Without getting out of third gear ?
On paper, that was a big win tonight. Its all about results and that will go down as an excellent three points.
But whether we are playing within ourselves, or getting away with it through an excellent defensive set up and good fortune for us at the other end (free kicks going in, players getting sent off, pens etc), i genuinely don't know.
Our two key strikers have just one goal in the last collective 20 appearances, and we no longer look the same threat in any shape or form that we did in Oct / Nov, nor do we seem to have any form of swaggering fluency to our game. We haven't really looked a dominant team since the victory against Huddersfield back in November.
Yet our results have been absolutely incredible, and if they continue in the same vein for another month we will achieve promotion at a canter.
So am i seeing things too negatively / cautiously ? Are we dominating games and i'm just not seeing it ? Is there any way others could beat us, or are we simply just too defensively sound ?
Confused of Sidcup
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Are we simply just too defensively sound ? Yes we are, come on we have Powell in charge ;)
i think we've been a bit chuff of late but the results have been absolutely incredible and it just doesn't stop
in another lifetime we may have lost half a dozen or so games BUT we haven't and we are where we are
i keep thinking of the "we're still 5th" season when you just knew we were pony despite results and postion holding up for a while , i don't want that to happen again, i don't think we're as good as our points domination of the league shows IYKWIM
i hope we can pick it up and cruise to the finish line rather than just grind it out
but whatever happens let's just hope we get out of this league this season however that may be
confused of epping
Powell was interviewed on 5Live afterwards and admitted that the second half performance was disappointing. Something needs to be changed up front, but I don't know what. Kermorgant has been superb, but he and BWP don't operate on each other's wavelength. Perhaps we should bring Paul Hayes back.
How many time when we were in the Premiership did we run all over top teams for 20-25 minutes and then...... bish bosh 0-2 down?
The defence has played an absolute vital role in our success, they're drilled and drilled with the knowledge that the attacking players infront of them will not only score goals, but also support them in their defensive efforts. Kermorgant is a brilliant example, for a tall striker you'd expect him to stay upfront, but he can be found all over the pitch putting in a brilliant shift.
The best is yet to come, and I cannot wait to see it unravel before my eyes.
I think you have just been charltonised to the max Danny ,
We are doing enough to win every game , go to expansive and we become open , go to defensive and we can sit to deep and concede
We are a very organised and solid team, once we get ahead we rarely lose ,
So we don't need to push on and open up the game , powelly has worked out a winning formula it is not 3rd gear , imo it is knowing how to win and once ahead the onus is on our opposition to Chase the game and not us
I think it's a sign that Powell's game plans work, we do enough to win games. I think as well though that we oughtn't forget that it's a competitive league and other teams aren't going to lie down and concede 4 every week. The ones that are any good will give us a run, the ones that are less good will stick an extra man behind the ball - especially because we're top and so far ahead.
I still have a nagging feeling that we looked our best when Hughes allowed Hollands to get further forward, but Stephens is such a pleasure to watch you can't leave him out.
MourinhoPowellChelseaCharltonPremiershipLeague OneWe're fine doing what we're doing thank you very much
Stephens does some nice things, but we really neede some more energy out there in the midfield.
It's what the better teams do, play within themselves and still win the game.
At 46 games the League One season is incredibly long, there will be longish stretches where we don't play well but still find a way to win.
Tonight was the 1st game of 8 in just 26 days, playing twice a week every week.
2-0 up against 10 men, it would have been nice to put on a show for the fans.
But 3 points in the bag and a team that's paced itself so it's not too knackered for Saturday, is enough.
You only get 3 points for the win. Nothing more.
Hopefully they'll turn it on when the chance arises against some of the lesser teams in the next few weeks. We looked class against Chesterfield the last time they did the fiver offer - they'll be keen for some payback on Stevenage and will want to make it a spectacle for a big crowd, maybe that'll be the time...
regardless, lets just get out of the league ASAP and break as many records as possible in the process
We are a big club for 3rd Div, we are a very good 2nd tier club who will flirt with the top flight now and then. We got it so right these past 18 months, right manager, supported his total revamp of the playing staff and are now reaping the rewards. We will cruise this league, absolutely cruise it. Let's enjoy it and not be afraid to accept how much better we are as a club as a whole than our rivals. Of course next year in the Championship will be hard, so make the most of this year, laugh at our ridiculous results and get your ST for next season.
Strange bunch, Charlton fans.
;o)
I would have reservations about some of the attacking options if we do manage to go up this year.
Won't name names though.....Doesn't seem to be the Charlton thing to do anymore! ;-)
Still not convinced the midfield is as balanced as it could be, could do with some pace and energy somewhere at times, but they're good enough for where we are.
Strikers aren't scoring but it's not like we're creating enough for them. All 4 of our midfield can score goals though, as can others not in the team at the moment.
Looking forward to seeing how Powell uses the squad in the next few weeks. Might even find a few better partnerships along the way, BWP and Kermorgant for example are good players but don't always link up well. Haynes will get a run at some point I expect and Pritchard is another option on the right.
We play it around alot though, allows other people to get in scoring positions as well as the strikers.
BWP was unlucky tonight, didnt notice Kermit much.
Balanced game tonight. One we were 2-0 up against 10 men, we was always going to just sit back and break up there moves. Clever, but boring.
But clever..
Think you're being harsh on the strikers there and kind to the midfield.
Don't know what game you were watching then. "Played off the park" suggests we got murdered and took a bit of a pasting. A 2-1 pasting?
But then again BWP was put through a few times tonight but it just isn't happening for him and feel once he gets a goal he'll be fine. So really I don't know what I'm moaning about we're 8 points clear with games in hand!
It was a big win that will have our rivals in the top 6 shaking their heads with dismay as the gap widens. If we win 9-0 at home someone on here will still say "I was disapointed with BWP tonight" or something as strange...This is Charlton and this is as good as it gets in my view, so to return to the thread yes we can seriously win this league and we may do it sooner than a lot of us expected at this rate...roll on Saturday, another mediocre performance and three points
I'd rtaher play crap & win than play a blinder every match & end up losing...........been there & got the tee-shirt !! I don't belive in God or any higher being - but what we are experiencing is payback for suffering over the last few years.
Is that televised?
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