Pugwash 1 Hogwash 1

My Saturday afternoon started with the pre-match entertainment that is provided courtesy of Messrs Brown, Curbishley and Minto.

All jolly good stuff with interesting discussion and reminiscence interspersed with the inevitable banter which, as always, was top drawer!

Amongst the pre-match chat was talk of how The Addicks are one of, if not the most watched, club in League One in terms of televised games by clubs. If we get much more of the dross that followed I fear that Thomas may have to stump up for another Range Rover!

The game itself started well and I asked myself how I could question Millar starting on the right and why Smith, Schwartz and Maatsen got the nod ahead of Morgan, Washington and Purrington.

The superbly crafted early goal proved to be a false dawn and what followed was a rather insipid and gutless display.

Even park footballers know to keep the ball on the deck when it’s a bit blowy!!

Hoof it in the air might be alright for the likes of teams managed by the odious Steve Evans who wouldn’t know decent passing football even if it was served up with a bag of chips.

Having given Maatsen the nod over Purrington I don’t what the thinking was in not providing him with the cover that the hard working Millar would have provided. That needed to change as soon as because the biggest threat Fleetwood had was down our left. Sadly, no change until half time by which time the damage, in terms of their goal, was done.

I understand that, to a degree, Bowyer must be under pressure to play Maatsen. He did say prior to kick off that the left back hadn’t done much wrong to be left out. Sadly, over the course of 90 minutes he didn’t do much to justify staying in!

Collectively it was poor but it would be wrong to give blanket criticism to the team. Famewo showed how much we’ve missed him with a calm and assured performance albeit a little bit rusty on occasion.

Stockley worked hard as always and won more than his fair share of headers. Millar provided tireless running and always carried a threat.

For me, Smith and Schwartz failed to grab their chance and were largely anonymous. If the conditions are to your liking then you’ll have to make things happen.

I’m sorry Ronnie but in case you hadn’t worked it out by now, you’re not going to get chances laid on a plate for you.

The second half failed to improve things and in fact we got worse. Retreating into our shell and rarely getting into the final third. Four subs in 5 minutes failed to make it better.

Watson disappointed again with his success in managing not to get carded the only plus point!

Again we were made to look second best by a team that is simply well organised and hard working. As much as anything the lack of fight from our boys was a major disappointment. All we ask for is that you give it your when you put on the shirt.

If you’re reading this thinking he’s changed his tune from last week and that I think Bowyer should go, I don’t.

He and his management team have made mistakes for sure. I’ve outlined some of them above. However, I have faith in him and he deserves a full summer transfer window unencumbered by all the crap that has gone before.

All that aside, this isn’t the season to judge any manager really.

In addition, as I alluded to the players ought to accept responsibility for their part in failing with effort and lacking common sense to adjust to the match conditions. They’re experienced and old enough to know better.

Sadly, social media remains as toxic as always and is probably best avoided. It seems that some folk can’t put over their point of view without nasty comment, and reasoned argument is a stranger to them.

Let’s hope the team can get it right on Tuesday especially as we need to exorcise the demons of our visit to Burton earlier in the season!

Come On You Reds!