It is not difficult to feel sorry for Charlton fans despite the play-off loss last year. They have had 3 different owners in the last year, have had to off-load their best players and got relegated on the last day of the season, knowing now that Sheffield Wednesday would suffer a 12 point deduction for financial irregularities. That deductions did not get related to a season to which the rule-breaking advantage occurred which would be logical, but to the season following, this current one, by which time the club might well be able to recover. The EFL must be one of the world’s worst “governing"(??) bodies, but we and (Bolton Wanderers) already know that.
Despite the ownership troubles over many years, it is remarkable how well they have done despite it all. The High Court is to hear and rule on who actually owns the club, but not until after the transfer window closes. This will make it impossible for them to sign new players and the worst case could be that they may not even have a club as a result of all the wrangling. The depth of their anxiety is very apparent if you dip into the various blogs and podcasts that their fans produce.
Despite the gloom which leads them to predict that this season will be one to survive rather than triumph, their mood becomes totally optimistic when discussing the prospects for Saturday with predictions of a comfortable win. Looking purely at the stats for last Saturday, they see Rovers as fortunate to even get a draw. There is some irony in this because in their win against Crewe last Saturday, Charlton had less possession and only half the number of shots yet won 2-0.
Midweek in the Carabao Cup they lost to a strong West Ham side with the stats entirely consistent with the 3-0 margin, but with Bowyer asserting that they were the better side!
But he deserves credit for even staying with them and organising and developing his player resources so skilfully against the horrendous tribulations over ownership and I do not really doubt that we will have our hands full in holding them back. How the Trial allowing fans back for the first time will affect the match is difficult to predict; perhaps it will be like a Check-a-Trade trophy game.
Who knows how long it will take to mould Rovers’ new talent with the old into an effective competitive unit, but it will be more likely weeks than days, which means that, notwithstanding the contradiction in terms, it will be an uphill struggle at the Valley.
So, despite everything and perhaps because of what resembles a siege mentality at the Valley, I think this could well be helpful to our opponents, so they will probably be motivated to perform at their very best. Consequently us winning would be a considerable achievement and I hope we manage it. However it is also an unlucky place for us - I was at the game abandoned with them losing 3-0 too - I think the Addicks will come out on top - 2-0. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
DPL v Charlton Athletic
posted on 18/9/20
going for another 1-1 with Tulloch to get on the score sheet for us
posted on 18/9/20
I'm not confident, unless DM has worked miracles during the week to blend this team together. I'll say Charlton 2 Rovers 1 with Okenabirhie to score if he starts. Will change that if necessary after seeing the team sheet. I also hope I'm wrong.
posted on 19/9/20
I think Donaldo's assessment is probably correct, but we have proved in the past that we can upset the odds and some of our players have something to prove. On balance, I'm going to take a risk and predict 2-1 to us. Whiteman and Tulloch.
posted on 19/9/20
I'm amazed no change from last week's starting line-up. Please change my scorer to Whiteman.
posted on 19/9/20
Having picked the same team again, you might say that DM has total faith in them to deliver a result. They have either convinced him that they can now combine more effectively with the extra development in training or that there is no one in the squad who can do any better. High stakes indeed...
posted on 19/9/20
Charlton 2-1 Rovers
John-Jules to score
posted on 19/9/20
Raw talent triumphed over an unexpectedly incompetent Charlton. Some luck was involved, but Rovers took their opportunities, yet squandered plenty more. The young players can be, and were briliant at times, the prime example being John-Jules's exquisite goal.
When to look for space rather than try close control is a variation in play that they need to develop. In Lokilo's case, far from "making good use of the ball" as assessed by the DFP, he repeatedly beat his man and then could not make up his mind where to pass it, but that can be worked on, as can improving the confidence of Richards and, dare I say, Gomez too.
posted on 19/9/20
Personally, I thought the DFP ratings and comments were a little too positive. While DM obviously did some good work with them this week, and I now have much more positive vibes about our prospects this season, if Charlton had taken some of their good chances, it would not look as good. I must admit that at about 20 minutes I thought we would lose, the defence seemed a little slow and flat-footed against the speed of some of Charlton’s players, but the Gomes goal at 25 minutes changed the game and Rovers’ overall performance level.
What impressed me the most was the energy level (after the goal) of our players, and their fighting spirit and tenacity to recover the ball after losing it.
After a bright first few minutes, too many crosses and long balls were over-hit - Taylor was not up to his usual standard, and as Donaldo said, Lokilo could not make his mind up what to do with the ball.
All players had some good periods, and luckily our centre-backs were solid just about all the time. I thought Wright had an excellent game. Those that disappointed me a little were Richards who was not as positive as last week, and Lokilo who has not seemed as good as in his brief appearance last season. Gomes is a bit of an enigma, very good at times, but can be sloppy. However, please keep up the scoring! Whiteman is getting back to top form - except he seemed to have lost his shooting boots near the end of last season. I’m sure Bursik will think he could have done better with their goal - the original cross was one that it is difficult for the GK to decide whether to go for it or not, and I think he originally was thinking about going for it, and then the final header was almost straight at him, but he was scrambling back. Also, some of his kicking was a little wild - I know sometimes a risky back pass gave him little option, but when he had time his distribution was not as good as Dieng, or, based on one game, Jones.
Overall, I think a neutral would have enjoyed the game as both teams tried to play good, attacking football, keeping it mainly on the ground.
posted on 20/9/20
From reports, it seems Richards did better than I thought - with so many new faces, I may not realise who is doing what!
posted on 24/9/20
I think the DFP ratings were exaggeratedly complementary as were 6the fans' opinions. The DFP have continued in the same vein as though we are top promotion candidates. The win on Saturday was a good one, but far too much is being read into it.
In today's paper Richards's performances are overrated and Anderson and Wright are put forward (rather more realistically) as exemplary, yet again rather prematurely, I think.
This is a squad very much in development. A few tough games when luck runs against us which we can come through with a result will be the real test.