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Ipswich Will Be Our Hardest Home Game All Season - Notes for Charlton
Friday, 28th Nov 2014 10:18 by HarryFromBath

HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

"I'm over the moon about how the season is going", "It's a damn sight better than it was at this stage last season", "We're still ninth and up there competing. The next few games are crucial and will give us a better idea of where we will be at the end of the season."

Charlton come into Saturday's game unbeaten in four matches and having secured a 0-0 draw at home to their derby rivals and bogey team Millwall last Saturday.

Their three draws and a win at Reading have typified the form of a team that has lost just twice but found wins hard to come by.

"Our team has improved in terms of natural ability", "We are lacking in some areas but are not in a false position. The team is fairly solid and is a lot better than over the past couple of seasons. It is still surprising how well things are going given the number of changes over the summer."

Addicks are happy to see their team sitting in upper mid-table just one season into what is widely seen as a two-year restructuring project after their takeover by Roland Duchatelet last January. "This season is all about laying foundations. We are just over halfway through team rebuilding."

"We are a better team than last season. I'm not sure we will finish higher than ninth though", "The fat lady hasn't sung yet, but we appear to have avoided what is going to be a real battle for survival at the bottom of the table. Whether we can push on is a more difficult question."

Bob Peeters

"If you're looking for pulsating, attacking football and moments of sublime brilliance from the best players in the league, you're not going to find it at the Valley with Duchatelet approving the budget and Peeters as manager", "Bob is very much playing to the strengths of the squad available to him."

"Bob clearly wants to play with purpose and discipline, to play controlled football and ideally to control the game", "We are solid defensively and are sound if a little lacking in midfield creativity. By focussing on these strengths, he has made us hard to beat but somewhat light when attacking."

Most Addicks want to see the team play more adventurous football, but they appreciate how Peeters has moulded a well-organised team, with the squad having undergone major rebuilding over the summer. They also like his passionate no-nonsense management style.

"Bob seems like a good, honest kind of bloke, and not the one for hiding away", "It's great to see raw passion on the touchline, something not really seen since Pardew, dare I say it", "His clapping along to 'Bobby Peeters' Red and White Army' was great", "I love the passion he shows."

Being Hard to Beat

"We have drawn too many games because we are not good enough going forward", "Our 6-10-2 record is pretty impressive and accurately reflects that we have not quite got enough to win games but we are nonetheless pretty solid."

"Bob is setting us up as very hard to beat. That is a good base to build from and a very good mindset to get into the players", "As long as we maintain our present status while we rebuild, I don't care how many draws we accumulate."

"The good news is that we are only a couple of players away from being a very good team, but I wonder how close we really are to getting them", "Duchatelet is a fabulously wealthy owner, and needs to spend money now on a proven creative midfielder and a lethal striker."

A Cautious 4-1-4-1

"I enjoy the way we are playing this season, but accept that it has not always been very exciting." Charlton have played with this conservative formation in recent games. While protecting the back four, it is widely seen as lacking a cutting edge and has left the lone striker unsupported.

"Tactically we got it wrong against Millwall. We played a 4-1-4-1 and left Vetokele isolated", "We played this against one of the worst teams I have seen at the Valley for years", "Big Bob bottled it big time and only switched to 4-4-2 with seven minutes left. It was 20 minutes too late, my son."

Fans were frustrated when this formation was used against what was seen as a highly beatable Millwall team. "We didn't throw the kitchen sink at Millwall today. We offered them a pink plastic washing-up bowl, half-price from Poundland."

A Lack of Pace

"Our pace is too slow", "There is nothing on show to quicken the pulse of the fans", "We need to get into their box quicker. The Millwall defence was solid and always had time to get behind the ball", "We couldn't muster the zip or force to bother their keeper until the very last minute."

"There is no intensity to our play." Many fans blame a lack of tempo in their play as much as their cautious formation. "We could do with a bit of excitement as the cold weather comes in", "We should be playing more on the front foot", "It's frustrating to see us ambling to take set-pieces."

Defence

"We have only lost twice this season and this is down to the strength of our defence", "We have picked up 17 home points and are unbeaten at home. That is largely because we aren't shipping those stupid goals which were a depressing feature of the previous two campaigns."

Charlton's defence has been praised for their organisation and consistency this season. They arrive into Saturday's game having kept two consecutive clean sheets. "Defensively we can stand up to everything thrown at us", "If it wasn't for our defence, we would be in the bottom six."

Nick Pope

"It was good to see Pope get a deserved clean sheet against Millwall." With former Ipswich loanee goalkeeper Stephen Henderson unavailable, Soham-born Nick Pope will keep his place in the starting XI. "He will chuffed to start against the team he supports and whose books he was once on."

The 22-year-old former Ipswich youth player "made a superb save to his right late on which stopped us losing", "He showed some promising distribution from his hands", "When I saw Pope was playing, I thought that we would let at least one in, but he spent most of the game just catching crosses."


"Popey has the makings of a great keeper", "Apart from one mistake with a cross in the first half, he did the basics and handled everything well", "He grew into the game and made some good saves towards the end", "He has never been on a losing Charlton team."

With first-choice left-back Rhoys Wiggins absent with a foot injury, Morgan Fox has stepped into the breach. The 21-year-old youth product "is strictly a defensive full-back. He doesn't take many chances going forward", "I want him to do well but he dithered during the Millwall game."

"Fox has done well, but is made a couple of mistakes near the end of the game when he seemed to lose concentration", "He ended up being adequate without being outstanding", "He's really just doing a job at left-back", " Fox was solid if limited for an hour and scary thereafter."

Former Middlesbrough centre-back Andre Bikey "is a mixture of the great and the scary", "He is a great signing who has improved the defence this season", "He deals with everything in the air and is not afraid to go in and win most challenges", "He is a bit crazy and will have the odd dodgy game."

The 29-year-old Cameroon had a tough game in Charlton's 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth. "It's interesting to see how Bikey becomes, shall we say, tetchy when things are going badly", "Just pray that Bikey and Ben Haim don't get injured or suspended as we would then be in real trouble."

Tal Ben Haim

"Tal is more composed than Bikey and very brave", "He struggled with Fuller on Saturday but who wouldn't." The 32-year-old ex-Pompey man "is always reliable but was lucky to get away with what looked like an elbow on Lee Martin in the first half", "He wasn't his assured self against Millwall."

"TBH reads the game better than anyone on the pitch and I would argue nearly all centre-backs in the league. You don't need lightning pace as a centre-back when you have such a high footballing IQ", "He is very composed and loves to pass out from the back which helps us keep possession."

"He shows a warrior's heart. The fact that he stayed on after a clattering made me feel that we weren't going to lie down against Millwall for a change", "Tal gets his head to most things and tries to make things happen with the odd run", "If Jacko's not playing, this guy should always be captain."

Chris Solly

"Has there been a more unflappable player than Chris Solly? He never, ever panics. No matter how hard the game is, he is immaculate and composed." The 23-year-old youth product "made some brilliant tackles to keep Millwall out", "He was back to his best and relished the derby."

"What a player. At one point in the first half he was left marking three players and got the ball away from them", "He was as good as I have seen him", "The bloke is incredible. No wingers get past him", "He had a storming display. He had the fire we needed throughout the team."

The right-back made an equally positive contribution in the Addicks' win at Reading. "They thought they could attack us through Obita but Solly handled him brilliantly and also put in a great cross for our goal", "He stopped Obita getting in too many crosses."

Central Midfield

"The short gap between midfield and our strikers is a no-man's land, a demilitarised zone with no entry. We have a squadron of midfielders who ought to play better", "Some of our passing is excellent but too often we play the ball backwards after a good patient build up."

"We lack a midfielder capable of getting forward to press and outwit defences", "We still don't have that player in midfield who will work hard to get the ball, spot runs and deliver well-weighted, accurate passes", "Despite this, I'm glad to see us look more cohesive than we have in the past."

"Johnny Jackson played his usual unselfish game but was unable to influence things", "If he had pace, he would have played his whole career in the Premiership." The 32-year-old ex-Notts County man "works his socks off and does a lot of the dirty work", "He sweats away in the boiler room."

"The Millwall game seemed to pass him by a bit", "Jackson's defensive play is important but he isn't so good when going forward", "He became less involved as the game went on", "I love JJ but he hasn't got the legs for 90 minutes every week any longer", "He is off the pace but never gives up."

Jordan Cousins "has a fantastic engine and gets stronger and stronger as the game goes on." The 20-year-old youth product "is a very good player. His work rate is incredible", "He covers so much ground", "He's always in the action and is everywhere in midfield."

While his effort is praised, his footballing contribution needs improving. "Cousins has great fitness and hustle, but his final pass is lacking", "He needs to look before he passes, as there are quite a few stray balls", "His quality is questionable", "He lacks the creativity to play out wide."

Standard Liege loan signing Yoni Buyens is a doubt for Saturday's game having "felt something in his hamstring" before being taken off on Saturday. The 26-year-old holding midfielder "has a lot of technical ability. At the beginning of the season he was a real breath of fresh air".

The Belgian is "steady, but he needs tell the midfield not to drop too much on top of the defence when we are protecting a lead", "I wonder if the pace of the Championship is taking its toll", "He's a busy midfielder with nice passes and interceptions but we need to see more forward play."

The most disappointing summer signing has been ex-Coventry attacking midfielder Franck Moussa. The 25-year-old "has not looked great", "Sorry, I can't have him as a Championship player", "He constantly loses the ball and doesn't provide any support to the striker or to the midfield."

Francis Coquelin

"It seems I was right when I said that Coquelin was better than Diego Poyet. A quality performance today and he slotted perfectly into the holding position." The 23-year-old is on a one-month loan from Arsenal. "He never wastes a ball and plays some difficult passes with ease."

"I was impressed with the Gooner kid", "His tackling is great, he looks assured on the ball and moves it quickly", "He impressed today, but his talent lies in screening the back four and starting attacks. He lacks out-and-out attacking flair", "Things really started to happen when he upped his work-rate."

Wide Midfield

"Our final ball was uniformly poor against Millwall. Even when given time, our crosses were more in hope than anything else and too many corners failed to beat the first man", "We are quite threatening when we go wide although the final ball leaves a lot to be desired."

Gabon international right-winger Frederic Bulot "needs time. He has a decent touch and will prove to be a good loan [season-long from Standard Liege] over the season." The 24-year-old "is not as effective in the centre, but he has pace and a willingness to take players on".

Callum Harriott

"Callum can be a dangerous player, but some of his decision-making is appalling. He gives the ball away too often for my liking", "There are signs that he is beginning to play with his head and respecting instructions which isn't natural for him. Bob Peeters might just make a player of him yet."

The 20-year-old left-winger and youth product "is a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly", "He was the source of most of our attacks against Millwall and our shape was better when he came on", "He always tries to beat his man and sometimes you just need to cross it."

"Harriott is too small to play up top. He has plenty of pace but can't hold the ball up well enough", "His pace unsettled the Reading defence but his physical presence unfortunately didn't", "He makes a lot of dangerous runs but so often the final ball just is not there."

Johann Berg Gudmundsson

"JBG is more of a Claus Jensen type of midfielder than a winger." The 24-year-old ex-AZ Alkmaar and Iceland international can operate on either flank. "Millwall couldn't deal with his running or his love of cutting inside", "He can't cross the ball and is poor at taking corners — is he really a wide player?"

"We haven't had a winger with his skill or dribbling ability for a long time. Every time I think he has taken one touch too many or a defender is about to clip the ball from him, he always seems to wriggle through. He is more of a 'cut inside and shoot' type of winger."

"Johann is a curate's egg. He's a great player with a brilliant touch. He makes the wrong choices a lot of the time and runs out of steam", "He makes some lovely exchanges in the middle of the park, but his crossing is terrible", "We have to work out how to get the best out of him as he's a class above."

Strikers

"We lack a cutting edge up front", "If we have a decent second striker to go with Igor, we are pushing for a top six pace. Without that, we are mid-table", "Our attitude is top class but we are missing a target man", "We are light up front", "What we need is fire and danger."

"Our reluctance to attack at home is becoming depressing, even if we are solid and reliable. Our dearth of creativity and our failure to put away poor teams is getting wearing. It's better than getting mullered every week but it's a hard watch."

"I think the team is a work in progress and will improve with time and tinkering. The frustrating thing is that the missing ingredient is probably Yann Kermorgant [now with Bournemouth]", "I was wondering when someone would mention the K-word. He and Igor would have been dynamite together. Sigh."

"Karlan Ahearne-Grant will do well against tiring legs but don't start him." The 17-year-old youth product and "exciting prospect" was pressed into service in the 1-1 recent draw against the Owls. "He has very good close control, but needs to learn when to use his pace and when to hold the ball."

George Tucudean

"There's a fine line between hero and zero and we've not seen the best of George by a long chalk", "I suspect that George will make an impact and will hit a purple patch at some point. The problem is that we need someone more reliable to support Igor", "He will never be a success with us."

"Oh, my lord — how did George not score?" The 23-year-old ex-Dinamo Bucharest striker missed his second one-on-one in consecutive games late on against the Lions, having come on as a substitute. "He missed one against Reading last time out. He's going to struggle to live both misses down."

Many Addicks are also not impressed by his wider contribution. "He's not that good a striker and has a slow football brain", "I can't see George giving us more than the odd good touch", "Bob Peeters says that he does it in training, but Tucudean needs to do it in matches."

Igor Vetokele

"We wasted Igor by leaving him up front alone for 80 minutes", "He desperately needs a partner", "The game was crying out for someone alongside him", "He didn't get much service but didn't impose himself at all. He looked very frustrated on Saturday."

The 22-year-old former FC Copenhagen striker "is not a target man and is never going to win long balls in the air", "He must be a nightmare to play against. He never stops running and has the ability to turn on the after-burners and leave people in his wake", "His movement is very sharp."

The Angola international scored the winner at the Madejski and his clinical finishing is widely praised. "He still took his one chance", "Great players take their opportunities. Igor once more did this at Reading", "I can say with confidence that he's the best striker we've had since Darren Bent."

"We have the Igor fitness story before every game." He was substituted at Reading with a calf injury. "Igor has lacked his usual sharpness as a result of the niggle", "He didn't look fit against Millwall and his game suffered", "Ne needs a decent rest and this won't happen until we get in another striker."

Addicks' Views on ITFC and the Game

"It's unlikely that we can avoid at least one defeat at home, and this might well be it", "I think we'll lose this one", "I have a bad feeling about this. A TV game and a lunchtime kick-off are historically not good for us", "I can't see us winning this one - 2-0 to them with a double for Murphy."

"McCarthy's teams are usually a tough nut to crack and Ipswich are in good form this season", "He has given the Tractor Boys something they have rarely had since the Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson days, a tough competitive edge. It's a bit like the grit instilled into our team this season."

Several Addicks have voiced concerns about this game. They fear that they will be over-run in the middle of the park if they play a second striker. "I hope Igor has a striking partner in this game", "Let us give ourselves a chance. The only drawback is what becomes of the midfield."

"I fancy a more open game than some people expect. Ipswich will come to attack us with their in-form strikers which should play into our hands", "I expect a low scoring draw against probably the, or at least one of the two really in-form teams in our division."

"Where did all those goals for Daryl Murphy come from? This is a purple patch when you look at his previous record", "He has been in spectacular form so far this season. He's a tricky and clever player and has the ability to not only create chances, but convert them."

"One of the reasons for their strong campaign so far has been because of some impressive youngsters that have been involved in the first team. The likes of defender Tyrone Mings and midfielder Teddy Bishop have been superb."

"I read that Ipswich had sold over 2,500 tickets so far, so that should at least help to liven up the tepid midday atmosphere. I suppose we shouldn't complain too much. We are not regularly troubled by TV rescheduling, not least because Sky can only bear to stick us on a couple of times a season."

Websites

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Greektractor added 10:41 - Nov 28
I love that we give teams the fear
16

Coco added 10:51 - Nov 28
Harry *hugs*
2

Paddy39 added 11:12 - Nov 28
Teams now fear us immensely, COYB's Charlton 1 - 3 Ipswich. Murph, Didz and Hunt could be anyone of the sisters.
4

Paulblue62 added 11:13 - Nov 28
That is a great piece of work, Thanks HarryfromBath. Love the fact sides fear playing us home and away again. This takes me back to the 70s and 80s when sides knew that Ipswich were going to give them a tough time. I shall go for a 1-2 win for the Town.
5

gazzmac4 added 11:15 - Nov 28
Optimistic about this one. Sounds as though they aren't high on quality so it could be a tight affair but i would back our consistency over theirs.

If it comes down to a physical dogfight then i would again back our squad to find that little something extra to sway it in our favour. Murph and i would say Ando could be key.

Just got a feeling Ando is finding some rhythm over the last few games, getting down the wing and delivering good crosses and Murph is the cleverest big centre forward in the league in my eyes so winning the headers wont be an issue for him.

Big following and a chance to jump to second before the afternoon kick offs? Life is bloody lovely right now isnt it?! COYB's!!
1

TotalBlue added 11:54 - Nov 28
Love the fact we are back to the fear factor we have been too nice for too long. The one thing we need now is a big win to boost our goal difference I don't think it will be this one but it has got to come we don't want to be coming into the last 3 or 4 games 9 to 10 goals behind our competitors. COYB!!!!
2

LankHenners added 11:57 - Nov 28
Great report as ever Harry! Sound fairly similar to us, with the difference being that we're a bit more clinical with a bit more quality. Should be a close game but reckon we might just nick it.
2

JWM added 12:45 - Nov 28
Unlike those disrespectful Bournemouth Tw@ts that we read about last week!
1

TimmyH added 12:49 - Nov 28
Personally feel Derby, Bournemouth etc will give them harder games as they are better 'footballing' sides but as for a team that will attempt to stop you playing your own game then yes maybe right.
2

tractorgrl added 14:00 - Nov 28
Great job as usual Harry, are they Ipswich in disguise? Coyb
1

Ipswich_Loyal added 14:34 - Nov 28
From this read up, it seems that Charlton are where we were 12 months ago. Solid at the back but lacking in creativity and struggling to turn those draws into wins.

I really fancy us to win 2 or 3 nil tomorrow. I hope i'm right.
1

dubblue added 14:43 - Nov 28
Great to see how respected the team has become. It will be close, think we can win though, 2-1!
0

LiamCP123 added 15:04 - Nov 28
Tough game, don't know why there saying we're going win this easily, hope so though.

Neither way I'm happy with a draw, considering they only lost 2 games, gonna be an interesting game, love the fact they are scared from us.

O MICKY WE LOVE U
0

Steve_M added 16:11 - Nov 28
@JWM. Spot on, but then Charlton have always been a decent club (play offs and Pardew aside) similar to us. They sound like they are where we were last season, only without McGoldrick.
1

JimInGreensboro added 16:47 - Nov 28
Thanks, Harry!
Sounds like Charlton are going to button up and hope for a scoreless draw. Murphy's head and Ando's corners might surprise them early.
1

superkevinwilson added 18:28 - Nov 28
When was the last time away fans were scared of ipswich coming. Cobb!
1

Samassi100Abou added 19:35 - Nov 28
Murphy tricky & clever ? He clearly hasn't watched him and thought he's top goal scorer must be tricky. Not slating murph I love him having a great season but "tricky he is not"
Predicting a town 2-1 win didz to score first !! Come on town win this and I feel we can go to any away fixture and be feared !!
0

TractorBeezer added 20:23 - Nov 28
Thanks Harry...your reports are always informative and interesting pre-game homework.
Samossi... Murphy has shown us some dazzling footwork this season...watch carefully.
My prediction is 1-0 to the Tractor Boys...same as last season.
UTTBs

1

Samassi100Abou added 20:45 - Nov 28
Dazzling footwork ?? You on drugs? He plays to his strengths target man and gets snap shots off !! Good player but hardly a flair player
-1

WindsorBlue added 21:13 - Nov 28
I'd take a point, but think we'll win 0-2. I can't remember the last time I felt we could beat anyone home or away...not since Burley anyway. All aboard the party trains...arrive London bridge at 0930!! Choo choo!!
1

jabberjackson added 22:10 - Nov 28
I'm just delighted that Bobby Petta is back in football
0

Fat_Boy_Tim added 22:51 - Nov 28
Snap shots? Smurphy has probably scored 6 of our best 10 goals this season. I blame TC for all those striker classes MM keeps talking about!!!
1


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