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.
But a 3/4 fit Williams often seems to get injured. Bowyer knows this.
I've always been impressed with his enthusiasm ........ it's a bit disappointing to learn that Williams came back from Lockdown not as fit as most of his team mates. And subsequently not showing so well in training.
As a professional, need to have a quiet word with yourself Jonny.
Well, it wasn't one for the neutrals but it had me punching the air at the final whistle. Great point and one that will probably be much needed as other teams around the bottom are putting up a fight too.
Green looked rusty and low on confidence. Bonne, just as in the last two games before this, looked like his mum and dad had just woken him up - dozy as f**k. On the other hand, kudos to big Chuks, even bigger Naby and skinny Alf, ably supported by our perennial reliable warriors Lockyer, Pearce, Pratley and Cullen.
One "issue" for me - why isn't Jonny getting a look in? That game was crying out for him to come on for the last 15 minutes or so. With his pace and direct running he could have made a positive difference.
Maybe LB wanted to keep things reasonably tight, not upset the balance of the team too much having already made 7 changes & felt that a positive attacking sub while could have grabbed us the three points could equally have cost us the game. Sometimes it's best to stick with what we have, stay tight & see out the game. 9 points would have been fantastic but i'm happy with 7 from 3.
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.
But a 3/4 fit Williams often seems to get injured. Bowyer knows this.
I've always been impressed with his enthusiasm ........ it's a bit disappointing to learn that Williams came back from Lockdown not as fit as most of his team mates. And subsequently not showing so well in training.
As a professional, need to have a quiet word with yourself Jonny.
Yeah......perhaps he should have just not bothered like a certain Mr Taylor.
Reading, Birmingham and QPR are right in it now when they would have been confident they already had enough points before the resumption. That is if they don't get a win that is, which is possible.
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.
Wierd that, because you're normally the first person to call out a player who is not showing enough effort.
And this is not about Williams being 3/4 fit. This is about him not putting the effort in during lockdown to get into a position where he should be starting (which he clearly has the talent for), where as someone like Albie Morgan clearly worked their socks off.
Definite bonus point - did not expect that. Impressed with Pearce, Lockyer and Starr. They put up a formidable defensive barrier. But MoM has to be Cullen again.
Quick and sharp –
each man passing and darting, aware of the other’s next move.
Positive, looking to attack. Get up front – and fast.
Pearce and Lockyer
were magnificent in defence – each blocking and heading precisely
to our midfield. Who collected, swivelled and sent a runner free.
Accurately.
There was not a
single misplaced pass. No dreary navel-gazing: none of the sideways
shuffle we in the Covered End have endured for years under terrified
managers. Crouching on the touchline, straining at stool.
Every single touch
last night was forward. Everything. Pushing and pressing. Urgent.
Insistent. Clever and intelligent.
We all know the
difference between Accrington – perilously close - and Man City. We
need two strikers: experienced, rehearsed, instinctive. Not one, but
two. In each other’s head, baffling the opposition, subtle and
lethal.
Half of our team at
Cardiff were from the reserves! They played brilliantly.
Under Lee Bowyer,
there is absolutely no reason why we aren’t in the Prem.
Great performance. Would like to see Cullen and Field together again in the run-in, felt like they were starting to really get a grip on the midfield when Sam had to come off. Both have the ability to carry the ball forward as well as provide defensive cover and break up play which can make them a real handful as a pairing.
Charlton fans have a memory span of about 45 minutes ?
The second half other than Alfie we had no attacking threat but carried on defending well. From memory LOL, Dillon had the one goal bound save to make.
In the first half which has slipped the mind of so many, we played some really good passing and the 48% possession highlighted that with JFC and Cullen, plus a few classic passes from Sarr, we were doing fine against a top 6 side who had just beaten Leeds and Preston. With Aneke holding the ball up well we just needed a player to play off him but unfortunately Green on the night showed his 3 month rustiness.
On the plus side all the strikers from Hull, QPR and Cardiff haven't looked Sharp, but that isn't taking anything away from the heroic and well coached CAFC defense in all 3 matches so far.
We are missing the departed striker, big time, not just for his goals but for the way he could help the other strikers, Bonne, Green, Hemed and Aneke.
7 points from 3 games is a better return than I thought we would collect. 3 clean sheets is dazzling ! With Bristol City and Luton playing as if they are top 2 not bottom 2, we still need to amass points.
Quick and sharp –
each man passing and darting, aware of the other’s next move.
Positive, looking to attack. Get up front – and fast.
Pearce and Lockyer
were magnificent in defence – each blocking and heading precisely
to our midfield. Who collected, swivelled and sent a runner free.
Accurately.
There was not a
single misplaced pass. No dreary navel-gazing: none of the sideways
shuffle we in the Covered End have endured for years under terrified
managers. Crouching on the touchline, straining at stool.
Every single touch
last night was forward. Everything. Pushing and pressing. Urgent.
Insistent. Clever and intelligent.
We all know the
difference between Accrington – perilously close - and Man City. We
need two strikers: experienced, rehearsed, instinctive. Not one, but
two. In each other’s head, baffling the opposition, subtle and
lethal.
Half of our team at
Cardiff were from the reserves! They played brilliantly.
Under Lee Bowyer,
there is absolutely no reason why we aren’t in the Prem.
If you have to be sarcastic mate at least make it funny.
A return of seven points from nine is fantastic considering how we were doing before the break. Think we’ve got enough to complete the job and secure safety but looking at how close it is down the bottom the table still makes me nervous. Hope it’s all wrapped up before we get to Elland Road. Leeds sending us down would be my worst nightmare.
I am a bit worried about Matthews now. I said a while back that Solly buggering off might have a more overt effect on us than Lyle because even though we lose quality in Lyle, we have 5 other strikers who can at least play there. Matthews is our only specialist RB and he's got a history of fitness and injury issues. Hopefully this knock is nothing, though it rarely is with him, but if his fitness issues keep cropping up then we might have to keep changing our formation and how we want to play based on how he's doing rather than tactics. It was great being able to play Deji at LB against a winger cutting in, but what if we start to feel like we can't do that because Deji needs to be saved as a RB? Bowyer might have to replan a lot of stuff in a tight period based on us not having enough depth there. It's frustrating.
We
need two strikers: experienced, rehearsed, instinctive. Not one, but
two. In each other’s head, baffling the opposition, subtle and
lethal.
Therein remains the nagging doubt.
Bowyer never ceases to amaze with his motivational skills and tactical nous We have returned from the break fit, well organised, rejuvenated, with a great team spirit and everybody on board with Bowyer's vision. The worry is that without a capable, confident, in-form striker the facade may prove to be brittle if we find ourselves a goal or 2 down. It'll be like chasing the game with one hand tied behind our back. Need somebody to make the step up - Chuks looking the most likely on last nights evidence, but he needs to start scoring and soon.
Comments
Bowyer knows this.
I've always been impressed with his enthusiasm ........ it's a bit disappointing to learn that Williams came back from Lockdown not as fit as most of his team mates. And subsequently not showing so well in training.
As a professional, need to have a quiet word with yourself Jonny.
(Thanks for sorting the tickets Sue)
With Leeds, they'll hopefully already be promoted by the time we play them.
And this is not about Williams being 3/4 fit. This is about him not putting the effort in during lockdown to get into a position where he should be starting (which he clearly has the talent for), where as someone like Albie Morgan clearly worked their socks off.
Wow! We were absolutely superb last night.
Quick and sharp – each man passing and darting, aware of the other’s next move. Positive, looking to attack. Get up front – and fast.
Pearce and Lockyer were magnificent in defence – each blocking and heading precisely to our midfield. Who collected, swivelled and sent a runner free. Accurately.
There was not a single misplaced pass. No dreary navel-gazing: none of the sideways shuffle we in the Covered End have endured for years under terrified managers. Crouching on the touchline, straining at stool.
Every single touch last night was forward. Everything. Pushing and pressing. Urgent. Insistent. Clever and intelligent.
We all know the difference between Accrington – perilously close - and Man City. We need two strikers: experienced, rehearsed, instinctive. Not one, but two. In each other’s head, baffling the opposition, subtle and lethal.
Half of our team at Cardiff were from the reserves! They played brilliantly.
Under Lee Bowyer, there is absolutely no reason why we aren’t in the Prem.
The second half other than Alfie we had no attacking threat but carried on defending well. From memory LOL, Dillon had the one goal bound save to make.
In the first half which has slipped the mind of so many, we played some really good passing and the 48% possession highlighted that with JFC and Cullen, plus a few classic passes from Sarr, we were doing fine against a top 6 side who had just beaten Leeds and Preston. With Aneke holding the ball up well we just needed a player to play off him but unfortunately Green on the night showed his 3 month rustiness.
On the plus side all the strikers from Hull, QPR and Cardiff haven't looked Sharp, but that isn't taking anything away from the heroic and well coached CAFC defense in all 3 matches so far.
We are missing the departed striker, big time, not just for his goals but for the way he could help the other strikers, Bonne, Green, Hemed and Aneke.
7 points from 3 games is a better return than I thought we would collect. 3 clean sheets is dazzling !
With Bristol City and Luton playing as if they are top 2 not bottom 2, we still need to amass points.
Continuing against Millwall...
I absolutely do not want to go to Elland Road needing anything - safe before then is a must.
On Saturday you thought Cullen was dreadful, and now you're delighted with a 0-0 draw.
The only exception is traumatic events concerning Millwall.
See Chris Solly thread for my painful experience.
Bowyer never ceases to amaze with his motivational skills and tactical nous
We have returned from the break fit, well organised, rejuvenated, with a great team spirit and everybody on board with Bowyer's vision.
The worry is that without a capable, confident, in-form striker the facade may prove to be brittle if we find ourselves a goal or 2 down.
It'll be like chasing the game with one hand tied behind our back.
Need somebody to make the step up - Chuks looking the most likely on last nights evidence, but he needs to start scoring and soon.
I honestly think I’d spontaneously ejaculate if that were the scenario.