For once this season I put Charlton on my accumulator. Buoyed by the spirited showing at Valley Parade last week I expected us to roll Peterborough United over. How wrong was I?
Another pile of crap served up at home. So much for Robinson's guff about every player of his fighting for the shirt. So much for all that tosh about this brilliant group of players and all the learning and bonding. A first-half of turgid drivel. The closest we got to a chance was a cross shot which was deflected up into the air and collected with ease by their keeper. Piss-poor.
After what I presume was the Scouse rant at half-time, we looked bothered for ten minutes. Magennis charged in from an acute angle and shaved the far post. Jose was furious not to have scored with a slight pullback but, frankly, I suspect Josh came closer to scoring that Ajose would have. Minutes later, the bemused Botaka saw a deflected shot touched onto the bar by the Posh goalie. After that and until I left for much needed refreshments, we were hopeless.
Karl Robinson's post-match presser will be interesting. More positive spin or a dose of reality? This is a poor League One and we have a squad playing with less than average heart and commitment. The exodus of Lookman in January will be telling. What will the manager be given to spend? How will the remaining players respond? Crofts and Ulvestad are pedestrian in midfield and both need to be replaced. Magennis is alone upfront. Ajose is too small and ineffective. We have little wide threat without Holmes.
This isn't a strong division but we look vulnerable. If Robinson can't carry this squad, and it looked very worrying today, we are bang in trouble.
Millwall were skelped at Scunthorpe today but half their usual fight against us on Wednesday will be enough. After that we go to MK Dons who know how to beat us before an awkward trip to Southend on New Year's Eve. The next home match against Bristol Rovers could be a new low. Yes, I am feeling pretty glum.
Roland, Katrien, anything to say? Thought not....
Another pile of crap served up at home. So much for Robinson's guff about every player of his fighting for the shirt. So much for all that tosh about this brilliant group of players and all the learning and bonding. A first-half of turgid drivel. The closest we got to a chance was a cross shot which was deflected up into the air and collected with ease by their keeper. Piss-poor.
After what I presume was the Scouse rant at half-time, we looked bothered for ten minutes. Magennis charged in from an acute angle and shaved the far post. Jose was furious not to have scored with a slight pullback but, frankly, I suspect Josh came closer to scoring that Ajose would have. Minutes later, the bemused Botaka saw a deflected shot touched onto the bar by the Posh goalie. After that and until I left for much needed refreshments, we were hopeless.
Karl Robinson's post-match presser will be interesting. More positive spin or a dose of reality? This is a poor League One and we have a squad playing with less than average heart and commitment. The exodus of Lookman in January will be telling. What will the manager be given to spend? How will the remaining players respond? Crofts and Ulvestad are pedestrian in midfield and both need to be replaced. Magennis is alone upfront. Ajose is too small and ineffective. We have little wide threat without Holmes.
This isn't a strong division but we look vulnerable. If Robinson can't carry this squad, and it looked very worrying today, we are bang in trouble.
Millwall were skelped at Scunthorpe today but half their usual fight against us on Wednesday will be enough. After that we go to MK Dons who know how to beat us before an awkward trip to Southend on New Year's Eve. The next home match against Bristol Rovers could be a new low. Yes, I am feeling pretty glum.
Roland, Katrien, anything to say? Thought not....
Agree with mos of what you say but I reckon that Ulvestad has potential. From what I read in your column you have not been attending all games, and have missed a number of decent performances he has put. in. Yesterday was not one of them but that applies to the whole team other than the central back four partnership. How Robinson can make several substitutions and leave Ajose on baffles me.
ReplyDeleteMike - I hope you have a point re Ulvestad although we haven't seen nearly enough from a loan player from a Premier League club. Crofts certainly isn't the man to set him free.
ReplyDeleteKarl Robinson has said we "weren't good enough in every facet of the match today." That's good enough for me although he also compared us to turning an oil tanker which is probably more realistic than some of his more immediate enthusing's after the earlier performances. I think he's twigged we haven't got the midfield to press the opposition and are not firing on all cylinders upfront. There must be changes in January, especially if Lookman brings in the millions.
ReplyDelete