i think we need an athletic midfielder and a back up for chucks now in the window if there are only to be 2 more - chucks and schwarz are dangerous but i'd do what i could to offload smyth, washington and bogle -all 3 are inneffective but will have to play and weaken the team on saturday unless chucks can go again - ideally we want another pacey striker and a centre half as well
Great point, Washington’s 6 goals count for nothing when you look at it
Smyth at right wing back was probably the worst decision since Eddie Firmani played Mike Kenning full back and told him to mark Len Glover. Len tore him apart and we lost five nil at home to Leicester. Eddie was sacked the Monday after the game.
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
As expected Bowyer getting stick,but he has been poxed every way he turns. 1)Pratley or Watson plays we do not let those goals in,both out 2)Both first choice cb out 3)Shinnie out 4)And now pearce out next game
I will judge him when he has a full squad to pick from,lets be fair tonight,those Rochdale strikes where pretty special and unusual at this level.
We've won one game in eight and are shipping goals - a decent manager deals with injuries.
So is Klopp a bad manager`,Liverpool lose their cbs and others and all of a sudden they cannot win a raffle.
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
Or one at Wembley?
There was a home 4-4 against Millwall a few years back too. Looked like we were gonna actually win and they equalised right at the end...that's how I remember it anyway...
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
As expected Bowyer getting stick,but he has been poxed every way he turns. 1)Pratley or Watson plays we do not let those goals in,both out 2)Both first choice cb out 3)Shinnie out 4)And now pearce out next game
I will judge him when he has a full squad to pick from,lets be fair tonight,those Rochdale strikes where pretty special and unusual at this level.
We've won one game in eight and are shipping goals - a decent manager deals with injuries.
So is Klopp a bad manager`,Liverpool lose their cbs and others and all of a sudden they cannot win a raffle.
Not talking about Klopp. We're in L1 and LB has to manage injuries better than he does - if you think the run of results/performances are acceptable then you obviously have very low expectations.
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
Or one at Wembley?
Or the 4-4 v Millwall . or did i imagine that?
4 4 with Norwich in '97. Came back from 4 2 down that day too. And 4 4 with Luton in whatever the League Cup was called in 2003.
I’m 100% behind Bowyer. But I don’t quite know why Matthews, one of our best players last season and a total pro defender, can’t get a game in this creaking back line?
Bit of irony....we would not have conceded that free kick had Gilbey JUMPED out the way of making a reckless tackle.
Oh, that reminds me.
What the hell was that wall for the free kick? Amos clearly saw who'd be taking it (big number 9), how he lined up (straight on), and then set up a wall to invite the guy to absolutely leather it into the top corner, with a MASSIVE gap where neither he nor the wall was providing cover.
That was an atrocious bit of goalkeeping. If there had been a wall in the way, the trajectory meant it would have hit it, and if the wall was in the standard position (off-centre with the keeper to the other side), it would have forced a curled effort, which is harder to get right.
That said, good strike, and Amos has been generally pretty good this year, but... this was rubbish.
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
Got stuck in a poxy meeting so missed half of the second half, including both our goals. Certainly a topsy-turvy game. Some of our first half defending was atrocious, but we were also bloody unlucky with the quality of their shooting - 99 times out of a 100, no more than one of the three long range efforts goes in and most of the time none of them do. Poor defending for the other one, Smyth somewhat excused as no idea why he was playing wing back, but Gunter needs to do better stepping into the space behind Smyth.
We looked better as soon as we went to a 442. Everyone just looked more comfortable with their roles, even Gilbey who still was not great but did better.
The lesson from it is if we can get Williams, Chuks, Ronnie and Millar on the pitch together more often than not, we will create chances and score goals. The question is, can we build a solid enough base for them to work off of. Getting the 2 centre halves back will help, but what about midfield? The much maligned JFC has arguably been our best player through this run - he has his flaws but he's been one of the few regularly trying to take responsibility in matches and I thought he was good again tonight, but who do you pair him with? Gilbey looks a real dud to me - he doesn't seem to be good at anything, hopefully he can turn it around. Watson I like, but has he the legs to play in a central 2 I don't think so? Morgan, too inconsistent and we need some physicality in the sea of midgets. Pratley might be the one, but he's ancient. If we could find a Darren Pratley with 10 years less on the clock, it could make such a difference. In the absence of that I'm still leaning towards giving Lapslie one last chance before he's allowed to leave.
Gutted Chucks couldn't quite put the finishing touch on the that brilliant run by Millar - but well done to Millar for getting his head up and picking the right pass, and improvement on his over tendancy to shoot we saw on Friday. Also a pity Chuks chose to shoot when he could've slipped Ronnie in a little earlier, but hard to criticise him after such a strong allround performance.
Overall, second half I thought we looked like a cohesive unit and like we wanted it. I'll take that and a point. It's not quite stopping the rot Curbs style, but it's what I was hoping we'd see. Make no mistake though, we're going to play much better teams than Rochdale so we will need to improve further but it was a small sign we might be getting out of the doldrums.
As expected Bowyer getting stick,but he has been poxed every way he turns. 1)Pratley or Watson plays we do not let those goals in,both out 2)Both first choice cb out 3)Shinnie out 4)And now pearce out next game
I will judge him when he has a full squad to pick from,lets be fair tonight,those Rochdale strikes where pretty special and unusual at this level.
We've won one game in eight and are shipping goals - a decent manager deals with injuries.
So is Klopp a bad manager`,Liverpool lose their cbs and others and all of a sudden they cannot win a raffle.
Not talking about Klopp. We're in L1 and LB has to manage injuries better than he does - if you think the run of results/performances are acceptable then you obviously have very low expectations.
You said a decent manager deals with injuries,Klopp is a decent manager and has struggled with Liverpools injuries.Of course I dont like the recent results,but I stand by what I said,judge Bowyer when he has a fit squad.
The last time I can remember us drawing 4-4 was Burnley A @1976.
The second half said to me that I don't think Bowyer has lost the dressing room. If you're 2-4 down at HT to Rochdale and want the manager sacked, I can't see why you'd fight back to 4-4 and nearly win the game.
I have much sympathy for Bowyer re having lost half the team and only being able to replace them from what other clubs had left unsigned.
I also have a lot of sympathy for all the injuries (although do wonder why we get so many injuries in training).
But I do have an issue with how he is setting up the players he does have. I really don't believe good managers should be shipping 2 goals a game and 4 in the first half to Rochdale.
It wasn't down to luck, it was quite predictable when these players were given so much space.
Why was Smyth at right wing back instead of Matthews?
Why was Oshilaja the right footed centre half spending so much time in the first half on the left wing?
Gilbey gave Lund to much room and turned his back on the first.
Gunter didn't close their lad down & turned his back on the second.
I've forgotten the 3rd (or 2nd), but the 4th the "wall" was poorly set up and then moved out the way.
So at least 3 of their goals were aided by us getting out of the way, rather than blocking. Is that down to Bowyer or the players?
Amos could maybe have done better all round for the 4th. Gunter is looking dodgy, but will probably be CH on Saturday. Oshilaja was good (not sure about being on left wing) apart from one first half cock up. Pearce is looking very ropey. Maatsen is not looking reliable, whilst he puts in a lot of effort. Williams was ok. JFC played well, scored, but still made a couple of cock ups. Gilbey was ok Smyth showed flashes but doesn't contribute enough Aneke was excellent Millar was very good Schwartz looks like a player Morgan did ok and was better than Gilbey Washington had a chance but as so often went the wrong way, cutting outside instead of inside.
I was worried about relegation at half time and hoping for promotion on 80 mins. At FT I think we could end up anywhere between 2nd and 22nd.
You don't remember the 4-4 with westham with former addicks scoring all the goals?
Or one at Wembley?
Or the 4-4 v Millwall . or did i imagine that?
4 4 with Norwich in '97. Came back from 4 2 down that day too. And 4 4 with Luton in whatever the League Cup was called in 2003.
Jason Lee and Carl Leaburn both scored in the last few minutes. I remember the Sunday paper putting there career records up and the Norwich manager made some comment about how it was sods law.
PWR as waited to hear Bow's post match interview & Curbs' last comments. on VP
Feckin hell ! Not sure I can actually put something sensible down here so, a few thoughts from a very frazzled & emotional Fanny.
The Japanese neighbours will have been more confused than ever tonight .
Screams of anguish watching their first 2 goals go in, followed by shrieks of joy when super Chuks fired us back in it, repeat , repeat etc. But the biggest noise that set the dog cowering under the table was the great move that was sublimely finished by our Medium ( as opposed to Great) Dane. More of that, please, Ronnie !
Clearly, mistakes at the back are continuing to haunt & hurt us. End of....although Rochdale's free kick was unstoppable. Those Lifers who have played the beautiful game will be able to summarise where we were weak in defence but I hope that no-one criticises young Deji who I believe stepped up to the plate once again. Quite who will be in our back 4 on Saturday though is up there for debate. As the gaffer said in so many words, we're used to shuffling the pack. Tracey Leaburn ! Can you take your boots, please ?
But how great it was to see not only the attack minded starting line up, but how well they performed on the whole.
Millar is a little magician out wide with great pace & confidence on the ball - what a find ! Ronnie's cameo was everything we'd hoped for. Jonny had, I thought, his best game for a long time and of course, the cream of the crop, Chuks who HAS to start unless he breaks both legs in training....What a player he is & I'm proud to have sponsored his away kit for the family for Christmas.
Bow spoke very well after the match & summed up our disappointment at not managing to score that 5th goal when we totally had the Rochdale defence on the back foot whilst showing pride in the manner in which yet another refigured starting eleven fought back to take a point and finally stop the rot.
Whilst feeling akin to a limp, wet, lettuce leaf at the final whistle, I am feeling more upbeat tonight and actually looking forward to the game in Bristol in 4 days time. Just a shame that our away day trip to that familiar ground has been scuppered this year.
Let's hope our lads have had a shot of confidence in the arm & that tonight is the start of better things to come.
Onwards & upwards !
*** Edited as clearly confused which Bristol we're playing on Saturday. DOH !
There have been lots of piss taking formations this last few days with Chuks at LB or Amos in midfield, but did anyone even jokingly predict Smyth at right wing back?
If Bowyer doesn’t like players ducking out of tackles I am sure he’d be even more pleased with Gunters reaction to the second goal turning his back on a shot.
There have been lots of piss taking formations this last few days with Chuks at LB or Amos in midfield, but did anyone even jokingly predict Smyth at right wing back?
Cafc43v3rCafc43v3r
6:41PM
Covered_End_Lad said:
Curbs just said we are playing 3 at the back and 2 up top tonight, who is playing RWB??
Smyth would be a "brave choice" /endSirHumphreyVoice
Saw the team, looked like it had both balance and attacking threat, something many of us have called for - then Curbs mentioned 3 at the back and I couldn't work out how that would set up.
Strange decision to use Smyth at right back, especially when Rochdale had such dangerous player down that side. Bowyer's since said he wanted to be more attacking, good to hear, but let's keep it simple. For me that's either a 4-4-2 with wingers, not a diamond or with CMs out wide, or a form of 4-5-1 if we need an extra CM in there. We don't have the strength at CB to make 5-3-2/3-5-2 worthwhile, and I don't think we have the CMs we need for the diamond at the moment. Also want to see us stop changing formation every game, the players need that to give them a chance to settle in to a way of playing, build up partnerships etc.
Agree with Bowyer on Pearce's sending off, he's got to go for that and contact shouldn't mean it's a yellow card. Looks like it's Gunter and Oshilaja at CB on Saturday.
Aneke and Schwartz showed potential as a partnership. With all the games coming up though it wouldn't surprise me if both are on the bench on Saturday. Understand there will be some rotation with all the midweek games, but I hope we can cut down on that.
Millar's added much needed pace and ability to run at players. Promising start, looking forward
Not a big fan of JFC but he showed why he needs to be there, we'd struggle with any 2 or 3 of Williams, Gilbey and Morgan as our central midfield.
I've got no faith in our defending at the moment but at least we've shown we can score goals. We look far better of attacking teams, it's clear we don't have the players to grind out narrow wins. Perhaps that's one thing Bowyer's struggled with, it was the original plan with Watson and Pratley protecting our first choice CBs and Doughty's pace on the counter. He always wanted us to compete and defend rather than play out and out attacking football. That meant we rarely conceded more than 1 or 2 goals, but we needed a change of approach with the players available and hopefully Bowyer's now seeing that. Having Millar and Schwartz come in plus Smyth back no doubt helps that.
There's been lot of talk recently about Bowyer losing the dressing room - coming back like that isn't what you usually see when a club in that situation. Think back to when some of our former managers were struggling, there were no signs of a team being able to turn it around. Confidence was gone and players weren't putting in the effort required. It's a good sign but one that needs backing up over the coming weeks by getting a few wins.
As expected Bowyer getting stick,but he has been poxed every way he turns. 1)Pratley or Watson plays we do not let those goals in,both out 2)Both first choice cb out 3)Shinnie out 4)And now pearce out next game
I will judge him when he has a full squad to pick from,lets be fair tonight,those Rochdale strikes where pretty special and unusual at this level.
We've won one game in eight and are shipping goals - a decent manager deals with injuries.
So is Klopp a bad manager`,Liverpool lose their cbs and others and all of a sudden they cannot win a raffle.
Not talking about Klopp. We're in L1 and LB has to manage injuries better than he does - if you think the run of results/performances are acceptable then you obviously have very low expectations.
You said a decent manager deals with injuries,Klopp is a decent manager and has struggled with Liverpools injuries.Of course I dont like the recent results,but I stand by what I said,judge Bowyer when he has a fit squad.
So if he doesn't have a fit squad we can just write those games off and excuse the performances however bad they are.
Comments
Eddie was sacked the Monday after the game.
Or one at Wembley?
Oh, you want us to concede less too?
Or the 4-4 v Millwall . or did i imagine that?
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-lee-bowyer-says-addicks-must-take-confidence-from-second-half-comeback-against-rochdale/
What the hell was that wall for the free kick? Amos clearly saw who'd be taking it (big number 9), how he lined up (straight on), and then set up a wall to invite the guy to absolutely leather it into the top corner, with a MASSIVE gap where neither he nor the wall was providing cover.
That was an atrocious bit of goalkeeping. If there had been a wall in the way, the trajectory meant it would have hit it, and if the wall was in the standard position (off-centre with the keeper to the other side), it would have forced a curled effort, which is harder to get right.
That said, good strike, and Amos has been generally pretty good this year, but... this was rubbish.
Strictly speaking, Wembley was 3-3.
Feckin hell ! Not sure I can actually put something sensible down here so, a few thoughts from a very frazzled & emotional Fanny.
The Japanese neighbours will have been more confused than ever tonight .
Screams of anguish watching their first 2 goals go in, followed by shrieks of joy when super Chuks fired us back in it, repeat , repeat etc. But the biggest noise that set the dog cowering under the table was the great move that was sublimely finished by our Medium ( as opposed to Great) Dane. More of that, please, Ronnie !
Clearly, mistakes at the back are continuing to haunt & hurt us. End of....although Rochdale's free kick was unstoppable. Those Lifers who have played the beautiful game will be able to summarise where we were weak in defence but I hope that no-one criticises young Deji who I believe stepped up to the plate once again. Quite who will be in our back 4 on Saturday though is up there for debate. As the gaffer said in so many words, we're used to shuffling the pack. Tracey Leaburn ! Can you take your boots, please ?
But how great it was to see not only the attack minded starting line up, but how well they performed on the whole.
Millar is a little magician out wide with great pace & confidence on the ball - what a find ! Ronnie's cameo was everything we'd hoped for. Jonny had, I thought, his best game for a long time and of course, the cream of the crop, Chuks who HAS to start unless he breaks both legs in training....What a player he is & I'm proud to have sponsored his away kit for the family for Christmas.
Bow spoke very well after the match & summed up our disappointment at not managing to score that 5th goal when we totally had the Rochdale defence on the back foot whilst showing pride in the manner in which yet another refigured starting eleven fought back to take a point and finally stop the rot.
Whilst feeling akin to a limp, wet, lettuce leaf at the final whistle, I am feeling more upbeat tonight and actually looking forward to the game in Bristol in 4 days time. Just a shame that our away day trip to that familiar ground has been scuppered this year.
Let's hope our lads have had a shot of confidence in the arm & that tonight is the start of better things to come.
Onwards & upwards !
*** Edited as clearly confused which Bristol we're playing on Saturday. DOH !
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-admits-he-made-a-mistake-by-playing-qpr-loanee-paul-smyth-at-wing-back-during-charltons-4-4-draw-with-rochdale/
About fucking time
Strange decision to use Smyth at right back, especially when Rochdale had such dangerous player down that side. Bowyer's since said he wanted to be more attacking, good to hear, but let's keep it simple. For me that's either a 4-4-2 with wingers, not a diamond or with CMs out wide, or a form of 4-5-1 if we need an extra CM in there. We don't have the strength at CB to make 5-3-2/3-5-2 worthwhile, and I don't think we have the CMs we need for the diamond at the moment. Also want to see us stop changing formation every game, the players need that to give them a chance to settle in to a way of playing, build up partnerships etc.
Agree with Bowyer on Pearce's sending off, he's got to go for that and contact shouldn't mean it's a yellow card. Looks like it's Gunter and Oshilaja at CB on Saturday.
Aneke and Schwartz showed potential as a partnership. With all the games coming up though it wouldn't surprise me if both are on the bench on Saturday. Understand there will be some rotation with all the midweek games, but I hope we can cut down on that.
Millar's added much needed pace and ability to run at players. Promising start, looking forward
Not a big fan of JFC but he showed why he needs to be there, we'd struggle with any 2 or 3 of Williams, Gilbey and Morgan as our central midfield.
I've got no faith in our defending at the moment but at least we've shown we can score goals. We look far better of attacking teams, it's clear we don't have the players to grind out narrow wins. Perhaps that's one thing Bowyer's struggled with, it was the original plan with Watson and Pratley protecting our first choice CBs and Doughty's pace on the counter. He always wanted us to compete and defend rather than play out and out attacking football. That meant we rarely conceded more than 1 or 2 goals, but we needed a change of approach with the players available and hopefully Bowyer's now seeing that. Having Millar and Schwartz come in plus Smyth back no doubt helps that.
There's been lot of talk recently about Bowyer losing the dressing room - coming back like that isn't what you usually see when a club in that situation. Think back to when some of our former managers were struggling, there were no signs of a team being able to turn it around. Confidence was gone and players weren't putting in the effort required. It's a good sign but one that needs backing up over the coming weeks by getting a few wins.
So if he doesn't have a fit squad we can just write those games off and excuse the performances however bad they are.