Not a classic and the first half in particular was poor. The combination of appalling conditions and Northampton's style of play were suited to the nous of Pratley which Bowyer recognised at half time. The man went on to fully justify his substitution with the vital first goal as well as doing what he does best in breaking things up and spoiling.
Three points says it all. Our little band of strangers are becoming better acquainted and I think the way we managed to grind out a win when not playing particularly well could prove to be season defining in a good way.
I just hope and pray that we haven't lost Alfie for the season. I was put in mind of Fortune and Youga when he left the pitch. I just have this gut fear and feeling that this injury is a bad one.
Until we know the score re Alfie 'enjoy the moment' as a Belgian git once said.
Proper league 1 win that was. Not a chance any proper football was going to be played in those conditions, dug deep and our class showed in the end. Well done the boys!!
Isn't it great to have our Charlton back! Thank you Thomas Sandgaard. Bowyer now has the support he has needed. That was a really good win. The conditions were atrocious but after a scrappy/nervy first 20 minutes we just wore Northampton down. But it took a while to really get on top. But the Pratley for Levitt sub was the key. Levitt was very weak and good on Bows to make that sub at HT. And what a difference from then on. We just ground them down and at the end there was only one team in it. I thought Pratley, Amos and Inniss were superb. Famewo was solid as were both Gunter and Maatsen. First half the midfield were poor but better performances second half from JFC and Doughty. In fact when Doughty was injured he was just starting to run their defence ragged. An average day for Williams. Bogle was ok. Not spectacular but he did alright. We missed Chuks though. And, I thought Smyth was lightweight today. Just not his type of game I suppose. So, it feels good to be the form team of the division. We've got our Charlton back it seems. COYR!!!!!!!!
The game only changed when we scored. Up until 55 minutes it was still a scrappy mess with an anonymous midfield. Even with Pratley on.
Pratley deserves a lot of credit for scoring the goal but it was the goal that was the real impact on the midfield. Northampton had to open up, so we had more space, and then the whole game looked different.
I think every one of us would always start the game with either Pratters or Watson in the midfield. Not both. But not neither of them, either! That was a surprise today.
Also, huge shout out to Amos - he looks so assured and commanding in his area and his distribution is better than Philips' so far. Great ready-made replacement for last season's POTY
Seems that Charlton is a good fit for Ben. Had a rotten time at Millwall who thought he was very poor. Very competent GK in my opinion.
"When you're playing a team like Charlton and they beat you, you want to be able to come away from it saying that it was 'that extra bit of quality' that made a difference. But in truth, that would be hugely flattering to Charlton today. Very little quality on show from either team. The reality is that they have had more heart, more fight and wanted it more. And that is much more difficult to accept."
Heart, fight and wanting it. Good. The quality will come later
The best moment of the whole game (except Maatsen clearing the stadium) was Inniss attempting a backheeled volleyed flicked through-ball. I said it before: he's gonna pull something like that off at some point
Interesting he says he doesn't know what the weather will be like. Was wondering how much teams take into account weather forecasts because I'm sure it would have said it was all set to be a rotter out there. I wonder what heed teams play to it - maybe nothing. I'd be surprised if they don't.
This is in no way meant to be a dig btw just a point of interest from myself
Really difficult conditions so really happy with 2 goal win away from home and another clean sheet. Good battling today. KFC battled well in the middle. Hope Doughty is ok. Bogle worked hard. Smyth should have scored. Amos instills confidence. Innis is no nonsense defender and always gives us a chance at set pieces. Not bad being an addict again at the moment
I thought the referee had a very decent game today.
And to think it was his first ever game at this level. Seems to have a promising future, maybe as a top ref?
Anyway, good luck to him.
Made one silly decision to give a drop ball to us when we were already in a better position in the first half
If he continues to have good games like today then he doesnt stand a chance of rising up the league given the standard of officials higher up
Not sure if it was silly. I think he stopped the game cos he was concerned about a serious injury so drop ball was the only course of action. Considering the conditions and the wilyness of L1 players I thought he did pretty well
Especially given the conditions how good were the defence?! Really think in Famewo & Inniss we have something similar to Morrison & Taylor/Cort. Capably supported by Gunter & Maatsen. Behind them Amos superb.
I wasnt impressed by Maatsen today, difficult game though given the conditions
Thought he struggled to get going for the most part, can see why he's been eased into the first team rather than starting straight away
For a lad who's hardly played the pro game that would have been a shock to the system with conditions etc.
Thought he played pretty well all things considered.
"When you're playing a team like Charlton and they beat you, you want to be able to come away from it saying that it was 'that extra bit of quality' that made a difference. But in truth, that would be hugely flattering to Charlton today. Very little quality on show from either team. The reality is that they have had more heart, more fight and wanted it more. And that is much more difficult to accept."
Heart, fight and wanting it. Good. The quality will come later
Yes - they are the qualities that are needed to get out of this pub league.
"When you're playing a team like Charlton and they beat you, you want to be able to come away from it saying that it was 'that extra bit of quality' that made a difference. But in truth, that would be hugely flattering to Charlton today. Very little quality on show from either team. The reality is that they have had more heart, more fight and wanted it more. And that is much more difficult to accept."
Heart, fight and wanting it. Good. The quality will come later
Yes - they are the qualities that are needed to get out of this pub league.
This isn't a pub league. Not every team is Northampton
Comments
Not a classic and the first half in particular was poor. The combination of appalling conditions and Northampton's style of play were suited to the nous of Pratley which Bowyer recognised at half time. The man went on to fully justify his substitution with the vital first goal as well as doing what he does best in breaking things up and spoiling.
Three points says it all. Our little band of strangers are becoming better acquainted and I think the way we managed to grind out a win when not playing particularly well could prove to be season defining in a good way.
I just hope and pray that we haven't lost Alfie for the season. I was put in mind of Fortune and Youga when he left the pitch. I just have this gut fear and feeling that this injury is a bad one.
Until we know the score re Alfie 'enjoy the moment' as a Belgian git once said.
COYR
That was a really good win. The conditions were atrocious but after a scrappy/nervy first 20 minutes we just wore Northampton down. But it took a while to really get on top. But the Pratley for Levitt sub was the key. Levitt was very weak and good on Bows to make that sub at HT. And what a difference from then on. We just ground them down and at the end there was only one team in it.
I thought Pratley, Amos and Inniss were superb. Famewo was solid as were both Gunter and Maatsen. First half the midfield were poor but better performances second half from JFC and Doughty. In fact when Doughty was injured he was just starting to run their defence ragged. An average day for Williams. Bogle was ok. Not spectacular but he did alright. We missed Chuks though. And, I thought Smyth was lightweight today. Just not his type of game I suppose.
So, it feels good to be the form team of the division. We've got our Charlton back it seems. COYR!!!!!!!!
Pratley deserves a lot of credit for scoring the goal but it was the goal that was the real impact on the midfield. Northampton had to open up, so we had more space, and then the whole game looked different.
I think every one of us would always start the game with either Pratters or Watson in the midfield. Not both. But not neither of them, either! That was a surprise today.
http://www.smfserver.com/forums/thehotelend/index.php/topic,19697.60.html
"When you're playing a team like Charlton and they beat you, you want to be able to come away from it saying that it was 'that extra bit of quality' that made a difference. But in truth, that would be hugely flattering to Charlton today. Very little quality on show from either team. The reality is that they have had more heart, more fight and wanted it more. And that is much more difficult to accept."
Heart, fight and wanting it. Good. The quality will come later
He's mentioned before now that there is a Charlton fan (Danish I think) who works in that area
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/i-dont-care-if-it-wasnt-pretty-lee-bowyer-on-charltons-2-0-win-at-northampton/
Our back 4 looks ridiculously well balanced and today we were missing 3 players you’d expect to be key this season.
If we can go up that’s when you add the quality, this season is all about building a base and trying to escape the stupid cap rule.
Excited about the direction we are going for the first time in god knows how long.
This is in no way meant to be a dig btw just a point of interest from myself
Yes, we have a secret agent within the social media team - a young lady who is an Addick through and through
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-manager-lee-bowyer-issues-update-on-injuries-to-alfie-doughty-and-chuks-aneke/
Thought he played pretty well all things considered.
Yes - they are the qualities that are needed to get out of this pub league.