Our players, namely Grant and Fosu, need to shoot more often and quicker. Both get into space, cut inside on their right foot and then take another touch or three and get crowded out
TBF to Karlan he had two shots that were blocked first half.
Our players, namely Grant and Fosu, need to shoot more often and quicker. Both get into space, cut inside on their right foot and then take another touch or three and get crowded out
TBF to Karlan he had two shots that were blocked first half.
Yup, crowded out both times
Maloney looks good enough to break through this season, Doughty and Morgan don't
Our players, namely Grant and Fosu, need to shoot more often and quicker. Both get into space, cut inside on their right foot and then take another touch or three and get crowded out
TBF to Karlan he had two shots that were blocked first half.
Yup, crowded out both times
Maloney looks good enough to break through this season, Doughty and Morgan don't
I will reserve judgement on Doughty and Morgan but agree that Maloney looks the most likely to make the break through to the First team 18
Dulwich were lively and threatened our defence much more than Welling. Their goal was a peach of a shot from 30 yards that cannoned in off the post.
We were sharp in the first half, moving the ball quickly forward to Taylor and Grant. Taylor is mobile and occasionally foraged on the left wing, inviting Fosu and Lapslie to join the central attack. Some of our close passes in midfield put the recipient under unnecessary pressure, and I agree with the earlier poster about the danger of Phillips dithering with passes to and from defenders.
Forster-Caskey, Taylor and especially Fosu missed the target when well placed. Even with several trialists, Dulwich worked fluent moves that tested our keeper. But we bossed the midfield for most of the first hour, with Forster-Caskey pivotal and others always close in support.
The substitute team was far less effective, with inexperienced young midfielders unable to supply Magennis and Ajose. Maynard-Brewer tipped a fierce shot over the bar to deny Hamlet an equaliser at the death.
Bowyer got into a heated argument with the ref and the fourth official about a disputed throw-in. “Careful now,” the bloke behind me advised. “Don’t get into trouble before the season’s even started.”
Their equaliser was an absolute cracker - guess no keeper likes being beaten from so far out but it swerved viciously, taking it right out to the far post beyond Phillips.
Understandably, Blumberg didn't look at all comfortable at left back. Some CB's make the transition effortlessly but he looks very much a centre half, where he's acquitted himself well in the reserves. Ward looks like the experienced pro he is.
In centre midfield, whilst looking at Lapslie, Maloney et al, we have to remember that Aribo and Djiksteel have only just made the step up themselves, and will need older heads around them in such vital positions (though Anfernee might find himself at RB). Maloney made a skillful, intelligent contribution last night but is still slender and of course unfamiliar with the physicality of the third division. Lapslie has done enough to be knocking on the door but might need to channel his natural energy to areas where he can make more impression on the game. Aribo is beginning to look a class act; strong and skillful with a good appreciation of the game but let's not ask him to play 46 games yet.
Haven't seen Morgan for the u23s but at Welling and Dulwich he's looked promising with a bit of strength, positivity, and good crossing ability. Dawkins clearly has sufficient ability if he has the necessary fitness and motivation.
Taylor gives us a very welcome attacking edge; strong enough to hold it up but mobile enough to stretch defences, and clearly willing to to do it. Being able to finish with both feet is a great bonus.
When Josh came to Charlton his best attribute was probably his willingness to compete, giving defenders a torrid time even when he wasn't a direct threat on goal. Sadly those games are becoming fewer and further between and if he really is one of the likely departures then now is possibly the right time.
All in all a pleasant evening at T&M's new(ish) ground by the lovely Wandle. As in previous seasons, Hamlet were at it from the start with a full-on approach that wasn't overly aggressive but gave us a much more strenuous work out than the traditional Welling leg stretch. They have a few lively players and no shortage of skill but seemed hell-bent at times on winding up a ref who was clearly happy to let most things go.
Taylor looked the part, I thought. Good movement and energy and finished his goal well. Could be a decent combination with Grant, but they obviously need to learn to work together. Felt like they weren't very aware of where each other was and sometimes made the same run.
A decent workout for us but it did emphasise how paper thin our squad is. Looked like we might be promotion candidates - if we were in National League South.
Some of the off-field shenanigans - trying to get the game changed to a U23 match despite a contractual obligation from the Mascoll transfer, promoting it on Valley Pass in advance, having agreed not to - showed a lack of class from the club and a disrespect to a much smaller club facing similar difficulties to those we've faced in the past. This regime stinks.
Comments
76' Magennis chips the ball across to Doughty but the Charlton youngster can't keep his shot down and it flies over. 2-1.
Maloney looks good enough to break through this season, Doughty and Morgan don't
FT 1-2
Much appreciated.
For a fit young athlete to go down with pneumonia must be pretty unusual?
We were sharp in the first half, moving the ball quickly forward to Taylor and Grant. Taylor is mobile and occasionally foraged on the left wing, inviting Fosu and Lapslie to join the central attack. Some of our close passes in midfield put the recipient under unnecessary pressure, and I agree with the earlier poster about the danger of Phillips dithering with passes to and from defenders.
Forster-Caskey, Taylor and especially Fosu missed the target when well placed. Even with several trialists, Dulwich worked fluent moves that tested our keeper. But we bossed the midfield for most of the first hour, with Forster-Caskey pivotal and others always close in support.
The substitute team was far less effective, with inexperienced young midfielders unable to supply Magennis and Ajose. Maynard-Brewer tipped a fierce shot over the bar to deny Hamlet an equaliser at the death.
Bowyer got into a heated argument with the ref and the fourth official about a disputed throw-in. “Careful now,” the bloke behind me advised. “Don’t get into trouble before the season’s even started.”
Their equaliser was an absolute cracker - guess no keeper likes being beaten from so far out but it swerved viciously, taking it right out to the far post beyond Phillips.
Understandably, Blumberg didn't look at all comfortable at left back. Some CB's make the transition effortlessly but he looks very much a centre half, where he's acquitted himself well in the reserves. Ward looks like the experienced pro he is.
In centre midfield, whilst looking at Lapslie, Maloney et al, we have to remember that Aribo and Djiksteel have only just made the step up themselves, and will need older heads around them in such vital positions (though Anfernee might find himself at RB). Maloney made a skillful, intelligent contribution last night but is still slender and of course unfamiliar with the physicality of the third division. Lapslie has done enough to be knocking on the door but might need to channel his natural energy to areas where he can make more impression on the game. Aribo is beginning to look a class act; strong and skillful with a good appreciation of the game but let's not ask him to play 46 games yet.
Haven't seen Morgan for the u23s but at Welling and Dulwich he's looked promising with a bit of strength, positivity, and good crossing ability. Dawkins clearly has sufficient ability if he has the necessary fitness and motivation.
Taylor gives us a very welcome attacking edge; strong enough to hold it up but mobile enough to stretch defences, and clearly willing to to do it. Being able to finish with both feet is a great bonus.
When Josh came to Charlton his best attribute was probably his willingness to compete, giving defenders a torrid time even when he wasn't a direct threat on goal. Sadly those games are becoming fewer and further between and if he really is one of the likely departures then now is possibly the right time.
All in all a pleasant evening at T&M's new(ish) ground by the lovely Wandle. As in previous seasons, Hamlet were at it from the start with a full-on approach that wasn't overly aggressive but gave us a much more strenuous work out than the traditional Welling leg stretch. They have a few lively players and no shortage of skill but seemed hell-bent at times on winding up a ref who was clearly happy to let most things go.
A decent workout for us but it did emphasise how paper thin our squad is. Looked like we might be promotion candidates - if we were in National League South.
Some of the off-field shenanigans - trying to get the game changed to a U23 match despite a contractual obligation from the Mascoll transfer, promoting it on Valley Pass in advance, having agreed not to - showed a lack of class from the club and a disrespect to a much smaller club facing similar difficulties to those we've faced in the past. This regime stinks.