I honestly think Hull, Hudders and the losers of Luton Barnsley (next Tuesday)are gonners! We shouldn’t be looking over our shoulders we should be targeting reading, Birmingham etc who we are still to play and very capable of beating!
Not a classic but a good point. I’m actually a touch disappointed because the way the game planned out there were 3 points for the taking - Cardiff offered nothing to scare us. Still 7 from 9 is an excellent return. 7 from the next 18 available should keep us up with a little bit of room to spare.
We lacked a bit attacking spark but we looked very well organized, more so than we have for a long time - the three clean sheets are no fluke.
Interesting comments from Bowyer there, in such a unique situation, coming back after such a short pre season, I agree with him in picking players based on current sharpness and fitness, rather than how they were playing earlier in the season
Really good point, good battling performance. Cullen excellent again and missed Matthews, but our lack of punch up front really shows. Aneke did pretty well and has been our best attacker since the restart but Bowyer clearly doesn't think he can get 90 minutes out of him and he still needs to work on his decision-making. Possibly most effective as a sub against tiring defences. Green largely anonymous tonight while Macca looks like he's gone backwards during the break - always seems to be on his heels rather than his toes. Could do with Hemed getting a goal or two now. If we stay up I would love for whoever owns us that week to whack millions on the table in front of Darragh and say 'right, we're having Toney and Eisa'.
I honestly think Hull, Hudders and the losers of Luton Barnsley (next Tuesday)are gonners! We shouldn’t be looking over our shoulders we should be targeting reading, Birmingham etc who we are still to play and very capable of beating!
I would throw Stoke in the relegation mix as well, by all accounts they were poor tonight and have some difficult games to finish with.
Interesting comments from Bowyer there, in such a unique situation, coming back after such a short pre season, I agree with him in picking players based on current sharpness and fitness, rather than how they were playing earlier in the season
Completely agree. It’s very interesting and the way he says it makes it sound as if he’s a little disappointed how Jonny's fitness isn’t up there with others. Completely right to pick and play players based on what’s happening now. I just hope Jonny gets to that level soon and gets the chance to impact our season again in a positive way.
Williams did say before the restart that there’s only so much you can do and that they’re not runners. Maybe he struggled with the running and the motivation to hit the targets that were set. He seems the type of person who would’ve done better had he been able to complete the runs with a teammate rather than on his own.
Battling draw was a pleasant surprise, particularly after seeing Bow make 7 changes. Our squad looks strong. Doughty, Cullen (again) and Chuks shone for me and I am relieved that our momentum in terms of clean sheets and point gains continue.
Interesting comments from Bowyer there, in such a unique situation, coming back after such a short pre season, I agree with him in picking players based on current sharpness and fitness, rather than how they were playing earlier in the season
Completely agree. It’s very interesting and the way he says it makes it sound as if he’s a little disappointed how Jonny's fitness isn’t up there with others. Completely right to pick and play players based on what’s happening now. I just hope Jonny gets to that level soon and gets the chance to impact our season again in a positive way.
Williams did say before the restart that there’s only so much you can do and that they’re not runners. Maybe he struggled with the running and the motivation to hit the targets that were set. He seems the type of person who would’ve done better had he been able to complete the runs with a teammate rather than on his own.
If it was a player, like let's say Hemed, or McGeady who came back and Bowyer said the same things about them - they would be getting absolute pelters from many fans. Indeed Hemed was getting called fat when he came back from injury when the bloke is clearly pretty ripped!
I know Johnny is a lovely guy, and has some serious talent, but his body is just not up to it at the best of time and if youre not putting in the fitness work when there's an opportunity like lockdown presented, then maybe it explains why.
Very pleased with the draw. The team spirit is superb. The work that Bowyer & Jackson continue to do is amazing.
It was obvious from the line up we had come with a very defensive game plan, which worked because the team were so organised. Defensively everyone did their jobs individually and as a unit. The best example that emphasized how much this was drilled into them was when Green lost his man at the start of the second half and pushed the guy on the edge of the area. We got away with it, but it highlighted how on point they all were on a general level.
It was a bit bleak going forward, but with a midfield of Cullen, Field (Pratley) and JFC, we were never going to create much. Doughty tried hard to get forward, and Lapslie can’t offer as much as him getting forward on the other wing.
First run out for Aneke and Green as a partnership. Aneke showed some decent touches but faded up top as the game went on. Green was unfortunately anonymous for the most part. We will need more from him if he starts, but it was his first game back as well. Likewise JFC. If I’m honest, I think he’s a limited player, playing in a league above his ability. He’s got this Beckham/Pirloesque demeanor about the way he tries to spread passes, but doesn’t quite have the ability to execute it. Wasted those 2 in-swinging crosses on the right in quick succession in the second half that really highlighted this fact. Again, first game in a long time, but don’t think he’ll add much if he starts regularly
Defence and Philips excellent.
I think we’ll need 7 more points based on how condensed it all is
We protected 2 injured players, gave 5 others a rest and still took a point away to a team that are in the play-offs. That's pretty good going I reckon. Cullen MoM by a long way for me, also impressed with Sarr and his long passes and Aneke and his hold up play. Green was the only worry for me, hopefully he'll pull that round, or better still give way to a rejuvenated Williams. I like the fact that whatever team is picked for Friday, we can be confident that under Bow's leadership they'll be battling hard.
Interesting comments from Bowyer there, in such a unique situation, coming back after such a short pre season, I agree with him in picking players based on current sharpness and fitness, rather than how they were playing earlier in the season
Completely agree. It’s very interesting and the way he says it makes it sound as if he’s a little disappointed how Jonny's fitness isn’t up there with others. Completely right to pick and play players based on what’s happening now. I just hope Jonny gets to that level soon and gets the chance to impact our season again in a positive way.
Williams did say before the restart that there’s only so much you can do and that they’re not runners. Maybe he struggled with the running and the motivation to hit the targets that were set. He seems the type of person who would’ve done better had he been able to complete the runs with a teammate rather than on his own.
If it was a player, like let's say Hemed, or McGeady who came back and Bowyer said the same things about them - they would be getting absolute pelters from many fans. Indeed Hemed was getting called fat when he came back from injury when the bloke is clearly pretty ripped!
I know Johnny is a lovely guy, and has some serious talent, but his body is just not up to it at the best of time and if youre not putting in the fitness work when there's an opportunity like lockdown presented, then maybe it explains why.
I'd much rather play a 3/4 fit Williams than a fully fit JFC, Green or Oztumer.
An excellent result and a third successive clean sheet made it a most satisfactory evening’s work. I thought a draw was a fair reflection overall in a scrappy, disjointed game, which suited us just fine. The mid-half drinks breaks and the sporadic injury stoppages made it practically impossible for either team to gain any momentum.
I thought that we defended well and that George Lapslie did a good job for the team in an unfamiliar role against Mendez-Laing. We never looked in big trouble at any stage and, as in the other post-lockdown games, Cullen and Pratters (when he joined the fray) offered us very good protection.
Doughty was our biggest threat offensively and I thought he was close behind Josh Cullen as our man of the match. Aneke had some very good moments in the first half and his size and unorthodox play worried the Cardiff defenders. He hasn't got 90 minutes in him but hopefully he'll stay fit, continue to improve and stick one or two in the onion bag. Andre Green was ineffective and declining to take on that early chance with his left foot probably reflected his lack of general confidence.
A game of very few opportunities and one in which, bar a couple of half chances aside, we never really looked like scoring. By the same measure, Dillon was only forced into one very good save and we looked comfortable, save for the one chance in the second half which Hoilett miscontrolled and lashed over the bar.
7 points from 9 since the restart is a great return and Lee Bowyer demonstrated his nous and courage as a manager by making 7 changes, even if - and maybe especially if - 3 of them were enforced. The organisation, resilience and spirit of the team is a hell of a tribute to Lee and his coaching team, particularly given all they've had to contend with.
Let’s hope that Mathews (in particular), Hemed and Field are back fit as soon as possible and that Millwall have knackered themselves in striving for the win they desperately needed (and failed to get) against Swansea. At least Albie will be fresh for that one and maybe Jonny Williams will get a chance from the bench against leggy defenders.
It’s incredibly tight down the bottom but I think that, with our very decent goal difference, another 6 points will see us above the water line. Next Tuesday at Brentford will be tough but I certainly fancy to get something on Friday and am feeling uncharacteristically confident about turning them over. If we can manage that, it will be joy unconfined and we'll be within touching distance of safety.
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https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-lee-bowyer-says-he-needs-to-see-an-improvement-from-jonny-williams-on-the-training-ground-before-he-gets-more-minutes/
I didn't think much of Cardiff, I'd say they've gone backwards since the game at The Valley.
Williams did say before the restart that there’s only so much you can do and that they’re not runners. Maybe he struggled with the running and the motivation to hit the targets that were set. He seems the type of person who would’ve done better had he been able to complete the runs with a teammate rather than on his own.
I am looking forward to Friday big time!
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-on-why-lack-of-available-right-back-forced-his-hand-at-cardiff-and-on-knocks-for-tomer-hemed-adam-matthews-and-sam-field/
I know Johnny is a lovely guy, and has some serious talent, but his body is just not up to it at the best of time and if youre not putting in the fitness work when there's an opportunity like lockdown presented, then maybe it explains why.
It was obvious from the line up we had come with a very defensive game plan, which worked because the team were so organised. Defensively everyone did their jobs individually and as a unit. The best example that emphasized how much this was drilled into them was when Green lost his man at the start of the second half and pushed the guy on the edge of the area. We got away with it, but it highlighted how on point they all were on a general level.
It was a bit bleak going forward, but with a midfield of Cullen, Field (Pratley) and JFC, we were never going to create much. Doughty tried hard to get forward, and Lapslie can’t offer as much as him getting forward on the other wing.
First run out for Aneke and Green as a partnership. Aneke showed some decent touches but faded up top as the game went on. Green was unfortunately anonymous for the most part. We will need more from
him if he starts, but it was his first game back as well. Likewise JFC. If I’m honest, I think he’s a limited player, playing in a league above his ability. He’s got this Beckham/Pirloesque demeanor about the way he tries to spread passes, but doesn’t quite have the ability to execute it. Wasted those 2 in-swinging crosses on the right in quick succession in the second half that really highlighted this fact. Again, first game in a long time, but don’t think he’ll add much if he starts regularly
Defence and Philips excellent.
I think we’ll need 7 more points based on how condensed it all is
I thought that we defended well and that George Lapslie did a good job for the team in an unfamiliar role against Mendez-Laing. We never looked in big trouble at any stage and, as in the other post-lockdown games, Cullen and Pratters (when he joined the fray) offered us very good protection.
Doughty was our biggest threat offensively and I thought he was close behind Josh Cullen as our man of the match. Aneke had some very good moments in the first half and his size and unorthodox play worried the Cardiff defenders. He hasn't got 90 minutes in him but hopefully he'll stay fit, continue to improve and stick one or two in the onion bag. Andre Green was ineffective and declining to take on that early chance with his left foot probably reflected his lack of general confidence.
A game of very few opportunities and one in which, bar a couple of half chances aside, we never really looked like scoring. By the same measure, Dillon was only forced into one very good save and we looked comfortable, save for the one chance in the second half which Hoilett miscontrolled and lashed over the bar.
7 points from 9 since the restart is a great return and Lee Bowyer demonstrated his nous and courage as a manager by making 7 changes, even if - and maybe especially if - 3 of them were enforced. The organisation, resilience and spirit of the team is a hell of a tribute to Lee and his coaching team, particularly given all they've had to contend with.
Let’s hope that Mathews (in particular), Hemed and Field are back fit as soon as possible and that Millwall have knackered themselves in striving for the win they desperately needed (and failed to get) against Swansea. At least Albie will be fresh for that one and maybe Jonny Williams will get a chance from the bench against leggy defenders.
It’s incredibly tight down the bottom but I think that, with our very decent goal difference, another 6 points will see us above the water line. Next Tuesday at Brentford will be tough but I certainly fancy to get something on Friday and am feeling uncharacteristically confident about turning them over. If we can manage that, it will be joy unconfined and we'll be within touching distance of safety.