A positive for me is that at least we're creating chances. Could (should) have won the last 2 games apart from that. Surely they're going to start going in.
Agree with others about Botaka starting. He seems to be a live wire who creates chances.
Apart from that it's early days. Last Saturday was a shocker but I feel cautiously optimistic that we have the players/squad to be challenging near the top.
I do think Slade is too cautious with his subbing though. That was plainly clear last Saturday in my opinion.
A positive for me is that at least we're creating chances. Could (should) have won the last 2 games apart from that. Surely they're going to start going in.
Agree with others about Botaka starting. He seems to be a live wire who creates chances.
Apart from that it's early days. Last Saturday was a shocker but I feel cautiously optimistic that we have the players/squad to be challenging near the top.
I do think Slade is too cautious with his subbing though. That was plainly clear last Saturday in my opinion.
This. I'd be more concerned if weren't creating chances. We are, and the goals will come.
Just back from Scunthorpe & enjoying a much needed cuppa whilst reading through the posts.
Whilst I wasn't turning somersaults or smothering he uber friendly Brussell with slobbery kisses, I DID feel heartened after witnessing last night's performance.
It wasn't the most exciting match we'll see this season ( hopefully) but the overall feeing when exiting the ground, was one of optimism rather than pessimism for the first time since the Shrews came to Town followed by our visit to Warsaw.
The Return of the BFG ( a sequel on the cards maybe ? ) and the progress made by our new Fred made quite a difference to the team with the latter being particularly impressive. He's a willing player with a deal of skill in his game &, for me, a decent addition to the squad. IF it was possible, I'd like to see him, Rickeeee AND Botaka together on the pitch for more than a handful of minutes but unsure what this would mean for the balance of the team in general....Could we really have an excess of talent ?
A small, but, like our esteemed Chief Mod, perfectly formed, away following did their best to make their voices heard with the usual suspects in attendance. No doubt, the volume as with the numbers will be increased substantially on Saturday but there is a certain sense of pride to be felt when the location /timing of a match means the attendant faithful is minimised. Hopefully others will find themselves ready, willing & able to travel to such games when they join the senior brigade in years to come. And the cheaper tickets help!
So, we look forward to visiting the city of dreaming spires and the inventor of the Morse code in 3 days' time with more hope in our hearts than might otherwise have been expected. Whether the starting eleven will remain the same or not, we now appear to have options on offer to the gaffer. It's clear that Botaka needs more game time, partly to show what he can do & partly because this is Charlton....and injuries to first choice players is always a worry. Our bench is starting to look stronger too & whether it's JJ, Botaka or A N Other, we DO now have at least 2 lads that can enter the arena & bring something different to a game. But only if our manager decides to take that chance.....
Finally, it was great to put another face to a name when we met Red Chaser & his son in the Hungry Horse pre match. For some weird reason, my reputation appears to go before me & there was no need for introductions but we had a lovely chat nevertheless !
Good to make both your and Mr F's acquaintance yesterday @Fanny Fanackapan the prematch meal and chat was most enjoyable helping the wait for KO to pass quickly.
Hope your journey home wasn't too arduous, sounds like you dodged a bullet as the coach had an extra 45 mins on the journey diverting off the M25. We too had a diversion to contend with but was still home before the horses turned to mice thanks to Jenson Button .
Arrived back in Manchester at lunchtime, after spending a night in a hotel by the station that made Fawlty Towers look like the Ritz. Manager had done a bunk, taking the proceeds with him, they did their best, but my, what a dump.
Anyway, back to the game, and there were many positives. The team is now looking much more cohesive, with players understanding their positions and responsibilities. The BFG made a big difference, attacking the ball when required, and calm in bringing the ball out from the back. Pierce looked a better player with Bauer alongside.
Foley had a very good game in playing it simple and held the midfield together. The understanding between Fred and Crofts is growing, and I expect this to improve further, hopefully when we start to talk about the cliche telepathic understanding between the two.
My continued concern is that we play too deep, we need to be 10 metres further up the field. This would give us the opportunity to support Magennis better (who by the way put in another fantastic shift on his own up front, without a hint of complaint), and also allow us to put their deeper midfield players under pressure, to stop them playing out too easily from the back.
Substitutes is another concern, did we really feel we could go on and win the game? if so, make more positive subs, and push on. We kept the ball much better, shading possesion during the game. I know fans don't like sideways passes, but on several occassions I thought a sideways or slightly forward pass was the better option to keep the pressure on, than the hopeful champage pass forward that lost us the ball.
Felt quite positive after the game, come on Oxford!
It was more to do with the mold growing on my clothes, no stuff in the bathroom, and a shower that was impossible to control! But you're right the bed was hard, with the springs pushing into your side.
Yes, half a bottle of red wine doesn't help, quite right BRING ON OXFORD, come on Charlton!
At the match. Slade set up for the draw and he got it. Scunthorpe started really well, played the ball around nicely for the first 20 minutes. I thought it was going to be a miserable evening. But Charlton grew throughout the match and were fairly dominant by the end.
You felt that if Slade had maybe changed it up earlier, Scunthorpe were there for the taking, equally, the team were playing well. Maybe Ulvestad and Foley were a bit anonymous and candidates to come off. Saying all that, I would have taken 0-0 before the match, Scunthorpe are a decent team and have been scoring for fun lately.
Defensively we were very solid, but we lacked any creativity going forward. Often resorting to pumping it to a very isolated Magennis. He won a lot a battles but actually impressed me with his feet. He seems to have great awareness of bringing a player into the attack with a pass into space. Think we are going to struggle a bit in that area again this year, it is the same problem as last year. Lookman was quality, Scunthorpe just couldn't handle him. Good to see the BFG back. Thought crofts was very tidy and cleaned up a few potential dangerous moments.
As to the incident, both were clearly inebriated and the younger guy had been swearing all match. I agree the older gent did himself no favours, but the younger guy went for him first, trying to leap over seats including a kid no older than ten a couple of rows down, after being told to shut up in the most ironic fashion. The police should have done more the first time it kicked off, as it was clearly going to be words at the end again.
I was right next to it the younger guy only went for him once he had been grabbed round the throat.
Were you the bloke with the really decent looking camera?
At the match. Slade set up for the draw and he got it. Scunthorpe started really well, played the ball around nicely for the first 20 minutes. I thought it was going to be a miserable evening. But Charlton grew throughout the match and were fairly dominant by the end.
You felt that if Slade had maybe changed it up earlier, Scunthorpe were there for the taking, equally, the team were playing well. Maybe Ulvestad and Foley were a bit anonymous and candidates to come off. Saying all that, I would have taken 0-0 before the match, Scunthorpe are a decent team and have been scoring for fun lately.
Defensively we were very solid, but we lacked any creativity going forward. Often resorting to pumping it to a very isolated Magennis. He won a lot a battles but actually impressed me with his feet. He seems to have great awareness of bringing a player into the attack with a pass into space. Think we are going to struggle a bit in that area again this year, it is the same problem as last year. Lookman was quality, Scunthorpe just couldn't handle him. Good to see the BFG back. Thought crofts was very tidy and cleaned up a few potential dangerous moments.
As to the incident, both were clearly inebriated and the younger guy had been swearing all match. I agree the older gent did himself no favours, but the younger guy went for him first, trying to leap over seats including a kid no older than ten a couple of rows down, after being told to shut up in the most ironic fashion. The police should have done more the first time it kicked off, as it was clearly going to be words at the end again.
I was right next to it the younger guy only went for him once he had been grabbed round the throat.
Were you the bloke with the really decent looking camera?
At the match. Slade set up for the draw and he got it. Scunthorpe started really well, played the ball around nicely for the first 20 minutes. I thought it was going to be a miserable evening. But Charlton grew throughout the match and were fairly dominant by the end.
You felt that if Slade had maybe changed it up earlier, Scunthorpe were there for the taking, equally, the team were playing well. Maybe Ulvestad and Foley were a bit anonymous and candidates to come off. Saying all that, I would have taken 0-0 before the match, Scunthorpe are a decent team and have been scoring for fun lately.
Defensively we were very solid, but we lacked any creativity going forward. Often resorting to pumping it to a very isolated Magennis. He won a lot a battles but actually impressed me with his feet. He seems to have great awareness of bringing a player into the attack with a pass into space. Think we are going to struggle a bit in that area again this year, it is the same problem as last year. Lookman was quality, Scunthorpe just couldn't handle him. Good to see the BFG back. Thought crofts was very tidy and cleaned up a few potential dangerous moments.
As to the incident, both were clearly inebriated and the younger guy had been swearing all match. I agree the older gent did himself no favours, but the younger guy went for him first, trying to leap over seats including a kid no older than ten a couple of rows down, after being told to shut up in the most ironic fashion. The police should have done more the first time it kicked off, as it was clearly going to be words at the end again.
I was right next to it the younger guy only went for him once he had been grabbed round the throat.
Were you the bloke with the really decent looking camera?
Ha ha no
Did Eubank and Benn resolve their differences in the end?
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 7s8 seconds ago 58' CHANCE! Sue Parkes notices boardroom empty & leftover plate of vol-aux-vents on table, but last minute interception from waitress sees the pastries returned to the kitchen & the chance goes begging. #cafc #CAFCLive
At the match. Slade set up for the draw and he got it. Scunthorpe started really well, played the ball around nicely for the first 20 minutes. I thought it was going to be a miserable evening. But Charlton grew throughout the match and were fairly dominant by the end.
You felt that if Slade had maybe changed it up earlier, Scunthorpe were there for the taking, equally, the team were playing well. Maybe Ulvestad and Foley were a bit anonymous and candidates to come off. Saying all that, I would have taken 0-0 before the match, Scunthorpe are a decent team and have been scoring for fun lately.
Defensively we were very solid, but we lacked any creativity going forward. Often resorting to pumping it to a very isolated Magennis. He won a lot a battles but actually impressed me with his feet. He seems to have great awareness of bringing a player into the attack with a pass into space. Think we are going to struggle a bit in that area again this year, it is the same problem as last year. Lookman was quality, Scunthorpe just couldn't handle him. Good to see the BFG back. Thought crofts was very tidy and cleaned up a few potential dangerous moments.
As to the incident, both were clearly inebriated and the younger guy had been swearing all match. I agree the older gent did himself no favours, but the younger guy went for him first, trying to leap over seats including a kid no older than ten a couple of rows down, after being told to shut up in the most ironic fashion. The police should have done more the first time it kicked off, as it was clearly going to be words at the end again.
I was right next to it the younger guy only went for him once he had been grabbed round the throat.
Were you the bloke with the really decent looking camera?
Ha ha no
Did Eubank and Benn resolve their differences in the end?
Comments
Agree with others about Botaka starting. He seems to be a live wire who creates chances.
Apart from that it's early days. Last Saturday was a shocker but I feel cautiously optimistic that we have the players/squad to be challenging near the top.
I do think Slade is too cautious with his subbing though. That was plainly clear last Saturday in my opinion.
I'm still fairly confident we'll be in the top 6.
Whilst I wasn't turning somersaults or smothering he uber friendly Brussell with slobbery kisses, I DID feel heartened after witnessing last night's performance.
It wasn't the most exciting match we'll see this season ( hopefully) but the overall feeing when exiting the ground, was one of optimism rather than pessimism for the first time since the Shrews came to Town followed by our visit to Warsaw.
The Return of the BFG ( a sequel on the cards maybe ? ) and the progress made by our new Fred made quite a difference to the team with the latter being particularly impressive. He's a willing player with a deal of skill in his game &, for me, a decent addition to the squad. IF it was possible, I'd like to see him, Rickeeee AND Botaka together on the pitch for more than a handful of minutes but unsure what this would mean for the balance of the team in general....Could we really have an excess of talent ?
A small, but, like our esteemed Chief Mod, perfectly formed, away following did their best to make their voices heard with the usual suspects in attendance. No doubt, the volume as with the numbers will be increased substantially on Saturday but there is a certain sense of pride to be felt when the location /timing of a match means the attendant faithful is minimised. Hopefully others will find themselves ready, willing & able to travel to such games when they join the senior brigade in years to come. And the cheaper tickets help!
So, we look forward to visiting the city of dreaming spires and the inventor of the Morse code in 3 days' time with more hope in our hearts than might otherwise have been expected. Whether the starting eleven will remain the same or not, we now appear to have options on offer to the gaffer. It's clear that Botaka needs more game time, partly to show what he can do & partly because this is Charlton....and injuries to first choice players is always a worry. Our bench is starting to look stronger too & whether it's JJ, Botaka or A N Other, we DO now have at least 2 lads that can enter the arena & bring something different to a game. But only if our manager decides to take that chance.....
Finally, it was great to put another face to a name when we met Red Chaser & his son in the Hungry Horse pre match. For some weird reason, my reputation appears to go before me & there was no need for introductions but we had a lovely chat nevertheless !
Keep the faith & support the team !
Hope your journey home wasn't too arduous, sounds like you dodged a bullet as the coach had an extra 45 mins on the journey diverting off the M25. We too had a diversion to contend with but was still home before the horses turned to mice thanks to Jenson Button
Anyway, back to the game, and there were many positives. The team is now looking much more cohesive, with players understanding their positions and responsibilities. The BFG made a big difference, attacking the ball when required, and calm in bringing the ball out from the back. Pierce looked a better player with Bauer alongside.
Foley had a very good game in playing it simple and held the midfield together. The understanding between Fred and Crofts is growing, and I expect this to improve further, hopefully when we start to talk about the cliche telepathic understanding between the two.
My continued concern is that we play too deep, we need to be 10 metres further up the field. This would give us the opportunity to support Magennis better (who by the way put in another fantastic shift on his own up front, without a hint of complaint), and also allow us to put their deeper midfield players under pressure, to stop them playing out too easily from the back.
Substitutes is another concern, did we really feel we could go on and win the game? if so, make more positive subs, and push on. We kept the ball much better, shading possesion during the game. I know fans don't like sideways passes, but on several occassions I thought a sideways or slightly forward pass was the better option to keep the pressure on, than the hopeful champage pass forward that lost us the ball.
Felt quite positive after the game, come on Oxford!
Yes, half a bottle of red wine doesn't help, quite right BRING ON OXFORD, come on Charlton!
---------------------Rudd
Solly ------ BFG ---- Pearce ---- Fox
Botaka--Ulvestad - Jacko-----Lookman
---------------------Holmes
-------------------Magennis
1% Top two ......... 23% 3rd-6th ......... 60% 7th-12th ......... 16% 13th-20th ........ 0% relegation
Kevin Fu*cking Foley.