[Archived] Charlton Away 23.1.2015

[ABBEY]

How did Charlton's Right Back Chris Solly do today?

Didnt go.

Had to work Saturday Morning sadly

Did you watch a stream?

[islander200]

How did Charlton's Right Back Chris Solly do today?

Didnt go.

Had to work Saturday Morning sadly

Oh right I thought you had watched the match as you said we didn't get a definite penalty

[ABBEY]

Exactly

[Lancaster Rover]

I'm reasonably happy with anyway point especially after what sounds like a positive second half performance. Charlton were never going to get turned over again.

I don't worry about us playing against the better sides as we've performed well against them. Derby, Birmingham Burbley and Cardiff at home we were the better side.

[J*B]

Did you watch a stream?

I'm sure Chaddy has better things to do on a Saturday than go on a walk to a stream and watch that all afternoon.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

I suppose one positive is, we've only let 9 in too.

Indeed, very much like Hughes' first season. Low scorers, low conceeders. I know the approach is anathema to the football purists but I'm more comfortable seeing it than I would watching us having to score 3 every game to get something out of it. That's the approach Kean and Bowyer took, improve us going forward first and sort the defence out later/never. Doesn't tend to work.

[RoverCanada]

General thoughts:

Taylor was almost singlehandedly the source of our 1st half issues. Lost the header on their goal (albeit it was a bit of a scramble), his ball handling was poor throughout, and he and Henley were a really poor match defending the right side. Almost all of Charlton's attacks came down that side and they just couldn't win the ball back. Charlton's meagre attack dried up entirely once Bennett settled the right side down. I'm generally a Taylor 'supporter', but he's really got to cut out that good start-bad start pattern... Today again demonstrated he's much better as a late, hardworking sub when the opposition is tiring. He certainly worked hard today, but just didn't have it.

Graham battled a fair bit, but he seemed too keen on trying to win fouls than actually winning the ball. And good luck with that when the ref was making baffling decisions the entire night - on both sides of the ball. Anyway, Graham at least showed he's looking to battle for a contract.

Rhodes is waking up and it was only a matter of time.

Jackson struck me as a solid 'impact' sub, as advertised. Surprised he didn't earn that penalty as the defender was all over him.

One of Duffy and Hanley's shakier performances, but they were dominant in the air as usual. The ref and Duffy obviously weren't 'gelling' all game, so no surprise about the yellow at the end.

Akpan and Evans were tidy in defence, Akpan was winning the ball all over the place and Evans provided insurance further back but both pretty poor going forward today. Not their best effort in a game we needed more offensive creativity. I still think they're our best midfield pairing at the moment and could blossom if Evans returns to the form he showed earlier this year, but glad to see Lambert acknowledge we need a true 'no. 10' next.

Conway's crossing was off today, but often our only true spark going forward.

In general, I think Charlton deserves a fair bit of credit for their defensive efforts. We certainly helped them look good, but they were pretty disciplined at the back, while offering pretty much nothing going forward.

[BlueMonday]

How did Graham do?

Edit: Didn't see previous post!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Taylor's not a starting player for me. Getting a more creative midfielder in before the window closes could be crucial.

I would have taken a point at 3.00 to be honest. The thing is we need to win a few at home now. We're not a good team by any means. For me we've been in a relegation battle since August.

[Amo]

Flip side of that was that most anti-Bowyer fans said it was a mistake to bring him back and that he wasn't good enough.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing - at the time he was here he didn't do much when he had game time and to be honest other players looked far better in his position.

It isn't one I would blame Bowyer for one way or the other.

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the first part of your post is correct and not a sweeping generalization, it wouldn't negate the fact that Bowyer failed to get a tune out of him.

And like I said, Judge might not have shone in those 10 or so outings but he wasn't shown half the loyalty that the likes of Hanley & Lowe were.

[Amo]

I still can't get over how people were expecting us to paste Charlton.

Have you SEEN our midfield? It's so one-paced and devoid of creativity.

[chaddyrovers]

Oh right I thought you had watched the match as you said we didn't get a definite penalty

From the commentary I was listening to.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I still can't get over how people were expecting us to paste Charlton.

Have you SEEN our midfield? It's so one-paced and devoid of creativity.

Granted but did you see Charlton's line up? I have never heard of 3/4 of that starting 11 and, I presume, that is explained by them being sourced from the lower reaches of the Belgian pyramid or the Addick's U18s.

I suppose an away draw is acceptable - just.

[chaddyrovers]

Lambert post match comments

https://audioboom.com/boos/4097335-i

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

First half was awful, we were very fortunate to go in level. Taylor was all over the place.

Second half we came out with much more intensity. Bennett was more direct and caused problems. Graham had some nice touches but didn't get a sight of goal. Rhodes was a threat and got his goal which is all you can ask.

Jackson made a decent impact when he came on, good to see some pace up front.

Duffy's distribution from the back was appalling.

Akpan is useful for winning possession but his passing is weak. Evans was anonymous.

Crossing in general needs to be worked on.

Looked like a clear pen but will wait to see the replay. Ref was guessing all afternoon.

All in all, two poor teams. We shaded it overall but had very few clear cut chances. Besides the penalty shout, we didn't really get close. On that, I don't think we can have too many complaints with a point.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Just look at the table..we are heading the wrong way as it stands.I can take no comfort from a draw against Charlton.

[Howler]

Third game I've attended since lambert came in and third game of dross. He needs time, clearly, but worrying to me there's no real game plan when going forwards.

Thought second half we did improve and didn't give them much. As usual Duffy was a liability when we had set pieces and missed a sitter. Graham ok on debut but looked unfit and rusty, as expected.

Seemed decent turnout by the Rovers fans, good effort from those coming from Lancashire

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

First half was awful, we were very fortunate to go in level. Taylor was all over the place.

Second half we came out with much more intensity. Bennett was more direct and caused problems. Graham had some nice touches but didn't get a sight of goal. Rhodes was a threat and got his goal which is all you can ask.

Jackson made a decent impact when he came on, good to see some pace up front.

Duffy's distribution from the back was appalling.

Akpan is useful for winning possession but his passing is weak. Evans was anonymous.

Crossing in general needs to be worked on.

Looked like a clear pen but will wait to see the replay. Ref was guessing all afternoon.

All in all, two poor teams. We shaded it overall but had very few clear cut chances. Besides the penalty shout, we didn't really get close. On that, I don't think we can have too many complaints with a point.

We've got to learn to start games with more tempo. It's really disturbing we habitually need to get to half time before we get going. Most games against good teams will be over by then.

[chaddyrovers]

Oh right I thought you had watched the match as you said we didn't get a definite penalty

Having watched the highlights on the football league show on Channel 5,

The pen should have been given. Clear to see.

Just show how cr@p the refs are at this level.

[RevidgeBlue]

Having watched the highlights on the football league show on Channel 5,

The pen should have been given. Clear to see.

Just show how cr@p the refs are at this level.

Glad the TV highlights back up your earlier confident assertion without we should have had a definite penalty without even seeing it but as far as these sort of decisions go you tend to win some and lose some over the course of the season. No way our first goal against Newport should have been a penalty imo for example.

You're clutching at straws imo if you're reduced to moaning about the odd decision not going for you. You should do enough over the 90 mins to make that irrelevant.

[Parsonblue]

Having watched the highlights on the football league show on Channel 5,

The pen should have been given. Clear to see.

Just show how cr@p the refs are at this level.

Charlton also had claims for three pens during the game. The ref was poor for both sides. Until we start playing football instead of the constant aimless long ball we are going to struggle. Graham, like Rhodes, needs proper service. We badly need someone in the centre of the park who is capable of passing the ball!

[Neal]

Taylor being discussed above, lad is an honest player but I think we all need to start being brutally honest about our players... He should be gone in the summer, nowhere near the required standard. Despite if promotion is a realistic possibility for a club in this league is beside the point, you should be recruiting players that can potentially get you out of this league not just 'do a job'.

Being brutally honest Taylor, Brown, Lawrence, Kilgallon, Steele, Delfuenso, Guthrie, Petshi, Eastwood should all be let go in the summer and even players like Conway, Spurr, Evans, Akpan, Lowe are only good enough to be considered squad players if you want to be promoted. I'd let Henley, Raya and Koita go out on loan and try and sell Marshall to these clubs who seem to rate him for as much as we can to put some funds in the coffers for new faces. Try and get in 2-3 proven quality players, maybe take a chance from someone in the lower leagues and bring some of lads from the youth set up into the first team squad.

Massive changes are needed and I'm sure Lambert will know that looking at our league position and performances. It would be easy to just blame the manager at this point but remind yourself that the only person at Rovers who is proven at this level is Paul Lambert.

The players simply aren't good enough and with the exception of Rhodes and maybe the centre halves the rest are barely good enough to be squad players.

EXODUS NEEDED.

PLBWA

[Lancs Rover]

Sorry I missed the early comments on the game. I was digging myself out of a deep mess in Pennsylvania. Guess Rovers were doing the same.

Sure thing. Know what ya mean.

[Tom]

Charlton also had claims for three pens during the game. The ref was poor for both sides. Until we start playing football instead of the constant aimless long ball we are going to struggle. Graham, like Rhodes, needs proper service. We badly need someone in the centre of the park who is capable of passing the ball!

Welcome back

I agree about midfield but at the same time think Akpan is about the best central midfielder we've had in years, need to get someone alongside him who can pull the strings

[Butty]

Welcome back

I agree about midfield but at the same time think Akpan is about the best central midfielder we've had in years, need to get someone alongside him who can pull the strings

THIS. I'm a big Akpan fan, although it's not hard he's definitely been one of our best players this season, really can't understand when some on here absolutely slate the guy and as you said he needs someone creative alongside him.