Must admit couldn't really get excited when we scored given the latest chapter in the ongoing farce. But that was a great header by Magennis.
I thought some of our football was actually quicker than usual in the 1st half, early balls in like Magennis' goal was an example.
Although we sat back in the 2nd half I felt we were never under any real pressure.
The new manager/assistant stepping up in temporary charge will do nothing for me though, I remember Frayere's bounce against Sheff Wed and away at Brum. But I also remember probably the worst week in my life of supporting them in Jan with defeats to Col Utd, H'field and Hull. This administration has got more of that type of week than it has bounce.
Nothing's changed, RD out, KM an incompetent lackey
I feel more cheerful than usual, but I won't confuse cheerful with hopeful. Today was almost the kind of run of the mill victory that I have been expecting to see every game this season, which you don't need telling we haven't been getting. Port Vale were yet another honest team with some limitations, however they gave it a bit of a go in the second half and I though represented their club well as players. The Port Vale fans were loyal behind their team, and they joined in the silence impeccably, but Charlton were better and deserved the win. As an addendum Clive detailed three Port Vale players who fell in the Great War before our unveiling ceremony by Sam's statue which was a fine addition to a tasteful and moving ceremony before the match. Anyway back to the game. Did I notice much different? Well we wanted to keep the ball deep to draw Vale on and create extra space behind them to exploit which was a bit new (was almost a disaster on one occasion) and when there were crossing opportunities a midfield player, most notably Jackson would bomb into the area as extra confusion and an extra option which was good, and the Magennis/Ajose partnership was more successful than usual because they played closer together. Rudd had a decently average game, Morgan Fox had a good first half especially, and was the assist on both goals, both strikers scored, Bauer was excellent at the back, Pearce showed leadership, and I have certainly seen Foley play worse. Lookman was the most skilled player around, but he still needs nurturing, Crofts was as usual as was Fred (who is improving). It was nice to simply concentrate on the play in a very sparse Valley, but at the moment a home win is treading water, win in Bristol on Tuesday, followed by home to Sheffield United on Saturday and we will be making a bit of grinding progress.
First half we were all over them, should have had more than two goals yet the two we did score were both taken really well by both Magennis and especially by Ajose as after the latter's goal you could clearly see the confidence it had given him, also special mention for the latter who linked up well with the midfield today and put in two beautiful crosses when it was 0-0 which we should have scored from. Second half we sat back a bit too much and reckon had we not scored the second goal it could quite easily have ended 1-1, Port Vale had their opportunities but Rudd was never really called into action as their players really seemed to lack awareness (i.e. a few times a Charlton player missed a header, it then fell to a Port Vale player who looked as though they'd never seen a Football before).
Substitutions werent bad from Nugent; I've been someone calling for Botaka to start for a while but on his showing today I can actually understand why he's not featured more... Couldnt get into the match and barely had a touch of the ball, felt that Hanlan who came on later was much more lively, on the back of that I'd have put Hanlan on in place of Jackson etc. (Hindsight is wonderful though).
Special mention to the referee... Appeared to give two yellow cards to Charlton players for what must have been dissent (Ulvestad) and kicking the ball away (Lookman) but decided to just have a chat and cup of tea with the player who clotheslined Lookman in the first half and managed to get away with a booking himself - But there again thats the inconsistent type of officiating we can expect at this level
A decent first half performance, Vale upped their game in the second half but had one of those days. It shows how tight and poor this division is, that before the game Vale were 7th.
Ajose had a very good first half, the liveliest I've seen him, pulling out wide and putting in a couple of dangerous crosses, while his goal was the sort I imagine he scored a lot last season, but hasn't due to lack of service from midfield this season. Indeed it was Fox who put him through today
Two assists for Fox, credit for that, Bauer was very good at the back, while Pearce was slightly more panicky.
Poor atmosphere at the start, virtually no applause as the players came out and the RRR was played. It picked up slightly as the game went on.
Oh and I thought the subs today were a bit more positive the ones Slade would have made, I imagine Slade would have tried to shut the game up in the 70th minute
I'd be amazed if there were 5000 people there. I note that jackpot draw 1st prize was a conveniently round £200. Has it finally reached the point where it can't sell enough tickets to make the minimum payout?
Many thanks to @Redmidland & all for the thread... I guess it's a day when everyone wins... 2-0 is a good result, however it happened; certainly a case of 'Support the team but not the regime', with the stands two-thirds empty, a good start for Nugent (whoever finally takes over), and whilst one swallow doesn't make a summer (anymore than the reverse at Swindon meant we were instantly crap), Meire will unfortunately use it as an excuse to justify her lamentable dictatorship. Nice to see us heading in the right direction - I think, despite Slade's many shortcomings, we were slowly heading there anyway - but anyone who believes the PR gumph about them wanting us back in the Premiership is seriously deluded.
Looked like Nugent was running the team, so we'll done to him, I hope this win gives him a boost and helps towards a good job when he is eased out for Congo Chris. A straightforward 4-4-2 to 4-2-4, less tippy-tappy football across the back and the returning international players made all the difference. He made his subs at the right time and the result should have been more comfortable.
There was never 8k in the ground. 6-7k at the most.
We were comfortable without ever dominating, good but not awesome, it felt like we could have really turned the screw and scored another goal or two (not sure Ajose was offside btw) and Fox showed his passing prowess today, the second goal in particular, anyone asking how Ajose scored 25 goals last season, that's how
Comments
I thought some of our football was actually quicker than usual in the 1st half, early balls in like Magennis' goal was an example.
Although we sat back in the 2nd half I felt we were never under any real pressure.
The new manager/assistant stepping up in temporary charge will do nothing for me though, I remember Frayere's bounce against Sheff Wed and away at Brum. But I also remember probably the worst week in my life of supporting them in Jan with defeats to Col Utd, H'field and Hull. This administration has got more of that type of week than it has bounce.
Nothing's changed, RD out, KM an incompetent lackey
I feel more cheerful than usual, but I won't confuse cheerful with hopeful.
Today was almost the kind of run of the mill victory that I have been expecting to see every game this season, which you don't need telling we haven't been getting.
Port Vale were yet another honest team with some limitations, however they gave it a bit of a go in the second half and I though represented their club well as players. The Port Vale fans were loyal behind their team, and they joined in the silence impeccably, but Charlton were better and deserved the win. As an addendum Clive detailed three Port Vale players who fell in the Great War before our unveiling ceremony by Sam's statue which was a fine addition to a tasteful and moving ceremony before the match.
Anyway back to the game.
Did I notice much different? Well we wanted to keep the ball deep to draw Vale on and create extra space behind them to exploit which was a bit new (was almost a disaster on one occasion) and when there were crossing opportunities a midfield player, most notably Jackson would bomb into the area as extra confusion and an extra option which was good, and the Magennis/Ajose partnership was more successful than usual because they played closer together.
Rudd had a decently average game, Morgan Fox had a good first half especially, and was the assist on both goals, both strikers scored, Bauer was excellent at the back, Pearce showed leadership, and I have certainly seen Foley play worse. Lookman was the most skilled player around, but he still needs nurturing, Crofts was as usual as was Fred (who is improving).
It was nice to simply concentrate on the play in a very sparse Valley, but at the moment a home win is treading water, win in Bristol on Tuesday, followed by home to Sheffield United on Saturday and we will be making a bit of grinding progress.
First half we were all over them, should have had more than two goals yet the two we did score were both taken really well by both Magennis and especially by Ajose as after the latter's goal you could clearly see the confidence it had given him, also special mention for the latter who linked up well with the midfield today and put in two beautiful crosses when it was 0-0 which we should have scored from. Second half we sat back a bit too much and reckon had we not scored the second goal it could quite easily have ended 1-1, Port Vale had their opportunities but Rudd was never really called into action as their players really seemed to lack awareness (i.e. a few times a Charlton player missed a header, it then fell to a Port Vale player who looked as though they'd never seen a Football before).
Substitutions werent bad from Nugent; I've been someone calling for Botaka to start for a while but on his showing today I can actually understand why he's not featured more... Couldnt get into the match and barely had a touch of the ball, felt that Hanlan who came on later was much more lively, on the back of that I'd have put Hanlan on in place of Jackson etc. (Hindsight is wonderful though).
Special mention to the referee... Appeared to give two yellow cards to Charlton players for what must have been dissent (Ulvestad) and kicking the ball away (Lookman) but decided to just have a chat and cup of tea with the player who clotheslined Lookman in the first half and managed to get away with a booking himself - But there again thats the inconsistent type of officiating we can expect at this level
Loads of space in the corners of the East Stand but EVERY time they stick them right behind me!! (Just below the "A" in the East Stand)
Ajose had a very good first half, the liveliest I've seen him, pulling out wide and putting in a couple of dangerous crosses, while his goal was the sort I imagine he scored a lot last season, but hasn't due to lack of service from midfield this season. Indeed it was Fox who put him through today
Two assists for Fox, credit for that, Bauer was very good at the back, while Pearce was slightly more panicky.
Poor atmosphere at the start, virtually no applause as the players came out and the RRR was played. It picked up slightly as the game went on.
Two good assists from Fox who exploited the space on the left created by vale doubling up on Lookman.
We sat deep but their attack was powderpuff. Did Rudd make a real save?
Good to see both strikers score.
Only difference from Slade I could see was a genuine front two who stayed up top.
Subs were also earlier although Botaka was anonymous.
A promotion winning team kills the game off on the break late on. We had chances but didn't stretch them enough.
Freebie in the north upper today. Atmosphere dead but maybe 6k there.
The ref felt the need to intervene whenever two opposition players touched each other - Contact does not always end up in a foul!!
Poor second half from Charlton mainly caused by Vale pushing up and our midfield disappeared.
Nice to see Nugent show a bit of emotion and actually talk to the players during the match. Good subs.
Not that bothered when we win or lose these days.
There was never 8k in the ground. 6-7k at the most.
Excellent from Fox for both, a great header by Magennis and nice to see Ajose score a "proper" strikers goal.
Funny celebration from Ajose after he was spotted being beaten up by the corner flag on TV last time out!