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Post-Match Thread | Charlton Athletic v Cheltenham Town | 11/09/21
Comments
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Halloween?jimmymelrose said:AFKABartram said:This club brings you such little joy it is insane!!
So when are you going to revamp this site and call it Charlton Death? ,😁2 -
What side on Tuesday?Dazzler21 said:Players bottled it today.
Adkins is angry which is good.
Our 3 attacking midfielders were all pants today.
Our defensive midfield pairing were simply outmanned and though I love Morgan he is clearly a CM not a CDM or CAM. Put in the best pass of the game though.
All in all though I'm not happy with the result, I won't get dragged into the negativity, even if I am appreciative of the reasons for it as we continue to fail to pick up points.
Really disappointed we lost Lavelle to an injury. I expect Deji to be back in the side Tuesday.2 -
Would anyone really want to take on the job if Adkins does go? Is the set up right with the Roddy, Thomas, Gallen axis? Is a change needed with that set up initially?0
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We criticise the full backs but they have no cover from those in front of them - do DJ and Kirk have any defensive duties?7
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It is a decent squad. I think quite a few would fancy it. Adkins has to have a few more games but we need to start seeing basic issues sorted as of now. We can blame the players, but it is on him now and he has to understand that.0
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Same every week. In all 6 games this season the opposition have had more shots on target.NapaAddick said:We were out-shot on goal 8-1.
Disgraceful.6 -
Apologies in my head our rearranged Gillingham game was moved to this Tuesday... Expect him in there Saturday instead.JohnnyH2 said:
What side on Tuesday?Dazzler21 said:Players bottled it today.
Adkins is angry which is good.
Our 3 attacking midfielders were all pants today.
Our defensive midfield pairing were simply outmanned and though I love Morgan he is clearly a CM not a CDM or CAM. Put in the best pass of the game though.
All in all though I'm not happy with the result, I won't get dragged into the negativity, even if I am appreciative of the reasons for it as we continue to fail to pick up points.
Really disappointed we lost Lavelle to an injury. I expect Deji to be back in the side Tuesday.1 -
I distrust any set-up where it isn’t clear who is in charge, which is pretty much where we are on and off the field (yes, Thomas, but he’s not a football person and lacks experience in the industry).DagenhamAddick said:Would anyone really want to take on the job if Adkins does go? Is the set up right with the Roddy, Thomas, Gallen axis? Is a change needed with that set up initially?
As for Adkins, I wonder if he is calling it as it is tonight because TS was there and could measure the reaction from lots of other people present as well as form his own view. Whereas usually he can’t. That might be unfair, I don’t know, but I think Adkins knows how to manage upwards.15 -
Shocking first half, in which nobody came out with any credit (other than McG), especially the coaching staff. It's lazy to just scapegoat the midfield 2, as if you play 4231 you're relying on your wide midfielders to give support to your full backs, and Gunter in particular had no help whatsoever. Morgan and Watson were poor, but so were the rest of the outfield players. That's when we lost the game.
Blair had the freedom of their right hand side for 45 minutes, scored one, created another and they could have had more. Kirk had a shocker, neither managing to be an attacking threat, and neither getting back to help cover Blair, a 32 year old journeyman, who we made to look like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
As for the passing, it was pure hoofball, whether from the centre backs, full backs or Morgan, and Cheltenham's 3 CBs lapped it up, making Stockley look a bit ordinary and one dimensional, when he can't win the physical battle.
Yes Souare may be the solution, but I'm still grumpy that 5 weeks into the season that we're still having to play a tired RB at LB. It's all very well waiting until September to sign players, but we need people who can actually start matches and play 90 minutes, not players searching for match fitness only fit enough for the bench. That's why you sign players before the season starts.
Also getting concerned that players seem to be getting worse as they play more for us. Famewo has gone from someone, a year ago, that I expected to be recalled in January and sent to the Championship, to a bang average L1 defender. Leko helped when he came on, but that was a reflection of how lost Kirk seemed, and DJ wasn't much better. And those two are OUR players too, the ones we gave long contracts to.11 -
I wish that was true.ShootersHillGuru said:Well things can only get better. That’s the only positive.4 -
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Would take a clean sheet draw right now tbh.2
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So for all you reprobates - I was I’m the posh seats today - here I am with 2 legends in the Boardroom - shit result - but the Wife and I had a brilliant day - rather pissed but content !!25 -
Adkins will have to switch to 442 and hope that Arter can play the defensive midfield role in a 4, because neither Watson nor Dobson look as if they can effectively. Lee has to play behind the front 2 and we need one of the wingers at least to be able to defend.
Tall order.0 -
Who won zero headers todayricky_otto said:Absolutely dreadful. I detest the football we play. Midfield pairing aren’t up to it, the full backs were a joke. Stockley works hard, but we play to his strengths and that is to the detriment of the rest of the team. We have no real game plan at the moment, apart from lumping it to Stockley.0 -
What has happened to us at home? Seems like we have grown accustomed to settling for two or three chances in a match, so aren't surprised if like today we had one effort on target. In 96 minutes!0
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In the 8 halves of football at the valley, we’ve gone 5 without a shot.golfaddick said:
Same every week. In all 6 games this season the opposition have had more shots on target.NapaAddick said:We were out-shot on goal 8-1.
Disgraceful.#disgraceful4 -
First half was really awful. Once again, this system of trying to have two midfielders playing in holding, defensive-minded positions just doesn't cut the mustard. We got made to look dire by a team that has just come up from L2 - with the squad we have, this shouldn't happen.
I've just about had enough of seeing Watson steal a living every week for us. For their second, he just didn't track his main and was the reason they got into the position they did. I'd have had Pratley over him for every single appearance of Watson this season. Morgan, as much as I like his passing vision, is getting out-played and out-muscled every week. He's not doing us any favours either. Between them, they are making everyone look a hell of a lot worse. Somehow, we need to figure out something else for this or we are looking like a lower half team of the table. Lastly, Gunter also had one of his Jekyll games and looked terrible today, again. Callum Wright tore him to shreds on multiple occasions. After playing 90mins for Wales twice, he looked VERY leggy - I'd have started Souaré and brought Gunter on if needed.
I'm not going to throw stones at Kirk or DJ, as I think the system isn't working for them at all with our midfield. Biggest annoyance was DJ not hitting the target with his chance. We are yet to really hit the ground running with either of them. As cliché as it is, 4-4-2 needs to be the way. System looks wonky again. We desperately need Gilbey/JFC/Arter in this team asap. Lee looked great again, plus Leko grabbing his goal and looking a threat. Stockley worked his socks off but these L1 CBs know it is coming and prepare for him all week. Far too predictable.
NA definitely got it wrong first half, plus other games prior to this. This shonky midfield system isn't working and needs to change drastically. If it doesn't soon, it's going to cost him his job.7 -
That will happen in some games. They looked a big side and they had a good understanding of each other's game, but should that be enough? What you need is other options when that happens, which we ought to have. Yes, we improved in the second half but I felt our performance after we scored was as disappointing as the first half.Todds_right_hook said:
Who won zero headers todayricky_otto said:Absolutely dreadful. I detest the football we play. Midfield pairing aren’t up to it, the full backs were a joke. Stockley works hard, but we play to his strengths and that is to the detriment of the rest of the team. We have no real game plan at the moment, apart from lumping it to Stockley.3 -
Posting after reading just 4 pages as reading anymore I'll slit my wrists.......
Adkins can moan all he likes but he chose the players & the formation. Imo there is no point bringing in players only to leave then out and play inferior ones in their place. If they aren't fit enough then firstly why not & secondly why sign then in the first place. Answer to the 2nd is because we panicked when the original transfer policy backfired.
I said the the preview thread we would lose if we started with Watson & Gunter. When we resigned Watson we were told he would be back up & only playing when necessary. More bollox then.
If it were me I'd drop Stockley & play Washington & Lee up front. Stockley did nothing today & plainly lumping it up front for him to try to out muscle 2 defenders isn't working. Play the ball on the floor & let Leko, DJ, Kirk & Blackett-Taylor run at them (not suggesting all start btw).
Only players to come out with any credit were Lavelle, Leko, Lee & MacGillivray. If Gunter plays one more match at left back then Adkins needs sacking. Same for Watson.
Still dont think we will get relegated but we are so far off being an automatic promotion side its unreal. Powell's all conquering side from 2011/12 lost just 5 matches all season. This lot have already lost 4.
And you stick your 25 clean sheets up your arse. Sheff U, Lincoln, Bolton & Wimbledon let in goals this afternoon and they all WON. 3 of those teams let in at least 2.
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Against my better judgment i went to the game today.
Shamefully, a very average workmanlike opposition made us look lazy, disinterested and not good enough.
We could easily have been 4-0 down by half time and they walked through our non existent midfield at will.
Mid table at best.1 -
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Worryingly inept performance. Looked so similar to the dross served up in the last few Bowyer games it was uncanny.
In the first half it looked to me that not a single player knew the role they were playing, or if they did they couldn;t be arsed to fulfil it.
Both full backs were horrorific today. The first goal Gunter made no effort at all to stop the cross and Matthews standing and watching the guy run past him at the far post was criminal.
Centre back pairing was all at sea as well, I think it has already been said, but Lavelle looked uncomfortable on the ball and lacking pace. Famwo certainly hasn't started the season in the same form as last and is guilty of wandering out of position constantly and his distribution has been serioulsly lacking.
If Watson and Morgan never start as our midfield pairing again it will be too soon. Neither is good enough for a team looking to be towards the top of the table. Watson is like an elephant in quick sand and if he isn't giving the ball away he is giving away needless free-kicks. IMO Morgan has run out of chances. He simply isn't good enough. He has zero football brain and looked like a headless chicken at times.
Kirk and DJ were garbage as well. TBH I have seen nothing from Kirk so far (other than on his Youtube video) which justifies the hype and the amount of time we were chasing him. Lets hope its just a slow start for him. You can forgive a poor attackng performance from wingers as it happens, but there is no excuse for the reluctance of both to defend.
This might be controversial, but I would remove the captaincy from Stockley. He is no leader. He moans his way through most games he plays. Yes he is fouled a lot, but suck it up mate, its going to happen. Would be very tempted to rotate him out of the side as he is making us one dimensional and gives our back four an excuse to smack the ball long constantly. Washington and Leko alongside each other would be worth a go.
Thought Leko looked sharp when he came on and I'd get him in the team asap. Lee was ok when he was involved, but those around him were so poor that he got hardly any ball.
Plus points? I'm afraid it is a point. MacG was again stand out and prevented a total rout. Definitely signed a good one there.
Can only assume that Arter was left out due to a lack of time with the squad and leaving Clare off of the bench seems like an insane move - especially when you consider his versitility.
Not panicking yet, as there are good players in that squad. Whether or not Adkins is the man to get performances out of them is questionable at the moment. His tactics and formation leave a lot to be desired. It feels like we are over complicating things at the moment. We more or less played 4-4-2 aganst Crewe and Crawley and the players looked far more comfortable - albeit against very poor opposition.
The next few games look tough now. Wycombe away, Gillingham away (we never seem to play well there) and then Bolton and Portsmouth......9 -
Yes, don’t always agree with your comments golfie, but I absolutely do today, good post. I certainly think giving Stockley a bit of bench time will change the dynamic maybe for the better?.golfaddick said:Posting after reading just 4 pages as reading anymore I'll slit my wrists.......
Adkins can moan all he likes but he chose the players & the formation. Imo there is no point bringing in players only to leave then out and play inferior ones in their place. If they aren't fit enough then firstly why not & secondly why sign then in the first place. Answer to the 2nd is because we panicked when the original transfer policy backfired.
I said the the preview thread we would lose if we started with Watson & Gunter. When we resigned Watson we were told he would be back up & only playing when necessary. More bollox then.
If it were me I'd drop Stockley & play Washington & Lee up front. Stockley did nothing today & plainly lumping it up front for him to try to out muscle 2 defenders isn't working. Play the ball on the floor & let Leko, DJ, Kirk & Blackett-Taylor run at them (not suggesting all start btw).
Only players to come out with any credit were Lavelle, Leko, Lee & MacGillivray. If Gunter plays one more match at left back then Adkins needs sacking. Same for Watson.
Still dont think we will get relegated but we are so far off being an automatic promotion side its unreal. Powell's all conquering side from 2011/12 lost just 5 matches all season. This lot have already lost 4.
And you stick your 25 clean sheets up your arse. Sheff U, Lincoln, Bolton & Wimbledon let in goals this afternoon and they all WON. 3 of those teams let in at least 2.
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Now go easy, but I’m gonna defend Matthews and Gunter, yes even Gunter.
Granted they both pumped it aimlessly, but you have to ask why they’re doing that. Matthews didn’t do that under bowyer the first season we had him, quite the opposite, he can play a bit, as can Gunter (at this level).
For me it’s all about the midfield, it has been dreadful, anonymous and quite frankly pathetic. Dobson, Clare, Watson, Morgan, all been terrible.So as a full back, you’re limited to hoofing it long, it’s there’s no one ten yards from you what else can you expect? Full backs are full backs because they’ve not got the pace or skill to skin players, they’re the players who get it off the keeper or centre halves and look to play it to the midfield and some times link up.
Adkins said in his interview he doesn’t know why we’re pumping it long all the time, so it’s clearly not a tactic. You could have Dani Alves at right back if there’s no number 4 or number 8 who wants it, he’s stuffed.6 -
I give up on Inniss. He will never stay fit.16
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Yes, it’s shit, but anyone suggesting that things would be better if Bowyer was still in charge needs psychiatric help.22
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Cheltenham took a massive gamble playing 343 and it worked it overcrowded us in mid and we could not pass through them .. second half much much better and if DJ and Stockley take their chances in the first 10 mins there only one winner that’s us ….12
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We have played well for about 120 mins all season. 90 mins against Crewe & 30 mins in the 2nd half today. Both times this happened we had two up front.
Desperately need to ditch the lone striker formation...especially whilst we're missing all our best midfielders in Gilbey, Arter & JFC. No point packing out the midfield if you don't have the players/quality to do it.4
