Workmanlike
I can’t really understand the frustrations of some Addicks fans, but then again I have felt strangely detached this season struggling to come to terms with differing opinions and only occasionally being able to form my own as I haven’t seen as many games this season as I did last.
In the absence of transfer funds Powell has, for this division, a workmanlike squad that he has made tough to beat – only 3 times have we lost by more than a single goal and in two of those we were deservedly beaten (Wednesday and Middlesbrough).
Apart from Fuller, Kerkar and Dervite the remainder of the squad all played below Championship level last season. Mind you Kerkar played 17 times in the SPL and Dervite played just a handful of games in the Spanish 2nd Division for a team that got relegated. Powell has also been without Rhoys Wiggins, arguably one of our most gifted players.
This is not a team that is going to roll over sides, we just don’t possess the quality and it is obvious to me from afar that Powell has shuffled his deck many times this season and there is simply no joker in his pack. This team will die for the shirt, for each other and importantly for their manager but a tin opener of a midfielder and a 15-goal fox-in-the-box striker we don’t possess nor have the funds for.
Powell’s ambition has sadly been limited to gathering enough points to avoid a unthinkable relegation but it is clear that was not his or the board’s intention last May. Us Addicks are not used to these uneventful seasons but consolidation will be enough for me and then we can see what direction the board take in the summer.
To beat a top side in this division we need every player to perform to the very best and one or two beyond that and Powell takes his workmanlike group to Leicester tomorrow. Yann Kermorgant will start but I can see Powell rejigging his dance card with Wiggins probably beginning his frist game since September.
Chig. I think most of the frustration stems from the appaling home form. I mean, four home wins all season (so far) it ain’t been easy to watch……………………….
Can’t disagree with you there. The home form has been wholly shocking.
Mate it’s not the players fault, it is the managers fault the amount of points he has let go because he try’s to put 5 in defence and stop a last min goal when all he is doing is making all the defenders confused who to mark and bring a lot of pressure because the ball just keeps coming back until they score!! It all so makes the players look nervous and hoff ball is then the players plan to keep the lead, Birmingham is perfect example we played them off the park then he shite himself to play an extra defender when he really was not needed and played one up front so yes this team can do alot better but Powell is making so many mistakes and we are putting it down to he is still learning but that is starting piss me off because time and time again he is getting out played by the other manager tactics! Palace away again late subs blah blah bored of it now time for him to learn quicker
Vito, I accept that you see a hell of a lot more games than me so I value your opinion but the players have to take some responsibility when they are leading with minutes to go. If Powell tells them to panic and get nervous and sit in their own box, then fine but I don’t see it.
CA, you have summed things up very nicely and what you have said closely reflects my own feelings toward the manager and his squad. Even last season, as well as they did, Charlton was not a dominate side. Without that extra punch of three to four superior talents, it is pretty hard to replicate those results in a much more difficult league. Hopefully that shortcoming will be addressed in the off season.
First class Summary CA. You mentioned earlier Evina playing left mid, with Wiggins going left back. Not sure I dreamt this but I think Chrissy mentioned such an option in his VIP Q&A session, very well covered in the VOTV. I bought a copy outside the ground saturday, from the great Rick Everitt himself! First class read.