When Lyle Taylor starts for Charlton in the Championship this season, the Addicks have won 54% of their matches (7/13) compared to just 14% when he doesn't (3/21).
I was surprised Luton beat Brentford, but they seem to have really lost their form. It does show that any team can beat any team in this league. We also have to remember that we beat an in form Luton side a few days ago. We now have a team that is competitive in the Championship after many of our injuries have sorted themselves out and Taylor is back to his best.
I have to be honest and say that I didn't like Bowyer setting a target of 47 points. It seems a negative approach and it is now looking likely the teams that will stay up will need more. We shouldn't panic though, we should now be looking to go on a run, which we are more than capable of. Look at the teams we are sucking into it and not at the teams below us that are showing some fight.
What we do have to do though is try to win every game. We are not strong enough defensively to shut teams out. No more Stokes and let's use the fact that no match is a write off and try to win them all.
Wednesday have won 1 in 900 league games so they're pretty much guaranteed to murder us with a sudden display of brilliance. Add to that our current form is one decent performance, one atrocious performance the stars are not aligning for us at present. Really we should be looking to capitalise on their uncertain form and go at them but we haven't strung two wins together since August (once all season) so I'm not hopeful. Probably a comfortable 2-0 loss, this place pops off talking about how uesless we are and how the previous match was a false dawn. We then beat Huddersfield resulting in a reverse meltdown (a meltup?) where Callum calmly tells everyone we're actually not terrible after all and others seethe in the background waiting for the opportunity to remind everyone we're actually terrible, which will present itself after the next game. Continue this way forever.
"No. I'm just never going again whilever Pelupessy and Dawson play"
"Why's that then?"
"W*nk"
"The thing is though, they're both fit, available and.."
"W*nk"
"Well, I was going to say follow instruction"
"W*nk instruction"
"W*nk instruction?"
"W*nk instruction from a w*nk manager"
"If they're as poor as you say they are...would the instruction make a difference?"
"No, coz they're w*nk"
"So you won't be watching at all then?"
"No. Din't watch last week, won't watch this week. I'm not paying to watch that w*nk"
"I thought it was an improved performance last week. Especially second half."
"Should have been 5 nil down by half time"
"I thought you didn't watch it?"
"I din't, not while he's picking that w*nk"
"How do you know it was bad then?"
"Coz a W*nk manager picked a w*nk team, wi w*nk tactics and has done for weeks"
"Not a fan of Monk then?"
"W*nk"
"Who would you rather have of those available"
"Anybody"
"Anybody?"
"Anybody"
"Anybody at all, Is that what you're saying?"
"Anybody."
"Really,Ted. Really? Jeremy Clarkson? Randy Newman? Nigel Havers?"
"Yes."
"Honestly? You must have a name?"
"Anybody who isn't w*nk"
Havers - Probably w*nk
"This 'anybody'. He'd still have the same squad though whoever he is"
"Yeah, but mebbe it'll be somone who isn't w*nk!"
"I see"
"Someone who hasn't got w*nk tactics!"
"What in particular don't you like?"
"F*cking hoofball! It's all we get!"
"So you would prefer a possession based game?"
"No. Carlos did that. Knocking it about the back four. Fannying about in midfield. W*nk. And did yer see us against Barnsley f*cking up 5 yards passes. God no!"
"So what style would you like?"
"Like Liverpool! 100mph, all out attack, players all over the show"
"You like Klopps style then?"
"Oh aye"
"Pacy wide players who will take on a man."
"Yep."
"And a midfield three that.."
"Oooh no. I don't like all that midfield business. I want two up front. I don't like all this central striker stuff. It's w*nk"
"Two up front then"
"Aye."
"So not like Liverpool set up?"
"No. What I want is the Liverpool style, but 4-4-2."
"Who would you play in midfield?"
"Luongo"
"He's injured"
"And Hutchinson"
"Ok. But like I said, Luongo is injured.."
"Ok. I'll put Lee in there."
"Who would you play out wide?"
"Not Harris."
"Why?"
"He's w*nk. One trick pony"
"Reach?"
"No, he can't tackle. He's f*cking nesh. W*nk. Might play him at left back though"
"Left back?! You just said he couldn't tackle!"
"He can't, but he's better than Fox. I know he's done all right of late. But overall he's w*nk"
"So who is playing on the left? Forestieri?"
"No he's got to play striker"
"Ok. Murphy on the left then?"
"No. He's w*nk. I said that first week he was here"
"He's been positive of late"
"Nah. That miss. W*nk. You can't pick him after that"
"What about the right hand side?"
"Well not Odubajo. He's w*nk; and not Palmer. Says it all that we still have him. He can't attack and he can't defend. W*nk"
"At the back?"
"Iorfa. But I think mebbe he should be in midfield. Coz I loved Carlton and this kids big and black'n'all."
"Really,Ted? Really?"
"Yep"
"So Lees and Borner at the back then?"
"Not Lees no. Oh no! He's gone w*nk"
"So Borner and who?"
"Need a new un."
"Well we can't get a new one, and where's Bannan fitting into all this?"
"Not f*ckin deep! That's for sure. In the hole behind Fernando and Fletcher. If he drops deep he wants f*cking off"
"I thought you were playing 4-4-2?"
"Yeah."
"But you've gone for Iorfa and Hutchinson in the middle."
"Right then. I'll put Iorfa at centre half then!"
"Goal?"
"Westwood"
"I think that ship has sailed.But... even if it hadn't we have been told he's 'got an injury anyway"
"Well not Dawson. He's w*nk"
"Wildsmith?"
"No. He's w*nk'n'all"
"Well it's got to be one of them"
"Dawson then! But his bossing folks about and organising is w*nk"
"Right, Ted. You still need a left back. Fox, Palmer or Odubajo?"
"F*cking...they're all w*nk!"
"I need to push you,Ted"
"Fox then! Even though he's w*nk!"
"Right back? Palmer or Odubajo"
"Palmer ...but only coz he's slightly less w*nk"
"And you still need another wide man. Harris or Murphy?"
"Well it'll have to be Murphy. Though for not scoring that last week he should be shot!"
"Right. So we've got your team. It's 4-3-3"
"No! I want 4-4-2, I've teld thi"
"Well who's playing on the left then?"
"Well...erm...f*cking....Fernando will just have to cover across a bit."
"But I thought you wanted 4-4-2?"
"Yeah...but..look, Put Harris in then!"
"Right. Here we go then Ted ,I've got the side here."
Dawson
Palmer Iorfa Borner Fox
Hutchinson
Muprhy Lee Bannan Forestieri
Fletcher
"That line up is a f*cking monstrosity! F*cking Monk!"
"Hang on,Ted..."
"No. This is what I'm on about. Absolute w*nk. One up front at home."
"No, Ted, this isn't Monks team. This is the team you've just picked."
"Eh?"
"That's the team you've just picked"
"Wey....it's...y'know....if we can hit Fletch early'n'that. Get Nando and Murphy round him."
"Sounds a bit direct that, Ted?"
"Well I don't care .Look Snoots, I don't want to be inviting trouble on. Know what I mean? We get rid of the f*cker. If it means it has to go long. It has to go long. We're conceding too many goals. Get it out the f*ckin' road up the other end of the pitch. Get the lads after it. Get Fletch holding it."
"Sounds a bit hoofball to me that Ted, and all this one up top stuff....at home..."
"Tha knows nowt pal. We need to fight for everything."
"So you want to make it a scrap,Ted? You think you're players can't play?"
"Look, they're going to go out there and work their socks off. Yer can't ask anymore than that"
"Well what about points,Ted? People want to see points!"
"It's individual mistakes Snoots. I'm not gonna hang the lads out to dry"
"I thought you said they were all w*nk,Ted?"
"Well I can't defend what we've seen recently"
"One up front though,Ted. At home"
"Look I just want to get a foothold in the game Snoots. Make sure we don't lose midfield. Then if I see the opportunity I might chuck another forrad on. Or another winger and try and get sumat. Know what I mean? We wanna win the game, but the main thing is- We have to make sure we don't lose the game. Know what I mean? Mentally, that could kill the group. You don't know the f*cking pressure,man! You don't know the pressure. We go all out gung-ho and get suckered there's no way back."
"Another pint,Ted?"
"Eh? What? Aye go on then"
---------------------------------
WEDNESDAY
-V-
CHARLTON
-----------------------------------------
Wednesday 25th February
Kick off : 19:45pm Owlerton
---------------------------------
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Wednesday's Steven Fletcher could start for Sheffield Wednesday after returning from a knee injury as a substitute in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Birmingham. Midfielder Massimo Luongo is a doubt. Defender Morgan Fox is likely to start after appearing from the bench last week.
Sheffield Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Birmingham at the weekend now means Garry Monk's men are without a win since beating Leeds on January 11. That win at Elland Road is now their sole victory in 11 outings.
Just as Charlton seem to be keeping themselves afloat in the division, they struggle to win more than one game in succession. They have, however, won three of their last five league games, with the last a 3-1 win at home to Luton.
On the 10:02 train to Sheffield with a few familiar faces, although I expect they’re in the posh seats (as you can see, posting and aligning photos is not my strongest suit).
On the 10:02 train to Sheffield with a few familiar faces, although I expect they’re in the posh seats (as you can see, posting and aligning photos is not my strongest suit).
Garrymanilow said: Probably a comfortable 2-0 loss, this place pops off talking about how uesless we are and how the previous match was a false dawn.
We then beat Huddersfield resulting in a reverse meltdown (a meltup?) where Callum calmly tells everyone we're actually not terrible after all and others seethe in the background waiting for the opportunity to remind everyone we're actually terrible, which will present itself after the next game. Continue this way forever.
And if we only do that ...... lose one, win one for the rest of our games this season, we comfortably stay up.
On the 10:02 train to Sheffield with a few familiar faces, although I expect they’re in the posh seats (as you can see, posting and aligning photos is not my strongest suit).
On the 10:02 train to Sheffield with a few familiar faces, although I expect they’re in the posh seats (as you can see, posting and aligning photos is not my strongest suit).
First stop, ‘The Sheffield Tap’ on Platform 1B
I assume you don't mean the players' first stop will be The Sheffield Tap!
Comments
We have won 3 from 5.
We play tomorrow and can bring it back to 10 points.
I bet you a big wedge we finish above Luton.
But Luton and most of the bottom half of the table are now a concern to me.
Long way to go yet. Plenty of twists and turns.
Have a little faith. We showed last Saturday that we're a better team than Luton.
I have to be honest and say that I didn't like Bowyer setting a target of 47 points. It seems a negative approach and it is now looking likely the teams that will stay up will need more. We shouldn't panic though, we should now be looking to go on a run, which we are more than capable of. Look at the teams we are sucking into it and not at the teams below us that are showing some fight.
What we do have to do though is try to win every game. We are not strong enough defensively to shut teams out. No more Stokes and let's use the fact that no match is a write off and try to win them all.
Or a 3-2 win, Hemed hattrick. Either really.
2-1 to the Owls
"Are you going to the game tomorrow,Ted?"
"No"
"How come? Got something else on?"
"No. I'm just never going again whilever Pelupessy and Dawson play"
"Why's that then?"
"W*nk"
"The thing is though, they're both fit, available and.."
"W*nk"
"Well, I was going to say follow instruction"
"W*nk instruction"
"W*nk instruction?"
"W*nk instruction from a w*nk manager"
"If they're as poor as you say they are...would the instruction make a difference?"
"No, coz they're w*nk"
"So you won't be watching at all then?"
"No. Din't watch last week, won't watch this week. I'm not paying to watch that w*nk"
"I thought it was an improved performance last week. Especially second half."
"Should have been 5 nil down by half time"
"I thought you didn't watch it?"
"I din't, not while he's picking that w*nk"
"How do you know it was bad then?"
"Coz a W*nk manager picked a w*nk team, wi w*nk tactics and has done for weeks"
"Not a fan of Monk then?"
"W*nk"
"Who would you rather have of those available"
"Anybody"
"Anybody?"
"Anybody"
"Anybody at all, Is that what you're saying?"
"Anybody."
"Really,Ted. Really? Jeremy Clarkson? Randy Newman? Nigel Havers?"
"Yes."
"Honestly? You must have a name?"
"Anybody who isn't w*nk"
Havers - Probably w*nk
"This 'anybody'. He'd still have the same squad though whoever he is"
"Yeah, but mebbe it'll be somone who isn't w*nk!"
"I see"
"Someone who hasn't got w*nk tactics!"
"What in particular don't you like?"
"F*cking hoofball! It's all we get!"
"So you would prefer a possession based game?"
"No. Carlos did that. Knocking it about the back four. Fannying about in midfield. W*nk. And did yer see us against Barnsley f*cking up 5 yards passes. God no!"
"So what style would you like?"
"Like Liverpool! 100mph, all out attack, players all over the show"
"You like Klopps style then?"
"Oh aye"
"Pacy wide players who will take on a man."
"Yep."
"And a midfield three that.."
"Oooh no. I don't like all that midfield business. I want two up front. I don't like all this central striker stuff. It's w*nk"
"Two up front then"
"Aye."
"So not like Liverpool set up?"
"No. What I want is the Liverpool style, but 4-4-2."
"Who would you play in midfield?"
"Luongo"
"He's injured"
"And Hutchinson"
"Ok. But like I said, Luongo is injured.."
"Ok. I'll put Lee in there."
"Who would you play out wide?"
"Not Harris."
"Why?"
"He's w*nk. One trick pony"
"Reach?"
"No, he can't tackle. He's f*cking nesh. W*nk. Might play him at left back though"
"Left back?! You just said he couldn't tackle!"
"He can't, but he's better than Fox. I know he's done all right of late. But overall he's w*nk"
"So who is playing on the left? Forestieri?"
"No he's got to play striker"
"Ok. Murphy on the left then?"
"No. He's w*nk. I said that first week he was here"
"He's been positive of late"
"Nah. That miss. W*nk. You can't pick him after that"
"What about the right hand side?"
"Well not Odubajo. He's w*nk; and not Palmer. Says it all that we still have him. He can't attack and he can't defend. W*nk"
"At the back?"
"Iorfa. But I think mebbe he should be in midfield. Coz I loved Carlton and this kids big and black'n'all."
"Really,Ted? Really?"
"Yep"
"So Lees and Borner at the back then?"
"Not Lees no. Oh no! He's gone w*nk"
"So Borner and who?"
"Need a new un."
"Well we can't get a new one, and where's Bannan fitting into all this?"
"Not f*ckin deep! That's for sure. In the hole behind Fernando and Fletcher. If he drops deep he wants f*cking off"
"I thought you were playing 4-4-2?"
"Yeah."
"But you've gone for Iorfa and Hutchinson in the middle."
"Right then. I'll put Iorfa at centre half then!"
"Goal?"
"Westwood"
"I think that ship has sailed.But... even if it hadn't we have been told he's 'got an injury anyway"
"Well not Dawson. He's w*nk"
"Wildsmith?"
"No. He's w*nk'n'all"
"Well it's got to be one of them"
"Dawson then! But his bossing folks about and organising is w*nk"
"Right, Ted. You still need a left back. Fox, Palmer or Odubajo?"
"F*cking...they're all w*nk!"
"I need to push you,Ted"
"Fox then! Even though he's w*nk!"
"Right back? Palmer or Odubajo"
"Palmer ...but only coz he's slightly less w*nk"
"And you still need another wide man. Harris or Murphy?"
"Well it'll have to be Murphy. Though for not scoring that last week he should be shot!"
"Right. So we've got your team. It's 4-3-3"
"No! I want 4-4-2, I've teld thi"
"Well who's playing on the left then?"
"Well...erm...f*cking....Fernando will just have to cover across a bit."
"But I thought you wanted 4-4-2?"
"Yeah...but..look, Put Harris in then!"
"Right. Here we go then Ted ,I've got the side here."
Dawson
Palmer Iorfa Borner Fox
Hutchinson
Muprhy Lee Bannan Forestieri
Fletcher
"That line up is a f*cking monstrosity! F*cking Monk!"
"Hang on,Ted..."
"No. This is what I'm on about. Absolute w*nk. One up front at home."
"No, Ted, this isn't Monks team. This is the team you've just picked."
"Eh?"
"That's the team you've just picked"
"Wey....it's...y'know....if we can hit Fletch early'n'that. Get Nando and Murphy round him."
"Sounds a bit direct that, Ted?"
"Well I don't care .Look Snoots, I don't want to be inviting trouble on. Know what I mean? We get rid of the f*cker. If it means it has to go long. It has to go long. We're conceding too many goals. Get it out the f*ckin' road up the other end of the pitch. Get the lads after it. Get Fletch holding it."
"Sounds a bit hoofball to me that Ted, and all this one up top stuff....at home..."
"Tha knows nowt pal. We need to fight for everything."
"So you want to make it a scrap,Ted? You think you're players can't play?"
"Look, they're going to go out there and work their socks off. Yer can't ask anymore than that"
"Well what about points,Ted? People want to see points!"
"It's individual mistakes Snoots. I'm not gonna hang the lads out to dry"
"I thought you said they were all w*nk,Ted?"
"Well I can't defend what we've seen recently"
"One up front though,Ted. At home"
"Look I just want to get a foothold in the game Snoots. Make sure we don't lose midfield. Then if I see the opportunity I might chuck another forrad on. Or another winger and try and get sumat. Know what I mean? We wanna win the game, but the main thing is- We have to make sure we don't lose the game. Know what I mean? Mentally, that could kill the group. You don't know the f*cking pressure,man! You don't know the pressure. We go all out gung-ho and get suckered there's no way back."
"Another pint,Ted?"
"Eh? What? Aye go on then"
---------------------------------
WEDNESDAY
-V-
CHARLTON
-----------------------------------------
Wednesday 25th February
Kick off : 19:45pm
Owlerton
---------------------------------
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Wednesday's Steven Fletcher could start for Sheffield Wednesday after returning from a knee injury as a substitute in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Birmingham. Midfielder Massimo Luongo is a doubt. Defender Morgan Fox is likely to start after appearing from the bench last week.
---------------------------------------------------
CHARLTON
Charlton will assess midfielder Darren Pratley, who had an injection in a back injury and missed Saturday's win against struggling Luton.
Wales international Jonny Williams (ankle) is out, while forward Chuks Aneke is building up his fitness.
The Addicks are five points above the relegation zone, having won three of their past five games.
..
---------------------------------------------------
Fletcher and Phillips- Needle in the firs game
---------------------------------------------------
Recent form
First stop, ‘The Sheffield Tap’ on Platform 1B