Judging on results that was very good, a second half goal would have moved it up to excellent.
In terms of the game exposition we started well on top, raced into an unassailable lead against a workmanlike Shrewsbury, who then settled for damage limitation, and trying stuff out hoping for a consolation goal. We didn't hammer it home but were completely in command.
The benchmark has been set for our remaining home games.
I still think the midfield is a big problem although Jacko inside was a great help but he faded in influence as the game progressed. Crofts was a water carrier but five month Foley was below average once again.
Holmes was the star of midfield, and the star of the game. Holmes loves playing. He loves a run with the ball, taking set pieces, taking people on, taking a stern physical examination, tackling back. Indeed Holmes this evening was one of the best individual performances in a Charlton shirt for many a year, probably only matched in recent times but an outstanding goalkeeping display, certainly hard to remember as good an effort from an outfield player for quite a while.
The defence was barely tested and did well, certainly weren't missing Rojo Up front it will eventually work for Ajose, he is not having the kind of Churchino barren spell, but it is barren but you can kind of see it will work eventually for him. I hope so anyway.
Maginnis played really well in terms of effort and influence, he will be a bit of a favourite providing he doesn't miss a string of sitters because his overall play tonight was pretty good. He takes responsibility in a way that is the total opposite of Makienok or Reza for example. When Jason was subbed he shook the hand of both centre backs very sportingly after a good battling evening with them. Nice little classy move that.
Lookman was very good again.
If this is us heading in the right direction it is encouraging tho' Shrewsbury were weak, and our midfield is nowhere near sorted.
Was a change going to the Valley and seeing us win, now I want to see more of that stuff.
Teams that win 6 love invariably blank next time out so no point in trashing the shrews. Need to win at the Bescot. Lads done good tonight. Game over after 45 those present could've scooted.
- Shrewsbury were pretty shite so I'm taking this result with a pinch of salt. - We still looked like we were finding out who the other players were, so to speak - understandable given Magennis et al have been around less than a week; Konsa has only just broken into the setup, etc etc - Rudd did well mentally certainly to make one save all game and otherwise keep alert. Assured presence between the sticks; decent communicator. - Solly had nothing to do really. What he did, he did well. - Pearce, a couple slips, a couple good things, never REALLY under much pressure. Looks quite immobile which is worrying if he's up against a quick, agile, supple front man. Not quite part of a cohesive setup yet. - Konsa much the same, one less slip but wow he looks composed; athletic; and technically adequate. One definite big misplaced pass but yeah. - Fox disappointed me a little today in all honesty - not that he did much THAT bad, but a few misjudgements here and there. Basically had nothing to do though as with all the back five. - Foley was poor. 5 months is about right, and hopefully Kashi and Diarra are back in that time. His vision is entirely backward; technically isn't great; offers no presence or work rate. - Crofts. So he will always frustrate me as this is his level at best (given he's 32), and it's not really imaginative enough. He can put in a decent tackle. Very much a water carrier. - Jacko looked miles better today than against Bury, as he was in the centre. And, because we're down a league. Got the goal. He's a beautiful man, and I hope the memories can stay rosy... Couple of good things, a couple of bad things, but looked better than either Crofts or Foley by a ways. - Ricky Holmes! We're gonna love him. Two goals, one immense one pretty damn good, countless yards dribbled, good technique, and incredibly hard work in attack AND defence. Nothing really to fault. - Magennis was immensely likeable. Won flick ons! Was decent on the ball and showed a turn of pace, too - hopefully him and Nick will click. - Ajose, then. He needs to prove himself to me re scoring, in that he has not scored yet. When that happens, I reckon he could bang them in like a machine. But otherwise he looked a little starved. Some good ideas but not quite the execution. Maybe should've scored second half.
We have a long way to go, and some learning to do, but tonight was quietly encouraging.
Mostly on-point but Crofts was MUCH better than you claim - I thought he was excellent and a really reassuring presence throughout
Very early days. No point expending energy in beating someone 7-0 when they've already given up at 3-0. You don't get more points for extra goals. Difficult outing Saturday therefore all need to be fit & raring to go.
Best Foley moment was when he gave it away really badly, in a sort of 'people will give him 4 in Player Ratings' way, then immediately charged back and won it, putting him back to a 6
You really haven't got the same gift as your girlfriend, have you Leuthy
Best Foley moment was when he gave it away really badly, in a sort of 'people will give him 4 in Player Ratings' way, then immediately charged back and won it, putting him back to a 6
You really haven't got the same gift as your girlfriend, have you Leuthy
Perhaps not, but only because I fear what might happen if I let rip
Wow that was better. Magennis and Konsa were stand out and I thought Ajose looked decent. Crofts also put his foot in. But Ricky Holmes....amazing. Skill, determination, style. John Robinson with a bit more attackingflair. Love him already.
Can't make my mind up whether he's more like Killer in his focus on going for goal or more like Robinson in never giving up.
Let me make your mind up for you, he absolutely nothing like either of them
Excellent in attack first half and it may seem churlish to criticise a performance that results in a 3-0 win but a better side than Shrewbury could easily have got something from us today. We defended well but the midfield lacks energy and they were able to move it around quite easily. That aside a promising performance. Felt we managed the game 2nd half to ensure they didn't get back in it. As per every season I gues we will judge how good we are after 10 games.
Tonight (and the results elsewhere) has given me a lot more confidence about our prospects for the season, especially with MKD, Millwall and Sheff Utd losing
Bolton (who play tomorrow) are now the only team with a 100% record, Peterborough are clearly going to be a team to watch too
Good result against minor side. Our squad is actually pretty ok now for this level - with a couple of extra additions and (presumably) Bergdich loaned out we should have one of the stronger teams in the League.
That said many of the players still need to find their feet.
We need a minimum of 79 points for automatic promotion and a minimum of 70 for the play offs - thats 7-8 per month every month. At present we have 4.
Tonight (and the results elsewhere) has given me a lot more confidence about our prospects for the season, especially with MKD, Millwall and Sheff Utd losing
Tonight (and the results elsewhere) has given me a lot more confidence about our prospects for the season, especially with MKD, Millwall and Sheff Utd losing
Beating the mighty Shrewsbury can do that for you
Well Sheff Utd lost 3-0 at home to the might Southend :-)
Great to see a win. Very happy with that. Only hope is that the short sighted in charge of the purse strings don't use this as a reason not to strengthen the midfield.
Forgot all about it despite posting the first post on this thread eh?
First evening game I can remember enjoying for a while.
Just one game - but Holmes, Magennis, Konsa all massive positives.
Just need Ajose to get a goal but it will come.
Rudd is our best keeper for a long while.
If we can get a couple of good CMs to boost the squad and keep Lookman then we could do something in this league.
Let's see what happens.
Agree & Magennis could have done a job for us in The Championship when our strikers were getting bullied rotten. He is a veritable beast but a skilful one and his knock on headers were in the Kermo mould.
Thought Crofts had a decent night as well - albeit against a very poor side.
Konsa was so good in the air and I was especially impressed with the way he kept calm after being wound up rotten by their striker for the full 90.
Holmes was superb and also protected Fox much more than most others playing in front of him last season were supposed to do but didn't. The Holmes goal from the corner was the first time I'd ever seen that happen live - absolute quality.
Lookman mesmerised them - a lovely bit of quick feet magic so soon after he came on to skin three players and his shot that the keeper could only parry was sadly skyed by Ajose from the spill. Ajose just needs a goal but not sure we're playing to his strengths - will take time to find the right chemistry.
My main observation of the football overall - my God, this level is so much slower than The Championship. However, we look to have a decent squad for this level - just a couple of decent CM's, as you say, one a playmaker and the other a playbreaker with pace and we're on our way back.
Was really pleased for Russell Slade who was clearly delighted at the end when he came to thank the fans - think he could become a popular Manager.
Good win, but felt the Scoreline flattered us a bit! A great strike, a dubious handball scrap and then a corner goal that you couldn't do again in 50 more atttempts Solid enough at the back, with midfield fluid but nothing really upfront in terms of goals- really can't see ajose getting more than 7/8 goals this season! Magennis looks a good signing!
Slightly annoyed at the speed that the fans are all over the players and Russell Slade - especially over the last few years history , and considering none of the managers under this regime got the same treatment albeit with better results!
Think a lot of teams could surprise this season - given the results seen tonight!
You are annoyed at the fans getting behind the manager and the team? Is there some graduated level of applause you would like to see introduced?
Not at all, I'm all for getting behind the team etc but it's find it surprising how quickly people have seemingly gone from one extreme of protests etc to asking Russell Slade for a wave in a matter of months... What I was annoyed about , is that the regime will take that and think the problems are all sorted (as well as non of the other managers we've had under this ownership got the same response even with better results)
Curbs has commented several times that Slade is a good appointment - in Curbs, we trust.
Thought the constant pressing by Foley and Crofts was very impressive - allowed Holmes the freedom to get on the ball:
None of that on here thanks. I thought it was decided during pre-season that they were slow, lack energy and should be squad players at best.
Shrewsbury were a poor side - the real test will come against the better sides, currently the likes of Bolton and Chesterfield - Bolton game is just around the corner so we'll soon see.
We played some good stuff at times and their keeper had to make a couple of good saves. Defense looked organised and rarely looked in trouble. Job done in first half and second was a non event. Very comfortable win but just because I feel like being a negative realist because that's what following Charlton has done to me, I'll add Shrewsbury were poor, that the 2nd goal was handball and that the 3rd was in reality a lucky poor corner.
3-0 was a flattering scoreline but the result was never in doubt once we got in front but at 3-0 I really thought we'd keep going for it and really thump them by 4 or 5 which could have done wonders for morale and gelling of the team not to mention goal difference.
Impressed again with Magennis he really bullied the Shrewsbury defence and probably the nearest we've ever looked like replacing Kermorgant with.
The goals for Ajose will come once the right service falls his way though granted he should have tucked away the rebound from Lookman's shot but at least fans didn't get on his back for it.
Holmes was brilliant absolutely vital the club look after him can see him pitching in with maybe 10 goals this season if he continues playing the way he has so far.
Still a few question marks in the middle of the pitch though an improvement from the same 4 players since Bury, Shrewsbury had too much of the ball for my liking in the 2nd half I really wanted us to stamp our authority on the game but I can understand Slade reigning it in and settling for the 3-0. Good tonight but I remain unconvinced how that same midfield will get on at Millwall. Walsall on Saturday will provide a sterner test than a Shrewsbury team i'll be surprised doesn't get relegated this season despite there best efforts to pass the ball around.
Konsa ironed out the mistakes from Saturday. Relegator's finished and now behind Pearce, Bauer, Tex, and Konsa as 5th choice CB though as good as Konsa looked i'd still bring Bauer back into the team.
Rudd inspires confidence and definitely our best keeper in a while.
The rest were solid, overall deserved the win but certainly sterner tests lay ahead but all in all a good night for the club.
Didn't go, refuse to go until the Belgians disembark. But absolutely delighted with the win. It would appear that we've found a gem in Ricky Holmes. From the highlights, his first goal looked a belter.
I'm really, really sad that I see Charlton Athletic, my team, the team that I love and have so much emotional investment in, win 3-0 and I barely feel anything.
Comments
Great performances by Konsa and Magennis
Great win, but I refuse to get carried away yet... They were woeful
Judging on results that was very good, a second half goal would have moved it up to excellent.
In terms of the game exposition we started well on top, raced into an unassailable lead against a workmanlike Shrewsbury, who then settled for damage limitation, and trying stuff out hoping for a consolation goal. We didn't hammer it home but were completely in command.
The benchmark has been set for our remaining home games.
I still think the midfield is a big problem although Jacko inside was a great help but he faded in influence as the game progressed. Crofts was a water carrier but five month Foley was below average once again.
Holmes was the star of midfield, and the star of the game. Holmes loves playing. He loves a run with the ball, taking set pieces, taking people on, taking a stern physical examination, tackling back. Indeed Holmes this evening was one of the best individual performances in a Charlton shirt for many a year, probably only matched in recent times but an outstanding goalkeeping display, certainly hard to remember as good an effort from an outfield player for quite a while.
The defence was barely tested and did well, certainly weren't missing Rojo
Up front it will eventually work for Ajose, he is not having the kind of Churchino barren spell, but it is barren but you can kind of see it will work eventually for him. I hope so anyway.
Maginnis played really well in terms of effort and influence, he will be a bit of a favourite providing he doesn't miss a string of sitters because his overall play tonight was pretty good. He takes responsibility in a way that is the total opposite of Makienok or Reza for example. When Jason was subbed he shook the hand of both centre backs very sportingly after a good battling evening with them. Nice little classy move that.
Lookman was very good again.
If this is us heading in the right direction it is encouraging tho' Shrewsbury were weak, and our midfield is nowhere near sorted.
Was a change going to the Valley and seeing us win, now I want to see more of that stuff.
Or were you running us through your LBW decision again?
Need to win at the Bescot. Lads done good tonight. Game over after 45 those present could've scooted.
You don't get more points for extra goals. Difficult outing Saturday therefore all need to be fit & raring to go.
Bolton (who play tomorrow) are now the only team with a 100% record, Peterborough are clearly going to be a team to watch too
Good result against minor side. Our squad is actually pretty ok now for this level - with a couple of extra additions and (presumably) Bergdich loaned out we should have one of the stronger teams in the League.
That said many of the players still need to find their feet.
We need a minimum of 79 points for automatic promotion and a minimum of 70 for the play offs - thats 7-8 per month every month. At present we have 4.
Onwards and upwards!
Thought Crofts had a decent night as well - albeit against a very poor side.
Konsa was so good in the air and I was especially impressed with the way he kept calm after being wound up rotten by their striker for the full 90.
Holmes was superb and also protected Fox much more than most others playing in front of him last season were supposed to do but didn't.
The Holmes goal from the corner was the first time I'd ever seen that happen live - absolute quality.
Lookman mesmerised them - a lovely bit of quick feet magic so soon after he came on to skin three players and his shot that the keeper could only parry was sadly skyed by Ajose from the spill. Ajose just needs a goal but not sure we're playing to his strengths - will take time to find the right chemistry.
My main observation of the football overall - my God, this level is so much slower than The Championship. However, we look to have a decent squad for this level - just a couple of decent CM's, as you say, one a playmaker and the other a playbreaker with pace and we're on our way back.
Was really pleased for Russell Slade who was clearly delighted at the end when he came to thank the fans - think he could become a popular Manager.
Very comfortable win but just because I feel like being a negative realist because that's what following Charlton has done to me, I'll add Shrewsbury were poor, that the 2nd goal was handball and that the 3rd was in reality a lucky poor corner.
Impressed again with Magennis he really bullied the Shrewsbury defence and probably the nearest we've ever looked like replacing Kermorgant with.
The goals for Ajose will come once the right service falls his way though granted he should have tucked away the rebound from Lookman's shot but at least fans didn't get on his back for it.
Holmes was brilliant absolutely vital the club look after him can see him pitching in with maybe 10 goals this season if he continues playing the way he has so far.
Still a few question marks in the middle of the pitch though an improvement from the same 4 players since Bury, Shrewsbury had too much of the ball for my liking in the 2nd half I really wanted us to stamp our authority on the game but I can understand Slade reigning it in and settling for the 3-0. Good tonight but I remain unconvinced how that same midfield will get on at Millwall. Walsall on Saturday will provide a sterner test than a Shrewsbury team i'll be surprised doesn't get relegated this season despite there best efforts to pass the ball around.
Konsa ironed out the mistakes from Saturday. Relegator's finished and now behind Pearce, Bauer, Tex, and Konsa as 5th choice CB though as good as Konsa looked i'd still bring Bauer back into the team.
Rudd inspires confidence and definitely our best keeper in a while.
The rest were solid, overall deserved the win but certainly sterner tests lay ahead but all in all a good night for the club.
You're even tainting the wins Roland.
Please leave so I can enjoy Charlton again.