I’m not worried about a few bad passes from Lockyer because they’re the sort of errors he can learn from and cut out. He needs to adapt to the Championship, not completely change his game.
Cracking game, crowd were great. Any idea on the attendance?
Good atmosphere covered end were loud..very loud at times (I was sitting in Q Block West Stand....near Stoke fans)...fair play to them they were pretty loud to....always liked Delilah...though they do have strange accents.
https://t.co/ung0ZEh7BJ
Lee Bowyer (8 mins 40 secs in) and Josh Cullen (35 mins 15 secs in) joined us live on @BBCLondonSport yesterday from the tunnel at The Valley and you can listen via the link above
Watching that third goal on repeat and it really is just shocking defending... Regardless of the surprising low ball, why did no one track either Taylor or Gallagher!!
We were very good! Impressed with a number of the new players. I spent mist of yesterday flipping between "Williams/ Cullen/ keeping Lyle/ Gallagher was the best bit of business we did. And we haven't even seen Kayak and Field (and hopefully Hemed) yet.
Starred in what seemed like a 4231 with Pratley and Cullen in the 2. Williams left, Leko right and Gallagher down the middle. It worked fairly well. Leko has pace and scares defenders, I'm confident Bowyers coaching and playing alongside Taylor will get the best out of him. If we are gonna play that formation regularly I would sign Harriott just to give us a back up option out wide.
Word for Pratley he kept Joe Allen quiet all game. I didn't even notice he was on the pitch until his strop at the ref. I've been critical of Pratley in the past but he is gonna be a big player for us this year.
Cullen was exceptional. Did well dropping in and covering fullbacks and when we switched to the diamond in the second half he showed what he is capable of going forward. Genuine class player but we've come to expect it from him.
They started the game strongly but by 10 mins in we had grown into it. Taylor's goal was very well worked but Butland should have done better with it. Their goal can after a period when the game had got a bit scrappy. Seemed their players heads had gone, they were getting frustrated and Allen had his strip at the ref. We had to stay calm and keep doing the same but instead we got drawn into it a little bit. Tried to do too much and lost the ball in a dangerous area. Lockyer should probably have done better.
Second half we were the better side. They had plenty of the ball but didn't really threaten too much. Both goals were very well worked. Special moment for Gallagher getting his first senior goal infront of the covered end.
I like the look of Lockyer class and very composed on the ball, not the tallest but gets up well so dont think we have to be worried about him getting beaten in the air.
Williams - too good. Keep him fit for 40 games and we may well do something special this season.
Taylor his usual self. Incredible.
Gallagher was everywhere. So technical and deserved his goal. My MOTM. Imagine being that good at football that young and that good looking as well. Kids got everything!
Aneke looked gpod when he came on even though the game had started to break down a bit after his goal. I can see why Bow wants to play him as a 10 but I would be more than happy with him up front. He's a unit as well so helpful in both boxes. Even if Taylor gets injured and we don't get Hemed (fingers crossed) I wouldn't be worried about Aneke leading the line either alone or with Leko.
Momentum and good feeling in this league are so key. If we can keep this up for a while then anything is possible. Playoffs anyone?
disagree with this, was hugely at fault for there goal, cos he got beaten in the air
Agreed. If you look at the reply as he went up for the ball the Stoke player gave him a bit of a nudge and beat him to the header which allowed Ince to make his run and shoot. Of course I think you would have also hoped Phillips wouldn't have let it in on that side of the goal.
It was the first time I have seen Lockyer up front and thought he generally looked comfortable on the ball, although there was that undercut pass out to Solly that was intercepted and allowed Stoke another attack.
Watching that third goal on repeat and it really is just shocking defending... Regardless of the surprising low ball, why did no one track either Taylor or Gallagher!!
Think Bowyer said we spotted this weakness of theirs so worked on it in training.
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.
Jones (note the irony in the name) has picked a team of English tyros to put the pressure on the aging welsh outfit .. the score will be close and could go either way .. it's on Sky .. shame as I'm in a 'skyless hotel' and will have to listen on 5LiveX
From my view it could've been called a foul on Lockyer but the Ref was consistent overall and let similar challenges go for both sides. I thought it affected his balance when leaping.
On the Gallagher fall, I had 3 relatives closer to the action and they had 3 different views. One said penalty, one thought dive and the one I favour was minimal contact, hence why Conor wasn't booked.
Thoroughly enjoyed the game yesterday, both sides played their part in an entertaining contest. You forget the difference in the pace of the game between league 1 and where we are now, just so much quicker. Thought all the lads played their part, obviously Williams, Cullen and Gallagher were the standouts for most of us. Going to enjoy watching the class of 2019/2020 develop as the season progresses. Liking the look of Leko, so unpredictable, he's one of those players who no one knows what they're going to do because he doesn't know what he's going to do if you get my drift? A cracking start to the season, can't ask for any more from the lads. COYR
From my view it could've been called a foul on Lockyer but the Ref was consistent overall and let similar challenges go for both sides. I thought it affected his balance when leaping.
On the Gallagher fall, I had 3 relatives closer to the action and they had 3 different views. One said penalty, one thought dive and the one I favour was minimal contact, hence why Conor wasn't booked.
Who would be a Ref !
quite .. AND if Gallagher was to be booked, then so should Ince for a couple of swan lake impressions around the box
Watching that third goal on repeat and it really is just shocking defending... Regardless of the surprising low ball, why did no one track either Taylor or Gallagher!!
Fair comment FA....but what a well worked corner, well worth trying it again, though the opposition may have had a look at it and will be on guard when we get a corner..interestingly that was our only corner.
Our weak point is now defence. It looks slow and too easily turned. We were lucky today not to concede more. It will be difficult to properly strengthen that area now, sadly.
Certainly lacking in pace at the back....could do with a Rufus type defender...though they don't grow on trees. Another worrying thing was for my liking they tended to try and play the ball out from the back all the time....fine on some occasions but a good welly out is sometimes the better option.
I must have been watching a different game to some on Valley pass here in Rhodes! I saw Stoke had some spells when they were on top, but I thought we were the better team overall. We looked sharper and after they missed their early chance after the break, it felt to me we were going to win it. The players I would pick out, were wearing red. I think, given that so many players were bought in at the last minute and the pre-season this has created, you can only assume the team is going to get better and what a great point to get better from.
Mind you, I have been convinced Bowyer is something really special for a while. And while I say that, I included Gallen and JJ in that. We may have the smallest budget in the League, but I am convinced we have the best manager. Another trait Bowyer has is that he never takes a backward step. 2-1 and we don't change anything as many managers do. Playing agianst this level of opposition, it is always best to kill them off rather than let them have a go at you.
I have to disagree that Bowyer doesn't take a backward step. In the playoff first semi after scoring we immediately went on the defensive.
Kicks long and then ball watches for a long time. Starts heading back to his goal only when their keeper clears it long, but at no great speed. He then has to rush back which means his weight is on the wrong foot when the shot comes in so cannot push off to save it.
I am sure he is learning from his mistakes, and the Championship is a hard place to learn them. He will be fine though.
I would add that I thought he got a hand to the shot that hit the post.
Kicks long and then ball watches for a long time. Starts heading back to his goal only when their keeper clears it long, but at no great speed. He then has to rush back which means his weight is on the wrong foot when the shot comes in so cannot push off to save it.
I am sure he is learning from his mistakes, and the Championship is a hard place to learn them. He will be fine though.
I would add that I thought he got a hand to the shot that hit the post.
Don't think he was anywhere a touch on the one that hit the post, honestly think he was pretty stranded for it, like the goal.
Not bothered, he more than made up for it in other spells of the game. He going to make errors just like every other keeper.
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? 😡
Couple of years back I think under nightmiere if memory serves, could be wrong tho
3 wins in 23 matches under Jones is pretty dreadful. Looking at last year's league table, they were tight at the back, but the 3rd lowest scorers with 45 goals including 4 consecutive 0-0 draws in March! Without Shawcross they look rocky at the back as well...
Awe... sort of feel sorry for em. Not the football of course, just Stoke!
Spoke to a couple of their lads in The Barrow Boy and Banker after the game...only briefly while waiting at the bar....they were pretty decent lads and wished Charlton well for the season...apart from the result they were having a decent day out.
We were very good! Impressed with a number of the new players. I spent mist of yesterday flipping between "Williams/ Cullen/ keeping Lyle/ Gallagher was the best bit of business we did. And we haven't even seen Kayak and Field (and hopefully Hemed) yet.
Starred in what seemed like a 4231 with Pratley and Cullen in the 2. Williams left, Leko right and Gallagher down the middle. It worked fairly well. Leko has pace and scares defenders, I'm confident Bowyers coaching and playing alongside Taylor will get the best out of him. If we are gonna play that formation regularly I would sign Harriott just to give us a back up option out wide.
Word for Pratley he kept Joe Allen quiet all game. I didn't even notice he was on the pitch until his strop at the ref. I've been critical of Pratley in the past but he is gonna be a big player for us this year.
Cullen was exceptional. Did well dropping in and covering fullbacks and when we switched to the diamond in the second half he showed what he is capable of going forward. Genuine class player but we've come to expect it from him.
They started the game strongly but by 10 mins in we had grown into it. Taylor's goal was very well worked but Butland should have done better with it. Their goal can after a period when the game had got a bit scrappy. Seemed their players heads had gone, they were getting frustrated and Allen had his strip at the ref. We had to stay calm and keep doing the same but instead we got drawn into it a little bit. Tried to do too much and lost the ball in a dangerous area. Lockyer should probably have done better.
Second half we were the better side. They had plenty of the ball but didn't really threaten too much. Both goals were very well worked. Special moment for Gallagher getting his first senior goal infront of the covered end.
I like the look of Lockyer class and very composed on the ball, not the tallest but gets up well so dont think we have to be worried about him getting beaten in the air.
Williams - too good. Keep him fit for 40 games and we may well do something special this season.
Taylor his usual self. Incredible.
Gallagher was everywhere. So technical and deserved his goal. My MOTM. Imagine being that good at football that young and that good looking as well. Kids got everything!
Aneke looked gpod when he came on even though the game had started to break down a bit after his goal. I can see why Bow wants to play him as a 10 but I would be more than happy with him up front. He's a unit as well so helpful in both boxes. Even if Taylor gets injured and we don't get Hemed (fingers crossed) I wouldn't be worried about Aneke leading the line either alone or with Leko.
Momentum and good feeling in this league are so key. If we can keep this up for a while then anything is possible. Playoffs anyone?
Dunno if I could do it again...29 and im sure my heart age ended up about 70!
First half was tough, especially the way they started, and very pleased it was 1-1 at HT.
Second half much better and I personally think we pretty much bossed it. Very strange substitutions by Jones.
For us I think Cullen had a pretty much perfect game, he is without a doubt Prem quality. Williams was very dangerous whenever he got the ball, which was much more than last week against Blackburn. Pearce is immense, Gallagher is a star in the making - the boy is going to have a very good career. Leko exciting if a bit raw and at times tried to do too much. One highlight though was his dribble in the first half deep right - two Stoke players on him and he beat them both then turned and beat them again just for fun!
A very enjoyable game and the Stoke board didn't look happy. I didn't speak to them after the match as it would have been a bit raw, but I'm going to enjoy this coming week even if I won't be the most popular person in the office. Both my boys also work there so I'll have some protection!
But of course the real highlight was finally meeting @cabbles at half time
Kicks long and then ball watches for a long time. Starts heading back to his goal only when their keeper clears it long, but at no great speed. He then has to rush back which means his weight is on the wrong foot when the shot comes in so cannot push off to save it.
I am sure he is learning from his mistakes, and the Championship is a hard place to learn them. He will be fine though.
I would add that I thought he got a hand to the shot that hit the post.
Would love to have one of these imaginary keepers that saves everything and never makes a mistake - trouble is they don't exist. Don't think many keepers would have saved Ince's shot.
An intresting point, well I thought it was intresting, we haven't brought any free agents in late in this window.
Everybody has had a preseason, either here or at their other clubs. There are no Pratley or Reeves who joined unfit.
Even if we bring 1 or 2 in now we don't have to throw them in to make up the numbers.
Not quite true, Kayal has come with a slight injury and Field isn't fit.
But we can give them time, we don't need them to make up the numbers. Pratley, for example, was thrown straight in, without any sort of preseason. Now they can train, maybe play 1 or 2 u23 games before they even need to be on the bench.
Agree to an extent, was just replying to your comment about everybody coming in fit, which was untrue.
We did sign Bielik and Cullen late last year, although JFC's injury just a few days before our first game didn't help.
Really hope Williams stays injury free, he deserves some luck. He could be instrumental this season and in my opinion he is a top bloke...even if he was at Palace. Met him briefly and i get the impression he is very grateful and respectful towards Bowyer and wants to repay him. I am hoping yesterday was a sign of things to come from him
Kicks long and then ball watches for a long time. Starts heading back to his goal only when their keeper clears it long, but at no great speed. He then has to rush back which means his weight is on the wrong foot when the shot comes in so cannot push off to save it.
I am sure he is learning from his mistakes, and the Championship is a hard place to learn them. He will be fine though.
I would add that I thought he got a hand to the shot that hit the post.
Would love to have one of these imaginary keepers that saves everything and never makes a mistake - trouble is they don't exist. Don't think many keepers would have saved Ince's shot.
Why do so many people jump on comments dare criticising our home grown players. I agree that Phillips made a mistake yesterday, not as glaringly obvious as the one in the play off final, but a mistake none the less. Lockyer also made a mistake with a poor pass and I'm sure others did too.
From what I have seen nobody is calling to Phillips to be dropped or saying he isn't allowed to make mistakes, they are just stating it happened. I have only seen the highlights so not sure on the wind or Phillip's eyeline but at first glance I disagree many keepers wouldn't have saved it, or at least got a decent hand to it.
Comments
It was the first time I have seen Lockyer up front and thought he generally looked comfortable on the ball, although there was that undercut pass out to Solly that was intercepted and allowed Stoke another attack.
Sorry "up close" not "up front"!
On the Gallagher fall, I had 3 relatives closer to the action and they had 3 different views.
One said penalty, one thought dive and the one I favour was minimal contact, hence why Conor wasn't booked.
Who would be a Ref !
Kicks long and then ball watches for a long time. Starts heading back to his goal only when their keeper clears it long, but at no great speed. He then has to rush back which means his weight is on the wrong foot when the shot comes in so cannot push off to save it.
I am sure he is learning from his mistakes, and the Championship is a hard place to learn them. He will be fine though.
I would add that I thought he got a hand to the shot that hit the post.
http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/289373/charlton-athletic-stoke-match-thread?page=19
Not bothered, he more than made up for it in other spells of the game.
He going to make errors just like every other keeper.
We did sign Bielik and Cullen late last year, although JFC's injury just a few days before our first game didn't help.
From what I have seen nobody is calling to Phillips to be dropped or saying he isn't allowed to make mistakes, they are just stating it happened. I have only seen the highlights so not sure on the wind or Phillip's eyeline but at first glance I disagree many keepers wouldn't have saved it, or at least got a decent hand to it.