I've honestly never seen a Charlton team defend with such confidence as I have these past few games.
Amos has been unbelievable.
And the fearless slide tackling from the likes of Pearce, Bauer and Kashi are phenomenal.
Huge credit to Bowyer and Jacko. They've realised our best asset is our defence and they've not only used that to our advantage but have made it bloody entertaining to watch! Who needs goals to enjoy a game!
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As well as Pearce, Bauer and Amos (who has been brilliant all season) have really stood up and been counted in the last few games.
Another sign Robbo had lost the dressing room I guess
Bowyer and JJ are doing just that.
Robinson on the other hand was tactically inept.
Amos has been improved massively this season and belongs at a higher level. Good shot stopper and seems to get every cross - only weakness is distribution. Player of the season by a mile for me.
Thats not being tactically correct - thats the ultimate get out of jail card
And, it must be said, that Bowyer and JJ's tenure as management has coincided with the return, after a long spell out, of Page. Now, I'm a big fan of JDS, but Lewis is a proper full back, with a bit more physicality than Jay. Just to add one other thing. Page was Robinson's FIRST signing as manager. For which I, personally, am very thankful.
Another point, for which I may be called a blasphemer, and burnt at the stake, is their tenure has also coincided with the season ending injury of Chris Solly. Now, this may be considered unlucky, but it has meant that that option has not been available. Great player that he HAS been, his standard this season has been, at best, average. The (various) youthful legs that have been put in have, generally, added an energy to our game.
Also, Bowyer has seen who are our best central defenders. He has picked them, and stuck with them. He also identified who is the best leader on the pitch, and given that person the captain's armband. We are now led from the back, by a vocal, never-say-die character, who, I'm sure, no-one would like to pick a fight with.
So, a bit of hard work by the coaching team, an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude, and a couple of, if not "happy", (I wouldn't wish a serious injury on anyone) but "fortunate" coincidences, and you go from a shambolic mish-mash of 7-8 players, who don't know their position in the team from one week to the next, to 6 players (2 centre backs, 4 full backs) all of whom know exactly what their jobs are, week in, week out...
By the same maxim, there is no reason to take it...
2 anecdotes stick out for me - first was Marshall running down the time at Pompey towards the corner flag, waiting to be fouled, and lo-and-behold a little tap from behind, he goes down and we get a free-kick. Second was Pearce yesterday when we had a free-kick 5 yards inside our own half, whilst the ref was talking to the Blackburn player who committed the foul, Pearcey deliberately moves the ball forward 10 yards to be 5 yards inside their half knowing full well the ref would send him back this wasting another 20 seconds.
I expected Pearce to be immense at the back, but really impressed with Bauer, and how he's really improved, and looks so comfortable now against physical "English style" attackers.