I don't think we're obsessed with it. I actually don't read CL unless somethings posted on here that might take my attention over there. I gave up on it once they let Airman spread a lot of bullshit about a friend that wasn't true - that was in very bad taste. But the mods must have a tough time with the number of posters they have, and I do have respect for that. Best forum? Hard to judge. Biggest? Definitely. As for vitriol and jealousy, I think we are far, far down on that list
"You people are obsessed with CL, you have been rejected by them get over it. Is it the moderators you object to? Because there are hundreds of people, all different,who post on there, do you object to them all? I have never known a forum to create such vitriol and jealousy. It is only a football forum chaps, I find the diverse views expressed by a number of posters stimulating. I have never had a problem with any of the moderators or posters. It is the best Charlton Forum by a coun.try mile." Dick I for one am not obsessed with Charlton Life nor have I ever been rejected by them, I don't object to the moderators. However, having seen CL I note that a lot of people are vilified and subject to vitriol on there for espousing independently minded views. I do object to the "You people" remark which, I have to say, reminds of the words used to describe minorities in 1970's bigoted tv comedies. Not 606 may have a smaller population of Charlton supporters than CL but the diversity is greater and open and honest. I only know of one person being banished from the site and that was because of site abuse not content. However, I am led to believe that CL do try to protect the purity of its membership by banning those who express "outrageous" views. Me - I am one for the open expression of views by all unless it threatens national security or contravenes the law - so long as I am allowed to disagree.
Dick, as you say, it is an internet football forum and (for me) jealousy does not come in to it. I enjoy reading the posts on the 3 main CAFC forums - here, INTV and CL, but after my experience of posting on Charlton Life for the first few times am reluctant to post. Some of the grief I got was unbelievable. All this was becuase I went against the grain (of the majority) with my opinions. As I posted above, I do enjoy a sensible debate over the team I love, and will (sometimes and very very quietly) admit if proved wrong or my opinion changes. Anyway, this thread isnt a discussion as to whether one forum is better than another. I think the real debate, although not as interesting as relating it directly to CAFC, is the general state of football outside of the top tier. I do not see our position as a club as much better or worse than others around us. What I do see, however, is a team and manager on Saturday that - in my opinion- lacked ideas. After the 5th time of Hamer rolling it out to MM, the back four knocking it about for 2 mins, and then MM attempting a Beckhamesque 50 yard pass - I was ready to walk out. I would have liked CP to have nipped it in the bud at half time at least. In the first half, 90% of the time this happened, Gower was showing for the short ball. I obviously dont like losing, although am pretty used to it being a Charlton fan! but can take a loss on the chin if I have seen passion, commitment & an attempt at playing football. None of this was evident on Saturday. Is this a direct result of goings on behind the scenes? - im not so sure.
Dick is the Charles Hawtrey of the Charlton on line community. A sometimes naughty old cove, who flits from site to site making mischief on occasions. All I would say to dick/ Charles is that until you have felt the full force of the venom of the assorted Hyacinth Bouquets & White Van Man on CL, you should not Carry on Regardless.
It did seem very strange the style of football we played against Boro, constant hoof ball. After witnessing the more patient passing of the ball on Tuesday night against Oxford, which was building from the back.Whenever we have Kermy in the side we hoof the ball up to his head, which usually gets us nowhere. We need to keep the ball and pass it better, I thought that was why Gower was brought in. But it looks like he has been Charltonised very quickly.
That did make me laugh Vol, I have never been described as Charles Hawtrey before. I am more Sid James.
So do I, Super - and as a moderator on this site, I thoroughly object to the insinuation that I preside over such a forum. Not impressed, dick.
Dick, you are quite right... unfortunately I think Kermorgant needs to be dropped from the side - the best football we played in League 1 was when Hayes partnered BWP up front - purely because there was no long-ball option. Stephens changed the tempo and creativity when he came on, he is just infuriatingly inconsistant. It was he, not JJ, that won us the game last season against Cardiff - when he is on his game, he really is some player. He needs a run in the side - I would like it to be alongside Hughes who can do the dirty work. Stephens' mis-placed passes will not be half as dangerous when he is able to play higher up the pitch, but when they come off with Sordell & Church up top, I truely believe we will see some goals. I also think that Hollands has been very unfortunate recently - he had little/no preseason last year and as a result had a couple of 'mares. That is now behind him - and I think he is actually one of our better players. If he isnt getting a look in, why not move him on.
We need a midfielder who can link the midfield with the attack. We currently pick nobody who can drive forwards with the ball. It is rank bad coaching and tactics to encourage Morrison in particular to smash high balls up the pitch. We have to accept that our three central midfielders are aged 32, 34 and 35. In each case, their legs are gone. That being the case, wise up and either replace them or else get someone in alongside who can do their running and linking for them. Anyone heard of Cousins ? JJ was palpably not fit last week ( bad management selecting him) and Gower had gone before half time. If he starts with any per utation of JJ, Gower and Hughes at Barnsley it's time to worry.
The interesting thing about Fuller/Kermo and Kermo/Obika was that both dropped deep and it seemed to allow the team to move forwards in waves, rather than having someone playing off the shoulder and looking to race on to Yann's flick ons. It masked the problems we had in midfield towards the end of last season.
I love Yann just as much as the next person but it just seems to have been a constant cycle of recent years when we've had a main target man on the pitch Use Iwelumo for an example, partly used to hate it when he played because the long-ball option would forever be used, he'd then be penalised for a foul and the chance wasted... When we didnt play Iwelumo the long-ball tactic seemed to disappear
The frustrating part is that YK is just as good with his feet as he is in the air. I understand the need to 'hoof' when under pressure, or the tendancy to do so when looking for a late equaliser. I think the next few weeks' training sessions need to be below head height only!
Kermit is technically our best player so like Pardew once said "we should just pick our best team" then set a formation that fits them... For Tykes I would play... ................Hamer.............. ...Morrison...Wood....Dervite Solly..............................Wiggy ..Stephens....Hughes...Jackson* ..........Kermit#.................. ............Church+.......... *if Skipper is not 100% fit then Harriott # Kermit to play attacking midfield in the hole + Church to be subbed with the Pig on 60 mins having run himself into the ground.
AllHell, I havent seen Wood to pass judgement, but my gut feeling is that Cort should take his place in your team. I would also be tempted to put Hollands in, in place of Jackson. The next week or two, I personally would go with Sordell & Church as I think the pair of them would cause havoc - With Kerm used for impact (or hoof ball chasing an equaliser!).
TF, from what I have seen..... Wood is a better CB than Cort and certainly a better passer and more of a threat from corners.... IMHO
Quite like the look of that formation to be honest AllHell - Think I would agree with touchy about having Hollands in place of Jackson rather than Harriott if fitness is an issue else we could find ourselves dangerously exposed. ................Hamer................ ....Morrison...Cort...Dervite.... ..Solly....................Wiggins.. .Hughes...Stephens...Hollands. .............Kermorgant............. ................Church................ Bench Pope..Evina..Wood..Wilson..Cousins..Pigott..Sordell
