Our Starting X1 away to Bournemouth in the first league league fixture of last season: Hamer Dervite Wiggins Morrison Solly Hughes Gower Pritchard Harriott Yann Sordell Despite the much trumpeted Duchatelet investment of "£25m" (source - Walter Mitty Paul May on ITTV), is this side really any weaker than the one we will field at Brentford on Saturday? No. Of the above team - 4 remain, and will start at Brentford. Solly, Wiggins, Morrison & Harriott In 3 areas we are probably weaker - Henderson is not better than Hamer, Ben Haim is not better than Dervite, and Vetekole is not better than Yann Gower, Pritchard and Sordell were undoubtedly s**te, plucking 3 roadsweepers off the streets of Lewisham would be an improvement. And that leaves Hughes, an honest pro, but past his best. When you add Jackson, Wilson & Wood to what Duchatelet inherited, plus the untapped talent of Cousins & Poyet - only the most blinkered, bovine You Tube afficianado can possibly claim that Douche's rag bag squad is better.
I find it offensive to put the name of Vetkole in the same sentence as Yann. Can't wait to see the reception Yann gets when he returns "home", even in a Bournemouth shirt.
Honestly - I think our midfield will look a lot healthier. Seeing that we started with Hughes, Gower and Pritchard was pure suicide! Henderson vs Hamer will be interesting. Fans of the clubs where he was on loan always seemed impressed. The flapping last week isn't unusual in pre season where you get to know the banks of 4 in front of you. The striker situation is anybodies guess.
No Gower, Pritchard or Hughes makes the midfield stronger, I think that any of our strikers apart from Church are better than Sordell was for 95% of the season, Apart from that we're weaker elsewhere, defence although only Dervite missing isn't as strong with Ben Haim or Bikey. Wilson in midfield if he plays would be better. I seem to remember 90% of people slagging off Hamer but once he goes and we bring in Henderson, I think people will start to appreciate how good our Cider drinking keeper used to be. I wouldn't say we are stronger, we might score a couple more goals now with Gundmundson and Igor and Tuchdean (not that I've been to any pre season I'm afraid to say) but are we THAT weaker? Our problem last year was lack of creativity in midfield and lack of goals, we've changed most of our midfield and our strike force.
ok I am not a Dutchalet supporter but let me give you my take on it. Hamer - was never a fan, always blamed everyone else, jury still out on Henderson Defence - Solly, Wiggins and Morrison remain. Dervite only played about 8 good games at the end of the season, at the start he was sh*te. Gomez in good form as he is now is a match for Dervite from the start of the season. Midfield - Hughes and Gower in the centre compared to Cousins and Jackson/Buyens, sorry but this years is much better. Right Midfield Pritchard v Wilson, again Id take Wilson and Left Midfield a much improved Harriot over last year. Forwards - Yann and Sordell against Vetokele and Tucadean. Yann obviously better, Sordell sh*te. So as a pairing which is better? I am not saying that we are significantly better but I dont think we are any worse.
I think if we line up in a 4-3-3, then we will be a fair bit stronger. Henderson Wilson - Morro - ?? - Wiggins Cousins - Buyens - JJ Gudmundson - Vetokele - Harriott That side has pace and industry, and would fancy them to beat Brentford. Keep it tight in a 4-5-1 for the first 10 minutes, let their fans get the excitement out of their systems and then change to 4-3-3 and start on the counter.
If Peeters starts to fail I'm calling for Super to be manager, line up looks cracking. Chuck Gomez in at CB rather than Ben Haim or Bikey and we're sorted
He did last season, and when I applauded him I got roundly abused by a group of morons behind me because he was a "Judas". In truth his reception was far more mixed than I'd anticipated. I wonder whether the #moveon brigade needed to feel like the bad guys were leaving and the good guys were staying. It must be lovely in the black & white world of absolutes.
Wow... tough crowd. In the end Yann did his part when he returned to the Valley leaving his man Dervite to head in the winner... Special Agent Yann at his finest. Would not ever boo the man, closest to a cult hero we've had in years and also, you boo someone like Yann, as Leicester found out, he will score.
Charlton are a tough crowd, sometimes that's our charm, at others it's frustrating. Not only did he play his part on the pitch he pretty much celebrated with our players and fans afterwards. Genuine legend.
Seems to be a consensus that we may not be weaker after the "Duchatelet investment"...but we are certainly no stronger either. Please God Buyens does not take Cousins place on Saturday.
I think we are weaker. That midfield against Bournemouth was not representative. Stephens and Cousins soon came in as regulars (then Poyet once Stephens left) which made it better than our current midfield, . Yann will score as many goals, and contribute as much to general play single-handed, as Vetokele, Tucudean, Church and Gudmundsson put together. And it is wrong to say Dervite only had eight good games. That was his first season as clear first choice and he improved steadily with experience and confidence. Take him over ben Haim or Bikey any day. At least he can run.
He did last season and got a great reception will do again this comin season though we have to wait till may for the valley game
You need to start forming views based on going to our games, rather than getting them following threads on CL. For the record, my opinion based on being ever present so far unlike you is that Peeters has done well, and of the players Bikey and Ben Haim have impressed. Buyens and Gudmondssen clearly.possess the ability to get better. Wigan's No.4 Ramis has Igor in.his pocket yesterday. Still have my doubts there that a player so small will flourish in this league. Henderson was at fault for their goal. Tucadean looks poor. The only thing that has gone 'bump' in the last 2 weeks has been ITTVs posting figures. I have seen more action at the local branch of the Rotary Club.
I see you are still looking in to ITTV then you soft t**t. You can't see the actual figures unless your a member you numpty so more and more of the Nick Gray bulls**t, you just can't help yourself can you? You have no idea about football fella so I suggest you do something else on a Saturday afternoon. Oh by the way when I am not at games I listen to it on Charlton player, then read the views of those who were at the game on ITTV, that's sufficient for me when for various reasons I can't be there on the day. By the way was you the scum who spat at Carson yesterday, it's your level. See you soon Nick, drinks in Sovereign of the Seas, Petts Wood maybe? They think your a cock in there too, I was sent a great picture of you supping in there a couple of weeks back and have to say you look as thick as you sound! Geek springs to mind!!
Reading the last post, this guy needs counselling. Chasing up photos of people you disagree with on a forum where we all support the same club. Seriously Paul, if you feel like posting like that, stick to ITTV. That was embarrassing to read.
So the only opinions you get on Charlton come from your own echo chamber of views, where any who disagree get insults hurled at them? Says it all.
I'd say we're much stronger than last year! I'm genuinely pretty biased and disillusioned if we win, but we've been playing WELL and winning early games. Yes lots of improvement is needed, but we're on the right tracks in my opinion - With another couple of players to come in too. When the club realise Pope (Whom I played with in the u 14's) is a top quality keeper, the team has a strong set up throughout. Ben Haim and Bikey are much better than Morrison and Dervite....May not be as quick, but what had everyone been watching? Morrison made massive mistakes, Dervite was never top quality and Wood was shocking - Add Gomez, Wiggins and Fox to the list and we have a cracking back line, with depth! Buyens is superb and was the best player at Wigan (There is no way we would of got him if he hadn't had a bust up with another player at Standard), Cousins has got better, Gudmundsson has a better pass on him than Stephens, while Moussa has a cracking strike on him! Vetokele has shown strength, speed, energy and will in every game he's played, scored and assisted 2 in 3 games - He is obviously a higher class - out and out striker than what we've had since Bent. The kids are loving him too!! In my mind therefore, Kermorgant is the only player we are missing! The team have already reached the point score we made after 5 games last year, have beaten most predictions posted on here last week and are showing some reasonably good football on the pitch!! Each to their own, but although I'm still not expecting a lot, I'm going to enjoy and revel in the fact we're in the playoff positions for one game
