POST-MATCH THREAD: Charlton Athletic v Norwich City: Saturday 24th October 2026: KO 12:30
Comments
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Lincoln now 3-1 up against Burnley.
Watford losing again
Norwich first win in 6 - lost the last 5 in the league.
So it's just us. Everyone else can beat these sides.4 -
throughthickandthin said:I thought we were playing Norwich City today, who had lost their last 6 games. Turns out we were playing Brazil
Not really it was Norwich, we just made them look like Brazil.
Seems we're playing Brazil an awful lot at the moment0 -
We are in rinse and repeat territory.It’s clear we attempt to play a game approach at home that our players can only sustain for 15-20 minutes. It falls apart quickly far too frequently for it to be a one off.So are we asking them to play an unrealistic approach that is not tactically sustainable. Or are they just simply not good enough and can’t maintain it for more than that length of time?
I always say football is largely dictated by small margins. TC cuts inside and it edges of their defender just wide of post. They do the same and Mesik OGs.But I’m not sure it’s the full story here. We are chasing games too frequently, poor in possession too frequently, and now defensively flakey.Big red flags being raised.11 -
The opening spell was like a basketball game, end to end, and I actually enjoyed it. We had energy, we pressed well, and that pressure led directly to our goal. TC has to score the chance he had before that, though.
From about 20min we slipped into a strange autopilot, almost a negative mindset of protecting what we had, which is a problem when there are still 70 minutes left to play. We looked bereft of confidence and kept misplacing passes. When Norwich stepped on, we stepped off and camped on the edge of our own box. With Kelman isolated up top, he was never going to win that battle on his own. It just kept coming back.
Their first goal came from a flick in the middle of the pitch, which is criminal in that area. Credit where it's due, though, what a tuck from Maghoma.
The second. Their centre back had the freedom of London for 90 seconds before he got on the ball, with Karlan and Kayne both just pointing at him rather than closing him down. We then let that centre half whip in a cross and we didn't track our man, so they had a free header. Look at the reaction of the defender who crossed it… even he couldn't believe it.
We look far too soft through the middle. Our midfield is powder puff, easy to run through and easy to pass through, which is not a great combination. We're simply too easy to play against. The difficult question is what you change. We spent very little this summer, and eventually that catches up with you. Momentum and punching above your weight can carry you for a while, but not forever.
If we go into the next international break without a win, I think it will be difficult for NJ to keep his job.
I genuinely want him to succeed, and I love his passion, but you can't go 10 games without a win at any level and expect to stay in post. This league is unforgiving.
Played three teams in awful form, got 1 point, which was a last minute equaliser. Granted, we’re in shocking form. But if you don’t beat the teams in and around you, you’re up S creek
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It may be that the owners haven't provided the backing for NJ in the summer window BUT, even so, does anyone seriously think he's capable of taking us further?
We may not have a great squad but there's enough there that, if suitably coached, they shouldn't resort to the headless chicken pattern of play we now routinely fall into.
Time for a new broom.
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We can’t keep relying on the same old excuses, “we really need to get the basics right”. NJ’s job is to get the team motivated and set them up in a way that works, and I’m not sure the current system is doing that. Lloyd Jones should be the centre-back, with the other defender supporting him. The two centre backs are not working. Up front, we need a bit more experience and know-how for Championship football. The youngsters have plenty of potential, but enthusiasm and the odd good performance aren’t quite enough just yet. nine games without a Win I’m sure most managers would’ve had the courage to do the right thing by now ⚽
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A manager who would bollock the fuck out of any Charlton player trying to slow the game down when we were so on top, against a defence that seemed hell-bent on giving us chances.DoctorCharlton said:Not defending Jones at all but who is going to come in that could make a difference?We could have Pep in charge but with the players there is to work with…. What would be different?
I couldn't believe it when I saw Charlton players motioning to slow the game at throw ons on about 20mins. It was Norwich who needed the breather, not us.2 -
Very disappointed. We're also in danger of trying anything and everything, like throwing on academy players to chase a game.
Norwich, like most teams at this level in our second season, have worked us out quite easily. They stayed in the game at half-time, then brought on Kenny McLean, who ran rings around us and showed what a top-end CM can do.Thinking back to the key wins and moments from the second half of last season, it dawned on me today that they were provided by Clarke's long throws, Coady's leadership or Dykes's forward play. None of them are here now, and we haven't improved on what they offered us.1 -
at the moment, just three off relegation😢😢😩0
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That was about as dispiriting as it comes. Other than a good first 20 minutes and decent performances from Campbell and Kelman, there were no real positives.
We are heading inexorably into a relegation dogfight. In fairness to Nathan Jones, what could any manager realistically do with this squad ? Poor recruitment has put us in big trouble - in summer 25, we signed 4 League 1 men who have failed to step up, plus Rankin-Costello and Kaminski; last summer, the owners declined to put their hands in their pockets and spent only £1.5 million net, including spunking £1 million on Ali, presumably on the misguided assumption that TC was off. The owners clearly have no appetite for what is required in this division..The problem since our League 1 promotion season has been the midfield, but all Jones got this summer was two underperforming loanees, one of whom has apparently done a bunk.
We are in big trouble.3 -
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I'd add to that summary that I feel we have too many young players in the squad that would surely only be utilised if we are winning games comfortably & can afford to give them some minutes. Thats unlikely to happen this season IMO.DoctorCharlton said:Not defending Jones at all but who is going to come in that could make a difference?The lineup today was probably the best possible team we could put out to take the game to them.
i think the problem is just the lack of quality we have in our squad, it seems we don’t have 1 championship level midfielder.We could have Pep in charge but with the players there is to work with…. What would be different?
So, they're not getting any football of note- a waste of them being on the bench & surely very frustrating for the lads themselves. Seems like a poor use of resources.
Mawamba, Mbick, Nkeng could/should be honing their skills in the U21s until they can show their matchday qualities & their readiness to be included in the squad. For me, either being out on loan or in the U21s is the best way of developing them unless they're clearly a Bowyer or Gomez...
Maybe keeping them at the club is more the owners' decision than Nathan's ie to increase their value & then cash in ? But they won't be "in the shop window" if no-one can see them perform.1 -
...and seven months...Bigball said:at the moment, just three off relegation😢😢😩1 -
We have no midfield hence no service for the strikers firstly and secondly pressure on the defence which eventually cracks.
Mwamba looks to be the only midfielder with the required pace and ambition. Lacks a bit of physicality as a teenager and asking a lot of a player of his age and experience to boss midfield but other than ‘sick note’ the remaining midfielders are not up to the job. Get Fuller back in January if possible and bring Anderson home.
Looking at options’within budget.’3 -
Games turn in moments we saw it v Bristol City , Burnley and Watford missed chances which could have changed the game missed .. today no different Campbell misses a sitter in the first min once we scored our second we should be 2-0 and in total charge of the game but we were not .. last week NJ said enough is enough going to make changes , players were letting him down who he been loyal to .. well Grant and more so Campbell started ?? Campbell was awful today walking round with his head down .. terrible attitude .
We were brave today 4141 but only playing Coventry as a DM it was a risk and so it proved after a very good first 20 mins . Biggest concern is the defence they were all poor today and that was our strongest part of our team .. my finger is pointing at AO , second goal he needs to getting that ball coming across his 6 yard box ,I don’t think defence trust him like they did Kaminski who head and shoulders better all round keeper .. clearly a problem there that’s needs addressing ..
Norwich quickly worked us out and countered it but we never changed our system and suddenly they were finding to easy to get through the midfield and down the flanks .. again subs to late bring them on at 1-1 not 1-2 ….. poor day all round the only player who gets credit is Kelman … should Jones go .. no cause there no one better to take over Jones deserves time to turn it round .. Sheff Utd and Bolton next two homes games we need 6 points now … let’s see what happened .9 -
Not sure the owners will want to pay him off to leave to be honest. Wasn’t it a 4 year contract?
I feel as low as I have for a while with the club at the moment. We have no identity and no backbone.1 -
When the energetic but haphazard JRC is our standout player we are in trouble
Getting turned over by shitty shitty sides like Watford and Norwich means we’re in dire straits indeed
9 games without a win
there is no glimmer no light just blackness2 -
...even worse mate it was FIVE yearsTheHerminator said:Not sure the owners will want to pay him off to leave to be honest. Wasn’t it a 4 year contract?
I feel as low as I have for a while with the club at the moment. We have no identity and no backbone.1 -
Good post.Kinsella87 said:Team selection confuses me a lot…
seems as though knibbs was been given minutes to build him up and this would have been the game to start him in, yet Carey and JRC both start who havnt featured in weeks.
Mwamba came on for Skipp agaisnt Watford and looked great but doesn’t come in this game even tho Skipp dropped
Mesik been great and Edwards looked ropey but Edwards starts
Im glad Kelman started and Leavurn is better off the bench.
NJ this season just seems to keep going down rabbit holes that lead no where. So frustrating to watch and genuinely cannot predict what team will come out next week as NJ been so unpredictable and kind of doesn’t seem to be picking teams based on form
Can't help wondering whether he knows this is beyond him and wouldn't mind picking up his pay and buggering off until the next 'project' comes along?
Players just don't look happy to me and there are so many unexplainable inconsistencies as respects selections week by week.2 -
We were second best for 85% of the game.
Kelman, TC & Billy were the only one’s to play well.
Coventry & Grant were shocking.6 -
First time I’m genuinely worried for us this season. We are devoid of any ideas and no grit or bite in that team, which is what kept us up last season.2
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@RonnieMoore turned up after the team did3
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stjohnshill said:We knew last season we’d go on some bad runs and always felt NJ could turn it around. This season feels a bit different tbh. I don’t have the same belief especially when his “side of the ball” that was always so reliable and got us points, the defence, looks poorLike last season, it was always going to be difficult if the defence started leaking goals as we are not set up to score many, at present Preston, Derby and Watford are on ten, with us on eleven.I cannot see that changing at all this season so unless things change defensively we're in for a tough season.1
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And devoid of character & leadership on the pitch.RedRobin said:First time I’m genuinely worried for us this season. We are devoid of any ideas and no grit or bite in that team, which is what kept us up last season.3 -
He rocked up just before half-time.OhMyGodden said:@RonnieMoore turned up after the team did
He then left with fifteen minutes to go.0 -
Plenty of effort, just outskilled by Norwich. Not sure where we go from here.2
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Can't slag TC off when one shows more commitment than the otherCafcSteve said:
He rocked up just before half-time.OhMyGodden said:@RonnieMoore turned up after the team did
He then left with fifteen minutes to go.1 -
I don’t know why there’s so much negative vibes man. Just chill out…it’s only a football match…hic 🍷🥴3
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Like every other team this season Norwich pass and movement was far superior to ours. Our body language at 1-1 said to me we are not going to win this.5
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Fully agree. Though I would happily have taken 17th if we were at least maintaining that and results were much more positive, most especially at The Valley. We and they clearly aren't. 17th now appears to be another stop on the inexorable slide down the table with, regrettably, no evidence on current form that this will be halted any time soon. Of course, very much hope a reversal in current form is imminent.ThrappersAddick said:I've not been Jone Out before - but remember Manning at Norwich last season saying that no one could get his players playing and sacking him wouldn't be the answer?
What do we have to lose at this point? I would have taken 17th at the beginning of the season. It's a shit, tough league and it takes seasons to properly stabilise, but I have seen no evidence that we are able to get out of this with the tactics we are playing.1 -
Shuffle the pack however you like, the players simply aren’t Championship level and neither will we be next season.6
