Sunday, April 26, 2009
Pride Before The Fall
Derby County 1 Charlton Athletic 0An inauspicious end to Charlton’s away day games this season, finishing as it started with a one-nil loss. Rob Hulse headed the winner for Derby in the 70th minute, and from the reports I have read, Charlton offered little to a pretty poor game.
Phil Parkinson picked an unchanged team once more, preferring Deon Burton to Tresor Kandol, and also included youngster Chris Solly on the bench. I would have preferred Solly to have been given a start, especially as Danny Butterfield’s loan will end after next Sunday’s final game of the season.
Zheng Zhi had Charlton’s best chance, but his first half burst and shot was blocked by home keeper Bywater. Parky used his subs to boost his attacking options late on, but even with three at the back, after Scott Wagstaff came on for Darren Ward, little additional threat was offered.
The final game of the campaign will be at home versus Norwich, who will need to win to have any chance of staying in the Championship for another season unless they can pick up something in their penultimate game at home to Reading. If Barnsley then gain a solitary point at Plymouth, Norwich are down, so the Canaries could be in for a desperate day at The Valley.
The other end of the table does offer some interest for the neutral, with Birmingham’s loss to Preston adding considerable pressure to them, as they now need to win at Reading to gain automatic promotion; Sheffield United could leapfrog them with a win in Croydon, where Neil Warnock may help his old team by playing a bunch of youngsters. Should they both stumble, two wins for Reading this week could have catastrophic consequences for Norwich and Birmingham…and see the Royals back in the top tier.
Below us, we now know that we will not be playing Peterboro next year, who have gained promotion along with Leicester. I will look forward to confirmed third tier matches against Southend, Yeovil, Stockport, Colchester, Orient, Brentford (who have won league two) and hopefully Hartlepool, Brighton and Northampton if they can all stay up, and also either Gillingham, Rochdale, or Dagenham & Redbridge who will fight out a play off place with Bury. Overall, the number of games in the south of the country should be much greater than it has been for quite some time, and I could potentially get up to seven matches against clubs I have not seen Charlton play against away from home previously, and take my total into the nineties.
That fact is possibly the only bright thing to look forward to when the fixtures come out in June. By then, we may also have a better idea of who will be playing for the club come August, and who will be managing the team too.
Labels: Charlton, Derby County
Friday, April 24, 2009
A Case of Pride
Charlton’s last away game of this season is against Derby County, at Pride Park. You would like to think that with a six-game unbeaten run on the go anticipation was high, but with Charlton firmly rooted to bottom spot in the Championship, even with Southampton’s ten-point deduction if they do get themselves out of the bottom three places, most of us just want the season to be over.The fact that Charlton have led their last two games by two goals, coupled with that unbeaten sequence of results, just makes the league position even more galling; how we would have appreciated an unbeaten run of three, four, or five games around Xmas. But it is just too late – five draws and the solitary recent win have done nothing to improve Charlton’s Championship finishing place, and little in fact to the overall points total.
So a game against Derby, who are not in the best of form at present, could see a continuation of our recent results, if Phil Parkinson keeps his options within the confines of the current starting eleven.
Parky was as frustrated as anyone at The Valley on Tuesday night, as a winning advantage was tossed away for the second time in four days, and he did say that he will not play any of the youngsters at the club unless they are ready to take a full part. Tamer Tuna was one who did make a semi-breakthrough, getting into first the squad, and then a place on the bench which allowed him fifteen minutes or so of game time. Chris Solly was, according to Parky a few weeks back, also very close to first team squad inclusion, and with our current right back only a loanee, I don’t really see why Parky is delaying playing him. If Solly had been given a chance to make his debut on Tuesday, and been found wanting by a very professional Cardiff team, then he would easily have been forgiven. The problem now is that he could play against Derby, and face up to one of the better right sided players in this league – Kris Commons. With Gary Teale likely to play on the opposite flank, Solly could have a tough afternoon.
So should Parky play him, or continue with Danny Butterfield? To me, he must give Solly a go, as to debut him in the last game of the season against Norwich -where they will almost certainly require a win to stay up – could be seen as opting for a weakened team by the League.
Elsewhere, I cannot see too many changes; Rob Elliott made a couple of excellent first half saves on Tuesday, and the rest of the defence seemed to cope pretty well until late in the game during both recent home matches. The midfield five are pretty consistent and getting better as a unit with every game they play together, and Jonjo Shelvey is being protected by being used in the more forward role until late in games. That just leaves a choice between our non-strikers for the forwards berth.
Tresor Kandol was obviously Parky’s preferred choice until his illness on Saturday, and with Deon Burton scoring in that game, Parky gave him another go for an hour against Cardiff. Kandol is way ahead of Chris Dickson, Svetislav Todorov, and Tamer Tuna so I would expect him to regain his starting place this weekend.
Personally, I see very little chance of Parky switching to a possibly more attacking 4-4-2 formation, as this would mean pushing Shelvey either deeper or to the bench, which is unlikely. It’s also unlikely that any of those recently out injured (Semedo, Ambrose) will make any sort of appearance.
This is how I hope Parky will send them out –
Rob Elliott
Chris Solly
Darren Ward
Mark Hudson
Kelly Youga
Therry Racon
Zheng Zhi
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Jonjo Shelvey
Tresor Kandol
Subs from Randolph, Weaver, Butterfield, Moutaouakil, Basey, Holland, Spring, Wagstaff, Tuna, Dickson, Burton, Todorov.
Derby are in a similar position to that of Blackpool whom we played last Saturday; they are almost clear of the possibility of relegation, but not certain. They have a few good players but need to work as a unit to win games. One player that Charlton will hope has another useless game against them is Luke Varney, anti-hero to Addicks, and who was pretty atrocious when he played in the Derby team that drew at The Valley back in December. Varney has got recent form though, and did have a successful loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday that only ended last week. Let’s all hope he plays like he did for most of his time with Charlton, then we’ll be fine…
Pedro45 is hoping that some sort of results continuation is maintained over the final two games, and I predict a 1-1 draw at Pride Park. The problem of conceding late goals – as we did well into injury time in the return fixture, as well as the last two matches – must be addressed, whether that is to protect a lead, or hold a draw, or to save from further defeat. The way to address this is on the training pitch, and though the management don’t have much time between games at this stage of the season, they must come up with some sort of angle to solve the issue. This was the main reason why the crowd were so upset on Tuesday; to throw away one two-goal lead is stupid, to throw away two two-goal leads is criminal! Deal with it Parky and co, while you have a chance please!
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be another of our midfield players; I seem to be cycling between them at present, but most have come up with the goods when picked out! Therry Racon (left) is the pick this time, and he will again be crucial in keeping the midfield tight, making tackles, taking the simple passing option when necessary, and pushing the team forwards at every opportunity. If Therry gets space, he can control the match, and with ZiZi, Bailey, Shelvey and Sam all playing well he could be the match-winner for the Addicks again.In a perverse sort of way, if Charlton finish the season strongly with a couple of wins, and if Southampton do too, then the points deduction of the south coast team could see Charlton finish in 23rd position, rather than the expected 24th and bottom. The alternative is that one of the other teams that are relegated, and therefore one of our main competitors for promotion next year, will be starting the season ten points shy of everyone else. Maybe that should be why we want a Forest win tomorrow? It doesn’t matter that much though, and hopefully Charlton will elongate that unbeaten streak…
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, Derby County, Therry Racon
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
94'05"
Charlton Athletic 2 Derby County 2The result may be hard to take, but there were a huge amount of positives to come out of the entertaining game at The Valley last night.
First, the passion and effort shown by the players matched that of the crowd - both could not be faulted!
Next, the Manager - Phil Parkinson - showed he is not afraid to really freshen up the team, and if senior pro’s are not performing, then they will be dropped in favour of fresh faces.
Then there is the fact that the point gained has taken Charlton off the foot of the league, which is something that few fans would have been predicting a week or so back…
Individually, most players had good games last night -
Elliott was comfortable in goal (it’s the first time I have seen him play), confidently calling for crosses, and booming a big kick down field at every opportunity; his overall distribution was much better than Weaver’s. He didn't have much chance with the penalty (although he has a good record..) or the late, late equaliser, and was only called on to make one real save which he did with aplomb.
Martin Crainie probably had his best game in a Charlton shirt, winning tackles and headers frequently. His distribution is still a problem sometimes, but last night it was at least improved, and he did offer an attacking alternative on occasions (though not enough!).
The central defence of Mark Hudson and Jonathan Fortune was solid, and relatively untroubled in open play all night. Sadly, it was Hudson’s deflection on a throw in that took the ball onto Jose Semedo’s arm for the equalising penalty, but he prevented plenty of other chances. Suffice to say that the "danger" of Luke Varney running them into the ground and banging in goals never materialised.
Grant Basey took over the left back duties, and he had a fairly easy night; nearly all Derby’s attacking came down the left wing toward Crainie. Basey delivered his free-kicks and corners well, and they do create danger. Again, the only black spot was that it was his deflected header which fell for Ellington to score the deep-into-injury time second equaliser, though you cannot really blame him for that.
In midfield, Semedo was a bit quiet early on, before getting more involved and making tackles; our Portugeuser swung over the cross that Andy Gray controlled and scored from after 34 minutes (top pic). Nicky Bailey meanwhile certainly seems to have learnt from his poor form and was determined not to be caught in possession in this match. That did mean that on nearly every occasion he got the ball he simply launched the ball forward over the Derby defence for Gray, Martyn Waghorn and Hameur Bouazza to chase, but at least it was positive.
On the right, Lloyd Sam was back near his best; lots of step-overs and jinky runs, Sam nearly scored the first goal capitalising on a fluffed clearance before lashing the ball against the post with the keeper well beaten. That does sum up Lloyd sadly, so much potential but not enough end product. Where Lloyd did excel was in holding the ball, and his set up play near the corner flag, when no other Charlton player came anywhere near to helping him for several seconds, allowed Semedo to cross from his layback for Gray to score the opener, and in the second half, Sam’s run, cut back, and cross was thumped home by Waghorn to give Charlton the lead again (above). Bouazza again had a mixed game, showing plenty of effort and lots of skill, but as with Sam, his finishing needs to be a lot more clinical. While a free kick early in the second half - after he was pulled back by a defender on the edge of the area - was only just off target (too high), seconds later he blasted over after being sent free with just the keeper to beat. Profligate to say the least, and when Charlton need the return most!
In attack, both Gray and Waghorn had decent games. Waghorn ran into good areas regularly, even though he was obviously troubled by a dead-leg (or similar) all evening. Hopefully he will have recovered by Saturday. He took his goal well, even though it deflected past the keeper (off Connolly’s arm?), and on another day, could have had more. Gray meanwhile ran his heart out once more. When he has confidence - which his typically well taken goal will have given him - he is a much better player. He held the ball better than he has done for many a month, possibly learning how to do so from Deon Burton? The referee did Gray no favours all night either...
The two subs that were used, Burton for a tiring Waghorn and Keith Gillespie tactically for Sam did OK, with Gillespie putting in a few late crosses.
Sadly, the last goal of the game came very deep into injury time (according to Sky, it hit the net after four minutes and five seconds of added time, with the board indicating a minimum of four minutes...), and it really was the kick in the teeth that Phil Parkinson described. Three points would have made a huge difference pre-Xmas, but at least the one point gained means we are not bottom anymore. Perhaps if Parky had used his last sub in injury time then the referee’s whistle may have gone sooner, but we will never know.
The two subs that were used, Burton for a tiring Waghorn and Keith Gillespie tactically for Sam did OK, with Gillespie putting in a few late crosses.
Sadly, the last goal of the game came very deep into injury time (according to Sky, it hit the net after four minutes and five seconds of added time, with the board indicating a minimum of four minutes...), and it really was the kick in the teeth that Phil Parkinson described. Three points would have made a huge difference pre-Xmas, but at least the one point gained means we are not bottom anymore. Perhaps if Parky had used his last sub in injury time then the referee’s whistle may have gone sooner, but we will never know.
Just a few words on the crowd figure announced which was almost 21,000; I was shocked when I checked the figure given for the Coventry game, as there must have been at least 7,000 no-shows, and last night was not disimilar. The visiting Forest fan spread over four seats in front of me looked bemused and aghast, checking out the many rows of other unfilled red plastic, until I told him that it was tickets sold or given away that were counted. I suppose the fact is that it looks good to have the second highest Championship crowd of the weekend, but the reality of that is a lot less were in attendance once more, and it is quite farcical to give out these figures.
Moving on, the team that Parky now has looks like the one that he will need to favour in the next few weeks, either side of Xmas. With McEveley out injured, and Primus due to go back to Pompey any day, Waghorn doesn’t now have to worry about the five loan player rule, especially as he is staying an extra month. Basey is favoured in front of Youga it seems, while Matt Holland, Nicky Weaver and Svetislav Todorov are senior players who are now just fringe team members. The eleven who played with heart and passion last night must be given the opportunity to continue the better form shown, and that’s what I expect to see on Saturday barring unfortunate injuries.
This may just be the corner we have been looking to turn, or it could be a long bend that we still cannot see the end of; whatever it is, we will get round it soon.
Labels: Charlton, Derby County
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Crunch Derby Game
You bet; both Charlton and Derby are desperate for points, and both have terrible recent results. For once, in recent times, it seems that the Addicks are playing a team that actually have more pressure on them than we do – Derby manager Paul Jewell is rumoured to be facing the chop if they don’t win in SE7. Mind you, bearing in mind Charlton’s home record this season, even Arsene Wenger might be under similar strain if his team couldn’t win at The Valley!Charlton themselves have no illusions about changing manager if defeat is suffered – the Board have announced that Phil Parkinson is to be the man in charge until a strategic review in January. That does take some pressure off actually, as at least the blogging community and media will not now be predicting a change at the top prior to every game should we lose. Parky has his role for another four games minimum then, and hopefully he can start to pick up some vital points during that time.
Lady luck hasn’t been on the Addicks side this season, and maybe not for quite some time it seems. While we have benefited from the odd decision that gone our way (Burnley’s early disallowed goal for instance), other single decisions have gone against Charlton, like the ball being out of play before QPR scored their first goal. However, overall, I think we fans will all agree that whatever can go wrong has. Last Tuesday, Jay McEveley’s luck ran out, as he has a bad dislocation of his shoulder, while Martin Crainie had a similar injury in the previous game, but his popped back in. I know which of the two defenders I would prefer in my team, but Crainie remains available, and McEveley will not for quite some time.
At least we do have cover at full back, and though Parky obviously doesn’t consider that Kelly Youga or Yassin Moutasouakil are good enough for the battle we currently have on our hands, either or both will be needed soon, when the current loan arrangements start to run out.
Indeed, this is the last game of his loan spell for Linvoy Primus; the ex-Charlton youngster filled a need and a gap in his early weeks at The Valley, but slowly the odd injury, age, and finally too many other loanees have meant he has not played in recent weeks. All this after the club had to get special dispensation to allow him the opportunity to play in this match as he was originally due to go back to Portsmouth on Saturday, the original date for this game. As I cannot see Charlton wanting to make his signing permanent, and he is unlikely to feature against Derby due to the five loan players only rule, we will have to bode Linvoy farewell for a second time, and wish him well for the future.
Parkinson has intimated that they will be changes to the team that lost against Coventry so limply, so where else might they be?
Probably up front, as Parky’s experiment of re-instating Izale McLeod to the first team went almost as badly as did Alan Pardew’s (spit!). OK, Izzy did win that (dodgy) equalising penalty, but generally he was off the pace, offside, and off with the fairies most of the match.
In central midfield, Charlton also have continuing problems; Matt Holland had a poor match against the Sky Blues, playing as a sub after McEveley’s injury, but he wasn’t as poor as Nicky Bailey, who is a caricature of the player we bought form Southend in August. Bailey has quite simply lost all semblance of confidence, as the team has slowly slid down the league. He is still fully committed, but his passing is atrocious at the moment, as is his judgment. Whether the turning point was his gift of a goal to Bristol City in October, but he hasn’t played anywhere near his early potential since. Without Therry Racon, who seems to be one of those players that will never be seen to his full potential due to poor luck with injury, Jose Semedo seems certain to be asked to fill one position, while I’m sure Jonjo Shelvey and Josh Wright are also both keen to break back into the first team. Parky does therefore have options here.
This is the side I think will run out in front of the Sky TV cameras tomorrow night –
Nicky Weaver
Martin Crainie
Mark Hudson
Jonathan Fortune
Kelly Youga
Jose Semedo
Matt Holland
Keith Gillespie
Hameur Bouazza
Deon Burton
Andy Gray
Subs from Elliott, Moutaouakil, (Primus), Basey, Bailey, Wright, Shelvey, Sam, McLeod, Todorov, Dickson, (Waghorn).
Of course, Derby will be buoyed by the attitude that anyone can just turn up and beat Charlton at the moment, and with (still current Charlton player but out on loan with a view to a permanent transfer) Luke Varney in their playing ranks, they do have a little bit of inside information I guess. Varney had a bit of a love hate relationship with Addicks fans – although he always tried and tried and tried, he simply didn’t score enough goals to win over fans who remember inside forwards who regularly scored; no, we don’t have to keep harping back to Killer, another Charlton player who went over to Derby from The Valley, but just to Garry Nelson. Nelse ran the channels in almost exactly the same manner that Varney does, but he was loved, because when he had a chance, he usually buried it. He did have the odd bad patch, but unlike Varney, he didn’t come with a £2million price tag that, to some, should guarantee goals. Personally, I will thank Varney for his contribution, but remember him as someone who didn’t quite live up to expectation, even though we will always remember him for scoring winning goals against Croydon (a bit like Kitson, Rommedahl, and Todorov!).
Pedro45 is hoping that Charlton do finally get a change of fortune, and that any luck going, especially for referees who seems to have a loathing from being in anyway biased in favour of Charlton this season, will finally be the good kind. I wil forecast a 1-1 draw, but hope for a performance to match that of the previous TV appearance this season when we played the pants off Reading (for most of the game).
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Deon Burton. Playing against one of his former clubs, Burton will be hoping to have a better game than the man he replaced in the red shirt (Varney) and add to his opening Addicks goal last week. Burton shows excellent hold up skills in each game - putting Andy Gray to shame! - and has been unlucky with goal bound efforts that brought good saves against Blackpool and Southampton. It is about time he got his goal from open play..
This may not be pretty; it may not be nice; and it may not be easy to watch; but what Charlton need is to start to fight on the pitch – not in a fisticuffs sort of way (the last thing we need is players getting sent off!) but in a battling manner, fighting for every 50-50 ball and wining them. Possession in this division is one of the keys to winning games, and Charlton have a poor percentage record in almost every game they have played in 2008/9. When Parky took over for the QPR game, we immediately saw the payers trying to keep hold of the ball, not give it to the oppo, and building confidence by knocking it around. They might not get much time in this match with Varney buzzing around looking for errors, but if the team can try not to give the ball away cheaply, then we should see an improvement.
The players and fans now know that Parkinson is in charge until after Xmas, so let’s hope that they show the commitment the club needs at this time. One win, or even one point, will not prevent relegation this season, but it could start to raise confidence that could lead to that very outcome. Let’s hope so eh?!?
Come on you Reds!
Labels: Charlton, Deon Durton, Derby County
