My MoM was Hughes, when we went down 0-2 he was the one clapping to the others and encouraging them ....... tried to play it simple and just keep things moving.
I was going to say exactly the same thing. Hughes sorted out the shambles that was our defense in the first 10 min. I like the way he watches the defenders and closes every gap. I don't think Bolton created a chance after their second goal. Credit Jacko as well; I'd have loved it if that long-range shot had gone in, it would have been Cardiff all over again.
First game I've actually seen since Forest (although I saw millwall on internet stream) but oh my what a come back. Came to the game thinking this would be a bad bad waste of time and see us lose and first 20 minutes no doubt was I right but then Jacko scored and I joked "here comes the come back". Didnt like tho boo's at 2-0 but hey ho fickle fans what not. Hamer - 7 - So glad he's back calm and controlled did what he needed well, glad to have him more than Button. Solly - 8 - Usual solid self played well and linked well with Pritchard, did get clotheslined for what should be been a straight read but ok. Morrison - 7 - Good normal Morro, did struggle with N'gog but i think N'Gog is a very skilled player, won a lot in the air and timed tackles well Dervite - 4/7 - Now I've given him a 4 and a 7. 4 for his defensive work, he is not a very good defender but is a good midfielder in my view thus the 4 and 7, good going forward and well placed to finish his goal. Was skinned far too often for me and cost us the 1st goal by sloppy defending and possibly the 2nd because he ducked the shot. Wiggins - 8 - Very good performance from the Welshman and I do hope he doesn't leave in the summer, rate him a lot and his play with Harriot was superb and defensively solid in my view too. Hughes - 9 - Was brilliant today for the 70 minutes we played, I thought when he came back from injury people were pleased I was questioning why, today I saw why, he is the defensive midfielder we needed all season (although I think Holland could do the job), Hughes was such a class act today though and a MOTM for me. Pritchard - 7 - Nothing too fancy for me, worked hard but still adamant he doesn't have the actual ability. Summed his battling performance up perfectly when he battled with N'Gog I think and managed to win the ball keeping up with him from the half way line and winning it despite being pulled, great battle. Jacko - 7 - Normal Jacko, does nothing for 90 minutes but randomly pops up and scores, did very little otherwise. Harriot - 7 - Linked well with Wiggins, works hard and takes on defenders, i love someone taking on defenders, thus I got so annoyed with Lloyd Sam, but Harriot is a good player and plenty of potential. Kermorgant - 9 - Joint MOTM with Hughes for me, was brilliant and was everywhere won everything in the air and the perfect penalty, so close with his freekick that hi the post but Dervite did smash in the rebound. Once Hughes went off although Kermit is usually up top he kind of slotted into Hughes' role and stood around the half way line linking up well and calm playing the ball. A class act and defo the most Cult figure we've had since Mendonca in my view. Fuller - 7 - Was sh!te in the first half was complete total and utter sh!te would have taken him off at half time but Powell's man management was superb or Fuller just decided to buck up his game and ws instrumental in the comeback , superb in getting the pen was a great piece of skill and battled to win the free kick which Kermorgant scored from. If he plays like the 2nd half all season I'd keep him next year, otherwise I'd let him go still. Subs - None of them really played long enough Gower just didn't see existent to me / Ref - Kettle had a mixed day. Some good decisions with the penalty and the sendings off, especially with the 2nd one, the guy's first yellow was pathetic and a stupid idiot. But they should have gone down to 8 men when Solly won the ball on the hald way line and the last man clotheslined him, oh well though. Overall we won, Powell's subs didn't do much but his motivating but have been brilliant at hald time, was superb come back and proud to be an Addicks fan today, 1 more win and we're defo safe! COYR!
oh and BBC says that was Dervite's first goal for us, didn't he score against Leeds this year? also Dougie Freeman having a go at the referee saying he's only part time and saying that means he can't keep up the intensity
hugely fortunate today. 5 more mins of game time and it'd have been a draw. we did that stupid thing we do when we go ahead of sitting back and stopping running. best way of defense is to attack and all that... if they had 11 men we'd be looking at the bottom of the table right about now. but, can only beat whats in front of you, and today, i'm so glad we won. agree about hughes. he played a blinder. intercepted and passed securely. its what we've needed all year.
I'm buzzing I'd forgotten what it's like to win at home...love watching Harriott glad Hamer was back ,showed great heart to come back JJ played a real captains role. Fuller showed us both sides the uninterested waste of space of the first half and the sublime win a game on his own player he can be in the second half. Very proud of the team as for Bolton they lost it completely and Davis idiot.
The point about Hughes- he returned to the team at the same time as Dick van Dyke returned to not606. Coincidence? I think not!
I know what you mean, Hughes showed some really amateurish moments, particularly in the first half. But he improved in the second and passed it a lot better. I still think Gower would be a better option. My MOTM is Wiggins - he and Harriott linked up superbly down the left. Harriott's decision-making let him down at times, but his threat and talent are clear to see. That first 20 minutes or so was beyond awful. The next 70 were terrific, like v Cardiff. I was petrified when Yann stepped up to take the penalty, but he's clearly learnt his lesson and took it really well.
Maybe its the ale talking, but what a great day. COYR, a long time coming. We had to win today imo and we somehow managed it. Fantastic.
Hughesy, Solly, Harriott, Jackson, Pritch. Superb. That's 4 midfielders who had a good game! Whats changed!? Hughes was key i think. Finally a bit of luck.
Hughes was a bit rusty at the start of the game and found the pace different from the training ground I reckon, but when he found his feet he was the catalyst in midfield. some of his lay offs were sublime and overall it was his distribution which was the game changer. He managed to know which player was free as the ball came to him and the pass was completed. His habit of spinning 360 degrees after he passed the ball was a little disconcerting though, almost as though he was checking whether there was a better option he had missed. Not certain that Gower will be the better option since Hughes galvanised the team and appeared to want to win it whilst Gower was a little bit "what the hell am I doing here rather than at Swansea?" Maybe play him for 90 at Brighton Hughes must start against Leeds since he will have even more motivation for that game. Let's rest his bones for the Amex and see what we can do with the remainder of the squad.
Who else had shades of notts county? All I can say is how proud I am of them. Nothing more really. I think Hughes really made the difference, especially to Pritchard
Hughes reminds me of Semedo, when Jose left we never replaced him and missed that 'win and give' role in midfield
Hughes is better in his old age than semedo was. Semedo was effective, Hughes is a leader. Playing in that position, that's what you need/want.
Weird game although entertaining in its own way. Can't imagine why Bolton took their feet off the gas at 2-0. They could have buried us. Good job they did though or we would be right in the relegation doo doo given other results. Baffling team selection. Hughes did ok although I'm not as gushing in my praise as others. Fair play to him but to select him in the first place having been out for 18 months smacked of total desperation. Why did we sign Gower if he is not fit to start? And why when we go into the lead and Bolton have lost the plot did we not bring Green on and go for the jugular? I'll stop moaning now as it is a relief to get a home win and for all my incredulity the team selection paid off and we won So amen to that. Just shows, I know nothing about football! And Wilson has totally lost all confidence. Hiding again behind his marker. Don't know what that is all about.
ybabobmij, you're probably right on all counts, but things have been desperate since christmas so let's just bask in this one. If we can just snatch something down in Hove now, we can start to worry about next season!!
I arrived into the ground just as Jackson scored his goal, so it was all good as far as I saw Thought Hughes was excellent, not sure what role Kermorgant was playing for large parts of the match, especially towards the end. All happy, off to Brighton tomorrow. Wonder if I should turn up late for that too.
It's quite droll listening to Dougie Freedman's heroic efforts not to criticise the ref after the game. I didn't realise until I watched the highlights that we should have had a penalty when it was 1-0.
