I really think that going away to League 1 sides with no crowd works in our favour, no fans to lift their team. But this will be tricky and our team is still to play flowing football, 2-2.
I disagree, seeing that our away support in the previous 2 seasons in L1 has consistently outsung the home fans. That 1-0 win at Fratton Park still sticks in my memory, the noise from our end never ceased
We've taken 7 points from a possible 9. Unbeaten and not conceded a goal with Watson and Pratley in the side. League winning form?
With Watson and Pratley in the side, we played the equivalent of 2 1/2 games and scored one goal, thanks to a keeping error. The equivalent of 3/4 of a game of that was played with a man advantage. Call that league-winning form if you like, but
Exactly.
Having Watson and Pratley was exactly right for Sunderland, as they were at the time clearly a better side, and we needed to defend manfully to keep them out
The other 2 matches were games we would expect to win, especially Blackpool who have 1 point in their last 5 matches, they're not results to get the rest of the division quaking.
I was expecting Northampton to be another pleasant little market town, but the most charitable description I can muster is that it possesses former glories, but has quite simply given up. The main square was a tragedy of closures, architectural vandalism and lack of vision
Northampton is suffering from urban blight and neglect along with many other what were once one industry British towns and cities. The Cobblers are cobblers no more. The newish ground is well away from the town centre and is situated near some new build restaurants, bars and hotels. There were also a lot of houses being built round and about when last I was there. Another contemporary phenomenon, town centres left to rot and all desirable life support moves out to the suburbs for those who can afford it. Belgravia it aint, but not a bad little area
You are correct, the new builds continue in earnest to be constructed around sixfields and surrounding areas. The positive recent news is the university moving into the centre of town from the outskirts which, in normal times, will help the town centre to breed a new, hopefully younger and more bohemian, life. Highlights on Northampton include: the welly run (pub crawl on the wellingborough road), snooker @ Barrats and a fry up at the super sausage.
I'll never forget Northampton Town back in the 60's! They went from then Div 4 to Div 1 in 5 years. Sadly it took about just as long to arrive back in Div 4! Tight game 2-1 to the Addicks.
Spare a thought for Theo Foley today who passed away in June and played 204 games for Northampton Town.
As we continue on this new exciting journey under Thomas, the jovial and popular Irishman Theo, was part of our history in the 70's before finding success at Arsenal with George Graham; as his right hand man.
In more excellent news Charlton & Northampton are saddled with a "referee" who's never officiated at this level before. First season, 6 games so far all L2 and piss pot trophy. Fingers crossed he's that rare breed: competent, confident and humble. Breath not held My money's on cobblers not just being our hosts' nickname.
Has given 4 penalties in 6 games...
Hopefully the referee will favour the away side, but every penalty he has given so far has been against the away side.
In which case Williams needs to play and use his Palace penalty winning training
Has Williams ever won a penalty for us? He usually falls over in the centre circle or our own half!
In more excellent news Charlton & Northampton are saddled with a "referee" who's never officiated at this level before. First season, 6 games so far all L2 and piss pot trophy. Fingers crossed he's that rare breed: competent, confident and humble. Breath not held My money's on cobblers not just being our hosts' nickname.
Has given 4 penalties in 6 games...
Hopefully the referee will favour the away side, but every penalty he has given so far has been against the away side.
In which case Williams needs to play and use his Palace penalty winning training
Has Williams ever won a penalty for us? He usually falls over in the centre circle or our own half!
Not sure the stats would bear that out. Average would be ten yards outside their penalty area I’d guess.
But agree he needs to get in the box much more, like he did for Wales.
Washington’s press will cause mistakes for any team in this league. For me that’s a good reason to play him in a front 3. If we have two up some Smyth is the better option. Bogle and Aneke will always rotate for now as they have no fitness.
In more excellent news Charlton & Northampton are saddled with a "referee" who's never officiated at this level before. First season, 6 games so far all L2 and piss pot trophy. Fingers crossed he's that rare breed: competent, confident and humble. Breath not held My money's on cobblers not just being our hosts' nickname.
Has given 4 penalties in 6 games...
Hopefully the referee will favour the away side, but every penalty he has given so far has been against the away side.
In which case Williams needs to play and use his Palace penalty winning training
Has Williams ever won a penalty for us? He usually falls over in the centre circle or our own half!
Williams, Fosu, Aribo, Lookman, and Tony Watt on a good day (he had a few) needed to get the ball nearer to the opposition's area: it's not rocket science. Williams bring fouled on the half way line seems a waste compared to on the edge or in the penalty area.
I feel it's just a missed opportunity with Williams in not using a player while they are in their mini purple patch, but I guess its a fight for a spot between Doughty and Shinnie for his role in the team.
I feel it's just a missed opportunity with Williams in not using a player while they are in their mini purple patch, but I guess its a fight for a spot between Doughty and Shinnie for his role in the team.
I feel it's just a missed opportunity with Williams in not using a player while they are in their mini purple patch, but I guess its a fight for a spot between Doughty and Shinnie for his role in the team.
He will start today
I think he will start today. Bowyer said he came back from Wales with a knock and wasn’t fit to start. I think we’d have seen him off the bench against Blackpool if Purrington hadn’t have been sent off.
I reckon we’ve got a couple more games of Watson and Pratley which is fine. After the next international break, I’d like us to go a bit more attacking.
While we’re on this run of Saturday/Tuesday and the only training they can do is on shape, I would rather Bowyer plays the players he trusts and knows what he’ll get to do the job.
Tuesday was an improvement on Saturday and I’d like to see another small improvement again. Any win would be great by me.
No one dropped (Purrington would have been but he is suspended). I did consider Pratley for Watson as he only played the 1st half in Tuesday but if Watson gets booked he will miss the next game anyway. Plus Pratley is almost needed as defensive cover on the bench.
3 points, no new injuries, another 30 minutes in to Bogle and maybe 20 into Maddison and I would be happy come 5 o'clock.
I feel it's just a missed opportunity with Williams in not using a player while they are in their mini purple patch, but I guess its a fight for a spot between Doughty and Shinnie for his role in the team.
He will start today
I think he will start today. Bowyer said he came back from Wales with a knock and wasn’t fit to start. I think we’d have seen him off the bench against Blackpool if Purrington hadn’t have been sent off.
I reckon we’ve got a couple more games of Watson and Pratley which is fine. After the next international break, I’d like us to go a bit more attacking.
While we’re on this run of Saturday/Tuesday and the only training they can do is on shape, I would rather Bowyer plays the players he trusts and knows what he’ll get to do the job.
Tuesday was an improvement on Saturday and I’d like to see another small improvement again. Any win would be great by me.
Great way to describe Bowyer's team selections at the moment
As Sandgaard has said of late, lets get to January in the mix and we can go from there as thats when we're pretty much back to playing once a week
Cafc43v3r, although JFC excelled in the role you've selected JW in for, so will need to deliver. Doughty looks dropped mind?
Rested, you can't play the same players every game, else we would only need 14.
Bring him and Bogle on for Chuks and Williams after an hour, when we are 2 up, and pick them off on the break :-)
I agree with the lineup, let him get over his head knock too and be used as a pacy sub if need be. We have a nicely balanced squad at the moment, and are setup for four forwards to impose themselves and make themselves a regular.
Comments
Having Watson and Pratley was exactly right for Sunderland, as they were at the time clearly a better side, and we needed to defend manfully to keep them out
The other 2 matches were games we would expect to win, especially Blackpool who have 1 point in their last 5 matches, they're not results to get the rest of the division quaking.
(I went to uni there in the late 90s) .
Tight game 2-1 to the Addicks.
Downloadable programme here
As we continue on this new exciting journey under Thomas, the jovial and popular Irishman Theo, was part of our history in the 70's before finding success at Arsenal with George Graham; as his right hand man.
"The boy Liam" was his catchphrase.
A top man.
Gunter Inniss Famewo Maatsen
Pratley Watson Doughty
Shinnie
Aneke Smyth
Personally, I would swap Pratley for JFC. And consider giving Williams 60 minutes before replacing him for Shinnie.
Predict a 1 - 1.
Williams, Fosu, Aribo, Lookman, and Tony Watt on a good day (he had a few) needed to get the ball nearer to the opposition's area: it's not rocket science.
Williams bring fouled on the half way line seems a waste compared to on the edge or in the penalty area.
Tuesday was an improvement on Saturday and I’d like to see another small improvement again. Any win would be great by me.
Amos
Gunter, Innis, Famewo, Maatsen
Watson
Shinnie JFC
Williams
Smyth, Aneke
No one dropped (Purrington would have been but he is suspended). I did consider Pratley for Watson as he only played the 1st half in Tuesday but if Watson gets booked he will miss the next game anyway. Plus Pratley is almost needed as defensive cover on the bench.
3 points, no new injuries, another 30 minutes in to Bogle and maybe 20 into Maddison and I would be happy come 5 o'clock.
Good to have some options though.
As Sandgaard has said of late, lets get to January in the mix and we can go from there as thats when we're pretty much back to playing once a week
http://www.smfserver.com/forums/thehotelend/index.php/topic,19697.0.html
Bring him and Bogle on for Chuks and Williams after an hour, when we are 2 up, and pick them off on the break :-)
Fancy 0-2 with Smudger Smiff getting off the mark for us.