tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166787402024-03-22T00:39:47.012+00:00Charlton Athletic OnlineWWW.CHARLTONATHLETICONLINE.CO.UK
News, views, opinion, previews and reports on Charlton Athletic Football Club from 2005 to 2011Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.comBlogger673125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-64490354903323772722012-05-07T20:57:00.002+01:002012-05-07T20:57:42.927+01:00Just Champion!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLjf4YvyN1cwtjs33-dDmE678dl6mQZapX-zO3EkwRfc0nK86aDjrkLfdePQTaHjXVLCuGuY-0YlC-2vAFNdqeP2LC84ffL-olO-18Ms6PFK_va0lC0nZj2JfY7f5VxQGJREYyw/s1600/P5051096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLjf4YvyN1cwtjs33-dDmE678dl6mQZapX-zO3EkwRfc0nK86aDjrkLfdePQTaHjXVLCuGuY-0YlC-2vAFNdqeP2LC84ffL-olO-18Ms6PFK_va0lC0nZj2JfY7f5VxQGJREYyw/s320/P5051096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After such a fantastic year, culminating in the League One Title being won, and the trophy being collected on Saturday, this blog just had to make a short comeback in order to add my congratulations to a group of Charlton players who have excelled this season. <b>Pedro45 </b>has been mightily impressed with most (if not all) of them, and at the way that Chris Powell has managed the team over the last nine months. Will they all cut it in the Championship? Have they done enough to earn that new contract? Have they reached the peak of their careers? This is what <b>Pedro45 </b>thinks - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Manager</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI9ZIkwaOgcHQqfkKdDwd8YuFW6UNBKqbS8uTobx2kPFsTHV9iOPhUKH1j7e75n8-gj0-YvCn6WBWJ7Fas9qdrPF-dKMTXrQzLAwpUsiKzmUIZZfTnZNxvW6q_FmaF8LNOxD7Fw/s1600/P5051074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI9ZIkwaOgcHQqfkKdDwd8YuFW6UNBKqbS8uTobx2kPFsTHV9iOPhUKH1j7e75n8-gj0-YvCn6WBWJ7Fas9qdrPF-dKMTXrQzLAwpUsiKzmUIZZfTnZNxvW6q_FmaF8LNOxD7Fw/s320/P5051074.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chris Powell</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not perfect, but a very good start to his career. His rebuilding of the team was (at times) inspired, with some key signings at crucial times (Kermorgant, Cort, Haynes, etc etc etc), and the way he fitted them into the squad without breaking the team spirit in any way was a tribute to him and his backroom staff in their judgment. He did slightly annoy me that, when he had the opportunity to rest players, he chose the same team week-in and week-out, and you did see late in the season that one or two players (Kermorgant, Jackson, and Hollands, for instance) were starting to look leg weary; I just felt that if he had taken the opportunity to rest players when he could, for a game here and a game there, that we would have actually been even stronger come the run in. The same was true with substitutions - Chris did not make them early enough on many occasions, either when winning, or when chasing three points. That said, it is very difficult to criticise when you look at the season's record and I am just being pernickity really. He has a fabulous back-room team with Alex Dyer, Damian Matthew, Paul Avory, Paul Hart, and his medical team (who need special mention for keeping so many of the side fit all year!), plus the Board (of course!) all doing an excellent job in supporting the manager.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Goalies</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ben Hamer </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact that Hamer is in the League One team of the season, as chosen by his peers, speaks volumes about the man. He has had a pretty good season! In replacing a (minor) Valley legend (in Rob Elliot), Ben was not going to be given an easy introduction to life in SE7, but he settled in fairly quickly, and soon after the pink wonder headed northwards, he came into his own. Tall and athletic, Ben struggled as those had before him with taking crosses cleanly, but his shot stopping and distribution were very good. Long raking kicks from hand out to lurking forwards ready to burst ahead were the norm, especially when Charlton held a lead, instantly turning defence into counter-attack. There were a few minor glitches; one after he was unluckily sent off on New Year’s Eve at Orient for handball and another after an ankle injury saw him replaced mid-game. He then returned probably a week early and his kicking suffered as a result. Then there was the mis-communications he suffered with his centre backs in early March which he (rather than the more culpable pair) seemed to be blamed for. Almost 20 clean sheets though is hard to beat and he can look back on a very fine first season in Charlton’s goal, and hopefully a few more to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>John Sullivan</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chances were few and far between for Sully, and in truth, he never let the club down. He played one of the League Cup games, and a couple of the JPT matches, but started just two league games – one when deputising after Hamer was suspended and the other after the title was secured. Not the biggest, classiest, or most adept goalkeeper to have represented the club, but what you can see in Sully is that comaraderie which every side needs. You know he would play whenever required, even on the left wing if called upon! I expect he will be kept for next year, but he will probably not be playing too much in the first team and will be the designated bench warmer once more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Robbie Elliot </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a year left on his contract, and an agent wiling to eek out as much as he could for him, it looked as if it was always going to end in tears for someone. Luckily, it didn’t, as Andy Woodman decided he fancied his young gloved mate as company in the cold north-east and Robbie glee-fully signed a Premier League contract. The few games he played for Charlton back in August were all won, so we should thank Robbie for his efforts for CAFC, and we do know that he is a fan and will wish us the best in years to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Defenders</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cwNJYIcPWsgCRXf8VlZ7KUTzFYTgLkXIa-x1rHaCNKYW2Vjuqle-OwWADYHjL7VuJiBVFH8dS5qBwv13OtYzYNotFWwXJA1APXkoxkLfCO7IPyVz4fBkR4gv3hWR7S7fhPVwMg/s1600/13427366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cwNJYIcPWsgCRXf8VlZ7KUTzFYTgLkXIa-x1rHaCNKYW2Vjuqle-OwWADYHjL7VuJiBVFH8dS5qBwv13OtYzYNotFWwXJA1APXkoxkLfCO7IPyVz4fBkR4gv3hWR7S7fhPVwMg/s320/13427366.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Michael Morrison</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another to make the League One team of the Season, Morro is not someone you would want to meet down a dark alleyway. Huge hearted, no messing, and hard as nails, he played in every league game bar one, scoring some important goals too. His partnership with Taylor was the rock on which the season was built, and the only cracks have come when the end has been in sight, probably through tiredness. A few mis-communications with Hamer in goal have highlighted matters recently, and he will have earned his Vegas holiday when that time comes. One thing that does concern me is that he has become a little Hoddle-esque – looking for the killer 50-yard pass – far too often recently - but that can be coached out of him. A possible legend in the making, Morrison should be OK in the Championship, and if he continues to improve, he could be an Addick centre back for quite a few years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlRd498C-dMYsWQci3cr4v7Xix6OIWcmcz8YhIuVr_p1BPfgYiywBISEMYIHlnsZWxKvcFSIS_aj7AAGXhJATF7Esv9qGSy38NYnu6KhB6jVWyRHCs9QVLa2xG4IcB4lC2lMF4Q/s1600/13427322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlRd498C-dMYsWQci3cr4v7Xix6OIWcmcz8YhIuVr_p1BPfgYiywBISEMYIHlnsZWxKvcFSIS_aj7AAGXhJATF7Esv9qGSy38NYnu6KhB6jVWyRHCs9QVLa2xG4IcB4lC2lMF4Q/s320/13427322.jpg" width="224" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Matt Taylor </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other half of that rock is another uncompromising centre back but the half that has attracted far less plaudits. For why, I do not know, because Taylor was every bit as good as Morrison over the first 7 months of the season. His only goal came in the FA Cup, and that may be why (as Morrison’s goals came in league games), although he did have one or two efforts cleared off the line. Not quick, and not a great tackler, he makes up for this with great positional sense, and a vast amount of experience that more than compensates. Obviously well respected by his team-mates, Taylor was the vice-captain, and did a great job standing in as skipper during Jackson’s enforced absences. I have no doubt that Taylor will be at The Valley in 2012-2013, but it may be that he is the first reserve centre back if Cort and Morrison are still around too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rhoys Wiggins </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During my years watching Charlton, I’ve witnessed quite a few decent left backs play for the club (Kinsey, Reid, Minto, Barness, Powell, Konchesky, Hreiderssson…) and I have to say that Wiggins is right up there with the best of them. He may not be the best defender of the lot, but he is definitely one the best going forwards. It is quite astonishing to think that he has only scored one goal this year (away at Bury I think, or was it Rochdale?) even though he has had many terrific shots on target. He can beat most full backs at will, either with pace or skill, and his crossing is excellent both on the run and when he has more time. In addition, his partnership down the left hand side with Jackson has been superb, with both complimenting each other. An early contender for Player of the Season, his contributions have been consistent in the latter part of the season rather than meeting his previous very high standards. Despite defending not being his best attribute, Wiggins should be looking to pick up a few Welsh caps in the next few years, and I see no reason why he cannot hold his own in the Championship, or even go on to bigger and better things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVfzIL-hO3zV9-TBuKZnvQYVJXi_jXK32i4Yt2xxIOg8hIlCVOnDswVXRH1kozLyy7gt44BI6EqiLHuS2-70k6ZRPCx5aGetcdEpVux5cEqkqD6Q-A8BflHzYnNlexuNj7OIJ6w/s1600/P5051085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVfzIL-hO3zV9-TBuKZnvQYVJXi_jXK32i4Yt2xxIOg8hIlCVOnDswVXRH1kozLyy7gt44BI6EqiLHuS2-70k6ZRPCx5aGetcdEpVux5cEqkqD6Q-A8BflHzYnNlexuNj7OIJ6w/s320/P5051085.JPG" width="215" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chris Solly </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you believe that someone on Charlton Life actually asked if he really was only five foot three?!? Undoubtedly the fans Player of the Season (though not my choice), Solly has had a fine season. As a Charlton youth player come through the ranks, I do feel that a lot of his errors are overlooked, in the same way that if a misplaced pass gets intercepted his error gets a mild groan whereas if it was Stephens it would be derided. Maybe though, his errors, being so few and far between, are noticeable. He was definitely at fault for one of the Notts County goals, where he delayed his throw in so long then got caught out of position as a result. The main worry with him is his height, but despite these worries, the only time I can ever remember a goal coming from a ball played over the top to his side was against Wycombe when Beavon scored. Nearly every club tries to pick up on this potential weakness, but few succeed, which is testament to not only Solly, but the rest of the defence too. Always willing to overlap, he provides ample assistance down the right flank, and does have a seemingly telepathic understanding with Wagstaff. He did work well with Green too down that side, though Green offered less protection and back-up than Waggy. For some reason though, I wonder if Solly can cut it in higher leagues? More sides will try to exploit his lack of height and I’m concerned about his pace too being good enough for very quick forwards. (By the way, I’d love to be proved wrong here!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0StPbZ7UvoMunG2JBE8zlhTuFGV90yEP1JutrH4qsgj4CxOuIyvvWQRLg03P7UztmC6FgV1qWU42mMN2pp4iZq3GiNL1GH07vKr-BBr-E7aek_GDpsboPOtPCn1k6QRC8hGKlQ/s1600/13427317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0StPbZ7UvoMunG2JBE8zlhTuFGV90yEP1JutrH4qsgj4CxOuIyvvWQRLg03P7UztmC6FgV1qWU42mMN2pp4iZq3GiNL1GH07vKr-BBr-E7aek_GDpsboPOtPCn1k6QRC8hGKlQ/s320/13427317.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Leon Cort </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only word I can think of to describe Cort’s end of season performances is Immense! Sure, he may not be the quickest, but he wins nearly everything in the air, and is quick to throw his body in the way of shots if necessary. His first league start of the season saw Charlton’s first defeat, and in some ways that was his fault, as he missed an easy chance to equalise with a free header, but since then, whenever brought on or started, he has been great. Replacing a tired looking Matt Taylor after the Notts County reverse, it took another five games for the team to concede a goal from open play. A lot of this was down to Cort’s huge presence I felt. On loan initially, and recalled by Burnley so they could release him from his contract, he promptly singed for Charlton in January, and he will be a stalwart next year I think, playing in a division where he has shown himself to be more than comfortable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRasDVbGKr6KqZiJaMbIbYqQKuXWQa4bYLq1M9lt2zPSanEDvLI9F_ttReduuy_h3AdwVTPQ3ZGgA5yqzEn_XDwJTkHStkpOBR5krSvyIZNbg7wq0FC8WbaJUcsjU4mFu-ZGLxCA/s1600/13427396.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRasDVbGKr6KqZiJaMbIbYqQKuXWQa4bYLq1M9lt2zPSanEDvLI9F_ttReduuy_h3AdwVTPQ3ZGgA5yqzEn_XDwJTkHStkpOBR5krSvyIZNbg7wq0FC8WbaJUcsjU4mFu-ZGLxCA/s200/13427396.jpeg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cedric Evina </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor old Ceddy just hasn’t had much of a chance this season. The form and fitness of Wiggins has kept him out of the left-back spot in the team, and with others required on the bench, he hasn’t even been able to be a used substitute very much. Still very young, he has good potential, and will I’m sure be retained (provided he is OK with being Wiggins back-up once more?); he may even get a loan spell elsewhere if a similar scenario to this season is on the cards. The butt of many training ground jokes, “Doing a Ceddy” has become a favoured saying when you get something wrong; hopefully Ceddy will be able to turn some tables next year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Midfielders</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQOj42vbGUXqQuvX-VFlrgHhVvg2NnahYi4HwDQh0AhAFctn0sd4APVnbZY3ZItwbgRpizOjd4i5rX5DtY8ykIiJDWjD0gjR1NFE5FK-2O_XmAuLFYwGRDLKX7b0kNGhVAC8eig/s1600/P5051082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQOj42vbGUXqQuvX-VFlrgHhVvg2NnahYi4HwDQh0AhAFctn0sd4APVnbZY3ZItwbgRpizOjd4i5rX5DtY8ykIiJDWjD0gjR1NFE5FK-2O_XmAuLFYwGRDLKX7b0kNGhVAC8eig/s320/P5051082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Andy Hughes </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hughes will consider himself a bit unlucky this season; when signed, he may have thought he would be playing every week, but the full back form and consistency of Chris Solly saw to that and with such other strength in midfield (where he can also play), his time has been very limited. He did play in the early season cup games, and did a reasonable job. Then, when called upon following Dale Stephens injury in October, Hughes was simply magnificent, playing the next six games which were all won. I first noticed him at Stevenage, where, not in the playing squad, he proceeded to have a pre-game training session on his own, lapping up and down the pitch against a stop watch for the best part of half an hour - it was impressive stuff! He did similar workouts whenever he was not playing, and you knew as such that when his chance came, he would be fit enough. Sadly for him, the signing of Daryl Russell saw him preferred in that midfield anchor role, and with a few thigh problems in the New Year, Hughes was never quite ready to retake his place, despite many calling for it when others obviously needed a rest. The memory of Hughes will not be of something he did, but in what he allowed others to do; while he played, Hollands scored goals for fun. It was Hughes professionalism that allowed this. Sadly, I think the Championship may be a bit too quick for him, though we know he will play if required.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Johnnie Jackson </b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3JPzGloWbn5DkT8-Swy5g0l2lbpI6iHajAtAhMLp0iNwqW3n4O3iBFOTBbn4aG4TGEsu93rbTvPUo_YXCh-5789S1DmxUoovnoxAUptQllsjnCco0zufY7F8pJUHpa1munUPtw/s1600/P5051050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3JPzGloWbn5DkT8-Swy5g0l2lbpI6iHajAtAhMLp0iNwqW3n4O3iBFOTBbn4aG4TGEsu93rbTvPUo_YXCh-5789S1DmxUoovnoxAUptQllsjnCco0zufY7F8pJUHpa1munUPtw/s320/P5051050.JPG" width="226" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He goes down the wing for me; he scores goals for me; he does all that is required for me and the rest of the Addicks family. JJ is our captain and leader on the pitch and off it, and what a season he has had. Good enough to be voted the second best player in the league (behind Jordan Rhodes), and part of the Players Team of the Season, recognition has come from all avenues. Amazingly, he is not Charlton’s player of the season (he came third), due to the strength of other candidates. Jacko has scored 13 goals, including a few penalties and some stunning free-kicks. Everyone mentions the two he got in consecutive weeks that did for both Sheffield clubs in January and, as many also mention, it was winning those two games that gave many the belief that this really was our season. A couple of injuries took him from the side, and though loanees Hogan Ephraim, Lee Cook, and Dany N’Guessan all did very well in his stead, Jackson reclaimed his left-midfield place as soon as he was able, such was the standard he brought to the team. He forged a great partnership with Wiggins down the left, and it did help that Wiggins pace could compensate for Jacko’s lack of it. Jackson’s calm play was only ruffled once that I saw all season – away at Stevenage – when he was desperate to maintain Charlton’s unbeaten start to the season; on that occasion, he started to rush things, and became frustrated, but this was just a blip. He seems to love life at The Valley, so I have no doubt he will be leading the team out next August, and at that time we will see if he can improve and show that he is even better than we (and possibly, he) even thought.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRNFX1gLiTfNJepk6vvhYZWISm0rEMMWoIPXIelXQ2ZR33XyJTUdPXmDTqB4PxhHCyOU1UP5TzdrNacJ4Awr43OPvgHleV7J819g7wimq50_aDnNGii03bohvdMUrF9O-Wzn9uA/s1600/P5051080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRNFX1gLiTfNJepk6vvhYZWISm0rEMMWoIPXIelXQ2ZR33XyJTUdPXmDTqB4PxhHCyOU1UP5TzdrNacJ4Awr43OPvgHleV7J819g7wimq50_aDnNGii03bohvdMUrF9O-Wzn9uA/s320/P5051080.JPG" width="290" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Danny Green </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The return of the prodigal son, mark VII, saw GreenDog arrive back at The Valley a few years after being let go; this following fabulous displays in a poor Dagenham side that was relegated the previous year (including goals in both games against Charlton). The return started slowly, with illness preventing an opening day debut, and with Scott Wagstaff scoring in the first two games, it then took some time for Green to establish himself as first choice on the right. Once in the team, his value was evident immediately. A totally different player to Waggy, Green was cultured on the ball, looked for (and made) a million-dollar pass regularly, and created much that was good. His first time cross at Brentford begged for BWP to tap it in, such was the accuracy of the ball in from out wide. Not as slow as some people make out, and not without good skill too (evidence is his taking a fun part in Soccer AM tekkers slot), Green soon owned the right wing role. The only negative things for Green were his accumulation of yellow cards, many after he had initially lost the ball and tried a little too hard to win it back, that saw him suspended after Xmas, and further bouts of illness that saw him missing from the final few games as promotion was won. Still learning how not to be a big fish in a small pond, next season will be key for Green; he has the ability to be Charlton’s most creative player since Andy Reid, but needs to show more application in order to fulfil this ambition. If he keeps his head screwed on, he could save the club a whole heap of money!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dale Stephens </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Classy Dale started the season on fire, but then sadly for him a nasty ankle injury knocked him off his stride and put him out of the team for three months. Scorer of the season’s first goal (and what a lovely strike that was against Bournemouth), and also possibly the best goal (the last minute equaliser versus Bury), 2011/12 will go down for him as one of nearly but not quite. His form was not the best after the injury, and maybe he came back a bit too soon? He does do some great things, and looks fabulous when playing in the hole behind a lone striker (as he did when Charlton were protecting a lead late in the season), but too many misplaced passes upset some fans, and he is not considered a favourite by many. If Stephens can stay fit and recover his best form, then he is more than good enough for the Championship, but until we see that consistently, he will be one name not guaranteed a place in the forthcoming Charlton side as written by many current supporters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgXQmnJllVQBYO_nQ4l0P3muqrNfTe7W9KIbWl4YtEo4MJ6ewbcEsFjNNGB2WkkTeWi8b3EOdojUB9tp2lsCEYMkgV4MI_j2tXEqvQzlxsM3QbPqFGXriSzN27rC4aicK4pvzzw/s1600/13427367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgXQmnJllVQBYO_nQ4l0P3muqrNfTe7W9KIbWl4YtEo4MJ6ewbcEsFjNNGB2WkkTeWi8b3EOdojUB9tp2lsCEYMkgV4MI_j2tXEqvQzlxsM3QbPqFGXriSzN27rC4aicK4pvzzw/s320/13427367.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scott Wagstaff </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scott was one of few who survived the savage personnel cuts to the playing squad last summer, and with Green out of the side in August, Waggy made a great start to 2011-2012. A stunning volley (still wrongly attributed to Dale Stephens in some statistical circles) on opening day against Bournemouth set him on his way, and another goal came the following week. Sadly for Waggy, I think the pressure he felt with Green now on the bench told against him, and his performance levels did drop, resulting in the two switching starting roles. Then it was hard graft time as he slipped off the bench altogether, as others were brought in. Given an unexpected chance on New Year’s Eve due to Green’s suspension, the sending off of goalkeeper Hamer saw him sacrificed in a re-shuffle with little more than five minutes on the clock, and Waggy then had to bide his time yet again. He broke back into the team in late season, and we saw the good old Scott return, linking well with Solly down the right, putting in crosses, and scoring goals himself. His introduction at half time against Notts County (when 4-0 down) gave everyone belief for a short while even though the effort then petered out after two quick goals. He was the victim of a ridiculous sending off at Oldham, which he and we should just ignore. Will Waggy be good enough next year? It’s hard to say... His effort and fitness and link play with Solly are massive positives, but his inconsistent crossing and inability to beat a man regularly may go against him. It may therefore be another season where he is around but doesn’t make that many appearances, and that, sadly, may indicate it’s time for him to move on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bradley Pritchard </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rumour is that Pritch pitched up on work experience at Sparrows Lane in pre-season, and made some of the incumbents looked very ordinary, so he was offered a contract. And now you just cannot wipe the smile from his face! He had to bide his time, playing in the “Reserve” side in cup games initially, and he scored in the televised rout of FC Halifax. But with injuries and suspensions biting after the transfer deadline had passed, he strode into the first team picture and has been difficult to shift ever since. All effort, he chases and tackles for all he is worth. Possible lack of class may prevent him making such an impression in the Championship, but he has proven (not only to himself) that he can be a pro-footballer, and league one is not too high a level for him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Roben Bover Izquierdo </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a great year for Spanish Addicks, but at least Ruben can look forwards; a couple of interesting League Cup games where he was desperately unlucky not to score showed us his potential. With some minor injuries, and superb form elsewhere, Ruben found it hard to break into the first team picture on a regular basis, and he was shipped back to Spain to get game time on loan. I hope he returns as he did look like he might be a gem in the making, and one that could step up if his potential is fulfilled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI8HPQd-Qs85nWLm2Vi17pAa5guAT_Dp9VTpgB2SZ6BTkok2vsQFuOzwjSKqFgQFBlobgnvjRd1dRHyJGVjjpkF-a5z8f0Y5HWQcP-JaaVRCOIpMpm4IqgPw9-U9Ao-jR6c3fYQ/s1600/P5051064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI8HPQd-Qs85nWLm2Vi17pAa5guAT_Dp9VTpgB2SZ6BTkok2vsQFuOzwjSKqFgQFBlobgnvjRd1dRHyJGVjjpkF-a5z8f0Y5HWQcP-JaaVRCOIpMpm4IqgPw9-U9Ao-jR6c3fYQ/s320/P5051064.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Danny Hollands </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How Hollands had time to play such an important role for Charlton at the same time he became father of triplets is nobody’s business! Maybe he was just grateful to be out of the house and away from the noise, smells, and busy-ness at home, and by staying on the team, he could avoid it all for longer. The Autumn, when the kids were born, was a great time for him – celebrating the births with goals galore during a fabulous period where he scored for fun. All hustle and bustle in midfield, Danny is not shy to tackle, is combative in the air, and puts in a good stint when covering ground. Funnily, his running style is awfully laboured, but he just never stops, despite looking exhausted. After Xmas, and Danny ran out of steam a bit, not helped by constantly changing partners in the centre of the field. He did look like he could do with a rest, but that only came following his sending off at Oldham, where his tackle was only slightly late and never nasty enough to warrant a straight red. Those three games he then missed allowed him to revive himself (and change a few nappies I expect!) and he came back once promotion and the title were won (scoring the important equaliser on Saturday). He looked like being player of the year at Xmas (he had my mid-season vote), but did not come close to winning the overall title. He can though think back on a very successful first season in SE7 and look forward to being a regular starter in the Championship, where he should be more than capable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mikel Alonso </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I missed the JPT game against Brentford when Alonso played his one and only game for the club, so cannot comment specifically. Suffice to say that reports suggested he had a ‘mare, and he hasn’t figured anywhere close to the first team since. His contract now up, it’s time to wave Adios I think to Xavi’s brother.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUfjpmY3ZNrCp4PTy2iKgpmztLrKgEtKGemwkvYJxtrswIPxgY6Cu8cGF-9uVvYTN3PdcVIggKcgw9PbWnR7gMGmEU5a8VtQU_DQvqxif0hCDDSKDw1AmO5gRjlgZO53auPY4Wg/s1600/13427389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUfjpmY3ZNrCp4PTy2iKgpmztLrKgEtKGemwkvYJxtrswIPxgY6Cu8cGF-9uVvYTN3PdcVIggKcgw9PbWnR7gMGmEU5a8VtQU_DQvqxif0hCDDSKDw1AmO5gRjlgZO53auPY4Wg/s200/13427389.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lee Cook </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cook’s second loan spell in SE7 has gone better than the first, mainly because he has been fit. Unfortunately, his time in the team has been limited, but two efforts stand out: the first was his sublime cross for Dany N’Guessan to score against Walsall, and the other was the shift he put in playing for the nine-man team at Oldham, when he had to move inside after first Hollands, and then Wagstaff were sent off. I’m not sure if Cook will be back in Charlton colours in future, but we should wish him well if not, and say a big thanks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Daryl Russell </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Russell out of favour at Preston, it was strange that he strode pretty much straight into Charlton’s first team on arrival in December and has been a regular choice when available since. The season has been fairly turbulent for him though, with two sending off’s and not enough game time really. He has scored a couple of (covered end) goals, but the memory will be of him being late in the tackle against Sheffield United, and the victim of a nasty foul at Huddersfield to which he retaliated. Both deserved red cards in my opinion, and Charlton were lucky that the former did not lead to the loss of any points due to James Beattie’s stupidity in the melee that followed. Still not wanted in Lancashire it seems, it would come as no surprise if Russell were to sign for the Addicks permanently, though he will have to improve his disciplinary outlook in order to be liked by fans in London. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Forwards</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5_B26FSypUramw74JSuLZtm7-IPOSvQ0lRZYwr3edK-XLddJ7VFVzU0DbgN5ALl2HSEqWiH4Je2bK_FcJLXWI-8bx3HDeoUa1TlhmuAOcCVVvx-5sd1f1V_qZ01bfcKnmOX9lQ/s1600/P5051081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5_B26FSypUramw74JSuLZtm7-IPOSvQ0lRZYwr3edK-XLddJ7VFVzU0DbgN5ALl2HSEqWiH4Je2bK_FcJLXWI-8bx3HDeoUa1TlhmuAOcCVVvx-5sd1f1V_qZ01bfcKnmOX9lQ/s320/P5051081.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Paul Hayes </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was really pleased when Chris Powell signed Paul Hayes – historically, he is classy, makes a bundle of goals, and scores his fair share too. And in his first few months at The Valley he did not disappoint. It was strange then that the new forward we knew we needed as back-up (Kermorgant) displaced him quite quickly, and most fans felt he had been hard done by. Come May, and we can now see the wisdom of that decision, albeit a harsh one from Hayes perspective. Hayes has some lovely touches, and he did link very well with BWP in those early months; he got some stick when he missed a couple of easy chances in home games, but generally, he was liked, as fans could see how hard he worked, and the benefit of his link up play was obvious to everyone. Even when Kermorgant took his place, many harked back to the style where the ball was not lumped forward so often and played along the ground in the way Hayes excelled. Even though the Frenchman was playing well, it would have been good to have Hayes on the bench, but first Clarke, then Haynes usurped him in the striker pecking order, and Hayes slipped out of the picture further. He did fabulously well on loan at Wycombe, and only returned when injuries and illness hit the Addicks, making an appearance at Huddersfield. Then he was out of the picture once more, much to Wycombe’s chagrin. Hayes is under contract next season, but I do feel that Powell may wish to move him on, as I can’t see him getting much game time next year if Charlton are to improve. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktsjA5iwzlvqeki713I99-NmmFfZxGkQNx296xwR1m0_1583sE0WXQKH-rYBqEL-0FV4JQCvXJK32Un-ZpR6JatkX4ZlL2ORtjMmkYwjKY2aqKBEPkVpIHL8l-zVPS6tiHl2OlQ/s1600/P5051087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktsjA5iwzlvqeki713I99-NmmFfZxGkQNx296xwR1m0_1583sE0WXQKH-rYBqEL-0FV4JQCvXJK32Un-ZpR6JatkX4ZlL2ORtjMmkYwjKY2aqKBEPkVpIHL8l-zVPS6tiHl2OlQ/s320/P5051087.JPG" width="195" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bradley Wright-Phillips </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a large part of the season, he really was better than Shaun! The start of the season saw him knocking in goals for fun, as partnerships with Hayes, and later Kermorgant, flourished. Blessed with good speed, nice control, and accurate shooting ability, this is balanced against apparent frustration, sometimes poor work ethic, and lack of clinical finishing that smacks of laziness. This might make him sound a poor player, but the thing is we know that BWP does work hard in most games, and can be deadly when he wants to, which makes him a very good player to have. The two goals he scored at Hartlepool were such clinical strikes that he looks at times as though he should be in the Premier League (and at other times, the bloke who sits behind me wouldn't have him in his pub team!). An in-joke was doing the rounds early in the season after Powell substituted him a couple of times on the trot when he had scored twice in a game, thus preventing any chance of a hat-trick, which he had never scored amazingly. Eventually, after a quite barren spell early in 2012, the flood-gates opened once more and he got that match-ball to keep after three goals were credited to him at Chesterfield (a couple of them took deflections, so there was a bit of a debate before it was confirmed…). His contract extended, after he played the requisite number of games this year, he will be a key player in Charlton’s Championship challenge; if fit, he could equal the number of goals he scored this season, and that amount would be crucial wherever in the league the Addicks find themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnFDolJl0N1Q3qJdylQbf3-SNPPBkDq_KT2J7eRLPpxsNunBudazLuj06m10xZfWDKRzPVpXerC5p7JsGictP8_wndiyBuX17r9LevIWVXae4AxVzjiTifs24t7I0Ems4R0ieBQ/s1600/P5051065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnFDolJl0N1Q3qJdylQbf3-SNPPBkDq_KT2J7eRLPpxsNunBudazLuj06m10xZfWDKRzPVpXerC5p7JsGictP8_wndiyBuX17r9LevIWVXae4AxVzjiTifs24t7I0Ems4R0ieBQ/s200/P5051065.JPG" width="172" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Danny Haynes</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another player to return to The Valley after being released as youngster, Haynes looked good when used as a sub but again suffered from the frequent injuries that have blighted his career. He finally scored his first Charlton goal at Preston, headed another on Saturday, and with a good record in the Championship, he will keep pressure in the other forwards to perform next year. Obviously delighted to see Charlton promoted, he will mainly be used as he has been late this season, as an impact sub, or third attacker when chasing the game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yann Kermorgant </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENgMvi4ObUH99de7ITTAFY5-ox18cBFkh2nULZsN_GAFn9IIXvhpE5eo75Ci36Pt_2Kjqd_2Q40d_5dIGQJPPkMBMs1JeGETPlHHi8Me6Wk4_-GeNTy4zq4ML2vfQ_5YtKnzKfg/s1600/P5051119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENgMvi4ObUH99de7ITTAFY5-ox18cBFkh2nULZsN_GAFn9IIXvhpE5eo75Ci36Pt_2Kjqd_2Q40d_5dIGQJPPkMBMs1JeGETPlHHi8Me6Wk4_-GeNTy4zq4ML2vfQ_5YtKnzKfg/s320/P5051119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as Solly, Wiggins, Morrison, and Taylor played this season, my player of the year just had to be Yann. I felt he made such an impact, that without him, we may not have had the record breaking year we have just witnessed. Well known to Chris Powell through Leicester connections, Yann’s audacious spot kick that went wrong in a play-off semi-final was a mill-stone too heavy, and he scuttled back to France for a year to lay low. In London, we saw that weight removed, and boy, did he leap high without that extra baggage! When a player is, well, different, you notice him even more, and in these times where footballers are very much of a likeness, one who can leap and head the ball as well as Yann can stands out. His first Charlton goals were inauspicious and from close range (albeit both important), but he got a fantastic header that effectively ended Huddersfield’s long unbeaten run, and then a fabulous free kick on Boxing Day at Yeovil. A couple more free kicks from range came later in the season, and whenever Charlton had a dead-ball chance from 25 yards it was fascinating to speculate who out of Yann or Jacko might take the kick. Yann actually scored more free kick goals than Jacko this year (I think – 3 versus 2) though Jacko’s were the more important it is agreed. A real battering ram to play against, teams started to block him out when attempting to move for headers, and some sort of better tactic to combat this will be needed next year. Yann is another in a long line of Frenchman who annoy the English, and in consecutive home games we saw him being “attacked” by opposition players which saw them red carded, and Yann allowed to remain (once luckily). A real hero, I hope he can have a great a season next year for Charlton as he has this and that another club with lots of money doesn’t come in and make a silly offer for him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ef4sbhpuO1q2BgsyFsep_Zy84mjmrmmQ7rYbJALtecWpU7bpC16LBHO3QBvMNSsZ5PhNhHPgW4Ef8bUumsopK5tObh8VQPSd7gC4euK7ysJQvtqkTq5uJaNXZmUpiTi3HNGDtg/s1600/P5051084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ef4sbhpuO1q2BgsyFsep_Zy84mjmrmmQ7rYbJALtecWpU7bpC16LBHO3QBvMNSsZ5PhNhHPgW4Ef8bUumsopK5tObh8VQPSd7gC4euK7ysJQvtqkTq5uJaNXZmUpiTi3HNGDtg/s320/P5051084.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dany N'Guessan</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not generally well known in SE7 before he arrived on loan in March, I heard about Dany earlier from a Millwall supporting pal, who said he was dynamite. Sadly for Dany, he obviously blew up his spanner friends hopes, and eventually made the short switch on loan at Powell’s request. Renowned as a goalscorer on his debut, he did not disappoint, though whether he meant the larupped cross against Orient to go in, we will never know! Capable of playing wide or through the middle, he could be a valuable asset in the Championship, if his skill and attitude can be honed. I expect a deal to be done in a month or two’s time, and “I’m Guessing” for N’Guessan to be an Addick come August.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Paul Benson</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marco van Benson only played briefly this year, with a finger injury – sustained after he scored in the league cup first round - keeping him out of early season games. A switch to Notts County fell through at the last moment then Benno was out of everyone’s mind until a swap involving Leon Clarke went through in early January. Never my favourite, he has done well at Swindon since, with division four his absolute level I feel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Leon Clarke</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Clarke had done well at Chesterfield earlier in the season, it was his on pitch bust-up with Paulo di Canio that everyone will remember this year. Swapped with Benson, he looked a bit lumbering and off the pace whenever he did come on as a sub, so it wasn’t a great surprise when he was sent on loan to Crawley with a view to a permanent deal come season end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hogan Ephraim</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Jackson injured in November, Powell moved swiftly to bring in Hogan from QPR for a couple of months, and it was a wise move. He had good skill, worked hard, and seemed to be enjoying his time in south-east London. He also scored the crucial second goal against Huddersfield to break their unbeaten record. Unluckily for him, once Jacko was fit he went straight back into the team, and Ephraim returned to Rangers, before another loan spell in Bristol ended his season. We might one day see him again in an Addicks shirt, and he would be a good squad player to have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Youngsters</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Conor Gough </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six foot seven inch Gough has recently joined Bristol Rovers, and hopefully he can build a career there by making saves and not having to pick too many balls out of the back of his net. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nick Pope </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pope did well in the reserves games he played this year, making him the third choice keeper; whether he can oust one of those currently above him is unknown but will take time and plenty of effort, though he is highly regarded. Cheap, and one for the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jordan Cousins </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cream of the new crop apparently, but yet to break into the first team picture. Another close season may see him get nearer to the chance he will want, but likely to be at right-back rather than midfield I think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Callum Harriott </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since he made his debut late last year, he hasn’t progressed as well as wanted but, even if he had, chances near the first team would have been severely limited due to Powell’s selection policy of tried and trusted over youth and exuberance. Next season will be his make or break.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Joe Pigott </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I once umpired young Joe when he was a 14-year old fast bowler playing for his local village in the Kent Cricket League. He was a mouthy little so-and-so even then. One for the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQI56OGSANJzTb8IAQJN5U48hmq26QEA78RjGuLcSbEWYwGfnxnhz_pjpkYI4f5rePnXcHDcZ2-2uwt0snvnMoOL-pDhkKN1IVgIPGQdLDKA8IG3FBH5Kfo4_wxJ0qMSmws10SA/s1600/P5051090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQI56OGSANJzTb8IAQJN5U48hmq26QEA78RjGuLcSbEWYwGfnxnhz_pjpkYI4f5rePnXcHDcZ2-2uwt0snvnMoOL-pDhkKN1IVgIPGQdLDKA8IG3FBH5Kfo4_wxJ0qMSmws10SA/s320/P5051090.JPG" width="304" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Season</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Record breaking; that says it all! Numerous club records - Most wins, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">least defeats, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">most points, most away wins, and least goals conceded. You cannot have hoped for a better season if you were a Charlton fan. With a great manager (who is still learning it should be noted…), great back-up team, fantastic board level support, and great youngsters coming through, all is rosy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next year will be tough, but provided the defence stays solid, the midfield combative, and the forwards score regularly, we should be OK. My season ticket is bought, and I'm looking forward to renewing acquantances with some of the teams we used to play regularly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">COYA!</span><br />Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-46517753550322724542011-09-20T12:52:00.004+01:002011-09-20T12:59:24.918+01:00My Beautiful Friend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1P_2DBDyANzoo39yeMwy12_ULpGI2hI9kZ86rtBQBxUCAbVwCia8UU696l2baKYqyLbn0BUktmIyiuzHt5UX43S-BFYPa6ioz5PXiTHEeGLYYCDHN0-qKT8Uj7l0gcFd-rMi3g/s1600/066151_2456f8f9.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654409457532216978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1P_2DBDyANzoo39yeMwy12_ULpGI2hI9kZ86rtBQBxUCAbVwCia8UU696l2baKYqyLbn0BUktmIyiuzHt5UX43S-BFYPa6ioz5PXiTHEeGLYYCDHN0-qKT8Uj7l0gcFd-rMi3g/s320/066151_2456f8f9.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The League One table makes for very nice reading at the moment, with <strong>Charlton</strong> sitting pretty at the top; unbeaten in eight league games (with six wins and two draws), the Addicks even have a game in hand on several of their closest rivals. And this, after Charlton were dealt a fairly tough opening set of fixtures to the new season.</span></span><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">It does make one proud!</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The away form has been excellent, with four wins on the trot. Since my last post, victory over Bury (2-1) and <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place st="on">Rochdale</st1:place> (3-2) has been accomplished, with both games close. Both required Charlton to show some fight, the first after going behind for the first time this season, and the last game (on Saturday) when a two-goal lead disappeared soon after half-time. It does seem that the days of Charlton rolling over when the going gets tough are behind us, for a while at last!</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Home form has been rather more patchy, with another two-goal lead being relinquished in the draw with <st1:place st="on">Scunthorpe</st1:place>; if this game had been seen out (it was a very late equaliser), Charlton would be clear at the top and not simply ahead of Sheffield United on alphabetical order. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Another draw came in the televised game with <st1:place st="on">Sheffield</st1:place> Wednesday, who played in the spirit of their manager Gary Megson - all huff and puff and bowling over anyone who stood in their way. It was slightly disappointing to be pegged back again after Bradley Wright-Phillipps early strike, but it did look like both managers would settle for a point apiece quite a way before the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After that, a win came against <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Exeter</st1:place></st1:city> but not with some controversy. Even after watching it on TV, I do not know it Danny Nardiello’s toe-poke crossed the goal-line, but he was just plain stupid to issue a series of expletives to the linesman some minutes later. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>It was the same way that Garry Nelson got his red card at The Valley about twenty years ago and the walk back to the changing rooms must be pretty long when you realise how silly you have been. The win still had to be earned, and goals from BWP and Dale Stephens got us home against the ten-men.</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">In the Carling Cup, the terrific performance against <st1:city st="on">Reading</st1:city> by eleven reserves was confounded when the same team performed badly against <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place>. Only a few of that side (Evina, Euell, anyone else?) came out of it with any plus-marks, and some had very poor games (Francis comes to mind). It is unlikely that the team would have progressed much further, and maybe their collective heads had dropped since even after a great performance none were able to force their way into the (league) first team?</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">While all the talk last year was of the squad taking time to gel, we now have 19 new signings and nobody mentioning any similarity. They are told how the manager wants them to play, have bonded well, and go about their business in the right manner. We will lose this season, it is just a matter of time, but from the evidence so far, the heart is there and heads should not drop after one loss.</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I have been mightily impressed by Danny Hollands, and his midfield play – tackling, harrying, taking the easy pass – has been excellent so far; the two headed goals he scored at <st1:place st="on">Rochdale</st1:place> were bonuses I think, and he won’t get too many more all season. I suppose we just have to hope he doesn’t fall asleep in the middle of a game now he has newly-borne triplets (all girls) to look after and care for.</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The centre of defence has been solid too, and you wouldn’t really want to meet Michael Morrison or Matt Taylor in a dark alley late at night, even though I’m sure both are lovely chaps!</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Up front, Paul Hayes is settling in, and I think all he needs is a home goal or two to settle the crowd in his favour. It does annoy me sometimes that we have players who play terrifically well, making goals for others, and scoring at away grounds, but unless they hit a Valley net, there is always a question mark about them. BWP will get more goals having Hayes alongside him, and provided he stays fit and manages his knees well, he looks a sure fire bet to pas the twenty-goal mark.</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The difference in the team is astounding from what we saw earlier this year and the Board and management must take a huge amount of pride and pleasure from seeing them do so well. Long may it continue!</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Which brings me to the point in time where I can break some news about something that will not be continuing – this blog. </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I have had six happy years bashing away at the keyboard, adding opinion to previews and reviews of games, but these posts have become fewer and fewer over the last 15 months or so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>My love for Charlton has not diminished, but my love for typing has a little! With other commitments to the fore, something has to give and so I feel it is time to formally close <em><strong>Charlton Athletic Online</strong></em> to new posts. I will leave it up online for posterity, as many Addicks fans (and others) do seem to search out bits and pieces that I have included over the years.</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">There are many other fabulous blogs about Charlton – many listed on the right hand side of this page – and they have more time than I do to continue with their writing. I read most of them daily, which is possibly one reason why I have less time to write my own posts! I will from now on merely add comments to their posts as and when I feel the urge!</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">It’s been fun doing this – from the Premiership, to the Championship, to League One. Today’s team have some ability to start our journey in the opposite direction.</span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB">Lots of love</span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><strong>Pedro45</strong></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Come on you Addicks!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-29682736410157608702011-08-24T12:42:00.002+01:002011-08-24T12:46:10.092+01:00Between the Lines<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Charlton Athletic 2 <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Reading</st1:place></st1:city> 1</strong></span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I finally got to see my beloved boys in a game this season, and was rewarded with a battling victory on my birthday. It’s funny that while everyone was remarking on how many new players we had in the squad this season, by my reckoning some seven made their full debuts last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ben Hamer came into the goalkeepers slot, while Yado Mambo finally started a match at centre half, with Cedric Evina at left back. Danny Green played wide right, and Ruben Bover wide left, with Bradley Pritchard and Andy Hughes in centre midfield. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Add to these the first full game for Jason Euell since he rejoined Charlton and it was an astonishing eleven to kick off with.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Suffice to say, the start was incredible, and with 200 seconds, I thought both teams could have scored three times each! Paul Benson was put through by Green’s long throw (which said something about Reading’s pre-match knowledge about him…) but blasted over, then Reading saw two very dangerous crosses turned away for corners, before Euell and Green both broke free but saw their shots blocked. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Reading</st1:place></st1:city> then saw a header cleared off the line, so it was pretty amazing that the scores remained deadlocked.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Charlton bossed midfield, with Pritchard and Bover full of running and Hughes all bustle and involvement but with two opposition wingers to manage, Simon Francis and Evina had their hands full and Francis did get beaten all too easily on occasions.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The first goal finally came when <strong>Benson</strong> nipped in on a loose ball, and poked toward goal, only for the ‘keeper to half save it and then see the ball trickle slowly over the line.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Well worth the lead, Charlton played some delightful stuff, with everyone seemingly keen on pushing for a first eleven starting place this Saturday. </span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Benson went off very early in the second half, with what looked like a dislocated finger, and Scott Wagstaff came on to play a striker support role. Green was hugely influential and came close to scoring, as did Wagstaff himself, and the two linked well down the right.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">It was from that side that the second goal came, as Waggy and Green linked with Francis who put in a great cross for <strong>Euell</strong> to nod home amid much delight. It was Jason’s first goal since his return to the Addicks a couple of weeks ago.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">More goals threatened, but would not come, and being Charlton, it was <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Reading</st1:place></st1:city> who took advantage and reduced the arrears. Gary Doherty, whose lack of pace had been overcome as the game progressed, went off with a slight ankle problem, but his replacement - Michael Morrison – did not have time to settle before a corner was swung over and the ball was stabbed home high into the net off (I think) Hughes. This Charlton team do seem to have set-play issues, and further pressure came as the corner count increased. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Church missed with one close range header when he should have scored, and Hamer had to be alert several times to keep his goal intact.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Bover ran himself into the ground and went off with five minutes left, and Chris Solly, his replacement allowed some easing of the pressure through cool play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The referee took some stick as he made some strange decisions and Chris Powell had to return to the dug out in order to save himself from punishment as he swore at the fourth official (for which he immediately apologised it has to be said) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>as the game climaxed. Charlton hung on, and now meet <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> next Tuesday.</span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I was very impressed with the overall fitness of the team, especially Pritchard and Bover who I did not think would have that strength yet. Mambo <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>won many good headers against a very strong forward line, and Green played many delightful balls until he faded in the last ten minutes or so (when he seemed to be trying for the killer ball rather than just retaining possession). As for Euell, well, it just didn’t seem as if he’d ever been away!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-44769463695695937072011-08-19T11:57:00.003+01:002011-08-19T12:03:09.132+01:00The T in Charlton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLoiqUCmmMtK3YRQMLJxpqStf7i0K3KxIV94858fv5vydGNn6DojO2uZyta6LKpjbvzpOlaXDOyIbBQX680r4wfrJ5hX9s_t5M3dhClPNi4tJdAd0gSdtzwNc7DbNNLBs1_EqMw/s1600/2254010855-17082011083615.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642519709338401058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLoiqUCmmMtK3YRQMLJxpqStf7i0K3KxIV94858fv5vydGNn6DojO2uZyta6LKpjbvzpOlaXDOyIbBQX680r4wfrJ5hX9s_t5M3dhClPNi4tJdAd0gSdtzwNc7DbNNLBs1_EqMw/s320/2254010855-17082011083615.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Three out of three and another, on paper, winnable game for <strong>Charlton</strong> tomorrow, in what is turning out to be an excellent start to the new season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The midweek victory over <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place st="on">Colchester</st1:place> was comfortable, after a superb first half display from the Addicks. Bradley Wright-Phillips weighed in with both goals, the first (left) after a quick break and an exchange of passes with Scott Wagstaff,. And the second turning in Johnnie Jackson’s cross after Paul Hayes flicked it on. Despite his best efforts, and he had a few, BWP couldn’t quite get that third goal he craved, but at least he is off the mark for the season now.</span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">The defence was called into work for the second half, much as they were at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Notts</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>, and we should, I suppose, expect some teams to come looking to kick us if we continue with a smart passing game. While previous Charlton teams may have shyed at such a physical confrontation, this team has much more resolve it seems, and stood successfully up once more to a minor battering.</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Maybe that is the difference this year - we have a team, and not just a bunch of individuals?</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Scunthorpe arrive at The Valley after a poor start to the season, with just two points from their three games so far, and do not look like they have the same bounce-backability that they had when last in this league. They will be hard to defeat, and may relish the chance to play someone whom they are not expected to beat – this will be no roll-over I suggest. </span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Two Charlton players will be coming up against former team-mates – Andy Hughes, who came on as sub on Tuesday making his debut, and Paul Hayes – and they will both want to play well I’m sure. Hughes time with The Iron was short, but Hayes made his name at the club, and provided a constant stream of goal-scoring opportunities for players like Martin Paterson without getting many plaudits. Hopefully Hayes can continue in that vein and provide BWP with more goals while stepping up and knocking a few in himself.</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Charlton are likely to be unchanged once more, provided there are no injuries from the midweek game or from training, with Danny Green again on the bench, alongside Jason Euell, Gary Doherty, Hughes, and a sub ‘keeper.</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">The goalkeeper situation is the only one that may vary, as <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Newcastle</st1:place></st1:city> have finally made known their offer to the Addicks for Robbie Elliot. Elliot may well therefore be playing his final game at The Valley for a while, and it will be great for him to play, and jump out of the tunnel after a victory, one last time. If he does go prior to the game, or if Chris Powell thinks that it may not be right to play him, then Ben Hamer could come in after injury, or John Sullivan may step up. Personally, I think if Elliot is around, then he should play – he is after all a Charlton fan, and he will want to do his best if it is to be his last game for the Addicks.</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">With just over a week to go during this transfer window, Powell has hinted that there could be quite a lot more movement, with Paul Benson and Simon Francis possibly surplus to requirements, and another striker to come in if Benson does go.</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Pedro45</strong> will once more be working and not able to attend the game, unless it rains like it did yesterday that is. It would be great to go into Tuesday’s Carling Cup game, and the first I will be able to see, unbeaten and on an extended winning run. Let’s hope so!</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Come on you Reds!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span>
<br />Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-58947742044589174302011-08-16T12:13:00.006+01:002011-08-20T08:27:49.779+01:00County Show<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe_2S49rnonsGVZDNuFUlQnePYRCcYHQZq-ZrGftNuw6AfWRk40l0VH7_uQkD333wsKZ3jDJofOVcOpSA6mfGVpQYpk6d-vsyzGoBeEBy2KA0hE7Y6BCBrs1VUVns8LqDF-kc8w/s1600/3146533584-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-training-sparrows-lane.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641410408540741922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe_2S49rnonsGVZDNuFUlQnePYRCcYHQZq-ZrGftNuw6AfWRk40l0VH7_uQkD333wsKZ3jDJofOVcOpSA6mfGVpQYpk6d-vsyzGoBeEBy2KA0hE7Y6BCBrs1VUVns8LqDF-kc8w/s320/3146533584-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-training-sparrows-lane.jpg" /></a>Two hurdles succesfully negotiated for Chris Powell (left) and his new squad, but another tough away fixture tonight at Colchester will test the team to the limits.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The win at Notts County on Saturday, which keeps the Addicks top of the table, was hard-fought, but once more Charlton played with style, and hit the home team on the break whenever they could. Scott Wagstaff opened the scoring after being put through down the right hand channel by Paul Hayes, and Hayes himself extended the lead just before half-time after Bradley Wright-Phillips crossed low for him to tap in. It was Hayes first goal for Charlton.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The team could have, and really should have, scored more but, despite County pulling one back from a set play, this Charlton held firm, and made it through to the end. In fact, so well did they defend the lead that the home side had to resort to rough house tactics, but still Charlton held. Powell has certainly changed things a bit from last season!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I was forced, once more, into looking at Twitter updates on the match, and as I was busier this Saturday than last, I had to keep checks to a minimum during my own match. Luckily tea coincides with half-time, so I was glued to Tweets during that period.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Tonight the team is away at Colchester, another game I am unable to attend, but hopefuly they will bring home all thee points once more. This will not be easy though, and it was only two years ago that Colchester burst the Addicks winning start to the season in emphatic fashion at the same venue. That night, Odejayi and Wordsworth were the brawn and brains behind the 3-0 win, and those same players will be trying for something similar tonight. Last season, the game was pretty much end-to-end with both sides coming close to winning the 3-3 draw. In fact, Paul Benson did score what looked like a fantastic winner only to have it strangely ruled out before getting himself sent off in injury time. He may not even feature tonight as Jason Euell looks like being the preferred substitute striker (how do you best balance having only five sub options?)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Without any news of injuries, we must presume that Charlton will remian unchanged again, even with Danny Green fit and raring to go after suspension. Keeping him out of the team so far has been goalscoring winger Scott Wagstaff, and Waggy has even said he might need to score in every game this season in order to retain his place. That would be fine with us fans, and even, I'm sure, with Ralph Allen and Derek Hales who currently hold the best goals in a season records for the Addicks.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>A tough game then, but this is what the start ot the season was always going to be about. The season will have pitfalls, but let's hope they are not too deep and the Addicks spririt, guile and passion is enough to bring another win in Essex.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Come on you reds!</div>
<br /><div>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIBLeNdNukcE9Ax-3TDlzfECdEwxdVCi3ypK4lr34tkBedyekpc7h-Dbc0ka_8f_Ah5oUAxYLb0hEuGhuQQvmRp7wEjGGsOPn2YHTEl_YtdOthiLiBTHybj6F-UyGwY715Z1jsw/s1600/3497633287-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-training-sparrows-lane.jpg"></a></div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIBLeNdNukcE9Ax-3TDlzfECdEwxdVCi3ypK4lr34tkBedyekpc7h-Dbc0ka_8f_Ah5oUAxYLb0hEuGhuQQvmRp7wEjGGsOPn2YHTEl_YtdOthiLiBTHybj6F-UyGwY715Z1jsw/s1600/3497633287-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-training-sparrows-lane.jpg"></a></div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIBLeNdNukcE9Ax-3TDlzfECdEwxdVCi3ypK4lr34tkBedyekpc7h-Dbc0ka_8f_Ah5oUAxYLb0hEuGhuQQvmRp7wEjGGsOPn2YHTEl_YtdOthiLiBTHybj6F-UyGwY715Z1jsw/s1600/3497633287-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-training-sparrows-lane.jpg"></a></div>
<br />Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-23743716300549646522011-08-10T13:04:00.004+01:002011-08-20T08:29:41.507+01:00Bourne Supremacy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUhvRJodgYDcz9XhzIJAfODKxXkaVHC5sSRcMlMSrIwqjpj_pKReZlGB4vnFs-MME9EOrtyK05rioamOVgGvBzpUaPNhkdNlZzHfXpdjSUhP50jyS9-vEnIlUDmtRGqXniit_pw/s1600/_54494358_012621477-1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639206282137077890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUhvRJodgYDcz9XhzIJAfODKxXkaVHC5sSRcMlMSrIwqjpj_pKReZlGB4vnFs-MME9EOrtyK05rioamOVgGvBzpUaPNhkdNlZzHfXpdjSUhP50jyS9-vEnIlUDmtRGqXniit_pw/s320/_54494358_012621477-1.jpg" /></a>Writing an update following Saturday's <strong>Charlton</strong> 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!<div>
<br /></div><div>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...</div><div>
<br /></div><div>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.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>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.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>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!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>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?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>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?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>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.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Up the Addicks!
<br />
<br /></div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-7327875974028344992011-08-04T14:02:00.004+01:002011-08-20T08:32:40.525+01:00Up and At ‘Em<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFMvtIP5k3xSTKozvP8thAS4hhItbcfAYTBaM1rMrXC6ONJWUWmNYbVpE49bXivax7hiOeEpqipvECB_SimIf4N8G2W6Ay0iRQBwjtXe5vfoz7pdVXG52dCD8zQXklSJbZorCJQ/s1600/066151_2456f8f9.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636986739872849010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFMvtIP5k3xSTKozvP8thAS4hhItbcfAYTBaM1rMrXC6ONJWUWmNYbVpE49bXivax7hiOeEpqipvECB_SimIf4N8G2W6Ay0iRQBwjtXe5vfoz7pdVXG52dCD8zQXklSJbZorCJQ/s320/066151_2456f8f9.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">The squad rebuilt; fans optimism at a high; the players raring to go – don’t you just love the week before a new season starts!<!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /--><o:p></o:p></span></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">But how will our Addicks fare this year? Is it back to the glory days, or more mid-table mediocrity waiting for the team to gel, or is it all doom and gloom and sack the manager time once more? <strong>Pedro45</strong> gives his view on those teams <strong>Charlton</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> will be coming up against…</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>It has to be an improvement this season, as the fans and owners will expect nothing less; <strong>Chris Powell</strong> just has to make it work, otherwise he can expect the same harsh boot that Phil Parkinson received last January.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Looking at the competition, and you can only do this on paper pre-season, <strong>Pedro45</strong> thinks that there are six teams in with a viable shout for automatic promotion, and one of those is <strong>Charlton</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">. With 15 new players signed, it might be that in some games the team look more comfortable than in others, but you would expect that. What we cannot have though, is all the excuses about the team taking time to gel, as that is what we had last year. Nobody expects a six-game winning streak at the start of a season, a fond memory from 2009/10, but neither do we want a repeat of a 13-game winless run as we had last year. A balanced start, with a strong finish is what would be nice, and I am confident that with the new players at his disposal, Powell is the man to lead the team to glory, even if they don’t quite make it up as Champions.</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The other teams in with a promotion shout in my opinion are both Sheffield clubs – Wednesday and United, local rivals Huddersfield, plus <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place>, and maybe surprisingly, MK Dons.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>
<br /></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Sheffield Wednesday</strong> will be relying on Jose Semedo to do as great job in midfield for them as he did at The Valley for three seasons, and with David Prutton alongside, they will be strong in this area. They have an experienced manager – Gary Megson – but could suffer early anxiety if results don’t match that of near neighbours United in the early Autumn matches. <strong>Sheffield United</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> will be hoping that their youngsters, who are pretty good if truth be told, can come to grips with the division; if they do, and can, then they might just about run away with the league, but if they can’t, and if the older hands brought in to help them struggle to adapt and gel (that word again..), then they may fade as Spring is sprung.</span></div><div><strong>
<br /></strong></div><div><strong>Huddersfield</strong> blew their best attempt at promotion when losing to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Peterborough</st1:place></st1:city> at Old Trafford in the play offs last May. <span></span>They have retained the services of some of their better players (Jordan Rhodes for example) but have lost others, so a small amount of tinkering with their squad has been necessary. Lee Clark’s twitch may be more pronounced therefore as his side slip further away from the top of the table, but I still back them to make the play-offs, and they may be lucky in winning at Wembley this year.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>
<br /></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>MK Dons</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> are a team that look pretty average, but if they had a genuine goal-threat, coupled with the usual solidity they have in midfield and defence, could make them strong. Sam Baldock has stayed with the club, but his problem is not talent, just fitness. If he plays 40-plus league games, then I think Dons will return to the play-offs, but otherwise, they may struggle to finish top half.</span></div><div><strong>
<br /></strong></div><div><strong>Preston</strong> have hard-man manager Phil Brown at their head, and keeping your team on the pitch at half-time at Deepdale on a cold Tuesday night is not much fun, so we can expect his team to be hard-working and strong. The have attacking talent (Hume, Mellor) and if they can stop shipping goals in the way they did while getting relegated last season and find some consistency they too may be right up with the top teams.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Of the rest, I don’t think relegated <strong>Scunthorpe</strong> have the attacking prowess that enabled them to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking two years ago, and last seasons other play off side <strong>Bournemouth</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> have lost too many players to be much more than just above half-way this year.</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Of the teams that had enjoyable seasons last year, <strong>Orient</strong> will be tough to crack if their team ethic is maintained, while <strong>Rochdale</strong> are like Bournemouth in that they have lost most of their management and better players in the summer. Both may flatter early on, but ultimately will fall short due to small squad strength.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>
<br /></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Colchester</strong> look like a team in free-fall, now that the owner has not realised his required quick return from funding the new stadium, while <strong>Carlisle</strong> are too inconsistent, and <strong>Brentford</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">’s bees have to fight over-expectation from having a former German international as manager, without sufficient resource.</span></div><div><st1:city st="on"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>
<br /></strong></span></st1:city></div><div><st1:city st="on"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Exeter</strong></span></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> and <strong>Yeovil</strong> may benefit in the short term from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Plymouth</st1:place></st1:city></span><span lang="EN-GB"> and Bristol Rovers demise and pick up their better players, but they will have good days but average seasons I think.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>
<br /></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Hartlepool</strong> and <st1:place st="on"><strong><st1:placename st="on">Notts</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype></strong></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> have both spoken about aiming for the top of the league, but only County have an outside chance, though with mad-dog Martin Allen in charge, anything is possible (including a poor season).</span></div><div><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>
<br /></strong></span></st1:place></div><div><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Oldham</strong></span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> will hope Paul Dickov can unearth some team spirit and keep them up, while <strong>Tranmere</strong> and trainer/manager Les Parry will want to play a whole season like they did the second half of 2010/11 and not a whole season like they did in the first half of 2010/11! <st1:place st="on"><strong>Walsall</strong></st1:place></span><span lang="EN-GB"> have changed much of their squad, and will be content to survive another year, if they can.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">That just leaves the four promoted teams, and each have a chance to survive, but will struggle to get above half-way. <strong>Bury</strong> may find goalscoring a problem, <strong>Chesterfield</strong> will probably be the best footballing team of the four, while <strong>Stevenage</strong> and <strong>Wycombe</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> will hope that their defences can keep enough clean sheets for them to win a few matches, though I think they are both in trouble.</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>This is how I think and hope to see the league table looking next May:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">
<br /></span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Sheffield</span></st1:place></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><span lang="EN-GB"> Wednesday</span></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Charlton</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Huddersfield</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Sheffield</span></st1:place></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><span lang="EN-GB"> United</span></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Preston</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>MK Dons</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Orient</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Yeovil</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Scunthorpe</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Exeter</span></st1:place></st1:city></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Colchester</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Notts</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></st1:place></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB"><st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype></span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Tranmere</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Brentford</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Carlisle</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Bournemouth</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Rochdale</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Chesterfield</span></st1:city></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Oldham</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Bury</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Hartlepool</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Walsall</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Stevenage</span></st1:place></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><strong>Wycombe</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Promotion party on hold then, but let’s keep our fingers crossed for a winning start to the year on Saturday!</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Come on you Reds!</div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-45946772444645201632011-08-02T18:10:00.003+01:002011-08-20T08:33:53.099+01:00The Numbers Game<div><span lang="EN-GB"><p>Not long after my blog about the <strong>Charlton</strong> squad last week, Chris Powell made two further signings – Ben Hamer, and Andy Hughes – and with the release of the squad numbers today, the first eleven seems ever clearer. </p><p>The full 2011/12 Charlton squad list:</p><p><strong>1. Ben Hamer</strong></p><p><strong>2. Andy Hughes</strong></p><p><strong>3. Cedric Evina</strong></p><p><strong>4. Johnnie Jackson</strong></p><p><strong>5. Michael Morrison</strong></p><p><strong>6. Matt Taylor</strong></p><p><strong>7. Danny Green</strong></p><p><strong>8. Dale Stephens</strong></p><p><strong>9. Paul Hayes</strong></p><p><strong>10. Bradley Wright-Phillips</strong></p><p><strong>11. Scott Wagstaff</strong></p><p><strong>12. Gary Doherty</strong></p><p><strong>13. John Sullivan</strong></p><p><strong>14. Paul Benson</strong></p><p><strong>15. Yado Mambo</strong></p><p><strong>16. Rhoys Wiggins</strong></p><p><strong>18. Bradley Pritchard</strong></p><p><strong>19. Simon Francis</strong></p><p><strong>20. Chris Solly</strong></p><p><strong>21. Ruben Bover Izquierdo </strong></p><p><strong>22. Danny Hollands</strong></p><p><strong>23. Mikel Alonso</strong></p><p><strong>25. Ben Davisson</strong></p><p><strong>26. Tosan Popo</strong></p><p><strong>27. Freddie Warren</strong></p><p><strong>29. Conor Gough</strong></p><p><strong>30. Nick Pope</strong></p><p><strong>31. Jordan Cousins</strong></p><p><strong>32. Callum Harriott</strong></p><p><strong>33. Harry Osborne</strong></p><p><strong>44. Rob Elliot</strong></p>
<br />Updating from last week, it now seems that Robbie Elliot is not going to be first choice ‘keeper, even though he has not given any personal inkling that he may be off to pastures new soon. With Hamer gaining his number 1 shirt though, maybe Robbie will ponder his options and the club will cash in on him. It will be a shame if he does leave, as it is always nice to have actual fans playing for the team (and when he kisses the shirt, you know he means it!). Similarly, with Hughes signed on a free transfer from Scunthorpe and given the number 2 shirt, we can expect him to usurp both Chris Solly and Simon Francis and make the right back slot his own. What Francis will do now I don’t know, but he surely cannot expect much game time having been ripped from his shirt number after turning down a move to Bournemouth.
<br />
<br />My revised starting eleven for the match on Saturday, bearing in mind that Danny Green is suspended, is as follows:
<br />
<br />Ben Hamer
<br />Andy Hughes
<br />Rhoys Wiggins
<br />Michael Morrison
<br />Matt Taylor
<br />Scott Wagstaff
<br />Dale Stephens
<br />Danny Hollands
<br />Johnnie Jackson
<br />Paul Hayes
<br />Bradley Wrght-Phillips
<br />
<br />Subs – Sullivan, Evina, Doherty, Bover, Benson.
<br />
<br />Come on you addicks!</span></div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-26819315395321984552011-07-28T20:39:00.008+01:002011-08-20T08:36:35.146+01:00Summer Fun!<span lang="EN-GB">After a summer of much action within the club, but none at <em>Charlton Athletic Online</em></span><span lang="EN-GB">, it’s time to preview the coming season, starting with the players who will be representing the Addicks in 2011/2012.</span><div><span lang="EN-GB">
<br /></span></div><div><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Goalkeepers</strong><div>
<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyHbp-K1x1KQxFQDril6oE5iJIHMvFuWyev-ZOCDOFWuJaOLmdCk8DUcQEFFucpSHd91JyQdTKNH2yFesZHPzms0JAB23MfhLujTNPAVfhHnabN-K1Y3k_ZStDWKaQNZ9UL7xLQ/s1600/4024667863-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-swindon-town-valley.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634491248545784210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyHbp-K1x1KQxFQDril6oE5iJIHMvFuWyev-ZOCDOFWuJaOLmdCk8DUcQEFFucpSHd91JyQdTKNH2yFesZHPzms0JAB23MfhLujTNPAVfhHnabN-K1Y3k_ZStDWKaQNZ9UL7xLQ/s320/4024667863-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-swindon-town-valley.jpg" /></a>Despite Robbie Elliot (left) being rumoured to be on his way (to Newcastle - Did Pards really like him that much?), he remains at The Valley, and will no doubt retain the number 1 jersey. The start of last year was a bad one for Robbie, as a good pre-season was hampered by an early elbow injury that saw him miss quite a few games. Another couple picked up around Xmas and Easter saw him miss lots more games, and with Ross Worner no longer at the club, this year it looks like John Sullivan will be the bench-warmer and stand-in if Robbie gets hurt. Sullivan came in on loan from Millwall last March and did OK, but it was enough for him to get offered a contract and he is reasonable back-up. With a clutch of younger ‘keepers on the books, the third and fourth choice positions are up for grabs, and either Nick Pope or Conor Gough can expect to go out on loan I suspect. </p><p><strong>Defence</strong></p><p>Much changed in the middle of defence, as is most of the squad, with Miguel Llera, Christian Dailly (at present), and Jon Fortune all released after their contracts ended. In have come two centre-backs, Michael Morrison (from Sheffield Wednesday) and Matt Taylor (from Exeter), and they look like taking the starting positions leaving Gary Doherty as a reserve. Young Yado Mambo is at last being given an opportunity to stake a claim, and is fourth choice at present. Both Morrison and Taylor have form in this league, with the ex-Leicester man winning promotion a couple of years ago. Taylor had very good reports from Devon, but did have a bad back injury last year which prevented him finishing the season and which may re-appear at times this year. Adequate cover is therefore required.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd9fviye_KWn7oMCvQssRTtZPWHp2RBAxF12FhpaBY9W1Mu0zWbLu5Ssk-DY_NgSv_G8ZokL9KHADDaHIzM0fUgihMM5dqK4Qly6I82FA0nzfZZ0Lj79jfJgQtoTww_G9NyIiJw/s1600/1866008027-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-southampton-valley.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634491395468927058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd9fviye_KWn7oMCvQssRTtZPWHp2RBAxF12FhpaBY9W1Mu0zWbLu5Ssk-DY_NgSv_G8ZokL9KHADDaHIzM0fUgihMM5dqK4Qly6I82FA0nzfZZ0Lj79jfJgQtoTww_G9NyIiJw/s320/1866008027-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-southampton-valley.jpg" /></a>At full back, Chris Solly (left) and Simon Francis are still with the club though Francis turned down a move to Bournemouth (after prolonged transfer fee negotiations) to try to stay near his Essex mates. On the left side, Rhys Wiggins came up from Bournemouth, not long after ex-Arsenal youngster Cedric Evina arrived. Evina has talent but may be raw, while Wiggins has not had that long in league football and may be a bit of a gamble, despite the hefty transfer fee. Their arrival probably puts paid to any hope Kelly Youga may have had of signing a new contract with Charlton, and actually news of him since he came back to the club on trial in early July has been sparse. Hopefully he is now recovered and can find a club that will play him.</p>Unless players leave (and Francis is the only one likely to) not much more will change with the defence, although another centre back is rumoured to and probably will arrive before the end of the transfer window. This may be a loan signing...or possibly Christian Dailly coming back on a much reduced salary.
<br /><strong>
<br /></strong></div><div><b>Midfield</b>
<br /><p>Chris Powell has overseen a complete re-vamp in central midfield, with current Player-of-the -Year Jose Semedo, Therry Racon, and Alan McCormack all leaving the club for pastures new. In have come Danny Green (from Dagenham and Redbridge), Dale Stephens (from Oldham), Danny Hollands (also from Bournemouth), and Mikel Alonso (from Majorca) plus last-chance hopeful Bradley Pritchard. With Scott Wagstaff and Johnnie Jackson (left) retained, supposedly to fill the wide berths, the midfield looks entirely different, but (on paper) stronger, with much more goal threat. Green has a terrific scoring record over recent seasons (scoring twice against Charlton last season), and has many assists too, while Stephens looked a very talented player during Oldham’s unbeaten start to last year. Both cost substantial amounts but could get better and play at higher levels. Hollands arrived on a free transfer and is more solid, though he did also score against the Addicks last season. Alonso has pedigree, but will be a bit of an unknown quantity until he gets up to speed (his season in Spain only finished in early July, so his pre-season has just started (about a month late) in order to give him a rest). With Charlton having wide players like Wagstaff, Green, and Jackson all capable of getting more then ten goals a season, the pressure is taken off others, and should bode well.</p><p><strong>Attack</strong></p><p>The arrival of Bradley Wright-Phillips (left) in January was the start of the player upheaval under the new ownership, and BWP will be looked upon to deliver at least as many goals as he combined to score for Plymouth and Charlton last year (21). His dodgy knees will need managing, and <strong>Pedro45</strong> presumed that Paul Benson would provide adequate support when BWP needed a rest. The acceptance of a bid from Notts County recently for Benson suggests that other options are in train, but there has been confusion over why the transfer failed to proceed. Did Charlton withdraw their acceptance of the £150,000 offer, or did Benson demand a three year contract only for County to pull out? Who knows? One arrival was Paul Hayes, some years after his name was first linked with a move to south London, from Preston. Hayes should provide the support and service that BWP requires, and should chip in with a few goals of his own, though he is hardly prolific. I suggest that there may yet be another forward arriving at The Valley to supplement those in situe, and a loan option may be utilised here. Without BWP, Hayes and Benson, the current options look thin with only youngster Tosan Popo and triallist Jason Euell being out-and-out strikers still at the club. Euell is looking for a deal, and in the same way Jon Fortune did last year, may decide that it’s better to stay with those you know. If he does sign a contract, he could yet be the trump card we need in this league.</p><p>With other triallists and a few signings made for the development squad too, the club have been busy putting the building blocks in place not only for this season, but for the future too.</p><p>This is the team I suspect will be Chris Powell’s first choice come 7<sup>th</sup> August:</p><p><strong>Rob Elliot</strong></p><p><strong>Chris Solly</strong></p><p><strong>Michael Morrison</strong></p><p><strong>Matt Taylor</strong></p><p><strong>Rhys Wiggins</strong></p><p><strong>Danny Green</strong></p><p><strong>Danny Hollands</strong></p><p><strong>Dale Stephens</strong></p><p><strong>Johnnie Jackson</strong></p><p><strong>Paul Hayes</strong></p><p><strong>Bradley Wright-Phillips</strong></p><p>Subs: Sullivan, Evina, Doherty, Wagstaff, Benson.</p><p>Coming soon, a look at the opposition for the season and a rating of the Addicks chances.</p><p>Come on you Addicks!</p></div></span><div><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-50445433260697062692011-05-15T18:10:00.027+01:002011-08-20T08:41:30.670+01:00Class of Eleven - Season to ForgetHere’s <b>Pedro45</b>’s take on the players who have worn our famous red shirt this season; not one of our best!
<br /><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607000770180297346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLQfWGYVG1ynesIX0XLcAsz2hxDBiOjQqfdDNM1w1wg4WA9LEQ3wzVprjpmXRBsZLN65hbMN11kgHcWlks4HI6SHloIcF1jO7GL_x98BzjSu7R8-QooTTiCK4CNy6KcvBTvRL6w/s320/4024667863-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-swindon-town-valley.jpg" /> <div><b>Rob Elliot</b></div>
<br /><div>A bit of a strange season for Robbie; starting with expectation high, he broke his elbow in August and then kept picking up odd injuries throughout the campaign which prevented him getting any decent run of form in the side. Glimpses of his best shone through when he did play, but for his best form, we need to see him playing 40-plus league games a season. Rumours of a transfer elsewhere have circulated, but this Charlton fan will only go if it is in both his and the clubs best interests.</div><div>
<br /></div><div></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 265px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606993885030695026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-zKgjJcQo-HhWw8_rJVxvL8S_lVQflM10aD6Mv-zKivkdoF6Zy-M1rlJc2YGb5gSaxF2wPl8vLGJ8Im4fGEW8RJAxj_NZG7S8ZdoAzBcSvUErfZTeHfAHPgYGlSbo5tqT-jECA/s320/167348077-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-carlisle-united-valley.jpg" /> <div><b>Simon Francis</b></div>
<br /><div>A signing that cost money - which was a first for Charlton and for Phil Parkinson in a long time - but ultimately one which bore little fruit. Francis did look the part, especially when coming forwards (in the rampaging mould of Hermann Hreiderssson), but sadly his delivery was nearly always lacking. This frustrated the crowd and did affect his play, and his defending errors were highlighted because of this. With Chris Solly and Carl Jenkinson pushing hard for the right back slot, only Francis’s height kept him in the team at times, but even then, that wasn’t always enough (he's not that good at heading a ball either...). His form may have been affected a little by his wife giving birth last December, but in reality, he will need to play considerably better if he is to win over the fans in his second season at the club.</div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Kelly Youga</b></div>
<br /><div>I’m not sure I should include Kelly in the list of players for this past season, as he didn’t feature anywhere other than in the programme! His knee injury has been bad, and I don’t think it true that he was just sitting out his contract and refusing to train or play. Since he failed to kick that Bristol Rovers player in November 2009, hitting only fresh air, Charlton have slid down the table. I’m not saying that he would have won us promotion single-handedly, but prior to his injury, he was the classiest full back in this league, and just look at the problem we’ve had this season finding someone decent to play at left-back. It would be nice to have him back net year, but somehow, if he is fit again, I doubt he will sign a new contract at The Valley.</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607000530931362242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PT91kwll2s7t_ihmWu6vG3osbm_woxJb21_Ib3HGIWukbR-C04Q_c7LtTP4yNMazRA_BZ5emr0wWlQQXTAHfPq8NtKSbOKjQuxh_8dchSwUY8yN3-bS0vxIDIR53_wlanKArNA/s320/3627268986-15022011222417.jpg" /> <div><b>Johnnie Jackson</b></div>
<br /><div>The runner-up for player of the season, Jackson ended up as top scorer thanks to a purple patch of goals just prior to Xmas. When he was signed, everyone thought he would be used as left-back (especially with Youga injured), but with Matt Fry coming to the club, Jacko was pushed forward, and he did so well that he kept Kyel Reid out of that position. He undoubtedly benefited from having Scott Wagstaff on the opposite flank, and many of his goals came from crosses by that player to the rapidly arriving Jackson on the back stick. He took the clubs penalties most of the season, but failed with possibly the most important (JPT semi-final versus Brentford); that said, he did later add styles to his penalties, and not always go for the simple blast down the middle! One of the club’s major Tweeters, and also apparent leader of the Essex contingent (Jackson, Francis, McCormack and Benson, plus Fry), he will be an important cog in next seasons plans I suspect, and the club must have him fit for a whole season to maximise benefit.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Miguel Llera</b></div>
<br /><div>Big Mig - you never know quite what you will get! Or do you? He has always tried his best on the pitch, and was often (especially late in the season) the most likely player to score, either from a set-piece header, or with one of his left-footed free kick specials. Sadly, his lack of pace does get exposed in the centre of defence when he doesn’t have a fast player alongside. Out of contract this summer, I doubt we will see Mig retained, but he has left an impression during his two seasons at the club, with wonderful highs (Swindon on Boxing Day last season for instance) and desperate lows (Swindon in the play offs last season for instance!).</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607001553484736306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JzPaZERcEujn5N-uCD3s2QvyBlFArNMJLoaHqFxoOy9ok-IWANUwvyZoHLCwRWK_lG0blrb8nHmfmt8MOgko6IfYrIMd9arNjidOcQ6wsCTvQ_O-TqABcQZZv8PUa6Mm6NSklQ/s320/3534509822-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-southampton-valley.jpg" /> <div><b>Jose Semedo</b></div>
<br /><div>The Player of the Season, and a man who stood out amongst many others who had poor seasons at Charlton. I voted for him last season, when he was runner-up, and again this season where he went one better. Jose is limited, and I do wonder if we may need him to move on if the club is to move forwards as he can stifle the opposition and the Addicks when he plays. When he is making (clean, but crunching) tackles, winning and passing the ball quickly, and protecting the defence, he looks fantastic. But when the opposition play the ball around or over the midfield, he is often left chasing shadows, and does not give the brittle Charlton centre defence enough help. He also does tend to attract cards from referees, as many midfield tacklers do, but this year he survived all suspensions other than the one game ban for an undeserved sending off in April. I love Jose, and will be really sad if he calls time on his Charlton career; his only Valley goal (he headed a late third against Orient at The Valley in early April to finally clinch a win) , and the celebratory tears that followed, will go down for me as the best moment of the season (on the pitch anyway).</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606998584593842946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklqAiK-fulx1TrM6-Baal0sdAlQUK9G8fD2ztQ6evS1OKJlJo-J-5QLe1AOT2U-KIqdrSAVWMZiirQs6i84KqQvaAklIxj48wYHYNVXEveW2ZNKf_KfCbEvsjsBRqfm82mg_9Bw/s320/3828907272-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-southampton-valley.jpg" /></div><div><b>Scott Wagstaff</b></div>
<br /><div>For some reason, fans seem to either love or hate Scott (though he is, I know, much liked from afar). He is a tryer, and has scored a good quantity of goals for a wide player this year. Like Jackson, he also scored many goals arriving in the box to meet crosses from the other flank, but also put in his shift when asked to track back to give Francis protection. Needs to work on the timing of his crossing, and also when it is better to hold the ball and wait for help from team-mates rather than try to bully his way toward goal. Still young, he can only get better and with that only be of benefit to Charlton.</div>
<br /><div><b>Therry Racon</b></div>
<br /><div>A fiunny season for Tee, as he found his place in centre midfield usurped by quite a few other players. At the start of the season it was McCormack, then late on it was either Parrett or Stewart who got his preferred position. The good thing was that Racon kept going, and eventually he kept forcing his way back into the team, even if that meant playing out wide. The problem I think with Racon is that he doesn’t score enough goals when he plays alongside Semedo. We know Jose won’t get many (two in three years!) so we need the other centre midfielder to get his share too, but Racon has never looked like doing that (whereas Nicky</div><div>Bailey did for instance). Therry is out of contact this summer, and he may well be offered new terms, but it remains to be seen if he will accept the offer, or if the time has come for him to move on.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606991827746810738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXoGT6_ZczpEvbUh4HIVWrAuePwgQ4eSdXVUKa1sr6jbymbQa4ByG8eK7WEplV_yGytm-jXUzVdxVySKYhnDeTU8LuoK2G6PL8zk19yIUbmYFoe3fBaju-qG7-z3i8UrzWRbCpw/s320/1648451200-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-southampton-valley.jpg" /></div><div><b>Bradley Wright-Phillips</b></div>
<br /><div>He’s better than Shaun? If only it were true! Lazy, temperamental, and petulant….but he does score goals! Bradders arrived at the club in January from Plymouth as the divisions leading scorer; he only got the chance because a bigger money move to Reading failed due to injury concerns (he has dodgy knees). Bradley quickly scored, and did look the part when he was interested. Sadly, his form dipped along with his team-mates, and he struggled to get many chances late in the season. It may have been an inspired move to make him captain for the last few games as his work-rate did improve significantly but the goals had dried up by then. Obviously a lynch-pin of the team plans for next season, we need him to get 25 goals plus if the investment in him is to be fully returned.</div>
<br /><div><b>Kyel Reid</b></div>
<br /><div>I think everybody connected to Charlton was pretty pleased when Reidy signed on a free transfer a couple of months after we had seen him playing for the Addicks on loan. But sadly, he was another of those massive failures on the playing staff this season. He suffered from niggly injuries early in the campaign, and then could not shift Jackson from his preferred wide left slot. With much less game time, his cameo twenty minutes became less productive and therefore less frequent, and even though he got a few games at the end of the season, he seemed to have lost much of his desire. A cracking goal at Bristol Rovers looked good, but then he got himself sent off. That may be his last action for Charlton as rumours are abound that he is on his way out of the club? If anyone can tap his undoubted talent, he would be a very good addition to a team in this league or even higher.</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606991735554878178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71ZnHLxZ8nyQrEobKynf4Vl-Hi5xTFUcv8c4ZGsFfZR9ALdtu4_uKZHFcxeW7Q9sh4qwb9QDm8iblIZpcckljjmVM6eoeCdbRR5FjocRJOvwBZ7uVr4Q0TjrWk4duvxM0lHf-SA/s320/1363802541-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-carlisle-united-valley.jpg" /> <div><b>Gary Doherty</b></div>
<br /><div>Another pre-season signing who was a major disappointment it has to be said, after his initial year in SE7. Doc came from Norwich where he captained that team to promotion out of this very league. All I can say is that he must have had some very good players around him (evidence that Norwich won promotion again this season without Doc!)! He has looked lethargic, slow, and unable to strike much of a partnership in defence with anyone; he has also looked singularly unlikely to score a goal (at the right end) all season from a set play. His height should make him dangerous, but he is so ponderous that he cannot get space to get decent contact with any ball into the box. Even with my dodgy knees, I could probably still beat him in a sprint over twenty yards, so he tends to make the rest of the defence fall so deep that many of the team problems surface because of this (defence - midfield being disconnected for instance). He does have another year on his contract, but I for one would not be unhappy if he is allowed to leave the club and ply his trade elsewhere.</div>
<br /><div><b>Michael Stewart</b></div>
<br /><div>Stewart came to Charlton in March after his contract at a Turkish club was cancelled, and he was a pretty good capture. He did well in a failing side, and showed glimpses of his class on a fairly regular basis. He is much sought after according to the media, as his contract only covered up until the end of the season, and much about the ambition of the new owners will be seen if they make Stewart an offer to stay that he accepts.</div>
<br /><div><b>Yado Mambo</b></div>
<br /><div>A funny year for our lanky young centre back, spent mainly out on loan at non-league clubs. Now with a brand new contract, he must view next season as one where he has to make the breakthrough into the first team, or his chance will have passed.</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606991943155510594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx17Q4QVZTVKu3WujXdrAPsZ17TsLDa6eDT6yLsBW67lj1ixLN5cJeVq_3-d3eCTKthIfu4p-VBTq3OSArEyTvou8sSVrScBIKbu1xfmouex6UPW9S_k_83xL9nrQZIgTLUsRAlw/s320/1961723924-09032011012419.jpg" /> <div><b>Alan McCormack</b></div>
<br /><div>Signed from Southend, a week or two before Francis also signed from that club, “Oxo” started decently with a goal at Orient but then slowly subsided into a very average midfielder who contributed nothing to the team, except as someone apt to give away silly free-kicks. Openly disliked amongst fans, Charlton really should be looking at better players than this one if they are</div><div>to progress. Oh, and the “Oxo” nickname? It seems he likes the restaurant of this name for his after game meal (You have to be careful what you Tweet Alan!).</div>
<br /><div><b>Paul Benson</b></div>
<br /><div>Benno; Benno; Benno - Where to start? Told he would be the twenty goal a season striker we needed, he was prised away from Dagenham and Redbridge in late August for a large fee (for Richard Murray’s Charlton); his debut, against his former club-mates, saw him miss a string of gilt edged chances, and that </div>
<br /><div>pretty much summed up his first few months at the club. He did score some goals, including points winners at home versus Notts County, and away at Carlisle for instance, but his view that he was that good earned him the Marco van Benson tag. He often tried the spectacular when it wasn’t really necessary and then got himself sent off on New Years Day (thus missing the FA Cup match at White Hart Lane through suspension). Not a target man, but used as one, he was simply unable to hold the ball up, or experienced enough (despite being 30+) to run channels intelligently. Sent off again in March after another late lunge, he finally came back into the side late in the season and looked somewhat different. Maybe a few hours on the training pitch was finally working for him, and he at last started to strike up a partnership with Wright-Phillips. This pair, if they could work together well, could strike fear into any third tier defence, so we will have to see if that is the plan for next season. It may not be though, as there are rumours that Benson will be used as a make-weight in a possible deal for Daggers current hero Danny Green.</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606991893711947362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO4gwN78-lOE9oJSZIOAXTjay29HYENQFgC7bqjxiraMLnBRZ2VW6KAFF_jnC_0BdOJ4mqZF-0DXDppjGRdIle-BeAzb66Kc-hCNE8Sh1GB0pgs-rrersGqsmqz0AJgZ7txJUpA/s320/1866008027-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-southampton-valley.jpg" /> <div><b>Chris Solly</b></div>
<br /><div>A funny season for Solly too, starting the first game, being man-of-the-match, then being dropped in favour of new signing Francis. Despite this, he then scored within seconds of coming on as a sub in the next game, but then he picked up a bad injury that saw him out of the team until the new year. By then, he was third choice right back behind Francis and Jenkinson but by season end, Solly was playing well enough that he got a few more chances and he did not disappoint. Now armed with a new contract, we will have to see who gets the nod at right back next season, or if Solly will be forever one of those unlucky players who never quite get their chance, despite being good enough.</div>
<br /><div><b>Joe Anyinsah</b></div>
<br /><div>When he played, he looked good, but the problem with Joe was that he didn’t play enough, due to injury after injury. Joe scored a few minutes after coming on as a sub on his debut, and did strike up an unlikely partnership with Benson. Joe was the target man, despite being much smaller than his team-mate, and for a while it worked. Then came those injuries. Joe would start a game, but within half an hour, he was off, out for a few games, then he would come back, and the scenario would play out again. When fit, he was a vital cog in the Addicks team, but sadly, so unreliable due to injury that you cannot plan any tactics around him. I suspect he may not be at The Valley next season but he can go with our thanks and best wishes.</div>
<br /><div><b>Jon Fortune</b></div>
<br /><div>While I have always had a fond spot for Jon, he has not really looked anywhere near his fittest or best all season. Too many goals have been conceded while he was on the pitch, and with Doherty, Llera and Dailly all lacking pace these days, playing Jon was never going to be the answer to our defensive woes. Sadly, he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the final game of the campaign, and that might be the last we see of him, as he does not have a contract for next season. He may return, but I can only see him a a squad player in future, much as he has been this year.</div>
<br /><div><b>Callum Harriott</b></div>
<br /><div>One bright spark to come out of a pretty dire season is young Callum. Getting rave reviews and terrific goals for the reserves and youngsters got him a few places on the bench, but it wasn’t until very recently that he finally saw some first team action. A fast tricky left winger</div>
<br /><div>with a bullet shot, he looks like Kyel Reid on a good day, but without the attitude. He may be a little young (still only 17) to be thinking about in terms of playing 40-odd games for us next season, but he certainly has a bright future with Charlton based on his showing so far.</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606993986082953138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOQcSSaoBaWzWf2gO12lULPc3iCx0-qSOUE6NnjXyNsKj7aowEOOG1m5kUXEQ376cKGLV98JovhPIw1g2YZ7bcFBjTfU2f9il8iVLdNOu0wdGSLpcuK1T_hVMP768iMMuWvXaRA/s320/2217312790-09032011003817.jpg" /> <div><b>Carl Jenkinson</b></div>
<br /><div>This is a strange one - Jenks gets farmed out to various non-league teams for most of the first half of the season, then has a breakthrough game when the clubs other full backs are unavailable, and by season end it appears he is about to sign for Arsenal! Even though he is out of contract, Charlton would still be due a development fee, and that could be anywhere near a million pounds apparently. He didn’t play enough first team games to endear himself to fans, but he did look solid, one who likes to get forward, and a decent enough prospect. If Arsene can</div><div>get him into his side, I will be both surprised and delighted for him.</div>
<br /><div><b>Christian Dailly</b></div>
<br /><div>Now 37 years old, you do wonder how long Dailly will carry on playing. This season, he lost that yard of pace, and subsequently his timing was a little off. Red cards have blighted his season, with two for late challenges, and one for retaliation which ended his season five games early. Dailly would love another contract at Charlton I‘m sure (he wants to stay in London), but is that the right thing for Charlton to do? What I do believe is that we cannot go another season with a lack of central defensive pace, so if Dailly stays, and plays, you cannot have him alongside Doherty, Llera, or Fortune…</div>
<br /><div><b>Lee Martin</b></div>
<br /><div>The loss of Lee Martin, when he was recalled from his season long loan once Ipswich changed manager in January, really hurt Charlton. While he didn’t score bucket loads of goals, his skill and pace caused defences to cower, and back off, and thus created space and chances for others. Initially, it was a struggle to fit him into the team - was he a winger, or a striker, or an attacking midfielder? But once he was in, he looked the part. Since he left SE7, the team has looked without pace, without much guile, and a lot worse.</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606995396356737426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9TrZZGzTjdZ66eF10qLVC_E6CCM4GN9bVGDgGAK8c1obntQ53UHlkaYOUwSYZrHr-_trF_7FbHWUqmQLhSDI07ZO1uh1TgsYii2i72Shnazk1KqVaggh995m9zzWjrHlf5oRWw/s320/2297558624-15022011220614.jpg" /> <div><b>Pawel Abbot</b></div>
<br /><div>Now back in Poland, Big Pav didn’t really hit it off in London. He scored early in the season in the league cup, but struggled against third division defences. His lack of pace and inability to link up play got the crowd on his back, and despite a couple of decent goals (including the last of the Phil Parkinson reign) he was soon moved on when Chris Powell arrived. Not a success.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Akpo Sodje</b></div>
<br /><div>I felt a bit sorry for Akpo this season, as he started the first game, scored the only goal, and then was forced to sit on the bench for most of the next four months waiting his chance and watching others get the nod ahead of him. Powerfully built, but without much class, Akpo always gave it his all. He left for Scottish climes in January, and he has scored a few goals up there since. His opening Addicks goal at Yeovil last season will live in the memory, especially now we’ve got no Sodje’s…</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>John Sullivan</b></div>
<br /><div>Short-term loanee from Millwall, who stepped in for a couple of games at the end of the season when injuries struck all other keepers down. Sullivan did OK, but without being a show-stopper. Rumours are that he may be signed for next year, as he has since been released by the Spanners, but I hope that this is just to be back-up to Elliot and not as first choice.</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606994811804932626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU3nDm8kdXEFl4nET7JzgXf0uv-ij-X53pqxiz8dX79-UfOm7ItdcuH5bZq-YYYZxPDsHTewin2tT-V9Z2usj9ZezUF3kxrxcxdXyCxjYMqEm_UjrC3hnEJFEeAEstvR0wcfT3A/s320/2233552074-09032011004821.jpg" /> <div><b>Ross Worner</b></div>
<br /><div>Little Ross was thrust into action much earlier than expected due to Elliot’s early season elbow problem, but did quite well. Never at fault for any of the goals conceded, he did also make some good saves. Ultimately though, his lack of height and the lack of confidence the team had when defending in front of him came to bear and he has not been retained for next season. I’m sure he will be snapped up by another club, but at what level is unclear.</div>
<br /><div><b>Frank Nouble</b></div>
<br /><div>Big Frank joined on loan from the Hammers, but ultimately failed to live up to even his reputation as a poor mans Carlton Cole! Lumbering at times, he did always try, but his performance in the defeat at Dagenham will go down in memory, even though that was where he scored his only Charlton goal ( a two-yard tap in). Needs to get fit, get his head right, and then use those assets to the best of his ability if he is to succeed in football, a bit like Carlton then!</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606991999892052562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j211yKCFfXW1fJunimQ1XYUXrqqG34hA5X8AfeLrIQYTacZyr3U7ZbHF8Zp04-MqR9gvJBRlTAVF74qYtUf32qaRy-3b-dPT02Kobt4DmNGGNMQTZ2h93skaeDDK-8V1m_-yOQ/s320/2039921978-soccer-npower-football-league-rochdale-v-charlton-athletic-spotland-stadium.jpg" /> <div><b>Nathan Eccelston</b></div>
<br /><div>NE39 turned up at The Valley (pretty much as a straight replacement for the departed Lee Martin) touted as a poor mans Ryan Babble. We all know how tough it was for Babble to fit in to the Liverpool side, and so with Nathan for the Addicks. Was he a wide player who attacked, or a striker who didn’t work? I did think that he looked good when he came on late in games and utilised his undoubted pace to upset opposition defences, but when used from the start, he often failed to live up to expectation. Known to whinge a little on Twitter , mainly about his accommodation and girlfriend issues, it was funny that some of his Tweets were misinterpreted and analysed in great depth by the Addickted. He has a solid future in football (but probably not at Premiership level) and a very attractive girlfriend!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Matt Fry</b></div>
<br /><div>Fry failed to get a game on loan last year, and this season we had him back. Played solely at left back, when he said he preferred centre back, we could see that he struggled in some games. The problem was that with the departure of Jackson from the side through injury, Fry was often exposed, and he could not cope. As winter cooled, Fry melted, and he left for the Hammers reserves in March. A nice bloke, but not one for Charlton I feel…</div><div>
<br /></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606999883225351202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvuHfULDycutpMJiZ3fL0HxSaOErko-VeqAiI2UeA4OacoZAt_zubt9l3YlrAzSS0uCXuCUBtcMNgfcpXjrJ57Cv9fDmXm2MgGjBxnmyW9q18AjNh0fiB4px2b5DMeECsX3cI8A/s320/2363547977-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-southampton-valley.jpg" /> <div><b>Federico Bessone</b></div>
<br /><div>Fede looked the part during his early games for the Addicks, but he struggled to complete a match. Said to be injury prone, this was obviously a concern but finally came back for the last month or so of the season and did well. He is an attacking full back, and with Charlton prone to giving the ball away, did get caught up field on numerous occasions, but that may change when the style gets better. I wouldn’t mind Fede coming back to join the club, and if Leeds do want to get rid of him cheaply, he could be a good signing if we need a senior left back.</div>
<br /><div><b>Dean Parrett</b></div>
<br /><div>A decent period on loan for this Spurs youngster, coupled with his first senior goal in April against Rochdale. Skilful, and with a big heart, it took Parrett time to settle into third tier football, but he did OK. I’m not sure he will ever be a regular first team player at White Hart Lane, but he looks decent enough to play at Championship level at least when he has more experience.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Marcel Siep</b></div>
<br /><div>A loanee who Plymouth were desperate (due to finances) to offload; having seen him play, we now know why! Gifted Charlton a goal at The Valley when he returned with Argyle, and not good enough for a regular first team slot at Charlton.</div>
<br /><div><b>Alex Stavrinou</b></div>
<br /><div>Already shown the door, Stav had a couple of extra years at the club that he didn’t really expect, mainly due to the financial position at the beginning of August each year. A whole hearted player, but probably too small to compete at a high level, Stav should make the grade lower down the football scale, and could do well for a club like Barnet, AFC Wimbledon, etc, if he can pursuade them to sign him.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Tamer Tuna</b></div>
<br /><div>Once the great white hope, along with Jonjo Shelvey, Tuna went a bit off if truth be told. A goalscoring youngster for the club, his fortunes dipped after his only first team goal (league cup versus Barnet two seasons back) and he has not progressed at all. Tamer may struggle to play at league level in future as he has neither the stature nor mental strength required, which is a shame.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Conor Gough</b></div>
<br /><div>One of four goalkeepers who made the bench but without playing time this season. Gough is one for the future, and should provide cover in emergencies next season.</div>
<br /><div><b>Luke Daniels</b></div>
<br /><div>Brought in from West Brom during an injury crisis, Daniels was a little upset to find Ross Worner preferred, and departed a month later without game time.</div>
<br /><div><b>Neil Etheridge</b></div>
<br /><div>Fulham were also upset that Etheridge didn’t get first team games early in his month on loan at the club, so recalled him.</div>
<br /><div><b>Brandon Hall</b></div>
<br /><div>Youngster Hall also made the bench for one game due to other injuries, and has now been released, but is also young enough to come on strong over coming years with another club.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So that’s it; 13th place in League One. Not really good enough I think, and with <b>Chris Powell </b>in charge next August, we may well see many new faces and a new style of play from the Addicks, which hopefully will keep us near the top of the division right the way until May.</div>
<br /><div>Have a happy Summer!</div>
<br /><div>Up the Addicks!</div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-76056760373161944192011-04-28T19:21:00.005+01:002011-04-28T19:41:13.218+01:00From Rochdale to, er, Rochdale<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIfFZjkrWOTOJ4RiFYUJWdd-NTMUZeydu7HKSrtbxtHHGvqg25Z42ivImt_diXvBjcrqK5RJjPCFCMSCZxI4LKHEieb6kj5UBzDUvw3sLLDm7L4k0q96kPQQko9yyudMRduxr0w/s1600/2957395861-15082009231135.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIfFZjkrWOTOJ4RiFYUJWdd-NTMUZeydu7HKSrtbxtHHGvqg25Z42ivImt_diXvBjcrqK5RJjPCFCMSCZxI4LKHEieb6kj5UBzDUvw3sLLDm7L4k0q96kPQQko9yyudMRduxr0w/s320/2957395861-15082009231135.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600705367941759906" /></a>The last month or so of this never-ending season has seen <b>Charlton </b>play Rochdale twice. The away match last month was lost (2-0), but at least three points were gained in the home game on Monday, courtesy of goals from Therry Racon (left), Dean Parrett, and Nathan Eccleston. Between<div>these two matches, Charlton have won one game (versus Orient), drawn twice (at Oldham and Bristol Rovers), and lost twice (to promotion chasers Southampton and Huddersfield).</div><div><br /></div><div>So how have we done? Not great, but better than it was during February and March.</div><div><br /></div><div>Without going over old ground, many of the team seem to have been as desperate as the fans for the season just to come to an end. With little to play for, nobody was putting much on the line for quite some time, until there was a slow realisation that slipping down the table at such an alarming rate could have ended in relegation. The win against Orient halted that slide, and the points subsequently picked up have extinguished any threat of slipping into League Two.</div><div><br /></div><div>The slight upturn in results haven’t seen a great enhancement in play though, with Charlton actually quite lucky to beat the O’s (who hit the bar twice in injury time and had a goal disallowed when the scores were level, let alone the goalie assisted second goal for BWP).</div><div><br /></div><div>The Chris Powell style of play is starting to become apparent though, with a lot less lumping it up to a (non-existent) target man at every opportunity. Powell has fiddled with his team, hoping that eventually the idea may get through, and he may be quite close to getting at least some way to making his point looking at how we’ve played recently. This may not have been all of h</div><div>is own doing though, as Monday’s game saw three “first-choice” players suspended. Christian Dailly retaliated following a nasty foul in the Oldham match and, as it was his third red card of the season, that meant an early break for the summer for him following the five-game ban he received. Kyel Reid saw a second yellow and therefore a red card for a bad foul at Bristol</div><div>Rovers (Basey Justice?) and he was soon joined by Jose Semedo, also for a second yellow, though his was for what seemed an innocuous clash. With Johnnie Jackson out injured for some time, Joe Anyinsah unable to complete two games on the trot, and both goalkeepers Rob Elliot and Ross Worner struggling with injury, the squad has been stripped bare of what may normally have made up the starting eleven.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite these changes, the side that took on Rochdale in the home return game on Monday did quite well. Without much option, Therry Racon returned to the left side of the pitch and put in his best game of the season. The partnership between him, Parrett, and Michael Stewart in midfield looked good, with the three interchanging as the game dictated.</div><div><br /></div><div>The defence also looked OK mostly, with Fede Bessone looking very comfortable at left back, while old stagers Jon Fortune and Gary Doherty shored up the middle. They may not have much pace, but they know how to stop the ball. At right back, Simon Francis was kept in after a short run in the team for Chris Solly. Francis continues to be an enigma in that he looks OK, but fails to deliver when asked, with poor crossing, poor choices of pass, and poor marking (his player it</div><div>was who scored from a corner). The only reason he can be ahead of Solly is due to his height, and there is a case for having him play when we know we will come up against teams that play the long ball etc, though in actual fact he rarely gets his head to a ball whereas at least Solly competes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Up front, and without any other claimant, Bradley Wright-Phillips got the captains armband, and he put in a good shift. Sometimes he can appear very lazy (probably because he is?), but this was him at his best regarding work-rate. He does shoot at every opportunity, but so what. Out on the wing was the lightly used Eccleston; I understand managers liking Scott Wagstaff for his effort and fitness, but @NE39 does have the edge in terms of speed, skill, and vision. An honourable mention should also go to Marco van Benson, who has taken his chances recently and been a much better all round player than he looked at any other stage of his Charlton career.</div><div><br /></div><div>So much better, then, but still not quite where we need to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of the team that started on Monday, only four are under contract for next season (Francis, Benson, Wright-Phillips, and Doherty); it is obvious that with upwards of 14 players out of contract, and with five others here on loan, major changes will be made to the squad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many of the out-of-contract players are stating their cases – Semedo wants to stay for life, and Racon is really comfortable in London the media tell us. Bessone was signed with a vie</div><div>w to a permanent deal, and he may well get one, but I doubt we will see Eccleston, Parrett, or Frank Nouble at The Valley next season. The issue is whether the players kept on will be the better ones, and if the replacements in the squad will improve the team, or just the training ground?</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicCTnVencVv8KAWJW4HN6bf0ZjhX_z0shfVJ8ENjjd8EybXOFELe40rI7qmHh_7vB03EQGv2YB96gHO2Gn5kXKBEDN84sDlgSjO_jOi2cVTt_9s3pJF9he5BxIW6B8TYauTQE9g/s320/637782235-18052010015751.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600705253545601026" /><div>The Rochdale match was my last of the season, as I have another fixture to attend come the Hartlepool game, so it was lovely to sign off with a win. My player of the season is the one who comes from Portugal; I voted for him last season and he came second, so I hope he wins this time. At least I can now say that I have seen him score! His only real opposition is Jackson, but he’s missed to many games through injury I think. It would be a nice way for him to sign off if he is not to return next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>My next blog will be my thoughts on each player this year, and my advice to Chris Powell over whether they should be allowed a squad number in 2011/12.</div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-27333055966791674712011-03-29T13:46:00.004+01:002011-03-29T13:58:46.432+01:00One of My Friends is A Passionate Friend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc0J5MJqwKFSNVt4EYFEBzbKxKBFCK0lcyYwFPYlrUuXA4L-wPt2f_oalZwHJuPLmqybD8SFFB0SPM235KMQwjxcCWDa2AdcBMzL_T_GpNQRjlwcKkb7S6qp0I26V_ElwSM_NYw/s1600/_51885829_srilanka.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589485431925234786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc0J5MJqwKFSNVt4EYFEBzbKxKBFCK0lcyYwFPYlrUuXA4L-wPt2f_oalZwHJuPLmqybD8SFFB0SPM235KMQwjxcCWDa2AdcBMzL_T_GpNQRjlwcKkb7S6qp0I26V_ElwSM_NYw/s320/_51885829_srilanka.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Passion, within sports fans, is a strange thing. Sometimes it can be good, very good even, but sometimes it just pushes all of the wrong buttons. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Recently I was in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><strong>Sri Lanka</strong></st1:place></st1:country-region> on holiday, and the burning desire of the people there to support their home nation during the Cricket World Cup was immense. At no stage did anyone I meet tell me that they were going to win the World Cup, but that was what they hoped and desired. They love their cricket, as I do, and we got on famously during my holiday. It was no surprise to me when Sri Lanka humiliated England in the quarter-final, and I hope they go on to beat New Zealand today (they are well placed as I type) and win the final too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The day after I returned home from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Colombo</st1:place></st1:city> airport, I went to watch <strong>Charlton</strong> play at <strong>Dagenham and Redbridge</strong>. While I had been away, games against MK Dons (2-0), and Brentford (1-0) had followed a home draw with Tranmere (1-1 with Bradley Wright-Phillips scoring from Miguel Llera’s header). None of these results surprised me after the dirge we saw when playing Carlisle, just before I went away.</span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I was one of those fans who didn’t go to the FA Cup tie in <st1:place st="on">East London</st1:place> those few years ago, so this was a new ground for me. The trip into <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> was painful after a signal failure stopped many trains, and once I’d negotiated London Underground’s crazy replacement bus options I finally got to the ground about 2.30. On my way around to the visiting fans stand, I was stopped by a young lady who asked me for an interview which she filmed on her phone for a website. How long had I been a fan? Who was our best player? What did I think the score would be? (I said we’d lose…), and did I have a message for Chris Powell. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">A couple of hours later the message that Powell got was pretty clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t comment on the games played while I was on holiday, but the display in <st1:place st="on">East London</st1:place> that afternoon was dreadful. With the dressing rooms under the newly constructed visitors end, and the players forced to walk through a tunnel right beside the fans, the abuse after the 2-1 loss was huge. The passion the fans showed that afternoon was immense, but it did push boundaries and was vitriolic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Quite frankly, everyone had a point. Other than Ross Worner in goal, few of the team seemed to make any effort at all. When Scott Wagstaff, one of the better players on the day, was substituted, the congregated fans made it clear to Powell just what they thought. If he did know what he was doing, then it wasn’t clear to us!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">That match ended a run of games where Charlton could have, on paper, expected to be on top and winning points, but then came a group of games where it was going to be tough to get anything, especially after the one point from 24 run the team were on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><st1:place st="on"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><strong>Southampton</strong></span></st1:place><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"> at The Valley the following Tuesday saw a number of changes. Back came Rob Elliott for the now injured Worner, and out went want away Carl Jenkinson, Matt Fry (who had returned to West Ham after his loan spell), and Alan McCormack. With Federico Bessone and Chris Solly now at full back, and with Therry Racon joining Jose Semedo and on-loan Dean Parrett in midfield, the team suddenly looked much better. <st1:place st="on">Southampton</st1:place> may have expected an easy game, but Charlton stuck to it and held on. And they kept holding on, right the way to half-time. It took an hour for the visitors to score (to the surprise of many), but Charlton stuck at it and equalised when Parrett played in BWP and he slotted home. A grandstand finish saw both sides close to winning the match, but the point gained was at least welcome in both ranks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Charlton then maintained the positive vibes at <st1:place st="on"><strong>Bournemouth</strong></st1:place> on Saturday, gaining another point in a 2-2 draw, with BWP once more scoring a late equaliser. This game though, even after Wagstaff had chested the Addicks into the lead, was one where the team were once more outplayed, and only a few magical saves by Elliot (and the woodwork) kept the scoreline respectable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Tonight our heroes travel up to <st1:place st="on"><strong>Rochdale</strong></st1:place> for the twice postponed game with them. When it was first due to be played, Charlton were looking good under Phil Parkinson, while ‘Dale were in a poor run of form. Now the roles have changed, and anything gained from tonight’s game will be seen as a bonus in SE7 and by Chris Powell. There won’t be much passion in the travelling Addicks ranks I suggest, but the fans of Rochdale are on cloud nine and looking toward their highest ever league finish. Good luck to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Passion is great; passion is harsh; and passion can be cruel. One fan who won’t be there tonight is fellow blogger Charlton North Downs, who sadly died recently. I only met Paul a couple of times at bloggers do’s, and he was a genuine nice man. Perhaps the players might want to realise sometimes that we fans are just that – genuine nice people, albeit with a passion for our football club. They can come and go; chop and change; kiss one badge and then another, but we fans have to put up with everything, good and bad, until we die.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">It would be nice for the players to win this game for Paul.</span></span></p></div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-39635317406142971682011-03-02T13:46:00.003+00:002011-03-02T13:55:41.933+00:00Marching On Together<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB27THMaoS5iWiAITfe6JtvzYxTDDHWDMeV6VbvRAUpETnLrMYwLwB0Yc8O-exLl8RhuqX4kjDJaeYIkU0oq4CrSK5nuPgCff9MGa7gTscYWZBhumkrG3syo8HFSqol4QeigA7NQ/s1600/2630315623-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-carlisle-united-valley.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579478894153466098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB27THMaoS5iWiAITfe6JtvzYxTDDHWDMeV6VbvRAUpETnLrMYwLwB0Yc8O-exLl8RhuqX4kjDJaeYIkU0oq4CrSK5nuPgCff9MGa7gTscYWZBhumkrG3syo8HFSqol4QeigA7NQ/s320/2630315623-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-carlisle-united-valley.jpg" border="0" /></a>It is very easy to write a blog when in abject despair. And that is certainly how most of us <strong>Charlton</strong> fans feel after four consecutive defeats. We don’t mind losing (we are not like the Mancs or Chelski or Gooners in that respect), but the manner of the defeats has been pretty hard to take over the last month. And, sadly, things just seem to be getting worse…<br /><br />Since my last post, Charlton beat Peterborough, but then slumped to a tight away loss at Hartlepool on a wet and cold night. The expectation amongst a 25,000 crowd was high when Exeter came to the Valley, but luck deserted us, and Chris Powell had his first home defeat. Then came a poor showing at Notts County (where BWP fluffed a penalty), beamed live by Sky Sports into the homes of, well, thousands, I expect, and last night a truly dreadful showing against a Carlisle team who looked everything that just an average Division Three team are.<br /><br />Has the luck deserted the Addicks, or is something more sinister to blame? Did our fortunes change when Simon Francis went head-first into the away dug-out at Hartlepool, or when Pawel Abbott hit the bar versus Exeter? Is it Nathan Eccleston’s cerebral tweeting that has upset Bradley Wright-Phillips or Robbie Elliot's insistence on screening Glee on the team coach to away games? We need to know, because something has given him the right hump!<br /><br />And the injuries are not helping matters either; I’m not a fan of Marco Van Benson, but without his presence these past few weeks, the bench has been desperately short of alternative fire-power, given that Akpo Sodje left for Scotland in January, and now Pawel Abbott has returned to Poland on the final day of their seasonal transfer deadline. Without Joe Anyinsah, who seems incapable of playing more than twice on the trot, Wright-Phillips has seen his strike partner chopped and changed more times than Gary Doherty heads the ball into touch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7mq_1voJzkHVObgfOku6NeSqRSfoCgtXiYkUA1qWjgjFahitmJLyzq5W6Phd3mmUkY5DNnaqd1MCbtfDX8bsEU5MDZ5lV9lRvdT_4-L4DYZDT4PBw3WVb7_lJxwBHU_jKUuJEQ/s1600/93141748-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-carlisle-united-valley.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579478836562976690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7mq_1voJzkHVObgfOku6NeSqRSfoCgtXiYkUA1qWjgjFahitmJLyzq5W6Phd3mmUkY5DNnaqd1MCbtfDX8bsEU5MDZ5lV9lRvdT_4-L4DYZDT4PBw3WVb7_lJxwBHU_jKUuJEQ/s320/93141748-soccer-npower-football-league-charlton-athletic-v-carlisle-united-valley.jpg" border="0" /></a>All this is food for thought, and provides absolutely no answers for Chris Powell and his backroom staff to chew on, but they are not immune from stick and I feel that this is as good a time as any to try to hand them some advice.<br /><br />We seem to have a good set up; Powell is the legend we desperately wanted at our helm, but he lacks experience. We fans know that, and will make allowances. Powell has Alex Dyer as his number two. Dyer is an ex-Addick, has a great reputation, and is a fun guy to have around. Behind them we have Damian Matthew, a man who has been slowly building up our youngsters into first team pro’s with some success. Providing the experience we have another Valley legend in Keith Peacock. All honest, lovely, Addickted, and focussed. But without passion. And none of them seem prepared to upset Powell with a few home truths!<br /><br />Tactically, Charlton were made to look very, very ordinary against Carlisle. After a bright start, and a goals lead, a small positional change by Carlisle manager Greg Abbott changed the whole course of the game. Withdrawing Loy into the “hole” found him without a marker. All of a sudden, Carlisle had time, and space, to get hold of the ball, and bring other players into the equation. It didn’t matter that Simon Francis had the freedom of the borough down the right wing in the first half, because he either wasted the ball, or was given such a rank pass that he was closed down, or his team-mates simply did not have the vision or skill to get the ball to him. And without the ball, or anyone to get it to Francis on the wing, Charlton’s hopes died. Should Jose Semedo have dropped back to pick up Loy, or should one of the centre backs followed Loy deeper and pressured him? I don’t know which, but something had to change, but it didn’t! On and on, easier and easier for the visitors.<br /><br />So is this Powell’s folly? Is he tactically aware enough to be able to change things when other managers make changes on the field during games?<br /><br />It was said that when Steve Gritt and Alan Curbishley were in charge, games were like chess matches; whatever the oppo set out to do, either at the start of games or during, was countered by our joint managers. You get the basics right and other good things will follow.<br /><br />Currently we have a number of major issues. Sure, most of these were there when Phil Parkinson was manager, and one or two have been worked on, but to what affect? If BWP drops his head and doesn’t chase the ball then how will his team-mates feel? When Scott Wagstaff keeps running into brick walls the pressure comes back on to the defence! When Nathan Eccleston or Therry Racon fall over, as they do time after time, we lose the ball. When we go behind, any confidence the players had cascades out of them.<br /><br />It would be easy to pick on every single one of the team who played some part last night and tell them where they went wrong, and what they need to do to put it right, but that is Powell’s job. I just hope he has enough in him to do it. We keep being told that Chrissy isn’t all nice guy; he has that streak that good managers need; he will make tough decisions when he has to; well, the time in nigh.<br /><br />I hear we will be dipping in to the loan market this week – Chris, forget about Benni McCarthy; what we need so desperately is someone in midfield who can take hold of a match and push Charlton on. We have goalscorers (BWP is the leading scorer in this league, and Benson has been known to knock the odd-one in from within the six yard box), but nobody is giving them chances to show what they can do. We need someone like, dare I say, Danny Murphy, someone who wants the ball, who will cajole and push, be there for a pass and take responsibility, and then create. At this level, maybe I could compare him to Dick Tydeman, or Keith Jones, or even Curbs himself. Once we have this player, we can think about improving the rest of the side; we have good players, but when you see the confidence levels in Kyel Reid, Wagstaff, Eccleston, BWP, and Francis, and how that effects the defence where Carl Jenkinson, Christian Dailly, Francis and Doherty have been under immense pressure, you know it is time for a change.<br /><br />A new player in the dressing room can work wonders, and we need that help right now.Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-88031721228467236862011-02-03T14:53:00.009+00:002011-02-03T15:05:52.495+00:00Darren Sheldrake - Retrospective Images<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlJo6FOuxI7UiYvT8mQNHqWyIOVuvFt8E4PwIK_rhK-moexTLZnTEqbFUwVNhVQPzZEE3M7cqE0UizWPzCbKUNXyvMvq9ea0-7gKMTRtpkD2H0EVACe9vFSg8CZwk22miaE54dw/s1600/Sled.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569476861244365394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlJo6FOuxI7UiYvT8mQNHqWyIOVuvFt8E4PwIK_rhK-moexTLZnTEqbFUwVNhVQPzZEE3M7cqE0UizWPzCbKUNXyvMvq9ea0-7gKMTRtpkD2H0EVACe9vFSg8CZwk22miaE54dw/s320/Sled.jpg" border="0" /></a>Darren specialises in upsetting League One teams - here he is during the Brighton vs. Bournemouth game.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvy_znXZXPb_UTxaxUhclqgAucuc4ouO-opadyj0z53GjsbieeH0Ud4dvy1DJeXGNGjgTaQvPgG6HGO2Bd9I-Pb9cOaZQwINEOlqcPH9TK4liU853-xQrG4tFsAGdCTE2vELMOFg/s1600/shel2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569476791662701794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvy_znXZXPb_UTxaxUhclqgAucuc4ouO-opadyj0z53GjsbieeH0Ud4dvy1DJeXGNGjgTaQvPgG6HGO2Bd9I-Pb9cOaZQwINEOlqcPH9TK4liU853-xQrG4tFsAGdCTE2vELMOFg/s320/shel2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mind, he can dish red cards out too, with Macclesfiled players wondering what's going on here...It is unclear at this point if Darren changed his mind either before handing out the red card or afterwards.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDP5-YJVCLFHWIu3ze6dyu1foW6-zJS9JEjTVxPzuISxi6-7EywsMwE0GH7NcoA0X1VYJdIzOp4-YhAVS8UOqHeHGFtN7Onlg6cIBMARs2mHb1UBxXDgZ8yoZk1MsvzAqaKCZmog/s1600/0,,10267~9386984,00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569476718848790658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDP5-YJVCLFHWIu3ze6dyu1foW6-zJS9JEjTVxPzuISxi6-7EywsMwE0GH7NcoA0X1VYJdIzOp4-YhAVS8UOqHeHGFtN7Onlg6cIBMARs2mHb1UBxXDgZ8yoZk1MsvzAqaKCZmog/s320/0%252C%252C10267%257E9386984%252C00.jpg" border="0" /></a>Darren's career highlight came this week, when he got to change his mind twice. Here, he tells Colchester players that it might be a goal, but don't get your hopes up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcdTxHMKvJZQQIwfqgWikYRU300EZoCbQ34W8DRS86o84c-SQaXu7Sgjk5gK_ibb9UUGLQtuKl1AtLscaSlEBGWlMMqewkY-7PJAo47gxa8KIDBHfWGrIfWm6KZgoBE7Vl7sDpg/s1600/0,,10267~9386953,00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569476648099946306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcdTxHMKvJZQQIwfqgWikYRU300EZoCbQ34W8DRS86o84c-SQaXu7Sgjk5gK_ibb9UUGLQtuKl1AtLscaSlEBGWlMMqewkY-7PJAo47gxa8KIDBHfWGrIfWm6KZgoBE7Vl7sDpg/s320/0%252C%252C10267%257E9386953%252C00.jpg" border="0" /></a> After saying yes it was a goal, Darren wondered if anybody heard him blow his whstle well before the ball went in. sadly for him, the fourth official, and 13,800 other people, did, so he had to disallow the goal he had given.<br /><br />Here he is telling those same Colchester players that it wasn't a goal after all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Darren Sheldrake's last ever football match was on 1st February 2011.Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-36092277123402174902011-02-03T14:33:00.005+00:002011-02-03T14:52:53.027+00:00From the Sublime to the Ridiculous<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcGJDBe0bOR0eVlD5s6yZGcAnqXr3gdew_3qJp-xtMP_1Mdnv5EcJ6PWBt-1PBarGjjlC9s7AyAwXEZ927SklLpW5rQpzWm12SNfcNvuUJXuF-N_T0ZpFQ15sBLD_rdVRJJn2OA/s1600/powell595.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569475270535236722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcGJDBe0bOR0eVlD5s6yZGcAnqXr3gdew_3qJp-xtMP_1Mdnv5EcJ6PWBt-1PBarGjjlC9s7AyAwXEZ927SklLpW5rQpzWm12SNfcNvuUJXuF-N_T0ZpFQ15sBLD_rdVRJJn2OA/s320/powell595.jpg" border="0" /></a>Plenty of interest to comment on from the last three weeks; twenty one days which have seen <strong>Chris Powell</strong> take over as manager at <strong>Charlton</strong> and stamp his authority and personality back on to the club.<br /><br />He may be new, but as this is the fourth stint Powell has had at The Valley, it is difficult to think of him as someone who hasn’t been around for a few years. But that is the case, and since he did last leave, following the spectacular goal-scoring end to his Charlton playing career, plenty has gone wrong in SE7. Powell has the task of putting things right once more and he has done well in his opening managerial salvo's so far.<br /><br />His first match in charge was a home game versus Plymouth. The anticipation leading up to the game was immense, and many additional fans made their way along to that match in support of the new man. The team came out, and then all eyes were on the tunnel exit and the crescendo of noise as the suit with red silk-lining came into view was tremendous. I have to admit to a welling up in the eyes as Chris strode along the touchline waving to the crowd. There was such a feel-good factor about the day, and you just hoped that it would carry over to the players once the game eventually kicked off.<br /><br />Without a win for six weeks, though, it was still imperative for Powell to start his reign with victory, and sure enough, the three points were won to end a fantastic day. The first half was tight, and with an unchanged team from the one which drew at Hillsborough the previous week, nothing too exciting happened. Powell seems, to me, to have told the players to play without fear, and to pass the ball seeking openings. This may not suit the crowd for much of the time, but then when we have previously played the longer ball and seen nothing coming out of it then the fans have complained about that too, so you can’t always win. At least the new manager seems to have brought some patience and respite while he stamps his style onto the team, and he also seems to have brought some luck.<br /><br /><strong>Scott Wagstaff</strong> certainly benefited from a stroke of luck five minutes after half-time when he latched onto a short back pass from former Addick loanee Marcel Siep, toe-poking the ball home from the edge of the area past the keeper and into the corner of the net. The first goal during Powell’s reign had come from a mistake, but we didn’t care! Charlton restricted Plymouth to long-range shooting in the main, although during the week this had brought our opponents three fantastic goals. In this match, the nearest they came was when one terrific shot flew just over the bar, rippling the top of the net in the process, with Robbie Elliot unable to do anything about it if he had wanted to.<br /><br />Powell used his substitutes when he had to, rather than in making any tactical changes, first when Johnnie Jackson limped off with an ankle injury (Kyel Reid coming on to play on the left), and then sacrificing a tiring Joe Anyinsah for Pawel Abbott. The final substitution was to replace Therry Racon with new loanee <strong>Nathan Eccleston</strong> for the last few minutes, with Wagstaff moving back to right wing and Alan McCormack inside. This worked simply because Eccleston broke free in the last minute and after speeding down the wing, he cut inside, retained control after a lucky bounce, then fired home to make the game safe. His first Addicks goal, and victory for Mr Powell. The obligatory tunnel jump followed the final whistle, even though he said he wouldn’t do it again, but we can forgive (and thank) him one last time.<br /><br />A winning start, but Powell’s next game was postponed, with the away game at Rochdale a victim to the hard frost in that area on the night before the game. I must say that I was surprised to see notice of a pitch inspection just as I boarded my local train to head up toward Euston station, but I was also very grateful that we didn’t have anyone of the calibre of Andy D’Urso faffing around and a prompt decision (albeit to call the game off) was made a few minutes later. I simply stayed on my train and let it take me back to my home station once more, even though it means I have lost out on the train fare north.<br /><br />The postponement allowed most Addickted eyes to focus on the finalities of the January transfer window; in past years, this time has been one where we have been the sellers, but this time, with new owners, we had the pleasure of seeing rumours come true and for the leading scorer in our league to join the club. <strong>Bradley Wright-Philips</strong> may not be quite as famous as his adopted brother, but he had scored 13 goals this season for Plymouth in a poor team, including one against Charlton a few months back. Now this Lewisham-born lad was an Addick. Most people know his dad used to play for Greenwich Borough, so this was something of a return to his roots. What we needed was this Bradley to hit the ground running in much the same way that the last Bradley to play for Charlton did (and Bradley Allen had a famous footballing father and brother too!).<br /><br />BWP’s first chance would be in the next home game against <strong>Colchester</strong>, played this Tuesday night. At first, much discussion ensued about whether he would actually start, as Powell had many forward options with which to choose. Akpo Sodje had left to join Hibernian on a free transfer, but with Anyinsah, Wagstaff, Abbott, Eccleston, and back-from-suspension Marco van Benson also available, perming strikers may have given Chrissy a few sleepless nights.<br /><br />Powell eventually picked BWP and chose Anyinsah as his partner, with Wagstaff moving back into midfield (in place of knee niggle victim Racon). Fede Bessone was also chosen at left back, the choice of one new loanee replacing another (Matt Fry), and Powell sent out a 4-4-2 formation.<br /><br />Both teams had early chances that saw the goalkeepers make good saves, and the truth about the first half was that not only was it tight, but it was also similar to the Plymouth match in content. The players tried to pass the ball around, working openings, and had purpose when they got a chance to surge forwards. Simon Francis got down the wing and put in three good crosses, belying his normal poor delivery, though that element was still evident in his defensive play.<br /><br />The second half was more of the same, with both teams playing it very tight and looking for that all important break-through. When it came, the “goal” caused chaos, as the referee made one hell of a mistake, and one which may well see him not officiate at this level again.<br /><br />A ball was played forward and after a dummy (by ex-Addick Dave Mooney) fell to Gillespie, just clear of the defence near the edge of the penalty area. I do not know if he was, or wasn’t, onside and the lineman kept his flag down, but the referee, I think anticipating an offside, half-blew his whistle. Gillespie put the ball in the back of the net and started to celebrate. I don’t think any of this is in dispute, but actual events after that get cloudy now with differing versions depending where you sat and which way you were looking. From what I saw, the referee knew something wasn’t quite right, so he went, under protestation from Charlton players who had heard a whistle, to speak to the linesman. Why he did this I do not know, as there was no doubt that he blew his whistle well before the ball ended up in the net. <div></div><br /><div>If he was asking the linesman to confirm the player was onside, he certainly took a long time about it (at least a minute), so what else could he have been saying? Did I blow the whistle? (I think you should know the answer to that one as everyone else in the stadium knew you had!) Did I blow the whistle before the goal was scored? (Err, Yes! Or maybe the lino never heard it?) Did the fact that I blew the whistle change anything? (Possibly not, but that’s not the point is it!) So how and why the two of them came up with the conclusion that it was a goal I will ever know.<br /><br />I sit right behind the away dug-out, and while all this scenario was being played out, the two benches were jousting with players, officials, and each other about the potential outcome. When a goal was given, one very large Colchester staff member let his feelings be known a little too loudly, but he promptly had to eat his words as the fourth official seemed to me to call over the referee to explain his decision. Powell had by now been talking to the fourth official for some time, and I’m sure they both knew what the correct outcome should have been. I have seen on some reports that the game was about to kick off again, and the ball may well have made it back to the middle (after Elliot placed it on the edge of the area for a free-kick during initial discussions), but a re-start was not going to be immediate, simply as Jose Semedo (amongst others) was still having strong words with the referee.<br /><br />The ref came over to speak with the fourth official, and with it obvious (I thought) that this was only to contradict the goal, I urged Jose to step away and not get more involved. Whatever was said, after some more chat, and a further talk with the linesman involved, the referee disallowed the goal he had given, and ordered a drop-ball. The large Colchester guy had to be restrained, and new Charlton assistant manager (and ex-player) Alex Dyer had some profound words for him as both returned to their respective dug-outs.<br /><br />It was a crazy, chaotic few minutes, but I do feel that, ultimately, the correct decision was made. The referee made a bad mistake in blowing his whistle when there was no need. Presuming the player was onside, which we have to, that cost Colchester a goal, potentially at least a point, possibly three points, and maybe even a place in the play-offs or automatic promotion. Who knows? They have every right to feel cheated. I think that Colchester as a club have acted in a very controlled manner, and all credit to them for this (but don’t be surprised to see calls for a replayed game made at some stage). But Charlton were not at fault here; it was very clearly the referee who made the mistake.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXwCylsriCb1ax13IUnE5VAI-_7yjk_CoE3Rb2zwE0Wc0NhoScqGswLAnNDAmqKk88Itbd_jQDfVz9ZXsIktqR6C67a6dWvkAYhgRN_lzCuAnY-UnYSbh4cGWj9bJFfNr6prwBw/s1600/0,,10267~9386930,00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569476045923583874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXwCylsriCb1ax13IUnE5VAI-_7yjk_CoE3Rb2zwE0Wc0NhoScqGswLAnNDAmqKk88Itbd_jQDfVz9ZXsIktqR6C67a6dWvkAYhgRN_lzCuAnY-UnYSbh4cGWj9bJFfNr6prwBw/s320/0%252C%252C10267%257E9386930%252C00.jpg" border="0" /></a>The drop-ball was cleared, to more cheers, and then new signing and top scorer in this division, Bradley Wright-Philips scored the winner, just as his namesake did on his debut during the nineties. Wagstaff jinked and sent over a low cross, and BWP swivelled and volleyed the ball into the corner of the net. The referee didn’t endear himself further when he turned down severel shouts for penalties (two from Colchester and one for Charlton) and, quite frankly, he had lost all control by the conclusion.<br /><br />Despite being under enormous pressure near the end, Charlton clung on, this despite seven additional minutes.<br /><br />Powell used his subs well once more, swapping Bessone and Fry when the Leeds-man ran out of gas, and also bringing on van Benson for Anyinsah. BWP left the field toward the end of normal time to a standing ovation to give Eccleston a brief run out. Sadly for Eccleston, he had a clear run in on goal (albeit from sixty yards away) when the final whistle was sounded, denying him the chance of another late clincher.<br /><br />Two games in for Powell then, and both victories with clean sheets too. Excellent. His style of play is starting to be shown by the players, and we do seem to be getting a higher amount of effort than we were from those same players not too long ago. The full backs are pushing on more, and the midfield is snapping at heels and making tackles again, both of which went missing over Xmas. Some of the squad will be unhappy with the new arrivals as it moves them down the pecking order, but we have such a long way to go still that many of them will see game time over the next couple of months or so.<br /><br />When Chris Powell smiles, the world seems a happier place; it’s nice to be an Addick once more.</div></div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-26396928720601150592011-01-16T19:10:00.005+00:002011-01-16T19:25:01.408+00:00Knight in Red Satin<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdtlgVDSjBUPw89V7Vbkhy0DR6eDcrFni9NQu8C4GNLzOA8zZFy0VkRiNyj7hHyBSQhR9-DUETcNRdXZIWNMY9ZxSGLCkkVY_5BNCxu61dvf5MU_GAhMVra4TJFmQHyBLFVJXXA/s1600/0%252C%252C10267%257E9337946%252C00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562863402729569298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdtlgVDSjBUPw89V7Vbkhy0DR6eDcrFni9NQu8C4GNLzOA8zZFy0VkRiNyj7hHyBSQhR9-DUETcNRdXZIWNMY9ZxSGLCkkVY_5BNCxu61dvf5MU_GAhMVra4TJFmQHyBLFVJXXA/s320/0%252C%252C10267%257E9337946%252C00.jpg" border="0" /></a>Apart from in newsreels, I never saw <strong>Nat Lofthouse</strong> play; I did see him on the pitch at Burnden Park though, in 1982, when his beloved Bolton were going through a very bad patch and needed a lift from fans, both financial and spiritual. His appearance and appeal, at half-time, lifted a mediocre game in which Charlton had been doing well. Allan Simonsen was playing, and I think the Addicks were leading at the break, but all that was to change after the microphone went to Nat. He wasn’t a man of many words I believe, but his rousing message to the home crowd sent a buzz through the fans, and when the second half started moments later, the supporters energy and excitement at seeing and hearing from their hero transferred to the players, and soon Charlton were behind and on the way to losing the game. Lofthouse died this weekend aged 85, still a hero in Bolton.<br /><br /><strong>Charlton</strong> welcome back their own hero now in the shape of Chris Powell; <em>Sir</em> Chris Powell to many Addicks fans. Powell’s appointment as manager did come as something of a surprise, especially when he was not even amongst the front runners (or also-rans) when the first round of betting was announced a couple of weeks ago. Once Eddie Howe had finished faffing around and made his decision to stay in sunnier climes (or wait for a better offer) the new Board moved quite quickly I think in making Powell (the next) first choice, and on Friday, once Leicester had agreed to release him from his coaching contract, Powell met the Directors again, and was quickly pictured in his snazzy suit holding a Charlton scarf aloft (for possibly the fourth time!).<br /><br />Of course, Chris has no managerial experience and, having only given up playing at the end of last season, also only has limited coaching time in the professional game. He does have all his coaching badges I understand, and has a wealth of experience in the game, to go with the huge respect in which he is almost universally held. His appointment therefore, will be seen as a risk by some, but welcomed by others who are fed up with the same old same old we have seen from other recent Addicks managers.<br /><br />Alan Curbishley and Steve Gritt also had no managerial experience when they took over at The Valley - neither did Les Reed – but everyone has to start somewhere, and provided Chris is not just a nice guy and is able to take tough decisions wherever necessary, we should be more than OK.<br /><br />I will certainly be backing Powell, and I suspect that he will get a fantastic reception when he takes his place on the touchline this Saturday for the game against Plymouth. Hopefully, that energy and excitement we he walks along the line prior to kick off will transfer to the players, in much the same way it did in Bolton all those years ago, and we can see Charlton win for the first time in 2011.<br /><br />Powell has a tough job in hand, as the league table when Parkinson was sacked was a little false I felt. All season, it has been very tight in mid-table, and nearer the top, with any team adding a string of results together leaping up into contention. Southampton are the latest to see themselves jump from apparent mid-table also-rans to very serious promotion contenders in just a few weeks. Charlton meanwhile have slipped from a side with a chance to be just a point off the head of the table (when taking on Brighton just after Xmas), to one now down in seventh position, and ten points off the leaders. That’s what happens when you fail to win a league game in over seven weeks. A few more weeks without a win, and we could be down in 16th or 17th position...<br /><br />No longer are Charlton one of the favourites for promotion; now it’s going to be a battle just to get back into the play-off positions. Have Charlton been playing badly all season? I wouldn’t say yes, but it is true that we haven’t been playing well. The crux for Parkinson was possibly not the Swindon home defeat, but the two games that preceded that, away at leaders Brighton and contenders Colchester. Both of those games were drawn, but when you consider that Brighton played 83 minutes with ten men, and Colchester over fifty also with a player sent off, then just two points from those two games was a poor return. Swindon showed with eleven that they could easily beat down-trodden Charlton, and that was the straw that broke the proverbial camels back for new owners Slater and Jiminez.<br /><br />Without an obvious in-house replacement (especially with Tim Breacker and Mark Kinsella also being sacked), the new Board turned to old head Keith Peacock to breach the gap until a permanent man was found. Peacock’s red and white army found some spirit, but not enough skill to get a result at Spurs in the FA Cup, despite holding out for 45 minutes, and on Saturday a good away point was gained at Hillsborough. For a long time, it looked as though it could have been better, but Charlton’s two early first half goals (by Scott Wagstaff and yet another Johnnie Jackson penalty) were cancelled out by two early second half scores by the home team. Both sides could have won it late on, but a draw seemed fair from the radio commentary I listened to.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEG2LgvALOlOuPL1umDTXR8X6nmmPp0NBAFavw_BuavuGfDJNBo84p9VTUZJZ7VS9Ofi6Wgyorqjq0Z_-mV6EWvpEG5k4OvUk2M_BJ5uQUxOWUvjSa_SA97h-ZwWsn3kxAFOezA/s1600/0%252C%252C10267%257E9294480%252C00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562863460124196818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEG2LgvALOlOuPL1umDTXR8X6nmmPp0NBAFavw_BuavuGfDJNBo84p9VTUZJZ7VS9Ofi6Wgyorqjq0Z_-mV6EWvpEG5k4OvUk2M_BJ5uQUxOWUvjSa_SA97h-ZwWsn3kxAFOezA/s320/0%252C%252C10267%257E9294480%252C00.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bright spots are obviously the scoring streak in which Jackson (left) finds himself in with 11 goals in his last 13 matches, and also the fine form that Joe Anyinsah is showing when he is fit enough to play. The results are vastly better this season when Anyinsah is in the side than when he has been out injured, and without Jacko’s goals and penalties we would be much, much, lower in this division. Robbie Elliot should also get a mention, as he has once more stood out at times this season as the only reason why Charlton have won points in some games. He saved another penalty at Hillsborough, and that may have been the difference between a draw and a loss.<br /><br />Other than those three players though, and it is difficult to say that anyone can be completely happy with their season so far. Simon Francis has good moments, but his distribution is consistently poor; Christian Dailly and Gary Doherty have a wealth of experience, but something just doesn’t quite work between them for some unknown reason (maybe a lack of pace?); Matt Fry is young and tries hard but seems low on confidence for one with recognized talent, and Jonathan Fortune isn’t the same player he was seven years ago. In midfield, Jose Semedo has not dominated like we know he can, and Therry Racon blows hot and cold. Alan McCormack struggled to get a run in the side, and when he did force his way onto the pitch looked out of his depth at times. Wagstaff has scored goals and will run all day, but his overall play has disappointed, while Kyel Reid has flattered but failed to register more than assists in league games when he has been given the chance. Up front, Pawel Abbott came with a reputation which is now in tatters, and Akpo Sodje is all bustle but he too gets injured too regularly. Marco Van Benson meanwhile evens the numbers up when the opposition have a man sent off, so poor is his work-rate outside of the penalty box. If Gary Nelson could teach Benno to run the channels, he would be a much better player than the one we currently see each week (Happy 50th Birthday today by the way Nelse!).<br /><br />The addition of Nathan Eccleston, a poor man’s Ryan Babel, may offer something different, depending on the formation chosen by Powell, but new additions to freshen the squad up are desperately needed. With Powell not up to speed in what is required or available, I suspect, more captures on the back of what Jiminez can find through his contacts may be in the offing. I just hope that they are the right choices.<br /><br />So next Saturday we welcome home our knight in shining satin, a legend in SE7. A nicer man you could never meet, and now he has our club in his hands. Sink or swim, I’ll always love Chrissie Powell, and if the crowd can be lifted by his return and see us home with three points next weekend, the second half of the season (yes, we are exactly at half-way!) could be memorable.<br /><br />Come on you Reds!</div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-34250492605761995212011-01-09T11:04:00.003+00:002011-01-09T11:21:17.846+00:00Embarassing...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR6J8kBzp_LMS5s_I0noOpxf13XIukt-71tZh3YbsDOhYmxL97UHM2ESaTuYxOXe2CHU_FOJ1LmAa_nwBXd6ZLM_5Gf2GoaW1C49-qUzwZIVlryOvHAPXPEtD6WoMQjgzJPEWbQ/s1600/WhiteHartLane_new.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560144549805433922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR6J8kBzp_LMS5s_I0noOpxf13XIukt-71tZh3YbsDOhYmxL97UHM2ESaTuYxOXe2CHU_FOJ1LmAa_nwBXd6ZLM_5Gf2GoaW1C49-qUzwZIVlryOvHAPXPEtD6WoMQjgzJPEWbQ/s320/WhiteHartLane_new.gif" border="0" /></a>I did one of the most stupid things I have ever done today; well, not actually today, but this morning was when I found out what I'd actually done...<br /><div></div><br /><div>On Monday, before the utter humilation we suffered at the hands of Swindon, I returned some tickets for postponed games to the <strong>Charlton</strong> box office. The Rochdale and Hartlepool away games had been called off due to the December snows, and I had no chance to go to the midweek re-arrangments. Also, the five additional tickets I bought for the Boxing Day home game against Southampton would also now not be used by friends and relations, so they formed part of the £65-100,000 that the club thought it would lose by Andy D'Urso's over-reaction to the cold. I picked them all up out of my Charlton stuff-bundle at home, which includes programmes, ticket stubs, Valley Gold news etc, put them in my pocket, and handed them all over in one go at the Commercial Centre. The nice lady refunded all of my expenditure without much hassle once I'd filled in the form she wanted.</div><div></div><br /><div>This morning, excited as always on FA Cup third round day, I woke early, had a bath, got dressed and went to pick up all the stuff I'd need for a cold day n North London watching the Addicks. I worked my way through the above mentioned bundle, and I was surprised how low I was having to go searching for my Tottenham Hotspur ticket. I thought I'd found it, deep down the pile, but then saw that the blue ticket was not for Spurs, but for Rochdale. </div><br /><div></div><div>Then it dawned on me...</div><div></div><br /><div>Yep, on Monday, I'd taken my Spurs ticket back for a refund instead of the Rochdale one! OMG!!!</div><div></div><br /><div>With the game a sell-out, I have no chance of getting another, nor would I want to sit anywhere other than with Keith Peacock's red and white army of fans. I am stuck with listening on Player, or trying to get a live stream.</div><br /><div></div><div>I feel like such a plonker. It will get worse if we get a result too...</div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-33633698521961350462011-01-04T20:49:00.004+00:002011-01-04T21:01:11.741+00:00Park Life...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyq-XXdZV_b5ozauzhtVN1yQFzyazvMcyx8iwdFUv0305XGNO2eP-jH-xw5aJwfjeel-N98tvZTsx7nYm1HlRRCOtlIrJzEFKonzbWQ86yvBoGf4tUQsopoPT_xaeXrSLzEwBGg/s1600/31815651-18052010014907.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558435951961217826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyq-XXdZV_b5ozauzhtVN1yQFzyazvMcyx8iwdFUv0305XGNO2eP-jH-xw5aJwfjeel-N98tvZTsx7nYm1HlRRCOtlIrJzEFKonzbWQ86yvBoGf4tUQsopoPT_xaeXrSLzEwBGg/s320/31815651-18052010014907.jpg" border="0" /></a>It’s been a pretty incredible start to 2011 for <strong>Charlton</strong>, with plenty of goals, red cards, penalties, a take-over completed, and now the sacking of the manager. Honestly, it isn’t usually this exciting!<br /><br /><strong>Phil Parkinson</strong> met with the new Chairman either last night or earlier today (or both), and the upshot is that Michael Slater has fired him. Parky had been the Addicks manager for just over two years, while Slater has been on the Charlton board for about four days!<br /><br />I have never been a big fan of Parky, but I must admit that I always supported him. His arrival into the hot seat after Pardew was shoved out filled a gap, and while he was not the answer to the <strong>Redvolution</strong> this blog wanted, he did his best. The problem was that his best wasn’t always good enough sadly. Failure to keep the club in the Championship was a poor start, even if the odds were against him. Despite having five months to turn the fortunes of the club around, he failed, and many fans at that time thought that he should never have been given the job of manager by then Chairman Richard Murray. </div><div> </div><div>The relegation he oversaw meant that many of the team’s stars needed to be sold, simply to balance the budget (or get closer to doing so). The feeling, throughout the club, was that if we could bounce back after just one season in the third tier, then all would be well again.<br /><br />Sadly, that wasn’t the case, despite an excellent start to that first season at this level. Parky went into the record books by overseeing a winning streak that stretched for six games from August into September, and Charlton sat proudly at the head of the table. The reason for the success, many agreed, was that Parky simply did not change, or need to change, that side and the same starting eleven was good enough at this level to be beating the opposition, even when not playing particularly well. In actuality, Parky had no option other to play that eleven, as he hadn't bought enough and had an unbalanced squad. It was in the ninth game that Charlton fell to their first defeat, and the autumn saw the Addicks slip back from Leeds, who maintained a tremendous challenge as the league leaders. Defeats at Carlisle, and then Northwich in the FACup (the first time that Charlton had ever been beaten by a non-league club in that competition) were low points, and results plodded along without much happening up and past Xmas. A 5-1 victory over MK Dons looked good, but proved to be an exception, and when the side had two players sent off on Boxing Day, a week after conceding four at home to arch-rivals Millwall in an explosive draw, the squad became stretched. Parky tried to manage things, but with Deon Burton playing injured from October onwards, and loan players providing much of the change options, it was difficult to see much progress.<br /><br />New players simply failed to improve under his stewardship; Jonjo Shelvey was one who seemed to lose his edge as the season progressed, with Parky being no closer to knowing where he was at his best. Basically, Parky could not have trusted Shelvey, otherwise he would have handed him a starting position in central midfield from August onwards, rather than giving him a loose role just behind a lone forward when he thought he could get away with it.<br /><br />There was also the lack of continuity between the different groups of players on the pitch; the midfield was so often alienated from both defence and attack, that Charlton invited pressure upon themselves for long periods. Parky seemed unable, or unwilling, to manage this problem (right until the end...), and as such the teams he sent out consistently played defensively (if not negatively).<br /><br />Games that should have been won slipped by and ultimately the play-off position of fourth was the best that could be expected. To lose on penalties was tough, but by then, one of the teams was going to be hard done by, and Charlton had the advantage of one player more for a long time and didn’t make good use of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO_AN9L1clegOMn60tcIvFoGtd-atvEJtEiYpG_G6129MzazeIUOOl_crBPU3-L-1yz57iP2RXVFkdCMqqeHh47QCpdh1-so9ThVwqtD-_NBLQJAbxJ3QTvy2-KPzVKI6FKnLJw/s1600/charlton34689news1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558436200253698642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO_AN9L1clegOMn60tcIvFoGtd-atvEJtEiYpG_G6129MzazeIUOOl_crBPU3-L-1yz57iP2RXVFkdCMqqeHh47QCpdh1-so9ThVwqtD-_NBLQJAbxJ3QTvy2-KPzVKI6FKnLJw/s320/charlton34689news1.jpg" border="0" /></a>In the summer, Parky had a clear out of older players, and the squad that returned to competitive action this last August could only be described as his. Many of the players brought in on loan the previous year signed for the club, and Murray backed his man and allowed him to actually spend some money (the first time in his tenure that he had been allowed to do so). I’ll leave others to comment if they disagree, but I have to say that the three players who commanded fees – Pawel Abbott, Simon Francis and Marco Van Benson - have been extremely poor so far this season. At least with Kyel Reid, Johnnie Jackson, Matt Fry and Akpo Sodje – all previous loanees that Parky brought in – we get effort and some skill.<br /><br />There have been good captures, though how much of that is down to Parky is hard to tell; Free transfer Christian Dailly was an inspiration last year as was Fraser Richardson too. Deon Burton had his good moments, and Miguel Llera scored some vital goals (though he did give away a few too). Pretty much everyone else was either here before Parky was put in charge or fell into the team by default.<br /><br />The problem with Parky this season is that the team has rarely played well. At the start of the season it was a question of taking time to gel, even though many of the other teams in the league were in exactly the same position regarding new personnel. The 5-1 win at Peterborough was acclaimed by many as the turning point and proof of better things to come. Sadly, the scoreline seemed to deflect everyone’s attention away from the fact that the home side gifted Charlton many of the goals with one player being directly responsible for at least two of the goals, and maybe three. We didn't play wel that day; it was 'Boro who played awfully!<br /><br />The team still has no formation to speak of, and some weeks (when Joe Anyinsah is fit) we play with two up front, and in other games (when Anyinsah is injured…) we play just a lone striker (usually Van Benson). Sometimes we play with two wingers, and sometimes with three in midfield. There is no continuity. When we are losing (as against Brighton and Swindon, the two heaviest home defeats this season), Parky risked all and played just three (and occasionally just two) defenders in efforts to bring points. The opposition knew what to expect, and countered with extra defenders and quick attackers, putting the games beyond reach in both cases.<br /><br />Having to play away against Brighton for 83 minutes and Colchester for 48 minutes recently when they were both down to ten men was an ideal opportunity for Parky to prove he could still do a job and push Charlton to the top of the league; all we got was a lucky point from each game. With eleven men, Walsall, Brentford, and Swindon all proved too strong.<br /><br />Parky has worked under difficult circumstances, and it could be said that he has had one of the hardest jobs in football over the last two years. But at least we gave him two years, something many other chairmen would not have countenanced.<br /><br />Parky leaves with his right hand man – Tim Breacker – and also Mark Kinsella, a Charlton legend who many thought may one day take over the managerial reins.<br /><br />What happens now is that another Charlton legend - Keith Peacock – has become caretaker manager, with Damian Matthews stepping up from the youth team to help. I very much doubt that 65-year-old Peacock would have taken on the job if it was anything but very short-term, so we can probably expect an announcement next week after a sound thrashing by Spurs and an FA Cup exit.<br /><br />Some have questioned Slater’s decision, but I did say in my blog that the recent run of games after Xmas could have been the sound of the bell tolling in his direction. Things haven't improved, so maybe a change is better than the rest? Slater has acted swiftly, and for that he can be commended, but the decision will only be a good one if he gets the managerial appointment correct, and as a result the team is promoted. Anything less from the new man (whoever it is), and Slater’s tenure will be seen to be off to a bad start.</div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-8380186311979092162010-12-31T15:17:00.003+00:002010-12-31T15:25:07.803+00:00Finally…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql_3ppl6r3Lcy_jaIXst64pI2BLpepfzKztH5A5hUx9f9NNXwpIrBgmCC864bCBERph4gecwfjiXXMSAo8GiCcAPsT9JANSyHnvAWIaQN9_4vxkuPPlWp8wuxRJpooDxBn_qN7A/s1600/michael-s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556866013125995122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql_3ppl6r3Lcy_jaIXst64pI2BLpepfzKztH5A5hUx9f9NNXwpIrBgmCC864bCBERph4gecwfjiXXMSAo8GiCcAPsT9JANSyHnvAWIaQN9_4vxkuPPlWp8wuxRJpooDxBn_qN7A/s320/michael-s.jpg" border="0" /></a>So after much deliberation, due diligence, and rumour, we now know who has taken over the reins as <strong>Charlton Athletic</strong> chairman from Richard Murray.<br /><br /><strong>Michael Slater</strong>. Yes, Michael Slater.<br /><br />No, not the Aussie cricketer who plundered England for runs at every opportunity in the 1990’s and no, not the authority on Charles Dickens who writes books on his subject regularly. This Michael Slater (left), though only 44 years old, is a retired lawyer!<br /><br />Other than what was released on the official website earlier this afternoon, little is known of Slater, but much more is known about the other half of the new owners, <strong>Tony Jiminez</strong>. Jiminez name has been linked to Charlton since Murray announced that an indicative and legally binding offer for the club was made in early December. Jiminez is also close friends and a regular colleague of Dennis Wise (spit), but no mention of Wise being involved in any role at Charlton has been made at this stage.<br /><br />Jiminez , also 44, was recently vice-president (player recruitment) at Newcastle United (where he worked with ex-Addick overseas scout Jeff Vetere), and is apparently a season ticket holder at Chelsea (although so are many wealthy people these days). He also has “a capacity to get things done” which has “helped him to win the trust of prominent people”. He certainly has Murray’s and Peter Varney’s trust it seems in that he will not hurt our club, even though one quote says “He knows nothing about football." It was Jiminez who apparently brokered the deal with Zabeel a couple of years ago, which came close to completion before being scuppered by world economics.<br /><br />Varney and Murray remain on the board, along with Stephen Kavanagh, Slater and Jiminez, and that can only be a good thing.<br /><br />Interestingly, the company that bought Baton (Murray’s own take-over vehicle) is Swiss-managed and controlled, and may have been set up in the summer by Sebastian Sainsbury, thereby linking him with this take-over too. Charlton Athletic Holdings Limited is owned by Jiminez though.<br /><br />Slater has announced his tenure with some nice words about the proud history of the club, and the potential it has moving forwards, though I have to admit that we have heard much the same before parroted from Murray and Varney. Slater says that the take-over brings financial stability to the club, which is great, though no mention of any funds being available in the January transfer window is made. What has been said is "What we won't do is create unrealistic pie in the sky expectations. We will always live within our means and, with a sound commercial approach and the run of the ball on the pitch, our aim, obviously, is to make steady, upward progress and bring success to The Valley."<br /><br />Sensible words, provided the club remains successful on the pitch.<br /><br />Slater does seem like a very successful business man from his resume, and with a legal background (he has an Honours Degree in Law), he should know what he can get away with. With Jiminez’s financial clout (he allegedly has links with the middle east?), this pair, along with the football acumen of Murray, Kavanagh and Varney could be just the right people to take Charlton forwards with a sound footing.<br /><br />It didn’t quite happen before Xmas to give us the present we fans wanted, but this move is a nice way to start 2011. A new decade, with new owners, let’s hope they too last close on twenty years, as Murray has, and can superbly build the club as he did.Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-45102532871059980202010-12-23T08:47:00.006+00:002010-12-23T08:55:15.198+00:00Danger Danger!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRBZ6Obrw3m6AgoqnYhUCihQPzMsv83p-KOeFYeIXJK83Q2wU13YoHkF-W506plTUy-eVHUWgjQg2B9_wmzCaBUfaJYDgqLGxCymy_TowgKWAjT3q-DosOxzy_bpgFz2QrQuPeQ/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553797112922198018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRBZ6Obrw3m6AgoqnYhUCihQPzMsv83p-KOeFYeIXJK83Q2wU13YoHkF-W506plTUy-eVHUWgjQg2B9_wmzCaBUfaJYDgqLGxCymy_TowgKWAjT3q-DosOxzy_bpgFz2QrQuPeQ/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" border="0" /></a>Who is this man, and would you let him loose with your children?<br /><br /><br />He's scored a few times this year already!<br /><br /><br />He is known to sneak around the back!<br /><br /><br />He obviously has dancing feet...<br /><br /><br />He can give opponents a "tough" time.<br /><br /><br />He is always being chased by someone.<br /><br /><br />He frequently disappears into the crowd when "scoring".<br /><br /><br />He is a marked man.<br /><br /><br />He can certainly "Wag" the dog.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVELYCmtNfNvOM9VtJB3rosi_u7S2ZG2nMn7hVM5S5Bs9RjoVJHrnIcmoifo93IDc1TQCiWCUZbZxixxDXC7mRElLGn87_6KTi5OUjZ8aZx9XzEsNa-ZEe7nLsy_8lR_t_Or13iQ/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553797260907599874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVELYCmtNfNvOM9VtJB3rosi_u7S2ZG2nMn7hVM5S5Bs9RjoVJHrnIcmoifo93IDc1TQCiWCUZbZxixxDXC7mRElLGn87_6KTi5OUjZ8aZx9XzEsNa-ZEe7nLsy_8lR_t_Or13iQ/s320/IMG_0930.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVELYCmtNfNvOM9VtJB3rosi_u7S2ZG2nMn7hVM5S5Bs9RjoVJHrnIcmoifo93IDc1TQCiWCUZbZxixxDXC7mRElLGn87_6KTi5OUjZ8aZx9XzEsNa-ZEe7nLsy_8lR_t_Or13iQ/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG"></a></div>Answers to be found on the right wing on Sunday, hopefully!<br /><br /><br />Happy Xmas!Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-74632417732968680852010-12-21T13:03:00.004+00:002010-12-21T13:09:58.778+00:00Snow Good<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdn_L97n1FqdRX-Cgrshut2wWbvL5tFVOKqi8gaLNJlxJqR9zRFhMHZDMYmQhcueHaCj9guFMbbcfnCr8k4fMfv23C-_zxBMSAzDpcn7X0X7LSjmWALgTyWuzpmb_1w5nAxnR8Q/s1600/0,,10267~9270991,00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553121565312722594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdn_L97n1FqdRX-Cgrshut2wWbvL5tFVOKqi8gaLNJlxJqR9zRFhMHZDMYmQhcueHaCj9guFMbbcfnCr8k4fMfv23C-_zxBMSAzDpcn7X0X7LSjmWALgTyWuzpmb_1w5nAxnR8Q/s320/0%252C%252C10267%257E9270991%252C00.jpg" border="0" /></a>While November was a joyous month on the Addicks front, December has been anything but. The triple pronged attack on the league plus the two remaining cup competitions has faltered, and badly, and now it does seem that a major rebuilding exercise in confidence may be required, if not amongst the players, then amongst the fans.<br /><br />How much any of this is to do with the due diligence currently nearing completion prior to any takeover is unknown, but we have seen in the past that such talk, and close proximity to potential upheaval, can be detrimental to team spirit and fans expectations. The fans can dream of course, but why for the players though, I’m not sure, as I doubt many of this team are going to be more uncertain of their places after Xmas than they are already – we are unlikely to be spending that heavily and bringing in a completely new squad, despite supporters hopes! The takeover is due to complete, barring unforeseen circumstances, on this Friday, and amazingly we have yet to find any evidence of who is actually stumping up the money to buy the club from Richard Murray. Plenty of unfounded rumours persist, with the usual suspects currently mentioned (usually magnates from USA, Russia or the Middle East), but one name does seem to be cropping up as part of the consortium quite a bit just now and that is Dennis Wise. I’m no fan of this “little shit”, as I am fond of calling him, ever since he simulated copulation on the back of John Humphrey in the final game of 1985/6 season when playing for Wimbledon. He gets up people’s noses, and doesn’t smell nice. He may be the saviour of our club (in the short-term) but I very much doubt you will find me liking him if ever our paths cross. I hope that the rumours of his involvement are unfounded in this respect, as I really wouldn’t like him associated with our club, and the hope of getting a taxi home from SE7 would diminish. He would not be one of the money men either - he didn’t make a massive fortune from playing and neither would his managerial career have given him that large a pension – so one can only presume that he would want to install himself in some (maybe senior) managerial capacity (but without responsibility for results as he would never be to blame…). This would immediately put any incumbent coach under pressure, and would inevitably end in failure I feel. Hopefully, this will never come to fruition and our new board will be free of Wise and his cronies.<br /><br />On the playing side, the results have turned as cold as the weather; since my last post, we struggled to get past Luton in the FA Cup second round replay. I missed the game due to a prior commitment, and returned home free of the result hoping to have taped the game; to my dismay, the VCR failed to work and I have still yet to see the goals. The performance was not one that impressed many Addick fans sadly, and after falling behind in the first half, an equaliser from the head of Scott Wagstaff did ease tensions just before half time. Their better fitness then conspired for Charlton to add further goals from Joe Anyinsah and a deflected free kick from Johnnie Jackson for a comfortable-looking (but anything but) 3-1 win. The win was important, as it gives the club an opportunity to make a little money from an away tie at Spurs in the next round. The idea that our cup run may go any further beggars belief currently, and Harry may be thinking that he can use it as a showcase for a lot of reserve players who need a game before being sold in the January transfer window; I’m sure whatever side he puts out will be way too strong for this current Charlton team sadly. I suppose we can dream of a draw, and more revenue from a replay, but the idea of Defoe, Keane, Crouch, and Pavlyachenko, let alone Lennon, Modric and Krancjar, failing to score a few past Robbie Elliot is not a dream I can entertain (being a realist).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXqhfklRdrAwueQmrkjABIZha_Q01msJ9NQBiEozpvK_34KZmgnbZtYvs-xCUNOgwHwTb3LoH8yChYhpD73fGdsplazrl16RGJ1JXTNFbFvlZM5WyAJ3wrBsvKlz1pre9pr5_dw/s1600/0,,10267~9266645,00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553121491863159410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXqhfklRdrAwueQmrkjABIZha_Q01msJ9NQBiEozpvK_34KZmgnbZtYvs-xCUNOgwHwTb3LoH8yChYhpD73fGdsplazrl16RGJ1JXTNFbFvlZM5WyAJ3wrBsvKlz1pre9pr5_dw/s320/0%252C%252C10267%257E9266645%252C00.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Luton replay, thanks to TV requirements, came just three days before the next league game, and the players who took the field against Walsall did look very weary. Aside an early volley from Wagstaff, not much happened in the first half, and the second, despite two half time substitutions, was even worse. Marco Van Benson missed his only opportunity, and eventually the goal that the possession Walsall had deserved finally came. There was little apparent effort to salvage something, and the “Big One” was in the bag. I don’t know what price bottom-of-the-table Walsall had been at the bookies to win the match against a side sitting second and unbeaten in eleven games (maybe 6-1?), but I’m sure someone made a killing somewhere (Essex maybe?).<br /><br />The bad news didn’t end there, as just two days later the club crashed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi final (southern section); this competition, however minimal, does provide clubs such as ours with the only realistic chance of winning a cup final at Wembley. It was sad then to see the players perform little better than they had done the previous weekend, despite six changes to the team. Benson was given a rest until late in the game, as was Anyinsah and Jackson, and after a couple of good saves by Elliot, and some poor Brentford finishing, the lottery that is a penalty shoot-out was once more before us. Brentford, of course, had seen plenty of practise having been in five other shoot outs this season alone, while Charlton just had that awful memory of losing to Swindon last May in the back of their minds. It is no surprise therefore that Charlton lost, but the manner, with the home ‘keeper saving the first three Charlton kicks was bizarre to say the least. Lee saved from Jackson (blasting another penalty straight down the middle), Therry Racon, and finally Kyel Reid, who at least made him move toward the ball. Elliot made one save in return but the inevitable happened and the loss was registered. It was a game that Charlton should have been up for, but they weren’t; the negativity creeping into the club again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5Bvnkv3rRE3QzJRR5GJiA-R81XTxKmhpkmUxRuD2nrIgHbDZbTnbG8RIk7l85yLrBvJ1MrTN6taKuhyphenhyphen1rNkywkqKOyfA_UVuaqGJZrl47kF-oN1eL0LJmY3J7kwfUbTgLHtbQA/s1600/wq9jz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553121636623598914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5Bvnkv3rRE3QzJRR5GJiA-R81XTxKmhpkmUxRuD2nrIgHbDZbTnbG8RIk7l85yLrBvJ1MrTN6taKuhyphenhyphen1rNkywkqKOyfA_UVuaqGJZrl47kF-oN1eL0LJmY3J7kwfUbTgLHtbQA/s320/wq9jz.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last Saturday’s game at Hartlepool went the same way that the Rochdale game did at the start of December – an early call-off due to the severe weather gripping the UK, and Charlton head into the Xmas period sitting in fourth place in the table. Once the Spurs game is out of the way, we will only have the league to concentrate our minds on and the hope is that without distraction, we can improve our form and move higher in the table.<br /><br />Whether the take-over allows for any new signings I don’t know. It is probably fair to say that few, if any, Charlton players will be approached with a view to a transfer elsewhere, and there seems no real need to sell anyone at this stage. The players whose contracts end next summer may well be in the spotlight (Racon, Jose Semedo, Kelly Youga, etc), but even if they are not going to stay at The Valley beyond season end, there seems little likelihood of an offer that would want us to part with them now being placed on the table. Phil Parkinson’s squad was built back in August with the mind to take us all the way through to the end of the season, and from where we are now, he is just about in the right place. The only issue is the football the team are playing, which really is poor considering how high up in the table we are. It’s not too negative, or boring, just poor; little apparent purpose much of the time, and an over-reliance on the other team making more mistakes than we do. Hence us scraping one goal wins over much of the first half of the season.<br /><br />If Parky could get some confidence into the team, and get them playing with the spirit which he confirms surrounds the club, then we may be able to go forward with hope. But despair sits with us currently, and that is never a good accompaniment for Xmas spirit! We don’t have to worry about Pardew coming to spoil our Boxing Day this year, but can we get a result against a dangerous Southampton team? Can we follow up that game with good performances at high-flying Brighton and Colchester? Will we have any legs left to play against Swindon in the first home game of 2011? Or will our minds be focussing on the match coming up in north London?<br /><br />If Mr Wise does come to SE7, these five games may be all he needs to feel that Parky isn’t his man. You have been warned.<br /><br />Happy Xmas to all readers of this blog, Charlton fans or otherwise, and of course, to Dennis Wise.Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-88541091097268786982010-12-07T12:48:00.006+00:002010-12-07T13:12:09.309+00:00Moving in the Right Direction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYDIqaRhsMXj2z5c3rPWDQABn5uppgrvB3iNOGjSsxca4aXVeo8R5SoDxOpXuc7zK9codkyKY4SChvVnVe4UKLlBr-YKs07769u1L8SNxsUB0qOqoiAruKQIEvsQw5H7yl639fg/s1600/1652215880-17112010013225.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547921852649384274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 232px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYDIqaRhsMXj2z5c3rPWDQABn5uppgrvB3iNOGjSsxca4aXVeo8R5SoDxOpXuc7zK9codkyKY4SChvVnVe4UKLlBr-YKs07769u1L8SNxsUB0qOqoiAruKQIEvsQw5H7yl639fg/s320/1652215880-17112010013225.jpg" border="0" /></a>It is very true that a lot can happen in mere minutes during a football match, so in the month since I last blogged, it is no surprise that we have seen plenty of action both on and off the pitch. Amazingly, most of it is good news too!<br /><br />My previous prose was written in the lead up to the <strong>Peterborough</strong> away game, where I confidently predicted that we might see one side get a bit of a pasting. I am glad I was correct in this summation, but thankfully horrendously wrong in my prediction and that it was <strong>Charlton</strong> who emerged victorious. The home team that day played the first 45 minutes as if in a collective daze, and even though an injury to Joe Anyinsah had to be dealt with, Charlton capitalized on every single mistake to snatch an astonishing 4-0 half-time lead. Even though many fans listening in via the radio or CAFC Player remained wary of that score being a winning one, Charlton held on firmly and scored once more to run out 5-1 winners in the shock result of the day. It seemed like everyone came to the party, with two goals from Johnnie Jackson (left), the first one a penalty, two more from Lee Martin (who had arrived as substitute for Anyinsah after just 20 minutes or so), and one from Paul Benson, plus plenty of assists from others in the team or solid defensive displays.<br /><br />If ever one result ignited the season from a fans perspective, then it was this one.<br /><br />It should be noted that Peterborough did play awfully in defence, but their dangerous attack still needed controlling, and the guys at the back did their collective job very well.<br /><br />That match was quickly followed by a home FA Cup replay against <strong>Barnet</strong>, and the weekend enduced euphoria quickly evaporated on a cold night (if that is possible?). Only Kyel Reid’s solo goal lit up the evening, and a paltry crowd started to drift off long before the final whistle. Luckily, they didn’t miss any goals, mainly due to Rob Elliot’s heroics in the second half, where he made a good number of excellent saves that basically ensured the victory and progression to the 2nd round. It was nice that Rob had a good game, as many of the recent plaudits have gone to the outfield players. When called upon, Robbie has been pretty consistent this season, even if many would not consider him to have been at his best prior to this match.<br /><br />At least it meant progression, and the following night we found that it was to be a game against Luton in the next round, after they won their own replay. That was a game for the future though…<br /><br />Back in league action, and the only league team from Somerset came to SE7. <strong>Yeovil</strong> played well, and often embarrassed the Charlton team who seemed to think that goals would come without much effort. In some ways, the players were right, and goals by Jackson (again!) and Therry Racon twice gave the Addicks the lead, after Elliot had been beaten by a surprising shot from 25 yards that went in off the post. After half time, things got worse when Yeovil equalised again, and when Christian Dailly was sent off a few minutes later, and with twenty minutes still left in the match, fans hopes for any points were diminishing. Luckily, Yeovil’s least favourite substitute – Akpo Sodje – came on to the pitch and worked his socks off to create the chance for a win. From my seat, it did look like he timed his run well and would have reached Gary Doherty’s header into the box, though what he would have done had he reached it I’m not sure! We will never know though, as a Yeovil defender pulled him back by the shirt, just enough, and Sodje fell theatrically to the ground. Penalty, red card, and a goal, in that order, and three more points in the bag. Jackson had never scored twice in a game before the Peterborough match, and now he had done so two weeks running!<br /><br />Dailly’s sending off was harsh in my opinion. Sure, he led with his arm, but at no point did he swing it or "aim" it at the player. Later, it transpired that it was in fact his head that made contact with the opposition player, but the TV angles could not confirm this. An appeal was considered, but bearing in mind the short thrift with which such claims are treated these days, it just didn’t seem worth wasting five grand (the appeal cost) with no visual evidence to back up the statements made by both players regarding what touched who. As it was Dailly’s second red card of the season, he now had to sit out the next four games.<br /><br />The first of these was the <strong>Bristol Rovers</strong> home game, played on another cold Tuesday night. Jon Fortune had seen plenty of game time in the previous two matches, and he started here alongside the ever consistent Doherty. It was another very average performance from the Addicks, but whereas the home side saw plenty of luck against Yeovil, here the well had run almost dry. A quiet first half saw the away teams on loan goalkeeper make one very good save from Benson, and while never really threatened, you knew that Charlton’s make-shift defence would probably not hold out for the whole game. Sure enough, midway through the second 45 minutes, a corner was headed out, and a crisp shot followed the smooth squaring of the ball. Rifled through the packed penalty box, Elliot stood little chance as the ball nestled in the corner. Charlton did up their game, forcing a couple of excellent saves, and when Reid’s shot from a far post cross veered away from goal, it was touched home by a jubilant Benson. Akpo couldn’t weave his magic on this game, much as he tried, blighted by the 'keeper again, and the scores finished level. At least Charlton saw other results go with them, as they had done over previous league weekends, and now the team sat in second place behind early season leaders Brighton.<br /><br />The <strong>Luton</strong> match was another played in near freezing temperatures. With relatively few home fans in attendance (in the 8600 strong crowd) and a full away end, it was a surreal atmosphere not seen for some years at The Valley. And consequently, maybe, Charlton played like they did in the old days. Luton stroked the ball around and had most of the play, but Charlton’s cutting edge was sharp, especially with Anyinsah now back from injury. It was Joe who headed in Reid’s cross early on to give the home side the lead, but a weakly given penalty brought the teams level well before half time; Elliot actually saved the spot kick but was powerless to prevent the rebound being headed home. Even then, Jackson, on such a rich vein of goal-scoring now, headed home his own goal to allow Charlton to retake the lead at the break. The pattern was similar in the second half, with the away team bossing the match mainly, but not until Drury hit a sublime "pass" over Elliot from 25 yards did they draw level. The draw was a fair result, and ensured both teams watched the balls being picked out of the bag by wide-boy rock-stars intently the next day. Late in the draw, Charlton’s number 57 brought the right variety of fixture with an away tie at rip-roaring, goal-scoring, Champions League outsiders Tottenham Hotspurs. Even if the replay is won (and with Semedo back, plus with Wagstaff and Doherty fit, we should have a much stronger team available...), we should not dream of progressing, but at least the revenue (with live TV coverage via ESPN)) and exposure from the game will be nice.<br /><br /><br />That made it ten games since the last defeat (and also makes my holiday seem like a long time ago!), and a fine come-back by the team and the management.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicILLjpQoWtY3UFWBdwlFaE9s29k4dbsZ9BAn0GfvkYnoxRNvMmDkV5nviFM71Lt4gHnn-765aA4bMJSLQ5q_a8DdGvxS4lXYH5AbVWk30o_uYVJBVeJk5cCUTxc_NmCSj95SFbA/s1600/383669740_f5a04f1be1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547921793452051458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicILLjpQoWtY3UFWBdwlFaE9s29k4dbsZ9BAn0GfvkYnoxRNvMmDkV5nviFM71Lt4gHnn-765aA4bMJSLQ5q_a8DdGvxS4lXYH5AbVWk30o_uYVJBVeJk5cCUTxc_NmCSj95SFbA/s320/383669740_f5a04f1be1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Into December, and all we have really seen is snow, and more snow. The cold weather turned colder, and my plans to go to Rochdale (via a drinking session in Huddersfield) were cancelled as was the game. This was quite lucky really as I was in fact stuck in Germany for most of the week, where tales of German efficiency proved to be very wide of the mark (no pun intended!). None of the trains I caught ran on time, and my flight was cancelled without notice with many passengers at the gate. My trip to the airport had been enlivened by travelling with many yellow and black clad Borussia Dortmund fans, en route to their Europa League game that evening. Not for years have I seen so many bottles of beer being consumed on a train on the way to a footie match! I’m glad they won as it was very, very cold that night…<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1Nk7TNof01Lh4W4QXJNJ0BRcMoSaNJRW_5kYKjXHeTS7QyHhr5EnyI-gEZt5qqfhLVyU3W8szRX-lkDowuvW9QpjkLaJQ2tDGzyltG0U5__ZZC9lauaC870oeCA235LacqHIZQ/s1600/Peter-Varney-back-at-Charlton_2370941.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547921919886353618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1Nk7TNof01Lh4W4QXJNJ0BRcMoSaNJRW_5kYKjXHeTS7QyHhr5EnyI-gEZt5qqfhLVyU3W8szRX-lkDowuvW9QpjkLaJQ2tDGzyltG0U5__ZZC9lauaC870oeCA235LacqHIZQ/s320/Peter-Varney-back-at-Charlton_2370941.jpg" border="0" /></a>Possibly the only piece of good news I had while abroad was that, finally, we have movement on the takeover front. I wrote in my last blog that "…<em>one day, Murray will have to sell up, and we all have to hope that the guy who follows him will have a heart and wallet at least as big</em>." Well, we do not yet know who the person or people holding the notes and waving them in Richard Murray’s direction are, except that the bid is led (or more-correctly, fronted) by <strong>Peter Varney</strong> (left). Always a Charlton man, Varney failed when trying to push through a previous take-over about 16 months back. What none of us know is who is involved, and the Charlton Life board is full of rumours about Middle-Eastern, American, Irish, local, and in-house buy-outs. It does seem that Seb Sainsbury is not involved, which might upset all those fans who now have him as their Facebook friend. The take-over due diligence is now in full swing, and the paperwork is due to be completed prior to Xmas, provided nothing untoward crawls out of the woodwork. Nothing is done until it’s done though, so we had better keep our fingers crossed because if this bid fails, I doubt we’ll get anything else! Ever! Whether Varney will re-assume his CEO role, or even if Murray will remain on the board are still unknowns, but I have a hope that both elements come to fruition. As has been mentioned elsewhere, Richard Murray should be thanked for all his efforts over the last twenty-odd years; without him, this Charlton, our Charlton, would not have been the same.</div>Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-58890189543884919072010-11-10T14:17:00.004+00:002010-11-10T14:21:25.962+00:00Remember, Remember, All of November<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oC7TrYv5KQy6FAo6KNsmTPm_OSKoFFEjqBFn-zyqhLxoHoKdDDxSDbxyGRxB3vsujp0qP19izxX-j5UMLCiRop585QzTf3rvg3NBbqWfkYITWZMUd3TnF2KR_yAnuKZWlNqZlg/s1600/charlton36956news3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537925255517148418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oC7TrYv5KQy6FAo6KNsmTPm_OSKoFFEjqBFn-zyqhLxoHoKdDDxSDbxyGRxB3vsujp0qP19izxX-j5UMLCiRop585QzTf3rvg3NBbqWfkYITWZMUd3TnF2KR_yAnuKZWlNqZlg/s320/charlton36956news3.jpg" border="0" /></a>It’s been about a month since my last blog, and those weeks have been quite eventful.<br /><br />I went on holiday the night before the <strong>Brighton</strong> home game, and of course the 4-0 defeat was a severe dent to all of our promotion hopes for the season. A friend was texting me in game updates, and as we went two-nil down, I figured that Parky would go for it at the death, hoping to snatch one goal that might lead to an equaliser. Sadly, those hopes were quickly extinguished with news of Brighton’s third, and later fourth goals. It’s not the first time that a table-topping side has dealt <strong>Charlton</strong> a thrashing, and it won’t be the last, but it is the first time for some six years (I believe) that we have lost by such a margin at home, and it was a shock to everyone I think. Without seeing the game (and I have still yet to see the goals), I can understand how we lost, but it does seem that we played particularly badly that day, with Parky’s tactics and acumen called into question quite severely afterwards. From afar, I would not have been at all surprised if he had been sacked following such humiliation, but he wasn’t (and who could we have brought in who may have done better anyway?).<br /><br />The next week, Charlton again faced a tough fixture, away at <strong>Carlisle</strong>, and I have to admit that I was not expecting the team to bounce back; it could have been Parky’s last chance for all we knew? The team raced into a three goal lead just after half-time and, as is the Charlton way, promptly threw it away. With ten minutes to go, it could only be the home team that won the match, but this side does have some resilience it seems. Paul Benson notched his second of the half as injury time was played out and Charlton emerged as victors in a seven-goal thriller. I only had a chance to read about the game online that evening in my hotel, but I could imagine the emotions amongst the Addickted who were at the game.<br /><br />I was in transit when the following Saturday’s home game as against <strong>Sheffield Wednesday</strong> took place, and with a phone that refused to pick up texts on arrival at Heathrow, it was left to the cab driver who drove us home to confirm the Charlton score (he had been at the game!) and a one-nil win. I didn’t know the guy, and it was nice to get a different slant on matters from his north stand perspective. He described Scott Wagstaff’s first half goal in detail which was nice. Waggy now has six for the season, which is possibly about as many as Lloyd Sam scored for Charlton in his career!<br /><br />Now home again, I was unable to travel to Swindon in last midweek for the last league fixture; a 3-0 win makes excellent reading, even if it was slightly flattering to us I believe. The forward line of Joe Anyinsah and Paul Benson (who both scored again) really seems to be emerging as one that is quite dangerous, and even without the injured Kyel Reid, the Addicks have sufficient goal threat to worry even the best teams in this league. With Reid out of the side, Johnny Jackson was pushed forward and he weighed in with the opening goal at both Carlisle and Swindon.<br /><br />With the league games finished with for a while, we played <strong>Barnet</strong> in the FA Cup on Saturday and followed that with the next round of the Johnstone Paint Trophy last night at <strong>Southend</strong>.<br /><br />I went to Underhill, and the most expensive part of the day was leaving the ticket money on the table in the pub beforehand; not much of value happened on the pitch either, though Pawel Abbott did hit the bar with a second half header. I thought Abbot took some unwarranted stick during the game, and I certainly didn’t see him wandering around like it was a park match. It may have taken him a little while to get up to game speed – having not played much recently and coming on cold at half time due to Anyinsah’s back niggle – but he was definitely trying his best, and using what sparse ball he was given to best effect. Of course, the game was set up to be Grant Basey’s own vehicle to put one on Charlton, and he did have a good game, but when he was drawn out of the centre of defence, the rest of the Barnet side struggled to contain Charlton, and I have no doubts that we should win the replay quite comfortably.<br /><br />Last night, a single goal won the match at Roots Hall to see the Addicks make it through to the semi final, southern section, of the JPT. The commentator had me in rapture when he announced the scorer as Jose Semedo, but soon this dream died as Therry Racon was revealed at half time as the actual celebrant. Whatever, it was a great goal apparently! With a semi-final to come later this month, we have a real chance to get to Wembley now, as the three other sides in the southern section hold few fears on paper. In reality though, we might do well to remember that Exeter, Brentford and Bristol Rovers have all beaten Charlton in their last meetings…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDd2cpx-stxmrGKzWHX3uGOekS97i-acPtnGPdJVZtl0pyq6V5vlFZK2f0Ria16Ew0SjL2qfogD0_jLT-6nm1wi_iNP-6T7yI3TflWqbF-vCDDgtFUuYp1YzaPskLLg-zSrV9GA/s1600/charlton36937news1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537925209221468994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDd2cpx-stxmrGKzWHX3uGOekS97i-acPtnGPdJVZtl0pyq6V5vlFZK2f0Ria16Ew0SjL2qfogD0_jLT-6nm1wi_iNP-6T7yI3TflWqbF-vCDDgtFUuYp1YzaPskLLg-zSrV9GA/s320/charlton36937news1.jpg" border="0" /></a>And all the while, the <strong>take-over</strong> rumours have re-surfaced once more. The truth is only really known to Richard Murray I suspect, and he has acted swiftly to repudiate any ideas that a buy-out was imminent. The BBC rumour correspondent fanned the flames on his Twitter account, and finally unconfirmed news broke that both Seb Sainsbury and Peter Ridsdale were unlucky in any bids they may have made. Ridsdale would be bad news for Charlton, as he has been for two of his former clubs; we don’t want him and I would be astonished to find that Murray had sold out to him. As for Sainsbury, I made contact with him back in July when he was first linked to a financial involvement at The Valley. He seems like a nice guy, and was quite keen to chat while not divulging anything that he shouldn’t (like details I suppose). As the ownership of the club changed hands at the EGM toward the end of August, Sainsbury told me he was hoping to be at the game against Notts County on 11th September, where presumably some sort of announcement may have been made. We all know that these things can take time so it was no surprise to me when he failed to show and no investment news came out. I contacted Seb again last week on my return with the rumours in full flow, but he has been keeping low and not responding. This may have been due to the closeness of any potential deal, or maybe because it had all fallen through – I simply do not know?<br /><br />I do think that any involvement by Sainsbury would have seen him acting more as the guy bringing people to the table, rather than him ploughing in his (possibly) inherited millions, but as we have seen with other clubs, getting to the table is one thing, but putting your money where your mouth is is something altogether different. Maybe this will come to fruition, but maybe not…one day, Murray will have to sell up, and we all have to hope that the guy who follows him will have a heart and wallet at least as big.<br /><br />This Saturday, Charlton have a return to league action and another awkward away trip – this time to <strong>Peterborough</strong>. The Posh were my favourites to get promoted this season, but for some reason they either blow very hot or very cold. They have an ability to score at will - with Mackall-Snmith, Maclean, and Boyd all likely to get double figures this year – but have conceded plenty too and lost some unlikely matches. A good manager like Gary Johnson will turn them around in time, but we have to hope that they are still flimsy in confidence if we are to get anything from London Road this weekend.<br /><br />Then next Tuesday it is the FA Cup replay, followed by two more home league games in four days, so the squad can expect to be stretch to the limit..<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt9pS0TgEiIYnZ6sUyPorLRA2kLohAtl_kc5dmE5k88iJqCOkUgyZgvA9PNmc9GV19QWqwBO9rx_aq52qS5tk2z8A8AX099gTrijCheCcjyC7rfMXFZd-TCfYNmsTcfVAHH0upA/s1600/charlton4711match2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537925153601356162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt9pS0TgEiIYnZ6sUyPorLRA2kLohAtl_kc5dmE5k88iJqCOkUgyZgvA9PNmc9GV19QWqwBO9rx_aq52qS5tk2z8A8AX099gTrijCheCcjyC7rfMXFZd-TCfYNmsTcfVAHH0upA/s320/charlton4711match2.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Charlton team has now settled I think after taking time for various people to get fit, get to know each other, and to find a pattern of play which suited them and this league. Anyinsah (left) is the key for me, and his powerful play seems to bring out the best in Benson. With a midfield less reliant on Reid to make chances, we have seen both Wagstaff and Jackson step up, while Semedo and Racon are finding their best form in the centre after a couple of years. The defence has a solid look about it, even if it does lack pace and give away too many chances, while Robbie Elliot is now back near his best (with four consecutive clean sheets) after injury ruined his early season form. With reserves like Jonathan Fortune, Alan McCormack, Lee Martin, Reid, Abbott, and Akpo Sodje all waiting their chance, the signs are quite bright that Charlton can continue to improve and keep the pressure on the top clubs as we head towards Xmas. The confidence that winning cup games brings should help, and even if we suffer the odd setback over coming weeks, I think Charlton will be in or very near the top six heading into the New Year.<br /><br />Up the Addicks!Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-80658049931291856702010-10-13T20:41:00.005+01:002010-10-13T20:52:22.868+01:00Staggering...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527620578966968162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFQQELRc0nBZ8qZpwQVzRkREVJF5dSLhxGnQovZzM9BSG5MdGGomxXIj60fSDXUzsp0ZF6BnWZZrm1ipzDiMkmEZB-NiWhORM3bOZUxd4DkT4YHmAmlSMmSpZEA6oPEzbZeoueA/s320/charlton36708news1.jpg" border="0" />The season staggers onwards, with <strong>Charlton</strong> not knowing whether to look up or down. The league is very tight, still, even after 11 games, and a couple of wins would take the club right back to near the top of the table, while a couple of defeats would leave us perilously close to the relegation zone. Nearly every club seems capable of beating one another, with Hartlepool’s win over Peterborough being the latest in along line of results that you just wouldn’t expect. Recent bottom clubs Brentford, Dagenham, and Tranmere have all had decent results recently and are no push-overs in the way that tailed-off Stockport were last season.<br /><br />The last few weeks have seen Charlton win some, lose some, and draw a couple too. Stuttering performances in the main, with some very good halves (like the second half at Plymouth) and also some very poor halves (like the first half at Brentford). It is strange that the team seem incapable of putting in a decent 90 minutes, but at least we are getting a bit of consistency over three-quarters of the game these days.<br /><br />The latest issue seems to be conceding goals early in games, as we have done versus Brentford, MK Dons and Plymouth. Why this happens is anyone’s business, and you cannot account for some of the poor defending that we have seen in the early stages of these games. It doesn’t matter if it is the first corner (or long-throw) of the game, or one coming in the 89th minute - players have to be picked up and marked tightly, and training should ensure that every player knows his particular job at every set-piece coming into and throughout the game. Charlton’s defence, on paper, looks pretty good and solid, but too many times individual errors are creeping in to hurt the side, and this has got to stop.<br /><br />At least the team has a more settled look to it these days, and Parky seems at last to know pretty much what his preferred starting eleven will be from week to week. A lot of the new players have had time to settle in now, and we can all see if they are “doing it” or not. In some ways, the injuries to Rob Elliot, Christian Dailly, Alan McCormack, Pawel Abbottt and Joe Anyinsah may have helped clarify matters a little as at least that has given others a run in their place, and we now know who can cut it and who is a weak link.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeY994-91rKfuUXqZGzfWdIbhk-N21Ym0ru5GhDMiHOdhOGDeZxSIsh8TJWwZt0Irh_IUOYaifpMwwjyyrRwXOAUTVQByL4monaLxcDy-s6VyIXNL8GEEe3098L4ku8MhuLv2sg/s1600/charlton4706match5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527620425720143378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeY994-91rKfuUXqZGzfWdIbhk-N21Ym0ru5GhDMiHOdhOGDeZxSIsh8TJWwZt0Irh_IUOYaifpMwwjyyrRwXOAUTVQByL4monaLxcDy-s6VyIXNL8GEEe3098L4ku8MhuLv2sg/s320/charlton4706match5.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ross Worner has proved an able deputy in goal during Elliot’s enforced lay-off, and what the loanee Luke Daniels thought of his signing and not playing is anyone’s guess! It has been great to see Jonathan Fortune (left) back in the side, and he does look very good most of the time. The old issues with his pace and concentration are still there, but less likely to be shown up in this league than in a Premiership game. Therry Racon has had a run in the team, and while he hasn’t let the side down, he hasn’t really been the hard-working but creative influence that the side needs. When the wingers are doing the business, this isn’t as much of an issue, but when they are closely marked, or not playing well, this does show up, and longer term needs addressing. The forward line has seen so many permutations this season it is hard to know if we have finally found the right partnership. We do now have a preferred pairing though, with Abbot and Paul Benson seeming to be the ones favoured. Some still think Abbott is a show-pony, but he is proven in this league, while Benson still seems to me to do little in the majority of the game, but at least he has poked in three goals in the last month. When it was Derek Hales wandering around, doing little but scoring we were all happy, so maybe I can offer Benson (top pic)some slack, but I still maintain that he isn’t pulling his weight, and when the side are playing most of the game with ten players, it is tough to create a goal for anyone let alone an eleventh man. If he gets 20-goals this season, we’ll be happy I’m sure, but anything less will be seen as a failure I think, simply as any less from forty games will not take us into the play-offs.<br /><br />At least we have good spirit, and a squad in size that looks able to cope; most squads losing five players of the calibre shown above would struggle, so it’s no surprise to see Charlton failing to run away with games during the last few weeks, whoever the opposition.<br /><br />Looking ahead, after a run of games against teams that you would have liked to think Charlton could all have beaten, we come to a run of games against teams that have started the season relatively well. Carlisle and Sheffield Wednesday await as do the inconsistent but dangerous Swindon, but this week it is table-toppers Brighton who come to The Valley.<br /><br />I have a good friend who works for Brighton as a youth team coach, and many youngsters he has worked with and brought on over the last few years are now in and around the first team squad. He doesn’t get on all that well with manager Gus Poyet (whose own son plays for Charlton’s youth team funnily enough), but then I suppose in his role he would always prefer to see one of his lads playing in the team than money being spent on someone brought in from elsewhere. Poyet was good fun at The Valley last season (when Brighton won 2-1), but sadly I’ll miss this home game (and the Wednesday one too) as I feel it’s about time I was laying on a beach somewhere.<br /><br />Brighton will arrive backed by a full to capacity Jimmy Seed stand, and full of confidence too I suspect. They haven’t scored that many goals this season (just fifteen goals in eleven games), but they don’t concede all that many either (only eight), and a tight, solid, hard-working and close-knit side seems to be their strength. They will come looking for three points I suggest, and hope to turn The Valley crowd against the home team by closing the game down, and looking to frustrate the Addicks. We need to maintain our vocal support all game here lads!<br /><br />I’m sure Phil Parkinson knows all this, and it is up to him to try to come up with a plan to counter these tactics, something he’s not great at looking at recent form. One thing that Phil does that always gets my goat is to always build up the opposition, often into something they aren’t. You can understand him saying that Brighton are a good team, strong, and with good players, as that comes with the territory of being top of the league, but Parky seems to make out that every team we face in this league is a good side, and capable of hurting Charlton if we don’t play at our maximum. While understanding that bottom of the table Brentford, Dagenham, and Tranmere (as they all were when Charlton faced them recently) are capable of damaging Charlton’s chances if we play badly, you don’t have to worry and/or warn your own side that they can beat you if you play sensibly, to tactics, and to win.<br /><br />I do hope that Parky stops doing other side team-talks for them soon!<br /><br />One positive sign from this season is that we have actually won a couple of cup games, albeit in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. We did reach the same stage last year (the quarter final of the southern section), but that was after just one win; this season, we have had two (as we didn’t get a bye on the first round this season) so that is an improvement. In fact, last season in the three cup competitions, we only won one game (out of four), so two wins out of three so far this year is a fantastic achievement. A game away at Southend beckons, and as this match is unlikely to be televised (like the MK Dons one was) we may see a better Addicks following. Just four games from Wembley – getting excited yet? Then we’ll be into the first round of the FA Cup, so we could be on a cup roll…<br /><br />I suppose Charlton will look to be happy with a point come late Saturday afternoon, though a win would congest this league table even more. Maybe the poor results against lower league teams will counter a run of good results against teams higher up the table? Last season, Charlton struggled to beat any of the other play-off bound sides, and if early season form is anything to go by, these are the teams that the next few games will bring in opposition. A tense few weeks therefore and one that will probably define our season’s expectations <strong>Pedro45</strong> suggests.<br /><br />Come on you reds!Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16678740.post-72385570088571646542010-09-22T12:09:00.005+01:002010-09-22T12:22:05.102+01:00Autumn Change<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfWAkbHz56tgAZbHqde_5MmUBC8eZYlVx0lnBS7ybMt1bO5RK1pFOfFs4Ov-wjoPArQssAFWJrmmU7zuvuTIHA4YE4ijUot2xjbuLe5sCtZRSUi4Mk2J4zHJBtkRRO5HkAPCdwQ/s1600/charlton35322news1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519694599564247906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfWAkbHz56tgAZbHqde_5MmUBC8eZYlVx0lnBS7ybMt1bO5RK1pFOfFs4Ov-wjoPArQssAFWJrmmU7zuvuTIHA4YE4ijUot2xjbuLe5sCtZRSUi4Mk2J4zHJBtkRRO5HkAPCdwQ/s320/charlton35322news1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Have the last few weeks been significant or not for this <strong>Charlton</strong> season? Since beating Dagenham and Redbridge (1-0, Therry Racon the scorer), the Addicks have lost at Exeter (1-0, to an injury time penalty), then scraped home against Notts County 1-0 (Joe Anyinsah scoring on his debut), before recently settling for a draw at Tranmere (1-1, the recalled Scott Wagstaff with his third goal of the season). Just four points from the last four league games, yet the side sit a mere three points off the top of the Division One table. It would be easy to be comfortable (rather than happy) with this positioning, yet it is the unconvincing style of play which is the most worrying aspect for me.<br /><br />Most new sides – and Charlton have a squad full of new players – take time to gel, especially when upwards of nine players are playing together regularly for the first time, but the reality is that many League One sides have new squads and teams each season, and many of the teams we have played could also use the “taking time to gel” argument into a match. At some point, we have to say that enough is enough and find out why the chosen team is not working?<br /><br />That point may have been reached last weekend, as Phil Parkinson made five changes to his starting eleven. One was enforced (Robbie Elliot’s chipped elbow forcing him onto the sidelines for a month) but four were tactical, or form related. Parkie made a point of saying that he had to pick a team to combat Tranmere’s brute force, and that may have been why Manual Llera got the nod ahead of Matt Fry at centre back (with Christian Dailly still out following his clash of heads in the Daggers cup game). More obvious though was the picking of Racon ahead of Alan McCormack, and also Joe Anyinsah for Pawel Abbott. Neither of those two is more combative that the man they replaced, so something was clearly not working here. In addition, Wagstaff got a recall for Kyel Reid on the wing.<br /><br />So what are the problems facing Parky, and with the result at Tranny clearly not getting the result wanted, what can our manager do to remedy the issues?<br /><br />First, Parky has to find out who his preferred starting eleven are; one of the best things about last season was that not only did we win our first six league games, but that the side remained exactly the same during that time too (and for the next two unbeaten games). This season, we have used no less than 19 players in the first seven games, with every position on the field played in by at least two different players. The only player to have started every league game is Gary Doherty, whereas last year we had eleven in this situation.<br /><br />Last year, possibly due to the paucity of the squad early in the season, we knew what the starting eleven would be, barring injury. This year, we (the fans) and obviously Parkie too due to the tinkering, do not.<br /><br />Some of the problem to my mind is that while it can take different individuals time to settle, that isn’t a problem if the team knows what they are trying to do and how to play. Clearly, with so many new players, each are at a different stage in settling in, yet the team itself has had little chance to form a unit due to injury, suspension (two sendings off in the first two league games didn’t help!), form and tinkering.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFbjP8clLHsVc2QIvc28qFd5wdR2mwqJui7-HwnWm6KZ8YrZNX4TuhVaRZnTpuPNK7ATha_VGc9HAj0hNIH_zhhB3WpxAYpq-AZcieR6rZhnCwmcIqJU7S3RWMtH7LDsDDa27HA/s1600/3927040635-31082010163452.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519693983030861778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFbjP8clLHsVc2QIvc28qFd5wdR2mwqJui7-HwnWm6KZ8YrZNX4TuhVaRZnTpuPNK7ATha_VGc9HAj0hNIH_zhhB3WpxAYpq-AZcieR6rZhnCwmcIqJU7S3RWMtH7LDsDDa27HA/s320/3927040635-31082010163452.jpg" border="0" /></a>In goal, we do know that Robbie Elliot is first choice, and that Ross Worner (left) was due a season sitting on the bench. Instead, Worner has played and started in three games already, and even though Luke Daniels has been signed on loan from WBA as cover, Worner may yet get the nod to start on Saturday too.<br /><br />Charlton fans know when a youngster is giving his all, and we got that from Chris Solly last season, especially when he was played out of position and suffered as a consequence. This year, he started at right back, and did well (including being man of the match against Bournemouth), but even before Simon Francis was considered fit enough to play a full game, he usurped Solly in the side. Francis has had his positive moments so far, including a great cross for McCormack to head in at Orient, but overall, his play has been poor, and he has not contributed enough. Due to his size and the fact he is a full back, he is often compared to Hermann Hreidersson, but the marauding run he made against Notts County ran out of steam soon after he passed the half way line, and with just the ‘keeper to beat, he didn’t even get a chance to shoot. His passing needs improvement, as does his oft-cited dead ball delivery. Tell me why this six foot plus beast is taking corner kicks please, and Kyel Reid (or Lee Martin) is left in the box? I just don’t understand it, and he ain’t Russian!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZyXU0iYCqED_o7Q44XR8rk95oqGFCBrG3s37-ks3Ii9fHwjSudJa8kfGbypqqRBDXfiwfF_xH0vxwtKC5_hCvhDqbZnF_ewKU5zeLpjgucfkhXchbgIj3a1auLP_R1vqcmQZTA/s1600/2895102460-06092010110041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519693722426547314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZyXU0iYCqED_o7Q44XR8rk95oqGFCBrG3s37-ks3Ii9fHwjSudJa8kfGbypqqRBDXfiwfF_xH0vxwtKC5_hCvhDqbZnF_ewKU5zeLpjgucfkhXchbgIj3a1auLP_R1vqcmQZTA/s320/2895102460-06092010110041.jpg" border="0" /></a>In midfield, early in the season, Parky was able to play five across the park, with Lee Martin floating around behind Abbott up front. This allowed McCormack and Semedo to win the ball and distribute it wide launching attacks. With Semedo banned for three games, the similarity of the two ball winners was hidden, but it soon became clear to everyone that in a 4-4-2 formation, McCormack and Semedo just could not play together if the team was to progress. What is needed is more creativity, but with Martin (left) playing further forward (or wider), the only midfield option is Therry Racon. When on form, this Frenchman can do a very good job, but he has yet to hit his straps, and the front men are still shy on service of any value. Racs will stay in the team I feel, presuming Parky does not take a chance on Martin and Semedo as a pair, unless a new player arrives on loan?<br /><br />The front players so far this season have all been a little disappointing. Much was said about Akpo Sodje being a weak link coming into pre-season, but he has been about our best attacker so far. His winning goal in the league opener saw him dropped in favour of Abbott and Martin (and this is strangely the first of three times that players have been dropped for the next league game after scoring! No wonder nobody wants to hit the back of the net!); Both played well in the League cup game with Abbott showing his undoubted skill in controlling and shooting home his first for the Addicks, but since then he has flattered to deceive I feel, and now he’s been dropped. Martin has been pushed back to a wide area, though we still do not know if that is his best position, while it was the two new signings – Benson and Anyinsah - who started last Saturday’s game on Merseyside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSB3s_NS6-vDemf9sJeAVFpd_az4siscqjSjjkNdDOp8nQrgvr5a5e2cVFezyg2AZGoqgXkjOAzFVSVkldr2-v8yRU4TrUBY2sQQyUJPMRVtitdARkA5WWgV_-C2J8_omMvY5Hg/s1600/charlton4699match2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519693895577593394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSB3s_NS6-vDemf9sJeAVFpd_az4siscqjSjjkNdDOp8nQrgvr5a5e2cVFezyg2AZGoqgXkjOAzFVSVkldr2-v8yRU4TrUBY2sQQyUJPMRVtitdARkA5WWgV_-C2J8_omMvY5Hg/s320/charlton4699match2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Paul Benson (left) may become a Charlton legend, but for all the wrong reasons. Don’t get me wrong here, I hope he succeeds, but so far, from what I have seen, we have a dud. In the matches he has played since signing, he has yet to contribute anything worthwhile. On his debut, admittedly against his former team-mates, he fluffed four relatively easy chances, but we forgave him that as he had only just signed. In two more games, he hasn’t fluffed as many as he hasn’t had many to fluff. He flicks on the odd goalies punt, and wanders into the penalty area (apparently taking up very good positions we are told) yet he seems to me to offer no threat, with none of the pace and poachers instinct we were held to believe he has. He adds nothing to build up play, and usually loses the ball or is tackled when he does get control of a pass. I may be a bit harsh on the lad, and I would love him to prove me wrong, but he reminds me more of Paul Davies than Arthur Horsfield, Johnny Ostergaard more than Derek Hales, Paul Gorman more than Clive Mendonca, and more of Marcus Bent than Darren Bent! Please, please, please show me I am wrong on Saturday Benno!<br /><br />Admittedly, service into the strikers has not been good, and some of that is due to the missing creativity, but also due to the inconsistency of the wingers. With McCormack and Semedo in midfield, it is pretty obvious to any opposition team that Charlton will use the wings to get the ball forward in an effort to score. While Scott Wagstaff has done well (scoring three times), he has been the young scapegoat for Parky so that the supposedly better Lee Martin and Kyel Reid can play in their preferred positions. Reid and Martin have both had minor injuries it’s true, but other than in the opening game, Reid has been kept pretty quiet, and Martin seems more intent on upsetting referees than his opponent which is never a good sign (unless you are John Robinson!). Parky needs to settle on his chosen wingers and ensure that they play a full part in the game.<br /><br />On paper, we have a very good squad; one which is capable of doing well this season. The league is tight, with many of the fancied teams starting sluggishly. This is why Charlton sit a mere three points from the summit going into two upcoming home games. But the league is not played on paper. It is played on the pitch, and that’s where we need the team to start performing.<br /><br />Twenty five years ago this week, Charlton Athletic played what they thought was going to be their last ever game at The Valley. I was there, stood on the small terrace between main stand and the covered end, as I had been for all games that season. I didn’t run on the pitch at half-time, or collect my piece of Valley turf afterwards, but that made me no less of a supporter. I was as heartbroken as the next man, but I stayed with my team. I’m still there, and so are many others who saw Robert Lee and Mark Stuart score that day. I’ve been at other grounds when half-time introductions have worked wonders and roused the crowd into winning the game for their side; if necessary (and I hope it isn’t), we need the Valley crowd to bring us three points on Saturday that will turn this season back in the right direction. We all know that this season is so important, and crucial if we are still to have a club to support in another twenty five years.<br /><br />Come on you Reds!Pedro45http://www.blogger.com/profile/02085763385703563056noreply@blogger.com1