Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Bourne Supremacy
Writing an update following Saturday's Charlton victory over Bournemouth has taken me some time, but that's no surprise when we see what else has been going on, all around the club. The riots, looting, wanton vandalism and sheer stupidness of the last few days is a sorry picture, and has somewhat taken the gloss off a fine display by the Addicks at the weekend. The obvious result of the madness was the postponement of the Carling Cup tie versus Reading, which would have been my first opportunity to see the team play this season. Sadly, that vision will have to wait a while longer, though at least I wasn't one of those that had planned flights so I could be at that game. Maybe if these numpties causing the trouble realised the waste that their actions caused, they might think again, but then what can you do with only two brain cells anyway? As somebody has said - It's easy to destroy something, but what have any of them created? What indeed!Suffice to say that things were much quieter last night, in London at least, and various reasons are being put forward, one of which - that it's dificult to walk when you have two new right-footed trainers on - has some creedence. That, or the newly nicked TV or Playstation was taking time to set up...
Anyway, hopefully things will die down now and we can all get back to being normal Londoners and not have an embarassed look on our faces.
Back to the footie - Charlton won on Saturday courtesy of three goals: a first half finish from Dale Stephens after great work by Chris Solly; a classic 25-yard volley from Scott Wagstaff after Stephens set him up early in the second half; and a stroked penalty from Johnnie Jackson after Bradley Wright-Phillips was tripped.
Seven players made their debuts - Matt Taylor, Michael Morrison, Rhoy Wiggins, Stephens, Danny Hollands, Paul Hayes, and late substitute Bradley Pritchard - which equals the record I beleive. Possibly of more surprise was the inclusion of Robbie Elliot, but this may have been the result of a late injury to Ben Hamer rather than a change of heart by manager Chris Powell. I had to follow the match via Twitter due to being otherwise involved, but my heart was in the right place I can confirm, and I cheered every goal!
Tuesday's game would have seen Danny Green make his debut after suspension, and maybe given a chance to Andy Hughes, and some others too? With Jason Euell signing a new contract at the club today, the squad certainly has strength in depth. One of the five goalkeepers on the clubs books moved out on loan today - Nick Pope joining Harrow - and we can expect a few more departures, with Simon Francis, Conor Gough, and maybe Yado Mambo and Elliot possibly filing out of the car park before the end of August?
Saturday's game against Notts County has become a top-of-the-table clash, as they also won 3-0 on Saturday (at Carlisle), but it remains to be seen if they are any good or if it shows Carlisle to be particularly poor. I guess we'd be happy with a point though Paul Benson will no doubt want to prove something and bring home all three?
The early fixtures do look tough on paper, so we should not be surprised if any points are dropped, but the signs from the Bournemouth game are that we can be a force this year.
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, London Riots
