 | Forum
Reply | Possession, nine-tenths of the problem? – Analysis
at 17:21 13 Oct 2025
The data presented suggests that we went back to the game model for the last 15 games under Marti and started this season similarly trying to control possession.
I too don't mind us changing the game model, lessons learned etc but it needs to fare better than 18 months next time. |
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Reply | Possession, nine-tenths of the problem? – Analysis
at 17:02 13 Oct 2025
Is 18 months a long time now then? I thought the idea of having a game model was that we were consistent over a long period of time, not changing it more frequently than our manager.
I think it was just the wrong strategy to begin with, as he says in that archived interview, the strategy was set “by looking at the last 10 years of the Championship and what won you points" so we're already looking to the past to predict the future. Doesn't seem to be a lot on nuance about the limitations we have compared to the teams with bigger budgets who can buy players to play whatever system they want. To me it seems poorly conceived from the beginning.
If we move away from that now and decide on a new strategy then I'm all for it, especially if the first team results keep going the way they are. But we can't change it again in another 18 months it would defeat the object and be a massive failure of planning on the clubs part. |
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Reply | Credit where it's due?
at 17:39 6 Oct 2025
Tend to agree with this, we've seen pragmatism last season when we needed results but eventually it trended back towards the game model. Hopefully this season we'll stick to what's working. Certainly been impressed with JS since the Coventry game, we got to see the coach that we thought we were getting at the start of the season.
As with Nourry, he seems to have learnt in areas like transfers and adapted which for me is a massive positive because the adaptability is a transferable trait to all areas of his role which is really positive. |
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Reply | Players With Wobbly Starts
at 12:43 6 Oct 2025
Similar time to Helguson but I think Clint Hill had a slow start at LB but really came into his own when he moved to CB.
Shittu started poorly with a red card in his second game I think but bounced back pretty quickly. |
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Reply | Lesser spotted Clarke Salter
at 18:47 1 Oct 2025
I don't think that's entirely true, he had an injury record before he joined us and a reputation for not being often available. He then spent most of his first season with us unavailable, I don't think it's hindsight to say it was risky to extend a contract that still had 2 years to run off the back of a breakout season which included around 30 games in a season, so about 75% availability.
The issue with JCS is he's a quality defender, so it's a risk with high potential rewards but with each injury and setback it seems an even longer shot of paying off. I hope he manages to get fit but you have to wonder if it's taken it's till mentally, especially if he's feeling discomfort when scans say there's nothing wrong. |
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Reply | Madsen
at 20:50 20 Sep 2025
Looked like he had much more fight in him than I've seen before which makes the world of difference at this level. Made some good challenges and won the ball back, worked hard for the team as well as passing the ball well as well know he can. Very pleasing to see. |
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Reply | That Mbengue tackle
at 20:41 20 Sep 2025
I thought he was out of control and he did catch him, at that point it's a gamble whether the ref decides on a red or yellow normally, so was surprised at no booking at all but won't argue.
Assume the fact he gave a free kick means they can't do any retrospective action? |
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Reply | That Mbengue tackle
at 20:33 20 Sep 2025
Sky replay showed Burrell caught him but his studs were down so it was just laces around the chops. Don't think he intended to do that, to me it just looked like he backed his pace to get there first. |
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Reply | Harvey Vale
at 17:44 18 Sep 2025
I thought he could be describing Martin Rowlands tbh but either way not bad company to be with. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan talks dreams, transfers, and that Coventry game – Interview
at 12:42 11 Sep 2025
Agreed that JS comes across well, I think he obviously has good experience with younger players and how to foster a good team mentality throughout the club.
I thought his answer on fitness was a good example of that, I would have said Charlton goals were an example of good substitutions and I imagine he would have been well within his rights to say that but instead suggested it was about fitness |
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Reply | Summer Transfer Window - Patreon Podcast
at 12:59 5 Sep 2025
Tbh I'm not sure how to take that. Does Belk have the experience to do that role, as it's a much wider remit than just player recruitment. Or does Nourry think that the DoF role is just about player recruitment?
The game model for example, CN seemed to be leading on that previously which would normally be DoF remit. |
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Reply | Summer Transfer Window - Patreon Podcast
at 11:36 5 Sep 2025
I was always under the impression that we went to retexo to hire either a new CEO or DoF and he basically put his own name forward. Not sure if it was his idea to combine the roles or the clubs but he certainly seemed confident about it when first interviewed.
As Norf points out, LH was always clear as CEO he knows nothing about the playing side just sets the budget and wider strategy. CN has less experience than LH and thinks he can do both.
Initially when they appointed him as CEO I wasn't too concerned, yes he was young but I don't think that necessarily is a bad thing. But I was expecting a separate DoF. CN could hire a DoF who uses data, want's to improve the DS etc etc who he could work hand in glove with but for whatever reason wants to do it all himself where an experienced DoF may be able to assist. Arrogance/control freak/naive, who knows but everything suggests he's one of those things at least and it worries me for the club, if that's allowed without being labelled a hater. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan
at 20:43 31 Aug 2025
Yeah authorised it, but I doubt they're making the suggestion as the idea would come from the CEO, DoF or Chairman who's involved in the day to day. So it's entirely possible one of those in a day to day role was suggesting that they sack Marti before and Reuben said no. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan
at 20:38 31 Aug 2025
So do you think it was Reuben who decided to put MC on garden leave? |
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Reply | Hayden, Dunne, in-game management on the pitch.
at 08:32 31 Aug 2025
I think Dunne is a good organiser, one example from yesterday was when we were attacking with Smyth coming across to take a long throw from the right wing. The throw in ended with the keeper and Dunne was up to get the flick on, so Campbell pulled into the left wing with Dunne absent to receive a quick pass from the keeper. The keeper looked like he was shaping up to release it to Campbell and at the same time Smyth thought he needed to get back onto the left wing and in position but Dunne stopped him and got him to mark Campbell while he was getting back, which completely stopped the Charlton attack before it started.
Not sure if that's just good communication that you'd expect from an experienced defender or leadership but it was good to see. |
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Reply | Playing Walsh after the 7-1 defeat
at 08:17 31 Aug 2025
His kicking was poor but you'd hope that's something they can work on fairly easily in training. He gets a good distance, just needs to work on accuracy. I did however like him flying off his line to punch the ball clear when we were getting bombarded towards the end.
The goal yesterday I have some sympathy for him. From the West Paddock I was in line with the shot and the post and thought Mbengue jumping unsighted Walsh and he probably thought (as did I, as did Mbengue) that it was going to get headed clear. So while it was soft I don't think the blame lies fully with Walsh.
I was impressed with how confident he was in the first half considering last week. It wasn't that long ago that we watched Lumley go from promising goalkeeper to a bit of a liability and it happened around the time he lost his confidence. So it was a shame in the second half when he's down the school end and the away fans are on his back that the home crowd wasn't on his side.
As always with these things, it's going to be a long road to redemption for Walsh as it's hard to change people's opinions once they have a negative view of a player. I hope he succeeds. |
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Reply | CONTRARY to FIRM BELIEF
at 18:46 30 Aug 2025
He did ok today, but talking on the way home I can't help but think part of the problem is at best he's ok, when he's not up to his best he seems to end up being carried by the team. Good at set pieces though and can pass well, but doesn't help the team much if we're struggling to get a foot hold in the game. |
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Reply | Seven days – Preview
at 09:38 30 Aug 2025
Great writing as per usual.
It's a shame about twitter, I'm not sure how any genuine fan would have a go at you. Your reports and previews are one of the few things that we can be proud of as a club, same with AKUTRS. For a small club we have great independent media which we should treasure. It may be out of fashion at the moment with spotty teenagers on YouTube being the newer media option, but hopefully proper writing will outlive this particular fad. |
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Reply | Andy Sinton
at 12:04 24 Aug 2025
Get well soon Andy.
As a kid I'd always play on the wing so every home game I'd focus on what Andy was doing, not sure if it helped much but it made me learn how to use both feet. |
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