Listened to Bow on Radio London after the game in the car.
Apparently he’d told the players before the match that they should be able to return to the dressing room after the game, look at their team mates and say, ‘I gave you everything out there’. He reckoned that that had happened.
He talked about the team with pride from back to front. (Special mentions for Sarr and the keeper).
He said the crowd were magnificent and noted the huge difference it makes.
He wondered how many blocks and last ditch tackles that Plymouth made?
But, most of all I liked his last seven words, 'Think we’re looking very good, ya know'... Must say I quite agree.
Enjoyed an entertaining if at times frustrating game today.
Negatives - still don't think we close down players quick enough outside the box, allowing them to get a shot away - like many of the people around me, I thought Plymouth got a goal straight back after we scored our second, but fortunately, their number 8's shot from outside the area bulged the net after hitting the advertising boards.
-I thought Pearce and Page have had better games than they did today, Solly did well and Sarr had a strong game - love his ability to ping a ball across the pitch or hit a ball into space for Page to run on to. We will miss Bauer's presence and no-nonsense style for the next couple of months.
Positives - we created a lot, we kept going and we got the ball into the box much quicker than we have the last few times I have seen us play.
I was very impressed with Ward - he played one-touch football and pinged balls across as soon as he got them, not giving Plymouth a chance to get back in numbers like we do so often. He put in a proper shift and you can tell he is that type of player you love if he is on your team but hate if he plays against you - he was on the refs back constantly (rightly so after some of his odd decisions).
The front two - Taylor, although he missed a penalty, kept running and getting into space - he is not a selfish player and holds the ball up excellently. Not his best game today but even not at his best I think he is a big step up from Josh.
Grant - was in the right place at the right time twice, just what we need in a striker. Some of his decision making was suspect at times, but he is still very young and is a league one striker so what else can we expect.
I thought Cullen's ability to thread a pass and provide quality set-pieces is something we have been missing for a long time and looks a very astute signing. Aribo was quality - the ball just seems the stick to him at times. Reeves played some excellent cross-field balls and looks much better than under KR.
I couldn't tell if Igor meant the assist at the end but either way I imagine getting it will have boosted his confidence, which can only be a positive.
Another late win, another 3 points. I'm enjoying this...
p.s. anther shout out to the giant football rattle in the west upper, got the fans around him much more animated than usual!
No chance and was an absolutely awful header that worked out brilliantly. Sure there's more to come from Igor which is exciting as should keep Grant and Taylor on their toes. Fosu and Clarke also to come back, we suddenly look very exciting going forward. Reeves was the biggest plus for me, been raring for him to get going and I really hope we see more displays like too. His ball for the winner was superb.
Not too often I notice random opposition players as I'm focussing on our boys but my word, Ruben Lameiras (Plymouth number 11) was one of the worst players I've ever seen at The Valley.
It was painful... no thanks to watching that every week!
I enjoyed that. Should have been 4 or 5 . Glad for just the 2 in the end though . Plymouth were shocking and if there’s a worse seam in league 1 I’d be surprised. Aribo man of the match for me . Worked tirelessly. Solly worries me . He backs of and backs off and lets the winger put the cross in every time . COYR!
This!!!! I was screaming at him to stop backing off for heir goal. He does it time and time again and it drives me nuts.
I watched Solly quite closely today as I too fear he’s not at his best.
However, he is effectively playing with no one in front of him.
When not in possession he has to stay quite tight to the centre half, so it effectively means that whenever their player gets the ball on the left, Solly is too far away to make an immediate presence. The opponent is then in his second phase, ball under control and building forward momentum at pace. Solly has to back off and show wide.
Basically, he’s being a bit exposed to try and create us a bit of an attacking advantage elsewhere, and we are relying on his experience to try and make it work. Tough ask.
Exactly, his reading of the game is excellent and most other full backs being that exposed would be all over the shop. What I like about him the most is he pretty much ALWAYS makes the right decision. Not a dig but if Karlan had that ability right now..........
Overall a good performance, Taylor impresses me more and more each game, Nabby is Nabby, from the sublime to .... oh god he's lost it..... Thought both Cullen and Ward look handy and will improve the longer they are with us. Aribo had one of his better games and Reeves is starting to look like that annoying player that use to terrorise us when at MK.
Tough game that we kept fighting for, we'd have lost that (or drawn) in any of the last 4 seasons.
Thankfully! I thought we were going to be punished for Lyle's penalty miss with a draw or worse which would have been an absolute travesty given the game as a whole.
Rarely have we had so much possession and territorial dominance yet we were unable to make full use of it despite playing some beautiful, flowing passing football at times. Plymouth for their part look to be in a false position to me. They soaked it up and looked dangerous on the few occasions they did attack scoring and hitting both the post and the bar.
Very hard to pick out individuals as everyone contributed at various points with the possible exception of Steer who I felt could have made an attempt at least at saving their goal. I won't be too critical though as we won and maybe, as one who felt Phillips was unfairly treated, I'm being unduly harsh.
Delighted for Karlan as I was about to sing 'he scores with his head, he scores with his head, Jason Pearce he scores with his head' when Big Brian announced Karlan got a touch on Jason's header. The fact we were able to reply pretty quickly to their opener settled the nerves and it felt like when rather than if we get the second. Just before half time Solly was brought down in the penalty area while looking for a hanky for his nosebleed probably! Taylor stepped up confidently to take it and seemed to go for the middle of the goal as the keeper moved but the keeper cleared it to Karlan who could only find the side netting from an acute angle.
Second half went much the way of the first with us surging forward continually with just the occasional foray from Plymouth in response. Yet we could not breach the Plymouth defence the closest effort being a deflection by a Plymouth defender which struck the woodwork before bouncing clear. Igor joined the fray on 80 minutes and Ward was deservedly warmly applauded off the field. On 88 minutes we slung over yet another cross from the right and the ball came back to Grant who lashed it into the net for his second to give us the lead.
We made hard work of it in some ways but 4 wins on the spin tells its own story.
I enjoyed the match today, not just because we won although that obviously helps, but because we tried to play proper football on the floor and at times succeeded very well given where we are.
COYR
PS just to annoy @Riviera on his return from holiday PWR
Thought KAG was poor overall - should have laid it to Taylor for a tap in and was sleeping when we hit the post and could've tapped in. If he can sort that out and keep scoring!! Needs someone to better coach him.
He's literally just won us 3 points and you're knocking him for being poor?
Anyone who thinks Reeves was anything other than excellent today was either only pretending to be there or would simply think he was shit regardless of what he does. I have been his absolutely biggest critic and have regarded him until now as the biggest waste of space ever. But neither I nor anyone else can reasonably downplay his contribution to the last two home games. If he keeps this up he could be POTY. On past performance he will break sometime soon so don’t hold your breath but credit where it’s due please folks.
In a congested midfield when play was narrow he had the effect of causing it to open up creating space and releasing others as passing options. On top of that he harried and made quite a few turnovers. Might have looked like aimless possession at times to some, but not for others.
Absolutely loving watching this bunch this season, over the moon Jeff
It’s killing me not being able to go. I can’t comment on threads like this because I’m not there. I was lured back under false pretences at the back end of last believing the takeover was close. My policy of not a penny more will not waiver likewise this season. I have friends from Cyprus and my brother and his boys from France over next month for the Barnsley and Oldham games but I’m not giving Roland a bean.
It’s seems we have a decent squad and Bowyer is doing really well and seems to have learned from last seasons experiences. I’m pleased for those attending that you are watching a good team playing good football and enjoying it. I don’t blame anyone for attending, it’s an individual decision and there is no right and no wrong but for me I just can’t bring myself to go.
Great result today, well done Bow and the boys. We are right behind you even if we are not actually there. Onwards and upwards. COYA.
A deserved victory, but an enjoyable game and I'm sure Plymouth fans will feel they could have got something
Good that we are trying to play football, Reeves fits in well with this way of playing.
We looked a bit shaky at the back, all along I've felt we're slightly short back there, even when Bielik is back, if he plays defensive midfield we've no CB cover, and as Bowyer was saying, Sarr is also our LB cover.
Really good game of football, totally absorbing, 100% watchable and a great result.
Finally seeing the Ben Reeves from MK Dons, easily my MoM, that team can only improve from here.
Midfield: Fosu, Beilek, Pratley, Clarke, Marshall, Lapslie all seriously contending for places with a very effective diamond today of Reeves, Aribo, Cullen and Ward.
Forwards:Taylor, Grant backed up by Igor, Anjose
Backs: Pierce, Sarr, Page, Solly backed up by Dyksteel, BFG,
Two decent goal keepers Steer and Phillips
We are a left back missing, however, how it that not the best squad we have had in years?
Bow and Jacko have got something here that I think can win this league there is only the one thing that can Feck it right up!
My first match since the bad old days of Sir Karl Gobinson and my message to fellow doubters is get back to the Valley before Roland puts the prices up.
In the midst of a complete shambles, next to zero budget and little in the way of senior management support, Lee Bowyer and his staff have instilled passion, professionalism and a bit of old school Charlton spirit. I loved every minute of it.
Some very good football in places, no shortage of desire and lots of noise. Just felt a little bit like the good old days.
As for the match, I don't agree that Plymouth were poor at all. They played some lovely stuff at times and their No. 10 Carey looked very classy. Just lacked a cutting edge and some belief. A bit like we used to be under the Gobshite. Lots of style, no bite. I agree with @Foreveraddicted that Argyle and their impressive away contingent deserve a little sympathy.
I love Joe Aribo and though I don't take to Reeves , he played his heart out today, flinging himself into tackles and deserves a lot of credit. With him, Ward and Cullen all on the pitch we had a lot of ability but lacked muscle. It was imbalanced but we got away with it. Taylor is something special. Naby is world class or maybe not, you can't be sure. Pearce is the new Psycho. Work in progress but beginning to look like a proper team.
Hats off also to Bowyer for leaving KG on when most would have pulled him off at 70 mins. He was not at all impressive but scored twice.
And my Mrs says there is "Roland Out" graffiti in the lady's loo in the East stand. Great afternoon all round.
Enjoyed that today. Cracking game of football and Plymouth and their fans played a part in that. Late winners are soooooo enjoyable. Really impressive interplay in midfield with just a lack of a clinical finish here and there. We are going to give someone a real spanking sometime soon. For some odd reason the atmosphere seemed to seep away during half time and the second half started really flat. But mercifully that didn’t last long. There wasn’t a passenger out there today. All 12 contributed something positive and at last we look like a proper team. Warm fuzzy feeling tonight and I haven’t been drinking.
My first match since the bad old days of Sir Karl Gobinson and my message to fellow doubters is get back to the Valley before Roland puts the prices up.
In the midst of a complete shambles, next to zero budget and little in the way of senior management support, Lee Bowyer and his staff have instilled passion, professionalism and a bit of old school Charlton spirit. I loved every minute of it.
Some very good football in places, no shortage of desire and lots of noise. Just felt a little bit like the good old days.
As for the match, I don't agree that Plymouth were poor at all. They played some lovely stuff at times and their No. 10 Carey looked very classy. Just lacked a cutting edge and some belief. A bit like we used to be under the Gobshite. Lots of style, no bite. I agree with @Foreveraddicted that Argyle and their impressive away contingent deserve a little sympathy.
I love Joe Aribo and though I don't take to Reeves , he played his heart out today, flinging himself into tackles and deserves a lot of credit. With him, Ward and Cullen all on the pitch we had a lot of ability but lacked muscle. It was imbalanced but we got away with it. Taylor is something special. Naby is world class or maybe not, you can't be sure. Pearce is the new Psycho. Work in progress but beginning to look like a proper team.
Hats off also to Bowyer for leaving KG on when most would have pulled him off at 70 mins. He was not at all impressive but scored twice.
And my Mrs says there is "Roland Out" graffiti in the lady's loo in the East stand. Great afternoon all round.
I'm very pleased he scored and all, but I wouldn't go that far...
Exceeding expectations. Well done everyone. Form good enough throughout August-September to get a play-off place...if Bowyer can lift it automatic promotion is a possibility. Goals for could do with being slightly higher but its ok, goals against ok as well.
My first match since the bad old days of Sir Karl Gobinson and my message to fellow doubters is get back to the Valley before Roland puts the prices up.
In the midst of a complete shambles, next to zero budget and little in the way of senior management support, Lee Bowyer and his staff have instilled passion, professionalism and a bit of old school Charlton spirit. I loved every minute of it.
Some very good football in places, no shortage of desire and lots of noise. Just felt a little bit like the good old days.
As for the match, I don't agree that Plymouth were poor at all. They played some lovely stuff at times and their No. 10 Carey looked very classy. Just lacked a cutting edge and some belief. A bit like we used to be under the Gobshite. Lots of style, no bite. I agree with @Foreveraddicted that Argyle and their impressive away contingent deserve a little sympathy.
I love Joe Aribo and though I don't take to Reeves , he played his heart out today, flinging himself into tackles and deserves a lot of credit. With him, Ward and Cullen all on the pitch we had a lot of ability but lacked muscle. It was imbalanced but we got away with it. Taylor is something special. Naby is world class or maybe not, you can't be sure. Pearce is the new Psycho. Work in progress but beginning to look like a proper team.
Hats off also to Bowyer for leaving KG on when most would have pulled him off at 70 mins. He was not at all impressive but scored twice.
And my Mrs says there is "Roland Out" graffiti in the lady's loo in the East stand. Great afternoon all round.
I'm very pleased he scored and all, but I wouldn't go that far...
Reach for your gender neutral side , it was a great game.
Things can only get better - And they will Have always though Reeves is a Qualty player -nothing Insaw today would change my mind. Aribo - your going to score Aribo The next one from the Acadamy we will probably have to sell But goals win games -KAG - saw his debut at Fulham. That was nearly 4yrs ago I think with him and Grant we have our best strike partnership for many a year Oh. I forgot - Igor / Fosu/ Clarke and a few more to come back Happy days.COYR
Comments
Apparently he’d told the players before the match that they should be able to return to the dressing room after the game, look at their team mates and say, ‘I gave you everything out there’. He reckoned that that had happened.
He talked about the team with pride from back to front. (Special mentions for Sarr and the keeper).
He said the crowd were magnificent and noted the huge difference it makes.
He wondered how many blocks and last ditch tackles that Plymouth made?
But, most of all I liked his last seven words, 'Think we’re looking very good, ya know'... Must say I quite agree.
It was painful... no thanks to watching that every week!
Thought their goal was a poor one to give away, Exactly, his reading of the game is excellent and most other full backs being that exposed would be all over the shop. What I like about him the most is he pretty much ALWAYS makes the right decision. Not a dig but if Karlan had that ability right now..........
Overall a good performance, Taylor impresses me more and more each game, Nabby is Nabby, from the sublime to .... oh god he's lost it..... Thought both Cullen and Ward look handy and will improve the longer they are with us. Aribo had one of his better games and Reeves is starting to look like that annoying player that use to terrorise us when at MK.
Tough game that we kept fighting for, we'd have lost that (or drawn) in any of the last 4 seasons.
Any chance we can keep Taylor up front Lee.
Plays every position apart from goalie.
Thankfully! I thought we were going to be punished for Lyle's penalty miss with a draw or worse which would have been an absolute travesty given the game as a whole.
Rarely have we had so much possession and territorial dominance yet we were unable to make full use of it despite playing some beautiful, flowing passing football at times. Plymouth for their part look to be in a false position to me. They soaked it up and looked dangerous on the few occasions they did attack scoring and hitting both the post and the bar.
Very hard to pick out individuals as everyone contributed at various points with the possible exception of Steer who I felt could have made an attempt at least at saving their goal. I won't be too critical though as we won and maybe, as one who felt Phillips was unfairly treated, I'm being unduly harsh.
Delighted for Karlan as I was about to sing 'he scores with his head, he scores with his head, Jason Pearce he scores with his head' when Big Brian announced Karlan got a touch on Jason's header. The fact we were able to reply pretty quickly to their opener settled the nerves and it felt like when rather than if we get the second. Just before half time Solly was brought down in the penalty area while looking for a hanky for his nosebleed probably! Taylor stepped up confidently to take it and seemed to go for the middle of the goal as the keeper moved but the keeper cleared it to Karlan who could only find the side netting from an acute angle.
Second half went much the way of the first with us surging forward continually with just the occasional foray from Plymouth in response. Yet we could not breach the Plymouth defence the closest effort being a deflection by a Plymouth defender which struck the woodwork before bouncing clear. Igor joined the fray on 80 minutes and Ward was deservedly warmly applauded off the field. On 88 minutes we slung over yet another cross from the right and the ball came back to Grant who lashed it into the net for his second to give us the lead.
We made hard work of it in some ways but 4 wins on the spin tells its own story.
I enjoyed the match today, not just because we won although that obviously helps, but because we tried to play proper football on the floor and at times succeeded very well given where we are.
COYR
PS just to annoy @Riviera on his return from holiday PWR
Might have looked like aimless possession at times to some, but not for others.
It’s seems we have a decent squad and Bowyer is doing really well and seems to have learned from last seasons experiences. I’m pleased for those attending that you are watching a good team playing good football and enjoying it. I don’t blame anyone for attending, it’s an individual decision and there is no right and no wrong but for me I just can’t bring myself to go.
Great result today, well done Bow and the boys. We are right behind you even if we are not actually there. Onwards and upwards. COYA.
The midfield 4 were superb and with Taylor and KG you always feel that there is going to be a chance
Reeves was everywhere in the second half and based on his performance today I wouldn’t drop him for Fosu
This is shaping up as a pretty good month so far
Fosu starts on the bench.
Good that we are trying to play football, Reeves fits in well with this way of playing.
We looked a bit shaky at the back, all along I've felt we're slightly short back there, even when Bielik is back, if he plays defensive midfield we've no CB cover, and as Bowyer was saying, Sarr is also our LB cover.
Finally seeing the Ben Reeves from MK Dons, easily my MoM, that team can only improve from here.
Midfield: Fosu, Beilek, Pratley, Clarke, Marshall, Lapslie all seriously contending for places with a very effective diamond today of Reeves, Aribo, Cullen and Ward.
Forwards:Taylor, Grant backed up by Igor, Anjose
Backs: Pierce, Sarr, Page, Solly backed up by Dyksteel, BFG,
Two decent goal keepers Steer and Phillips
We are a left back missing, however, how it that not the best squad we have had in years?
Bow and Jacko have got something here that I think can win this league there is only the one thing that can Feck it right up!
COYR
Feck off Douchebag!!!!!!!!
My first match since the bad old days of Sir Karl Gobinson and my message to fellow doubters is get back to the Valley before Roland puts the prices up.
In the midst of a complete shambles, next to zero budget and little in the way of senior management support, Lee Bowyer and his staff have instilled passion, professionalism and a bit of old school Charlton spirit. I loved every minute of it.
Some very good football in places, no shortage of desire and lots of noise. Just felt a little bit like the good old days.
As for the match, I don't agree that Plymouth were poor at all. They played some lovely stuff at times and their No. 10 Carey looked very classy. Just lacked a cutting edge and some belief. A bit like we used to be under the Gobshite. Lots of style, no bite. I agree with @Foreveraddicted that Argyle and their impressive away contingent deserve a little sympathy.
I love Joe Aribo and though I don't take to Reeves , he played his heart out today, flinging himself into tackles and deserves a lot of credit. With him, Ward and Cullen all on the pitch we had a lot of ability but lacked muscle. It was imbalanced but we got away with it. Taylor is something special. Naby is world class or maybe not, you can't be sure. Pearce is the new Psycho. Work in progress but beginning to look like a proper team.
Hats off also to Bowyer for leaving KG on when most would have pulled him off at 70 mins. He was not at all impressive but scored twice.
And my Mrs says there is "Roland Out" graffiti in the lady's loo in the East stand. Great afternoon all round.
One minute he's Franz Beckenbaur, the next minute, he's Les Berry.
But he played very well today.
Have always though Reeves is a Qualty player -nothing Insaw today would change my mind.
Aribo - your going to score Aribo
The next one from the Acadamy we will probably have to sell
But goals win games -KAG - saw his debut at Fulham. That was nearly 4yrs ago
I think with him and Grant we have our best strike partnership for many a year
Oh. I forgot - Igor / Fosu/ Clarke and a few more to come back
Happy days.COYR