After watching that, I feel almost as dispirited as JBG. We were very fortunate to get away with 3-0 and there was an absolute chasm in quality between the sides.
Very unhappy with the first half performance in particular - absolutely littered with errors (the second goal was atrocious) and I didn't see much evidence of commitment, aside from Diarra. We gave it more of a go in the second half, with JBG showing some good touches, but never remotely looked liked getting back into it.
Bournemouth were excellent but we made it far too easy for them. A very disappointing end to the season and much work to be done.
Still, we squeaked into the top half and I'd have taken that last summer (I predicted 14th), so progress has been made. Let's hope we can continue to move forward.
I completely agree with this, and also much of Henry's post. I am not quite so sure about Diarra as he seems so slow, and I would say JBG was our most effective player, closely followed by Tony Watt who tried so hard to make things happen and put in a lovely first half low cross which Igor couldn't get to.
I felt quite emotional at the end of the match. That's not completely unusual as I always feel a bit sad that another season is over, but seeing Yann play so well for our opponents, the emotion of his ovation, and the feeling that we may well have seen the last of maybe half that Charlton side got to me a bit. As always, I wonder what the summer will bring with a degree of trepidation, hoping for an overall improvement in the quality of the team but fearing the loss of key players with inadequate replacements.
A poor end of season performance, and a few players are clearly running on empty. Bournemouth were very good it has to be said, I can see Callum Wilson continuing to score next season as he looked very good. I was happy to applaud them at the end.
We finished 12th with 60 points. Last season Bournemouth finished 10th with 66 points, and Watford 13th with 60 points, so they both made the step up this season.
Incidentally, what were the police playing at? I stayed to watch the trophy presentation, but then got help up by a line of police horses at the end of Floyd Road, until we all just walked around them. There was no congestion ahead, there was no trouble between the 2 sets of fans, and most of the Bournemouth fans were still in the ground anyway!
So, as I predicted last week on the "Bournemouth£ thread, we rolled over & let them tickle our tummies............then we let them p**S all over us. If I was a Watford fan I'd ask the FA to investigate - we finished with 10 men after our numpty of a coach took off an un-injured player (Diarra) whilst leaving an obviously injured Watt to play on.......which ultimately he couldn't.
Then, where were Cousins & Gomez ?? They are the future of the club, not Johnson or TBH. Also, why have Church on the bench ?? Out of contract & unlikely to play for us again - why not play Ahern Grant or Zak Ansah ?? Again, BONKERS.
Just hope RD was at the game to see what is needed if he wants this club to be challenging for the Premiership - and that he let 1 of their best players leave us & join them for peanuts. MORE BONKERS.
Only decent thing about the game was the pitch & watching how to pass the ball & attack. Had to try & convince my son at the end that B',mouth is too far to travel for home games next season !!!!!
I'm surprised at some of the positive references to Joe Gomez today. Not to be hard on him as he is so young at still learning, but I thought it was his weakest performance for us so far. He gave the ball away with his first touch and then proceeded to make a habit of it. Don't get me wrong, I think he has a massive future in the game, but today I saw the 17 year old inexperienced kid under the surface. If he does get one of the first choice central defender positions next season we will need to cut him some slack while he develops into the role. And we need a better partner for him. Bike - too inconsistent and volatile; Johnson - way too slow; TBH - plays like his heart is just somewhere else.
I'm surprised at some of the positive references to Joe Gomez today. Not to be hard on him as he is so young at still learning, but I thought it was his weakest performance for us so far. He gave the ball away with his first touch and then proceeded to make a habit of it. Don't get me wrong, I think he has a massive future in the game, but today I saw the 17 year old inexperienced kid under the surface. If he does get one of the first choice central defender positions next season we will need to cut him some slack while he develops into the role. And we need a better partner for him. Bike - too inconsistent and volatile; Johnson - way too slow; TBH - plays like his heart is just somewhere else.
I've been told there's a young(ish) centre half at Birmingham, Michael Morrison or something like that, who is decent. Might be worth taking a punt on him as a partner for young Joe.
I'm surprised at some of the positive references to Joe Gomez today. Not to be hard on him as he is so young at still learning, but I thought it was his weakest performance for us so far. He gave the ball away with his first touch and then proceeded to make a habit of it. Don't get me wrong, I think he has a massive future in the game, but today I saw the 17 year old inexperienced kid under the surface. If he does get one of the first choice central defender positions next season we will need to cut him some slack while he develops into the role. And we need a better partner for him. Bike - too inconsistent and volatile; Johnson - way too slow; TBH - plays like his heart is just somewhere else.
I've been told there's a young(ish) centre half at Birmingham, Michael Morrison or something like that, who is decent. Might be worth taking a punt on him as a partner for young Joe.
Watch Bournemouth's work rate and movement off the ball and you can see what has made them so successful. When you have good movement off the ball and good support it is so much easier to move the ball quickly.
So simple, it may sound but what Eddie Howe has got out of those players is nothing short of a miracle.
When they lost possession they pressed immediately, forced us to play backwards and they defended well - mainly because we gave them time to stay organised.
To break down defences you need good movement - runs to draw defenders, third man runs and dummy runs to create space and force defences to lose their shape - a disjointed defence is much easier to break through.
Bournemouth did all these things to us and all credit to their players for the work they put in.
CAFC could play that way. As someone commented earlier, when a team has something to play for they will fight harder - what I don't understand is why we didn't fight for our pride. Igor has not just lost his mojo, I actually wonder if he's unsettled here and whether we'll see him again next season - contract or not.
Solly caught in possession at the edge of our box cost us a goal - two observations from that. Firstly he was closed down very quickly by the Bournemouth players, forcing him to keep his head down and trying to play his way out but they cleverly pressed him in such a way that he had to go backwards - any forward option was blocked off. This again is simple and if Bournemouth players can do it, why can't we. Sadly, a few minutes later, Solly did the same thing again in his own area and we nearly lost another goal. Instinctively a player looks for support when under pressure but there was so little time for Solly, he was closed down so quickly and I didn't see CAFC players around him giving him an option or showing they wanted the ball. Piss poor!
I've enjoyed this season and we can play some decent stuff - the difference being that somehow Eddie Howe has got his players to work their socks off and play to a simple system - but a system that demands flat out work rate from his players from the first whistle.
I was really disappointed by some of our negative fans around me who should have accepted the defeat with grace instead of trying to goad the Bournemouth fans and spoiling their day - a day which they fully deserved.
Let CAFC players next season show the same desire as Bournemouth have this season and we will be on the front foot from day one.
For Charlton it was last one to the sun longer is a sissy I'm afraid and the team didn't do themselves justice. Bournemouth a star team rather than a team of stars - unless they spend big I suspect that all that team work will unravel next season.
120 million or whatever ridiculous amount a promotion to the premiership is worth will most likely ease the pain.
If it was Boxing, it would have been stopped ! The Journey men like Daniel.Francis,Elphick,Cook,Pugh,Surman,Boruc and Arter. That's 8 players that cost less than Igor. Wilson who they bought with the Money from Grabban. Ritchie who they mugged Swindon for; the best 800k ever spent.
Which leaves Yann? the best 400k ever spent. The 4 years that Yann lost to leukemia from 14 years old will prolong his career now. You would think that Sport science would realize this ? (not Roland thou) Teddy Sheringham played till he was 40 will no pace. Yann can play to 37 if the ball is played to his feet and not used as a battering ram.
I swear at one time we had 5 players limping. Did we throw in the towel. We were knocked out by players who had been rejected. Not by millions of pound signings(Wilson excepted) Make's you think ?
MUST do better next season .. I don't mind losing after giving it a good go but today our players were not interested and that is just not acceptable .. a bad end to what was all in all a decent enough season given the circumstances ..
Insipid performance that actually was an insult to the paying support. Hoped Luzon would have learnt that as a pairing Johnson and Ben Haim is shocking.
Missed Cousins in the middle. He has amassed nearly 100 games for us now and is a vital part of the team.
Vetokele is a shadow of the player at the start of the season and culpability for that lies with RD. We could all see what was needed.
JBG best player in the second half but I fear we will lose him. Cut a frustrated figure at times as another lass ended up going to a blue shirt.
A season of real ups and downs finished with a whimper
We rolled over, let them tickle our tummy, gave them a lovely round of applause as they strolled past us. Then we gave their announcer the microphone and played "we are the champions" as they lifted the trophy.
What an hospitable bunch we are.
They deserve the Championship as they're the best team in the league but we were pathetic as we were last week. Glad it's summer and can forget about football for a bit.....
Are you moaning about a guard of honour and letting them enjoy their moment? What did you think when a spontaneous round of applause went around the stadium when it was confirmed that Watford had thrown away their title?
Yeah it left a slightly bitter taste but for me, it was a good reminder that what sets Charlton apart from most other clubs is the fans.
To be honest, if we'd put in a shift, I'd probably have been a bit jollier about it all. The guard of honour and round of applause were all fine but letting their announcer speak and playing we are the champions after just felt a bit too much after we'd let them take the piss on the pitch. I don't massively enjoy the success of other teams regardless of how nice they are.
I'm really disappointed at the way this season has finished and a couple of things happened today that made me think that maybe Luzon isn't that great after all.
Insipid performance that actually was an insult to the paying support. Hoped Luzon would have learnt that as a pairing Johnson and Ben Haim is shocking.
Missed Cousins in the middle. He has amassed nearly 100 games for us now and is a vital part of the team.
Vetokele is a shadow of the player at the start of the season and culpability for that lies with RD. We could all see what was needed.
JBG best player in the second half but I fear we will lose him. Cut a frustrated figure at times as another lass ended up going to a blue shirt.
A season of real ups and downs finished with a whimper
Initial observations: 1. the numpty above blaming Fox for the 2nd when he was in his correct position when Buyens not TBH lost the ball. 2. We defended deep and didn't press - were we scared of them or too many players who didn't care if they are here in August? Better 2nd half. 3. Not too sure we were outclassed as much as out-thought. Our 4-4-2 vs their 3-5-2 was not working 5 mins in. Two not very (fit) mobile strikers were never going to run the channels and pull CBs wide. So Diarra to CB, JBG inside and Bulot behind strikers. FBs now WBs. But no. Luzons only tactical change was to cock up subs.
They deserve to go up. Best team in the league yada yada. People are stating the obvious saying they are better player for player. They are champions and we are 12th for a reason. Bournemouth going up makes me really hopeful though. Them and Watford finished 10th and 13th last season and next season both will be premier league teams. Let's not get down about things too much. You just can't be sure on things until the final table. I along with most people was sure that Derby would finish play offs minimum, today a recently promoted league 1 side finished above them and will be playing for a chance at premier league football instead.
Not happy with how we played but beyond happy with our fans. Such a classy bunch, I don't care if we come across as cringey to anyone else I love how humble we are and never want it to change. Hate seeing how bitter clubs like Wolves, Boro etc are about Bournemouths success.
Hopefully we build on what we have and make a decent push next season.
Bully twisted his ankle and was complaining to the bench that he needed to come off. Taking Diarra off was a mystery. Watt had signalled that he had a lower leg injury.
56 minutes...that's how long Yann took to head the ball. Used to be 56 seconds. The visitors play a good team game and Ritchie is a handful... The first goal was class. Let them enjoy their time in the sun. We were, well, so so. The half way team. Frankly not that bothered as not sure many of that lot will be running out in proper red shirts in August. The iceman was stamping his foot in frustration in final 15 minutes, Ben H was not interested and sold Yoni a suicide pass for their second goal. Igor is going backwards and couldn't control a sack of beans. Watt should have been subbed not Diarra who was our best player. Cousins was a big miss. Oh well let's see if the main man will get his wallet out... I fear he may not.
I enjoyed the game. The pitch looked in great condition. Bournemouth tore into a slow Charlton defence and midfield. They looked very good. If Bournemouth were bothered they could have easily scored double the 3 they scored. Charlton were outclassed all over the pitch. Charlton were marginally better in the second half but not by much. A totally bizarre double substitution, when Watt was indicating to the bench that he was struggling left Charlton short. Luzon choose to take off Diarra, who did not look injured. Charlton unnecessarily playing with 10 men for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Did not change the result but symptomatic of the game. Charlton could have had no complaints at a 4 or 5 goal defeat.
The game today exposed the gulf in class between a promotion team / lower premeirship team and a mediocre mid table championship team thrown together. It shows how far away Charlton are from being genuine promotion candidates. Never mind 3 players short, Charlton are 6 players short on that reckoning. Being that Duchatelet is likely to cash in, that could go up. On watching the team, I was trying to work how many of these players would still be around and who's last game it was. It looks to me as that more than 60 % of those players won't be playing next season.
I did not choose to hang around at the end. I had no enthusiasm to see Bournemouth receive the trophy, who deserved the promotion. I had no enthusiasm either to applaud Charlton players / club for a very mixed and overall mediocre season. It is impossible to tell what Duchatelet's next move is, but with WHU being able to flood the market with cheap Premiership Olympic tickets the season after next, a mediocre strategy is going to see Charlton go backwards.
The Bournemouth Russian owner shows how to get a club promoted and the level of investment needed. Today was a decent reminder of whats required.
**The Bournemouth Russian owner shows how to get a club promoted and the level of investment needed. Today was a decent reminder of whats required.**
Precisely.
It's more than just money - they are also clearly supremely fit and very well drilled.
Having said that only JBG and maybe Gomez and Henderson would get near that side.
And how many more would get near sides put out by Brentford, Ipswich, Wolves and Derby? Those four were completely off of the pace for automatic promotion but have all finished around 78 points. Less draws but 8-10 more wins than us! Certainly Watt and Bulot are contenders and Cousins (injured). I hear good things about Ahearne Grant. Nothing I saw today changed my opinion that we have around 13-14 of the 18-20 players needed for a real challenge next time. Big questions about full back over the summer plus what's up with Vetokel? And big questions about others who, if they are renewed, then that's a poor statement of ambition. The board and Luzon have four months to shape the squad for next season... Let's see what things look like then.
Initial observations: 1. the numpty above blaming Fox for the 2nd when he was in his correct position when Buyens not TBH lost the ball. 2. We defended deep and didn't press - were we scared of them or too many players who didn't care if they are here in August? Better 2nd half. 3. Not too sure we were outclassed as much as out-thought. Our 4-4-2 vs their 3-5-2 was not working 5 mins in. Two not very (fit) mobile strikers were never going to run the channels and pull CBs wide. So Diarra to CB, JBG inside and Bulot behind strikers. FBs now WBs. But no. Luzons only tactical change was to cock up subs.
Bournemouth were 4-4-1-1 to 4-2-3-1. We allowed Yann to play in acres of space in front of our B4. Arter and Surman played around and through Buyens & Diarra all first half. Our two looked like they were running in treacle.
Anyone who watched Bournemouth on Sky on Monday knew what was coming. Perhaps our coaching staff were out on the piss that night and didn't record it. If you don't match Bournemouth's work rate, you may as well not turn up.
But then again, it was the last game of the season and our players obviously thought the job was done.....which it probably was.
Now we'll find out more about the owners intentions. Will he add to the squad or will he sell some of the playing assets? Will we make a serious attempt at the Top Six or just bumble along?
The last player I saw give the ball away and shrug his shoulders was Faye in the Cup game v Wycome. Goodbye Buyens. A player with some talent but no heart and passion, made perfectly for the 'Network' because he clearly does not care two hoots about the teams he plays for. Thank god I will not have to suffer his dreary attempts to tackle and constant blaming of others next season.
As for Luzon picking dad's army as our centre backs and Fox, Diara and Buyens, against the pace of Bournemouth, it was mad. Gomez and Wiggins should have been in. At the very least Wiggins would have been pumped.
Crap way to end the season.
Well done Bournemouth though, excellent, entertaining football. Their fans are very lucky.
I enjoyed the game. The pitch looked in great condition. Bournemouth tore into a slow Charlton defence and midfield. They looked very good. If Bournemouth were bothered they could have easily scored double the 3 they scored. Charlton were outclassed all over the pitch. Charlton were marginally better in the second half but not by much. A totally bizarre double substitution, when Watt was indicating to the bench that he was struggling left Charlton short. Luzon choose to take off Diarra, who did not look injured. Charlton unnecessarily playing with 10 men for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Did not change the result but symptomatic of the game. Charlton could have had no complaints at a 4 or 5 goal defeat.
The game today exposed the gulf in class between a promotion team / lower premeirship team and a mediocre mid table championship team thrown together. It shows how far away Charlton are from being genuine promotion candidates. Never mind 3 players short, Charlton are 6 players short on that reckoning. Being that Duchatelet is likely to cash in, that could go up. On watching the team, I was trying to work how many of these players would still be around and who's last game it was. It looks to me as that more than 60 % of those players won't be playing next season.
I did not choose to hang around at the end. I had no enthusiasm to see Bournemouth receive the trophy, who deserved the promotion. I had no enthusiasm either to applaud Charlton players / club for a very mixed and overall mediocre season. It is impossible to tell what Duchatelet's next move is, but with WHU being able to flood the market with cheap Premiership Olympic tickets the season after next, a mediocre strategy is going to see Charlton go backwards.
The Bournemouth Russian owner shows how to get a club promoted and the level of investment needed. Today was a decent reminder of whats required.
**The Bournemouth Russian owner shows how to get a club promoted and the level of investment needed. Today was a decent reminder of whats required.**
Precisely.
It's more than just money - they are also clearly supremely fit and very well drilled.
Having said that only JBG and maybe Gomez and Henderson would get near that side.
And how many more would get near sides put out by Brentford, Ipswich, Wolves and Derby? Those four were completely off of the pace for automatic promotion but have all finished around 78 points. Less draws but 8-10 more wins than us! Certainly Watt and Bulot are contenders and Cousins (injured). I hear good things about Ahearne Grant. Nothing I saw today changed my opinion that we have around 13-14 of the 18-20 players needed for a real challenge next time. Big questions about full back over the summer plus what's up with Vetokel? And big questions about others who, if they are renewed, then that's a poor statement of ambition. The board and Luzon have four months to shape the squad for next season... Let's see what things look like then.
Still taking the happy tablets @seriously_red. I hope you are right. Though with Duchatelet, I have as much trust and about as happy as Luke Skywalker with a loped off arm with Darth Vader towering over, offering a hand and saying 'Luke I am your father'.
On train home, hated today. Today was so, well, Charlton. Got smashed from the opposition, give them half the ground, and then everyone gives them a standing ovation.
The fact today meant nothing is a huge achievement and acknowledgement to Luzon and the players, that should not be down played. But today was shite.
Glad the seasons over but a big improvement on last seasons dross. I think we may even have challenged for a play off position if big Bob had been replaced earlier. I think we need an injury free Vetokele come next season and an alternative target man partner for him and Watt. One question after numerous visits to the Valley, Sparrows Lane and Club events - Why is Chris Solly always such a miserable sod? Hope Luzon keeps the captains armband off of him next season, added nothing as skipper in my opinion.
The only thing I wanted from today was for Charlton to not roll over and give the game to Bournemouth. I wanted us to make Bournemouth fight for a win. We were abject, appalling, disappointing, disinterested and I came away disheartened.
Comments
I felt quite emotional at the end of the match. That's not completely unusual as I always feel a bit sad that another season is over, but seeing Yann play so well for our opponents, the emotion of his ovation, and the feeling that we may well have seen the last of maybe half that Charlton side got to me a bit. As always, I wonder what the summer will bring with a degree of trepidation, hoping for an overall improvement in the quality of the team but fearing the loss of key players with inadequate replacements.
We finished 12th with 60 points. Last season Bournemouth finished 10th with 66 points, and Watford 13th with 60 points, so they both made the step up this season.
Incidentally, what were the police playing at? I stayed to watch the trophy presentation, but then got help up by a line of police horses at the end of Floyd Road, until we all just walked around them. There was no congestion ahead, there was no trouble between the 2 sets of fans, and most of the Bournemouth fans were still in the ground anyway!
Then, where were Cousins & Gomez ?? They are the future of the club, not Johnson or TBH. Also, why have Church on the bench ?? Out of contract & unlikely to play for us again - why not play Ahern Grant or Zak Ansah ?? Again, BONKERS.
Just hope RD was at the game to see what is needed if he wants this club to be challenging for the Premiership - and that he let 1 of their best players leave us & join them for peanuts. MORE BONKERS.
Only decent thing about the game was the pitch & watching how to pass the ball & attack. Had to try & convince my son at the end that B',mouth is too far to travel for home games next season !!!!!
When you have good movement off the ball and good support it is so much easier to move the ball quickly.
So simple, it may sound but what Eddie Howe has got out of those players is nothing short of a miracle.
When they lost possession they pressed immediately, forced us to play backwards and they defended well - mainly because we gave them time to stay organised.
To break down defences you need good movement - runs to draw defenders, third man runs and dummy runs to create space and force defences to lose their shape - a disjointed defence is much easier to break through.
Bournemouth did all these things to us and all credit to their players for the work they put in.
CAFC could play that way. As someone commented earlier, when a team has something to play for they will fight harder - what I don't understand is why we didn't fight for our pride. Igor has not just lost his mojo, I actually wonder if he's unsettled here and whether we'll see him again next season - contract or not.
Solly caught in possession at the edge of our box cost us a goal - two observations from that. Firstly he was closed down very quickly by the Bournemouth players, forcing him to keep his head down and trying to play his way out but they cleverly pressed him in such a way that he had to go backwards - any forward option was blocked off.
This again is simple and if Bournemouth players can do it, why can't we.
Sadly, a few minutes later, Solly did the same thing again in his own area and we nearly lost another goal.
Instinctively a player looks for support when under pressure but there was so little time for Solly, he was closed down so quickly and I didn't see CAFC players around him giving him an option or showing they wanted the ball. Piss poor!
I've enjoyed this season and we can play some decent stuff - the difference being that somehow Eddie Howe has got his players to work their socks off and play to a simple system - but a system that demands flat out work rate from his players from the first whistle.
I was really disappointed by some of our negative fans around me who should have accepted the defeat with grace instead of trying to goad the Bournemouth fans and spoiling their day - a day which they fully deserved.
Let CAFC players next season show the same desire as Bournemouth have this season and we will be on the front foot from day one.
The Journey men like Daniel.Francis,Elphick,Cook,Pugh,Surman,Boruc and Arter.
That's 8 players that cost less than Igor.
Wilson who they bought with the Money from Grabban.
Ritchie who they mugged Swindon for; the best 800k ever spent.
Which leaves Yann? the best 400k ever spent.
The 4 years that Yann lost to leukemia from 14 years old will prolong his career now. You would think that Sport science would realize this ? (not Roland thou)
Teddy Sheringham played till he was 40 will no pace.
Yann can play to 37 if the ball is played to his feet and not used as a battering ram.
I swear at one time we had 5 players limping.
Did we throw in the towel.
We were knocked out by players who had been rejected.
Not by millions of pound signings(Wilson excepted)
Make's you think ?
http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=69941&posts=6
The fans that is.
Missed Cousins in the middle. He has amassed nearly 100 games for us now and is a vital part of the team.
Vetokele is a shadow of the player at the start of the season and culpability for that lies with RD. We could all see what was needed.
JBG best player in the second half but I fear we will lose him. Cut a frustrated figure at times as another lass ended up going to a blue shirt.
A season of real ups and downs finished with a whimper
#CAFCoffonourholibops
Left behind in the home changing room, one beach towel and a half full "light no streaks" Ambre Solaire!
I'm really disappointed at the way this season has finished and a couple of things happened today that made me think that maybe Luzon isn't that great after all.
Been to nearly all our home games this season so I would say my opinion is a bit more informed than some ranting on here.
I would say about the team -
Our young players have a load more games under their belt.
We have quality in some positions, but we're weak in others.
Decent recruitment in the summer and we'll be challenging next year.
This season was always going to be a muck about season with all the upheaval, but next year is when I think this team should really be judged.
1. the numpty above blaming Fox for the 2nd when he was in his correct position when Buyens not TBH lost the ball.
2. We defended deep and didn't press - were we scared of them or too many players who didn't care if they are here in August? Better 2nd half.
3. Not too sure we were outclassed as much as out-thought. Our 4-4-2 vs their 3-5-2 was not working 5 mins in. Two not very (fit) mobile strikers were never going to run the channels and pull CBs wide. So Diarra to CB, JBG inside and Bulot behind strikers. FBs now WBs. But no. Luzons only tactical change was to cock up subs.
Not happy with how we played but beyond happy with our fans. Such a classy bunch, I don't care if we come across as cringey to anyone else I love how humble we are and never want it to change. Hate seeing how bitter clubs like Wolves, Boro etc are about Bournemouths success.
Hopefully we build on what we have and make a decent push next season.
Certainly Watt and Bulot are contenders and Cousins (injured). I hear good things about Ahearne Grant. Nothing I saw today changed my opinion that we have around 13-14 of the 18-20 players needed for a real challenge next time.
Big questions about full back over the summer plus what's up with Vetokel? And big questions about others who, if they are renewed, then that's a poor statement of ambition.
The board and Luzon have four months to shape the squad for next season... Let's see what things look like then.
Anyone who watched Bournemouth on Sky on Monday knew what was coming. Perhaps our coaching staff were out on the piss that night and didn't record it. If you don't match Bournemouth's work rate, you may as well not turn up.
But then again, it was the last game of the season and our players obviously thought the job was done.....which it probably was.
Now we'll find out more about the owners intentions. Will he add to the squad or will he sell some of the playing assets? Will we make a serious attempt at the Top Six or just bumble along?
As for Luzon picking dad's army as our centre backs and Fox, Diara and Buyens, against the pace of Bournemouth, it was mad. Gomez and Wiggins should have been in. At the very least Wiggins would have been pumped.
Crap way to end the season.
Well done Bournemouth though, excellent, entertaining football. Their fans are very lucky.
On train home, hated today. Today was so, well, Charlton. Got smashed from the opposition, give them half the ground, and then everyone gives them a standing ovation.
The fact today meant nothing is a huge achievement and acknowledgement to Luzon and the players, that should not be down played. But today was shite.
We were abject, appalling, disappointing, disinterested and I came away disheartened.