Alex Gilbert - Sept 2025 still at Middlesbrough

AFKABartram · February 11

Hate to bring the tempo down but I also thought he looked quite lightweight and done a pretty poor job defensively in one particular move where he could have tracked better and was then turned too easily. Coming into a side though and contributing late to a victory will give him a massive buzz though and help he feel settled

cafcsinger · February 11

Lovely corner and nice ball to TC. Looked very lightweight though

Scoham · February 11

AFKABartram said:

Hate to bring the tempo down but I also thought he looked quite lightweight and done a pretty poor job defensively in one particular move where he could have tracked better and was then turned too easily. Coming into a side though and contributing late to a victory will give him a massive buzz though and help he feel settled

It’ll be interesting to see if we bring him on for TC rather than Berry at times, where defensive errors are less of an issue.

JustFloydRoad · February 12

olster said:

that was the best corner I've ever seen in my life

I agree with that (I never want this guy to ever to be compered to Campbell ever again- he is levels better)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5000498/uploads/editor/5a/wlyup4bba0df.png

JustFloydRoad · February 12

AFKABartram said:

Hate to bring the tempo down but I also thought he looked quite lightweight and done a pretty poor job defensively in one particular move where he could have tracked better and was then turned too easily. Coming into a side though and contributing late to a victory will give him a massive buzz though and help he feel settled

He looks like cover for Berry. I see your point about the defensive work (though yesterday I saw glimpses of quality).

Overall pleased we have him for our promotion push.

JustFloydRoad · February 12

Now we need to get him a song...

JamesSeed · February 12

I think he could be a very decent player for us, and his dead balls (oo er missus) could make a real difference.
But I also noticed an occasion where he was shrugged off the ball - but at least it was near their corner flag.
I can imagine they'll be working on bulking him up with gym work etc.

scruffle · February 12

Early days but looks a very sensible acquisition, exactly what we need as a bench option or start for any of berry, small or tc potentially even as a false 9 if injuries hit!!

seth plum · February 12

Not going to judge the guy on that small amount of play, but he came on and made a difference yesterday.

Swisdom · February 12

AFKABartram said:

Hate to bring the tempo down but I also thought he looked quite lightweight and done a pretty poor job defensively in one particular move where he could have tracked better and was then turned too easily. Coming into a side though and contributing late to a victory will give him a massive buzz though and help he feel settled

I think that's a bit harsh. We have been crying out for someone a bit different. Someone to unlock the door. Gilbert did that a few times last night in his cameo.

That corner was the perfect wormburner too - absolutely delicious delivery and an incredibly hard skill to do it well

He may have been outmuscled a bit but he is not there to add steel (that's for Doch and Coventry) - he's there to add a bit of sparkle and I thought he did that very well.

Looks like a good acquisition on that evidence

Chunes · February 12

His round-the-corner combo with TC was sublime. Bags of quality.

WrightCharlie · February 12

He wasn't on for long but was very active and involved in some good stuff as has already been mentioned by others...... hoping that players like he and Gass can develop the physique/nous to be 'stronger' on 50/50 balls....... it might be rose-tinted specs but I think, for example, TC and Cov are better at retaining/winning the ball now than they were at first?

Henry Irving · February 12

Without wanting to damn with faint praise he came on and did well at the end of the game against 10 men so where he had a bit more room and was playing against tired players.

His touch is good and the corner is what we've been missing but he doesn't look the beefiest.

Still looks like a good addition to the squad so far.

SteveACS · February 12

SteveACS said:

Corners like that are a dream for the attacking team.

No having to supply the power, just direct it on target.

I've been waiting a long time for Charlton to hit a corner like that...

https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/we-have-to-charlton-athletic-defender-makes-admission-ahead-of-birmingham-city-clash/

Pelling1993 · February 12

Loan players tread a very awkward line don't they? We want him to be good enough so that we want to sign him in the summer, but if they're too good the parent club will want them back!

Lincsaddick · February 12

Pelling1993 said:

Loan players tread a very awkward line don't they? We want him to be good enough so that we want to sign him in the summer, but if they're too good the parent club will want them back!

I really dislike loans, always feel we are 'battle hardening' players and bench testing/assessing for another club
However, lower league clubs all too often depend on loans to make up the numbers, and even spendthrift Brum had two loan players in their starting Xl last night
Chelsea are almost running a temporary employment agency with a policy of hoovering up tens of talented young players then loaning them out, players who otherwise could have started at other, perhaps smaller clubs and built a career there

stoneroses19 · February 12

Swisdom said:

AFKABartram said:

Hate to bring the tempo down but I also thought he looked quite lightweight and done a pretty poor job defensively in one particular move where he could have tracked better and was then turned too easily. Coming into a side though and contributing late to a victory will give him a massive buzz though and help he feel settled

I think that's a bit harsh. We have been crying out for someone a bit different. Someone to unlock the door. Gilbert did that a few times last night in his cameo.

That corner was the perfect wormburner too - absolutely delicious delivery and an incredibly hard skill to do it well

He may have been outmuscled a bit but he is not there to add steel (that's for Doch and Coventry) - he's there to add a bit of sparkle and I thought he did that very well.

Looks like a good acquisition on that evidence

I had to Google this, never heard of it before.

Good word!

YTS1978 · February 12

Thought he looked very promising yesterday. Nice touch, decent delivery etc....but very lightweight! I think he'll have his chances and will make a difference in games where we need a little bit of guile over muscle to open things up.

Alwaysneil · February 12

Agree with the sentiments around his physique, commented when he was warming up he looks like he is made from twigs and that didnt change when he came on but he did have that pure footballing ability, ability to see and make an incisive pass and dead ball delivery we have been so lacking and which you cannot inprove in a gym.

Hope he gets more minutes, does well, signs permanently and uses TCs personal trainer/supplement coach over the summer

clive · February 14

https://www.charltonafc.com/news/gilbert-ive-really-enjoyed-it-so-far

NabySarr · February 14

clive said:

https://www.charltonafc.com/news/gilbert-ive-really-enjoyed-it-so-far

Get promoted and then sign Gilbert and Dijksteel

DOUCHER · February 14

Nothing wrong with pointing out that he looked a bit lightweight - he did. As others have said, its his skill and flair that we really need, to compliment what we have in the rest of the team. Ideally he'd have all that and the other side of it but then he wouldn't have played so few first team games by the age of 23 if he had the full package. There are some wirey midfielders like palmer, foden and bowyer who aren't / weren't 'lightweight' in the footballing sense despite their appearance. As long as he works hard, tracks back and 'gets his foot in', that'll do and i think NJ will drum that into him. I don't see him playing in TC's position as he doesn't look like he's gonna go past people. I think he'll do a job share with Berry, our other 'flair' player.