I was impressed with Robinson's enthusiasm. I'm usually a bit weary of the overly theatrical touch line antics, Sherwood springs to mind. However, I think it's quite genuine with him, as opposed to a Sherwood who does it to mask the lack of substance.
Part of me also thinks KR needs to show that animation to try and fire us up. I think he gets just how fractious things are and wants to do all he can to get us behind the team (even though we are). This is going to be a massive job for him working under this lot, and although he may have irked some by comments about KM etc, I will be getting behind him.
The problem is also that I don't think the team is strong enough. Fox was targeted quite effectively today and for me is still a liability. We're not strong or quick enough in the centre of midfield and Ajose isn't up to it.
First half Charlton were appalling. MK were slicker in every department to us. They outfought, out thought and were generally much more skilful and played as a team. We on the other hand looked ponderous and lacking in composure and confidence. Was there a shot on target in that half ?
Second half we looked snappier all over the pitch and probably overall in the 90 minutes created the better chances.
Big positive for me was Phillips. Looks like a very good goalkeeper.
A word on Robinson. Certainly passionate on that touch line and whatever he said at half time worked wonders. Worth noting that we made two substitutions on exactly 90 minutes !!!!!! Wtf. Having said that Hanlon almost instantly made an impact. Having said that. I don't get substitutions that late unless you are trying to close out time which we weren't. Worth a try perhaps but in all honesty at least five minutes too late.
I was going to go today, I go to every home game, but then I didn't want anyone thinking bring in Karl Robinson was in any way going to make me change my mind about this regime. He not a great manager, he's just starting out. I hope he does well but not as much as I hope our owners sell and never meddle in football again.
Poor 1st half, slightly better 2nd but we created very few clear cut chances as crossing and final ball poor.
The new full back, George Text-Era I think they said his name was, was excellent. Hope we sign him.
Otherwise Maginnis and Philips did well.
MK Don's played some nice but ineffective stuff but are a snidy, dirty, time wasting side. Five bookings said it all. Don't know who got them playing like that.
Looked a bigger crowd than v Scunny but can't have been more than 5k
First half Charlton were appalling. MK were slicker in every department to us. They outfought, out thought and were generally much more skilful and played as a team. We on the other hand looked ponderous and lacking in composure and confidence. Was there a shot on target in that half ?
Second half we looked snappier all over the pitch and probably overall in the 90 minutes created the better chances.
Big positive for me was Phillips. Looks like a very good goalkeeper.
A word on Robinson. Certainly passionate on that touch line and whatever he said at half time worked wonders. Worth noting that we made two substitutions on exactly 90 minutes !!!!!! Wtf. Having said that Hanlon almost instantly made an impact. Having said that. I don't get substitutions that late unless you are trying to close out time which we weren't. Worth a try perhaps but in all honesty at least five minutes too late.
Glad I went. I've missed it.
of course you have .. time to stop torturing yourself ((:>)
I watched the second half in the pub. If the second half was better, the first half must have been truely appalling. It was nice to watch us, accompanied by a few beers. Could have won - could have lost. We're in the third round draw. Fucking yippee - we were a year ago too. Robinson has come in, and his mouth is not much of an asset. For a man who described us as a basket case, you'd think he would learn prudence, given he has now been obliged to come asking for work. Today he described one of the architects of our discontent as 'phenomenal'. We have now seen a 'Robinson' team in action. Is there some sort of mental block that prevents us from playing the first 45 minutes? Today was better than Swindon, but our famous budget continues to deliver rubbish football. I'll give Robinson a while, but he needs to keep clear of the protests when he opens his mouth - he has enough on his plate with the team he has to put out.
I suppose everybody watched on a stream. I was there, sitting in the West Stand, so my perspective will be opposite to the cameras as it were, and I was free to scan the general play rather than only what was on the telly.
We were second best and lucky to escape defeat. The clearances off the line at the end were handy, but if we had lost it would probably have been a kind of justice.
It was basically the same old same old, only a bit worse than usual. We are a team without a midfield and watching MKD, with players like Bowditch running things, a coherent balanced outfit. We looked shapeless and everybody in their own bubble, not like a team at all in my eyes.
We improved a bit in the second half, but with Ajose and Botaka mightily ineffective, Fred pretty non existent, Crofts playing poorly, and Lookman always wary about the next tackle we were very disjointed. Josh Mag played well, his consistency is remarkable, but he was an isolated phenomena in the main. Going forward we were disjointed, individualistic, and not really any worry for MKD.
It was a shame Konsa went off, but seeing Tex you have to ask why he hasn't been an option in league games, I thought the rest of the defence was OK. Pearce was my MOM, he had a battle with everybody, and was one of the few players who tried to take responsibility for getting anything from the game.
Fox, Bauer and Phillips were decent enough, actually praise to Phillips for always being alert and concentrated. And yet again it was Fox with a vital intervention that made a huge difference.
The two late subs were pointless, waiting for them, and the continual need for something drew attention to Karl Robinson. I had a good view of Karl throughout and my observations are that he has to have an overt reaction to every event, followed by an instant communication of how he was feeling to the nearest person who would listen.
Early on Karl was constantly involved with the fourth official, totally needlessly in my view, and it is unwise, and a characteristic he would do well to curtail. An exaggerated handclap for Ajose's first half miss, a mini wave during the match to the MKD supporters, and a hell of a lot of extended talk with Kevin Nugent all the time. Not sure why he was doing so much of this, unless it was a kind of in game planning for what he does and doesn't want next time. I felt at times he wasn't concentrating enough on the game in front of him.
Good support from MKD, and we got away with it, but the reward is a replay we could well do without. The draw on Monday will put the replay into a different perspective no doubt.
A couple of asides, it was amusing watching a certain vol a vent muncher really going for it on the stairs at half time, frustratingly held up by a packed directors box. I saw Katrien take her seat for the first half, not that well wrapped up against the cold I thought, but I didn't see her come out for the second half. I wonder if she did and I simply missed her, or maybe she sat elsewhere.
Overall not the new manager bounce I was hoping for, even though the event was fuelled by the excitement of this being our last route into Europe this season.
I was sitting right behind Karl Robinson and he was not impressed with the dead ball deliverys or the lack of pressing.He did interact with the crowd which was ok, but what happens when he starts getting stick,will he give it back,will he start arguing with the crowd?.I heard him saying that Tex was playing well,which I suppose he was considering it was his first match of the season. He was moaning at the 4th official all game,although he did have a point about the lack of protection for Ademola,who was constantly fouled. Overall we played poor,Botaka is a super sub,not a starter.Ajose just hasn't got it for Charlton yet.Bauer is a decent defender but I wish his distribution was better. The goalie is pretty good and I suppose Ademola has a touch of class, but it was very flat and uninspiring.If Roland sends emails telling Robinson who and how to play then i think he would explode with righteous anger.
Watched the stream. Crap first half and lucky to go in level. Better second half and were well on top without doing enough to earn the win.
Only seen this and the Swindon game with my own eyes but seems to me we have players wth commitment, players with brains, and players with skills but hardly any with all three and only a few with two of those attributes.
Passing was very poor with balls constantly under or over hit and often behind players when they needed to run onto the ball (a longstanding bug-bear of mine). Decision making in the final third left something to be desired too - several times players drive away from space and into trouble. Could easily have had a couple of pens.
Wasn't appalling but short of where we need to be. Robinson has some work to do on the training ground and in the transfer market but his old side looked very tidy at times and played with much more penetration than us so I have hope.
Couldn't have put it better. I thought they were quicker and sharper than us throughout the first half. We were sharper second half. Some of the decision-making on the ball was very poor, while also acknowledging that's why these players are at League One clubs.
We were terrible in the 1st half, better in the 2nd.
Phillips was excellent, one really good thrown clearance to set up a breakaway, he threw it so hard, he tumbled over in the process!
Ajose was poor, Magennis decent. Both Lookman and Botaka were inconsistent. Good to see Tex back, I thought he played ok but in 3rd gear. I don't know whether that's due to lack of match fitness or whether he's just fed up with the situation...
A poor and lack lustre first half, during which we were very much second best. MK Dons moved the ball pretty well but only created one clear chance, when their left back went through one-on-one with Dillon, who stood up well and made a good save.
A better second half, during which we played with some intensity and desire although, quite frankly, the only way was up after the first 45 minutes. Lookman had a couple of efforts just wide and Josh Magennis missed our best chance when played through by Ademola. MK could well have nicked it in injury time but I thought a draw was a fair result.
Our centre backs and Dillon were very solid and Bauer and Pearce bullied their strikers throughout. Tex also played well when he came on at right back for Konsa, who had taken a knock to the head.
Lookman and Botaka had some good flashes of play and, given that this was the latter's first start, I thought he did ok. The central midfield improved in the second half (albeit from a very low base) but I'm afraid that Ajose had a stinker and a number of our attacks floundered owing to his poor control and lack of strength.
Difficult to judge the crowd when sitting in the Lower West but I suspect it was about 5,000 or so.
MK Dons are probably slight favourites now, although it's pretty marginal and their home record is poor.
Was I watching a different game or am I just more reasonable?
I thought Botaka played well.
In a side with little midfield and drained of attacking confidence a player like Botaka is always going to find it hard. Today I thought he did OK. Didn't shirk and tried to be positive. Not all of it came off but I hope he keeps his place.
Robinson has a hard job ahead getting this squad firing on all cylinders. Too many gaping holes at present.
Such a lifeless, scrappy, boring game in general, however it did help reaffirm one thing, Phillips is an excellent keeper and a very capable No 1 in Rudds absence
First half dire. Second half better - more energy and pressing. Crofts was very good and played some nice passes. Botaka full of energy but bit selfish at times and needs to learn when to cross or pass. Jorge looked very good - an intelligent footballer and lots of movement - should start - with Bauer would be immense. Left the subs far too late. Lookman, as good as he is, should not take the dead ball kicks - miss JJ at those times. Ajose was poor - passing, control and decision making - Novak should get another chance. Magennis had a good game. Will not be going to the replay...
Robinson chose quite an attacking 4-4-2 with two orthodox wingers who, not unexpectedly, turned in a mixed bag of tricks and poor judgements, but did track back. One of the forwards turned up and gave his all; the other one didn't - who could I possibly mean? In fact he's now straying dangerously close to Marcus Bent levels of application and pretend endeavour, skipping about to look keen whilst making no attempt whatsoever to close anyone down. Oh, and he skied another decent chance.
The familiar shortcomings surfaced again, as did the familiar strengths, with the two strong CB's ably assisted by a third when he came on at RB. Phillips is growing in stature, looking confident and calm, with some very good distribution. Strange to leave the two attacking subs until added time but perhaps Robinson wanted to get a good look at how his first team managed all aspects of the situation. That said, he must surely have drawn one or two conclusions by then - I had!!
We just don't do cup competitions do we. 51 years of supporting Charlton and I've never seen us progress beyond the quarter finals in a major cup competition. Not that i was expecting us to this season.
Just saying
Weren't you at Wembley for the Full Members Cup Final??
Comments
Part of me also thinks KR needs to show that animation to try and fire us up. I think he gets just how fractious things are and wants to do all he can to get us behind the team (even though we are). This is going to be a massive job for him working under this lot, and although he may have irked some by comments about KM etc, I will be getting behind him.
The problem is also that I don't think the team is strong enough. Fox was targeted quite effectively today and for me is still a liability. We're not strong or quick enough in the centre of midfield and Ajose isn't up to it.
Broke my self imposed exile today.
First half Charlton were appalling. MK were slicker in every department to us. They outfought, out thought and were generally much more skilful and played as a team. We on the other hand looked ponderous and lacking in composure and confidence. Was there a shot on target in that half ?
Second half we looked snappier all over the pitch and probably overall in the 90 minutes created the better chances.
Big positive for me was Phillips. Looks like a very good goalkeeper.
A word on Robinson. Certainly passionate on that touch line and whatever he said at half time worked wonders. Worth noting that we made two substitutions on exactly 90 minutes !!!!!! Wtf. Having said that Hanlon almost instantly made an impact. Having said that. I don't get substitutions that late unless you are trying to close out time which we weren't. Worth a try perhaps but in all honesty at least five minutes too late.
Glad I went. I've missed it.
The new full back, George Text-Era I think they said his name was, was excellent. Hope we sign him.
Otherwise Maginnis and Philips did well.
MK Don's played some nice but ineffective stuff but are a snidy, dirty, time wasting side. Five bookings said it all. Don't know who got them playing like that.
Looked a bigger crowd than v Scunny but can't have been more than 5k
I won't be going to the replay.
Robinson has come in, and his mouth is not much of an asset. For a man who described us as a basket case, you'd think he would learn prudence, given he has now been obliged to come asking for work. Today he described one of the architects of our discontent as 'phenomenal'. We have now seen a 'Robinson' team in action. Is there some sort of mental block that prevents us from playing the first 45 minutes? Today was better than Swindon, but our famous budget continues to deliver rubbish football.
I'll give Robinson a while, but he needs to keep clear of the protests when he opens his mouth - he has enough on his plate with the team he has to put out.
I suppose everybody watched on a stream. I was there, sitting in the West Stand, so my perspective will be opposite to the cameras as it were, and I was free to scan the general play rather than only what was on the telly.
We were second best and lucky to escape defeat. The clearances off the line at the end were handy, but if we had lost it would probably have been a kind of justice.
It was basically the same old same old, only a bit worse than usual. We are a team without a midfield and watching MKD, with players like Bowditch running things, a coherent balanced outfit. We looked shapeless and everybody in their own bubble, not like a team at all in my eyes.
We improved a bit in the second half, but with Ajose and Botaka mightily ineffective, Fred pretty non existent, Crofts playing poorly, and Lookman always wary about the next tackle we were very disjointed. Josh Mag played well, his consistency is remarkable, but he was an isolated phenomena in the main. Going forward we were disjointed, individualistic, and not really any worry for MKD.
It was a shame Konsa went off, but seeing Tex you have to ask why he hasn't been an option in league games, I thought the rest of the defence was OK. Pearce was my MOM, he had a battle with everybody, and was one of the few players who tried to take responsibility for getting anything from the game.
Fox, Bauer and Phillips were decent enough, actually praise to Phillips for always being alert and concentrated. And yet again it was Fox with a vital intervention that made a huge difference.
The two late subs were pointless, waiting for them, and the continual need for something drew attention to Karl Robinson. I had a good view of Karl throughout and my observations are that he has to have an overt reaction to every event, followed by an instant communication of how he was feeling to the nearest person who would listen.
Early on Karl was constantly involved with the fourth official, totally needlessly in my view, and it is unwise, and a characteristic he would do well to curtail. An exaggerated handclap for Ajose's first half miss, a mini wave during the match to the MKD supporters, and a hell of a lot of extended talk with Kevin Nugent all the time. Not sure why he was doing so much of this, unless it was a kind of in game planning for what he does and doesn't want next time. I felt at times he wasn't concentrating enough on the game in front of him.
Good support from MKD, and we got away with it, but the reward is a replay we could well do without. The draw on Monday will put the replay into a different perspective no doubt.
A couple of asides, it was amusing watching a certain vol a vent muncher really going for it on the stairs at half time, frustratingly held up by a packed directors box. I saw Katrien take her seat for the first half, not that well wrapped up against the cold I thought, but I didn't see her come out for the second half. I wonder if she did and I simply missed her, or maybe she sat elsewhere.
Overall not the new manager bounce I was hoping for, even though the event was fuelled by the excitement of this being our last route into Europe this season.
I thought Botaka played well.
Phillips was excellent, one really good thrown clearance to set up a breakaway, he threw it so hard, he tumbled over in the process!
Ajose was poor, Magennis decent. Both Lookman and Botaka were inconsistent. Good to see Tex back, I thought he played ok but in 3rd gear. I don't know whether that's due to lack of match fitness or whether he's just fed up with the situation...
A better second half, during which we played with some intensity and desire although, quite frankly, the only way was up after the first 45 minutes. Lookman had a couple of efforts just wide and Josh Magennis missed our best chance when played through by Ademola. MK could well have nicked it in injury time but I thought a draw was a fair result.
Our centre backs and Dillon were very solid and Bauer and Pearce bullied their strikers throughout. Tex also played well when he came on at right back for Konsa, who had taken a knock to the head.
Lookman and Botaka had some good flashes of play and, given that this was the latter's first start, I thought he did ok. The central midfield improved in the second half (albeit from a very low base) but I'm afraid that Ajose had a stinker and a number of our attacks floundered owing to his poor control and lack of strength.
Difficult to judge the crowd when sitting in the Lower West but I suspect it was about 5,000 or so.
MK Dons are probably slight favourites now, although it's pretty marginal and their home record is poor.
Give KR a bit of time to work out his best players / formation and I think he will eventually be successful but only if he's granted enough time.
What's the news about Jackson?
Why did he leave the subs so late, don't think I like him already. Ajose,Crofts and Botaka all awful today.
I voted for the fan in the East stand as my man of the match, quality.
Two positives Tex is back and as we know is quality also we have a cracking prospect in Phillips.
Robinson has a hard job ahead getting this squad firing on all cylinders. Too many gaping holes at present.
Crofts is one of the reasons we're still in this competition
Robinson chose quite an attacking 4-4-2 with two orthodox wingers who, not unexpectedly, turned in a mixed bag of tricks and poor judgements, but did track back. One of the forwards turned up and gave his all; the other one didn't - who could I possibly mean? In fact he's now straying dangerously close to Marcus Bent levels of application and pretend endeavour, skipping about to look keen whilst making no attempt whatsoever to close anyone down. Oh, and he skied another decent chance.
The familiar shortcomings surfaced again, as did the familiar strengths, with the two strong CB's ably assisted by a third when he came on at RB. Phillips is growing in stature, looking confident and calm, with some very good distribution. Strange to leave the two attacking subs until added time but perhaps Robinson wanted to get a good look at how his first team managed all aspects of the situation. That said, he must surely have drawn one or two conclusions by then - I had!!
So far from what I've seen he's much better than Pope. Wouldn't even drop him for a returning Rudd if he's still playing this well.