If it was up to the players GLP, an opportunity existed not too long ago to be top 2 .... somehow Millwall got the memo...
Match Day Thread Charlton v Hull City
- Thread starter Chazz Rheinhold
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For me the biggest reason we're poor is down to individual mistakes costing us. Even things that don't directly lead to us conceding goals end up just piling continuous pressure on. This is why we keep starting well; but then we'll be in full, dominant control, asking all the right questions... And some plank defender or central midfielder will get caught out deep under no pressure and lose the ball, make a really **** pass straight to the opposition in our own half, completely miss an important tackle, slice a clearance, let an easy long ball bounce, or just completely switch off to what's going on around them. Even if we don't concede a goal in these instances, it completely turns the tide of the game against us, sometimes for large portions of it - and we end up not getting the result that we want. It's usually our own doing.
Injuries etc haven't helped either, but other than making some hopefully vital upgrades in the summer, you can't really account for some of the mistakes that gradually **** us over in each game. We simply outscored the oppositon previously, but this is where the injuries come into play. The other factor that doesn't help is the central midfielders rarely seem to be where they need to be whether we're in or out of possession. We've had it all season long. The only example I can think of where we were the better team in the middle was Coventry, and that's thanks to Collyer. We're definitely better with Slater in there, but even he often gets caught on the wrong side of his opposite number. We've said all season the midfield gets ran right through and it's true.
Injuries etc haven't helped either, but other than making some hopefully vital upgrades in the summer, you can't really account for some of the mistakes that gradually **** us over in each game. We simply outscored the oppositon previously, but this is where the injuries come into play. The other factor that doesn't help is the central midfielders rarely seem to be where they need to be whether we're in or out of possession. We've had it all season long. The only example I can think of where we were the better team in the middle was Coventry, and that's thanks to Collyer. We're definitely better with Slater in there, but even he often gets caught on the wrong side of his opposite number. We've said all season the midfield gets ran right through and it's true.
It's been true the last two years. Don't think anyone said it the year before last when there were three strong parachute sides, Ipswich somehow in 2nd and two teams in Norwich and WBA who were just out of parachute payments and still had strong squads that they were spending a lot on.
Agree, the midfield is our biggest issue, the opposition always seem to outnumber us. In the last few games it’s been so frustrating watching us continually concede possession in the middle. Even when we win a challenge, the ball always seems to end up with them because they have more players around the ball.
As has been mentioned elsewhere, Belloumi’s injury or at least the likelihood that he won’t be risked from the start, could bring about a change in our fortunes. If it means that Joffy moves to the right and Crooks plays in the more advanced midfield role because he plays more as an 8 and gives us three in midfield out of possession but also often arrives late in the box to get on the end of things, whereas Joffy is a forward and therefore doesn’t suit that role as we become a 4-2-4 in reality, rather than a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-1-3. If Slater’s fit enough to start it’ll be him and presumably Lundstram, although McNair might be a possible alternative to either one of them.
Crooks is key to how we play but it needs to be in that more advanced 8 midfield role rather than as one of the two more predominantly defensive midfielders.
I know it might be sound a bit crazy considering Millar’s goal and assist last night but I’d also be tempted to start Joseph on the left with instructions to press relentlessly for 60 minutes if possible and then give way to the Canadian to have a go at tired defenders.
We have also missed Hughes passing ability from the back, not only since he’s been out but for a few weeks before, as he was obviously trying to keep playing with an injury that was clearly adversely affecting him. Unfortunately, I think he would only be risked in an emergency, which is unlikely now that Famewo is back in the picture as well as McNair and the two present incumbents.
Sergej hasn’t got many chances left to find the answers but maybe they’ll arrive by accident again.
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The doc scored a nice goal against Ipswich, though Ipswich should have won by a bigger margin on the balance of play.
An ideal win for us would be with a few goals, make up the 2 goal difference with Wrexham. Hopefully Coventry will help us in this regard by winning against Wrexham and putting a few goal against them.
I suspect Belloumi may well be out, so would move Joffy to the right, Crooks in the 10 and Lunny and Slater in midfield. That looks to have a better balance than Crooks deeper.
An ideal win for us would be with a few goals, make up the 2 goal difference with Wrexham. Hopefully Coventry will help us in this regard by winning against Wrexham and putting a few goal against them.
I suspect Belloumi may well be out, so would move Joffy to the right, Crooks in the 10 and Lunny and Slater in midfield. That looks to have a better balance than Crooks deeper.
Clutching at straws, John? Still hope you're right,, but I'd have a wager on Wrexham not losing....And before anyone suggests it I don't want them to pip us for 6th.
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If Charlton were to go down (unlikely) I think Doherty would make a good cheap squad option.
Youre just being ridiculousIf only Blackburn were going down too we could have nicked that Sean Macca guy as CB and LB cover too
I heard it was deliberately downing tools to annoy you specifically
I got it, I think. Still don't like those two daft yanks though!
I think we've just run out of motivation, including the manager. Even if we got promoted half the squad knows they won't be around to enjoy PL riches so how does a manager fire them up to keep going, risk injury? I wouldn't be surprised if the shadow of Acun looming over affairs is damaging too.
Is it only our players who aren't motivated because promotion would see them all replaced ?
If that's an issue for us then surely it must be for all our rivals ?
If that's an issue for us then surely it must be for all our rivals ?
The one that really doesn’t make sense is the choice of Koumas ahead of Joseph off the bench, when Joseph has significantly improved those areas where he previously struggled.
If Koumas was coming on as a second striker it might be more understandable but as a winger, he’s hopeless.
Just makes you wonder if there is a reason that is other than the manager’s choice.