I started my post match views on Tuesday with "shite, complete and utter shite" ... well, today - "brilliant, completely and utterly brilliant".
It's hard to believe that I just went to watch the same football club play that I did on Tuesday night!
I was happy with the team selection apart from perhaps Bulot for Harriott. Shows what I know because Bulot was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Some great work from him for the opening goal down the left. He took is goal very well, not easy at that angle with that much time. Roasted their right back a few times and was busting a gut to help out defensively - can't ask for more!
Watt - wow, what a player. He deserved a goal today and was only denied by a great Button save. Proper hero stuff at the end when he made their defender look ridiculously stupid by the corner flag. Sometimes a player just clicks with a new club and I think he is one of those players, he's already developing a relationship with the fans as you could see by the chanting after the final whistle.
Vetokele back to what he does best ... Goals! Two in two now and ten for the season, hopefully that's him back on form for the run in then!
Simple game football isn't it! Two genuine wide players, two strikers and everybody in their correct positions. Attacking, purposeful and direct football. We broke with pace and looked incredibly dangerous when we did with JBG, Watt, Vetokele and Bulot all comfortable with the ball at their feet. This is a dangerous front line - goals goals goals.
Good to see Cousins back in the centre. A few misplaced passes but nothing disastrous, his engine in midfield was vital ... he seemed to be everywhere. Buyens was better than recently. Can't stand the way he left the pitch though, but I'm too happy to care too much I suppose.
Solly was very good. That tackle in the left back area in the second half - brave guy. Absolutely munched whoever it was!
Very good debut from Johnson, a proper, genuine centre half. Leading and shouting the whole game, different class to what we saw from Bikey on Tuesday. Johnson seems to have a lot of passion, a real tryer with a will to win - he was properly pumped up at the final whistle. Ben Haim was very good aswell with A good performance from Fox as well.
Brentford were dire but don't let you fool you that this wasn't a great performance.
Fans were brilliant, were behind the team right from minute one. We outsung as well as out played Brentford.
Let's hope the injuries to Jackson and Wiggins aren't too bad.
Well done to Guy Luzon as well. A good (if not obvious!) team selection, and the sub near the end of Wilson for Vetokele was at a perfect time. We needed an extra body in the tiring midfield.
I've said a couple of times that something needs to happen soon to turn this around - well this is that moment. We're going to be fine.
Problems not sorted at The Valley so I'm not going to let it paint over any cracks but this is a big day in the context of the season IMO.
No corners turned yet, but wide players out wide, central midfielders in the centre and two dangerous strikers up front. So what were the last few years about?
One of those games where if you didn't know the respective positions of the two clubs you would have said we were well above them.
Looks like Igor and Watt really enjoying playing alongside each other. They encourage each other constantly and seem to have a good understanding. Watt wa outstanding today. He may overrun the ball at times but his effort and commitment are fantastic. Has a decent fooalling brain too and brings others in to the game.
Brentford were poor and in Harlee Dean have the most iffeminately named footballer. He is a unit but not a good player and we looked dangerous whenever we attacked. Up front, Andre Gray had pace but did not get the better of Johnson who had an assured debut.
The biggest difference today was our oft mailigned midfield. Cousins added grit and steel in the middle and although Buyens doesn't half misplace some passes he looked ok today. Bulot put a real shift in and took his goal brilliantly. JBG Is a real crow favourite. He combines effort with outstanding skill. His finish was sublime today.
Henderson was very competent. Had little to do except repel a few long range efforts but his all round game was good. Seems to inspire confidence in those ahead of him.
I'm not sure if Brentford were bad or we were God. Probably a mix of the two.
Well done to the players and fans. And to Luzon who seemed to curb his over excitement on the touchline today.
And I may be wrong but did I sense a little of they old Vharlton spirit on the pitch? Seemed to be playing for each other again.
Absolutely beautiful. Concidence that we win on Hendersons return? I don't think so. Sounded like we gave it 100% for all 90 minutes, first game where we won by more than a single goal so today was huge. Wigan on Friday is another game we can win so I think the momentum is about to swing in our favor. Also does anyone have vines of the goals?
Just finished eating a large slice of humble pie. Really thought we'd lose today. Having Henderson back in the team instills me with confidence and Johnson does what it says on the tin. Proper centre half, organised the back line and headed every ball that came near him. Shame about the injuries to Wiggins and Jackson but Fox and Buyens did ok. Not spectacular but ok. Thought the front 4 caused all sorts of problems for Brentford. Bulot had his best match in a Charlton shirt and JBG's goal wouldn't have looked out of place in the Premiership. My MOTM was Tony Watt, Watt Watt. Laid on two goals, defended from the front and was unlucky not to score himself. So, now on to Wigan this Friday. A massive game for Malky McKay. One win in 15 (sounds familiar). But that performance should give us the confidence to push on and finish the season strongly. Well happy ...
Sounds an excellent performance at last - both on and off pitch. Hendo, Johnson, Watt and even Bulot making the difference.
Does not change the big concerns re Roland's plans...But at least means we can all be a bit more considered rather than panicky going into Weds meeting.
When I heard the line up I immediately changed from thinking 'another loss' too 'we will get something today'
Admittedly I still didn't think we would score 3 goals but hearing cousins going into the middle which we have wanted for ages. Igor and watt up top together and Johnson coming in at cb and also Hendo back between the sticks, I was very positive before the game.
All 3 goals very well taken and I'm confident that same team can get a result away at Wigan.
That was much more like it. Ok Brentford were poor and seemed to be affected by all the speculation over the managers future, but you can only beat what's in front of you and we did that in some style today. To be fair to Luzon he learnt from Tuesday night by playing 2 up front (watt is looking a real find), bringing in Johnson for Bikey to and playing Bulot out wide, and it all worked really well. A long way to go still but at last some light at the end of the tunnel.
Great game to listen to on Charlton Player, what a result! Could anyone try to write down the lineup with the player positions? I would really appreciate it!
Typical. After all the crap I've seen this season, our first comfortable win just had to be when I'm away! Well done to Luzon and the players, a positive team selection and result.
My ten pin bowling mates bought me a retro Charlton shirt on Thursday for my fiftieth. I wore it today for the first time so I'm taking the credit for the three points.
Great game to listen to on Charlton Player, what a result! Could anyone try to write down the lineup with the player positions? I would really appreciate it!
RedChaser Member 1:55PM Leaving for the match shortly and am hopeful especially if the rumoured team changes are true and we start with the two up top that played 2nd half midweek. Today's the day to stop the rot and start climbing up the table. COYRs
Pleased to say I told you so
Vast improvement on Tuesday night, we were up for it from the off and there was nothing wrong with the team spirit this afternoon.
Led into battle ably by JJ until he had to give way to injury, as did Wiggins yet again, TBH and Johnson stepped up to the plate leading by example and defending resolutely with the dependable Henderson providing a confidence inspiring last line of defence. Solly took the armband and normal service was resumed after his bellow par performance midweek. Fox entered the fray and did his job satisfactorily with no frills.
What a difference (excuse the pun) two up front makes. Live wire Watt never afraid to run at defenders was a constant nuisance to the Bees who on this performance were nowhere near play off contenders. Igor offers so much more with someone to share the load with and set up JBG who exquisitely beat Button with a sweet left foot curler. Igor took his and our 2nd goal well after the hard working Watt had squared to him.
Buyens who was a late 1st half sub for JJ sensibly warmed up with the subs at half time in an attempt to get up to the speed of the game but alas he struggled with simple 5 and 10 yard passes. He was trying hard but is sadly out of form. Bulot contributed more the longer the game went on and had a hand in the first two goals and took his and our third well. Cousins worked his socks off and if only his first touch was better he wouldn't be playing for us!
We're not out of the woods yet and loads more football to be played. Injuries have hit the depth of the squad yet again but more performances like today's and we will be ok. COYRs
I mentioned in another thread that Guy Luzon and I are blood brothers in as much as he likes to win, and doesn't like to lose, and I certainly liked that win today.
This was a very good win indeed, perhaps framed by the abject nature of the Norwich result, that Brentford are doing so well, and that my personal expectations were so low.
In terms of the game, we started well and continued in that way until we finished, the positives were more or less sustained all through the game, despite losing Wiggins just after we took the lead, and Jackson soon after, and even finishing the half with 10 men after Roger got a hand injury. We had to deal with difficult circumstances, and the positive support of the crowd (which I was cynical about at first, but was enjoying eventually) sustained things very well. A good afternoon at the Valley.
Before we scored the first we had a couple of chances, and Button did particularly well to save from Watt. It was a highly significant factor in our first two goals that we had two up front playing very well, and the activity of Igor and Watt was the platform for Johan's opening goal, their play led to Johan finding himself in a juicy bit of space on the edge of the area on the right. Now I would have been a bit disappointed if Johan hadn't scored from such a favourable position, and though I have not seen it yet the goal was a beauty. Arrow like, from what seemed to be the inside of his left foot, it still screamed past Button into the top far corner. Another stunner from Johan who only seems to score fantastic goals.
Johans goal came after half an hour, and the remainder of the half was disrupted by the injuries and was more even.
Second half it was a relief to see Roger back on, and some suspect defending after about ten minutes in, led to us crowding into their box with pace and verve, a totally unselfish Watt laid it sideways to his right, and Igor finished neatly inside the post. This was absolutely because we were playing with two strikers, and were giving Brentford plenty to think about.
Mark Warburton responded with a triple substitution and Brentford got into it a bit more. Pritchard had four free kicks, and one of them led to a great tip over from Henderson, who also made a good save later on. A word about Brentford here, I don't know if they were below par, but I really enjoyed their inventiveness at times, the quick low centrally placed through balls, using good footballing tricks and deception where they could, even leaving three up first half when we had a corner, and even the next time they left two up. A well coached team who had no luck or love this Valentines day, but a very respectable outfit nonetheless.
Bulot was left free and clear as Brentford pressed late on, his finish was well placed, Button had not judged his angle very well, and Guy and I could both smile at the same time for probably the first time. The thing about a win is that is unarguable, and Guy Luzon delivered a win so it was a start, a start now in our push for the playoffs
Our players were more or less all good, with more than a few very good, and a couple excellent.
Henderson was one of the very goods, great to see him back, pretty much flawless throughout, a brace of excellent saves, only one punch, the rest catches, and only one scrambling around situation in the first half. Solly was also pretty good, I hope we're not overplaying him, but his footballing thought processes, combined with his ability are quite simply a joy when he plays like this. TBH was also good as usual, and Roger a massive step up from the recent performances of Bikey. Fox deputised well, and we were not weakened when he came on, the left side held steady, even if a largely anonymous (until his neat goal) Bulot offering no cover. Jacko was decent until his injury, but I am afraid to say Yoni was certainly not all that when he replaced him. Johans goal lifts him up to very good if only for that reason, but like most teams Brentford were wary of him, and he linked well with Solly. Igor has now scored two goals in successive games, and has a sense of rejuvenation about him.
That brings me to Jordan Cousins and Tony Watt who were simply both fantastic. if ever a player deserved a goal today was the hard running Watt. He is more than a Dean Windass, because he clearly has a bit of footballing intelligence, and can do a bit on the ball, even with opponents in close proximity. One or two loose moments don't stop Watt from having had a great game, and there was an absolutely wonderful vignette in the north east corner when he held the ball up, which led to a warm and genuine standing ovation from those of us nearby. Jordan Cousins played like one of Diego Poyet's better performances last season, gave everything, high level of ability, simply wonderful, totally committed. Cousins is an ever present this season and there is a reason why.
So, the question is can we sustain this and get a vital win at Wigan on Friday? Yes vital. The stats now read since Bob was sacked, and we were presented with Guy Luzon.
Played 6 Won 1 Drawn 2 Lost 3. Goals for 7 Goals against 12 5 points from 18 Points per game .75 (I think)
Much better than after Tuesday, but one Swallow and all that, I am expecting something like a nine game winning run now to begin to assuage how bitter and negative I remain. Today was a good shot of morphine, but when the effect wears off will the pain return?
Comments
It's hard to believe that I just went to watch the same football club play that I did on Tuesday night!
I was happy with the team selection apart from perhaps Bulot for Harriott. Shows what I know because Bulot was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Some great work from him for the opening goal down the left. He took is goal very well, not easy at that angle with that much time. Roasted their right back a few times and was busting a gut to help out defensively - can't ask for more!
Watt - wow, what a player. He deserved a goal today and was only denied by a great Button save. Proper hero stuff at the end when he made their defender look ridiculously stupid by the corner flag. Sometimes a player just clicks with a new club and I think he is one of those players, he's already developing a relationship with the fans as you could see by the chanting after the final whistle.
Vetokele back to what he does best ... Goals! Two in two now and ten for the season, hopefully that's him back on form for the run in then!
Simple game football isn't it! Two genuine wide players, two strikers and everybody in their correct positions. Attacking, purposeful and direct football. We broke with pace and looked incredibly dangerous when we did with JBG, Watt, Vetokele and Bulot all comfortable with the ball at their feet. This is a dangerous front line - goals goals goals.
Good to see Cousins back in the centre. A few misplaced passes but nothing disastrous, his engine in midfield was vital ... he seemed to be everywhere. Buyens was better than recently. Can't stand the way he left the pitch though, but I'm too happy to care too much I suppose.
Solly was very good. That tackle in the left back area in the second half - brave guy. Absolutely munched whoever it was!
Very good debut from Johnson, a proper, genuine centre half. Leading and shouting the whole game, different class to what we saw from Bikey on Tuesday. Johnson seems to have a lot of passion, a real tryer with a will to win - he was properly pumped up at the final whistle. Ben Haim was very good aswell with A good performance from Fox as well.
Brentford were dire but don't let you fool you that this wasn't a great performance.
Fans were brilliant, were behind the team right from minute one. We outsung as well as out played Brentford.
Let's hope the injuries to Jackson and Wiggins aren't too bad.
Well done to Guy Luzon as well. A good (if not obvious!) team selection, and the sub near the end of Wilson for Vetokele was at a perfect time. We needed an extra body in the tiring midfield.
I've said a couple of times that something needs to happen soon to turn this around - well this is that moment. We're going to be fine.
Problems not sorted at The Valley so I'm not going to let it paint over any cracks but this is a big day in the context of the season IMO.
Get in, COYR!
That is all.
So what were the last few years about?
Looks like Igor and Watt really enjoying playing alongside each other. They encourage each other constantly and seem to have a good understanding. Watt wa outstanding today. He may overrun the ball at times but his effort and commitment are fantastic. Has a decent fooalling brain too and brings others in to the game.
Brentford were poor and in Harlee Dean have the most iffeminately named footballer. He is a unit but not a good player and we looked dangerous whenever we attacked. Up front, Andre Gray had pace but did not get the better of Johnson who had an assured debut.
The biggest difference today was our oft mailigned midfield. Cousins added grit and steel in the middle and although Buyens doesn't half misplace some passes he looked ok today. Bulot put a real shift in and took his goal brilliantly. JBG Is a real crow favourite. He combines effort with outstanding skill. His finish was sublime today.
Henderson was very competent. Had little to do except repel a few long range efforts but his all round game was good. Seems to inspire confidence in those ahead of him.
I'm not sure if Brentford were bad or we were God. Probably a mix of the two.
Well done to the players and fans. And to Luzon who seemed to curb his over excitement on the touchline today.
And I may be wrong but did I sense a little of they old Vharlton spirit on the pitch? Seemed to be playing for each other again.
#Justsaying
Does not change the big concerns re Roland's plans...But at least means we can all be a bit more considered rather than panicky going into Weds meeting.
Admittedly I still didn't think we would score 3 goals but hearing cousins going into the middle which we have wanted for ages. Igor and watt up top together and Johnson coming in at cb and also Hendo back between the sticks, I was very positive before the game.
All 3 goals very well taken and I'm confident that same team can get a result away at Wigan.
Coyr
now let's kick on.
Glad Henderson is back, and glad Cousins is in the middle. Two genuine wingers and two genuine strikers and we looked far more balanced.
Roger Johnson looks like he could be a colossus for us at the back, a captains performance through and through.
A midfield all playing in position and two up top. Who'd have thought that was a recipe for success?
I would say confidence booster but the players looked confident from the start.
Watt and Igor ran the Bees defence ragged. Having another striker to lay the ball off too makes such a difference.
Johnson was very vocal, very physical and gave away a few free kicks but otherwise solid.
Glad Henderson is back. Claims the ball in the air and installs confidence in me and I guess the defence.
Concern over Wiggins and JJ's injuries. Paper thin squad getting thinner?
Doesn't change a thing re:governance of the club but a mighty big relief.
Solly TBH Johnson Wiggins/Fox
JBG Cousins Jacko/Buyens Bulot
Watt Vetokele
1:55PM
Leaving for the match shortly and am hopeful especially if the rumoured team changes are true and we start with the two up top that played 2nd half midweek. Today's the day to stop the rot and start climbing up the table. COYRs
Pleased to say I told you so
Vast improvement on Tuesday night, we were up for it from the off and there was nothing wrong with the team spirit this afternoon.
Led into battle ably by JJ until he had to give way to injury, as did Wiggins yet again, TBH and Johnson stepped up to the plate leading by example and defending resolutely with the dependable Henderson providing a confidence inspiring last line of defence. Solly took the armband and normal service was resumed after his bellow par performance midweek. Fox entered the fray and did his job satisfactorily with no frills.
What a difference (excuse the pun) two up front makes. Live wire Watt never afraid to run at defenders was a constant nuisance to the Bees who on this performance were nowhere near play off contenders. Igor offers so much more with someone to share the load with and set up JBG who exquisitely beat Button with a sweet left foot curler. Igor took his and our 2nd goal well after the hard working Watt had squared to him.
Buyens who was a late 1st half sub for JJ sensibly warmed up with the subs at half time in an attempt to get up to the speed of the game but alas he struggled with simple 5 and 10 yard passes. He was trying hard but is sadly out of form. Bulot contributed more the longer the game went on and had a hand in the first two goals and took his and our third well. Cousins worked his socks off and if only his first touch was better he wouldn't be playing for us!
We're not out of the woods yet and loads more football to be played. Injuries have hit the depth of the squad yet again but more performances like today's and we will be ok.
COYRs
yours sincerely
Winnie the Pooh
I mentioned in another thread that Guy Luzon and I are blood brothers in as much as he likes to win, and doesn't like to lose, and I certainly liked that win today.
This was a very good win indeed, perhaps framed by the abject nature of the Norwich result, that Brentford are doing so well, and that my personal expectations were so low.
In terms of the game, we started well and continued in that way until we finished, the positives were more or less sustained all through the game, despite losing Wiggins just after we took the lead, and Jackson soon after, and even finishing the half with 10 men after Roger got a hand injury. We had to deal with difficult circumstances, and the positive support of the crowd (which I was cynical about at first, but was enjoying eventually) sustained things very well. A good afternoon at the Valley.
Before we scored the first we had a couple of chances, and Button did particularly well to save from Watt. It was a highly significant factor in our first two goals that we had two up front playing very well, and the activity of Igor and Watt was the platform for Johan's opening goal, their play led to Johan finding himself in a juicy bit of space on the edge of the area on the right. Now I would have been a bit disappointed if Johan hadn't scored from such a favourable position, and though I have not seen it yet the goal was a beauty. Arrow like, from what seemed to be the inside of his left foot, it still screamed past Button into the top far corner.
Another stunner from Johan who only seems to score fantastic goals.
Johans goal came after half an hour, and the remainder of the half was disrupted by the injuries and was more even.
Second half it was a relief to see Roger back on, and some suspect defending after about ten minutes in, led to us crowding into their box with pace and verve, a totally unselfish Watt laid it sideways to his right, and Igor finished neatly inside the post. This was absolutely because we were playing with two strikers, and were giving Brentford plenty to think about.
Mark Warburton responded with a triple substitution and Brentford got into it a bit more. Pritchard had four free kicks, and one of them led to a great tip over from Henderson, who also made a good save later on.
A word about Brentford here, I don't know if they were below par, but I really enjoyed their inventiveness at times, the quick low centrally placed through balls, using good footballing tricks and deception where they could, even leaving three up first half when we had a corner, and even the next time they left two up. A well coached team who had no luck or love this Valentines day, but a very respectable outfit nonetheless.
Bulot was left free and clear as Brentford pressed late on, his finish was well placed, Button had not judged his angle very well, and Guy and I could both smile at the same time for probably the first time. The thing about a win is that is unarguable, and Guy Luzon delivered a win so it was a start, a start now in our push for the playoffs
Our players were more or less all good, with more than a few very good, and a couple excellent.
Henderson was one of the very goods, great to see him back, pretty much flawless throughout, a brace of excellent saves, only one punch, the rest catches, and only one scrambling around situation in the first half.
Solly was also pretty good, I hope we're not overplaying him, but his footballing thought processes, combined with his ability are quite simply a joy when he plays like this. TBH was also good as usual, and Roger a massive step up from the recent performances of Bikey. Fox deputised well, and we were not weakened when he came on, the left side held steady, even if a largely anonymous (until his neat goal) Bulot offering no cover. Jacko was decent until his injury, but I am afraid to say Yoni was certainly not all that when he replaced him.
Johans goal lifts him up to very good if only for that reason, but like most teams Brentford were wary of him, and he linked well with Solly. Igor has now scored two goals in successive games, and has a sense of rejuvenation about him.
That brings me to Jordan Cousins and Tony Watt who were simply both fantastic. if ever a player deserved a goal today was the hard running Watt. He is more than a Dean Windass, because he clearly has a bit of footballing intelligence, and can do a bit on the ball, even with opponents in close proximity. One or two loose moments don't stop Watt from having had a great game, and there was an absolutely wonderful vignette in the north east corner when he held the ball up, which led to a warm and genuine standing ovation from those of us nearby.
Jordan Cousins played like one of Diego Poyet's better performances last season, gave everything, high level of ability, simply wonderful, totally committed. Cousins is an ever present this season and there is a reason why.
So, the question is can we sustain this and get a vital win at Wigan on Friday? Yes vital. The stats now read since Bob was sacked, and we were presented with Guy Luzon.
Played 6
Won 1
Drawn 2
Lost 3.
Goals for 7
Goals against 12
5 points from 18
Points per game .75 (I think)
Much better than after Tuesday, but one Swallow and all that, I am expecting something like a nine game winning run now to begin to assuage how bitter and negative I remain. Today was a good shot of morphine, but when the effect wears off will the pain return?