Watched that clip again & now have proof what we all new sitting in the East Stand......that Taylor didn't run the ball out. He kept it in brilliantly & the linesman (as usual) was a useless numpty.
At around 19/20s it looks like it's out of play but the East Stand is the wrong place to judge such a fine margin, what with not being able to see the line clearly either side of the ball. The ref's assistant is in the right place so I'd trust him more than any number in the wrong place.
Think Sarr played better in the Forest game as we weren’t playing it out from the back in the deck so much - need to mix up how we play out it/big kicks from the keeper rather than all one or the other.
Agree the potential shown in the Forest game shows promise, and that is why momentum is so important.
The squads above (below at the moment) us are bloated but ours is still a little thin quality wise which could be quite exposed with a few injuries.
How is our squad ‘thin quality wise’ ???
We're a bit thin at both right back and left back, I'd say.
that sums up how good a defensive display that was for us and although the chants are not original!! I believe the noise coming from the north carried these bunch of players to push home the 3 points
Think Sarr played better in the Forest game as we weren’t playing it out from the back in the deck so much - need to mix up how we play out it/big kicks from the keeper rather than all one or the other.
Agree the potential shown in the Forest game shows promise, and that is why momentum is so important.
The squads above (below at the moment) us are bloated but ours is still a little thin quality wise which could be quite exposed with a few injuries.
How is our squad ‘thin quality wise’ ???
We're a bit thin at both right back and left back, I'd say.
Strikers too I’d say
Taylor Hemed Bonne Leko and Aneke can all play up front
Think Sarr played better in the Forest game as we weren’t playing it out from the back in the deck so much - need to mix up how we play out it/big kicks from the keeper rather than all one or the other.
Agree the potential shown in the Forest game shows promise, and that is why momentum is so important.
The squads above (below at the moment) us are bloated but ours is still a little thin quality wise which could be quite exposed with a few injuries.
How is our squad ‘thin quality wise’ ???
We're a bit thin at both right back and left back, I'd say.
Strikers too I’d say
Taylor, Leko, Hemed, Bonne plus Aneke as an option there.
Could be a lot worse. No reason why Leko can’t improve and get a few goals, and if gets assists like on Wednesday he’s contributing. The way we set up and play means he’s meant to be a threat from out wide, not just be a poacher getting on the end of balls into the box.
These last two games have given me even more confidence we'll at least be comfortable in mid table this season. The squad Bowyer and Gallen have put together has so much to it and in our first few games they've show different sides to them.
- We'll match any team in the league for work rate and commitment - We might not be the number one team in terms of fitness in the league but we'll be up there, it's something Bowyer really values - We can play exciting football and at times will be the team dominating possession - We create quality chances in open play and have a decent threat from set pieces - There's a good mix of skill, creativity, energy, aggression and physicality across the squad - We have more depth than we've previously had since RD came in, and we're looking to add a right back to it, possibly Mears or Matthews. Big if Page stays fit and we sign a right back we'll have two per position plus an extra midfielder or two, depending who goes out on loan - The extra depth should mean fewer injuries, Williams for example can be rested with Oztumer coming in as a like for like swap, or Aneke for a more physical number 10 - Bowyer is flexible with formations and style of play, both for each game and during the game itself - We still haven't seen Kayal who Bowyer was very excited to sign, and there's far more to come from Hemed. The squad depth has meant we haven't had to throw them straight in and we should eventually see the benefit of that - Bowyer has high standards and expects us to compete. We can't use the owner, budget or anything else as an excuse
It's not often we have so much going for us, pre Bowyer we haven't had this since Powell. Even then that was done with a lot hard working but limited players such as Pritchard, Wagstaff, Church, Hughes, Cousins and Wilson. All played a big part while Powell was here, but top Championship clubs were never going to be after them. Many of the younger players in this squad have potential for that level and more.
I can't see a reason to worry about a relegation battle, or why individual players won't handle this league. In the last month or so I've seen Solly written off and doubts about new signings such as Lockyer and Oshilaja. One point I left off the list was the way Bowyer showed last season we can improve players. We're second and unbeaten with a squad put together very late on in the window, with many of them new to this league. How good might we be once players are more settled and have had regular coaching from Bowyer and his staff?
While wage bill is a good indicator of where a club is likely to finish, I don't feel it applies to the Championship quite in the same way it does in the Premier League. I'm sure the quality of the league has improved in recent years, but not in line with the amounts being spent. There's plenty of ordinary players out there who must be on far bigger wages than we pay. For all the money Brentford spent they're still lacking goalscorers, possession alone doesn't win games. We saw that ourselves on Wednesday. Stay up and stick with the same budget it may well catch up with us, but for now we've found a way to compete and potentially far more than that.
The one thing I would say here, to temper expectations, is we are still a relative surprise to teams. Tactics, team selection, how effective the younger players or those stepping up divisions would be, and to extent still are, unknowns - even to Bowyer. As the season wears on opposition analysts will have more data to look at and teams will be able to prepare better for facing us.
It’s been a terrific start, but I still believe the only target this season is survival from relegation. I’m like you in that I think we will achieve that with a bit to spare but I hope fans are keeping their feet on the ground. It’d be sad if we do hit bad patch and things in the crowd turn sour because we’ve fallen away from the newly set high bar of top half or higher.
pre season we would have looked at the games we had played and thought we would have taken a spanking by now. Now many our fearing because of the pressure brentford put us under we are in trouble. Thats what I call it pressure. We stood up to it and walked away with the three points. Take a look at fulham yesterday 70 percent of pocession but forest turned them over. So we got a smash and grab victory what team doesnt do that. We will be alright this season, dark horses for the play offs if some of the bigger fish continue to sink ie stoke boro derby.
These last two games have given me even more confidence we'll at least be comfortable in mid table this season. The squad Bowyer and Gallen have put together has so much to it and in our first few games they've show different sides to them.
- We'll match any team in the league for work rate and commitment - We might not be the number one team in terms of fitness in the league but we'll be up there, it's something Bowyer really values - We can play exciting football and at times will be the team dominating possession - We create quality chances in open play and have a decent threat from set pieces - There's a good mix of skill, creativity, energy, aggression and physicality across the squad - We have more depth than we've previously had since RD came in, and we're looking to add a right back to it, possibly Mears or Matthews. Big if Page stays fit and we sign a right back we'll have two per position plus an extra midfielder or two, depending who goes out on loan - The extra depth should mean fewer injuries, Williams for example can be rested with Oztumer coming in as a like for like swap, or Aneke for a more physical number 10 - Bowyer is flexible with formations and style of play, both for each game and during the game itself - We still haven't seen Kayal who Bowyer was very excited to sign, and there's far more to come from Hemed. The squad depth has meant we haven't had to throw them straight in and we should eventually see the benefit of that - Bowyer has high standards and expects us to compete. We can't use the owner, budget or anything else as an excuse
It's not often we have so much going for us, pre Bowyer we haven't had this since Powell. Even then that was done with a lot hard working but limited players such as Pritchard, Wagstaff, Church, Hughes, Cousins and Wilson. All played a big part while Powell was here, but top Championship clubs were never going to be after them. Many of the younger players in this squad have potential for that level and more.
I can't see a reason to worry about a relegation battle, or why individual players won't handle this league. In the last month or so I've seen Solly written off and doubts about new signings such as Lockyer and Oshilaja. One point I left off the list was the way Bowyer showed last season we can improve players. We're second and unbeaten with a squad put together very late on in the window, with many of them new to this league. How good might we be once players are more settled and have had regular coaching from Bowyer and his staff?
While wage bill is a good indicator of where a club is likely to finish, I don't feel it applies to the Championship quite in the same way it does in the Premier League. I'm sure the quality of the league has improved in recent years, but not in line with the amounts being spent. There's plenty of ordinary players out there who must be on far bigger wages than we pay. For all the money Brentford spent they're still lacking goalscorers, possession alone doesn't win games. We saw that ourselves on Wednesday. Stay up and stick with the same budget it may well catch up with us, but for now we've found a way to compete and potentially far more than that.
The one thing I would say here, to temper expectations, is we are still a relative surprise to teams. Tactics, team selection, how effective the younger players or those stepping up divisions would be, and to extent still are, unknowns - even to Bowyer. As the season wears on opposition analysts will have more data to look at and teams will be able to prepare better for facing us.
It’s been a terrific start, but I still believe the only target this season is survival from relegation. I’m like you in that I think we will achieve that with a bit to spare but I hope fans are keeping their feet on the ground. It’d be sad if we do hit bad patch and things in the crowd turn sour because we’ve fallen away from the newly set high bar of top half or higher.
Agreed, we face some tough fixtures in the autumn and could easily lose 2 or 3 on the spin. What this start has given us is a useful buffer, so that if/when we have a poor run we should still be away from the bottom 3
It should be remembered that Sarr also makes his own time and space with a good interception or a neat turn. It's not always that he isn't being pressed.
It should be remembered that Sarr also makes his own time and space with a good interception or a neat turn. It's not always that he isn't being pressed.
Yeah but in games in the playoffs or the championship , he was piss poor, bar the midweek game, when we had all the ball . If he never has another bad game, nobody will be happier than me
That felt like an FA Cup 3rd Round tie (in surreal, January sweltering heat), with Charlton playing a team a division above them. Brentford totally dominated the game but created relatively little in the way of clear chances, given their vast amount of possession. Watkins looked lively but they look as if they are paying the price for selling their top scorer for £20 million and failing to replace him.
We struggled from the start, looking very leggy, and were outnumbered and outwitted in midfield by Brentford’s slick and fluid play. To his credit, Lee Bowyer managed to stem the tide with a change of shape, with 3 at the back and the full backs pushing on. A couple of moments of magic from Jonny Williams and Gallagher saw us ahead at the break.
I thought we started the first five minutes of the second half well, with Hemed putting in a few decent challenges and Lyle just failing to get on the end of a fizzing cross from Ben Purrington. Normal service was, however, resumed and Brentford really started to turn the screw, targeting the right flank of our defence, in particular. George Lapslie found himself under intense pressure and frequently overloaded, with Brentford’s left back an auxiliary winger, but we somehow kept them out with some heroic defending and great blocks, notably from Pearce and Lockyer.
A very fortunate result but a gutsy rearguard action yielded another priceless 3 points - 11 down, 39 to go. Let’s get to 50 and see how much further we can go.
A result at Reading will put the seal on a great opening month, which has exceeded all expectations. Thereafter, the international break will give the regular players a breather and some of the others a chance to get fit and integrate further into the squad.
That felt like an FA Cup 3rd Round tie (in surreal, January sweltering heat), with Charlton playing a team a division above them. Brentford totally dominated the game but created relatively little in the way of clear chances, given their vast amount of possession. Watkins looked lively but they look as if they are paying the price for selling their top scorer for £20 million and failing to replace him.
We struggled from the start, looking very leggy, and were outnumbered and outwitted in midfield by Brentford’s slick and fluid play. To his credit, Lee Bowyer managed to stem the tide with a change of shape, with 3 at the back and the full backs pushing on. A couple of moments of magic from Jonny Williams and Gallagher saw us ahead at the break.
I thought we started the first five minutes of the second half well, with Hemed putting in a few decent challenges and Lyle just failing to get on the end of a fizzing cross from Ben Purrington. Normal service was, however, resumed and Brentford really started to turn the screw, targeting the right flank of our defence, in particular. George Lapslie found himself under intense pressure and frequently overloaded, with Brentford’s left back an auxiliary winger, but we somehow kept them out with some heroic defending and great blocks, notably from Pearce and Lockyer.
A very fortunate result but a gutsy rearguard action yielded another priceless 3 points - 11 down, 39 to go. Let’s get to 50 and see how much further we can go.
A result at Reading will put the seal on a great opening month, which has exceeded all expectations. Thereafter, the international break will give the regular players a breather and some of the others a chance to get fit and integrate further into the squad.
You say they created very little and then say we were very fortunate.
With all their possessions they should have created more but didn’t. 10 shots, with half of those probably coming in the last 10 minutes isn’t good enough. Very pretty side but with no cutting edge. For me, the only real fortunate thing for us is that they didn’t buy a decent forward. It is the only thing they are missing, but has already ruined their season and could see them in and around the bottom 3 until they buy in January. Taylor bidding starts at £10m.
The great thing about being under the cash for such a long time on Saturday is everyone in the Charlton team and on the terraces will believe that we are good enough to soak up pressure if we want to and still win the game when we need to.
I have finally put all the parts of the Jigsaw together with how the ball didn't end up in our net ! The last piece was Hemed's last ditch tackle/block on the post before the Charlton players just kept throwing their bodies at shots without doing a Solly hand ball( please move on Sam from the Den) It was other CL members praising Hemed which made me watch the clip several times to realize his initial part in the most heroic defending since the Alamo.
Was I the only person who had to check where Hemed was when he came on as he played as a defensive midfielder as we couldn't get our passing game together against the fluid Brentford side. Their number 3 was a great wing back and young Blonde George did a good job as a stand in wing back as wave after wave of attacks came down his side.
I look forward to seeing Tomer Play in tandem with Lyle Taylor ( For 4 months at least !) But I understand that needs must against Brentford.
Welcome to cafc Sam Field, like Captain Pearce, you get knocked down but you get up again, they are never gonna keep you down.
A superb result ,fully deserved just for the effort the players put in,not one of them left anything on that pitch.Bowyer will be delighted,but I bet he has spent the weekend working out how we conceded so much possession,and will be on it in training this week.
I have said it before @soapboxsam but Hemed's tackle is arguably the best I have ever seen. The attacker is two yards away from an open goal with the ball all but at his feet. How Hemed gets round him without giving a pen away is amazing; simply shower more desire than the attacker.
I have said it before @soapboxsam but Hemed's tackle is arguably the best I have ever seen. The attacker is two yards away from an open goal with the ball all but at his feet. How Hemed gets round him without giving a pen away is amazing; simply shower more desire than the attacker.
Lockyer's last-ditch intervention on Grabban last Wednesday was extraordinary, too. He stretched from behind to cleanly knock the ball away when the Forest man was about to fire. We stood and applauded that - and it looks just as good on the TV highlights.
I have said it before @soapboxsam but Hemed's tackle is arguably the best I have ever seen. The attacker is two yards away from an open goal with the ball all but at his feet. How Hemed gets round him without giving a pen away is amazing; simply shower more desire than the attacker.
Agree, When you are at the match, despite being down the other end, I knew Pearce and I thought Field or Purrington had taken a hit for the team but it was only seeing the highlights more than once that I realized that Hemed who has the same physique as the talismanic Yann, (will he be as good for Cafc ?) had tracked the player.
We have a good 18 man squad now and we still have Beram Kayal to be introduced to the squad and fans.
I have said it before @soapboxsam but Hemed's tackle is arguably the best I have ever seen. The attacker is two yards away from an open goal with the ball all but at his feet. How Hemed gets round him without giving a pen away is amazing; simply shower more desire than the attacker.
Agree, When you are at the match, despite being down the other end, I knew Pearce and I thought Field or Purrington had taken a hit for the team but it was only seeing the highlights more than once that I realized that Hemed who has the same physique as the talismanic Yann, (will he be as good for Cafc ?) had tracked the player.
We have a good 18 man squad now and we still have Beram Kayal to be introduced to the squad and fans.
I too was struck by Hemed's similar physique to the great Yann. If he turns out to be anywhere near as effective, we are in for a treat. He had a decent scoring ratio at Brighton and on loan at QPR: one in three.
Think Sarr played better in the Forest game as we weren’t playing it out from the back in the deck so much - need to mix up how we play out it/big kicks from the keeper rather than all one or the other.
Agree the potential shown in the Forest game shows promise, and that is why momentum is so important.
The squads above (below at the moment) us are bloated but ours is still a little thin quality wise which could be quite exposed with a few injuries.
Comments
Could be a lot worse. No reason why Leko can’t improve and get a few goals, and if gets assists like on Wednesday he’s contributing. The way we set up and play means he’s meant to be a threat from out wide, not just be a poacher getting on the end of balls into the box.
It’s been a terrific start, but I still believe the only target this season is survival from relegation. I’m like you in that I think we will achieve that with a bit to spare but I hope fans are keeping their feet on the ground. It’d be sad if we do hit bad patch and things in the crowd turn sour because we’ve fallen away from the newly set high bar of top half or higher.
What a Stanley Cup Champion block that was.
Looking at the replays, that won it for me.
We struggled from the start, looking very leggy, and were outnumbered and outwitted in midfield by Brentford’s slick and fluid play. To his credit, Lee Bowyer managed to stem the tide with a change of shape, with 3 at the back and the full backs pushing on. A couple of moments of magic from Jonny Williams and Gallagher saw us ahead at the break.
I thought we started the first five minutes of the second half well, with Hemed putting in a few decent challenges and Lyle just failing to get on the end of a fizzing cross from Ben Purrington. Normal service was, however, resumed and Brentford really started to turn the screw, targeting the right flank of our defence, in particular. George Lapslie found himself under intense pressure and frequently overloaded, with Brentford’s left back an auxiliary winger, but we somehow kept them out with some heroic defending and great blocks, notably from Pearce and Lockyer.
A very fortunate result but a gutsy rearguard action yielded another priceless 3 points - 11 down, 39 to go. Let’s get to 50 and see how much further we can go.
A result at Reading will put the seal on a great opening month, which has exceeded all expectations. Thereafter, the international break will give the regular players a breather and some of the others a chance to get fit and integrate further into the squad.
With all their possessions they should have created more but didn’t. 10 shots, with half of those probably coming in the last 10 minutes isn’t good enough. Very pretty side but with no cutting edge. For me, the only real fortunate thing for us is that they didn’t buy a decent forward. It is the only thing they are missing, but has already ruined their season and could see them in and around the bottom 3 until they buy in January. Taylor bidding starts at £10m.
It was other CL members praising Hemed which made me watch the clip several times to realize his initial part in the most heroic defending since the Alamo.
Was I the only person who had to check where Hemed was when he came on as he played as a defensive midfielder as we couldn't get our passing game together against the fluid Brentford side. Their number 3 was a great wing back and young Blonde George did a good job as a stand in wing back as wave after wave of attacks came down his side.
I look forward to seeing Tomer Play in tandem with Lyle Taylor ( For 4 months at least !) But I understand that needs must against Brentford.
Welcome to cafc Sam Field, like Captain Pearce, you get knocked down but you get up again, they are never gonna keep you down.
When you are at the match, despite being down the other end, I knew Pearce and I thought Field or Purrington had taken a hit for the team but it was only seeing the highlights more than once that I realized that Hemed who has the same physique as the talismanic Yann, (will he be as good for Cafc ?) had tracked the player.
We have a good 18 man squad now and we still have Beram Kayal to be introduced to the squad and fans.
Brentford pressed from the first second.