Enjoyable game. Tonight we were fortunate because three of our goals were deflected. So often we are unlucky when a good shot or header gets blocked. Plus their full back nearly broke our crossbar with his thunderbolt. But it was a very spirited performance, with lots of determination. We seemed to lose our shape somewhat after they scored their first goal. Could do with Tut-Tut explaining why we struggled for a while.
Pleased we won, rode our luck at times, actually got a bit of luck at times too, ie Stockleys header wasn't even on target and maybe an Inniss handball first half. If the one that hit the bar went in at 2-1 I think we'd have lost that. But it didn't. Think the final score flattered us a bit but the win was deserved in the end. With the players we have 4-4-2 suits us best but again our squad depth could haunt us if Leaburn is out for a few weeks as Chuks can't start games meaning we'd have to drop 4-4-2. Egbo and Dobson stand outs for me, Leaburn did well. Centre backs don't fill me with much confidence, another area where we are short of bodies. Overall a welcome three points but much tougher tests to come this month. Let's see where we are come end of October.
I don’t care how dog shit we are or what level we play at, if I see Charlton score goals and win then I bounce out The Valley on cloud nine and have a good mood that will last all the next day.
Up the reds. Well done the few there tonight that were patient and got behind them well
Have to say, credit where it's due to Garner as well. Willing to try a different plan, he got the subs right and whilst 4-2 is probably flattering as a score he must be doing something right in training and in terms of keeping morale up, or at least inspiring the team after a poor run.
Certainly not the Messiah and hasn't got every decision right but with all the problems the club has right now he's not one of them.
Shots 15-12 On Target 6-4 Inside Penalty Area 9-4 xG 1.25-1.10
Fouls 8-9 Corners 4-6
Least possession all season? Must have been close if not. Please now stop all the tippy tappy boring slowball and carry on like we did tonight. Stop trying to be Man C, we're not good enough. Let's be Charlton.
Solid win. Egbo and Sess looked very good. I also thought Clare looked a class act. Great to see Chucks. Let’s hope he stays fit and Leaburn isn’t crocked.
Garner: "it's not a penalty and it affects our goal difference - I think the lino got a bit bored and wanted some fun at the end of the game"
The linesman flagged for a foul by Aneke on the touchline for pulling the player back but the Ref ignored him and allowed play to carry on. As soon as Aneke made contact again, that player was always going to go down and the Ref probably wasn't looking for too much of an excuse not to give the penalty given the initial foul.
I'm really not sure that is really going to make the difference between success and failure to our season though. There will be a lot more defining goals that will have cost us points over the course of the season.
Entertaining match, honestly thought we were better team. For once we had a little luck go our way, hope Leaburn is ok thought he was excellent tonight.
Shots 15-12 On Target 6-4 Inside Penalty Area 9-4 xG 1.25-1.10
Fouls 8-9 Corners 4-6
Least possession all season? Must have been close if not. Please now stop all the tippy tappy boring slowball and carry on like we did tonight. Stop trying to be Man C, we're not good enough. Let's be Charlton.
Tonight was the fourth fewest passes (394) we've made in a match this season.
Garner: "it's not a penalty and it affects our goal difference - I think the lino got a bit bored and wanted some fun at the end of the game"
The linesman flagged for a foul by Aneke on the touchline for pulling the player back but the Ref ignored him and allowed play to carry on. As soon as Aneke made contact again, that player was always going to go down and the Ref probably wasn't looking for too much of an excuse not to give it given the initial foul.
I'm really not sure that is really going to make the difference between success and failure to our season though. I'm sure there will be a lot more defining goals that will have cost us points over the course of the season.
The protesting about the penalty award afterwards, and then the time wasting by O'Connell which earned him a booking were all a bit unnecessary really.
Yes I know the players were tense, and desperate for the win, but when you're 3 goals up with say 3 minutes to play, that penalty is merely a consolation. Regain your composure after they take it, keep possession and play the game out.
It's not as if the players were on for a clean sheet bonus anyway!
So good to see our subs turning the game in our favour for a change, in most previous games our substitutions have benefited the opposition. Great result tonight, much needed and well pleased to see chuks back.
Egbo and Sessegnon are class, Dobson was back to his best and Aneke showed us what we’ve been missing. He’s so much better than Stockley it’s ridiculous.
One nice little cameo was Inniss giving Dobbo a little pat to say thanks for getting him out of the mire after he lost the ball trying to bring it out of defence. He chased back but his sliding block failed, only for Dobson’s follow up sliding block to do its job. Exeter could well have scored without it. I knew we’d win tonight because I brought a mate who’s been to about six games now and we’ve won all of them. He thought JRS was very classy, and enjoyed Dobbo’s tackling.
Although JRS had some criticism on here tonight, I’m not sure it’s really justified. He didn’t give the ball away, and occupied two defenders all evening. I just wish when he floats in from the left that he could curl a shot in to the far post area, à la Saka. Exeter are a decent side, so it was a good test for us on the back of some below average performances. There are certainly signs of improvement, with the back four looking settled, and the midfield of JRS Dobbo Fraser and Kirk beginning to mesh a bit better.
But the big excitement for me was Aneke showing he is still a real threat. A big bonus was the return of the CBT who can beat a man and cross the ball. That was a real peach that landed right on the little fella’s bonce. Although it was a small crowd, I thought the covered end choir did a good job tonight.
I don’t care how dog shit we are or what level we play at, if I see Charlton score goals and win then I bounce out The Valley on cloud nine and have a good mood that will last all the next day.
Up the reds. Well done the few there tonight that were patient and got behind them well
Agree with this.
I know it’s only Exeter but I’m going to be buzzing at work tomorrow.
Forgot how good it felt to get a Win. I'm hoping this will boost the players' confidence for our coming matches. An enjoyable game that was largely played in the right spirit. We well deserved to win, although we did let them have a lot of shots. I'm glad Egbo got MoM I thought he thoroughly earned it. Still worried about the contributions of Kirk and Stockley though - would like to see them produce more. Chuks was like a breath of fresh air when he came on. Suddenly it felt like we had a real goal threat. Onwards an upwards (hopefully).
Dobson was absolutely outstanding. Leaburn was fantastic too. Nobody else stood out but a lot of solid performances. 4-1 would have been very flattering but how nice was it to bring Chuks on again.
Egbo stood out.
Don’t agree actually. Overall decent enough but got into some decent positions and his final ball was atrocious . Second half he stayed further hack and I thought he defended very well.
I don't know what everyone on here is moaning about every week tbh.
Dragged myself and my Dad down for the first time this season as it was his birthday (I do love him I swear) and all I saw was 1970s Brazil in red shirts.
So good to see CBT and Payne enjoy good cameos after recent poor performances. Unlike in recent matches BG introduced the subs at the right time and to good effect. There was an element of luck with our 2nd and 3rd goals but overall we deserved the win. My mom was Egbo closely followed by Dobbo and Fraser. Enjoy Ali Maxwell’s summation of the game in the studio. Hope we can get him back again soon so that he can maintain his 100% record!
I still think all our problems stem from the back. EOC isn't good enough and Innis has issues alongside him. Fraser had a good game and the full backs are making a big difference. JRS is a show pony and fits right in alongside donkey Stockley. Welcome back Chuks! Onwards to a big test next week...
Our centre-backs were excellent?
they weren't tbf
I defy you to remotely justify giving our CB's 4 and 4.5 in Player Marks (while Kirk got 5.5). Remotely.
That's what the comments I put next to the numbers were for👍
From the brief snippets I saw it did look as if we are now hitting two big targets up front and then getting second balls and pushing forward from there - this is how most teams play in League One.
I am not averse to "Garnerball" but you need to be able to be more direct ESPECIALLY at home where teams will sit deep, you can then mix that up with more possession based play once the game has slowed down a bit.
If you ONLY have possession based football then you are very predictable indeed and are going find it hard to score because defences can channel you into benign areas.
Comments
What a great performance tonight & well done to those in attendance to witness it.
Both in spite of Thomas Sandgaard's best efforts...
Well done, Ben & the lads !
We're ready for you Pompey.
Up the reds. Well done the few there tonight that were patient and got behind them well
Certainly not the Messiah and hasn't got every decision right but with all the problems the club has right now he's not one of them.
Must have been close if not.
Please now stop all the tippy tappy boring slowball and carry on like we did tonight.
Stop trying to be Man C, we're not good enough.
Let's be Charlton.
I'm really not sure that is really going to make the difference between success and failure to our season though. There will be a lot more defining goals that will have cost us points over the course of the season.
Nine of those goals - nearly 53% - came in just two games - so we have scored over half of our goals in just 15% of games.
Never seen anything like that in an all my years following the club.
352 vs Accrington
319 vs Derby
367 vs Bolton
Yes I know the players were tense, and desperate for the win, but when you're 3 goals up with say 3 minutes to play, that penalty is merely a consolation. Regain your composure after they take it, keep possession and play the game out.
It's not as if the players were on for a clean sheet bonus anyway!
Edit, just realised the Cowleys are running the roost at Pompey!!!
BG says Chooks when speaking of our super sub.
Guess that makes sense with Egbo in the same team.
I knew we’d win tonight because I brought a mate who’s been to about six games now and we’ve won all of them. He thought JRS was very classy, and enjoyed Dobbo’s tackling.
Exeter are a decent side, so it was a good test for us on the back of some below average performances. There are certainly signs of improvement, with the back four looking settled, and the midfield of JRS Dobbo Fraser and Kirk beginning to mesh a bit better.
Although it was a small crowd, I thought the covered end choir did a good job tonight.
Dragged myself and my Dad down for the first time this season as it was his birthday (I do love him I swear) and all I saw was 1970s Brazil in red shirts.
HMS Piss the league is afloat once more!!!
That's what the comments I put next to the numbers were for👍
I am not averse to "Garnerball" but you need to be able to be more direct ESPECIALLY at home where teams will sit deep, you can then mix that up with more possession based play once the game has slowed down a bit.
If you ONLY have possession based football then you are very predictable indeed and are going find it hard to score because defences can channel you into benign areas.