Many of us will say we got it wrong, I don't think we did, Pratley only had a handful of decent games when we got promoted a couple of years back. It's so strange how he was so much better last season, and has started brilliantly again this one.
Definitely agree with Swisdom about his coaching badges, I think he'd have a lot to offer.
Many of us will say we got it wrong, I don't think we did, Pratley only had a handful of decent games when we got promoted a couple of years back. It's so strange how he was so much better last season, and has started brilliantly again this one.
Definitely agree with Swisdom about his coaching badges, I think he'd have a lot to offer.
He was rubbish in 18/19 for a few months mid season, but played a huge part in the playoffs and has been great since
Many of us will say we got it wrong, I don't think we did, Pratley only had a handful of decent games when we got promoted a couple of years back. It's so strange how he was so much better last season, and has started brilliantly again this one.
A bit of perspective though.
In his first summer pre-season, Prats got injured and was out for several weeks before, because of several other players missing, being needed for the 1st team squad before he was properly fit and ready. Surprise, surprise he soon got injured again and then rushed back. He was playing, not training, play the next game, miss one and then asked to play again carrying the niggle and not match sharp.
People sat in judgement of him, declared him to be too slow, past it and anyway, he's useless.
The injury persisted; he then had to miss a chunk of the season which allowed his injury to heal. As he regained fitness, we then started to see his influence on games, even from the bench - you can't forget his impact on the playoff semi at The Valley, or Wembley.
Nothing strange. He just needed the chance to let the injury properly heal and get match fitness.
Many of us will say we got it wrong, I don't think we did, Pratley only had a handful of decent games when we got promoted a couple of years back. It's so strange how he was so much better last season, and has started brilliantly again this one.
A bit of perspective though.
In his first summer pre-season, Prats got injured and was out for several weeks before, because of several other players missing, being needed for the 1st team squad before he was properly fit and ready. Surprise, surprise he soon got injured again and then rushed back. He was playing, not training, play the next game, miss one and then asked to play again carrying the niggle and not match sharp.
People sat in judgement of him, declared him to be too slow, past it and anyway, he's useless.
The injury persisted; he then had to miss a chunk of the season which allowed his injury to heal. As he regained fitness, we then started to see his influence on games, even from the bench - you can't forget his impact on the playoff semi at The Valley, or Wembley.
Nothing strange. He just needed the chance to let the injury properly heal and get match fitness.
Spot on Oggy.
He's played in the premier league. All these "he was useless" "he can't trap a ball, can't pass a ball" excuses are nonsense.
Gallen explained at Bromley Addicks his value to the side.
Pratley is a fantastic player and always has been for us, it's just taken some people a long time to overcome their prejudices about him and realise that football isn't just what you do on the ball.
Pratley is a leader of men, something we have lacked over the years. What makes this side so full of potential is that Pratley is not the only leader in the squad. During the 60's and 70's, we were bullied far too often by the opposition, summed up succinctly by Eamon Dunphy in his excellent book 'Only a Game' when, as a Millwall player he wrote "As a team, (Charlton) always seemed like a nice load of nancy boys. We've always loved playing against them, because we've never had a game against them. It's been too easy." I don't think anyone would dare call this team a load of nancy boys. Not to their faces at least.
Pratley is a leader of men, something we have lacked over the years. What makes this side so full of potential is that Pratley is not the only leader in the squad. During the 60's and 70's, we were bullied far too often by the opposition, summed up succinctly by Eamon Dunphy in his excellent book 'Only a Game' when, as a Millwall player he wrote "As a team, (Charlton) always seemed like a nice load of nancy boys. We've always loved playing against them, because we've never had a game against them. It's been too easy." I don't think anyone would dare call this team a load of nancy boys. Not to their faces at least.
Many of us will say we got it wrong, I don't think we did, Pratley only had a handful of decent games when we got promoted a couple of years back. It's so strange how he was so much better last season, and has started brilliantly again this one.
A bit of perspective though.
In his first summer pre-season, Prats got injured and was out for several weeks before, because of several other players missing, being needed for the 1st team squad before he was properly fit and ready. Surprise, surprise he soon got injured again and then rushed back. He was playing, not training, play the next game, miss one and then asked to play again carrying the niggle and not match sharp.
People sat in judgement of him, declared him to be too slow, past it and anyway, he's useless.
The injury persisted; he then had to miss a chunk of the season which allowed his injury to heal. As he regained fitness, we then started to see his influence on games, even from the bench - you can't forget his impact on the playoff semi at The Valley, or Wembley.
Nothing strange. He just needed the chance to let the injury properly heal and get match fitness.
Yeah I don't think you're wrong. He did finish that season particularly well, but how many people thought he would play as well as he did last season? I certainly didn't.
I can't imagine he has another season in the Champ in him, but I certainly wouldn't bet against him.
Another thing that gives him the edge is that he's just a bit weird. He's not really that kind of "go in full steam, give your all with serious intensity" kind of players, he seems to enjoy the horrible stuff for the fun of it. How many times do you see him laughing after he's been in a 50-50 smash/fallen over to win a soft free kick/had someone get up in his grill/after he's just done something physically funny like slip over or shank a clearance. He takes enjoyment in peverse things, in a footballing sense. He's an agent of chaos and must seem like a demonic presence when you go up against him. I enjoy it a lot.
Many of us will say we got it wrong, I don't think we did, Pratley only had a handful of decent games when we got promoted a couple of years back. It's so strange how he was so much better last season, and has started brilliantly again this one.
Definitely agree with Swisdom about his coaching badges, I think he'd have a lot to offer.
He was rubbish in 18/19 for a few months mid season, but played a huge part in the playoffs and has been great since
Started well then was a bit underwhelming before coming back stronger when he needed to step up.
Pratley is a leader of men, something we have lacked over the years. What makes this side so full of potential is that Pratley is not the only leader in the squad. During the 60's and 70's, we were bullied far too often by the opposition, summed up succinctly by Eamon Dunphy in his excellent book 'Only a Game' when, as a Millwall player he wrote "As a team, (Charlton) always seemed like a nice load of nancy boys. We've always loved playing against them, because we've never had a game against them. It's been too easy." I don't think anyone would dare call this team a load of nancy boys. Not to their faces at least.
Barton noted after the Fleetwood game that Bowyer had built a big, physical side. When you look at who we brought in after TS took us over, there's bags of experience and/or physical presence - Watson, Gunter, Bogle, Shinnie, Innis - to go alongside the talented kids like Maatsen and Famewo
I love Pratley but he wasn't our best option in 18/19 by any stretch. Our best midfield then was Bielik-Cullen-Aribo-Williams and very few people would have put Pratley into that group. I remember there being some frustration that he started the Play-Off final but he was always going to start given his experience, and he was our most important player in that match. After the insane own goal knocked everyone it was Pratley who started steaming into challenges, getting hold of the ball and using it simply, and vocally showing the players what he was doing. We settled after he took control and it went pretty well after that as I remember. He's massively improved since that season though, he was completely essential to a team that really should have stayed up last season and he's carried on into this one. I honestly don't know how he's done it.
He's played really well last year and this (relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game) but won't be in the first choice 11 once we have everybody fit - he's a great player if trying to grind out a win / win ugly but not the answer if we want to start smashing teams and not be hanging on for wins.
At the Business end of the promotion season, Darren Pratley's character and sheer professionalism in the semi finals against Doncaster shone through and his goal when the game was slipping away was paramount in our narrow success in the semi final of the Play offs.
Pratley and Watson are water carriers who are so important to teams. They are the workhorses which every teams needs to get the balance between putting your foot in and creative flair players who tend to be weaker without the ball.
When we are at full strength: the box to box midfielder Gilbey fit and Maddison, Morgan, Shinnie, JFC then I would imagine both Pratley or Watson will alternate as unless Pratley is covering at CB I wouldn't have both in the same team as I prefer we are more offensive in our play.
Darren Pratley is so important to cafc this season with his nous and winning mentality. In the autumn of his playing career but I would be amazed if coaching and management doesn't follow.
He's played really well last year and this (relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game) but won't be in the first choice 11 once we have everybody fit - he's a great player if trying to grind out a win / win ugly but not the answer if we want to start smashing teams and not be hanging on for wins.
"Relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game". Strange comment doucher. as Pratley has played over 500 games and scored over 50 goals. What Pratley brings to a team is balance. After winning 6 games on the trot by "winning ugly," It wouldn't be a surprise If Bowyer thinks winning ugly is the way to "smash" this league.
He's played really well last year and this (relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game) but won't be in the first choice 11 once we have everybody fit - he's a great player if trying to grind out a win / win ugly but not the answer if we want to start smashing teams and not be hanging on for wins.
"Relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game". Strange comment doucher. as Pratley has played over 500 games and scored over 50 goals. What Pratley brings to a team is balance. After winning 6 games on the trot by "winning ugly," It wouldn't be a surprise If Bowyer thinks winning ugly is the way to "smash" this league.
all about opinions - most teams that go up win a lot of games, particularly at home, by a clear margin where you aren't having to put bodies on line and give everything right up to the final whistle - he has a role to play, yes, but i'm happy with what i've said and he won't feature so much once we are properly up and running
I was pleasantly surprised at the first half against Fleetwood despite the bad 90 seconds as I thought we played some sweet football despite Barton's boys having the bulk of possession. Shinnie first half and Morgan for the 60+ minutes he was on played some good attacking passes and unlike other games I didn't personally think it was ugly with both teams playing some decent football.
I was pleasantly surprised at the first half against Fleetwood despite the bad 90 seconds as I thought we played some sweet football despite Barton's boys having the bulk of possession. Shinnie first half and Morgan for the 60+ minutes he was on played some good attacking passes and unlike other games I didn't personally think it was ugly with both teams playing some decent football.
I agree for the large part I thought it was a decent game of Football played by two honest sides... its especially always nice to see (what happened a lot during the game) that any heavy challenges got met with smiles from the players on both sides rather than petulance which for me makes it an even better spectacle as means you've got two sets of teams just trying to be honest and win a game of Football
The only two incidents that werent like that were the Ched Evans stamp (I still think it was more accidental than malicious) and Sam Finley's push on Maatsen, shock horror - Barton has got his Fleetwood side playing good football and could well have a good career in Management himself, he'll struggle to lose that historic reputation (like Bowyer) but then he equally didnt help himself against Barnsley two years ago
He's played really well last year and this (relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game) but won't be in the first choice 11 once we have everybody fit - he's a great player if trying to grind out a win / win ugly but not the answer if we want to start smashing teams and not be hanging on for wins.
You’re kidding, aren’t you? First name on the team sheet for me. Absolute warrior and a canny footballer who sets the bar for the rest of the team. Captain material and Bowyer’s man out on the pitch.
He's played really well last year and this (relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game) but won't be in the first choice 11 once we have everybody fit - he's a great player if trying to grind out a win / win ugly but not the answer if we want to start smashing teams and not be hanging on for wins.
Pratley is often judged on his ability with the ball. But that's not what he's here for. Bowyer, talking at the time Prats first signed:
"He's definitely something that we need. We have a man coming through the door - someone who is going to compete and fight and we were lacking that towards the end of last season.
"He's seen it, been there and done it, he's got promotions so he knows what it takes."
Without him we would never have got past Doncaster in the play off semi. And even if by some miracle we had, he stopped us folding and getting us back on track after the own goal at Wembley.
Those qualities are priceless in football. It wins games. Bowyer knows that.
When everyone is fit, I'd rotate him and Watson at the base of the diamond... I think they're similar players, and against the cloggers in this league you don't need both
Comments
Definitely agree with Swisdom about his coaching badges, I think he'd have a lot to offer.
In his first summer pre-season, Prats got injured and was out for several weeks before, because of several other players missing, being needed for the 1st team squad before he was properly fit and ready.
Surprise, surprise he soon got injured again and then rushed back. He was playing, not training, play the next game, miss one and then asked to play again carrying the niggle and not match sharp.
People sat in judgement of him, declared him to be too slow, past it and anyway, he's useless.
The injury persisted; he then had to miss a chunk of the season which allowed his injury to heal.
As he regained fitness, we then started to see his influence on games, even from the bench - you can't forget his impact on the playoff semi at The Valley, or Wembley.
Nothing strange. He just needed the chance to let the injury properly heal and get match fitness.
He's played in the premier league. All these "he was useless" "he can't trap a ball, can't pass a ball" excuses are nonsense.
Gallen explained at Bromley Addicks his value to the side.
Pratley is a fantastic player and always has been for us, it's just taken some people a long time to overcome their prejudices about him and realise that football isn't just what you do on the ball.
During the 60's and 70's, we were bullied far too often by the opposition, summed up succinctly by Eamon Dunphy in his excellent book 'Only a Game' when, as a Millwall player he wrote "As a team, (Charlton) always seemed like a nice load of nancy boys. We've always loved playing against them, because we've never had a game against them. It's been too easy."
I don't think anyone would dare call this team a load of nancy boys. Not to their faces at least.
LOL
I can't imagine he has another season in the Champ in him, but I certainly wouldn't bet against him.
He seemed to galvanize the team after a shaky start.
One of my favourite players.
Pratley and Watson are water carriers who are so important to teams. They are the workhorses which every teams needs to get the balance between putting your foot in and creative flair players who tend to be weaker without the ball.
When we are at full strength: the box to box midfielder Gilbey fit and Maddison, Morgan, Shinnie, JFC then I would imagine both Pratley or Watson will alternate as unless Pratley is covering at CB I wouldn't have both in the same team as I prefer we are more offensive in our play.
Darren Pratley is so important to cafc this season with his nous and winning mentality. In the autumn of his playing career but I would be amazed if coaching and management doesn't follow.
Strange comment doucher. as Pratley has played over 500 games and scored over 50 goals.
What Pratley brings to a team is balance.
After winning 6 games on the trot by "winning ugly," It wouldn't be a surprise If Bowyer thinks winning ugly is the way to "smash" this league.
The only two incidents that werent like that were the Ched Evans stamp (I still think it was more accidental than malicious) and Sam Finley's push on Maatsen, shock horror - Barton has got his Fleetwood side playing good football and could well have a good career in Management himself, he'll struggle to lose that historic reputation (like Bowyer) but then he equally didnt help himself against Barnsley two years ago
Absolute warrior and a canny footballer who sets the bar for the rest of the team. Captain material and Bowyer’s man out on the pitch.
Bowyer, talking at the time Prats first signed:
"He's definitely something that we need. We have a man coming through the door - someone who is going to compete and fight and we were lacking that towards the end of last season.
"He's seen it, been there and done it, he's got promotions so he knows what it takes."
“First and foremost it’s because he’s a good player, we don’t bring bad players here.
“Experience is one reason why he’s here.
“Darren Pratley is not a player that will get the ball and go past three players and stick one in the top corner.
“That’s not what he’s good at.
“Darren Pratley is the player to break up, read the game and then give it to someone to do that.
“He gets the ball back so we can go on the attack.
“He’s very good at what he does.
“He’s been priceless.
https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/sport/18010117.charltons-darren-pratley-priceless-says-lee-bowyer/
Without him we would never have got past Doncaster in the play off semi.
And even if by some miracle we had, he stopped us folding and getting us back on track after the own goal at Wembley.
Those qualities are priceless in football. It wins games. Bowyer knows that.