Even if roger Johnson was the only change I can't see anything other than a loss with him in the team. He is a liability. Added to that the other enforced changes and I can say us leaking a few goals with no reply. 3-0 Scunthorpe.
Holmes & Watt won't be anywhere near fit enough to start: 70th minute impact subs at best. They won't risk KAG and Ulvetad starting together against one of the best defences in L1, so Ajose's gonna have to put in a shift (unless he's already halfway back down the M4). I reckon we'll score, but I can only see one result: 1-3
I always take the contrary view that if 'star/top' players returning from injury are not deemed 100% fit then they should start and THEN be replaced after having done their best .. start fast .. anyway Watt had 70+ minutes last week and Holmes a good run out .. they should both be well fit enough to start .. AND finish
I always take the contrary view that if 'star/top' players returning from injury are not deemed 100% fit then they should start and THEN be replaced after having done their best .. start fast .. anyway Watt had 70+ minutes last week and Holmes a good run out .. they should both be well fit enough to start .. AND finish
The mists of time are getting to me (in that I can't quote you any examples @Lincsaddick), but didn't England repeatedly do that by taking unfit players to finals only for it never to suceed? But I take your point... maybe 50/50 - Watt to start, Holmes 2nd half - if that could work in the great scheme of things?
Watched a lot of Scunny highlights on pootube - which isn't always a great indicator - but their n°16 looks good, and they seems to have 5/6 regular scorers - worried about their aerial domination, but reckon someone like Crofts might snaffle a goal or two - but I'll stick with my 1-3
Edit - we need quite a few untried & untested to step up in the next few matches: that'll be up to Karl Gobshite to sort it out
I don't think Holmes or Novak will be fit enough to start. Holmes was injured in the FA cup match against them in November, so it's what 8-10 weeks on the sideline. It's been around a month for Novak, and he's just started training with the team (and didn't look the fittest in the first place). Expect both on the bench but doubt they'll be able to go for more than 20-30 minutes. That means Watt starts.
I wonder if he might try Ulvestad in one of the holding roles, with Aribo wide left and JFC in the 10 role. Aribo I believe started as a winger and would add better cover than DaSilva.
We are still short in wide areas and obviously up front. I still think we need one attacker of real quality, and if we lose Ajose, a striker who can play that lone forward role. That said, this is January, this is a time to tweak your squad, it's not intended to be a time to build a squad, which Robinson is having to try to do after the failings of the summer.
If there is a bright side, it's that our team has far more mobility and youth than it did even 3-4 weeks ago. We've despately needed it. I think we're headed in the right direction. I think KR is a big step up in terms of coaching and tactics from Slade. And there's a part of me that hopes we can knick results and stay in the play-off chase. Players will hopefully be coming back from injury around the end of next month (Magennis, Pearce) while the ones who have been out like Holmes and Watt should be finding form. Fully fit, with 1-2 additions, this is a very good 18-20 players for League One, and I think we might just be able to go on a run toward the end of the seasons and sneak into the playoffs in form.
You wouldn't believe that one player's injury could cause so much confusion. But all our forwards are unfit, inexperienced or out of favour. No way should we start with an unfit striker, which counts out Novak and Watt. Ajose is out of favour for a reason, which leaves Kag and Umerah. Umerah has not featured at all, so by process of elimination Kag plays.
You wouldn't believe that one player's injury could cause so much confusion. But all our forwards are unfit, inexperienced or out of favour. No way should we start with an unfit striker, which counts out Novak and Watt. Ajose is out of favour for a reason, which leaves Kag and Umerah. Umerah has not featured at all, so by process of elimination Kag plays.
And KAG didn't set the world on fire when he played last season.
You wouldn't believe that one player's injury could cause so much confusion. But all our forwards are unfit, inexperienced or out of favour. No way should we start with an unfit striker, which counts out Novak and Watt. Ajose is out of favour for a reason, which leaves Kag and Umerah. Umerah has not featured at all, so by process of elimination Kag plays.
And KAG didn't set the world on fire when he played last season.
If he doesn't feature on Saturday what is the point of him being at Charlton?
You wouldn't believe that one player's injury could cause so much confusion. But all our forwards are unfit, inexperienced or out of favour. No way should we start with an unfit striker, which counts out Novak and Watt. Ajose is out of favour for a reason, which leaves Kag and Umerah. Umerah has not featured at all, so by process of elimination Kag plays.
I don't agree, I think we'll start with a striker who isn't 90 minutes fit, but has a fair amount of first team experience. Watt is far from ideal for the role, but Novak can't be fit enough for even 60 minutes yet, so it's Watt or Ajose. Going on last week I think KR prefers Watt because when the ball goes up to him it sticks.
I suspect KAG is seen as cover for the left attacking midfield role. He's better suited to that than left midfield in a 4-4-2, and it seems to be similar to the role he plays for the U-23s as a left forward. I doubt he's considered in contention for the lone forward role.
I don't think Holmes or Novak will be fit enough to start. Holmes was injured in the FA cup match against them in November, so it's what 8-10 weeks on the sideline. It's been around a month for Novak, and he's just started training with the team (and didn't look the fittest in the first place). Expect both on the bench but doubt they'll be able to go for more than 20-30 minutes. That means Watt starts.
I wonder if he might try Ulvestad in one of the holding roles, with Aribo wide left and JFC in the 10 role. Aribo I believe started as a winger and would add better cover than DaSilva.
We are still short in wide areas and obviously up front. I still think we need one attacker of real quality, and if we lose Ajose, a striker who can play that lone forward role. That said, this is January, this is a time to tweak your squad, it's not intended to be a time to build a squad, which Robinson is having to try to do after the failings of the summer.
If there is a bright side, it's that our team has far more mobility and youth than it did even 3-4 weeks ago. We've despately needed it. I think we're headed in the right direction. I think KR is a big step up in terms of coaching and tactics from Slade. And there's a part of me that hopes we can knick results and stay in the play-off chase. Players will hopefully be coming back from injury around the end of next month (Magennis, Pearce) while the ones who have been out like Holmes and Watt should be finding form. Fully fit, with 1-2 additions, this is a very good 18-20 players for League One, and I think we might just be able to go on a run toward the end of the seasons and sneak into the playoffs in form.
By the time Josh and Page and others come back off of injury we'll have 8-10 games left but, yes, I take your point - Holmes and Watt can find their form.
KR inherited Slade's squad, but he failed to convince douchebag to invest significantly in the squad, which he could have done under FFP, so our destiny is 10th to 12th spot, and we'll do it all over again in front of 2k (14k official) in L1 next season, with or without Aribo & Konsa. Whether or not KR gets his sell on bonus for those two is, of course, the subject of another thread.
By all accounts DaSilva is far too inexperienced to start
I don't think Holmes or Novak will be fit enough to start. Holmes was injured in the FA cup match against them in November, so it's what 8-10 weeks on the sideline. It's been around a month for Novak, and he's just started training with the team (and didn't look the fittest in the first place). Expect both on the bench but doubt they'll be able to go for more than 20-30 minutes. That means Watt starts.
I wonder if he might try Ulvestad in one of the holding roles, with Aribo wide left and JFC in the 10 role. Aribo I believe started as a winger and would add better cover than DaSilva.
We are still short in wide areas and obviously up front. I still think we need one attacker of real quality, and if we lose Ajose, a striker who can play that lone forward role. That said, this is January, this is a time to tweak your squad, it's not intended to be a time to build a squad, which Robinson is having to try to do after the failings of the summer.
If there is a bright side, it's that our team has far more mobility and youth than it did even 3-4 weeks ago. We've despately needed it. I think we're headed in the right direction. I think KR is a big step up in terms of coaching and tactics from Slade. And there's a part of me that hopes we can knick results and stay in the play-off chase. Players will hopefully be coming back from injury around the end of next month (Magennis, Pearce) while the ones who have been out like Holmes and Watt should be finding form. Fully fit, with 1-2 additions, this is a very good 18-20 players for League One, and I think we might just be able to go on a run toward the end of the seasons and sneak into the playoffs in form.
By the time Josh and Page and others come back off of injury we'll have 8-10 games left but, yes, I take your point - Holmes and Watt can find their form.
KR inherited Slade's squad, but he failed to convince douchebag to invest significantly in the squad, which he could have done under FFP, so our destiny is 10th to 12th spot, and we'll do it all over again in front of 2k (14k official) in L1 next season, with or without Aribo & Konsa. Whether or not KR gets his sell on bonus for those two is, of course, the subject of another thread.
By all accounts DaSilva is far too inexperienced to start
I take your point, although I think if Dempsey or Reeves were for sale we'd be in with a shout for them. I just don't know how many players are willing to come to a club mid table in League One in the middle of the season on anything other than a loan. And we're at a stage where we don't need numbers, we need true quality that can come in and make an immediate impact. I don't know what RD is willing to spend, we can always assume not a whole lot, but I think there is a very legitimate case to be made that that is just hard to come by this time of year.
You wouldn't believe that one player's injury could cause so much confusion. But all our forwards are unfit, inexperienced or out of favour. No way should we start with an unfit striker, which counts out Novak and Watt. Ajose is out of favour for a reason, which leaves Kag and Umerah. Umerah has not featured at all, so by process of elimination Kag plays.
You wouldn't believe that one player's injury could cause so much confusion. But all our forwards are unfit, inexperienced or out of favour. No way should we start with an unfit striker, which counts out Novak and Watt. Ajose is out of favour for a reason, which leaves Kag and Umerah. Umerah has not featured at all, so by process of elimination Kag plays.
Hanlan has played quite a lot and while he is raw and inexperienced I think he is the right type of striker to lead the line..
Trouble is if Novak doesn't play whoever plays up top in KR's favoured formation is going to struggle to hold the ball up. Ajose certainly is poor in this role and Watt likes to drop deep and run at defenders. If it were me I'd go 4-4-2 but I can't see it happening.
At the back Rojo needs to step up to the plate and is thick skinned enough to ignore the poor reception he is likely to get but it will be a tense time for those at the game knowing he could be one mistimed tackle away from stopping us from getting anything from the game.
We need an average of 2 points per game from now on to make sure of reaching the play offs, I'd take 2 points from the next two games now, then go on a winning run injuries and further addition(s) to the squad permitting.
I have one adults and two under 11s tickets available for the family stand. Free to anyone who can collect from Forest Hill on Friday or the Eltham/Sidcup area on Saturday lunch time.
I have one adults and two under 11s tickets available for the family stand. Free to anyone who can collect from Forest Hill on Friday or the Eltham/Sidcup area on Saturday lunch time.
@foresthillred sadly, whilst I can easily collect the tickets as I'm in Sydenham, I don't have any under-11s to take and I'm not sure approaching strangers with small children and asking to borrow them for the afternoon is too good an idea.
3-0 to the Addicks, two from RJ from set pieces and suitably choreographed one digit and two digits salutes held aloff after each goal by player and Covered End in mutual acknowledgement of the number of goals with, sadly, a chance for a three digit salute thwarted by the woodwork.
2.1 Scunthorpe to kill off any lingering hope of reaching the playoffs. Squad nowhere near strong enough to cope with a few injuries. Another season wasted by the regime. Only thing to look forward to is a few beers with me mates
Any team that loses 4 centre backs would struggle coupled with the loss of Big Josh.Hope the boo boys give RJ a chance.Tough but winnable game.See you tomorrow Stevie.COYR
2.1 Scunthorpe to kill off any lingering hope of reaching the playoffs. Squad nowhere near strong enough to cope with a few injuries. Another season wasted by the regime. Only thing to look forward to is a few beers with me mates
I mean, it's the third week of January. A loss on a weekend when we have a litany off players coming up to fitness and four center backs out will not "kill of hope of the playoffs." We may very well not make the playoffs, but that will not be lost this weekend.
Any team that loses 4 centre backs would struggle coupled with the loss of Big Josh.Hope the boo boys give RJ a chance.Tough but winnable game.See you tomorrow Stevie.COYR
Centre back is the one area we are spoiled for choice. Konsa and a motivated Johnson would get in most sides in this league imo. Only a problem if one of them gets injured. I'm sure Johnson has a thick enough skin to disregard any boo boys. Magennis is the big miss - we have nobody to hoof it up to KR made a rudderless and disjointed pig's ear of replacing him last week. Let's hope a week on the training ground has sharpened his thinking
Comments
Watched a lot of Scunny highlights on pootube - which isn't always a great indicator - but their n°16 looks good, and they seems to have 5/6 regular scorers - worried about their aerial domination, but reckon someone like Crofts might snaffle a goal or two - but I'll stick with my 1-3
Edit - we need quite a few untried & untested to step up in the next few matches: that'll be up to Karl Gobshite to sort it out
Rudd
Solly....Konsa....Johnson....Chicksen
.............Crofts....Forster-Caskey
Byrne.......Aribo........DaSilva
............Watt
Bench: Phillips, Djiksteel, Ulvestad, Holmes, Ajose, Novak, Umerah
I wonder if he might try Ulvestad in one of the holding roles, with Aribo wide left and JFC in the 10 role. Aribo I believe started as a winger and would add better cover than DaSilva.
We are still short in wide areas and obviously up front. I still think we need one attacker of real quality, and if we lose Ajose, a striker who can play that lone forward role. That said, this is January, this is a time to tweak your squad, it's not intended to be a time to build a squad, which Robinson is having to try to do after the failings of the summer.
If there is a bright side, it's that our team has far more mobility and youth than it did even 3-4 weeks ago. We've despately needed it. I think we're headed in the right direction. I think KR is a big step up in terms of coaching and tactics from Slade. And there's a part of me that hopes we can knick results and stay in the play-off chase. Players will hopefully be coming back from injury around the end of next month (Magennis, Pearce) while the ones who have been out like Holmes and Watt should be finding form. Fully fit, with 1-2 additions, this is a very good 18-20 players for League One, and I think we might just be able to go on a run toward the end of the seasons and sneak into the playoffs in form.
I suspect KAG is seen as cover for the left attacking midfield role. He's better suited to that than left midfield in a 4-4-2, and it seems to be similar to the role he plays for the U-23s as a left forward. I doubt he's considered in contention for the lone forward role.
KR inherited Slade's squad, but he failed to convince douchebag to invest significantly in the squad, which he could have done under FFP, so our destiny is 10th to 12th spot, and we'll do it all over again in front of 2k (14k official) in L1 next season, with or without Aribo & Konsa. Whether or not KR gets his sell on bonus for those two is, of course, the subject of another thread.
By all accounts DaSilva is far too inexperienced to start
Solly | Konsa | johnson | Chicksen
Forster-Caskey | Crofts
Byrne | watt | Holmes
Novak
2-1
At the back Rojo needs to step up to the plate and is thick skinned enough to ignore the poor reception he is likely to get but it will be a tense time for those at the game knowing he could be one mistimed tackle away from stopping us from getting anything from the game.
We need an average of 2 points per game from now on to make sure of reaching the play offs, I'd take 2 points from the next two games now, then go on a winning run injuries and further addition(s) to the squad permitting.
Charlton Athletic Red Bulls 0-6 Scunthorpe
Another season wasted by the regime.
Only thing to look forward to is a few beers with me mates
I'm sure Johnson has a thick enough skin to disregard any boo boys.
Magennis is the big miss - we have nobody to hoof it up to
KR made a rudderless and disjointed pig's ear of replacing him last week.
Let's hope a week on the training ground has sharpened his thinking