Boz
Member
- Joined
- 30 Sep 2005
- Messages
- 8,932
- Player
- Iain Hume
A well-deserved point. Rovers got off to a bad start, in slippery conditions, with a nervy looking defence and a Gulasci gaffe putting us a goal behind. Charlton were on top for most of the first half, a cross come shot from Blanchard the closest we got. Second half Rovers were much better, finish from Enoch after a Jennings effort had been saved from a corner got us level and Rovers came closest to a winner thereafter.
Thoughts on players;
Gulasci. Only one player in the back line(Goodi) who he played with last season, was it realistic to expect him to settle in straight away? However, he gained in composure after a jittery start and had enough self-confidence not to let the mistake get to him.
Cresswell. Another who didn't start at his best. However, as the match went on became more influential, some great ball into the box.
Goodison. Not quite at his best, did think he might have conceded a free-kick or worse in his mutual shirt-pulling with the Charlton striker near the end of the first half.
Grandison. Steady.
Blanchard. He played a hell of a lot better at right-back than pre-season. My concern is that he doesn't anticipate when the ball is in the air, which can leave him at risk of being muscled out. However did little wrong today.
Mendy. Sound, if quieter than the Peterborough game.
Welsh. The responsibility of captaincy has had a positive effect on his game, this was certainly the best I've seen of him this season, arguably amongst his best showings in a Rovers shirt.
Labadie. Fairly quiet, a lot of defensive blocking, but the attacking element from last season's game was missing.
Morrow. One nice flick, some helping out with the defence, did his hamstring at the end of the first half. If my expectations were based purely on this showing, wouldn't be too hopeful, but unfair to judge on just one game.
Showumni. Bit of a mixed bag, took his goal well and some surprisingly subtle touches for a big man.
Akins. First time I'd seen him play, a bit raw but kept involved played fairly close to Enoch which seemed to work well.
Jennings. Les obviously has confidence in the lad, thought Fraughan might have come on when Morrow was injured. Involved in the goal, also had a great long distance effort which their keeper back-peddled to turn over, but did lose the ball for a dangerous Charlton break.
Les. Did ok tactically. There was a spell after around 70 minutes where we just couldn't keep hold of the ball in midfield, did wonder about bringing Fraughan on for Mendy/Labadie for a more ball-to-feet approach.
Charlton were a really dirty side, Simon Francis lucky to stay on the pitch after the challenge on Cressa, when already on a yellow. It's laughable their boss talking as though Rovers were the physical ones; the foul and card count shows that not to be the case. It wouldn't surprise me to see Mr Parkinson out of a job soon, for the money that he's spent, mid-table isn't sufficient. Bournemouth and Peterborough are both better teams imo.
A worrying note to end on. Last season we pulled in about 700 more fans to this game. Ok, it was August Bank Holiday Saturday and the Barnes-era cracks weren't fully displayed, but even so... I'd like to hope today's battling performance will keep the doubters onboard for now. With two away games next, it's likely we'll still be in the bottom four come the next home match; other results not going for us today.
Thoughts on players;
Gulasci. Only one player in the back line(Goodi) who he played with last season, was it realistic to expect him to settle in straight away? However, he gained in composure after a jittery start and had enough self-confidence not to let the mistake get to him.
Cresswell. Another who didn't start at his best. However, as the match went on became more influential, some great ball into the box.
Goodison. Not quite at his best, did think he might have conceded a free-kick or worse in his mutual shirt-pulling with the Charlton striker near the end of the first half.
Grandison. Steady.
Blanchard. He played a hell of a lot better at right-back than pre-season. My concern is that he doesn't anticipate when the ball is in the air, which can leave him at risk of being muscled out. However did little wrong today.
Mendy. Sound, if quieter than the Peterborough game.
Welsh. The responsibility of captaincy has had a positive effect on his game, this was certainly the best I've seen of him this season, arguably amongst his best showings in a Rovers shirt.
Labadie. Fairly quiet, a lot of defensive blocking, but the attacking element from last season's game was missing.
Morrow. One nice flick, some helping out with the defence, did his hamstring at the end of the first half. If my expectations were based purely on this showing, wouldn't be too hopeful, but unfair to judge on just one game.
Showumni. Bit of a mixed bag, took his goal well and some surprisingly subtle touches for a big man.
Akins. First time I'd seen him play, a bit raw but kept involved played fairly close to Enoch which seemed to work well.
Jennings. Les obviously has confidence in the lad, thought Fraughan might have come on when Morrow was injured. Involved in the goal, also had a great long distance effort which their keeper back-peddled to turn over, but did lose the ball for a dangerous Charlton break.
Les. Did ok tactically. There was a spell after around 70 minutes where we just couldn't keep hold of the ball in midfield, did wonder about bringing Fraughan on for Mendy/Labadie for a more ball-to-feet approach.
Charlton were a really dirty side, Simon Francis lucky to stay on the pitch after the challenge on Cressa, when already on a yellow. It's laughable their boss talking as though Rovers were the physical ones; the foul and card count shows that not to be the case. It wouldn't surprise me to see Mr Parkinson out of a job soon, for the money that he's spent, mid-table isn't sufficient. Bournemouth and Peterborough are both better teams imo.
A worrying note to end on. Last season we pulled in about 700 more fans to this game. Ok, it was August Bank Holiday Saturday and the Barnes-era cracks weren't fully displayed, but even so... I'd like to hope today's battling performance will keep the doubters onboard for now. With two away games next, it's likely we'll still be in the bottom four come the next home match; other results not going for us today.