So I know amongst the near 700 Addicks fans who made the trip to the Den,were not606ers so who played well for us,not so well,what did you learn from the game feedback would be much appreciated. I listened on Millwall player as ours didnt work so only really got a Millwall perspective...obviously.
Morning Mike - I can only contribute more Millwall views, as I woke up to two e-mails this morning from old mates and roughly the same question from both of them is "What's happened to your side?" They're not talking about the change of personnel, it's the change of attitude, determination and style that prompted this. One said "It's like the whole club grew a spine." and continued "...it's the first Charlton side I've seen in a long time that played with more than one set of b******s between them." There was praise for BWP, Stephens and Jackson but neither of them could understand why Sullivan isn't first choice keeper and there were plenty of nutritionally derogatory comments about Rob Elliot. Lots of praise, too for Chris Powell - "you should hope he does for you what Jackett's done for us". Yes, let's hope so...
Siting in the French sunshine today it appears that I may have missed a good match yesterday. However. like Tewks and Mikey I would like to know how the side played, who was poor who shone. I tend to agree with the comments received by Tewks from his Millwall mates that Sullivan should be first chice keeper. On Tuesday night it appeared that whilst Elliot knew that it was no longer a hoofball game he still was troubled by shots from range (Specsavers?) and had maintained his association with a few big macs (and I don't mean mcoxo). Was Wiggins any better than on Tuesday, if not how close to fitness is Evina. I am going to miss the bournemouth match as well so am looking for a steady stream of information to be relayed.
Hi Tewkes that sounds all good then.The sullivan Elliott question will run and run. CP deffo favours Robbie and likes to see home grown players come throught.I dont get the Elliott stick to be honest though would have no problem if sullivan came in I`m of the oppinion that they are both decent at league 1 level. Though cant coment on his performance yesterday,I didnt get the impression from the commentary that robbie was particularly at fault to be honest but will wait and here what the boys think.I i like the way CP gets his team to play and out of the 11 satarters yesterday 7 were new signings so its a work inprogress.
It was a good game despite the result. Both teams played some nice football. Millwall at times went for the long ball, whereas we attempted to keep it on the deck with short one/two touch passing and playing it simple. The one time we did attempt a Llera-esque long ball it came from Danny Green in his short cameo at the end but to be fair it was more Beckham-esque as it was like a homing missile to Benson's chest, such was the precision of the pass. Our team: Rob Eliott - Looked shaky, a few times his handling could have been better. I'm unsure as to whether he is vocal enough to the back four as well, he certainly is once it's too late and we've conceded. Still looked like he has his Paddy Kenny frame, might be down to all of the 'larger' that Acworth sent him though. Chris Solly - I quite like him. I think he was targeted by Millwall as a weak link but I don't think our right side was that strong on the whole with Waggy playing in front of him. The targeting could also have been due to the fact that he had a mare when we got demolished at The Den 4-0 two seasons ago but to be fair to the lad, he was brought on in that game to play at left-back, which is completely the wrong side for him. Matt Taylor & Michael Morrison - Synopsis for these two is grouped together as its the first time I have seen either of them play. Morrison is a big lump, no nonsense sort of defender. Taylor is also 6ft plus but looks slightly more athletic. I know we let in 4 goals (2 of those were good free kicks) but I can see these two forming a good solid partnership at the back, definitely stronger than Dailly and Doc last season. Taylor captained the side yesterday. Rhoys Wiggins - Again first time I have seen him play and I was impressed. He set up the first goal with a swashbuckling* run down to the left byline. *Can't believe I've just used the word swashbuckling. He looks athletic, seemed shorter than I thought he would be but I think you'll be able to see why so many teams were after him. I think he will have a good season for us and become a fan favourite. Scott Wagstaff - Again targeted due to his slightness, was bullied out of the wall by Darren Purse for the first Millwall free kick but the free kick itself wasn't Waggy's fault, it cleared the wall easily. Waggy did play a sublime pass through a crowd of players with the outside of his right boot to play in BWP for his second goal. I know he'll start next week as Green is suspended but think he'll have his hands full for a starting position once Green is back. Dale Stephens - Looked assured on the ball. 6ft plus as well, doesn't look like he'll get bullied off the ball too easily. A lot of the one/two touch play came through him. He was the more offensive of the two central midfielders. First time i've seen him play, looked like a good acquisition. Danny Hollands - More defensive than Stephens, played in the holding role that was occupied by Semedo last year. Again first time I've seen him, looked solid as well, strong in the tackle and plays it simple. Seemingly another good acquisition. Johnnie Jackson - Played well down the left. I know he's not an out and out winger but I think its possibly his best position for us this coming season. Took his headed goal really well too out-jumping Darren Ward and looping it over the keeper despite the heavy pressure he was under. Paul Hayes - Looked a good player. Didn't look like a 20+ goalscorer on this showing but I can see why Franco has previously mentioned his build up play. I can see this guy getting a fair few assists over the course of the season. Played more of a back-up role to BWP. BWP - Class. First was a poachers finish, the second he ran at the Millwall defence before rifling in a powerful low drive at the keepers near post. Looked a threat nearly every time he got the ball. He will get 20+ goals as long as he stays injury free. Subs: Green, Popo & Pritchard (First time I have seen any of them) Benson Green - Already appears to be a crowd favourite, with pockets of the crowd chanting his name as he was warming up. Popo - Didn't get that long but seems a prospect. Pritchard - Had one attempt to get a shot away from the edge of the area but kept delaying and it got cleared, may have been down to nerves though, as would have been the biggest crowd he has played in front of. Benson - Little time to impress but glad he stayed, think he'll get a fair few this season. New chant: (To the tune of Heartbeat) Johnnie, O Johnnie Jackson runs down the wing for me (then followed by the) der de der de der etc. I wanna go home, I wanna go home, Millwall's a sh*th*le, I wanna go home. FAO Mikey Also, I attended the game with a Manc mate of mine who I persuaded to buy a ten game season ticket at the end of last season, he was disappointed there was no Llera. Maybe I should introduce you to him!
Wonderful news Tewkes...!! With the basic ingredients of any successfull team in place (determination, graft and playing with some sort of plan), i am confident that from this solid footing the quality we have within our side will shine through. I said after the Woking game, that all i wanted out of this pre season was for us to return the the basic principles that made me so proud to support Charlton Athletic... It would appear they're now in place... Good times lie ahead chaps and i for one can't wait...!!
Green with envy Twekes.....its a beautiful day riht here in south east london....ok selhurst park is virtually touching distance away from me BUT if I look east the delights of Norwood country park are there for all to see !
It's the food, the pace of life and the peace that I'm primarily thinking of Mike, St. Valery is my bolt hole - lovely day in Tewks as well. Just out on my bike. After the performance yesterday, decided to come down for the Bournemouth game and to stay over for the Reading League Cup tie. Wasn't due down again until September and can't really afford it but I'm desperate to see this new line-up in competetive action. I have a feeling this is going to be a season to remember, this time for the right reasons.
Thanks for the feedback guys. Good stuff, Alex...seems to mirror what I've thouhgt in the little I've seen of the team so far. Glad Wiggins played well...feel he will get better and better. Hollands and Stephens look a good pairing in CM, particularly like the look of Stephens. BWP...well, looks like our main man. Still concerns re Elliot it seems. I hope morrison and Taylor can work together, though I understand there is still an aim to bring in another centre back? Like the Millwall fans comments about backbone and spine. I think Powell has brought players who have all the attributes modern day footballers need.
Chaps - From a Wall perspective. Your keeper - Sullivam is much better than the one in goal yesterday - was at fault for at least 2 of the goals. Your centre halves - not very good in the air for big lumps, and Marquis sussed early on how slow they were and asked for direct balls - think he will be a little gem for us this season. Then James Henry realised that Wiggins (although good going forward) couldn't defend for toffee and skinned him every time. We literally could have scored every attack. BWP - Took his goals really well, but would be a much better player if he upped his work rate. Thought your midfield looked very solid. You will score lots of goals this season, but will concede plenty too - Peterboroughesque Oh - and you should cut that doing the Poznan - bit cringeworthy tbh!!
Poznan was embarrassing, but it's a friendly so can't blame some wanting to be silly and have a mess around. Also, as for wiggins, to put a bit of spin on what you said it could also be argued that he gave dunne several problems. He won't come up against anyone nearly as good as Henry this season.
And looking at the otherside of the coin...Millwalls back 4 yesterday...is it the back 4 that you intend to play this season...I did hear that purse was pants the sheff weds fans couldnt wait to get rid of him last season. Can see the BWP workrate argument BUT he`s an out and out goalscorer simple as that who scored 2 against Millwall...he will score for fun in the league below so no need to work hard just score will do for me.
Always good to have a second opinion so here's mine guys: Not a game to be ashamed of, despite the result, I really believe (perhaps from a biased perspective) that we we're by far the better team, in the second half certainly. Whilst our new brand of passing football is going well, there seems to be a few weak links still, both Morrison and Taylor tried to hoof it a few times, though not excessively. I'm still of the opinion we need a new CB and a new striker (something CP is all to aware of). Here's the team round-up: Elliot (6) - a couple of decent saves, but has looked a bit shaky in the last couple of games, and I'd say from the angle I was looking, Elliot was in the wrong place for the first free kick. Still doing his trademark 'leave the ball-kicking right up until the last second when an opposition player is in front of you'. Saying all that, I'd still have him in the pecking order above Sullivan. Solly (6) - a decent game, put in some good challenges sweeping the ball from right under wingers/strikers feet. But missed a lot of blocks and was out of position a bit much. As much as I like Solly and dislike Francis, I'd sadly probably have Francis ahead of him. Taylor (5) - seemed anonymous all game despite being captain. Didn't mark up his man a few teams, leading Solly to go out of position and cover him, leaving Millwalls left-mid with plenty of space. Hoofed it a few times as well. Morrison (6) - probably the better of the two centre backs, its a shame he's being played in the left-centre back role, because it seems his left foot isn't too strong. That being said, he had a decent, but not spectacular game. Wiggins (5) - very poor game yet again, I was hoping Den Bosch was a one off. Incapable of tackling, short passes or maintaining possession, kicks the ball into the stands after every tackle. Decent going forward and crossing though. A bit like a weaker Simon Francis, I hope Evina is up to it and fit. Wagstaff (6) - played well but wasn't given the chance to use his pace much as the Millwall players fouled him every time he got the ball (including Purse he studded him on the foot and the shin whilst both were in the wall). Himself and Solly did well to maintain possession a number of times near the opposition corner flag, you can see the two of them have been playing together for years. Stephens (8) - class game, absolutely class. You can really see why CP signed him, sprayed good passes all over the pitch, tackling was decent and he maintained possession well. Hollands (7) - great at tackling as well as being good at passing. His left footedness also allows for a good natural balance in the squad. Imagine Semedo two years ago, but with the ability to pass a football. Jackson (8) - left me feeling a bit embarrassed with all my criticism of him, yes he's still not got very much pace and doesn't take on the full-backs, but his crossing was decent and he done some of his trademark un-noticed runs into the box, one of which resulted in his goal. Hayes (7) - some good link up play and he's pretty strong as well, despite being fairly tall and having strength, the temptation to use him as a target man wasn't acted upon, and it seems he will be a real asset this season - though I'm not sure he'll be getting too many goals. BWP (8) - does what BWP does really, pounces on every chance he gets and puts it into the back of the net. BUT, he's improved on his game, his dribbling seemed to be of a new class - where last season, his only key attribute was his ability to put the ball in the back of the net, he know seems to have the ability to dribble and provide goals for himself. SUBS: Green - wasn't given enough time to impress, but the long ball to Benson's chest was Premier-league quality. Benson - wasn't given time to do much, but held the ball up pretty well. Pritchard - didn't look like a non-league played at all, really harassed the Millwall midfield and defence. Should get a decent bit of game time next season. Popo - probably not ready for the first team yet but in his short cameo he showed that he's almost there, some good control and kept possession well. CAFC fans (9) - singing throughout and putting Millwalls so-called 'noisy and loyal supporters' to absolute shame. Suprised there were less than 700 of us though.
I've always liked Henry LG. If he starts the season as well as he finished the last, I reckon you boys could struggle to hang onto him come the January window. I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Wiggins. I've seen him a few times now and he's pretty hopeless going backwards. I'm hoping that having an ex England international LB as his manager can only help him improve that area of his game. On BWP... I can see the logic in your argument LG. However, if he increased his work rate i fear he could end up drifting into areas of the pitch where we don't want him to go. The fella is a pure goal machine, nothing more, nothing less. It's for this reason we need him as far advanced (goal hanging almost) as possible. Where he can get himself in positions to do what he does best.
Jason Euell seems conspicuous by his absence?? I'm still shocked Dailly hasn't made any friendly appearances too... What's going on??
