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Reply | Injuries
at 14:44 17 Feb 2026
I don't really have a clue about distances, it was more to make a point, but if you spend 80mins of the game moving left to right tracking the other team with the ball, it will have a knock on effect with stamina and energy levels, especially when compounded for 2-3 game weeks.
If you're covering more ground out of possession, that plays a part. If you're also less physcially fit and ready on top of that, you look fcked. |
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Reply | Injuries
at 13:03 17 Feb 2026
Exacerbated by the fact that if you don't have the ball, you're doing more running. I think it's definitely a factor that our fitness and stamina is tested more due to us not having possession.
Watch the front 2 especially in games, they must cover 5k a game just tracking the ball side to side. |
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Reply | January Transfer Window - Patreon Podcast
at 18:09 13 Feb 2026
Pleased for producer Jaz that I held back when James talks about his background - 'throw as much up there as you can' - and I had to rush a lid on asking if we're still talking about dating advice |
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Reply | Sammy Sammy Field Sammy Sammy Field
at 10:01 12 Feb 2026
It was more in response to the point that Varane would never start for that poster and is 3rd in their pecking order, but you're right he could come back in the summer and replace a recently sold Varane... I doubt it at the moment though |
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Reply | Sammy Sammy Field Sammy Sammy Field
at 01:58 12 Feb 2026
But we're getting offers of £5m odd for Varane... That's the point for the board and to be fair, what a developmental club should be doing.
I love Sam Field and would also have him over Varane, but for whatever reason you're not getting close to that money for him from anyone. |
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Reply | Dembele and Obikwu out for Charlton game
at 18:47 7 Feb 2026
What a shame for him, those first few games for us he looked so great, but hasn't been the same since coming back from surgery - and now this. Feels like a real 'what could have been' signing... |
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Reply | Charlton crowd issues
at 18:45 7 Feb 2026
Yeah I've done that already, cheers. I tried to tap in but it was mobbed and some said it wasn't working anyway. The way back there was no chance with the crowd the way it was |
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Reply | Charlton crowd issues
at 17:18 7 Feb 2026
After West Ham I feel battle hardened for any crap situation, but this was up there for the championship. Train delays/cancellations didn't help, but being stopped in a narrow entranceway with no explanation before being funneled through 50% manned turnstiles felt completely irresponsible. Once I got through a bloke searched me and made me pull out my card wallet and went through it looking for 'contraband'. I told him I'd feel more compliant if I hadn't just gone through shit just to try and get in...
(Also not for nothing, but if they were serious about contraband they'd just pop into the gents at half time rather than adding to the aggravation of me trying to make kick off)
To top it off I got a £27 TFL charge for not being able to tap in or out of Charlton station. Not a strong recommend for a Friday night that one. |
| Forum
Reply | Field to Norwich
at 01:36 3 Feb 2026
So because he doesn't start in our best 11 I should be fine that he's going? He's also one RND injury away from being in my starting 11 btw.
As I said, if it's about giving him game time that he requested and deserves that's fair enough, otherwise I think it's a risk to allow characters like Field to leave your squad. Reliable, covers multiple positions, consummate pro, experienced, commited, etc. He's never given anything less than 100% for every minute he's ever played and I personally think players like that are undervalued, especially in this league, although seemingly not by multiple other clubs.
Every decision is not a possible negative, it's my opinion based on my feeling on the player. Frey went too, I happened to think that was a complete positive. Do you see how nuance works? |
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Reply | Making an Appearance
at 00:42 3 Feb 2026
I can tell you that if I was arriving into west London at 3 mins past kick off I'd be sacking off my original car park plan and screeching into Ellerslie Road |
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Reply | Making an Appearance
at 00:23 3 Feb 2026
Do they cover a lot of our game? I think one is Cov and was actually there, so been meaning to listen to that. |
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Reply | Field to Norwich
at 00:13 3 Feb 2026
Great post, mate.
Part of me hopes this is him pushing for playing time and us letting that happen, but the truth feels more like a one-sided club decision, and on that basis I can't say I agree with it.
As Hunter says, he's been at the heart of so much good - and stood up to be counted even more when those around him were tossing off performances, calling in sick, and generally standing by while the team was sinking.
I said it a few times... Beware hubris... The Fields in this division are the sharp sand in the cement, the joists under the nice wooden flooring. When things start to go against you it's these kind of players that keep you upright... Let's hope this isn't one we come to regret. [Post edited 3 Feb 0:17]
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Reply | Madsen
at 13:07 1 Feb 2026
It was a perfect cross in that it went to his feet with pace, he had to adapt with a brilliant piece of skill, but Kones point was that he played the ball as he wanted it, just as he went across his man.
If you remember in the first half RND fizzed a cross for Kone and it was more of a typical placement, in front of him, but with the angle he could only direct it near post and it went into the side netting.
Not only is it about the finish, but I love from the interview that Kone said they've been working on that run across and in front of the CB. It shows clear development for a young striker with lots still to learn - something a few of his recent critics will do well to remember! |
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Reply | Possession stat
at 12:14 1 Feb 2026
It's the passing along their backline that skews the stats so much. Possession isn't dictated by how long you have the ball, it's done on successful passes completed, so them passing along their defence 10 times before losing it vs us knocking it up to Kone early will always have the same possession stats.
Ultimately it's a nonsense stat and I'd rather play direct, although I do think not having the ball for the majority of the game does have an effect on our conditioning towards the end of matches. Watch Kone and Vale yesterday shuffling left to right and back again every time Coventry had the ball - no surprise they were the ones that looked most gassed by the end. |
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Reply | Coventry Reflection
at 12:08 1 Feb 2026
A definite stonewall penalty, but I think there's also an element of Smyths decision to constantly look for the foul and throw himself to the floor that will put doubt in the refs mind.
A few minutes before he chucked himself across his man and bought a free kick, which is always his first choice over retaining possession. Eventually if you cry wolf enough the ref won't give the blatant stuff... |
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Reply | Coventry Reflection
at 09:54 1 Feb 2026
I thought Hayden was great, personally, and only a shade behind Kone and Madsen as MoM. He's also the much better option in CM to be paired with Madsen, and I would be having him over Varane as a first choice. Varane has good traits but dallies too much in possession and doesn't focus exclusively on the basics in the way Hayden does.
Also agree with the posters here, a real nourishing performance and win that you need occasionally to remind you why you bother! Even more acute after last weeks gut / bollock / back to the gut again punch. The switch to an extra midfielder over a 442 has really helped with performances, and brought the best out of Kone and Madsen especially - so credit where it's due.
One *small* ongoing criticism is once again the subs. I know the Dembele forced withdrawal gave us less options, but we once again only used 3/5 subs and Field for Hayden was also due to him going down. He seems slow to make them and changes are limited and often like for like... Especially odd given the conditioning of the players.
Anyway, a 9/10 day so let's roll into Charlton and win that please |
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Reply | RIP Catherine O'Hara
at 00:32 31 Jan 2026
Between Home Alone and Beetlejuice, I've been a fan pretty much my whole life. The more recent resurgence in things like Schitts Creek and The Studio showed how talented she remained, right until the end.
Her eulogy / speech for John Candy always makes me tear up too... V sad when news like this comes out of the blue... RIP |
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Reply | Christian Nourry - Two Year Anniversary
at 00:28 31 Jan 2026
That's fair enough, except I reckon we're in the top 5 for net spend this year, and have spent a relative fortune in the last 18 months in comparison to the previous few years.
We were around this level of points at this time last year with a strike force of Frey, Celar, Kolli and Lloyd. I'm the meantime we've retained or brought in senior pros like Cook, Dunne and Hayden, and have all the benefits of Madsen and Varane going through their growing pains. Decent money was spent on Saito, Kone, Poku, and now Edwards, the kind of money that shouldn't bring as much risk, and we've had the options of Vale and Dembele who were not available most or all of last season.
In the context of last season's squad to this, we're massively underachieving, and for once I don't think transfer spend is an excuse. |
| | simmo
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