Heart says we can do it and sneak that 2nd auto spot, head says no. However if we fail to make the play-offs McNally & Co should hang their heads in shame with regard to the appointment of the previous manager, who's resignation coincidently I have heard rumoured was due to something other than what we presume.
Fair comment KIO. At least a couple of the teams above us would have to go into 'meltdown' and we could probably afford to drop no more than say 8 points between now and the end of the season - both pretty unlikely IMO. My tip would be Middlesbrough and either Bournemouth or Derby. I'd be surprised if Brentford stay in the play-off places as well.
Was at the game yesterday, thought we were absolutely superb in the first half. Charlton were poor but we could have been 3/4-0 up. Grabban and hooper looked class together, johnson on the left was working, howson brought the ball out well. Don't understand why we got so complacent, we were just looking to keep the ball and do nothing with it. At 2-1 down to bring wes on was odd, particularly as he slotted in on the left and howson and johnson pushed further forward in a 4-1-4-1. Olsson lost protection, everyone looked a little confused. Anyway, a wins a win. Massively important 3 points, lets keep getting at teams and not just keep the ball. Olsson may be looking over his shoulder, either whittaker or garrido could justifiably be given a run out, especially if AN fancies Turner and Bassong back in the middle.
Massive internal turmoil rumbling at brentford to do with coaching staff and manager, it could capitulate for them if the rumours are true. Would be a shame as they play nice football and really nice to see a team emerge from the lower leagues
When something is just a 'rumour' it wouldn't be fair to comment and indeed could be deemed as libel, IF what I've heard is true I feel very sorry for the individual involved.
It's not libel if you don't state it as fact, saying I heard a rumour xx wouldn't libel you or you word it like Xx had a falling out with someone or something like that. A libellous comment would be xx lost their job because they were dogging in chapelfield gardens (assuming it was untrue of course lol)
Thanks for that Billy and always good to get the view of someone who was at the game. From the commentary, it seems Johnson skied one over the bar when all he had to do was just tap it in and was close with another shot. What seems really odd to me is that we conceded 2 goals in the space of 4 minutes just after the hour mark - last night it was 2 in 8 minutes!!!
I still think the current top 3 will finish as the top 3. As a bournemouth resident of many years I still find it almost impossible to believe that they are in the position they are! My best guess is Derby top, Boro second and the Cherries to miss out. I also think whichever of those three that end up in the play-offs will struggle to get over the disappointment of missing out on the auto places and consequently find it hard to 'go again'.
Yeah first effort was a volley, didn't see much as crowd was in the way of the goal but looked very close. Second one if he was right footed he would have slotted it easily as the ball came across the goal but he waited to get it on his left foot and rushed it and went over. Also had a chance after good work from grabban but couldn't quite reach it.
On a separate note, Johnson may as well been captain yesterday. At 2-2 only player getting players going, looking vocal and getting in peoples faces. (If i knew i was saying that at the beginning of the season i'd have been shocked). May not have had any direct involvement with any of the goals in terms of an assist but was the most energetic player on the pitch. Playing really well at the moment, need more to match his drive.
Highlights just of the goals (and Johnson's miss) here: http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/9710489/charlton-2-3-norwich Difficult one on Johnson's - he definitely should have got it on target, but I wouldn't say it was a tap in! A really great finish from Grabban, who seems to have got a new lease of life with the assist as well. Judging by whoscored, he still had his requisite fluffed shot, but was otherwise excellent and consistently dangerous. I was quick to blame Olsson last night (not watching the game), but I don't see that he did anything particularly wrong for either of the goals - for the second, even though it's a player that was near his post he seems to have been busting a gut to get back from being miles up the pitch with plenty of others available who should have picked up the free man, though it's not clear.
Yes, Johnson could have done better, but I've seen RvP miss easier chances. Agree re Olsson, but apparently AN 'had a word' before he even left the pitch.
It is a limitation to have one-footed players playing in attacking positions, like Wes and BJ, but hopefully we'll have better alternatives in Odjidja-Ofoe, Andreu and possibly Dorrans as well.
