Where our set pieces/ corners, not up to the desired standard, or did we just not get any?
Not up to the usual standard apart from one where Pearce had a free header yet put it back across goal (for Taylor to try and stab home) rather than having an attempt on effort himself
I watched the Sheff Weds game on a stream, and our corners didn’t clear the first man, or they went straight into into the keepers hands, I mean I know corners are difficult, but these guys are professionals!
Bowyer is caught between two stools, he's not sure whether to try and set up and try and not get beaten or whether to try and win. I don't envy his position either. This is very different to last season.
The teams below us are in in the brown stuff so have little choice but to roll the dice we're clinging keep the points lead we've got by trying to squeeze points out of teams and risk losing and we really don't have the players to be able to do that.
When is Pratley back?
At the moment we are doing neither being hard to beat nor attacking. As I said previously I don't really care which way they go but what ever they do they need more intent and aggression in doing it.
I watched the Sheff Weds game on a stream, and our corners with didn’t clear the first man, or go straight into into the keepers hands, I mean I know corners are difficult, but these guys are professionals!
They've been pretty bad all season, apart from Gallagher's goal against Stoke back in August
Our throw ins are also very poor. They are usually taken very slowly, giving the opposition time to mark up, and more often than not ending up giving the ball back to them.
Our throw ins are also very poor. They are usually taken very slowly, giving the opposition time to mark up, and more often than not ending up giving the ball back to them.
Our players do seem to be reluctant to move for each other at throw ins.
Perhaps they are knackered and grateful for a rest.
EDIT: I've noticed this for a long time now. Not just this season.
Assuming Sarr and Pratley are fit, this is the team we need for Middlesbro. Phillips Pearce, Pratley, Sarr Matthews, Cullen, Purrington Williams Green Bonne Taylor
Pratley to bolster central defence, 2 proper full backs, and 2 midfielders/wingers available for the out ball.
Bowyer is caught between two stools, he's not sure whether to try and set up and try and not get beaten or whether to try and win. I don't envy his position either. This is very different to last season.
The teams below us are in in the brown stuff so have little choice but to roll the dice we're clinging keep the points lead we've got by trying to squeeze points out of teams and risk losing and we really don't have the players to be able to do that.
When is Pratley back?
Bowyer has struggled since September with his away tactics, especially against the lower teams. We're not good enough to dominate possession and play, we're not an aggressive "in your face" side, but we're also not good enough defensively to park the bus and nick a goal. Instead we try to do a bit of everything, and generally fail, away from home we seem to lack an identity.
Yes, some of that is down to the personnel we have available, but coaching and tactics do come into it too.
Assuming Sarr and Pratley are fit, this is the team we need for Middlesbro. Phillips Pearce, Pratley, Sarr Matthews, Cullen, Purrington Williams Green Bonne Taylor
Pratley to bolster central defence, 2 proper full backs, and 2 midfielders/wingers available for the out ball.
Yeah I think that’s close to what I would go for, which is probably
Phillips Pearce Pratley Sarr Mathews Purrington Cullen Davis Williams Taylor Bonne
I sadly noticed this morning that more “ Knob Ends” want Lee Bowyer Sacked. yet before we had our unfortunate injuries and finally Got rid of Roland Rat, most people thought Bowyer was God. having said all that many clubs in a relegation battle have White Flag muppets in their fan base, that cannot see the potential big picture.
we still still could swap places with Huddersfield If you look at both teams next three Fixtures. i remain positive and confident we can get out of this with Bowyer and JJ. 👍👍
Time to go back to basics. Too many players look confused as to what is expected of them in a diamond formation. I would go 442. The four in midfield should be Pratley and Cullen in the centre with Green wind right and Williams on the left. Taylor and Bonne up front. I think the players would be much more comfortable with that set up.
At the end of the day we expect too much from this team. Bowyer in his 2nd full season plying his trade having f@ck alll money to spend . Weve got players giving there all but some are just not good enough for this division. Williams one of our best players only being able to play half the game for half the season. 9 points not a bad result for us in February its just unfortunate 2-3 teams matched 9 or better in feb. This season was always going to be a long season, staying up will be a massive achievement and i need to remember that.
Agree mate. As the season has gone on, for me, we’ve probably only got 4 players capable of performing well enough at this level. Philips, Cullen, Williams and Taylor. One of them has an horrendous injury record so we knew what we were getting. Taylor was out for a period and it was clear after the Luton game he is our talisman. I like to think we may have had a few more points on the board had he stayed fit, but it’s all hypotheticals. Cullen got injured at the worst time and left Pratley in charge of a midfield that was made up of Morgan, Vennings and Dempsey in certain games.
The rest give it their all, but are either not up to the standard, or can’t consistently perform to the level needed
We’re all down. It was a horrible couple of results and I am sure Bowyer will take a look at what he needs to put right this week.
The loan players we’ve brought in, aren’t as strong as the ones we’ve lost imo, so I would also say we’re slightly hamstrung there. For me, Leko is better than Green, and it seems Gallagher had much more for us than McGeady.
All we can do now is what we always do best and give the team all the support they need at home and believe in Bowyer for the run in. Typical Charlton don’t do things easy. I’m looking forward to getting back down there on Saturday
At the end of the day we expect too much from this team. Bowyer in his 2nd full season plying his trade having f@ck alll money to spend . Weve got players giving there all but some are just not good enough for this division. Williams one of our best players only being able to play half the game for half the season. 9 points not a bad result for us in February its just unfortunate 2-3 teams matched 9 or better in feb. This season was always going to be a long season, staying up will be a massive achievement and i need to remember that.
Agree mate. As the season has gone on, for me, we’ve probably only got 4 players capable of performing well enough at this level. Philips, Cullen, Williams and Taylor. One of them has an horrendous injury record so we knew what we were getting. Taylor was out for a period and it was clear after the Luton game he is our talisman. I like to think we may have had a few more points on the board had he stayed fit, but it’s all hypotheticals. Cullen got injured at the worst time and left Pratley in charge of a midfield that was made up of Morgan, Vennings and Dempsey in certain games.
The rest give it their all, but are either not up to the standard, or can’t consistently perform to the level needed
We’re all down. It was a horrible couple of results and I am sure Bowyer will take a look at what he needs to put right this week.
The loan players we’ve brought in, aren’t as strong as the ones we’ve lost imo, so I would also say we’re slightly hamstrung there. For me, Leko is better than Green, and it seems Gallagher had much more for us than McGeady.
All we can do now is what we always do best and give the team all the support they need at home and believe in Bowyer for the run in. Typical Charlton don’t do things easy. I’m looking forward to getting back down there on Saturday
This week has been such a kick in the teeth. Proof if we needed it that we pretty much have a mid table league 1 squad (cheers Roland) and a rookie manager who is finding out the hard way that you need more than bollocks and bravado at this level. January has given us a bunch of duds, and for the first time there is talk on the forums of heads going down after the second goal went in yesterday. It’s way too early to castigate our new owners but let’s just say they have a lot to prove in coming months. For the first time despite all our problems this season I feel like we are going down. But 30 points to play for. 10 cup finals and a few more twists and turns to come. Next two games are season defining. We need to dust ourselves down and get behind the boys with a passion on Saturday. COYR!
We don't have a mid table league 1 squad by any stretch of the imagination.
Phillips Solly Matthews Sarr Pearce Purrington Cullen Pratley McGeady Taylor And Williams
Where all heavily involved in the 2 play off final teams last season. Haamed, Oztumer, Amos, Davies and Green all played in the championship last season. Lockyer was one of the better center backs from "the best of the rest". Lapslie and Morgan where in our squad last season. If all our problems are because of the rest, or someone I missed, I think your wrong.
Any club in league 1 would bite our hands for our squad.
Need to agree to disagree I guess. For my money, if ESI decide in the summer to finance a squad that is capable of a mid to top Championship level finish next season, the only players from our current squad that I’d definitely want to keep are Phillips, Cullen and Taylor. At a push, I’d take a chance on Matthews, Sarr and Lockyer but they’d be squad players if we were serious about having promotion credentials. Jonny of course has the ability to operate at that level but he is made of glass and the stats suggest that when he has actually played he has contributed nada in terms of goals or assists. Young Alfie needs a season out of here to learn his trade on loan. The rest will either be past it by next season or will not be up to top half championship standard if we are being harsh but fair. Just my opinion for what it’s worth.
Our throw ins are also very poor. They are usually taken very slowly, giving the opposition time to mark up, and more often than not ending up giving the ball back to them.
Our players do seem to be reluctant to move for each other at throw ins.
Perhaps they are knackered and grateful for a rest.
EDIT: I've noticed this for a long time now. Not just this season.
With the odd exception it's been the case for about 30 years!
We get a throw in and our players decide to play musical statues - they're waiting for the music to start again so that they can move around.
Our throw ins are also very poor. They are usually taken very slowly, giving the opposition time to mark up, and more often than not ending up giving the ball back to them.
Our players do seem to be reluctant to move for each other at throw ins.
Perhaps they are knackered and grateful for a rest.
EDIT: I've noticed this for a long time now. Not just this season.
With the odd exception it's been the case for about 30 years!
We get a throw in and our players decide to play musical statues - they're waiting for the music to start again so that they can move around.
A quick blast of Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf wouldn't go amiss 😉
Our throw ins are also very poor. They are usually taken very slowly, giving the opposition time to mark up, and more often than not ending up giving the ball back to them.
Our players do seem to be reluctant to move for each other at throw ins.
Perhaps they are knackered and grateful for a rest.
EDIT: I've noticed this for a long time now. Not just this season.
With the odd exception it's been the case for about 30 years!
We get a throw in and our players decide to play musical statues - they're waiting for the music to start again so that they can move around.
A quick blast of Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf wouldn't go amiss 😉
A quick blast of "Show No Mercy" by Slayer would give them a kick up the arse and also tell them what they need to do!
Can't comment on Sheff Weds or Huddersfield games, but the throw-ins got a lot better recently after the last time it was observed how poor they were. In the Barnlsey and Luton games they were taken quicker and more effectively with players moving. I don't think that's an area of concern among other things.
Could only bring myself to watch the highlights today. What was Oshilaja thinking about for the first goal. ‘Kin schoolboy defending. As @Elthamaddick said, it’s been a shit week all round. We’ve just got to win these games against teams around us. Saturday is massive
Could only bring myself to watch the highlights today. What was Oshilaja thinking about for the first goal. ‘Kin schoolboy defending. As @Elthamaddick said, it’s been a shit week all round. We’ve just got to win these games against teams around us. Saturday is massive
Phillips: decent Matthews: decent Oshilaja: hopeless, at fault wholly or in part for 3 out of 4 Pearce: kind of alright for an hour then patently shagged out Doughty: let down by Bowyer, AD's not really a full back, yet. In a back 4 Purrington has more of the tools. Better in this formation in his more familiar role as winger. Cullen: poor sod, overrun by the dross all around Lapslie: rustiness and inexperience cruelly exposed, hope it doesn't knock him back, we need his energy and endeavour - another not suited to Bowyer's plan - if plan it was? Oztumer: a hint of spark on a bad day but sadly he is physically overwhelmed at this level, should have received better protection from terriers' simplistic thuggery McGeady: shameless loan sponger, Parky clearly not wrong about this fraud, not fit to wear the shirt, if he never plays for us again it will be too soon Green: see McGeady. Stuck it to Preston for 5 minutes or so and has been ripping the piss out of us all ever since, never raised a sweat. Taylor: can't do much with zero service, left it all on the pitch as always Williams: not so severely overwhelmed as Ozzy but similarly targeted by thuggery,with no protection from officials Bonne: he has to start in place of the pisstaking Green Referee: not much to criticise other than his tolerance of cynical thuggery
Hemed: a fat lazy fraud
Bowyer: another in a growing litany of selection and tactical missteps. Square pegs in round holes - Doughty. Tolerance of shameless pisstaking (Green, McGeady) for far too long.
We took quick, short free-kicks several times on Saturday, and I have no idea why. Nobody was ready and just about all of them resulted in us losing possession within two passes. At least if you're knackered, give yourself 15 seconds to breathe and let other players find a better position. Totally wasteful.
Where our set pieces/ corners, not up to the desired standard, or did we just not get any?
Not up to the usual standard apart from one where Pearce had a free header yet put it back across goal (for Taylor to try and stab home) rather than having an attempt on effort himself
What usual standard is this? Our set pieces have been woeful for months.
Were our set pieces/ corners, not up to the desired standard, or did we just not get any?
In anticipation of a whoosh.......
Are they ever ? I didnt believe the early season stats saying we were one of the best "set piece" teams. Total bunkem. Our corners are woeful. Usually dont beat the first defender, and when they do its only because there are so high that they beat everyone & go out for a goal kick. When not at a game & following it on twitter or on here me & Golfie jnr just despair at the amount of times we read......."Charlton have a corner. Cullen takes. It is cleared"
One player doesn't make a team, but in our current plight, Pratley could be the man with the experience and endeavour to inspire those around him and turn the ship around. It will be a shame if he has to play centre half, because we need him more in midfield. I don't understand how Boywer can say that he doesn't know how Pratley is progressing because he hasn't been at the training ground since last Tuesday. Surely someone could send him a telegram or morse code or something!
One player doesn't make a team, but in our current plight, Pratley could be the man with the experience and endeavour to inspire those around him and turn the ship around. It will be a shame if he has to play centre half, because we need him more in midfield. I don't understand how Boywer can say that he doesn't know how Pratley is progressing because he hasn't been at the training ground since last Tuesday. Surely someone could send him a telegram or morse code or something!
Page was sent to tell Bowyer of pratleys progress. Unfortunately he broke his leg on the way
This week has been such a kick in the teeth. Proof if we needed it that we pretty much have a mid table league 1 squad (cheers Roland) and a rookie manager who is finding out the hard way that you need more than bollocks and bravado at this level. January has given us a bunch of duds, and for the first time there is talk on the forums of heads going down after the second goal went in yesterday. It’s way too early to castigate our new owners but let’s just say they have a lot to prove in coming months. For the first time despite all our problems this season I feel like we are going down. But 30 points to play for. 10 cup finals and a few more twists and turns to come. Next two games are season defining. We need to dust ourselves down and get behind the boys with a passion on Saturday. COYR!
We don't have a mid table league 1 squad by any stretch of the imagination.
Phillips Solly Matthews Sarr Pearce Purrington Cullen Pratley McGeady Taylor And Williams
Where all heavily involved in the 2 play off final teams last season. Haamed, Oztumer, Amos, Davies and Green all played in the championship last season. Lockyer was one of the better center backs from "the best of the rest". Lapslie and Morgan where in our squad last season. If all our problems are because of the rest, or someone I missed, I think your wrong.
Any club in league 1 would bite our hands for our squad.
Need to agree to disagree I guess. For my money, if ESI decide in the summer to finance a squad that is capable of a mid to top Championship level finish next season, the only players from our current squad that I’d definitely want to keep are Phillips, Cullen and Taylor. At a push, I’d take a chance on Matthews, Sarr and Lockyer but they’d be squad players if we were serious about having promotion credentials. Jonny of course has the ability to operate at that level but he is made of glass and the stats suggest that when he has actually played he has contributed nada in terms of goals or assists. Young Alfie needs a season out of here to learn his trade on loan. The rest will either be past it by next season or will not be up to top half championship standard if we are being harsh but fair. Just my opinion for what it’s worth.
Your not wrong, but my point was they aren't midtable league 1. They aren't midtable championship either, they are what they are. Top six league 1, bottom 6 championship.
This week has been such a kick in the teeth. Proof if we needed it that we pretty much have a mid table league 1 squad (cheers Roland) and a rookie manager who is finding out the hard way that you need more than bollocks and bravado at this level. January has given us a bunch of duds, and for the first time there is talk on the forums of heads going down after the second goal went in yesterday. It’s way too early to castigate our new owners but let’s just say they have a lot to prove in coming months. For the first time despite all our problems this season I feel like we are going down. But 30 points to play for. 10 cup finals and a few more twists and turns to come. Next two games are season defining. We need to dust ourselves down and get behind the boys with a passion on Saturday. COYR!
We don't have a mid table league 1 squad by any stretch of the imagination.
Phillips Solly Matthews Sarr Pearce Purrington Cullen Pratley McGeady Taylor And Williams
Where all heavily involved in the 2 play off final teams last season. Haamed, Oztumer, Amos, Davies and Green all played in the championship last season. Lockyer was one of the better center backs from "the best of the rest". Lapslie and Morgan where in our squad last season. If all our problems are because of the rest, or someone I missed, I think your wrong.
Any club in league 1 would bite our hands for our squad.
Need to agree to disagree I guess. For my money, if ESI decide in the summer to finance a squad that is capable of a mid to top Championship level finish next season, the only players from our current squad that I’d definitely want to keep are Phillips, Cullen and Taylor. At a push, I’d take a chance on Matthews, Sarr and Lockyer but they’d be squad players if we were serious about having promotion credentials. Jonny of course has the ability to operate at that level but he is made of glass and the stats suggest that when he has actually played he has contributed nada in terms of goals or assists. Young Alfie needs a season out of here to learn his trade on loan. The rest will either be past it by next season or will not be up to top half championship standard if we are being harsh but fair. Just my opinion for what it’s worth.
Your not wrong, but my point was they aren't midtable league 1. They aren't midtable championship either, they are what they are. Top six league 1, bottom 6 championship.
Think we’re agreeing furiously. I would say though that apart from the names I’ve mentioned, the balance of the squad are not top league 1 standard. Lapslie, Morgan, Aneke, Purrington etc are mid to lower league 1 in my humble opinion although I dare say some would beg to differ.
Time to go back to basics. Too many players look confused as to what is expected of them in a diamond formation. I would go 442. The four in midfield should be Pratley and Cullen in the centre with Green wind right and Williams on the left. Taylor and Bonne up front. I think the players would be much more comfortable with that set up.
100%, and if Sarr and Pratley are back my optimism will return somewhat. Already nervous for Saturday. Thank god for Forest’s equaliser tonight.
Comments
They've been pretty bad all season, apart from Gallagher's goal against Stoke back in August
Perhaps they are knackered and grateful for a rest.
EDIT: I've noticed this for a long time now. Not just this season.
Phillips
Pearce, Pratley, Sarr
Matthews, Cullen, Purrington
Williams Green
Bonne Taylor
Pratley to bolster central defence, 2 proper full backs, and 2 midfielders/wingers available for the out ball.
Yes, some of that is down to the personnel we have available, but coaching and tactics do come into it too.
Phillips
Pearce Pratley Sarr
Mathews Purrington
Cullen Davis
Williams
Taylor Bonne
“ Knob Ends” want Lee Bowyer Sacked.
yet before we had our unfortunate injuries and
finally Got rid of Roland Rat, most people thought
Bowyer was God.
having said all that many clubs in a relegation battle
have White Flag muppets in their fan base,
that cannot see the potential big picture.
we still still could swap places with Huddersfield
If you look at both teams next three Fixtures.
i remain positive and confident we can get out of this with Bowyer and JJ. 👍👍
Too many players look confused as to what is expected of them in a diamond formation.
I would go 442.
The four in midfield should be Pratley and Cullen in the centre with Green wind right and Williams on the left.
Taylor and Bonne up front.
I think the players would be much more comfortable with that set up.
The rest give it their all, but are either not up to the standard, or can’t consistently perform to the level needed
We’re all down. It was a horrible couple of results and I am sure Bowyer will take a look at what he needs to put right this week.
The loan players we’ve brought in, aren’t as strong as the ones we’ve lost imo, so I would also say we’re slightly hamstrung there. For me, Leko is better than Green, and it seems Gallagher had much more for us than McGeady.
We get a throw in and our players decide to play musical statues - they're waiting for the music to start again so that they can move around.
Matthews: decent
Oshilaja: hopeless, at fault wholly or in part for 3 out of 4
Pearce: kind of alright for an hour then patently shagged out
Doughty: let down by Bowyer, AD's not really a full back, yet. In a back 4 Purrington has more of the tools. Better in this formation in his more familiar role as winger.
Cullen: poor sod, overrun by the dross all around
Lapslie: rustiness and inexperience cruelly exposed, hope it doesn't knock him back, we need his energy and endeavour - another not suited to Bowyer's plan - if plan it was?
Oztumer: a hint of spark on a bad day but sadly he is physically overwhelmed at this level, should have received better protection from terriers' simplistic thuggery
McGeady: shameless loan sponger, Parky clearly not wrong about this fraud, not fit to wear the shirt, if he never plays for us again it will be too soon
Green: see McGeady. Stuck it to Preston for 5 minutes or so and has been ripping the piss out of us all ever since, never raised a sweat.
Taylor: can't do much with zero service, left it all on the pitch as always
Williams: not so severely overwhelmed as Ozzy but similarly targeted by thuggery,with no protection from officials
Bonne: he has to start in place of the pisstaking Green
Referee: not much to criticise other than his tolerance of cynical thuggery
Hemed: a fat lazy fraud
Bowyer: another in a growing litany of selection and tactical missteps. Square pegs in round holes - Doughty. Tolerance of shameless pisstaking (Green, McGeady) for far too long.
At least if you're knackered, give yourself 15 seconds to breathe and let other players find a better position. Totally wasteful.
Are they ever ? I didnt believe the early season stats saying we were one of the best "set piece" teams. Total bunkem. Our corners are woeful. Usually dont beat the first defender, and when they do its only because there are so high that they beat everyone & go out for a goal kick. When not at a game & following it on twitter or on here me & Golfie jnr just despair at the amount of times we read......."Charlton have a corner. Cullen takes. It is cleared"
I don't understand how Boywer can say that he doesn't know how Pratley is progressing because he hasn't been at the training ground since last Tuesday. Surely someone could send him a telegram or morse code or something!
Unfortunately he broke his leg on the way