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POST-MATCH THREAD: Reading vs Charlton Athletic: Saturday 10th February 2024 | KO 15:00
Comments
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Still so much I want to spew out but best to leave it until I've had a good nights rest. One thing I will say is this......
Any posters who last month were drooling over the signings of Bakinson, Coventry et al want to change their minds? All saying how great they were & how we were getting rid of the dead wood & replacing them with quality. Utter bilge. No one out there today looked any better than players who have left. No one stood out, apart from Camara's 15 min cameo and Lloyd Jones when clearing the ball.
February is done. March is the important month now. We play 3 of the current bottom 4. Lose those & we are GONE. Carlisle, Fleetwood & Cheltenham. Who would have thought we would be saying we would need to beat those 3 teams to stay out of the 4th tier of English football.
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PAR (posting after reading). It’s all been said but only positives were Isted an improvement on AMB, good cameo from Camara so hope he is fit to start soon, Kanu did well, Jones our best player, and I’m not as down on Coventry’s performance as some are, need to remember he’s young and inexperienced thrown into a relegation threatened team where he’s expected to replace Dobbo.
Negatives too numerous to mention but T. Watson was awful and Ladapo too. Edun poor as was Gillesphy, L. Watson and Bakinson anonymous, Thomas and REG just meh and Alfie now cutting a very frustrated figure.
NJ needs to perform a miracle to keep this disjointed, rag tag and bobtail bunch in League One.
Oh, where was Ness? Was our best player last Saturday.8 -
That shambles came to an end just after 1AM local time. I still couldn't sleep. It was an extremely comfortable win for Reading who never even broke sweat but it raises some obvious questions:
- Where the hell was Dobson when we needed him most?
- Why has his new contract not been secured?
- And if he does not want to stay at CAFC (I don't believe this) why is he not playing until the summer? I agree with @altrinchamaddick that the Dobson issue will impact on team morale.
- Why are we signing unfit and injured players when we face relegation?
- Why were Fraser and CBT allowed to leave and not replaced with anyone creative?
8+8+8 = League 2 with the red trouser brigade at the helm and Saint Jones the Baptist will need a bloody miracle to keep us up.7 -
The big questions are, does Jones know the problems and does he have the personnel to fix them? If we start at the first one, he needs to figue them out quickly. Not much he can do about the second one but hope.0
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If he can't see the problems he's not up for the jobMuttleyCAFC said:The big questions are, does Jones know the problems and does he have the personnel to fix them? If we start at the first one, he needs to figue them out quickly. Not much he can do about the second one but hope.
Our defending is still all over the shop the amount of times we got done down our left side yesterday was unreal
Terrible marking on set plays
The lack of shutting player's down the list goes on & unless he sorts this out ASAP
We will never get the convenience back into the side as once we go a goal down that's it heads drop & game over there is definitely enough in this side to avoid the drop just needs worked on in the right areas0 -
Dreadful is a bit strong. Disappointing definitely. He did play one great through ball though, and whoever received it had a shot, but it hit their keeper. It was in the second half, so up the far end from me.superclive98 said:
Bakinson looked good in the first game he played for us but has been dreadful ever since.Southbank said:
May, yesGribbo said:
MayGravesend_Addick said:How many of today's starting 11 would you definitely like to keep for next season.
May is the only 1 I'd be really
disappointed with if he left.
That in itself shows you how fucking dreadful our recruitment has een
Bakinson
Coventry
Bakinson- another Gilbey
Coventry-Dobbo without the tackleSame applies to Coventry. I mentioned that I read somewhere that we paid a big fee for him, which doesn’t mean I think he’s a poor player. But I probably had too high expectations, as people were comparing him to Cullen, whereas he comes across a a slight downgrade on Dobson.
For me Bakinson is more of a Pratley type. He won’t set the world on fire, but will add a bit of physicality to midfield, although he might lose his place to Camara, unless the latter replaces Louie Watson?Nathan Jones is waking up to the realisation that he has a massive job on his hands, if he hadn’t realised already.My Reading friends thought we didn't look like a relegation team, but for me it’s going to take Aneke and Camara both returning to keep us up, (and how likely are they to stay fit?), and for Ramsay and Small to be unexpectedly good signings.
Either that, or Nathan Jones works out how to get a tune out of a bunch of demoralised underperforming players.7 -
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I weren't saying they should go into the Hall of Fame or anything mate, just that I think those players could do a job in any decent League 1 side. But, I suppose not genuinely wanting to get rid of every player in the squad, except May, is going to be scoffed at on here from now on in. 🙄Southbank said:
May, yesGribbo said:
MayGravesend_Addick said:How many of today's starting 11 would you definitely like to keep for next season.
May is the only 1 I'd be really
disappointed with if he left.
That in itself shows you how fucking dreadful our recruitment has een
Bakinson
Coventry
Bakinson- another Gilbey
Coventry-Dobbo without the tackle4 -
Ladapo was a decent player for Ipswich. Maybe the injury has ruined him.1
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I agree with all of that, and agree that Jones stood out yesterday because he had Smith in his pocket and kept it simple. He’s been poor for a few weeks, but it’ll be a real bonus if he’s turned a corner.LargeAddick said:PAR (posting after reading). It’s all been said but only positives were Isted an improvement on AMB, good cameo from Camara so hope he is fit to start soon, Kanu did well, Jones our best player, and I’m not as down on Coventry’s performance as some are, need to remember he’s young and inexperienced thrown into a relegation threatened team where he’s expected to replace Dobbo.
Negatives too numerous to mention but T. Watson was awful and Ladapo too. Edun poor as was Gillesphy, L. Watson and Bakinson anonymous, Thomas and REG just meh and Alfie now cutting a very frustrated figure.
NJ needs to perform a miracle to keep this disjointed, rag tag and bobtail bunch in League One.
Oh, where was Ness? Was our best player last Saturday.Ness must have picked up a knock or is ill, you’d think, as he’s been improving.2 -
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When we signed him he hadn't played for about a year.The Red Robin said:Ladapo was a decent player for Ipswich. Maybe the injury has ruined him.
Was recovering from a serious injury.
Had no pre season.
Whoever signed him on the back of that and expected him to hit the ground running is an idiot.17 -
Did you go yesterday? Our form is relegation, no win in 13, no clean sheet in what 18 games? We are bottom of the form league, every points per game prediction has us finishing 22nd. You are delusional if you think we ain’t bang in trouble, we need a miracle and I’m hoping Jones can do it.Leuth said:
We're really notRedRobin said:Yeah we are down!12 -
Having slept on it…
I said beforehand yesterday wasn’t a season defining game, so we shouldn’t get too down hearted in the aftermath. But it still riles a bit when you see so little optimism and there was a fantastic opportunity there with a good following.
I’m no fan of Isted as he is simply too small to be a top keeper, but he was an improvement on AMB lately. And Jones coming back in played well. But that’s all I can pick out really and when the only 2 players you can pick out are your keeper and a defender, you know it’s a struggle.
Formation wise the 352 doesn’t seem to be delivering. Watson and Edun are not having good games wide, it’s not stopping the opposition scoring and we’re not getting an effective attacking player out of it. With CBT now gone we’ve no one we can switch formation with and give us an effective wide higher threat.Ladapo is looking a real disappointment. I forgave the first two games but I expected him to be up to speed by now but he still looks way off it. Alfie gets a bit of slack for his earlier form, but it’s been a while since he was in a game. Seems to spend just the game now offering a thumbs up to a ball that didn’t work out.
Overall, there’s a massive headache. I can’t believe we have slipped to being as bad as we are. My gut still believes we’ll be ok but it’s going to be closer than I thought. Feel Tuesday now is a very crucial game and the first time I’ve classed a game a ‘must win’.Aside from the game, not too many fans seemed to take the Lizzy line option. Handy not changing trains but it did feel a drag at 1hr 25. Had a nice catch up with others in O’Neils before the game, seemed to be Charlton in every pub, the football buses worked well, and we ended the night back in the Dial Arch, which is an expensive but cracking addition to Woolwich.As always, the little bit in the middle did its best to spoil a good day.18 -
Covered_End_Lad said:Not signing a creative number 10 is going to see us relegated isn’t it.Yep, proper fucked us.1
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Oh , I didn’t know that thought he’d played a bit part for them this season ffsblackpool72 said:
When we signed him he hadn't played for about a year.The Red Robin said:Ladapo was a decent player for Ipswich. Maybe the injury has ruined him.
Was recovering from a serious injury.
Had no pre season.
Whoever signed him on the back of that and expected him to hit the ground running is an idiot.
everyone we sign is crocked/ shit or both
Bakinsons attempted shot at the far post had the look of a non footballer all about him1 -
Where have you got this from? Your post has got 5 likes as well!blackpool72 said:
When we signed him he hadn't played for about a year.The Red Robin said:Ladapo was a decent player for Ipswich. Maybe the injury has ruined him.
Was recovering from a serious injury.
Had no pre season.
Whoever signed him on the back of that and expected him to hit the ground running is an idiot.
Ladapo was named in Ipswich's match day squad over 20 times this season, made 22 appearances in total (although most were sub appearances) and he started for them in the FA Cup 3rd round less than 2 weeks before we signed him.
I think you're getting him confused with Camara.11 -
Alfie May , 1 in 10 , is offering nothing atm and obviously has his early season form and rightfully gains good grace through that , yes there is no service but that’s the same for all our strikers .
he used to look to have a bang from anywhere now seems too timid to have a crack
need him to find his mojo again
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No clean sheet in 19 and now cannot score. We will need to score 2-3 to win a match and are not even getting one.
I should have piped up at Bromley Addicks when Scott/Rodwell asked about selling CBT/Dobson. What I wanted to say was "don't as I don't trust you to replace them properly given the evidence so far". I decided it was too antagonistic and negative and said nothing. Of course it wouldn't have made a difference but I am still kicking myself.5 -
T. Watson and Edun were both poor for me. The inability to cross the ball will cost us. Personally felt the midfield did little wrong, Bakinson lacks polish but makes up for it with athleticism, which I feel will be vital in this relegation scrap. Wanted a little more from L. Watson.
Ladapo...well, he looks a completely different player to the one who gained promotion with Ipswich last year.
I would personally switch to a diamond now.
Isted
Ramsay Jones Thomas Edun
REG
Coventry Bakinson
L. Watson
May Kanu
This would give us the option to switch to a three if needed, with REG dropping deep.
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Yeah, we're in trouble. What I object to is the idea we're already down.RedRobin said:
Did you go yesterday? Our form is relegation, no win in 13, no clean sheet in what 18 games? We are bottom of the form league, every points per game prediction has us finishing 22nd. You are delusional if you think we ain’t bang in trouble, we need a miracle and I’m hoping Jones can do it.Leuth said:
We're really notRedRobin said:Yeah we are down!0 -
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I have "liked" this but more out of hope than expectation.Todds_right_hook said:
I think jones will shake it up and we willAddickNL88 said:At this point, staying up is a miracle. We have four games coming up where I can't see us getting a single point. If we do stay up Nathan Jones has performed a miracle. We were so bad today it angers me how little some of these players seem to care.
pick up points when where we aren't expected to, it's the Charlton way!
Hopefully camara back will be massive for us.0 -
For the first time I am now genuinely worried that we could be relegated. I’ve taken the view that there are at least four genuinely awful teams at the bottom and that we will scrape enough points to survive in a season where a record low points total might keep you up. No longer I’m afraid. I’m not a Jones fan as I have said elsewhere and I certainly don’t expect the poor bloke will be able to sort this mess out in a few games. However it was largely the same old same old yesterday. Not the slightest hint of a “bounce”. Well not on the pitch at least despite a shuffle of personnel. Frankly, we could put Pep in charge of this lot and he wouldn’t get a tune out of them. We are a mixture of busted flushes, serial sick-notes and the downright useless. That said, I remain of the view that this is a piss poor league and our brand of shyte should on paper at least be marginally better than the utter shyte around us. Hopefully Jones will at least be able to instill a sufficient element of passion and organisation to keep us afloat but he’s playing golf with broken clubs poor sod.What I can’t fathom is how we keep making signings that fail to improve us when we start from such a low point. And how we continually charltonize those who look competent enough elsewhere. Our turnover is astounding. Of our squad of 30odd 18 months ago only four remain on the books and George is to all intents and purposes about to reduce that number further. The number of loans who have come and gone during that period without scaring the horses is remarkable. And as for our glorious academy, Leaburn excepted, the classes of 21,22 and 23 are either plying their trade at lower levels or struggling desperately in this current shitshow. It is, I’m afraid, a complete and utter shambles.5
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Empty Valley . It’s been much worse than this.JamesSeed said:.gmantaxi said:
Yes, because playing in an empty Valley is soul destroying. You’d hope we’d be in with a promotion push, but that isn’t guaranteed.TBF we’ve been a mid table shit division 3 side for years , is division 4 gonna be any worse apart from the embarrassment of never ever been there ?Last six home games of 73/74 season average 3691 per game and we won 4 of those drawing 1 and only losing ONE.
PS Halifax was 72/73 ..,,3015 attendance.
I remember those days well.
Soul Destroying I agree with empty it’s been a lot worse.5 -
We lack a lot of things right now but our delivery into the box is truly awful. Watson and Edun have never shown that ability. If either Ramsay or Small do they need to be given a chance. We are creating nothing.6
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Got to agree. I think the manager role is overrated. If you have crap/average players theres not much a manager can do.Wheresmeticket? said:I love the " I told you so" approach. I said back in January that changing the manager wouldn't make a difference. And I know fuck all about football.
Regarding the nightmare that is dropping to the 4th division. You do know that there are leagues below that? If we are lucky we can do a Lincoln.3 -
…half a century ago!Lewis Coaches said:
Empty Valley . It’s been much worse than this.JamesSeed said:.gmantaxi said:
Yes, because playing in an empty Valley is soul destroying. You’d hope we’d be in with a promotion push, but that isn’t guaranteed.TBF we’ve been a mid table shit division 3 side for years , is division 4 gonna be any worse apart from the embarrassment of never ever been there ?Last six home games of 73/74 season average 3691 per game and we won 4 of those drawing 1 and only losing ONE.
PS Halifax was 72/73 ..,,3015 attendance.
I remember those days well.
Soul Destroying I agree with empty it’s been a lot worse.2 -
all together now .. THAT'S BECAUSE OUR SQUAD IS NEITHER BUILT NOR SUITED TO PLAY A BACK THREE !! .. as Stephen Hawking might have said 'it ain't fecking rocket science' .. sort it out Jones AND quicklyCroydon said:
Defending for both of those goals is embarrassing.Lincsaddick said:
EDIT .. however, back 3 or back 4, the weakness in the air defending long throws is NOT acceptable0 -
Out of interest, what formation are we built to play?Lincsaddick said:
all together now .. THAT'S BECAUSE OUR SQUAD IS NEITHER BUILT NOR SUITED TO PLAY A BACK THREE !! .. as Stephen Hawking might have said 'it ain't fecking rocket science' .. sort it out Jones AND quicklyCroydon said:
Defending for both of those goals is embarrassing.Lincsaddick said:
because we don’t have wingers, so can’t play a 433 or 4231
i would say this squad is more built towards a 352 than anything else (granted not saying much)
it’s either this or a diamond in my opinion2 -
4 4 2 .. the best formation for teams struggling defensively .. any other 'formation' is too complex for our squad i m o, especially as we have so many new players to mould into some semblance of togetherness .. KISS .. keep it simple stupidL0rd_M0ntagu3 said:
Out of interest, what formation are we built to play?Lincsaddick said:
all together now .. THAT'S BECAUSE OUR SQUAD IS NEITHER BUILT NOR SUITED TO PLAY A BACK THREE !! .. as Stephen Hawking might have said 'it ain't fecking rocket science' .. sort it out Jones AND quicklyCroydon said:
Defending for both of those goals is embarrassing.Lincsaddick said:
because we don’t have wingers, so can’t play a 433 or 4231
i would say this squad is more built towards a 352 than anything else (granted not saying much)
it’s either this or a diamond in my opinion0 -
Highlight of the game from me was giving shit to a bloke in a white shirt....2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3cKcx-r9os
