Didn't think we were that bad. Played fine first 15mins and matched them. But unforgivably bad defending at the corner letting them stroll around for a shot. We did the same each corner Reading had last weekend with just one defender against 2 of theirs but Reading were not good enough to do anything about it. That is piss poor, park league defending. Then we have Thomas off and fall to pieces for their second and I thought it would be a long afternoon. But to be fair, our players hung in until half time (helped I reckon by Dobson's smashing tackle in front of the family stand which was a proper captain's tackle not that he will be given credit for it on here) We did well second half I thought and could have got a couple back. AMB was excellent today with some fine saves. Bolton of course were good for their win, but we are 3 proper decent old heads away from a decent squad. Not rocket science as I said it before the window closed. A big, committed and tough CB like Santos and nasty shit like Charles and one more in our team and we would look so much better. That is the sort of quality, leadership and age we need to get in in January. But we will no doubt spend all of Jan trying to move on Kirk and McG to the no takers instead.
Whatever we do as a club with new owners, new managers and players we just seem stuck in a continuous loop of mediocrity. We’re miles off top six this season and I’ve now resigned myself to that. I just hope our new SMT can see that and have the clout to sort things out in the summer. Such a depressing club to support.
I'll be very interested in the January one, that will be very telling.
I saw the logic in not starting a big man up front today.
That’s been tried against Bolton and whoever got the nod would’ve been swallowed up by Santos. Leaburn was much more effective coming off the bench again as we’ve seen from him in recent weeks.
Comparing the two teams, they played with a calmness and silent authority that some of our defensive minded players could only dream of.
Compare Dobson to Thomason, compare Hector to Santos. I hope Friedman saw the gulf today and isn’t against opening the chequebook because this squad still isn’t quite there.
Good post. But worth bearing in mind that our back four were very aggressively pressed, whereas their’s had all day on the ball to get their passes off. But what we wouldn’t give to have Santos in our back four. How many times did he get a block in, or cut out crosses in the six yard box! To be fair on us we shaded the second half, and had we scored (Hector’s header from a corner that hit a defender on the line, or May’s ‘open goal’ that he blazed over the crossbar) it might have been an interesting end to the game. Especially as there should have been WAY more than five minutes of injury time.
The positive take for me was the way Louie Watson, Leaburn and May linked up. I’m sorry, Fraser can pick a pass, but he’s a luxury player who watches the game passing him by, for much of the time.
Camara also looked good. Dobbo, Watson & Camara as our midfield for me, with Leaburn up top, May as a 10, and CBT out wide.
How long was Terrell Thomas’ 30 seconds off the pitch after the injury? 60 seconds? More? And Bolton rubbed it in by keeping the ball right in front of him. Then scored. getting on the tube now lol
Wasn't much more than 30 seconds, certainly nowhere near the minute most around me were screaming it was.
Everyone around me too. I’ll take a look on the full match replay. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was 50 secs plus.
How long was Terrell Thomas’ 30 seconds off the pitch after the injury? 60 seconds? More? And Bolton rubbed it in by keeping the ball right in front of him. Then scored. getting on the tube now lol
Wasn't much more than 30 seconds, certainly nowhere near the minute most around me were screaming it was.
Everyone around me too. I’ll take a look on the full match replay. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was 50 secs plus.
Down to Appleton today more than the players. Formation, style and selection neither good nor brave enough. Bolton taught us a lesson and Evatt outclassed and outthought Appleton at every turn.
This isn’t about a poor day at the office, that gap in points to the play offs is getting bigger and we will struggle to catch up unless we go on a WINNING streak - home and away. This is simply not good enough this last week.
Hector bench, Thomas rest, Fraser bench, Campbell protect and bench to name but four.
If Abankwah is good enough to play Serie A football, why is he being overlooked here? We need to change it up and go 4-4-2 imho. We have nothing to lose if we want to get out of this shit league.
This has probably been answered already but he isn't good enough to play Serie A Football that's why he is with us in the third division & the fact that he isn't even in our matchday squad tells you all you need to know, just another youngster nowhere near good enough. He played two games for Udinese at the end of the season when the result didn't really matter just to give him a bit of game time & I think he was subbed in one. One for the future maybe though not with us.
Edit, I wouldn't worry too much about the gap to the play offs, we will never get there with this squad.
Very much the same type of performance we have produced all season (Lincoln being the exception).
Start really slowly, then make changes in the 2nd half which have an effect.
Bolton were far too good for that, particularly when we don't play our best team (Watson and Leaburn).
Jacko took all the stick on here for never changing the formation, but Appleton (nicknames have to be earned) is doing exactly the same.
Play May Leaburn up top together and build the side behind it from there. We are looking the same as the previous 2 seasons, pretty much out of it before the New Year
Those blaming Appleton I feel is a bit harsh, only criticism of him is starting May up front alone but really what option does he have? Bigger criticism needs to come for the defence, once again another shocking performance (AMB aside) they just stand around ball watching half the time, while I don't think Thomas is particularly good at least he shows some effort.
That said the rest of the team weren't much better, constant balls in to feet of the forwards with their backs to goal. Campbell looks completely lost, I thought that goal last week might help confidence but he needs a spell out but again what options do we have? Bolton let their foot off the grass and it could easily have been a very underserved 2-2 at one stage. That's the only reason the xg looked favourable.
It'll be another mid table finish, we'll lose the best of this group and probably not replace them or strengthen the defence and around we go again. Proper investment is needed but I just don't see it happening.
Now I know the answer to that one.
Play either Leaburn or Tedic up front alongside May.
When he brought Leaburn on to do just that, we actually looked like scoring.
Leaburn looked terrible on Tuesday though so it's not unreasonable that he was dropped. I take your point, personally I'd have started him and like I said it's the one thing I hold against Appleton for today. Tedic I'm not sure is the answer though I'm not sure any of us could say for sure either way. Today has to be the last we see of May starting by himself. But once again we're struggling with the injury to Chuks, it happens all the time.
How long was Terrell Thomas’ 30 seconds off the pitch after the injury? 60 seconds? More? And Bolton rubbed it in by keeping the ball right in front of him. Then scored. getting on the tube now lol
1st half we were outplayed and outthought. Bolton could attack down the wings at ease, and Appleton seemed unable to react. Their no. 12 had so much space, and as at times Thomas was tucked inside marking no. 16. The shape was all wrong and that's on Apples
How come they had the freedom of the wings but CBT and TC were tightly marked by two players, without them leaving gaps in the first half? Second half was a different story, and we got a lot of crosses in (to Santos lol).
The usual negative comments about Thomas today, but I thought he was ok-ish. Without Leaburn or Aneke he was AMB’s long ball outlet, and actually won a few headers.
Thought some of Boltons play in the first half was class and cut us wide open. They were just better than us all over the pitch and highlighted the limitations of this squad.
Watson should start, we don't need to see Dobson /Fraser combo again had 2 seasons already of proving that doesn't work well
Once again again a few players didn't show up. Fraser and CBT were pretty anonymous and I'd have yanked both off. Thomas didn't cover himself in glory and eventually got pulled off. We are very predictable and we are just an average League one side. Bolton looked well organised and so much fitter and faster than us.
We need a much better drilled and organised defence. We are going nowhere with this defence.
If that was a Sunday League game (and it times we look like a Sunday League team), the oppo manager would have sarcastically shouted about a thousand times “THEY DON’T WAN IT TODAY LADS, THEY DON’T WAAAAN IT!”
Didn't think we were that bad. Played fine first 15mins and matched them. But unforgivably bad defending at the corner letting them stroll around for a shot. We did the same each corner Reading had last weekend with just one defender against 2 of theirs but Reading were not good enough to do anything about it. That is piss poor, park league defending. Then we have Thomas off and fall to pieces for their second and I thought it would be a long afternoon. But to be fair, our players hung in until half time (helped I reckon by Dobson's smashing tackle in front of the family stand which was a proper captain's tackle not that he will be given credit for it on here) We did well second half I thought and could have got a couple back. AMB was excellent today with some fine saves. Bolton of course were good for their win, but we are 3 proper decent old heads away from a decent squad. Not rocket science as I said it before the window closed. A big, committed and tough CB like Santos and nasty shit like Charles and one more in our team and we would look so much better. That is the sort of quality, leadership and age we need to get in in January. But we will no doubt spend all of Jan trying to move on Kirk and McG to the no takers instead.
The n***y S*** up front is available on free transfer and if "they" had a clue he would be training with us already ready in case baby ~Leaburn is snatched from his cradle in `jan.
Don't usually look at the players marks but had a peek.. Some 6's and 7's for the defenders! Christ standards have slipped incredibly low.
I’ll defend my marks here for the back 4. Every single game I have seen teams making 2 or 3 passes and they are running at the back 4. We are so easy to play through at times. CBT offers no protection to Thomas & Fraser offers little cover to the back 4.Our pressing at times is embarrassing, some do it, some don’t do it. The back 4 as whole aren’t great, but in that opening 30 minutes they weren’t given anywhere near enough protection.
I saw the logic in not starting a big man up front today.
That’s been tried against Bolton and whoever got the nod would’ve been swallowed up by Santos. Leaburn was much more effective coming off the bench again as we’ve seen from him in recent weeks.
Comparing the two teams, they played with a calmness and silent authority that some of our defensive minded players could only dream of.
Compare Dobson to Thomason, compare Hector to Santos. I hope Friedman saw the gulf today and isn’t against opening the chequebook because this squad still isn’t quite there.
Good post. But worth bearing in mind that our back four were very aggressively pressed, whereas their’s had all day on the ball to get their passes off. But what we wouldn’t give to have Santos in our back four. How many times did he get a block in, or cut out crosses in the six yard box! To be fair on us we shaded the second half, and had we scored (Hector’s header from a corner that hit a defender on the line, or May’s ‘open goal’ that he blazed over the crossbar) it might have been an interesting end to the game. Especially as there should have been WAY more than five minutes of injury time.
The positive take for me was the way Louie Watson, Leaburn and May linked up. I’m sorry, Fraser can pick a pass, but he’s a luxury player who watches the game passing him by, for much of the time.
Camara also looked good. Dobbo, Watson & Camara as our midfield for me, with Leaburn up top, May as a 10, and CBT out wide.
Agree with nearly all of that, but AMB made some really good saves and saved an embarrassing scoreline.
Those blaming Appleton I feel is a bit harsh, only criticism of him is starting May up front alone but really what option does he have? Bigger criticism needs to come for the defence, once again another shocking performance (AMB aside) they just stand around ball watching half the time, while I don't think Thomas is particularly good at least he shows some effort.
That said the rest of the team weren't much better, constant balls in to feet of the forwards with their backs to goal. Campbell looks completely lost, I thought that goal last week might help confidence but he needs a spell out but again what options do we have? Bolton let their foot off the grass and it could easily have been a very underserved 2-2 at one stage. That's the only reason the xg looked favourable.
It'll be another mid table finish, we'll lose the best of this group and probably not replace them or strengthen the defence and around we go again. Proper investment is needed but I just don't see it happening.
Now I know the answer to that one.
Play either Leaburn or Tedic up front alongside May.
When he brought Leaburn on to do just that, we actually looked like scoring.
Couldn't understand why like you say we didn't start with Leaburn & may upfront Especially being at home
Was it just me or did CBT look like he had given up ? No protection on the LHS when we were under pressure and standing still when NA was looking for options later in the game.
Thought Jones had a good game and we looked a lot better in the second half . Cant think why MA didnt change things up after 30 mins to try to change the tide of the game
Beaten by a good league one side. They have match winners in there line up. They will be there or there about at end of season. Charlton very poor today some players don’t want to be here. Stealing wages from the club. CBT what a waste of time. Absolutely useless. T. Campbell slightly better but useless as well. Charlton will need about 5 players in January just to keep us safe from relegation. Promotion not a chance. Crikey Portsmouth soon. Appleton knows what a shit side he has.
A real smokes - down to Appleton I don’t understand why Appleton don’t start 2 up front and if going for one it has to be a bigger player than May . 2 big centre forwards and one never got on Thomas gets a lot of stick but is a far better defender than Watson , who has trouble defending, and rarely plays the ball forward. We should play Thomas on the right . Campbell must have bottled at least 4 tackles - I know he is small but you never see May pull out of a challenge CBT only touched the ball twice in the first half AMB kept us down to 2 - could have easily been 4 - best game I have seen him play let’s hope we start with a bigger centre forward next week and play May just off him .
Comments
Played fine first 15mins and matched them. But unforgivably bad defending at the corner letting them stroll around for a shot. We did the same each corner Reading had last weekend with just one defender against 2 of theirs but Reading were not good enough to do anything about it. That is piss poor, park league defending. Then we have Thomas off and fall to pieces for their second and I thought it would be a long afternoon.
But to be fair, our players hung in until half time (helped I reckon by Dobson's smashing tackle in front of the family stand which was a proper captain's tackle not that he will be given credit for it on here)
We did well second half I thought and could have got a couple back. AMB was excellent today with some fine saves.
Bolton of course were good for their win, but we are 3 proper decent old heads away from a decent squad. Not rocket science as I said it before the window closed. A big, committed and tough CB like Santos and nasty shit like Charles and one more in our team and we would look so much better. That is the sort of quality, leadership and age we need to get in in January.
But we will no doubt spend all of Jan trying to move on Kirk and McG to the no takers instead.
But what we wouldn’t give to have Santos in our back four. How many times did he get a block in, or cut out crosses in the six yard box!
To be fair on us we shaded the second half, and had we scored (Hector’s header from a corner that hit a defender on the line, or May’s ‘open goal’ that he blazed over the crossbar) it might have been an interesting end to the game. Especially as there should have been WAY more than five minutes of injury time.
Unfortunately it's gone shit shaped
Edit, I wouldn't worry too much about the gap to the play offs, we will never get there with this squad.
Start really slowly, then make changes in the 2nd half which have an effect.
Bolton were far too good for that, particularly when we don't play our best team (Watson and Leaburn).
Jacko took all the stick on here for never changing the formation, but Appleton (nicknames have to be earned) is doing exactly the same.
Play May Leaburn up top together and build the side behind it from there. We are looking the same as the previous 2 seasons, pretty much out of it before the New Year
f***ing hell
Second half was a different story, and we got a lot of crosses in (to Santos lol).
Watson should start, we don't need to see Dobson /Fraser combo again had 2 seasons already of proving that doesn't work well
Especially being at home
Thought Jones had a good game and we looked a lot better in the second half . Cant think why MA didnt change things up after 30 mins to try to change the tide of the game
I don’t understand why Appleton don’t start 2 up front and if going for one it has to be a bigger player than May . 2 big centre forwards and one never got on
Thomas gets a lot of stick but is a far better defender than Watson , who has trouble defending, and rarely plays the ball forward. We should play Thomas on the right .
Campbell must have bottled at least 4 tackles - I know he is small but you never see May pull out of a challenge
CBT only touched the ball twice in the first half
AMB kept us down to 2 - could have easily been 4 - best game I have seen him play
let’s hope we start with a bigger centre forward next week and play May just off him .