Much more entertaining game than thought it would be. Excellent to grab some goals and get the win. .
Formation looked a bit off in the first half and the long ball game wasn't working too well, looked so much better playing through Louie Watson and the midfield in general. For as good as we looked going forward we were just as bad at the back, poor positioning and lapsed concentration saw Exeter score and look more threatening than they should have been. T Watson struggled to deal with his man a lot first half and was lucky to not concede a pen.
Second half, started as we finished the first and it was all us, but, became quite even as the half went on, our pen and the sending off finished Exeter.
Louie Watson - said it couple of games ago, Fraser doesn't get back in ahead of him. I know theyre not exactly like for like but Fraser isnt a 10 and we have better options there and Watson gets stuck in a lot more in the deeper role than Fraser, may have finally found our "this seasons Cullen".
Alfie May - Washington work ethic with Lyle Taylor wind up antics and goal scoring. Loving it.
Ref made some bad decisions in our favour, the penalty and sending off (watching the replay, the Exeter player stumbles over landing on his arse with both feet forward and gets sent off for a 2 footed lunge) so I guess there's at least one ref who doesn't have this weird, perceived, pathological hatred for Charlton. Harsh on Exeter but we seen our fair share.
Still plenty of work to do on the defence but a better season than last two is on the horizon.
Good strong performance from start to finish, unfortunately a sloppy goal we need to cut out.
The squad is looking strong now, be interested to hear from those people who was so negative about our summer business.. Always said judge at the end of the window..
As for the red, their player lunged for the ball but the ref's angle was probably decieving as he didn't really lunge through May. I can see why it might have been given but it wasn't a red.
We set up in a very attacking formation and that probably contributed to their goal, but we also scored four, Aneke wasn't offside so technically five and we could have got a few more. Not where we need to be but getting there I think. Let's see what Sarurday brings.
Good strong performance from start to finish, unfortunately a sloppy goal we need to cut out.
The squad is looking strong now, be interested to hear from those people who was so negative about our summer business.. Always said judge at the end of the window..
Fair comment however
T Watson - based on Shrewsbury and last night - jury is out on his defensive abilities.
L Watson. VERY TIDY. Keeps the ball moving quickly and is good.
Left back. Weak spot. Edun had a great debut but has gone backwards since.
Terry Taylor. Not been impressed.
Camara. Injured. Not sure an injury prone player helps us.
May - quality. But play him where he should play.
Tedic. Quietly impressed.
Isted. One great game. A few poor ones.
Campbell. Not making the starting eleven. Manager seems unsure where he can fit in.
Overall - better than before the window. Can't play a first half for toffee. Not sure we've found the right formation. Lucky to get a point away to Shrewsbury. Fortunate sending off last night.
New manager bounce. Some players still have a poor mentality - even our manager has said it.
If we genuinely have a top 4 wage bill then the side is underachieving. Long way to go but am pleasantly more confident than I was but the side I watched at Shrewsbury on Saturday has no chance of getting promoted. The side last night MIGHT.
However the table says not. Let's review again in 10 games time when the manager bounce has gone, the side is established/settled.
Exeter have lost their last 3 games. Shrewsbury have 1 point in their last 5 games (against who ....). Stevenage have one win in 5. Wycombe were in decent form. Appleton has had a good but friendly start to his Charlton career.
People who question the owners, the squad, the results are Charlton fans like you. We just want to see consistent results, improvements and ambition rather than believe everything we are spun.
Dunno if it was his idea or Apples' to play him there, but May looks born to attacking midfield, incredible drive and skill. Him and Watson were very classy, and once Tedic and the other Watson got the hang of their side, we looked lethal
He would have played in the more attacking midfield role at Doncaster. He did in the playoff second leg.
Good strong performance from start to finish, unfortunately a sloppy goal we need to cut out.
The squad is looking strong now, be interested to hear from those people who was so negative about our summer business.. Always said judge at the end of the window..
Fair comment however
T Watson - based on Shrewsbury and last night - jury is out on his defensive abilities.
L Watson. VERY TIDY. Keeps the ball moving quickly and is good.
Left back. Weak spot. Edun had a great debut but has gone backwards since.
Terry Taylor. Not been impressed.
Camara. Injured. Not sure an injury prone player helps us.
May - quality. But play him where he should play.
Tedic. Quietly impressed.
Isted. One great game. A few poor ones.
Campbell. Not making the starting eleven. Manager seems unsure where he can fit in.
Overall - better than before the window. Can't play a first half for toffee. Not sure we've found the right formation. Lucky to get a point away to Shrewsbury. Fortunate sending off last night.
New manager bounce. Some players still have a poor mentality - even our manager has said it.
If we genuinely have a top 4 wage bill then the side is underachieving. Long way to go but am pleasantly more confident than I was but the side I watched at Shrewsbury on Saturday has no chance of getting promoted. The side last night MIGHT.
However the table says not. Let's review again in 10 games time when the manager bounce has gone, the side is established/settled.
Exeter have lost their last 3 games. Shrewsbury have 1 point in their last 5 games (against who ....). Stevenage have one win in 5. Wycombe were in decent form. Appleton has had a good but friendly start to his Charlton career.
People who question the owners, the squad, the results are Charlton fans like you. We just want to see consistent results, improvements and ambition rather than believe everything we are spun.
Tennai Watson had a better second half but was shaky first half. Exeter got their tactics spot on and isolated their pacy winger one on one (which the formation we played allowed them to do). Four or five times in the first half they did this and each time got into a decent position. Second half they changed tactics and personnel which gave Watson less defending ad more attacking opportunities. He looked decent going forwards but I have some concerns re his defending.
Good strong performance from start to finish, unfortunately a sloppy goal we need to cut out.
The squad is looking strong now, be interested to hear from those people who was so negative about our summer business.. Always said judge at the end of the window..
I think the overwhelming feeling of negativity was that it was all pretty much left to the last minute, particularly when we had clear gaps that needed filling.
We are just starting to settle into the season and have effectively given those like Portsmouth an 11 point head start. That could have and should have been avoided, particularly with ‘fresh investment’.
It it what it is though and it’s a long old season. Jury still very much out on this season
Tennai Watson had a better second half but was shaky first half. Exeter got their tactics spot on and isolated their pacy winger one on one (which the formation we played allowed them to do). Four or five times in the first half they did this and each time got into a decent position. Second half they changed tactics and personnel which gave Watson less defending ad more attacking opportunities. He looked decent going forwards but I have some concerns re his defending.
Little or no cover for our full backs - it does tend to magnify our defensive shortcomings.
We were worthy winners. The sending off made it easy but before that I thought we were the better team. Exeter were no mugs, though, and we will do well to win the return fixture.
great second half performance but let's not gloss over how crap we were in the first half (the equaliser glossed over that for most) - the set up / formation was all wrong
May is not a midfielder - he needs to be in the 18 yard box (as the second half showed) with a big man next to him. Yes he;ll work his socks off but he's wasted out there.
Wasn't a fan of L Watson before but he did very well last night. Also like Tedic, he's got a great first touch - but a right winger he is not (felt sorry for him stuck out there)
Hector all over the place for their goal - feels to me like Lloyd Jones is carrying the whole back 4 at the moment.
Alfie on Pens please - I'd much prefer Chuks to be coming on into a game against a tiring defence rather than starting - he just doesn't have the same impact, fully expect to see May/Leaburn back up top Saturday
Great second half, but please let's not start like that again - square pegs in round holes.
Really can't understand CBT getting anything below a 7 on the players marks thread. Watched the game with a Gooner and two other Charlton, and we all thought he played a blinder.
at the moment he's unplayable - superb form and a joy to watch - POTY so far by a country mile
We played well from start to finish. Their goal came out of nowhere for me in a phase where we were creating chances. We had a lot of trouble pressuring their defence, they played out very easily through their number 6. Scoring on halftime is always good for morale and momentum. The second half we played some good stuff and eventually got the penalty. I can imagine why Alfie let Aneke take it, but in general I don't like it. I like Chuks a lot and happy for him he got his first start though.
It is nice to have players like Fraser, Campbell and Leaburn coming from the bench. People who can impact the game and a lot of competition for amongst midfielders and forwards. A good squad who should look up rather than down. Bring on Blackpool at the weekend, another opportunity to get higher up the table.
Said in the preview I hoped the few that turned up were rewarded and that certainty proved the case. So nice to leave the ground with a spring in our step.
Strange game, felt we looked dominant but uncomfortable through most of it to mid 2nd half. Lots of final third play first half but too many corners coming to nothing, or attempted eye of the needle stuff similarly failing to deliver. It took a good old high cross and a powerful leap from Chuks to lead to an outcome. At the other end, I just don’t feel comfortable with us defensively and while we get in wide areas and wasteful I always think the oppo will create a meaningful chance in similar scenarios.
I won’t repeat what others have said other than Louie Watson showed some real class on the ball. I don’t think our fans appreciate how dominant CBT has been this season and how every teams game plan now is about trying to negate him.
Quality bench options make us a completely different proposition to a few games ago. We have attacking power and options now to be a really dominant home team in a comfortable environment. Can we get the balance right defensively to make us a better prospect away from home? That I think will determine our season.
Glad I went though. Not many games we have 20+ shots.
All I can say is sorry Exeter, we've had bad decisions go against us this season & tonight was payback time.
Saying that, we looked the better team & although they had a few corners & some half chances the only real save AMB had to make (apart from the goal) was in injury time where he stopped it being 4-2.
Didn't like the line up with May in midfield & Tedic out wide but after 30 mins May grew into his role & started finding pockets of space around the edge of the box.....which then into the 2nd half got bigger & more productive, leading to a sumptuous pass out to CBT and then raced into the box to bury the loose ball.
L Watson also grew into the game & his ball play & pass should have led to the first goal, only for the lino to flag Chuks offside (no need for VAR as they have no idea either). After that the midfielder battle was ours, with Watson, Dobbo & May passing it around for fun.
Shame Chuks couldn't get on the scoresheet after hitting the woodwork twice but Apples will have to sort out our penalty taker once & for all. None of this "its mine, no you take it" malarkey.
All in all a very pleasant evening.
My first home win on CAFC TV ✔ GD bettered ✔ The Golfie's well & truly put to bed ✔
But please Mr Apples, let’s Sa play our players in their proper positions, and once we get all out players fit we might just threatened the top 6.
Top priority was to stop losing games and establish a foothold restoring some stability. Our own mindset and that of our opponents changes if the team is known to be hard to beat, which we haven't been for too long.
I'm not expecting us to go on a long winning run because I don't believe we have a squad that's head and shoulders above others, but the table says we're in with chance being 4 points off 6th with a game in hand and results so far under MA (very early days though yet) yielding 2 points a game, as required for promotion. 72 more from 36 would guarantee play offs! I'm discounting automatics as unrealistic this season.
Plenty of positives from a big win coming from behind (again) Are they to become par for the course this season?
Good performance,though Exeter played some good stuff in the first half and showed why they had a good start to the season.once again,a really soft goal to concede ,but they did their homework,they played right up to our defence all along the line,and exposed our lack of pace,especially their right winger.Now a word in defence of the lino,I was right behind him in that first half,when he was getting abused for not flagging,but he was right every time.Sending off ,well by the letter of the law,yes,two feet,studs up and a bit reckless,but Alfie milked it which I dont like to see,but there you go.Once again a slow start,the formation looked a bit disjointed,but as is normal with Appleton,he does get his changes spot on.Are automatics a pipe dream,no,Pompey are noted for falling away,we now have a big squad when fit,Keep Chucks fit,get Camara back on the pitch and that looks to me a very strong squad.
Didn’t go last night as I’ve been too busy with work of late. In fact, I’m hardly on here at all these days.
Watched the match on the stream. First 20 mins thought we were looking good and were reasonably comfortable. We conceded and I thought here we go again, nothing changes. Chucks has the ball in the net. Was it offside? Couldn’t tell from the tv pictures. Tedic was definitely inside. But we needed that goal just before the break.
Second half, different gravy. Thought the sending off proved to be harsh but the ref was right on top of the incident and the Exeter player did lunge in a bit. After that it was wave after wave of attack. The goals were always going to come. It was just a question of how many. I’ll take the 4. Don’t want to be greedy. Enjoyable second half. It was one of those games that I didn’t want to end.
The standard has now been set so bring on Blackpool. Now that we’re getting our injured players back we’re looking more of a threat going forward. Mikey Apples is going to have to make some difficult decisions on who he includes and who he leaves out 🤔
Very good all round home performance we had to stay calm as Exeter set up to let us have the ball but to hit us on the break , some of our football was really good as we tried to find the key to unlock the 10 man defence . Exeter scored which was out of the blue , but we did not panic got the deserved goal .. second we continued to dominate T Watson won the pen no complaints there , Aneke missed May scored .. then horrendous tackle on May could have broke his leg sending off … and we really took the game by the neck .. it was one of best home performances for a while
MOM L Watson
Think you need to watch that sending off again mate. Wasn't even a foul.
Two-footed studs up. Red all day long. I think you, and all those who LoLed his post, responded to the name on the post. To be fair, I was expecting drivel but this time I agree with everything he wrote.
We’ll play better than that and not win . but 3 points no matter how they come are much needed . points that I’ve not seen mentioned I think AMB was like slow motion trying to stop their goal at his near post exeter should have had a pen first half and Alfie encroached in to the D before Aneke struck the penalty great turnout for Exeter on a Tuesday night 741 and a healthy 10,834 Addicks seats issued 😀
Eieieio
I had look at the Exefans site, and they are saying as you point out re 1st half pen, encroachment by AM for pen followup plus the sending off "not even biased Charlton TV thinks it's a red" Plus a lot comments about refereeing, there may be history with the official.
In addition some critics of their manager playing around with formation and moving players around from familiar positions. Plus complaints about missing out on buying strikers.
For me it was very similar to the 5-1 vs Plymouth at home last season. We were fortunate, but you have to grab the good fortune that comes your way.
We’ll play better than that and not win . but 3 points no matter how they come are much needed . points that I’ve not seen mentioned I think AMB was like slow motion trying to stop their goal at his near post exeter should have had a pen first half and Alfie encroached in to the D before Aneke struck the penalty great turnout for Exeter on a Tuesday night 741 and a healthy 10,834 Addicks seats issued 😀
Eieieio
Nah, mate, in the studio with playbacks you clearly see he timed his run perfectly. Which incident are you talking about for an Exeter pen? There was some diving going on in the first half.
Cracking rhyme above though so your over-pessimism is excused
I shuddered when I saw Chuks was starting, seemed way too early, but he looked genuinely fit, whereas in previous attempted comebacks it looked like our approach to getting him fit was "getting minutes into him". Add to that CBT easily able to last the full 100 minutes, and I have to say as a long -term critic of our backroom set-up, somebody has done a good job with those two.
Louie Watson has the potential to be as influential this season as Mark Kinsella was. He may not have the thunderbolt in his locker, and he's a bit more tetchy, perhaps not captain material at least at this stage of his career, but his reaction to not starting last week has been top-drawer.
We’ve lost as many matches as Barnsley, who are in 4th spot, 10 places ahead of us, Wembley here we come boys, keep the date free!!
We have 4 wins out of 6 home games. Still annoyed about how we lost to both Port Vale & Bristol Rovers. Hope those results don’t cost us as we should never have lost those two games.
After Saturday's game, we will have played 7 at home and only 4 away.
Away form not good so far. We need a big pick up in it.
I realised that early doors when Dobson attempted clearance from a cross went into the hands of AMB and not an OG !
Sounds churlish to be critical on a night with a big victory but the goal we conceded was a shocker with a pass down the middle and their two forwards ran clear. TBF to both Jones and Hector they did sort it out.
Many positives for cafc when on the ball and Louie Watson is a positive player who looks to create. Alfie May took time as you would expect in his new role and a sublime pass to Chuks for his header against the bar and CBT did what all wide forwards should do in a 3 and get in the middle to support the Central striker when the ball is on the other side in an advanced position. Well taken goal by Corey because at last the 9 wasn't isolated.
Despite my/our mantra about Alfie May playing in a two alongside a big man, I can see that in that attacking midfield position behind Aneke or Leaburn he wasn't always picked up and had chances even in the 1st half.
Tedic had a very hard working 2nd half with good technical skill but again he looked more dangerous in a central position as demonstrated with his twist and turn where the keeper did a good save.
Blackpool won't be a holiday and Aneke's Medical history tells us he should be back on the bench and probably play 30 minutes, including added time and Leaburn with fire in his belly plays from the start in the central striker's role where he looked comfortable. Lovely strike from Miles.
Suddenly our bench looks stronger and we have improved because of the quality in our squad. Fraser, Leaburn, and the Campbells kept the pressure on under the Tuesday night lights.
Comments
Formation looked a bit off in the first half and the long ball game wasn't working too well, looked so much better playing through Louie Watson and the midfield in general. For as good as we looked going forward we were just as bad at the back, poor positioning and lapsed concentration saw Exeter score and look more threatening than they should have been. T Watson struggled to deal with his man a lot first half and was lucky to not concede a pen.
Second half, started as we finished the first and it was all us, but, became quite even as the half went on, our pen and the sending off finished Exeter.
Louie Watson - said it couple of games ago, Fraser doesn't get back in ahead of him. I know theyre not exactly like for like but Fraser isnt a 10 and we have better options there and Watson gets stuck in a lot more in the deeper role than Fraser, may have finally found our "this seasons Cullen".
Alfie May - Washington work ethic with Lyle Taylor wind up antics and goal scoring. Loving it.
Ref made some bad decisions in our favour, the penalty and sending off (watching the replay, the Exeter player stumbles over landing on his arse with both feet forward and gets sent off for a 2 footed lunge) so I guess there's at least one ref who doesn't have this weird, perceived, pathological hatred for Charlton. Harsh on Exeter but we seen our fair share.
Still plenty of work to do on the defence but a better season than last two is on the horizon.
The squad is looking strong now, be interested to hear from those people who was so negative about our summer business.. Always said judge at the end of the window..
We set up in a very attacking formation and that probably contributed to their goal, but we also scored four, Aneke wasn't offside so technically five and we could have got a few more. Not where we need to be but getting there I think. Let's see what Sarurday brings.
T Watson - based on Shrewsbury and last night - jury is out on his defensive abilities.
L Watson. VERY TIDY. Keeps the ball moving quickly and is good.
Left back. Weak spot. Edun had a great debut but has gone backwards since.
Terry Taylor. Not been impressed.
Camara. Injured. Not sure an injury prone player helps us.
May - quality. But play him where he should play.
Tedic. Quietly impressed.
Isted. One great game. A few poor ones.
Campbell. Not making the starting eleven. Manager seems unsure where he can fit in.
Overall - better than before the window. Can't play a first half for toffee. Not sure we've found the right formation. Lucky to get a point away to Shrewsbury. Fortunate sending off last night.
New manager bounce. Some players still have a poor mentality - even our manager has said it.
If we genuinely have a top 4 wage bill then the side is underachieving. Long way to go but am pleasantly more confident than I was but the side I watched at Shrewsbury on Saturday has no chance of getting promoted. The side last night MIGHT.
However the table says not. Let's review again in 10 games time when the manager bounce has gone, the side is established/settled.
Exeter have lost their last 3 games. Shrewsbury have 1 point in their last 5 games (against who ....). Stevenage have one win in 5. Wycombe were in decent form. Appleton has had a good but friendly start to his Charlton career.
People who question the owners, the squad, the results are Charlton fans like you. We just want to see consistent results, improvements and ambition rather than believe everything we are spun.
Onwards!
It it what it is though and it’s a long old season. Jury still very much out on this season
Happy days are here again
May is not a midfielder - he needs to be in the 18 yard box (as the second half showed) with a big man next to him. Yes he;ll work his socks off but he's wasted out there.
Wasn't a fan of L Watson before but he did very well last night. Also like Tedic, he's got a great first touch - but a right winger he is not (felt sorry for him stuck out there)
Hector all over the place for their goal - feels to me like Lloyd Jones is carrying the whole back 4 at the moment.
Alfie on Pens please - I'd much prefer Chuks to be coming on into a game against a tiring defence rather than starting - he just doesn't have the same impact, fully expect to see May/Leaburn back up top Saturday
Great second half, but please let's not start like that again - square pegs in round holes.
It is nice to have players like Fraser, Campbell and Leaburn coming from the bench. People who can impact the game and a lot of competition for amongst midfielders and forwards. A good squad who should look up rather than down. Bring on Blackpool at the weekend, another opportunity to get higher up the table.
Strange game, felt we looked dominant but uncomfortable through most of it to mid 2nd half. Lots of final third play first half but too many corners coming to nothing, or attempted eye of the needle stuff similarly failing to deliver. It took a good old high cross and a powerful leap from Chuks to lead to an outcome. At the other end, I just don’t feel comfortable with us defensively and while we get in wide areas and wasteful I always think the oppo will create a meaningful chance in similar scenarios.
I won’t repeat what others have said other than Louie Watson showed some real class on the ball. I don’t think our fans appreciate how dominant CBT has been this season and how every teams game plan now is about trying to negate him.
I'm not expecting us to go on a long winning run because I don't believe we have a squad that's head and shoulders above others, but the table says we're in with chance being 4 points off 6th with a game in hand and results so far under MA (very early days though yet) yielding 2 points a game, as required for promotion. 72 more from 36 would guarantee play offs! I'm discounting automatics as unrealistic this season.
Plenty of positives from a big win coming from behind (again) Are they to become par for the course this season?
Plus a lot comments about refereeing, there may be history with the official.
In addition some critics of their manager playing around with formation and moving players around from familiar positions. Plus complaints about missing out on buying strikers.
For me it was very similar to the 5-1 vs Plymouth at home last season. We were fortunate, but you have to grab the good fortune that comes your way.
Cracking rhyme above though so your over-pessimism is excused
I shuddered when I saw Chuks was starting, seemed way too early, but he looked genuinely fit, whereas in previous attempted comebacks it looked like our approach to getting him fit was "getting minutes into him". Add to that CBT easily able to last the full 100 minutes, and I have to say as a long -term critic of our backroom set-up, somebody has done a good job with those two.
Louie Watson has the potential to be as influential this season as Mark Kinsella was. He may not have the thunderbolt in his locker, and he's a bit more tetchy, perhaps not captain material at least at this stage of his career, but his reaction to not starting last week has been top-drawer.
Away form not good so far. We need a big pick up in it.
I realised that early doors when Dobson attempted clearance from a cross went into the hands of AMB and not an OG !
Sounds churlish to be critical on a night with a big victory but the goal we conceded was a shocker with a pass down the middle and their two forwards ran clear. TBF to both Jones and Hector they did sort it out.
Many positives for cafc when on the ball and Louie Watson is a positive player who looks to create. Alfie May took time as you would expect in his new role and a sublime pass to Chuks for his header against the bar and CBT did what all wide forwards should do in a 3 and get in the middle to support the Central striker when the ball is on the other side in an advanced position. Well taken goal by Corey because at last the 9 wasn't isolated.
Despite my/our mantra about Alfie May playing in a two alongside a big man, I can see that in that attacking midfield position behind Aneke or Leaburn he wasn't always picked up and had chances even in the 1st half.
Tedic had a very hard working 2nd half with good technical skill but again he looked more dangerous in a central position as demonstrated with his twist and turn where the keeper did a good save.
Blackpool won't be a holiday and Aneke's Medical history tells us he should be back on the bench and probably play 30 minutes, including added time and Leaburn with fire in his belly plays from the start in the central striker's role where he looked comfortable. Lovely strike from Miles.
Suddenly our bench looks stronger and we have improved because of the quality in our squad. Fraser, Leaburn, and the Campbells kept the pressure on under the Tuesday night lights.
Has Micky Apples scared away the curse👀 🤔