Dont believe Taylor is injured. Didnt do anything during the game & was protecting himself AGAINST getting a injury. I think he's had an agreement with LB to only play 45 mins & will now be out for a couple of weeks until being sold. Also no surprise that we played a lot better in the 2nd half when he wasn't on the pitch.
Ah this would be signs of the "divided fanbase" re Taylor that a bloke called Hungry Ted on Twitter referred to. OK, so I will take this seriously for a moment. if you are right, why would Bow concoct the 'thigh injury" ? Doesn't need to, any general injury excuse would do, and creates a rod for his own back if you were in fact correct. Doesn't seem to me how Bow does things.
No I think if it was an "injury" to protect him ahead of a move I think Bowyer would be calling him out on it, same with the way he spoke out about Dijksteel and his Agent refusing to sign a new deal
Would not be surprised if LB rests some of the players for the FA cup game and save them for the following week league fixture.
That is an understatement of the highest order.
How can he rest anyone? There isn't anyone else to bring in, is there? Unless we play with no subs.
Gallagher and Lockyer for me are the 2 who probably need a rest. Maybe Pratley too as he's played a lot and is not getting any younger. Sarr, Doughty and maybe Oshilaja in midfield can replace them?
Who replaces Sarr, Doughty and Oshilaja on the bench?
Would not be surprised if LB rests some of the players for the FA cup game and save them for the following week league fixture.
That is an understatement of the highest order.
How can he rest anyone? There isn't anyone else to bring in, is there? Unless we play with no subs.
Gallagher and Lockyer for me are the 2 who probably need a rest. Maybe Pratley too as he's played a lot and is not getting any younger. Sarr, Doughty and maybe Oshilaja in midfield can replace them?
Who replaces Sarr, Doughty and Oshilaja on the bench?
Pearce | Ocran | Quitirna probably as the latter were on the bench against Forest Green
Dont believe Taylor is injured. Didnt do anything during the game & was protecting himself AGAINST getting a injury. I think he's had an agreement with LB to only play 45 mins & will now be out for a couple of weeks until being sold. Also no surprise that we played a lot better in the 2nd half when he wasn't on the pitch.
Ah this would be signs of the "divided fanbase" re Taylor that a bloke called Hungry Ted on Twitter referred to. OK, so I will take this seriously for a moment. if you are right, why would Bow concoct the 'thigh injury" ? Doesn't need to, any general injury excuse would do, and creates a rod for his own back if you were in fact correct. Doesn't seem to me how Bow does things.
No I think if it was an "injury" to protect him ahead of a move I think Bowyer would be calling him out on it, same with the way he spoke out about Dijksteel and his Agent refusing to sign a new deal
Exactly. This is Lee Bowyer, if he thinks a player is taking the piss out of the club he’ll let them know. He certainly won’t concoct an elaborate plan where Taylor gets a 45 min run out to create cover for a false injury, because that’s insane
Gallagher needs a bit more quality around him, that's all.
This, this, this. Put Williams and Cullen, plus Green if he shapes up, in that midfield and suddenly good opposition have a lot to worry about other than taking it in turns to clatter Gallagher. No offence against Morgan, who has proved his worth as a squad player but he’s not in the same class. Doughty has also shown that he could be a first team regular, particularly in a 5 man midfield.
And we have had enough clues that if you do put a bit more quality around Gallagher, that this league is really quite shit. Look at a team in the play off places yesterday playing a team full of unready kids. Whilst we haven't been getting the results, most of our games have been close when really they shouldn't have been.
Expected a caning. Lucky not to go in at least 3 down. Magnificent effort second half. Unlucky not to get a point at least. Swansea have regressed badly. Just shows to me that if we had been able to play something resembling our first choice team regularly this season we would be beating a lot of these quite mediocre teams who have been beating us recently. Special mention to Purrington who has been getting a lot of deserved criticism from me and others. Good effort young man. Keep it up.
You can’t fault a team that has a go and I felt pretty positive at the end of the match. We could build a winning team out of the younger players coming through with the right mix of experienced players around them. Things haven’t gone our way on the pitch of late but they are battling away and will come out of it a lot stronger unit. Put the younger players on the team sheet first for the wba cup match, let the experienced players who need a rest have a few days off to go and get some sunshine and fill the other places with those who are left. Any spaces still available give to any other kid of promise we’ve got.
I'm really hoping that the new regime will be able to hold on to Doughty and his like, will be more confident if Mr Murray doesn't mention it though.
Shouldnt be difficult; Roland simply saw Euros when he received a bid for a player
Didnt stop to think about keeping a player longer and so getting even more value or even seeing Charlton benefit with promotion
Imagine had we kept Lookman | Gomez | Konsa for a few seasons longer
I think we’d have found it very difficult to keep Gomez for any length of time under any circumstances.
Possibly, however it was completely unnecessary, and toweringly stupid, to agree a deal in advance with his agent so that Liverpool got him for an absolute steal of a price.
Didn't get to see the game but the scores on the doors are so erratic. How can Purrington get a couple of 5's and yet get 8's also Davidson 4.5 to 7.5 ?
Plus despite the spirit of the team tonight if both Bonne and Taylor are out surely we need two strikers in quickly and they don't come cheap.
Purrington and Davison amongst our better players anyone giving either below a 6.5 is wrong.
I'm on the coach back now and need to pass the time somehow, so I may as well give a few thoughts. Don't know whether I'll be saying anything particularly insightful that's not already been covered, but who knows.
First, I'd say everyone was immense. To a man (and child), a shift was put in after the panic and slightly overwhelming nature of Swansea's start to the game. We kept composed even after they missed a couple of gilt-edged chances, and grew right into the occasion in the second half.
No point in mulling over injuries, true though it is. For me, results are almost immaterial until we can actually rotate our squad and we are no longer reliant on the bare bone marrow. Because, truthfully, it's more scant than the bare bones. Dempsey, Davison, and Vennings - all of whom impressed me considering the circumstances - should be nowhere near the match day squad.
But let's go through the game. Swansea started off well and won a corner within a few minutes. We allowed them to attack and press us very high up the pitch. For me, from here I thought we were in for a long and difficult night - and to quote my delightful Jack hosts and friends, I'll tell you for why:
We were incredibly narrow, even more so than usual in deploying the diamond. I think this is down to Dempsey and to an extent Morgan being less familiar with the system. Pratley, at the base, was pulled out of position in the first couple of minutes, allowing Byers, Grimes and in particular the impressive Dhanda freedom of expression.
A diamond midfield relies on familiarity moreso than a flat four. Morgan and Dempsey didn't seem to know when to put in the defensive effort to cover Pratley, and I won't knock them for that, but it needs to be looked at. Not that they are incompetent defenders, but knowing when to execute is a shortcoming.
Then again, we play a fast counter when we can, so that might be a deliberate ploy to invite pressure. In which case I would question if Bowyer was doing it right in the first half given the resources at his disposal: we didn't have the incision and precision of Williams, Cullen, even Oztumer et al - so I thought we were set up inefficiently.
They score as a result of us inviting pressure, and Dhanda basically being given free rein. Unlucky deflection but there we go. They should have had two more after Albie was dispossessed, and when Byers hit the post.
At this juncture we were resorting to the long ball toward either Davison or Taylor. A word for both, in particular Davison, who I thought was immense. He might not be prolific but my gosh, he puts the question to the centre backs every single time. Great hold up player, which I think was a bit unfortunate as we rarely had support for him (see earlier re wrong shape first half).
Taylor. So. He was obviously not fit, but my Swans mates are envious we have him. They hate him - they think he's a quick, strong, skilful horrible bastard - but freely acknowledge they would love him at the Liberty. And he made life very tough for Cabango (think that's how you spell it - no. 44).
When we had possession in the first half, after they rather eased off, they invited us to attack, but we looked ponderous and devoid of imaginative movement. Possibly as we're built to counter rather than knock it around.
I'm told Purrington - also absolutely immense - should have won us a penalty, as he was fouled. Not sure if that's totally true though and I'd need to see it again.
Pearce would have had no complaints had he seen red. He wins the ball, but he's lucky the Swansea player arrived on the scene a good half second after he commits.
Not sure where I am in terms of chronology, but reckon we're lucky going into half time 1-0 down. Swansea, though, seemed to ease off too much.
When I saw Taylor was brought off at half time, I wasn't surprised but I thought any goalscoring threat we had was gone. Think the second half just about proved me right. I love Doughty and he played so well, stretching their full backs all over, but we lacked incision and a clinical finisher.
A word, again, to Davison. He won pretty much everything. Dempsey grew into it second half, linking well with Matthews overlapping. Morgan started to pass like a deep lying playmaker, while Gallagher - who had been superbly marked out of the first half (credit I believe to Grimes, who I'd sign in a heartbeat) - found more space and enjoyed some freedom.
All that said, I've not seen a team panic quite like Swansea did. It was bizarre. As my mate Ewan said, he doesn't think he's ever enjoyed a win less. They resorted to clearing their lines for Ayew to chase, and he's not worth that £20m outlay based on his showing tbf. Even when they countered properly, players like Celina fluffed their lines, while - credit again - Matthews as well as the rest of the back line nullified them well.
I think our weakest player - if we even really had one - was probably Lockyer, but he can't be a rock every week. Fifteen million quid's worth of Borja Baston moved him all over the shop, and to go back to it again, the diamond put pressure on him. No blame here. Think he might need a rest. Pearce was wilier and used all his experience to just about cope better.
Phillips was practically a passenger!
But... Yeah. Every Swan I encountered after said, if that's our youth, we have a lot to be proud of, and not much to worry about. Bright times are hopefully ahead, especially with new ownership - easily the best result of the day, of course.
good performance, good for the young players to get some 1st team experience, committed in defence, greatly improved over the rubbish served up at Derby But we showed little threat in attack despite all the possession and 'pressure'. We are in a slump and need to pull out of it fast and I mean fast. New owners need to cough up some cash for new players, just a couple and then leave the real team rebuilding for quieter times in the close season
Just back to the hotel, really proud of the team tonight, not many of us who travelled expected too much but that second half performance so different to Derby just a few days ago. Boyed by todays news that Roland has gone, it somehow didnt feel like a defeat leaving the stadium. Swans fans very complimentary anout our support walking back into town. Proud to be an Addick tonight and I cant help but feel positive for the future.
Lastly, there was a young lad aged 9-10 with his dad in front of me, he sang for Naby Sarr over and over, he dropped his Charlton hat as he left, my son picked it up but couldnt find him, if his dad is on here and reads this, I will leave it in the museum for him to collect.
I (massive geezer with far too much hair in a Viglen top) didn't happen to be directly behind you, did I? Would have said hello properly if so!
As an aside, there was also a clearly dedicated teenage Charlton fan next to me with the broadest Welsh accent I've ever heard. We're talking proper Valleys accent. Wonder how he started following us, as his dad/elder didn't exactly sound like a Londoner either!
Just back to the hotel, really proud of the team tonight, not many of us who travelled expected too much but that second half performance so different to Derby just a few days ago. Boyed by todays news that Roland has gone, it somehow didnt feel like a defeat leaving the stadium. Swans fans very complimentary anout our support walking back into town. Proud to be an Addick tonight and I cant help but feel positive for the future.
Lastly, there was a young lad aged 9-10 with his dad in front of me, he sang for Naby Sarr over and over, he dropped his Charlton hat as he left, my son picked it up but couldnt find him, if his dad is on here and reads this, I will leave it in the museum for him to collect.
I (massive geezer with far too much hair in a Viglen top) didn't happen to be directly behind you, did I? Would have said hello properly if so!
As an aside, there was also a clearly dedicated teenage Charlton fan next to me with the broadest Welsh accent I've ever heard. We're talking proper Valleys accent. Wonder how he started following us, as his dad/elder didn't exactly sound like a Londoner either!
never can tell how club love starts .. got chatting to an ol fella at PNE last time we were there, he was from York, Addick thru and thru .. his addiction started when his dad bought him his first copy of the late and beloved 'Charles Buchan's Football Monthly', the 'centrefold' was the CAFC team photo (must have been early/middle 1950s) and that was the start of the love affair, the bright red shirts reminded him of Wellington's army at Waterloo lol, brave boys all. I have seen the old boy now and again at northern games, but not this season, hope he is still alive and addicking
EDIT .. Incidentally Charles Buchan was born in Plumstead and was first on the books of Woolwich Arsenal, he finished his career at norf London Arsenal (thanks wiki)
Was at the game but probably didn't get as good a view as those on telly if you see what I mean. In the first half I thought Swans were a class act coming forwards. They have so many players running into space and were finding them with quality passing. So I don't think we were bad as such,rather that Swansea were that good. From behind the goal you get a different perspective, and they just seemed to swarm all over us. They get players forward with confidence - we don't for all the obvious reasons. And as someone commented above- they really used width. To just stay in the game and look for an equaliser towards the end was probably as good as it would get for us. So Bows probably played that just right last night. Thought the home fans were good at times as well. They were quiet for long periods but to put in perspective we probably aren't the biggest draw in the world..
Comments
“I’m loving it”
I'm out for a run and get the usual pathetic comments from kids and if I'm flagging all they achieve is motivation to keep pushing
Must be even better when you've got 500 people chanting in support of you
Didnt stop to think about keeping a player longer and so getting even more value or even seeing Charlton benefit with promotion
Imagine had we kept Lookman | Gomez | Konsa for a few seasons longer
Proud of that last night, everyone stepped up.
You can add Grant to the list too of course.
First, I'd say everyone was immense. To a man (and child), a shift was put in after the panic and slightly overwhelming nature of Swansea's start to the game. We kept composed even after they missed a couple of gilt-edged chances, and grew right into the occasion in the second half.
No point in mulling over injuries, true though it is. For me, results are almost immaterial until we can actually rotate our squad and we are no longer reliant on the bare bone marrow. Because, truthfully, it's more scant than the bare bones. Dempsey, Davison, and Vennings - all of whom impressed me considering the circumstances - should be nowhere near the match day squad.
But let's go through the game. Swansea started off well and won a corner within a few minutes. We allowed them to attack and press us very high up the pitch. For me, from here I thought we were in for a long and difficult night - and to quote my delightful Jack hosts and friends, I'll tell you for why:
We were incredibly narrow, even more so than usual in deploying the diamond. I think this is down to Dempsey and to an extent Morgan being less familiar with the system. Pratley, at the base, was pulled out of position in the first couple of minutes, allowing Byers, Grimes and in particular the impressive Dhanda freedom of expression.
A diamond midfield relies on familiarity moreso than a flat four. Morgan and Dempsey didn't seem to know when to put in the defensive effort to cover Pratley, and I won't knock them for that, but it needs to be looked at. Not that they are incompetent defenders, but knowing when to execute is a shortcoming.
Then again, we play a fast counter when we can, so that might be a deliberate ploy to invite pressure. In which case I would question if Bowyer was doing it right in the first half given the resources at his disposal: we didn't have the incision and precision of Williams, Cullen, even Oztumer et al - so I thought we were set up inefficiently.
They score as a result of us inviting pressure, and Dhanda basically being given free rein. Unlucky deflection but there we go. They should have had two more after Albie was dispossessed, and when Byers hit the post.
At this juncture we were resorting to the long ball toward either Davison or Taylor. A word for both, in particular Davison, who I thought was immense. He might not be prolific but my gosh, he puts the question to the centre backs every single time. Great hold up player, which I think was a bit unfortunate as we rarely had support for him (see earlier re wrong shape first half).
Taylor. So. He was obviously not fit, but my Swans mates are envious we have him. They hate him - they think he's a quick, strong, skilful horrible bastard - but freely acknowledge they would love him at the Liberty. And he made life very tough for Cabango (think that's how you spell it - no. 44).
When we had possession in the first half, after they rather eased off, they invited us to attack, but we looked ponderous and devoid of imaginative movement. Possibly as we're built to counter rather than knock it around.
I'm told Purrington - also absolutely immense - should have won us a penalty, as he was fouled. Not sure if that's totally true though and I'd need to see it again.
Pearce would have had no complaints had he seen red. He wins the ball, but he's lucky the Swansea player arrived on the scene a good half second after he commits.
Not sure where I am in terms of chronology, but reckon we're lucky going into half time 1-0 down. Swansea, though, seemed to ease off too much.
When I saw Taylor was brought off at half time, I wasn't surprised but I thought any goalscoring threat we had was gone. Think the second half just about proved me right. I love Doughty and he played so well, stretching their full backs all over, but we lacked incision and a clinical finisher.
A word, again, to Davison. He won pretty much everything. Dempsey grew into it second half, linking well with Matthews overlapping. Morgan started to pass like a deep lying playmaker, while Gallagher - who had been superbly marked out of the first half (credit I believe to Grimes, who I'd sign in a heartbeat) - found more space and enjoyed some freedom.
All that said, I've not seen a team panic quite like Swansea did. It was bizarre. As my mate Ewan said, he doesn't think he's ever enjoyed a win less. They resorted to clearing their lines for Ayew to chase, and he's not worth that £20m outlay based on his showing tbf. Even when they countered properly, players like Celina fluffed their lines, while - credit again - Matthews as well as the rest of the back line nullified them well.
I think our weakest player - if we even really had one - was probably Lockyer, but he can't be a rock every week. Fifteen million quid's worth of Borja Baston moved him all over the shop, and to go back to it again, the diamond put pressure on him. No blame here. Think he might need a rest. Pearce was wilier and used all his experience to just about cope better.
Phillips was practically a passenger!
But... Yeah. Every Swan I encountered after said, if that's our youth, we have a lot to be proud of, and not much to worry about. Bright times are hopefully ahead, especially with new ownership - easily the best result of the day, of course.
COYR!
But we showed little threat in attack despite all the possession and 'pressure'. We are in a slump and need to pull out of it fast and I mean fast.
New owners need to cough up some cash for new players, just a couple and then leave the real team rebuilding for quieter times in the close season
As an aside, there was also a clearly dedicated teenage Charlton fan next to me with the broadest Welsh accent I've ever heard. We're talking proper Valleys accent. Wonder how he started following us, as his dad/elder didn't exactly sound like a Londoner either!
I have seen the old boy now and again at northern games, but not this season, hope he is still alive and addicking
EDIT .. Incidentally Charles Buchan was born in Plumstead and was first on the books of Woolwich Arsenal, he finished his career at norf London Arsenal (thanks wiki)
I imagine there is no reason why we cannot a team with only one sub.
Stop taking his performances at Wing-Back as gospel for his performances overall
Purrington has just proven everyone wrong in that respect