Just got back. We were pretty sh*te in overall. Southend could of had 3 or 4, our only decent spells came in the last 10 mins of both halves.
Reza livened up the game when he came on, and was the catalyst for our strong end to the game. He actually hungry for the ball and pretty motivated. I think Id rather have Reza on the bench instead of Harriott after tonights performance....
Still baffled by this youth team thing. These friendlies should surely be about prioritizing the first team with a couple of youth players thrown in maybe. If you want to give the youth players game time then get them out on loan on just organize separate friendlies for them. Its not helping anyone.
Still baffled by this youth team thing. These friendlies should surely be about prioritizing the first team with a couple of youth players thrown in maybe. If you want to give the youth players game time then get them out on loan on just organize separate friendlies for them. Its not helping anyone.
Agree - but there are separate friendlies for them. They are called CAFC XI games. Makes this all the more baffling.
I get the fact that Bolton is on Friday though I guess - but my main concern is lack of game time for the new signings.
Despite a game on friday, it seems strange that most of the first XI didn't get some game time. No reason Luzon couldn't have played them for 45 minutes, maybe even 60, then subbed them all off. Then given them another 60-70 minutes on friday. If most of them can't play 100-120 minutes of football in 3 days then there's a problem.
Now by the time we play the first league game of the season, most of our side will have had 1 game under their belts in 2 weeks.
The U21's should be having their own pre-season matches, our first team should be having theirs.. Seems to be the U21's playing our alleged first team ones (list it as a Charlton XI for the fans sake atleast eh), it's a bit strange so close to the season start.
Played 7 pre-season friendlies, and only KAG & Jackson has scored goals from our first squad starting contention, and both won't be starters. I'd personally try to get players like Makienok gaining as much confidence in the pre-season as possible against lower league English teams, before he's up against good Championship defenders. I'm sure Luzon's and co. have got it all under control though
Luzon probably wants our first team fresh for the opening day.
Probably wouldn't of gone if id seen the team at half 5 When we left. Not much to shout about , Kennedy impressed me the most . Pope very shaky with his kicking as mentioned earlier . Harriott offered nothing, like usual , felt sorry for pigott, he looked frustrated as there was no one around him really. He's very good with the ball at his feet though. Reza looked lively for the 20 he was on , gave all the fans a clap at full time.
Hope they didn't clap back. He's all about himself, if he struggles somewhere he cries and wants to move on, if someone doesn't want to play for CAFC as it doesn't suit them at the time then quite frankly I don't want to see them in our colours again. Will be disappointed if he's involved in our first squad this season.
I have a feeling that Reza will get some game time, if only to put him in the shop window for a future transfer.
Despite a game on friday, it seems strange that most of the first XI didn't get some game time. No reason Luzon couldn't have played them for 45 minutes, maybe even 60, then subbed them all off. Then given them another 60-70 minutes on friday. If most of them can't play 100-120 minutes of football in 3 days then there's a problem.
Now by the time we play the first league game of the season, most of our side will have had 1 game under their belts in 2 weeks.
And aside from the fitness thing, what does our almost entirely new first choice 11 playing - at the most - one friendly match together do for team cohesion/communication etc ?
Despite a game on friday, it seems strange that most of the first XI didn't get some game time. No reason Luzon couldn't have played them for 45 minutes, maybe even 60, then subbed them all off. Then given them another 60-70 minutes on friday. If most of them can't play 100-120 minutes of football in 3 days then there's a problem.
Now by the time we play the first league game of the season, most of our side will have had 1 game under their belts in 2 weeks.
And aside from the fitness thing, what does our almost entirely new first choice 11 playing - at the most - one friendly match together do for team cohesion/communication etc ?
If you give the considered first team too much time together in pre season friendlies then you lose the excuse of they need time to gel /get to know each other for those early season losses
Maybe Luzon, the guy that attends the training ground every day, feels that the squad has good enough communication, cohesion and fitness from training and inter-squad games at Sparrows Lane. 60 minutes for the first team together at Bolton and another week in training and we're ready.
Would i do it this way? Probably not, but im not a UEFA A licensed coach that knows his players. In GL we trust.
I feel cheated paying £12 to watch that. We put out a decidedly 'XI' side and boy did it show. There were times when our midfield held the ball up quite well, but when they did there wasn't a lot of creative spark to get it into a good attacking position. In contrast the Southend midfield also had their times at holding the ball, but when they did they got it forward quite nicely. Much of the second half was played with 18 or more players in our half of the pitch.
Our defence was an enigma. When Southend attacked we did pretty well at getting bodies behind the ball, blocking their runs and putting in some well timed tackles. However, when we had possession we were negligent to the point that the team should be up in court this morning charged with playing without due care and attention. There were far too many passes across the penalty box when they had men lurking, far too many passes to marked men, some lazy ball control and a couple of back passes to a pressurised keeper that were sloppier that a Rossi's ice cream in a heatwave. A keeper that is, who allowed Southend to have a little game of croquet whilst he did his John Wayne is Big Leggy impersonation.
Our inability to produce anything creatively meant that sooner or later we'd end up resorting to long balls, but this was a disastrous approach with their big centre halves winning everything whilst Pigott in the Snow White role and his diminutive colleagues got absolutely nowhere. Dopey and Sleepy were in evidence over the pitch, but Happy was nowhere to be seen. The only time we really put the pressure on was in the last ten minutes when the late entrance of Reza seemed to spark a bit off life into a team that was up way past it's bed-time. In this period we won half a dozen corners and put in a couple of other decent crosses too. Not once though did a Charlton head manage to find the ball. In fact the Southend defence seemed perfectly happy just heading it out over the by-line safe in the knowledge that a second bite of the cherry would be no more successful than the first.
I feel cheated paying £12 to watch that. We put out a decidedly 'XI' side and boy did it show. There were times when our midfield held the ball up quite well, but when they did there wasn't a lot of creative spark to get it into a good attacking position. In contrast the Southend midfield also had their times at holding the ball, but when they did they got it forward quite nicely. Much of the second half was played with 18 or more players in our half of the pitch.
Our defence was an enigma. When Southend attacked we did pretty well at getting bodies behind the ball, blocking their runs and putting in some well timed tackles. However, when we had possession we were negligent to the point that the team should be up in court this morning charged with playing without due care and attention. There were far too many passes across the penalty box when they had men lurking, far too many passes to marked men, some lazy ball control and a couple of back passes to a pressurised keeper that were sloppier that a Rossi's ice cream in a heatwave. A keeper that is, who allowed Southend to have a little game of croquet whilst he did his John Wayne is Big Leggy impersonation.
Our inability to produce anything creatively meant that sooner or later we'd end up resorting to long balls, but this was a disastrous approach with their big centre halves winning everything whilst Pigott in the Snow White role and his diminutive colleagues got absolutely nowhere. Dopey and Sleepy were in evidence over the pitch, but Happy was nowhere to be seen. The only time we really put the pressure on was in the last ten minutes when the late entrance of Reza seemed to spark a bit off life into a team that was up way past it's bed-time. In this period we won half a dozen corners and put in a couple of other decent crosses too. Not once though did a Charlton head manage to find the ball. In fact the Southend defence seemed perfectly happy just heading it out over the by-line safe in the knowledge that a second bite of the cherry would be no more successful than the first.
Verdict: Men against boys.
I agree entirely with this assessment. Kennedy and the late cameo from Reza were the only plus points. As for the team selection, well yet another communication breakdown from the club. #bettertogether
I feel cheated paying £12 to watch that. We put out a decidedly 'XI' side and boy did it show. There were times when our midfield held the ball up quite well, but when they did there wasn't a lot of creative spark to get it into a good attacking position. In contrast the Southend midfield also had their times at holding the ball, but when they did they got it forward quite nicely. Much of the second half was played with 18 or more players in our half of the pitch.
Our defence was an enigma. When Southend attacked we did pretty well at getting bodies behind the ball, blocking their runs and putting in some well timed tackles. However, when we had possession we were negligent to the point that the team should be up in court this morning charged with playing without due care and attention. There were far too many passes across the penalty box when they had men lurking, far too many passes to marked men, some lazy ball control and a couple of back passes to a pressurised keeper that were sloppier that a Rossi's ice cream in a heatwave. A keeper that is, who allowed Southend to have a little game of croquet whilst he did his John Wayne is Big Leggy impersonation.
Our inability to produce anything creatively meant that sooner or later we'd end up resorting to long balls, but this was a disastrous approach with their big centre halves winning everything whilst Pigott in the Snow White role and his diminutive colleagues got absolutely nowhere. Dopey and Sleepy were in evidence over the pitch, but Happy was nowhere to be seen. The only time we really put the pressure on was in the last ten minutes when the late entrance of Reza seemed to spark a bit off life into a team that was up way past it's bed-time. In this period we won half a dozen corners and put in a couple of other decent crosses too. Not once though did a Charlton head manage to find the ball. In fact the Southend defence seemed perfectly happy just heading it out over the by-line safe in the knowledge that a second bite of the cherry would be no more successful than the first.
Verdict: Men against boys.
I agree entirely with this assessment. Kennedy and the late cameo from Reza were the only plus points. As for the team selection, well yet another communication breakdown from the club. #bettertogether
Could Kennedy break into the First-Team or will he fall short... Wasnt he the one who went on loan to VCD Athletic last season?
I feel cheated paying £12 to watch that. We put out a decidedly 'XI' side and boy did it show. There were times when our midfield held the ball up quite well, but when they did there wasn't a lot of creative spark to get it into a good attacking position. In contrast the Southend midfield also had their times at holding the ball, but when they did they got it forward quite nicely. Much of the second half was played with 18 or more players in our half of the pitch.
Our defence was an enigma. When Southend attacked we did pretty well at getting bodies behind the ball, blocking their runs and putting in some well timed tackles. However, when we had possession we were negligent to the point that the team should be up in court this morning charged with playing without due care and attention. There were far too many passes across the penalty box when they had men lurking, far too many passes to marked men, some lazy ball control and a couple of back passes to a pressurised keeper that were sloppier that a Rossi's ice cream in a heatwave. A keeper that is, who allowed Southend to have a little game of croquet whilst he did his John Wayne is Big Leggy impersonation.
Our inability to produce anything creatively meant that sooner or later we'd end up resorting to long balls, but this was a disastrous approach with their big centre halves winning everything whilst Pigott in the Snow White role and his diminutive colleagues got absolutely nowhere. Dopey and Sleepy were in evidence over the pitch, but Happy was nowhere to be seen. The only time we really put the pressure on was in the last ten minutes when the late entrance of Reza seemed to spark a bit off life into a team that was up way past it's bed-time. In this period we won half a dozen corners and put in a couple of other decent crosses too. Not once though did a Charlton head manage to find the ball. In fact the Southend defence seemed perfectly happy just heading it out over the by-line safe in the knowledge that a second bite of the cherry would be no more successful than the first.
Verdict: Men against boys.
I agree entirely with this assessment. Kennedy and the late cameo from Reza were the only plus points. As for the team selection, well yet another communication breakdown from the club. #bettertogether
Could Kennedy break into the First-Team or will he fall short... Wasnt he the one who went on loan to VCD Athletic last season?
Might progress I suppose. He reminded me of John Robinson in his style of play (and in the way he harangued the officials!).
I have to admit, I am not panicking about the results per say during preseason, but what does concern me is the sheer number of players Luzon is giving game time to when his response after the game is that these players will not be in the squad this season. Why sodding play them then? Try a handful to see if they are up to it like Lennon and Ahearne-Grant by all means as we might unearth another Gomez, but fill the rest with first teamers so you can see how those players you want to try work with the players you know will play.
Of that list I suspect Pope, Kashi, Jackson and Ahearne-Grant (as a 4th choice striker) are the only likely players to be around the first team squad. Euell is having development games so if its just about giving players game time let the youth you know won't be near the first team play there.
Those 4 players need to play with the team who they are actually going to play with to get any kind of communications going. Pope particularly needs to learn to communicate with the back four who will be in front of him. Goalkeeper communication is vital. If they don't trust each other all hell breaks loose and mistakes happen because either goalies or defenders panic. Henderson is a great communicator, but you have to learn that and build up that relationship, it doesn't just happen. This comment isn't digging at Pope as a keeper its about any goalkeeper communicating with his defence and as he will be our starting keeper, build up his confidence don't shatter it by putting people in front of him who are not ready yet.
We have new players who need to gel. Preseason friendlies are a perfect time to do this, not the start of the actual season. I am not saying play your full starting 11 every game, but at least play a large majority of them (particular the nearer you get to start of the season) with a sprinkling of players who you think could well make the step up. I like seeing youth players come through, but killing their confidence before they even start is not the best approach.
I think the team he is putting together on paper looks very good and we could well have a good season ahead of us, but we need the players to all be on the same page and hit the ground running come the start of the season, or teams like QPR are going to eat us alive.
I hope he knows what he is doing. He proved me wrong last season when he came in, so hoping that trend continues. But the man does like to tinker. I hope he doesn't tinker too much too often.
Pope never looked too confident from the off. Goal looked to be stoppable from where I was sat. Mitov was the busier of the goalkeepers and pulled off a couple of good saves. THD looked good going forward and threw in a couple of very good crosses but he looks better going forward than defending. Bikey was blowing out of his a*** with 15 to go and got some stick from Southend fans for it. Lennon looked assured and worth keeping in mind. We kept the ball quite well at times in the first half with Jackson and Kashi. There was a couple of nice moves including the quickly taken free kick that lead to the goal. Kennedy took the goal well and showed sparks. Of the fringe players that could have staked some sort of claim Piggott did not really get into the game at all and on that showing I would not have thought Brown would be upping any bid. Harriott did nothing and any money for him would be a steal imo. A few of the youngster that come on in the second half at least saw it as a chance and were busy. Charles-Cook and Lapsie being the most notable. Most noise from the Addicks support came when Reza came on for the last 15 minutes, which I thought was a bit of a indication he is not in the plans. All in all it was Men against Boys. I was sitting with a Southend mate and he said they played pretty much the side that he expects to start their campaign so this does need to be taken into account.
Noted that Roots Hall had a couple of Andrews heating and air conditioning advertising boards around the ground. I thought they were a SE London company and I was surprised to see that. Guess that shows how exciting the night was really!
Maybe Luzon, the guy that attends the training ground every day, feels that the squad has good enough communication, cohesion and fitness from training and inter-squad games at Sparrows Lane. 60 minutes for the first team together at Bolton and another week in training and we're ready.
Would i do it this way? Probably not, but im not a UEFA A licensed coach that knows his players. In GL we trust.
This.
Given all the hard work Luzon puts in, you would think Roly would let him pick the team once in a while (:
Pope never looked too confident from the off. Goal looked to be stoppable from where I was sat. Mitov was the busier of the goalkeepers and pulled off a couple of good saves. THD looked good going forward and threw in a couple of very good crosses but he looks better going forward than defending. Bikey was blowing out of his a*** with 15 to go and got some stick from Southend fans for it. Lennon looked assured and worth keeping in mind. We kept the ball quite well at times in the first half with Jackson and Kashi. There was a couple of nice moves including the quickly taken free kick that lead to the goal. Kennedy took the goal well and showed sparks. Of the fringe players that could have staked some sort of claim Piggott did not really get into the game at all and on that showing I would not have thought Brown would be upping any bid. Harriott did nothing and any money for him would be a steal imo. A few of the youngster that come on in the second half at least saw it as a chance and were busy. Charles-Cook and Lapsie being the most notable. Most noise from the Addicks support came when Reza came on for the last 15 minutes, which I thought was a bit of a indication he is not in the plans. All in all it was Men against Boys. I was sitting with a Southend mate and he said they played pretty much the side that he expects to start their campaign so this does need to be taken into account.
Noted that Roots Hall had a couple of Andrews heating and air conditioning advertising boards around the ground. I thought they were a SE London company and I was surprised to see that. Guess that shows how exciting the night was really!
They also have the chief exec who was chief exec at Charlton when they came on board at The Valley and therefore knows the relevant people.
Probably wouldn't of gone if id seen the team at half 5 When we left. Not much to shout about , Kennedy impressed me the most . Pope very shaky with his kicking as mentioned earlier . Harriott offered nothing, like usual , felt sorry for pigott, he looked frustrated as there was no one around him really. He's very good with the ball at his feet though. Reza looked lively for the 20 he was on , gave all the fans a clap at full time.
Hope they didn't clap back. He's all about himself, if he struggles somewhere he cries and wants to move on, if someone doesn't want to play for CAFC as it doesn't suit them at the time then quite frankly I don't want to see them in our colours again. Will be disappointed if he's involved in our first squad this season.
Sounds like he played well and I hope he is in contention for the match day squad. He's back, give him a chance.
Positives ? The Russian Irish boy who plays like a young John Robinson. Mikhail Kennedy. Plus my 1st game at Roots Hall. (hope the last)
Negatives ? Pope's kicking is the least of his problems. Knowing that the ball straight at him and low can end up in the back of the net is the biggest worry. Disappointed but not surprised with the team put out, because of the cancellation of the Italian game, the Bolton game Friday night had altered the make up of the side. Calum Harriott needs to get away from CAFC on Loan or start again somewhere else because some fans are giving him stick in the warm up !
The last chance saloon team started off bad and then fell away. The Southend team looked like the one i saw at Wembley in the play off final with Mooney now there and Joe for us.
Why did Reza not warm up with the rest of the squad at the beginning ? Barnes showed some good touches and Laplie like to run with the ball but no chance of 1st team football yet.
From Southend's point of view if they had announce it was just going to be a CAfC 11 it may of been Seb Lewis on his own.
Bolton Friendly away on a Friday night anyone ? It's the 1st team, Honestly
Positives ? The Russian Irish boy who plays like a young John Robinson. Mikhail Kennedy. Plus my 1st game at Roots Hall. (hope the last)
Negatives ? Pope's kicking is the least of his problems. Knowing that the ball straight at him and low can end up in the back of the net is the biggest worry. Disappointed but not surprised with the team put out, because of the cancellation of the Italian game, the Bolton game Friday night had altered the make up of the side. Calum Harriott needs to get away from CAFC on Loan or start again somewhere else because some fans are giving him stick in the warm up !
The last chance saloon team started off bad and then fell away. The Southend team looked like the one i saw at Wembley in the play off final with Mooney now there and Joe for us.
Why did Reza not warm up with the rest of the squad at the beginning ? Barnes showed some good touches and Laplie like to run with the ball but no chance of 1st team football yet.
From Southend's point of view if they had announce it was just going to be a CAfC 11 it may of been Seb Lewis on his own.
Bolton Friendly away on a Friday night anyone ? It's the 1st team, Honestly
Even at half time he only came out with a few minutes left and completely missed the warming up exercises with the trainer, strange!
Comments
Reza livened up the game when he came on, and was the catalyst for our strong end to the game. He actually hungry for the ball and pretty motivated. I think Id rather have Reza on the bench instead of Harriott after tonights performance....
I get the fact that Bolton is on Friday though I guess - but my main concern is lack of game time for the new signings.
Now by the time we play the first league game of the season, most of our side will have had 1 game under their belts in 2 weeks.
Without playing him how are we going to sell him?
Would i do it this way? Probably not, but im not a UEFA A licensed coach that knows his players. In GL we trust.
Our defence was an enigma. When Southend attacked we did pretty well at getting bodies behind the ball, blocking their runs and putting in some well timed tackles. However, when we had possession we were negligent to the point that the team should be up in court this morning charged with playing without due care and attention. There were far too many passes across the penalty box when they had men lurking, far too many passes to marked men, some lazy ball control and a couple of back passes to a pressurised keeper that were sloppier that a Rossi's ice cream in a heatwave. A keeper that is, who allowed Southend to have a little game of croquet whilst he did his John Wayne is Big Leggy impersonation.
Our inability to produce anything creatively meant that sooner or later we'd end up resorting to long balls, but this was a disastrous approach with their big centre halves winning everything whilst Pigott in the Snow White role and his diminutive colleagues got absolutely nowhere. Dopey and Sleepy were in evidence over the pitch, but Happy was nowhere to be seen. The only time we really put the pressure on was in the last ten minutes when the late entrance of Reza seemed to spark a bit off life into a team that was up way past it's bed-time. In this period we won half a dozen corners and put in a couple of other decent crosses too. Not once though did a Charlton head manage to find the ball. In fact the Southend defence seemed perfectly happy just heading it out over the by-line safe in the knowledge that a second bite of the cherry would be no more successful than the first.
Verdict: Men against boys.
Pope (Mitov 46); Barnes (Lapslie 68), Bikey-Amougou, Lennon, Holmes-Dennis, Kennedy, Kashi (Charles-Cook 46), Jackson (c) (Nego 68), Harriott (Ghoochannejhad 77), Ahearne-Grant (Muldoon 46), Pigott.
Of that list I suspect Pope, Kashi, Jackson and Ahearne-Grant (as a 4th choice striker) are the only likely players to be around the first team squad. Euell is having development games so if its just about giving players game time let the youth you know won't be near the first team play there.
Those 4 players need to play with the team who they are actually going to play with to get any kind of communications going. Pope particularly needs to learn to communicate with the back four who will be in front of him. Goalkeeper communication is vital. If they don't trust each other all hell breaks loose and mistakes happen because either goalies or defenders panic. Henderson is a great communicator, but you have to learn that and build up that relationship, it doesn't just happen. This comment isn't digging at Pope as a keeper its about any goalkeeper communicating with his defence and as he will be our starting keeper, build up his confidence don't shatter it by putting people in front of him who are not ready yet.
We have new players who need to gel. Preseason friendlies are a perfect time to do this, not the start of the actual season. I am not saying play your full starting 11 every game, but at least play a large majority of them (particular the nearer you get to start of the season) with a sprinkling of players who you think could well make the step up. I like seeing youth players come through, but killing their confidence before they even start is not the best approach.
I think the team he is putting together on paper looks very good and we could well have a good season ahead of us, but we need the players to all be on the same page and hit the ground running come the start of the season, or teams like QPR are going to eat us alive.
I hope he knows what he is doing. He proved me wrong last season when he came in, so hoping that trend continues. But the man does like to tinker. I hope he doesn't tinker too much too often.
Pope never looked too confident from the off. Goal looked to be stoppable from where I was sat. Mitov was the busier of the goalkeepers and pulled off a couple of good saves.
THD looked good going forward and threw in a couple of very good crosses but he looks better going forward than defending.
Bikey was blowing out of his a*** with 15 to go and got some stick from Southend fans for it.
Lennon looked assured and worth keeping in mind.
We kept the ball quite well at times in the first half with Jackson and Kashi.
There was a couple of nice moves including the quickly taken free kick that lead to the goal. Kennedy took the goal well and showed sparks.
Of the fringe players that could have staked some sort of claim Piggott did not really get into the game at all and on that showing I would not have thought Brown would be upping any bid. Harriott did nothing and any money for him would be a steal imo.
A few of the youngster that come on in the second half at least saw it as a chance and were busy. Charles-Cook and Lapsie being the most notable.
Most noise from the Addicks support came when Reza came on for the last 15 minutes, which I thought was a bit of a indication he is not in the plans.
All in all it was Men against Boys. I was sitting with a Southend mate and he said they played pretty much the side that he expects to start their campaign so this does need to be taken into account.
Noted that Roots Hall had a couple of Andrews heating and air conditioning advertising boards around the ground. I thought they were a SE London company and I was surprised to see that. Guess that shows how exciting the night was really!
Given all the hard work Luzon puts in, you would think Roly would let him pick the team once in a while (:
Brain kicks into gear and all becomes clear :-) Thanks Airman
Has GL forgotten Moussa, like everyone else?
Mikhail Kennedy. Plus my 1st game at Roots Hall. (hope the last)
Negatives ? Pope's kicking is the least of his problems.
Knowing that the ball straight at him and low can end up in the back of the net is the biggest worry.
Disappointed but not surprised with the team put out, because of the cancellation of the Italian game, the Bolton game Friday night had altered the make up of the side.
Calum Harriott needs to get away from CAFC on Loan or start again somewhere else because some fans are giving him stick in the warm up !
The last chance saloon team started off bad and then fell away.
The Southend team looked like the one i saw at Wembley in the play off final with Mooney now there and Joe for us.
Why did Reza not warm up with the rest of the squad at the beginning ?
Barnes showed some good touches and Laplie like to run with the ball but no chance of 1st team football yet.
From Southend's point of view if they had announce it was just going to be a
CAfC 11 it may of been Seb Lewis on his own.
Bolton Friendly away on a Friday night anyone ?
It's the 1st team, Honestly