Just got home, the M1 was closed due to a fire! I've not read any posts, but today we could've had a hat full of goals. Best we've played all season by a country mile. Things look as they are beginning to click. Early days....but the acorns are there, however we need to add at least 3 more bodies, a LB (although Gunter did well today) an out and out striker and Arter if that's true. I've followed Harry's career from here to Woking and beyond, he in my opinion would be a great acquisition. Right time for a large red wine!!
Much more enjoyable afternoon. Right from the dominant start til the final whistle, even though Crewe were a much weakened outfit, there were reasons to be cheerful,
And let’s face it, there haven’t been up til today. Finally, proper entertainment was on offer. Shots on and off target; there were more in the first fifteen or twenty minutes than there have been all season. 19 shots in total, seven on target, and a few blocked as well.
Kirk, who had a quiet first half popped up in the second with three strikes from the edge of the box, two on target, one over the bar. He grew into the game.
Gunter hit a near goal of the season screamer that shaved the post.
Jaiyesimi provided some magical tricks and flicks that I’d love to see again in slo-mo, but probably never will, unless @Ollywozere can pull a few strings.
And it was great to see the Watsons, Matthews and Gunters, who haven’t started the season well, finding some form and winning their individual battles.
A couple of fine saves from McGivillray, and good handling of crosses, inspired confidence.
Elliot Lee is a busy player with a good first tough who’ll definitely improve us if he can stay injury free.
But maybe the highlight for me was Deji’s half hour cameo. What an elegant player he is! Very composed on the ball, very good positionally, and can pick a pass. Actually heard a few gasps when he intercepted an attempted through ball, shrugged off his attacker, and played a through pass with the outside of his foot. I hope we can hang on to him as long as possible.
I thought we started the first 10 minutes brightly, but let Crewe back into it up until we scored. Great timing re: the second goal as it seemed to settle us. I think they had a chance straight after we went 1 up. Once we got the second, only one team looked like they were going to win it
DJ came alive after his goal, grew into the game. On the whole, decent team performance. I think the booing was a massive overreaction last week, didn’t agree with it.
This was a good win and you can only beat what’s in front of you. We’ll need to see a lot more than that on a consistent basis, but there were some green shoots today. Need to keep nurturing, add some more quality.
I’m still scratching my head as to how we didn’t score 4 or 5 goals, given the chances we created and the number of times we got around the back of Crewe’s defence, although Washington missed two acceptable opportunities and Jaaskelainen produced a save from Stockley’s header that his dad would have been proud of.
We came out of the traps very quickly and Crewe couldn’t get out of their own half in the first 15 minutes. They survived and managed to get some possession and something approaching a foothold in the game, although were visibly shaken by the expertly created and executed goals by DJ and Stockley. Their only serious threat on our goal was a fortunate deflection which enabled their forward to hit one towards the top corner, which MacGillivray tipped over the bar.
We started the second half just like the first, seeking the third goal which would have put the contest to bed, with DJ running riot down the right wing. Somehow that goal eluded us and Crewe threw all they had at us in the last 10 minutes, with Albie heading one off the line and MacGillivray palming away a firm, angled shot. We continued to create opportunities and, in the end, saw the game out fairly comfortably.
Three very welcome points and a clean sheet, albeit against a weak Crewe side, who were also without two of their best players, Dale and Lowery, both of whom seem likely to be on the move. Adkins gambled on a more adventurous formation against these particular opponents and it certainly paid off.
Much tougher tests await but the postponement of the Gillingham game feels like a godsend, in the sense that it will be an opportunity to one or two players fitter and, more fundamentally, integrate Elliot Lee and other imminent arrivals into the squad.
I thought that we defended reasonably well. Matthews was particularly impressive and there was some good combination play down the right with DJ - the sort of partnership that we need to develop across the side. Famewo was solid and Gunter was much better than in the previous games, producing a fine cross for DJ's goal. Inniss will hopefully be ok but his vulnerability to injury underscores the need for another central defender, notwithstanding Deji’s very assured half hour. We can't be relying upon a 17 year old over the next 40 odd games.
Albie Morgan had a fine game in central midfield, producing a couple of sublime passes and harrying the opposition throughout. Watson provided good support throughout, although naturally tired towards the end.
Up front, Stockley was his usual dominant self, whilst DJ produced a MoTM performance until he ran out of steam towards the end. Washington provided a good assist but passed up a couple of good opportunities. Kirk had a quiet game but showed a few nice touches - as did Elliot Lee in his cameo towards the end.
I was struggling at half time to see on the concourse TV who was with The Curbs and Scot Minto on Charlton TV, with John Humphrey’s avant-garde beard and striped blazer putting me off the scent. According to that font of all knowledge, Wiki, he is Head of Football at Highgate School and a keen magician - they might usefully add that he was the best uncapped English right back in the mid to late 80s.
Three points, a nice pre-match lunch in the Plume and a few pints of Murphy’s in a happy North Stand Bar made for a most acceptable outing. Let’s hope for some quality arrivals over the next few days and a run of results to move us up into a position where we can mount a serious challenge.
Watched the stream, a much needed first win of the season.
Whether Washington was up front in a 4-4-2 or played slightly deeper he gave us something we've not had in previous games. His main strength is his movement, a bit like Sterling for England - you might have flashier players in the squad but that movement adds something that you don't consistently get from others. He'll run in behind, he'll support the main striker and if needed he'll drop deep or drift wide. The end product isn't always there but despite not scoring he still got an assist today. There were times that I wished he had a bit more skill, pace or a better left foot, but if he did he probably wouldn't be playing in L1. Going to be interesting to see how his season goes, we may find we're a better team with him in it, despite other set ups looking better on paper.
The system change was a great decision today though it shouldn't be seen as a solution to all our problems. There will be games this season when we'll need that third CM, whether that's by switching to a lone striker 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formation or 4-4-2 with a CM out wide.
DJ and Stockley scored each others goals, plenty more to come from them if they get the right service. Improving central midfield and left back will be a key part of that. Kirk wasn't always involved but had a few shots, he's another who should get his fair share of goals this season.
Matthews and Gunter got forward more and it was good to see an assist come from Gunter's left foot. We still need a pacey attacking left back come in though and then Gunter can go back to being competition for Matthews.
Watson and Morgan as a middle two worked today but it's a relief that we've added a goalscoring number 10 in Lee and should strengthen the middle with Arter. Morgan looks better suited to that deeper role, while he will make the odd decent run forward you won't get that movement that Washington adds. He's a passer who wants to find the players making those runs rather than the other way around.
Looking forward to the last few days of the window, hopefully with a few more positive signings to add to Lee and Arter.
I felt sorry for Dobson today, being left out of the match day squad despite playing well in some games and having to deal with the mess that was Albie & Clare.
Why sign him if your going to ditch him and sign Arter play old man Watson.
He’s probably a very angry man tonight
Good performance today against a poor. I’d be very concerned at playing that centre midfield in a 442 against a good team. Even Crewe still caused us problems. Didn’t get all the online hype for Albie today
I felt sorry for Dobson today, being left out of the match day squad despite playing well in some games and having to deal with the mess that was Albie & Clare.
Why sign him if your going to ditch him and sign Arter play old man Watson.
He’s probably a very angry man tonight
Good performance today against a poor. I’d be very concerned at playing that centre midfield in a 442 against a good team. Even Crewe still caused us problems. Didn’t get all the online hype for Albie today
Having depth and competition for places is a good thing. Dobson’s two year deal suggests he didn’t sign with a guarantee of game time. Same goes for Clare. I doubt we’ll Watson and Arter play together very often.
No sign of @golfaddick on the post match thread tonight.
He's usually quite vocal after matches, so I hope he's ok. Hope his eye surgery went well.
Kind words. 🙂
He couldn't go today as his sight isn't good enough to drive, work or anything at the mo. Therefore he may well not make any comments.
Or maybe it's because we won? :-)
Seriously though mate, give him our best. I love reading his comments because it makes me realise I'm not as negative as I thought I was! Infuriates the fuck out of me sometimes though - but I hope he never changes!
Got the ball into forward positions quicker. Shot more. More bodies in the box Full backs got forward.
Goes to show that 'hoofing' it up to JS in itself isn't the problem as we played those balls more this week than last. It's getting support around him that's key. The system allowed that.
Overall a thoroughly entertaining game and a good performance, albeit against a poor team.
I know many will disagree, but think Ronnie would score goals in that setup from yesterday. Especially if he's going to be fed by Morgan/Arter/Lee/Kirk/DJ.
Amazed that nobody mentioned the clapping along to the singing emanating from the west stand, unheard of behaviour, mind you I did see a couple of rugs take a tumble.
Overall I thought a good performance, with all having a decent game, but the what a strike by Guntner. Plus what a save by their keeper from the Stockley? header. At long last an enjoyable afternoon out at football.
Was a much needed win but it was important we played well and we did.
The CM 2 were good and I thought Watson had a great game..quality of his experience shone today as did Gunters. Washington run himself into the ground and deserved a goal.
Tbf the team played well but special mention to Deji...so confident and that first pass of his to DJ was a beauty! Looks like we've unearthed another gem.
Overall we played well and won...just what the doctor ordered 👌
Do we have our own Biker gang ? Covered End , behind the goal.
Four guys in this shot. It was odd that they sat down during half time but were standing during the match. Not sure anyone was going to have a word with ‘em ;-)
Good win. Could have comfortably finished 5-2. There's the ongoing debste about whether Crewe were up to a decent level but we won 2-0 with good performances all over the pitch. We looked a bit ponderous at times, and the first goal came when Crewe had gought their wsy back into the game. But the shot in the arm this gives us is tremendous - hopefully we can kick on now and move up the table. Confidence breeds confidence.
Been indoors an hour. Still thawing out, was in crossbars f@cking frozen.
After freezing in there before the game I skipped my usual post match pint in there and avoided that experience.
I did complain on a few different occasions.
Mention of Crossbars yesterday has reminded me they switched the Man City v Arsenal game to Valley Pass so we could try and lip read NA’s interview. What’s the fucking point of putting VP up pre-match if there is no sound ?
Do we have our own Biker gang ? Covered End , behind the goal.
Four guys in this shot. It was odd that they sat down during half time but were standing during the match. Not sure anyone was going to have a word with ‘em ;-)
Do we have our own Biker gang ? Covered End , behind the goal.
Four guys in this shot. It was odd that they sat down during half time but were standing during the match. Not sure anyone was going to have a word with ‘em ;-)
Yep saw these guys when walking down to the ground they were opposite to burger bar closest to the East Stand entrance. There were 4 of them with a couple of kids, seemed absolutely fine and had Charlton gear on under their 'biker' gear. Think they were called 'Gypsys' if I remember the name on their backs. As an old 'biker' member myself, years and years ago, it was very nice to see.
Do we have our own Biker gang ? Covered End , behind the goal.
Four guys in this shot. It was odd that they sat down during half time but were standing during the match. Not sure anyone was going to have a word with ‘em ;-)
Comments
Still thawing out, was in crossbars f@cking frozen.
I've not read any posts, but today we could've had a hat full of goals. Best we've played all season by a country mile.
Things look as they are beginning to click.
Early days....but the acorns are there, however we need to add at least 3 more bodies, a LB (although Gunter did well today) an out and out striker and Arter if that's true.
I've followed Harry's career from here to Woking and beyond, he in my opinion would be a great acquisition.
Right time for a large red wine!!
Two lifers were getting to know each other just in front of me today.
Seb's song was ringing round London Bridge at about half five.
Shots on and off target; there were more in the first fifteen or twenty minutes than there have been all season. 19 shots in total, seven on target, and a few blocked as well.
DJ came alive after his goal, grew into the game. On the whole, decent team performance. I think the booing was a massive overreaction last week, didn’t agree with it.
I’m still scratching my head as to how we didn’t score 4 or 5 goals, given the chances we created and the number of times we got around the back of Crewe’s defence, although Washington missed two acceptable opportunities and Jaaskelainen produced a save from Stockley’s header that his dad would have been proud of.
We came out of the traps very quickly and Crewe couldn’t get out of their own half in the first 15 minutes. They survived and managed to get some possession and something approaching a foothold in the game, although were visibly shaken by the expertly created and executed goals by DJ and Stockley. Their only serious threat on our goal was a fortunate deflection which enabled their forward to hit one towards the top corner, which MacGillivray tipped over the bar.
We started the second half just like the first, seeking the third goal which would have put the contest to bed, with DJ running riot down the right wing. Somehow that goal eluded us and Crewe threw all they had at us in the last 10 minutes, with Albie heading one off the line and MacGillivray palming away a firm, angled shot. We continued to create opportunities and, in the end, saw the game out fairly comfortably.
Three very welcome points and a clean sheet, albeit against a weak Crewe side, who were also without two of their best players, Dale and Lowery, both of whom seem likely to be on the move. Adkins gambled on a more adventurous formation against these particular opponents and it certainly paid off.
Much tougher tests await but the postponement of the Gillingham game feels like a godsend, in the sense that it will be an opportunity to one or two players fitter and, more fundamentally, integrate Elliot Lee and other imminent arrivals into the squad.
I thought that we defended reasonably well. Matthews was particularly impressive and there was some good combination play down the right with DJ - the sort of partnership that we need to develop across the side. Famewo was solid and Gunter was much better than in the previous games, producing a fine cross for DJ's goal. Inniss will hopefully be ok but his vulnerability to injury underscores the need for another central defender, notwithstanding Deji’s very assured half hour. We can't be relying upon a 17 year old over the next 40 odd games.
Albie Morgan had a fine game in central midfield, producing a couple of sublime passes and harrying the opposition throughout. Watson provided good support throughout, although naturally tired towards the end.
Up front, Stockley was his usual dominant self, whilst DJ produced a MoTM performance until he ran out of steam towards the end. Washington provided a good assist but passed up a couple of good opportunities. Kirk had a quiet game but showed a few nice touches - as did Elliot Lee in his cameo towards the end.
I was struggling at half time to see on the concourse TV who was with The Curbs and Scot Minto on Charlton TV, with John Humphrey’s avant-garde beard and striped blazer putting me off the scent. According to that font of all knowledge, Wiki, he is Head of Football at Highgate School and a keen magician - they might usefully add that he was the best uncapped English right back in the mid to late 80s.
Three points, a nice pre-match lunch in the Plume and a few pints of Murphy’s in a happy North Stand Bar made for a most acceptable outing. Let’s hope for some quality arrivals over the next few days and a run of results to move us up into a position where we can mount a serious challenge.
Whether Washington was up front in a 4-4-2 or played slightly deeper he gave us something we've not had in previous games. His main strength is his movement, a bit like Sterling for England - you might have flashier players in the squad but that movement adds something that you don't consistently get from others. He'll run in behind, he'll support the main striker and if needed he'll drop deep or drift wide. The end product isn't always there but despite not scoring he still got an assist today. There were times that I wished he had a bit more skill, pace or a better left foot, but if he did he probably wouldn't be playing in L1. Going to be interesting to see how his season goes, we may find we're a better team with him in it, despite other set ups looking better on paper.
The system change was a great decision today though it shouldn't be seen as a solution to all our problems. There will be games this season when we'll need that third CM, whether that's by switching to a lone striker 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formation or 4-4-2 with a CM out wide.
DJ and Stockley scored each others goals, plenty more to come from them if they get the right service. Improving central midfield and left back will be a key part of that. Kirk wasn't always involved but had a few shots, he's another who should get his fair share of goals this season.
Matthews and Gunter got forward more and it was good to see an assist come from Gunter's left foot. We still need a pacey attacking left back come in though and then Gunter can go back to being competition for Matthews.
Watson and Morgan as a middle two worked today but it's a relief that we've added a goalscoring number 10 in Lee and should strengthen the middle with Arter. Morgan looks better suited to that deeper role, while he will make the odd decent run forward you won't get that movement that Washington adds. He's a passer who wants to find the players making those runs rather than the other way around.
Looking forward to the last few days of the window, hopefully with a few more positive signings to add to Lee and Arter.
Why sign him if your going to ditch him and sign Arter play old man Watson.
He’s probably a very angry man tonight
Good performance today against a poor. I’d be very concerned at playing that centre midfield in a 442 against a good team. Even Crewe still caused us problems. Didn’t get all the online hype for Albie today
He's usually quite vocal after matches, so I hope he's ok. Hope his eye surgery went well.
He couldn't go today as his sight isn't good enough to drive, work or anything at the mo. Therefore he may well not make any comments.
Seriously though mate, give him our best. I love reading his comments because it makes me realise I'm not as negative as I thought I was! Infuriates the fuck out of me sometimes though - but I hope he never changes!
Yay!
Shot more.
More bodies in the box
Full backs got forward.
Goes to show that 'hoofing' it up to JS in itself isn't the problem as we played those balls more this week than last. It's getting support around him that's key. The system allowed that.
Overall a thoroughly entertaining game and a good performance, albeit against a poor team.
Overall I thought a good performance, with all having a decent game, but the what a strike by Guntner. Plus what a save by their keeper from the Stockley? header. At long last an enjoyable afternoon out at football.
The CM 2 were good and I thought Watson had a great game..quality of his experience shone today as did Gunters. Washington run himself into the ground and deserved a goal.
Tbf the team played well but special mention to Deji...so confident and that first pass of his to DJ was a beauty! Looks like we've unearthed another gem.
Overall we played well and won...just what the doctor ordered 👌
Covered End , behind the goal.