Charlton Athletic 1 Bristol Rovers 2
Gutted about that. And very worried.
Actions not words is what we were promised and the action is a repeat of what we have now seen for seasons whoever the owner, the manager or the player.
It was an odd game and in spells we were good, but in spells we were all over the shop at the back. We could and should have scored more goals and won it. We could and should have conceded more, and lost.
And just like last season we did lose, and although the stats were pretty even and the headlines show a smash and grab we gave up some huge chances that Rovers should have punished.
There is a really good six-aside team in the making, but the rest are simply not up to scratch. Then you look to the bench for inspiration and there is no one that you are shouting at to get on.
I did feel bad for Daniel Kanu though. He scored with a great finish and was a real disruptor when he came on. If Holden wants to play two up front, then ditch the the round peg in a square hole and just play May and Kanu.
I do think Alfie May will be fine, but it is looking like pretty poor governance if they are not going to give him someone to play alongside.
A very demoralising result and despite some good bits, especially Edun, Dobson, Asiimwe and Camara our patterns of self-destruction are still very much there.
MoM: Tayo Edun
Dean Holden: “The last thing we’re going to do is feel sorry for ourselves. It’s up to us to keep everybody bubbling, make sure we keep the positivity about the place. We’re not far away from that next three points.”
Elsewhere: Bolton were 3-0 up at HT before going down to 10 men eventually winning 3-1 against Fleetwood. Posh have 3 wins after an impressive result at Barnsley and Stevenage are 3 out of 3 after winning 2-1 at Cambridge.
Agree, very worrying. Haven’t listened to Holden’s post-match as his search for positives is starting to frustrate me. Mid-August and the losing mentality has already set in, 3 on the bounce after a squeaky win against Orient who themselves can’t stop losing. Already losing ground.
Is this squad really an upgrade on last season? I don’t think so, AMB looking calamitous, the two CBs in front of him not much better. And as for trading JRS for Jack Payne, really?? Only difference is we’ve swapped a tall striker who doesn’t fit the system with a short one.
Let’s hope that Methven clown is on the blower to the States with some sensible suggestions and a please for plenty of dollars.
My pre-season hope has disappeared after four games.
As ever we were promised team strengthening, as ever, it hasn’t materialised. Not yet anyway.
Holden’s repetitive clap-trap is beginning to grate on me. I wonder how long our new multi-owner system will tolerate him.
Positives? There’s plenty of time to put things right, am I confident in that? nah!
Spot on Daggs. Watched the match on Charlton TV and Brownie’s aftermath summary said it all. Our defence are all over the place when it comes to awareness and man marking.We need a defensive coach something Brownie could do. DH please give him a call to help you out. We can’t continue like this. Yes, we have potential in our team with the exception of a few, but we’re not utilising it
It wouldn’t matter if Holden was replaced with Guardiola, if the squad is the same then Charlton is doomed to failure. For the last few seasons the fans have been treated like mugs while the senior management conspire to balls things up. Everyone who watches L1 football knows that, with the number of games that come thick and fast, clubs need strength in depth. That strength must consist of quality player’s. Unless Methven & Co wake up while the transfer window is still open then this season will become another failure in a long list of failures.
That’s the thing. I don’t want to pull the emergency cord. It’s three games, we are in August, but we have seen this movie over and over again, and the clap trap or hollow promises does not change. This ownership start with 0 trust and that is where we are.
Another disappointment against a side that is probably not going to set the league alight this season. Now one win out of four. A couple of our young un’s did ok, and a couple of the more experienced players did ok. That leaves seven that were at best, mediocre to poor. Not good enough to stay in the division let alone looking at a top six finish. The hierarchy now have 15 days to bring in what is required to strengthen the squad with players that are good enough to consistently be in the starting eleven. As for Holden’s comments….Is everybody ‘bubbling’ and ‘positive’ losing three out of four?
I think Holden has a lot to prove. I like him, but this job needs more than oratory, young managers that have taken teams out of this division in recent seasons show that good tactical ability is needed too.
Players gave 100 % but we are seriously lacking players who can finish.
Alfie chased everything but we had nobody to support him and crossing high balls into the area is stupid with two tall defenders around him.
Steve Brown is 100% Charlton we could do well to use his skills and knowledge, he speaks from the heart and totally honest and can offer solutions….give a call Dean !
Charlie Methven needs to support Dean and get players in who can add to the team.
I can’t fault the players last night but it was disappointing to conceded in the last minute.
Hoping that Saturday will see us win….but and a big BUT I’m worried.
I remain astounded that Curbishley, who regularly shows his affection for the club, hasn’t been asked to take some sort of team management role.
I don’t think he would be stupid enough to tarnish his reputation by getting involved in this **** show.
I am sure he offers advice, but can’t believe he would have any interest in getting back into management or coaching.
Agreed CA…but he’s a fountain of experiencecand knowledge and with Steve Brown as well it a untapped source that Dean could use.
I never thought I’d see the day when Drinking is more upbeat than you CA. Good grief. I expected all the comments above and if you’d heard me on my way home you’d have me for hypocrisy. But I calmed down – its just so awful to lose a game like that in that manner to a bunch of….. see – here I go again. In fact I thought we were playing quite well and liked some of the attacking moves so pardon me for not giving up yet. And loving the youngsters. However, I will make one comment about May – it worried me in one of his interviews when he joined us when he said it had enjoyed it at Cheltenham and it was all very relaxed. Of course it was – there are zero expectations and 1 man and his dog at most games. He has got the world on his shoulders here and he’s nearly smaller than Payne.
Oh, and leave Holden alone. Its not his fault we have this ridiculous over-kill with the media in this country and every manager is expected to give pre and post match interviews. What they hell are they supposed to say?
I really think the reactions just reflect how we have been damaged over recent years!
LP I agree with most of comments on here, but to more or less say Holden is not at fault is laughable. Anyone with any common sense would know that playing with two 5.5ft players in this division as your two main strikers, is not going to work when you have over six foot defenders!
Payne should have never even started anyway, he was terrible throughout the game and has not improved since last season, look at the difference when Kanu came on to support May! Kanu has been on the bench and never had the chance by Holden to show from the start what he can do and has previously just been brought on with less than 10mins to go when we are struggling, who’s fault is that? Yet Holden has given Kirk numerous chances, without any success whatsoever. Sorry but Holden selects the team and tactics, thats down to him no one else! I really like Holden, but am now wondering, is he another Jackson, who simarly got us out of the mire, but when given the chance to fully take the reigns, can’t quite manage it? I sincerely hope not, for all our sakes.
As for bringing new decent players in, that is another subject and believe from what we have seen so far, it is to try and get them for free or very cheaply, as per previous seasons but thats the owners realm, so its up to them to provide a realistic budget so Holden and Co can get in some more really good reliable decent players and not hunt around for scraps at the last minute to make up the squad, as per usual!
How dare Dave be more upbeat than me 😀..
I know, I know. I thought to myself at HT that was the best half we have played all season. Undoubtedly recent times have clouded our judgement but come on, it is I like watching on repeat.
Have just seen Holden’s comments that only one team was trying to win, Charlton, Bristol Rovers just came for the draw!
Have I missed something, they continually tried to attack us as we did them and could have easily won it 4 -2 if they had taken their chances, even the writer, disagreed with Holden, advising BR could have been 3-1 up, before they scored their winner.
Holdens after match comments are now beginning to sound like all the past managers, when they lose and things aren’t going well. So far according to Holden we should have won all four games which includes Newport, well we have only won one, which was a very equal game and lost the other three the stats are there to see. Hopefully and you have to try and have hope with Charlton, we may be able to get some better players in and vastly improve, as currently we are not playing like a top six club, more like a bottom half one, with a weakness up front, continued cockups at the back and a midfield, apart from Dobson, who don’t like to get stuck in and show some real bite when defending.
But in the meantime, please Mr H don’t give us all this B……t, when we lose, we have heard it all before, just be honest and say it how it is, the panel do especially Steve Brown. The fans will then respect you far more and give you more time to change things around. Plus please make subs quicker when it isn’t working or certain players are playing poorly and not leave it until near the end, all the other clubs seem to do when they play us and it appears to work for them!
Mike. My point about holden was about all the clap trap and over analysis that for me is a blight on our game. I couldn’t care less about any of it and hate the inane and stupid questions the media ask. Weigman’s answers just after beating australia are a masterclass for every manager.
Personally i never bother with what our managers say pre or post game – they can’t say anything meaningful or they would lose their jobs. And what? Say my players aren’t good enough? Great idea to get the best out of what you have got.