Charlton match thread - 15 Sept

It still beggars belief that we have signed a whole team of professional footballers who, in the most part, perform consistently below the lowest of expectations. So now it's all down to the Coach to resurrect their abilities. Just have to question the person/s responsible having such belief in their judgement when securing their services for BCAFC. Surely a profound mistake. If strong coaching and a sound system brings about improvement as appears initially, albeit with a promising contribution from a newly acquired combatant midfielder, it does underline a new direction in the recruitment process has to be a priority.

 

Not completely sure about that. I think we've signed some decent players in O'Donnell, Ball, Doyle, Payne, O'brien(s) and although they weren't great on Saturday I think O'Connor and MgGowan are decent defenders. Wood looks promoising, Gibson should be given a run now and I still think Miller and Scannel will both have a part to play. Jury's out on Wright and hopefully Akpan can force his way back in once he's fit again, same with Mellor. The basics for me are there, it just needs a strong manager in Hopkin to implement the way he wants the team to play. Saturday was much more organised, tactics were there, formation was just about there and there seemed to be more team spirit than previous games.

 

I have to admit it's time for me to give up the fight. I have championed Bruenker since last season and thought he was well worthy of a place on the bench. But after his initial promise he just seems to get worse every match. When he came on on Saturday he didn't even chase like he used to do. Doubt if he was helped by the singing from the Kop though. Couldn't quite make it out from where I was but if I was being kind it sounded like "you're just a big German B~stard". As I said, I no longer think he's good enough but doesn't deserve abuse on the pitch. He's still a City player who tries his best.

 

Prodigy or not, the last thing Edin would want, is someone stealing a wage. He has so often demonstrated he can see things in players and management which is beyond normal vision. If he should ever get it right..we'll be flying!

 

You've picked out two forwards and two midfielders as looking 'decent'.

We can't score goals, create chances, or pick up any points, meanwhile.

When you say "decent"...?

 

What's happened to 6 foot 5 striker Tom Clare?

 

Clared off??

 

A lot of that is down to confidence. You only have to look at Burnley - largely the same team as last season suddenly looks little better than us!!

I think confidence is very underestimated


The good news is our concede 4 goals every 10 minute ratio has reduced greatly

 

Confidence is a massive factor in sport, arguably the biggest factor. City have very little of it at the moment, McGowan alluded to it on twitter. James O'Brien has only been here a couple of days so hasn't been around the deep apathy around the club, it was his full on effort display and his voicing of encouragement to his new team mates that has been obviously missing at the club. Although we lost, on the balance of the game a draw would have been a fair result and had the first minute flick from Doyle gone in we could have been looking at a different result. The only thing that could stop Hopkin turning this around is whether we have the players in the squad to match the way he wants us to play. It's clear he needs a target man if we are going to get the ball up field quickly, unfortunately Bruenker is not the answer.

 

He hadn’t on Saturday

 

True.

Maybe I should have said on what I've seen so far they 'potentially look decent' players. I was impressed with Ball on Sat, Payne for me is a luxury player but still a good player, Doyle I think with Ball should come good. Not sure it's a case of can't scoring goals but more we haven't so far scored goals.

Lets not forget that we have so many injuries which hasn't helped the team/Hopkin.

 

Dont tell me you saw him leave early because he hadn't been picked to play