No-one believes there are any easy games any more. We usually draw 1-1 with the Gills, and frankly it's difficult to expect anything better this time. We create very little, concede from set pieces every game and as Steve Brown said, other teams are putting more energy in than we are. MacG for Amos looks like a blunder by some anonymous face in our analytics dept, but I'd still keep him in goal until A M-B returns, so: Macg; Barker, Elerewe, Pearce, Purrington; Morgan, Dobbo, Fraser, C B-T; Washington, Stockley. would be my fantasy team.
We just look awful. Gillingham jsut beat Doncaster and are on a bit of a recovery. We show no sign of improvement after the end of our run of 'dificult' games against the better teams, and the last half hour against ten man Accrington was appalling. JJ needs to try a different shape, and play players in their correct positions. Clare was the latest to be played wrongly, although that said, he seemed horribly disinterested. Lee at least trys to take people on, but he has an ability to pick out a cul de sac second to none, and tends to lose the ball while trying to beat the same player over and over again. Beat the player - cross the ball. Easy. There was a moment against Accrington when the unloved lecko ran into a big space down our left, only to see our midfeild turn about and slowly, pass by pass, traipse the ball from left to right. He's not my favourite player, and his football brain seems semi dormant, but he's doing this a couple of times a game and it must be frustrating when we prefer a safe plod around the back. We have no dynamism, no pace, few shots, and our defence is a mistake waiting to happen. Change the formation.
Gillingham have won two of their last 3. That's more points than we've scraped together in our last 8 games. Not sure we will win again this season. But I'm going to make an effort to get to the Valley...
The Addicks to Victory at the beginning is starting to get on my nerves. What's the good of that when it's the away fans who celebrate victory? Bring back London's Calling.
Maybe they should play "Always look on the bright side of life..." Always makes me smile Crucifixion humour.
With Neil Harris at the helm of the pikeys I expect another loss unfortunately- was going to go to this one but will give it a miss- mainly because my son is fed up with our losing ways
We are in relegation form. In danger of going down into the 4th Division for the first time in our history. Our budget is not the lowest in League One, or anywhere near it. Our players are adequately paid for this level. To drop from 11th in the table a couple of months ago to finishing in the bottom 4 will be the most humiliating, inexcusable farce in any season on the pitch - even worse than 1926 which is beyond living memory, and when severe cuts were made in order to save the Club from bankruptcy - and it was only our fifth season in the full leagues. A win tonight should be demanded. Nothing should be left on the pitch or in the dressing room. Every player gives everything he has. If they are seen to do that they'll be cheered on, even now. If they don't, they will deserve to be told they are not fit to wear the shirt. Back on August 21st at the Valley that chant was heard, after our third straight defeat. But with only four games played I thought it was unjustified. Yet if we lose tonight, which would be our seventh defeat in eight matches, that chant will be fully justified. Less than 100% effort is less than fans deserve. Play like it matters and put your bodies on the line - or get the f**k out of our Club.
The problem is that it ain't just how you do it, it's what you do. We gave everything against MK Dons but we were second best all night. Against Accrington we were outbattled, but we are so bloody slow going forward, and so vulnerable at the back, that it needs more than just effort. I've got a mate coming round to watch tonight, and I'm trying to put him off as we really need to keep how bad we are in house
If we accept that the players are still giving everything then it sounds like we are severely short of tactical nouse and leadership on the pitch. If the gaffer is too inexperienced and too frightened to try different tactics for different opponents, and no player on the pitch can take charge and change things when they begin to go wrong, then Charlton are as good as relegated.
The pikeys made things very easy for us by playing to the wings. Playing through the middle did not happen .
We can lose every game now and struggle to go down. We can all relax and 'enjoy' the rest of the season
