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Derby County 1 Charlton Athletic 0

An inauspicious end to Charlton’s away day games this season, finishing as it started with a one-nil loss. Rob Hulse headed the winner for Derby in the 70th minute, and from the reports I have read, Charlton offered little to a pretty poor game.

Phil Parkinson picked an unchanged team once more, preferring Deon Burton to Tresor Kandol, and also included youngster Chris Solly on the bench. I would have preferred Solly to have been given a start, especially as Danny Butterfield’s loan will end after next Sunday’s final game of the season.

Zheng Zhi had Charlton’s best chance, but his first half burst and shot was blocked by home keeper Bywater. Parky used his subs to boost his attacking options late on, but even with three at the back, after Scott Wagstaff came on for Darren Ward, little additional threat was offered.

The final game of the campaign will be at home versus Norwich, who will need to win to have any chance of staying in the Championship for another season unless they can pick up something in their penultimate game at home to Reading. If Barnsley then gain a solitary point at Plymouth, Norwich are down, so the Canaries could be in for a desperate day at The Valley.

The other end of the table does offer some interest for the neutral, with Birmingham’s loss to Preston adding considerable pressure to them, as they now need to win at Reading to gain automatic promotion; Sheffield United could leapfrog them with a win in Croydon, where Neil Warnock may help his old team by playing a bunch of youngsters. Should they both stumble, two wins for Reading this week could have catastrophic consequences for Norwich and Birmingham…and see the Royals back in the top tier.

Below us, we now know that we will not be playing Peterboro next year, who have gained promotion along with Leicester. I will look forward to confirmed third tier matches against Southend, Yeovil, Stockport, Colchester, Orient, Brentford (who have won league two) and hopefully Hartlepool, Brighton and Northampton if they can all stay up, and also either Gillingham, Rochdale, or Dagenham & Redbridge who will fight out a play off place with Bury. Overall, the number of games in the south of the country should be much greater than it has been for quite some time, and I could potentially get up to seven matches against clubs I have not seen Charlton play against away from home previously, and take my total into the nineties.

That fact is possibly the only bright thing to look forward to when the fixtures come out in June. By then, we may also have a better idea of who will be playing for the club come August, and who will be managing the team too.

Labels: Charlton, Derby County

Charlton’s last away game of this season is against Derby County, at Pride Park. You would like to think that with a six-game unbeaten run on the go anticipation was high, but with Charlton firmly rooted to bottom spot in the Championship, even with Southampton’s ten-point deduction if they do get themselves out of the bottom three places, most of us just want the season to be over.

The fact that Charlton have led their last two games by two goals, coupled with that unbeaten sequence of results, just makes the league position even more galling; how we would have appreciated an unbeaten run of three, four, or five games around Xmas. But it is just too late – five draws and the solitary recent win have done nothing to improve Charlton’s Championship finishing place, and little in fact to the overall points total.

So a game against Derby, who are not in the best of form at present, could see a continuation of our recent results, if Phil Parkinson keeps his options within the confines of the current starting eleven.

Parky was as frustrated as anyone at The Valley on Tuesday night, as a winning advantage was tossed away for the second time in four days, and he did say that he will not play any of the youngsters at the club unless they are ready to take a full part. Tamer Tuna was one who did make a semi-breakthrough, getting into first the squad, and then a place on the bench which allowed him fifteen minutes or so of game time. Chris Solly was, according to Parky a few weeks back, also very close to first team squad inclusion, and with our current right back only a loanee, I don’t really see why Parky is delaying playing him. If Solly had been given a chance to make his debut on Tuesday, and been found wanting by a very professional Cardiff team, then he would easily have been forgiven. The problem now is that he could play against Derby, and face up to one of the better right sided players in this league – Kris Commons. With Gary Teale likely to play on the opposite flank, Solly could have a tough afternoon.

So should Parky play him, or continue with Danny Butterfield? To me, he must give Solly a go, as to debut him in the last game of the season against Norwich -where they will almost certainly require a win to stay up – could be seen as opting for a weakened team by the League.

Elsewhere, I cannot see too many changes; Rob Elliott made a couple of excellent first half saves on Tuesday, and the rest of the defence seemed to cope pretty well until late in the game during both recent home matches. The midfield five are pretty consistent and getting better as a unit with every game they play together, and Jonjo Shelvey is being protected by being used in the more forward role until late in games. That just leaves a choice between our non-strikers for the forwards berth.

Tresor Kandol was obviously Parky’s preferred choice until his illness on Saturday, and with Deon Burton scoring in that game, Parky gave him another go for an hour against Cardiff. Kandol is way ahead of Chris Dickson, Svetislav Todorov, and Tamer Tuna so I would expect him to regain his starting place this weekend.

Personally, I see very little chance of Parky switching to a possibly more attacking 4-4-2 formation, as this would mean pushing Shelvey either deeper or to the bench, which is unlikely. It’s also unlikely that any of those recently out injured (Semedo, Ambrose) will make any sort of appearance.

This is how I hope Parky will send them out –

Rob Elliott
Chris Solly
Darren Ward
Mark Hudson
Kelly Youga
Therry Racon
Zheng Zhi
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Jonjo Shelvey
Tresor Kandol

Subs from Randolph, Weaver, Butterfield, Moutaouakil, Basey, Holland, Spring, Wagstaff, Tuna, Dickson, Burton, Todorov.

Derby are in a similar position to that of Blackpool whom we played last Saturday; they are almost clear of the possibility of relegation, but not certain. They have a few good players but need to work as a unit to win games. One player that Charlton will hope has another useless game against them is Luke Varney, anti-hero to Addicks, and who was pretty atrocious when he played in the Derby team that drew at The Valley back in December. Varney has got recent form though, and did have a successful loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday that only ended last week. Let’s all hope he plays like he did for most of his time with Charlton, then we’ll be fine…

Pedro45 is hoping that some sort of results continuation is maintained over the final two games, and I predict a 1-1 draw at Pride Park. The problem of conceding late goals – as we did well into injury time in the return fixture, as well as the last two matches – must be addressed, whether that is to protect a lead, or hold a draw, or to save from further defeat. The way to address this is on the training pitch, and though the management don’t have much time between games at this stage of the season, they must come up with some sort of angle to solve the issue. This was the main reason why the crowd were so upset on Tuesday; to throw away one two-goal lead is stupid, to throw away two two-goal leads is criminal! Deal with it Parky and co, while you have a chance please!

My one-to-watch in this match is going to be another of our midfield players; I seem to be cycling between them at present, but most have come up with the goods when picked out! Therry Racon (left) is the pick this time, and he will again be crucial in keeping the midfield tight, making tackles, taking the simple passing option when necessary, and pushing the team forwards at every opportunity. If Therry gets space, he can control the match, and with ZiZi, Bailey, Shelvey and Sam all playing well he could be the match-winner for the Addicks again.

In a perverse sort of way, if Charlton finish the season strongly with a couple of wins, and if Southampton do too, then the points deduction of the south coast team could see Charlton finish in 23rd position, rather than the expected 24th and bottom. The alternative is that one of the other teams that are relegated, and therefore one of our main competitors for promotion next year, will be starting the season ten points shy of everyone else. Maybe that should be why we want a Forest win tomorrow? It doesn’t matter that much though, and hopefully Charlton will elongate that unbeaten streak…

Up the Addicks!

Labels: Charlton, Derby County, Therry Racon

Labels: Cardiff, Charlton

Labels: Cardiff, Charlton, Nicky Bailey

Charlton Athletic 2 Blackpool 2

My wife was anxious on Saturday evening if I was alright about Charlton being relegated earlier that afternoon, the direct result of conceding an equalising goal deep into injury time? Of course I said, as far as I and most supporters were concerned, we had been relegated about a month previously, and the result on Saturday merely confirmed that fact mathematically.

In fact, as confirmation of the dreaded drop had taken much longer than many people had predicted, with sometime in March being the overly pessimistic, signs were that an improvement in performance and results could lead to an element of optimism for next year.

Saturday saw the same starting eleven bar Deon Burton for Tresor Kandol, but the introduction of both Tamer Tuna and Scott Wagstaff to the subs bench.

The off-field entertainment was provided by Blackpool fans; my friend noted before the game "that just has to be a bloke!?!" as a figure dressed in blonde wig, orange top, white ra-ra skirt, and with pom-poms on his/her wrist pranced around. Sure enough, the exhibition of him (for it was) lifting up his skirt and showing off the lower part of his orange leotard confirmed his masculinity, and soon he was joined by five other similarly clad transexual fans sitting in the front row behind the goal.

On the field, the first half was an entertaining game, bereft of goals. Jonjo Shelvey, never shy to shoot, was off target a couple of times, and Burton showed skill with a neat turn but shot over, but the best chance fell to Lloyd Sam after a goal mouth scramble, and his firm shot was blocked short of the line with the keeper beaten.

It was noticeable that Sam was getting involved much more than has been usual, and he made several darts well into the six yard box when Nicky Bailey was in possession in the hope of getting onto one of his crosses. One problem Charlton have had is lack of bodies in the penalty area when attacking – with Shelvey or Zheng Zhi often involved out wide – so this was good to see. Blackpool also had a couple of headers go close, but at half time, neither keeper had needed to make a save of any sort.

Early in the second half, after good work by ZiZi, a Sam cross was headed over ex-Addick Rachubka and into the net by Burton; one report I read said that there wasn’t much of a cheer – this may have been shock at a Charlton forward scoring but more likely that it was a surprise for fans at the far end of the ground (like myself) to see the ball go in so easily.

About a minute later, another excellent passing move saw ZiZi given time, and he chipped a lovely ball across the area for Shelvey to latch onto and shoot in for number two. Sadly, apart from an audacious Shelvey shot from fifty yards that had Rachubka beaten but the bar too, Charlton created little else, often trying to over-elaborate passing moves, and often conceding possession when well placed. Blackpool saw more of the ball, and with forwards supplemented and changed, started to come into the game more, without really threatening. It was horrible therefore, when a wayward ZiZi pass on the halfway line gifted possession to the Tangerines, and the breakaway ended with Mark Hudson giving away a sure fire penalty. Hudson was always struggling to catch Campbell but with Elliott well placed, the foul really shouldn’t have been conceded. At 2-1, with the penalty converted, Charlton tried to up their game once more, and did so briefly, but the desperate away team wanted it more, apparently. Tuna was called upon, but whereas last weekend Parkinson switched to 4-4-2 and offered his defence relief as the game became more open, this time Burton was withdrawn (possibly with cramp?) and Tuna ploughed a lone furrough. He tried his best, but often the ball was given away before it came anywhere near him.

As time ticked down, the pressure told, and sub Lee Hughes, once a guest of Her Majesty’s Prison Service, scored and showed he still knew how to run away after the event. This time though, it wasn’t 36-hours until he was caught, as the pom-pom crew had leapt the barriers and submerged him along with team-mates. Oh, and nobody died this time...

For Charlton, that goal well into the three minutes of added time meant certain relegation, whatever any of the other teams above them did. I was glad, personally, that the consequences came as a direct result of the Addicks performance, and not though other teams snatching points to put us down.

Thoughts now turn to the final three games, and with Tuna, Wagstaff, and Chris Solly all in the squad recently, I expect them all to see game time before the season curtain comes down in early May.

We knew many weeks back that we would go down to tier three, now with that fact confirmed, we must start the long haul to bring us back up again.

Labels: Blackpool, Charlton

Labels: Blackpool, Charlton, Jonjo Shelvey

Coventry City 0 Charlton Athletic 0

So no goals over Easter at all, either for or against, and with that goes all hope (if there was any) that Charlton could pull off the miracle and save themselves from relegation.

With an unchanged team, Charlton played quite well again, but just didn’t get the breakthrough required; after Rob Elliott made one good point blank save in the first half, Tresor Kandol had a goal disallowed for offside. Some reports say it was Jonjo Shelvey’s effort but it looked like Kandol to me…In the second period, an effort from Nicky Bailey was deflected onto the post (after Sam's effort hit the bar on Saturday, we haven't been helped by the woodwork recently!), and a Coventry break saw the ball roll just wide.

With other teams fighting relegation picking up positive results, Charlton are now 12 points from safety, with four games left. Even if all those four games were won, it would take a miracle of results to enable the Addicks to survive, especially as Forest have yet to play Southampton…

It does seem that the management have acknowledged this, and though the last rites in this awful season will be written on Saturday at The Valley, I still expect Phil Parkinson to put out his best team, rather than muddle about with the players. Once any calculators can be put away, we may then see some changes with next year in mind – Chris Solly will probably get a game at right back either against Cardiff or more likely Derby, and Scott Wagstaff could be preferred on the bench to Darren Ambrose. Tamer Tuna made the squad over Easter, but not the bench, and if he continues his good recent form over the next couple of weeks, he could force his way ahead of other strikers into the final sixteen. I’m not sure we will see any other surprises, as other options - Josh Wright, Rashid Yussoff - are out on loan, gaining experience elsewhere, while Harry Arter appears not to have made the grade.

I also do not expect to see any of the loan players at the club sent back early, as there is still a requirement for Darren Ward, as we have no centre back cover bar Matt Holland, and no other forward who works as hard as Tresor Kandol (which is saying a lot!). If anyone is cut from the payroll early, it will be Danny Butterfield, as Solly needs to be given a break, and alternatives are available if necessary in Yassin Moutaouakil, Jose Semedo, and even Matt Holland.

We do still have three home games to play, so the team are going to be able to play with some attacking freedom, and not worry too much if we do fall behind or lose. Certainly the games against Blackpool and Norwich are winnable, as is the match at Derby if we play well; Cardiff next Tuesday may be another matter, as they are desperate for the points, and may be just too strong.

With the current four game unbeaten streak being the best of the season, I hope the players try to carry it on; if we could make it eight games, at least that run will follow us all through the summer and hopefully give us some sort of impetus next August.

Saturday's match against Blackpool will be a game for diehard fans; we know we are going down, having accepted that fact some time ago, but if the team play well, whatever the ultimate outcome, we should cheer them as much as we have down over previous seasons.

Labels: Charlton, Coventry

Labels: Charlton, Coventry, Nicky Bailey

Charlton Athletic 0 Birmingham City 0

No goals but plenty of action at The Valley, in a thoroughly entertaining match which either side could have won. In the end, the goalkeepers kept the score-line empty, with saves being made right up to the final whistle.

Unchanged Charlton really had nothing to lose in this game, and as the first half began to be played out, they slowly came more and more into the match. City started the brighter, and more confident, and gave the Charlton midfield absolutely no time on the ball. Cameron Jerome made a complete nuisance of himself, and balls into the box from ex-loan Addick Hameur Bouazza were dangerous. However, Bouazza’s boo’s led to him having a fairly awful match overall and he was subbed in the second half.

Charlton were trying hard, but with Zheng Zhi playing a little deeper to counter any threat, and with possession at a premium, it was by no means easy for the home team. Jonjo Shelvey had a good game, and it was he who swung a foot to register Charlton’s first shot in anger. Lloyd Sam was working hard too, but he found the going difficult and not until the second half did he make decent use of any ball he received.

The first half showed just how good a side Birmingham could be; they were comfortable in possession, and organised to the extreme. The only thing they lacked was a creative midfielder who could open up a stubborn defence. The referee, Lee Probert, helped by some easily influenced linesman, seemed to give most decisions the way of the visitors, even when they were the most innocuous of fouls. Bouazza would swing the resulting ball into the Charlton area and Mark Hudson and Darren Ward all made good interceptions; Rob Elliott also made a couple of flying saves to punch out crosses. In some ways, it was a relief to get to half-time level, and if Charlton could up their game, they would still have a chance of all three points.

The blue-noses came out very early from the break, and were made to wait the full fifteen minutes by the Addicks. For the next fifteen minutes, Charlton continued to give as good as they received, with Sam finding a little more width, and Nicky Bailey coming more into the game from the wide left. Bailey had been booked in the first half for a soft challenge (left), but he rallied and played his role excellently as the game progressed, covering any danger that came the way of Kelly Youga. This was more important as Birmingham rung the changes – first Kevin Phillips, scourge of past Charlton teams came on for Larrson; then another ex-Addick Marcus Bent came on for the impressive Jerome (to the jeers of the Brummie fans…); and finally Scottish international and previous Addicks heartbreaker James McFadden replaced the inconsistent Bouazza to jeers this time from home fans. Bailey covered Youga excellently to snuff out most of the wide mans danger, although at times it was a close run thing.

As the half progressed, it became much more open, as Birmingham chased the one goal they thought they would need. Tresor Kandol was able to improve his poor start by holding the ball longer and bringing others into play, and Therry Racon started to find gaps for his passes and play in the wide men. Shelvey was also having a good match, and his runs off Kandol, plus his coverage when others went forward in his place was excellent.

Elliott was called on a couple of times, particularly on one occasion when he saved well from Murphy, and then Charlton had a goal disallowed when Ward got onto Kandol’s flick but was offside.

Phil Parkinson countered the more open game by bringing on Chris Dickson for Racon; this enabled Charlton to hold the ball up for longer and ease the pressure on the Addicks defence. Dickson made some runs down channels and did well in his first prolonged appearance for a few weeks.

The last fifteen minutes seemed to be a bit like a cup tie; Birmingham threw players forward at every opportunity, but the Charlton defence grew in confidence and held firm. Similarly, the Addicks two-man attack became more comfortable on the ball, and with the midfield storming forward now, chances started to come for the home team. Shelvey was at the heart of most, but the best fell to Zheng Zhi, who got on the end of a blocked Kandol shot, but with just a defender in the way, saw his effort blocked. Shelvey then nearly won the match at the death when his shot was deflected, but Taylor made a great save for the away team.

In the end, a draw was probably a fair result, even if Charlton had fashioned the best chances. Provided the team have no injuries, it will probably be the same squad, plus Matt Spring that goes to Coventry on Monday.

There is a chance that the team could be relegated on that day, but seeing as we know that this is just a matter of time it should be of little concern. Charlton showed in this game that they can compete with the best teams in the division, and the management and directors would do well to acknowledge this and try their utmost to keep as many of the current first team squad at The Valley for next season. Pedro45 knows that it will not be possible to keep everyone, what with contracts ending, and financial implications to consider, but when you do have players that other teams will covert as they are equal to the best on offer, then keeping what we have would be a rather good idea!

It’s just a shame that when the team play this well, compete with the top of the table teams, and show passion, skill, and effort, that we are in this dreadful position. Lessons should be learnt, and heeded in future.

Labels: Birmingham, Charlton

I went to see ABC at the Royal Albert Hall last night, and their performance of The Lexicon of Love album, with full (BBC Symphony) Orchestra was wonderful. This Saturday though, I doubt that such feelings will be on offer at The Valley, as Birmingham City bring their promotion chasing band-wagon to SE7.

Nothing less than three points will do for the Blue-noses, and their style of play offers less to the beautiful game than others who play more expansively. We can expect to see a combative type of play from the Blues, with Cameron Jerome bullying our central defence; with ex-Addict Lee Bowyer and Lee Carsley snarling and hassling our midfield; and with an uncompromising defence that includes the giant Tunisian Radhi Jaidi. No, there won’t be much love flying around with this lot in town. The danger man though may be an old Charlton nemesis – Kevin Phillips, who always seems to score against us…

Charlton do actually go in search of their first back-to-back wins for many a Valentine’s moon; last Saturday’s midfield inspired win at Southampton was most welcome, and I’m sure manager Phil Parkinson will be looking for much the same once more. The only bad thing to come out of that match was a number of bookings (four) plus Parky himself being sent off (top pic), which has led to an FA charge for him to answer. Of course, the two-goals conceded will bouy the opposition, if they need any help that is?

Althouugh, That Was Then But This Is Now, Parky is likely to send out much the same squad to try for a result in this game, and after explaining once again to the media that he has a preference for a five-man midfield due to the options at his disposal, I fully expect to see exactly the same starting eleven as that which played at St Mary’s.

The only changes may come on the bench, where Tamer Tuna has been added to the squad, although I think this will just be a good experience for him and it is unlikely that he will be given a seat in preference to either Svetislav Todorov, Deon Burton, or Chris Dickson. I’m sure that Parky will be hoping that his best players can get something in this match, and if they do, that the forward roll continues on Monday at Coventry. That is much more likely time to see changes to the squad and bench, as players who picked up injuries in this match fail to recover. Hopefully, no injury will be as bad - or look as worse - as that which Carsley inflicted on ex-Addick Chris Iwelumo on Monday, as Birmingham closed the gap on leaders Wolves, but I do expect City to give Charlton far less space in midfield than Southampton did last week, and where and when Charlton do have possession, we can expect swift firm tackles and plenty of SOS messages.

This is the team I expect Parkinson to name –

Rob Elliott
Danny Butterfield
Darren Ward
Mark Hudson
Kelly Youga
Therry Racon
Zheng Zhi
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Jonjo Shelvey
Tresor Kandol

Subs from Randolph, Weaver, Moutaouakil, Solly, Holland, Basey, Spring, Arter, Ambrose, Wagstaff, Todorov, Dickson, Tuna, Burton.

Pedro45 does fear that Tears Are Not Enough for Charlton to get anything in this match, and predicts a 1-0 defeat; I just feel that the Blues may want it slightly more at this stage of the season. Of course, if the confidence gained last week continues, and if Shelvey, Racon, Bailey and ZiZi continue to dominate in central midfield, then we do have a slight chance. My concern is that our defence is not capable of holding what Birmingham can throw at us, whether that Poison Arrow comes from Jerome, or Phillips, or even another ex-Addick Hameur Bouazza; it does seem a long time again that he was actually playing on the left wing for Charlton, and the terms of his departure just a few months ago in January will mean he will not be expecting a warm welcome back to The Valley by Addicks fans.

My one-to-watch in this game is going to be Zheng Zhi; while others spent last week celebrating their goals, ZiZi (left) had his excellent second half shot saved, and was subbed with twenty minutes left to leave him goal-less in this match, even though he was playing well. I expect him to bounce back in this game, and show a potential Premiership side that he is their equal, in the hope that other top clubs are watching and will come with The Look of Love and a new contract offer that shows him How to Be a Millionaire.

Labels: Birmingham, Charlton, Zheng Zhi

Southampton 2 Charlton Athletic 3

It was a shame that some of the off-field events marred this good win by Charlton; financial troubles of both clubs aside, the disturbances outside the ground after the match (and prior to at a local station I hear) cast a slur on the name of the club. It was worrying to see 20 or so black clad men, hooded and capped (possibly fresh from G20 Summit duties?), goading home fans during the first half, and after the break, this group moved to another area of the away end and continued to abuse and antagonise the nearest Saints fans. Police and stewards did what they could but seemed powerless to evict all of the culprits. I am sure that this group brokered the trouble at the away exit afterwards, and at that stage, with plenty of other home fans now close by, police struggled to control the melees that ensued. One 50-ish man was not lucky, and he was laid out looking very ill with little in the way of medical help at hand due to the situation that was almost out of control. I left the ground but with more fans seeming intent on joining in, I just hope nobody was seriously hurt.

I know that every club has their rogue element, but this was the first time I have seen this particular group at a Charlton match, and looking so threatening. It was against Southampton some years back that a group of supposed Charlton fans organised a clash at Westcombe Park station that turned into men against boys, so perhaps this was a legacy of that day? Most of those involved then were jailed, but perhaps they are now out again?

Sadly, this did impinge of a good day out: I had travelled to the ground through Wiltshire and Hampshire without delay or mishap. The walk to the stadium was quicker than I remembered, and I even had the pleasure of a steward going outside of the ground to get me a programme as I hadn't seen any sellers on the way in. This sort of excellent service is a credit to Southampton and their stewards.

Charlton lined up as predicted, and Jonjo Shelvey did push forward most of the game, and attempt to get alongside and in front of Tresor Kandol whenever he could. It was a simple goal that Charlton scored to take the lead within the first six minutes; Rob Elliott kicked long and the ball was flicked on by Kandol – who won plenty in the air all match – for Shelvey to beat the last man (Chris Perry?) and cooly slot home past Davis in goal. Charlton were in front early, but could they hang on?

The answer was no, as too much faffing around led to an easy equaliser just over ten minutes later. Hudson should have cleared, but didn't and played a tight ball to Nicky Bailey on the left. Bailey was unable to turn and subsequently tackled, and danger man McGoldrick strode onwards and shot across Elliott and in.

At least Charlton didn't buckle at this point, and with Zheng Zhi and Therry Racon seemingly always available for a pass in midfield, and with Lloyd Sam finding space on the wing, the Addicks continued to be the brighter. A ball into Kandol by ZiZi saw him being hauled to the ground, and the otherwise excellent referee correctly pointed to the penalty spot. Sometimes, it is best if the player fouled for a penalty doesn't take the spot kick himself, and sometimes it makes no difference whatsoever. This time, Kandol lazily stroked too close to Davis who flopped on the ball to save (left). Oh dear! Immediately, Mark Hudson gave away a foul on the edge of the Charlton area and you wondered if the Addicks would be punished immediately but thankfully the shot was blocked and eventually cleared.

Elliott was really only called into action again once in this half, when a long cross (after Kelly Youga had again gifted the opposition the ball) was headed back across goal and goal-wards at the far post; Elliott flung himself at the ball and turned it around the post for a corner.

Youga provided some entertainment when he strode forward to a deflected half-clearance on the edge of the area and steadied himself for the shot; sadly for Kelly, the spin took the ball away from him and he was left swinging at fresh Hampshire air. Luckily, as he strolled back with an embarrassed look, the Southampton break-away came to nothing.

At half-time, you felt that the Addicks had been the better team, and if they continued, they would still have a chance. That is if they chose to play more than just 45 minutes, as they only sadly have in some games this season. The weather was lovely though, and I think this is the first time I can remember a lineman wearing a cap for the whole game, in order to keep the sun out of his eyes as he looked across the pitch. It was a black cap, and I wonder if it was Football League or anarchist issue?

The second half news was good; Charlton started equally brightly, and the midfield, provided players didn't linger on the ball too long, was being won. Kandol continued to make a complete nuisance of himself, and after an hour laid the ball back to the arriving Racon, who curled a lovely shot over Davis and into the far corner. The celebrations in front of the travelling fans was quite good too (left). Back in front, this time it was crucial that Charlton didn't concede an equaliser.

The Saints tried hard, and did make Elliott work, but too often, any shots they got away were too close to the Charlton keeper or went well wide. Ex-Addick Jason Euell showed he still has an excellent second touch, and also that his first touch is just as awful as it always was! As the game progressed, it became more open. Matt Holland replaced the excellent Zheng Zhi (for no apparent reason), and very soon, Charlton broke once more, this time down the left. Bailey, who had an indifferent game overall, beat his man and when expected to pull the ball back, toe-poked the ball past Davis and into the far corner; this was the first time Charlton had scored three goals in a game since last August!

Southampton made some substitutions, in a desperate attempt to get back into the game, and Charlton really should have wrapped things up when countless breaks saw them three on two, or two versus one. Deon Burton came on for Kandol, as he had incurred the wrath of the referee and the crowd by first kicking the ball away after a foul to earn a booking, and then by showing dissent after another foul. Burton was involved in the next break, as he and Shelvey plus Bailey went clear with just one defender back. Sadly, Burton messed it all up by not seeing the totally free team-mates square of him, and when he did, failing to even get a pass away.

The game entered an exciting climax as streams of Saints fans trundled out of the ground. Wright-Phillips volleyed over Elliott at the second attempt, from distance, and you did wonder if Charlton would throw the win away as they have done before? Thankfully, they did OK, and could have scored more themselves in the last few minutes. As Southampton became desperate, their players seemed to throw themselves to the ground every time they entered the penalty area, and if a Charlton defender was close. The referee ignored these claims each time, and finally the home Manager snapped and started to have a go at him. Charlton manager Phil Parkinson got involved (not for the first time this season!) and stood up for the man in black a little too forcibly. The result was that both Wotte and Parky were sent off to the stands. Parky will probably get a touchline ban for this altercation, but I hope it’s not too long as it was just the heat of the moment stuff and did bring a smile!

After four minutes injury time was played out and the final whistle went to visiting supporters cheers, the players and manager came across to show their appreciation for the support given. Racon and Shelvey threw their shirts to the crowd (via a steward), with Racon showing an impressive tattoo that covered his whole back (much like Nigel Benn I thought), and Elliott’s gloves ended high up the seating too.

Three points won away for the first time since September; I know it is too little too late, but we have to take what we can at present, and say “Well done lads – can we have some more please?”

Labels: Charlton, Southampton

It’s some time since the last Charlton game, and I always find it difficult to get back into the blogging swing of things and do a match preview, but here goes.

Charlton travel to play a Southampton team whose "future is in jeopardy" according to the BBC website, and could be liquidated and drop out of the Football League if a new owner is not found by the start of next season. This would normally be expected to have a significant effect on the Addicks opponents, but as both teams, the bottom two in the Championship, are in similar straits, who knows what influence it might have on the match this weekend?

Charlton have moved to shore up finances by offering the freeholds of land for sale to current directors, and along with a loan from the Chairman, will be able to raise £2 million to help ease the financial pain over coming weeks. Season ticket prices have also been announced, and have been denounced by many waverers amongst the Valley faithful; Pedro45 will be buying his tickets next year without complaint, just as he has done every season for god knows how long – Charlton is for life in this household! I know it seems expensive, but that’s the name of the game. Rather than blame the directors (who would certainly be getting it in the ear if they didn’t try to generate enough income for the club…) we should all move on (if you buy, great, if not, that's fine too...) and try to ignore the blame game (Curbishley, Murray, Parker, Murphy, Dowie (spit!), Pardew, etc etc ad infinitum…) that is hurting the club so much these days.

On Phil Parkinson’s mind will be which players to pick: Charlton do have a mathematical chance of staying up, although nobody including your correspondent believes that it is a real option.

In goal, providing he has recovered from the back injury he had prior to the Preston game, Rob Elliott should continue. The defence is very likely to be unchanged, with on loan Danny Butterfield at right back, the also on loan Darren Ward at centre back, alongside Mark Hudson, and with Kelly Youga at left back. There are rumours that youngster Chris Solly is close to making a first team appearance, but I cannot imagine that being tried in this still important match.

In midfield, I fully expect to see Therry Racon, Zheng Zhi and Nicky Bailey carry on their recent good work, which on paper sees them as potentially one of the best midfields in the division(!). Tresor Kandol should continue to lead the line up front, and that leaves just two positions for Parky to make a judgment on.

This decision needs to be based on what formation he wishes to play; bearing in mind that he recently stated that Charlton were most likely to score with a 4-5-1 formation, I fully expect Deon Burton and Chris Dickson to get bench duties once more. That means that Lloyd Sam, Darren Ambrose and Jonjo Shelvey are fighting for two positions. Shelvey played the full match for the first time in a while in the last league game, and you would normally expect him to start again here, but he has been away for a week with England’s under-17’s in Germany, and played two matches. The issue is if he is fit enough after the trip? If he is, I expect Shelvey to start with Darren Ambrose as substitute for when he tires (as he normally does), and Lloyd Sam on the right wing. Sam was by far the busier and better player in the match versus Preston, where he played the second half after Ambrose gave a lacklustre performance during the first period. This unacceptable show was down we are told to a hamstring injury, so we must expect Ambrose to have recovered if he is to take his place in the squad.

This is the side I think Parky will send out at St Mary’s –

Rob Elliott
Darren Butterfield
Darren Ward
Mark Hudson
Kelly Youga
Therry Racon
Zheng Zhi
Lloyd Sam
Nicky Bailey
Jonjo Shelvey
Tresor Kandol

Subs from Randolph, Weaver, Moutaouakil, Solly, Basey, Holland, Spring, Ambrose, Dickson, Todorov, Burton.

Southampton have had injury concerns themselves to go with their off-field problems. They do expect Jason Euell to be fit to face his former club though, and line up alongside another ex-Addick Chris Perry. Their danger-man though is likely to be David McGoldrick, who has a decent scoring record this season, even playing for a poor team – it will be up to Ward and Hudson to contain this threat.

Pedro45 will be making his way down to the Solent, via a circuitous route, to watch the game, and has to be positive about the result; I predict that – as so often happens – just when it is too late, results will start to pick up, and I forecast a 2-1 win. If Charlton get on top, the crowd will turn and home heads will drop. I’m hoping that the Addicks can take full advantage and force their way to a second three-points on their travels this season. It won’t make any difference, we will still be relegated come the end of season, but a win will at least delay the inevitable by a few days or weeks…

My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Therry Racon. This game is one that he should relish – full of tussles and small battles with plenty of tackles offered and balls to be won. If Racon gets involved as he did when he first broke back into the team, his partnership with ZiZi can flourish and win points for the Addicks.

It will be strange to visit a team with possibly more headaches off the field than Charlton, and I do hope that our nice-guy image doesn’t prevent Charlton taking full advantage. Three points and a show that we can still win matches this season is really important now that the season ticket prices for next season have been announced. As long as the players and management realise this, then I am confident we can win.

Up the Addicks!

Labels: Charlton, Southampton, Therry Racon

Hot on the heels of the club announcing the loss of up to 25 staff, in an effort to save on next season's revenue drop, the Shareholders were today told of the plan to sell the Club's training ground, plus other land belonging to Charlton.

Labels: Charlton