Until Leon Best's header in the last minute, in the entire second half we forced not a single save from the keeper.
Not once.
At home at The Valley, in a celebratory game, if you wish. Nothing to excite the Covered End. Holmes is our best player – you would expect carefully weighted passes in the channel to the box. Yet his are over-hit, straight out of play.
We have no finesse, no mutual understanding between one player and another. Magennis nods down in midfield – to a partner who is never there.
Portsmouth came out fighting in the second half, and swept us aside. We all know that our midfield is vacuous, our defence fragile, attack non-existent.
We are technically unable to pass from one to another. I have watched Charlton since 1965, and this is horrifying: our passes along the half-way line fly to Row Z. We rush forward on a break – yet the simplest pass is misplaced – our runner has to check to receive, stretching back to control the ball. It is lost.
It's gone! In that vital split-second our opponents seize possession, and surge forward. We defend like girls: plopping clearances to a midfield of nothing, a no-man's land. Clarke, Forster-Kaskey, Aribo are terrified of the ball itself. Reeves? Not for me, thanks.
Later, we have an attacking throw-in, 0-1 down, ten minutes to go, and no-one moves. Nothing, again. Our players stand around, 30 yards away, stunned as statues. Utterly stricken.
We are mentally and physically weak. That's why we play badly, got relegated and are hopeless again. These drips shuffle, sideways and backwards. And fail in game upon game. We have played without guts and conviction since August, against Northampton, long ago.
Killer was celebrated today, and Clive Mendonca, King Arthur, and Paddy Powell. And Jim Melrose – whom I saw score a hat-trick against Man City at Sell-Out Park. Paul Walsh, Paul Williams. These are are our beautiful, tough, aggressive, intelligent and heroic strikers.
Meanwhile, as usual, in the 45 minutes against the Covered End yesterday we did not have a single accurate shot on goal.
Our players have failed our heroes. What on earth are they doing?
For once I agree with your synopsis. We don't take enough risks at home, other teams in the division have sussed it and we have become very easy to defend against.
Changing our style of play is not an option any more, it's mandatory.
If KR hasn’t got the players available or fit enough to play his front foot style he must think how best to play with the ones he can call on. Mix it up and at least mess the opponents game plan. I’m no tactician and don’t have the answer, but predictability is our biggest weakness. Player for player we more than match most of our opponents. How would Pompey have coped if KHG and Best pushed against their back four and Holmes used his pace to create space for others rather than space Pompey didn’t have to defend.
No one seems to be moaning about the award of the penalty. From my excellent view from the east stand near the Pompey mugs, the ball seemed to be clearing their players head by about 10ft so don't see how the ref could give it for a featherlight touch from Solly
I think he said that Solly pulled the bloke's shirt.
No one seems to be moaning about the award of the penalty. From my excellent view from the east stand near the Pompey mugs, the ball seemed to be clearing their players head by about 10ft so don't see how the ref could give it for a featherlight touch from Solly
I think he said that Solly pulled the bloke's shirt.
Soft penalty and had Holmes not been playing for fouls in the build up he may have got a penalty for us at the end.
If you wanted any extra evidence that the game meant f**k all to the players, they were on a train to Newcastle tonight on the piss up as if nothing had happened!
To them it is a job, for us it is an emotional attachment. I do not have a problem with them having a Christmas do.
However, ffs why did they not change into their own clothes and not advertising they played for us? To be honest if I was on that train I would have been mightily fed up with grown men singing and shouting disturbing the peace of the general public.
Less depressed now, but all I'd say today is Karl just needs to step up. He's a good motivator, and can get them playing good football (some short memories here), but to go to the next level he needs to understand that we're playing against another team, and need to adapt accordingly. It's a little arrogant to think we should just play the same system week in, week out. Other teams set up to deal with our now predictable style of play. Two players on Holmes, two on Marshall/Fosu, two big centre halves on Josh. Simple. Vary the system, have a plan for when it's not working, and implement that plan while there's still time.
And we need a better striker. We looked better with Best/KAG up front.
Until Leon Best's header in the last minute, in the entire second half we forced not a single save from the keeper.
Not once.
At home at The Valley, in a celebratory game, if you wish. Nothing to excite the Covered End. Holmes is our best player – you would expect carefully weighted passes in the channel to the box. Yet his are over-hit, straight out of play.
We have no finesse, no mutual understanding between one player and another. Magennis nods down in midfield – to a partner who is never there.
Portsmouth came out fighting in the second half, and swept us aside. We all know that our midfield is vacuous, our defence fragile, attack non-existent.
We are technically unable to pass from one to another. I have watched Charlton since 1965, and this is horrifying: our passes along the half-way line fly to Row Z. We rush forward on a break – yet the simplest pass is misplaced – our runner has to check to receive, stretching back to control the ball. It is lost.
It's gone! In that vital split-second our opponents seize possession, and surge forward. We defend like girls: plopping clearances to a midfield of nothing, a no-man's land. Clarke, Forster-Kaskey, Aribo are terrified of the ball itself. Reeves? Not for me, thanks.
Later, we have an attacking throw-in, 0-1 down, ten minutes to go, and no-one moves. Nothing, again. Our players stand around, 30 yards away, stunned as statues. Utterly stricken.
We are mentally and physically weak. That's why we play badly, got relegated and are hopeless again. These drips shuffle, sideways and backwards. And fail in game upon game. We have played without guts and conviction since August, against Northampton, long ago.
Killer was celebrated today, and Clive Mendonca, King Arthur, and Paddy Powell. And Jim Melrose – whom I saw score a hat-trick against Man City at Sell-Out Park. Paul Walsh, Paul Williams. These are are our beautiful, tough, aggressive, intelligent and heroic strikers.
Meanwhile, as usual, in the 45 minutes against the Covered End yesterday we did not have a single accurate shot on goal.
Our players have failed our heroes. What on earth are they doing?
He scored his hat trick against Everton not Man City.
In response to quite a lot of comments, I thought Marshall did okay today particularly in the second half and put in some good crosses on his right and left and consistently got the better of the left back (how did the linesman not give that foul?). Pissed off when Robinson took him off but then that is becoming one of his stock substitutions so not surprised.
Seems a bit like he only runs down the line and can't really get in on goal like Fosu does? Forgive me if that's wrong as I've only seen him a couple of times.
From what I've seen, that's Marshall's job ...... to be direct down the line and getting the crosses in.
But there's usually only Magennis in the box surrounded by 3 defenders - so the crosses come to nothing. The tactic needs another forward player in the box.
To be fair, Marshall does cut inside from time to time and we've scored a couple of goals in recent games from his shots being charged down, before being converted by team mates.
Suppose you might be right yeah. Just frustrating when Josh isn't winning any headers.
But a big reason why he isn't winning those headers is that he's double or even triple marked. Just one other player working in and around Josh would draw defenders away from Josh, provide an additional target for crosses and pick up knock downs/loose balls.
Presently, there's often too big a gap between Magennis and our attacking midfielders - and Magennis gets isolated.
Absolutely - note when Best came on how things started to change. Look how he is played for Northern Ireland - as a winger, who joins the man up front later in the game.
The reality is that we have played pretty but largely ineffective football. Better managers / teams have worked (us) Robinson out. It doesn’t work mostly as evidenced by losing to a distinctly average team like Pompey. That we only had one effort on target speaks volumes. Our manager decided not to start KAG the man in form over Josh who as ever played the full game! Robinson says what he thinks fans want to hear, talks about passion etc to cover his shortcomings. This squad should be top two. I wonder if Robinson would have Shrewsbury, Bradford or Scunthorpe where they are? I suspect not.
Again, it was a very predictable, dull, uninspiring and disjointed performance - they are becoming very regular. We clearly have very good technical players who can pass the ball to each other, probably one of the best teams in this division - however, the key word is team. We play in a lop-sided manner, in playing with 2 wingers it means we are effectively playing with 10 men ( although, with the way Magennis is playing, its more like 9 and a half).The sides who are beating us are disciplined, well drilled *teams* who play and hunt in packs, whereas we might as well be coached by Fraeye - 'spread out, pass the ball to each other a lot in midfield,see how far we can get upfield, then give it to Ricky and hope' Virtually every game i've watched this season has panned out exactly the same way.
Not yet seen the train footage as I can't seem to open them on my phone, but is JFC with them as it seems from his tweet that he's not best pleased & is having a pop. Totally disgusted at the way the players are drinking in uniform & look like they are on a booze cruise. The fans deserve success but the players don't deserve promotion.
It is fairly clear that other League 1 sides have now worked out how to play Charlton:
Get in their faces Load the midfield Keep the wingers out wide Isolate the striker Attack them on set pieces Move the ball quickly in front of goal - one of the centre backs will dive in
Time for Plan B Robinson (and then Plan C and D etc - and my advice is to keep them quiet)
Cannot understand why KAG did not start,3 goals in 3 games his confidence would be high,but to only get 20 minutes or so was mystifying.We had so many corners and free kicks,,surely it was worth giving Jacko 15 mins .No one else was going to score from a set play,and I am sure he would have been well up for it.
We have good individual players, but we always seem to be reacting to pressure from the opposition in the same way - we need the teamwork and coaching to do something differently from time to time.
We lost, so what, I’ve had a fucking good day out and that’s what counts. Just one thing KR, let’s have lots of shots...
Yes, you having a good day is what counts....Jesus wept
If you don’t understand that the you really shouldn’t be supporting a team like Charlton. Get yourself a season ticket to Man Utd...real football teams will never win every game so you have to learn to enjoy the day as well
I have supported Charlton for fifty six years and I have never enjoyed the day when we have lost. It spoils my Weekend.
If you wanted any extra evidence that the game meant f**k all to the players, they were on a train to Newcastle tonight on the piss up as if nothing had happened!
To them it is a job, for us it is an emotional attachment. I do not have a problem with them having a Christmas do.
However, ffs why did they not change into their own clothes and not advertising they played for us? To be honest if I was on that train I would have been mightily fed up with grown men singing and shouting disturbing the peace of the general public.
After we get beat at Blackburn KR will be trotting out excuses saying the lads are tired and exhausted. If this clip is genuine what the fuck are they doing slapping off to Newcastle for a piss up.
If you wanted any extra evidence that the game meant f**k all to the players, they were on a train to Newcastle tonight on the piss up as if nothing had happened!
To them it is a job, for us it is an emotional attachment. I do not have a problem with them having a Christmas do.
However, ffs why did they not change into their own clothes and not advertising they played for us? To be honest if I was on that train I would have been mightily fed up with grown men singing and shouting disturbing the peace of the general public.
After we get beat at Blackburn KR will be trotting out excuses saying the lads are tired and exhausted. If this clip is genuine what the fuck are they doing slapping off to Newcastle for a piss up.
What happened to recovery after a game.?
My money says that they do not report in for training on Monday morning.
Not yet seen the train footage as I can't seem to open them on my phone, but is JFC with them as it seems from his tweet that he's not best pleased & is having a pop. Totally disgusted at the way the players are drinking in uniform & look like they are on a booze cruise. The fans deserve success but the players don't deserve promotion.
Its not JFC who tweeted it, just someone using that name.
Just be grateful they didn’t go out for a meal with their other halves and take them toup the Oxo tower , imagine the crying from Charlton fans if they’d done anything that outrageous
Was never confident about yesterday. Big away support, all the celebrations, just had to be typical Charlton to put in a performance that would lead to a defeat.
Got sussed out by a experienced manager, and the reluctance to not change the formation near the end played right into their hands.
Nothing wrong with the personnel, just change the formation.
I don't understand why repeatedly pass the ball sideways and back around the center circle.
One bizarre moment yesterday when Sarr got the ball just inside our half, and 2 Pompey players backed-off wide, one each side to anticipate Sarr passing to either wing - leaving a 15 yard space in front of him.
He could have used this space to go forward and draw players back towards him before delivering a forward pass - but NO., he turned around and gave it to the player behind him. Almost as if our players are under instruction NOT to play probing/attacking football in the middle of the pitch.
So......usually the ball ends up back with Amos, who launches an upfield kick which Magennis gets nowhere near - and possession is lost. When in midfield possession, we might as well just kick the ball towards their corner flag and let them have possession back.
Very negative and unattractive play from Charlton at times, which I think displays and underlying lack of team confidence.
Was never confident about yesterday. Big away support, all the celebrations, just had to be typical Charlton to put in a performance that would lead to a defeat.
Got sussed out by a experienced manager, and the reluctance to not change the formation near the end played right into their hands.
Nothing wrong with the personnel, just change the formation.
Double negative. If Karl was "reluctant" "not" to change that means he did want to change it. It should say "reluctant to change it".
Was never confident about yesterday. Big away support, all the celebrations, just had to be typical Charlton to put in a performance that would lead to a defeat.
Got sussed out by a experienced manager, and the reluctance to not change the formation near the end played right into their hands.
Nothing wrong with the personnel, just change the formation.
Double negative. If Karl was "reluctant" "not" to change that means he did want to change it. It should say "reluctant to change it".
Comments
Changing our style of play is not an option any more, it's mandatory.
However, ffs why did they not change into their own clothes and not advertising they played for us? To be honest if I was on that train I would have been mightily fed up with grown men singing and shouting disturbing the peace of the general public.
Vary the system, have a plan for when it's not working, and implement that plan while there's still time.
And we need a better striker. We looked better with Best/KAG up front.
We clearly have very good technical players who can pass the ball to each other, probably one of the best teams in this division - however, the key word is team. We play in a lop-sided manner, in playing with 2 wingers it means we are effectively playing with 10 men ( although, with the way Magennis is playing, its more like 9 and a half).The sides who are beating us are disciplined, well drilled *teams* who play and hunt in packs, whereas we might as well be coached by Fraeye - 'spread out, pass the ball to each other a lot in midfield,see how far we can get upfield, then give it to Ricky and hope'
Virtually every game i've watched this season has panned out exactly the same way.
Get in their faces
Load the midfield
Keep the wingers out wide
Isolate the striker
Attack them on set pieces
Move the ball quickly in front of goal - one of the centre backs will dive in
Time for Plan B Robinson (and then Plan C and D etc - and my advice is to keep them quiet)
Amos: 5 appalling distribution.
Wow! Just wow! According to this person, his distribution far outweighs one of the best penalty saves I've ever seen...
What happened to recovery after a game.?
I suppose Robinson was on the later train as he had post match interviews to attend.
It just gets worse.
Got sussed out by a experienced manager, and the reluctance to not change the formation near the end played right into their hands.
Nothing wrong with the personnel, just change the formation.
One bizarre moment yesterday when Sarr got the ball just inside our half, and 2 Pompey players backed-off wide, one each side to anticipate Sarr passing to either wing - leaving a 15 yard space in front of him.
He could have used this space to go forward and draw players back towards him before delivering a forward pass - but NO., he turned around and gave it to the player behind him.
Almost as if our players are under instruction NOT to play probing/attacking football in the middle of the pitch.
So......usually the ball ends up back with Amos, who launches an upfield kick which Magennis gets nowhere near - and possession is lost.
When in midfield possession, we might as well just kick the ball towards their corner flag and let them have possession back.
Very negative and unattractive play from Charlton at times, which I think displays and underlying lack of team confidence.