For me, yesterday was about 3 things. Firstly, what a difference having a proper keeper makes. It puts into perspective the relative rubbish we have had to put up with over the last 3 months (Pope excluded). Secondly, having 2 forwards that don't give the defenders a seconds peace takes so much pressure off the rest of the team. Lastly, and perhaps most important of all, Brentford were woeful, failing to do the one thing that our network players (particularly Bulot and Buyens) dislike the most - no closing down.
To some extent we got lucky yesterday but the experience should do our confidence a world of good - maybe!
Makes you wonder if someone's been reading the forum:
Play 2 up front..........................check Drop Bikey................................check Drop Buyens..............................check Play Cousins in the middle.........check
I would think it extremely unlikely that RD, KM or GL would bother to read this forum!
Having not attended for a while, I admit I was fearing the worst before the game, in fact I have never been less eager to watch a game in my life. So it was a pleasant surprise to find firstly Henderson back, that was a real plus, but also a team that really worked hard and played as a unit. Sitting where I do in Lower west it was also rather obvious that the entire team had chosen to ignore Luzon through the entire match! The best decision of the game for me! He jumped around a lot and in the end resorted to some type of semaphore, but the only person who showed any interest in him was the fourth official who kept reminding him to get back into his lines. Anyway, leaving him out of the equasion as he's not that important, I was impressed with Tony Watt, think he'll be a good striker for us, reminds me a little, but only a little of Killer, in his attitude. Bulot, who I'd forgotten about, also impressed and Roger Johnson really made a difference in defence. Having Henderson back seemed to calm the defence down and they seemed to know what they were doing. Goals all well taken, so won't single anyone out, a great team effort, well done lads!
Glad you were able to make the game and enjoy the performance.
If Luzon is not the motivator then I'd like to know who is.
Luzon and his backroom team must surely set the strategy, as well as have considerable, if not total, involvement in team selection - or maybe I'm just naive?
I've never seen a team in any environment, work or sport, flourish without a leader.
I firmly agree with you and although Luzon deserves credit, I don't think we should underestimate the impact Jackson has had since Tuesday. The blokes lost a couple of yards pace the last 2 years but his importance around the team just grows stronger.
After Tuesday night there had to be a positive reaction from the players. They certainly did that against a Brentford side that wasn't at it yesterday. Take nothing away from the players yesterday, that was the best performance since Derby in August, but we caught the opposition at the right time.
Bar Bulot that was the side I would have picked yesterday before kick off. We were a threat going forward, Igor and Tony linked well, Bulot and Gudmundsson were lively. The back four were solid. Cousins never stopped and the calming influence of Henderson back in goal.
14 more points required to avoid relegation. Play like that, and it can be achieved.
Like many others I strangely had a good feeling about yesterday (but was fully prepared to have that beaten out of me by half time), but never saw that kind of performance coming. It was completely alien to tuesday night. Where Brentford looked shaky and nervy, we looked like each man had been given a shot of confidence prior to the match.
For over a year Cousins has been mostly played out of position to accommodate others, sometimes lesser players. Hopefully that's now come to an end. In the time he was on the I thought Jackson benefited the most from Jordans hard work.
My biggest hope though is that Watt and Vetokele can stay fit for the remainder of the season - in those two we have real quality up top and wont always have to play as well as yesterday to win games. Watt inparticular is just so, so positive in everything he does, and it must be a relief for players to be able to get the ball forward without knowing it's coming straight back at them.
And a quick mention for Henderson, who performed exactly as well as I thought he would.
To top a great evening off I got home and fell asleep on the toilet, much to the annoyance of my flatmate.
I'm no Roland supporter and I'm still not sure about Luzon. Some of the in-the-air hand waving when absolutely no player was even pretending to take notice was comical and almost sad. But I don't think that yesterday's win was lucky. In the same way I wouldn't describe our winless streak as unlucky.
Yes, Brentford had an off day. Yes we scored at the right time, particularly the second which was somewhat against the run of play.
But for once we were simply the better team. We were well organised with a good goalie, 2 banks of four and 2 nippy forwards. 3 nil was a touch flattering, but we definately deserved the win. For once I enjoyed watching the match and for the first time in many, many months Charlton hasn't ruined my weekend! Any luck we had, we made it ourselves.
'We are Charlton's red army'. Great chant from the Upper North. In effect let's put our collective dislike/ distrust of the owner and his puppets to one side and get behind the players on the pitch. Jackson got it spot on and his timing was perfect.
Have we pulled ourselves out of a nosedive to L1? It's very much in our hands now.
I'm no Roland supporter and I'm still not sure about Luzon. Some of the in-the-air hand waving when absolutely no player was even pretending to take notice was comical and almost sad. But I don't think that yesterday's win was lucky. In the same way I wouldn't describe our winless streak as unlucky.
Yes, Brentford had an off day. Yes we scored at the right time, particularly the second which was somewhat against the run of play.
But for once we were simply the better team. We were well organised with a good goalie, 2 banks of four and 2 nippy forwards. 3 nil was a touch flattering, but we definately deserved the win. For once I enjoyed watching the match and for the first time in many, many months Charlton hasn't ruined my weekend! Any luck we had, we made it ourselves.
'We are Charlton's red army'. Great chant from the Upper North. In effect let's put our collective dislike/ distrust of the owner and his puppets to one side and get behind the players on the pitch. Jackson got it spot on and his timing was perfect.
Have we pulled ourselves out of a nosedive to L1? It's very much in our hands now.
I found the arm waving quite hilarious. Even asked others did they think anyone was taking a blind bit of notice of him, and the answer was a collective NO.
What's this about JJ having said something before hand?
How could we have looked as impressive as people are saying with just 35% possession?
The vast majority of Brentford's possession came through the number 20 (Diaca..something or other) and he was playing a similar role to Velijkovic - sitting infront of the centre backs.
They often had 10 or so passes out from the back before hoofing the ball into touch. For a team in the play off places they were dire yesterday.
What's this about JJ having said something before hand?
How could we have looked as impressive as people are saying with just 35% possession?
Can't answer about JJ (though would not surprise me if he'd taken it on himself to inspire the squad) but as to possession, whether under instruction or by chance Brentford had a lot of play at the back and in their own half but broke down as soon as they tried to get forward - due to pressure and fight from Charlton and perhaps uncertainty in their own squad. Also fair to say they improved after the triple sub in terms of getting forwards but still crafted out very little in terms of clear cut chances.
Swap someone for Jackson from that starting line-up and it's probably our best possible team at the moment. Bulot was very effective on the left, Watt and Vetokele up front worked really well together, Johnson and Ben Haim seem a really good pairing, one better one the ground, one better in the air. Gudmunsson's finish was of the highest order, and the one that got saved early on was equally as good. That man has a sweet left foot (just as well, 'cos the right is only good for standing on).
Yes, Brentford were poor but you can only play what's in front of you. Having said that, if Watt didn't stray off-side and Buyens could learn the right strength for through-ball, we could have had five or six.
Amazing what can happen when you play 4-4-2 at home with two stikers, two wingers playing on the wings and Cousins in the middle. That with Henderson back in goal I had a real feeling we would win this one and I think it showed we have the makings of a top six team.
The recent run shows we have a good starting XI when all are fit but no depth which led to our disaster run which I think is something most of us will agree on.
Watt and Vetokele playing together showed us we now have two genuine Championship strikers more than capable of creating and scoring chances in this division. If we can keep them fit and play them together reguarly we can start to win all those games we have been drawing earlier in the season.
I have been very vocal on here about the appointment of Luzon but I will hold my hands up and give him the credit he deserves for yesterday. He'll need to guarantee our Championship status and keep up these performances first and foremost though before I will say the worm has turned.
We are getting there slowly. The last two transfer windows seem to have been successful especially when compared to the first disasterous window. Another successful transfer window this summer and who knows what next season might bring if we are able to hold onto the current first team, perhaps sign up Bulot permanent if he is happy to stay and continues on from yesterday. A few decent additions in the summer to give us some more depth and I really do think we can potentially dine at the Championship's top table next season.
Whatever anybody's feelings about RD and the appointment of Luzon nobody can take away the fact that yesterday's goals were all scored by players brought in to the club under the RD regime. Yesterday was a day when the network worked but yes there have been many days when the network hasn't worked either.
What a change from Tuesday! Played two up front and it looks like Watt and Igor are forming a good partnership already. Love Watt he plays like a kid in the playground all jinks and flicks.
Big congratulations to Bulot who gave us an attacking option in midfield as well. Johnson added experience so all in all better much better. The crowd were also brilliant getting behind the team it isn't likely we can do a lot about the club owner but by roaring the boys on we can affect the outcome of this season.
Message to Luzon and the boys "keep it going and we'll back you all the way" best I felt after a match for ages.
Amazing what can happen when you play 4-4-2 at home with two stikers, two wingers playing on the wings and Cousins in the middle. That with Henderson back in goal I had a real feeling we would win this one and I think it showed we have the makings of a top six team.
The recent run shows we have a good starting XI when all are fit but no depth which led to our disaster run which I think is something most of us will agree on.
Watt and Vetokele playing together showed us we now have two genuine Championship strikers more than capable of creating and scoring chances in this division. If we can keep them fit and play them together reguarly we can start to win all those games we have been drawing earlier in the season.
I have been very vocal on here about the appointment of Luzon but I will hold my hands up and give him the credit he deserves for yesterday. He'll need to guarantee our Championship status and keep up these performances first and foremost though before I will say the worm has turned.
We are getting there slowly. The last two transfer windows seem to have been successful especially when compared to the first disasterous window. Another successful transfer window this summer and who knows what next season might bring if we are able to hold onto the current first team, perhaps sign up Bulot permanent if he is happy to stay and continues on from yesterday. A few decent additions in the summer to give us some more depth and I really do think we can potentially dine at the Championship's top table next season.
Whatever anybody's feelings about RD and the appointment of Luzon nobody can take away the fact that yesterday's goals were all scored by players brought in to the club under the RD regime. Yesterday was a day when the network worked but yes there have been many days when the network hasn't worked either.
Very important result yesterday and full credit to whoever was responsible, but I think it's at bit premature to say it was a successful transfer window. Etheridge, Dmitrovic and Lepoint good signings? The jury is out at best. Johnson hopefully, although he was not actually signed in the window. The Spurs lad is out for the season, which is no one's fault but we're unlikely to see him again. So the positive from the window is Tony Watt. He might just be enough to keep us up, which is what matters, but it's a bit strong to say that the signings in the window as a group constitute success after our first win in 14, especially since four of them were not involved yesterday.
By the way, all the players who scored for Charlton from 1945 to 1982 were signed under the Glikstens. It doesn't mean they generally did a good job for most of that period.
What's this about JJ having said something before hand?
How could we have looked as impressive as people are saying with just 35% possession?
the figure flatters to deceive. Brentford didnt do much with it. we had enough hustle about us to let them move the ball about before either nicking it having them pass astray. they mucked about with it in midfield a fair bit.
How could we have looked as impressive as people are saying with just 35% possession?
the figure flatters to deceive. Brentford didnt do much with it. we had enough hustle about us to let them move the ball about before either nicking it having them pass astray. they mucked about with it in midfield a fair bit.
Yesterday we cut out the sideways-backwards, to me to you stuff. Don't know whether this is down to Luzon wanting us to be more direct, having 2 decent forwards on the pitch, or a bit of both. We had less possession but did more with it than Brentford.
Amazing what can happen when you play 4-4-2 at home with two stikers, two wingers playing on the wings and Cousins in the middle. That with Henderson back in goal I had a real feeling we would win this one and I think it showed we have the makings of a top six team.
The recent run shows we have a good starting XI when all are fit but no depth which led to our disaster run which I think is something most of us will agree on.
Watt and Vetokele playing together showed us we now have two genuine Championship strikers more than capable of creating and scoring chances in this division. If we can keep them fit and play them together reguarly we can start to win all those games we have been drawing earlier in the season.
I have been very vocal on here about the appointment of Luzon but I will hold my hands up and give him the credit he deserves for yesterday. He'll need to guarantee our Championship status and keep up these performances first and foremost though before I will say the worm has turned.
We are getting there slowly. The last two transfer windows seem to have been successful especially when compared to the first disasterous window. Another successful transfer window this summer and who knows what next season might bring if we are able to hold onto the current first team, perhaps sign up Bulot permanent if he is happy to stay and continues on from yesterday. A few decent additions in the summer to give us some more depth and I really do think we can potentially dine at the Championship's top table next season.
Whatever anybody's feelings about RD and the appointment of Luzon nobody can take away the fact that yesterday's goals were all scored by players brought in to the club under the RD regime. Yesterday was a day when the network worked but yes there have been many days when the network hasn't worked either.
Very important result yesterday and full credit to whoever was responsible, but I think it's at bit premature to say it was a successful transfer window. Etheridge, Dmitrovic and Lepoint good signings? The jury is out at best. Johnson hopefully, although he was not actually signed in the window. The Spurs lad is out for the season, which is no one's fault but we're unlikely to see him again. So the positive from the window is Tony Watt. He might just be enough to keep us up, which is what matters, but it's a bit strong to say that the signings in the window as a group constitute success after our first win in 14, especially since four of them were not involved yesterday.
By the way, all the players who scored for Charlton from 1945 to 1982 were signed under the Glikstens. It doesn't mean they generally did a good job for most of that period.
Some valid points about those not involved yesterday but i'd rather forcus on those who were involved yesterday. For me the team is stronger now with Watt and Johnson in it than it was going into the January window without them. We may not agree but for me the team appears to be stronger with them in it so I regard it a success regardless of the others who didn't feature yesterday but I do agree the jury is certainly out on them and whether they are individually good signings or not and I guess you would like to judge the success of the January window based on all signings rather than just a few of them, which I can understand. I was looking at it from more of whether the team itself is stronger than it was going into it.
Credit to the players and credit to Luzon for a very good team performance. The addition of Johnson beside Ben Haim, together with Henderson's timely return, re-established the defence solidity which was key to our early season form. On the back of this we were able to build meaningful attacks without the feeling that we would be exposed the minute we lost the ball. I still think we lack for a player who naturally sits in front of the back four, but you couldn't fault a single player for their effort and endeavour yesterday. Keeping Watt and Igor fit is key, as we have no realistic replacements. Bulot was so much better on the left and fair-play to Luzon for sticking with him after Tuesday. I wouldn't have. Johnson must have the loudest voice in football, as I could clearly hear him from the back row of the West Upper! Looking at the fixtures coming up, I'd happily take 5 points from the next 4 games.
Agree totally with all the positive comments above. A really enjoyable afternoon.
But just a word of caution. I live in NW London and my son has 2 Brentford mates, one of whom goes both home and away without fail. In the text exchanges that followed on our drive home yesterday, my son's Brentford mate said that that was the worst they had played for 5 months and that wasn't the Brentford team out there that had been playing so well lately - he just thought something was wrong with the team on the day and that this Warburton stuff had clearly upset their players. OK, we played really well but maybe before we all get carried away worth recalling the above.
Also, we have 2 difficult away games coming up next at Wigan and Derby. By contrast, Millwall's next 2 games are winnable home games against Fulham and Sheff Wed. By Tuesday week, all the positive feelings we currently have might have been dissipated somewhat.
Very important result yesterday and full credit to whoever was responsible, but I think it's at bit premature to say it was a successful transfer window. Etheridge, Dmitrovic and Lepoint good signings? .
Etheridge signed on loan in November so not a January transfer window signing.
Amazing what can happen when you play 4-4-2 at home with two stikers, two wingers playing on the wings and Cousins in the middle. That with Henderson back in goal I had a real feeling we would win this one and I think it showed we have the makings of a top six team.
The recent run shows we have a good starting XI when all are fit but no depth which led to our disaster run which I think is something most of us will agree on.
Watt and Vetokele playing together showed us we now have two genuine Championship strikers more than capable of creating and scoring chances in this division. If we can keep them fit and play them together reguarly we can start to win all those games we have been drawing earlier in the season.
I have been very vocal on here about the appointment of Luzon but I will hold my hands up and give him the credit he deserves for yesterday. He'll need to guarantee our Championship status and keep up these performances first and foremost though before I will say the worm has turned.
We are getting there slowly. The last two transfer windows seem to have been successful especially when compared to the first disasterous window. Another successful transfer window this summer and who knows what next season might bring if we are able to hold onto the current first team, perhaps sign up Bulot permanent if he is happy to stay and continues on from yesterday. A few decent additions in the summer to give us some more depth and I really do think we can potentially dine at the Championship's top table next season.
Whatever anybody's feelings about RD and the appointment of Luzon nobody can take away the fact that yesterday's goals were all scored by players brought in to the club under the RD regime. Yesterday was a day when the network worked but yes there have been many days when the network hasn't worked either.
Comments
To some extent we got lucky yesterday but the experience should do our confidence a world of good - maybe!
Bar Bulot that was the side I would have picked yesterday before kick off. We were a threat going forward, Igor and Tony linked well, Bulot and Gudmundsson were lively. The back four were solid. Cousins never stopped and the calming influence of Henderson back in goal.
14 more points required to avoid relegation. Play like that, and it can be achieved.
Like many others I strangely had a good feeling about yesterday (but was fully prepared to have that beaten out of me by half time), but never saw that kind of performance coming. It was completely alien to tuesday night. Where Brentford looked shaky and nervy, we looked like each man had been given a shot of confidence prior to the match.
For over a year Cousins has been mostly played out of position to accommodate others, sometimes lesser players. Hopefully that's now come to an end. In the time he was on the I thought Jackson benefited the most from Jordans hard work.
My biggest hope though is that Watt and Vetokele can stay fit for the remainder of the season - in those two we have real quality up top and wont always have to play as well as yesterday to win games. Watt inparticular is just so, so positive in everything he does, and it must be a relief for players to be able to get the ball forward without knowing it's coming straight back at them.
And a quick mention for Henderson, who performed exactly as well as I thought he would.
To top a great evening off I got home and fell asleep on the toilet, much to the annoyance of my flatmate.
He looked in charge, hope injury not too serious.
Yes, Brentford had an off day. Yes we scored at the right time, particularly the second which was somewhat against the run of play.
But for once we were simply the better team. We were well organised with a good goalie, 2 banks of four and 2 nippy forwards. 3 nil was a touch flattering, but we definately deserved the win. For once I enjoyed watching the match and for the first time in many, many months Charlton hasn't ruined my weekend! Any luck we had, we made it ourselves.
'We are Charlton's red army'. Great chant from the Upper North. In effect let's put our collective dislike/ distrust of the owner and his puppets to one side and get behind the players on the pitch. Jackson got it spot on and his timing was perfect.
Have we pulled ourselves out of a nosedive to L1? It's very much in our hands now.
If that is what it takes I'll carry on doing it.
A much needed win.
tony watt and JBG together too are just so positive. none of this passing back nonsense when they get the ball its drive forward.
and as for rogwer johnson could not have been more wrong about his signing personally. only one game i know but he made a massive difference.
What's this about JJ having said something before hand?
How could we have looked as impressive as people are saying with just 35% possession?
They often had 10 or so passes out from the back before hoofing the ball into touch. For a team in the play off places they were dire yesterday.
Yes, Brentford were poor but you can only play what's in front of you. Having said that, if Watt didn't stray off-side and Buyens could learn the right strength for through-ball, we could have had five or six.
It worked, we were all over them.
Nice work lads.
The recent run shows we have a good starting XI when all are fit but no depth which led to our disaster run which I think is something most of us will agree on.
Watt and Vetokele playing together showed us we now have two genuine Championship strikers more than capable of creating and scoring chances in this division. If we can keep them fit and play them together reguarly we can start to win all those games we have been drawing earlier in the season.
I have been very vocal on here about the appointment of Luzon but I will hold my hands up and give him the credit he deserves for yesterday. He'll need to guarantee our Championship status and keep up these performances first and foremost though before I will say the worm has turned.
We are getting there slowly. The last two transfer windows seem to have been successful especially when compared to the first disasterous window. Another successful transfer window this summer and who knows what next season might bring if we are able to hold onto the current first team, perhaps sign up Bulot permanent if he is happy to stay and continues on from yesterday. A few decent additions in the summer to give us some more depth and I really do think we can potentially dine at the Championship's top table next season.
Whatever anybody's feelings about RD and the appointment of Luzon nobody can take away the fact that yesterday's goals were all scored by players brought in to the club under the RD regime. Yesterday was a day when the network worked but yes there have been many days when the network hasn't worked either.
Big congratulations to Bulot who gave us an attacking option in midfield as well. Johnson added experience so all in all better much better. The crowd were also brilliant getting behind the team it isn't likely we can do a lot about the club owner but by roaring the boys on we can affect the outcome of this season.
Message to Luzon and the boys "keep it going and we'll back you all the way" best I felt after a match for ages.
By the way, all the players who scored for Charlton from 1945 to 1982 were signed under the Glikstens. It doesn't mean they generally did a good job for most of that period.
Keeping Watt and Igor fit is key, as we have no realistic replacements. Bulot was so much better on the left and fair-play to Luzon for sticking with him after Tuesday. I wouldn't have.
Johnson must have the loudest voice in football, as I could clearly hear him from the back row of the West Upper!
Looking at the fixtures coming up, I'd happily take 5 points from the next 4 games.
But just a word of caution. I live in NW London and my son has 2 Brentford mates, one of whom goes both home and away without fail. In the text exchanges that followed on our drive home yesterday, my son's Brentford mate said that that was the worst they had played for 5 months and that wasn't the Brentford team out there that had been playing so well lately - he just thought something was wrong with the team on the day and that this Warburton stuff had clearly upset their players. OK, we played really well but maybe before we all get carried away worth recalling the above.
Also, we have 2 difficult away games coming up next at Wigan and Derby. By contrast, Millwall's next 2 games are winnable home games against Fulham and Sheff Wed. By Tuesday week, all the positive feelings we currently have might have been dissipated somewhat.