I thought he was bad when he first played. Got injured, came back and looked like he was improving. Then got injured again. Came back and was generally okayish and then I expected he might kick on after a full preseason, but he's been pretty poor this season. He's made mistakes, which they all have, but in between that he's just a very "meh" kind of player, which is what I have more issue with than the mistakes. For example, Innis will make mistakes, and have some poor games, but at least in between that he will also have some games where he is very dominant - there are some redeeming features there. When has Lavelle ever really stood out for us and had a centre forward in his pocket all match?
When we signed him, I was hoping we might be getting a kind of younger Jason Pearce, i.e. an organizer and old school stopper, but he isn't really one you see barking orders, and he isn't especially quick, or strong, or dominant in the air, or positionally very sound, or tough in the tackle. He certainly isn't especially comfortable on the ball either. It's hard to watch him play and figure out what our scouts saw in him.
Like I say, likeable lad and I was strangely delighted when he it was him who scored that penalty vs Brighton because he'll now have least one highlight from his time here. I don't doubt his effort or commitment, but the quality just isn't there and no complaints from me that he's being moved on. I hope it works out better for him at Burton.
Met and had a long chat with him at the Sponsors Dinner last year. Very down to earth nice guy, chatted to me about a lot not just Charlton, but Morecombe, Adkins, Jacko, Settling in and my work too.
Really wanted him to succeed. I don't think he's probably good enough for this level sadly but do think he's a honest player who worked hard for the team and was doing his best. Sadly his best wasn't good enough and was very limited.
If he is not good enough for League 1, it is not his fault as long as he plays to his best ability, the fault lies with who brought him to the club. I do understand all the abuse he gets on here, he is not good enough, he cannot be any better, no matter how much he tries
Met and had a long chat with him at the Sponsors Dinner last year. Very down to earth nice guy, chatted to me about a lot not just Charlton, but Morecombe, Adkins, Jacko, Settling in and my work too.
Really wanted him to succeed. I don't think he's probably good enough for this level sadly but do think he's a honest player who worked hard for the team and was doing his best. Sadly his best wasn't good enough and was very limited.
Good luck to him.
Good post. Again a reminder that players are real people, not just a commodity.
We never saw the best of him I dont think apart from the Brighton cup game, thought he was superb that night, just a shame he never got near that performance again. Good luck Sam.
Think he showed quality in 2021/2022, especially the back end of the season. Felt he'd be a big player for us. Even now, with him having had a bad run of form, don't get the hate. Similar to the McGrandles bitching... not sure why so many are so keen to take such extreme views of a player based on very limited evidence, during a period where we were learning to play out from the back and clearly weren't designed for that. The Brighton penalty will live long in the memory, but never saw him not putting a shift in. Anyway, best to him.
He's a battler who lost his fight while he was with us. He couldn't pick it back up at Burton but hopefully he can rediscover himself at Carlisle. They're newly promoted so he'll probably he doing a lot of firefighting while he's there and that should suit him, provided he remembers how to close down attackers and win duels again. He seems like a nice lad and I did have high hopes for him, hopefully this move works out for him
Not that he didn’t put the effort in because I think he did, but handling that step up in expectations and continuing to improve as a player. That might be the biggest difference between Lavelle and someone like Lockyer who did well in the Championship and has continued to progress.
Not that he didn’t put the effort in because I think he did, but handling that step up in expectations and continuing to improve as a player. That might be the biggest difference between Lavelle and someone like Lockyer who did well in the Championship and has continued to progress.
Not that he didn’t put the effort in because I think he did, but handling that step up in expectations and continuing to improve as a player. That might be the biggest difference between Lavelle and someone like Lockyer who did well in the Championship and has continued to progress.
We need to make sure we not only bring the right quality of player in but also the right mentality as well.
With Lavelle I don't think it comes down to mentality, but ability.
I disagree. Early on he looked like he might be okay to keep around as cover as a third or fourth choice at least, not as good as hoped maybe but "do a job."
But then his form collapsed and never got back. I think he's probably capable of playing at a mid-table L1 team but we really need to be looking at better than just "able to play."
Not that he didn’t put the effort in because I think he did, but handling that step up in expectations and continuing to improve as a player. That might be the biggest difference between Lavelle and someone like Lockyer who did well in the Championship and has continued to progress.
Not that he didn’t put the effort in because I think he did, but handling that step up in expectations and continuing to improve as a player. That might be the biggest difference between Lavelle and someone like Lockyer who did well in the Championship and has continued to progress.
We need to make sure we not only bring the right quality of player in but also the right mentality as well.
With Lavelle I don't think it comes down to mentality, but ability.
Agreed, I just don't think he's quick enough, good enough in the air, or reads the game well enough. He's poor on the ball.
I also agree. It's a struggle to pick out any real strengths in his game. I can't wrap my head around the fact Gallen said he watched him multiple times before signing him.
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I thought he was bad when he first played. Got injured, came back and looked like he was improving. Then got injured again. Came back and was generally okayish and then I expected he might kick on after a full preseason, but he's been pretty poor this season. He's made mistakes, which they all have, but in between that he's just a very "meh" kind of player, which is what I have more issue with than the mistakes. For example, Innis will make mistakes, and have some poor games, but at least in between that he will also have some games where he is very dominant - there are some redeeming features there. When has Lavelle ever really stood out for us and had a centre forward in his pocket all match?
When we signed him, I was hoping we might be getting a kind of younger Jason Pearce, i.e. an organizer and old school stopper, but he isn't really one you see barking orders, and he isn't especially quick, or strong, or dominant in the air, or positionally very sound, or tough in the tackle. He certainly isn't especially comfortable on the ball either. It's hard to watch him play and figure out what our scouts saw in him.
Like I say, likeable lad and I was strangely delighted when he it was him who scored that penalty vs Brighton because he'll now have least one highlight from his time here. I don't doubt his effort or commitment, but the quality just isn't there and no complaints from me that he's being moved on. I hope it works out better for him at Burton.
Really wanted him to succeed. I don't think he's probably good enough for this level sadly but do think he's a honest player who worked hard for the team and was doing his best. Sadly his best wasn't good enough and was very limited.
Good luck to him.
Hope it works out, soft spot for Carlisle for obvious reasons!
His time at Charlton was defined by his first and second touch on debut. Controlled a goal kick and hoofed it out of play aiming for Stockley.
Not that he didn’t put the effort in because I think he did, but handling that step up in expectations and continuing to improve as a player. That might be the biggest difference between Lavelle and someone like Lockyer who did well in the Championship and has continued to progress.
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-holden-really-comfortable-with-transfer-window-state-of-play-for-addicks/
But then his form collapsed and never got back. I think he's probably capable of playing at a mid-table L1 team but we really need to be looking at better than just "able to play."
May in and Lavelle out, really good day for transfer business.