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Post Match Views: Charlton v Bolton
Comments
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Morrison showed why he should have played on Tuesday
And if he had I'm sure we would have bagged 3 points4 -
Posting without reading. Also this is the first game I've seen of us under Riga so I may be repeating things said for the past month.
I didn't think we were that bad today. We definitely played well and were the better side in that first half, second half was probably just theirs and fatigue evidently crept in on our side as the game went on. The substitutions were a bit weird - I agreed with bringing Reza off, he was poor, but I probably would've brought off Cousins instead of Astrit and I did want Green to come on to give us some much-needed width but he was so poor, he honestly looked unfit and couldn't follow the game. Then bringing off Church for Hughes and leaving Obika up front on his own was silly, why we weren't going for the win I don't know. It also saddens me to see Cousins playing out on the right again when he clearly is out of position and running around like a headless chicken there, under two consecutive managers now. If he was allowed to play like a marauding box to box midfielders making powerful runs from deep then I think it would go to help some of our problems.
Riga and in general today, defensively and in midfield we are really solid and I'm glad we went for it in the first half although I think the resources have been there more so for Riga than for SCO to do that. Given three of the few games I've been to this season were Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday at home at Sheff Utd away where we were appallingly bad, today was the first time I felt there's a good team there which probably wouldn't be in the position it's in if we had some decent strikers and wingers and the resources had been there from the start if the season (woeful performances not withstanding). Wilson was outstanding today, Morrison dealt with everything, Dervite had a few wobbles but defended well and Fox had an excellent debut. If Cousins was played in the centre and we keep Poyet and Astrit we would have a good midfield which can pass, move and create chances. Poyet was fantastic today, he is clearly far too good for us and honestly I don't think he would look out of place playing for someone like Barca in the future, he would certainly solve England's problems as well if he chose to play for them, perfect passing, in complete control of the play and tempo, and that clearance. Astrit has several moments of classes, those passes out to Fox on the wing were exquisite.
The problem with our strikers isn't just that they can't score or even rest the goalkeeper (only two or three scuff shots at Bogdan today!!), they have absolutely no presence, nouse or intelligence. An interchangeable set of strikers who don't bully defenders, move opposition players around the pitch with strength or runs, don't come to collect the ball and create space. Everything about their play is utterly predictable. Church works hard but god he's awful, he would've scored at the near post had he even touched the ball but he completely missed it. Reza has potential and I think him with Yann under Riga would've been great, with Yann collecting the ball and bringing people into play and Reza playing off him, making runs in the channels and on the shoulder of defenders.
The other problem which is killing us is we have absolutely NO width, we were so narrow sometimes today. It's a shame Harriott's confidence and performances have plummeted and Solly has been out so Wilson is at right back, and not forgetting Green is absolutely awful, but why managers have persisted with lop sided narrow formations playing CMs out wide, god only knows.
Letting Yann and players in the summer like Wagstaff go will kill us. Both regimes to blame.5 -
just really boring again...had no faith in us scoring.0
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSXd6d8Gc3o
I stand corrected on the penalty incident. Definite penalty. Fucking annoying and potentially very costly.1 -
We looked comfortable at the back. If we keep it up there is always a chance.1
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That was a much improved performance in general, and Morrison, Fox, Poyet and Church played particularly well. I think that's the best i have seen Church play and thought it was criminal that Riga took him off for Hughes when we were looking to go on and win the match. On the down side, Cousins had a mare and I would rather stick pins in my eyes than watch Green again. I was excited when we signed him and have stood up for him way too long - he is total rubbish. I was certain at the time that Church had won us a penalty, and that Bogdan should have been sent off. Church did slip but he was also caught by the keeper.
Two problems are the toothless attack (obviously) and the lack of pace in the team. We played some nice football but all so slow that Bolton's defence had plenty of time to organise. We need to get more pace and penetration in the summer, whatever Division we are in.
In my book, credit goes to the Board for the sea of red initiative and the improvements they have made to the catering in the East stand at least.
If other results go our way, we can call today a point gained. If not, it is definitely 2 points lost.
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Two points dropped for me. Bolton definitely there for the taking.
Disappointed with Hughes for Church as it felt like a backwards step in a winnable game. But I'm informed we have a 'special one' in Riga so have to trust his judgement.
I live in hope we can get a goal to beat Blackburn or Watford who have not much to play for. Do not want to be going to Blackpool for any result on the final day!
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Riga is a joker.
Reza for Obika.....brilliant....
Green for AA....worked a treat
Church for Hughes with ten mins remaining? - Powell would have got murdered for that!
Cousins on the right wing - see above
Passing football? - When has this lead to a single chance in the last two games? - Harriott's sitter came from some direct wide play vs Barnsley and today....well the less said the better. Pass pass pass along the back.
If Poyet was not in our team we would be getting murdered week in week out
The new youth coach is leading us down the garden path. It's all a bit depressing, this was not a "good point"
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Just ploughed through all the posts which confirmed, as another Lifer stated, that although we all watch the same match, our perceptions vary SO much.
I thought Churchy had his best game for us thus far & was very unlucky not to win the pen. Said right from the start that ref was NOT going to give us a thing....
Reza looked like he's warming to the task & was involved much more today than in the past...although that was NOT the views of my E Stand "neighbours" who didn't stop criticising him & are adamant he's too lightweight...I was really hoping he'd score ! ( well, that someone would!)
Morgan Fox emphasised that we have a glut of talent coming through from the Academy set up - near perfect performance today for me...whilst the other youngsters worked their socks off as always - Poyet, successfully & with such maturity but Jordan had a tough time & looked absolutely shattered. Noticed JR coming on to the pitch to put his arm round him after the final whistle - maybe to say well done as I know you're in need of a rest ?
And with the dependable back 4 in front of him once again, was pleased to see a couple of important saves from Charlton's no 1. A moment of concern when he went down injured but was well pleased for him to rack up another clean sheet.
So, did we do enough to gain all 3 points? Were JR's subs spot on or spot off ? Was the Weeble in the black clearly from oop north ?
All I'll say is that we put in a decent shift against a side on the up, looked far better than on Tues evening and a win wouldn't have been daylight robbery in my book. I'll be happy to see the same commitment at Hillsborough on Monday and with a bit of that elusive 4 letter word, our car could be rocking down the M1 with a very happy Fanny on board .
Onwards & upwards ( esp as Derby have just scored !!!!)6 -
I'm most definitely not normally a Church fan but second half after clattering the advertising hoarding with his head he was like a different player...
So can we try smacking him round the head with a large object before each game to see if it has the same effect?10 -
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That looks a clear cut penalty from the video above0
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Thought the players were really committed today. A point and Blackpool lost. Fans were great too. Church did well. Cousins looks scared. Poyet genius. Am hopeful.1
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We'll earned point. Hughes MOM.5
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Who would have thought that we had 2 international center forwards on the pitch today!4
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We played well but as always lacked a cutting edge. We play to feet too much rather than in front and so lack penetration. Church, Wilson, Poyet and Fox all good. Cousins had a very poor game.
I think we'll just about do enough to stay in the division but it'll be close. Really need at least one win in the final strait.0 -
A good point from Fanny actually. Hamer was solid as a rock today.0
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Same old performance we have seen all season. No lack of effort, look fairly good at the back and the middle of midfield, but no width and no forwards.
Joke regarding the penalty, ref did not want the hassle of sending the keeper off so did not give the pen.
Fox did ok for his first league start.
Really hope the results go our way as we do need all the help we can get1 -
Adjaveic was the only player who looked like he wanted to create chances and get that goal.
Thought Cousins was poor and should have been subbed instead of AA.1 -
C
Cousins was right hand side of a diamond. He should be able to cope with that.crookester said:A decent, "stop the rot" performance but should have got more bodies forward against an extremely negative Bolton. AA had moments of real class in the first half and young Fox didn't look at all out of place. As mentioned by others, we lost our momentum with the subs. Church played ok...thought it was a pen but maybe he slipped. Looked solid at the back again. Once again, Cousins showed why he shouldn't be played on the right of midfield. I hope we can scrape enough points to stay up because we really can't score :-(
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Cousins is nearly running on empty ...Simonsen said:C
Cousins was right hand side of a diamond. He should be able to cope with that.crookester said:A decent, "stop the rot" performance but should have got more bodies forward against an extremely negative Bolton. AA had moments of real class in the first half and young Fox didn't look at all out of place. As mentioned by others, we lost our momentum with the subs. Church played ok...thought it was a pen but maybe he slipped. Looked solid at the back again. Once again, Cousins showed why he shouldn't be played on the right of midfield. I hope we can scrape enough points to stay up because we really can't score :-(
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Can anyone explain why we put zero pressure on the opposition when we lose the ball and let them walk it to our penalty area every single time we lose possession in the final third? We will never get anywhere playing with these awful tactics. It infuriates me and I do not want Riga anywhere near this club regardless of what happens.2
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thought we played ok. Better first half than 2nd. Defo pen---Church took the ball off the keeper and the keeper knocked him down---end of---ref on the half way line gives feck all.
Didnt understand the subs at all---par for this shit season.
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Fatigue I think.
It's hard to remember how much football this lot have played recently, it's really taking its toll now.2 -
Wasnt the best of benches that we had.. Riga cant have been impressed with Pigott's cameo against Leeds
Always felt that we needed a goal in the First-Half as Bolton played like a side who are safe (and are indeed safe).. turned to my Girlfriend and said this saying that Freedman would give Bolton a talking to and that they'd come out with more purpose, that they did and was a more end2end half
Didnt realise they were undefeated in 12 though0 -
Winger. Wingers. Wingers.
Twice we got behind them and put over decent crosses. 1st one Church glanced wide, the 2nd one he spongefooted to the keeper.
Don't get me wrong. Though I think Church is two bob, he played ok today. Apart from those two chances. And the penalty which might have been, but if he'd got up he might still have had a 1 on 1.
But if we are to continually slow the attack down in the final third, we are never going to score. Nothing wrong with a slow build up. You either need the tippy-tappy players on the edge of the box. Or you need wingers with pace to provide the killer ball. We have neither.
So if that stuff doesn't work, don't be afraid increase the intensity and/or occasionally punt the ball in to the box and look for knock downs. Every other team in our situation would do it.
Too, too easy to defend against otherwise.
Mix it up ffs.
4 points need form 4 games.
4 points .
4.
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Church grafted his nuts off and he should be grateful he's made of sponge otherwise slamming in to the advertising hoardings could have been painful
Thought Fox had the freedom of the park and put in a couple of decent crosses but a lot of chuff ones as well , he won't get an easier game than that
Cousins looked awful second half , proper pony first touch
AA and Reza are the only ones not afraid to have a dig and push on
We are punchless , did the Bolton keeper have a save to make ???
Results so far looking ok but we'll need a miracle to score and win in our remaining games
Support was decent from us considering the lack of much worth cheering.
30% Chance of being in the same league as chuffing Brentford
70% Chance of being two divisions below poxy palace3 -
FFS, that is a blatant penalty.paulsturgess said:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSXd6d8Gc3o
I stand corrected on the penalty incident. Definite penalty. Fucking annoying and potentially very costly.0 -
Second person who has told me Riga will be youth coach next season MrBligh. And that his No2 will be our Manager.0
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Riga is doing substantially better taking over in the last half of a poor season with an inherited team than the last manager who was in that position. AND he hasn't been given a BWP equivalent to perk things up a bit.0
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Is that to replace Hart?northstandsteve said:Second person who has told me Riga will be youth coach next season MrBligh. And that his No2 will be our Manager.
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