Tremendous. We looked rock n roll last 20 minutes.
They are a good side make no mistake about it.
The difference when Reeves went off was tangible. The speed and athleticism of Fosu makes him such a threat.
*Lennon will get pelters on here from sum but for those who didn’t see the game know that the lad didnt hide. He continually wanted the ball and threw himself at everything. I like him.
No they’re not, they’re 16th in league 1
They're probably a better side than 16th position suggests. It's a very tight mid-table. Maybe under achieving?
They did have us rattled for a while, looked good going forward, even struck the bar and for a while made Amos work for his wages. Even after letting in 3 today, their GD is only -4.
They hit the bar because of some awful defending on our end that let them through on goal.
Walsall didn't strike me as a team that good to be honest. Better than some that have been sown here this season, but nothing that we should be too threatened by.
We could have had 6 or 7. Very pleased with Mavadidi. Seems another great player produced by Arsenal.
Until the last part of the game, I wasn't comfortable as our defence wasn't great. Again far too much slow sideways and backwards passing.
MOM was Oztumer in my opinion. Great little player. How he was allowed to head in that goal I have no idea.
Overall, pleased with the amount of chances we created but bloody hell we need more composure! We're not out of the woods yet but a 3rd straight win and can't moan about that.
Would definitely say that Walsall are more in a tight position rather than under achieving - they looked a good side... thought with 15mins to go their 'keeper would earn them a deserved point as he made some cracking saves - I also liked the look of Bakayoko up front for them, was big, strong and fast... Oztumer was the sort of player who'd be great for us (But where do you play him when Clarke is fit?)
Their goal too was very fortunate... One of those that could go anywhere after hitting the post yet sadly hit Amos on the back and went in.
As for Charlton it was probably our best performance since the game against MK Dons; Amos made some good saves and Solly did well considering he took a yellow card for the team after a poor pass!!... Mavididi did really well and cant remember the last time Magennis played like that (Should have had a hat-trick).
Result certainly changed when Fosu came on and we terrorised them with our pace... Wouldnt mind seeing a front three of Fosu / Mavididi / Ahearne-Grant as reckon their pace would terrify teams.
Looks as though results around us went out way too with both Bradford and Scunthorpe losing... the Play-Offs which looked gone a few games ago seem to appearing once more
Mavididididididididdididi absolute quality. Aribo absolute quality. Pleased with Marshall today thought he looked a lot more interested. Reeves wasn't much today.
All in all very pleased with today. The song " I'm into something good " sums today up well
Terrific game I thought and high quality for this division.
Roberts and Oztumer were excellent for Walsall but Fosu, Malvididi and Dasilva were excellent for us too.
Only negatives were Aribo hiding again making us effectively a ten man side in the second half and Lennon's mistake (he otherwise had a good game). Solly didn't look himself either.
I enjoyed the match...Loads of chances and with decent strikers it should been a lot more goals. But a win is a win and 3 points. All we need now is for the take over to happen.
Agreed about Oztumer. He wasn’t their only decent player.
I love football. I love this forum. But people scoring Reeves higher than Marshall??? I’m trying to give Reeves the benefit of the doubt but I don’t think he is good enough. You can’t be a professional football just because every now and then you do a Cruyff turn.
A deserved win against a decent side who gave us a few problems.
Defensively we looked shakey. Lennon and Konsa were often trying to slow the game down too much and got caught out.
2nd half and we go 442 and we looked so much better, create more and have more urgency.
In a large part that was down to Fosu-Henry but the formation also means Mavididi down the middle where he is much more of a threat. Second CAFC goal was clearly an OG but we couldn't score ourselves. Mag in particular was guilty but others were also off target.
Reeves still no convincing even if he lives in the next road to me I hear. So much better without him even if he did play a couple of good passes.
Closing the gap on 5th and on a good run but need Pearce back and either a new centre forward or the old Mag back.
A few "We want Roland Out" chants but somehow we still won, amazing.
Had Aribo for first goal in my bet so happy about that
Looked like we went 4-4-2 when Fosu came on and this changed the game completely.
We must play somebody up with Josh and Mavididi fits the roll perfectly. Fosu was outstanding for his 40 minutes and it really showed how much we missed him. Josh really needs a goal.
Aribo looked comfortable and Marshall had a better second half. My problem with him is that he doesn't deliver quickly enough and seems to want to beat another player when early delivery would prove more effective.
We need one of our experienced centre backs back before we play a top team.
Onwards and upwards oh and by the way fuck off Roland.
Best performance in weeks, especially that second half. Could have been 5 or 6 but for the woodwork and a goulmouth scramble.
Stephy Mavididi is a very fun player to watch. Always looks dangerous.
For those saying Fosu changed the game, I agree to some extent. But some of that was, with him on, they could no longer double up on Stephy, and it was the latter who really changed the game in my opinion.
Joe Aribo was very good. Both lovely with the ball at his feet, but more and more he's getting stuck in, doing the little things like winning the ball back and covering a lot of ground. Feel like he's matured a lot in the last month alone. He's still raw, but he looks something special. Really well taken goal, and he seems to score important goals. It was also his header that lead to the goalmouth scramble.
Maybe I'll get stick for this but I thought Josh was good today. He dropped deep, linked up play, often brought the ball down and brought others in to play. The 1-v-1 miss was bad but we've missed a lot of those (can't think of two from Marshall) this season. When he dropped deep he created space for Stephy and later Fosu in behind him, which really helped, and meant that they couldn't double up on him. The corner where he hit the inside of the post was him turning his man and winning a corner from nothing. When you're in a bad run of form they don't go in, but he worked hard and if he does that week-in, week out he'll get his goal. Having some talented, pacey players behind him again also really helps.
To his credit, and I'm not a fan, Lennon didn't hide. His passing was absolutely woeful at times. Their goal started with him lumping it to no one despite being in about ten yards of space, then not picking up Oztumer in the box when the cross came in. Had an absolutely torrid ten minutes which continued after halftime when he gave the ball away needlessly and nearly let them in (they hit the woodwork). His head dropped, but he carried on and ended up making two or three really good challenges at the end. Still desperately need Sarr and Bauer back, but for someone who has been out for a year, credit to him for stepping in.
For those knocking Reeves, he started very well playing through the middle, and when he moved out wide to play a more "defensive winger" role he went missing. Thought Marshall was lucky not to be taken off but to his credit he covers a lot of ground with his pace, even if his delivery is often poor.
Konsa and DaSilva very good again. As per. Couple key saves from Amos.
All-in-all a good day and all of a sudden we're in a good run of form. Credit to Robinson, the last few weeks cannot have been easy, but he's gotten three wins and three solid performances out of this team.
When the smallest player on the pitch scores with a nice header that tickles in off the inside of Ben's left hand post (it was a good goal) to equalise in the first half, you could be forgiven for thinking here we go again, however the old cliche was writ large today because it was certainly a game of two halves. In the first half we lacked adventure, finagled a lead, and then nearly broke the crossbar to double it before a decent enough Walsall side equalised. It was fitting that Oztumer scored for them, he played pretty well throughout, a good footballing brain and a pain in the arse to play against, and on the showing today a better footballer than Ben Reeves. However it was Aribo who did the first half finagleing, and wove what is becoming a bit of a trademark close control thing in the area which led to Mavididi to smash it against the crossbar. Amongst a lot of good to very very good performances today Joe Aribo gets my MoM because he had the goal to his name. In the game of two halves scenario, well it was the introduction of Fosu that changed everything. Was he as good as that before he missed the last 12 games, because I thought he was unplayable and unstoppable today, and would have given any defence a nightmare. Fosu arrived, and sparked Dasilva, Aribo, Mavididi to really go at Walsall, Marshall chipped in (much better left foot than I gave him credit for), and dear Magennis was more effective than he has been as the target man. Marshall and Magennis had gilt edged chances to score today, but they were not languid in their misses, just not good enough in their finishing...one thunderbolt 'shot' from Marshall morphed immediately into a fierce cross field pass! Amos made a couple of good saves, Kashi I thought was a team mates dream, although he had one first half pass that was, errrrr, questionable. Mind you Lennon nearly lost the game for us before our second goal, a severe blot on his average performance today, I think it may have been Konsa with the saving tackle...not really sure. Oh and Solly was Solly and all the better for that. A very welcome win indeed, and Robinson is correct to say that a full strength Charlton is a force to be reckoned with, but of course football doesn't work that way, but the game was generally very enjoyable. As was Mrs Ashburtons lemon drizzle cake, the best lemony bit is on the outside of it, and the authentic Seth Plum home made bread pudding went down well with those around me at half time.
- Fosu is the absolute key to our season now. We looked aeons better in attack with him on the field. He can beat a man and caused endless problems.
- People will remember Magennis for that admittedly horrible one on one miss, but my word he made it difficult for their centre backs (especially the bloke who ended up scoring the OG). He needs a goal, desperately. He also probably needs a rest - but who replaces him?
- Kashi was understated and played really well. Couple of great blocks in the second half in particular. Aribo alongside was also instrumental.
- Marshall was willing. Don't think the defence liked playing against him much. Should have buried that chance though - as bad a miss as Magennis' miss.
- Reeves is immensely frustrating. He did a couple of excellent bits of skill, but he's clearly used to being the focal point and now he isn't, it's a bit off-putting for him.
- Mavididi has a something that players literally cannot defend against and that is his ridiculous acceleration over around 20 yards. Coupled with skill and confidence, and we have a real player on our hands! Played very well today.
- KAG/JJ not on for long enough to say much about.
- Amos... Well, he couldn't do anything about their goal, and otherwise was basically a passenger, except for one good reflex save second half.
- Lennon made up for the horrendous mistake with a couple of crucial blocks when they got round the back of us. Konsa was good - think their striker (Bakayoko) caused him a few problems, but he managed it well.
- Solly good; Dasilva great. One thing I will say is how Solly manages his game - he was still energetic at the end, and that's very smart. Dasilva is just class.
--------------------------
- Robbo has his attack the way he likes it. We play MUCH better as a team without Ricky Holmes, too. We should've scored about 2 more goals at least.
- Nice to hear We Want Roland Out!
- We have a genuine chance if we can maintain attacking like that for the rest of the season.
Magennis should think about becoming a rugby player because he's no footballer,that 1 on 1 miss when he shot straight at the keeper was dreadful. Fosu was fantastic when he came on, if he keeps playing like that, then Ricky who?. Mavididi.. good, a touch greedy, from where I was sitting both those goals looked like own goals to me, but I like him. Marshall wasn't amazing but played his best match I've seen so far. I was soaking wet, and freezing cold, but thank God it was worth it. Full credit to Robinson for getting results with all this takeover business going on. Play offs are a definite possibility.
Or more likely, if he keeps playing like that..........then he'll be sold as well.
Enjoyable afternoon. Little beats leaving the Valley after a strong second half and a win.
Defensively we remain shaky and Konsa / Lennon is just not currently a good enough partnership, the latter in particular is struggling.
Good to have Solly back and him and Dasilva give us a really good shape. Don’t think dasilva ever has a bad game.
Milvididi is too good for this level and destroyed that Terrance Trent Darby / Wolf from Gladiators hybrid all afternoon. Poor Josh can’t cant get that goal :-( really feel for him but his work rate and contribution remained good imo
Though the crowd were far too impatient in first half. Thankfully we got the goal when we did and settled it down, but didn’t think it was particularly helpful and may have got worse had that goal not come.
Gutted we have let the automatics get out of reach as there is the potential there to have a strong finish
Disappointed that I could not make the match after my delayed flight.
It’s a great feeling winning and playing well. Especially, enjoy looking forward to ever Charlton match. Let’s catch Bradford first and then see what happens after that.
Comments
Walsall didn't strike me as a team that good to be honest. Better than some that have been sown here this season, but nothing that we should be too threatened by.
Great second half
Fozzy totally changed the game when he came on - it was like having Garry Nelson back !
Good game for Aribo, Stephy and Da Silva.
Poor game for Reeves and Josh (as usual).
Very good ref too (for a change).
Until the last part of the game, I wasn't comfortable as our defence wasn't great. Again far too much slow sideways and backwards passing.
MOM was Oztumer in my opinion. Great little player. How he was allowed to head in that goal I have no idea.
Overall, pleased with the amount of chances we created but bloody hell we need more composure! We're not out of the woods yet but a 3rd straight win and can't moan about that.
Their goal too was very fortunate... One of those that could go anywhere after hitting the post yet sadly hit Amos on the back and went in.
As for Charlton it was probably our best performance since the game against MK Dons; Amos made some good saves and Solly did well considering he took a yellow card for the team after a poor pass!!... Mavididi did really well and cant remember the last time Magennis played like that (Should have had a hat-trick).
Result certainly changed when Fosu came on and we terrorised them with our pace... Wouldnt mind seeing a front three of Fosu / Mavididi / Ahearne-Grant as reckon their pace would terrify teams.
Looks as though results around us went out way too with both Bradford and Scunthorpe losing... the Play-Offs which looked gone a few games ago seem to appearing once more
All in all very pleased with today. The song " I'm into something good " sums today up well
Best player I have seen at the valley for a long time for us or anyone else.
And that's not a 'whyd we let him go comment' just didn't recognise his name as being with us
Difference in my opinion was Kashi letting the CHs pass the ball sideways and not getting involved by dropping to edge of box..
His tackling was very good today but his passing is still shite at times.
A better game from him
Roberts and Oztumer were excellent for Walsall but Fosu, Malvididi and Dasilva were excellent for us too.
Only negatives were Aribo hiding again making us effectively a ten man side in the second half and Lennon's mistake (he otherwise had a good game). Solly didn't look himself either.
We see to have got our mojo back a bit.
RolandOut!
I love football. I love this forum. But people scoring Reeves higher than Marshall??? I’m trying to give Reeves the benefit of the doubt but I don’t think he is good enough. You can’t be a professional football just because every now and then you do a Cruyff turn.
Defensively we looked shakey. Lennon and Konsa were often trying to slow the game down too much and got caught out.
2nd half and we go 442 and we looked so much better, create more and have more urgency.
In a large part that was down to Fosu-Henry but the formation also means Mavididi down the middle where he is much more of a threat. Second CAFC goal was clearly an OG but we couldn't score ourselves. Mag in particular was guilty but others were also off target.
Reeves still no convincing even if he lives in the next road to me I hear. So much better without him even if he did play a couple of good passes.
Closing the gap on 5th and on a good run but need Pearce back and either a new centre forward or the old Mag back.
A few "We want Roland Out" chants but somehow we still won, amazing.
Had Aribo for first goal in my bet so happy about that
Jay DeSilva is going to be a massive miss for us when he goes.
We must play somebody up with Josh and Mavididi fits the roll perfectly. Fosu was outstanding for his 40 minutes and it really showed how much we missed him. Josh really needs a goal.
Aribo looked comfortable and Marshall had a better second half. My problem with him is that he doesn't deliver quickly enough and seems to want to beat another player when early delivery would prove more effective.
We need one of our experienced centre backs back before we play a top team.
Onwards and upwards oh and by the way fuck off Roland.
We should have scored more - Magennis can't get a break at the moment. I thought he played okay today.
Defensively we need to tighten up.
Stephy Mavididi is a very fun player to watch. Always looks dangerous.
For those saying Fosu changed the game, I agree to some extent. But some of that was, with him on, they could no longer double up on Stephy, and it was the latter who really changed the game in my opinion.
Joe Aribo was very good. Both lovely with the ball at his feet, but more and more he's getting stuck in, doing the little things like winning the ball back and covering a lot of ground. Feel like he's matured a lot in the last month alone. He's still raw, but he looks something special. Really well taken goal, and he seems to score important goals. It was also his header that lead to the goalmouth scramble.
Maybe I'll get stick for this but I thought Josh was good today. He dropped deep, linked up play, often brought the ball down and brought others in to play. The 1-v-1 miss was bad but we've missed a lot of those (can't think of two from Marshall) this season. When he dropped deep he created space for Stephy and later Fosu in behind him, which really helped, and meant that they couldn't double up on him. The corner where he hit the inside of the post was him turning his man and winning a corner from nothing. When you're in a bad run of form they don't go in, but he worked hard and if he does that week-in, week out he'll get his goal. Having some talented, pacey players behind him again also really helps.
To his credit, and I'm not a fan, Lennon didn't hide. His passing was absolutely woeful at times. Their goal started with him lumping it to no one despite being in about ten yards of space, then not picking up Oztumer in the box when the cross came in. Had an absolutely torrid ten minutes which continued after halftime when he gave the ball away needlessly and nearly let them in (they hit the woodwork). His head dropped, but he carried on and ended up making two or three really good challenges at the end. Still desperately need Sarr and Bauer back, but for someone who has been out for a year, credit to him for stepping in.
For those knocking Reeves, he started very well playing through the middle, and when he moved out wide to play a more "defensive winger" role he went missing. Thought Marshall was lucky not to be taken off but to his credit he covers a lot of ground with his pace, even if his delivery is often poor.
Konsa and DaSilva very good again. As per. Couple key saves from Amos.
All-in-all a good day and all of a sudden we're in a good run of form. Credit to Robinson, the last few weeks cannot have been easy, but he's gotten three wins and three solid performances out of this team.
E.g. He's gone up a level and he's spent 2.5 seasons with one club so is sticking to the same system etc.
When the smallest player on the pitch scores with a nice header that tickles in off the inside of Ben's left hand post (it was a good goal) to equalise in the first half, you could be forgiven for thinking here we go again, however the old cliche was writ large today because it was certainly a game of two halves.
In the first half we lacked adventure, finagled a lead, and then nearly broke the crossbar to double it before a decent enough Walsall side equalised. It was fitting that Oztumer scored for them, he played pretty well throughout, a good footballing brain and a pain in the arse to play against, and on the showing today a better footballer than Ben Reeves. However it was Aribo who did the first half finagleing, and wove what is becoming a bit of a trademark close control thing in the area which led to Mavididi to smash it against the crossbar. Amongst a lot of good to very very good performances today Joe Aribo gets my MoM because he had the goal to his name.
In the game of two halves scenario, well it was the introduction of Fosu that changed everything. Was he as good as that before he missed the last 12 games, because I thought he was unplayable and unstoppable today, and would have given any defence a nightmare. Fosu arrived, and sparked Dasilva, Aribo, Mavididi to really go at Walsall, Marshall chipped in (much better left foot than I gave him credit for), and dear Magennis was more effective than he has been as the target man. Marshall and Magennis had gilt edged chances to score today, but they were not languid in their misses, just not good enough in their finishing...one thunderbolt 'shot' from Marshall morphed immediately into a fierce cross field pass!
Amos made a couple of good saves, Kashi I thought was a team mates dream, although he had one first half pass that was, errrrr, questionable. Mind you Lennon nearly lost the game for us before our second goal, a severe blot on his average performance today, I think it may have been Konsa with the saving tackle...not really sure. Oh and Solly was Solly and all the better for that.
A very welcome win indeed, and Robinson is correct to say that a full strength Charlton is a force to be reckoned with, but of course football doesn't work that way, but the game was generally very enjoyable. As was Mrs Ashburtons lemon drizzle cake, the best lemony bit is on the outside of it, and the authentic Seth Plum home made bread pudding went down well with those around me at half time.
- Fosu is the absolute key to our season now. We looked aeons better in attack with him on the field. He can beat a man and caused endless problems.
- People will remember Magennis for that admittedly horrible one on one miss, but my word he made it difficult for their centre backs (especially the bloke who ended up scoring the OG). He needs a goal, desperately. He also probably needs a rest - but who replaces him?
- Kashi was understated and played really well. Couple of great blocks in the second half in particular. Aribo alongside was also instrumental.
- Marshall was willing. Don't think the defence liked playing against him much. Should have buried that chance though - as bad a miss as Magennis' miss.
- Reeves is immensely frustrating. He did a couple of excellent bits of skill, but he's clearly used to being the focal point and now he isn't, it's a bit off-putting for him.
- Mavididi has a something that players literally cannot defend against and that is his ridiculous acceleration over around 20 yards. Coupled with skill and confidence, and we have a real player on our hands! Played very well today.
- KAG/JJ not on for long enough to say much about.
- Amos... Well, he couldn't do anything about their goal, and otherwise was basically a passenger, except for one good reflex save second half.
- Lennon made up for the horrendous mistake with a couple of crucial blocks when they got round the back of us. Konsa was good - think their striker (Bakayoko) caused him a few problems, but he managed it well.
- Solly good; Dasilva great. One thing I will say is how Solly manages his game - he was still energetic at the end, and that's very smart. Dasilva is just class.
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- Robbo has his attack the way he likes it. We play MUCH better as a team without Ricky Holmes, too. We should've scored about 2 more goals at least.
- Nice to hear We Want Roland Out!
- We have a genuine chance if we can maintain attacking like that for the rest of the season.
COYR!
Defensively we remain shaky and Konsa / Lennon is just not currently a good enough partnership, the latter in particular is struggling.
Good to have Solly back and him and Dasilva give us a really good shape. Don’t think dasilva ever has a bad game.
Milvididi is too good for this level and destroyed that Terrance Trent Darby / Wolf from Gladiators hybrid all afternoon. Poor Josh can’t cant get that goal :-( really feel for him but his work rate and contribution remained good imo
Though the crowd were far too impatient in first half. Thankfully we got the goal when we did and settled it down, but didn’t think it was particularly helpful and may have got worse had that goal not come.
Gutted we have let the automatics get out of reach as there is the potential there to have a strong finish
The miss had it been KAG would have seen him crucified on here yet Josh was a menace with their Defence...
It’s a great feeling winning and playing well. Especially, enjoy looking forward to ever Charlton match. Let’s catch Bradford first and then see what happens after that.
COYR