Delighted with the win, sounded a brilliant performance through Valley pass commentary.
We are still lacking 3/4 players in the squad. Hopefully, the old man in Belgium will allow those signings.
Another striker is an absolute must.
You didn't go and yet you think we still need 3 or 4 players and a striker ? You need to be at the game to make those judgements. We played with 10 men for all but 6 minutes of the game. The bench looked awesome but you can't bring them all in and the way the 10 men were playing we didn't need to until later on. Watt came on when the players on the pitch were probably knackered and did what he was supposed to do and give the others a rest despite some people on here bitching about him. Every time he got the ball he was fouled, that doesn't happen if you are not a threat. There was no point in chasing down the full backs for balls he had no hope in getting. As Somebody near me said, if he had gone after those balls the defenders would have just passed the ball around him and we would have had one less player in our half to defend the next attack. The only thing he got wrong was when there was a mix up with that attack and his eventual pass was hit weakly straight to a defender.
Over in Crete at the moment so followed from afar yesterday and gleaning from here how it went. Sounds pretty good tbf. Slightly concerning is the striker situation but hopefully that will change and we go on to have a decent season. At least it seems Robinson is forging a bit of spirit amongst the players, no mean feat to win after playing the majority with ten on the pitch.
Not read the thread, but my take on yesterday was it was a definite Red for Novak a rash challenge when he didn't need to make one at all. Then the team had to dig in and despite a few hairy moments I thought we handled Rovers well. Baur was immense both at the back and upfront at set-pieces, DaSilva and Holmes worked well together and Fosu was really tricky, but his final pass was missing. Watched from the front of the East Stand near the half way line, not sat there in years, sadly it was very sparse around me but I understand why. Overall day out was good I met Dr Kish at halftime and had a a quick chat, I'll try and get to a few other games when I can. Only downside, as soon as I got out of my car, one hell of a storm started and I got absolutely soaked, took the rest of the afternoon for me to sit and watch the game and dry out!! Overall a good performance but we do need a back up, or better, to Novak and Mag, not getting carried away with the win, but there does seem to be a good spirit amongst the squad and KR. The end of game huddle and KR clapping the crowd reminded me of CP's passion.
That was utterly disgraceful. I have watched Charlton since 1966, and today ranks down there with the most spineless, weak, dim-witted, stupid performances of them all.
Firstly, it's completely wrong to play only one striker, especially at home. It's an admission of defensive defeat, even before the kick-off. Two good strikers will worry the opposing defenders – spark panic and havoc – and take the pressure off our congenitally weak midfield.
Novak is not a good striker; that was patently obvious on his debut at Welling this time last year. Neither quick nor physical; a lump. When he was sent off after 10 minutes today, here came the most idiotic managerial indecision in Charlton history.
As a manager, you would take off a midfielder and throw on a striker. Robinson played 80 minutes with the formation of 4-6-0. No-one at all up front. Nothing.
This is the man who signed Simon Church and Danny Green when they had palpably flopped. The man who relegated his team, below us.
This marvellous six-man midfield! With the exception of Holmes they are utterly vacuous. Our keeper – dodgy anyway, third choice at Bolton and failed on loan at Cardiff – hoofs a high ball, and during the trajectory we in the Covered End know our men will not win it.
None of our midfielders jump. Ball plops in absent space, Bristol Rovers set about another attack, getting round our flaky defence, swinging crosses in to the box.
Did we have a single shot on goal in the entire second half? No. A limp Holmes free-kick over the wall, easily saved.
From Cray Wanderers to Man City, football is about guts and fire: getting the ball in to the box with strength and precision. We are miles away. If we continue to play without a striker we'll get ripped apart from here to kingdom come.
always like to read your opinions, you're your own man and don't give a toss what anyone else thinks or writes about you .. BUT ... your arithmetic is awful .. one man sent off and we played (according to your stats) 4-6-0 .. f f s .. have a recount ((:>)
That was utterly disgraceful. I have watched Charlton since 1966, and today ranks down there with the most spineless, weak, dim-witted, stupid performances of them all.
Firstly, it's completely wrong to play only one striker, especially at home. It's an admission of defensive defeat, even before the kick-off. Two good strikers will worry the opposing defenders – spark panic and havoc – and take the pressure off our congenitally weak midfield.
Novak is not a good striker; that was patently obvious on his debut at Welling this time last year. Neither quick nor physical; a lump. When he was sent off after 10 minutes today, here came the most idiotic managerial indecision in Charlton history.
As a manager, you would take off a midfielder and throw on a striker. Robinson played 80 minutes with the formation of 4-6-0. No-one at all up front. Nothing.
This is the man who signed Simon Church and Danny Green when they had palpably flopped. The man who relegated his team, below us.
This marvellous six-man midfield! With the exception of Holmes they are utterly vacuous. Our keeper – dodgy anyway, third choice at Bolton and failed on loan at Cardiff – hoofs a high ball, and during the trajectory we in the Covered End know our men will not win it.
None of our midfielders jump. Ball plops in absent space, Bristol Rovers set about another attack, getting round our flaky defence, swinging crosses in to the box.
Did we have a single shot on goal in the entire second half? No. A limp Holmes free-kick over the wall, easily saved.
From Cray Wanderers to Man City, football is about guts and fire: getting the ball in to the box with strength and precision. We are miles away. If we continue to play without a striker we'll get ripped apart from here to kingdom come.
Great spirit shown by the team, well done to players and Robbo, Jacko and Bowyer for that. Difficult to judge overall how the team will fare this season, but I am optimistic having seen the excellent Ipswich performance plus yesterday. Where will Ben Reeves fit into this team sheet? It would be hard to leave out any player from yesterday, Kashi is a must if he is fit, but Reeves is a quality player.
Great spirit shown by the team, well done to players and Robbo, Jacko and Bowyer for that. Difficult to judge overall how the team will fare this season, but I am optimistic having seen the excellent Ipswich performance plus yesterday. Where will Ben Reeves fit into this team sheet? It would be hard to leave out any player from yesterday, Kashi is a must if he is fit, but Reeves is a quality player.
Blimey, a poster called Colin who doesn't talk BS. This really is a season of surprises.
(This is a longstanding joke regarding a previous poster who spoke absolute bollocks all the time).
Great spirit shown by the team, well done to players and Robbo, Jacko and Bowyer for that. Difficult to judge overall how the team will fare this season, but I am optimistic having seen the excellent Ipswich performance plus yesterday. Where will Ben Reeves fit into this team sheet? It would be hard to leave out any player from yesterday, Kashi is a must if he is fit, but Reeves is a quality player.
We can worry about Reeves when he is fit. He will only get injured if he plays too early.
That was utterly disgraceful. I have watched Charlton since 1966, and today ranks down there with the most spineless, weak, dim-witted, stupid performances of them all.
Firstly, it's completely wrong to play only one striker, especially at home. It's an admission of defensive defeat, even before the kick-off. Two good strikers will worry the opposing defenders – spark panic and havoc – and take the pressure off our congenitally weak midfield.
Novak is not a good striker; that was patently obvious on his debut at Welling this time last year. Neither quick nor physical; a lump. When he was sent off after 10 minutes today, here came the most idiotic managerial indecision in Charlton history.
As a manager, you would take off a midfielder and throw on a striker. Robinson played 80 minutes with the formation of 4-6-0. No-one at all up front. Nothing.
This is the man who signed Simon Church and Danny Green when they had palpably flopped. The man who relegated his team, below us.
This marvellous six-man midfield! With the exception of Holmes they are utterly vacuous. Our keeper – dodgy anyway, third choice at Bolton and failed on loan at Cardiff – hoofs a high ball, and during the trajectory we in the Covered End know our men will not win it.
None of our midfielders jump. Ball plops in absent space, Bristol Rovers set about another attack, getting round our flaky defence, swinging crosses in to the box.
Did we have a single shot on goal in the entire second half? No. A limp Holmes free-kick over the wall, easily saved.
From Cray Wanderers to Man City, football is about guts and fire: getting the ball in to the box with strength and precision. We are miles away. If we continue to play without a striker we'll get ripped apart from here to kingdom come.
Don't understand keeping Watt and loaning out Igor.
I sure as hell don't like it, but I can well understand how it has happened. It's about the other club. They are the apple of RD's eye now. And from their point of view, knowing the track record of both players in Belgium, what would you say if you were told to send Igor back to the English 3rd division and take Watt instead? I don't know what the Dutch for "bollocks to that" is, but I expect it sounds pretty earthy. I must say also that, having seen Igor in that ST game when we were all there, I reckon he is glad to be there. He must regard his time with us as a nightmare. Unfortunately. I rate Igor and believe he will eventually furlfil the promise he showed in his first few months with us. Just not with us.
Having watched the highlights on Valley Pass, the red looked a lot worse from the east stand (similar to the refs viewpoint) and possibly the covered than from where I was and I'd be amazed if even half the ball crossed the line for the goal.
Great spirit shown by the team, well done to players and Robbo, Jacko and Bowyer for that. Difficult to judge overall how the team will fare this season, but I am optimistic having seen the excellent Ipswich performance plus yesterday. Where will Ben Reeves fit into this team sheet? It would be hard to leave out any player from yesterday, Kashi is a must if he is fit, but Reeves is a quality player.
Blimey, a poster called Colin who doesn't talk BS. This really is a season of surprises.
(This is a longstanding joke regarding a previous poster who spoke absolute bollocks all the time).
And still does on 'Into The Vol au Vent'........allegedly.
That on field huddle at the end of the game is what Curbs did at the second game of the season at Fulham back in 1999.
That season ended in promotion.
I think there is another (more subtle) reason...
After the final whistle, after a game like yesterday, there are a number of fan distractions...
Some of the away players want to applaud their loyal fans... (Some just want to get off the pitch ASAP...)
Some fans (from one, other, or both teams) will be intent on booing, and generally giving dogs abuse to the officials...
Some fans (on either side) may want to hurl invective at one of the opposition players for some perceived infringement...
By keeping the Charlton players in that huddle, all those distractions have passed, and Robinson ensured that his players got the ovation from the Charlton supporters that their efforts richly deserved.
Lets get Bristol Rovers out of the way to start with. If anybody from the Bristol camp want to say 'yeah but this, yeah but that' they are deluded.
They played against a team with no striker, a team with ten men, for 80 odd minutes, yet Charlton thoroughly deserved to win, absolutely no argument, with flags out and knobs on it was a superb display. Simply excellent.
I have not seen any replays, so I don't know the ins and outs of our goal, and to me Novak was an idiot and deserved to go, but the way we reacted was astonishing. You prepare all week and everything changes with an early sending off, and the players have to think on their feet and adapt immediately. Maybe the sending off actually helped, because there was no complacency or looking for any excuses. We adapted with intelligence, phenomenal team work and a high level of pure skill and pure class. It felt good after Ipswich all right, but this feels better (if only to suggest Ipswich was no fluke) but we have the makings.
All right, we haven't played away yet, and we now have no Novak or Magennis, but it seems to me that we have a team at the moment who are all the things Karl Robinson has consistently said he is striving for. Attacking, skilled, great (almost on a Bournemouth level of telepathy) teamwork, positive and exciting. If we are going to get a season of this stuff we are going to enjoy ourselves. It is possible to take those generalisations from a game of particulars.
You could argue against the officials, not me personally, the goal was controversial at the time, and Bristol Rovers have a lot to do to sort their team and play out, but there were wonders to behold in moments and incidents everywhere.
Da Silva outjumped Bodin twice in the space of a minute first half, outjumped the bloke, Solly was so good you could take it for granted, yet here he was repeating that two way twist we saw against Ipswich, never failing in a one on one, bursting into the area where you could almost hear his thoughts zinging out of his head in the sheer magnificence of his work.
No player it seemed to me was lest than good, most very good, and several excellent. The keeper kept a clean sheet, early to judge him but he was there when needed. I have mentioned da Silva and Solly, Pearce was absolutely what was needed in the circumstances, and Bauer, goal notwithstanding was outstanding for every minute of the game.
I have been gushing so far so what is there left for both Kashi and JFC? You could argue that they were the game managers, who along with Clarke who adapted the most quickly to the sending off and sorted the team out. No hiding from JFC or Clarke, and I counted just the one poor ball from Clarke in the whole game. Seriously guys tho, am I smitten by man love, or was Kashi plain and simple brilliant? if you see another player better than Kashi in this league this season then Fleetwood would have signed Messi.
Then we have Holmes and Fosu. Bristol Rovers simply found both unplayable, and where the midfield sorted the coping mechanisms after the set back, it was Holmes and Fosu who turned damage limitation into a win. People might have thought after 25 minutes or so 'would you take a point now?' but not Holmes or Fosu, and by osmosis the rest of the team. No way was a single point good enough for them or for Charlton today, it was almost a rollercoaster three juicy points or die trying.
One swallow and all that, but Robinson and the coaching team have indicated that they have the wherewithall, they now need the backing...especially from the board, because the fans were excellent this afternoon.
Great review Seth.
The only point I would add is that I thought that Chris Solly was uncharacteristically shaky in the first half but recovered well in the second.
But we do need another quality striker to provide competition/support to big Josh. Novak blew his chance to lay claim to the job yesterday but I just don't think he's good enough to be part of a promotion challenging team anyway. If Robinson can get the backing for this key additional signing we could stand a chance.
I won't ever accept Duchatelet/Meire/Keohane for the way they have conducted themselves in their ownership and (mis) management of our club but there can be no denying that there has been an improvement, that Robinson (despite the showboating) is a step up on the other regime appointments and that he has constructed a side that looks capable of getting us back into the Championship - which is the least we expect and the least that the regime owe us.
I had the same view as the ref and the challenge from Novak still looks stupid even if it wasn't as bad as I initially thought. You just don't make those sort of tackles anymore. 10/10 for game management by KR and for getting the players together at the end. Yes it's just one game but I was hugely impressed by the mentality of the players to do a job which meant neutralizing our attacking options.
Can I add I'm worried about Solly. That was not a good 90 mins from him.
I thought he was excellent.
Remember they had an extra man and tried to widen the play by pushing players out on to the touchlines so both full backs had a lot of space to cover.
Also with 10 men there was rarely an easy pass on from full back.
He was aggressive and many some good forward runs too even very late in the game.
He certainly improved as the game went on but was for me uncharacteristically shaky.
In the closing period of the game when we were defending a late Bristol Rovers effort to equalise, on one occasion Solly was found as our most advanced player and was to be seen falling over in the Rovers six yard box. Rovers counter attacked and exploited the space left by Solly and created a chance to score.
I think when protecting a lead when you are down to 10 men and stretched its important for the back four at least to maintain shape. Under normal circumstances I like to see full backs getting into advanced positions but I thought yesterday that Solly in addition to the above example made quite a few poor choices.
He's still in huge credit for me but imho yesterday he was not great.
I had the same view as the ref and the challenge from Novak still looks stupid even if it wasn't as bad as I initially thought. You just don't make those sort of tackles anymore. 10/10 for game management by KR and for getting the players together at the end. Yes it's just one game but I was hugely impressed by the mentality of the players to do a job which meant neutralizing our attacking options.
Agreed and an inspiring team effort.
From the East Stand halfway line Novak's challenge looked two footed and a Red card all day long, although it looked on the tele like studs were down.
It was, as you say, an insane challenge from a player who should instinctively avoid such things with his level of experience.
I have to admit that I was surprised and rather disappointed the way many CAFC fans cheered and applauded Novak when he walked as his actions were tantamount to commiting team suicide - he had no reason to make the challenge whatsoever.
He (Solly) was covering two players for most of the second half when they were attacking and waiting for support when the ball came down that flank. He played it perfectly for the circumstances
I had the same view as the ref and the challenge from Novak still looks stupid even if it wasn't as bad as I initially thought. You just don't make those sort of tackles anymore. 10/10 for game management by KR and for getting the players together at the end. Yes it's just one game but I was hugely impressed by the mentality of the players to do a job which meant neutralizing our attacking options.
Agreed and an inspiring team effort.
From the East Stand halfway line Novak's challenge looked two footed and a Red card all day long, although it looked on the tele like studs were down.
It was, as you say, an insane challenge from a player who should instinctively avoid such things with his level of experience.
I have to admit that I was surprised and rather disappointed the way many CAFC fans cheered and applauded Novak when he walked as his actions were tantamount to commiting team suicide - he had no reason to make the challenge whatsoever.
That is my biggest issue with the Red Card - no need to make the challenge.
Comments
Overall a good performance but we do need a back up, or better, to Novak and Mag, not getting carried away with the win, but there does seem to be a good spirit amongst the squad and KR. The end of game huddle and KR clapping the crowd reminded me of CP's passion.
Have to say having watched the Ipswich game as well that I am not confident that Amos is the answer and really hope Martin can be signed.
Kashi is the best midfielder since Kinsella.
Where will Ben Reeves fit into this team sheet? It would be hard to leave out any player from yesterday, Kashi is a must if he is fit, but Reeves is a quality player.
(This is a longstanding joke regarding a previous poster who spoke absolute bollocks all the time).
hope this still works
That season ended in promotion.
After the final whistle, after a game like yesterday, there are a number of fan distractions...
Some of the away players want to applaud their loyal fans... (Some just want to get off the pitch ASAP...)
Some fans (from one, other, or both teams) will be intent on booing, and generally giving dogs abuse to the officials...
Some fans (on either side) may want to hurl invective at one of the opposition players for some perceived infringement...
By keeping the Charlton players in that huddle, all those distractions have passed, and Robinson ensured that his players got the ovation from the Charlton supporters that their efforts richly deserved.
The only point I would add is that I thought that Chris Solly was uncharacteristically shaky in the first half but recovered well in the second.
But we do need another quality striker to provide competition/support to big Josh. Novak blew his chance to lay claim to the job yesterday but I just don't think he's good enough to be part of a promotion challenging team anyway. If Robinson can get the backing for this key additional signing we could stand a chance.
I won't ever accept Duchatelet/Meire/Keohane for the way they have conducted themselves in their ownership and (mis) management of our club but there can be no denying that there has been an improvement, that Robinson (despite the showboating) is a step up on the other regime appointments and that he has constructed a side that looks capable of getting us back into the Championship - which is the least we expect and the least that the regime owe us.
Remember they had an extra man and tried to widen the play by pushing players out on to the touchlines so both full backs had a lot of space to cover.
Also with 10 men there was rarely an easy pass on from full back.
He was aggressive and many some good forward runs too even very late in the game.
In the closing period of the game when we were defending a late Bristol Rovers effort to equalise, on one occasion Solly was found as our most advanced player and was to be seen falling over in the Rovers six yard box. Rovers counter attacked and exploited the space left by Solly and created a chance to score.
I think when protecting a lead when you are down to 10 men and stretched its important for the back four at least to maintain shape. Under normal circumstances I like to see full backs getting into advanced positions but I thought yesterday that Solly in addition to the above example made quite a few poor choices.
He's still in huge credit for me but imho yesterday he was not great.
From the East Stand halfway line Novak's challenge looked two footed and a Red card all day long, although it looked on the tele like studs were down.
It was, as you say, an insane challenge from a player who should instinctively avoid such things with his level of experience.
I have to admit that I was surprised and rather disappointed the way many CAFC fans cheered and applauded Novak when he walked as his actions were tantamount to commiting team suicide - he had no reason to make the challenge whatsoever.