Given the shocking hand Jackson has been dealt (particularly by the run of injuries to key players) I had zero expectation that we would get anything from last night's game. And I wasn't disappointed. Having said that I was encouraged by the fact that heads didn't drop and that we continued to press MKD until the very end of the game, even though there was little prospect of us scoring, given the blunted (non-existent) attack we now have. Quality is clearly lacking all over the park (not Jacko's problem) and for me survival in this division would be the best outcome, with a serious and hopefully early rebuild in the Summer. And, yes, I would give that job to Jacko.
Agree with Muttley. 1. Most of team not good/care enough - ruthless clear out needed. 2. Build around Dobson. 3. JJ ? 4. Charlton have hardly ever been free scoring but attacking options need to be better than hoping for a return of pretty average players. 5. Another 2 seasons in L1 a disaster for fan base. 6. Proven quality and experience needed for loans - MK Don's have Wickham. 7. TS needs to get in a "fixer" seems club in free fall. 8. The amount of times in last season we have lost in last minutes or not mounted a comeback after going down suggests lack of fight/pride - not good enough. Pretty dismal days.
Sandy junior should be nowhere near anything to do with matters to do with the playing staff The more things go on, the more it seems that Sandy Senior has bought himself a vanity project on which he will spend just enough to keep it interesting
We continue to sign or retain players who are just not fit for purpose .. Aneke and Inniss with their terrible injury records Watson, Gunter, Matthews (to name several) who were good once, now they have had their day Scott Fraser. Decent record in the lower leagues, a failure at Ipswich, signed by us when he is not nearly match fit I M O a too big a squad with mostly mediocre players. Jackson is spoilt for choice from an indifferent crew
We bring in a new assistant manager/coach. was this wise in the middle of the season, are players having difficulty adjusting to his methods (if relevant)
Lastly, the long standing matter of injuries and fitness. Are the players looked after well enough ?, are the training and skill routines getting them sharp and agile enough for professional football ?
League one and the other lower divisions, including the Nationals, are no longer filled with micky mouse outfits (spare me the Walt Disney jokes please). Has CAFC as an entity moved with the times or are we a cute little club staffed at all levels with good old club long time servers who lack the required skills for the modern era. We are a big club which seems to think small. We do not want to end up like, for example, Bradford City, a 'big' club stuck forever in the mud of the lower leagues.
Bowyer and Jacko's teams could be interchanged with the same comments from yesterdays game. I guess with the added line that LB's team should always have something from game.
Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer told BBC:
"It's so frustrating - how we've not won the game comfortably. We're just not ruthless enough in the final third. In the final third today we were poor and then we just gift them two goals.
"There's no excuse. It doesn't matter what the back four is. We've got two wingers playing at full-back, we've got two full-backs playing at centre-half, but the goals we're gifting them - it's not like they're opening us up.
"Two players got caught taking too many touches in the middle of the park - the basics of the game.
"It's disappointing to come away with nothing because there's no way we should be leaving here with nothing."
Not the best performances of recent but I'd echo the sentiments of Jim Melrose who contributed to a Facebook thread the other day.Just get behind the players all the time, from start to finish.
Bowyer and Jacko's teams could be interchanged with the same comments from yesterdays game. I guess with the added line that LB's team should always have something from game.
Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer told BBC:
"It's so frustrating - how we've not won the game comfortably. We're just not ruthless enough in the final third. In the final third today we were poor and then we just gift them two goals.
"There's no excuse. It doesn't matter what the back four is. We've got two wingers playing at full-back, we've got two full-backs playing at centre-half, but the goals we're gifting them - it's not like they're opening us up.
"Two players got caught taking too many touches in the middle of the park - the basics of the game.
"It's disappointing to come away with nothing because there's no way we should be leaving here with nothing."
Jackson had been Bowyer's understudy for a number of years.....and then Adkins.
He's just copied their methods. Nothing new in football.
This echos SCP first season in charge when replacing Parky. Won first 4 games after taking over in mid Jan then only won 2 more after that. I'm not saying history will repeat itself but I remember Powell chopping and changing the team regularly to find out who was up for it and who wasn't. Is Jacko doing this or is he being forced to? Its the only hope I'm clinging on to at the moment!
I was (rather wishfully thinking) that may be the case, apart from Jacko's inability to change the formation to suit the players at his disposal (we have no wing-backs FFS!) but I very much doubt, given the shambles of the last couple of transfer windows, the lack of a proper decent CEO, and the chairman putting his totally unqualified son in charge of recruitment, that whoever is manager will be given the support to have a complete clear out like Powell was able to do at the end of that season.
After Saturdays debacle I couldn't face a cold Tuesday night at the Valley of gloom, certain that we would lose and so it came to pass. I won't be attending the Sunderland match either on the basis that if the team can't make the effort I certainly can't. Never felt like this before but the team selection and organisation is risible and I have had enough
I get why we maybe couldn't compete with Wigan and Ipswich on fees and salaries but the fact that we can't even compete with Oxford and MK Dons shows how badly run this club is at the moment - Duchatelet may be gone but we're still a rich man's poorly run plaything albeit with a more PR savvy ego at the helm.
There really is a load of old bollocks being spoken here. Does anybody really think that these players are not trying,they are playing for their livelyhoods.and contracts,it wont be much fun being out of work at their age. Every attacking option we have is gone,no strikers ,CBT and Fraser not available,will someone please explain what JJ can actually do. Dont say defend better if the ball continually comes back,pressure will always tell in the end. When our midfield do get on the ball,just what options do they have,no one up front to aim at,no one to hold the ball up and allow them to get forward. Who do we cross to,plenty of moans about not crossing the ball,but who is there that is going to get on the end,Morgan takes a good corner,and has had some success,now nothing,every corner easily cleared. If and when we get Stockley and his mates back,this will be a different side. Please feel fit to take the piss out of my comments as you see fit,but I am convinced this will all change when we have some of our attacking options back.
You can literally see the lack of effort from the stands. Barely any pressure on the opposition, losing the ball and not tracking back, no one busting a gut to support a break, players hiding from the ball. There was a point last night when Dobson had the ball and he threw his arms up in frustration as no one was doing anything to show for him.
These players are not giving 100% and I can only assume those who they think they are are people who simply check the score, rather than watching the match.
Can I ask why we give a shit about attendance figures ?
I would imagine the real issue is more about whats on the pitch than who isnt....
I can think of a reason, I don’t know if it’s valid but I ll just put it out there. Lower crowds mean less income. Our owner has taken a big hit to his wealth - I’ve read elsewhere that a large share price drop in his company means approx 75% drop in wealth. Question is , if these rumours are true is he sane/committed enough to keep pouring his money into a football club. Just a guess but it’s probably costing him £?500k a month without player sales. Without crowds we will be in trouble sooner.
The fact they're not training on grass suggests they won't.
Lets not think we are really clever with our video editing either to hide them from the training ground and then present them on pitch like a huge surprise. Way too optimistic.
Looks like Jackson is like Maggie Thatch.....not for turning.
As for preparing for the match & knowing MK like to play balls through - this happens in matches & you are never going to stop a team from creating chances. You just have to be able to do the same. Sadly we dont have the players to create many chances & last night Matthews (I think) put in the best cross that no one got a touch to (1st half) and Morgan 2nd half (when Burstow missed from 3 yards). 2 chances in 90 mins isn't going to win you games.
There were only two players in that side tonight who will be here when we eventually win promotion (providing they don’t move on to better things beforehand).
Dobson and Lavelle.
Did you see Lavelle’s defending for the second goal?
Said this a while ago. Lavelle is an average L1 player, we need better...
Our fans more or less demanded that we bring Jacko in. He was brought in. If we demand more changes we really are just turning into one of those Clubs.
I think we have to accept that the fans do not know how to run a football club. Unfortunately neither does anyone at the club either.
There were only two players in that side tonight who will be here when we eventually win promotion (providing they don’t move on to better things beforehand).
Dobson and Lavelle.
Did you see Lavelle’s defending for the second goal?
Said this a while ago. Lavelle is an average L1 player, we need better...
And its also his first start since October in a team devoid of confidence...there were worse players than him on the night.
I had a dream that we only lost 2-1 last night. How bad is it that my dreams are us having a slightly less humiliating home defeat than the one that occurred? Considering professional help.
For the “change the shape” gang, I agree changing things has to happen in principle when things are not going well. But in this instance how will this improve things?
If we play 442 or 433 we have to revert to Matthews/Gunter at right back, the two most slagged off players in the squad. Is that what you really want? And having no senior forwards doesn’t suddenly change just because the formation has, we will still be toothless, and still be dodgy at the back with a bunch of unmotivated players.
Looks like Jackson is like Maggie Thatch.....not for turning.
As for preparing for the match & knowing MK like to play balls through - this happens in matches & you are never going to stop a team from creating chances. You just have to be able to do the same. Sadly we dont have the players to create many chances & last night Matthews (I think) put in the best cross that no one got a touch to (1st half) and Morgan 2nd half (when Burstow missed from 3 yards). 2 chances in 90 mins isn't going to win you games.
Exactly. Even when wrong, unfortunately.
Maybe he is being told what system to play and to persevere with it? Not saying this is true or I have inside info but when you take into account Jacko is a football man through and through and is no mug from his playing days something is not right.
Chunes has just posted on another thread a memo Roland sent to Powell telling who to pick, how to play and what formation to use. It made me sick to my guts to think that went on but more importantly it proves it can happen.
There were only two players in that side tonight who will be here when we eventually win promotion (providing they don’t move on to better things beforehand).
Dobson and Lavelle.
Did you see Lavelle’s defending for the second goal?
Said this a while ago. Lavelle is an average L1 player, we need better...
Can’t remember the name of the CB who we had lined up but he decided to sign elsewhere and Lavelle was next on the wanted list. The injury has set him back, however I think he’ll do a job for us but needs competition all the same.
At this point, we just need to be harder to beat, if we cant score too much then we NEED to make sure we are tough to score against. A change of system could accommodate that...ive mentioned before about playing with wingers and have 1 up top. Leko, DJ, CBT (when fit), Tyreece Campbell can play there naturally along with Wash, Lee if needs be. Dobson holding but the issue for me is the 2 players infront of him. Gilbey is bang out of form and for all his huff and puff, couldnt trap a ball if his foot was covered in glue! Morgan can pass thats true but his off the ball work. whilst improved, still needs more to it.
The system can be changed as we have the players to do so but Jacko will break before he bends and for me...that the biggest worry. Think he will be a good coach but needs to learn to adapt.
For the “change the shape” gang, I agree changing things has to happen in principle when things are not going well. But in this instance how will this improve things?
If we play 442 or 433 we have to revert to Matthews/Gunter at right back, the two most slagged off players in the squad. Is that what you really want? And having no senior forwards doesn’t suddenly change just because the formation has, we will still be toothless, and still be dodgy at the back with a bunch of unmotivated players.
It was a weird formation yesterday. Half the time it looked like 442 to me. But tbh, it was all a bit of a mess, certainly in the second half. What was a shame was that we were much better than expected in the first half. If we had a couple of our regular strikers up front I think we would have gone in level or even ahead. As for Matthews/Gunter at right back in a 442, I think Clare might be a better option?
There really is a load of old bollocks being spoken here. Does anybody really think that these players are not trying,they are playing for their livelyhoods.and contracts,it wont be much fun being out of work at their age. Every attacking option we have is gone,no strikers ,CBT and Fraser not available,will someone please explain what JJ can actually do. Dont say defend better if the ball continually comes back,pressure will always tell in the end. When our midfield do get on the ball,just what options do they have,no one up front to aim at,no one to hold the ball up and allow them to get forward. Who do we cross to,plenty of moans about not crossing the ball,but who is there that is going to get on the end,Morgan takes a good corner,and has had some success,now nothing,every corner easily cleared. If and when we get Stockley and his mates back,this will be a different side. Please feel fit to take the piss out of my comments as you see fit,but I am convinced this will all change when we have some of our attacking options back.
You can literally see the lack of effort from the stands. Barely any pressure on the opposition, losing the ball and not tracking back, no one busting a gut to support a break, players hiding from the ball. There was a point last night when Dobson had the ball and he threw his arms up in frustration as no one was doing anything to show for him.
These players are not giving 100% and I can only assume those who they think they are are people who simply check the score, rather than watching the match.
You are wrong in your assumption I do watch the games,pretty difficult to support a break when there are not too many,and as I stated,the ball will not stick up front to allow the midfielders to support. We started last night quite brightly,but as the game wore on,the players who initially where in and around their box, got tired as there is always constant pressure on them to have to rush back to defend. Time and time again,our attacks are easily picked off by their defence and turned very quickly in to offensive moves. Gilbey for all his lack of possession on the ball did not stop running all game,the same for Albie. The hardest part of any football match ,is doing the hard yards if you do not have much of the ball,inevitably as games wear on,that becomes more difficult,unfortunately we do not have many options on the bench so players will play on when they should be subbed,Burstow should have been subbed last night before he got injured. Why do you assume other people dont watch the games just because their views are different to yours.
Comments
1. Most of team not good/care enough - ruthless clear out needed.
2. Build around Dobson.
3. JJ ?
4. Charlton have hardly ever been free scoring but attacking options need to be better than hoping for a return of pretty average players.
5. Another 2 seasons in L1 a disaster for fan base.
6. Proven quality and experience needed for loans - MK Don's have Wickham.
7. TS needs to get in a "fixer" seems club in free fall.
8. The amount of times in last season we have lost in last minutes or not mounted a comeback after going down suggests lack of fight/pride - not good enough.
Pretty dismal days.
Sandy junior should be nowhere near anything to do with matters to do with the playing staff
The more things go on, the more it seems that Sandy Senior has bought himself a vanity project on which he will spend just enough to keep it interesting
We continue to sign or retain players who are just not fit for purpose .. Aneke and Inniss with their terrible injury records
Watson, Gunter, Matthews (to name several) who were good once, now they have had their day
Scott Fraser. Decent record in the lower leagues, a failure at Ipswich, signed by us when he is not nearly match fit
I M O a too big a squad with mostly mediocre players. Jackson is spoilt for choice from an indifferent crew
We bring in a new assistant manager/coach. was this wise in the middle of the season, are players having difficulty adjusting to his methods (if relevant)
Lastly, the long standing matter of injuries and fitness. Are the players looked after well enough ?, are the training and skill routines getting them sharp and agile enough for professional football ?
League one and the other lower divisions, including the Nationals, are no longer filled with micky mouse outfits (spare me the Walt Disney jokes please). Has CAFC as an entity moved with the times or are we a cute little club staffed at all levels with good old club long time servers who lack the required skills for the modern era. We are a big club which seems to think small. We do not want to end up like, for example, Bradford City, a 'big' club stuck forever in the mud of the lower leagues.
JFC said pre-match that the physios were having a look at him yesterday.
Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer told BBC:
"It's so frustrating - how we've not won the game comfortably. We're just not ruthless enough in the final third. In the final third today we were poor and then we just gift them two goals.
"There's no excuse. It doesn't matter what the back four is. We've got two wingers playing at full-back, we've got two full-backs playing at centre-half, but the goals we're gifting them - it's not like they're opening us up.
"Two players got caught taking too many touches in the middle of the park - the basics of the game.
"It's disappointing to come away with nothing because there's no way we should be leaving here with nothing."
Negativity just breeds negativity...
He's just copied their methods. Nothing new in football.
These players are not giving 100% and I can only assume those who they think they are are people who simply check the score, rather than watching the match.
Without crowds we will be in trouble sooner.
Meanwhile they move seemlessly on.
Lets not think we are really clever with our video editing either to hide them from the training ground and then present them on pitch like a huge surprise. Way too optimistic.
And its also his first start since October in a team devoid of confidence...there were worse players than him on the night.
If we play 442 or 433 we have to revert to Matthews/Gunter at right back, the two most slagged off players in the squad. Is that what you really want? And having no senior forwards doesn’t suddenly change just because the formation has, we will still be toothless, and still be dodgy at the back with a bunch of unmotivated players.
Chunes has just posted on another thread a memo Roland sent to Powell telling who to pick, how to play and what formation to use. It made me sick to my guts to think that went on but more importantly it proves it can happen.
Is Thomas Driesen Gone? - Page 16 — Charlton Life
Dobson holding but the issue for me is the 2 players infront of him. Gilbey is bang out of form and for all his huff and puff, couldnt trap a ball if his foot was covered in glue! Morgan can pass thats true but his off the ball work. whilst improved, still needs more to it.
The system can be changed as we have the players to do so but Jacko will break before he bends and for me...that the biggest worry. Think he will be a good coach but needs to learn to adapt.
What was a shame was that we were much better than expected in the first half. If we had a couple of our regular strikers up front I think we would have gone in level or even ahead.
As for Matthews/Gunter at right back in a 442, I think Clare might be a better option?