Shrewsbury v Charlton - Post Match Views

happyvalley said:

Athletico Charlton said:

Best team if everyone was fit...?

Phillips
Solly. Sarr. Beilik. Page
Cullen
Aribo. Fosu
Williams
Grant. Taylor

Bench
Maxwell, Bauer, Pearce, Lapslie, Morgan
Purrington, Reeves

Can't argue with that.

Well I can. Bielik has done really well as DM, but why on earth do you think he is better than Sarr and Pearce as LHS central defence?

I put Sarr first as I think he is technically better than Pearce now and does not drag players about like Pearce tends to do.

I would also not have Fosu in our best side based on this seasons performance.

I would have Sarr or Pearce LHS CD and Aribo Cullen and Beilik midfield.

Athletico Charlton said:

Best team if everyone was fit...?

Phillips
Solly. Sarr. Beilik. Page
Cullen
Aribo. Fosu
Williams
Grant. Taylor

Bench
Maxwell, Bauer, Pearce, Lapslie, Morgan
Purrington, Reeves

Clarke?

PWR

At the match;

Breezy conditions, grey skies and a temperature of 9* greeted me as I parked up 10 minutes from the ground. Listening to BBC Radio Shropshire I learnt Williams was due to start as was Purrington with Maxwell on the bench. For the Shrews they had their old boy Edwards back. The former Wolves player however was also on the bench.

Both teams favour a diamond formation but it looked as if Bielik was dropping into a back three with Bauer centre and Sarr left early on with Solly and Purrington pushed on in a four man midfield with Williams working his magic just behind Taylor and Grant.

The home team weren't afraid to attack but they had little cutting edge. Having said that Phillips had to be alert to prevent a cert goal from a close range header with Purrington beaten in the air at the far stick. Dills fantastic reaction stop with his foot was as good as a goal at the other end which often gets overlooked. Our front two were up for it and their defenders knew it was going to be a tough afternoon as Taylor's powerful hold up play and Grant's pace created havoc. Williams was like a breath of fresh air with his quick feet, surging runs and threaded passes, hope Fosu can learn from him with his decision making.

G&T (Grant & Taylor) had been trying their luck and from one turbo boost by Grant his snap shot from 20 yards was just tipped round by Arnold. From the resultant corner by Morgan the ball seemed to glance off a head and onto the far post where Taylor tidied up 1-0 to the Londoners on 25 mins. Dills was again called into action and got down well to keep out a rasping shot inside his left hand post; HT 1-0

Second half no changes and with the wind at our back. How do I know this? because their keeper couldn't keep the ball on the island as he kept passing to the dugouts to his left to constant cries from the travelling faithful of DEANO, DEANO, DEANO . That all important second was the order at half time no doubt and we were very much in the ascendancy. Sure enough it came in the 55th minute and no other than that pantomime villain Darren Pratley was the scorer. After great hold up play from by Taylor from a cross by Williams, I think, he laid it off to Dazza to hit a right to left bender past the despairing dive of Arnold and into the onion bag 2-0 to the Londoners. How delighted Pratley was in front of his 'adoring' fans. Having doubled our lead, Lapslie almost immediately entered the fray to provide more energy and defensive cover for the tiring Morgan.

We should have been out of sight had Grant converted any of the three one on one chances he spurned and we had to wait until the 80th minute for him to finally break his duck. Having burst away from the half way line he was felled in the box and converted the chance he had created much to his obvious relief and delight. It appeared that Taylor gave him the ball and encouraged him to join him on the scoresheet. 3-0 to the Londoners.

Marshall came on for man of the match Williams, who had given his all and Dijksteel for Bielik, late on to preserve our prized assets.

The best team won today and were clear daylight better than last years play-off losers albeit their smaller line up from a changed personnel and Manager bears little resemblance. Well done to 500 plus addicks who were in fine voice. Fleetwood next up for me COYRs!

ForeverAddickted said:

Oggy Red said:

ForeverAddickted said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

ForeverAddickted said:

On a further note it remains frustrating that everyone around us has a game in hand yet that looks to be wrapped up by mid-February

Although none of them appear to be that easy

As a break down

Portsmouth and Luton both have a game in hand on us: (Tues 29th Jan: Luton v Portsmouth)
Sunderland have two games in hand (12th Feb: v Blackpool and 19th Feb v Gillingham both at home)
Barnsley also have two games in hand (29th Jan v Oxford (A) and one other which hasnt been confirmed yet)

Have a feeling that Barnsley will get one of the automatic spots, they're a really good side.

Sunderland draw too many games and Maja looks like leaving.
Luton i expect to drop off a bit now that Jones has gone.
Portsmouth still have to play away to us, Luton and Sunderland and also could be distracted by still being in 2 cups.

So it's up to us to march on and nick the other promotion spot.

Barnsley: Do they have enough goals in them?

Interesting point, Forever.


I thought I'd have a look at the goals scored by the promotion chasing pack.
Leading the way is:

Luton on 50 goals scored.
Doncaster: 49 ..... (bloated by the fact they hit 5 past Rochdale last week, beaten by everybody recently).
Peterborough: 47
Sunderland: 47
Charlton: 46
Pompey: 46
Barnsley: 43

Well, I reckon that's all much of a muchness, as far as goals scored.

As far as Barnsley are concerned, they've only got to give a struggling side a 4 goal beating and they've scored more goals than the League leaders ..... and they are well capable of that.

Dont create too much with all their passing though from what I've seen

i.e. It took two wonder goals to beat us at Oakwell (Steer had nothing else to do) and didnt threat us @ the Valley

They dont just have to beat those around them (Dont really have to win those at all if they can beat the others) but they do show signs of inconsistency

Barnsley this season have already won 3 x League games by 4-0 ..... which is more than we've done yet.

That includes beating Peterborough 4-0 away and 2-0 at home.

Barnsley are not a team to be underestimated.



PS: I'll also add that there only a point behind us - so no more inconsistent than we are.

Just leaving Shrewsbury on the train now after a few post match ales. Great town, loads of good pubs in the centre and locals a lot more welcoming than I anticipated.

Onto the game, couple of crucial saves by Dillon first half, definitely playing for his shirt and worthy on todays performance.

KG could have put us clear within 10 minutes of the restart and on another day they would have gone in for him, excellent teamwork for him to be given the penalty.

Brilliant finish by Pratley to double the lead in between and though we were a little peeved at Johnny Williams being subbed after being so influential in driving forward, the subs came on without us skipping a beat in our dominance of the game.

Special mention for Naby Sarr, its noticable that he has gone from making a clanger every game to making a breathtaking tackle or pass every game, its turned him from 'being shite to now his allright' as the song goes (Copyright Mr L.Wilson 2011/12).

Peterboro up next...alles alles alles

And good to briefly chat to @blackpool72 on the train up.

Goals

https://www.skysports.com/charlton-athletic

Delighted to make my @CAFCofficial debut so soon. Great win and clean sheet! Travelling fans unreal 👏🏻

ForeverAddickted said:

thenewbie said:

Callumcafc said:

3-0 Grant (pen) 79'

Great penalty, no faffing about, just steps up and wallows it into the corner

Yeah was a bit concerned at first seeing Arnold had gotten the better of him today

Also his penalty at Burton felt weak so expected the same today - Yet much better as you say

No disrespect but a pen taken when 2-0 up isn’t really a pressurised situation.