Kelman will come good. Didn’t have a full pre season with us and Jones wouldn’t have committed such a hefty part of our budget unless he saw him adding significant returns, be it goals or what else he will bring. Give all these new players time. New team mates, new surroundings and only just getting their first competitive matches playing with one another. Look how integral Godden became in the second half of last season, particularly toward the end. Players find form at different points of the season
Tanto has got great feet.
Let’s hope we can carry the enthusiasm onto Bristol City. A much bigger test where we will have to be at our resolute best
The first half was quality. Fullah was everywhere on the left and capped it with a neat finish.
Back 3 solid, with Gillesphey in particular showing how harsh it is that he has lost his place.
Anderson bossed the first half, getting in good tackles, demanding the ball and moving it quickly as well as playing some incisive balls forward.
Leaburn and Olaofe full of aggression and looked like a promising pairing. Olaofe' s hold up play and passing were top notch, especially the ball for Leaburn's goal. Leaburn looks reborn, he's got his pace back and won nearly everything in the air. A nice finish for his goal too.
Rankin Costello was quietly effective and looks a good option to replace either Docherty or Coventry if poor form or injury sets in (please not Coventry!).
Knibbs will be in the starting 11 sooner or later, a mix of class and industry throughout.
The second half was less assured as Stevenage came back into the game. We then ceded control after Leaburn and Olaofe went off and the ball stopped sticking up front.
Shouts of "FFS Kelman" from behind me as another aimless long ball sailed over his head. When we actually got it to his feet he showed what he's about with a nice bit of play in the corner, which led to a free-kick, and the chance that he created for himself that was deflected wide. Very early days but I can't help thinking that he'll look better alongside a more physical striker, unless we change the way we play.
Rumours of Luke Berry's demise appear to be premature.
We have to consider that the visitors are a league one side that rotated almost as much as we did but a good performance nevertheless.
I wasn't watching, so where did Miles and Tanto play? Was Miles down the centre with Tanto more to the left in the TC position?
From Saturday, I don't think Kelman is the answer if he's basically up there by himself. He needs to be alongside someone who can hold the ball up better.
The first half was quality. Fullah was everywhere on the left and capped it with a neat finish.
Back 3 solid, with Gillesphey in particular showing how harsh it is that he has lost his place.
Anderson bossed the first half, getting in good tackles, demanding the ball and moving it quickly as well as playing some incisive balls forward.
Leaburn and Olaofe full of aggression and looked like a promising pairing. Olaofe' s hold up play and passing were top notch, especially the ball for Leaburn's goal. Leaburn looks reborn, he's got his pace back and won nearly everything in the air. A nice finish for his goal too.
Rankin Costello was quietly effective and looks a good option to replace either Docherty or Coventry if poor form or injury sets in (please not Coventry!).
Knibbs will be in the starting 11 sooner or later, a mix of class and industry throughout.
The second half was less assured as Stevenage came back into the game. We then ceded control after Leaburn and Olaofe went off and the ball stopped sticking up front.
Shouts of "FFS Kelman" from behind me as another aimless long ball sailed over his head. When we actually got it to his feet he showed what he's about with a nice bit of play in the corner, which led to a free-kick, and the chance that he created for himself that was deflected wide. Very early days but I can't help thinking that he'll look better alongside a more physical striker, unless we change the way we play.
Rumours of Luke Berry's demise appear to be premature.
We have to consider that the visitors are a league one side that rotated almost as much as we did but a good performance nevertheless.
I wasn't watching, so where did Miles and Tanto play? Was Miles down the centre with Tanto more to the left in the TC position?
From Saturday, I don't think Kelman is the answer if he's basically up there by himself. He needs to be alongside someone who can hold the ball up better.
Yes, basically that. Leaburn through the middle but peeling off to the right, Tanto playing the TC role.
I kept having to remind myself that Kayne Ramsay wasn't on the pitch towards the end of the game as Alan Mwamba was also playing with a bandage on his hand. Is that a recent injury or are they all giving themsleves RSI playing too much FIFA?
They do it to stop their wrists bending too much when pulled I believe
Did what we needed to do in the first half. Meant the second half was a bit of a drag but that’s fine. Very pleasant evening at the Valley watching a really decent Charlton team beat a pub team comfortably.
Solid team performance. We really do have a good squad this season. Fullah looks like the next one to break through from our fantastic academy. Onto Bristol city!!
The draw for Round Two of the Carabao Cup will take place live during the build-up to Birmingham City’s Round One tie against Sheffield United on Sky Sports Football on Wednesday, 13 August.
Sky Sports presenter Mark Chapman will host the draw at approximately 7:20 pm, which includes the introduction of the 11 Premier League Clubs not participating in European competitions.
The Carabao Cup remains regionalised in the early rounds, with the draw split into a Southern and Northern Section until Round Three.
Ball numbers for the draw will be finalised on the morning of Wednesday, 13 August and published on EFL channels.
Round Two ties will take place on the week commencing 25 August.
Middlesbrough losing 4-0 at home to Doncaster is a shocker. Interestingly while Boro kept 6 of the side who played on Saturday, L1 Doncaster changed all 11!
A very satisfactory evening and we’re into the hat for the next round.
11 changes from Saturday but, such is the strength of the squad, we were able to put out a strong side. We proceeded to dominate the first half, with Anderson and JRC controlling the midfield and Leaburn and Tanto giving the Stevenage defence a lot of problems. Our opponents barely had a sniff in the first half and we were well worth the 2-0 interval lead after Leaburn’s calm finish and Ibrahim Fuller’s debut goal - a wonderful moment for him following Henry Rylah’s cross from the right.
Stevenage upped their game significantly in the second half but couldn’t find a way through a resolute rearguard and Berry’s fine header from Daniel Kanu’s cross put the game to bed. Stevenage’s very late goal was deserved for their second half efforts but it was no more than a footnote.
An enjoyable evening and it was mission accomplished - we’re in the second round, we saw a highly promising debut for Fullah and we got minutes into Harvey Knibbs, JRC and several other players in the squad who needed them.
Pros: - Fullah looks unreal, and the next exciting prospect out from the Sparrows Lane Lab - JRC looked comfortable and combative in midfield, definitely more of a deep sitting ‘sweeper’ rather than play maker - Olaofe and Leaburn were very good and will be great foil off the bench at the very least - Z Mitchell looked tidy
cons: - Rylah and enslin absolutely not ready to be in and around the first team - A Mitchell struggled and seems to try to be all brawn but ends up hauling players down - Kelman struggled with zero service
You can see how highly he rates Fullah, and the way he’s handled the step up so confidently shows why. The goal is a glimpse of what he can do. NJ confirms he isn’t seen as a WB longer term too.
Even more interesting I thought was that he seemed to pick out Mwamba as another he thinks can make the step up pretty quickly.
From what I’ve seen of him on the u21 streams I get why - he’ll run all day, has the mobility and aggression to press the opposition effectively and he’ll do whatever job he’s asked, whether that’s as a holding or box to box midfielder. He’s got a lot of similarities to Anderson in that way - not a flashy, exciting player but he has the qualities needed for a central midfielder under NJ.
Oof Kelman’s body language looks terrible I hope he doesn’t beat himself up he just needs time I think
That's the guilt from his offside goal against Stockport weighing on his shoulders. He apologises and it goes away. Not hard to understand and easy to get rid of but he has to be ready to admit it to himself first.
Kelman will come good. Didn’t have a full pre season with us and Jones wouldn’t have committed such a hefty part of our budget unless he saw him adding significant returns, be it goals or what else he will bring. Give all these new players time. New team mates, new surroundings and only just getting their first competitive matches playing with one another. Look how integral Godden became in the second half of last season, particularly toward the end. Players find form at different points of the season
Tanto has got great feet.
Let’s hope we can carry the enthusiasm onto Bristol City. A much bigger test where we will have to be at our resolute best
In the same way that we got such fantastic value for money from last season's big money striker, Gassan "Goal Machine' Ahadme? Jones might very well THINK he can get good returns from Kelman, but that's not to say he's right.
Though being a bit less facetious I actually do think Kelman will be absolutely fine once he finds his groove and adjusts to how we play.
Comments
Tanto has got great feet.
From Saturday, I don't think Kelman is the answer if he's basically up there by himself. He needs to be alongside someone who can hold the ball up better.
https://x.com/cafcofficial/status/1955382601629237371?s=46&t=MojDVxh_AjG5taAWPQn6Tw
The draw for Round Two of the Carabao Cup will take place live during the build-up to Birmingham City’s Round One tie against Sheffield United on Sky Sports Football on Wednesday, 13 August.
Sky Sports presenter Mark Chapman will host the draw at approximately 7:20 pm, which includes the introduction of the 11 Premier League Clubs not participating in European competitions.
The Carabao Cup remains regionalised in the early rounds, with the draw split into a Southern and Northern Section until Round Three.
Ball numbers for the draw will be finalised on the morning of Wednesday, 13 August and published on EFL channels.
Round Two ties will take place on the week commencing 25 August.
https://www.efl.com/news/2025/august/12/carabao-cup-round-two-draw-confirmed/
Middlesbrough losing 4-0 at home to Doncaster is a shocker. Interestingly while Boro kept 6 of the side who played on Saturday, L1 Doncaster changed all 11!
A very satisfactory evening and we’re into the hat for the next round.
11 changes from Saturday but, such is the strength of the squad, we were able to put out a strong side. We proceeded to dominate the first half, with Anderson and JRC controlling the midfield and Leaburn and Tanto giving the Stevenage defence a lot of problems. Our opponents barely had a sniff in the first half and we were well worth the 2-0 interval lead after Leaburn’s calm finish and Ibrahim Fuller’s debut goal - a wonderful moment for him following Henry Rylah’s cross from the right.
Stevenage upped their game significantly in the second half but couldn’t find a way through a resolute rearguard and Berry’s fine header from Daniel Kanu’s cross put the game to bed. Stevenage’s very late goal was deserved for their second half efforts but it was no more than a footnote.
An enjoyable evening and it was mission accomplished - we’re in the second round, we saw a highly promising debut for Fullah and we got minutes into Harvey Knibbs, JRC and several other players in the squad who needed them.
- Fullah looks unreal, and the next exciting prospect out from the Sparrows Lane Lab
- JRC looked comfortable and combative in midfield, definitely more of a deep sitting ‘sweeper’ rather than play maker
- Olaofe and Leaburn were very good and will be great foil off the bench at the very least
- Z Mitchell looked tidy
cons:
- Rylah and enslin absolutely not ready to be in and around the first team
- A Mitchell struggled and seems to try to be all brawn but ends up hauling players down
- Kelman struggled with zero service
Even more interesting I thought was that he seemed to pick out Mwamba as another he thinks can make the step up pretty quickly.
From what I’ve seen of him on the u21 streams I get why - he’ll run all day, has the mobility and aggression to press the opposition effectively and he’ll do whatever job he’s asked, whether that’s as a holding or box to box midfielder. He’s got a lot of similarities to Anderson in that way - not a flashy, exciting player but he has the qualities needed for a central midfielder under NJ.
Who was playing as the deepest midfielder? The Coventry role? Was it Costello? How did he get on?
So no doubt we'll get Wycombe away.
Though being a bit less facetious I actually do think Kelman will be absolutely fine once he finds his groove and adjusts to how we play.