Oxford v Charlton - Post Match Views

Fear we are in another relegation battle - 2 wins from 9 against teams currently in 18th and 21st respectively

A disappointing performance, especially from Slade, with his ultra-defensive approach. We were static and unimaginative in midfield (as usual) and Magennis was isolated up front. Why Slade felt he had to pack the midfield against Oxford is beyond me - the game was crying out for Novak as a second striker.

Oxford moved the ball better than us in midfield but were relatively toothless up front until they brought on a second half substitute who troubled us and set up their goal. Apart from the penalty, Lookman had a decent effort well saved by the goalie in the first half and Magennis had a header tipped onto the bar after a great cross from Ricky Holmes. That was about it.

A few players put in a decent shift - notably, Holmes when he came on - but it was, for the most part, pretty poor fare.

Alas, I fear we are in for a season of mid-table mediocrity. As for Russell Slade, he really does need to have a serious think about his tactics. I think his honeymoon period is rapidly drawing to a close and three points on Tuesday are a must.

Fortune 82nd Minute said:

Let's be honest, this squad (by Division 1 standards) should be in the top 6 without any problems. How many teams at this level have forwards like Magennis, Novak, Lookman and Ajose?

Instead, tonight we stand 16th in the table, 3 points off a relegation spot.

You've got to ask yourself why? And sadly, I'm beginning to think that RS with his current team selections is as big an idiot as all the other Douchbag appointments. (OK not as bad as Carol but who could be?)

This club is rotten from top to bottom at the moment. Anyone who can't see that is deluded. And anyone who continues to support the regime is just continuing the agony.

It's time to restart the protests. Big time.

And just ****off Douchbag and Squirell Face.

Agree, but Slade won't go for a while yet... Him leaving will be seen as a 'fans win' by the board and we can't be having that can we!

We go again on Tuesday. A new era. We'll have learned from mistakes. We'll sit down and have a nice meal together - it's important. Let us not.......... arrrrrgh

3 points out of 12 so far in September, relegation form even though some will say no doubt that all is good as unbeaten in 3 away from home. We're on a downward trajectory already this season and I wish I had faith that Slade can turn it round, sadly I don't.

Well done Brussell by the sounds.

Tried to quarterise my open Charlton wounds by watching Blackheath beat Coventry 32-5 but still hurts... GET OUT OF OUR CLUB!!!

Looks like a mid table season......................

So dull. No creativity. Again felt like we were there for a point. WTF was Lennon thinking making that tackle when he was already on a yellow? Can't wait for the player tweets telling us we go again on Tuesday. Go where? Backwards?

We've played the three promoted teams, taken two points, and dropped 5 from winning positions (ahead today and against AFCW). I don't think the gap between between the top of League Two and League One is massive, but we need to be beating the promoted sides, ESPECIALLY when we go ahead. Dropping points from winning positions is the kind of thing you can't do and expect to get promoted.

Had this fear since he was appointed, but I don't think Slade is good enough. To set out with that team and not get a clean sheet is inexcusable. Worried he may be a bit of a 'Arry Redknapp, decent wheeler dealer, not much of a football coach.

What is it that you would say this team is good at? We've got two clean sheets so far this season. We seem to desperately struggle to create chances. We don't seem to be good enough in possession to control games and build up that way. Our forwards have four goals in nine games between them. It feels like we're a side that lacks an identity in terms of the way we want to play.

This league is so poor. Average teams full

HandG said:

Really? Novak is a couple of stone overweight and Lennon was our best player today.

Left with 30 seconds to go and have just seen that Lennon got a red card! Still thought he and Bauer were our best players today.....

Can't be arsed saying much more about the game other than to say that we look very much at home in league one.

The writing was on the wall in the summer. The recruitment was nowhere near good enough.

Scoham said:

We played 4-5-1 with Bailey on the left under Parky because we lacked options up front and had some decent midfielders. Compared to that we have better options up front and out wide. For what reason are we playing that system now?

Because Slade is a glass half full, cautious manager. Doesn't have a plan b and it's becoming quite clear why none of his 22 years as a manager have produced a successful season. Astonishing really. He starts every game protecting the point he already has. Will be going nowhere fast with him.

Has Slade come out with an inspiring post-match interview?