Great day out, Brentford tickets already purchased. Moved to right at the back of the NU by the drummer and I think ive found my new home. Im 36 and feel like an old man in that crowd, its a great sign for the future and our fan bases age becoming lower yet again.
Reading those Stoke and Sunderland threads remind me of the good old days before Roland, when people literally wanted to fight each other over whether Chris Powell's brand of football was boring.
Great day out, Brentford tickets already purchased. Moved to right at the back of the NU by the drummer and I think ive found my new home. Im 36 and feel like an old man in that crowd, its a great sign for the future and our fan bases age becoming lower yet again.
Tell me about it. I went up there for the Blackburn game at the end of last season and felt like I was in charge of a very unruly school trip.
Kick off. Within thirty seconds, Solly was skinned, Stoke's winger hammered a low cross, and their striker missed scoring by a whisker.
This is what I come to see, fed up with the bumblings of Rochdale, the Wombles, and MK Dons. We admire skilful football: aggressive challenges, quick moves, lethal finishes. Inexplicably, we noodled around at the back, side to side and back to the keeper. It was a nightmarish reprise of the Wembley suicide pact between Sarr and Phillips: Lockyer passed - and their forward was in like Flynn. Stoke hit the bar - and the post. Their goal was a lesson - accurate clearance from the keeper, a nudge on our man and header down to Ince, who ran and fired.
Taylor beat an England keeper, Jack Butland. In the second half we were different gravy: Conor Gallagher is a revelation: eager for the ball, involved in each move: his scholarship in the Chelsea academy shines brightly. You know that away at Blackburn last week was the first senior game of his career - and now he scored. How many times have we in the Covered End watched our experienced strikers sky the ball from Gallagher's position? Which is exactly what the poor Stoke lad did - hoofing it to the back of the stand from eight yards out.
Jonathan Leko is exciting: beats three men and goes for goal. And Chuks Aneke - those shoulders, fresh from gridiron with the Green Bay Packers. Can he move, can he turn? We wait to see, yet he slammed his chance straight to the onion-bag. Jonny Williams was instrumental throughout the game: close control, dribbling with purpose, acute eye for an opening in attack, slicing the defence with killer pass.
The heavens opened, rain and sunlight struck The Valley. It was Biblical. There was a rainbow over Woolwich.
I took a friend who hadn’t been for a few years. He commented on how good “the number 15” was at being in the right place to break up play. How can Pratley be better in the second division than in the third?
Williams was my MotM. I thought Gallagher was ineffective where he started, quite far up the pitch in what looked like a 4-3-3, but much, much better when brought further back.
Three cracking goals with Lyle a tiny bit lucky their ‘keeper made such a howler. Chucks and Connor took theirs with aplomb.
The back four were at least OK. Purrington is a better player than when he arrived. Pearce is a warrior, albeit a warrior who shouldn’t try to play the ball out of defence too often. Lockyer impressed. He may not be the BFG but he could become the SFW. Solly did what Solly does. The biggest worry is Dillon. His positioning looked suspect, not least for their goal.
Great day out, Brentford tickets already purchased. Moved to right at the back of the NU by the drummer and I think ive found my new home. Im 36 and feel like an old man in that crowd, its a great sign for the future and our fan bases age becoming lower yet again.
I took a friend who hadn’t been for a few years. He commented on how good “the number 15” was at being in the right place to break up play. How can Pratley be better in the second division than in the third?
Williams was my MotM. I thought Gallagher was ineffective where he started, quite far up the pitch in what looked like a 4-3-3, but much, much better when brought further back.
Three cracking goals with Lyle a tiny bit lucky their ‘keeper made such a howler. Chucks and Connor took theirs with aplomb.
The back four were at least OK. Purrington is a better player than when he arrived. Pearce is a warrior, albeit a warrior who shouldn’t try to play the ball out of defence too often. Lockyer impressed. He may not be the BFG but he could become the SFW. Solly did what Solly does. The biggest worry is Dillon. His positioning looked suspect, not least for their goal.
Lockyer looks prone to the odd mishit/misplaced pass which is a worry and I can't see many keepers saving the shot from Ince.
The biggest worry for me is playing out from the back especially the short goal kicks - it just looks like an accident waiting to happen. If we're pressured we look liable to gifting a goal.
I feel that Stoke are typical of many teams in this division,plenty of premiership and championship experience,big money signings,high wages and lots and lots of pressure.But when confronted by the spirit and attitude that the so called smaller clubs,like us,show ,they dont like it up em.Once we got to grips with the pace of the game,our free transfers and loanees ,put together at the last minute,played for the shirt as if their life depended on it.Hold on to your hats,this side is going to get even better.even looking forward to Forest Green on tuesday.
Sunday morning thoughts are that it isn't appropriate to get carried away now, survival is the aim and that is still a long way off. However Bowyer can quite legitimately point out to the players that if you want points you have to work so damn hard, because that is what did it against Blackburn and Stoke.
My post last night was incomplete ...not due to an excess of vino but the dodgy WiFi here in Lymington..
What I wanted to say was, as the 2 2nd half goals were celebrated wildly by the Covered End, my thoughts turned to dear Betty Hutchins and how she would have loved it.
I feel that Stoke are typical of many teams in this division,plenty of premiership and championship experience,big money signings,high wages and lots and lots of pressure.But when confronted by the spirit and attitude that the so called smaller clubs,like us,show ,they dont like it up em.Once we got to grips with the pace of the game,our free transfers and loanees ,put together at the last minute,played for the shirt as if their life depended on it.Hold on to your hats,this side is going to get even better.even looking forward to Forest Green on tuesday.
Which in itself is slightly ironic, as that's exactly what Stoke under Pulis did to bigger teams in the Premier League
What a brilliant feeling to be at the Valley again after more than a year away, seeing our lads compete against a team liberally sprinkled with £million players and coming away with the three points in front of a rocking Covered End.
Stoke were no mugs. They were sharp and incisive, especially early on, and with a little more luck they might well have grabbed at least a point, having hit both the bar and the post.
But we stood strong and showed no little level of skill and ability, alongside the trademark gritty determination that Bowyer demands as the baseline. There were no signs of Lyle being adversely affected mentally by any disappointment at missing out on a move, scoring one and getting an assist for the third. Jonny Williams was buzzing everywhere, and he plays with a genuine smile on his face which is great to see. Josh Cullen was immense also, with a magnificent first touch and range of passing ability to go alongside his combative challenges.
Of the new lads on display, I thought Conor Gallagher looked a bit leggy at times and was being bypassed by Stoke's neat passing, but he showed real fight and I was delighted when he seized on the chance for our third goal neat the end. Tom Lockyer was strong and looks like forging a good partnership with Jason Pearce. Jonathan Leko was exciting to watch, unpredictable yes, but looks capable of giving Championship defenders a torrid time. Chuks Aneke marked his cameo performance with a goal, but I haven't really seen enough to judge. He looks like he could do with losing a few pounds but that may, to be fair, be all muscle. Of the old timers, a special mention for Darren Pratley, who defied the years and the pre-match thoughts (including from me) that he would at best be an important bit part player this season. He was terrific, popping up everywhere, often pressing their back four.
Very few downbeat notes on such a great day, but I thought Dillon was caught out of position for their goal and Chris Solly was caught out a few times - possibly because he lacked the support and cover from this in front of him.
But two wins out of two. Six points on the board. It's going to be a long season and we will come up short against the very best sides. But in Lee Bowyer and his team we've really got something to be proud of.
As a proud Welsh lady my wife was pleased to hear the Stoke fans singing Delilah yesterday. Intrigued, I checked this morning as to why and it appears it has something to do with the police asking them to stop singing "sweary" songs in a pub back in the 1980's. At which point someone piped up with Delilah and the tradition continues.
Could be a difficult afternoon in our household today given the team England are fielding against Wales at Twickenham.
Great day out, Brentford tickets already purchased. Moved to right at the back of the NU by the drummer and I think ive found my new home. Im 36 and feel like an old man in that crowd, its a great sign for the future and our fan bases age becoming lower yet again.
How do you think I feel? I'm 62 ffs.
A fine age! btw when did Charlton raise the senior concession age to 65 from 63? 😡
Great win, but I can see what people are saying about playing around the back. Big let off for Pearce when they hit the post. Don’t think it was a mistake per se but think Phillips could have done better with the goal. But did the wind play a part? It definitely wasn’t as bad as Butland for Taylor’s anyway. Highlights showed a happy Williams, really hope the bloke stays fit. Not just because he is a good player but his loyalty deserves some karma.
Top 2 is dreamland. I don’t think we should get carried away. I have been saying for sometime Bowyers teams will be hard to beat.
Need a RB and another attacking option if Hemed doesn’t go through.
Ummmmmed and aaaaaaahed whether to go but thankfully decided to take the plunge , roads pretty decent so quick journey in from the dark side of the river , with Waze navigating me around the busy bits . The in car predictions were a 0-4 loss from me and 13 year old said 1-3 and 9&7 year olds predicted 2-1 Charlton , the innocence of youth , not yet miserable pessimistic fuckers like dad and teenage son!
all been said above , just a couple of other points did Baby Becks take a dive in first half as he “flew” in to the box or was he clipped and hope we haven’t used up our seasons luck already !
anyway I’m small scared to think we should stay up or that a point is the minimum to expect at Barnsley so im trying to scrub any positiveness away and say I’d still be happy with 4th bottom .
Early days on the newbies and Gallagher looks the cream of this fresh batch of footballing nomads to pass through SE7 .
Happy days and long may it continue .
finish above the scum and out of relegation zone and that’s a great season for me.
Fantastic atmosphere from start to finish on a day which reflected the fact that our Messiah Bowyer and the return of the prodigal sons Cullen, Williams and Purrington dove tailed with the new kids on the block, Gallagher and Leko. War horses Pratley, Pearce and Solly interacted with lockyer, who has realized this is a giant step up from the gasmen.
Not retreating at 1-1 won the game for Charlton on a day when if Gregory was wearing the blue of Millwall he scores 2 goals from close range instead of testing the woodwork at the Covered end and emulating Jonnie Wilkinson down the Jimmy Seed.
Phillips looked nervy, Aneke had a great cameo by scoring off the bench and last and best for Cafc prospects at least untill the January window was Lyle Taylor who for 20 minutes didn't seem to get a kick but boy when he did, aided by Jack Butland, showed what a great professional he is.
No need for an inquest this morning but on Monday Morning at the team brief the Analytical Bowyer, Jackson and keeper coach Marshall will work on the bad passes which could've led to 4 goals for the hapless Stoke strikers, bar one wind assisted rocket from Thomas Ince.
Comments
I took a friend who hadn’t been for a few years. He commented on how good “the number 15” was at being in the right place to break up play. How can Pratley be better in the second division than in the third?
Williams was my MotM. I thought Gallagher was ineffective where he started, quite far up the pitch in what looked like a 4-3-3, but much, much better when brought further back.
Three cracking goals with Lyle a tiny bit lucky their ‘keeper made such a howler. Chucks and Connor took theirs with aplomb.
The back four were at least OK. Purrington is a better player than when he arrived. Pearce is a warrior, albeit a warrior who shouldn’t try to play the ball out of defence too often. Lockyer impressed. He may not be the BFG but he could become the SFW. Solly did what Solly does. The biggest worry is Dillon. His positioning looked suspect, not least for their goal.
The biggest worry for me is playing out from the back especially the short goal kicks - it just looks like an accident waiting to happen. If we're pressured we look liable to gifting a goal.
Amazing that this was our only corner of the match, and we went straight for something different
My post last night was incomplete ...not due to an excess of vino but the dodgy WiFi here in Lymington..
What I wanted to say was, as the 2 2nd half goals were celebrated wildly by the
Covered End, my thoughts turned to dear Betty Hutchins and how she would have loved it.
THIS one was for you, lovely lady.
Next year in the premier league!
Stoke were no mugs. They were sharp and incisive, especially early on, and with a little more luck they might well have grabbed at least a point, having hit both the bar and the post.
But we stood strong and showed no little level of skill and ability, alongside the trademark gritty determination that Bowyer demands as the baseline. There were no signs of Lyle being adversely affected mentally by any disappointment at missing out on a move, scoring one and getting an assist for the third. Jonny Williams was buzzing everywhere, and he plays with a genuine smile on his face which is great to see. Josh Cullen was immense also, with a magnificent first touch and range of passing ability to go alongside his combative challenges.
Of the new lads on display, I thought Conor Gallagher looked a bit leggy at times and was being bypassed by Stoke's neat passing, but he showed real fight and I was delighted when he seized on the chance for our third goal neat the end. Tom Lockyer was strong and looks like forging a good partnership with Jason Pearce. Jonathan Leko was exciting to watch, unpredictable yes, but looks capable of giving Championship defenders a torrid time. Chuks Aneke marked his cameo performance with a goal, but I haven't really seen enough to judge. He looks like he could do with losing a few pounds but that may, to be fair, be all muscle. Of the old timers, a special mention for Darren Pratley, who defied the years and the pre-match thoughts (including from me) that he would at best be an important bit part player this season. He was terrific, popping up everywhere, often pressing their back four.
Very few downbeat notes on such a great day, but I thought Dillon was caught out of position for their goal and Chris Solly was caught out a few times - possibly because he lacked the support and cover from this in front of him.
But two wins out of two. Six points on the board. It's going to be a long season and we will come up short against the very best sides. But in Lee Bowyer and his team we've really got something to be proud of.
Could be a difficult afternoon in our household today given the team England are fielding against Wales at Twickenham.
btw when did Charlton raise the senior concession age to 65 from 63? 😡
Great win, but I can see what people are saying about playing around the back. Big let off for Pearce when they hit the post. Don’t think it was a mistake per se but think Phillips could have done better with the goal. But did the wind play a part? It definitely wasn’t as bad as Butland for Taylor’s anyway. Highlights showed a happy Williams, really hope the bloke stays fit. Not just because he is a good player but his loyalty deserves some karma.
Top 2 is dreamland. I don’t think we should get carried away. I have been saying for sometime Bowyers teams will be hard to beat.
Need a RB and another attacking option if Hemed doesn’t go through.
The in car predictions were a 0-4 loss from me and 13 year old said 1-3 and 9&7 year olds predicted 2-1 Charlton , the innocence of youth , not yet miserable pessimistic fuckers like dad and teenage son!
all been said above , just a couple of other points did Baby Becks take a dive in first half as he “flew” in to the box or was he clipped and hope we haven’t used up our seasons luck already !
anyway I’m small scared to think we should stay up or that a point is the minimum to expect at Barnsley so im trying to scrub any positiveness away and say I’d still be happy with 4th bottom .
Early days on the newbies and Gallagher looks the cream of this fresh batch of footballing nomads to pass through SE7 .
Happy days and long may it continue .
finish above the scum and out of relegation zone and that’s a great season for me.
every Saturday we follow .......
Fantastic atmosphere from start to finish on a day which reflected the fact that our Messiah Bowyer and the return of the prodigal sons Cullen, Williams and Purrington dove tailed with the new kids on the block, Gallagher and Leko.
War horses Pratley, Pearce and Solly interacted with lockyer, who has realized this is a giant step up from the gasmen.
Not retreating at 1-1 won the game for Charlton on a day when if Gregory was wearing the blue of Millwall he scores 2 goals from close range instead of testing the woodwork at the Covered end and emulating Jonnie Wilkinson down the Jimmy Seed.
Phillips looked nervy, Aneke had a great cameo by scoring off the bench and last and best for Cafc prospects at least untill the January window was Lyle Taylor who for 20 minutes didn't seem to get a kick but boy when he did, aided by Jack Butland, showed what a great professional he is.
No need for an inquest this morning but on Monday Morning at the team brief the Analytical Bowyer, Jackson and keeper coach Marshall will work on the bad passes which could've led to 4 goals for the hapless Stoke strikers, bar one wind assisted rocket from Thomas Ince.
Enjoy the present.