Lloyd Jones been a monster in the air all season, until he comes up against two wingers playing up front for Rotherham. Not helped by his two defensive mates.
First goal looked a little offside, but how have we allowed a cross like that to come into the box and not be dealt with.
Second goal was a shocker from Jones, but Edwards needs to be more committed to blocking the shot. The ball is running away from goal so the player has to take the shot, but he doesn't even dive/slide to try and block it so it goes through his legs into the far corner.
Third goal was a little unlucky/bit of a mess, and an awful time to concede as we'd just got back into it.
Fourth goal is on the keeper, Leaburn and Aneke are calling for a long ball into the right channel where they are ready to attack it and counter. AMB hits a poor loopy kick into the middle of the park, nowhere near them, not sure who goes up for the header (TC?) but is easily beaten and Rotherham score straight from that.
Really poor goals to concede, but never saw us take a foothold in the game or show any sort of attacking shape to keep the ball away from our end. We've had a few weeks of TC and Small being our bright sparks, but on a today like today when it wasn't working for them, there doesn't seem to be much else.
Only players I thought came out with any credit were Coventry and Docherty. Hopefully a few changes for Tuesday night.
On the positive side, it was a rare game that me and my son (8) could attend, and he says he wants to go again soon so he's not been put off!
“That wasn’t us today” Well I’m sorry Nathan but you obviously haven’t been paying attention all season. That was very much us. Not a one off but one to add to a sickening list of absolute dire performances. Your team, your tactics your fault.
Lloyd Jones been a monster in the air all season, until he comes up against two wingers playing up front for Rotherham. Not helped by his two defensive mates.
First goal looked a little offside, but how have we allowed a cross like that to come into the box and not be dealt with.
Second goal was a shocker from Jones, but Edwards needs to be more committed to blocking the shot. The ball is running away from goal so the player has to take the shot, but he doesn't even dive/slide to try and block it so it goes through his legs into the far corner.
Third goal was a little unlucky/bit of a mess, and an awful time to concede as we'd just got back into it.
Fourth goal is on the keeper, Leaburn and Aneke are calling for a long ball into the right channel where they are ready to attack it and counter. AMB hits a poor loopy kick into the middle of the park, nowhere near them, not sure who goes up for the header (TC?) but is easily beaten and Rotherham score straight from that.
Really poor goals to concede, but never saw us take a foothold in the game or show any sort of attacking shape to keep the ball away from our end. We've had a few weeks of TC and Small being our bright sparks, but on a today like today when it wasn't working for them, there doesn't seem to be much else.
Only players I thought came out with any credit were Coventry and Docherty. Hopefully a few changes for Tuesday night.
On the positive side, it was a rare game that me and my son (8) could attend, and he says he wants to go again soon so he's not been put off!
Third goal was caused by Coventry dicking around on the ball then fouling their player allowing a free hit into the area on the half time whistle.
Fourth may have been a poor kick by AMB but I am pretty sure Gillesphy simply letting Wilks run off him and put no effort into getting back with him had more of a contribution. Our CBs cannot be letting goals in like that. It is simple, school boy nonsense. Gillesphy then doubled down on it by allowing Wilks to run off him time and again. Gillesphy also put zero effort into a header challenge immediately before Jones error for the second.
Lloyd Jones been a monster in the air all season, until he comes up against two wingers playing up front for Rotherham. Not helped by his two defensive mates.
First goal looked a little offside, but how have we allowed a cross like that to come into the box and not be dealt with.
Second goal was a shocker from Jones, but Edwards needs to be more committed to blocking the shot. The ball is running away from goal so the player has to take the shot, but he doesn't even dive/slide to try and block it so it goes through his legs into the far corner.
Third goal was a little unlucky/bit of a mess, and an awful time to concede as we'd just got back into it.
Fourth goal is on the keeper, Leaburn and Aneke are calling for a long ball into the right channel where they are ready to attack it and counter. AMB hits a poor loopy kick into the middle of the park, nowhere near them, not sure who goes up for the header (TC?) but is easily beaten and Rotherham score straight from that.
Really poor goals to concede, but never saw us take a foothold in the game or show any sort of attacking shape to keep the ball away from our end. We've had a few weeks of TC and Small being our bright sparks, but on a today like today when it wasn't working for them, there doesn't seem to be much else.
Only players I thought came out with any credit were Coventry and Docherty. Hopefully a few changes for Tuesday night.
On the positive side, it was a rare game that me and my son (8) could attend, and he says he wants to go again soon so he's not been put off!
Very good summary. And glad your son hasn’t been put off. My lad is five and he loved it too. Strange creature.
add out-sped, out skilled, out managed, out witted and out-organised .. we were taught a lesson by a very good Rotherham outfit who on today's form I'd fancy to beat any team in this league .. we need to have a rethink in how we play the game, more pace, a better balanced midfield, a really reliable keeper Plus points .. the team never gave up and this performance would probably have got a result against a lot of teams , but promotion form ? .. Nahh
All of our defenders had a bad day for sure but they must hate having AMB in goal the guy comes for nothing imo he was at fault for 2 of the goals today. Plus his distribution is woeful. He cannot inspire confidence in the players surely. Teams just know if they keep sending high balls into our box they will get rewarded
All of our defenders had a bad day for sure but they must hate having AMB in goal the guy comes for nothing imo he was at fault for 2 of the goals today. Plus his distribution is woeful. He cannot inspire confidence in the players surely. Teams just know if they keep sending high balls into our box they will get rewarded
They were all at fault but agree, AMB is so indecisive and unpredictable.
Two good finishes from our forwards, otherwise disjointed up front, absent in midfield and calamitous at the back. It's been said before, but I'll say it again, we really shouldn't have got rid of these two:
Results elsewhere couldn't have gone much better so an opportunity to make up ground has been missed, but the positive spin is we haven't lost much ground either.
Somehow the 4 winnable home games out of the next 5 after Bolton must be entered with a positive mindset, and all won. No more messing about.
So back to scoring goals again but also back to giving them away at the same time.
Hopefully this game is a blip for the back 3/5 rather than a fundamental inability to be solid at the back whilst offering anything going forwards.
One thing is for sure and that is that we're currently not a championship quality team and need quality reinforcements in order to be serious about getting out of the league.
The back 3 had a mare, granted ....... but the midfield was virtually non-existent.
Completely over-run in midfield, no one held the ball, no one tracked back. At least after Karoy came on there was finally a bit of endeavour and fight for the ball.
Midfield has been poor all season - none of them can tackle and bring the ball forward at pace, we're ponderous on the ball, over or underhit all our passes and get outplayed constantly. Only time the midfield look half decent is when the opposition stand back and let us play which isn't going to happen often at this level. Coventry, Docherty and Berry just too lightweight. As are Taylor, Anderson and Campbell.
Our only creative threat is from our wide players. Doesn't matter how good your forwards and defence are (and our defence isn't all that) you need to get the midfield engine room right to succeed at any level and we haven't done that since Lee Bowyer's promotion year. Since Dobson was allowed to leave we've had no-one who can break up play in midfield.
We have some raw talent up front in Leaburn and Kanu plus some experience from Aneke and Godden and some raw talent out wide in Small, Ramsey and TC - the rest of the squad is meh.
Was today a blip or just back to what we've been for most of the season ?
Yes, we had previously been 6 unbeaten in the league but that included 3 draws......all 3 being 0-0. We are never going to set the league alight & not going to go on an amazing winning run to force our way into the play offs.
Would have been a good day to steal a march on the other teams chasing a top 6 spot as many around us failed to win. I said on the pre match thread we had a big 3 games ahead of us & fell at the first hurdle.
We have 6 games now before we play away at Birmingham with 4 being at home. Need no less than 14 points from those games otherwise the season will def be over.
It was unexpected, as while we were turgid for much of the autumn, we weren't being cut apart like we were today.
Thankfully I didn't go today or even watch the stream. Tuesday has to show a bit turnaround, or else we can effectively write off this season. I had wondered about the lack of rotation, and barely using the bench in recent games. The Tuesday cup game and the travelling would have had some impact on our energy reserves.
As far as I know we stayed up North after the Preston game and are in fact still staying there for the visit to Bolton.
Had a lovely lunch with my family to celebrate my Mum and her Husband’s Golden Wedding Anniversary today - at The Poet pub in Matfield, near Paddock Wood in Kent - highly recommend - superb grub
Two good finishes from our forwards, otherwise disjointed up front, absent in midfield and calamitous at the back. It's been said before, but I'll say it again, we really shouldn't have got rid of these two:
… random thought entered my head. If Man City get relegated this year and end up in the championship, is that as good as saying that it makes it one team harder to stay out of the championship relegation zone. Might it be harder and more expensive to stay up next year (if we went up) . Might it be better from a financial perspective to stay in league one another year ? I don’t really know what I am talking about and am probably clutching at straws. Any ridicule deserved.
I wonder if the team is staying up north in readiness for the Bolton match.
Surely this would be beneficial to the players, both mentally & physically to give them a better chance of bouncing back on Tuesday evening.
Lots of tired bodies wearing our away strip today & agree with those who've suggested we might have been stronger if NJ had made a few more changes for the Cup match. I'd wager the majority of us would have accepted that regardless of the outcome.
It goes without saying that we cannot afford to be overrun in this manner again if we're serious about finishing in the top 6.
Whether the owners will decide to allow the gaffer to bring in new blood to strengthen certain areas, is up for debate but if significant injuries to any key squad players are sustained, I'd question our ability to regroup successfully.
Everything crossed for that good old bouncebackability as a certain ex manager liked to say, starting in 3 days' time, to get us back on track.
Wish we could be there to add our voices to the intrepid away support but we've served our time and travelled those many miles, now handing that baton to the younger, fitter fans to carry to all points north of Watford.
And thank them for their support through thick & thin ( that's not aimed at today's managers!)
Results elsewhere couldn't have gone much better so an opportunity to make up ground has been missed, but the positive spin is we haven't lost much ground either.
Somehow the 4 winnable home games out of the next 5 after Bolton must be entered with a positive mindset, and all won. No more messing about.
Lose at Bolton and we’d need 1.95 points per game to reach 75 points this season.
Comments
First goal looked a little offside, but how have we allowed a cross like that to come into the box and not be dealt with.
Second goal was a shocker from Jones, but Edwards needs to be more committed to blocking the shot. The ball is running away from goal so the player has to take the shot, but he doesn't even dive/slide to try and block it so it goes through his legs into the far corner.
Third goal was a little unlucky/bit of a mess, and an awful time to concede as we'd just got back into it.
Fourth goal is on the keeper, Leaburn and Aneke are calling for a long ball into the right channel where they are ready to attack it and counter. AMB hits a poor loopy kick into the middle of the park, nowhere near them, not sure who goes up for the header (TC?) but is easily beaten and Rotherham score straight from that.
Really poor goals to concede, but never saw us take a foothold in the game or show any sort of attacking shape to keep the ball away from our end. We've had a few weeks of TC and Small being our bright sparks, but on a today like today when it wasn't working for them, there doesn't seem to be much else.
Only players I thought came out with any credit were Coventry and Docherty. Hopefully a few changes for Tuesday night.
On the positive side, it was a rare game that me and my son (8) could attend, and he says he wants to go again soon so he's not been put off!
Rotherham must be Premiership on the evidence of today.
Disappointing. Thought we'd get at least a draw but it is Charlton after all!
Unlikely to get Josh Keeley , he's on loan from Spurs.
Hey ho another season in this shit league.
1. How comes we can’t make changes without weakening the team?
2. Is the fact we’re not in the top two because you’re a bad manager?
Fourth may have been a poor kick by AMB but I am pretty sure Gillesphy simply letting Wilks run off him and put no effort into getting back with him had more of a contribution. Our CBs cannot be letting goals in like that. It is simple, school boy nonsense. Gillesphy then doubled down on it by allowing Wilks to run off him time and again. Gillesphy also put zero effort into a header challenge immediately before Jones error for the second.
Plus points .. the team never gave up and this performance would probably have got a result against a lot of teams , but promotion form ? .. Nahh
Somehow the 4 winnable home games out of the next 5 after Bolton must be entered with a positive mindset, and all won. No more messing about.
Our only creative threat is from our wide players. Doesn't matter how good your forwards and defence are (and our defence isn't all that) you need to get the midfield engine room right to succeed at any level and we haven't done that since Lee Bowyer's promotion year. Since Dobson was allowed to leave we've had no-one who can break up play in midfield.
We have some raw talent up front in Leaburn and Kanu plus some experience from Aneke and Godden and some raw talent out wide in Small, Ramsey and TC - the rest of the squad is meh.
As for CAFC …..
Glad I didn’t travel
Surely this would be beneficial to the players, both mentally & physically to give them a better chance of bouncing back on Tuesday evening.
Lots of tired bodies wearing our away strip today & agree with those who've suggested we might have been stronger if NJ had made a few more changes for the Cup match. I'd wager the majority of us would have accepted that regardless of the outcome.
It goes without saying that we cannot afford to be overrun in this manner again if we're serious about finishing in the top 6.
Whether the owners will decide to allow the gaffer to bring in new blood to strengthen certain areas, is up for debate but if significant injuries to any key squad players are sustained, I'd question our ability to regroup successfully.
Everything crossed for that good old bouncebackability as a certain ex manager liked to say, starting in 3 days' time, to get us back on track.
Wish we could be there to add our voices to the intrepid away support but we've served our time and travelled those many miles, now handing that baton to the younger, fitter fans to carry to all points north of Watford.
And thank them for their support through thick & thin ( that's not aimed at today's managers!)