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Krystian A Winner And 89 Revisited

May 26th, 2019 by 'holic

This afternoon provided a blessed relief to the tedium that is waiting for the Europa League Final to be over. Normally I wouldn’t take any interest in a match between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland, but the appearance of on-loan Krystian Bielik in the League One play-off final at Wembley made it required viewing.

Like Calum Chambers at Fulham the Polish U21 international has performed two roles at The Valley this season and indeed fulfilled them both this afternoon. In the first-half he was on the right side of a back three and an early slip from which he recovered in the opening minutes aside his performance was assured. Strong in the air, he did a job in both boxes.

In the second-half Charlton reverted to their preferred system of a flat back four and a diamond in midfield which Krystian was at the base of. If one were being ultra-critical it might be said that he lacks a change of pace, but it is the tail-end of a long, tough season. Such was his control of the areas in front of that defence that at the final whistle he was voted the Sky Sports man of the match, and rightly so.

Charlton’s dramatic winner with six seconds remaining will have catapulted him into the thoughts of Unai Emery, surely? It should be enough to ensure he gets a pre-season with the club so the head coach can evaluate the player and decide if his future is with us, or does he get another loan? The only threat to him getting a full pre-season in could be his inclusion in the European U21 Championship which ends on June 30th after which he will need a break to recharge his batteries. Good luck Krystian.

It was thirty years ago today

That Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play? No, of course not, it was the greatest ever finish to any top-flight season when we went to Anfield to topple the reigning champions and recent FA Cup winners with virtually the last kick of a remarkable season.

I doubt I will be alone in watching Fever Pitch, and 89, this evening. The memories, in as much as they have ever gone away, will come flooding back. Smudger’s header, Mickey’s miss, then his conversion of a similar opportunity at the death. A winner away to your biggest rivals, not at home to a relegated club, Sky Sports.

Enjoy them again too, ‘holics. I know I will.

Posted in comment | 36 Drinks

36 Responses to “Krystian A Winner And 89 Revisited”

  1. on 26 May 2019 at 5:58 pm1Esso

    Cheers H!

  2. on 26 May 2019 at 6:23 pm2TTG

    I’m delighted to see Charlton go up. I have a few friends who support them and it’s been grim. This morning an 84 year-old friend was excitedly telling me about going in a family outing today. He was the oldest, his 4 year-old great grandson the youngest. That will be a day he won’t forget in a hurry.
    I saw the Secret Life of Pets with Mrs TTG and two grandsons so missed Bielik’s performance. He is well worth a long look from Emery.
    I shall enjoy some highlights of Anfield 89 tonight.

  3. on 26 May 2019 at 7:11 pm3TTG

    Ned
    A question for the monks to ponder.
    Would Bielik be considered as a home-grown player considering the age he joined at and the time he has been with us?
    I don’t think we will keep Chambers and Bielik but Chambers is home-grown and balances the squad even though he would fetch in a bigger fee than Bielik. Personally I would keep both and sell Elneny and Xhaka. Chambers can cover all across the back four and in midfield .

  4. on 26 May 2019 at 7:16 pm4TTG

    In this flurry of activity I note Kante is expected to miss the final after getting injured in training yesterday. He will be a loss to them . If only we can nobble Hazard now!

  5. on 26 May 2019 at 8:02 pm5maxcat

    Bielik is homegrown.

  6. on 26 May 2019 at 9:14 pm6bt8

    The way it should be

  7. on 26 May 2019 at 9:15 pm7bt8

    Homegrown

  8. on 26 May 2019 at 9:15 pm8bt8

    It’s a good thing

  9. on 26 May 2019 at 9:19 pm9bt8

    Plant that bell and

  10. on 26 May 2019 at 9:20 pm10bt8

    Let it ring

  11. on 27 May 2019 at 12:08 am11Cynic

    Interesting quote from Emery on the Europa League.

    “When we started playing in the first matches, some players preferred to play Premier League. Okay. I explained then to every player that we needed the focus on every competition.

    “I am going to decide when you are going to rest or not. I don’t want you to think you might not play in the early rounds and yet when we arrive at the semi-final or the final you say to me: I am here to play. No. I want you here, I want you ready to play, and you will be ready to play throughout.

  12. on 27 May 2019 at 1:42 am12OsakaMatt

    Thanks Guvnor as always.

    Didn’t see the game but well
    done Bielik who must have
    played well on the day.

  13. on 27 May 2019 at 1:58 am13OsakaMatt

    But I think Calum is ahead in
    the pecking order as apparently
    Bielik means Sea Eagle.

    I think Chambers fits better
    into my new musically themed
    defence with Medley and Ballad
    than Sea Eagle.
    Unless of course Sea Eagles are
    noted for their musical prowess?

  14. on 27 May 2019 at 5:47 am14OsakaMatt

    Bielik is out of contract in
    2020 so based on our new
    policy I suppose the next
    decision will be to sell or
    extend.

  15. on 27 May 2019 at 8:56 am15bathgooner

    Interesting news on Bielik, Holic. Thanks for that. I had forgotten both about him and the play-off so missed that completely. I agree with TTG that it sounds as if a choice will be made between Chambers and Bielik but the priority should be to sell Xhaka and Mustafi.

  16. on 27 May 2019 at 9:31 am16North Bank Ned

    TTG@previous drinks & 3: Under the Premier League’s somewhat convoluted rules, Bielik will count as an under-21 player for the 2019-20 season (even though he is now already 21) and doesn’t become ‘home grown’ until the 2020-21 season. The Premier League’s home grown quotas only apply to over-21s.

  17. on 27 May 2019 at 10:46 am17Vinay Prabhakar

    Bielik was one very promising potential and looks like he is fulfilling the potential into substance baring his injuries. The question remains does he have a future with us? my answer, unlikely. He or Chambers if not both are likely to be sold, so I am not sure of him with us. Potential yes but will he be a part next season? Mavrapanos, Holding and Sokratis are at the moment 2 definites for next season, Kos and Mustafi likely to move out, we are definitely looking at a CB, so where does it leave Bielik and Chambers?

    2 days before the finals, news of Kante not playing should not make any difference, like for like, we have the better set of players and if they play well, we should win this in the odd goal in 3, there is, of course, the hazard factor who is probably the most skilled player among all 22 out there but then we definitely have the better goal scorers up front.

    if we do win, this will be considered a successful season, after all we will be back in the champions league which was probably the only expectation we had with Emery. We were poor in the league is fairly clear but then not many were good either except city and pool.

  18. on 27 May 2019 at 12:25 pm18Dexter

    Chambers and Beilik can both play in midfield. I’d hope Chambers at least is retained given his performances last season. Plus he only signed a contract extension last summer.

  19. on 27 May 2019 at 12:28 pm19North Bank Ned

    If Kos goes and Mustafi is sold (not a given) that would leave our first choice CB pairing in a flat four as Sokratis and Holding, with Mavrapanos and AN Other as the back ups. AN Other would have to be one of Bielik or Chambers, or the promotion of Ballard or Medley, still both teenagers, from the U23s. That is a hugely inexperienced set of players apart from Sokratis, which might suggest that only one of Kos and Mustafi will be allowed to leave. Unless, of course, we buy in some experience. Chambers and Bielik offer the same CB/RB/DM options so are probably competing for one squad spot. Ballard’s ‘other’ position is DM; Medley’s left back, which might give him an edge as the back-up in a three.

  20. on 27 May 2019 at 1:17 pm20bt8

    Keep Koscielny for the last year of his contract, please. After that he can hook up with Arsene and Thierry for a crack management troika for a lucky League Un club.

  21. on 27 May 2019 at 1:20 pm21Dexter

    Good points and analysis Ned… it would be great if any of the names you mention step up and fill the void in the squad. Keeping Kos and Monreal would help the younger players, meaning Mustafi can leave…

    Not sure why, but we’ve really struggled to adequately fill the DM role for years…. Chambers should get a go in that position, at least in pre-season anyway…

  22. on 27 May 2019 at 1:56 pm22bt8

    Or Vieira, who is on AW’s management radar.

    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11729452/vieira-flattered-by-arsenal-link

  23. on 27 May 2019 at 6:36 pm23bt8

    The UAE sheik rumored to be on the verge of taking over at Newcastle is said to be the cousin of Sheik Mansour of Manchester City. No word on which is the poor cousin. Will it become Stan and the 19 sheiks?

  24. on 28 May 2019 at 1:20 am24bt8

    Two

  25. on 28 May 2019 at 1:21 am25bt8

    Baker’s

  26. on 28 May 2019 at 1:21 am26bt8

    Dozens.

  27. on 28 May 2019 at 1:22 am27bt8

    Thank you, and now back to the plentiful Arsenal news.

  28. on 28 May 2019 at 4:14 am28OsakaMatt

    Hopefully Torreira will be our
    DM for the next few seasons.
    Nice summary of the CB
    conundrum from NBN.

    But my thoughts are turning to
    the starting XI for Baku now.
    Wide right is tricky so I think
    we’ll go with a back 3.

  29. on 28 May 2019 at 9:37 am29Dexter

    Hmmm… I’d stick with 4,2,3,1

    Leno (ld play Bernd rather than Cech)
    AMN Kos Sok Kola
    Torreira Xhaka
    Iwobi Ozil Auba
    Laca

    Looking at that team does not feel me with confidence! It also suggests there are a few spots up for grabs next season!

  30. on 28 May 2019 at 9:51 am30OsakaMatt

    My own first thought exactly
    Dexter – except Nacho for Kola.
    But I didn’t like the right hand
    side so on second thoughts….

    Leno
    Sok, Kos, Nacho
    AMN, Xhaka, Torreira, Kola
    Ozil
    Laca, Auba

  31. on 28 May 2019 at 2:00 pm31bathgooner

    I think we will start with 3 at the back and OM’s @ 30 is bang on the money for the outfield players. However I believe Unai has promised Cech that he will play throughout this tournament and expect him to honour that in the final.

    Despite the rumour that he is about to join the Chavski backroom team, I am confident Cech will be 100% professional and while I think Leno is now a better keeper it is still marginal. I am less confident that Cech would win us a penalty shoot out though, not from any lack of commitment to Arsenal’s cause but simply because he hasn’t shown the potential to do so hitherto.

  32. on 28 May 2019 at 4:41 pm32bt8

    I am agreed that Leno seems to be the better choice in the event of a penalty shootout. Leno a 117th minute substitute for Cech, and to give us the game winning save?

  33. on 28 May 2019 at 5:58 pm33scruzgooner

    nerves beginning to fray a day early. i’d hoped i could make it until then. and i can’t even pour the rye for another eight hours.

  34. on 28 May 2019 at 8:08 pm34bt8

    A ride on the roller coaster could loosen you right up I would think, scruz.

    Not recommending it, to be sure. 🙂

  35. on 28 May 2019 at 8:29 pm35Goonerholic

    The longest brief preview ever. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  36. on 28 May 2019 at 8:39 pm36Sancho P

    It would be a silly thing to honour if you are essentially agreeing to play what you consider to be your weaker keeper. Watford did the same in the cup final and their keeper had a poor game by all accounts. Play your strongest team in the Final UE.

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