An efficient 7 out of 10 all round,exceptions being Pearce 8 JFC 8 Watson.8 Pearce is fine when he has reliability and speed behind him to cover the odd misjudgement,him and Famewo a good pairing.JFC is now the player we always knew he could be,injury free this guy is our best midfielder by far.Watson,well what can you say,gets slaughtered on here at times,but when things get a bit tough he is usually in the thick of it,got so many important headers away.One small moan,I would have like to maybe see him 5 -10 yards forward at time as there was still too much space just outside our box,better shooting by them could have resulted in the usual 25yd worldie.We can go on about how poor Wigan are ,but there has been and will be many times when bottom teams upset the top teams,prepare for a roller coaster ride until seasons end.
@KBslittlesis I hope Brownie apologised for not doing the radio commentary properly? When he went off on one of his excellent rambles (like in the build-up to our goal) I kept thinking of you and how you'd have no idea what was happening!
🤣🤣 to be fair, I love listening to him so much I can forgive him. But there were times it made me giggle 🤭
Agree Watson’s best performance of season I’d sooner pratley to Watson but I think at the moment pratley is trying to hard and is wondering from his position of anchoring the midfield. Which has led to him not in position to close down the long range shots like the second goal against Blackpool.
It seemed a classic Curbishley era performance when we were in a bit of a slump. He’d pack the midfield make us solid and then build off there for next game.
Was surprised at the league table tbh I was looking for us down the 12th /13th place to see we’re still somehow 9th and not out of things contrary to general feeling here and on social media.
We will need to step up against a decent Oxford team theres no doubt.
Not knocking them, a wins a win and it was much needed.
My biggest issue is the early sitting back. We just invite so much pressure onto ourselves and get caught out more often than not.
Its something we need to for game management but last 15 maybe. When we are on the front foot against teams then we do so much better. Sitting back on a 2-0 lead is better than sitting on a 1-0.
Thought Watson had a good game. Calms things and made some great tackles. JFC was a dynamo as was Famewo.
Imo Maatsen played better but he is better suited a left winger who can defend.
Hopefully we can push on.
Also agree, think Steve Brown would be a great addition to the team...he can both analyse and coach and I think make players better.
It is interesting seeing the post match comments by Bowyer that he didn't have them in on Sunday and gave the players thinking time and time away from him. Also that he simplified things and maybe, in hope more than expectation, he is realising that less interventions from him is still management.
Bowyer been saying since December or January that he needs a box-to-box type midfielder, but thought JFC has been doing that role really well in his recent stellar performances.
Also shout out to Washington who although didn't directly create many chances, he dragged their defenders all over the shop which created space for Millar and Chuks, and he worked really hard defensively.
It seemed a classic Curbishley era performance when we were in a bit of a slump. He’d pack the midfield make us solid and then build off there for next game.
Was surprised at the league table tbh I was looking for us down the 12th /13th place to see we’re still somehow 9th and not out of things contrary to general feeling here and on social media.
Need to win 8 games and draw 3 to be in the mix for sixth spot. 14 games left.
Not impossible but difficult to imagine a team that has to "hang on" in the last few minutes of every game managing this!
Attention to all people giving Maatsen 4 in Player Marks: I'm making a list, I'm checking it twice
I think Steve Brown takes some responsibility for that, by pointing out the positional and defensive errors Maatson made last night.
He was good to point out where Maatsen lacks experience, and he'd surely be a fine coach for the lad, but he was a little inconsistent, letting Matthews off several times when he was completely rinsed by his winger, even blaming Maatsen for one of those occasions! Maatsen also did plenty of good work (which Browny did note), and sure, his all-action style sometimes takes him to unusual parts of the field (which is why he's probably best as a wing-back, as he later became), but Bowyer clearly prefers him to Purrington for a good reason, and not because he's lost it either. He's proactive, makes a lot of interceptions, gets down the field and competes fiercely for everything. His ceiling is so, so much higher than Purrington's, even now as a raw and flawed youth
Simply put a relief. I was covering my eyes at times towards the end. Not because I thought Wigan were sharp enough to equalise, but because we have been in such poor form, you half expected an unfair deflected kick in the b*lls.
All those that played appeared to want to disprove recent conspiracies. That team played for the badge, themselves and manager, which was heartening.
Steve Brown never lets you down and didn’t with his commentary last night. Doesn’t pull any punches and his analysis was spot on and interesting. A real value add and I agree with others, Bowyer could do worse than inviting Brownie in for a week to help train the defenders, himself having been so versatile at the back at the highest level. He could be as helpful to Maatsen as he could Famewo or Oshilaja.
We should go into Saturday with no fear. Just remind the players how good they can be when they gel and work hard for one another. We have sufficient quality to win the game and I am looking forward to it.
If we can hook LB up to Curbishley and Brown's punditry before during and after the game, we could be onto something - good that we cut out the catastrophic errors although Matthews had a lucky escape when he missed that clearance. Watson plays with his brain which is a vast improvement on Pratley's robbie savage impersonation but still needs replacing - hopefully the wheels are already in motion there although not likely this season although not impossible. Hats off to JFC - a player transformed. Chucks must start every game when fit and certainly every other game - why on earth he was on the bench for the last 2, only LB knows.
Top marks for Brown's contribution last night. He gave insights which would have passed me by if he hadn't pointed them out.
Ref was ok too although I'd like to know his viewpoint on what contributes bundling or not bundling a player over in the box.
JFC was very good first half with able support from Smith. Watson the calm cover for the centre backs. Thought Matthews was better too.
What bugs me is the lack of ability of players in their crossing and shooting. Free kicks and crosses sailed over the box on a number of occasions. As for shooting skills, as Brown said, it should be simple for professionals: head down, chest leaning over the ball and thump it as hard as possible. Sadly all lacking in Charlton (and with relief Wigan) players last night.
Attention to all people giving Maatsen 4 in Player Marks: I'm making a list, I'm checking it twice
I think Steve Brown takes some responsibility for that, by pointing out the positional and defensive errors Maatson made last night.
He was good to point out where Maatsen lacks experience, and he'd surely be a fine coach for the lad, but he was a little inconsistent, letting Matthews off several times when he was completely rinsed by his winger, even blaming Maatsen for one of those occasions! Maatsen also did plenty of good work (which Browny did note), and sure, his all-action style sometimes takes him to unusual parts of the field (which is why he's probably best as a wing-back, as he later became), but Bowyer clearly prefers him to Purrington for a good reason, and not because he's lost it either. He's proactive, makes a lot of interceptions, gets down the field and competes fiercely for everything. His ceiling is so, so much higher than Purrington's, even now as a raw and flawed youth
At his best I agree. I think Purrington was one of our best players v Burton and was unlucky to be hooked and he wasn't the problem on Saturday either.
For me Purrington is a bit more solid although he is not so good against pace. Purrington gets a decent share of goals too for a full back. I would have Purrington above Maatson at the moment but accept it is a marginal call.
Agree about Matthews. He had a decent match but was caught out a couple of times that wasn't mentioned.
Quite unusual but fascinating when Brownie is in the commentary box, as it feels like you're sitting next a coach in the stand and he's explaining to you exactly what's going on out there.
So much more detail that a co-commentator normally provides, and I'm talking about the ones on TV and Radio not Greg and Terry.
Agreed. I think we could do a lot worse than appointing Brownie as defensive coach.
A good 3 points. Not necessarily a good win in terms of performance (although better), but given recent displays and results that's totally irrelevant.
Yes Wigan are even worse than us and although not great gave us a scare once or twice but come on, we all know that's the sort of game we'd usually lose!
A return to the 433, don't think it's any coincidence that we had a better go of it playing the formation that Bowyer planned for this season but quickly abandoned once Doughty was out. Washington grafting on one side with Millar/ DJ as the flair winger on the other side I like, get the right balance with the midfield 3 and it's probably our best formation. Hope we persist with it. Aneke's injury woes will see Stockley and Schwartz get enough game time as the "main" striker in the front 3.
I don't hate Purrington and think he'd potentially work on the left of a back three (or the CENTRE of a back three, which I'm amazed we haven't tried since the fourth game of the season, when it worked well for 20 minutes). That said we'd then probably be playing a left-footer on the right of a back three if Pearce stays in. Famewo would probably have to do that. He probably could. This would free up Maatsen as a wing-back and allow Matthews to do likewise, AND allow a CM three, which suited Watson. The more I think about it the more I like it. It did look good against Burton (until it didn't).
Quite unusual but fascinating when Brownie is in the commentary box, as it feels like you're sitting next a coach in the stand and he's explaining to you exactly what's going on out there.
So much more detail that a co-commentator normally provides, and I'm talking about the ones on TV and Radio not Greg and Terry.
Agreed. I think we could do a lot worse than appointing Brownie as defensive coach.
My main take from last night is what a difference having an ex pro commentating. No offence to Terry and Greg, both do a job but there’s a clear difference and made watching even more bearable.
Comments
Pearce is fine when he has reliability and speed behind him to cover the odd misjudgement,him and Famewo a good pairing.JFC is now the player we always knew he could be,injury free this guy is our best midfielder by far.Watson,well what can you say,gets slaughtered on here at times,but when things get a bit tough he is usually in the thick of it,got so many important headers away.One small moan,I would have like to maybe see him 5 -10 yards forward at time as there was still too much space just outside our box,better shooting by them could have resulted in the usual 25yd worldie.We can go on about how poor Wigan are ,but there has been and will be many times when bottom teams upset the top teams,prepare for a roller coaster ride until seasons end.
I’m still buzzing.
Walking in a Browny wonderland, whilst sipping an Aneke aperitif 😁😁😁😁😁😁
to be fair, I love listening to him so much I can forgive him.
But there were times it made me giggle 🤭
I feel I am going to have to go all Leuth on the Washington doubters.
(FWIW I thought considering they tried to target him, Maatsen did well)
Not knocking them, a wins a win and it was much needed.
My biggest issue is the early sitting back. We just invite so much pressure onto ourselves and get caught out more often than not.
Its something we need to for game management but last 15 maybe. When we are on the front foot against teams then we do so much better. Sitting back on a 2-0 lead is better than sitting on a 1-0.
Thought Watson had a good game. Calms things and made some great tackles. JFC was a dynamo as was Famewo.
Imo Maatsen played better but he is better suited a left winger who can defend.
Hopefully we can push on.
Also agree, think Steve Brown would be a great addition to the team...he can both analyse and coach and I think make players better.
Also shout out to Washington who although didn't directly create many chances, he dragged their defenders all over the shop which created space for Millar and Chuks, and he worked really hard defensively.
Not impossible but difficult to imagine a team that has to "hang on" in the last few minutes of every game managing this!
If you dont even try that sort of ball (Blackpool) then it'll never come off
He does chip in with goals aswell.
Give the guy a break...if he doesnt score 30 goals a season then he must be shit...
All those that played appeared to want to disprove recent conspiracies. That team played for the badge, themselves and manager, which was heartening.
Steve Brown never lets you down and didn’t with his commentary last night. Doesn’t pull any punches and his analysis was spot on and interesting. A real value add and I agree with others, Bowyer could do worse than inviting Brownie in for a week to help train the defenders, himself having been so versatile at the back at the highest level. He could be as helpful to Maatsen as he could Famewo or Oshilaja.
We should go into Saturday with no fear. Just remind the players how good they can be when they gel and work hard for one another. We have sufficient quality to win the game and I am looking forward to it.
Ref was ok too although I'd like to know his viewpoint on what contributes bundling or not bundling a player over in the box.
JFC was very good first half with able support from Smith. Watson the calm cover for the centre backs. Thought Matthews was better too.
What bugs me is the lack of ability of players in their crossing and shooting. Free kicks and crosses sailed over the box on a number of occasions. As for shooting skills, as Brown said, it should be simple for professionals: head down, chest leaning over the ball and thump it as hard as possible. Sadly all lacking in Charlton (and with relief Wigan) players last night.
For me Purrington is a bit more solid although he is not so good against pace. Purrington gets a decent share of goals too for a full back. I would have Purrington above Maatson at the moment but accept it is a marginal call.
Agree about Matthews. He had a decent match but was caught out a couple of times that wasn't mentioned.
Yes Wigan are even worse than us and although not great gave us a scare once or twice but come on, we all know that's the sort of game we'd usually lose!
A return to the 433, don't think it's any coincidence that we had a better go of it playing the formation that Bowyer planned for this season but quickly abandoned once Doughty was out. Washington grafting on one side with Millar/ DJ as the flair winger on the other side I like, get the right balance with the midfield 3 and it's probably our best formation. Hope we persist with it. Aneke's injury woes will see Stockley and Schwartz get enough game time as the "main" striker in the front 3.