I remember listening to a Charlton phone-in around 1978 (?) and one of the callers asked "Why do Charlton goalkeepers always kick the ball straight down the middle of the pitch? What can't they vary it?" If we're still discussing this thirty-odd years later, I can only assume it's carved in tablets of stone in the training room.
I haven't got a problem with Hamers distribution, yes its predictable, but I've never seen Yann lose out on a header. Also, looking at every other goalkeeper in this league, they generally seem incapable of keeping the ball on the pitch when they take theirs.
I think against Bury, Kermi won about 1 in 3 of the goal kicks aimed at him and the ones he won Bradley picked up about 1 in 10 of the flicks
Clarke just looks absolutley ****ing gormless, did anyone see the way he stood there waiting to come on?[/QUOTE] Brilliant. This cheered me up. First time I've seen someone criticised for looking rubbish before they got on the pitch!!!!. And I completely agree! Why on earth did CP sign this clown?He could just have given Benno away for free!
Thought I'd vent my fury a bit more with player ratings in case anybody couldn't attend; Hamer 6.5 - had very little to do, made some comfortable saves. Wiggins 5 - not his fault he played poorly, he shouldn't have been playing at right-back. Every time the ball came to him he passed to Hamer, couldn't go forward as he was on his wrong foot. Taylor 6 - reliable as always. Morrison 6 - reliable as always, looked a bit uncomfortable at right back. Evina 4 - thrown in at the deep end and it showed, made too many risky mistakes, couldn't cross when he got forward. Pritchard 6.5 - out of position, but chased every ball and player as always. Has a heart for the club. Stephens 6 - not his usual self, but some decent crosses and passes. Hollands 5 - anonymous. Green 5 - again, not his fault, but was out of position and thus couldn't make an impact. Kermorgant 9 - one of his best games so far. BWP 7.5 - seemed like his earlier-season self, taking him off was a terrible decision. Cort 6 - fairly solid Wagstaff 4 - did nothing but dive, get outmuscled then moan. Clarke 4 - how long have I got? Chris Powell 3 - appalling tactics and substitutions. Post match conference drove me insane, he should have admitted to his mistakes. Instead he made it sound as though the decision to play Evina was a commendable one and one which paid off. Covered End 7 - considering its a Tuesday night we made a fair bit of noise. Didn't like the booing at the end but I'm pretty sure that it was directed at the whistle being blown rather than anything else. Rochdale fans - wonder which Transit van in the car park drove them all to the game?
Nobody so far has given Rochdale any credit, but you had to admire their fighting spirit, which got them a deserved point. They were first to most of the loose balls(of which there were plenty), and their midfielder Jones gave our 2 CM's a lesson in how to compete for the midfield. He'd certainly do for me.
Top of the league, we're top of the league. But we're not very good any more, are we? Defence does well enough - but we have no midfield. We never play the ball through it. We either hit balls over the top, or swing it round the back four and try and get it out to a winger. But we do that so slowly any team can see it coming. Our play is pedestrian. Our crossing (Danny Green, take a bow) is woeful, and our strikers are living - or starving rather - on scraps. How many goals have we scored from open play since Christmas? Why do our midfield always back off and never show for the ball? Why aren't we playing with the confidence our league position should give us? Football always finds you out in the end, and I see trouble ahead unless we get some steel - and some speed of thought and action - into the middle of the park, pronto. Sort it out Chrissy.
Rochdale were excellent especially in the 1st half really cant see why they are struggling..obviously they raised their game last night...they deserved their point without a doubt and played attractive passing football. As for us we are in a poor spell of form but still drawing and winning not losing. Kermity excellent BWP very good the rest not at the races. Wiggins had his poorest game since Bournemouth but playing right back no surprise. Evina I thought would shine but very average. As for Clarke he is very poor and you cant play him and kermit together . BWP was getting very pissed off with the supply to him but did well when he did get the ball to feet and very unlucky with the snap shot. I did say to young MT that the fans may boo at the end and they did sort of..the whistle blew heard boos that then quickly turned to applause. We are still on course to reach our goal . Onwards and upwards....Green and waggy both disapointed big time for me.
Who's mad? As I think I said before ... I have FLU!.... I am not mad and neither do I have a cold! Welcome Plastic
I don't just have a runny nose and tickly cough! I HAVE FLU! Is it too much to expect a hot cup of tea and Tomato soup to be brought up to me in bed? NO....I have FLU..... If I just had a cold then yes....... but I have FLU! I AM a brave soldier..... so is a cup of tea too much to ask for?
Just watched the highlights of the game on BBC - ANOTHER huge deflection for their goal. How many have we had against us this season?
If you didn't see it first time, look again...they also captured the moment when Leon Clarke blocked Yann Kermorgants(?) goal-bound shot.
