So before the game, @Leeds_Addick said that Bowyer had apparently solved the defensive substitutions problem by starting all the defensively-minded players lol. He was right, because all the subs were positive, but we were a bit of a shambles first half. Bullet points:
- Plymouth were not very good. This is two points dropped. We looked sluggish and at times like strangers. Matthews had a poor game, exacerbated by being on the wrong flank. We had a right back at left back, a left back at defensive midfield, a central midfielder at centre back, and Oshilaja - who, you know, actually plays in defence - on the bench.
- Maddison changed the game when he came on. Took his goal fantastically. What a bright spark he was, ably assisted by Morgan.
- JFC was our best player who started the game: doing his utmost to dictate the tempo, finding the right pass and moving well. Williams was also adequate in that sense.
- Pearce didn't seem to have command of his back line as well as usual. I think Bowyer is probably culpable for some of this because the defending for the second goal in particular was appalling.
- Watson, having had a very good game against Swindon, was crap today. Turned inside out for the opener; various underhit passes YET AGAIN, and always half a second late/too slow/out of position.
- Bowyer needs to learn that the likes of Watson, Pratley, and Gunter aren't undroppable. Yes they're experienced, but they have deficiencies that comes with age. Watson's legs are going to go around February is my prediction.
- We are too ponderous in attack. Far too ponderous. Not enough movement is made to draw defenders in: they seemed all too happy to just sit back and wait. We need to create space for ourselves when on the ball and we do not do that effectively enough.
- Conversely, in defence, we let the opposition have the ball too close to the goal, and just sort of pack the box zonally and hope one of our guys gets the clearance in, with relatively little thought about how to counter (particularly without Doughty or another pace merchant).
- Aneke good, Washington I rate for his work rate, Maatsen young but could've had a screamer amongst various mistakes... Oh man, no point going through everyone. Same old story: no-one was total crap, but as a team we were.
I'm gonna have some chocolate. A fair result. Merry Christmas.
Terrible really, lacked creativity although that improved under Maddison. Bowyer continues to make baffling decisions, Deji on the bench but Pratley starts at CB? Matthews at LB?
The big concern for me is that Bowyer has no idea what his best team or formation is. Yes you need flexibility but it’s becoming a joke now.
Only JFC, Maatsen and Maddison come out with credit from that
I want to see Maddison, Williams, Aneke and Morgan have a run of starts together. Every game is winnable in this league and no team stands out. A bit better going forward and we could turn games like this in to wins.
Hard to believe if we win our game in hand we’d be joint second on points (no surprise we’d have the lower goal difference).
Add Smyth in there too. Washington is decent but we’ve go to get some more pace into the team. Smyth and Maatsen need to play most of the time until Doughty is fit or we sign some pace in January.
But totally agree. Bowyer needs to stop rationing out his best players and get them all on the pitch at the same time, instead of choosing to field weakened teams.
Terrible really, lacked creativity although that improved under Maddison. Bowyer continues to make baffling decisions, Deji on the bench but Pratley starts at CB? Matthews at LB?
The big concern for me is that Bowyer has no idea what his best team or formation is. Yes you need flexibility but it’s becoming a joke now.
Only JFC, Maatsen and Maddison come out with credit from that
Genuinely think he's struggling because he's got a squad to pick from. Our play off promotion winning side barely changed, other than through injuries. Now he's tinkering with the squad, it's just not working for him.
Never got ahead. Did well to keep pushing most of the match, made some chances but not enough. Would have liked to see more runs out wide to see if the forward balls could be more successful. Soft defending making it so easy for them. I’ve not been impressed by Maddison in the first couple of games I saw him play for us as he lost the ball too easily, but came on today looked forwards, completed passes and scored a brilliant goal to save a point. I still don’t love Pratley in the back four and prefer him coming on as a midfielder to win a battle. Watson grew into the game but was at fault for the first. Thought JFC did well and that Washington was going to score one of his chances. When you need to score 3 to win it’s always going to be difficult.
Like everyone else I want Bowyer to be a success at Charlton especially as he stood by us under the clowns. But his ridiculous team selection and tactics are costing us dearly. Not sure how much patience Mr.sandgaard has with Bowyer. We shall find out soon enough.
Recent interview Sandgaard gave he said that he'll be happy with the play-offs.
I want to see Maddison, Williams, Aneke and Morgan have a run of starts together. Every game is winnable in this league and no team stands out. A bit better going forward and we could turn games like this in to wins.
Hard to believe if we win our game in hand we’d be joint second on points (no surprise we’d have the lower goal difference).
Would be great but if the defence plays how it did today then they're left horribly exposed - We go from needing a 1-0 / 2-0 win to having to recover twice like today which is hurting us
How many teams go up from League One having conceded more goals than anyone else in the top six?
Starting to get annoyed that Nigels get pumped every week and I can’t enjoy it because Charlton can’t beat these poor teams. Next time let’s win comfortably and I can enjoy Nigels getting beaten again.
Players struggling to perform in systems with personell that doesn't suit.
Players either shot of confidence because of point 1 or a real lack of desire? The urgency to push on in those last 10mins was non existent. Their ability to cope when under any sort pressure in posession is really starting to show.
Referees that are as shocking as I've seen for many a season.
A team shape I couldn't fathom... Matthews, Pratley and Watson should clear off as they were culpable all game.
I was willing to take a point after an hour as I simply couldn't see us scoring... But this is where Maddison showed us his quality and thank goodness he did.
If Curbs, Minto and Brown can see the formation was crap why can't LB?
We are, as Curbs said unbeaten in four games and besides the wombles game have been poor.
Let's hope for some quality signings and that we shake off the bad performances.
Terrible really, lacked creativity although that improved under Maddison. Bowyer continues to make baffling decisions, Deji on the bench but Pratley starts at CB? Matthews at LB?
The big concern for me is that Bowyer has no idea what his best team or formation is. Yes you need flexibility but it’s becoming a joke now.
Only JFC, Maatsen and Maddison come out with credit from that
Genuinely think he's struggling because he's got a squad to pick from. Our play off promotion winning side barely changed, other than through injuries. Now he's tinkering with the squad, it's just not working for him.
Not sure I agree. Today he played players out of position. I get it if it’s Bogle or Aneke, Gunter or Matthews, but the team and formation today was just bizarre. It was probably a tactic to surprise Plymouth but it failed.
Normally by this point on the post match thread we would have had a few people complaining that Bowyer needs to start Williams and Aneke and bringing them off the bench to save us doesn’t work. I’d hope at least from this people can see why he uses Aneke the way he does; he’s a lot more effective when coming in fresh against tired defenders. Neither he or Jonny seem to have the engines to be effective for 90 mins so they have a lot more impact coming in as subs. Hopefully we can get Schwartz in soon and be effective before and after Chuks comes on in the future
Comments
You won't ever get top two with Watson and Pratley starting every F****** game.
- Plymouth were not very good. This is two points dropped. We looked sluggish and at times like strangers. Matthews had a poor game, exacerbated by being on the wrong flank. We had a right back at left back, a left back at defensive midfield, a central midfielder at centre back, and Oshilaja - who, you know, actually plays in defence - on the bench.
- Maddison changed the game when he came on. Took his goal fantastically. What a bright spark he was, ably assisted by Morgan.
- JFC was our best player who started the game: doing his utmost to dictate the tempo, finding the right pass and moving well. Williams was also adequate in that sense.
- Pearce didn't seem to have command of his back line as well as usual. I think Bowyer is probably culpable for some of this because the defending for the second goal in particular was appalling.
- Watson, having had a very good game against Swindon, was crap today. Turned inside out for the opener; various underhit passes YET AGAIN, and always half a second late/too slow/out of position.
- Bowyer needs to learn that the likes of Watson, Pratley, and Gunter aren't undroppable. Yes they're experienced, but they have deficiencies that comes with age. Watson's legs are going to go around February is my prediction.
- We are too ponderous in attack. Far too ponderous. Not enough movement is made to draw defenders in: they seemed all too happy to just sit back and wait. We need to create space for ourselves when on the ball and we do not do that effectively enough.
- Conversely, in defence, we let the opposition have the ball too close to the goal, and just sort of pack the box zonally and hope one of our guys gets the clearance in, with relatively little thought about how to counter (particularly without Doughty or another pace merchant).
- Aneke good, Washington I rate for his work rate, Maatsen young but could've had a screamer amongst various mistakes... Oh man, no point going through everyone. Same old story: no-one was total crap, but as a team we were.
I'm gonna have some chocolate. A fair result. Merry Christmas.
Relegation form last 6 games.
Lee why are your team selections fucking shit.
"We never discuss or practice tactics"
Recent interview Sandgaard gave he said that he'll be happy with the play-offs.
No chance of getting promoted without strengthening in key areas.
How many teams go up from League One having conceded more goals than anyone else in the top six?
A team shape I couldn't fathom... Matthews, Pratley and Watson should clear off as they were culpable all game.
I was willing to take a point after an hour as I simply couldn't see us scoring... But this is where Maddison showed us his quality and thank goodness he did.
If Curbs, Minto and Brown can see the formation was crap why can't LB?
We are, as Curbs said unbeaten in four games and besides the wombles game have been poor.
Let's hope for some quality signings and that we shake off the bad performances.
NOT BLOODY GOOD ENOUGH BOWS
Gave away two sloppy goals ...
Stupid free kick given away for their second ...