02-11-2014, 09:52
Let's get some level of perspective.
Don't be fooled by Charlton's home record, they are a poor side. Winning the first three has given them a better record than they deserve. They have the worst possession stats in the division and wins have turned into draws and draws into defeats. Believe me, Charlton will be nearer the bottom than the top soon enough. So will we, unless changes are made.
First half, we dominated. Drenthe was outstanding and always gave us a chance. He nearly scored, he scored our goal, created chances for others and led their defence a merry dance until they double marked him in the second half. Unfortunately, others could not take advantage.
Yet again, we gave away points after leading (Millwall, Ipswich, Leeds etc.). Our style of play means our players waste energy chasing lost causes so we are slower & caught out of position late on in matches. We are the only team in the country not to win a point from behind yet this season.
If Maguire had taken his one on one chance with the keeper, we win. We also put several other good balls into the box but our strikers were rarely in position to take advantage & when chances came Nuhui's way, he fluffed them.
Westwood - 7 - a couple of saves
Palmer - 6 - solid, if unspectacular
Lees - 6 - quality
Loovens - 6 - led well but went missing once
Mattock - 6 - another injury
Drenthe - 8 - a spark who led their defence a merry dance
Semedo - 5 - gave the ball away too much
Helan - 6 - pacy
Maghoma - 5 - never really in it
Maguire - 5 - missed his chance
Nuhui - 6 - looked good until in box, set up Maguire chance
.....................................................................
Dielna - 6
Coke - 5
GTF - 5
At last, Drenthe got a start & to great effect. He set the platform for victory but we couldn't finish it off. We started 4231 and looked good but reverted to SG's preferred 442 in the second half. Dielna did ok but Coke & GTF added nothing.
Nuhui played well but doesn't get into the box quickly enough and when chances came, he couldn't take them. We missed May's runs, which cause defenders so many problems, particularly when we are winning.
This was a match that was there for the taking but we threw it away. Bournemouth will be tougher on Tuesday. Our tactics & team selections are costing us points. We are sliding towards relegation and MM has a big decision to make soon. Every week, SG compares our position to where we were a year ago. We shouldn't use our worst ever start as the benchmark. That is the stuff of losers.
The frustrating thing is, we are not a million miles from being a top six side but it won't happen with SG in charge.
On the good news front, Madine was outstanding for Coventry yesterday, creating one of their goals. Maybe he will come back full of confidence ready to rip this division up. Maybe he would finish of Drenthe's crosses like he did BM10's.
Or maybe not!
Don't be fooled by Charlton's home record, they are a poor side. Winning the first three has given them a better record than they deserve. They have the worst possession stats in the division and wins have turned into draws and draws into defeats. Believe me, Charlton will be nearer the bottom than the top soon enough. So will we, unless changes are made.
First half, we dominated. Drenthe was outstanding and always gave us a chance. He nearly scored, he scored our goal, created chances for others and led their defence a merry dance until they double marked him in the second half. Unfortunately, others could not take advantage.
Yet again, we gave away points after leading (Millwall, Ipswich, Leeds etc.). Our style of play means our players waste energy chasing lost causes so we are slower & caught out of position late on in matches. We are the only team in the country not to win a point from behind yet this season.
If Maguire had taken his one on one chance with the keeper, we win. We also put several other good balls into the box but our strikers were rarely in position to take advantage & when chances came Nuhui's way, he fluffed them.
Westwood - 7 - a couple of saves
Palmer - 6 - solid, if unspectacular
Lees - 6 - quality
Loovens - 6 - led well but went missing once
Mattock - 6 - another injury
Drenthe - 8 - a spark who led their defence a merry dance
Semedo - 5 - gave the ball away too much
Helan - 6 - pacy
Maghoma - 5 - never really in it
Maguire - 5 - missed his chance
Nuhui - 6 - looked good until in box, set up Maguire chance
.....................................................................
Dielna - 6
Coke - 5
GTF - 5
At last, Drenthe got a start & to great effect. He set the platform for victory but we couldn't finish it off. We started 4231 and looked good but reverted to SG's preferred 442 in the second half. Dielna did ok but Coke & GTF added nothing.
Nuhui played well but doesn't get into the box quickly enough and when chances came, he couldn't take them. We missed May's runs, which cause defenders so many problems, particularly when we are winning.
This was a match that was there for the taking but we threw it away. Bournemouth will be tougher on Tuesday. Our tactics & team selections are costing us points. We are sliding towards relegation and MM has a big decision to make soon. Every week, SG compares our position to where we were a year ago. We shouldn't use our worst ever start as the benchmark. That is the stuff of losers.
The frustrating thing is, we are not a million miles from being a top six side but it won't happen with SG in charge.
On the good news front, Madine was outstanding for Coventry yesterday, creating one of their goals. Maybe he will come back full of confidence ready to rip this division up. Maybe he would finish of Drenthe's crosses like he did BM10's.
Or maybe not!
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.