Sunday 12 November 2006
wigan away. what was the score? lost 3-2
Sloppy defending and the over-reliance on just three players capable of scoring was the wet and windy tale of yesterday's disappointing defeat to Wigan. Just when you thought we'd turned the corner, it's 6 goals conceded in a few days and a midfield that doesn't even look like scoring, let alone an added bonus of a defender.
I listened to the game on the internet but was given a good eye-witness perspective from my brother on the way home from the JJB. One of around 700 Addicks who sat through a poor game he watched as an average Wigan, who man for man have less quality than we have, score at the right times and us not have the wherewithal to get a 2nd goal after Benty/de Zeeuw's strike gave us a great chance of taking something from the game early in the 2nd half.
The conditions and the opposition was asking for a battle and bottle and we simply weren't up to it. Maybe it was a game for Kish or even Hughes? Hasselbaink made a difference when he came on but we were always chasing the game.
Darren Ambrose was again poor and I feel that Dowie will try to off-load him in January. True, he should be playing more of an advanced role in the middle but just like at Newcastle he can't seem to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and make an impression on it. I would rather see Lloyd Sam or Ali John replace Rommedahl wide in a 5-man midfield.
Next week's game is huge. We are in the middle of an 'easier' run of fixtures and we need points. The season has no longer just started and the pressure is mounting, but we need to stick to together. No doubt.
Dowie watch: Perhaps for the first time this season you have to question ID's team selection. Up against a very big and strong Wigan side he opted for a lightweight 5-man midfield, who simply were out-muscled. Is it time to put his attacking beliefs to one side in an effort to grind out a result at Reading next week?
Quote: "We've worked hard on set pieces this week and you can see we'll have to do some more work on it. It was free header from six yards out and should have been defended much better."
Opinions from those that were there: Addicks Diary; cafc.co.uk; BBC Sport; Independent; Guardian. ¶ 12:41
I listened to the game on the internet but was given a good eye-witness perspective from my brother on the way home from the JJB. One of around 700 Addicks who sat through a poor game he watched as an average Wigan, who man for man have less quality than we have, score at the right times and us not have the wherewithal to get a 2nd goal after Benty/de Zeeuw's strike gave us a great chance of taking something from the game early in the 2nd half.
The conditions and the opposition was asking for a battle and bottle and we simply weren't up to it. Maybe it was a game for Kish or even Hughes? Hasselbaink made a difference when he came on but we were always chasing the game.
Darren Ambrose was again poor and I feel that Dowie will try to off-load him in January. True, he should be playing more of an advanced role in the middle but just like at Newcastle he can't seem to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and make an impression on it. I would rather see Lloyd Sam or Ali John replace Rommedahl wide in a 5-man midfield.
Next week's game is huge. We are in the middle of an 'easier' run of fixtures and we need points. The season has no longer just started and the pressure is mounting, but we need to stick to together. No doubt.
Dowie watch: Perhaps for the first time this season you have to question ID's team selection. Up against a very big and strong Wigan side he opted for a lightweight 5-man midfield, who simply were out-muscled. Is it time to put his attacking beliefs to one side in an effort to grind out a result at Reading next week?
Quote: "We've worked hard on set pieces this week and you can see we'll have to do some more work on it. It was free header from six yards out and should have been defended much better."
Opinions from those that were there: Addicks Diary; cafc.co.uk; BBC Sport; Independent; Guardian. ¶ 12:41
