An anaemic first half performance from Charlton, during which the front two looked isolated and we lacked width offensively. The formation didn't work for us and, on the few occasions that Sean Clare got to the line down the right flank, the final ball in was generally lacking. Peterborough were hardly firing on all cylinders themselves (as befits a team who have gone four games without a win) but they gave us trouble down the right flank through Poku and Ward and Maynard-Brewer had to bale us out with a fine double-save just before half time.
A much better start to the second half saw us take the lead following a lovely touch from Kanu, which took him away from his man and his excellent cross was expertly glanced home by Leaburn, who somehow extended his neck muscles to divert the ball into the far corner. Sean Clare's buccaneering run almost made it 2-0 and that always felt like a pivotal moment, given our inability to keep a clean sheet. The concession of a soft equaliser took to wind right out of our sails and induced some serious nerves in our defensive play generally. We could still have won it, given Rak-Sakyi's terrible miss, but Peterborough hit the bar twice themselves and a draw was a fair result overall.
Sadly, we were not clinical enough in the final third and whilst the defence was not as shaky as in some recent games, we always look likely concede at some point. Dobbo was (as ever) outstanding in midfield, without much in the way of support from his lightweight colleagues, Fraser and Payne. Lavelle was much improved in the centre of the back three, Ness had a sound game alongside side him, sensibly taking no chances, whilst Clare had an excellent second half. Up front, Leaburn was very impressive and hopefully we can keep him fit and on the books for the rest of the season.
Once again I am not saying Holden is anything other than a good bloke. He is to be judged on results in my view. Yes he is unbeaten in the league but that meant dropping two home points. It was a crap result. We have had plenty of managers capable of getting crap results, how many ought we to put up with before the giving of Holden a chance is all over?
Well he deserves January and then probably February once we have (hopefully) strengthened the squad. If he's not getting results with a better squad then early March is probably the time to get rid.
This is a good answer, and a starting point for discussion. Personally I don’t feel good about him overseeing squad ‘strengthening’ if it is in the context of bad results, he may say the players he wants but what if the results stay crap? Then he would’ve spent the money for no good outcome. Perhaps give him until the 11th of January as a compromise to see if he is any good. Others will reasonably say that is too short a time, but I am so sick of things my patience with this endless stream of managers is at an end.
So your solution to an endless stream of managers is to sack the latest one after 4 weeks...
One solution I have previously mentioned is to auction the managerial position to supporters one game at a time. It might raise money, and would the results be much worse? You would need a history of loyalty points to participate in the auction. If Holden delivers three points at Oxford and Portsmouth I would be happy to see my suggestion put on hold. If I were successful in the type of auction I have suggested I guarantee my pre and post match press conferences would be very different to the usual predictable rubbish.
Hi Seth, I am assuming there is some humour in your post, but on the off chance you are genuinely doubling down on this, it's a good idea on a drunk night out after a home defeat, but as a model to take us forward, its horrible. We have seen various managers who have been said to have 'lost the dressing room'. How many in our dressing room would be remotely interested in worrying about results if the club auctioned off the manager role on a weekly basis as a sort of hilarious/weird novelty agenda? Chaos breeds chaos and a revolving selection of fans would be embarassing.
At least introduce a football condition, such as a crossbar challenge to weed out the undesireables
We dont get results at the moment as we are too predicatble with our threats. We need a bit more variety in that department and that means some additions.
Comments
A much better start to the second half saw us take the lead following a lovely touch from Kanu, which took him away from his man and his excellent cross was expertly glanced home by Leaburn, who somehow extended his neck muscles to divert the ball into the far corner. Sean Clare's buccaneering run almost made it 2-0 and that always felt like a pivotal moment, given our inability to keep a clean sheet. The concession of a soft equaliser took to wind right out of our sails and induced some serious nerves in our defensive play generally. We could still have won it, given Rak-Sakyi's terrible miss, but Peterborough hit the bar twice themselves and a draw was a fair result overall.
Sadly, we were not clinical enough in the final third and whilst the defence was not as shaky as in some recent games, we always look likely concede at some point. Dobbo was (as ever) outstanding in midfield, without much in the way of support from his lightweight colleagues, Fraser and Payne. Lavelle was much improved in the centre of the back three, Ness had a sound game alongside side him, sensibly taking no chances, whilst Clare had an excellent second half. Up front, Leaburn was very impressive and hopefully we can keep him fit and on the books for the rest of the season.
No, just a 6'5 striker who can dance his way through three players to create a chance for himself!