Still amazed at how many people just shout “forward” and “get it up”.
Football has changed. Possession based and high press football is the fashionable style at the moment - it won’t win every game but if you get it right, you’ll get the result more often than not.
I do smirk at the contradictions though when it is “hoofed” and the same people shout “keep hold of the bloody ball, keep it simple.”
I did see Garner turn around with a surprised look near full time when 'forward' was being yelled at anybody.
Still amazed at how many people just shout “forward” and “get it up”.
Football has changed. Possession based and high press football is the fashionable style at the moment - it won’t win every game but if you get it right, you’ll get the result more often than not.
I do smirk at the contradictions though when it is “hoofed” and the same people shout “keep hold of the bloody ball, keep it simple.”
I did see Garner turn around with a surprised look near full time when 'forward' was being yelled at anybody.
Wollacott ok Clare MOM Inniss Looked tired towards the end O'Connell pretty good Sessegnon out of position Morgan good Fraser poor McGrandles/ Payne Both ok, but no upgrade on JFC CBT electrifying Leaburn Not ready, missed our only real chance Stockley Stockley
Sorry to bang on about it, but we need a goalscorer
Please, how can you make a statement like that after both making their debuts and only playing bit parts in the game, give them a chance before you nail them to the wall like that, "no upgrade on JFC"...🤷♂️
In terms of their impact on the game compared with having watched JFC for 5 years maybe?
Agree with the general sentiment here. The squad is just missing a quality strker. If we manage to get one this squad would be transformed from promotion possibles to promotion probables. Let's hope our wishes are fulfilled.
Really good forwards are so hard to find - I haven’t been to or wanted to watch one single pre-season game so having to interpret performances through what I read on here which can be tough given the differing viewpoints.
From what I’ve read, we seem to have a shape and a style which is positive and Garner wants us to play football and keep the ball which will hopefully be a good thing, so that’s a positive.
The question marks for me are that we were very poor last season, and I mean really poor, regardless of what sort of positive spin you try and put on it. There was a big gap in terms of where we finished compared to what we need to compete and get in the play offs, and this is what I think may be the step too far.
Stockley’s a good example. If we’re going to play this short style and the ball into feet, that will negate his aerial threat and hamper his effectiveness. Chuks may be a better option with the ball at his feet but we’re never going to get a run of games out of him. It’s unfair/unrealistic to expect Leaburn to step up, so all of a sudden we run the risk of not having a forward who can score enough over the season or we don’t play a style to suit our main man who would appear to be Stockley.
It’s up to the 2 either side of him then to add at least 10 each (imo)
I think there are some good signs, but I also think there is going to be a bit too much of a gap to overcome from what we were left with after releasing everyone and who was left over from last season, to what we need to add this season, and that’s with any additional players yet to come in.
Unless we’ve got some real rabbits out of hats that are going to come in, I think we’ll land around 8th/9th/10th.
certainly hope/think we won’t be as poor as last year though
Still amazed at how many people just shout “forward” and “get it up”.
Football has changed. Possession based and high press football is the fashionable style at the moment - it won’t win every game but if you get it right, you’ll get the result more often than not.
I do smirk at the contradictions though when it is “hoofed” and the same people shout “keep hold of the bloody ball, keep it simple.”
I did see Garner turn around with a surprised look near full time when 'forward' was being yelled at anybody.
I went. There may be a lot to discuss but I am pissed off we didn’t win.
You didn't seem very happy after we won our last two either seth
I am trying to discipline my personal mindset where winning is the only acceptable result this season.
Talk about setting yourself up for a fall!
Do you feel like this squad should be winning every game then?
If they don't I want to know why, not greet it with a shrug. If Garner and the team can find out why we don't win, then they can change something.
But do you? Feel the squad is good enough to be winning every game?
You've got me. No I don't expect to win every game, it's simply that I want to. Yes there are a myriad of factors that influence a performance and the readiness for a challenge, but there is also the old adage 'it's 11v11" as well as 'take one game at a time'. In that regard I think we need 100% focus this week on the Accrington game.
Still amazed at how many people just shout “forward” and “get it up”.
Football has changed. Possession based and high press football is the fashionable style at the moment - it won’t win every game but if you get it right, you’ll get the result more often than not.
I do smirk at the contradictions though when it is “hoofed” and the same people shout “keep hold of the bloody ball, keep it simple.”
I did see Garner turn around with a surprised look near full time when 'forward' was being yelled at anybody.
Wollacott ok Clare MOM Inniss Looked tired towards the end O'Connell pretty good Sessegnon out of position Morgan good Fraser poor McGrandles/ Payne Both ok, but no upgrade on JFC CBT electrifying Leaburn Not ready, missed our only real chance Stockley Stockley
Sorry to bang on about it, but we need a goalscorer
Please, how can you make a statement like that after both making their debuts and only playing bit parts in the game, give them a chance before you nail them to the wall like that, "no upgrade on JFC"...🤷♂️
In terms of their impact on the game compared with having watched JFC for 5 years maybe?
Morgan created a few good passes but the majority of his passes in the second half were backwards putting our players under pressure.
I can't see him starting with the the way McGrandles & Payne played today.
They were playing in different positions, Morgan in front of the back four and McGrandles and Payne forward. It would be Dobson instead of Morgan. Interestingly Garner seems to favour Morgan over Dobson currently. Or Maybe Dobson is on his way?
McGrandles was excellent and a big part of why we controlled a lot of the play in the first half I thought. Got stuck in when needed, good with the ball at his feet too. The most Cullen-like player we’ve had since, well, Cullen.
It’s only 45 minutes of football but if he continues like that, he’s in “first name on the team sheet” territory for me.
There was a truly memorable moment (for me) in the first half where a defending McGrandles bravely put his head down to clear the ball, and got kicked in the head for his troubles. (Danny Blanchflower used to say to his teammates "if he puts his head down, don't disappoint him"). The ref immediately checked if McGrandles was OK, but he jumped right up Black Knighting it with 'tis but a scratch'. Haven't seen that kind of fortitude much in the modern game.
Plenty of positives there today. Swansea got a rocket at ht and stepped up as you’d expect. The goal that came from the corner I thought should never have happened as I thought the Swans player was offside.
Was pleased with Wollacott and think he’ll be No 1. Thought Clare looked v good.
Inniss and EOC made a couple of shocking passes that could have cost us goals but I still think they’ll be quality at L1 level. Inniss playing 90 mins was good to see.
Sessegnon looked solid enough if not stand out. Morgan was good first half but didn’t seem to like his change of position in the 2nd.
McGrandles I think will be quality for us and I loved his energy for the first 45.
Fraser I think has more to offer but I there are signs of how he’s the sort of player Garner will love as he will always look to play instead of panic
CBT I think we should try and get him on a new deal asap as I think he’ll be cracking this year…if he stays fit.
Stockley I really like him but like others I’m not sure he’s the sort of striker today’s system needs. That said he still grafted and I think the quality of balls into the box this year will be much better so he should benefit.
Leaburn I know he may have slipped up for the first goal but I still thought he didn’t look out of place against decent mens opposition. To me he looks better than Burstow but we shall see!
Subs Payne had some nice flashes and I think he will get stronger and fitter in the coming weeks.
Really pleased that Richard Chin getting a chance and doesn’t look way out of place. Worst case I hope he gets a good loan away this season.
Kanu was done for the second goal but was also unlucky when the Swans defender pulled him when he had a good goal chance Henry I really hope he gets a loan this year as I think there’s a v good footballer in there.
I’m v positive going into this season largely because I think we’re trying to go the right way and play in an entertaining manner. Are things perfect? Of course not but I do feel we are 3 solid signings from being top 6, if not higher. I think our big weakness is up front and another striker is a minimum. I think we need another forward player and a LB. If we can move things around another cb would be perfect but I think Ness and Elerewe may be seen as good enough to back up Inniss, EOC and Lavelle.
The tone and sentiment coming out of people like the club has been outrageous in not getting another forward in yet is a bit baffling.
Clearly another striker is needed to strengthen that position and I’m sure they know that. But we’re going in next week with a really strong league one centre forward and an outstanding forward to be able to bring off the bench. This means that the club can afford to wait for right person and opportunity to present itself in the next couple of weeks. They’ve shown, quite rightly, that they will not pay over the odds for anyone. I’d far rather have Leaburn as a 3rd choice for a couple of weeks than Davison.
At the game thought we did ok overall but same problems as last season, lack of goals and then giving away soft goals.
IF Garner sees that as his first eleven (which I don’t think he will) we are in trouble.
Russell Martin does not seem to think that from what he said after the game:
’Charlton are a good team who play in a good way, I really like their manager Ben (Garner) and I think they are going to be a very good team in League One this season.’
Enjoyed that. Everyone tried hard and I thought we played some great passing football at times, though you could see Swansea were largely operating on a different level once they'd figured us out. The scoreline could have been better, but ultimately that counts for nothing what matters is that we got a good run out. I'm feeling a lot more positive about the season ahead now.
Playing against arguably the best footballing side in the division above at their own game and being unlucky to lose is a very good sign.
In the end they won because they brought fresh legs on to try and win it whereas we brought fresh legs on to give our youngsters a try out. Result aside, I suspect we were the winners
Comments
If Garner and the team can find out why we don't win, then they can change something.
From what I’ve read, we seem to have a shape and a style which is positive and Garner wants us to play football and keep the ball which will hopefully be a good thing, so that’s a positive.
I think there are some good signs, but I also think there is going to be a bit too much of a gap to overcome from what we were left with after releasing everyone and who was left over from last season, to what we need to add this season, and that’s with any additional players yet to come in.
certainly hope/think we won’t be as poor as last year though
Morgan created a few good passes but the majority of his passes in the second half were backwards putting our players under pressure.
I can't see him starting with the the way McGrandles & Payne played today.
Yes there are a myriad of factors that influence a performance and the readiness for a challenge, but there is also the old adage 'it's 11v11" as well as 'take one game at a time'.
In that regard I think we need 100% focus this week on the Accrington game.
It’s only 45 minutes of football but if he continues like that, he’s in “first name on the team sheet” territory for me.
(Danny Blanchflower used to say to his teammates "if he puts his head down, don't disappoint him").
The ref immediately checked if McGrandles was OK, but he jumped right up Black Knighting it with 'tis but a scratch'.
Haven't seen that kind of fortitude much in the modern game.
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ben-garner-tells-supporters-his-charlton-side-will-stick-to-their-beliefs-after-positive-pre-season-display-against-swansea/
IF Garner sees that as his first eleven (which I don’t think he will) we are in trouble.
Morgan was good first half but didn’t seem to like his change of position in the 2nd.
Payne had some nice flashes and I think he will get stronger and fitter in the coming weeks.
Henry I really hope he gets a loan this year as I think there’s a v good footballer in there.
Clearly another striker is needed to strengthen that position and I’m sure they know that. But we’re going in next week with a really strong league one centre forward and an outstanding forward to be able to bring off the bench. This means that the club can afford to wait for right person and opportunity to present itself in the next couple of weeks. They’ve shown, quite rightly, that they will not pay over the odds for anyone. I’d far rather have Leaburn as a 3rd choice for a couple of weeks than Davison.
’Charlton are a good team who play in a good way, I really like their manager Ben (Garner) and I think they are going to be a very good team in League One this season.’
Nippy, creative, good in tight spaces etc