playing Watt and Igor would be a step in the right direction
Don't be silly Taxi_lad. Pick our 2 best forwards to play along side each other? Next you will be suggesting that Cousins moves in to the middle and Solly goes to right back.
People bang on about goalscorers, our main problem this season is the defence and the inability to defend crosses, Rotherham,Blackpool,Brighton home and away have cost us 7 points alone, I am really hoping Johnson will help a defender who attacks a ball, our central defenders are pony in the air, when we have a corner they offer no threat and very rarely both come up for it, unlike every team we play.
People bang on about goal scorers, and you on defence, but IMO 90% of the problem is down to the midfield. Of course the defence needs working on, especially set pieces, and the strikers need to find form but put the right midfielders in place who can create gaps and spot runs and voila, confidence installed in strikers and defenders (less work on them)
Yes, this. And come on, 25 goals all season
Don't forget the ones that Bikey nearly scored. They have got to be worth at least half a goal.
People bang on about goalscorers, our main problem this season is the defence and the inability to defend crosses, Rotherham,Blackpool,Brighton home and away have cost us 7 points alone, I am really hoping Johnson will help a defender who attacks a ball, our central defenders are pony in the air, when we have a corner they offer no threat and very rarely both come up for it, unlike every team we play.
People bang on about goal scorers, and you on defence, but IMO 90% of the problem is down to the midfield. Of course the defence needs working on, especially set pieces, and the strikers need to find form but put the right midfielders in place who can create gaps and spot runs and voila, confidence installed in strikers and defenders (less work on them)
Agree with you, also the midfield IMO has very little ball winning ability its become a powder puff midfield since JJ's been out. Buyens cant/wont tackle, Cousins works hard but - lightweight, add into the team Harriot & Vetokele it's no surprise we get over run in the last 15 mins of games.
Can the Spurs lad do the job? hope so but not sure. Lepoint? looks to slow but again, I hope to be proved wrong.
Exactly! We've used defenders as scapegoats for errors which are inevitable with the pressure on them of late, and strikers as scapegoats for not putting their rare chances away. Our midfield gets overrun most/every game, we've tried to battle it with 5 in midfield and even then I've seen 4 vs us have the better of the play as they know what they are doing with and without the ball.
Cousins has potential and a very good athlete but he hasn't really fulfilled it IMO and needs a rest, he's on over-burn already and it's clear to see from his off games. JJ bless him is past it and obviously in no mindset/fitness state to play consistently, Buyens I don't even want to go there, good penalty taker as far as I'd push it. Harriot would make a brilliant 7-a-side player and Johann's job is to create chances' nothing else. It's a complete mis match of midfielders, and not even sure I'd like to call Harriot a midfielder.
Our Spurs lad will help us concede a few less and break up the play, but our problem's just infront of him, Cousins & Buyens have been doing his job previously, they are no good at venturing further forward IMO.
I still look back at the Igor and Church partnership we saw briefly away at Brighton. It looked like they can play together.
I really think this is our best front two. Church doing lots of donkey work, Igor playing on the shoulder like Benty. Relies on Igor being 100% fit though
I still look back at the Igor and Church partnership we saw briefly away at Brighton. It looked like they can play together.
I really think this is our best front two. Church doing lots of donkey work, Igor playing on the shoulder like Benty. Relies on Igor being 100% fit though
When we have been playing so defensive, with a striker that isn't fully fit and a winger or midfielder just off of them, we have been inviting pressure onto our defence. The defence then get scapegoated.
Yes our defence could be better. But our main problem lies up front and in midfield. Gudmundsson is our best (and only) creative player, but other teams have realised this, so cut him out of play. Bulot, who looked decent in the African Cup of Nations, cannot get in the side. Moussa is still injured from early in the season. Harriot is being played up front- an experiment that was worth trying but has failed. Jackson, Buyens and Veljkovic are too busy protecting the defence to push forward.
Our full backs in Gomez, Solly, Fox and Wiggins have been run ragged trying to give both vital attacking runs and cover defensively. This has limited their usefulness. Church- puts in a shift. That is one thing you cannot deny. But he lacks the strength or technical ability to make a significant impact. Igor, who started off so well, has been playing with an injury for what may very well be months. Yet again, this reduces his usefulness. Reza and Polish Pete struggled to make any kind of difference in the side and to be honest I doubt they would now. Tucadean had moments of class- in the game against Derby he looked like the successor to Yann. But alas not, he struggled to replicate this form consistently.
So who do we have left? KAG, Tony Watt and Cousins. KAG looked dangerous in the games I saw him but appeared to struggle with the physicality of the Championship. I do however believe it may be worth a try seeing how well he fits in with Watt. Maybe there is a strike partnership there? Watt has looked passionate. No, he is not a big target man. No, he is not Yann. But what he is is a striker who has proven he isn't afraid to take on a defender or two, someone who tries to create chances. He should be starting in my opinion.
The final player left is one I have deliberately left until last. Jordan Cousins. While he is better in the centre, a fact that is undoubtable, he has been played on the left wing all season. To say he has not done a good job there is madness. He has scored goals, created chances, pushed forwards and protected tired and arguably abused fullbacks. He has done a good job this season.
All things considered, we lack an effective strike partnership and another creative mid/natural winger. Maybe Lepoint will be the answer. Maybe he won't. Time will tell. What is certain though, is that the team needs reinforcements or if none are coming, a breath of fresh air. Whether that be Bulot on the wing or Watt & KAG up front, something must change.
A loan deal would be preferable, but if not we must make do and try something new with what we have.
Charlton will try to sign dexter blackstock from Nottingham Forrest on loan when the window opens
Charlton will sign Southampton's Sam Gallagher on loan when the window opens
I noticed these two rumours on FR, Im not sure if they've been mentioned on the board. The Blackstock rumour has been mooted about before, could be worth a try.
I don't know too much about Sam Gallagher but Dexter Blackstock would be a decent loan.
Edit: Sam Gallagher: Striker. Under 19 International for Scotland and England. 19 appearances for Southampton first team in 2013 / 2014, None this year.
I don't know too much about Sam Gallagher but Dexter Blackstock would be a decent loan.
Gallagher would be even better. Premier League forward. He'd score goals as well whereas Blackstock would probably be better holding the ball up for us. Both good players though and 'd be happy with either.
I don't know too much about Sam Gallagher but Dexter Blackstock would be a decent loan.
Gallagher would be even better. Premier League forward. He'd score goals as well whereas Blackstock would probably be better holding the ball up for us. Both good players though and 'd be happy with either.
I guess the thing is, there are big gaps in the team that Luzon / Meire can say with some honesty that any loaned players will get game time. Francis Coquelin's comments about the positive effect of playing at Charlton and being catapulted into the limelight with Tottenham's , Miloš Veljković going straight into the team will help a lot to.
I don't know too much about Sam Gallagher but Dexter Blackstock would be a decent loan.
Gallagher would be even better. Premier League forward. He'd score goals as well whereas Blackstock would probably be better holding the ball up for us. Both good players though and 'd be happy with either.
I guess the thing is, there are big gaps in the team that Luzon / Meire can say with some honesty that any loaned players will get game time. Francis Coquelin's comments about the positive effect of playing at Charlton and being catapulted into the limelight with Tottenham's , Miloš Veljković going straight into the team will help a lot to.
See hope springs eternal.
Combined with the fact that Gallagher is a youngster and were slowly gaining a reputation of giving kids a chance so Southampton may be happy to give him to us simply because we wont leave him on the bench
Gallagher is a decent player but Saints won't let him go. They don't have enough striking options and they've been waiting on him coming back to provide cover for Pelle
Gallagher is a decent player but Saints won't let him go. They don't have enough striking options and they've been waiting on him coming back to provide cover for Pelle
Yes, it looks like Jay Rodriguez could be out for the season, so they are quite thin up top
People bang on about goalscorers, our main problem this season is the defence and the inability to defend crosses, Rotherham,Blackpool,Brighton home and away have cost us 7 points alone, I am really hoping Johnson will help a defender who attacks a ball, our central defenders are pony in the air, when we have a corner they offer no threat and very rarely both come up for it, unlike every team we play.
This may be because the defence never get any practice against an attack that is able create goal scoring opportunities from corners (where are only game seemed to be to try and cross the ball to a heavily marked Bikey) - these two weak aspects of our game are probably linked. There were some signs against Rotherham that Luzon appreciates the problem and is seeking to do something about it - but I'm afraid Rome isn't built in a day.
How many games does it take to convert a winger like Harriot into a striker? Now the experiment has been started is it worth following it through to its conclusion? Or do we know enough now to know that it will nver work?
good job oggy this place would've melted down if we had bought in a kid from there, just don't get why bringing him in from Southampton is any different, it's an experienced striker being called for by most and yer a kid from sthampton would be great
good job oggy this place would've melted down if we had bought in a kid from there, just don't get why bringing him in from Southampton is any different, it's an experienced striker being called for by most and yer a kid from sthampton would be great
I'm not sure how many SL kids have 19 PL games under their belt.
good job oggy this place would've melted down if we had bought in a kid from there, just don't get why bringing him in from Southampton is any different, it's an experienced striker being called for by most and yer a kid from sthampton would be great
Agree with you, NLA.
Trouble is, most experienced forwards will already be playing regularly in their matchday squad. Why would their clubs loan them out? They won't.
All that's available then, are the clapped out 'has-beens' and up-and-coming kids not involved with their 1st team.
At least looking at Prem youngsters, you should get a certain quality on the ball. But they've very little match experience.
I thin right now we need someone with experience in England, we play a different game over here, it's not the network players' fault but we simply don't have time for them to adapt. We need reinforcements now.
Luckily we can only loan from UK clubs atm anyway, the worrying thing is, I'm not sure we will.
good job oggy this place would've melted down if we had bought in a kid from there, just don't get why bringing him in from Southampton is any different, it's an experienced striker being called for by most and yer a kid from sthampton would be great
I'm not sure how many SL kids have 19 PL games under their belt.
Depends also on how you define PL games, Stu?
Most decent kids make the bench - and get 10 mins or a couple of minutes right at the end. And before you know it , they've racked up a whole string of cameo sub appearances - but very few starts.
Now if most of Gallaghers appearances have seen him starting, then fair enough.
Gallagher would at least have grown up in the English game. And will know who Charlton are. And yes I'd prefer a kid with 19 premier league games under his belt than a kid with 19 Belgian league appearances. The point is - the network is convenience for RD. Not necessarily the best thing for the squad. I would hope Gallagher had been scouted by someone like Chapple.
What's the difference between taking Gallagher and a kid from lieges youth team
The only youth player was Koc and he was, cock.
Gallagher I know little about but he has played in England and knows English football. He is less likely to get home sick or struggle with the pace and physicality of the championship.
Comments
Cousins has potential and a very good athlete but he hasn't really fulfilled it IMO and needs a rest, he's on over-burn already and it's clear to see from his off games. JJ bless him is past it and obviously in no mindset/fitness state to play consistently, Buyens I don't even want to go there, good penalty taker as far as I'd push it. Harriot would make a brilliant 7-a-side player and Johann's job is to create chances' nothing else. It's a complete mis match of midfielders, and not even sure I'd like to call Harriot a midfielder.
Our Spurs lad will help us concede a few less and break up the play, but our problem's just infront of him, Cousins & Buyens have been doing his job previously, they are no good at venturing further forward IMO.
Yes our defence could be better. But our main problem lies up front and in midfield. Gudmundsson is our best (and only) creative player, but other teams have realised this, so cut him out of play. Bulot, who looked decent in the African Cup of Nations, cannot get in the side. Moussa is still injured from early in the season. Harriot is being played up front- an experiment that was worth trying but has failed. Jackson, Buyens and Veljkovic are too busy protecting the defence to push forward.
Our full backs in Gomez, Solly, Fox and Wiggins have been run ragged trying to give both vital attacking runs and cover defensively. This has limited their usefulness. Church- puts in a shift. That is one thing you cannot deny. But he lacks the strength or technical ability to make a significant impact.
Igor, who started off so well, has been playing with an injury for what may very well be months. Yet again, this reduces his usefulness. Reza and Polish Pete struggled to make any kind of difference in the side and to be honest I doubt they would now. Tucadean had moments of class- in the game against Derby he looked like the successor to Yann. But alas not, he struggled to replicate this form consistently.
So who do we have left? KAG, Tony Watt and Cousins. KAG looked dangerous in the games I saw him but appeared to struggle with the physicality of the Championship. I do however believe it may be worth a try seeing how well he fits in with Watt. Maybe there is a strike partnership there? Watt has looked passionate. No, he is not a big target man. No, he is not Yann. But what he is is a striker who has proven he isn't afraid to take on a defender or two, someone who tries to create chances. He should be starting in my opinion.
The final player left is one I have deliberately left until last. Jordan Cousins. While he is better in the centre, a fact that is undoubtable, he has been played on the left wing all season. To say he has not done a good job there is madness. He has scored goals, created chances, pushed forwards and protected tired and arguably abused fullbacks. He has done a good job this season.
All things considered, we lack an effective strike partnership and another creative mid/natural winger. Maybe Lepoint will be the answer. Maybe he won't. Time will tell. What is certain though, is that the team needs reinforcements or if none are coming, a breath of fresh air. Whether that be Bulot on the wing or Watt & KAG up front, something must change.
A loan deal would be preferable, but if not we must make do and try something new with what we have.
Charlton will sign Southampton's Sam Gallagher on loan when the window opens
I noticed these two rumours on FR, Im not sure if they've been mentioned on the board. The Blackstock rumour has been mooted about before, could be worth a try.
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/02/05/dexter-blackstock-provides-injury-update-makes-strong-claims-abo/
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Dexter-Blackstock-Nottingham-Forest-ensure-new/story-25989834-detail/story.html
Edit: Sam Gallagher: Striker. Under 19 International for Scotland and England. 19 appearances for Southampton first team in 2013 / 2014, None this year.
At 6ft 4 meets the height test.
See hope springs eternal.
Trouble is, most experienced forwards will already be playing regularly in their matchday squad.
Why would their clubs loan them out? They won't.
All that's available then, are the clapped out 'has-beens' and up-and-coming kids not involved with their 1st team.
At least looking at Prem youngsters, you should get a certain quality on the ball.
But they've very little match experience.
The term proven and experience have been asked for not a kid,
And if that kid had come from the network there would be fury
Let's at least hope for someone better than a prem youth player
Luckily we can only loan from UK clubs atm anyway, the worrying thing is, I'm not sure we will.
We're an ongoing, failing experiment.
Most decent kids make the bench - and get 10 mins or a couple of minutes right at the end.
And before you know it , they've racked up a whole string of cameo sub appearances - but very few starts.
Now if most of Gallaghers appearances have seen him starting, then fair enough.
The point is - the network is convenience for RD. Not necessarily the best thing for the squad. I would hope Gallagher had been scouted by someone like Chapple.
Gallagher I know little about but he has played in England and knows English football. He is less likely to get home sick or struggle with the pace and physicality of the championship.