The only reason for playing a not particularly great formation in 352 week in and week out is, for JJ to see, who can play that formation. How many times do you need to see Leko in the front two to know that he has little positional awareness as part of a front 2 ?
Sticking with 2 up front, when there isn't 2 fit first choice strikers,
makes no sense to me. I am not sure what is proves, other than to prove
to MS or TS that there is not players for the preferred formation.
In the wing back position, you have either right or left backs, who are not good at going forward - or wingers with honourable mention of Jayesemi, who are not very good at defending.
The centre back are not quick enough on the right or left cente back positions. Faemwo is ok as a centre back in a 442 but doesn't fit a 3 in the back system. Gunter a right back at left centre back ?
I was listening to Pulis on BBC radio and he was saying that in the lower leagues (in particular) you don't have the players, you have to adapt your team to the formation. Maybe the players are a shower, but maybe there is a better chance playing in their natural positions. Even with injuries, the team should have put up more fight.
I really want JJ to succeed but am not reassured by staying with a formation that has clearly not worked. It worries me the lack of adaptability in formation. That unfortunately is unlikely to change. Bloody 352. Hopefully with strikers returning, at least that results in playing 2 first choice strikers. Charlton should scramble enough points to be lower midtable to midtable.
It is been an abysmal season though and will be happy for it to end.
Need Washington to be up to fitness ASAP. Burstow has zero confidence and Leko is just terrible. Can’t keep continuing with Burstow or Leko up top. Really need Washington to hit the ground or he needs to change formation.
Honestly hasn't showed me anything to indicate he could lead a squad to promotion over the course of a year.
Nothing about a training ground overhaul, no new coaches. Only a formation change and a nice speech.
Need a top to bottom refit of this club.
Not saying he will but neither did Powell.
Powell signed 20+ players after that season.
He also had experience with better managers and was able to see how a properly run club operates.
Jackson has had umm, us. And the basket case we've been the last 5 seasons.
Like I said I’m not saying I think Jackson will turn things around, I’d understand if TS changed manager. I won’t completely write Jackson off though, he’s been part of promotion sides as a captain and assistant. Powell signed about 12/13 players who improved the first team that summer when you exclude Alonso, Pope, Bover, Smith etc, so it’s not far off what we’ll need if we make the right decisions with the out of contract players.
Is Jacko persisting with 3-5-2 because he thinks we won’t be relegated even if we don’t win another game?
He needs to try back to basics 4-4-2 to at least get a couple more points…then he can experiment with his preferred formation once we’re mathematically safe.
The stubbornness is so extreme that today we ended with Fraser at LCB…
Is Jacko persisting with 3-5-2 because he thinks we won’t be relegated even if we don’t win another game?
He needs to try back to basics 4-4-2 to at least get a couple more points…then he can experiment with his preferred formation once we’re mathematically safe.
The stubbornness is so extreme that today we ended with Fraser at LCB…
I had it down as a 2-5-3 for the last 10 minutes after Burstow came on for Gunter. If anyone dropped back it was Dobson. Fraser was fairly anonymous for the last 15-20 minutes.
Clare and Lavelle at the back. Burstow and Washington up with Stockley. DJ and Leko wide with the three who started the game in the middle playing the full 90.
I hate it that it’s reached this point where we’re debating the future of a genuine club legend but things are looking and are bloody grim. We’ve looked like a team devoid of everything including motivation and tactics and that buck I’m afraid has to stop with the manager. He’s had some piss poor luck with injuries but even in the face of those difficulties I would expect the team to have passion and fight. That is the bare minimum required. Gutted to say this but I can’t see any future with JJ at the helm.
I honestly think we need to try the diamond. Jackson has experience with it under Bowyer. We don’t have the wing backs for a 352. I get he might want to sign players for it next year but has to be worth a try?
I think some were saying the same about Powell before our promotion season. I hope JJ has a proper plan and like Powell fully understands what is wrong. If he doesn't he should walk as how can he put it right. We can't keep changing managers though so I really hope he has a good handle on it and what is required.
I honestly think we need to try the diamond. Jackson has experience with it under Bowyer. We don’t have the wing backs for a 352. I get he might want to sign players for it next year but has to be worth a try?
The fact that Jackson is fixated and refuses to budge from a system that we don’t have the players for and is producing loss after loss is a huge red flag. He looks so beaten now when interviewed. I was until today happy for him to get the nod next season but I’ve changed my mind. He’s showing absolutely nothing that might dig us out of what is a very serious situation.
A few weeks ago I'd have said the thought of replacing Jacko before the end of the season was unthinkable. At this point I might be siding on doing it just to try and ensure we are still in this shite league next season.
I hate even thinking it but I am starting to think that the initial results was a response to the players disliking Adkins, recently I think it's showing Jacko is out of his depth.
I very much hope I'm wrong and he turns this around bit right now that seems a long way off. Something has to change.
I honestly think we need to try the diamond. Jackson has experience with it under Bowyer. We don’t have the wing backs for a 352. I get he might want to sign players for it next year but has to be worth a try?
The fact that Jackson is fixated and refuses to budge from a system that we don’t have the players for and is producing loss after loss is a huge red flag. He looks so beaten now when interviewed. I was until today happy for him to get the nod next season but I’ve changed my mind. He’s showing absolutely nothing that might dig us out of what is a very serious situation.
I don’t disagree. We don’t have the players for the formation but I’d prefer him to see what players he wants in terms of ability and effort over sticking by the formation. Can always change it up over the summer but yes it’s a red flag.
Still can’t see us going down but we need a few points over the next couple of weeks to make sure.
He's being let down so badly by the players that put him there.
Undoubtedly but he’s showing naivety and a lack of tactical awareness too. Of course the squad isn’t good enough to win promotion but it’s better than what we’re seeing at the moment. We’re making the same mistakes every week and the manager always has to take some responsibility for that.
Woeful on every level. Defensively the worst Charlton team I can remember. Set pieces is beyond a joke, remind me, who was our set piece coach before jacko became manager…?
He's being let down so badly by the players that put him there.
Undoubtedly but he’s showing naivety and a lack of tactical awareness too. Of course the squad isn’t good enough to win promotion but it’s better than what we’re seeing at the moment. We’re making the same mistakes every week and the manager always has to take some responsibility for that.
Agree, the run these same players went on a few months ago have shown the ability is there to at a minimum compete in this league, for whatever reason right now they are way off that.
Honestly hasn't showed me anything to indicate he could lead a squad to promotion over the course of a year.
Nothing about a training ground overhaul, no new coaches. Only a formation change and a nice speech.
Need a top to bottom refit of this club.
Not saying he will but neither did Powell.
Freaky. Today was this season’s Dagenham and Redbridge fiasco.
Similar point in the season, same scoreline, same horrible little ground and a club that has traditionally spent their time in non-league.
Dagenham = Accrington: former non-league club
2-1 = 2-1: same result
Powell = Jackson: former player struggling as manager
Warner = CM: unconvincing goalkeeper Jenkinson = Clare: academy player at full/wing back Daily = Pearce: ageing captain at CB Llera = Lavelle: average CB Fry = Purrington: defensive full back, limited going forward Wagstaff = Lee: lightweight attacking midfielder Parrett = Fraser: January signing and the new hope in central midfield Semedo = Dobson: battling defensive midfielder and player of the year to be McCormack = Gunter: good signing on paper but never performed for us Nouble = Leko: promising loan, player you can't wait to send back in reality Wright-Phillips = Stockley: reliable striker, key for this season and next
Sullivan = Harvey: sub goalkeeper who will hopefully never have to play Doherty = Matthews: see McCormack = Gunter Morgan = Solly: academy player written off by many Reid = Washington: a bit of hope amongst a poor bench, squad player if he stays next season Racon = Gilbey: overrated midfielder, on the bench for a reason. No end product Eccleston = Burstow: loan attacker from one of the big clubs, not that good in reality Fortune = DJ: another good signing on paper but left out for a good reason
4-4-2 = 3-5-2: formation questioned but not the problem
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
JJ played or coached under:
Geraint Williams
Steve Cotterill
Phil Parkinson
Chris Powell
José Riga
Bob Peeters
Guy Luzon
Karel Fraeye
Russell Slade
Karl Robinson
Lee Bowyer
Nigel Adkins
I think the big difference is that Powell had played with or against almost all the players we signed.
Ok, I am frustrated, fed up, and in hospital. Have been for a while, and I’m sorry to say that the only constant of streaming matches to relieve the boredom, is probably making me worse! I’m not going to go into the why’s and wherefore’s of tactics, coaching etc., as it’s all been said, and I’m not qualified to comment, I can only go by what I see on the pitch. Having said that, I am firmly behind JJ, he is not stupid, has his badges, has in depth knowledge of the club, and I’m sure he is hurting more than most. These players are confounding me. Most are technically ok, do put in a shift, but what is screamingly obvious to me is that from a fair few there is a total absence of football intelligence. Leading to disjointed play, poor passing, not playing as a team, which was never more obvious comparing the the two teams yesterday. AS where not good but their desire to get a result and hunt us down was so different from our attitude. As I said earlier, JJ is not stupid, and does know his stuff, so he is not blind to what is going on. But he has to keep the players onside to an extent to get the points we need to get over the line, and then sort it out. So I am still optimistic he will do this. However, it is also blindingly obvious that there is also things going on behind the scenes that is detrimental to what is going on on the pitch. The tactics, Nile John (he cannot possibly worse than we are putting out each game), Leko, some defend him, but he is the epitome of lacking a football brain. Decisions JJ is making are coming across, to me at least, that are not entirely his. Which does not bode well if he is not being left to manage the playing side himself along with his coaching staff. I hope I’m wrong!
As for my thoughts on certain players: Mac - he may of been Portsmouth POTY last season, but there’s a reason they let him go. If you have a keeper that is not prepared to at least try and command his area, the defence, much changed as it is, will always be wary and that leads to confusion and disarray, which we have scene a lot of recently. I see no reason not to have AMB in our goal.
Lavelle - he is still young, learning, and having to step up. Playing in a makeshift, constantly changing defence will not be doing him any favours. So I’d bear with him. If only we could have Pearce’s leadership and desire transferred to Lavelle we could have a good CB there.
Gilbey - box to box player, good engine, tackles, but his passing and decision making in the final third is atrocious. He passes when he should shoot, his passé’s are either short or behind, causing the move to breakdown. When he scored against Ipswich, we all thought great he can push on now and get more goals, but to say he has regressed is an understatement. So frustrating.
Lee - Again good player for this league, but his decision making is poor, like Gilbey, scores a goal,and has gone backwards instead of pushing on.
Fraser - I like him, he has quality, and when fit, will be a major asset. If JFC can stay fit, their partnership will be a force, especially in this league.
Innis - not technically great but such an imposing figure in this league, obviously, his fitness is the key.
Aneke - imposing and a threat, in this league, but again is he worth the amount of games he will miss, or can he be content with being just an impact player.
Finally what we desperately need alongside Dobbo, is a battler, a Kinsella type. To read the game, break up play, and instigate attacks, and more importantly grab the players by the scruff of the neck if necessary and let them know in no uncertain terms how privileged they are to be playing football and earning good money, even if it is just Charlton. And play with some pride and self esteem!
I’m keeping the faith, but it is wearing thin right now. Supporting Charlton is more than the football on the pitch, it’s the camaraderie, the being there, the day out. But when you haven’t got that, and are just watching the football, I do wonder why!!!
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
JJ played or coached under:
Geraint Williams
Steve Cotterill
Phil Parkinson
Chris Powell
José Riga
Bob Peeters
Guy Luzon
Karel Fraeye
Russell Slade
Karl Robinson
Lee Bowyer
Nigel Adkins
I think the big difference is that Powell had played with or against almost all the players we signed.
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
JJ played or coached under:
Geraint Williams
Steve Cotterill
Phil Parkinson
Chris Powell
José Riga
Bob Peeters
Guy Luzon
Karel Fraeye
Russell Slade
Karl Robinson
Lee Bowyer
Nigel Adkins
I think the big difference is that Powell had played with or against almost all the players we signed.
Isn’t it possible that Jackson signs players he knows about?
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
JJ played or coached under:
Geraint Williams
Steve Cotterill
Phil Parkinson
Chris Powell
José Riga
Bob Peeters
Guy Luzon
Karel Fraeye
Russell Slade
Karl Robinson
Lee Bowyer
Nigel Adkins
I think the big difference is that Powell had played with or against almost all the players we signed.
Isn’t it possible that Jackson signs players he knows about?
I honestly don't think he had heard of the two young loan signings we made The fact he never plays them reinforces that. Someone is making decisions and not in a good way.
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
JJ played or coached under:
Geraint Williams
Steve Cotterill
Phil Parkinson
Chris Powell
José Riga
Bob Peeters
Guy Luzon
Karel Fraeye
Russell Slade
Karl Robinson
Lee Bowyer
Nigel Adkins
I think the big difference is that Powell had played with or against almost all the players we signed.
Isn’t it possible that Jackson signs players he knows about?
I honestly don't think he had heard of the two young loan signings we made The fact he never plays them reinforces that. Someone is making decisions and not in a good way.
Airman mentioned Birmingham wanting rid of Castillo so we signed him on loan to enable the Aneke deal to go through.
John was a mistake but either way came in as back up.
I’m thinking more ahead to the summer where we’ll need to bring in several first choice players.
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
JJ played or coached under:
Geraint Williams
Steve Cotterill
Phil Parkinson
Chris Powell
José Riga
Bob Peeters
Guy Luzon
Karel Fraeye
Russell Slade
Karl Robinson
Lee Bowyer
Nigel Adkins
I think the big difference is that Powell had played with or against almost all the players we signed.
Isn’t it possible that Jackson signs players he knows about?
Who? He hasn't played for 4 years, hasn't coached anywhere else, he has watched us every match day for ever.
I am not saying its not possible but I doubt Jackson knows any current players as well as Powell knew Yann and Morrison. IIRC the keeping coach had also worked with Hammer before as well.
Comments
Would love to hear his thoughts tonight.
Be available Tuesday afternoon
A great player but a rubbish manager.
He needs to try back to basics 4-4-2 to at least get a couple more points…then he can experiment with his preferred formation once we’re mathematically safe.
The stubbornness is so extreme that today we ended with Fraser at LCB…
Clare and Lavelle at the back. Burstow and Washington up with Stockley. DJ and Leko wide with the three who started the game in the middle playing the full 90.
I hate even thinking it but I am starting to think that the initial results was a response to the players disliking Adkins, recently I think it's showing Jacko is out of his depth.
I very much hope I'm wrong and he turns this around bit right now that seems a long way off. Something has to change.
2-1 = 2-1: same result
Powell = Jackson: former player struggling as manager
Warner = CM: unconvincing goalkeeper
Jenkinson = Clare: academy player at full/wing back
Daily = Pearce: ageing captain at CB
Llera = Lavelle: average CB
Fry = Purrington: defensive full back, limited going forward
Wagstaff = Lee: lightweight attacking midfielder
Parrett = Fraser: January signing and the new hope in central midfield
Semedo = Dobson: battling defensive midfielder and player of the year to be
McCormack = Gunter: good signing on paper but never performed for us
Nouble = Leko: promising loan, player you can't wait to send back in reality
Wright-Phillips = Stockley: reliable striker, key for this season and next
Sullivan = Harvey: sub goalkeeper who will hopefully never have to play
Doherty = Matthews: see McCormack = Gunter
Morgan = Solly: academy player written off by many
Reid = Washington: a bit of hope amongst a poor bench, squad player if he stays next season
Racon = Gilbey: overrated midfielder, on the bench for a reason. No end product
Eccleston = Burstow: loan attacker from one of the big clubs, not that good in reality
Fortune = DJ: another good signing on paper but left out for a good reason
4-4-2 = 3-5-2: formation questioned but not the problem
I’m hoping like everybody else that despite the circumstances this could be a repeat of Chris Powell’s glorious return to Charlton as manager. The underwhelming start and then the turn around to promotion the following season. The similarities are a good. Ex Charlton legend, first management job. But then SCP’s background was perhaps at a higher standard (Premier League, England international) and the managers he played or coached under were, during their careers, more successful. Perhaps the big difference is the owners ambition and most importantly who they’re entrusting the recruitment to. I’m hoping it will be the same outcome, but it looks a real long shot.
Chris Powell
Recruited virtually whole new team during summer.
Head of that recruitment: Peter Varney (short term contract), experienced Premier League CEO
SCP played or coached under:
Jim Smith
Alan Curbishley
Aidy Boothroyd
Alan Pardew (Promotion Season)
Nigel Pearson
Paulo Sousa
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Jonnie Jackson
TS states we need to add just two or three players to compete for top two places.
Head of that recruitment: Owners son, briefly played for Barnet.
JJ played or coached under:
Geraint Williams
Steve Cotterill
Phil Parkinson
Chris Powell
José Riga
Bob Peeters
Guy Luzon
Karel Fraeye
Russell Slade
Karl Robinson
Lee Bowyer
Nigel Adkins
I’m not going to go into the why’s and wherefore’s of tactics, coaching etc., as it’s all been said, and I’m not qualified to comment, I can only go by what I see on the pitch.
Having said that, I am firmly behind JJ, he is not stupid, has his badges, has in depth knowledge of the club, and I’m sure he is hurting more than most.
These players are confounding me. Most are technically ok, do put in a shift, but what is screamingly obvious to me is that from a fair few there is a total absence of football intelligence. Leading to disjointed play, poor passing, not playing as a team, which was never more obvious comparing the the two teams yesterday. AS where not good but their desire to get a result and hunt us down was so different from our attitude.
As I said earlier, JJ is not stupid, and does know his stuff, so he is not blind to what is going on. But he has to keep the players onside to an extent to get the points we need to get over the line, and then sort it out. So I am still optimistic he will do this. However, it is also blindingly obvious that there is also things going on behind the scenes that is detrimental to what is going on on the pitch.
The tactics, Nile John (he cannot possibly worse than we are putting out each game), Leko, some defend him, but he is the epitome of lacking a football brain.
Decisions JJ is making are coming across, to me at least, that are not entirely his. Which does not bode well if he is not being left to manage the playing side himself along with his coaching staff. I hope I’m wrong!
Mac - he may of been Portsmouth POTY last season, but there’s a reason they let him go. If you have a keeper that is not prepared to at least try and command his area, the defence, much changed as it is, will always be wary and that leads to confusion and disarray, which we have scene a lot of recently. I see no reason not to have AMB in our goal.
Lavelle - he is still young, learning, and having to step up. Playing in a makeshift, constantly changing defence will not be doing him any favours. So I’d bear with him. If only we could have Pearce’s leadership and desire transferred to Lavelle we could have a good CB there.
Gilbey - box to box player, good engine, tackles, but his passing and decision making in the final third is atrocious. He passes when he should shoot, his passé’s are either short or behind, causing the move to breakdown. When he scored against Ipswich, we all thought great he can push on now and get more goals, but to say he has regressed is an understatement. So frustrating.
Lee - Again good player for this league, but his decision making is poor, like Gilbey, scores a goal, and has gone backwards instead of pushing on.
Fraser - I like him, he has quality, and when fit, will be a major asset. If JFC can stay fit, their partnership will be a force, especially in this league.
Innis - not technically great but such an imposing figure in this league, obviously, his fitness is the key.
Aneke - imposing and a threat, in this league, but again is he worth the amount of games he will miss, or can he be content with being just an impact player.
Finally what we desperately need alongside Dobbo, is a battler, a Kinsella type. To read the game, break up play, and instigate attacks, and more importantly grab the players by the scruff of the neck if necessary and let them know in no uncertain terms how privileged they are to be playing football and earning good money, even if it is just Charlton. And play with some pride and self esteem!
I’m keeping the faith, but it is wearing thin right now. Supporting Charlton is more than the football on the pitch, it’s the camaraderie, the being there, the day out. But when you haven’t got that, and are just watching the football, I do wonder why!!!
The fact he never plays them reinforces that.
Someone is making decisions and not in a good way.
John was a mistake but either way came in as back up.
I am not saying its not possible but I doubt Jackson knows any current players as well as Powell knew Yann and Morrison. IIRC the keeping coach had also worked with Hammer before as well.