I just looked back at the goals vs Pompey in preseason, this could be a game for Campbell with potentially more space in behind for him to use his pace. Will be interesting to see whether NJ sticks with Ahadme and Campbell or feels we need a change to improve our attacking play.
I just looked back at the goals vs Pompey in preseason, this could be a game for Campbell with potentially more space in behind for him to use his pace. Will be interesting to see whether NJ sticks with Ahadme and Campbell or feels we need a change to improve our attacking play.
I think those two are a much better partnership than people are giving them credit for. Either one of them gets the ball and two or three defenders are on them because they know the two of them are giving them a hard time - neither of them are in any defenders pocket
There’s a reason why defenders and midfield players score goals and that’s often because opponents are otherwise engaged with the main striking threat and goalscoring opportunities are handed to them on a plate - that’s not to take it away from the achievement of scoring the goal, even the best strikers can’t do that every time (May at Exeter last season springs to mind).
Campbell and Ahadme are starting because of the running that they do as much as anything. To both wear the defence out for nous of Godden and the power of Aneke to come on but also to defend from the top and stopping the ball coming straight back like it did so often last season. I think it’s worked pretty well so far and both will only improve as they play more. I can’t see Jones changing it.
One thing not mentioned on here is that Bolton are not a happy club. Their fans for some inexplicable reason are fed up of Evatt and want him out. If we take the lead, I think their fans will start getting on their back.
Our defence has looked solid and highly efficient. Looking forward to seeing how they stand up to today's test. We will need to show a lot more nous and penetration going forward. High energy high press isn't always going to be enough in itself. Need to improve our delivery into the box and we will need to be clinical. Sort the crosses out. Sort the set pieces out. Be composed and clinical. 1-1
I'm half expecting the standard against Bolton. Niggly game, we get frustrated and knock it too long and play into the hands of Beckenbauer Santos (as we ALWAYS make him look)
Or Ahadme schools him and we win 2-1 Ahadme and Campbell
I'll go for that with another late goal from us as we start making teams notice how strong we are at finishing games.
So cards on table, I’ve been distinctly unimpressed with us so far, but delighted by the outcomes. I think it will prove we had a very soft start to the season and Wigan and Orient will be bottom third teams. I think we’ve looked nothing more than mid table so far.
So I’m looking forward to today to see how we compare against a team I’m confident will be better than what we’ve faced. A soft start may well have been just what we needed to give us an opening base, but I do think we need to improve to contend.
It looks like we’ve tightened defensively at a sacrifice to being creative offensive. Today will give a better steer towards n if we have tightened or just faced a couple of powder puff attacks
Maybe someone slipped something in my morning cuppa today but I'm not actually that concerned about Santos for once. He'll do well aerially, that's a given, but I think our press could cause him problems. Other teams seem to do alright against him when they give him no time
A lot of healthy realism on the thread. Like most, I will be happy with a draw and delighted with a win. It we’ll be interesting to see how NJ approaches it. What would the reaction be to playing for a draw at home?
I don’t think there are any circumstances that Jones would play for a draw. It might turn out that way but only because if they score we have a chance of also getting a goal. Pressure on our defence though cos if they score more than 1 I don’t think we can atm
Comments
There’s a reason why defenders and midfield players score goals and that’s often because opponents are otherwise engaged with the main striking threat and goalscoring opportunities are handed to them on a plate - that’s not to take it away from the achievement of scoring the goal, even the best strikers can’t do that every time (May at Exeter last season springs to mind).
One thing not mentioned on here is that Bolton are not a happy club. Their fans for some inexplicable reason are fed up of Evatt and want him out. If we take the lead, I think their fans will start getting on their back.
Looking forward to seeing how they stand up to today's test.
We will need to show a lot more nous and penetration going forward.
High energy high press isn't always going to be enough in itself.
Need to improve our delivery into the box and we will need to be clinical.
Sort the crosses out.
Sort the set pieces out.
Be composed and clinical.
1-1
4-0 Comfortable Home Win, they would say, not me.
This will be my first game in 2 years.
Win, and we go 5 points clear of Bolton.
Psychologically it is telling all of the teams in this division that Charlton are back!
No longer do we roll over. This is a different Charlton, and you now play us at your peril.
We just need to win first.
COYR
Really important game!!!
I'm half expecting the standard against Bolton. Niggly game, we get frustrated and knock it too long and play into the hands of Beckenbauer Santos (as we ALWAYS make him look)
Or Ahadme schools him and we win 2-1
Ahadme and Campbell
I'll go for that with another late goal from us as we start making teams notice how strong we are at finishing games.
2-0 with them barely getting a sniff
Hopefully defense stay strong and we keep it 0-0 or push for a victory late on.