That performance and result has made me re-evaluate a few things.
I was one of those who in the last poll opted to vote that we wouldnt make the play-offs. Would vote the other way if the poll is re -run tomorrow.
I was also one of those who worried that even if we somehow got to Wembley we’d meet Sunderland and stats say we’d lose. After today, I wouldnt worry. I think we’ve got their measure. They somehow re- discovered the old McGeady, but after a while we at least sussed out to stop him cutting inside. And they absolutely could not handle Stockley.
Finally I was worried about parting with Bow at this time ( although I thought Adkins was a good choice, once that happened). But, and I guess its for another thread, there has to be a lot of chemistry in that manager role that we as fans can hardly deduce. I believe and certainly hope that Bow recovers his mojo and will be a good manager, but we have a much better chance of getting somewhere this season with Adkins in charge.
One thing I havent changed my mind on. Two strikers out with hammies, sustained while playing less than 20 minutes between them? FFS. FFFS!!
Good to see Gilbey starting to show the form he very briefly showed at the start of the season. After all he was a pretty big signing for us last summer, seeing that we chose to pay a fee for him at a time when we were under an embargo and gave him a 3 year deal.
I'm still baffled at our financial situation last summer, but that's for another thread!
Funny one with Amos. Lot of people’s MoM, some great saves, yet I also thought he was at fault for their goal by coming out when he didn’t need to and ending up in no man’s land. And he did the same in the first half when a channel ball was lifted down the right channel and the Sunderland player let it run across his body first rather than just lifting it over 1st time with his right foot.
not disputing his top drawer instinctive saves, but not the first time in recent games I think he’s come out when he shouldn’t have.
If he hadn't come out the goal becomes a bigger target for the opposition to slot into.
Great double save, but nobody read that they should have been on the goal line.
I disagree. Inniss hadn’t been completely done and the player wasn’t about to get a shot off. Amos coming out was totally unnecessary.
Agree.
From the replay it looked like Inniss would have actually got to the ball first if he hadn't slightly got out of the way to allow Amos to claim it.
It was a mistake from Amos but he made enough great saves in the rest of the game to deserve MOTM imo.
Brilliant result. Very ugly but a solid, determined and professional team performance.
Let's not get too carried away. We were awful for the first 15 mins and they could have been two up easily. . And some of our best chances were courtesy of their defenders.
We used to play some decent stuff but were far too porous and easy to beat. Now we play no decent stuff and are very tough to beat.
Must be all that positive thinking.
Ignoring our early chances in the first 15 too?
Could have been 3-3 in the first half. I swear it hurts some people to admit we have competed with a better side for much of the 90 minutes. We were under siege at times but were more than a match for our opposition.
Was busy today so didn’t watch and PWR (but just starting) but did we do the compulsory negative shitting ourselves for the last 10-minutes or has Adkins removed that nonsense?
Was busy today so didn’t watch and PWR (but just starting) but did we do the compulsory negative shitting ourselves for the last 10-minutes or has Adkins removed that nonsense?
We did from 15 minutes before the end. We then recovered and looked pretty decent for the last 7-10 minutes.
I know I’ve had a few glasses of decent Rioja but this is the most upbeat I’ve felt about Charlton for some time and I include beating Sunderland at Wembley under Bowyer. Rock on.
Are those that refused to believe starting to believe yet?
Have never given up hope... I think we'll get top six now, whether we'll go up, not so sure still
We weren't sure either 2 years ago ..... but we still went up!
It's up to us. It's in our own hands.
Nah I was pretty confident two years ago, that run we went on made me think we were steal second at one stage
I think the difference between that year and this year is the fact that you had four teams (we were constantly ignored) going for the top two, the two teams that didnt make it almost imploded with form out of disappointment, on the other hand we went into the Play-Offs not really disappointed at missing out on second as we were always the least likely so manage it... It meant we kept our form going and won promotion.
One out of Sunderland | Hull | Peterborough will be the disappointed team this year, as like two years ago, that team will be forced to go into the Play-Offs whilst recovering from the disappointment of missing out on the automatics - the other three wont have to deal with that, although I'm straight away writing off Portsmouth as they're another version of Brentford when it comes to the Play-Offs.
Blackpool are the one team that scare me
But then if they go into the Play-Offs with two defeats against Sunderland they wont be the form team anymore
Just maybe you are looking at the events of 2 years ago with the benefit of hindsight, Forever? Personally, I don't see a huge amount of difference between then and now ..... if we look at both seasons from the view point of 7 or 8 games left to play.
From what I remember 2 years ago, we finally got our consistent final run-in going during the final 12 games - after a very indifferent period from Christmas to early March. I can't see that it's much different this year ....... we're currently on an 8-match unbeaten run, building momentum.
We may well yet see a couple of fancied teams implode as they run out of steam. Even the top 2 are not assured of the automatics. We've also seen Lincoln and Doncaster slip up badly; and Blackpool driving into the playoffs from midtable obscurity - even they may peak too early, crash & burn. Or they could yet beat Sunderland twice and finish above them.
Too many imponderables. But definitely no certainties right now, But that's the fun of it - the unexpected twists and turns, and watching it all unfold one game at a time.
Winning at Sunderland is a real headline result, which will make the other teams around us take notice.
A solid win, built on a real "thou shalt not pass" defensive effort, and some quality at set plays. With Stockley, Pearce and Inniss we look as imposing as anyone in this division in the air
After Bowyer who tended to make a LOT of subs, maybe Adkins errs the other way, I was really surprised for example that Gilbey did the full 90, when we had 2 midfielders on the bench, as we looked tired out there.
Having both Chuks and Washington out injured at the same time is unfortunate too, and making Ronnie look like a luxury if the manager would rather leave a knackered Stockley out there rather than send him on.
Though you couldn't put Rocket Ronnie on in place of a knackered Stockley - and keep to the same gameplan. They are different types of player, with different attributes and abilities. Adkins would have to change things.
And he won't want to change the gameplan while it's working and we're winning. So Stockley stays on, Gilbey does 90 and Shinnie stays on the bench.
Pearce has never been quick but I think he lost half a yard when he came back from his injury which forced him to try and over compensate. He seems to have got that back and is doing very well for us.
Winning at Sunderland is a real headline result, which will make the other teams around us take notice.
A solid win, built on a real "thou shalt not pass" defensive effort, and some quality at set plays. With Stockley, Pearce and Inniss we look as imposing as anyone in this division in the air
After Bowyer who tended to make a LOT of subs, maybe Adkins errs the other way, I was really surprised for example that Gilbey did the full 90, when we had 2 midfielders on the bench, as we looked tired out there.
Having both Chuks and Washington out injured at the same time is unfortunate too, and making Ronnie look like a luxury if the manager would rather leave a knackered Stockley out there rather than send him on.
Though you couldn't put Rocket Ronnie on in place of a knackered Stockley - and keep to the same gameplan. They are different types of player, with different attributes and abilities. Adkins would have to change things.
And he won't want to change the gameplan while it's working and we're winning. So Stockley stays on, Gilbey does 90 and Shinnie stays on the bench.
Great Performance and deserved the Win. after some average performances by Amos recently it was a pleasure to see him on good form. we have it all in our hands now INNIS is back 👍👍🏆🏆
Excellent result. How much do you think our recent form is due to Adkins' positivity and how much is due to any tactical changes?
Both are key
What tactical changes in your opinion? I’m sure the positivity is a bit of a factor, but I think the return from injury of Inniss leading to a proper centre half combination again with Purrington at left back is the main impact. The main tactical change he’s installed is this Maatsen / DJ play, and I’m not convinced by it personally.
Surprised with that view mate as DJ/Maatsen have scored the goals and assists in games for our unbeaten run.
Surely that is proof that it has been successful for this current period of time, in terms of results?
Atkins has had to deal with Washington being out and Aneke obviously struggling for a few weeks. He's ditched the error prone full backs to our 2nd choice FBs all season too. We've not seen Watson or Shinnie for some time. These decisions are fed by our tactical template.
I thought Sunderland produced the best performance against us all season. They looked and it felt like a Championship game to me, albeit bottom half. Considering how good they were (compared to the rest of L1) and the fact that they were unbeaten since January/14 games (something like that), that was a superb victory.
Innis is a massive massive player, not only shoring up the defence, but also a threat at the other end. I can't help feeling we may have been top 2 if he'd played all season.
Amos was outstanding and MOM in a wonderful team performance.
Innis & Pearce were absolute monsters.
Gilbey had his best game yet & scored the winner. Purrington (thank you NA) being back in the defence has shored up our left, which is no longer an easy touch.
JFC & Pratley put in great battling performances, although their passing wasn't the best.
Matthews & Maatsen put in a good shift. Jayaseimi looked classy at times and Stockley put in a hell of a shift winning the majority of headers.
Wins at both Donny & Sunderland just was not on the cards and now we must be around 50/50 for the top 6.
The emergence of Gilbey under Adkins is extremely interesting considering that the bloke had basically disappeared from view since early season.
I know Gilbey had injuries but Bowyer seemed - along with some of our expert ‘fans’ - had given up on him but Adkins has made him an integral part of the team.
A big component of his excellent Saints teams was midfielders running in behind Beattie and getting on the end of things and it looks like Gilbey is filling that function here.
Such a huge difference from Bowyers last months where our midfield was as lifeless as Oliver Cromwell.
What I like about the way we are playing at the moment is that there seems to be more of a unified team. Each player knows their job and exactly what they are meant to be doing.
I think this is part of the problem that Bowyer struggled with in the latter days - a tendency to overthink and discard ideas or strategies a bit too readily. But Adkins seems to have fairly quickly decided on a method of play and a style and sticks with it - which bodes well for summer honestly, if TS is willing to foot the bill.
Comments
I was also one of those who worried that even if we somehow got to Wembley we’d meet Sunderland and stats say we’d lose. After today, I wouldnt worry. I think we’ve got their measure. They somehow re- discovered the old McGeady, but after a while we at least sussed out to stop him cutting inside. And they absolutely could not handle Stockley.
I'm still baffled at our financial situation last summer, but that's for another thread!
From the replay it looked like Inniss would have actually got to the ball first if he hadn't slightly got out of the way to allow Amos to claim it.
It was a mistake from Amos but he made enough great saves in the rest of the game to deserve MOTM imo.
Could have been 3-3 in the first half. I swear it hurts some people to admit we have competed with a better side for much of the 90 minutes. We were under siege at times but were more than a match for our opposition.
Gifted them a goal with is frustrating but we didnt get our heads down and remained disciplined and focused.
Said it before, we look like a team again and pulling in the right direction with Adkins positivity along with his overall experience.
Looking forward to watching this team progress and only get better.
Amos best game in a long time, not just the saves but he came out for crosses more and it helped take any pressure off.
Roll on next weekend...confident we can pick up a result against Ipswich! Even with our pants home form!
Personally, I don't see a huge amount of difference between then and now ..... if we look at both seasons from the view point of 7 or 8 games left to play.
From what I remember 2 years ago, we finally got our consistent final run-in going during the final 12 games - after a very indifferent period from Christmas to early March.
I can't see that it's much different this year ....... we're currently on an 8-match unbeaten run, building momentum.
We may well yet see a couple of fancied teams implode as they run out of steam. Even the top 2 are not assured of the automatics.
We've also seen Lincoln and Doncaster slip up badly; and Blackpool driving into the playoffs from midtable obscurity - even they may peak too early, crash & burn.
Or they could yet beat Sunderland twice and finish above them.
Too many imponderables. But definitely no certainties right now, But that's the fun of it - the unexpected twists and turns, and watching it all unfold one game at a time.
Just one real shame.
Gilbey scored his first goal but we didn't get to see his Upbeats celebration.
They are different types of player, with different attributes and abilities. Adkins would have to change things.
And he won't want to change the gameplan while it's working and we're winning.
So Stockley stays on, Gilbey does 90 and Shinnie stays on the bench.
after some average performances by Amos recently it was a pleasure to see him on good form.
we have it all in our hands now INNIS is back 👍👍🏆🏆
Surely that is proof that it has been successful for this current period of time, in terms of results?
Atkins has had to deal with Washington being out and Aneke obviously struggling for a few weeks. He's ditched the error prone full backs to our 2nd choice FBs all season too. We've not seen Watson or Shinnie for some time. These decisions are fed by our tactical template.
They looked and it felt like a Championship game to me, albeit bottom half.
Considering how good they were (compared to the rest of L1) and the fact that they were unbeaten since January/14 games (something like that), that was a superb victory.
Innis is a massive massive player, not only shoring up the defence, but also a threat at the other end.
I can't help feeling we may have been top 2 if he'd played all season.
Amos was outstanding and MOM in a wonderful team performance.
Innis & Pearce were absolute monsters.
Gilbey had his best game yet & scored the winner.
Purrington (thank you NA) being back in the defence has shored up our left, which is no longer an easy touch.
JFC & Pratley put in great battling performances, although their passing wasn't the best.
Matthews & Maatsen put in a good shift. Jayaseimi looked classy at times and Stockley put in a hell of a shift winning the majority of headers.
Wins at both Donny & Sunderland just was not on the cards and now we must be around 50/50 for the top 6.
I know Gilbey had injuries but Bowyer seemed - along with some of our expert ‘fans’ - had given up on him but Adkins has made him an integral part of the team.
A big component of his excellent Saints teams was midfielders running in behind Beattie and getting on the end of things and it looks like Gilbey is filling that function here.
Such a huge difference from Bowyers last months where our midfield was as lifeless as Oliver Cromwell.
Blue and white are Millwall colours.
I know we have had some awful away kits but there must be a good choice somewhere between blue and white and purple/green etc!
I think this is part of the problem that Bowyer struggled with in the latter days - a tendency to overthink and discard ideas or strategies a bit too readily. But Adkins seems to have fairly quickly decided on a method of play and a style and sticks with it - which bodes well for summer honestly, if TS is willing to foot the bill.