Given how many of us saying it's our first game of the season I dread to think how empty the previous games were !
Very impressed. Me and Billy Clarke are going to get on just fine. Potential for a lot of likeable characters amongst this bunch.
That's a very valid observation. I like the players in this team. All of them. Not been able to say that for a while.
Great point both of you. Was thinking that the other day as well. To a man they all seem pretty down to earth, decent, hard working blokes. And they really seem to be playing for each other at the moment. It feels very different this year.
Not our best performance but a thoroughly deserved the three points. Southend had a few chances/half chances in the first half but lacked the ability to capitalise on those openings. In contrast, we had the extra quality in the final third when it came down to the most difficult job on the park, namely, sticking the ball in the onion bag. A great cross from Chris Solly, met with a unstoppable header from Josh, followed by a tremendous strike from Ricky Holmes. I doubt there is a player in this division who can hit a ball like he can. Eat your heart out Chris Wilder.
We were certainly tested defensively and the back four stood up very well, especially Pearce, who appeared from nowhere in the first half to make an amazing block and prevent a clear strike on goal. One blot on an otherwise very good performance was giving Southend's central defender a free near post header for their goal. Amos made a reflex good save in the first half but looked shaky on crosses in the second.
Kashi had a quieter game by his standards, giving the ball away on a couple of occasions, but JFC was solid and Billy Clarke was excellent in all respects - quick feet, highly intelligent, able to pick a pass and tigerish when we were out of possession.
A decent side, Southend, but we were better and they were unable to cope with our purple patch in the second half. Their late goal induced a few nerves but I thought that we held on reasonably comfortably. Whilst it's still early days, we also seem to be acquiring some of the dark arts in terms of seeing games out. Allied to factors like the overall quality in the side, it's beginning to look like a winning combination.
Probably the best we've faced this season and we started sluggishly but stood up well well defensively when under pressure and showed our class at the other end when needed.
If Played on the shoulder of the last defender he will cause them loads of issues as I doubt there is a defender in the league that could catch him
It's not changed
However as you saw today , when we need to retain the ball and he has his back to goal it doesn't stick , he doesn't jump well and his forward movement unless in a straight line is not good
really like clarke - very quick brain and feet - think marshall and reeves will replace caskey and fosu and when they do we will absolutely destroy teams - b very surprised if we don't go up this year
really like clarke - very quick brain and feet - think marshall and reeves will replace caskey and fosu and when they do we will absolutely destroy teams - b very surprised if we don't go up this year
Reeves will have to go some to replace Forster-Caskey IMHO
Enjoyable game but didn't feel we really got into our stride because Sarfend were in our faces. Deserved the win though. I think Southend will be near the playoffs with their mix of aggression and some decent football
My son absolutely loved being a mascot and wants to do it again next week.
First home game this season & only 2nd one overall (Exeter & Plymouth). Not sure what all the fuss has been about as I thought we were a bit lucky to win & a draw was a fairer result. Didn't get going for 20 mins & Southend could have been a couple up by then - Nile Ranger missed an easy chance after more messing around at the back. Kashi played too many short balls that gets the defence into trouble - he did the same at Plymouth in the first half when we nearly let one in & soon it will cause us letting one in.
Being 2-0 up seems to be a disaster for us & we took our foot off the pedal again, only to be saved by some poor finishing by Southend. If we do the same on Tuesday night I can see out first defeat at home.
I don't want to sound like a sour puss & really very pleased we won & are up to second, but its early days and as curbs once said - don't get too down after a defeat & too up after a win.
Holmes, Clarke & Pearce all played well, Fosu not so good & Da Silva was run ragged in the first half & their winger had him for toast. Not enough time to judge Dodoo but wish we had a bit more experience to come on with 10-15 mins to go than him & RFH.
First home game this season & only 2nd one overall (Exeter & Plymouth). Not sure what all the fuss has been about as I thought we were a bit lucky to win & a draw was a fairer result. Didn't get going for 20 mins & Southend could have been a couple up by then - Nile Ranger missed an easy chance after more messing around at the back. Kashi played too many short balls that gets the defence into trouble - he did the same at Plymouth in the first half when we nearly let one in & soon it will cause us letting one in.
Being 2-0 up seems to be a disaster for us & we took our foot off the pedal again, only to be saved by some poor finishing by Southend. If we do the same on Tuesday night I can see out first defeat at home.
I don't want to sound like a sour puss & really very pleased we won & are up to second, but its early days and as curbs once said - don't get too down after a defeat & too up after a win.
Holmes, Clarke & Pearce all played well, Fosu not so good & Da Silva was run ragged in the first half & their winger had him for toast. Not enough time to judge Dodoo but wish we had a bit more experience to come on with 10-15 mins to go than him & RFH.
I thought 2-1 was a fair reflection of the game. We seem to be going into a mental block at 2-0 up where we've let the opposition back in for the 3rd time already this season, but to be fair last season we would have drawn this 1-1 instead but at least we haven't drawn any games from a winning position this season yet.
Southend will be in the top half somewhere at the end of the season, we weren't at our best today but one thing i've noticed this team can do which i'm not sure i've seen any Charlton team ever do is be able to look like scoring every time we go forward and also be able to score quick goals in succession on a regular basis. 0-0 became 2-0 very quickly just like Oldham and just like the Northampton game went from 2-1 to 4-1 and Exeter we quickly turned around 0-1 to 2-1.
Pearce was immense and my MOTM today. I always say that usually defenders have had a good game when you don't notice them, well today it was the opposite and he was at the heart of everything winning every header. Magennis also deserves some credit for his defensive duties from corners where we do seem vulnerable.
Nothing more I can add about the other players but it feels with Marshall and Reeves still to come in we've got more in the tank yet I can't see us letting up just yet. Wigan will be a tough one and Gillingham will be up for our visit next Saturday, pretty much there cup final day and Scallywag would love nothing more than our scalp if nothing else this season so expect them to be up for it. I think after those two games we'll have a better idea how the season will shape up and if the players have it in them to get 4-6 pts out of those games, if we want to go up we need to be averaging 2+ pts a game, so far so good but it needs to continue.
Great game, great goals. Good atmosphere. Nothing to add to comments above.
The attendance should make those who think people will soon come back in numbers wake up and smell the coffee though. There were under 11,000 home supporters for a sixth straight home win. How many Tuesday night? Will the gate even make five figures? It may be a stretch if Wigan bring about 300.
Great game, great goals. Good atmosphere. Nothing to add to comments above.
The attendance should make those who think people will soon come back in numbers wake up and smell the coffee though. There were under 11,000 home supporters for a sixth straight home win. How many Tuesday night? Will the gate even make five figures? It may be a stretch if Wigan bring about 300.
if we carry on winning, then the attendances will pick up. Yes 6 straight wins, but if we go up this season I still think we will hit 13/14k easy come May.
Summer was productive, we look good. I hope the attendances follow as the owners deserve it at this moment in time.
Watched on the stream and the sparse population of the West Stand really stuck out.
Enjoyed the experience, even if the crowd noise was ten seconds behind the action in the second half.
Southend looked better than I thought they might and on the balance of play might have deserved a draw but in reality Amos hardly had a shot to save. Charlton did look dangerous in attack and had spells in the game that were as good as anything I've seen for a long time. Keep this up and we'll be up there at the end of the season.
Comments
We were certainly tested defensively and the back four stood up very well, especially Pearce, who appeared from nowhere in the first half to make an amazing block and prevent a clear strike on goal. One blot on an otherwise very good performance was giving Southend's central defender a free near post header for their goal. Amos made a reflex good save in the first half but looked shaky on crosses in the second.
Kashi had a quieter game by his standards, giving the ball away on a couple of occasions, but JFC was solid and Billy Clarke was excellent in all respects - quick feet, highly intelligent, able to pick a pass and tigerish when we were out of possession.
A decent side, Southend, but we were better and they were unable to cope with our purple patch in the second half. Their late goal induced a few nerves but I thought that we held on reasonably comfortably. Whilst it's still early days, we also seem to be acquiring some of the dark arts in terms of seeing games out. Allied to factors like the overall quality in the side, it's beginning to look like a winning combination.
If Played on the shoulder of the last defender he will cause them loads of issues as I doubt there is a defender in the league that could catch him
It's not changed
However as you saw today , when we need to retain the ball and he has his back to goal it doesn't stick , he doesn't jump well and his forward movement unless in a straight line is not good
Time will tell but I reckon I am right
My son absolutely loved being a mascot and wants to do it again next week.
Oh - and won £50 with Josh's goal
Being 2-0 up seems to be a disaster for us & we took our foot off the pedal again, only to be saved by some poor finishing by Southend. If we do the same on Tuesday night I can see out first defeat at home.
I don't want to sound like a sour puss & really very pleased we won & are up to second, but its early days and as curbs once said - don't get too down after a defeat & too up after a win.
Holmes, Clarke & Pearce all played well, Fosu not so good & Da Silva was run ragged in the first half & their winger had him for toast. Not enough time to judge Dodoo but wish we had a bit more experience to come on with 10-15 mins to go than him & RFH.
Southend will be in the top half somewhere at the end of the season, we weren't at our best today but one thing i've noticed this team can do which i'm not sure i've seen any Charlton team ever do is be able to look like scoring every time we go forward and also be able to score quick goals in succession on a regular basis. 0-0 became 2-0 very quickly just like Oldham and just like the Northampton game went from 2-1 to 4-1 and Exeter we quickly turned around 0-1 to 2-1.
Pearce was immense and my MOTM today. I always say that usually defenders have had a good game when you don't notice them, well today it was the opposite and he was at the heart of everything winning every header. Magennis also deserves some credit for his defensive duties from corners where we do seem vulnerable.
Nothing more I can add about the other players but it feels with Marshall and Reeves still to come in we've got more in the tank yet I can't see us letting up just yet. Wigan will be a tough one and Gillingham will be up for our visit next Saturday, pretty much there cup final day and Scallywag would love nothing more than our scalp if nothing else this season so expect them to be up for it. I think after those two games we'll have a better idea how the season will shape up and if the players have it in them to get 4-6 pts out of those games, if we want to go up we need to be averaging 2+ pts a game, so far so good but it needs to continue.
The attendance should make those who think people will soon come back in numbers wake up and smell the coffee though. There were under 11,000 home supporters for a sixth straight home win. How many Tuesday night? Will the gate even make five figures? It may be a stretch if Wigan bring about 300.
Summer was productive, we look good. I hope the attendances follow as the owners deserve it at this moment in time.
Enjoyed the experience, even if the crowd noise was ten seconds behind the action in the second half.
Southend looked better than I thought they might and on the balance of play might have deserved a draw but in reality Amos hardly had a shot to save. Charlton did look dangerous in attack and had spells in the game that were as good as anything I've seen for a long time. Keep this up and we'll be up there at the end of the season.