Work On Details, No Panic; Like Father Like Son In Two Weeks?

Clearly two consecutive defeats (forget Cambridge, it is irrelevant) are capable of turning into a very poor run, if we continue to emerge on the wrong side of games decided by narrow margins. But there is no reason to panic, rather IMO a case for looking at details and seeing what can be done to improve. We knew we had a tough start on paper, with three games against teams expected to be around the top and to that was added a fourth against a team smarting from a humiliation and bolstered by new signings (one of the problems of getting your business done early is that we forget how many we’ve signed as the flow of news is all about who others are bringing in).

If someone had offered us a win, two draws and a defeat in our first four before the season started we would probably have settled for that – and that would have been the least we deserved. On another day with a different ref, and VAR (and those criticising it really should take a good look at games without it), we might easily have come away from Loftus Road with three points. Kone’s challenge on Jones after he’d headed the ball away was reckless and worthy of more than a yellow (which he incredibly did not get), Campbell didn’t go down after a challenge from behind in the box (if he did and the ref decided it was a penalty I’m not sure what the rules are about their guy being sent off), and Kelman was pulled back from behind just outside the box in a goalscoring situation. Surely that one had to be a red card. And everyone said we were unlucky to lose against Leicester.

That’s not to ignore the reality of the results and other factors behind them. But it does point to the fact that all four of our games have been tight affairs with three decided by the odd goal and one draw. The way we are set up doesn’t work in favour of us taking teams apart and the chances are that most of our games this season will end up being close. Let’s get used to that and embrace it. The last thing we need now is players getting used to narrow defeats.

So what might be some lessons? First, we started quite slowly against Bristol City and especially yesterday, when the game could have been over in the first 20 minutes. We are giving the impression that we are working things out on the pitch in response to the opposition’s set-up and tactics. So are we doing enough homework on the opposition before the games begin? Or is it a mental issue, that we are happy to keep things tight early on, handing the initiative to the other team? I can’t possibly know, but we can’t afford to continue to start games so tentatively and slowly.

Second, this standard of opposition is new to many of the players. In League One you benefit from the mistakes of others, the press is easier to be effective. QPR, like Leicester and Bristol City, were far more assured in dealing with pressure and playing their way out of trouble, gave the ball away far fewer times than teams last season. I’d suggest we simply have to work harder by looking at what works for us and what does not and adjust accordingly.

Third, look at individual players and how they can improve. Last season our attack worked well with Godden and Berry, because Campbell was left to do his real work out wide, Godden was outnumbered but still made a nuisance of himself, and Berry knew that a big part of his job was to get into the box in support of Godden and score goals. Kelman hasn’t hit the ground running and might benefit from watching a few recordings of how Godden played the thankless task of being up against two centre-backs (and now better ones). Godden won more than his fair share of balls in the air, through movement and timing, as well as being on the end of balls into the box. Equally, when Berry was absent late last season we struggled for goals. Carey and Knibbs have been brought in for that position and the former at least, given that he is starting games, may need to adjust a little to put more emphasis on getting into the box.

It is worrying that Campbell can easily get crowded out when receiving the ball with his back to goal and in a more central position. When the ball’s played up to the forwards it’s natural for the midfield three to be moving advancing, so if the ball’s lost they can be wrong-footed. It happened yesterday for QPR’s second, with Saito able to run unchallenged until he got to around the area. He should have been stopped/held up well before then, equally Campbell cannot afford to lose the ball cheaply – or if he does make sure it doesn’t lead to a quick counter, by fouling if necessary. QPR committed enough professional fouls yesterday.

On the positive side, Bell has slotted in very well alongside Jones and Ramsay, even if it is tough on Gillesphey, and Kaminski looks assured (even if this is tough on Mannion in particular), while Apter even leaving aside his fluke goal has been excellent going forward. But yesterday we had a reminder that he is really a winger, not a wing-back, that if he plays as a wing-back we are taking a risk defensively, which other teams will be well aware of. It wasn’t just their first goal yesterday but also a mismatch when it came to a high ball into our box from a set piece. It is early days for Leaburn, Campbell, Kelman, Olaofe, plus when ready Godden and Mbick, to get it sorted out up front.

So plenty to be working on I’d suggest, but no case for wholesale changes. Two weeks on the training ground to be ready for the visit of Millwall. I did check our record against them, just to remind myself: played 76, won 12 (including the first two ever and doing the double over them in 1995/96), drew 27, lost 27. People remember Kim Grant’s brace on a snow-covered Den pitch, but that was followed by a 2-0 win at The Valley with goals from Bowyer and … Leaburn – the dad of course. What a celebration there will be if Leaburn Senior scoring the final goal in our last victory over Millwall for almost 30 years was to be followed by Leaburn Junior this time around!

Finally, belated condolences to the family and friends of Steve Thompson. As others have pointed out, he proved he was capable of playing in the top division, having been bought by Lennie Lawrence from Lincoln City in 1985. My favourite memory of him on the pitch was him landing on the somewhat skinnier Naill Quinn playing for Arsenal at Highbury and almost (accidentally) snapping him in two. RIP Thommo.

Fine Margins Again

Both teams today were looking to bounce back, in QPR’s case after a 7-1 humiliation. It was the occasion for Jones and Kone to renew their acquaintance, with the former having completely shut out the latter in the four games against Wycombe last season, perhaps the chance for Kelman to open his account for us against his former club. In any event, it looked likely to be a close affair, which it proved to be.

We were unchanged again, Leaburn keeping his place ahead of Kelman, but with a couple of changes on the bench. With Anderson suspended Mwamba was given a place, while the apparently now fit Burke replaced Mitchell.

Whether or not stung by last weekend, QPR came out of the traps fast and left us floundering in the first 20 minutes or so, appearing vulnerable to their movement and unable to hold the ball in any meaningful area or put them under pressure. Jones started the game with a crunching tackle on Kone, but on seven minutes we were behind, to a goal well worked from their end and soft from ours. We had only just been opened up after the ref – not for the last time in an inconsistent performance – failed to award us a free-kick for a clear foul. A one-two and their guy was in, only to make a hash of his shot from close range. Then there seemed special danger as one of their guys advanced down their right, but his low ball across the box was very well dummied by Kone and Smyth had read the situation and moved ahead of Apter to get onto it, slotting it past Kaminski. Apter was proving to be our main attacking threat, but QPR had done their homework and were to exploit his defensive shortcomings through the first half.

In that spell we could well have fallen further behind and effectively game-over. After a Ramsay mistake their guy advanced and Coventry touched him from behind and he went over, a free-kick central inside the D and a yellow for Coventry. Kaminski saved well to his left and the rebound was headed over. But we did at least keep it to one and as the game progressed we came much more into it. The rest of the first half was a pretty even affair, in terms of possession we were now edging it. And we did come close to equalising on 26 minutes as an Edwards ball in reached the far post and Leaburn met it. It was a tough one to keep down but he almost managed it, the shot coming back off the crossbar.

Campbell started to see more of the ball. He cut inside and had a shot blocked, then having beaten his marker and was advancing into the box had his shorts pulled in a cynical foul. But from the free-kick just outside the box on the left Carney overhit the ball in – and through the afternoon our deliveries into the box, from set pieces and in open play, from different players – were not good enough. Carney was pulled down (no yellow this time) and this time Apter played a poor ball in, then Carey’s cross from a free-kick for a foul on Leaburn had too much on it. But just before the break we were close to conceding a second as from a free-kick of their own the ball was delivered to where Apter had to challenge someone much bigger than him. The header back across was met by another, which came back off the foot of the post (although Kaminski might have got to it if it had been going in).

At the break we were at least a little cheered that we had picked up after that poor start and still looked capable of getting something from the game, although I thought there was a case for switching to a back-four, having Campbell and Apter the wide men in a four-man midfield, and bringing Kelman on to give us two up front. It would have meant sacrificing Carey I guess.

In any event, although QPR had a chance early in the second half, as an Edwards clearance cannoned off someone and dropped to one of theirs, the game changed as we equalised on 53 minutes. Campbell sent in a cross from the left which went across the box to Apter. He took it on the volley and sent his effort into the ground. He couldn’t have planned it better as it bounced up and over the defender and left their keeper stranded, going into the far corner. It was a fluke but gave us the momentum.

QPR responded by bringing on, among others, Saito, just back at the club apparently. From the start he looked a menace, drawing free-kicks and wrongfooting defenders. But overall the game was swinging very much in our favour, we were enjoying most of the possession and when put under pressure QPR’s back line looked vulnerable. Shortly after we equalised Kone was very lucky to escape without even a yellow a late challenge on Jones, who headed clear only to be taken out. It was at least a yellow and, if Kone had led with his elbow, a case for a red.

We had a decent chance to take the lead on 56 minutes as Campbell got goalside in the box. There was a challenge and contact but he stumbled, didn’t go down. If he had perhaps it was a penalty and a red card, perhaps not, it wasn’t cast-iron. He ended up taking the shot from a narrow angle, which was pushed behind for a corner, when he might have squared it for an incoming Leaburn.

We made our first changes on 68 minutes, with Kelman and Knibbs replacing Apter and Carey, prompting Campbell to move to the right side. On 79 minutes we were almost in again as a ball forward found Kelman and he was taken out just outside the box, only for Edwards to badly overhit the ball in from the free-kick.

We were dominant, but QPR still carried a threat in a contest which might have gone either way. And it proved to be their day. Campbell failed to protect the ball around the centre-circle and Saito emerged with it, just inside his own half. He advanced unchallenged, wrongfooted Jones around the edge of the box, and just as others were converging on him managed to tuck it beyond Kaminski into the net. Another poor goal from our perspective, but they will laud a solo run from the half-way line and a calm finish.

As the minutes ticked away we understandably became increasingly desperate. Olaofe replaced Docherty on 87 minutes and then in six extra minutes Rankin-Costello and Fullah came on for Coventry and Leaburn, with Jones now staying up front. There was nothing to lose, but the risk was obvious. A ball forward was flicked on and Kone was through on his own to plant the ball past Kaminski, to give a very unfair scoreline.

What do we take from the game? No points obviously. We know, if we didn’t before, that playing Apter as a wing-back carries a defensive risk. We should know that we can’t begin a game like we did today, tentative and uncertain. We could easily have been two down before we pulled ourselves up. On the positive side, having equalised we were the more likely to get the win, only to fall foul of one player producing a moment (the third goal was irrelevant). There’s no need for pressing the panic button, it’s small margins and lessons on detail. Each of our four games this season has been decided by the odd goal or finished even, and the chances are that will be the case more often than not. We’re not going to blow teams away but can outbattle some. We know what’s next up, time to rip up the history book and start setting the records straight (and there is a long way to go on that front).

France A Blank For Leicester Game

We’d done ourselves proud in the first two games of a tough start to the season, could we round it off with another good result? For sure on paper the challenge looked daunting, against a team relegated from the Premiership. At the same time, we know as well as anyone how difficult it can be to adjust after dropping down from the top flight, with the squad having to be reorientated; and Leicester had needed a late goal to see off troubled Sheffield Wednesday at home before losing their second fixture at Preston (albeit also to a late goal, laid on apparently by a certain Small). So there were grounds for cautious optimism.

It wasn’t to be, at least in terms of the result. It would be good to give a report on the game, but that’s not possible, because I couldn’t watch it. Not because I wasn’t set up and ready to go, being a subscriber to Charlton TV. But because the game was on Sky and this time around Sky decided it would be shown via their partners in France, so for us waiting access was blocked.

Nobody blames the club for not being able to stream the game. That’s out of their hands - and notice was given on the club site that it would be unavailable in most European countries, I hadn’t checked. But for an overseas Addick in a country which at its discretion Sky decides it will block access via Charlton TV, the first option is to subscribe to EFL’s broadcast partner in the country (not always possible and often not if you want access for just a day), second might be to find a bar showing the game (but get real, an English second division game for early afternoon Saturday, you’d have to find an outright sports bar somewhere close to hand), the third is of course VPN, which can work out (it didn’t for me yesterday) and of course adds to the cost.

I’m no longer sure of the current price of an annual subscription to the Charlton Live service, including streaming of games, as my sub runs from December to December – and the club site doesn’t show the option of subscribing annually. It does say that a monthly pass costs £35, which if you assume that the season runs for 10 months (August-May) adds up to £350. Charlton season tickets are priced at between £375 (£295 and less for selected groups) and £695 (£550 and less). I don’t think anyone would argue that going to the game is a more valuable experience. Just how much more the cost of a matchday ticket versus a Charlton TV live stream should be is a matter of opinion. But when making comparisons add in the following.

Someone buying a Charlton season ticket is making a commitment to the club. So are International Addicks taking out an annual stream subscription; they can do no more as it’s plainly daft to buy a season ticket, unless you want to spend a fortune in travel costs. But the former – for good reason - get certain perks, such as privileged access to certain match tickets (including the play-offs). The latter do not. If you are a season ticket holder and cannot get to the match, you accept that as part of the package (you may give your pass to a friend, let’s not pretend it doesn’t happen). But you don’t get told that some games you simply are not allowed to go to because Sky says so – and you may only get told this a day or two before the game. And if an International Addick travels for a game at The Valley, not only do they incur the travel costs involved, they buy a matchday ticket for a game they have already paid to access via the stream.

None of us question that the club’s priority is - and should be - to fill The Valley. We all want to see that. I assume that the club also places some value on having a thriving community of international supporters. They are a mix of ex-pats like me and others who have decided, for whatever reason, that Charlton is for them. We fly the flag, spread the word, help to raise the profile of the club wherever and whenever we can.

We’ve already seen the quality of the Charlton TV service seriously lowered. It was excellent before the new Sky deal, with a pre-match show, half-time discussion, and post-match analysis, usually including an interview with the manager. (It’s accepted that those living in the UK and not able to get to The Valley have suffered a worse fate, having to subscribe to Sky.) The monthly shows are entertaining but not a substitute for what went before. Now we are being slapped in the face by not being able to view games that we have paid to see. How many more games this season will go the same way as yesterday?

I’m aware that there are ongoing discussions concerning these issues between international supporters’ representatives and the club. So this isn’t a diatribe against the club, hopefully just a nudge in the right direction. Being able to watch Charlton games is the lifeline for those of us living overseas and the club itself now gets a great deal more from the EFL’s TV deal than it used to. I hope it will take these things into account.

Simply Magnificent Effort And Deserved Point

Despite the glorious start to the campaign – which I managed to watch on a mobile en route from Lyon to around Montpelier, with Plan A having gone out of the window curtesy of a two-hour bouchon around Millau, almost causing an accident with a yelp of delight as Knibbs buried it – for obvious reasons we went into today’s contest very much as the underdogs. An end-of-holidays drive back from Gaillac to Lyon enabled me to watch the match in a more comfortable setting but the end-result was very much the same. Great deal of satisfaction to take from a magnificent effort, one which at the least merited the point we take back with us. Another win would not have flattered us.

With no fresh injury concerns, but also no sign yet of Godden being available for selection, to nobody’s surprise the team was unchanged – and the only change to the matchday squad was Maynard-Brewer coming in for Mannion as the reserve keeper.

Bristol City did begin the game much the brighter, although Apter almost got an opening at the start. In the first 10 minutes first Edwards was caught out by a ball over his head which ended up with a shot blocked for a corner, then another guy cut inside and sent a shot from outside the box just wide. They seemed to be coping easily enough with our press and when the sprang forward were adept at short passing to create space. It looked like it was going to be a very tough afternoon.

However, as the half progressed we seemed to get more of a grip on them, without creating much. Apter continued to look like he had the beating of them on the right, Campbell got more into the game, and simple hard work and good organisation pushed them back. Our best moment – aside from a back pass which the Bristol defender left and almost caught the keeper unawares - came on 17 minutes when Campbell moved across the line with the ball and found Carey on the right, but his cross/shot was too strong for Kelman to get on the end of and wide of the far post. Shortly before the break Campbell played a one-two to get into space but his clipped cross was easily gathered.

The half-time stats showed that Bristol had enjoyed 60% possession and had eight shots to our two – but most tellingly none on target. Blocks from Ramsay and Jones in particular had been effective to keep them at bay. No question that Jones the Boss will have been happier than his counterpart – and I guess like many Addicks I was merely thinking that if we can keep a clean sheet it would be a very good afternoon’s work.

That clean sheet looked a long way off as it took some last-ditch defending from the kick off to keep them out. That proved to be the first of a flurry of chances. On 50 minutes a great ball inside found Apter in space. His shot was parried by their keeper and unfortunately dropped for a defender to put behind. That seemed to sting them into upping it and next it was their turn as we unluckily lost possession in our own half, a shot was blocked but the rebound went to another inside the box. He was able to turn and shoot from a tight angle and his effort crashed off the top of the bar.

In terms of chances we were up next. Apter again the fulcrum and his ball in hit a defender and looked set to end in their net, only for their keeper to adjust well to get down to turn it onto the post. Then Carey was set up well but shot badly wide, and from a corner Ramsay headed over when Jones coming in behind him was better placed. To almost square things up, after Leaburn had replaced Kelman, a poor Campbell pass put us in trouble and it took Ramsay (again) to sort it out.

More changes came, with on 80 minutes Knibbs and Alaofe coming on for Carey and Campbell, while Bristol brought on a couple of big guys up front, and at the end of normal time, with Edwards going down injured, Gillesphey and Anderson for Edwards and Docherty. With seven minutes of stoppage time flagged we almost took the lead as Apter played a delightful ball in and Knibbs very nearly got on the end of it. But to be fair it took a fantastic block from Jones to keep the scoresheet blank just before the final whistle, before being clattered to the ground by the Bristol big guy (laughingly the Bristol fans seemed to see nothing wrong – although the ref had given soft free kicks to both sides).

With Ramsay struggling with cramp the final whistle was probably overall welcome for us, especially as Bristol had one final free kick to loft into the box after an Apter foul. There were many tired bodies out there, but it had all been in a very good cause. The final stats showed their possession down to 57.5% and of their 14 shots only one was on target (an easy gather for Kaminski), although they did have the one which crashed off the bar. We ended with eight shots and two on target, plus hitting the post.

It would be unfair to single out individuals in what was a tremendous team effort, us going head-to-toe with one of the best sides in the division away from home. But Jones and Ramsay in particular were superb, while Apter is a joy to watch. The level of commitment was exemplary, throughout the team (sure Kelman struggled to influence the game, but largely on his own against three assured centre-backs was a thankless task). Nothing but satisfaction as we look back on that one, we can only ask for more.