I was so absorbed with the pain of watching Scotland flunk in Cardiff that I forgot to comment yesterday on Charlton's own disappointing result against Oxford.
In years gone by I would have been using my battery life up refreshing my screen to keep an eye on the Addicks progress but I didn't bother at all on Saturday and only picked up the result when I awoke on Sunday. Another sign-of-the-times. Clearly this was a game we expected to win but the nature of the defeat (two goals in the last few minutes) asks more questions than simply losing.
Karl Robinson's tactical nous is woeful and his ability to affect games very poor. We have suffered under his 4-X-X-1 system since he has been here, first because we didn't have the personnel to really play it and then because we didn't have the personnel to change it when we fall behind in games. We played well enough from what I have read and heard but Oxford wouldn't lie down and when we were crying out for a defensive sub at the end, he brought on Aribo and within minutes they had scored twice. It wasn't as if we didn't have fresh attacking legs on the pitch as the previous two subs were Zyro and Kaikai, both of whom had been on for less than twenty minutes. Surely putting Bauer on in front of Konsa and the shaky Lennon would have got us something from the game, if not all three points?
I have been supportive of Robinson over the last few weeks as he has finally realised that he was never going to be supported properly in the transfer window by the billionaire Duchatelet and most fans have shown sympathy with him over that and his determination to carry on fighting for a play-off position. However, his waffling to the media is a constant annoyance when he speaks in riddles and plays to the gallery. The bottom-line is we should have a first-team coach who has a better footballing brain and who can communicate clearly and articulately. It's really not too much to ask when you are paying good money and there are always more of them than jobs available.
When Duchatelet finally sells up, we really need to make a clean break and find a first-team boss who can affect games and communicate clearly. How novel it would be if we could also get one who gave us a 'bounce' for a change? That Chris Powell bloke has started with two wins for the Shrimpers since joining.
In years gone by I would have been using my battery life up refreshing my screen to keep an eye on the Addicks progress but I didn't bother at all on Saturday and only picked up the result when I awoke on Sunday. Another sign-of-the-times. Clearly this was a game we expected to win but the nature of the defeat (two goals in the last few minutes) asks more questions than simply losing.
Karl Robinson's tactical nous is woeful and his ability to affect games very poor. We have suffered under his 4-X-X-1 system since he has been here, first because we didn't have the personnel to really play it and then because we didn't have the personnel to change it when we fall behind in games. We played well enough from what I have read and heard but Oxford wouldn't lie down and when we were crying out for a defensive sub at the end, he brought on Aribo and within minutes they had scored twice. It wasn't as if we didn't have fresh attacking legs on the pitch as the previous two subs were Zyro and Kaikai, both of whom had been on for less than twenty minutes. Surely putting Bauer on in front of Konsa and the shaky Lennon would have got us something from the game, if not all three points?
I have been supportive of Robinson over the last few weeks as he has finally realised that he was never going to be supported properly in the transfer window by the billionaire Duchatelet and most fans have shown sympathy with him over that and his determination to carry on fighting for a play-off position. However, his waffling to the media is a constant annoyance when he speaks in riddles and plays to the gallery. The bottom-line is we should have a first-team coach who has a better footballing brain and who can communicate clearly and articulately. It's really not too much to ask when you are paying good money and there are always more of them than jobs available.
When Duchatelet finally sells up, we really need to make a clean break and find a first-team boss who can affect games and communicate clearly. How novel it would be if we could also get one who gave us a 'bounce' for a change? That Chris Powell bloke has started with two wins for the Shrimpers since joining.
Are we really promotion contenders though? A squad so thin that its nearly transparent and loan signings who really are nothing more than wanna b's and r note. Our season was over the moment Holmes signed for Sheffield United. Roll on next year so we can moan about the same things again!
ReplyDeleteDave, I am sorry but you take every opportunity to make ruinous comments about Karl, I recall you did it when he was appointed. We had no budget for players this season the owner is going to take the best amount in £'s and will continue to do so. You have had you 1m hit you report on Welling and Rugby. I consider your blog to be nihilistic. Is it time to hang up the pen.
ReplyDeleteDevlinpowell
Devlin - Nihilistic is is bit strong but I take your point and have been reflecting on this for some time. I have loved this football club more than you will ever know but they have changed my relationship with it and I am not sure it will ever be the same. I will let you know.
ReplyDeleteDavid, thanks for you candor here ,the "cheese has moved" its very difficult for all of us to come to terms with what Duchalet will do next (but he will want out). If we get a more beneficial owner but I don't know. I watched professionally when Leeds was sold to a conglomerate of Loan Sharks. Keep up the good work but stand by Karl he is passionate and wants the best...
ReplyDeleteDevlinpowell