Bowyer has learnt so much since we where last in league 1. We now have strength and depth in every position. I expect us to challenge for top 2 with the squad we have.
Top six will be a fantastic achievement.
I would say top two would be a fantastic achievement. Top six is the expectation.
What is outstanding is how Gallen and Bows have managed to put a squad together that makes this the case.
Agree with this. Early indications suggest we may have the best defence in the league (too early to know for sure) and a team that will battle hard till the final whistle. Other teams may have a more natural goal scorer than us but not many have players of the quality of Doughty, Aneke and Maddison going forward or Watson, Pratley, Shinnie, or Gilbey in the middle.
Because of the excellence of Bowyer, Gallen and Jackson, top 6 is now an expectation and top 2 would be excellent.
i think it’s going to be a fun year supporting Charlton. 😊
Bowyer has learnt so much since we where last in league 1. We now have strength and depth in every position. I expect us to challenge for top 2 with the squad we have.
Top six will be a fantastic achievement.
Although we are 3 games behind the rest of the league in terms of togetherness, anything lower than 6th will be a disaster!
Anything lower than 6th and Lee bowyer will have some explaining to do and is likely to see a very different side of TS
Bowyer has learnt so much since we where last in league 1. We now have strength and depth in every position. I expect us to challenge for top 2 with the squad we have.
Top six will be a fantastic achievement.
Why not top 2. Are other teams so much better than we are ?
Brilliant signing really impressed watching Matthews last season obviously not seen Gunter play for us yet but great strength in depth well done and thank you Thomas Lee and Steve
Bowyer has learnt so much since we where last in league 1. We now have strength and depth in every position. I expect us to challenge for top 2 with the squad we have.
Top six will be a fantastic achievement.
Why not top 2. Are other teams so much better than we are ?
Offensively yes.
Peterborough, yes, Portsmouth, yes, Sunderland?
Let’s see when we get Maddison, Aneke and Gilbey in the side.
Surprising .. the good point is that we could have two quality Welsh right backs, the down point ? .. although you can't have too many good players, two vying for one position in L1 is a bit of a waste, UNLESS Bowyer sees Gunter as a midfielder/central defender. We could do with another striker more than another defender, even a one of Matthews' quality
I think we can be certain that in January a striker will be incoming. Only god and Gallen will know how to get that striker in within the constraints but it’s inconceivable that Sandgaard won’t want to press home every advantage to get us promoted.
Bowyer has learnt so much since we where last in league 1. We now have strength and depth in every position. I expect us to challenge for top 2 with the squad we have.
Top six will be a fantastic achievement.
Although we are 3 games behind the rest of the league in terms of togetherness, anything lower than 6th will be a disaster!
Anything lower than 6th and Lee bowyer will have some explaining to do and is likely to see a very different side of TS
That's a bit strong. Is this already a better team than two years ago? The obvious, and rather crucial place where it is not is up front, where we started with both Taylor and Grant. Then in midfield we are looking for players of the calibre of Bielik and Aribo. We do have Doughty, the rest will need to step up, and maybe they will, a lot depends on Maddison doing so IMO. Pratley was also crucial that season and was two years younger..
Unquestionably the defence looks stronger, provided we dont lose Famewo in Jan.(and we will be in a stronger position to avoid the Gallagher fiasco).
But otherwise I hope and trust that Thomas has a bit more patience and perspective than your post implies.
I think we can be certain that in January a striker will be incoming. Only god and Gallen will know how to get that striker in within the constraints but it’s inconceivable that Sandgaard won’t want to press home every advantage to get us promoted.
Love the lowercase g for God and the uppercase G for Gallen...!
The fact is that Gunter is that, as good as Gunter is, at 31 and with over 600 appearances for club and country, he has a lot of miles on the clock and we do need a viable alternative to him. Last season he only actually played 21 games and in Matthews we have someone who will not weaken the side should Gunter need to be rested or is injured. Unlike our current options who are either inexperienced or having to play out of position.
Gunter only played 21 games last season because the manager didnt play him. He wasn't injured or unfit & played for Wales during that time.
Gunter was injured - following the match on the 8th February he missed all Reading's next seven games and as this was prior to lockdown he probably would have missed more as a result of that injury.
And he didn't play a single game for Wales last season.
In him and Smyth, we'd have 2 players able to bomb in a long throw - it'll be like the blitz! Although, from what we've seen so far: Matthews' long throws are much better
Surprising .. the good point is that we could have two quality Welsh right backs, the down point ? .. although you can't have too many good players, two vying for one position in L1 is a bit of a waste, UNLESS Bowyer sees Gunter as a midfielder/central defender.
It does seem a bit of a luxury ....... until Gunter got injured/suspended and we have to play 17 year old Ronnie Barker out of position at RB. Now we won't have to.
Then there's Bowyer's famous rotation, so could be they'll take turns anyway. There might well be games when we see Matthews and Gunther in the same team.
Get inside Bowyer's head and you can see why he would think it's a no brainer to re-sign Matthews.
Great cover at right back. Excellent signing. Hopefully he is still motivated after failing to be signed elsewhere.
LB told you it wasn't going to be a striker.
If you don't believe me, believe Red Henry that Bowyer would love to bring in another striker and they continue to monitor the situation. The inability of Aneke to play on a regular basis is the headache for Lee and Steve. Matthews is a class above League 1 when fit and up to speed. Lee Bowyer likes to rotate; I wouldn't be surprised to see Gunter on occasions play in a 3 with Innes and Famewo with Matthews and Maatsen/Doughty as wing backs.
3-5-2 so we can create more chances from wide positions.
And, of course, training with us until a couple of weeks ago, Matthews already knows most of the squad - and what Bowyer expects and how his teams play.
He'll slot in again seamlessly. A really good signing. Very pleased.
If a player of Matthews's proven quality and experience is available within the budget then it's virtually obligatory to resign him.
Gives us cover and a bit more flexibility with formations, he knows a lot of the team already and knows what LB expects.
Only question I have now is why Bowyer seems to have taken a different approach to Matthews and Phillips. Both good players who (justifiably) believed it worth trying to get a Championship move, but one welcomed back and one was bombed out. Just seems a bit odd on the face of it.
If a player of Matthews's proven quality and experience is available within the budget then it's virtually obligatory to resign him.
Gives us cover and a bit more flexibility with formations, he knows a lot of the team already and knows what LB expects.
Only question I have now is why Bowyer seems to have taken a different approach to Matthews and Phillips. Both good players who (justifiably) believed it worth trying to get a Championship move, but one welcomed back and one was bombed out. Just seems a bit odd on the face of it.
Different situations. Phillips and his agent clearly stated they want to move, whereas I imagine Matthews said that he would sign for us if he couldn't get his move. Which I think is fair enough, seeing as he is Champ quality
Great cover at right back. Excellent signing. Hopefully he is still motivated after failing to be signed elsewhere.
LB told you it wasn't going to be a striker.
If you don't believe me, believe Red Henry that Bowyer would love to bring in another striker and they continue to monitor the situation. The inability of Aneke to play on a regular basis is the headache for Lee and Steve. Matthews is a class above League 1 when fit and up to speed. Lee Bowyer likes to rotate; I wouldn't be surprised to see Gunter on occasions play in a 3 with Innes and Famewo with Matthews and Maatsen/Doughty as wing backs.
3-5-2 so we can create more chances from wide positions.
Choices and options, unlike much of last season.
The fact we won 2-0 it has been overlooked, but that miss from Smyth at 1-0 from the corner was a really bad miss. 6 yards from goal and did not even test the keeper. I hope Bowyer is still looking at striking options as i yet to be convinced with the four we have up top.
Great to get Matthews back in again, de ja vu Will slot in as if he never left, which is what it is i suppose. Be good to utilize as a right sider playing in front of Gunter, or in his usual role RB, so very good to have the cover and variation in selection, welcome back, again
Great cover at right back. Excellent signing. Hopefully he is still motivated after failing to be signed elsewhere.
LB told you it wasn't going to be a striker.
If you don't believe me, believe Red Henry that Bowyer would love to bring in another striker and they continue to monitor the situation. The inability of Aneke to play on a regular basis is the headache for Lee and Steve. Matthews is a class above League 1 when fit and up to speed. Lee Bowyer likes to rotate; I wouldn't be surprised to see Gunter on occasions play in a 3 with Innes and Famewo with Matthews and Maatsen/Doughty as wing backs.
3-5-2 so we can create more chances from wide positions.
Choices and options, unlike much of last season.
The fact we won 2-0 it has been overlooked, but that miss from Smyth at 1-0 from the corner was a really bad miss. 6 yards from goal and did not even test the keeper. I hope Bowyer is still looking at striking options as i yet to be convinced with the four we have up top.
It was a bad miss from Smyth ...... but there he was in the right position, at the right time.
His movement and anticipation seems to be good, with the likelihood of being in goalscoring positions regularly. He'll take some of those chances. The law of averages will see to that.
What a squad we’ve managed to put together, in such little time, under such restrictions.
Signing Matthews at this stage is excellent business and we have shown great patience. Slade would be so proud, but Bowyer showing how it should be done.
We’ve probably saved money as well by signing him now, he’s unlikely to be earning what was on offer to him during the window.
That’s 26 players we know can be involved at any point during the season and will not let us down. And we would still like another striker as well. There’s a lot of quality in that group of players, a few very good leaders too.
Exciting times, and huge, huge credit must go to Bowyer, Gallen, Jacko, Marshy, and Sandgaard. They all play a part, some much more than others, but what a team we have, leading the team on the pitch.
Comments
Because of the excellence of Bowyer, Gallen and Jackson, top 6 is now an expectation and top 2 would be excellent.
i think it’s going to be a fun year supporting Charlton. 😊
Unquestionably the defence looks stronger, provided we dont lose Famewo in Jan.(and we will be in a stronger position to avoid the Gallagher fiasco).
But otherwise I hope and trust that Thomas has a bit more patience and perspective than your post implies.
And he didn't play a single game for Wales last season.
Apart from that you were spot on!
Very pleased with this.
Now we won't have to.
Then there's Bowyer's famous rotation, so could be they'll take turns anyway.
There might well be games when we see Matthews and Gunther in the same team.
Get inside Bowyer's head and you can see why he would think it's a no brainer to re-sign Matthews.
I wondered why he was ever a free agent previously.
If you don't believe me, believe Red Henry that Bowyer would love to bring in another striker and they continue to monitor the situation. The inability of Aneke to play on a regular basis is the headache for Lee and Steve.
Matthews is a class above League 1 when fit and up to speed.
Lee Bowyer likes to rotate; I wouldn't be surprised to see Gunter on occasions play in a 3 with Innes and Famewo with Matthews and Maatsen/Doughty as wing backs.
3-5-2 so we can create more chances from wide positions.
Choices and options, unlike much of last season.
He'll slot in again seamlessly. A really good signing. Very pleased.
Gives us cover and a bit more flexibility with formations, he knows a lot of the team already and knows what LB expects.
Only question I have now is why Bowyer seems to have taken a different approach to Matthews and Phillips. Both good players who (justifiably) believed it worth trying to get a Championship move, but one welcomed back and one was bombed out. Just seems a bit odd on the face of it.
Will slot in as if he never left, which is what it is
i suppose.
Be good to utilize as a right sider playing in front
of Gunter, or in his usual role RB, so very good to
have the cover and variation in selection, welcome
back, again
His movement and anticipation seems to be good, with the likelihood of being in goalscoring positions regularly.
He'll take some of those chances. The law of averages will see to that.
Signing Matthews at this stage is excellent business and we have shown great patience. Slade would be so proud, but Bowyer showing how it should be done.
We’ve probably saved money as well by signing him now, he’s unlikely to be earning what was on offer to him during the window.
Amos, Maynard-Brewer
Gunter, Matthews
Inniss, Oshilaja, Barker
Famewo, Pearce
Maatsen, Purrington
Watson, Pratley
Forster-Caskey, Levitt, Vennings
Gilbey, Williams, Shinnie, Morgan
Doughty, Maddison
Washington, Smyth
Aneke, Bogle
That’s 26 players we know can be involved at any point during the season and will not let us down. And we would still like another striker as well. There’s a lot of quality in that group of players, a few very good leaders too.
Exciting times, and huge, huge credit must go to Bowyer, Gallen, Jacko, Marshy, and Sandgaard. They all play a part, some much more than others, but what a team we have, leading the team on the pitch.