We won 4-1 against some fairly crap-looking lower league opposition whose best prospect is 17 years old. Here we go, player by player, then a team thing:
Pope has a definite technical flaw in the way he picks up shots low across the grass when "falling" on top of them (see the similar one in the QPR highlights): I think he tries to attack the ball rather than let it come to him so he can gather it. Would benefit from rigorous coaching on this issue. But he looks fine otherwise.
Charles-Cook played well, but didn't have much to do. Fairly quick but he's not at the moment able to make up for his lack of aerial prowess like Solly does with other attributes defensively. Would make sense to see us try and get in a right back as Solly cover, but he didn't do much wrong did Regan. Might be more effective as a winger.
Bauer - like a better Morrison. Did the job a la Saturday.
Sarr - looked a bit Bambi on ice at times, but he's huge and young and only has room to improve. Didn't look too bad. Might be a tad slow off the mark. Reserving judgement.
Fox was steady and solid in such a way that I sort-of took him for granted. Which probably means he's playing quite well, given (as a fan base) we don't seem to praise him overmuch when he's doing well, but are all to happy to scapegoat him when he makes mistakes.
Ceballos - again, reserving judgement. He's fairly quick, got a bit of flair and is obviously good technically. Execution wasn't quite perfect. He's got a brain and potential but still needs to bed in a little.
Jacko - didn't do much: game was wing-focused. Passed alright, did his bits defensively, but looked tired after about 70 minutes. Which is a shame and I hope that's not his age but a lack of pre-season showing...
Ba - same as a Jacko, but looked ponderous in possession which we saw against QPR - the "he's behind you!" moment, but that didn't actually happen. Needs to adjust his pace to the Champ.
Bergdich was okay but I thought he had an inconsistent first touch, poor spatial awareness and not much of a creative imagination. However he's great on the ball when he has it down, with close control, and his goal was decently taken.
Watt looked too good for them (involved in 3 goals). But, I think he knew it, and there were a couple of times his arrogance showed with a misplaced touch (but not significantly so). Worth keeping an eye on in that regard.
KAG played well but tired by the 80th or so (understandably). Attacks with confidence and isn't afraid to take a man on or shoot.
JBG was too good and I don't think needed to come on; Reza scored a goal but kept slipping (didn't do much); Tareiq didn't have enough time on the pitch
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So. As a team, decent. We have some good players and this was a good time to see how they'd fit into Luzon's footballing philosophy against weaker opposition in a competition that to be honest, I don't think many of us are fussed about. Dag weren't great, we took our chances and played some nice football at times, even if there were flaws. So a good win, but I take the scoreline with a pinch of salt. It's not the league, after all.
A very enjoyable evening. We played some good, sharp, high-tempo football and, as the scoreline suggests, never looked in any danger.
The team were surprisingly cohesive, given the number of changes and there were several positives, in addition to not ballsing it up against lower league opposition:
- debuts for two of our Academy lads and a first senior goal for Karlan Aherne-Grant, which will do him the world of good
- debuts for Ceballos and Sarr and a first start for Bergdych. They all did ok and this will help them bed in
- a good run out for Jacko
- another outstanding performance from Tony Watt, who was a level above anyone else on the park
- a dominant and composed performance from Patrick Bauer and a strong second half from Ba; and....
- to round it off, a neat finish from the moustachioed devil, Reza.
What more can you ask for on a damp Tuesday night. I think that Luzon will be pleased with what he saw.
Really enjoyed this , my son got in for a pound, got to see 5 goals, not a bad evenings entertainment, well done to KAG, getting a goal tonight as well.
Good performance and decent night all round. Landmark game as it was the first one my daughter watched the entire 90 minutes. Big thanks to BDL who mentioned her name at half time, it really made her night.
An interesting game. We didn't look at risk and it was only a matter of time before the opener, which came of course from our Scottish maestro making it pretty much on his own. KAG got the 2nd, finishing from a clearance. Bauer bossed the back - Sarr didn;t look as convincing IMO. Watt set up Bergdych for the 3rd in the 2nd half, and shortly after he and Bergdych were subbed for Reza and JBG, who both looked lively and combined well, though Reza had a few comedy moments (including falling over in the box and appealing). He did well for his goal though. In between the subs and Reza's goal, Daggers pulled one back after the defence was asleep leaving the Dagenham player facing just Pope - not a lot he could do TBH. Pope overall had a more nervous game than Saturday's, with a couple of shots being spilled. He did also call regularly and come for balls and did a fantastic headed clearance when Jodi Jones was on a break with no defender close. All in all, an enjoyable night. COYR!
We played some nice football and passed the ball around well. Not convinced by Charles-Cook at RB - maybe more effective as a midfielder. Pope spilled a few shots and was lucky not to be punished KAG did well and TWatt looked dangerous as usual. Bauer looks an excellent signing and Big Nobby looked more composed than I expected. Classy finish by Reza!
No-one but me saw Jacko roll back the years to clip the bar from a first half free kick then?
Or Ba nearly ripping the bar off it's moorings with a shot from outside the box in the second half?
Ba may look "ponderous" but how many times did he actually lose the ball in challenges? How many times did he run through a sea of yellow as he broke up another attack? Oh, and what about his pass to Reza for the fourth?
There is an old adage, you can only beat what is in front of you. We did that without getting out of 2nd gear...
I wasn't concentrating as much as usual, more chatting and generally enjoying things.
I first want to say that Dagenham were a whole lot better than they were in the pre-season friendly, but the crucial differences was in our threat and finishing, and in some errors by their players, like the keeping for Watt's goal. The Dagenham fans were a credit too, and although they lost at Portsmouth heavily and with a thin squad, I reckon they are a decent team and I wouldn't like to see them struggle this season. It was easy to be pleased they scored at 3-0, but I was glad they had something to cheer.
As for us, well the most interest was in the less familiar players. Cook was good and solid, but didn't have a lot to do, he had two awkward moments in the first half, but from a player who has crept up on us he is well worth keeping interested. Sarr, a big strong guy, tends to play the straightforward ball out of defence, but his passing ought to be a bit kinder to the recipient. Will need a few more games I think. Bergditch carried on where he left off on Saturday, good running to be set up by Watt for his goal, decent. A positive performance, and some good contributions. Cebellos has good technique, and really likes to disguise a pass, but somehow he made little difference, I felt there was something lacking, perhaps it was the need for more integration with his new club.
My observations on the other players were that Ba could do with being about 10 to 15% sharper in all aspects of his game, then he could be really good, I am looking forward to the game when Bauer is in a significant personal battle with a bruiser style striker, could be a good watch that one.
Fox is now easy to take for granted, he was playing Jones who we are supposed to be interested in, and was very effective against him, Jones faded, and I think we have several promising youngsters here already, so signing Jones would not be vital. Jones is very young, so I am not sure what kind of career he will eventually have.
Jacko and Ba were bypassed by the general play most of the time, the pattern of the game didn't really involve central midfield a lot, Aherne Grant and Watt were both very good, and a threat all the time they were on the pitch. Watt was involved in three of our goals and our best player, Aherne Grant is 17, seventeen, let him develop with no pressure at this age and his football will delight.
I thought Pope might have been affected by long periods of inactivity, and he wasn't as authoritative as on Saturday, but there was a nice amusing bit where he headed it after rushing out of his area.
JBG was great when he came on but THD flitted in and out, and then there was Reza.
Reza wasn't a target man this time like in the World Cup for Iran, he was playing more like Watt. He has got a great little sprint, and all the self belief a player would need. His goal was well taken from a narrow angle, made all the better because we could see it coming as the move developed, and we could relish every bit of it as we knew for certain that our World Cup Goalscoring Hero was going to put it away. See Reza, wasn't that lovely? A goal against Dagenham and Redbridge in the first round of the Capital One Cup at the Valley, trumps a goal against Bosnia Herzegovina in the world Cup Finals in Brazil, I know you feel it too the same as me Rez. Mind you the old Reza of the fall, the point, the playing in a bubble, was also lurking there, my goodness if he could only change a few aspects of his play he would be pretty good, but we can't wait forever for it.
It was the East Stand that stank the place out tonight, not the entertainment on show.
Well. My assessment of progress so far is 9/10. Considering that a lot of the players have only arrived in the last 2-4 weeks, and Vetokele remains injured, this is a remarkable start. Big thumbs up to all concerned from RD down. Especially as I'm told we are not finished in terms of players in. Even though i'm pissed off about Gomez, i'm mainly pissed off about his agent. Put that aside and we are ahead of my best expectations. If it wasn't for the goalkeeping situation I'd give it 10. Really want Nick Pope to succeed, but surely it would have made sense to keep hold of Marko until Hendo is back?
When you look at the scores tonight, and some of our past shockers, that is an excellent scoreline.
A good run out for the team.but need a goalkeeper big time
Disagree about Pope. Looked great on Saturday. Looks bigger, has better stature is more commanding. Dropped a couple on a wet surface, it happens. He recovered well with them though. He had a run in a promoted team last season and he's all the better for it. I think he's come on leaps and bounds and I'm pleased for him
Noticeable that jacko was really pleased for reza when he scored which I think says that reza is still liked and not a bad egg that he has been made out to be.
Pretty much what everyone else said. I came away thinking that for the first time in ages we have a proper squad. Still the odd weakness that needs to be attended to but we knew that before tonight. Some key individuals who need to be nurtured/wrapped in cotton wool/have their tummies tickled as necessary (TWatt, JBG - why on earth was he brought on tonight?!!! - Solly). But things are looking up. A pleasant evening. Limited opposition summarily dispatched. Keeper required as a matter of urgency - can Dmitrovic not be recalled??
It was just a professional perfemance. It's so easy to lose these kind of matches due to players switching off.
As seems to have been the case elsewhere in the Championship and down the Surrey Canal Road. Blackburn, Brentford, Hudds, Bristol City, Forest, Burnley and Bolton all out, Hull got through on penalties.
But still, imagine losing at home to a team who were non-league last season.
Serious potential in this squad. Bauer and Sarr will be a very important partnership once Sarr gets fit. So often Charlton have blown up in matches like this but tonight under Guy we looked interested and controlled. Echo the comments above about Popes continual spilling of everything below waist height. Solid performance by Fox who I thought was our most consistent performance over 90 mins. I don't begrudge Tony Watt his mom. He's explosive. Like the look of Bergdich he's pacy and aggressive. Last comment reserved for Charles-Cook. What a debut. Slipped under my radar and looks a real find.
Enjoyable without being particularly exciting. Pleased to see the new players over the last two games as I probably won't see any more games this season. Two games, two wins. Happy.
Comments
definite change in how much we press when we haven't got the ball and how
much further up the pitch we do it.
liked Bauer and Sarr.
thought that once Ceballos settled down he did alright, lovely cross for KAG's goal.
Bergdich did ok and goal will do him no harm.
Watt was good again.
but Sanchez was MOM.
Pope has a definite technical flaw in the way he picks up shots low across the grass when "falling" on top of them (see the similar one in the QPR highlights): I think he tries to attack the ball rather than let it come to him so he can gather it. Would benefit from rigorous coaching on this issue. But he looks fine otherwise.
Charles-Cook played well, but didn't have much to do. Fairly quick but he's not at the moment able to make up for his lack of aerial prowess like Solly does with other attributes defensively. Would make sense to see us try and get in a right back as Solly cover, but he didn't do much wrong did Regan. Might be more effective as a winger.
Bauer - like a better Morrison. Did the job a la Saturday.
Sarr - looked a bit Bambi on ice at times, but he's huge and young and only has room to improve. Didn't look too bad. Might be a tad slow off the mark. Reserving judgement.
Fox was steady and solid in such a way that I sort-of took him for granted. Which probably means he's playing quite well, given (as a fan base) we don't seem to praise him overmuch when he's doing well, but are all to happy to scapegoat him when he makes mistakes.
Ceballos - again, reserving judgement. He's fairly quick, got a bit of flair and is obviously good technically. Execution wasn't quite perfect. He's got a brain and potential but still needs to bed in a little.
Jacko - didn't do much: game was wing-focused. Passed alright, did his bits defensively, but looked tired after about 70 minutes. Which is a shame and I hope that's not his age but a lack of pre-season showing...
Ba - same as a Jacko, but looked ponderous in possession which we saw against QPR - the "he's behind you!" moment, but that didn't actually happen. Needs to adjust his pace to the Champ.
Bergdich was okay but I thought he had an inconsistent first touch, poor spatial awareness and not much of a creative imagination. However he's great on the ball when he has it down, with close control, and his goal was decently taken.
Watt looked too good for them (involved in 3 goals). But, I think he knew it, and there were a couple of times his arrogance showed with a misplaced touch (but not significantly so). Worth keeping an eye on in that regard.
KAG played well but tired by the 80th or so (understandably). Attacks with confidence and isn't afraid to take a man on or shoot.
JBG was too good and I don't think needed to come on; Reza scored a goal but kept slipping (didn't do much); Tareiq didn't have enough time on the pitch
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So. As a team, decent. We have some good players and this was a good time to see how they'd fit into Luzon's footballing philosophy against weaker opposition in a competition that to be honest, I don't think many of us are fussed about. Dag weren't great, we took our chances and played some nice football at times, even if there were flaws. So a good win, but I take the scoreline with a pinch of salt. It's not the league, after all.
Pope spilled a few shots and was lucky not to be punished
KAG did well and TWatt looked dangerous as usual.
Bauer looks an excellent signing and Big Nobby looked more composed than I expected.
Classy finish by Reza!
We won comfortably, dominating from start to finish.
4-1 was a fair reflection, although it could have been more.
Our control, passing, movement and attitude was first class.
They all played well. Well done to all.
It has certainly given me more confidence for Derby on Saturday (famous last words).
Or Ba nearly ripping the bar off it's moorings with a shot from outside the box in the second half?
Ba may look "ponderous" but how many times did he actually lose the ball in challenges? How many times did he run through a sea of yellow as he broke up another attack? Oh, and what about his pass to Reza for the fourth?
There is an old adage, you can only beat what is in front of you. We did that without getting out of 2nd gear...
I wasn't concentrating as much as usual, more chatting and generally enjoying things.
I first want to say that Dagenham were a whole lot better than they were in the pre-season friendly, but the crucial differences was in our threat and finishing, and in some errors by their players, like the keeping for Watt's goal. The Dagenham fans were a credit too, and although they lost at Portsmouth heavily and with a thin squad, I reckon they are a decent team and I wouldn't like to see them struggle this season. It was easy to be pleased they scored at 3-0, but I was glad they had something to cheer.
As for us, well the most interest was in the less familiar players. Cook was good and solid, but didn't have a lot to do, he had two awkward moments in the first half, but from a player who has crept up on us he is well worth keeping interested.
Sarr, a big strong guy, tends to play the straightforward ball out of defence, but his passing ought to be a bit kinder to the recipient. Will need a few more games I think.
Bergditch carried on where he left off on Saturday, good running to be set up by Watt for his goal, decent. A positive performance, and some good contributions. Cebellos has good technique, and really likes to disguise a pass, but somehow he made little difference, I felt there was something lacking, perhaps it was the need for more integration with his new club.
My observations on the other players were that Ba could do with being about 10 to 15% sharper in all aspects of his game, then he could be really good, I am looking forward to the game when Bauer is in a significant personal battle with a bruiser style striker, could be a good watch that one.
Fox is now easy to take for granted, he was playing Jones who we are supposed to be interested in, and was very effective against him, Jones faded, and I think we have several promising youngsters here already, so signing Jones would not be vital.
Jones is very young, so I am not sure what kind of career he will eventually have.
Jacko and Ba were bypassed by the general play most of the time, the pattern of the game didn't really involve central midfield a lot, Aherne Grant and Watt were both very good, and a threat all the time they were on the pitch. Watt was involved in three of our goals and our best player, Aherne Grant is 17, seventeen, let him develop with no pressure at this age and his football will delight.
I thought Pope might have been affected by long periods of inactivity, and he wasn't as authoritative as on Saturday, but there was a nice amusing bit where he headed it after rushing out of his area.
JBG was great when he came on but THD flitted in and out, and then there was Reza.
Reza wasn't a target man this time like in the World Cup for Iran, he was playing more like Watt. He has got a great little sprint, and all the self belief a player would need. His goal was well taken from a narrow angle, made all the better because we could see it coming as the move developed, and we could relish every bit of it as we knew for certain that our World Cup Goalscoring Hero was going to put it away.
See Reza, wasn't that lovely? A goal against Dagenham and Redbridge in the first round of the Capital One Cup at the Valley, trumps a goal against Bosnia Herzegovina in the world Cup Finals in Brazil, I know you feel it too the same as me Rez.
Mind you the old Reza of the fall, the point, the playing in a bubble, was also lurking there, my goodness if he could only change a few aspects of his play he would be pretty good, but we can't wait forever for it.
It was the East Stand that stank the place out tonight, not the entertainment on show.
When you look at the scores tonight, and some of our past shockers, that is an excellent scoreline.
But still, imagine losing at home to a team who were non-league last season.
Reduce offer to 200k and loan him back to Daggers.