Great result, let's hope that brings some confidence back - it ought too. Thought the midfield in particular were excellent - so much so that I was going to start naming names here, but then thought that I couldn't miss anybody out. Any chance that Liverpool might not want Millar back?
Bizarre sight of the evening: Not one, but two, flags saying 'The Real Dons'. How bloody odd is that for a team that aren't the real dons anyway? They really do need to get an identity of their own.
Terrific team performance and away win, with a clean sheet to boot. Thought our press worked well and we played some good football at times and got the goal we deserved. Second half we made it hard for ourselves by not keeping hold of the ball better, but defended stoutly. I'd like to think we will keep possession much better as belief and confidence grows. Millar outstanding for a young lad still learning his trade and a qualitative step up from Doughty. Anybody who gives Pratters less than 7 in the match stats is gonna get a smack
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Happy with that, though the 2nd half felt like hard work. What have I learned? Millar is going to be a top player, MOM for me. Just because there are some things Pratley isn't good at, doesn't mean there aren't others that he is. Excellent today we missed Washington's energy when he went off. He may not be a natural goal scorer but he does work hard. Shinnie is really quite good at this level, Morgan has some really good games, but he's not at Shinnie's level yet. We defended as a team, got a bit lucky, but we were due some. Everyone played their part, Deji was again the most assured of the defence. Off to put some ointment on what's left of my nails
Agree with that, and thank god you said the ointment was for your nails!!!😂
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Could well be the player that Bowyer and Gallen are trying to find at the moment as wasnt Ofoborh that type?
Could argue on this showing that we've been calling out for a CB but the defence itself did well tonight, it just needs decent protection
I'll hold my hands up, I thought Pratley was god awful at the weekend and was upset he was in the team tonight... My bad! He was outstanding tonight! Alongside Liam Millar and Deji as well I might add. On another god awful pitch!!
Winning ugly is something we haven't done for a while and I can really feel the momentum shifting.
Go for the jugular against a Portsmouth side on a poor run on Saturday! Come on Charlton fans, let's enjoy a win whichever way it comes.
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Did you actually watch the game? Pratley had one job tonight, to stop Scott Fraser. He succeeded and besides succeeding in his main job he also had time to help out in other areas.
It’s been obvious confidence has been really low but the team equally have been giving full effort last few games, only to be punished by individual mistakes. We needed that win badly and I’m confident it will prove the platform for the next couple months of improved results.
Pratley did what he is best out, Deji faultless again, Stockley giving us structure up top and a presence, Matthews looking like he is getting match fitness back and Purrington returning to his solid Steady Eddie form. We clearly got too deep and inviting 2nd half but I think that’s the fragile confidence.
As a manager you must want to tear you hair out. Take that free kick halfway through the 2nd half. Well into their half, do you reckon Bow and Jacko are telling them to play it short to Albie, to play back to halfway line, then back to Amos to sky it?
Tough one coming up on Saturday, but seeing as we have struggled in the recent ‘games you should win’, that might not be a bad thing.
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Did you actually watch the game? Pratley had one job tonight, to stop Scott Fraser. He succeeded and besides succeeding in his main job he also had time to help out in other areas.
Did you actually watch the game tonight? I'm sorry, but at this level of professional football you should be able to do more than 'stop' someone playing. We'll never reach the top if these are the types of players we want.
His inclusion in the team invites pressure.. it doesn't alleviate it.
Out of interest Callum what does this chart show as I do not have a clue?
It's all the shot locations from the game and the larger the area of the shape, the more chance it had of going in. I'm still trying to work out how the varying shapes are allocated but I'm guessing it's along the lines of header/shot/set-piece etc. The one with the yellow arrow going into the net is the goal.
MK Dons 0.56 - Charlton 0.88 is the expected goals final score according to @xG_mapper 's model.
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Did you actually watch the game? Pratley had one job tonight, to stop Scott Fraser. He succeeded and besides succeeding in his main job he also had time to help out in other areas.
Did you actually watch the game tonight? I'm sorry, but at this level of professional football you should be able to do more than 'stop' someone playing. We'll never reach the top if these are the types of players we want.
His inclusion in the team invites pressure.. it doesn't alleviate it.
Some good, some bad. More good than bad first half, more bad than good second half. On the balance of play in the two games you'd say we should have won on Saturday and drawn tonight, but it ended up the other way around. That's football for you. Overall, the points were more important than performance tonight and it hopefully gives us something to build on, and things do feel like they are moving in the right direction again.
Encouraging that Pratley was excellent tonight as he has been poor all season and his drop off in pace has hurt us. To be fair, he has mostly played out of position though.
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Did you actually watch the game? Pratley had one job tonight, to stop Scott Fraser. He succeeded and besides succeeding in his main job he also had time to help out in other areas.
Agreed. I’ve not always been a fan of pratley playing this season but there are games he comes in and does a job and he did it so well tonight. Credit to bowyer for coming up with it and pratley for following it perfectly.
Out of interest Callum what does this chart show as I do not have a clue?
It's all the shot locations from the game and the larger the area of the shape, the more chance it had of going in. I'm still trying to work out how the varying shapes are allocated but I'm guessing it's along the lines of header/shot/set-piece etc. The one with the yellow arrow going into the net is the goal.
MK Dons 0.56 - Charlton 0.88 is the expected goals score according to xG_mapper's model.
Thanks but................if the yellow arrow is the actual goal why are there 2 x larger shapes, your break down means the circle over the pen spot and the hex near the six yard box had more chance of going in than the goal itself???
If we want to consistently outplay teams and win loads of games we will need to do more than stop the opposition from playing, but a Pratley destruction special does at least guarantee that neither team will create much
All been said, terrific performance .. I had serious doubts over Millar's signing, SO pleased to be proven wrong .. 4 4 2 is the way to go, nothing fancy .. good to see Purry back in the side .. we still need a central defender though
I thought we played 4-4-2 but the commentators said it was a diamond
Greg said it was 4-5-1 and then went on to explain how it was 4-3-3...
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Did you actually watch the game? Pratley had one job tonight, to stop Scott Fraser. He succeeded and besides succeeding in his main job he also had time to help out in other areas.
Did you actually watch the game tonight? I'm sorry, but at this level of professional football you should be able to do more than 'stop' someone playing. We'll never reach the top if these are the types of players we want.
His inclusion in the team invites pressure.. it doesn't alleviate it.
We are a league 1 team mate...chill out.
His inclusion frees up things for the creative players whilst he does the dirty work.
We'll never control possession or the tempo with Pratley in the middle of the park. There must be an alternative option of someone energetic who can also play..?
Did you actually watch the game? Pratley had one job tonight, to stop Scott Fraser. He succeeded and besides succeeding in his main job he also had time to help out in other areas.
Did you actually watch the game tonight? I'm sorry, but at this level of professional football you should be able to do more than 'stop' someone playing. We'll never reach the top if these are the types of players we want.
His inclusion in the team invites pressure.. it doesn't alleviate it.
We are a league 1 team mate...chill out.
His inclusion frees up things for the creative players whilst he does the dirty work.
Comments
Bizarre sight of the evening: Not one, but two, flags saying 'The Real Dons'. How bloody odd is that for a team that aren't the real dons anyway? They really do need to get an identity of their own.
Hope those that criticised Pratley for only passing sideways, giving away needless fouls etc watched tonight .....
He impresses me match after match for his unstinting hard work for the team & is sorely missed when he's injured or suspended.
If fit, for me, his name should be the first on the teamsheet.
Anyway, excellent first half performance from the lads, followed by a a somewhat nail biting second.
But, our luck , for once, and determination to take home the spoils prevailed.
Well done lads.
Let's do it again on Saturday, please .
And as everyone keeps saying they did all there business before the wage cap came in so I would suggest that is a fair number.
Our last league 1 wage bill was about 10 million quid, of which Gallen suggests the players wages are, in total about 2-3 million less.
So maybe not double but certainly significantly more. And it was actually more than double last time we were in league 1.
Thought our press worked well and we played some good football at times and got the goal we deserved.
Second half we made it hard for ourselves by not keeping hold of the ball better, but defended stoutly.
I'd like to think we will keep possession much better as belief and confidence grows.
Millar outstanding for a young lad still learning his trade and a qualitative step up from Doughty.
Anybody who gives Pratters less than 7 in the match stats is gonna get a smack
Could argue on this showing that we've been calling out for a CB but the defence itself did well tonight, it just needs decent protection
Winning ugly is something we haven't done for a while and I can really feel the momentum shifting.
Go for the jugular against a Portsmouth side on a poor run on Saturday! Come on Charlton fans, let's enjoy a win whichever way it comes.
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-lee-bowyer-delighted-to-see-his-side-get-back-to-basics-during-1-0-win-at-milton-keynes/
Pratley had one job tonight, to stop Scott Fraser.
He succeeded and besides succeeding in his main job he also had time to help out in other areas.
Pratley did what he is best out, Deji faultless again, Stockley giving us structure up top and a presence, Matthews looking like he is getting match fitness back and Purrington returning to his solid Steady Eddie form. We clearly got too deep and inviting 2nd half but I think that’s the fragile confidence.
Tough one coming up on Saturday, but seeing as we have struggled in the recent ‘games you should win’, that might not be a bad thing.
Up the Addicks!
I'm sorry, but at this level of professional football you should be able to do more than 'stop' someone playing. We'll never reach the top if these are the types of players we want.
His inclusion in the team invites pressure.. it doesn't alleviate it.
MK Dons 0.56 - Charlton 0.88 is the expected goals final score according to @xG_mapper 's model.
His inclusion frees up things for the creative players whilst he does the dirty work.