Several players looked ring rusty. The plus points for me were Aneke, JFC and Doughty who showed no sign of being disappointed that he didn't get the move his agent was hankering for. It will take time for the team to gel, and a top six place may prove just a little beyond us realistically.
All the lads worked hard, personally, I was well impressed with Famewo, will Pearce get back in when fit?
Not for me. Akin is head and shoulders above everyone else right now. Very tidy player.
Only three matches into his Charlton career but I am raving about him. Looks an unreal player and does not seem to have any faults in his game. From his showing I think he is going to have a long and successful career in football.
Beat a team who were not only a league up last season but should never have gone down. Obviously they've had a lot of churn, but so have we so it's a good result. Sounds like it wasn't a brilliant game but considering we're without two of our most creative players in Gilbey and Maddison and the majority of the players we brought in aren't fit yet that's a really decent result.
If we can win games like this with four debutants signed in the last week against Wigan, I can only see further time together improving our play. And there were some nice moments anyway today. Think we were slightly fortunate to get the win (how did they not score that goalmouth scramble?) but the final score is what matters.
Chuks looked excellent and Bogle, with a little more time with the team, could provide an adequate replacement when Chuks gets tired. Smyth works hard and I liked him immensely, even if his touch leaves a tad to be desired. Famewo and Inniss, once they gel, will be a cracking partnership. Gunter will improve; Doughty seemed a bit scared after the head injury; Pratley was in completely the wrong position half the time (by design?); JFC played very well; Amos did his part then nearly screwed it up; Shinnie was okay - but again, a stranger to the system; but Watson was a liability at times.
That wasn't a completely convincing win but there were some bright moments that fill me with a bit of hope. COYR.
Will take the 3 points and i'm obviously aware that the team hardly know each other and need time to gel, but it worries me that we aren't going to score enough goals.
I can absolutely guarantee all of you gathered here today that at some point this season Inniss is going to do something completely outrageous that ends up as a Charlton goal. It might be winning six successive headers to get himself further down the field before the seventh header goes in the top corner, or it might be a 35-yard rabona. There's something about that guy.
You love a big lump don't you Leuth. ;-) Tell me, do you own a gimp outfit?
Aneke was outstanding and such a great sight to see him starting and getting through an hour without trouble. He could be a big player for us this season, keep him fit and that’s an asset.
Smyth was hard working, done very well overall and am happy with that debut. He got tired second half but was a pleasing performance, nice option to have.
Forster-Caskey was excellent. Got into some good positions, hit the bar with a free kick and scored another. Said a few weeks back that he’s much better than being someone who sits, he’s so much more effective in the final third of the pitch. The statement got laughed at by a few, but please return back inside your box, because Forster-Caskey proved you wrong today. Got to be happy with that.
Basically a new defence and it was relatively solid. Wigan had a few good chances, but that was always going to happen. Once communication and understanding and fitness improves, that’s a good base and foundation, it’s another clean sheet.
Players like Williams, Maddison, Washington, Gilbey, Bogle etc all to add in once fit or rotated, so that’s great options to have.
Very happy coming away with a win today as we have a long trip up to Blackpool on Tuesday night. Well done all.
After the first 20 minutes, and before the last 25 after he scored his goal - how do you think he contributed, and what did you think he did particularly well?
At times in the first half we played some decent stuff but for much of that game we looked what we are at present - a team of talented but often unfit individuals who are not yet formed into a cohesive team. But great to get a win under those difficult circumstances and I think it’ll be the first of many.
First honourable mention goes to Chuks who was superb in his hour on the pitch. What a glorious touch he has for such a big man. I was surprised that he started the game but he showed emphatically that it was the right decision. The defensive unit was also much more impressive than we’ve had for a while. Gunter oozed solid class, Innis did very well, especially in the air, although his passing needs work, and Famewo was excellent throughout. We looked more solid on the left when Purrington came on for Alfie, but he did ok too. The midfield was solid without doing being all that fluid or creative but I thought Jake F-C was the pick there, despite a couple of early errors (he wasn’t alone, with Pratley and Watson making their share too) he stood out in the second half and deserved his goal. Smyth looked lively too, although he tired noticeably in the second half.
I think Bowyer and Gallen have assembled an experienced and talented squad. They now have to get them fit, build an understanding between players, establish a more fluid and creative team dynamic and drill in the tactics. If they can achieve that quickly we’ve got a chance to challenge around the top 6. An immediate return to the Championship would be a fantastic reward for Thomas Sandgaard’s courage and tenacity in rescuing us from the years of disastrous ownership. Right now, after everything has been stacked against Lee Bowyer for so long, that looks like a pretty unrealistic aspiration, but I wouldn’t bet against him.
Smyth is obviously a talented, skilful little player. He had a good first half before fading in the second. But he's not going to be the answer to our lack of goals playing as a forward in this league. He's too slight in build and faced with these man mountain centre halfs that all teams field he will get marked out of the game. Indeed, I doubt he will score more than a handful of goals playing up front for us.
Wide in midfield looks a much more promising position and I'd like to see him get a run of games there.
Smyth is obviously a talented, skilful little player. He had a good first half before fading in the second. But he's not going to be the answer to our lack of goals playing as a forward in this league. He's too slight in build and faced with these man mountain centre halfs that all teams field he will get marked out of the game. Indeed, I doubt he will score more than a handful of goals playing up front for us.
Wide in midfield looks a much more promising position and I'd like to see him get a run of games there.
Agree that Smyth isn't going to be a 15 goal a season man, But what he does well is leave spaces for other players and the other striker, his quick, makes good runs and that on its own will get more goals elsewhere. Bowyer will no doubt improve him as the season goes on. I think Chucks, Smyth partnership could turn golden for us this season, they linked up very well after barely playing together before. onto the next one
Positives - we managed to get 3 points whilst integrating a lot of new players in a match situation for the first time. Hopefully things will only get better as the Squad beds in. I think all the new acquisitions had their good moments particularly Smyth. Chuks looked good while on and Bogle showed there was a player in there too as an alternative with physical presence.
Negatives - Having scored we sat back and, taking the red and white spectacles off, are probably lucky to have won that in all honesty. I think the midfield is definitely too pedestrian with all 3 of Pratley, Watson and Forster - Caskey together and better opposition will punish us. Let's hope Maddison recovers sooner rather than later to replace one of them. If not I'd start with Albie or Levitt. That said we got the 3 points today.
Smyth is obviously a talented, skilful little player. He had a good first half before fading in the second. But he's not going to be the answer to our lack of goals playing as a forward in this league. He's too slight in build and faced with these man mountain centre halfs that all teams field he will get marked out of the game. Indeed, I doubt he will score more than a handful of goals playing up front for us.
Wide in midfield looks a much more promising position and I'd like to see him get a run of games there.
Yes, he's a useful member of the squad, but I'd love to see a proper striker alongside Chuks
In terms of our squad, that's probably Washington as Chuks and Bogle seem too similar
Good win and ok performance, team still gelling and I expect to get better.
I never want to see Pratley and Watson on the same pitch unless Prats is playing at CB, not sure why Bowyer made the decision to play Prats left of the diamond as he didn’t look comfortable and it looked unbalanced. Much better as a middle three. Gilbey will likely go there when fit but Levitt, William or Albie would have been more dynamic.
Back to back clean sheets and decent performance by Chuks and the defence.
Think we will be playing the diamond 442 most of the season. Midfield of Maddison, Gilbey, Shinnie and rotation of the old men (Pratley/Watson) in holding role to keep them fresh, will be a much more balanced formation. JFC, Levitt, Williams or potentially Alfie providing depth.
Ugly win but a win none the less, hope when everybody is fit and firing Bowyer trusts them enough to not sit on leads with 20minutes left, it's infuriating and will lead to more dropped points,
Innis was excellent I thought, really like the look of him and Famewo, think it will be one of the better pairings in this league.
Scrappy as you like and we could easily have drawn or lost but a win is a win and will be great for building confidence and bonding all yne new teammates together.
Innis and Famewo both looked good. They won’t get bullied by many strikers, both big units. JFC and Aneke our two best players. JFC grew into the game and is many ways starting to get over that long injury layoff. Don’t think we need Pratley and Watson starting together. In particular Pratley’s passing was very poor. Gilbey should improve the midfield when fit. Maddison too. Symth was lively. Bogle did okay as well - like a shorter Aneke. Shinnie tidy, more to come from him. Doughty just isn’t impressing me at the moment but he certainly wasn’t terrible. Gunter, solid but didn’t get forward much and doesn’t look to have the recovery pace of Matthews. Amos made some great saves and looking like the keeper who left us for Millwall.
Much more to come from this team hopefully, but a step in the right direction.
Ref Watson cast your mind back to Pratters debut and the next few games, hopefully once Watson settles we will get similar performances, however, I’d agree both of them in the same team ????
Not going to criticize the team too much as they have not played together before & some are still not match fit.
Going against the grain but I thought Watson had a decent game - was always in the thick of it & made some important challenges/clearances, esp right at the end. Chuks had a good game as did Smyyyyth. Defence looked sound & both the loanees centre-halves look assured & powerful. In fact Famewo was probably my MOTM
Criticism however does go to Bowyer. I'm not afraid to call him out (even though a lot have said as much already) that his negative tactics are so bloody frustrating. Wont say anymore for now but once the attacking players are back fit (Gilbey & Maddison) and the players have had a few games to settle I'm hoping that sitting back & trying to defend a 1-0 lead will be a thing of the past.
For the last few games I have been saying "very little quality or individual skill on display". Today was the opposite and I am very encouraged by a decent display in a scrappy game.
It's always interesting to read the views from the other side. I'm not sure their penalty shouts were as clear as they seem to think and for the "disallowed goal" the ref had already blown and everyone had stopped, hadn't they?
But then I guess everyone thinks the ref is against them in most games. Presumably they thought Watson's booking for his clean tackle was justified?
However, I agree with most of them that a draw was probably the fairer result. But that's football.
Comments
It will take time for the team to gel, and a top six place may prove just a little beyond us realistically.
Chuks looked excellent and Bogle, with a little more time with the team, could provide an adequate replacement when Chuks gets tired. Smyth works hard and I liked him immensely, even if his touch leaves a tad to be desired. Famewo and Inniss, once they gel, will be a cracking partnership. Gunter will improve; Doughty seemed a bit scared after the head injury; Pratley was in completely the wrong position half the time (by design?); JFC played very well; Amos did his part then nearly screwed it up; Shinnie was okay - but again, a stranger to the system; but Watson was a liability at times.
That wasn't a completely convincing win but there were some bright moments that fill me with a bit of hope. COYR.
;-)
Tell me, do you own a gimp outfit?
Smyth is obviously a talented, skilful little player. He had a good first half before fading in the second. But he's not going to be the answer to our lack of goals playing as a forward in this league. He's too slight in build and faced with these man mountain centre halfs that all teams field he will get marked out of the game. Indeed, I doubt he will score more than a handful of goals playing up front for us.
Wide in midfield looks a much more promising position and I'd like to see him get a run of games there.
https://forums.vitalfootball.co.uk/threads/charlton.109203/page-3
Negatives - Having scored we sat back and, taking the red and white spectacles off, are probably lucky to have won that in all honesty. I think the midfield is definitely too pedestrian with all 3 of Pratley, Watson and Forster - Caskey together and better opposition will punish us. Let's hope Maddison recovers sooner rather than later to replace one of them. If not I'd start with Albie or Levitt. That said we got the 3 points today.
COYR
Thought Famewo got turned and then dragged back, didnt look overly different to the Free Kick against Smyth for pretty much the same reason
In terms of our squad, that's probably Washington as Chuks and Bogle seem too similar
Innis was excellent I thought, really like the look of him and Famewo, think it will be one of the better pairings in this league.
yne new teammates together.
Innis and Famewo both looked good. They won’t get bullied by many strikers, both big units. JFC and Aneke our two best players. JFC grew into the game and is many ways starting to get over that long injury layoff. Don’t think we need Pratley and Watson starting together. In particular Pratley’s passing was very poor. Gilbey should improve the midfield when fit. Maddison too. Symth was lively. Bogle did okay as well - like a shorter Aneke. Shinnie tidy, more to come from him. Doughty just isn’t impressing me at the moment but he certainly wasn’t terrible. Gunter, solid but didn’t get forward much and doesn’t look to have the recovery pace of Matthews. Amos made some great saves and looking like the keeper who left us for Millwall.
Going against the grain but I thought Watson had a decent game - was always in the thick of it & made some important challenges/clearances, esp right at the end. Chuks had a good game as did Smyyyyth. Defence looked sound & both the loanees centre-halves look assured & powerful. In fact Famewo was probably my MOTM
Criticism however does go to Bowyer. I'm not afraid to call him out (even though a lot have said as much already) that his negative tactics are so bloody frustrating. Wont say anymore for now but once the attacking players are back fit (Gilbey & Maddison) and the players have had a few games to settle I'm hoping that sitting back & trying to defend a 1-0 lead will be a thing of the past.
Today was the opposite and I am very encouraged by a decent display in a scrappy game.
Maddison coming in should take us to the next level going forward.
If Chuks gets a goal soon he could really push on and be a top player at this level.
But then I guess everyone thinks the ref is against them in most games. Presumably they thought Watson's booking for his clean tackle was justified?
However, I agree with most of them that a draw was probably the fairer result. But that's football.