On a further note it remains frustrating that everyone around us has a game in hand yet that looks to be wrapped up by mid-February
Although none of them appear to be that easy
As a break down
Portsmouth and Luton both have a game in hand on us: (Tues 29th Jan: Luton v Portsmouth) Sunderland have two games in hand (12th Feb: v Blackpool and 19th Feb v Gillingham both at home) Barnsley also have two games in hand (29th Jan v Oxford (A) and one other which hasnt been confirmed yet)
Have a feeling that Barnsley will get one of the automatic spots, they're a really good side.
Sunderland draw too many games and Maja looks like leaving. Luton i expect to drop off a bit now that Jones has gone. Portsmouth still have to play away to us, Luton and Sunderland and also could be distracted by still being in 2 cups.
So it's up to us to march on and nick the other promotion spot.
Barnsley: Do they have enough goals in them?
Interesting point, Forever.
I thought I'd have a look at the goals scored by the promotion chasing pack. Leading the way is:
Luton on 50 goals scored. Doncaster: 49 ..... (bloated by the fact they hit 5 past Rochdale last week, beaten by everybody recently). Peterborough: 47 Sunderland: 47 Charlton: 46 Pompey: 46 Barnsley: 43
Well, I reckon that's all much of a muchness, as far as goals scored.
As far as Barnsley are concerned, they've only got to give a struggling side a 4 goal beating and they've scored more goals than the League leaders ..... and they are well capable of that.
Dont create too much with all their passing though from what I've seen
i.e. It took two wonder goals to beat us at Oakwell (Steer had nothing else to do) and didnt threat us @ the Valley
They dont just have to beat those around them (Dont really have to win those at all if they can beat the others) but they do show signs of inconsistency
Phillips Solly. Sarr. Beilik. Page Cullen Aribo. Fosu Williams Grant. Taylor
Bench Maxwell, Bauer, Pearce, Lapslie, Morgan Purrington, Reeves
Bielik and Sarr may be a juicy notion for all the total football fans out there and I think both of them have a far higher potential career ceiling than our 'first-choice' pair, but I think Bauer should be in there (and let's not forget that Pearce, for all that his distribution is bad, can defend pretty well). Maybe Bielik in midfield, Cullen in Fosu's position? Cullen and Bielik are both unbelievable options for DM, better than anything else in this league by miles
We have scored more pens than anyone in the top 4 divisions. (according to Sky). The Nabster is playing at his best and Taylor is different class.
An amazing turnaround, was it 2 or 3 years ago when we had no penalties at all one season?
And in addition to that one season where we didn't earn one penalty, (think that was two seasons ago?) I think even last season we only had 2 or 3 tops if that!
Thing is we're playing the right kind of football to win penalties at this level by running at defenders inside the box and forcing them into a challenge. In Taylor and Grant we do have some very skilful pacey players for this level who are too good for the average lower league clogger and as such win penalties. It helps as well when we're leading games which allows us to hit teams on the break and win penalties. Compare this to Magennis playing up front on his own and it's clear to see why we weren't winning penalties and why we do now.
One thing that's becoming clear is that you absolutely cannot drop Sarr in the form he's in. We look like such a better footballing team when he plays. Pearce can come back when there's a horrible lives-on-the-line scrap in the offing. But we shouldn't be looking to scrap right now. We should be looking to dominate and despatch.
Very good result and if we can maintain this form we're looking at 82 points out of 46 matches.
However...In the last 4 seasons the average number of points required for a team to finish 2nd has been 89.5. Could we improve sufficiently to reach that? Or will Luton fade and Sunderland not come good?
Very good result and if we can maintain this form we're looking at 82 points out of 46 matches.
However...In the last 4 seasons the average number of points required for a team to finish 2nd has been 89.5. Could we improve sufficiently to reach that? Or will Luton fade and Sunderland not come good?
We have the squad to go on a run, I think. Teams that gave us a test earlier on (like Shrewsbury) will be tired, depleted and less motivated
Personally think it's very hard to see past Pompey and Sunderland for the top two. I'm picking ourselves, Barnsley, Luton and Peterborough for the play offs.
We will do very well to make up the points gap given we have played more games than any of our rivals.
You never know....
Last game of season for Sunderland is away to Sir Chris
Just skimmed through this thread and what I wanted to say about us has largely been said, so I'll talk about Shrewsbury.
I spent a lot of time thinking about just how brilliant Shrewsbury were at The Valley a year ago next month (24/2/18). They've fallen so far, having lost their manager and so many of the players. Only Bolton is left over from that team. They were brilliant. They just suffocated us. No one had stopped us playing like they did to that point. Godfrey was brilliant. Ogogo was brilliant. Whalley was brilliant. Beckles was dominant. They looked nailed on for promotion for me, and just seemed to really fall away because they had a small squad.
As an aside, I do think the league is weaker this season. No one has looked as good as Shrewsbury and Wigan looked at The Valley. It's hard for me to judge Blackburn because they weren't great at Ewood and they rested players at The Valley. But I think all three of those teams, and arguably Rotherham, were stronger than everyone bar maybe Portsmouth.
It makes is so important that we go up, for so many reasons obviously. But we're three points off Luton who just lost their manager who was such a huge part of their success. And while Luton look good, they don't look unstoppable. I could see Sunderland picking it up second half but we're two points behind. I do think Barnsley will be right amongst it as well.
I'm someone who has always been skeptical of automatic promotion. But looking at the table, and having played everyone, I am starting to think it's possible. Still not probable I would say. But for the first time I am at least considering the idea.
Also, if he continues at this rate, Naby Sarr will be playing in the Champions League AGAIN within a year.
How nice to see all these positive comments,hardly a mention of RD,long may it continue,lets forget all about him and get behind the team.Be great to see 15000 at the Valley on saturday.
Sorry t&t, but we did have a good rendition of 'just sell the club' at the end.
Breezy conditions, grey skies and a temperature of 9* greeted me as I parked up 10 minutes from the ground. Listening to BBC Radio Shropshire I learnt Williams was due to start as was Purrington with Maxwell on the bench. For the Shrews they had their old boy Edwards back. The former Wolves player however was also on the bench.
Both teams favour a diamond formation but it looked as if Bielik was dropping into a back three with Bauer centre and Sarr left early on with Solly and Purrington pushed on in a four man midfield with Williams working his magic just behind Taylor and Grant.
The home team weren't afraid to attack but they had little cutting edge. Having said that Phillips had to be alert to prevent a cert goal from a close range header with Purrington beaten in the air at the far stick. Dills fantastic reaction stop with his foot was as good as a goal at the other end which often gets overlooked. Our front two were up for it and their defenders knew it was going to be a tough afternoon as Taylor's powerful hold up play and Grant's pace created havoc. Williams was like a breath of fresh air with his quick feet, surging runs and threaded passes, hope Fosu can learn from him with his decision making.
G&T (Grant & Taylor) had been trying their luck and from one turbo boost by Grant his snap shot from 20 yards was just tipped round by Arnold. From the resultant corner by Morgan the ball seemed to glance off a head and onto the far post where Taylor tidied up 1-0 to the Londoners on 25 mins. Dills was again called into action and got down well to keep out a rasping shot inside his left hand post; HT 1-0
Second half no changes and with the wind at our back. How do I know this? because their keeper couldn't keep the ball on the island as he kept passing to the dugouts to his left to constant cries from the travelling faithful of DEANO, DEANO, DEANO . That all important second was the order at half time no doubt and we were very much in the ascendancy. Sure enough it came in the 55th minute and no other than that pantomime villain Darren Pratley was the scorer. After great hold up play from by Taylor from a cross by Williams, I think, he laid it off to Dazza to hit a right to left bender past the despairing dive of Arnold and into the onion bag 2-0 to the Londoners. How delighted Pratley was in front of his 'adoring' fans. Having doubled our lead, Lapslie almost immediately entered the fray to provide more energy and defensive cover for the tiring Morgan.
We should have been out of sight had Grant converted any of the three one on one chances he spurned and we had to wait until the 80th minute for him to finally break his duck. Having burst away from the half way line he was felled in the box and converted the chance he had created much to his obvious relief and delight. It appeared that Taylor gave him the ball and encouraged him to join him on the scoresheet. 3-0 to the Londoners.
Marshall came on for man of the match Williams, who had given his all and Dijksteel for Bielik, late on to preserve our prized assets.
The best team won today and were clear daylight better than last years play-off losers albeit their smaller line up from a changed personnel and Manager bears little resemblance. Well done to 500 plus addicks who were in fine voice. Fleetwood next up for me COYRs!
Harsh on Naby I know but if we are leading towards the end take Williams off for Naby to defend the lead, but personally thing BFG and Pearce are 1 of the greatest partnerships at Centre Back we have had
On a further note it remains frustrating that everyone around us has a game in hand yet that looks to be wrapped up by mid-February
Although none of them appear to be that easy
As a break down
Portsmouth and Luton both have a game in hand on us: (Tues 29th Jan: Luton v Portsmouth) Sunderland have two games in hand (12th Feb: v Blackpool and 19th Feb v Gillingham both at home) Barnsley also have two games in hand (29th Jan v Oxford (A) and one other which hasnt been confirmed yet)
Have a feeling that Barnsley will get one of the automatic spots, they're a really good side.
Sunderland draw too many games and Maja looks like leaving. Luton i expect to drop off a bit now that Jones has gone. Portsmouth still have to play away to us, Luton and Sunderland and also could be distracted by still being in 2 cups.
So it's up to us to march on and nick the other promotion spot.
Barnsley: Do they have enough goals in them?
Interesting point, Forever.
I thought I'd have a look at the goals scored by the promotion chasing pack. Leading the way is:
Luton on 50 goals scored. Doncaster: 49 ..... (bloated by the fact they hit 5 past Rochdale last week, beaten by everybody recently). Peterborough: 47 Sunderland: 47 Charlton: 46 Pompey: 46 Barnsley: 43
Well, I reckon that's all much of a muchness, as far as goals scored.
As far as Barnsley are concerned, they've only got to give a struggling side a 4 goal beating and they've scored more goals than the League leaders ..... and they are well capable of that.
Dont create too much with all their passing though from what I've seen
i.e. It took two wonder goals to beat us at Oakwell (Steer had nothing else to do) and didnt threat us @ the Valley
They dont just have to beat those around them (Dont really have to win those at all if they can beat the others) but they do show signs of inconsistency
Barnsley this season have already won 3 x League games by 4-0 ..... which is more than we've done yet.
That includes beating Peterborough 4-0 away and 2-0 at home.
Barnsley are not a team to be underestimated.
PS: I'll also add that there only a point behind us - so no more inconsistent than we are.
Other than Solly, Grant and Taylor, I'm not sure anyone is an automatic starter when everyone is fit. I highlight those 3 as Solly is clearly the first choice RB, and the 2 strikers are clearly our first choice. At CB we have 4 excellent options, while in midfield we have a glut of permutations.
Agreed, we have around 12 players who could play in a midfield 4. We now have finally have cover at left back and also have 3 CBs good enough to start. Even Solly is not a certainly, Dijksteel has progressed and I don’t think Solly has had a great season.
Just leaving Shrewsbury on the train now after a few post match ales. Great town, loads of good pubs in the centre and locals a lot more welcoming than I anticipated.
Onto the game, couple of crucial saves by Dillon first half, definitely playing for his shirt and worthy on todays performance.
KG could have put us clear within 10 minutes of the restart and on another day they would have gone in for him, excellent teamwork for him to be given the penalty.
Brilliant finish by Pratley to double the lead in between and though we were a little peeved at Johnny Williams being subbed after being so influential in driving forward, the subs came on without us skipping a beat in our dominance of the game.
Special mention for Naby Sarr, its noticable that he has gone from making a clanger every game to making a breathtaking tackle or pass every game, its turned him from 'being shite to now his allright' as the song goes (Copyright Mr L.Wilson 2011/12).
Peterboro up next...alles alles alles
And good to briefly chat to @blackpool72 on the train up.
Did not see the game , just followed the match thread and perused the players marks.
I'm getting really excited at the rave notices for Williams - hope he keeps fit; but i feel success of our season hangs on whether Lyle Taylor stays fit.
Pleased some of the " lesser " players got high marks and good reviews, meaning Phillips, the Nabster, and Pratley. If Phillips and Saar get a good run of games i feel confident they will improve even more.
LB correctly dropped Fosu to the bench imo, technically a very good player but his habit of beating his opo 2, or 3 times before losing the ball slows the game.
Did not see the game , just followed the match thread and perused the players marks.
I'm getting really excited at the rave notices for Williams - hope he keeps fit; but i feel success of our season hangs on whether Lyle Taylor stays fit.
Pleased some of the " lesser " players got high marks and good reviews, meaning Phillips, the Nabster, and Pratley. If Phillips and Saar get a good run of games i feel confident they will improve even more.
LB correctly dropped Fosu to the bench imo, technically a very good player but his habit of beating his opo 2, or 3 times before losing the ball slows the game.
Agree re Taylor.
Yeah Williams looks a class above. He's only going to get better when he's playing alongside better, more mature footballs like Cullen, Reeves, Fosu, Clarke, etc. Far too good for this level, and more robust than I anticipated. Just need to keep him fit.
One thing that's becoming clear is that you absolutely cannot drop Sarr in the form he's in. We look like such a better footballing team when he plays. Pearce can come back when there's a horrible lives-on-the-line scrap in the offing. But we shouldn't be looking to scrap right now. We should be looking to dominate and despatch.
Second this. The difference in our ability to build from the back between Coventry/Barnsley and Walsall/today is so stark. We absolutely couldn't get out of our own end in the former. And he's brilliant defensively as well.
Comments
i.e. It took two wonder goals to beat us at Oakwell (Steer had nothing else to do) and didnt threat us @ the Valley
They dont just have to beat those around them (Dont really have to win those at all if they can beat the others) but they do show signs of inconsistency
Thing is we're playing the right kind of football to win penalties at this level by running at defenders inside the box and forcing them into a challenge. In Taylor and Grant we do have some very skilful pacey players for this level who are too good for the average lower league clogger and as such win penalties. It helps as well when we're leading games which allows us to hit teams on the break and win penalties. Compare this to Magennis playing up front on his own and it's clear to see why we weren't winning penalties and why we do now.
Solly | Bauer | Pearce | Page
Cullen | Bielik | Aribo
Williams
Grant | Taylor
Would have Pearce over Sarr purely for his experience as thats a very young team else
At the moment would purely have Page over Purrington as havent seen enough of the latter same with Phillips / Maxwell
However...In the last 4 seasons the average number of points required for a team to finish 2nd has been 89.5. Could we improve sufficiently to reach that? Or will Luton fade and Sunderland not come good?
Last game of season for Sunderland is away to Sir Chris
It’s in the stars I tell ya!
(Had a few pints now....!)
I put Sarr first as I think he is technically better than Pearce now and does not drag players about like Pearce tends to do.
I would also not have Fosu in our best side based on this seasons performance.
I would have Sarr or Pearce LHS CD and Aribo Cullen and Beilik midfield.
Just skimmed through this thread and what I wanted to say about us has largely been said, so I'll talk about Shrewsbury.
I spent a lot of time thinking about just how brilliant Shrewsbury were at The Valley a year ago next month (24/2/18). They've fallen so far, having lost their manager and so many of the players. Only Bolton is left over from that team. They were brilliant. They just suffocated us. No one had stopped us playing like they did to that point. Godfrey was brilliant. Ogogo was brilliant. Whalley was brilliant. Beckles was dominant. They looked nailed on for promotion for me, and just seemed to really fall away because they had a small squad.
As an aside, I do think the league is weaker this season. No one has looked as good as Shrewsbury and Wigan looked at The Valley. It's hard for me to judge Blackburn because they weren't great at Ewood and they rested players at The Valley. But I think all three of those teams, and arguably Rotherham, were stronger than everyone bar maybe Portsmouth.
It makes is so important that we go up, for so many reasons obviously. But we're three points off Luton who just lost their manager who was such a huge part of their success. And while Luton look good, they don't look unstoppable. I could see Sunderland picking it up second half but we're two points behind. I do think Barnsley will be right amongst it as well.
I'm someone who has always been skeptical of automatic promotion. But looking at the table, and having played everyone, I am starting to think it's possible. Still not probable I would say. But for the first time I am at least considering the idea.
Also, if he continues at this rate, Naby Sarr will be playing in the Champions League AGAIN within a year.
Phillips or Maxwell
Solly Bauer Pearce Page
Reeves Cullen Aribo
Williams
Grant Taylor
Maxwell
Solly Bauer Pearce Page
Bielik
Cullen Aribo
Williams
Taylor Grant
Subs:
Phillips
Dijksteel, Sarr
Reeves, Clarke
Fosu, Igor
Purrington, Pratley, Lapslie, Marshall and Ajose completely the strong 23 man squad.
Don’t expect to see too much of Page or Igor. We have Purrington so bringing in another striker for Ajose would be the dream.
At the match;
Breezy conditions, grey skies and a temperature of 9* greeted me as I parked up 10 minutes from the ground. Listening to BBC Radio Shropshire I learnt Williams was due to start as was Purrington with Maxwell on the bench. For the Shrews they had their old boy Edwards back. The former Wolves player however was also on the bench.
Both teams favour a diamond formation but it looked as if Bielik was dropping into a back three with Bauer centre and Sarr left early on with Solly and Purrington pushed on in a four man midfield with Williams working his magic just behind Taylor and Grant.
The home team weren't afraid to attack but they had little cutting edge. Having said that Phillips had to be alert to prevent a cert goal from a close range header with Purrington beaten in the air at the far stick. Dills fantastic reaction stop with his foot was as good as a goal at the other end which often gets overlooked. Our front two were up for it and their defenders knew it was going to be a tough afternoon as Taylor's powerful hold up play and Grant's pace created havoc. Williams was like a breath of fresh air with his quick feet, surging runs and threaded passes, hope Fosu can learn from him with his decision making.
G&T (Grant & Taylor) had been trying their luck and from one turbo boost by Grant his snap shot from 20 yards was just tipped round by Arnold. From the resultant corner by Morgan the ball seemed to glance off a head and onto the far post where Taylor tidied up 1-0 to the Londoners on 25 mins. Dills was again called into action and got down well to keep out a rasping shot inside his left hand post; HT 1-0
Second half no changes and with the wind at our back. How do I know this? because their keeper couldn't keep the ball on the island as he kept passing to the dugouts to his left to constant cries from the travelling faithful of DEANO, DEANO, DEANO
We should have been out of sight had Grant converted any of the three one on one chances he spurned and we had to wait until the 80th minute for him to finally break his duck. Having burst away from the half way line he was felled in the box and converted the chance he had created much to his obvious relief and delight. It appeared that Taylor gave him the ball and encouraged him to join him on the scoresheet. 3-0 to the Londoners.
Marshall came on for man of the match Williams, who had given his all and Dijksteel for Bielik, late on to preserve our prized assets.
The best team won today and were clear daylight better than last years play-off losers albeit their smaller line up from a changed personnel and Manager bears little resemblance. Well done to 500 plus addicks who were in fine voice. Fleetwood next up for me COYRs!
That includes beating Peterborough 4-0 away and 2-0 at home.
Barnsley are not a team to be underestimated.
PS: I'll also add that there only a point behind us - so no more inconsistent than we are.
Onto the game, couple of crucial saves by Dillon first half, definitely playing for his shirt and worthy on todays performance.
KG could have put us clear within 10 minutes of the restart and on another day they would have gone in for him, excellent teamwork for him to be given the penalty.
Brilliant finish by Pratley to double the lead in between and though we were a little peeved at Johnny Williams being subbed after being so influential in driving forward, the subs came on without us skipping a beat in our dominance of the game.
Special mention for Naby Sarr, its noticable that he has gone from making a clanger every game to making a breathtaking tackle or pass every game, its turned him from 'being shite to now his allright' as the song goes (Copyright Mr L.Wilson 2011/12).
Peterboro up next...alles alles alles
And good to briefly chat to @blackpool72 on the train up.
I'm getting really excited at the rave notices for Williams - hope he keeps fit; but i feel success of our season hangs on whether Lyle Taylor stays fit.
Pleased some of the " lesser " players got high marks and good reviews, meaning Phillips, the Nabster, and Pratley.
If Phillips and Saar get a good run of games i feel confident they will improve even more.
LB correctly dropped Fosu to the bench imo, technically a very good player but his habit of beating his opo 2, or 3 times before losing the ball slows the game.
https://www.skysports.com/charlton-athletic
Yeah Williams looks a class above. He's only going to get better when he's playing alongside better, more mature footballs like Cullen, Reeves, Fosu, Clarke, etc. Far too good for this level, and more robust than I anticipated. Just need to keep him fit.
Another major plus was the fact we won whilst having left the likes of Fosu and Clarke on the bench with others to come back soon too!
Final point, Jonny Williams is an absolute class above! He was brilliant today!
Delighted to make my @CAFCofficial debut so soon. Great win and clean sheet! Travelling fans unreal 👏🏻
⚽️ 12 goals
🅰️ 6 assists
😎 Lyle Taylor is on the score-sheet again for @CAFCofficial.
⚡️ What a season he is having. #CAFC https://t.co/gWdeb370yF
Response from Lyle
7 assists, but who's counting @SkyBet