Just seen the goals on SSN. Lovely turn on receiving balll to get a crisp shot off intside the post by Reeves and great determined burst from the centre circle and finish albeit bobbly by Lapslie
Sarr dealt with her everything thrown at him. He also looked to play KAG and Charles-Cook in down the wings which came off more times than not. The back four all looked very assured playing it round the back. Phillips made a fantastic save to stop Barnes putting in his own net. I thought Barnes struggled and probably isn't ready for the first team. Reeves looked like a real player, he will be an asset this season. Crofts actually looked good. KAG does not the hard work but then cant hit a barn door. Seen Hackett- Fairchild twice now and his reluctance to use his right foot seems to be limiting him somewhat, a couple of times he could have shot but was closed down when trying to get it on his left foot. Very raw and not ready yet but will come good I think. Lapslie looked hard working and deserved his goal. All in all an enjoyable evening and was actuakly surprised how man he Addicks were there.
George Lapslie is an excellent prospect. I have watched his career from when he was sixteen and he does everything you need from a midfielder. Great energy, excellent passer, strong in the tackle and gives 100 per cent. He also has a strong shot. Why would we even think about bringing in Josh Wright? Our midfield is the strong suit, Reeves, Clarke, Fosu, Holmes, Marshall, Kashi, Forster-Caskey, Aribo, Lapslie, Crofts.
Highlight for me was that all the other 9 outfield players ran to congratulate Lapslie when he scored. It showed a real team spirit and highlighted the enthusiasm they had for the game. It may be a tin-pot cup but for a lot of them they were playing at a League ground in a first-team fixture in front of a decent away support, and they really wanted to show what they could do. I though Charles-Cook had a good game, Crofts held things together in midfield and it was a deserved win against admittedly limited opposition. Nobby Sarr was solid and Philips was there when needed. With the CEO taking a vow of silence, no players parachuted into the training ground and the team playing decent football I'm almost forgetting why I don't have a season ticket.
Sarr was great on the ball, looked assured and actually looked like he enjoyed himself.
Reeves can be a class act, makes things look easy and a nice finish.
Pleased for Lapslie, looks a very good player in the making.
KAG was poor, pace with nothing else. We need to get Reeves and Marshall fit and a new striker through the door as I don't want to see him much this season. Still not completely writing him off, but he needs to play U23 football as he can't be relied upon for a top League 1 club.
Crawley weren't a good side but we did what we needed to. Future looks promising enough, although I don't think KAG, Barnes and RCC will make it above League 1 football based on what I saw last night (not judging long-term as haven't seen enough of them admittedly).
RHF was all left-foot, he's not ready for first team football, especially up top on his own. Looked lost at times and not sure we will get many games this season against worse opposition than last night. U23's from him, get on the blower KR, get a striker in (get rid of either Sarr/Lennon if you have to) and tell them we're going up.
Sarr dealt with her everything thrown at him. He also looked to play KAG and Charles-Cook in down the wings which came off more times than not. The back four all looked very assured playing it round the back. Phillips made a fantastic save to stop Barnes putting in his own net. I thought Barnes struggled and probably isn't ready for the first team. Reeves looked like a real player, he will be an asset this season. Crofts actually looked good. KAG does not the hard work but then cant hit a barn door. Seen Hackett- Fairchild twice now and his reluctance to use his right foot seems to be limiting him somewhat, a couple of times he could have shot but was closed down when trying to get it on his left foot. Very raw and not ready yet but will come good I think. Lapslie looked hard working and deserved his goal. All in all an enjoyable evening and was actuakly surprised how man he Addicks were there.
Better be sooner than later as we will be relying on them to shoot us up the league in October when Josh is out injured and Novak is suspended or refusing to play as he didn't get the move he wanted
Solid performance. Crawley didn't really bother Phillips. think we took the mick for the last 15 mins! good win. George Lapslie is an exciting prospect
I should think half the 650 only went because it was a new ground
Exactly why I went. Although I have enjoyed watching the young players in the three away cup matches, I won't be bothering with the two to come at The Valley.
Seven grounds left to see Charlton play at out of the current 92...
Really pleased for the youngsters, who can look forward to 2 more competitive games in this competition at least which will be good for their development. Particularly pleased for George who has impressed me when I've seen him play for the youngsters. However let's not get too carried away as Crawley made 7 changes so it wasn't far off a Crawley second string as well.
Back in my ground-hopping days in the early 1990s, I ticked the previous Crawley ground, just off the High Street. Southern League, against Solihull Borough, for whom Keith Bertschin - formerly a big name with Birmingham City - was playing.
Those who are convinced that John Akinde at Barnet would be good for us might care to ponder that he spent two seasons at Crawley: played 40 games in league and cup - and scored only once.
Went along thinking only 50-60 diehards would be at the game . Great to see so many making the effort . Like many have said , George Lapslie looks a real talent . Only negatives for me were Barnes and KAG .
Went along thinking only 50-60 diehards would be at the game . Great to see so many making the effort . Like many have said , George Lapslie looks a real talent . Only negatives for me were Barnes and KAG .
Not every young player that hits the first team will make it. I think KAG will leave in the summer and drop down to the lower end of League 2 im afraid.
I should think half the 650 only went because it was a new ground
not sure if this is a whoosh moment but I went there about 4 years ago for a PSF.
Was there many at the psf though. There were a lot of people there last night that I thought would of done the psf but hadn't.
no idea of the size of the away contingent that night, merely pointing out that it was not a "new" ground as a CAFC team had played there before. We are playing Oldham on sat - are 10k addicks going to turn up just because they haven't seen us play there before...of course not.
I should think half the 650 only went because it was a new ground
not sure if this is a whoosh moment but I went there about 4 years ago for a PSF.
Was there many at the psf though. There were a lot of people there last night that I thought would of done the psf but hadn't.
no idea of the size of the away contingent that night, merely pointing out that it was not a "new" ground as a CAFC team had played there before. We are playing Oldham on sat - are 10k addicks going to turn up just because they haven't seen us play there before...of course not.
Went there last February, quite enough for a lifetime a calendar year!
Comments
Real shame, but unless he ups his end product be it assisting or shooting, I can't see a place for him here.
Reeves can be a class act, makes things look easy and a nice finish.
Pleased for Lapslie, looks a very good player in the making.
KAG was poor, pace with nothing else. We need to get Reeves and Marshall fit and a new striker through the door as I don't want to see him much this season. Still not completely writing him off, but he needs to play U23 football as he can't be relied upon for a top League 1 club.
Crawley weren't a good side but we did what we needed to. Future looks promising enough, although I don't think KAG, Barnes and RCC will make it above League 1 football based on what I saw last night (not judging long-term as haven't seen enough of them admittedly).
RHF was all left-foot, he's not ready for first team football, especially up top on his own. Looked lost at times and not sure we will get many games this season against worse opposition than last night. U23's from him, get on the blower KR, get a striker in (get rid of either Sarr/Lennon if you have to) and tell them we're going up.
Seven grounds left to see Charlton play at out of the current 92...
However let's not get too carried away as Crawley made 7 changes so it wasn't far off a Crawley second string as well.
Proper Roy of the Rovers stuff
But, from what I have seen of George, and the way he plays, he looks the natural successor to Kashi in years to come.
Tenacious, strong in the challenge, an engine that doesn't stop, and excellent in distribution...
Those who are convinced that John Akinde at Barnet would be good for us might care to ponder that he spent two seasons at Crawley: played 40 games in league and cup - and scored only once.
There were a lot of people there last night that I thought would of done the psf but hadn't.
a lifetimea calendar year!