At the game. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on the Fylde Coast. Went to the same chippie as last season as Jim's Sports Bar was a bit loud for my liking. The increasing blue sky mixed well with this likeable ground and a good view was had from the side seating area. Charlton played it backwards for the first 13 minutes but in their first real foray they scored with a lovely cross from Ricky that gave Fosu a relatively easy header. Bloody annoyed with their equaliser. A poor clearance from Amos was the catalyst.. Then we had a lovely period of football culminating with Fosu's second goal. Although Fleetwood stepped it up in the second half, I always felt we were in control and I had a lovely view of Fosu completing his hat trick. Full marks for not going down when he could gone for a penalty. History was made this afternoon as we secured our first win at Highbury Stadium. With Reeves and Marshall coming in, we can be cautiously optimistic going forward.
(Watched on stream) Wasn't that impressed with Kashi if I'm honest, think he may need a rest. Sarr was absolutely immense, Konsa really impressed at right back and Holmes was excellent as per. Fosu obviously man of the match, really picked it up again in recent games; no coincidence, given he's now got some serious competition for his place. Fleetwood looked pretty abject, their goal came from a mistake from us and bar that they rarely looked dangerous. Going up there and winning is no mean feat, but it's so frustrating that we dropped points against Plymouth, Bury and Gillingham. It almost feels like we're making up for those games then pushing on, if you get what I mean. Still, roll on Doncaster, another very winnable match and hopefully we can really push on now.
Watched it on the feed. I thought the whole team played well. Fleetwood never really got into it especially as the game wore on. Was that us or was it because they just weren't very good?
Fosu - excellent. Sarr - immense at the back. A mention to Da Silva who I thought had a really good game. Everyone else put in a good shift and we didn't miss Solly. I thought Marshall looked a bit rusty when he came on but grew into the game and ended well. A good run out for him and I think he'll be an attacking force. I thought Reeves was bright from the minute he came on. Exciting that both of these two are available again. Now to keep them free of injury.
Overall I thought the team played really well and haven't seen that really since before the Wigan game.
It's a miracle...I've seen Charlton win away! Can't remember the last time
A very slow start to the game which had 0-0 written all over it until we took the lead. We then gave them a silly goal, which started from a poor Amos clearance. Other than that we were clearly better and well deserved the win.
Great hatrick by Fosu who has real potential, Konsa was excellent at RB much better than Solly has been this season, while Sarr was excellent on his comeback.
I suspect a passing team like Fleetwood were the perfect opponents for us, rather than a more physical hoofball team.
Do Pearce and Solly get back in if fit? Prefer the exra height myself.
in a word NO .. we need the height that Pearce and Solly lack .. and the pace of Sarr .. and today Sarr's passing from the back was right on the money .. Konsa was impressive in attack and defence .. the longer the game went on the better Sarr looked .. as with Fosu, this game could be the making of him .. I really hope so ... we will see !
Slightly pissed now but behaving myself as half the Charlton team are in the same carriage as me and my mate's. Jj is so down to earth and the players are all approachable really good day out.
A well deserved three points after briefly letting the Codarmy, who were not a patch on their team last season, back into the game. With Nabby Sarr named in the starting line up it meant a shuffle to RB for Konsa in place of the injured Solly. Bauer took the armband. Clarke started on the right of the three and Fosu on the left with Ricky roaming.. Kashi and JFC were in front of the back four but seemed to be playing further forward thereby closing space between them and the three.
After an opening 10 mins of keep ball sideways and backwards in which period Amos must have had as many touches with his feet as any outfield player we went down their right and scored after a neat piece of work and delicious cross by Holmes which Fosu stuck away in our first real attack 1-0 to the Londoners.
I couldn't see Fleetwood getting a foothold until 20 mins when Amos was again asked to start the move but his weak chip 25 yards down the middle to JFC I think who had his pocket picked allowed the oppo back in the game as they greatfully accepted our charity. Sometimes, just sometimes I wish we would just stick a boot through the kin ball
Fleetwood then had their best spell of the match and we looked a bit shocked that they had the audacity to score and then put us under pressure. Amos redeemed himself during this spell by turning behind a vicious swerving shot which could have added insult to injury.
Storm weathered we regained the lead on 40 mins again through that man Fosu after some neat interchanges he decided to cut in from the right side of the box switched the ball onto his left and powered one at the keeper which he couldn't do much about 2-1 to the Londoners. We could have seen the half out but no we continued to strutt our stuff, HT2-1.
Two subs for the 2nd period and no doubt an ear bashing from their 'football Meister', as Herr Rossler is described in one of the home end flags, to try and salvage something for the fish shop favourites. Fair play to Rossler he never adopted Sherridan's tactics at Oldham by trying to kick us off the park.
There was only going to be one winner today though and that all important 3rd goal came after some good work by Da Silva which Fosu latched onto and bore down in the inside left channel timing his hop to perfection to avoid a sything lunge by their skipper Pond before caimly checking and slotting past the keeper for the perfect hat trick, header, left foot, right foot to give his critics something to chew over. He's a winger they have good days and bad days but his good days are well worth the admission fee and more! 3-1 to the Londoners.
We weren't a one man band though, Ricky was, well Ricky all over the place terrorising their defenders and nearly scoring another 30 yarder which warmed their keeper's fingers. Nabby Sarr was superb, drag backs, powerful headers and interceptions. Captain Bauer was assured and on his game. Konsa took time to impose himself passing sideways and backwards for most of the 1st half but second period was outstanding with tackles and foraging runs. Da silva combined well with Holmes and was aslo more influential 2nd period. Clarke was Clarke neat, tidy and creative but left the pitch on 50mins with an injury which may be due to the knock he was carrying. Josh worked hard but it was always going to be a struggle for him against their two big CBs. Both Kashi and JFC did the hod carrying and graft in front one the back four well and so all round a good team performance deserving of a return to the play off positions.
Now then, I keep bringing home three points up North (Oldham & Rotherham) it's about time you Cockeneys did your bit at the Valley COYRs
Credit where it is due, I really enjoyed watching that on the stream, as i did Northampton. Could not say that about any game last season. Fosu may not be the finished article but bloody hell a hat-trick like that is no flash in the pan either, especially given how the Reading fans rated him.
@SDAddick has it all covered with his review above, except that, their goal. What happened there? Somebody got turned too easily I think, and for a few minutes afterwards we were wobbling a bit. Well quite a lot, actually.Like I said at h-t there is still a soft centre somewhere in defence but I can't work out exactly where or what. But I am talking about this in the context of, are we good enough to go up, whereas last weekend I was starting to think my 8th place prediction was looking optimistic. There was as SDA said, a calmness and authority to our game today that we haven't seen before. I think Sarr had a lot to do with that.
So fair play to Robinson and all of them today , job well done, and playing exciting football too.
It's a good point on the goal. If you look at the build up it's a decent kick-out from Amos, then a miscontrol by JFC (not the easiest to control), then Kashi crowds the ball and gets a foot on it and it falls to a Fleetwood player who plays a ball into Hiwula (I think it was) but Patty gets a foot on it and it falls to Grant who slots home. It's hard to tell from the camera angle but Konsa might have been slow to recover.
@ForeverAddickted put it well in his ratings by saying it was no one's fault, and I agree with that. Oftentimes we want one player to blame for a goal, but I don't think it was any one person's fault. It was a sloppy goal to concede in that we let them swarm us so high up the pitch, but I think there was a bit of shit luck in it too. You will sometimes concede those when you play a possession-based game with players high up the pitch.
I think it looked especially bad because we've had a fair few of those "soft center" goals this season. And their only other chance of note was a ball played to Hiwula (I think) at the top of the box to put it high and wide. But as you said, I think Sarr brings an assurance to the backline, as does having Bauer back at right center back, and I don't think it's a coincidence that those opportunities dried up as the game went on.
At the game. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on the Fylde Coast. Went to the same chippie as last season as Jim's Sports Bar was a bit loud for my liking. The increasing blue sky mixed well with this likeable ground and a good view was had from the side seating area. Charlton played it backwards for the first 13 minutes but in their first real foray they scored with a lovely cross from Ricky that gave Fosu a relatively easy header. Bloody annoyed with their equaliser. A poor clearance from Amos was the catalyst.. Then we had a lovely period of football culminating with Fosu's second goal. Although Fleetwood stepped it up in the second half, I always felt we were in control and I had a lovely view of Fosu completing his hat trick. Full marks for not going down when he could gone for a penalty. History was made this afternoon as we secured our first win at Highbury Stadium. With Reeves and Marshall coming in, we can be cautiously optimistic going forward.
At the game. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on the Fylde Coast. Went to the same chippie as last season as Jim's Sports Bar was a bit loud for my liking. The increasing blue sky mixed well with this likeable ground and a good view was had from the side seating area. Charlton played it backwards for the first 13 minutes but in their first real foray they scored with a lovely cross from Ricky that gave Fosu a relatively easy header. Bloody annoyed with their equaliser. A poor clearance from Amos was the catalyst.. Then we had a lovely period of football culminating with Fosu's second goal. Although Fleetwood stepped it up in the second half, I always felt we were in control and I had a lovely view of Fosu completing his hat trick. Full marks for not going down when he could gone for a penalty. History was made this afternoon as we secured our first win at Highbury Stadium. With Reeves and Marshall coming in, we can be cautiously optimistic going forward.
Do Pearce and Solly get back in if fit? Prefer the exra height myself.
Pearce is due to be out 10 weeks, and Sarr won't be as good in every game as he was today. And as Dick Plumb says, we need them all (although I don't agree that our squad is that small given we have four good center backs to choose from).
But if Pearce was fit tomorrow, the answer for me is no.
The height is great, and Sarr won everything in the air today. But beyond that, his ability on the ball on his pace allows us to play with a much higher line. I don't think it's a coincidence that, in the two games since Pearce has been out, we've largely played with a higher line, with the exception of the second half at Walsall where we really let old bad habits and nerves creep in.
Sarr isn't rapid, and isn't even as quick as say a Konsa, but those long legs of his really eat up ground and he's quicker over five yards than he looks. In the last few games, especially against Wigan, teams were giving Pearce the freedom of The Valley when he had the ball at his feet because they knew he couldn't hurt them. With any combination of Bauer, Sarr, and Konsa that isn't true, all three can hurt you either by bringing the ball out, or with their passing. It makes a big difference.
As far as RB goes, there is the added height and pace of Konsa,, but also Konsa just looks so much better on the ball than Solly has for quite some time now. And his recovery pace is so important with our style of play. Solly is the captain and obviously a great club man, and I really hope this competition brings the best out of him, but it's Konsa's to lose for me.
One more thing on Fosu, I'd like to see if there are statistics on this, but I'd imagine he's one of the most fouled players in the league, and to his credit he hasn't been deterred despite some of the kickings he's gotten, home to Bury especially.
One more thing on Fosu, I'd like to see if there are statistics on this, but I'd imagine he's one of the most fouled players in the league, and to his credit he hasn't been deterred despite some of the kickings he's gotten, home to Bury especially.
Id be interested to see this too... If possible Id also like to see how many times he goes down as worried might have a diving habit - Probably got caught at one stage today which caused him to go down but felt it happened far too easily
One more thing on Fosu, I'd like to see if there are statistics on this, but I'd imagine he's one of the most fouled players in the league, and to his credit he hasn't been deterred despite some of the kickings he's gotten, home to Bury especially.
another reason why today was a very big one for him .. Referees who tend to be more lenient in the lower leagues (or perhaps they are just not so efficient) will now be very aware of Fosu and his skills and hopefully allow him greater protection and penalise his 'tormenters' .. Fosu is also a very brave player and it's often, ironically, his skill and trickery that lead to him getting fouled and kicked. As with Holmes at times he is just too quick and clever for his own 'good'
When KR's teams play like that they're a joy to watch, with a near-perfect balance between defence and attack. Everyone played well; the only blemish was the poor ball out from Amos that led to the goal, but he's been told to play out, and tried to do so. Had JFC's audacious flick counted, 4-1 would not have flattered us against a team we bettered in all departments.
Following recent results it would have been easy to buckle after their equaliser, when they smelt blood for five minutes, but everyone just got on unfussily with their job, apparently convinced they'd see their superiority pay dividends. Fosu will understandably make the headlines but for a performance laced with three away goals and some near misses, the contributions of the back four shouldn't go unmentioned. Above all, they just looked so assured, with Naby Sarr (don't laugh) probably the most eye-catching. Fleetwood are no mugs, but were made to look inadequate up front as time and again they lost their individual duels, both wide and through the centre.
The midfield was exactly as it should be, winning and maintaining possession whilst providing constant ammunition for the wingers to supply Josh. Rarely did the sustained possession lead to nothing. In short, this is the template to follow, but please with other options when it doesn't go as smoothly.
Well 20 points from 11 games, two under par thanks to Wigan in effect and/or only drawing with Bury!
I said I'd wait until 10 games in before formulating any opinions.
One thing I've observed is that everybody appears capable of beating everyone else and I don't see Shrewsbury sustaining their early pace and even Wigan might have a blip.
Given the above consistency of performance is going to be key this season and if we can keep our main players at the Club / injury free then we have a 50:50 chance of sneaking into the top 6 in my view.
As the Great Man used to say don't get too down in defeat or carried away with victory.
How did Marshall look pace wise after his injury given that pace is his main attribute?
Comments
Went to the same chippie as last season as Jim's Sports Bar was a bit loud for my liking. The increasing blue sky mixed well with this likeable ground and a good view was had from the side seating area.
Charlton played it backwards for the first 13 minutes but in their first real foray they scored with a lovely cross from Ricky that gave Fosu a relatively easy header.
Bloody annoyed with their equaliser. A poor clearance from Amos was the catalyst..
Then we had a lovely period of football culminating with Fosu's second goal.
Although Fleetwood stepped it up in the second half, I always felt we were in control and I had a lovely view of Fosu completing his hat trick. Full marks for not going down when he could gone for a penalty.
History was made this afternoon as we secured our first win at Highbury Stadium.
With Reeves and Marshall coming in, we can be cautiously optimistic going forward.
We were one of the last in L1 to get the highlights published, but here eventually are the goals.
Fosu - excellent. Sarr - immense at the back. A mention to Da Silva who I thought had a really good game. Everyone else put in a good shift and we didn't miss Solly. I thought Marshall looked a bit rusty when he came on but grew into the game and ended well. A good run out for him and I think he'll be an attacking force. I thought Reeves was bright from the minute he came on. Exciting that both of these two are available again. Now to keep them free of injury.
Overall I thought the team played really well and haven't seen that really since before the Wigan game.
3 point up North. Not bad!!
A very slow start to the game which had 0-0 written all over it until we took the lead. We then gave them a silly goal, which started from a poor Amos clearance. Other than that we were clearly better and well deserved the win.
Great hatrick by Fosu who has real potential, Konsa was excellent at RB much better than Solly has been this season, while Sarr was excellent on his comeback.
I suspect a passing team like Fleetwood were the perfect opponents for us, rather than a more physical hoofball team.
He's coming for you,
Tariq Fosu,
He's coming for you!
the longer the game went on the better Sarr looked .. as with Fosu, this game could be the making of him .. I really hope so ... we will see !
Jj is so down to earth and the players are all approachable really good day out.
Chim chimeny chim chimeny chim chim cheroo, who needs Lee Novak when we've got Fosu!
PWR
A well deserved three points after briefly letting the Codarmy, who were not a patch on their team last season, back into the game. With Nabby Sarr named in the starting line up it meant a shuffle to RB for Konsa in place of the injured Solly. Bauer took the armband. Clarke started on the right of the three and Fosu on the left with Ricky roaming.. Kashi and JFC were in front of the back four but seemed to be playing further forward thereby closing space between them and the three.
After an opening 10 mins of keep ball sideways and backwards in which period Amos must have had as many touches with his feet as any outfield player we went down their right and scored after a neat piece of work and delicious cross by Holmes which Fosu stuck away in our first real attack 1-0 to the Londoners.
I couldn't see Fleetwood getting a foothold until 20 mins when Amos was again asked to start the move but his weak chip 25 yards down the middle to JFC I think who had his pocket picked allowed the oppo back in the game as they greatfully accepted our charity. Sometimes, just sometimes I wish we would just stick a boot through the kin ball
Fleetwood then had their best spell of the match and we looked a bit shocked that they had the audacity to score and then put us under pressure. Amos redeemed himself during this spell by turning behind a vicious swerving shot which could have added insult to injury.
Storm weathered we regained the lead on 40 mins again through that man Fosu after some neat interchanges he decided to cut in from the right side of the box switched the ball onto his left and powered one at the keeper which he couldn't do much about 2-1 to the Londoners. We could have seen the half out but no we continued to strutt our stuff, HT2-1.
Two subs for the 2nd period and no doubt an ear bashing from their 'football Meister', as Herr Rossler is described in one of the home end flags, to try and salvage something for the fish shop favourites. Fair play to Rossler he never adopted Sherridan's tactics at Oldham by trying to kick us off the park.
There was only going to be one winner today though and that all important 3rd goal came after some good work by Da Silva which Fosu latched onto and bore down in the inside left channel timing his hop to perfection to avoid a sything lunge by their skipper Pond before caimly checking and slotting past the keeper for the perfect hat trick, header, left foot, right foot to give his critics something to chew over. He's a winger they have good days and bad days but his good days are well worth the admission fee and more! 3-1 to the Londoners.
We weren't a one man band though, Ricky was, well Ricky all over the place terrorising their defenders and nearly scoring another 30 yarder which warmed their keeper's fingers. Nabby Sarr was superb, drag backs, powerful headers and interceptions. Captain Bauer was assured and on his game. Konsa took time to impose himself passing sideways and backwards for most of the 1st half but second period was outstanding with tackles and foraging runs. Da silva combined well with Holmes and was aslo more influential 2nd period. Clarke was Clarke neat, tidy and creative but left the pitch on 50mins with an injury which may be due to the knock he was carrying. Josh worked hard but it was always going to be a struggle for him against their two big CBs. Both Kashi and JFC did the hod carrying and graft in front one the back four well and so all round a good team performance deserving of a return to the play off positions.
Now then, I keep bringing home three points up North (Oldham & Rotherham) it's about time you Cockeneys did your bit at the Valley COYRs
@ForeverAddickted put it well in his ratings by saying it was no one's fault, and I agree with that. Oftentimes we want one player to blame for a goal, but I don't think it was any one person's fault. It was a sloppy goal to concede in that we let them swarm us so high up the pitch, but I think there was a bit of shit luck in it too. You will sometimes concede those when you play a possession-based game with players high up the pitch.
I think it looked especially bad because we've had a fair few of those "soft center" goals this season. And their only other chance of note was a ball played to Hiwula (I think) at the top of the box to put it high and wide. But as you said, I think Sarr brings an assurance to the backline, as does having Bauer back at right center back, and I don't think it's a coincidence that those opportunities dried up as the game went on.
For the last 3 hours, I've had @AFKABartram 's daft "Fosu, Henry" (to the tune of 'Say You, Say Me') stuck in my head!
But if Pearce was fit tomorrow, the answer for me is no.
The height is great, and Sarr won everything in the air today. But beyond that, his ability on the ball on his pace allows us to play with a much higher line. I don't think it's a coincidence that, in the two games since Pearce has been out, we've largely played with a higher line, with the exception of the second half at Walsall where we really let old bad habits and nerves creep in.
Sarr isn't rapid, and isn't even as quick as say a Konsa, but those long legs of his really eat up ground and he's quicker over five yards than he looks. In the last few games, especially against Wigan, teams were giving Pearce the freedom of The Valley when he had the ball at his feet because they knew he couldn't hurt them. With any combination of Bauer, Sarr, and Konsa that isn't true, all three can hurt you either by bringing the ball out, or with their passing. It makes a big difference.
As far as RB goes, there is the added height and pace of Konsa,, but also Konsa just looks so much better on the ball than Solly has for quite some time now. And his recovery pace is so important with our style of play. Solly is the captain and obviously a great club man, and I really hope this competition brings the best out of him, but it's Konsa's to lose for me.
Fosu is also a very brave player and it's often, ironically, his skill and trickery that lead to him getting fouled and kicked. As with Holmes at times he is just too quick and clever for his own 'good'
Following recent results it would have been easy to buckle after their equaliser, when they smelt blood for five minutes, but everyone just got on unfussily with their job, apparently convinced they'd see their superiority pay dividends. Fosu will understandably make the headlines but for a performance laced with three away goals and some near misses, the contributions of the back four shouldn't go unmentioned. Above all, they just looked so assured, with Naby Sarr (don't laugh) probably the most eye-catching. Fleetwood are no mugs, but were made to look inadequate up front as time and again they lost their individual duels, both wide and through the centre.
The midfield was exactly as it should be, winning and maintaining possession whilst providing constant ammunition for the wingers to supply Josh. Rarely did the sustained possession lead to nothing. In short, this is the template to follow, but please with other options when it doesn't go as smoothly.
I said I'd wait until 10 games in before formulating any opinions.
One thing I've observed is that everybody appears capable of beating everyone else and I don't see Shrewsbury sustaining their early pace and even Wigan might have a blip.
Given the above consistency of performance is going to be key this season and if we can keep our main players at the Club / injury free then we have a 50:50 chance of sneaking into the top 6 in my view.
As the Great Man used to say don't get too down in defeat or carried away with victory.
How did Marshall look pace wise after his injury given that pace is his main attribute?