Just for the absolute sake of completeness, there was no whiff of the "addicks to victory" song yesterday at the valley? This really has now gone away?
After watching Alex Gilbey pretty much run the show and put two past Colchester last year I'll never take any result or performance in preseason seriously.
Scott Fraser performing like a Brazilian wonderkid against non league teams means nothing, just as getting spanked by an SPL team doesn't.
Playoff contenders? We're still not there yet, nor or we miles off.
Derby lost 1-3 at home to Sheff Utd Bolton won 4-3 at home vs West Brom Barnsley won 2-1 at home vs Crewe Peterborough won 3-2 at home vs Birmingham Portsmouth lost 0-1 at home to Bristol City Reading lost 0-4 at home to Swansea Blackpool won 3-0 at home vs a Hibs 2nd XI Oxford won 5-0 at home vs QPR Wycombe drew 0-0 at home with Cardiff
PWR so apologies for no doubt repeating much of what has already been said.
Firstly, Aberdeen were seriously good and much better than us.
They'll be playing in Europe next season and it showed.
Quicker, stronger, better organised. .
Can we sign their number 9 please?
We were shown up as limited with obvious weaknesses and gaps in the formation.
Like a League 1, actually.
Hector seemed asleep, Ness exposed and outplayed, Jones I thought was OK but was beaten for the second goal.
CBT was our best attacking threat but Aberdeen exploited that space behind him ruthlessly.
Camara couldn't impose himself but Fraser has some very good touches.
Kirk isn't a striker and he's not even a decent stand in striker. Campbell was a much better round peg for that square hole.
Everyone other than Golfie, who's been saying all summer that one striker is enough, can see we need a forward to compliment May, who worked hard, usually on his own, but did stretch them a few times.
Not the end of the world or even our season. Fairly sure Orient won't be as good but I'm sure their scouts noticed our flaws. They will come to the Valley full of confidence as a newly promoted side with a settled team and method of play. It won't be easy.
And maybe losing yesterday is a little wake up call to fans, to owners and to our recruitment team.
Didn't see any of the aggro people are talking about.
Moronic behaviour regardless but thankfully the main Spurs risk group stayed in Woolwich I'm told.
No idea if anything happened post game as I was in the fans bar helping with the player signings.
Well done Aysha, Millie and James for organising and Tracey for getting the players there and inviting the museum along. Sorry TJ, I know you said how busy you've been looking after the new signings (housing etc) and pop stars but I hope you have a bit more work to do with new players soon
Credit to Alfie, George, Lloyd and Tyreece for signing pics and shirts and posing for endless selfies.
And to Dean Holden who turned up later and did the same.
Best bit of the day though was seeing so many young fans queuing up to meet the players.
They are the future and I hope the players give them some more happy memories this season.
Rude awakening, an alarm every 5 minutes when you're drifting off again rude awakening.
We don't have the personnel for 5 at the back or wing backs. We don't have a single wing back at the club (can't assess Edun yet) closest player is Asiimwe (I'll get to him). I keep hammering on about centre backs, we don't need one anymore, two at least! Especially if we insist on 5 at the back. Hector looked knackered and lazy, Jones no different from Innis for me, a bit sharper but probably a worse passer of the ball and less physical. Ness can't be a Charlton Athletic starter, we have to do better, he's a pizza cup centre back all day.
AMB how is he nailed on number 1? They should have been 5 or 6 up at the break. Second half a bit better, a few good saves, but he isn't assured enough, he doesn't distribute that well (in his defense we have 0 target men) and he just doesn't fill me with confidence to be honest. I'd rather see Isted given a go, seems the more confident goalkeeper to me.
Midfielders Christ, Fraser non existent first half, way better second, Dobbo, credit where credit is due looked like the only midfielder who was up for a fast paced game, looked relax and up to playing a good footballing team, faded later. Camara looks like he isn't ready to start yet, fitness issues, I would start Karoy ahead of him who so far, looks like our most dangerous midfielder. When Karoy came on, Asiimwe remembered how to play football again, he gave the whole team a new wave of energy it seemed.
Alfie May NEEDS a strike partner, that lad can run for days and is very clever but he needs someone to reward his hard work, can't have him feeding off scraps, some of the runs he made were brilliant (Payne found one of them) I reckon if Terry Taylor is the player Burton fans are claiming Alfie could thrive with his passing.
Charlie Kirk, just get rid, I would actually pay a club to get him off the books, woeful. Slow, predictable, uninterested. He's taking the piss, cost a lot of money for the club to bring him in and I imagine his wages aren't cheap, plays like he's doing us a favour. Needs to be shown the door, Campbell is 5x the player he is.
CBT is CBT, can't defend to save his life but the most gifted footballer we have in terms of dribbling, cause them a lot of bother when he put the burners on.
All in all I thought Aberdeen were decent, I'd have them down as championship bottom half side, some very decent players in their team. They looked like they were ahead of us fitness wise and showed that once you put the high press on us, too many of our players lose their composure.
Holden has a real problem at the moment, it's very clear 5 at the back isn't for us but he's played it all pre-season. CBT and Campbell are our best attacking outlets but he doesn't play a formation to suit them, we don't have a centre back that is promotion quality imo, compare Hector to Santos from Bolton as an example, night and day.
I don't know what he's gonna do for opening day but he needs to go with a midfield heavy formation imo, that's where our depth and best players are, need to exploit that.
I wasn't even at the game & I agree with this.
We dont have the players to play with wingbacks so why are we trying ? At least last season we had some success with 4-3-3.....but as I also said a month or two ago we need to replace JRS. CBT best attribute is running at defenders & he is NOT a defender. Drill defending into him & you'll lose the attack mindedness. And as I've said many times Kirk is not a striker.
But what do I know. Let's persist with round pegs in square holes & be happy to finish 10th again.
Just so you know round pegs should fit in square holes.
It's those damned square pegs refusing to go into round holes that's the problem.
Some good bits and some bad, certainly I expect that Holden will have made a few notes and maybe there will be a bit more urgency to certain negotiations (though we won't know the details).
I can't imagine that Holden isn't already fully aware of all the issues and problems that our resident experts have kindly detailed for us. Nor do I think he's operating under any kind of assumption that Kirk behind the striker or CBT as first choice wing back are viable long term plans, but he's not Guardiola and we're not City and we don't have the luxury of going out and picking the ideal player for every position.
Yes Orient will have taken notes today. But we'll have had people doing the same at their games too.
It is an overreaction. But I also get it. Our record at home in recent years has been abysmal. The number of times lower half League One teams have strolled in and rolled us over at The Valley has been humbling and depressing. I think the summer signings, the takeover and pre season performances have injected some hope. It all set up nicely for a return to The Valley. And as per usual we’re 3-0 at half time.
But as others have said; it’s pre season. There are still more signings to come in key areas - a big forward must surely be a priority to help May - and Aberdeen are a very decent side.
I seem to remember Curbs used to have very patchy pre season results before a cracking season. Keep the faith.
Rude awakening, an alarm every 5 minutes when you're drifting off again rude awakening.
We don't have the personnel for 5 at the back or wing backs. We don't have a single wing back at the club (can't assess Edun yet) closest player is Asiimwe (I'll get to him). I keep hammering on about centre backs, we don't need one anymore, two at least! Especially if we insist on 5 at the back. Hector looked knackered and lazy, Jones no different from Innis for me, a bit sharper but probably a worse passer of the ball and less physical. Ness can't be a Charlton Athletic starter, we have to do better, he's a pizza cup centre back all day.
AMB how is he nailed on number 1? They should have been 5 or 6 up at the break. Second half a bit better, a few good saves, but he isn't assured enough, he doesn't distribute that well (in his defense we have 0 target men) and he just doesn't fill me with confidence to be honest. I'd rather see Isted given a go, seems the more confident goalkeeper to me.
Midfielders Christ, Fraser non existent first half, way better second, Dobbo, credit where credit is due looked like the only midfielder who was up for a fast paced game, looked relax and up to playing a good footballing team, faded later. Camara looks like he isn't ready to start yet, fitness issues, I would start Karoy ahead of him who so far, looks like our most dangerous midfielder. When Karoy came on, Asiimwe remembered how to play football again, he gave the whole team a new wave of energy it seemed.
Alfie May NEEDS a strike partner, that lad can run for days and is very clever but he needs someone to reward his hard work, can't have him feeding off scraps, some of the runs he made were brilliant (Payne found one of them) I reckon if Terry Taylor is the player Burton fans are claiming Alfie could thrive with his passing.
Charlie Kirk, just get rid, I would actually pay a club to get him off the books, woeful. Slow, predictable, uninterested. He's taking the piss, cost a lot of money for the club to bring him in and I imagine his wages aren't cheap, plays like he's doing us a favour. Needs to be shown the door, Campbell is 5x the player he is.
CBT is CBT, can't defend to save his life but the most gifted footballer we have in terms of dribbling, cause them a lot of bother when he put the burners on.
All in all I thought Aberdeen were decent, I'd have them down as championship bottom half side, some very decent players in their team. They looked like they were ahead of us fitness wise and showed that once you put the high press on us, too many of our players lose their composure.
Holden has a real problem at the moment, it's very clear 5 at the back isn't for us but he's played it all pre-season. CBT and Campbell are our best attacking outlets but he doesn't play a formation to suit them, we don't have a centre back that is promotion quality imo, compare Hector to Santos from Bolton as an example, night and day.
I don't know what he's gonna do for opening day but he needs to go with a midfield heavy formation imo, that's where our depth and best players are, need to exploit that.
I wasn't even at the game & I agree with this.
We dont have the players to play with wingbacks so why are we trying ? At least last season we had some success with 4-3-3.....but as I also said a month or two ago we need to replace JRS. CBT best attribute is running at defenders & he is NOT a defender. Drill defending into him & you'll lose the attack mindedness. And as I've said many times Kirk is not a striker.
But what do I know. Let's persist with round pegs in square holes & be happy to finish 10th again.
Just so you know round pegs should fit in square holes.
It's those damned square pegs refusing to go into round holes that's the problem.
Got to love the overreaction to a pre season defeat, good to see nothing has changed
I don’t think it was an overreaction to a defeat, but to a half where we were quickly 3-0 down, could easily have been 6-0 and defensively we were all at sea.
On reflection, having had the time to think about it, I was wrong to have a negative post at HT on this thread. Its a pre-season game and is used to help with match fitness, formations, looking at players in certain positions and also confirm, or otherwise, where we have gaps that the current squad cant fill. Our performance, especially in the first half against Millwall, was excellent, but then again it was a pre-season game and I guess we need to look at it the same way as yesterdays first half performance which was far from excellent, i.e it doesn't matter they were pre-season games, so don't get too up or down! I trust DH and Andy Scott to add further to the squad early this week, I'm sure they know another striker is of paramount importance, as many of the 'experts' on here are pointing out (myself included!). We need strength in depth this year, so we are not relying on the youngsters too much. We still have Taylor and Edun to get into the side, as soon as they are fit, and get others off the books either by selling or out on loan. The game that matters is next Saturday, where it would be very good to get off to a flying start, again I'm sure DH knows this. So pre-season is now over, now its onto the 'proper business' and, this week, on the training ground and off the pitch regarding new bodies is the catalyst. Am I still in a positive frame of mind....Yes, am I hopeful of promotion.....Yes, do I trust DH to get it right most times.....Yes. Roll on next Saturday, I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere, I'll be following on CATV from my sick bed!! Enjoy your week fellow Addicks.....the new season is virtually upon us!
Derby lost 1-3 at home to Sheff Utd Bolton won 4-3 at home vs West Brom Barnsley won 2-1 at home vs Crewe Peterborough won 3-2 at home vs Birmingham Portsmouth lost 0-1 at home to Bristol City Reading lost 0-4 at home to Swansea Blackpool won 3-0 at home vs a Hibs 2nd XI Oxford won 5-0 at home vs QPR Wycombe drew 0-0 at home with Cardiff
Like our game yesterday you probably have to break the scores down into the two half’s to get a truer indication of likely form for all those teams.
we put out a team and formation in the first half that gave a good account for itself but had defensive frailties that saw it lose 3-0
For the second half Deano made various changes to the players on the pitch and Charlton won 2-0
will that combination of players that played the first half happen again ? Probably unlikely.
My fears about the defence came true in that game yesterday. Bar Jones, Hector and Ness poor especially in that first half. The wings back in my opinion were both too far up the pitch leaving massive gaps behind especially on our left. Jones moving to the left of a 3 at the start of the second half helped.
Impressed with Camara and Fraser had a decent game. Felt sorry for May as Kirk was never close enough to him to give him support.
3 quality saves from Maynard Brewer, but in general a lot of things still to work on before Saturday. Edun coming in is a must and another striker up too with May, but bat that I see the other 9 all starting against the O’s.
Great away support from Aberdeen. The local pubs in Woolwich seemed to be doing a good trade. Never known an away support to be frogmarched from a pub a couple of miles away to the ground.
Under Dean Holden last season he took the players for a bit of work with the military in Woolwich. I wonder if he has done or will do it again, because Aberdeen especially in the first half we’re thunderous and wielding bazookas whilst we only seemed to have pea shooters. I was taken aback at how easily they won the ball due to essentially being a lot tougher than us.
I was at the Oval yesterday, but mate of mine who was at Charlton yesterday tells me that Spurs supporters turned up at The Oak and caused trouble - is that correct ?
Taylor not fit to take part yet, Edun likewise, 1 fit striker. Still think we are a way off even a top six spot at the moment.
So I have been quite positive about the signings and I still am, but one view you could understand someone to have is that most of the signings we have made are injured/returning to fitness.
one week out and Edun & Taylor aren't fit, Jones hasn't played a full 90 since the 10th of April and Camara is also fresh off an injury. Only one who seems match fit and ready to go is Alfie May
But we were told this season is different. We have billionaire owners who wont interfere & have left the footballing decisions to football people who know what they are doing.
As of 30th July its same old same old. Still no proper (fit) left back and only 1 fit striker (who has played league football).
But yet again I'm wrong. I was wrong last season & the season before that.
Edun is not injured. He’s not match fit. Same as Taylor. Yes we need a striker but you’re not the only one saying we do. Holden and Scott are working on it. Hardest position to get right given the relative costs.
Defence yesterday was a real worry. Not only not individually good enough but were all over the place organisationally. I think that’s been a reoccurring theme for several seasons. Do we have a specialist defensive coach ? If not why not and if we do, what’s he playing at. I’m hopeful that performance by Hector was an early season blip because we need him to be the lynchpin of the defence. Hopeful we will sign a RWB and that Edun once fit will improve things. What’s glaring now is the lack of a partner for May. Going into Orient without another striker jeopardises the points. I hope we’re prioritising that this week but I can’t see it happening for another few weeks at least.
Got to love the overreaction to a pre season defeat, good to see nothing has changed
I don’t think it was an overreaction to a defeat, but to a half where we were quickly 3-0 down, could easily have been 6-0 and defensively we were all at sea.
I think unless you watched that first half then you can’t really say it was an overreaction. Hector was playing like a piss Sunday league centre back. Ness performance at LCB was probably worse than Solly at the den at LB in 09/10. Should have easily been 6-0 and probably 3 or 4 bookings.
Got to love the overreaction to a pre season defeat, good to see nothing has changed
I don’t think it was an overreaction to a defeat, but to a half where we were quickly 3-0 down, could easily have been 6-0 and defensively we were all at sea.
I think unless you watched that first half then you can’t really say it was an overreaction. Hector was playing like a piss Sunday league centre back. Ness performance at LCB was probably worse than Solly at the den at LB in 09/10. Should have easily been 6-0 and probably 3 or 4 bookings.
If it is clear why that happened, which it was you ought to be less worried. I'm not saying there are not issues defensively but the first half issues were largely addressed by switching Ness to the right. This was a great bit of management IMO as it allowed Ness to regain some confidence playing where he is more comfortable and it also provides a warning that he can't play left sided CB within the formation we are playing.
I think people are going a bit overboard about Kirk too. He didn't have a great game but he was playing out of position. This is something we need to address. Personally I think Fraser could do a job there with Anderson drafted into the middle but you can get away with players doing a job for a few games, but we do need a player there in the absence of Leaburn. We also could do with cover as we are short of striking options although I was delighted Kanu got that goal, I am waiting for the blue touchpaper to light and maybe that isn't far off for him, but it is still a maybe.
People who are saying McGrandles can't cover Dobson surely haven't been watching the pre-season games. No we can't get an exact copy of Dobson, and I can't think who we could get who would be a better back up than McGrandles for that posotion. Likewise, I think you can argue that May needs a partner to be at his best, but he certainly can affect the game on his own.
Also, I don't get those wanting to see the back of Payne. He often brings something to the team when he comes on from what I have seen. I would now prioritise a left sided CB, hopefully with a bit of pace and a target man who wins balls but is good with his feet too.
Taylor not fit to take part yet, Edun likewise, 1 fit striker. Still think we are a way off even a top six spot at the moment.
So I have been quite positive about the signings and I still am, but one view you could understand someone to have is that most of the signings we have made are injured/returning to fitness.
one week out and Edun & Taylor aren't fit, Jones hasn't played a full 90 since the 10th of April and Camara is also fresh off an injury. Only one who seems match fit and ready to go is Alfie May
Hector still doesn't look fit, six months after signing for us. Perhaps that's why he hadn't played for two years prior?
Taylor not fit to take part yet, Edun likewise, 1 fit striker. Still think we are a way off even a top six spot at the moment.
So I have been quite positive about the signings and I still am, but one view you could understand someone to have is that most of the signings we have made are injured/returning to fitness.
one week out and Edun & Taylor aren't fit, Jones hasn't played a full 90 since the 10th of April and Camara is also fresh off an injury. Only one who seems match fit and ready to go is Alfie May
Hector still doesn't look fit, six months after signing for us. Perhaps that's why he hadn't played for two years prior?
he's missed two pre season games which hasn't helped but yes I agree with you.
Got to love the overreaction to a pre season defeat, good to see nothing has changed
I don’t think it was an overreaction to a defeat, but to a half where we were quickly 3-0 down, could easily have been 6-0 and defensively we were all at sea.
I think unless you watched that first half then you can’t really say it was an overreaction. Hector was playing like a piss Sunday league centre back. Ness performance at LCB was probably worse than Solly at the den at LB in 09/10. Should have easily been 6-0 and probably 3 or 4 bookings.
Good point re the bookings. We escaped at least three bookings and two further penalties imho. The result could have been so much worse.
Defence yesterday was a real worry. Not only not individually good enough but were all over the place organisationally. I think that’s been a reoccurring theme for several seasons. Do we have a specialist defensive coach ? If not why not and if we do, what’s he playing at. I’m hopeful that performance by Hector was an early season blip because we need him to be the lynchpin of the defence. Hopeful we will sign a RWB and that Edun once fit will improve things. What’s glaring now is the lack of a partner for May. Going into Orient without another striker jeopardises the points. I hope we’re prioritising that this week but I can’t see it happening for another few weeks at least.
Next Saturday’s opposition Orient lost 2-1 to L2 Colchester yesterday. We might get away with not having to sign another striker just for that game.
On reflection, having had the time to think about it, I was wrong to have a negative post at HT on this thread. Its a pre-season game and is used to help with match fitness, formations, looking at players in certain positions and also confirm, or otherwise, where we have gaps that the current squad cant fill. Our performance, especially in the first half against Millwall, was excellent, but then again it was a pre-season game and I guess we need to look at it the same way as yesterdays first half performance which was far from excellent, i.e it doesn't matter they were pre-season games, so don't get too up or down! I trust DH and Andy Scott to add further to the squad early this week, I'm sure they know another striker is of paramount importance, as many of the 'experts' on here are pointing out (myself included!). We need strength in depth this year, so we are not relying on the youngsters too much. We still have Taylor and Edun to get into the side, as soon as they are fit, and get others off the books either by selling or out on loan. The game that matters is next Saturday, where it would be very good to get off to a flying start, again I'm sure DH knows this. So pre-season is now over, now its onto the 'proper business' and, this week, on the training ground and off the pitch regarding new bodies is the cataly Am I still in a positive frame of mind....Yes, am I hopeful of promotion.....Yes, do I trust DH to get it right most times.....Yes. Roll on next Saturday, I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere, I'll be following on CATV from my sick bed!! Enjoy your week fellow Addicks.....the new season is virtually upon us!
I think that’s a lot of the problem, maybe there should be a 24hr delay on any post match thread because most people appear to post in the heat of the moment and very often an over reaction to a defeat / win, that isn’t in context to the game and it’s importance or not.
On reflection, having had the time to think about it, I was wrong to have a negative post at HT on this thread. Its a pre-season game and is used to help with match fitness, formations, looking at players in certain positions and also confirm, or otherwise, where we have gaps that the current squad cant fill. Our performance, especially in the first half against Millwall, was excellent, but then again it was a pre-season game and I guess we need to look at it the same way as yesterdays first half performance which was far from excellent, i.e it doesn't matter they were pre-season games, so don't get too up or down! I trust DH and Andy Scott to add further to the squad early this week, I'm sure they know another striker is of paramount importance, as many of the 'experts' on here are pointing out (myself included!). We need strength in depth this year, so we are not relying on the youngsters too much. We still have Taylor and Edun to get into the side, as soon as they are fit, and get others off the books either by selling or out on loan. The game that matters is next Saturday, where it would be very good to get off to a flying start, again I'm sure DH knows this. So pre-season is now over, now its onto the 'proper business' and, this week, on the training ground and off the pitch regarding new bodies is the catalyst. Am I still in a positive frame of mind....Yes, am I hopeful of promotion.....Yes, do I trust DH to get it right most times.....Yes. Roll on next Saturday, I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere, I'll be following on CATV from my sick bed!! Enjoy your week fellow Addicks.....the new season is virtually upon us!
I think that’s a lot of the problem, maybe there should be a 24hr delay on any post match thread because most people appear to post in the heat of the moment and very often an over reaction to a defeat / win, that isn’t in context to the game and it’s importance or not.
Posting in the heat of the moment and again a day or two later upon reflection isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you just have to avoid saying something you might later regret if you do it in the heat of the moment.
Comments
Scott Fraser performing like a Brazilian wonderkid against non league teams means nothing, just as getting spanked by an SPL team doesn't.
Playoff contenders? We're still not there yet, nor or we miles off.
Derby lost 1-3 at home to Sheff Utd
Bolton won 4-3 at home vs West Brom
Barnsley won 2-1 at home vs Crewe
Peterborough won 3-2 at home vs Birmingham
Portsmouth lost 0-1 at home to Bristol City
Reading lost 0-4 at home to Swansea
Blackpool won 3-0 at home vs a Hibs 2nd XI
Oxford won 5-0 at home vs QPR
Wycombe drew 0-0 at home with Cardiff
Firstly, Aberdeen were seriously good and much better than us.
They'll be playing in Europe next season and it showed.
Quicker, stronger, better organised. .
Can we sign their number 9 please?
We were shown up as limited with obvious weaknesses and gaps in the formation.
Like a League 1, actually.
Hector seemed asleep, Ness exposed and outplayed, Jones I thought was OK but was beaten for the second goal.
CBT was our best attacking threat but Aberdeen exploited that space behind him ruthlessly.
Camara couldn't impose himself but Fraser has some very good touches.
Kirk isn't a striker and he's not even a decent stand in striker. Campbell was a much better round peg for that square hole.
Everyone other than Golfie, who's been saying all summer that one striker is enough, can see we need a forward to compliment May, who worked hard, usually on his own, but did stretch them a few times.
Not the end of the world or even our season. Fairly sure Orient won't be as good but I'm sure their scouts noticed our flaws. They will come to the Valley full of confidence as a newly promoted side with a settled team and method of play. It won't be easy.
And maybe losing yesterday is a little wake up call to fans, to owners and to our recruitment team.
Didn't see any of the aggro people are talking about.
Moronic behaviour regardless but thankfully the main Spurs risk group stayed in Woolwich I'm told.
No idea if anything happened post game as I was in the fans bar helping with the player signings.
Well done Aysha, Millie and James for organising and Tracey for getting the players there and inviting the museum along. Sorry TJ, I know you said how busy you've been looking after the new signings (housing etc) and pop stars but I hope you have a bit more work to do with new players soon
Credit to Alfie, George, Lloyd and Tyreece for signing pics and shirts and posing for endless selfies.
And to Dean Holden who turned up later and did the same.
Best bit of the day though was seeing so many young fans queuing up to meet the players.
They are the future and I hope the players give them some more happy memories this season.
It's those damned square pegs refusing to go into round holes that's the problem.
I can't imagine that Holden isn't already fully aware of all the issues and problems that our resident experts have kindly detailed for us. Nor do I think he's operating under any kind of assumption that Kirk behind the striker or CBT as first choice wing back are viable long term plans, but he's not Guardiola and we're not City and we don't have the luxury of going out and picking the ideal player for every position.
Yes Orient will have taken notes today. But we'll have had people doing the same at their games too.
But I also get it. Our record at home in recent years has been abysmal. The number of times lower half League One teams have strolled in and rolled us over at The Valley has been humbling and depressing.
I think the summer signings, the takeover and pre season performances have injected some hope. It all set up nicely for a return to The Valley. And as per usual we’re 3-0 at half time.
But as others have said; it’s pre season. There are still more signings to come in key areas - a big forward must surely be a priority to help May - and Aberdeen are a very decent side.
I seem to remember Curbs used to have very patchy pre season results before a cracking season. Keep the faith.
Our performance, especially in the first half against Millwall, was excellent, but then again it was a pre-season game and I guess we need to look at it the same way as yesterdays first half performance which was far from excellent, i.e it doesn't matter they were pre-season games, so don't get too up or down!
I trust DH and Andy Scott to add further to the squad early this week, I'm sure they know another striker is of paramount importance, as many of the 'experts' on here are pointing out (myself included!).
We need strength in depth this year, so we are not relying on the youngsters too much. We still have Taylor and Edun to get into the side, as soon as they are fit, and get others off the books either by selling or out on loan.
The game that matters is next Saturday, where it would be very good to get off to a flying start, again I'm sure DH knows this.
So pre-season is now over, now its onto the 'proper business' and, this week, on the training ground and off the pitch regarding new bodies is the catalyst.
Am I still in a positive frame of mind....Yes, am I hopeful of promotion.....Yes, do I trust DH to get it right most times.....Yes.
Roll on next Saturday, I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere, I'll be following on CATV from my sick bed!!
Enjoy your week fellow Addicks.....the new season is virtually upon us!
we put out a team and formation in the first half that gave a good account for itself but had defensive frailties that saw it lose 3-0
For the second half Deano made various changes to the players on the pitch and Charlton won 2-0
will that combination of players that played the first half happen again ? Probably unlikely.
Impressed with Camara and Fraser had a decent game. Felt sorry for May as Kirk was never close enough to him to give him support.
Great away support from Aberdeen. The local pubs in Woolwich seemed to be doing a good trade. Never known an away support to be frogmarched from a pub a couple of miles away to the ground.
I was taken aback at how easily they won the ball due to essentially being a lot tougher than us.
I think people are going a bit overboard about Kirk too. He didn't have a great game but he was playing out of position. This is something we need to address. Personally I think Fraser could do a job there with Anderson drafted into the middle but you can get away with players doing a job for a few games, but we do need a player there in the absence of Leaburn. We also could do with cover as we are short of striking options although I was delighted Kanu got that goal, I am waiting for the blue touchpaper to light and maybe that isn't far off for him, but it is still a maybe.
People who are saying McGrandles can't cover Dobson surely haven't been watching the pre-season games. No we can't get an exact copy of Dobson, and I can't think who we could get who would be a better back up than McGrandles for that posotion. Likewise, I think you can argue that May needs a partner to be at his best, but he certainly can affect the game on his own.
Also, I don't get those wanting to see the back of Payne. He often brings something to the team when he comes on from what I have seen. I would now prioritise a left sided CB, hopefully with a bit of pace and a target man who wins balls but is good with his feet too.