Well, finally I feel happy after a home draw. That says something about carácter that the 2-2 with Blackpool did'nt have.
Just got back, talk about a game of two halves. First half We were abject and that headless chicken The Harriotts got himself sent off for a cowards tackle after make a hash of his first touch. I don't know what Peeters said to them at Half time but it totally galvanised the players. We hit the post twice, two off the line and two decent saves from Marshall. When Vetokele was through one on one, I really thought he would stick it away. But it seemed to bobble and he couldn't keep it down. I have been scathing of Tucudean but he had his best game. Gudmundsson in the first half was terrible but in the second he was brilliant. What a thunderous shot. Playing two upfront really helped us even though we had ten men. I think there is a case for playing three at the back and two upfront. Etheridge also had a decent game and he was very quick and decisive off his line. It feels much better than the Blackpool draw.
A game of two Gudmundssons. Second half was the best performance I can remember from a Charlton midfielder in ages, and I admit saying at half-time that he should be replaced by Wilson. If that's how he's going to play in that position there is a good case for building the midfield around him. He well deserved to be our scorer. Less said about the first half the better.
The only thing I'm upset at is the fact BP has now come out talking about how we should have won. By admission I wasn't there, but the first half surrounded awful. Lay in to them for that too.
Despite a trip to the hospital last weekend, I managed to get off the sick bed and to the match - Forget the first half, for it was utter rot Jackson anonymous Etheridge shaky to start with , but he improved as the match wore on Tucudean the Man - worked tirelessly, excellent first-touch, looked dangerous, and my MOM Wonder goal from Gudmundsson and an excellent display in the second-half What happened, Igor? I was preparing to put my house on you scoring Superb team spirit from the lads and really unlucky not to win 3-5-2 is the way to go for me - Etheridge TBH - Bikey - Onyewu Solly - Cousins - Gudmundsson - Buyens - Gomez? Vetekele - Tucudean Did anyone else head home towards the Woolwich Ferry and see the black guy sprawled out across the dual carriageway? I thought he was a pile of rubbish and almost drove over his head!
Sitting in Wetherspoons over fish and chips and a pint to compose my thoughts. The proverbial game of two halves. Absolutely piss poor first half, second to everything, said to one of my sons pre match look at the lack of intensity in our warm up compared to Cardiff's drills...and sure enough...we were asleep. Much, much better second half. My ratings- Etheridge. 6 - did well enough, but I don't like midget keepers and this guy is a munchkin. Gomez 6. Not at his best. Some poor touches first half. Solly 6. Ditto, better going forwards than defending today. Ben Haim. 6. Bikey 6. Jackson. 5 . Sadly the game passed the skip by, again. JBG -8 . Clearly aroused by the stick I was giving him. Grew into the game, and showed the player he can be with dedication and consistency. Buyens -6 average I though Harriott - 2. Good bye Calum. Enough is enough. Tucadean - 7 much better from him today. Cousins 5 - still controlling the ball like a hod carrier. Overall a decent point, although the mystery of that s**te first half remains.
As Ponders said, forget the first half as we were rubbish. Cardiff didn't let us play at all and took their one chance. Harriott's first touch was consistently appalling, and he then followed one with a very bad tackle that was a fully deserved red. The second half was a different story. Despite being a man down we played very well indeed, Gudmundsson at the heart of almost everything. I actually shouted out 'DON'T SHOOT!' as he let fly, so that shows what I know. Tucudean had a decent game as well, including an ambitious overhead ball which Gudmundsson ran on to and from which he forced Marshall to tip wide, as well as the ball through for Igor's chance. I criticise Buyens for his sideways-ness, but he kept us ticking over very nicely today, even if once or twice he dwelt a tad too long on the ball. Bikey was very tired by the end and Cardiff nearly had an opportunity thanks to him not challenging for an aerial ball, but was otherwise OK. By the end he, Ben Haim and Onyewu were playing in a back three. Another positive was Etheridge, who came confidently to collect and punch crosses and kicked well for the most part. After the awful display at Blackburn this was an encouraging improvement. We still have the problem of not being able to play well for the full 90 minutes, but we showed character to come back from 1-0 down with 10 men and indeed should have won it at the end.
Bob should give his half time talk at the start of every match. We were a different team the 2nd half. From the 1st half performance we would not have scored in a million years. Thought the ref was poor, although I'll reserve judgement on the sending off till I see it again. If we can show the 2nd half commitment in a full 90 minutes we should be safe midtable territory. We're not good enough for anything better.
You are very consistent in your crushes. All players with above average skill for the Championship who only perform one match in five. I remember you were one of Green's few supporters here (though one in ten in his case.) And learn to spell your new idol's name correctly!
Just saw his goal - what a hit! If it were a premiership player they'd still be replaying it on SSN over and over. The stadium sounded like it erupted too which was good to hear!
I wouldn't say he only performs in 1 in 5. His form dipped in the previous 2/3 games but I'd have said he was one of the top performers before that. creativity for midfield is non existent when he's out of the side.
I wonder which Charlton will turn up on Tuesday? If we can play like we did in the second half, why were we so crap in the first? I'd say we are about to find out how good a manager Bob is. Players like Gudmundsson and Tucudean have shown what they are capable of, and if Bob can get some sort of consistency in the team we can all start going to the Valley with a spring in our step.
Amazing that Tucudean suddenly puts in a performance out of the blue. Given that he has been left out lately and we are supposedly adding Watts and Ghoochannejhad to the squad, I wonder if he knew someone was watching with a view to a transfer?
