Zach Mitchell - Sept 2025 on a season long loan to Hibernian (p22)

Crusty54 said:

Talal said:

Crusty54 said:

Wonder who will be picked on if Zach goes out on loan or a pertmanent deal.

There's one every season.

And there are comments like this every season. He's not being picked on, people are commenting on a poor performance. It's pretty standard stuff on a forum.

He was being criticised for weeks before the game on here.

It is standard stuff on the forum for a whipping boy every season.

It's clear there was a pretty bad midfield performance in front of him.

Random criticism that wasn't based on a performance?

Fanny Fanackapan said:

Some really "sad" comments on here regarding one of our own.

A young man, whose focus in life until now has been to work hard towards establishing himself in the 1st team squad at the only club he's ever played for.  

I'm sure he's faced challenges many times before, but has the strength of character to bounce back through sheer determination & belief in his attributes. 

And make no mistake - they haven't disappeared over night. 

Whilst I won't call out those Lifers who have felt the need to criticise Zach in no uncertain terms & without a second thought - that's their decision - I am disappointed in the way he has been effectively written off by some whose views I've respected in the past.

You may know who you are...But you're better than this. 

I'm not going to add to these thoughts tonight but if Nathan has faith in Zach's ability to "make it" at our club, then that's good enough for me. All I've ever heard from managers at all levels is that this is a player with a future here & there is no reason to believe that has changed. 

I know that Zach will be disappointed at his & his team mates' performance last night ...that goes without saying, but each one of those involved will have their own battles to fight as a result. And as such, will be eager for another opportunity to show they can do so much better. 

One final thought from me. 

Some have posted that the way our defence was set up at Cambridge was an accident waiting to happen. Others have suggested that maybe the gaffer was trying to make a point to the owners with the make up of that matchday squad....Perhaps Zach & other of his team mates were playing to orders which would appear to contradict the way they would normally be told to do so....playing long balls to the strikers & by passing midfield for example. 

Maybe Nathan " moves in mysterious ways " too.

BoPeepAddick said:

Fanny Fanackapan said:

Some really "sad" comments on here regarding one of our own.

A young man, whose focus in life until now has been to work hard towards establishing himself in the 1st team squad at the only club he's ever played for.  

I'm sure he's faced challenges many times before, but has the strength of character to bounce back through sheer determination & belief in his attributes. 

And make no mistake - they haven't disappeared over night. 

Whilst I won't call out those Lifers who have felt the need to criticise Zach in no uncertain terms & without a second thought - that's their decision - I am disappointed in the way he has been effectively written off by some whose views I've respected in the past.

You may know who you are...But you're better than this. 

I'm not going to add to these thoughts tonight but if Nathan has faith in Zach's ability to "make it" at our club, then that's good enough for me. All I've ever heard from managers at all levels is that this is a player with a future here & there is no reason to believe that has changed. 

I know that Zach will be disappointed at his & his team mates' performance last night ...that goes without saying, but each one of those involved will have their own battles to fight as a result. And as such, will be eager for another opportunity to show they can do so much better. 

One final thought from me. 

Some have posted that the way our defence was set up at Cambridge was an accident waiting to happen. Others have suggested that maybe the gaffer was trying to make a point to the owners with the make up of that matchday squad....Perhaps Zach & other of his team mates were playing to orders which would appear to contradict the way they would normally be told to do so....playing long balls to the strikers & by passing midfield for example. 

Maybe Nathan " moves in mysterious ways " too.

While I accept some of you comments, I would point out that Charlton Life is all about fans thoughts, whether you agree with them or not!!

You think that Zach can do no wrong, but watching his two appearances in the cup games this season I would say he has gone backwards - he was very poor on Tuesday Night, and has been called out by fans, whether correctly or incorrectly doesnt matter, every fans is entitled to an opinion.

I hope he does turn it around, but dont call out fans who go against you opinion.

I know I'm unlikely to "win" this but can't just let it go after your post. 

I stated that I wasn't calling out any fans...but suggested they knew who they are. A bit rich after all the personal insults that are de rigeur on here day after day. And I always respect the views of others & respect their right to express them...I'm far too ladylike to resort to name calling.

However, I shall challenge your assertion that I think "Zach can do no wrong". 

You are correct that the lad 's performances in the 2 recent Cup matches have been poor. When he left the pitch after the Stevenage game, I thought he looked rather unhappy as if he was disappointed in his showing that evening. And, I don't dispute that he looked remarkably under par on Tuesday. 

But to write him off as some have done, and as @Addick Addict has posted, at the tender age of 20, is, IMO premature, if not delusional at the very least. I would go so far as to state that it's those Lifers who HAVE followed his progress closely through the U21s and onwards who have commented with the highest level of derision....because they had high hopes of his continued progression. 

TWO first team matches Zach has played for our club since he spent a season at Colchester where the change of manager proved an obstacle and then his loan period in Scotland where he was praised to the hilt by fans....and yet he's expected to slot seamlessly back into NJ's matchday squad. Plus, of course, accompanied by some unusual, maybe even controversial choices by the gaffer & probably being told he's one of the most experienced on the pitch ? No pressure, Zach, no pressure. 

Why don't we all wait to see what Nathan's plans are for Zach going forward. After all, he's the one making the decisions & I believe he will be keen to turn those 2 performances around and get his player back on track. 

And I'm certain that this young man will fight 24/7 to regain his standing at our club & make those over critical fans eat their words. 

But, a timely reminder that every player wearing the red shirt needs our support on the pitch -isn't  that why we watch our team play ?- and that constructive criticism doesn't go amiss. But knee jerk derision & overt criticism may well have the opposite effect, and confidence is a fragile asset .....

Now what's that much used phrase or saying ? 

Don's tin hat. 

Lincsaddick said:

LargeAddick said:

I’ve stayed out of this debate to date. I’ve never seen Zack play for any of the youth teams whatever age that may be. Therefore, I can only judge him on his limited first team appearances. From those though I really can’t see what all the fuss has been about. He looks nothing special to me. I hope he comes good, I really do as I like to see our home grown players progress to the first team and beyond, but at the moment I really don’t see it.

He is a beneficiary of the 'One of Our Own' syndrome .. 'home growners' always get far more patience, leeway and 'time to develop' than players brought in from outside

I don't care if a player was born in Floyd Road or Ulan Bator. If he is not up to scratch then he doesn't deserve undue veneration or special treatment.
Professional football at the top level doesn't allow time for players to develop.
A sad state of affairs but true. A good coach/manager will see pretty quickly if a player 'has it'
What little I have seen of Zack M he looks underpowered and vulnerable. He doesn't quite 'have it'.
I repeat, there is no time to allow him to develop in the first team.

Respectfully but that is provably wrong. Lloyd Jones went from decent L1 CB to looking right at home in the Championship. Godden was a back up who couldn't score, he became our main focal point and lead scorer, both of those were older and more experienced but needed time to develop and acclimatise to the team/system we use

Zach Mitchell may or may not make the grade but writing him off completely this quickly is ridiculous.

If anything home grown players seem to get more stick, TC at the moment and going back players like Albie Morgan. 

We need to support him. If he comes on and plays at full pelt, opinions will change. 

Lloyd Jones let a player go past him and score against QPR.

Crusty54 said:

Lloyd Jones let a player go past him and score against QPR.

As alluded to further above, LJ looked a poor L1 player when he first arrived. Judge Zach after a run of games in a settled defence of senior players.

At Hibernian he is likely to be appreciated.