side , we had passion today which is wot most fans want to see hopefully 3 points next week , as for the Wolves fans we've got 450 we are louder than u .
I feel a lot more positive today than last week, although of course it would have been hard not to. My expectations were so low that a point feels almost like a win.
If nothing worked against Watford, then at least the defence did today. Bikey was still prone to some sloppy moments, and needlessly got himself booked right at the end in a scuffle with Dicko, but there were few real scares otherwise. The new keeper was seldom tested and appears to be a graduate of the Dean Kiely school of kicking, but dealt competently with everything he had to do. Solly was imperious, particularly in the second half, and is a worthy captain of Charlton Athletic.
Veljkovic didn't really impress as he's very left-footed and quite slow in possession. We surely don't need both him and Buyens in the middle, especially if Buyens is as poor as he was today. You can often see what he's trying to do, be it a cushioned pass or an attempt at a deft flick, but they almost never come off. JBG spread his usual cross-field passes around and Cousins fought hard, exhausting himself in the process but doing well to frustrate the Wolves players and crowd.
I cannot fault Harriott's effort and lungs but his touch is poor and he gets shoved off the ball too easily. Vetokele was a pest for the Wolves defenders but still can't recapture his early-season form. BWP went through a similar spell, I seem to remember. Watt came on and weaved his way through the defence for a chance which was blocked behind and generally got the Charlton fans on our feet, though he still looks somewhat unfit, which is a worry. He was fuming on one occasion when the keeper didn't play it long to him, but they smiled about it after the final whistle, so hopefully the bad attitude we've heard about is improving.
A draw was a fair result today as we managed to contain Wolves reasonably comfortably. That in itself is a positive, but there is still much to do if we are to turn our form around.
The first half was a non event, not a spectacle as both sides cancelled each other out.
The second half was a different story both teams had a go and we had the better clear cut chances. our new keeper had assured handling, some wayward kicking but did make one important save. Our new number five quietly and confidently played as if he had been with us all season, excellent energy and was readily available for the give and go pass link up play. We played some very good football at times again.
Igor and Callum ran their socks off and got their centre backs ruffled. Watt made an immediate impression and so nearly scored.
Luzon was active and demonstrative in the technical area, cajoling,gesticulating, shouting.
We played a higher back line, it enabled us to be in touch with the midfield.
What we got today was a deserved point from a team that played as a unit, disciplined and organised and a most welcome platform on which to build particularly after the debacle I witnessed last Saturday. Everyone put in a shift, good to see again.
Roll on Rotherham
Last week folk were bemoaning our high back line as Watford were playing the ball over the top. Goes to the show the difference between playing teams that can score goals aplenty and those who can't. The Watford result today showed that last week was no fluke for them and Deeney was so unselfish in playing others in to score today.
Look forward to next Saturday and giving Watt a decent run. Just a couple of goals for us should make all the difference.
Wolves moved up to seventh in the Sky Bet Championship table despite being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Charlton.
The Addicks' new manager Guy Luzon made an impressive start as his side frustrated high-flying Wolves at Molineux to pick up a valuable point and end a run of four successive league and cup defeats.
Kenny Jackett's side had been searching for a fifth Championship win in a row but they could not find a way past a Charlton side who kept a clean sheet for the first time in nine league games.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between for either side as Charlton stood firm in the face of some strong second-half pressure.
With Wolves pushing hard for promotion and Charlton in freefall down the table, it should have been a game that the hosts quickly stamped their authority on.
But Wolves struggled to make any kind of breakthrough against a Charlton defence that was well marshalled by the experienced duo of Andre Bikey and Tal Ben Haim.
A blocked shot from winger Rajiv Van La Parra and a weak drive from right-back Dominic Iorfa were the best that Wolves could muster in a very low key opening spell.
Left-back Iorfa then headed a free-kick from James Henry just wide as Wolves toiled.
Charlton, with an animated Luzon urging them on from the sidelines, carried even less of a threat going forward.
But in what was a rare moment of menace, they could have broken the deadlock eight minutes before half-time.
A teasing right-wing cross from Johann Berg Gudmundsson caught the Wolves defence flat-footed but the lunging Charlton striker Igor Vetokele was inches away from turning the ball goalwards.
Following such a relatively low-key first-half, both sides immediately seemed more intent on searching for a breakthrough at the start of the second period.
Wolves' captain Danny Batth's goal-bound header was cleared by Bikey before Charlton immediately set the alarm bells ringing in the Wolves defence with a little purple patch.
Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme was forced to dive full length to turn away a 20-yard drive from the hard working Callum Harriott in the 48th minute and seconds later Gudmundsson saw his shot blocked by central defender Richard Stearman.
Wolves had sent on Nouha Dicko at half-time to join-up with recent arrival Benik Afobe in attack but it was Dutch wide-man Van La Parra who looked their most likely route to goal.
He was denied by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic and then saw a shot blocked by Morgan Fox.
While it was Wolves who enjoyed the greater possession and threat, Charlton were dangerous themselves on the break and it needed a brave save by Ikeme at his near post after substitute Tony Watt had powered his way into the area.
Wolves' frustration was summed up in the 84th minute when Scott Golbourne picked out Afobe with an excellent left-wing cross.
But Afobe was only able to steer his close range header straight into the arms of the grateful Dmitrovic.
Katrien must say u av some bottle for getting on train again , all the chaps today applaud u for that fair play , seems like u are prepared to take some stick and u have Cafc at heart .
The Boys done good today. So much nicer to watch when they all put a shift in even if the quality is lacking in certain areas you don't mind as much as long as they try. Still don't agree with Harriot up front, cousins on the left and moving Solly in the midfield. The keeper looked ok, only one shot came his way near the end which he dealt with comfortably. His handling looked good, kicking was suspect though. Veljkovic looked good really comfortable on the ball and put himself about. Watt was excellent the boy has some skills, needs to be starting he looks the perfect partner for Igor. We was unlucky not to have scored with Igor,watt and Harriot going close,
Weird feeling so positive after a 0-0 which was boring as in the first half. Come on you reds let's beat Rotherham next week and kick start our season.
Personally I think we played for a draw and got just that. Wolves looked pretty ordinary, not sure if it's because we played well or because they just had an off day. The thing to me is that this felt like more of a performance/achievement after last week's no-show. Some of Wolves shooting was wayward to say the least and they didn't seem to create many good chances, more half chances really. Our defensive performance was much improved on other recent games, more like our earlier league games I guess. I thought we created a couple of decent chances but it still felt like we lacked that spark from midfield. That said, their keeper made a couple of good saves and we could have nicked it, though I think 0-0 was probably the right result.
The main positive was the effort put in by the whole team, much improved, but I'm not getting carried away with one result. I think Rotherham will be a tougher game as we need to take the initiative and go for the win. Wolves may have expected us to roll over after what happened at Watford and I'm happy to say that we frustrated them. Definitely a good result and one more point closer to safety but it was far from a great performance. I think it's easy to get carried away as most people were expecting another loss.
Sorry if this sounds too negative for some, I just think we need to keep it in perspective.
Katrien must say u av some bottle for getting on train again , all the chaps today applaud u for that fair play , seems like u are prepared to take some stick and u have Cafc at heart .
Probably booked it in advance so saving her self a few bob in petrol by following it through..
A great result and performance. What I got from the commentary was that the new player Veljković gave us a lot more stability in defense and I think that was a big reason TBH and Bikey seemed to be back to how they were playing earlier in the season. It sounds like he was patrolling just in front of the back four and it worked. It was interesting that the first direct shot that Dmitrović had to make was just after Velikovic was substituted. At least that was how it sounded from the commentary.
I'm well pleased and this hopefully gives Luzon something to build on. We're crying out for an attacking creative midfielder. I would say that's our greatest need now.
A great result and performance. What I got from the commentary was that the new player Veljković gave us a lot more stability in defense and I think that was a big reason TBH and Bikey seemed to be back to how they were playing earlier in the season. It sounds like he was patrolling just in front of the back four and it worked. It was interesting that the first direct shot that Dmitrović had to make was just after Velikovic was substituted. At least that was how it sounded from the commentary.
I'm well pleased and this hopefully gives Luzon something to build on. We're crying out for an attacking creative midfielder. I would say that's our greatest need now.
He looked confident and comfortable on the ball. He could be a useful loan signing.
Comments
Puts paid to the line that Ben Haim and others won't play for Luzon.
Obviously we need to work out how to score but hopefully that one is solved next Saturday!
And Henderson, Bulot and who knows to add to what was available today.
There's still the small matter of M.Duchatelet telling us via his spokesperson that we have to accept his way. Frankly as someone who was a shareholder and a founder board member of the supporters Trust I don't accept that. But at least this can be discussed from a mid-table perspective and not a relegation struggle again (hopefully).
One might wonder why I mention this? Well it's out there in black and white and the fact is no fan of our great club with its unique history of fan involvement has to accept such an ultimatum.
Great result up there.
This squad need to regain their belief and hopefully this result will go some way to achieving that.
4 big games coming up (3 at home) and 5 points would be a good return at this stage.
The second half was a different story both teams had a go and we had the better clear cut chances. our new keeper had assured handling, some wayward kicking but did make one important save. Our new number five quietly and confidently played as if he had been with us all season, excellent energy and was readily available for the give and go pass link up play. We played some very good football at times again.
Igor and Callum ran their socks off and got their centre backs ruffled. Watt made an immediate impression and so nearly scored.
Luzon was active and demonstrative in the technical area, cajoling,gesticulating, shouting.
We played a higher back line, it enabled us to be in touch with the midfield.
What we got today was a deserved point from a team that played as a unit, disciplined and organised and a most welcome platform on which to build particularly after the debacle I witnessed last Saturday. Everyone put in a shift, good to see again.
Roll on Rotherham
First half was nothing with them having slightly the better of it.
Second half we looked more fired up and fought for every ball, epitomised by Chris Solly but could equally apply to every player out there. We also had more of the chances in the second half with Watt making a few good runs into their box.
It was really pleasing to see after having witnessed the disgrace which was last week, and full effort should be the minimum requirement but they really did fight for this result against a team who had won their previous four and that is what is most pleasing.
Feeling more hopeful for the rest of the season.
7th-12th 5%..........85% 13th-21st...... 10% Relegation
I feel a lot more positive today than last week, although of course it would have been hard not to. My expectations were so low that a point feels almost like a win.
If nothing worked against Watford, then at least the defence did today. Bikey was still prone to some sloppy moments, and needlessly got himself booked right at the end in a scuffle with Dicko, but there were few real scares otherwise. The new keeper was seldom tested and appears to be a graduate of the Dean Kiely school of kicking, but dealt competently with everything he had to do. Solly was imperious, particularly in the second half, and is a worthy captain of Charlton Athletic.
Veljkovic didn't really impress as he's very left-footed and quite slow in possession. We surely don't need both him and Buyens in the middle, especially if Buyens is as poor as he was today. You can often see what he's trying to do, be it a cushioned pass or an attempt at a deft flick, but they almost never come off. JBG spread his usual cross-field passes around and Cousins fought hard, exhausting himself in the process but doing well to frustrate the Wolves players and crowd.
I cannot fault Harriott's effort and lungs but his touch is poor and he gets shoved off the ball too easily. Vetokele was a pest for the Wolves defenders but still can't recapture his early-season form. BWP went through a similar spell, I seem to remember. Watt came on and weaved his way through the defence for a chance which was blocked behind and generally got the Charlton fans on our feet, though he still looks somewhat unfit, which is a worry. He was fuming on one occasion when the keeper didn't play it long to him, but they smiled about it after the final whistle, so hopefully the bad attitude we've heard about is improving.
A draw was a fair result today as we managed to contain Wolves reasonably comfortably. That in itself is a positive, but there is still much to do if we are to turn our form around.
The Watford result today showed that last week was no fluke for them and Deeney was so unselfish in playing others in to score today.
Look forward to next Saturday and giving Watt a decent run.
Just a couple of goals for us should make all the difference.
The Addicks' new manager Guy Luzon made an impressive start as his side frustrated high-flying Wolves at Molineux to pick up a valuable point and end a run of four successive league and cup defeats.
Kenny Jackett's side had been searching for a fifth Championship win in a row but they could not find a way past a Charlton side who kept a clean sheet for the first time in nine league games.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between for either side as Charlton stood firm in the face of some strong second-half pressure.
With Wolves pushing hard for promotion and Charlton in freefall down the table, it should have been a game that the hosts quickly stamped their authority on.
But Wolves struggled to make any kind of breakthrough against a Charlton defence that was well marshalled by the experienced duo of Andre Bikey and Tal Ben Haim.
A blocked shot from winger Rajiv Van La Parra and a weak drive from right-back Dominic Iorfa were the best that Wolves could muster in a very low key opening spell.
Left-back Iorfa then headed a free-kick from James Henry just wide as Wolves toiled.
Charlton, with an animated Luzon urging them on from the sidelines, carried even less of a threat going forward.
But in what was a rare moment of menace, they could have broken the deadlock eight minutes before half-time.
A teasing right-wing cross from Johann Berg Gudmundsson caught the Wolves defence flat-footed but the lunging Charlton striker Igor Vetokele was inches away from turning the ball goalwards.
Following such a relatively low-key first-half, both sides immediately seemed more intent on searching for a breakthrough at the start of the second period.
Wolves' captain Danny Batth's goal-bound header was cleared by Bikey before Charlton immediately set the alarm bells ringing in the Wolves defence with a little purple patch.
Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme was forced to dive full length to turn away a 20-yard drive from the hard working Callum Harriott in the 48th minute and seconds later Gudmundsson saw his shot blocked by central defender Richard Stearman.
Wolves had sent on Nouha Dicko at half-time to join-up with recent arrival Benik Afobe in attack but it was Dutch wide-man Van La Parra who looked their most likely route to goal.
He was denied by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic and then saw a shot blocked by Morgan Fox.
While it was Wolves who enjoyed the greater possession and threat, Charlton were dangerous themselves on the break and it needed a brave save by Ikeme at his near post after substitute Tony Watt had powered his way into the area.
Wolves' frustration was summed up in the 84th minute when Scott Golbourne picked out Afobe with an excellent left-wing cross.
But Afobe was only able to steer his close range header straight into the arms of the grateful Dmitrovic.
Now we need to actually win a home game that anyone would think we should win. Rotherham are ideal opponents in that regard.
If we can do that, then I'll give Luzon credit.
And if we have some good fresh troops on board, then I'll give RD credit too.
Weird feeling so positive after a 0-0 which was boring as in the first half. Come on you reds let's beat Rotherham next week and kick start our season.
The main positive was the effort put in by the whole team, much improved, but I'm not getting carried away with one result. I think Rotherham will be a tougher game as we need to take the initiative and go for the win. Wolves may have expected us to roll over after what happened at Watford and I'm happy to say that we frustrated them. Definitely a good result and one more point closer to safety but it was far from a great performance. I think it's easy to get carried away as most people were expecting another loss.
Sorry if this sounds too negative for some, I just think we need to keep it in perspective.
I'm well pleased and this hopefully gives Luzon something to build on. We're crying out for an attacking creative midfielder. I would say that's our greatest need now.
Much much much better performance that last week, second half anyway.
Two negatives being another game without winning, and another game without scoring.
For a neutral this game was awful.
Let us see what happens next Saturday.
Either way, we will stay up comfortably