Saturday, 31 October 2009
Zero attacking threat
Carlisle United 3 Charlton Athletic 1
Very disappointing, and from someone who was more than happy with the 4-5-1 line up, I was even more disappointed not to see Jonjo start and us revert to a formation that has offered us the most attacking threat and defensive security this season. Our form since Colchester United has not been promotion material simple as.
Our attacking threat garnered from a far better radio commentator was pretty much zero and it is obvious to me at least that Burton and McLeod lack any real danger when paired together. Sam seems to have gone right of the boil and it is now 6 league games since we have scored from open play and in my mind we're very lucky to remain in 2nd place, whilst above us Leeds sprint away.
After not one penalty in any of our games this season a tight first half brought two. On loan Ikeme, preferred to Randolph was unlucky with Ian Harte's after he saved his initial kick, and then Burton converted after he was fouled. All level at the break then but the hope that we would go on to dominate the second half underlyed our league positions because apart from one period in the 45 we never sounded likely.
With the home crowd raising the noise 35-year old Graham Kavanagh scored two long range crackers, one following an error by on-loan Omozusi, who by all accounts had a good first half. Nothing the keeper could do (although he has now let in nine in his last two appearances at Brunton Park!) nor generally the defence but our problems lie in attack and a cursory glance at the list of the league's top goalscorers tells you where we lack compared to our rivals.
There are other issues of course but before we 'got found out' we were scoring at will, but now we are not even creating good chances. McLeod back on the bench, start Mooney, give Burton his operation and put a hungry Jonjo back in the team.
Carlisle view: Sunday Sun.
Charlton view: Newshopper. ¶ 14:09
Very disappointing, and from someone who was more than happy with the 4-5-1 line up, I was even more disappointed not to see Jonjo start and us revert to a formation that has offered us the most attacking threat and defensive security this season. Our form since Colchester United has not been promotion material simple as.
Our attacking threat garnered from a far better radio commentator was pretty much zero and it is obvious to me at least that Burton and McLeod lack any real danger when paired together. Sam seems to have gone right of the boil and it is now 6 league games since we have scored from open play and in my mind we're very lucky to remain in 2nd place, whilst above us Leeds sprint away.
After not one penalty in any of our games this season a tight first half brought two. On loan Ikeme, preferred to Randolph was unlucky with Ian Harte's after he saved his initial kick, and then Burton converted after he was fouled. All level at the break then but the hope that we would go on to dominate the second half underlyed our league positions because apart from one period in the 45 we never sounded likely.
With the home crowd raising the noise 35-year old Graham Kavanagh scored two long range crackers, one following an error by on-loan Omozusi, who by all accounts had a good first half. Nothing the keeper could do (although he has now let in nine in his last two appearances at Brunton Park!) nor generally the defence but our problems lie in attack and a cursory glance at the list of the league's top goalscorers tells you where we lack compared to our rivals.
There are other issues of course but before we 'got found out' we were scoring at will, but now we are not even creating good chances. McLeod back on the bench, start Mooney, give Burton his operation and put a hungry Jonjo back in the team.
Carlisle view: Sunday Sun.
Charlton view: Newshopper. ¶ 14:09
