MATCH THREAD : Charlton Athletic Vs Derby County : Saturday 3rd February 2024 : KO 15:00

Genuinely think the signing of Ladapo is probably the worst business we have done this season. With this current set up we need an Aneke style player. Someone to hold the ball up and ensure the ball stays up there. Whenever ball goes near him it comes straight back to Derby.

Scoham said:

Addick_8 said:

Our commitment to 3-5-2 without a creative midfielder/number 10 is the stupidest shit I’ve seen. 

That’s what happens when you have a technical director who sells our best winger and commits to a formation that we don’t have correct players for. 

Incredible some are naive enough to think this isn’t a relegation team - this one currently is. 

If we are going to stick with this formation we need to change the midfield and start playing Kanu and drop May into the 10 if we have to. Or let’s move to a 4-4-2 diamond which this team is better suited to - it’s clear as day! 

While we are at it, let’s give the defence some confidence and bring back Isted and drop AMB.

Fleming’s trying to improve us defensively with the midfield 3 which I get, but the balance doesn’t feel right. Just getting Watson or Fiorini in there would add something, we didn’t have to sign an out and out 10.

It needs just 2 changes. Whoever it is get Watson in there for the creativity. Our midfield can’t keep the ball so it keeps coming back. All 3 are the same type players. Kanu should be starting at the moment until Ladapo fit so I’d have him in there as well.  

The snake scoring goals 

Six weeks ago we were a side that kept the ball and scored goals but conceded far too many, especially late in games. 

We are now a side with five at the back and three defensive minded midfielders whose main form of attack is balls over the top or into the channels hoping May and Ladapo do something special. And we now concede even sloppier goals. 

There was clearly a decision made going into January to basically tear it down and stat anew instead of trying to improve upon what we already have. New midfield, new defenders, new formation. 

But as always with us, the question is "how does that work for the players we have?" Edun is pretty good going forward, but one of his strongest suits is his link up play and driving runs through the middle. He's not chalk on your boots whip a cross in, he's more finding space and surging forward. 10A is more of a support player going forward but not the type to beat his man and wipe a ball in. And that's before we get into Dobbo as an 8.

As such, we've lost so much creative width, which means we need to play through the middle with...a CB and two holding midfielders. 

If I'm Nathan Jones I'm both looking and this and wondering why the squad was assembled this way, but also that I can make this team look better without that much work. Pass to each other, and to the forwards. Play at least one Midfielder who can create things. Play defenders in defense. Push up as a team and press higher. 

We are a mess right now. We have the players who can provide that one moment of magic still, but relying on that isn't a particularly good tactic unto itself. 

If you set up teams to defend two weeks in a row and they concede, it's not a good sign. It means that things aren't working and a new approach is required. 

Derby don't look like they've gotten out of third gear. It's as if their manager said to them defend the long ball and wait for them to make a mistake at the back. 

I hope Fleming makes changes, and I hope that Jones spends a lot of time working with this team on their shape in possession and transition. 

I think one glaring issue watching the first half is the lack of understanding between them all 

Remember it's more than halfway through the season and just 1 month ago none of the midfield 3 were Charlton players

Kanu is on

Callumcafc said:

The best of our play came from the passes forward of Gillesphey in the first twenty minutes. Then one goes astray, it’s punished and we went into our shell for the rest of the half.

We haven’t missed Dobson nearly as much as people thought we would.

Wait until you see who will be providing our left side width this half! 

Looks like 3412 still but Thomas left wing back, REG right centre back and May in the 10

SouthWest_Addicks said:

We really need Camera & Aneke to return and show their quality from the first minute of their return. 

Because in the second minute of their return they will be limping off.

Second half side

AMB
REG Ness Gillesphey 
Watson Coventry Bakinson Thomas
May
Ladapo Kanu

ForeverAddickted said:

Still at 3-5-2

Thomas at Wing-Back - REG in Defence - May in that 10 role

What a mess.