tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54760436881662793532024-03-07T07:20:49.183+00:00Blackheath AddickBurgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.comBlogger745125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-35725671774121407262022-01-08T14:23:00.003+00:002022-01-08T14:24:38.692+00:00Signing Out<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">With
a French residency visa, membership of the International Addicks, and a
12-month subscription to Charlton TV for the live streams all in my pocket, I
can’t really continue under the title of Blackheath Addick. I am now living in
France and plan to remain here – here being at present a mix of Lyon and our
new place in Givry, Burgundy - for the foreseeable future. Consequently, while
signing off from this space, there is a fresh incarnation, Burgundy Addick,
which I hope others will look at from time to time - </span><a href="https://burgundyaddick.blogspot.com/"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">https://burgundyaddick.blogspot.com/</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">One
of the sadder tasks making the move was to scale down the Charlton memorabilia
(inc programmes of course), to fit into an acceptable (to my partner Suzanne)
shrine in the new place. In that I am indebted to the Charlton Museum. And when
Ben came around to take a look he noticed the photo of me as a nipper on the
pitch, the one in the photo on the blog, and wondered if the shirt still existed. It did – and I could hardly
refuse.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxGI4HBb3IUQ85XILgEUGI85f_8vDaIWXC1mH7ctKxgd1oWI8kgYmY6fhw3sqoxI_tkqPlTDSwIySjJ7r5UAvwXUgIG9_Zk4Ro2ejZx_P7aLvmnYuF22IMdg9GY5ngUcDIraLpKOufxVVlujx2BQEAbiiAPakji3jW1cPGhfh1_Fn3m1yR60R7vcC-Sg=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxGI4HBb3IUQ85XILgEUGI85f_8vDaIWXC1mH7ctKxgd1oWI8kgYmY6fhw3sqoxI_tkqPlTDSwIySjJ7r5UAvwXUgIG9_Zk4Ro2ejZx_P7aLvmnYuF22IMdg9GY5ngUcDIraLpKOufxVVlujx2BQEAbiiAPakji3jW1cPGhfh1_Fn3m1yR60R7vcC-Sg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Perhaps
I always knew that my shirt would one day hang proudly at The Valley. I had of
course for most of my life assumed that this would be the result of my
outstanding career as Charlton’s finest ever centre-forward. As the chances of that
scenario tended to reduce through my thirties and forties, thoughts turned to
having to buy the club in order to achieve my goal (one essential condition of
the purchase being that I would make one sub appearance to get my name in the
record books). That scenario too is looking less likely now. I should have
known all along that the shirt was always there, just waiting for the Museum to
take it away and put it on display. I could not wish for a better place for it.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-31183879016643779742022-01-03T16:45:00.002+00:002022-01-03T16:45:24.621+00:00Serious Dent To Ambitions<p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">First off, Happy New Year to one and
all! Unfortunately the first question for 2022 is whether Saturday’s defeat
against a top six side, our second in succession, truly kills off our chances
of closing the gap on the play-off places in the second half of the season. The
obvious answer is ‘no’, but the two games without doubt make a serious dent in
our ambitions, especially when paired with points dropped in the away games at
Morecombe and Shrewsbury. It’s unfair, and there are reasons behind the
results, but there is now a clear contrast between the first five games under
JJ – four wins and a draw, 13 points out of 15 – and the subsequent six – two
wins, a draw, and three defeats, or 7 points out of 18. Also, a defeat at home
rather puts paid to the notion that we might simply have a problem getting the
necessary results away from The Valley.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It isn’t rocket science to pinpoint
the factors behind the change in returns. Of the last six games Stockley dropped out of three for
his suspension and a fourth, yesterday, due to a knock. Add in the three
unavailable late in the day for Plymouth, before that Pearce being injured,
plus Leko, in addition to the other absentees (Inniss, Lavelle, Matthews, Blackett-Taylor
and Forster-Caskey) and we have been pulled up short. The squad is well covered
in some areas but not in certain key ones and for that we have paid a price,
especially as some of those on the fringe of the starting XI – Kirk, Morgan,
Soare and now Davison – have not taken their chances.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It's reasonable to say that the style
of play that Jackson wants the team to produce is demanding in terms of
physical intensity; and when the team has been up for the challenge it has worked
very well. But when they are off the pace, and short of options in key areas,
it seems we can be found out, with presumably teams doing their homework on us.
Without Stockley, Wycombe were able to crowd out the important areas, leaving no
space for Washington, Lee or Gilbey – or indeed Leko - to exploit, and until
Inniss came on as a last-gasp centre-forward we had no real alternative.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">There are still too many points to
play for to simply call time on the season and plan for the next campaign. But Saturday
did feel seriously deflating, perhaps not just for the fans. I’m all for mutual
respect on the pitch etc but there did seem to be an awful lot of mateyness out
there once we had been beaten rather than desolation at losing a game against
what we hoped would soon be a rival for a play-off spot.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">For the record, I see that Wycombe
have come in for a fair amount of flak from other Addicks over their tactics,
but I’m not sure why. They neutralised our strengths and played to their own,
which included the knowledge that in McCleary they had a player capable of
producing some moments of magic and in Vokes someone likely to convert if a
chance in the box came his way. Their time-wasting was excessive, but it wasn’t
their fault the ref did nothing about it, adding a mere five minutes of stoppage
time. Fact is that they produced the one moment of class in the first half –
and those at the game may have been deprived of the interesting debate between
Robert Lee, Steve Brown and Scott Minto over whether the bulk of the blame for
it should rest with Dobson or Gilbey – and in the second half, although we hit
the post, had the better chances, missing one or two which would have killed
off the game.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If we wanted TS to spend all he had
in the transfer window to bolster a continuing rise up the table it was not
exactly what the doctor ordered. And as has been pointed out elsewhere, addressing
our needs isn’t a simple case of going out and signing another centre-forward.
Would that player be intended to be a straight replacement if Stockley is unavailable?
In that event, if we can attract someone ready to be a second choice, Davison
becomes very much surplus to requirements. How do we intend to use Leko for the
remainder of the season? He is a different style of player to Washington and if
he’s playing the midfield has to be able to adapt to that to get the best out
of him. It’s reasonable to expect that we will bring in another forward during
the window, but just what sort of player will say a good deal about how
Sandgaard at least views the remainder of this season.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">For now we have to pretend to be
interested in the Papa DooDah thing. I hope JJ uses the game to try something a
little different, just to experiment, especially if Stockley isn’t risked. After
that, I’m aware that others attach more importance than I do to the FA Cup for
a team in our situation. I hope we have an enjoyable game against Norwich but
am far more interested in how we will be shaping up against Crewe and Cheltenham
as quite frankly both now need to be beaten – otherwise even the seriously
deluded optimists, including myself, will have to start planning for another
season in this bloody division.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-14058301646946279022021-12-19T11:01:00.001+00:002021-12-19T11:01:26.159+00:00No Grounds For Complaint<p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The start of the confirmed JJ era,
all of us desperate to continue the climb up the table towards those top six
places. He took over with a tough away fixture and nobody expected anything
less. Play as we have done recently against Sunderland, Rotherham, Plymouth before
of course, and Ipswich and we’d be confident of taking something from the game;
play as we did when a little jaded, as against Morcombe and Shrewsbury, and
we’re in danger. It proved to be the latter and, while we were unfortunate to
be behind at the break, we can have no complaints about the outcome as we were decidedly
second-best through the second half and could easily have conceded more.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The obvious question is why? The
principle factors would seem clear. First, losing Famewo, Washington and
Davison to Covid will have disrupted preparations and left us weaker on the
pitch and from the bench, especially given the form the first two have been in
of late. Although Leko showed well in the first half, his is a different style
to Washington and collectively it just didn’t run as smoothly, while moving
Purrington to be the third centre-back saw Soare occupy the wing-back role on
the left side and he struggled to influence the game. Second, we were up
against determined opposition, eager to get a win under their belts for their
new manager; and once they had something to hang on to they raised their game
and fought tooth and nail, eclipsing our effective central midfield.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Third, simply too many of our players
had a below-par game. Gilbey and Lee were less effective going forward than of
late, while Jaiyesimi had a poor first half, when he either crossed badly,
passed sloppily, or miscontrolled the ball. And it might have been worse.
Gilbey saw yellow in the first half for a poor challenge which involved him off
his feet and studs showing. It would have been very harsh but I was a little
relieved the ref hadn’t interpreted it as a red. Then DJ went to sweep the ball
clear and only succeeded in connecting with their advancing forward. At first
sight it looked a penalty to me.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fourth, just the ebb and flow of the
game and the importance of scoring first. Nobody questions we had the better of
the first 20 minutes or so, Plymouth looking very subdued. The Stockley free
header from a free kick and another set-piece ball into him might have produced
the opening goal and a different game. Instead, although Plymouth were coming
more into the game towards half-time, they would have been content to reach the
break with the game scoreless and instead found themselves ahead, curtesy of a
good attack down our left and an astute pass forward which led to the shot well
saved by MacGillivray, only for the rebound to fall to their guy who managed to
bisect two defenders and the keeper and in off the far post. With hindsight
that changed the game, although at the break I suspect we all felt ‘OK, it’s
happened, now we need to up our game and go and win it’, which simply didn’t
happen as we failed to muster an attempt on target.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fifth, and this is the more worrying
element, this is the third consecutive disappointing away performance and
result. Against Morcombe we gave up a two-goal lead and we lost to that late
foul at Shrewsbury. Fatigue was assumed to be a factor, this time around we had
the break between games but were three down and the possibility that more
players were under the weather. We will only find out in due course if we can
realistically just write off the game as a reflection of that disadvantage and
not indicative of a deeper problem in getting the balance right when playing
away from The Valley.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We have to see how the whole football
situation develops over the days/weeks ahead in light of Covid. But as things
stand Wimbledon away on Boxing Day takes on huge significance. If we want to prove
that we don’t have a problem playing away, that we still have a chance of the
play-offs (and that on that basis there is justification for something extra
from the transfer window), we need really a win.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-35637118386205550342021-12-12T10:27:00.003+00:002021-12-12T10:27:55.863+00:00Not As Pretty But Gap Still Narrows<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
all knew what we wanted from the game yesterday – a repeat/extension of Tuesday
night’s performance against Ipswich, leaving out the first 20 mins or so. We
didn’t really get that, but what we did get proved good enough. We weren’t able
to reproduce the dominance and attacking threat we showed before, there was –
like after the Plymouth game – just less verve and with this slightly less
physical effort. Also, unlike on Tuesday night our opponents didn’t fold once
they went behind. It all resulted in a much more even contest, one which Cambridge
will undoubtedly feel hard done-by to come away with nothing, having fashioned
effectively two one-on-ones in the second half. That they didn’t was down to
MacGillivray and their finishing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
team saw one change, with Jaiyesimi taking a breather and swapping places on the
bench with Lekko. He’d looked rather unsure of the task of playing wing-back,
but with a few more days to get used to the requirements, and with more game-time
under his belt, played his part defensively as well as going forward. And on
that front he was our main threat through the first half, causing them no end
of problems – although crucially when Purrington put in a cross from the left
which went to the far post he hadn’t gambled and made the move to get on the
end of it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s
face it the first half was scrappy, we struggled to get things moving. Perhaps
fatigue, perhaps the horrible conditions, perhaps the opposition. But it
mattered not in that as on Tuesday night we’d taken the lead. Lekko’s attempted
cross was blocked and he laid it back into the path of Gilbey, who instead of
curling it in for Stockley’s head played a shorter ball into Washington, with
his back to goal. If his first touch was deliberately crafted to give him just
the extra space and room to turn and shoot it was sublime, as the defender was
never close enough to shut him down and instead the low shot through his legs
went into the far corner.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cambridge
had their moments, creating mayhem in our box one after Famewo was surprisingly
shouldered off the ball and also one of their guys shooting just wide of the
post from a good position. The only other point of note for me from the first
half was that I felt the ref dealt very well with two incidents. First, Famewo
appeared to me at first to swing an elbow and connect with their guy’s face, I
feared it would be a red. But the ref didn’t overreact and when we had the
chance to see it again it was clear that Famewo was using his arm to help him
keep position; he did catch the guy but not with any swing of the elbow.
Second, their forward caught Pearce in the face with one. Here too there was no
real intent. A yellow for both, nothing more. (And in the second half, when
Pearce took another and Stockley got involved the ref was again calm, waited
for the dust to settle, then acted appropriately.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">At
the break I think we fancied ourselves to get another and perhaps run out
fairly comfortable winners. But that didn’t happen. Instead Cambridge matched
us all the way and had two great opportunities to level the score. First Dobson
was for once caught out in midfield, advancing to make an interception and not
getting there, which created the space for their guy to play in the forward. MacGillivray
moved out quickly to shut down the space and excellently blocked the effort.
The second time was more of a long ball which their forward read better than
two of our defenders and slipped into nick it past and advancing MacGillivray.
Nothing he could do about that one, but thankfully it drifted just wide of the
post.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Like
on Tuesday we had to wait until late in the day to be able to relax. Soare, who’d
come on for an injured Purrington (after DJ had replaced Lekko), put in a cross
from the left which was headed out but blocked, falling nicely for Washington.
Once again his first touch proved to be decisive and he drilled it home. Queue
repeat celebrations, six minutes of stoppage time (but not quite enough for
Morgan to enter the fray).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
positive take on the game is no doubt that we won despite not being at our
best. And perhaps the main message was a reinforcement of what JJ has already
said: when we are really on song we’re a match for anyone in this league, the
obvious other side of the coin being that when we are not we need to dig in and
will have problems against decent and determined teams like Cambridge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve
got a bit out of the habit of player ratings of late, but I’d make MacGillivray
my Man of the Match. I saw ratings for the Ipswich game giving him 6. How do
you score a keeper who hasn’t had a single shot to save? Can hardly penalise
his score for that. Yesterday he was instrumental in us staying ahead in the game,
which would have taken a very different shape if they had equalised. Of course
Washington takes plaudits too, for a brace of well-taken goals, while Pearce
put in yet another committed display despite looking in clear discomfort (and
taking a couple in the face).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
now a chance to rest some weary legs - and surely to sort out JJ's status - ahead of a trip to Plymouth, who having
come to The Valley riding high at the top have now lost four and drawn one out
of the last five, and lost their manager. Sitting now in sixth, it is their
place in the league we covet. Let’s hope the gap has narrowed further before
Santa turns up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-45137591799203511822021-12-07T23:10:00.002+00:002021-12-07T23:10:38.322+00:00Back On Track<p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I think the requirement for tonight
was clear: to demonstrate, through both the result and the performance, that
the points dropped at Morecombe and Shrewsbury will come to amount to nothing
more than a blip – and in tandem with this there is no fading of the positive
JJ impact, that the opposition weren’t starting to suss us out. To be fair we
didn’t know how Ipswich would shape up, having just got rid of their manager.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fair to say we got what we wanted.
After an uncertain start, once we scored there was really only one team in it,
the only problem being that it took us until almost the end to make the points
safe. For that Ipswich’s keeper takes a good deal of the credit, although we
were not clinical enough in taking very good chances. That is, really, the only
criticism as we were dominant in all areas of the pitch and had the leaders. I
don’t know if Ipswich had a poor evening, if we made them look poor, or both.
If there was one area in which they let their fans down it was in their
reaction to going behind, it seemed to stun and undermine them rather than
prompt them to raise their game. And although they enjoyed a reasonable amount
of possession they had nobody able to provide the spark and galvanise others to
get back into the game. Quite frankly, they looked a lot like we did under
Adkins.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The team and squad was always going to
be about availability, as it is fair to say that if all are available we could
pretty much guess the starting XI. The return of Stockley was assumed, and it
had been indicated that Pearce would be available again (but that Blackett-Taylor
would be on the injured list). Both were indeed confirmed, with Clare retained
as the third centre-back rather than Gunter, Purrington and Jaiyesimi the
wing-backs, the midfield trio of Dobson, Gilbey and Lee, plus Stockley and
Washington up front. On the bench Elerewe and Soare provided the defensive
options, Watson and Kirk for midfield, plus Leko and Davison for the attack –
really a much better balanced mix than often of late, reflecting players being available
again.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ipswich did start the brighter and in
the first 10 minutes at least we struggled to put anything together, especially
as Lee began by sending a corner and a free-kick straight down their keeper’s
throat. We did get more into it after that, with a good run and cross from
Purrington on the left leading to DJ heading over. But let’s be honest, when we
took the lead on 25 minutes we can’t say it had been coming and there was no
inkling of the change to the game that goal would produce.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Washington, as he was to do all
night, found space between their defenders, timed his run well to just stay
onside, and was picked out with a ball from Dobson played into the channel on the
left side. He took it on and from a narrowish angle hit a shot which their
keeper parried well, only for Stockley to be first to the rebound and hit it
crisply low into the net.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Taking the lead inflated us, just as
it deflated them. For the remainder of the first half it was just a question of
whether we could take advantage of being on top to extend the lead. But a
succession of half-chances came and went. Washington showed great control to
take down a high ball and get a shot away, only for it to be blocked, Stockley
headed over from a corner, Gilbey played in Jaiyesimi for another effort
blocked. Washington this time (unlike against Rotherham) didn’t get away with a
push in the back to win the ball. Ipswich did have one or two dangerous
situations with balls into the box, but no actual attempts on target.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the second half Ipswich did seem
to play more direct and did cause a few problems early on, although the
returning Bonne was cutting an increasingly frustrated figure. However, it was
us almost adding to the lead as Stockley played in Washington down the right,
his cross was deflected but bounced down and over their keeper, and Purrington
coming in at the far post seemed set to score, only for his header to be rather
too central, allowing their keeper to get across and save. And as Ipswich’s enthusiasm
seemed again to fade, a Purrington low cross evaded everyone, Lee saw an effort
blocked, as did Gilbey, then Lee had a close-range header saved after a
knockback from Purrington.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just past the hour Ipswich brought on
another prodigal son, this time in the form of Pigott to partner Bonne. It didn’t
change anything as next Dobson won the ball, played it wide to Washington, and
his ball back across picked out Lee but his shot was too central and the keeper
saved again. Clare had a long range shot saved.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With about 20 minutes left, after
Pearce had unceremoniously pulled down their guy and jogged away with a yellow,
DJ was replaced by Leko. The next action was an astonishing run by Gilbey, who
almost made it through on his own. I remember thinking as the clock ticked down,
can we please just score again and put this game to bed, we all know what can
happen. The next big chance was route one as MacGillivray’s long clearance was
flicked on by Stockley and Washington seemed to be in. He hit a shot across
their keeper, who stuck out a leg to keep them in it. A Lee free kick near the
byline found Pearce whose knockdown was met by Washington but the shot turned around
for a corner. For good measure Leko got in on the act, running inside and
getting off a shot. Another save.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just when we were starting to really
get concerned we did get the goal to put the game to bed. Washington managed to
keep the ball alive down our left and worked it back to Lee. He spotted a run
from Gilbey and picked him out. There was still plenty to do, but Gilbey nicked
it inside and went past their defender, now only the keeper to beat. And this
time he was given no chance, the ball planted into the far corner of the net.
Cue mass celebrations and considerable relief inside and outside The Valley.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you were to be hypercritical there
were elements that weren’t perfect. DJ did his defensive duties well but seemed
a little hesitant going forward, while Leko will need more instruction in the
art of playing wing-back if he is to be considered for the role (presumably
Blackett-Taylor will be back). Lee had a less effective game than before,
wasted some set-pieces and didn’t convert some good chances; but he was still
able to pick out Gilbey for the decisive second. And Washington did everything
tonight – except put the ball into the net.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If we can end every game with just
such issues to point out we will all be very happy. In the end the performance
echoed that against Plymouth, we allowed them not a single effort on target all
night, with MacGillivray having not a shot to save. Famewo made the odd bad
choice (which did not escape Steve Brown) but generally dominated their forwards
physically, as did Pearce, while Dobson was once again quietly very, very
effective. Collectively they were up for it and clearly shared in the delight
of an excellent team performance. Another like that on Saturday please.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-89531946001390237292021-12-06T10:01:00.007+00:002021-12-06T10:01:56.440+00:00Time To Plan For Jan, Starting With JJ<p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Since the appointment of Johnnie
Jackson on a caretaker basis my guess has been that Thomas Sandgaard would wait
until the approach of the January transfer window before making a further
decision – give him a permanent contract, make him manager until the end of the
season, or bring in a replacement. That time is now fast approaching, a point
underlined by Ipswich disposing of their manager (albeit after an embarrassing
FA Cup result).</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Basically the thinking would be
something like this. By say mid-December, do we have a realistic chance of
getting promoted (based on both position and momentum)? If yes, what do we need
to do to increase the chances; if no, we start planning for next season.
Clearly we have benefited from JJ’s installation and I’d suggest that replacing
him before end-December with someone else would not deliver any fresh ‘bounce’
likely to increase our chances of promotion. For me, changing horses now would
be tantamount to more or less writing off this season and preparing for the
next campaign (it might be considered advantageous in that respect to have in
place early the next manager to get the basics relationships sorted in
preparation for summer transfer activity rather sooner than last time around).
It would not be surprising to see the players draw similar conclusions and,
whether consciously or not, take their foot off the pedal.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It follows from that, for me, that if
we consider ourselves as having a reasonable chance of promotion this season,
the decision is then between either a long-term contract for JJ or an extension
of his position until the end of the season. That would in turn pave the way
for decisions over what we might do in January to build on the positive
momentum (leaving aside the last two away games) and have a real run at it –
and I don’t mind admitting that I’m in favour of anything that increases our
chances of going up this time around (and vice versa, which drives my attitude
to the unwanted distraction of an FA Cup run and the simply unwanted Papa DoDa
thingy).</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">That said, it’s TS’ money and if he,
for whatever reason, believes that the club will be better off with an
alternative manger, so be it. Presumably by now he will have seen enough of
other candidates to know who would take over, so that all would happen quickly.
It would be disappointing, somewhat surprising, but ultimately something we as
supporters would have to go along with.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">When it comes to the January window,
the options and priorities would seem fairly obvious – even if the answers are
not. Whether or not we need a new centre-back depends entirely on assessments
over the availability of Inniss, Lavelle and Pearce, plus whether Elerewe is
considered ready as at least a regular squad member. The midfield and wide
positions look covered, while up front whether or not we need another (the
outright goalscorer) would seem to hinge on whether Burstow is considered to be
ready to play a material role through the rest of the season and/or whether
Leko is seen as primarily playing as a second striker (giving us effectively
Stockley or Davison and Washington or Leko/Burstow). These are decisions for
the manager to be primarily responsible for, at least in terms of detailing
what we need if we are looking to strengthen.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I wouldn’t criticise TS for taking
this long to decide on JJ. But the time for contemplation and looking at
options is pretty much over now. And surely our club is big enough for two
guitar players.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-49034296697441840392021-11-28T17:22:00.001+00:002021-11-28T17:22:25.043+00:00Narrow Margins<p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">No question that hurt. We’d I think pretty
much reconciled ourselves to the fact that we hadn’t played well enough,
against another lowly but resolute opponent, to be able to claim we deserved to
win; but losing in stoppage time to a ‘goal’ that so clearly should have been
ruled out is another matter. Going into the game you’d have said a win and
dropping the points against Morecombe was repaired, four points from the two
games a good return, a defeat and you have to question whether at least the
initial the JJ bounce has run its course, a draw and we’d feel a little
disappointed but fair enough, depending on the circumstances. As it is, the
loss and the circumstances inevitably leave us feeling gutted, even if JJ is
right to focus on 14 points from 7 games.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">For Shrewsbury’s goal, it is worth remembering
that we got our equaliser against Rotherham (well-deserved as it may have been)
curtesy of a clear shove in the back on their guy by Washington. In both cases
I’d suggest that you had a forward playing the percentages: no chance of
getting the ball so no downside to trying to influence play with a foul, worst
that can happen is the ref gives the free kick against you and if he misses it
you never know. The refs in League One are inconsistent enough to make it well
worth trying; with VAR both goals would have been ruled out.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With around 10 minutes to go, the
game scoreless and horrible in windy conditions, the situation was created whereby
either side could have nicked a fortunate winner. In stoppage time the ball
actually dropped in their box to Gilbey, but instead of firing in the winner he
scuffed his shot. Narrow margins. And although we look back on the lion’s share
of possession, they could have scored twice in the opening spell – one cross
inches away from being converted then the powerful strike which MacGillivray
superbly turned over the bar. The sum total of our real efforts on goal was
Gilbey’s first-half shot, two headers either side of the break from Washington,
and a fierce drive from Lee – all of which amounted to routine saves by their
keeper. Might add in the cross which was headed out from under the bar by their
defender.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The concerning aspect for me about
both the Morecombe and Shrewsbury games was our failure to impose ourselves and
win the games in the second half. In both games we were brighter and more
inventive before the break. That surely points to the fatigue we have all been
pointing to, plus the lack of good options on the bench. I suspect most would
agree that if Stockley and Pearce had both been available we would have taken
more than the one point. It isn’t that those on the bench are not good players,
just that we are short in key areas (up front and central defence) while the
midfield trio of Dobson, Gilbey and Lee has been working so well that you don’t
want to alter that during a game.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It's also reasonable to suppose that
the opposition have been doing their homework and worked out how they want to
counter our threat. Shrewsbury began the game very much on the front foot, but
one they didn’t get their early goal they focused more on getting players
behind the ball, leaving no space for Lee in particular to utilise. That really
meant our threat had to come down the flanks, but while Blackett-Taylor caused
them problems moving Purrington into central defence did curb the threat on the
other side, with Soare looking rather rusty.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We know that in both games the zip
and verve which we saw against Plymouth has just not been there. Has to be back
by the time Ipswich come visiting if the momentum is to be restored. Barring
injury Stockley will be back for that one, perhaps Pearce too, and with Leko
now back in the frame and Jaiyesimi having a further break to rebuild the energy
we should be in better shape physically and mentally. Of course in the interim
there is the small matter of sending out a side for the Papa John’s thing and
avoiding the embarrassment of an FA Cup exit to Gateshead. Quite frankly just want
those games out of the way so that we can focus on the ones that matter and
getting back on track after a blip.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-70574926693465029952021-11-23T22:52:00.002+00:002021-11-23T22:52:17.036+00:00Glass Half Full<p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">After Saturday’s performance and
result, it wasn’t just the dressing room that was bubbly. Were we perhaps just
a little guilty of letting expectations run away? Could we deliver again? It
proved to be a case of glass half full/half empty, the only problem being that
at one stage that glass was full. It was a game which for most of the time we
looked like we would win, we had the possession and the opportunities to win,
but this time came up short as we allowed Morecambe a way back into it. Fact is
the zip of Saturday wasn’t there tonight, it was a game too far; but the positive was the fact that
having been pegged back to 2-2 we didn’t lose the game, keeping the unbeaten
run under JJ going. And if we win at Shrewsbury on Saturday it will look like a
good point.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The team news centred on whether or
not Pearce would be fit and whether there would be roles for Leko, who
apparently travelled and could be available again, and/or Burstow. In the event
Pearce didn’t make it and Gunter started, making it the same back three in
front of MacGillivray which finished the game on Saturday, with Elerewe taking Gunter’s
place on the bench. The rest of the team was predictably as you were, no
resting of any tired legs. The composition of the bench – one replacement
defender, one replacement forward, four midfield/wide midfield – reflected available
resources and served to underline that the last thing we needed would be
another injury.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We’d barely taken our seats when we
went in front. Good work down the right side saw the ball find its way into
Davison, who slid it back out to Jaiyesimi in space. He drilled it in, probably
more a cross than a shot, but their keeper failed to gather it and ended up
helping it on its way into the net.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And after a little over 20 minutes of
reasonable control we extended the lead. MacGillivray collected and looked up,
picked out Washington in space with a long clearance. Their centre-half made a
mess of it, allowing him to get on the end of the ball and to chip the keeper
from outside the box. After Saturday’s assured finish from Lee’s through ball,
it was another good conversion.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With a two-goal cushion and seemingly
in control thoughts immediately turned to being able perhaps to play within ourselves,
take the foot off the pedal a little after the effort put in on Saturday. We
didn’t really get the chance to find out as almost straight after Morecambe
were back in it, curtesy of a soft but probably correct penalty. Gunter was
being manhandled by Stockton but didn’t go down, only to get turned and to make
contact with the centre-forward, who gratefully went to ground. It was either a
penalty or a yellow for diving, probably just about the former. Stockton
dispatched the spot kick and the game changed.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We continued to have the lion’s share
of the play through to the break, without creating another clear chance. And
nothing much changed in the second half, Washington turning in the box but saw
his effort blocked, as was a fierce shot from DJ, then Dobson joined in with
another. We were to pay for not extending the lead again as on 72 minutes Morecambe
equalised, a fairly simple case of a corner swung in and a guy not being marked
heading home.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have to say at that point, with us
already looking jaded and increasingly sloppy in possession, I feared we would
go on to lose the match. We managed to avoid that outcome, without testing
their keeper at the other end. A tired DJ gave way for Blackett-Taylor on the
right side, followed by Gunter coming off and Kirk on, with Purrington moved
inside. Both the replacements had their moments, without delivering a telling
one. Finally Burstow came on for Davison with only a few minutes of normal time
remaining; and with only three stoppage time minutes added the ref still
managed to blow for the end of the game before we were able to find out whether
Dobson’s shot might have produced a winner.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We finished the stronger of the two
sides, Morecambe looking pleased with their point. Understandably it felt like
a couple of points dropped, fact is we didn’t create a really good chance in
the entire second half. It was a game too far, now just hope the team has the
time to regroup and refresh in time for Saturday, perhaps with one or two of
the injured back available. Disappointed – which is itself a reflection of the
raised expectations now – but give Morecambe some credit; they were dogged and
put in a shift to get themselves a very hard-earned point. What our point will
mean for us will only become clearer after Saturday’s game.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">No point in player ratings for
tonight, they would all be similar and everyone was a little off the pace
compared with Saturday. Give Man of the Match to Washington, second
accomplished finish in two games.</span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-43292695642488920382021-11-22T15:19:00.005+00:002021-11-22T15:19:35.805+00:00Belatedly Joining In The Celebrations<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m
afraid first celebrations then painting and decorating (plus a drive back to
Lyon from Givry) prevented any match report from me. But just in case there is
any doubt, like every other Addick I was just bloody delighted (again). We went
toe-to-toe with the team leading the league and didn’t allow them to play, leaving
them looking like they had an off-day, and created a fair number of opportunities
through good play of our own, taking two of them. The possession stats were, in
this context, entirely irrelevant.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nobody
is in any doubt we merited the win on the day – and to their credit I’ve not
seen any dissenting voice from a Plymouth fan or official. Plymouth manager
Ryan Lowe’s assessment, according to the BBC, was that: “</span><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It wasn't for the lack of trying, we didn't have
that cutting edge at the top end of the pitch. The turnovers were too quick and
we knew what they would try to do and try to counter on us, and there was a bit
of sloppy play on our behalf by individuals. But it's football, they're human
beings and sometimes they're going to make mistakes. We weren't quite at our
best while Charlton were." I’d only take issue with the idea that we were
at our best; that is surely yet to come.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Within the well-deserved plaudits
perhaps a note of perspective. On Saturday we scored at just the right times
(glossing over the fact that one off someone’s backside in the 95th minute
would have been fine), which gave the game the shape it adopted. At half-time
for sure we had been the better side but there were concerns: first, we hadn’t
scored; second, Plymouth would probably come out better in the second half; and
third, they did have opportunities in a game of few clear-cut chances. We know the
best teams win when not playing well and it wouldn’t have been a big surprise
had Plymouth upped the tempo after the break and nicked the first goal, after
which it would have been a real struggle to get something out of the game
despite having played so well.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Instead, as the game was entering its
final third, we scored the massively important first goal, curtesy of both an
assured finish by Purrington but also poor defending. Three Plymouth defenders
ended up jumping for the cross against one of us - and all missed it; and
although Purrington did well to keep the ball down and hit it true, their
keeper let it in under his body. Now in the first half we had got away with a
couple of errors in defence, in the second I think just one. First, Pearce
moved up, apparently to play offside, only for someone to his right not going
with him, leaving the space in behind. It was exploited and only a fine save by
MacGillivray kept the scoresheet blank. Second, Famewo, despite having a
storming game overall, was caught out once which nearly cost us. Third, Jaiyesimi
– also outstanding, especially in the first half – was running on empty and saw
the ball played behind him to their guy, who was able to drill in a low cross
that very nearly resulted in a goal (fortunately it didn’t get a touch from one
of theirs and then Purrington was able to avoid putting it into his own net).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">That goal understandably galvanised
us, especially as it came just minutes after Pearce had been forced to leave
the pitch injured, creating doubts about whether a defence containing a
midfielder and a full-back in the central area would be able to cope, without Pearce’s
leadership. We did look edgy at the back for a while and if the goal had not
come then it is quite possible Plymouth would have grabbed the initiative.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Even so, as the clock ticked down we
were facing the prospect of a final 10 minutes or so of really backs-to-the-wall
stuff. A number of players had given their all (Davison and DJ were the ones
taken off but it was a close call for others whose legs were giving out).
Plymouth’s height advantage might have told from a set piece. Instead, just as
we were girding our loins for the challenge, Lee goes and plays one of the
balls of the season to pick out Washington in space. And he resembled Mendonca
as he waited for their keeper to make a move then played it over him and into
the net. It was an excellent finish. We get the lift again at just the right
time, air taken out of their tyres (to the extent that we could easily have
scored another couple).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I suppose the point is that yes, we
undoubtedly deserved the win but also we got the breaks. That’s not going to
happen every week. We have good reason to have faith in the resolve of this
team now, given the way they fought for a point against Rotherham after going
behind. But we can’t expect now to just breeze past opposition of lesser quality
than Sunderland, Rotherham and Plymouth. The approach to the games of late has
been spot-on and that simply has to be replicated if we are to extend the run
and continue to climb the table.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now for sure that’s not going to stop
us noting that, although the gap to sixth is still nine points (and yes,
Sunderland and MK Dons have played fewer), there are now ‘only’ six teams
standing between us and a play-off spot. Successive away games against teams
battling for their lives at the bottom up next, then a well-deserved break (not
before, please). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-7722312117344911302021-11-14T11:05:00.001+00:002021-11-14T11:05:11.552+00:00Defence Takes The Plaudits<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today
we were looking for at least a point and to continue the positive momentum in
terms of performance and league position. We got both, albeit after a bruising
encounter that didn’t have a lot in common with the beautiful game. That wasn’t
surprising, given the opposition and especially after both teams were reduced
to 10 men before 20 minutes were up. What was most pleasing was the way the
defence, plus midfield, stood up to the physical challenge; Pearce and Famewo
were both simply immense.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
team saw two enforced changes, with Gunter and Washington unavailable, which
with Inniss, Lavelle, Matthews, Forster-Caskey and Leko on the injured list did
leave us looking rather threadbare in key positions. Seems the Orient cup game
was used as a trial run as Clare was asked to do an impression of Pratley and
fill in as the third centre-back, to keep the formation unchanged. On the bench
we had no recognised forward as a replacement, two wide men (Kirk and
Blackett-Taylor), three midfielders (Watson, Arter and Morgan), one defender
(Elerewe) and a keeper (Henderson). Basically anyone fit enough was in the
squad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It
had been a fairly even and scrappy first 15 minutes, with us enjoying more
possession and carving out a couple of decent positions, only for the
end-result to be poor shots from Davison and Gilbey. Burton’s front line looked
powerful and mobile, everything looked up for grabs. Then from our corner
Stockley and Oshilaja, recently of this parish, renewed acquaintances and
wrestled each other to the floor. Just who did what was still unclear after the
available replays, certainly an arm of Stockley was swung behind him, before
players from both sides joined in. When the dust settled, and by the look of it
on the advice of the linesman, both players saw red. Needs further examination
and comment before there can be any condemnation or redemption of either
player.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">On
the face of it nothing changed. We kept our formation, just playing with one
striker instead of two, while Burton opted to make no change either. In the first
half it did seem to make little difference as we were enjoying the bulk of
possession – and most important shortly after the fracas we had a precious
lead. A corner on our right played short produced an ordinary cross but it was
flicked on by Famewo, then seemed to get a touch off one of their defenders,
and Purrington then did very well to dominate their guy and head into the far
corner.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
rest of the first half we were generally in control, albeit picking up yellow
cards consistently, once again highlighting the inconsistency of referees.
First Lee was booked for a foul, fair enough. Shortly after their guy follows
through late on Pearce, no card. Then Jaiyesimi picked up a very silly yellow
for a kicking away the ball in frustration, Davison in the second half kicked
it away after conceding a free kick and nothing was done, while at the death
Famewo also saw yellow – which rules him out of next Saturday’s game – for time-wasting,
only for many more blatant such actions by us in the second half to go
unmentioned. That said, the ref did redeem himself as there was a key moment on
40 minutes, as for once we were caught out, a ball squared into our box saw
their forward nick it past MacGillivray and go down. At first sight you feared
penalty, but the ref wasn’t buying it and correctly booked their guy for a
dive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
second half was a different affair. Burton came out with more intent, with probably
Hasselbaink having continued his verbals directed at JJ (which were understandably
returned) against his players. And in the first few minutes they had what
proved their best chance of the game. Their guy on the left found space in the
box and drilled in a fierce, head-high shot which MacGillivray managed to block
with an outstretched hand. Another crucial save by him to protect a lead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Increasingly,
and not surprisingly, we found it difficult to find a decent out ball and
retain possession, being short of a forward, with more players in our half of
the pitch than theirs. Davison was working his socks off as usual but we were
increasingly playing on the break and relying on the defence to hold firm. We
did have moments when we might have scored again, but they were fleeting and
never amounted to a clear-cut chance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
around twenty minutes left Blackett-Taylor came on for Davison. You could see
the rationale: Davison was knackered and CBT might just be able to find and use
the space, if we could get the ball to his feet. It didn’t really happen but
was worth a try. Dobson made a rare error with a stray pass intercepted,
putting us in danger, but Famewo bailed him out. And late on Elerewe came on
for DJ, who looked either injured or just out of gas, with Clare moving into
midfield.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It
was never easy, but with the exception of the Dobson pass we didn’t cough up
any gifts for them, kept our shape and discipline, and basically as an away
team defending a one-goal advantage for 50 minutes you couldn’t have asked for
more. I made Famewo my MoM, with Pearce close behind (he really has stepped up
to the plate as first Inniss and then Lavelle dropped out), plus special
mention in dispatches for Clare, doing a job which obviously isn’t his natural
game but proving up to the task, even though not surprisingly early in the game
Burton were testing his area.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
now it’s nine points and 11 teams between us and sixth place. No point in
dwelling on that too much as yet, as we know coming up next will be an on-fire
Plymouth and, although we will have Gunter and Washington back (possibly Matthews
and Leko too?), Famewo and Stockley will be unavailable. At least we know that with
all week to prepare. Let’s just bask a little longer in three wins and a draw
and the focus being now entirely what is above us rather than around and below.
And I must admit on a Sunday morning sparing a thought for Adkins. He tried his
best but must now be wondering what on earth he did that was so wrong, for his
departure to be followed by such a turnaround. Hope he learns from the
experience and gets another chance before too long.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-3056320681578099512021-11-08T11:11:00.000+00:002021-11-08T11:11:31.397+00:00Recent History On The Side Of JJ<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Banana
skin avoided. Personally I’m in the camp which couldn’t give a monkey’s about
the FA Cup, just not relevant to us at present (different matter when we’re in
the Championship but let’s get back there first), but nobody wants an upset and
interruption to the positive momentum. After all, JJ is ensuring that TS has no
decision to make at the moment, except whether and when he judges that the time
is right to either make the position his until the end of the season or on a
longer term basis. After all, while the more desperate Premiership clubs may be
using the international break to make managerial changes, our decision-making
time really comes in advance of the January transfer window.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
are all mightily relieved that two wins and a draw have not just pulled us out
of the relegation zone but set us thinking about whether we dare to hope of the
play-offs. OK, let’s not kid ourselves, of course we do. Every season we play
in this division has to be deemed a failure if we do not get promoted. That’s
not to say we have any right to be higher than anyone else, just the yardstick
by which we measure our success and failure. There are another 30 games to
play, 90 points up for grabs. Right now 11 points and 12 teams stand between us
and sixth spot, with nine league games to go before the window opens.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">This
isn’t about whether we will need reinforcements and in what positions (that
poacher in the box to give us another option keeps cropping up in my head).
Presumably we will be getting Inniss and Lavelle back before long, while
Forster-Caskey will hopefully reappear too. It is about whether as we get
towards 2022 we are closer to the top six and have a realistic prospect of going up, despite the disaster of the first 13 games. If the answer is yes, TS
surely then (if the decision has not already been taken) has to think whether our
chances are maximised by retaining/confirming JJ (and if we are closer to the top
the answer would surely be yes, if we are not we could be planning for next
season).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
that in mind, a note from a fellow Addick about Charlton always doing
better with a former player at the helm set me thinking. I was astonished to
realise that it’s now 35 years (leaving aside the maths for the months) since
we last won promotion with a manager who was not a former player (Lennie
Lawrence). Since then we have had, according to my simple research, 20 managers.
Just three of them – Curbs, Sir Chris, Lee Bowyer – have won promotion, so in
that sense 17 of them failed (OK, that does include caretakers, while Jose Riga
could claim success of a sort, when he took over Powell’s team).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Of
course it’s not that simple, many other factors involved, not least the fact that
nine of them (give or take a couple) had the crippling limitation of Duchatelet
being in charge for their tenures. But looking at it another way, in the past
35 years every former player we have appointed manager has won us promotion (if
you really want to split hairs the exceptions here are Keith Peacock and Ben
Roberts).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Those
looking to spoil the beauty of the argument will no doubt point out that two of
the former players (Curbs and Bowyer) also were in charge when we were
relegated. But surely if we are arguing that the proof of the pudding is in the
eating, history would seem to be on JJ’s side.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-47597934762226778002021-11-03T07:46:00.002+00:002021-11-03T07:51:52.695+00:00A Game Of 'Ifs' But Improvement And Progression Maintained<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Encouraging
again, not perfect (more quality and precision in the final third please) but
honour was satisfied, might have been better, could have been worse, what is
now an unbeaten run continues. It proved to be more than usually a game of ‘ifs’,
starting with the major imponderable: if the ref, Scott Oldham, had not been
poor, highly inconsistent in his interpretation of what was and what was not a
foul, and erratic and ultimately inadequate in his use of the cards, the game
would have turned out very different. Both goals could have been ruled out and
Rotherham would have played the final 30 minutes with 10 men.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">As
for the Doncaster game the team was unchanged barring enforced switches (then
Gunter and Pearce for Matthews and Lavelle), with Leko unavailable and
Jaiyesimi keeping his place, with Kirk added to the bench. And from the start
it was clear – if there had been any doubt before – that we were facing a
somewhat stiffer test than at the weekend. Rotherham through the game proved to
be strong, mobile, well-drilled (especially dangerous from set pieces), and not
averse to use of the dark arts, with a tumble to the ground usually accompanied
by theatricals. In that they may have taken encouragement from the ref’s
performance.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Stockley
picked up a yellow very early on for allegedly leading with his elbow, the
Rotherham players clearly aware of a reputation and calling for a more severe
punishment. A booking, irrespective of the duration of the game, fair enough. Stockley
surely has to work on not challenging in this fashion, or subsequently winding
up the ref with some chat. But thereafter through the game whenever he was
hauled to the ground or pulled and pushed little was done, the ref seemingly
intent on avoiding a tough call on who fouled first. Famewo saw yellow for a
professional foul as Rotherham broke around the half-way line. Again, fair
enough, but this was shortly after their guy had pulled back Gilbey, who had wriggled
free around the corner flag and was advancing into the box. No card. Then in
the second half their defender was correctly booked for a late tackle only to
repeat the sin, again on Gilbey, further forward. A lecture but no second
yellow. A big call but a pretty clear-cut one and the ref bottled it (to the extent
that their guy was almost immediately substituted).</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">As
for the football, the first half proved fairly even but you have to say
Rotherham had the edge. There were periods when it looked likely we would fall
behind as and when one of their dangerous positions turned into a chance. We
too had our moments, most obviously when Washington from close range was unable
to get either the pace or direction with his header to beat their keeper. And
just when you thought it was on to the tea and oranges to regroup, Rotherham
took the lead. A throw-in led to the ball being curled to the far post, their
guy managed to shift it back inside, and another one was first to it to hit the
ball high into the net. We protested, but even the TV team couldn’t work out
why: foul throw, ball over the line, offside? Seems with replays their guy may
well have used his hand to divert the ball back from around the byline. To be fair
it was a hard one to see at the time, would have needed VAR.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">That
laid down a challenge for the second half. Had we done all we could and were
behind to a strong team, or was there more in the locker? Proved to be the
latter as we created far more and much better chances than them, generally
bossing the game. Washington was played in but a heavy first touch saw him only
able to nudge the ball close to their keeper, who saved, then Gilbey missed a
gilt-edged one. A ball into a crowded area was headed down to him around the
penalty spot. Not a cert as there were bodies between the ball and the net, but
he chose power, leant back, and blasted it over the bar.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Then
we had another ‘if’. If MacGillivray had not stuck out a strong paw and blocked
a strong, goalbound header from close range we would have gone 0-2 down and
there would probably have been no way back from that. He did, we stayed in the
game.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Our
equaliser came with about 10 minutes left. The ball was somewhere up in the air
and on its way down, covered by their defender. Washington shoved him in the
back and out of the way, collected the ball, advanced, saw Stockley draw
defenders away, then his low shot took a deflection and went in. I confess I
wasn’t that excited as surely the foul would be given, if the ref had been
watching. Contact when challenging for the ball, fair enough, a shove in the
back when the ball is not being contested is perhaps a different matter. It looked to me like a good foul from a wily professional: no chance of getting the ball without fouling so a percentage one, worst that can happen is the foul is given. But do
we care?</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">We
were the more likely to nick a winner in the time that remained, but it wasn’t
to be. An honourable draw. JJ generally kept his power dry, with
Blackett-Taylor coming on for DJ just before our goal but otherwise no changes,
despite an energy-sapping encounter. That was probably a reflection of just how
well we were playing and the feeling that a goal was on the cards. There again,
the only real options were Clare (no problem here but not the player likely to
change the game), Davison (would have been for either Stockley or Washington
and that would have been a gamble), or Kirk (a risk too far surely). Not that
many options when we were behind and looking to get level or having done so
trying to weigh up whether to play safe or go for another.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Man
of the match for me just about went to Lee, who was instrumental in our good
second-half work, with special mention in dispatches for Gilbey (who again made
things happen), Pearce (for another warrior performance), and MacGillivray (for
the save that enabled us to go on and get a point).</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">I
suspect a cup game at the weekend and a sort of break will be good for us – as long
as there is no upset of course. Some tired legs can be rested, a few can get
valuable game-time, and more important perhaps the work on the training ground
can focus on cohesion and precision in the final third. We heard JJ talk before
about most of the time being devoted to how we act when not in possession, the
benefits of which have been clear. More of that for sure, but we are reasonably
sure now what – barring injuries – the team, squad and formation will be for
the next few games. So an opportunity to work on the partnerships – while us
fans try to calculate how many games it will take before we have closed the gap
on sixth place. And that is a much nicer place to be in than a few weeks ago.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-77165052935287111782021-11-01T10:46:00.001+00:002021-11-01T10:46:51.813+00:00Considering The Options<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
we gird the loins for the next test of our revival - one that will in some
senses complete the mini-challenge: tough away game against team around the
top, win against the odds; need to blow away a struggling team and avoid what
would have been a banana skin; now a real test of our improvement against a
team in a play-off spot which has won four and drawn one of its last five – it was
interesting to hear Curbs talk of how those being pulled into team/squad
through injuries have both an opportunity and a challenge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
far, leaving aside for now Forster-Caskey (whose welcome return will hopefully give
JJ a real selection headache before long), we’ve lost Inniss and his replacement Lavelle to
injury, had Matthews not available against Doncaster, now face the prospect of
Leko being sidelined (also hopefully not for long). The immediate replacements were
pretty straightforward: Pearce in for Lavelle/Inniss, Gunter in for Matthews,
and DJ on the right side. It would be surprising to see changes for Rotherham
(possibly Matthews back in of course, possibly not). The greater issue is, with
us playing better and seemingly finding our feet, who is going to fill places
on the bench – and who is left in the cold for a while longer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
players currently not in the starting X1 and not automatic choices for the
bench are (leaving aside the goalkeeping position) Soare, Watson, Arter,
Morgan, and Kirk. You can’t include Clare, Blackett-Taylor and Davison as they
are all involved, in and around (by the way, to ensure I wasn’t forgetting someone
I did check the first-team squad on the club site and was a tad surprised to
see Alfie Doughty included), nor Elerewe. The real question I think is whether
we can maintain the style of play under JJ in the event that we lose another
player to injury or suspension.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
might have a large squad now but we are not entirely blessed with options in defence
and up front. If Pearce or Famewo become unavailable (before either Lavelle or
Inniss returns) either Elerewe is given his chance or we press Gunter into a
more central spot (or ask Orient for Pratley back). At the moment up front
Stockley and Washington are starting and Davison is (for now) a replacement. Nobody
else if Leko is injured.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
options we have are really in the wide positions and central midfield. For the
former, DJ played well against Doncaster after Leko was forced off and CBT is
next in line. Kirk really only gets a look-in at present if either of those two
are not available. That’s as it should be, he had some games and I think played
poorly. I hope there’s a good deal more to come from him, up to him to prove it
to JJ and to perform when he gets his chance again. Much the same can be said
of Morgan. He started the season as a No.10 but that position requires goals
and he has since been pushed out by a combination of Lee becoming indispensable
and Gilbey playing better. The Adkins experiment of playing Morgan in front of
the back four, like that of Kirk in Lee’s position, simply didn’t work.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Watson
we know can do a reasonable job, but Dobson has set a high standard; if Watson
gets called on to replace him it will require greater energy and drive than
before for us to maintain the pressing game higher up the pitch. Arter was
unfortunate to drop out through injury when playing well. Losing Dobson would
be a serious blow, but one of Watson, Arter or Clare would have the opportunity
to step up and be asked to do what he has done in the last two games. Replacing
Lee would be more problematic, probably you’d move Gilbey into his slot and
perhaps bring in Clare; the alternative would be to give Morgan the chance, if
he is impressing in training.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If
you assume the same starting X1 for Rotherham except DJ in if Leko is
unavailable, with six places on the bench up for grabs (excluding Henderson)
you’d assume Elerewe plus one from Matthews (or Gunter if the starting
positions are reversed) and Soare. Davison and CBT take up another two. Watson
and Clare presumably the final two spots, unless Arter is available and
preferred to either of them. The two that you’d say are still likely to have to
remain patient are Morgan and Kirk. Hopefully they will take a look at Dobson
and think ‘my turn will come and I will be ready for it’.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-18412927891705686152021-10-30T18:36:00.008+01:002021-10-30T18:36:58.902+01:00Just What The Doctor Ordered<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fair
to say that JJ’s odds on being our next manager will have shortened further
today as we turned in a performance that was pretty much everything we were
hoping for. Sunderland was of course tough but today we waited to see whether
we could put away a team which might, like us, be struggling around the bottom
but which also won last Saturday, perhaps also show further signs that the
squad does after all have the qualities to succeed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
scored four, could have made double-figures, kept a clean sheet and really
prevented Doncaster from creating any clear chances (the stats show they had no
shots on target, but I think there were a couple of shots that were but were
blocked well before they might have reached MacGillivray). Just as important,
we looked as if we knew what the gameplan was and executed it. You could
quibble about some of the passing, and some of the finishing, but not the
purpose. Whether or not Doncaster are a poor team, we made them look like one
today.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
team and formation was pretty much as you were, although with Matthews
apparently picking up a knock and Lavelle now on the sidelines for a while
formally there were two changes, Gunter coming in and Pearce in the starting X1.
Just how you describe the formation is a matter of interpretation, whether
Purrington is playing left-back or wing-back, whether Washington or Lee is a
second forward (more clear this time that Washington was indeed up front, Lee
in an advanced midfield role). What is important is that we attacked and
defended as a team, plenty getting forward when the opportunity was there but
also back behind the ball when out of possession (and it was telling that in
his post-match interview JJ mentioned that most of the work in training has
been on what to do when we don’t have the ball). And instrumental in that has
been Dobson.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s
be honest, the first 20 minutes were pretty scrappy, with Doncaster enjoying
plenty of possession, while we suffered what looks like another groin injury as
Leko was unable to continue, Jaiyesimi coming on to replace him. We still
managed to create the only chance of the period, one which we were unfortunate
not to score from (or instead give credit to their defender). A cross from the
right saw Stockley compete but not get on the end of it only for it to run on
to Purrington. He dinked it back inside to Lee. His shot beat the keeper but
was somehow blocked on the line.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
it was still a slight surprise that we took the lead, with the opener carrying
some good fortune. Purrington, who had already been booked, won a free kick on
the left and Lee curled it in. It ended up beating Stockley’s attempt to get
his head to it but then also their keeper, who was left stranded as it
continued its path into the far corner of the net. 10 minutes later and the
game was, with hindsight, effectively won. We had the ball in a threatening
position only to lose it, seemingly setting Doncaster off on a dangerous break,
only for Dobson to steal it back and slide it forward down the right side to
Gilbey. He tussled with the defender both outside and then inside the box, then
went to ground. That gave the ref a decision to make and he gave the penalty. A
soft one no doubt but probably just about the correct call. Washington stepped
up and as their keeper moved to his right planted in the net to his left.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
Doncaster clearly dispirited the only surprise/disappointment was that we didn’t
add to the lead before the break. A Washington shot was well saved, then after Dobson
played in Washington his cross was somehow not converted by a combination of
Purrington, Lee and Stockley.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just
before the break the Doncaster manager saw yellow for a vocal protest and it
pretty much summed up how they must have felt. The only issue was whether or
not they would come out fighting in the second half and whether we might pay
for not finishing the game off with a third.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In
the event we needn’t have worried. More chances came and went in this period,
Stockley forcing another save from their keeper then having had it teed up for
him on a plate by DJ heading rather tamely. But on the hour mark any concerns
were eased. Lee was fouled just outside the box on the left side and opted to
shoot low to the keeper’s right. It was a decent effort but spilled and
Stockley was on hand to tap in the rebound. For good measure, with still over
20 minutes left we scored a fourth. A cross from the right side to the far edge
of the penalty area saw Purrington far more determined than his marker to get
on the end of it. His header back across goal might have been saved but wasn’t.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thereafter
it was just about whether we would add to the total (we didn’t, although
another cross almost produced what would have looked like an own goal, coming
back off the crossbar), whether we would keep a clean sheet (we did), and who
might be rested a little with Tuesday’s game in mind. Clare came on for Lee,
Davison for Washington. Then whether or not it was pre-arranged, the Sir Chris
leap from the tunnel was performed first by Dobson, then by Pearce, and finally
by Euell.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
know that Tuesday night against Rotherham will see tougher opposition. By the
same token, it will probably be another similar set-up (presumably Leko won’t
be available) and the players are looking like they are getting familiar and
comfortable with it. Certain combinations are working well, with Gilbey looking
good in tandem with Lee going forward, confident that Dobson will not leave us
exposed if we lose possession. One step at a time. It will be a different
challenge to both Sunderland and Doncaster, the acid test being whether the
defence will be able to deliver a third consecutive shut-out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Player
Ratings:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">MacGillivray
– 7/10. What mark do you give a keeper who had nothing to save?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gunter
– 7/10. Decent game, Matthews’ injury giving him another opportunity earlier
than he might have expected. Nothing dramatic but when the defence gives away
nothing the defenders should get some credit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Pearce
– 8/10. Kept it simple and one slice apart error-free. Not once did Doncaster
get in behind us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Famewo
– 8/10. Same as Pearce really in that he did what was necessary entirely
competently; also pleasing that he seems calmer than a couple of weeks ago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Purrington
– 8/10. Scored from the most difficult chance he’s had in the past couple of
games, otherwise effective in making things happen down the left.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dobson
– 9/10. For Sunderland and today, he’s providing the energy and effort in front
of the defence and just behind the attack, helping to compress the game for the
opposition when they have possession. Good to see.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Leko
– No mark, only on the pitch for the first 15 minutes, hopefully not too bad an
injury as he has been excellent and we need him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gilbey
– 8/10. Seems to be enjoying the greater freedom to play now that he has Lee
and Washington for company and Dobson behind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lee
– 8/10. Really does add quality going forward, another impressive game.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Washington
– 7/10. Having him in the team instead of another wider player is working well
at the moment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stockley
– 7/10. He really should have had a hat-trick, but that will be for another
day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Subs:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jaiyesimi
– 8/10. Did well to come on early in the game prove a threat throughout, some quality
crosses put in. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Clare
– 7/10. No complaints but the game was truly done and dusted by the time he
came on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Davison
– No mark, only on right at the end. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-21485559534182194802021-10-27T13:44:00.001+01:002021-10-27T13:44:04.647+01:00Same Again Please<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">All
a bit late in the day I know, but that’s the trouble with bloody winning, no
sense of urgency when there’s nothing to moan about (especially when there was
an appointment to keep at a nearby domain right after the final whistle and
your partner is already frowning at you for having spent two hours in front of
a screen rather than digging holes in the garden as we need to get our new vines
planted before winter sets in). A fellow Addick who couldn’t watch the game
(there are advantages to being tucked away in Burgundy, aside from the obvious)
asked whether it was a case of ‘transformation or perspiration’. You’d have to
say it was a mix of the two, with a bit of overdue good fortune thrown in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
perspiration was a necessary condition for getting something out of the game; JJ’s
second in charge was always going to be a tough one, but in some ways that
helped. Too often this season we have played as if the opposition had no right
to score against us, seemingly shocked by their temerity when they did (and
usually did again). That didn’t apply playing away at Sunderland. Even without
the change of manager the squad should have been up for it; and it was.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Transformation
came in the form of some personnel changes. At full-back Matthews and
Purrington came in for Gunter and Soare – and both had good games (leaving
aside Purrington’s inexplicable miss in the second half; he scored from a
similar position/situation at Wembley after all). In midfield Dobson was given
a start against his old team and provided the best protection for a defence
that we’ve seen since Pratley was discarded. And up front/wide Washington was brought
in from the start ahead of Blackett-Taylor, Jaiyesimi (both of whom did make
the bench) and Kirk (who did not). Now whether that amounted to a formation
change as well I couldn’t be sure; if it was Washington and Leko either side of
Stockley and Lee in support it was as you were; but others more knowledgeable than
me talked of Washington as a second forward with Lee deeper and Purrington pushed
further forward. Whichever way it was only a matter of degrees, but Washington
gave us more options than before as both he and Lee moved around.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
other real change only came half an hour into the game as Lavelle pulled up
injured and was replaced by Pearce. Nobody can say how the game would have
turned out had that not happened; and if we’re talking fine margins Pearce
could have been the villain of the peace if the ref had given Sunderland a
penalty when the ball hit his hand (would have been tough but have seen them given;
the Sunderland manager and others have been critical of the decision since,
although it should be noted that the highlights of the game on the Sunderland
club site, which run to 9 minutes, didn’t bother to include the incident). Just
as Lavelle might have been culpable after early on he was turned and seemed to
fall over, resulting in one of the two early shots which might have seen them
take the lead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In
the event, with Pearce the defence looked better organised than before. Whether
that was down to him, to Dobson’s work in front, the full-back changes, or all
of the above nobody can say. Of course if Lavelle has joined Inniss on the
sidelines we may have further games to find out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">My
reading of the game was that Sunderland started the brighter and we were
wobbly, as evidenced by their two early chances, both of which were saved
smartly by MacGillivray, the next spell was pretty even, but then they finished
the first half the stronger, seemingly turning the screw, drawing another save
from MacG. So we were perhaps slightly fortunate to be level at the break. But
I also felt we edged the second half, creating the better chances (Purrington’s,
Lee’s blocked shot, and of course the Stockley goal), with Leko running them
ragged.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sure
it would have been a different game if their shot from inside the box had been
an inch or two lower rather than cannoning back off the bar, and their later
curler from outside the box had dipped sooner than it did. The difference from
before is that we simply didn’t gift the opposition goals. And then having
taken the lead we had something to hold on to, which we did if not comfortably
then with more ease than we did away at Fleetwood in the final minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Quite
simply that has to become the norm, with JJ stressing that a marker has now
been set which the team cannot fall back below. We of course are already
thinking about how many games it might take to close the gap on sixth place,
but there’s no question that Saturday’s game against Doncaster is still massive.
Win the game and we are quite possibly out of the relegation spots and on a
clear upward trend; lose it and we are back where we were, in fact a place
lower than before Sunderland. Doncaster are no doubt feeling much like us in that
a win and a draw from their last two games leaves them one more result away
from being on the fringes of the drop zone rather than deeply immersed in it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Things
can after all change quickly: just one clean sheet and we no longer have the
division’s second-worst goals against record – now no less than seven teams
have let in more, albeit only one or two. One thing that hasn’t changed over
the past week is that JJ is still given the shortest odds on the next Charlton
manager, with nobody else (including Jason Euell) inside 10-1. Another victory
and he’ll be an even stronger odds-on favourite. May it come to pass.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-23262868671310585482021-10-21T11:08:00.004+01:002021-10-21T11:08:55.839+01:00Back To The Future Or New Broom?<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
another page turns. The Adkins era in Charlton history ended up lasting for
seven months and, like most such tenures (and the careers of most politicians),
it ended in failure. Regrettable but there it is, the club wishes him well and
I’m sure so do most if not all Addicks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’d
assume this leaves us with three options: internal promotion (ie JJ given the
job, at least to the end of the season); back to the future (Curbs or Sir
Chris); or a new broom. It’s reading between the lines but the fact that the
club announced that JJ is caretaker manager (assisted by Euell) without any
specified time period (ie to the end of the season) suggests to me that, while
he may be in the mix, TS is not inclined to confirm at this stage at least that
JJ will be given a run in the post. If he was, presumably that would have been
the basis of talks yesterday and today’s announcement would have been
different.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Personally,
if Sir Chris wanted to return (and to walk away from his coaching role with the
England side and position at Tottenham) he would be my first choice. This isn’t
harking after the past, rather that the guy has unfinished business with us, is
a Charlton legend, may want to be outright manager again, and would be our best
option if he does. It is, however, reasonable to assume that he is very happy
with the job(s) he has.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Curbs
being given an official position, whether manager or mentor, would now (IMO) be
a very positive move, if JJ (or indeed Euell) is being groomed for the job. I had
hoped that Adkins was at least talking to him, but a formal role while Adkins
was still manager would have looked like undermining his position and may well
have caused confusion. The situation is now different. Whether Curbs wants a
formal role is of course another matter, as is whether TS favours that route.
It’s fair to assume that Curbishley would not put up with any interference on
team selection matters and would place a greater emphasis on getting results
over playing nice football, which may not be music to TS’ ears. Of course for
now there’s no issue over new signings/departures. If it’s Curbs, on whatever
basis, more than fine by me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If
it’s to be an outsider obviously Wilder is the name most often mentioned, given
how close he came to managing us before and in view of his success at Sheff
Utd. He may of course, unlike Adkins, want to bring his own people in to assist
him – and there’s no way of telling if he would be to TS’ taste. Howe gets
mentioned but really, if TS managed to attract him to us right now he truly
would have the gift of the gab (and presumably the wallet to match).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">All
we can really say right now is that the odds on an outsider, whoever it may be,
shorten the longer we go without further news. And the chances are we won’t get
anything more than rumours and hearsay this side of the Sunderland game. JJ
does of course have a 100% record as caretaker manager and it is going to be
fascinating to see who he selects for the match. Fitness and availability will
no doubt be instrumental, and there’s hardly going to be an upheaval in
selection; but we could get some insight into just who it might be felt has not
been pulling their weight and whether or not the Adkins formation was
universally backed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-65351604139671346882021-10-20T10:32:00.000+01:002021-10-20T10:32:07.309+01:00Familiar Failings <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Have
to say I thought that never in my lifetime would I have an evening at the end
of which we could be bottom of the third division; and with almost a third of
the season gone. It proved to be another game which, if taken in isolation, might
be written off as ‘one of those nights’. But it’s all happened too many times:
poor periods of the game (in this case the first half), goals given away
cheaply, chasing the game again from behind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">What
went wrong this time? With Lee and Arter not available, replacements were
required if the formation was to be retained (which it was). Kirk was dropped (not
surprising after Saturday), Stockley came in for Davison (fair enough), Blackett-Taylor
and Leko were chosen as the wide men (decent enough), while Morgan came back in
but not to play as a No.10, rather as the holding midfielder in front of the
defence, with Gilbey more advanced and Clare included.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It
didn’t work. Accrington’s formation gave them a spare man in midfield, usually
Pell, which they used to good effect. An already fragile defence had a player in
front of it not accustomed to the role, while Gilbey – who had a good game in
many respects – had his best moments running at them in positions in which we
had presumably picked CBT and Leko. Lee’s effectiveness has been in linking up
the play, bringing others into the game. We ended up being repeatedly caught
out by their spare central midfielder and unable to really utilise the two
wider forwards (Leko was dangerous throughout, CBT in flashes).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Post-match
Adkins not surprisingly focused on the second half; because the first half was
very poor and could have seen Accrington out of sight. A clumsy challenge by
Morgan chasing back resulted in a free kick which Pell converted excellently;
another from a near-identical position saw his shot to the other side crash
down off the bar and quite probably over the line; Soare was perhaps fortunate
to stay on the pitch, having given the ref a decision to make over a possible
headbutt (Pell went down like a pack of cards but did then seem to think better
of it as he didn’t roll around clutching his face); and when Leko had a tame
shot just before the break that was our first effort on target. We had in fact
equalised by then, thanks to Gilbey’s driving run and low cross, which resulted
in an own goal. But the stats at half-time made for very sobering reading. Half
of the game wasted, lucky to still be in it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
were much better early in the second half, with the same personnel, just as a
result of higher intensity. Then against the run of play defensive frailties
proved our undoing again. From a position on the left their guy was given the time
and space to send in a low cross; two defenders went with one guy, leaving Pell
alone to plant the ball into the net. All far too easy. Then to compound the
situation their right-back was allowed to run with the ball, move inside, and
hit a shot through the tracking Morgan’s legs and inside the near post.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
still around 25 minutes left and Accrington not exactly high on confidence
themselves, we did get back into it, pulled one back – this time thanks to
Washington (who had come on for Clare, at the same time as Davison replaced
Blackett-Taylor) chasing a lost cause and his blocked cross sitting up well for
Stockley – and might well have scrambled an equaliser in the dying stages. We did
after all by then have Stockley, Davison, Washington, Leko and Jaiyesimi, plus
Gilbey, on the pitch. But it wasn’t to be.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nobody
questions that Morgan’s a decent player, but as the first line of protection
for an error-strewn defence it was an unnecessary risk. His foul resulted in
their first goal, his allowing their guy to move inside onto his favoured left
foot resulted in their third, while their second goal can be attributed both to
poor organisation inside the box and nobody tracking Pell. That there was not a
fourth was down to some profligacy on Accrington’s part and the absence of goal-line
technology.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now
only Morecambe have conceded more goals than us this season (they have scored
eight more than us). We sit 22nd in the league with two wins out of 13, already
four points from safety (plus a worse goal difference). We’ve gone beyond
hoping that the transfer window recruits would produce a quick turnaround in
form, even Scottie Minto was last night reluctant to talk about the points gap
to a play-off spot. Of course a top-six finish is not impossible, but it is
totally pointless to consider it in our position. We are not yet in a desperate
relegation struggle, but soon will be unless we perform better and start to
churn out results. And we all know that won’t happen until we stop conceding
2/3 goals every time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Whether
Adkins lasts the rest of today remains to be seen. That is entirely Sandgaard’s
decision. He may be thinking about the long-term plan, which in essence all of
us support. However, we are more focused on the fact that this is our fifth
season out of the last six in the third flight and that as things stand the
best we can hope for is to make it six out of seven. Every season which ends
with us still in the third flight is regarded by Addicks as a failure, that’s
just a fact. I suspect we still haven’t got our heads around the notion of
relegation to the fourth division being a possibility. I know I haven’t.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-25543036659133874042021-10-18T10:56:00.001+01:002021-10-18T10:56:23.590+01:00Frailties Highlighted, Not Positives<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Well
that was horrible, wasn’t it? My only consolation was watching the game on a
stream from Burgundy and being able to switch off and drown a glass to forget
as opposed to the poor souls who were there and had the long trek back. It was
another game devoid of positives, one which instead focused attention on areas
we are falling short. We ended up being outplayed by a team which passed and
moved better than we did and which in the final stages of the game wanted it
more. On another day we might have got away with a fortunate draw, might even
have had a smash-and-grab if Stockley really was blocked off/pulled back in the
box. Equally nobody was in any doubt that we didn’t deserve anything from the
game.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
was the case in the immediate aftermath of the closing of the transfer window and
the influx of players, it was the optimism that did for us. ‘Adkins names
unchanged team’ is not a headline used much of late (must admit I did have a vision
of him working through the night on different combinations but ending up unable
to decide and just thinking ‘sod it, send out the same again’). The hope that
the better performance and victory at Fleetwood might mean the turning of a
corner and us putting together a run and move up the table. Instead we staring
at one win in five, just two in 12, and debating whether or not Adkins has to
be replaced.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Did
we learn much? We already knew that Lee has made himself central to the set-up
of the team, linking play, bringing others into the game, and getting on the
end himself. We all saw the bright start we’d made fade away once he was forced
off after 20 minutes. We don’t have an absolute like-for-like (I’d say the
closest is Morgan, but he wasn’t on the bench) but could have asked either
Washington or Gilbey to play the part. Instead Kirk was moved inside and
Blackett-Taylor came on to keep the formation. That lasted until half-time,
when Leko moved inside and Kirk back wide; he had a little more influence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Whether
out wide or inside Kirk had an awful game, never threatening, always
peripheral, rounded things off with a dreadful pass inside which nearly cost us
a goal. He has to have more in his locker than that. Blackett-Taylor gave us
only a couple of glimpses of what he is capable of going forward, while was a
liability when we were out of possession. Add in that Davison was well and
truly in the pocket of their centre-halves and our forward threat was, after
the start, virtually non-existent, until Stockley provided more of a presence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">At
the same time, there are games when things don’t click going forward and then,
especially away from home, you look to keeping things tight. Instead we conceded
twice, yet again. Sure, their first was one of those freak goals, on the face
of it not about defensive frailty. Yet as was pointed out in the post-match
analysis, it came from a set piece half-cleared when we failed to push up out
of our own box. In a crowded area things can happen. And we repeated the error
in stoppage time, allowing Lincoln to play the ball back into a packed penalty
area. And we’d only just got away with one headed in but given offside. Looks
like a lack of defensive organisation, the back line and others failing to work
as a unit. Where the blame for that might lie is for Adkins and others to
determine – and rectify. Problem is we’ve seen it before enough times this
season. In open play Famewo and Lavelle are the obvious choices, but neither seems
to be the leader on the pitch; in a crowded area defending a point away from
home Pearce’s qualities come to the fore.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">There
was ample evidence and time available on Saturday to acknowledge that our
gameplan wasn’t working and to make changes. We would have lost nothing by
taking off Kirk and bringing on either Washington - to play wide, or as a
second forward with Leko moving wider – or even bringing on Matthews or Pearce
and switching to a back five. Also an argument for bringing on Stockley and
leaving Davison on as a front pair. We equalised with effectively 30 minutes
left to play. Could rightly argue that we had changed with Stockley on the
pitch and that having drawn level we might have had the wind in our sails. Instead,
and for that perhaps you give Lincoln credit, they grabbed the initiative and
progressively got on top, to the point where with perhaps 15 minutes left you
have to take a fresh look and conclude that further change was needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Next
up it’s Accrington at The Valley tomorrow night then the trip to Sunderland on
Saturday. No game at this stage of the season can be considered ‘must win’. But
‘must improve’ is another matter.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-25448846639618457582021-10-13T08:57:00.001+01:002021-10-13T08:57:10.835+01:00Veni, Foedum, Tum Omnia Pirum Informibus<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
it was a case of ‘veni, foedum, tum omnia pirum informibus’. Ronnie Schwartz is clearly
not going to be listed among the Charlton greats, but his cameo career with us will
I’m sure be remembered. Sure, there have always been signings which came with
great expectations soon to be dashed (Barry Endean, Maurice Setters, Ralph
Milne, Francis Jeffers spring to mind). But I can’t think of another which
began so well – comes on and scores that goal against Rochdale – and fell apart
so quickly – next contribution is to block a goal-bound shot to deny us a
winner, followed by the penalty not converted at the end against Oxford, which
technically cost us a play-off place, then brief substitute appearances marked
by the absence of contact between him and the ball, a failure to return for
pre-season, injury, then agreed exit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">He
leaves with no hard feelings, we wish him well, especially in dealing with any
personal issues (although opinion may shift if we hear he’s signed as a free
agent for Portsmouth or the like). Sometimes things just don’t work out. It
actually reminds me of a Frasier episode when the brothers hear about an actor
they revered as schoolboys having fallen on hard times and resolve to restore
him to his rightful position by staging a one-man show for him, only to
discover that he (played by Derek Jacobi) was a total ham. I have the image of
TS having seen Schwartz score goals and keeping him in mind as just what we
needed last January, only to discover …</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’m
really just glad the affair is over, would have been better if it had been done
and dusted at the end of last season. If it had dragged on it would have given
the unwanted impression of Sandgaard wanting to pick the team when clearly
Adkins didn’t see a role for him (unless of course there was a material change
in performance).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
fact is that in a fairly short space of time we have, with I’d say the arrivals
of Lee and Leko, achieved stability of a sort in terms of formation if not
personnel/partnerships. We are consistently playing a variation on 4-4-2 which
could be described as a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3, depending on whether Lee is slotting
in as a second forward, alongside either Davison or Stockley, or playing deeper
and linking play. He’s doing both, so the technicalities don’t really matter.
The formation relies on a back four, two central midfielders, and two either
side of the front one/two.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">How
close are we to a settled starting XI? Not that far off I’d suggest. MacGillivray
is first-choice, with Henderson waiting for loss of form or injury. For the
back four it’s either Matthews or Gunter on the right and Purrington or Soare
on the left, with, absent Inniss, Lavelle and Famewo as the two centre-backs
(and Pearce and Elerewe the back-ups). The main forward is either Stockley or
Davison, Lee plays, the wider guys up front are one of Blackett-Taylor, Kirk or
Washington on the left, Leko on the right (with Jaiyesimi the replacement). That
really leaves the central midfield two.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
have Watson, Arter, Dobson, Clare, Morgan and Gilbey to choose from (hopefully
Forster-Caskey again before too long). Only two of those six can start and the
choice is up to Adkins. Personally I’d be inclined to assume that you have
either Watson or Arter as one of the two, unless the choice is to pair Dobson
and Clare (and it was interesting to note that in the Mickey Mouse cup we had
those two in central midfield with Morgan, Stockley up front, and Jaiyesimi –
it looked like a starting XI from the beginning of the season).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
choices for most positions, I’d suggest the bench is going to be very important
– and I’ve been surprised by the choices on that front for recent games. You
really need the bench for three purposes: replacements for injured players (in
extremis for a dismissal), replacements providing fresh legs/replacing underperformers
- ie in both cases like-for-like – and to change the formation if it isn’t
working and/or we are chasing the game. We went into with Fleetwood game with
only Pearce as a defensive replacement. Why? Seems too much of a risk to me, I’d
have him and one of the unchosen full-backs. Presumably either Davison or
Stockley is on the pitch and the other on the bench. Taking account of the
reserve keeper, that leaves three other places. One needs to be a central
midfielder, one another wide man, the third a second for either of those two
positions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
piece in the jigsaw we are missing is the outright goalscorer, the guy to score
that scrappy one from a knockdown. It should have been Schwartz, just didn’t
happen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-80110947474805360912021-10-03T17:15:00.001+01:002021-10-03T17:15:03.039+01:00Cautious And Qualified Optimism<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
French time difference doesn’t help when it comes to doing post-match reports,
especially when your partner thinks you’ve been spending the last couple of
hours sitting on your backside doing nothing while she’s been toiling away, when
there are fish to gut and a BBQ to prepare. She just doesn’t understand what
hard work it is to get through a Charlton game at the moment (ever?),
especially the final 10 minutes away at Fleetwood defending a one-goal
advantage in the face of a barrage of long throws and corners. If it was tough
for us, Adkins must have been feeling it too, given the pressure he has been
(and probably still is) under.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
how highly should we rank the performance and result? Think you’d have to say
something between a six and seven out of 10. We would have taken three points
ground out any old how, but it was better than that, some genuine positives.
Just have to qualify them by the context of the opposition and the fact that
the game would, as Curbs stressed, probably have turned out differently if
Fleetwood had taken the lead in the first half with their one-on-one, while
much of our good work would probably have been overshadowed had one of those
late onslaughts seen us concede an equaliser, as might easily have been the
case.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Adkins
had opted for the same formation – a sort of 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, depending on
whether Lee was operating as an outright second forward or in a deeper role.
Fact is he seems to combine the two, to good effect. The full-backs from
Tuesday night were both replaced (Gunter and Soare for Matthews and Purrington),
as were the two central midfielders (Arter and Gilbey for Watson and Clare),
while Kirk returned wide-left (replacing Blackett-Taylor). With Stockley and
Washington, plus Clare, Morgan and Blackett-Taylor on the bench, what struck me
was that we had just one defender, Pearce, in reserve. Looked like a gamble.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
game itself ebbed and flowed. After a non-descript first 20 minutes, during
which we dominated possession but created nothing of note, Fleetwood had their
chance, quickly followed by Lee setting up the returning Kirk with half the
goal to pass the ball into but put it wide. Then not long before the break Leko,
who had been dangerous from the start yet had also picked up one of the dafter
yellow cards of the season, played the ball inside and kept moving in that
direction, to the left side, where Kirk gave him the ball back around the edge
of the area. He took one step to the right and fired in a kind of daisy-cutter.
It was the kind of shot you don’t expect to end up in the net, but it may have
taken a touch or two from any of three defenders who stretched but just failed
to cut it out, then passed their keeper into the far corner.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
had a couple more chances to extend the lead before half-time, going into the
break good value for the lead. But the feeling was that Fleetwood, kicking into
the wind, had been content to play on the break and that the second half would
probably be a different story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It
was in that it took Fleetwood only around five minutes to be back level.
Lavelle was close to getting turned just outside the box and pulled back their
guy, conceding a free kick in a very dangerous position: enough distance to get
the ball over the wall and under the bar, the angle to be able to go either
side. In the event their guy curled a dipper over the wall and through MacGillivray,
who as was pointed out later had taken a step to his right as the kick was
taken and was caught wrong-footed, like the step backwards as for Wycombe’s
first goal).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
were flustered for a little while, Gilbey getting yellow for a poor late arial
challenge and us almost getting caught out as their guy pulled the ball back
from an unlikely position only for it to have crossed the line for a goal kick.
But a couple of fresh chances turned the tide. First Lee latched onto a loose
ball as their keeper parried a Leko shot and squared it, only for Davison not
to be able to connect, then from a tight angle Davison hit a fierce shot which
clipped the outside of the far post.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">That
was to be his final contribution as a knock saw him replaced by Stockley – and he
took less than 10 minutes to score what proved the winner. Good play across
midfield ended with the ball played to Leko in space on the right. He took on
his marker for pace and squared it, for Stockley to smash it high into the net. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Not
long after Blackett-Taylor came on for an understandably tiring Kirk, we nearly
put the game to bed as Stockley was sent clear just inside their half. He wasn’t
going to outrun their defenders from that far out, but played it left to Lee,
whose fierce shot just cleared the bar (with him claiming their keeper had
touched it). Then a little confusion as Leko was about to be subbed only for
Arter to go down with cramp. Both carried on but soon Arter departed, Clare
coming on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">That
just left the final 10 minutes and six of stoppage time to endure. We managed
to do that, just, although I’d say the Fleetwood club site reporter was
overdoing it a little to suggest that “everyone in the ground was shocked that
the game didn’t end on level terms with a goalmouth scramble right at the end”.
He also suggests in his account that Stockley scored our second “completely
against the run of play”, which rather overlooks the two near misses which
preceded the goal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
positives include being able to regroup after Fleetwood’s equaliser and going
on to win the game; the obvious delight on the faces of the players at the
final whistle, suggesting it meant a lot to them; and the fact that we carried
a goal threat throughout the game. Leko will deservedly take the accolades; he
even managed to turn his moment of madness in the first half into a positive.
Not content with a silly pull of the shirt as his marker went past him deep in
the Fleetwood half, he held onto the shirt and continued to pull it, making a
yellow for him a stone-cold certainty but also eventually prompting a reaction
from their guy which saw him booked too. That, as Leko mentioned after the
game, put him on the edge as if he (the Fleetwood guy) brought him down it
would probably be red (to be fair to the ref Leko did commit a foul after his
booking, prompting Fleetwood appeals for another card, which were rightly
rejected).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">However,
for me the stars were Arter and Gilbey (glossing over his yellow card), who
both put in real shifts, with Lee not far behind. He does give us good
continuity with intelligent movement and passing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We so badly needed a win and we got one. We have now a lengthy break at least devoid of fresh speculation over Adkins’
position and renewed hope that an effective team can be forged from the large
squad. Cautious and qualified optimism.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-19381300249791964182021-09-29T08:59:00.003+01:002021-09-29T08:59:33.665+01:00Hard One To Take<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Is
there anything useful to be said after a 1-4 home defeat? If we were around the
top of the table you might dismiss the game as one of those things that happen
- better side for most of the first half, even second half, scores still tied
with 20 minutes left, near misses either side of their second goal etc. But we’re
not. We are second-bottom of a league which we view as a failure to be in with
one win in 10, 17 goals conceded, now three defeats and two draws in the last
five since the addition of new players. So before any thoughts on the game the
question right now for us all, including TS, is Adkins out now, yes or no?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve
been in the ‘give it a little more time’ camp and just about still am, but with
provisos. The three factors which for me count in his favour are: first, that
the players are still trying their hardest, no sign on the pitch that he has
lost the dressing room; second, a major problem is clearly the fitness levels
of too many players, pinpointing and addressing that issue (and perhaps it is
just game time) doesn’t necessarily involve changing the manager; and third, it
is still a new combination of players, a factor that can’t last for much longer
but is still material. Now if in the morning after it looks as if the players
are turning against him the balance shifts in favour of Adkins going now – and I
suspect that through the day all Addicks will be glancing at the club site to
see if there is news to that effect, nobody will be surprised if there is.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
for the game, it reminded me a lot of the Gillingham match. Bolton actually had
one or two moments in the first 10 minutes when they might have scored, but for
some last-ditch interventions. Instead our pressing paid a dividend in that we
forced a mistake, fed Leko on the right, and his cross was converted. And for
the rest of the first 30 minutes we were clearly in the ascendency, playing
decent football, covering well and preventing any Bolton threat, looking
capable of adding to the lead. At Gillingham the game changed at the break with
their substitutions; last night we just seemed to lose momentum heading towards
half-time and Bolton, who perhaps had been biding their time, aware that our
good spells don’t tend to last, came more into it. And they equalised, with echoes
of Wycombe’s first, a guy allowed to cut inside from the left and shoot low
into the far corner.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
all wanted to see us come out for the second half and reassert the previous
dominance. That didn’t happen, perhaps as the danger men down the flanks
started to run out of steam, perhaps as Bolton raised their game. As Curbs was
to stress later, whoever scored next would probably go on and win. It was
almost them as their guy’s flicked header went just wide, almost us curtesy of Davison’s
curler which shaved the post, proved to be them with a deflected shot, then we
came within a whisker of levelling things with Washington getting in behind and
chipping the keeper, probably should have scored but went just wide.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
awful third Bolton goal, in by then pretty dire conditions, finished the game
with 10 minutes of normal time left, by which time we were looking a spent
force physically, then after our panic substitutions bad defeat became a rout
with a farcical fourth as some of our defence held back and others charged
forward to try to play offside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
for sure 1-4 was hard on us, if the game is taken in isolation. In a remarkably
fair match report in The Bolton Times it was noted that this was the eighth
time in 10 games that Bolton had gone behind, so perhaps it was no surprise
that they took being behind in their stride. The report acknowledged both that
Bolton “must have been fairly pleased to have jogged back down the tunnel on
level terms” and that “the game entered into the last quarter finely poised and
a winner nearly impossible to predict”. What is missing from the assessment is
that through the first quarter of the season we have not been responding well
to challenging situations and too many times have coughed up crucial goals in
tight contests.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
what might we change for the better, aside from the manager? I thought the selections
in defence were good, as was playing two wide men and balancing this with a
couple of combative midfielders in the central positions. All of this worked
well enough in the first half, but we proved incapable of keeping it going.
Both Leko and Blackett-Taylor ran out of steam (only the former was replaced),
while both Clare and Watson departed early. If we had had another winger on the
bench (DJ or Kirk) we might have kept the shape better, and I was surprised
that it wasn’t Arter who came on in midfield as Clare tired, again to keep the
shape.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
there are still plenty of options, even if after last night the major question
regarding the team seems less about what combinations and partnerships we might
work on and more which players are capable of lasting a full game. If Adkins
keeps his job for Saturday it will surely be with the knowledge that another
defeat then, in whatever circumstances/conditions, would be the end of the
road. After all, much as we enjoy the matchday TV show, listening to Deano, Curbs and Scottie Minto discussing how many points we are from a play-off spot seems a little divorced from reality. </span></p><p><br /></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-2521752089111564032021-09-28T10:52:00.000+01:002021-09-28T10:52:02.923+01:00Some Basics<p><a name="_Hlk83722251"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Having had to pass on Saturday’s game (a
combination of loss of internet in Lyon and painting walls in Givry – more on
all that another time), I’m happy to accept the views of fellow Addicks having
watched the highlights that we were a tad fortunate to avoid defeat but that
there were some positives. We’re all well aware that with so many choices of
players and formations we have yet to find any favoured and successful
formation to be at least Plan A or combinations in key areas – and with
Stockley no longer an automatic selection if fit you can really only say that MacGillivray
falls into that category - so each game is a test of whether we have moved
towards desired outcomes (even if through the elimination of some options that
didn’t work). Yes, we all want to be moving up the table but that will be the
result of getting some basics right.</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t like to
pontificate on these matters as I’ve never played the game to any decent level
and happily defer to those that have. Also, we’re not au fait with fitness
levels or able to look into the whites of the eyes on the training ground, or
spend sufficient time to consider how the opposition will shape up. With these
provisos, here’s my take on some basic options.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Again, goalkeeper is
sorted, at least for now. Whether we play a back four or three/five is up for
grabs, although the notable experiment with the latter, against Wycombe, was a
failure. We defended the box in depth only to allow their guy to jink around
outside it and score, then played watch the ball inside the area. The loss of
Inniss is a blow, thrusting Lavelle to the fore, and it looks as though Famewo,
having been effective alongside Inniss, is a little out of sorts without him. Pearce
we know can do a job but will get found out for pace in an open game, as
against Portsmouth. At the same time, Matthews, Gunter, Purrington and probably
Souare (I can’t be certain) are decent full-backs but are not wing-backs, there
is a difference. Gunter had that role against Wycombe and I don’t remember him
crossing the halfway line.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So if we play a back
three/five it is really a five and we accept the limitations that imposes. Maatsen
last season was able to be a wing-back but I can’t think of anyone available
now. So for me, unless we are going to try to grind out a result and have a
midfield for that too, it’s a back four. I don’t know if Famewo is having a
harder time this season, think we all expected him to be an automatic choice,
but if fit and available I’d like to see him chosen to forge an understanding
with Lavelle. Then pick full-backs for defensive capabilities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">How the rest of the
team sets up stems from the choice up front. I don’t buy the ‘playing Stockley
encourages others to just hoof it up to him’; equally, the ability to win
headers 30 yards out and with back to goal is not the crucial factor. Stockley
is our most potent weapon in the air in the box – and that depends on service
from the flanks. Blackett-Taylor has been a revelation and we look a different
team when he is on the pitch and not knackered. He is the most likely to
deliver into the box, which of course can be on the deck (as for Davison’s
equaliser) but also in the air – yet twice in recent games as he has come on/gone
off Stockley has gone off/come on. I would like to see Stockley and CBT on the pitch
together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If those two start/are
paired, you have to look at a partner for Stockley, someone to convert the
half-chances. Fact is, having been unable to offload Schwartz and get a
replacement, we only have one option here, Leko. Washington is a decent,
intelligent forward but not a poacher. Lee might be able to play as an outright
forward but I don’t really know. If not, and if Leko isn’t considered up for
the job, change the set-up and system.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Davison has impressed
(especially in the first half against Gillingham) and is now a real alternative
to Stockley. If he starts we assume a more flexible set-up, perhaps a front
three with players either side, or Lee or Morgan in a No.10 role. For that to
work those players simply have to contribute goals. So you look to Washington,
Lee and Leko, keeping Blankett-Taylor in reserve against a tiring defence (but
please more than 10 minutes at the end, assuming he is fit enough).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With no shoo-in
midfield combinations, who gets the shirt in that area really (for me) depends
on the combination up front. For example, although they seem to have gone
backwards in the pecking order, Kirk and Jaiyesimi as outright wingers are an
option. But if you play them both, as we have, you surely need to shore up central
midfield with two defensive-minded players, whose job is to win the ball and
feed it to the flanks. Otherwise you get overrun, as we have been. The set-up
which we adopted in pre-season, of Dobson and Clare plus Morgan in the hole,
only (IMO) works if the No.10 – be it Morgan, Lee or Gilbey – scores goals.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Plenty of questions and
few answers – but quite frankly the answers aren’t going to come from us, these
are decisions for Adkins and his team, who are far better placed to make them.
What I would add though is that I’m no fan of a manager prowling the touchline
during a game. Curbs liked to be detached and left the job of bawling out those
on the pitch and communicating instructions to his number two. For me a manger
concentrates on the key aspects of the game: is it working, if not what might
we change, when do the subs come on etc. Those decisions I’m not convinced come
best from a touchline consortium.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Equally, I was a little
surprised to read the part of the Trust’s account of the Roddy/Gallen meeting
when Roddy commented that TS “comes to training every day, he has breakfast
with the players and comes to team meetings”. Why? It is great that he is
involved but here too surely there needs a little distance. TS is the guy who
will decide on all the key aspects of the club’s development (aside from how
much The Valley will end up costing). Equally, like us supporters he is never
going to have the insight and understanding to make decisions about who plays
and how we play best. Each to their own styles of course, just that styles,
like formations on a football pitch, all have their pluses and minuses.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-74267969286186317172021-09-22T08:15:00.001+01:002021-09-22T08:15:12.147+01:00Progress, More Needed<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yes,
it was a welcome improvement. After the severe disappointment of Cheltenham and
the humiliation of Wycombe it had to be. We weren’t outplayed, we didn’t lose,
and in the first half we played positive, effective football going forward and
would not have been flattered by a much larger lead at the break. Within a team
which showed seven changes from Saturday, there was a good return from
Purrington (and Matthews had a good game too), later a welcome one from Gilby,
Pearce had a much better game, looking less rusty and working well alongside
Lavelle, Watson was a calming influence in front of the defence, Lee was mobile
and effective (and scored), Davison worked to good effect to link up and bring
others into the play, and in the first half Blackett-Taylor destroyed them,
going past his opposite number at will.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">On
the other side of the coin, once Gillingham tightened up and made a couple of
changes at the break the game changed. We were fortunate not to concede a
penalty early in the second half (I thought hands were raised to block a shot),
did let in the equaliser after being caught napping again from a short corner,
could easily have let in more (some desperate blocks, a fingertip from
MacGillivray diverting a low cross to prevent a certain goal, then most
obviously a shot from inside the box which cannoned back off the post), and - in
contrast to the first half - once again players were looking to bring the ball
forward but looked up and saw no viable options, no willing runners. Having
terrorised Gillingham in the first half, Blackett-Taylor barely had a kick in
the second.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
did have chances in the second half too, with their keeper pulling off two
saves in quick succession, first to deny Davison what looked like a certain
goal then to turn away Lavelle’s effort from the resulting corner. So I’d say
in the first half we outclassed a badly organised Gillingham team, in the
second we were matched by a more determined – but still pretty pedestrian –
opposition who created more and better chances in that period. Nobody really
doubted that overall a draw was a fair result; we look back especially on
Washington’s first-half one-on-one and would have expected to run out winners
if that had been converted, Gillingham will point to the one off the post and
the penalty not given.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
it is progress, something to build on. Whether it means a formation (return to
a back four) we will stick with is of course up to Adkins. The decision to
drop/rest Stockley, either to give him a break or to oblige the rest of the
team not to lump it forward in the air, worked overall, although I thought he
was brought on too late in the game to replace an understandably tiring
Davison. I’m not convinced by the argument that you should drop the big guy
rather than those not following instructions, and this isn’t a new debate. I
remember a similar one after the Premiership era concerning Iwelumo. But the
fact is Davison was effective in the first half, and worked his socks off
through the game. Presumably Adkins and the team will look at Portsmouth’s
set-up and decide whether or not to stick with the change.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
avoidance of a fresh shambles and evidence of progress will at least keep at
bay most of the calls for an immediate sacking of Adkins. I’m happy on that
one, for now, to sit on the fence. We are rightly concerned by some of what
appear to be glaring tactical errors and especially an impression of chaos.
Perhaps injuries played a part, but I’ve no idea how players like Arter, Dobson
and Souara react to being in the starting line-up on Saturday and not even on the
bench for Tuesday. They, like us, perhaps have to show a little patience.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
far Sandgaard has only made two blunders: signing (and retaining) Schwartz and
using (in a quote posted on the club site) the absurd phrase “the proof is in
the pudding”. Just how and why have people started to use that combination of
words? It is gobbledegook at best. The time-honoured phrase is of course ‘the
proof of the pudding is in the eating’. That makes sense, conveys a meaning,
has purpose, like our first-half showing. ‘The proof is in the pudding’ by
contrast is just a lazy way of trying to say something using fewer words and by
doing so entirely losing the plot. Wycombe? We all hope that a third faux pas
does not prove to be keeping Adkins. For that to be the case he needs to
demonstrate continued progress towards shaping a now large squad into an
effective team delivering results and moving steadily up the table. We had a
good 15 minutes against Wycombe, a very good 45 last night ....</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-85743081737411167842021-09-18T18:29:00.004+01:002021-09-18T18:29:23.251+01:00No Steps Forward Today<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By
a strange combination of circumstances I got to watch today’s game (or most of
it, when my international stream wasn’t deciding to periodically cut the
access), my first since the opener against Sheffield Wednesday. If the world
wasn’t turned upside down enough, being in a lower league than certain other
teams, recently Brentford v Brighton is listed as a top-flight game, we get
beaten at home by Cheltenham, and today we go into a game against Wycombe as
underdogs. No matter, fair play to these other teams (except the ‘certain other
teams’), and at the end of today’s game nobody was in any doubt about who
deserved the points.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ahead
of the game there was I think almost a certain relief (not mixed with pleasure)
that we didn’t have to be thinking about whether or not Inniss would be fit to
start, and if he was how long he might last. We live without him for the foreseeable
future, apparently also someone called Schwartz. So for me much of the focus of
the game would be on Lavelle, to see if he looks like stepping up quickly, as
we need him to do. Before all of that, we had to see just what combinations
Adkins would decide to go with, with nobody confident of what the formation and
starting line-up would be after the recent signings and the shocker last
Saturday.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In
the event he went for changes, six in fact from the Cheltenham game. No DJ, no
Kirk (both absent from the bench as well), no Matthews, Morgan among the subs. Instead
in front of MacGillivray would be a back three/five, with Lavelle and Famewo
joined by Pearce and Gunter and Souare operating as wing-backs. Dobson and
Arter would take the central midfield slots, with Leko and Washington either
side of Stockley. A 3-4-3 if you like, with two debutants (if you count Arter
as such). On the bench would be Harness, Elerewe, Clare, Morgan, Lee, Blackett-Taylor
and Davison.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I
thought it looked like an odd structure. Wing-backs fair enough, but then
having a front three in tandem seemed curious. Also, as pointed out often in
the commentary by Steve Brown, there were quite a few on the pitch with very
little match time in their legs, while there were combinations being tried for
the first time in a real game.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
actually played quite well in the first 15, perhaps 20 minutes. Arter was
seeing a fair amount of the ball, Stockley was giving ample evidence that he
had the beating of another back line in the air, while Leko and Washington both
probed. Nothing in the way of clear-cut chances, best being a combination of
the front three leading to Leko shooting from a narrow angle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">However,
as the game progress Wycombe started to take control – and to look threatening
when the ball was around our area, with McCleary increasingly influential. Just
after the 20-minute mark Pearce mishit a clearance which led to a squared ball
in and a prodded shot, one which came back off the post with MacGillivrey
beaten. It seemed to lay down a marker as quite frankly for the next 60 minutes
we barely got a look-in and were thoroughly outplayed. For the remainder of the
first half it was a case of whether Wycombe would turn their increasing
dominance into goals, or whether we could make it to the break and regroup.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
didn’t make it. A few near misses, some last-ditch interventions kept the scoresheet
blank until beyond 40 minutes. But then we found ourselves with a number strung
across in a line defending the box and not enough bodies outside it to prevent
McCleary, who’d already put one shot narrowly wide from a similar position,
setting himself up with a jink inside and hit a decent shot low into the far
post. It looked like one that MacGillivrey should have got to, despite some
bodies in the way, and Bob Bolder pretty much confirmed that impression during
the break.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">There
was still time for Wycombe to almost extend their lead a couple of times, with
a guy sent through poking his shot wide then a cross to the far post headed
back across goal but not converted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
stats at half-time showed we actually had 51% possession but three shots, one
on target, against 12 for Wycombe. Decisions for Adkins to make as Wycombe’s
forward line was pulling us apart. Change players? Change the formation? Or
give it more time. Proved to be the last as no changes were made and there was
an ominous feeling that if Wycombe got a second it could get very messy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
second half saw more of the same, with no sign we might be able to turn things
around and looking more likely to go further behind. McCleary turned Gunter,
who took him down and collected a yellow, with the shot from the free kick curled
just over. And before the hour mark Adkins did make a first change, withdrawing
Leko, who had faded along with the rest after a bright start, for Lee. Another
10 minutes passed and then it was Blackett-Taylor on for Souare, who had also
picked up a yellow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">That
change might have been the catalyst for an improvement, as Blackett-Taylor was
to go on to be our best player by some distance. But before that could be seen
we went 2-0 down and the game was effectively up. It was a horrible goal for
any defence to concede, a dire one when there were three centre-backs out
there. A Wycombe free kick caused problems as Stockley found himself up against
two down their left, allowing their guy all the time in the world to pick out a
cross. That was half-cleared but it went back in, a free header back across
goal, and there was McCleary to nod into an open goal from a yard or so off the
line. Our defenders were all static.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It
was getting embarrassing and Wycombe could easily have made it three. Pearce
picked up a yellow. But with the game seemingly in the bag, Wycombe made
substitutions themselves, and in a short space of time the threat to our back
line was effectively removed, leaving a team just waiting for the final
whistle. They nearly didn’t make it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
about 10 minutes left we had a free kick in a decent position and a good ball
in was nearly met by Stockley. From the corner Lee made himself available for a
short one and almost made something happen. Then – understandably in the
context of the overall position of the game but very strangely for anyone
picking up on a possible momentum shift – Adkins withdrew Stockley, for
Davison. He had been getting little joy or support, but with Wycombe’s
attacking threat having now disappeared there was surely a case for leaving him
on and getting more bodies alongside him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Indeed,
Blackett-Taylor was by now causing them all sorts of problems down the left.
None of this mattered as long as Wycombe had a two-goal cushion, but we were
forcing the pace now and as we moved into five minutes of stoppage time we
pulled one back. A Washington snap shot was diverted behind for another corner
and from this one, Lavelle powerfully attacking one to the far post and heading
it firmly into the roof of the net.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Only
a few minutes left but even so we nearly made Wycombe pay for their complacency
as two scrambles in their box saw one hoofed off the line and the other not
converted. There was just time as Wycombe broke for Famewo to take a yellow for
the team, making it four of our back five, which perhaps said it all. And with
that the ref brought down the curtain.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A
serious optimist might say we started and ended the game well. But nobody’s
going to be fooled by that. Once the good start faded we were outpassed and
outplayed, conceded two goals and might have let in five, and had no meaningful
attempt on goal until the final period after Wycombe had made their
substitutions. We seemed in defence to be caught between defending the box in
numbers and being unable to pick up players (or the ball) outside it, ending up
conceding from a shot just outside the area and two free headers, betwixt and between,
which suggests a lack of communication and familiarity. With our wing-backs not
offering much going forward, our central midfield was outnumbered and overrun,
while the service to the front three was non-existent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">To
say there is a lot of work to be done getting players to gel and settle into
formations they are comfortable with is a massive understatement. For me the
only plus point of the game was Blackett-Taylor. Never seen him before, but he
stood out. That was, unfortunately, it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Player
Ratings:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">MacGillivray
– 5/10. Do feel it was an error for their first goal, should have saved it.
Mistakes are made and we know he’s still very heavily in credit for the season
so far.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Soare
– 6/10. Started brightly and seemed to link up well getting forward. But that didn’t
last, took a knock with a poor challenge to get a yellow and was subbed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Famewo
– 6/10. Plenty of effort and good stuff, important interceptions and blocks.
But the defence didn’t work well collectively today and for that they all have
to take some blame.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lavelle
– 6/10. Hard to tell from the game overall, obviously took the goal well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Pearce
– 5/10. Looked uncertain at times and some poor clearances.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gunter
– 5/10.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">No sign of him playing today as
a wing-back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dobson
– 6/10. Decent contribution in terms of last-ditch challenges around the box,
good second half free-kick.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Arter
– 6/10. Another who started the game well and progressively found himself
unable to hold or use the ball effectively.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Leko
– 5/10. Faded after good start, like the others up front found himself feeding
on scraps.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stockley
– 5/10. Not he day today as he was unable to turn his arial superiority into a
real threat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Washington
– 5/10. Some good moments but no more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Subs:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lee
– 5/10. Unable to make a decisive contribution.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Blackett-Taylor
– 8/10. Might have been against a tiring defence but he was a real threat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Davison
– 5/10. Only on for the final 10 minutes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5476043688166279353.post-32266681954880134202021-06-25T15:53:00.003+01:002021-06-25T15:53:26.239+01:00Certainty In Short Supply - But Lyon Duchere Reborn!<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Death
and a nurse they used to say. Life may be about weighing risk and opportunity,
but I have to say I crave a little certainty right now. The last time we had
any was when Oxford went a couple ahead on the final Sunday, we knew for sure
we were not going up. Since then everything has been up in the air (and not
just on the football front, moving to France involves dealing with a lot of
variables – but that is a very long story for another day). Will England get
past Germany on penalties? Will we have a trip to Derby next season or Wycombe?
And just who might be wearing the shirt when we step out at The Valley on 7
August (against a team that should have been relegated instead of us)?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Clearly
signing Stockley was a shot in the arm, especially as he managed to hack off so
many other clubs in our division by choosing us over them. But we can only
start thinking about our attacking options when we know whether or not Aneke is
staying (and today’s rumour mill is not encouraging), whether or not Schwartz
is staying – and if he is whether or not he might be of rather more use to us
than last season. Equally it seems we are open to Millar coming back but with
it unclear whether he is, as suggested, off to a Championship side (personally
I suspect the area of his game that needs working on is mental, achieving the
confidence and calm to be able to pick out the right option to take when in a
good position – as there is no doubting his ability to create those good
positions).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
for the rest of the team, all is ... well, uncertain. We wait to hear whether
Amos is going to stay (big boost if he does as irrespective of Maynard-Brewer’s
potential he is among the best keepers in our division), whether Famewo might
return to be the first-choice partner for Inniss, and if not who might be
brought in (Pearce adding another year to his contract is welcome but hardly
sufficient). And perhaps the biggest imponderable just how we build a midfield
effectively from scratch. There’s no doubt that Forster-Caskey would have been
the lynchpin but losing him for some months means we have to start from
scratch, even with Watson also adding a year to his contract. Morgan and Gilbey
will presumably be options, plus Jaiyesimi out wide. But just the list of the
midfielders we got through last season is enough to drive home the point that
we are not going to be challenging at the top without some new faces and
greater stability in the first choices.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
for old faces, of course we all wish the best for Pratley, Shinnie and
Oshilaja. Pratley’s departure was understandable, given Adkins’ desire to lower
the age of the squad, and a move to Leyton Orient looks good for both. No
Addick will forget his play-off goal on a glorious night, his disciplinary
failings last season will however fade. Oshilija still has a fair bit to offer,
especially if he could adjust the nature of some of his challenges in dangerous
areas as too often they leave the ref with a decision to make. The decision not
to retain Shinnie was the surprising one, especially given Forster-Caskey’s
unavailability. At times last season he was our best midfield option and I think
there was a case for him being given the main role for the coming campaign. But
it’s not to be, no doubt he will find another club soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
for finding another club soon, my best news of late is that it seems I have a
French team to support again. I took great pleasure in supporting Lyon Duchere,
sometimes one of a few hundred souls on a freezing night at the Stade de
Balmont, as the team secured two promotions to find themselves punching well
above their weight in the nationwide third division (those below being
regional). Things turned sour as the president of the club seemed to have ideas
to create something different.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
one stand began to have the only padded seats roped off into a ‘VIP area’ and
before long plans were announced to change the name of the club, part of a
scheme to move across to the other side of Lyon, to take the old ground of the
city’s rugby team (which had moved into Olympique Lyonnais’ old ground). There
was a spurious claim on Wikipedia that a new name had been chosen by the fans;
the truth was different versions of the same theme were offered as ‘choices’,
none of which contained ‘Duchere’. Renamed Sporting Club de Lyon, under a new
manager and with an influx of new players, the stated goal of the president was
to make Sporting the ‘second club’ of all Lyon and to take it into the French
first division within a few years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">You
might guess the rest. ‘Sporting’ made a dreadful start to the season and never
really recovered, despite changing manager in mid-season. A 5-1 thrashing from
Villefranche (btw, if you ever get the chance visit that town, it has a
wonderful medieval main street) on the final day of the season confirmed their
bottom place finish. No doubt the pandemic had an impact, but some might say
that a club stripped of its identity, marking time before a move to a new ground
and district, and with a freshly assembled squad and new manager got its just
desserts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
good news is that this has been followed by a new president, Jean-Christophe
Vincent, taking over the club and immediately switching the name back, to Lyon La
Duchere, with a new club crest. He is said to be looking to “turn the page on a
sporting failure” and “return to the original identity of the club”. There is
even talk that former OL star Brazilian international Sonny Anderson might be
brought to the club in some capacity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
news might get even better. Derby and Wycombe eat your heart out as although as
Sporting La Duchere finished bottom of the league, it is at least not yet
decided that they will be relegated (back to one of the regional fourth
divisions). It seems that the lower leagues were some way short of completing
their seasons, due to the pandemic (games were suspended in October and never
resumed), and it is not clear which team(s) – if any – should be promoted. A
decision is expected soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’d
love it if La Duchere can keep their third division status, but quite frankly
am more pleased by the prospect of being able to end another boycott (is it
me?) and enjoy some football if I ever make it back to France. It’s a strange
time for all and others have it much worse, but it might also be nice to see my
French partner, in over 20 years I don’t think we’ve previously had four months
apart. So roll on the new season – and a little more certainty please.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Burgundy Addickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203516889598003723noreply@blogger.com4