Charlton 1-5 Saints - Match Thread

[saints-til-i-die]

36 minutes ago, Singapore Saint said:

Yes, about 10 years ago in the Premier League, against Aston Villa I think it was, Sadio Mane scored the fastest hattrick in history (a bit over 3 minutes) and Shane Long scored soon afterwards with a wonderful floater from long distance.

I think it was 2mins 56? 

[stfrancisofbenali]

Saints players were coming off saying we love this manager and want to play for him. He’s certainly made an impact! 

[Willo of Whiteley]

2 hours ago, DT said:

Just got back. Have to say that at times we were brilliant, and totally bossed the first half. I sat with my Charlton supporting mate in the side stand and he said we were the best team by far he has seen in the 8 games so far this season he's been to.

I thought Scienza was amazingly good with his pace and directness, and Fellows also excellent. But boy oh boy were Charlton open, and Nathan Jones didn't seem equipped to change it. Deja vu.

Even Armstrong was pretty good, one glaring piss poor header aside, and at least finished after his bites at the cherry. Wood looked a bit lumbering at times, choosing to manhandle his man too much, and Stephens had one Stephens moment, plus of course we conceded (poor marking or should Baz have come?) but overall an incredible performance, great result, and much rendition of the sheepshagging song about Nathan Jones.

One thing I thought was interesting - okay, some of their fans went home early but even at halftime whilst queuing for teas, I couldn't sense any of the anger, vitriol, and toxicity that might have been there had we been 5-1 down. Or at the final whistle. My mate suggested that there was still a lot of goodwill around for their promotion, and that was also evident by the way their fans applauded their team at the final whistle. Despite being demolished in the first half.

There will be a lot of people now calling for Eckert to get the job full time but it's too early I think, and perehaps Charlton were just the third bad team in a row we have played. But he hasn't done himself any harm. Ownership must be rubbing their hands with glee. 

Pretty accurate analysis from what I’ve read around. Agree with you regarding Tonda Eckhart, amazing result but still worth erring on the side of caution to his permanent appointment.

[Patches O Houlihan]

2 hours ago, DT said:

Just got back. Have to say that at times we were brilliant, and totally bossed the first half. I sat with my Charlton supporting mate in the side stand and he said we were the best team by far he has seen in the 8 games so far this season he's been to.

I thought Scienza was amazingly good with his pace and directness, and Fellows also excellent. But boy oh boy were Charlton open, and Nathan Jones didn't seem equipped to change it. Deja vu.

Even Armstrong was pretty good, one glaring piss poor header aside, and at least finished after his bites at the cherry. Wood looked a bit lumbering at times, choosing to manhandle his man too much, and Stephens had one Stephens moment, plus of course we conceded (poor marking or should Baz have come?) but overall an incredible performance, great result, and much rendition of the sheepshagging song about Nathan Jones.

One thing I thought was interesting - okay, some of their fans went home early but even at halftime whilst queuing for teas, I couldn't sense any of the anger, vitriol, and toxicity that might have been there had we been 5-1 down. Or at the final whistle. My mate suggested that there was still a lot of goodwill around for their promotion, and that was also evident by the way their fans applauded their team at the final whistle. Despite being demolished in the first half.

There will be a lot of people now calling for Eckert to get the job full time but it's too early I think, and perehaps Charlton were just the third bad team in a row we have played. But he hasn't done himself any harm. Ownership must be rubbing their hands with glee. 

That was only the second game they have lost at The Valley in 2025. We had only seen that many home wins in the same period. I suspect that might have an influence on the halftime vibe 😉

[Draino76]

I've got to hand it to Sports Republic; i was a 'nay-sayer' but their recruitment has actually been really clever. 

[Draino76]

Very very clever. We should be premier league champs by 2030.

[SNSUN]

 

Love the Ceefax app. Old school.

[SNSUN]

Incidentally 10 points separate 3rd from 20th. League is still wide open.

[Football Special]

 

[saintstowin]

Very, very good.

Really liked the width including the CBs meaning we didn't become slow at the back.

Wing backs could pretty much play as wingers due to our dominance but even so they were high up from the start which was good to see. 

I loved the passing into space that found a teammate having lost his man. Some really skillful, intuitive football that took the ball up the pitch in seconds.

Pace was great on the ball. 

The only thing I didn't like was the continuation of the NJ chant leaving the ground when coming into contact with home fans who had just been hammered.  The '....shit football team' line seemed a little much. But I'm old and I guess the young ones were carried away with the win.

[Football Special]

13 minutes ago, saintstowin said:

Very, very good.

Really liked the width including the CBs meaning we didn't become slow at the back.

Wing backs could pretty much play as wingers due to our dominance but even so they were high up from the start which was good to see. 

I loved the passing into space that found a teammate having lost his man. Some really skillful, intuitive football that took the ball up the pitch in seconds.

Pace was great on the ball. 

The only thing I didn't like was the continuation of the NJ chant leaving the ground when coming into contact with home fans who had just been hammered.  The '....shit football team' line seemed a little much. But I'm old and I guess the young ones were carried away with the win.

I felt that song went on too long in the ground as well. 

Brilliant result today, I'll need to watch the highlights again, seemed like we carved them open with good attacking play but also Charlton were all over the place defensively

Second half a bit frustrating, I felt we could have gone for.it a bit more keep up the momentum and try to set up a tap in for Downs 

Cam Bragg deserves a lot of credit for his performance today, will he a great boost for him after the nightmare at Blackburn 

[Football Special]

I'm sure I remember their defender Ramsay playing for us in 9-0 defeat at Manchester United, thought he was on for another at one point 

[Harry_SFC]

29 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I felt that song went on too long in the ground as well. 

Brilliant result today, I'll need to watch the highlights again, seemed like we carved them open with good attacking play but also Charlton were all over the place defensively

Second half a bit frustrating, I felt we could have gone for.it a bit more keep up the momentum and try to set up a tap in for Downs 

Cam Bragg deserves a lot of credit for his performance today, will he a great boost for him after the nightmare at Blackburn 

Downs has shown on more than one occasion that he can't score tap ins, or score at all for that matter. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Harry_SFC

[SouSaint]

Happy to be proved wrong on the lineup. Funny that the FM geek wants to poke fun at it though, you goon. 

Up the Saints. 

[Hawkswood]

1 minute ago, SouSaint said:

Happy to be proved wrong on the lineup. Funny that the FM geek wants to poke fun at it though, you goon. 

Up the Saints. 

Ha ! I WAS just about to message the same thing to this person but deleted the message because I promised myself ages ago never to get involved with him/it. Looks like he took the time to do that to everyone the sad twat.

[Badger]

Certainly didn’t expect that today. Well worth the effort getting there. 
 

Compared to the last couple of years, an uncharacteristic and unsaints like performance; good passing moves, attacking at pace. Scienza, Fellows and Armstrong outstanding. Boost in confidence for Azaz and Bragg. 
 

Jander running through for his goal brought back a memory of a Steve Williams goal (and they were pretty infrequent for a while) at Sunderland. 
 

Negatives - still a bit of pissing about at the back for my liking. Inevitability of being caught out at some point. Support - a bit tame at times, but 12.30 kick off doesn’t help.

[SNSUN]

29 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Downs has shown on more than one occasion that he can't score tap ins, or score at all for that matter. 

It's possible he could be a confidence player, hit one in and he starts a run. But then I'm one of the idiots that thought the same of Sekou Mara. 

[Badger]

5 hours ago, benjii said:

Unfortunately, Jones' comments were very measured and magnanimous. 

I watched Jones making his way onto the pitch a full time towards the centre circle, and half expected to see him berate the ref for something. But no. 
 

Jones made a point of congratulating and shaking hands with all of our players, and a hug with a couple of them. Credit where it’s due. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Badger

[Badger]

4 hours ago, DT said:

One other thing. If I was Downs and in a miserable run of form, I would at least run around a bit. Bloody hell he doesn't look he's even trying! On a day of brilliance, he looked drab. Still need the scouts out for a CF and GK in January.

For a bloke of his size he seems pretty weak as well. Easily bundled off the ball, and we had his usual slipping and  falling over routine at one point today.

Someone on the thread mentioned Kenwynne Jones as a comparison. Difference for me at a basic level was that Jones had a bit of energy and physical presence.

Perhaps it’ll click  into gear for Downs one day. But difficult to see it coming based on what we’ve seen to date. 

[Badger]

19 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

It's possible he could be a confidence player, hit one in and he starts a run. But then I'm one of the idiots that thought the same of Sekou Mara. 

“There’s a player in there” - volume 57 

[Forester]

Really enjoyed that.  Bragg was a strong full debut and we were genuinely impressive first half as a team.

I think the style of play Eckert is orchestrating is a good blend of Martin playing out of the back rather than mindless hoofing it up to a midget (a la Still) but with a difference, which is as soon as we have broken the press we then attack with pace.  Under Martin we would often recycle back all over again.

[sadoldgit]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

For a bloke of his size he seems pretty weak as well. Easily bundled off the ball, and we had his usual slipping and  falling over routine at one point today.

Someone on the thread mentioned Kenwynne Jones as a comparison. Difference for me at a basic level was that Jones had a bit of energy and physical presence.

Perhaps it’ll click  into gear for Downs one day. But difficult to see it coming based on what we’ve seen to date. 

Poch played him at international level so you would think there must be a player in there somewhere. He looks totally devoid of confidence and could probably do with a run of games in the u21’s out of the spotlight and a full 90 minutes each week. Better still, loan him out in the January window to a club in a lower league to toughen him up a bit.

[warsash saint]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

Certainly didn’t expect that today. Well worth the effort getting there. 
 

Compared to the last couple of years, an uncharacteristic and unsaints like performance; good passing moves, attacking at pace. Scienza, Fellows and Armstrong outstanding. Boost in confidence for Azaz and Bragg. 
 

Jander running through for his goal brought back a memory of a Steve Williams goal (and they were pretty infrequent for a while) at Sunderland. 
 

Negatives - still a bit of pissing about at the back for my liking. Inevitability of being caught out at some point. Support - a bit tame at times, but 12.30 kick off doesn’t help.

Is that the pissing around at the back that led to the Jander's goal ??😉

[maysie]

2 hours ago, Forester said:

Really enjoyed that.  Bragg was a strong full debut and we were genuinely impressive first half as a team.

I think the style of play Eckert is orchestrating is a good blend of Martin playing out of the back rather than mindless hoofing it up to a midget (a la Still) but with a difference, which is as soon as we have broken the press we then attack with pace.  Under Martin we would often recycle back all over again.

Spot on. We encouraged the press then played it round and got it forward quick.

Going to take patience from the fans though who have loads of scar tissue (lol) under Martin in those initial steps where we encourage the press and have to be brave (lol).

Fact is most teams won't press us and will be interesting to see how Tonda approaches that.

[LoyalSaintSO50]

Superb performance. Only disappointment was the daft Nathan Jones songs for the whole of the second half. Can’t remember him digging us out after he left so not sure what the issue is