POST-MATCH THREAD: Oxford United vs Charlton Athletic: Saturday 26th August 2023: KO 3:00pm

LoOkOuT

Dean Holden’s men had a week following a poor run to work out the kinks and establish a game plan for in-form Oxford. Making a number of changes, the Addicks started brightly only to be undone on the counter attack and find themselves a goal down inside ten minutes. 

We were lucky to only be down 1-0 at halftime but a couple more changes going into the second half saw us start strong again. This time we managed to sustain the pressure. We outplayed Oxford and found ourselves level through an Alfie May goal from the edge of the six yard box. However, a moment of collective stupidity saw us concede a second when Oxford found themselves with no less than five on the counter. Our lapse in concentration cost us again.

We’re simply devoid of so many things!

Oxford 2 Charlton 1

Over to you.

soapy_jones

Absolute garbage!

Covered_End_Lad

Just about the only thing worse than our performance was that of the referee. Absolute shite and we deserved to lose from minute 1. 

Oakster2

Holden's body language towards the end was telling - he looked a beaten man

LargeAddick

Week to prepare and Holden gets it totally wrong. Nice guy but not up to the job.

superclive98

There is nothing to like about this Charlton team/squad.
The first five league games have not provided an ounce of encouragement for the rest of the season.

ct_addick

No fucking clue….what was that first half lineup….when I looked at that I said we are in trouble….going down with this side

mendonca

Is that our 5th straight loss? If so, awful and we will struggle to overcome it, just like winning from a losing position.

Broadstairs_Red

Was going to stick my head in the oven but just realised its electric.

Anyway, maybe a nice short trip to Ebbsfleet next season ...

DRAddick

Standard "We didn't deserve that" Holden interview incoming. Trying to be supportive of him as I do lay more of the blame higher up the chain over the years. But he's not immune from fair criticism and he has to take his share of the blame for that first half especially. 

sam3110

I hope Holden takes 3 things away from today (if he's still got a job that is)

1. 3 at the back, in its current guise with the players available and the tactics we utilise, isn't working. We've tried it with all manner of combinations of our defenders and time and again teams are cutting through us at will. 

2. Our set pieces need a complete overhaul, defensively and attacking, we don't ever look threatening when trying to score and we look clueless when trying to defend them.

3. Alfie May should be banned from throw ins immediately and forever.

Stu_of_Kunming

Time to find a more enjoyable hobby. Like punching myself in the face.

Fortune 82nd Minute

Holden will be swaying like he's in a force 10 gale doing his post match interview tonight.

Jac_52

Holden is a clown and his coaches clearly can't do their jobs to a level high enough to get us promoted. Nice bloke blah blah but he cannot be defended at this stage with these results.

Brown59

Absolutely Shocking. I have said before the new owners don’t trust him enough to warrant spending. Holden talks a good game but is absolutely shite. Get rid 

charlton_hero

Holden is well out of his depth and already we're in a complete mess this season. 

jbcafc

Our star striker signing has been put on throw-ins... Astonishing... 

To1SCP

Holden needs to go, but who would come this shit show?

L0rd_M0ntagu3

Holden seems a lovely guy. But he’s tactically inept. Lost this game in the first half. He’s not good enough. 

Covered_End_Lad

I don’t think I have seen a Charlton side that make this many basic defensive errors and I have seen some dreadful Charlton sides. I like Holden as a bloke but today felt like the end.

The Prince-e-Paul

Curbs questioning if there are too many players coming through the academy that aren't experienced enough, trying to play in a mens game. 

KettsJohn

So poor. 

stockportaddick

Any optimism I had following the Orient game has now vanished. We were absolute shite, especially first half. The only optimism I have now is in the hope we don´t end up in league two next season.

Holden appears to be a nice guy, but I really think he needs to go.

Croydon

Yes we're short of players but we will achieve nothing with tactics and selection as poor as that. Feel for all the academy lads getting booed off week in week out for simply not being ready for men's football.

cafc_4life

That celebration after Orient is becoming more and more embarrassing game after game.

and it was incredibly embarrassing at the time 

ElliotCAFC

He needs to go. Adkins 2.0

Bedsaddick

Much better second half but it couldn't get any worse.
That first half was shambolic.
Holden hasn't got a clue what formation to play or team to pick and that's pretty much unforgivable five games into a season.
I still have no idea what formation we were playing in the first half and why our left back Edun was playing in midfield ( or was he ? ). 
Second half we played some good football at times but instead of being happy with a 1-1 and keeping our defenders back , we went Kamikaze yet again and gave the three points away. 

Holden probably has one game to turn this shambles around. 

covered_end_junior

Dreadful first half, probably the worst so far this season. 

A better second half ruined by us not learning from our mistakes and leaving ourselves short at the back.

We’re undoubtedly about 4 or 5 players short but Holden’s not getting enough out of what he has. 

I wouldn’t get rid just yet but I think next weekend is a must win (certainly don’t lose)

sinceiwasyoung

We're going down aren't we ?

cazo

If we don’t get in at least 4/5 ship out the obvious 3 I’m done with all this shit and bullshit that we have money.

Redvaliant

Absolute garbage all round, defence is beyond a joke. 7 points behind a play off place by the end of August. What a joke.