Great performance while we had 2 up front. Predictably poor with 1 up front. I hate how we go into 'shit mode' when we're winning - it means only one team is likely to score. BUT, the good outweighed the bad and we will surely finish the job!
Great win. Cullen reminds me of Graham’s Stuart. Sarr is immense, totally calm and in control with cultured forward passing with both feet. Pratley and Pearce did well when they came on, Parker worked hard and caused them problems, and unlucky not to score. Couple of great saves from Phillips, we were pretty comfortable there in the end.
We take that result all day long boys. They scored a freak goal off a deflected cross. Difference between the 2 sides is clear as day. Very confident of a result in our favour at the Valley.
Great performance while we had 2 up front. Predictably poor with 1 up front. I hate how we go into 'shit mode' when we're winning - it means only one team is likely to score. BUT, the good outweighed the bad and we will surely finish the job!
Yeah thought Pratley was brought on too early. Morgan wasn't as brilliant today as he has been but Pratley really slows momentum. Felt the same about the Pearce substitution. But it seemed Parker was struggling and it was basically bring on Pearce or a midfielder. The early substitution of Morgan kind of forced Bowyer's hand (given we don't have a striker on the bench). So we invited them on to us for half an hour and they got one back.
Still, good result. Very good result. Never really had to get out of third gear. We are capable of much better but we did the job away from home. Friday night will be rocking.
Hope Parker hasn't picked up anything serious. He's not the best footballer on the planet but provides a very good foil for Taylor and had a goal wrongfully chalked off.
Shame to concede last minute, bloody lucky for Doncaster what with the deflection though because apart from all their possession during the game (especially in the second half) I thought they created nothing - Charlton could and maybe should have gone for the jugular by getting a third goal but think Bowyer got the tactics spot on... As Taylor said; Doncaster started the game really well and never gave us a chance to dominate any part of the game, to go for a third would have been far too greedy and think the 2-0 lead would have been more than enough going back to the Valley.
As for the players I thought that Taylor had an off day (ironic seeing that he got given MOTM) yet was unlucky missing that header right before it went 2-1
Apart from Cullen though I was really impressed with how Pratley and Parker let their experience show, wouldnt be surprised if Darren were to start on Friday - Certainly makes you wonder if Bowyer will return to the diamond formation or whether he'll stick with three Centre-Backs, no doubt that must have confused Grant McCann who would surely have setup against a flat back four
Pratley got lots of tackles in this time at least, but he really isn't the right man for our shape - far too slow and negative. Even if he plays ok - as he did today - he isn't so good for the team imo - he may get a tackle in, but the ball's coming back five seconds later.
The worst substitution was going 1 up front though
We played a lot of very good football. Very impressive and a different quality to Donny, although the players seem modest about it:
Charlton forward Lyle Taylor told Sky Sports:
"We're
happy enough with a 2-1 win as they're a really good team. We've got to
go back home and finish the job off as best we can.
"They
started better than us in the first few minutes but we grew up into the
game and dominated the first half and they dominated the second half so
it was an even one."
---
Staying grounded, I suppose. BBC live coverage said: Credit to Doncaster who fought back but Charlton looked very good for 87 minutes.
Pratley got lots of tackles in this time at least, but he really isn't the right man for our shape - far too slow and negative. Even if he plays ok - as he did today - he isn't so good for the team imo - he may get a tackle in, but the ball's coming back five seconds later.
The worst substitution was going 1 up front though
We didnt have another Striker to put on; Parker was clearly struggling
Pratley got lots of tackles in this time at least, but he really isn't the right man for our shape - far too slow and negative. Even if he plays ok - as he did today - he isn't so good for the team imo - he may get a tackle in, but the ball's coming back five seconds later.
The worst substitution was going 1 up front though
I focus on the Pratley substitution because when Parker had to go off seemingly with a knock, it left us lacking creativity in central midfield. Agree Pratley was decent today, also agree he isn't right for our shape. But waiting another few minutes to bring him on could have meant Pratley for Parker with Morgan given a bit more freedom.
All of that said, with no striking replacement on the bench if either forward had to come off it was always going to be to play one up front.
What I find ironic is the way Doncaster's goal came about
People were saying on the Match Thread that we should have gone for a third; for me the 5-10mins in the build up to Donny's goal was the one time we really controlled matters and got players forward in the second half - i.e. at one point they couldnt get out their half and thought it was a matter of time before it went 3-0 (as it would have done had Taylor been able to reach that effort)
Never in doubt, controlled the game for most of the time. Shame about the freak goal at the end but that’ll make Friday so much better, I want to see a cup tie not a kick about.
Would have certainly taken that result before the game. We are at least going in to the 2nd leg in better shape than our last 2 play semi final 2nd legs.
Wouldn’t be Charlton if we did it the easy way. Roll on Friday.
Never in doubt, controlled the game for most of the time. Shame about the freak goal at the end but that’ll make Friday so much better, I want to see a cup tie not a kick about.
No, the easier it is for us before Wembley, the better.
Never in doubt, controlled the game for most of the time. Shame about the freak goal at the end but that’ll make Friday so much better, I want to see a cup tie not a kick about.
I would like a kick about. But it's a good point, it was a freak goal. I felt we switched off on the build up but in the end that deflected looking cross could have gona anywhere.
Classy in the first half and until Parker went off but then we became more defensive and cautious with one man up top. But Donny are no mugs so overall it was a great result. Fabulous to watch Aribo pulling the strings, with both Dijksteel and Purrington looking strong. Donny's goal might pull a few more down to the Valley on Friday as it is no longer a foregone conclusion.
Comments
Not sure if Purrington was pushed or went down easy...
Probably would have left the defence as it was as we weren't really being troubled. Would have picked an attacking mid to come on in place of Parker.
Genuinely thought we'd lose this leg so I'll certainly take it.
Still, good result. Very good result. Never really had to get out of third gear. We are capable of much better but we did the job away from home. Friday night will be rocking.
Hope Parker hasn't picked up anything serious. He's not the best footballer on the planet but provides a very good foil for Taylor and had a goal wrongfully chalked off.
As for the players I thought that Taylor had an off day (ironic seeing that he got given MOTM) yet was unlucky missing that header right before it went 2-1
Apart from Cullen though I was really impressed with how Pratley and Parker let their experience show, wouldnt be surprised if Darren were to start on Friday - Certainly makes you wonder if Bowyer will return to the diamond formation or whether he'll stick with three Centre-Backs, no doubt that must have confused Grant McCann who would surely have setup against a flat back four
A totally Charlton ending.
Doncaster look terrible, play them at home and we'll score 3 or 4.
The worst substitution was going 1 up front though
Charlton forward Lyle Taylor told Sky Sports:
"We're happy enough with a 2-1 win as they're a really good team. We've got to go back home and finish the job off as best we can.
"They started better than us in the first few minutes but we grew up into the game and dominated the first half and they dominated the second half so it was an even one."
---
8 shots on target by us 2 by them says it all really.
Confident we can really do a number on them at home, John maquis not looking too special today millwall cnut
as a side note really not a fan of twist and shout being sung it’s a bloody palace song!!!!
All of that said, with no striking replacement on the bench if either forward had to come off it was always going to be to play one up front.
People were saying on the Match Thread that we should have gone for a third; for me the 5-10mins in the build up to Donny's goal was the one time we really controlled matters and got players forward in the second half - i.e. at one point they couldnt get out their half and thought it was a matter of time before it went 3-0 (as it would have done had Taylor been able to reach that effort)
Shame about the freak goal at the end but that’ll make Friday so much better, I want to see a cup tie not a kick about.
Unbeaten at home in 7 months and in front of a full house at the Valley we'll finish the job.
Can't imagine too many Doncaster fans will be rushing out to be buy 2nd leg tickets after that as well so think they'll have 1400 max.
Wouldn’t be Charlton if we did it the easy way. Roll on Friday.
Be good to have the option of both Parker and Vetokele with one from the bench though
Think that would have made a difference today; i.e. Igor coming on in the last few minutes may have seen it go 3-0