MATCHWATCH : Charlton Athletic (a)

[scumbag]

I've had enough. I normally give managers the benefit of the doubt but that squad should not be second bottom, it's absolutely atrocious whether it's with the points deduction or not.

I cannot remember seeing anything as stupid as Selles keeping the players out at full time to be abused for the last few games. Clueless, go and oxf*rd your 4-2-2-2

[Brogue]

didn't realise that in the last 19 league games without an away win, we've not once been a goal up at any point in any of the games.

[tmesis]

Which suggests Bowen was looking for an experienced manager, but either literally no experienced manager would take the job, which seems unlikely, or when Bowen got what he was looking for by agreeing Wilder and that fell apart he got overruled.

I'm not sure why that's unlikely, given the mess the club is in.

Any experienced manager who isn't desperate would wait for a better job.

We don't know. But Bowen is about the only one with any track record of good decisions at the club, so I'm willing to give him benefit of doubt.

The bar seems to be being set very low on that front

Because even club's in dire situations attract managers, and Reading is still a big step for most L1 or 2 managers. And most could expect to do considerably better with this squad than Selles has.

Clubs in bad situations are generally only appealing to managers who can't get a job anywhere else.

Managers who can't get a job anywhere else tend to be either inexperienced, or not that great.

[tidus_mi2]

A game where we seemed to edge it without really looking like scoring and then ended up collapsing.

Highlight was when an older guy almost got in a fight with a teenager.

[tmesis]

Really don't understand how Selles can keep defending a tactic that continues to show no signs of working, and depressing to once again see such a stubborn and one dimensional manager in charge.

100% maintain these players are much, much better than results suggest, and it's mostly a tactical problem. But they're also understandably fragile and either crumble like wet cake when they go behind, or just go missing entirely(Dean).

Haven't got a clue what we do. But Selles' idea of more of the same and hope for the best isn't doing anyone any good.

I think are young players are talented, but raw, and always suspected we'd be around the bottom third. I didn't think we'd be quite this bad though.

A manager trying to make players fit his system, rather than finding a system that suits his players, isn't going to end well if you just don't have the players - and I don't think we do.

didn't realise that in the last 19 league games without an away win, we've not once been a goal up at any point in any of the games.

Superb spin opportunity there - we've not dropped a single away point from a leading position for a year.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I'm not sure why that's unlikely, given the mess the club is in.

Any experienced manager who isn't desperate would wait for a better job.

The bar seems to be being set very low on that front

Because even club's in dire situations attract managers, and Reading is still a big step for most L1 or 2 managers. And most could expect to do considerably better with this squad than Selles has.

Clubs in bad situations are generally only appealing to managers who can't get a job anywhere else.

Managers who can't get a job anywhere else tend to be either inexperienced, or not that great.

Don't say that. All those directing their anger at Selles instead of Dai may get upset and cry, and it's cruel to do that to children.

[Royal_jimmy]

Meanwhile, Parkys Wrexham earned a solid away point at Wrexham. If we can't have Parkinson what about Mad Dog Allen or even renewing the Mick Gooding Jimmy Quin partnership we played some really attractive football the first time around.

With how shit we are Parky would be an improvement. But he won't come here whilst Wrexham continue to build a great project so stop jerking off to him. No decent manager will whilst were in this mess and unfortunately I think we're stuck with Selles.

[windermereROYAL]

Meanwhile, Parkys Wrexham earned a solid away point at Wrexham. If we can't have Parkinson what about Mad Dog Allen or even renewing the Mick Gooding Jimmy Quin partnership we played some really attractive football the first time around.

With how shit we are Parky would be an improvement. But he won't come here whilst Wrexham continue to build a great project so stop jerking off to him. No decent manager will whilst were in this mess and unfortunately I think we're stuck with Selles.

Why can`t you see we haven`t got a pot to piss in therefore we can`t afford to give Selles the boot and bring in a new guy until we get in a new owner.

[windermereROYAL]

Could potentially get out of the bottom 4 Tuesday, Wigan have Oxford.

It’s not 6 points for a win

Yeah my bad, for some reason I thought Wigan were 5th bottom.

[CountryRoyal]

On a serious note, at what point can we just forfeit the away games and take the L and the extra rest for the home games?

[Clyde1998]

A game where we seemed to edge it without really looking like scoring and then ended up collapsing.

Highlight was when an older guy almost got in a fight with a teenager.

This. We only collapsed after the second goal - we had a good chance with Ehib to equalise just before their wonder strike. I also felt we edged the game until their first goal, but didn't really feel like we had the cutting edge to actually score.

Did you hear what they were arguing about? Couldn't hear it from where I was. I think it was at 3-0 down, so probably something about criticising players.

I enjoyed watching the pigeons in the second half; they showed much more movement off the ball than our players.

[Clyde1998]

didn't realise that in the last 19 league games without an away win, we've not once been a goal up at any point in any of the games.

Incredibly the two cup matches we have taken the lead in, we've managed to win 4-0 and 9-0. I think it just shows how important taking the lead is for us at the moment.

[Elm Park Kid]

didn't realise that in the last 19 league games without an away win, we've not once been a goal up at any point in any of the games.

Incredibly the two cup matches we have taken the lead in, we've managed to win 4-0 and 9-0. I think it just shows how important taking the lead is for us at the moment.

Tbh, I think those results show the importance of playing very weak teams.

[Clyde1998]

didn't realise that in the last 19 league games without an away win, we've not once been a goal up at any point in any of the games.

Incredibly the two cup matches we have taken the lead in, we've managed to win 4-0 and 9-0. I think it just shows how important taking the lead is for us at the moment.

Tbh, I think those results show the importance of playing very weak teams.

Millwall had a full strength side out, with the exception of playing their secondary keeper IIRC.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Meanwhile, Parkys Wrexham earned a solid away point at Wrexham. If we can't have Parkinson what about Mad Dog Allen or even renewing the Mick Gooding Jimmy Quin partnership we played some really attractive football the first time around.

With how shit we are Parky would be an improvement. But he won't come here whilst Wrexham continue to build a great project so stop jerking off to him. No decent manager will whilst were in this mess and unfortunately I think we're stuck with Selles.

If Selles goes, it's Noel realistically. I'd happily go for that.

[Snowflake Royal]

A game where we seemed to edge it without really looking like scoring and then ended up collapsing.

Highlight was when an older guy almost got in a fight with a teenager.

This. We only collapsed after the second goal - we had a good chance with Ehib to equalise just before their wonder strike. I also felt we edged the game until their first goal, but didn't really feel like we had the cutting edge to actually score.

Did you hear what they were arguing about? Couldn't hear it from where I was. I think it was at 3-0 down, so probably something about criticising players.

I enjoyed watching the pigeons in the second half; they showed much more movement off the ball than our players.

The thing is we created chances but no one looked capable of a finish. Whilst you knew Charlton could only get better.

They didn't create much first half and what they did they completely fluffed. But it was so clear they'd improve and we'd eventually present them a goal on a plate or something would fly in.


At least Craig looked comfortable and Wing dows look a step up on most of our midfield.

Nothing will improve whilst we continue to play Selles' way.

[PieEater]

Not sure I can add much, we did ok in first half but didn't take any of the chances, then we leak a goal and collapse.

I left with the majority after the 3rd goal, like a full time mass exit. I'm getting sick of us being so shit every single game.

[Snowflake Royal]

Incredibly the two cup matches we have taken the lead in, we've managed to win 4-0 and 9-0. I think it just shows how important taking the lead is for us at the moment.

Tbh, I think those results show the importance of playing very weak teams.

Millwall had a full strength side out, with the exception of playing their secondary keeper IIRC.

It really is all about the first goal.
We've won every game we've scored first except Ipswich.

And lost all but one game we conceded first (Bolton).


If ever there was a side who need to throw the kitchen sink at it in the first 15 minutes it's us.

[Clyde1998]

A game where we seemed to edge it without really looking like scoring and then ended up collapsing.

Highlight was when an older guy almost got in a fight with a teenager.

This. We only collapsed after the second goal - we had a good chance with Ehib to equalise just before their wonder strike. I also felt we edged the game until their first goal, but didn't really feel like we had the cutting edge to actually score.

Did you hear what they were arguing about? Couldn't hear it from where I was. I think it was at 3-0 down, so probably something about criticising players.

I enjoyed watching the pigeons in the second half; they showed much more movement off the ball than our players.

The thing is we created chances but no one looked capable of a finish. Whilst you knew Charlton could only get better.

They didn't create much first half and what they did they completely fluffed. But it was so clear they'd improve and we'd eventually present them a goal on a plate or something would fly in.


At least Craig looked comfortable and Wing dows look a step up on most of our midfield.

Nothing will improve whilst we continue to play Selles' way.

I think not having someone capable of finishing has been our biggest issue this season. Basically every away game has hinged on us not taking chances at crucial points. Perhaps Sam Smith playing will help with that (can't remember him having a shot yesterday though); one of the positives was getting an hour out of him.

I'd say we should switch to a diamond midfield, rather than a box (if we're going to play four defenders and two strikers, with the width coming from the full-backs).

Instead of:
AM (Knibbs) - AM (Azeez)
CM (Craig) - CM (Wing)
Yesterday's midfield in brackets

We'd play:
AM (Knibbs/Elliott; being allowed to drift wide)
CM (Savage/Craig) - CM (Wing)
DM (McIntyre/Hutch)

I think that would assist defensively. I don't know how many times we relied on the pace of Abbey to prevent Charlton having a one-on-one chance yesterday, but it seemed to be constant.

Incidentally, does anyone know why McIntyre, Holmes and Mukairu weren't in the squad yesterday? Were they injured or simply not selected? I'd be starting with Mukairu over Azeez in our current system.

[Royality creeps In]

Two Best players on the pitch.
Abbey and Hector. What a combination they would be.

Pigeons had a good game as well .