With Monday gone and two new additions to the squad in Lee Cook and Danny N'Guessen, CP has obviously identified arrears where he sees Charlton might well struggle in the run in. Our influential captain Johnny Jackson has been struggling with a ankle knock in recent weeks, which I believe has contributed to recent results being poor. We have seen many times this season that he is a match winner and it wasn't just his goal scoring exploits against the Sheffield clubs in that magnificent week where many of us believed we would go on to win the division (and comfortably), but his overall calming presence and particularly his link up with left back, Rhoys Wiggins. His determination has been there and you can ever knock his effort, but he has looked off the pace and perhaps not getting stuck in as much as he would like. It was obvious there was a problem and I think the opposition could see it too. With that, we have now signed an out and out left winger, and an attacking left sided player who also plays upfront. The idea seems to be right one. Both Green and Wagstaff have had a go on the left, and it is fair to say that it didn't bring much success. Too many times in the latter part of the season our midfield has gone missing and actually being dominated by most teams, originally culminating in performances being poor but grinding out wins, but worryingly since, the results being defeats or draws. Whilst JJ's injury isn't culpable for the decline, it hasn't helped. We look unbalanced- The middle four have struggled to get out of their half, with Hollands and Stephens in particular playing far too deep and finding themselves overwhelmed whilst they compete with both the opposition's midfield and attack. This has then led to Morro and Taylor having to play in and around their own box, which as we all know, is not ideal for a defence and their goalkeeper. Inviting that pressure has seen a couple ''worldy'' goals conceded as the defence has been far too deep and too slow closing the attacker down. The knock on effect of this is we are no longer able to bring the ball out of defence. When was the last time we saw Morrison have time on the ball to walk forward 5-10 yards? It was what contributed to our success earlier in the season, but seems to have completely evaded us in recent months. Wiggins and Solly have had to double their duties and seem to be the only two who are capable of looking threatening going forward. Has that caused them to slightly abandon their defensive duties? Is part of it frustration from not seeing the four in front of them contributing and inviting pressure over and over again? In my opinion it looks like both players are doing far too much work, but then they are the only two who seem capable of getting in to dangerous positions. I haven't seen Jackson come in at the back post challenging a defender in the air for a while. I haven't seen Green take a man on and whip a ball in over and over. I haven't seen Stephens cut a defence with a sublime through ball since before his injury (Bury away-esque). And Danny Hollands seems to constantly be chasing shadows. All four have fought and battled, but their basic jobs aren't being done, and the knock on effect with our defence conceding more and our strikers not scoring as much are there for all to see. So what do we do? It looks like Jackson (who should be commended for playing through the pain) will be rested tonight, with Lee Cook being touted as the favourite to replace him. Wagstaff has also returned and in both games has merited his position. So suddenly we are going to have two players who will look to get forward and challenge the full back. To do this they need to be in positions to isolate their man, so they need to be positioned around the halfway line as much as possible, and when we are in position be 5-10 yards in to Yeovil's half. To achieve this, I think we need either Hollands or Russell to play the disciplined role of hovering in front of the defence, with his main objection being to retrieve position, but to also keep it. Recently when we gain possession we hoof it up to Kermo, and whilst he wins his fair share of headers, the occasions where thedefender wins the battle we haven't pushed up enough to keep the pressure on. Infact, we've lost the second ball most times. We need to dominate with our possession play, which is why I would personally bring Stephens back. Get him on the ball and be a calming influence. Once Stephens is on the ball, I'd expect both Cook and Wagstaff to make runs forward. Too many times recently, JJ and Green have also hovered around Stephens and Hollands and it means we play unthreatening football as we knock it around in areas that the opposition know won't hurt them. I think a middle four of Wagstaff - Hollands (holding) - Stephens (roaming) - Cook will bring balance, and with balance I think it will be a game which we will win comfortably. Kermo should be looking to link with Stephens on the deck, but also to get in the box when our wingers are hugging the line. We haven't seen enough of him challenging for crosses with BWP (his header against MK Dons away). Let Stephens be the option outside of the box and remember you're a striker with an amazing ability to beat defenders to the ball... and in dangerous positions! It's by no means panic stations, but I just would love to see a dominating Charlton performance. We need to have an air of arrogance about our play again- make Yeovil think that once we've got the ball that they won't see it for a while and drag their players out of position. To be champions requires the team to act and perform like one. Let's not forget we are the best team in this league with 9 games to go.
Hard to write a comment worthy of following your post, I'll feel a bit cheeky with quite a small reply. You seem to have a very good footballing mind Super. I agree almost entirely with your whole post (how rarely is that said). I'll just summarise a few opinions of mine in bullet points: -Stephens needs to be allowed that free role as you say, he needs to get forward more (and I believe he has been told by CP not to rather than it being a fault of his own) -Our midfield creativity should be supplied by Stephens, Hollands appears incapable of defence-splitting passes/shifting to the other side of the pitch, quite as well as Stephens. -Hollands either needs to be rested in place of Hughes/Russell or else just be told to really get stuck in. He's been fairly anonymous recently and appears a shadow of his in-form self. -Hollands needs simply to play the defensive role and help regain possession and distribute it - I don't know enough of either Cook or N'Guessan, but whichever one of them is more capable defensively is the one who should be played in place of JJ - they need to be aware that they should hang back when Wiggins overlaps or else risk developing a real weakness in the left hand side of the pitch/hampering Wiggins attacking threat -Oddly enough I'd allow Waggy to start over Green as he seems more mobile off the ball and thus our midfielders/Solly will be aware of this and send him plenty of through balls. -This is a simple one but keep the ball on the floor and use the midfield! Hoofing it to Kermorgant as we all know is fairly ineffectual in creating goalscoring chances (despite how utterly amazing his heading ability is). His link-up play and flick ons are equally impressive (and defence-splitting) when sent to his feet/to his mid-region. -The defence need to stop being stroppy and try to regain confidence in Hamer, as much as I dislike the guy, its far more dangerous when the defence don't pass the ball back to him.
Super, you clearly have too much time on your hands! Probably the best analytical post I have read on here. I agree with virtually all of it. The problem is the system and the deep lying midfield. We simply must address this.
Cheers guys- its something I'm trying out to see the reaction. If positive then I will try to write more (maybe not so long, don't worry ), and also look to publish them on newsnow to a wider audience. Also- if any others out there fancy getting any articles out to a wider audience, then let me know and I'll forward the directions that BRB was kind enough to pass on.
One of my comments over the past week has been that the way that we play, we need to score first at home, as that hasnt been the case for the last few games. The early goal seemed to settle us down a bit judging by the comments of the people who went last night, and we were able to almost stroll through the second half.
Very useful away to read everything about Charlton (or anything else you put in the search). Stories published are picked up on it within a minute too, my favourite site personally.
I think Hollands is fatigued, so have to say no. Russell impressed, look decent going forward too, so he with Stephens would concern me as I think he would be the player to take the initiative. The Stephens Conundrum - perhaps deserves it's own thread/discussion.
mary u write very well. excellent post. reaction overwhelmingly positive. Stephens Conundrum...sounds like it should be a action triliogy starring matt damon.
Disagree about Hollands and Russell partnership, I thought it was fairly successful, with both being confident going forward as well as defending. AddickStu, Newsnow really is such a fantastic resource. Every time the club is featured in the NewsShopper/Daily Mail/Guardian/Official Website/Sky Sports etc etc etc it is put up on Newsnow within minutes. Its a gem for 'transfer rumours', but not silly ones a la 'FootballRumours'. Save it to your bookmarks if you haven't already ...Be warned though, in the close season you'll be checking it every 10 minutes to hear the latest on potential signings
