JJ was off the pace today as he has been most games since promotion from League One.
No-one is anti-JJ but so many games pass him by. In his defence he does pop up with the odd crucial goal which no-one can take away from him the ability to do so which he clearly has but if we are playing 4-4-2 he just doesn't warrant a starting place certainly in centre midfield, put him back in left midfield perhaps with the emphasis on not having to skin his fullback? Otherwise I can't see how he should be starting over Cousins in centre midfield which also shunts Cousins out wide where he's not as effective.
To be honest I was going into this thinking we will get beat by a good recently promoted side full of confidence and so would have taken a draw, but gutted we didn't win it.
Think the first half was a bit nervey with players still getting used to each other and the new lads to the football league finding out this league is quick and physical, but the second half showed that once we are up and running this season could see us playing some very attractive football to get excited about.
Thought we deserved the win (if we had got it) but Brentford had some very good chances of their own.
Today really made me think we are going to miss Hamer's distribution this season. Henderson kicks were poor, but he is young and quite inexperienced and made a few cracking claims and an excellent save from a header.
All in all I am gutted we didn't punish Brentford with some of our chances, but really excited about the kind of football they could produce once they have gelled.
Also first time I saw Bob on the touch line and his body language and direction was decent.
I think there is a good collection of players there, just have to remain patient if it isn't quite working.
Cousins doesn't seem effective on the left and his passing needs to be better.
Interesting reading this, thought for the first 20-25 minutes they were all over is and we weathered that and got into the game. Ben haim and Bikey were the worst centre half pairing in terms of communication I have seen in many a year the two if them were clueless in the first half, got better in the second but does raise the question about the number of minutes they have played together in ore season. Much better second half but first half charlton were shocking
You're having a laugh int ya? Everyone I was with today agreed that their home support was one of the worst we've seen, for a newly promoted song playing their first championship game in years it was pathetic!. Our fans were class from start to finish unlike them Not one song until after they scored ffs.
Er, no. I'm sure you sung your heart out for the lads but for a small crowd I thought they were more impressive. Our fans in the lower were better than upstairs but there were still long quiet spells. Glad you enjoyed it anyway.
Posting without reading. Thought a draw was a decent enough result although we just shaded it. If we had got a second when we seemed to be on top we would have taken all three points.
Of the new boys I though Henderson did well enough, one very good save, came for crosses well, very assured. TBH was poor in my opinion. Bikey I was impressed with, started shaky, grew into game, better on the floor than I anticipated. Buyens, did nothing wrong but didn't really impress or stand out. Gudmundsson showed a few nice touches and good ball through for Tucadean who should have done better. Think there is a lot more to come. Same for Tucadean. Vetekole was very impressive. Scored of course, great save by Button denied him another. Good awareness to find Harriott to hit the bar. Good pace, worked hard, dying to see more of him.
Of the old boys. Solly was as normal. You know what you are going to get every game. Wiggins on the other hand was shocking. Jacko did ok without pulling up any trees. Cousins can't play wide and I felt sorry for him. Harriott did ok, thought he was unlucky not to score. Needed to get it past an advancing defender and lifted it too high and hit the bar.
Main problem was midfield was unbalanced. Don't think Buyens or Jacko can play together and a place needs to be found for Cousins.
All in all though pretty pleased. Although I predicted a win pre match I was worried that a team just promoted, full of confidence might turn us over. I was also worried how we might gel as a team.
Today really made me think we are going to miss Hamer's distribution this season. Henderson kicks were poor, but he is young and quite inexperienced and made a few cracking claims and an excellent save from a header.
Completely agree. Henderson did well but Hamer's low trajectory passing was better than many a defender's.
JJ was off the pace today as he has been most games since promotion from League One.
No-one is anti-JJ but so many games pass him by. In his defence he does pop up with the odd crucial goal which no-one can take away from him the ability to do so which he clearly has but if we are playing 4-4-2 he just doesn't warrant a starting place certainly in centre midfield, put him back in left midfield perhaps with the emphasis on not having to skin his fullback? Otherwise I can't see how he should be starting over Cousins in centre midfield which also shunts Cousins out wide where he's not as effective.
4-5-1 would suit him though.
Totally agree with this, have said for a while, jj is a player who is a lot better suited to the 451 formation.
Has anyone mentioned that Smith handballed it before he shot!! take away the first 20 mins where we struggled to get going but that was more the fact that Brentford were psyched up but weer going to slacken off so to go in at 0 0 was good. Chances wise we had the better. Henderson only made one real save that I can remember, the 2nd half header. Vetokele worked his nuts off. Gudmonsson and Solly seemed to work, Cousins played well out of position. Tucudean hasn't got a right foot!! but give him time.
Even though we drew when we should've won, it was still a great day. There's seriously nothing in the world like that feeling when you score, and for Igor to do it infront of the travelling fans and for it to have been our first fix in so long made the high that bit more special. Football really is incredible
JJ was off the pace today as he has been most games since promotion from League One.
No-one is anti-JJ but so many games pass him by. In his defence he does pop up with the odd crucial goal which no-one can take away from him the ability to do so which he clearly has but if we are playing 4-4-2 he just doesn't warrant a starting place certainly in centre midfield, put him back in left midfield perhaps with the emphasis on not having to skin his fullback? Otherwise I can't see how he should be starting over Cousins in centre midfield which also shunts Cousins out wide where he's not as effective.
4-5-1 would suit him though.
Totally agree with this, have said for a while, jj is a player who is a lot better suited to the 451 formation.
Someone remind me who took the corner for Vetokele to score? Last season JJ and Ajdarevic were our dead ball specialists.
Watched on a moody feed and was busy clicking some advert about "wanking" off the screen whilst Harriott missed that great chance . Love the look of Vetokele and gud looks like he isn't afraid to have a go and be positive Thought Henderson was hot and cold came a couple of times and missed it or got blanked by the defender on his call If Wiggo had been turned inside out like Solly was for Brentfords goal I think there'd be more criticism for what happened But in general a very encouraging solid performance , even if we are currently the lowest placed team in south london
0.25% top two.........4.75% 3rd-6th.......... 30% 7th-12th.........60% 13th-21st......... 5% Relegation
What was the atmosphere / noise like and how were the boats?
Couldn't make it today - 10 hour drive to and from Cornwall to pick my boy up from scout camp so we can fly out on holiday at 4am tomorrow morning. Cream crackered.
Saw the TV Highlights tonight. I would have taken a point beforehand but we have to be disappointed not to have won it in the end with Harriot's glaring miss the turning point. Still some promising signs and looking forward to the home games against Wigan & Derby, teams both likely to be challenging at the top.
I'd have taken a point before the game so I'm not too disappointed, but as it panned out we missed a one on one and an open goal so should have won it. As you would expect with such a new side there good and bad signs.
Pluses:
Good debut from Vetokele, looks a good around forward who can prosper with decent service. Maybe a small question mark around his constancy of finishing based on pre-season, but he's up and running in the league already which us great and should allow him to play with some freedom. Think there is some serious potential there.
Henderson also grew into the game and looked pretty solid. There were a couple of crosses in the first half that he nearly screwed up but after that he made some good catches and there was one good save from a shot that was ruled offside.
Solly looks his old self and the defence generally looked solid.
Minuses:
As plenty of others have said, the centre of midfield looked well off the pace and neither offered much protection for the defence or supported the attack. I can forgive Buyens a but as he's still adjusting to the increased pace of English football, but Jacko doesn't have that excuse. I love JJ, but opposition midfielders just run away from him drawing silly fouls and he won't be able to keep up with the lines of Vetokele and JBG so I don't see him popping up in the box much and he's never really been the type of midfielder who will put his foot on it, get his head up and spray the ball around. That said he got the assist today, but I'd have thought we could find a midfielder who can do more than Jacko and offer similar quality set piece delivery. Cousins had an okay game out of position, but I saw nothing from Buyens or Jacko to justify forcing Cousins out of position.
Overall more pluses than minuses, but as I've said all summer we still need a playmaker IMHO.
For the first time in years we have some genuine quality that will scare other teams in Igor and yohann, his pass was sublime, Gorgeous george will nick a few for sure once he gets one, Igor looks excellent, very strong and has no fear, Yohann will score a few worldlys you watch, again no fear to do the more difficult thing, we had once move that resulted in a shot from wiggins that wouldnt have looked out of place in the prem, lots of gelling to do, lots of training of ystems on the training pitch to do and few decent results and we could have a a really decent season that is based on quality and technique... Exciting times
JJ was off the pace today as he has been most games since promotion from League One.
No-one is anti-JJ but so many games pass him by. In his defence he does pop up with the odd crucial goal which no-one can take away from him the ability to do so which he clearly has but if we are playing 4-4-2 he just doesn't warrant a starting place certainly in centre midfield, put him back in left midfield perhaps with the emphasis on not having to skin his fullback? Otherwise I can't see how he should be starting over Cousins in centre midfield which also shunts Cousins out wide where he's not as effective.
4-5-1 would suit him though.
Totally agree with this, have said for a while, jj is a player who is a lot better suited to the 451 formation.
Someone remind me who took the corner for Vetokele to score? Last season JJ and Ajdarevic were our dead ball specialists.
JJ was off the pace today as he has been most games since promotion from League One.
No-one is anti-JJ but so many games pass him by. In his defence he does pop up with the odd crucial goal which no-one can take away from him the ability to do so which he clearly has but if we are playing 4-4-2 he just doesn't warrant a starting place certainly in centre midfield, put him back in left midfield perhaps with the emphasis on not having to skin his fullback? Otherwise I can't see how he should be starting over Cousins in centre midfield which also shunts Cousins out wide where he's not as effective.
4-5-1 would suit him though.
Totally agree with this, have said for a while, jj is a player who is a lot better suited to the 451 formation.
Someone remind me who took the corner for Vetokele to score? Last season JJ and Ajdarevic were our dead ball specialists.
That's the one we will keep him on the pitch so he can take our corners and free kicks. I honestly wouldn't mind a replacement for Jackson this year.
Can't understand the critisism regarding Harriotts miss. Firstly, as Vetokele turned and rolled the ball to him, a defender got a vital toe onto it, pushing the ball slightly further in front of CH, allowing another defender to close down the shot. He then had to lift the ball over the opponents leg (which was only inches away). Let's remember, by trade he's naturally a winger.
All in all, happy with a point to kick-start our campaign and feeling alot more optimistic than this time last year........
Me too. Wasn't at the game, but would anyone else play JBG on the left and use Wilson on right wing? Move Cousins into the middle and I think we would have a better balance.
JJ for me is potentially an impact sub. He can do great things for us in the last 30 mins, especially with fresher legs. I'd put Cousins in centre mid, and Johnnie will have to have a sit down to begin with.
I think by the end of September Gomez will be in the team. We lack a bit of pace at CH which was exposed a little bit yesterday, so I expect to see Bikey alongside him.
I was little disappointed with some of the passing yesterday especially the simple passes, many times players were passed into trouble. I expect this to be cleared up once the team is truly settled.
I think a few people have been a little hard on Tuc, for his first game he did ok.
Comments
No-one is anti-JJ but so many games pass him by. In his defence he does pop up with the odd crucial goal which no-one can take away from him the ability to do so which he clearly has but if we are playing 4-4-2 he just doesn't warrant a starting place certainly in centre midfield, put him back in left midfield perhaps with the emphasis on not having to skin his fullback? Otherwise I can't see how he should be starting over Cousins in centre midfield which also shunts Cousins out wide where he's not as effective.
4-5-1 would suit him though.
Think the first half was a bit nervey with players still getting used to each other and the new lads to the football league finding out this league is quick and physical, but the second half showed that once we are up and running this season could see us playing some very attractive football to get excited about.
Thought we deserved the win (if we had got it) but Brentford had some very good chances of their own.
Today really made me think we are going to miss Hamer's distribution this season. Henderson kicks were poor, but he is young and quite inexperienced and made a few cracking claims and an excellent save from a header.
All in all I am gutted we didn't punish Brentford with some of our chances, but really excited about the kind of football they could produce once they have gelled.
Also first time I saw Bob on the touch line and his body language and direction was decent.
I think there is a good collection of players there, just have to remain patient if it isn't quite working.
Cousins doesn't seem effective on the left and his passing needs to be better.
Ben haim and Bikey were the worst centre half pairing in terms of communication I have seen in many a year the two if them were clueless in the first half, got better in the second but does raise the question about the number of minutes they have played together in ore season.
Much better second half but first half charlton were shocking
Of the new boys I though Henderson did well enough, one very good save, came for crosses well, very assured. TBH was poor in my opinion. Bikey I was impressed with, started shaky, grew into game, better on the floor than I anticipated. Buyens, did nothing wrong but didn't really impress or stand out. Gudmundsson showed a few nice touches and good ball through for Tucadean who should have done better. Think there is a lot more to come. Same for Tucadean. Vetekole was very impressive. Scored of course, great save by Button denied him another. Good awareness to find Harriott to hit the bar. Good pace, worked hard, dying to see more of him.
Of the old boys. Solly was as normal. You know what you are going to get every game. Wiggins on the other hand was shocking. Jacko did ok without pulling up any trees. Cousins can't play wide and I felt sorry for him. Harriott did ok, thought he was unlucky not to score. Needed to get it past an advancing defender and lifted it too high and hit the bar.
Main problem was midfield was unbalanced. Don't think Buyens or Jacko can play together and a place needs to be found for Cousins.
All in all though pretty pleased. Although I predicted a win pre match I was worried that a team just promoted, full of confidence might turn us over. I was also worried how we might gel as a team.
Onwards and upwards in my opinion.
Henderson done ok today from what I saw in the moody feed
Love the look of Vetokele and gud looks like he isn't afraid to have a go and be positive
Thought Henderson was hot and cold came a couple of times and missed it or got blanked by the defender on his call
If Wiggo had been turned inside out like Solly was for Brentfords goal I think there'd be more criticism for what happened
But in general a very encouraging solid performance , even if we are currently the lowest placed team in south london
0.25% top two.........4.75% 3rd-6th.......... 30% 7th-12th.........60% 13th-21st......... 5% Relegation
Couldn't make it today - 10 hour drive to and from Cornwall to pick my boy up from scout camp so we can fly out on holiday at 4am tomorrow morning. Cream crackered.
5.25% top two.........
4.75% 3rd-6th.........
12.25% 7th-12th...........
51% 13th-21st................ &
26.75% for the big R.
The first half was total garbage.
The second half i think we saw how far we have come since May. There is a certain swagger and quality about our new team.
I hate to say it but Jackson was awful and well off the pace. Cm is a huge issue. Hopefully Moussa comes in now.
Pluses:
Good debut from Vetokele, looks a good around forward who can prosper with decent service. Maybe a small question mark around his constancy of finishing based on pre-season, but he's up and running in the league already which us great and should allow him to play with some freedom. Think there is some serious potential there.
Henderson also grew into the game and looked pretty solid. There were a couple of crosses in the first half that he nearly screwed up but after that he made some good catches and there was one good save from a shot that was ruled offside.
Solly looks his old self and the defence generally looked solid.
Minuses:
As plenty of others have said, the centre of midfield looked well off the pace and neither offered much protection for the defence or supported the attack. I can forgive Buyens a but as he's still adjusting to the increased pace of English football, but Jacko doesn't have that excuse. I love JJ, but opposition midfielders just run away from him drawing silly fouls and he won't be able to keep up with the lines of Vetokele and JBG so I don't see him popping up in the box much and he's never really been the type of midfielder who will put his foot on it, get his head up and spray the ball around. That said he got the assist today, but I'd have thought we could find a midfielder who can do more than Jacko and offer similar quality set piece delivery. Cousins had an okay game out of position, but I saw nothing from Buyens or Jacko to justify forcing Cousins out of position.
Overall more pluses than minuses, but as I've said all summer we still need a playmaker IMHO.
All in all, happy with a point to kick-start our campaign and feeling alot more optimistic than this time last year........
Think we can do better, the players we've had longest looked the worst which I'm not sure if that's good or bad!
I was little disappointed with some of the passing yesterday especially the simple passes, many times players were passed into trouble. I expect this to be cleared up once the team is truly settled.
I think a few people have been a little hard on Tuc, for his first game he did ok.