If we're to be competitive in this league, that's the required standard. If crowds are to rise, that's the required standard. No team in this division should be feared or over-respected.
Really good stuff, enjoyed that.
Points-wise the playoffs look a big ask, but an achievable target. Essential we continue this for the remainder of this season and carry the momentum into the next one.
Landmark day as I award Docherty more than Coventry in player marks. Happy now @Chunes - our hero had a slight off day but was still pretty good Lloyd Jones is just imperious. Docherty finally looks like the guy. TC splendid. We gubbed em second half. Lots of teams are going to struggle against us now
I've said umpteen times he's a decent player. I also criticised him last season for being poor, which he was, and I still believe he's not a touch on Dobson. But he does his job and is effective in his role. How this has turned into me hating him is baffling.
We have a lot of previous when it comes to arguing over players, and I'm not afraid to say if I think someone is useless, as well you should know!
I know you don't hate him really! It is all just a bit of theatre. Although I'll admit in Hector's case I really was won over by his effortless dispossessing of forwards enough to forgive his not running or jumping much, lol
Ah, it's theatre! Then en garde, because I am a massive thespian.
Supporting Charlton more like a Sarah Kane play than a pantomime at the moment
Can't deny the last 4 we played really well. Was watching on my phone whilst also watching Horsham beat Carshalton 3-0. We were good. We had the better chances and Miles should have buried his chance that the keeper fumbled.
I'm disappointed with a draw given just how well we played.
In between the frequent games of head tennis was a decent game of football.
In hindsight, it’s two points lost and we didn’t capitalise on getting a midweek rest compared to Reading. A lack of composure and some good fortune for their keeper kept us goalless, but that’s football and we’ll win games playing worse. Was expecting more from Reading, but it may well have been a game too far for them, in which case they’d be delighted with a point.
We are pretty much unrecognisable from Crawley / Lincoln / Orient games from just one month ago and game by game I’m growing more confident this isn’t just an improved blip, this will be maintained now in the 2nd half of the season. We’ve an energy and drive that was previously missing, just today the final third didn’t work out for us.
Not seen him mentioned but I think Doherty is definitely showing us more game by game. The one big disappointment for me is Berry. A senior pro with recent higher experience, he should be influencing games a lot more than he is. Another very quiet game today.
Only teams to have lost fewer games than us are the top four: Birmingham, Wycombe, Wrexham and Huddersfield. We now have the solid platform that we desperately needed.
Where we have suffered is from a few annoying draws against Stockport, Barnsley, Mansfield, Reading… All of whom have top six ambitions themselves.
Turn two or three of those into wins and we wouldn’t be just outside looking in, playing catch up.
Agree. Think we've given ourselves too much to do but at least there's a style and purpose to the way we play now. Just too late imo.
somewhat nice to come away from a game gutted at not taking all 3pts, after the first half of the season we've had!
So frustrating that almost every shot on target goes straight to the keeper - didnt even really make him work. We play so much better having width to out performance, but its clear that Small and TC think theyre better than they are - so wasteful and nonchalant when attacking, and rather than beating their man they both prefer to check back or try a few fancy step overs- just get it in the box if youre not going to drive!!!
Defence looks solid, albeit gilesphey scares me everytime hes on the ball - our only real weak link there. Midfield solid too but with no magic or class to it.
Should really have won, but it keeps reading in touching distance... really need to start picking up points, especially the 6 pointers
That’s very inaccurate about Small. His fault is composure in front of goal.
I wasn't there & didnt watch it on TV so no idea what foot these chances fell to him......
But remember he is a left footed defender playing on the right. If chances fall to him on his "wrong" foot then it's hard to criticise him. Same with regards to crossing.
The chances he missed were when he cut in on his left foot but blazed over or wide. One he wriggled through and only needed to calmly pass it into the net but went for the Hollywood finish. Shame cause his approach play was good.
somewhat nice to come away from a game gutted at not taking all 3pts, after the first half of the season we've had!
So frustrating that almost every shot on target goes straight to the keeper - didnt even really make him work. We play so much better having width to out performance, but its clear that Small and TC think theyre better than they are - so wasteful and nonchalant when attacking, and rather than beating their man they both prefer to check back or try a few fancy step overs- just get it in the box if youre not going to drive!!!
Defence looks solid, albeit gilesphey scares me everytime hes on the ball - our only real weak link there. Midfield solid too but with no magic or class to it.
Should really have won, but it keeps reading in touching distance... really need to start picking up points, especially the 6 pointers
That’s very inaccurate about Small. His fault is composure in front of goal.
I wasn't there & didnt watch it on TV so no idea what foot these chances fell to him......
But remember he is a left footed defender playing on the right. If chances fall to him on his "wrong" foot then it's hard to criticise him. Same with regards to crossing.
The chances he missed were when he cut in on his left foot but blazed over or wide. One he wriggled through and only needed to calmly pass it into the net but went for the Hollywood finish. Shame cause his approach play was good.
Brownie called it well, it's like he rushes the last bit, cross, pass or shot he suddenly goes into overdrive and smashes the ball...
Not seen him mentioned but I think Doherty is definitely showing us more game by game. The one big disappointment for me is Berry. A senior pro with recent higher experience, he should be influencing games a lot more than he is. Another very quiet game today.
Agreed. Docherty now is chalk and cheese to Docherty of a month or so ago.
On the balance of play and chances we deserved to win. Our decision making in and around the box on occasion plus poor finishing meant we didn’t. However, a performance that is so much better than we were witnessing a few weeks ago.
Could have won it, should have won it, no complaints that we didn’t win it. 6 game unbeaten run, 3 wins, 3 draws, only 2 goals conceded. Onwards and upwards.
A quality creative midfielder could really be what rounds this side out. Berry has been a letdown but an upgrade on him and Ramsay getting fit again would be great options to have. LCB I'd have a look at too as I'm assuming Potts isn't staying?
Another game where I've been impressed by Joel Pereira their keeper.
We also could have scored in the first half. 0-0 or 1-1 would have been fair. Could never have been 0-3.
Second half we battered them. How we haven’t got the three points I have no idea. Well, poor finishing I guess, but we’re now playing much better, and yet we’re now 7 points from 6th, albeit with a game in hand. Let’s hope they keep their heads up.
Their man of the match must be the keeper.
Few people said this, not sure I get it. 3 pea rollers straight at him and he nearly gifted us a goal. Did well, but Savage was immense. His tackle against TC was quality, made up about 40 yards.
I find it amazing that he is still at this level. I remember him coming on against us for, was it Morecombe ? But Peter Shirtliffe was commentating and said how good he looked, shame his old man is a cock though.
Another day we win that. Said in the rumours thread we need one or two alternatives to TC and Small. I feel that’s holding us back, we don’t have pace and dribbling ability to bring off the bench or to rotate. If NJ doesn’t feel u21s such as Enslin and Dixon are ready then we need a signing or two.
Without their pace we’ll look a different team, we won’t be able to play the new style which is 1. not only much more enjoyable to watch but 2. more effective and better suits this squad than route one.
Leaburn and Jones are also key but we have others who can play in their positions and roles, just not to the same level. Take the pace away and using width won’t work.
I’d like upgrades on Berry and Gillesphey but realistically they might be signings for the summer.
Need 41 from the remaining 23 to get to the 75 mark that’s usually needed for top six.
Brum, Wycombe, Wrexham & Stockport all away from home will be a tough ask
On the other end though, that means there’s plenty of poor teams still to come to the Valley where picking off three points consistently will be critical.
We can do it. 12 points from the last six with only two goals conceded and four clean sheets so recent form is tracking the right way.
We cannot afford to drop any further away from 5th and 6th places. It will be a tough ask.
It's a tough ask as it is. The gap isn't really narrowing. Just got to keep going and see where it takes us. I think we will miss out by three or four points but if we continue improving and tinker with the squad a bit, who knows.
Decent performance in spells, but Reading had a couple of spells of their own and 3 huge chances.
If Thierry Small had an end product there is no doubt he'd be playing at a much higher level.
I am bored of saying it, but how bad does Gillesphey have to be before he is dropped? He was absolutely woeful today and added being out muscled to his ever growing list of deficiencies.
Going to moan about the bench as well. It's still ridiculously unbalanced. I don't see the need for 3 strikers and if Anderson is there, why do we need Campbell as well?
Every time I have seen Whing play for Reading I have been impressed - would love to get him in. Knibbs was less effective than he has been against us in the past. I like Sam Smith as well, clever footballer and given his size he leads the line really well.
No doubt things have improved and there is a level of resilience there, but the concern for me is what happens if we loose Jones again? He leads the defensive line so we'll and we don't have a replacement for that.
Talking out of your proverbial about Gillesphey as most. No coincidence that we've been a better defensive unit with Jones next to him. A misplaced pass doesn't mark someone down always but as usual Charlton fans need a scapegoat e.g Fox/Purrington/Morgan. Let's analyse today we didn't concede of which Gillesphey wad part of our defense. How many goals did we score .......nil ! Don't see you berating others.
Should have won that the better team lack of finishing quality or that extra class that's letting us down in these types of games it's on the owners....
No complaints from me. I criticised the performance against Cambridge even though we won and I was told to cheer up and enjoy the win. I enjoyed today more. Today was a proper performance. 9 times out of ten we win that game. We couldn't have done much more. A very dubious goal ruled out, one cleared off the line, their keeper made three decent stops, created numerous chances, it just wouldn't go in, it happens, but no complaints.
Well one complaint. The East Stand lino didn't raise his flag first half yet couldn't wait to do so second half, except when Edwards was badly fouled. He made some appalling decisions second half, none more so than our goal.
Thierry Small would be one hell of a player if his decision making were better and he didn't let occasions/opportunities go to his head. He needs to show much more composure when he gets sight of goal but there must be a rush of blood to his head and everything goes to pot. A shame as he's exciting and good to watch.
Agree with all of that but it shouldn't be lost on people the ages of our three most offensive players, Leaburn, Tyreece Campbell and Thierry Small. I actually thought our threat increased with Chuks and the Godden on the pitch, not a bad situation when you can swap two kids for two senior strikers.
Two senior strikers? We're not going to see much of Aneke.
To take the positives, whether or not this really was the plan from the start or not, there's clearly an evolution of the tactics and style visible now and more pertinently its one that looks both successful and sustainable... as long as January doesn't end with critical pieces missing/sold.
I know the talk from Jones is very minimal activity and not many signings but as ever it's the potential outs that could really scupper things. There's the makings of a properly decent side in there and hopefully that doesn't get ruined by chasing easy cash.
Need 41 from the remaining 23 to get to the 75 mark that’s usually needed for top six.
Brum, Wycombe, Wrexham & Stockport all away from home will be a tough ask
On the other end though, that means there’s plenty of poor teams still to come to the Valley where picking off three points consistently will be critical.
We can do it. 12 points from the last six with only two goals conceded and four clean sheets so recent form is tracking the right way.
Win all our remaining home games and pick up a point at every away equals 79 points.
Comments
Really good stuff, enjoyed that.
Points-wise the playoffs look a big ask, but an achievable target. Essential we continue this for the remainder of this season and carry the momentum into the next one.
I'm disappointed with a draw given just how well we played.
We are pretty much unrecognisable from Crawley / Lincoln / Orient games from just one month ago and game by game I’m growing more confident this isn’t just an improved blip, this will be maintained now in the 2nd half of the season. We’ve an energy and drive that was previously missing, just today the final third didn’t work out for us.
Just too late imo.
Another game where I've been impressed by Joel Pereira their keeper.
Without their pace we’ll look a different team, we won’t be able to play the new style which is 1. not only much more enjoyable to watch but 2. more effective and better suits this squad than route one.
Leaburn and Jones are also key but we have others who can play in their positions and roles, just not to the same level. Take the pace away and using width won’t work.
I’d like upgrades on Berry and Gillesphey but realistically they might be signings for the summer.
Gillesphey played well and has done so recently.
We need to be more clinical but defence was great and some of the football we played to unlock their defence on many occasions was great to see
onwards and upwards but Jones and the team are showing a team with effort and passion we can all be proud of !!
I know the talk from Jones is very minimal activity and not many signings but as ever it's the potential outs that could really scupper things. There's the makings of a properly decent side in there and hopefully that doesn't get ruined by chasing easy cash.
Blame first half of season for our downfall .