Great performance and at the game it certainly didnt feel like we only had 38% possession. Pratley, Sarr and Lockyer were excellent. Didnt Lockyer just play in both Wales games aswell? But for the goal alone Connor just pips them for Mom.
Every week I think it will be the week it goes wrong but every time we get better. 3-0 against a big spending Derby side. Wow, this management team is phenomenal. How much did that entire squad today cost us?
It would be wonderful if we could retain all of the current squad for the entire season, but to be realistic, Cullen and Taylor are the most likely to depart in January. That is football and nothing stays the same for long. The question is, do we trust Steve Gallen and Lee to find adequate replacements when the time comes? I do and am sure they have already identified the targets they want. The higher placed we are in the league then the greater the pressure will be but the more attractive we become for potential signings.
One thing I meant to post last night but didn't on re-reading was a mention for Leko.
He wasn't at his best yesterday and that fact was possibly accentuated even more by the excellent form of Bonne. Yet Jonathan never hides and always makes himself available to receive the ball offering a real outlet for the defence and midfield.
If Taylor recovers a strikeforce of Bonne and Taylor with Leko coming off the bench with his pace late will offer a real threat. Or any other permutation of the three come to that.
We will miss the West Brom boys badly next week. Compare and contrast with the Brighton boys although I was encouraged by Kayal's little cameo yesterday. I can see that he might be effective. Hemed though looks ineffective . I hope he proves me wrong.
This has to be seen as part of a mini golden era for Charlton in terms of team spirit, management, and winning against the odds given the low budgets of the club., Gallagher represents the heartbeat of the team in being a person who comes from Being an unknown entity to being a rising star. Everyone had a good game yesterday and even those weaker members of the team like Leku Are massively improved on their first time performances. When bowyer Said that they were really raring to go in his pre-match interview he was totally correct.The passing was spot on and for Bonne To give such a performance shows what a good manager we have. I can’t remember when the atmosphere was as good as it is currently.And people are right to say that pratley Is very much an unsung hero.
Every week I think it will be the week it goes wrong but every time we get better. 3-0 against a big spending Derby side. Wow, this management team is phenomenal. How much did that entire squad today cost us?
Never in a million years would we have paid £1.5m for Pearce. I think it’s around the £500k mark
I’m 99% certain Pearce was signed for £1m.
What makes you think that? I believe Ajose was our big money signing that summer and he was definitely under £1m. I can’t imagine Roland paying a seven figure fee for an ageing CB
Not been able to post until now. Been too busy munching my way through the above following my views on McAuley Bonne after the Swansea game. I doffeth my cap to you sir.
A complete performance yesterday. At least 7 nine or ten out of ten performers with the rest not far behind. Bet Bielik is wishing he was still part of this although the 30k or whatever a week in his pocket is probably easing his pain a bit. All just goes to show that a big budget isn’t the answer to everything. Mr Cocu isn’t going to last long at this rate.
The superlatives for Pratley, Gallagher et al are richly deserved. Special mention for Lockyer. Martin and that odious little criminal Lawrence tried their best to wind him up with incessant sniping, treading on his feet etc but he just kept rocking on. And for JFC of whom I thought we had seen the last after his lamentable performance against Forest Green. New lease of life as a wing back and adds much more than Purrington coming forward.
all been said - great team effort, pratley was outstanding and gallagher obviously but for me cullen shades motm - keeping him in jan is becoming the nr.1 priority for me now, then taylor. bonne has improved so much that taylors absence isn't so huge - be a real shame if we lose cullen and taylor in jan to a competitor because of our ownership issues - we are the perfect club for both of them
I thought Pratley was at the end of his career when he joined us yet he's been improving ever since and seems to.run non stop. Didn't expect him to work out so well.
Pratley looked a genuinely awful player early last season. Big name with declining skills out for an easy street final runout at a lower level. But he’s knuckled down, got fit, got motivated and is now invaluable. He is clearly relishing being back at the standard he is used to and being valued by the management team. That was the first time I’d heard the covered end sing his name yesterday. Says it all. He deserves it.
I don't think I've stopped telling people how good Gallagher is, the lad is different gravy.
Special mention to Field who I thought was superb yesterday and Kayal looked much more encouraging too. Everyone else was flawless.
I genuinely feel sorry for those still boycotting as this is the best football I've seen us play since the premiership days, and the most enjoyable time I've ever had supporting us.
One thing I meant to post last night but didn't on re-reading was a mention for Leko.
He wasn't at his best yesterday and that fact was possibly accentuated even more by the excellent form of Bonne. Yet Jonathan never hides and always makes himself available to receive the ball offering a real outlet for the defence and midfield.
If Taylor recovers a strikeforce of Bonne and Taylor with Leko coming off the bench with his pace late will offer a real threat. Or any other permutation of the three come to that.
We will miss the West Brom boys badly next week. Compare and contrast with the Brighton boys although I was encouraged by Kayal's little cameo yesterday. I can see that he might be effective. Hemed though looks ineffective . I hope he proves me wrong.
I've been critical of Leko as he frustrates the hell out of me, but one thing I will certainly applaud him for is his work rate. A number of times yesterday he was covering defensive positions which is clearly not his game and was busting a gut trying to get back and help break up attacks.
Bowyer is going to the top, brilliant stuff from Charlton despite their off the field issues. Goes to show you don’t need to spend spend spend to be successful. You need a good team spirit to go far. We look like a team full of individuals rather than a team like charlton
I don't think I've stopped telling people how good Gallagher is, the lad is different gravy.
Special mention to Field who I thought was superb yesterday and Kayal looked much more encouraging too. Everyone else was flawless.
I genuinely feel sorry for those still boycotting as this is the best football I've seen us play since the premiership days, and the most enjoyable time I've ever had supporting us.
Pratley looked a genuinely awful player early last season. Big name with declining skills out for an easy street final runout at a lower level. But he’s knuckled down, got fit, got motivated and is now invaluable. He is clearly relishing being back at the standard he is used to and being valued by the management team. That was the first time I’d heard the covered end sing his name yesterday. Says it all. He deserves it.
I think 'genuinely awful" is way OTT and straight out of the Leuth school of myopia. I think a lot of us recognised what he brought to the side. I'd concede that he didn't shine as brightly last season when we were predominantly looking to dictate the play and ask the questions. His skill set is perfectly suited to our play this season. A real presence and a real leader.
Pratley looked a genuinely awful player early last season. Big name with declining skills out for an easy street final runout at a lower level. But he’s knuckled down, got fit, got motivated and is now invaluable. He is clearly relishing being back at the standard he is used to and being valued by the management team. That was the first time I’d heard the covered end sing his name yesterday. Says it all. He deserves it.
I think 'genuinely awful" is way OTT and straight out of the Leuth school of myopia. I think a lot of us recognised what he brought to the side. I'd concede that he didn't shine as brightly last season when we were predominantly looking to dictate the play and ask the questions. His skill set is perfectly suited to our play this season. A real presence and a real leader.
The big difference is that at the start of last season he looked half a yard short of pace. No lack of effort but his fitness wasn't there so he was continually fouling. He definitely was much better at the end of the season, having a crucial role in the playoffs and now looks in peak physical shape
A few points from a fantastic afternoon yesterday...
Pratley had been showing signs of better form this season, but the moment it really clicked was 20 minutes into the Leeds game, when he moved from being completely outpaced in central midfield to an absolute rock at centre back. With the current host of riches we have in midfield Pratley has become the 4th centre back we were all after and what an amazing job he is doing there.
When you play 3 cb’s Sarr has to be one of them. The pairing of Pearce and Lockyer is excellent but when there are 3, Sarr’s playmaking and passing are invaluable to the creativity of the team.
Field is really starting to show what a fantastic player he is and let’s hope West Brom keep up their great form till the end of January so they continue to feel they don’t need their players back.
With our two Brighton lads. Kayal showed what talent he has with the ball at his feet and will only improve with fitness and game time. Hemed at the moment reminds me of Kermorgant after he came back from injuries. You could tell there was some class there, but Yann always took 4-6 games to be back to his best. I have faith that Hemed will be the same once he’s had some proper game time with the team.
Finally, if yesterday showed us anything, it’s that work-rate, desire and hunger are so underrated in football and Bowyer and his team are just doing the most incredible job. If a neutral did a pick your best XI at the start of the season with Charlton and Derby, there wouldn’t have been a red shirt in that team. After yesterday, I wouldn’t have put a black and white shirt in it.
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Also wouldn't mind Hemed and Kayal finding some match fitness and form.
Pratley, Sarr and Lockyer were excellent. Didnt Lockyer just play in both Wales games aswell? But for the goal alone Connor just pips them for Mom.
Keeping Cullen would be an achievement too
He wasn't at his best yesterday and that fact was possibly accentuated even more by the excellent form of Bonne. Yet Jonathan never hides and always makes himself available to receive the ball offering a real outlet for the defence and midfield.
If Taylor recovers a strikeforce of Bonne and Taylor with Leko coming off the bench with his pace late will offer a real threat. Or any other permutation of the three come to that.
We will miss the West Brom boys badly next week. Compare and contrast with the Brighton boys although I was encouraged by Kayal's little cameo yesterday. I can see that he might be effective. Hemed though looks ineffective . I hope he proves me wrong.
Extended highlights. The first goal really is a beauty from start to finish.
Special mention to Field who I thought was superb yesterday and Kayal looked much more encouraging too. Everyone else was flawless.
I genuinely feel sorry for those still boycotting as this is the best football I've seen us play since the premiership days, and the most enjoyable time I've ever had supporting us.
xydadbod 6,545
Bowyer is going to the top, brilliant stuff from Charlton despite their off the field issues. Goes to show you don’t need to spend spend spend to be successful. You need a good team spirit to go far. We look like a team full of individuals rather than a team like charlton
Edited 17 hours ago by SexydadbodAlways interesting to see another club's views on the match, especially in such a one sided match!
I think a lot of us recognised what he brought to the side.
I'd concede that he didn't shine as brightly last season when we were predominantly looking to dictate the play and ask the questions.
His skill set is perfectly suited to our play this season.
A real presence and a real leader.
No matter how good or skilful our players are, to see that they've given their all for the shirt really pleases me.
Pratley had been showing signs of better form this season, but the moment it really clicked was 20 minutes into the Leeds game, when he moved from being completely outpaced in central midfield to an absolute rock at centre back. With the current host of riches we have in midfield Pratley has become the 4th centre back we were all after and what an amazing job he is doing there.
When you play 3 cb’s Sarr has to be one of them. The pairing of Pearce and Lockyer is excellent but when there are 3, Sarr’s playmaking and passing are invaluable to the creativity of the team.
Field is really starting to show what a fantastic player he is and let’s hope West Brom keep up their great form till the end of January so they continue to feel they don’t need their players back.
With our two Brighton lads. Kayal showed what talent he has with the ball at his feet and will only improve with fitness and game time. Hemed at the moment reminds me of Kermorgant after he came back from injuries. You could tell there was some class there, but Yann always took 4-6 games to be back to his best. I have faith that Hemed will be the same once he’s had some proper game time with the team.
Finally, if yesterday showed us anything, it’s that work-rate, desire and hunger are so underrated in football and Bowyer and his team are just doing the most incredible job. If a neutral did a pick your best XI at the start of the season with Charlton and Derby, there wouldn’t have been a red shirt in that team. After yesterday, I wouldn’t have put a black and white shirt in it.