I would like to say just got back, but that wouldn't be true!
I haven't scrolled through thread (yet, will do after) as I don't want to be influenced. I just thought to post after slept on it.
Leading up to the match, I was optimistic. Rochdale managed to hit 4 in midweek against them, Accy had beaten them before that. We had put on a decent display v Sheffield United, our set piece play was threatening and I liked that Ehmer was not included with a credible orthodox replacement. I thought our starting line up looked balanced, both in mixture of youth and experience; and in players in correct positions. What we weren't balanced in was, form.
Day makes his 3rd debut in a week. A league, debut.... apart from a howler in him, I generally like his approach. 1 own goal, 1 deflected goal, 1 goal from corner, on each debut is relegation luck isn't it!?
Alfie captain. Hmmmm.... Heart instinctively likes that appointment, but Head says is that because there's no other realistic candidate. Both are potential worries. Especially when you're a few points away from relegation battle.
I liked his contribution though, and for me was in the mix for a man of match award.
We play 2 up front! Hallelujah! 2 bone fide strikers. A first, this season? Certainly never seriously explored and persevered under BG. Unfortunately, JA didn't have his best performance, but a raw product can be worked with. Hopefully a working progress.....but we
need a Brandon partner striker striking NOW.
Westbrook. He gets the gig because there's literally no one else in central midfield with a creative pass in them in our squad. Granted, some of his dead ball deliveries are scintillating, but in open play we have to rely on the crossing of Hare, Grant or Leahy. Zain did play a lovely through ball which got cut back in second half, but my main observation is he slows up play with picking his passes. It's a shame he was our only creative outlet, I would have brought Rodman on much earlier (for upson) as we were severely lacking in counter attacking options.
Our mid and forward line lacked pace. Tempo was slowed when we had the ball and our passing movement and basic technical abilities were poor and lacking moving forward. We were easy to defend against. That's credit to Charlton, who went about their business efficiently and could have easily been 1 or 2 up in first half save squandered chances.
A disappointing day. I thought we had some decent moves in us (McCormick chance) but we too hampered by an attack lacking pace and creativity. We desperately miss Oz, Nicholson, Daly..
Some tough matches approaching, we definitely need 1 or 2 new striking options at least. In Tis we trust, but Charlton are a good example of where you need to be to realistically compete physically at this level, and we are way off that atm..
