Fantastic afternoon out -on a train back to New St that is crammed full of proper Charlton fans ...and Reams Highlights of the afternoon an excellent performance from Rudd although he should have done better for their goal, poachers goals from Ajose, Magennis MOM created the second goal. Best of all the constant anti RD chants from our very lively away end throughout the match, including a brilliant new song which we sang for ages and I have Tweeted Ours is an average side but one that is grafting for each other Slade and the players all came over at the end and Slade doffed his cap in response to the songs about him As Nirvana might have put it Smells Like Team Spirit
A few things that struck me today: Magennis is a very astute signing. Not only is he a terrific target man and battering ram up front, he also helps us get the best out of Ajose. His flick and spin in behind the defender for our winner perfectly encapsulates that, and although he will undoubtedly be penalised a lot he is a huge improvement on Makienok. Ajose himself reminds me of BWP in that he won't do anything that he does not consider necessary; he was frequently yelled at to put more pressure on their defence when they had the ball. There was the risk of his lack of goals becoming a monkey on his back, so scoring today should do him the world of good, even if the first one just hit him and it looked like he nearly messed up the second. His first touch was often poor, but as long as he keeps scoring it won't really matter. There is also a risk of us becoming overly dependant on Holmes. Foley and Crofts are definitely improving (they did a lot of mopping up at the back, particularly when we came under pressure in the second half), but they are at best sideways-minded. Foley's frequent short passes to Holmes reminded me of Alf Ramsey's instructions to Nobby Stiles: "Win the ball and give it to Bobby Charlton". Holmes was excellent again today, but we can't rely on him to create everything. Rudd probably should have saved their goal, though it was a tricky low shot which bounced. Other than that he was top notch, and roared with delight when he hung on to the ball as it looped up into the air at the end of the game. His name was sung long and loud at the final whistle, and rightly so. Give Konsa another 10-15 games and it'll look like he's been playing for 10-15 years. He made one or two silly mistakes today, but that's to be expected and it is to his immense credit that he has made the step up to first-team football so smoothly. Let's not compare him with Gomez - he's his own player and looks to have everything it takes to make it at this level, and probably higher. Once again the fans were excellent, serenading Katrien with 15 minutes' solid Roland Out chants at one point and giving tremendous support to the boys in purple. You can tell that the players really appreciate it, and so does Slade. We're still a very long way away from being a team capable of challenging for promotion, but after the debacles at Bury and Cheltenham we are at least moving in the right direction. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
Good report, caps. Hopefully the midfield reinforcements will see us become a team who can realistically challenge. I stand by the fact I thought we would be a week or two behind in our preparations. Our refusal to push for deals will always have a negative effect - whilst players moving on are wrapped up relatively easy. I'm looking at you, KM.
Jacko went off with cramp today and Holmes was also hobbling. Have to say that Crofts and Foley are far too similar and far too defensive - minded ("negative") to play together in the same midfield. No way will that midfield last the season, and nor should it. I have seen Bury, Northampton, Shrewsbury and Walsall now and it's noticeable that they all had one thing in common - they are utter sh!t.
Without a doubt - two big differences from life in the Championship - poor quality opposition and small away grounds with small crowds
League 1 is so poor that a failure to get out of it this season will be down to one thing only - Duchatelet's tightness. No excuses otherwise.
We need some legs in the midfied without a doubt. Osborne looked good in the middle for Walsall, as did Moussa on the left. Foley really needs to go.
No great surprise to hear that the odious Bitch put her foot in it again yesterday, by spitefully asking Walsall to cover up the "Roland Out" part of a Charlton banner in our end. She really cannot take criticism, can she? If she is in need of moral support she can always have a read of ITTV, where a handful of Apologists including @baraettmattesvensson creepy leering mate from Essex are STILL defending Meire. When we do eventually force them out, and we will, I want a list of Apologists drawn up and they should be given life bans by the new owner. Creepy from Essex top of the list, along with Sue Parkes. Here are the lyrics to the new Anti Duchatelet song, sung loudly and repeatedly yesterday and hopefully at every game from now on. The Bitch can interfere with banners, but not our loud chanting against her. This ones for you, Essex Al... just sell the club, our famous football club you're just not wanted over here We want Roland Out We hate Katrien Meire We don't want you here
He has to - Bolton have their talented youngsters amongst the seasoned pros so full of legs. Lookman is better than Vela etc and he deserves to showcase that. The midfield trio have been admirable this week by the sounds of it, but no more games. Set Lookman loose
As for the league standard, it's nowhere near the level it was years ago. Even then I was often surprised by the complete lack of respect it was shown by sections of our fan Base who slammed it and CP's achievements. Just look at how many players over those 3 years went on to play on the premier league.
Yep, its a poor league. Walsall's forward line yesterday was Franck Moussa and Simeon Jackson , and they had the unforgettable Neil Etheridge in goal. You look at each opposition side in this league and none of them has a stand-out player. The 'successful' ones i.e the ones that stay up will be like Northampton and just be well organised. In his programme notes yesterday, Walsall's manager referred to Charlton as being a "big hitter" in this division - Bury's manager did the same.
A couple of great reports here. A great result away from home , at a ground we don't usually thrive at. Firstly, I'm happy to eat some humble pie here. I thought Josh Magennis was going to be a poor/similar replacement for Makienok, which seemed fair enogh given our recent record in the transfer market. However, it seems like we have found an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle. I still feel we need back up, but unlike last season, there does seem to be an awareness of that in the club. So two wins in two, we are suddenly in the pack. Early days but hey, it feels goooood! And Katrien, begging the Walsall chairman to get the OB to cover up the nasty Roland Out flag! How old are you? Eight? You are sitting inthe grown up section there lady. Personally, I remember that FA conference in may that she attended when the chairman said fans of Charlton and Leeds might disagree about decent foreign owners, and she stood up in front of everyone to ask why people thought Charlton are badly run. She genuinely doesn't see the last few years as poor management. Katrien, leave now.
