Charlton Athletic Online

Exeter City 1 Charlton Athletic 1

I didn’t think it was in; my seat was level with the edge of the penalty box with a pretty good view, and when the defender cleared it, nobody near me gave any other reaction other than that of a very near miss. Then the refree blew his whistle, the players stopped, Kyel Reid (shooting, left) turned to celebrate, and the arguments started. Neither of the two guys sat beside me thought it was a goal either.

Some minutes later, some of the last of the match, Nicky Forster had a similar shot, and that was blocked and cleared off the line too. That effort looked more over the line than the first one, but it wasn’t given. I didn’t think then, and I don’t now having seen the replay on TV, that it was stopped with a hand. It’s no surprise that the lino didn’t give the second goal or a penalty for that matter as he and the referee had been under some intense pressure for most of the second half, and certainly since the equaliser.

It wasn’t that the ref was biased, just that he had deemed to give a long series of free-kicks to Charlton, and the Addicks seemed to get every 50/50 decision too. For instance, the ball went out for a throw in; both teams raised arms to claim it. The linesman gave no signal, as he didn’t know which way it should go. The ref gives it to the away team, amid much abuse from the home crowd. It was just like that during the last half hour.

This was not a lucky point for Charlton though, but it was a game that they could easily have lost, and maybe on another day they would have. Deon Burton hit the bar with a header fairly early on after the Exeter ‘keeper had spilled a corner onto his head, but by then Darren Randolph had made an excellent low save to his left pushing the ball around the post for a corner. After half time, Charlton missed chances with Forster blazing over the bar and then drawing a good stop from Jones, while Miguel Llera – on as a sub for knee-knackered Sam Sodje – hit the post with a low free-kick. After the goals, Randolph had to make another very good save, this time pushing the incoming shot against his own post before it was scrambled away.

It was exciting stuff…

But no winner came from either team and the spoils were shared. Home boss Tisdale bemoaned the referee’s decisions all the way across the pitch, and Parky looked a little embarrassed as he walked off, aware that the point was enough to secure a play off place, but that he could have had either none or three, such was the game.

So we look forward once more, now having four, or maybe five, games to go in the season, bar a miracle. I don’t believe in miracles, so cannot see Charlton winning both their remaining games, Millwall failing to win again this season, and Swindon and Leeds both blowing it too, all of which need to happen if the Addicks were to still get to second place in the league table.

The management will have to make some decisions this week about who to rest, and who to play in the next couple of games, as both Sodje’s are now injured, and will need rest in order to have a chance of playing in the play-off matches; Lloyd Sam went off limping badly too during this game, and he looks to have pulled something that may take a couple of weeks at least to heal. Captain Nicky Bailey also has his shoulder problem, and now would be a good time to let that recover, as we could do with the once goal scoring midfielder back at his best during May. In the meantime, now would also be a good time to give Jonjo Shelvey a chance to rediscover some form, for Dave Mooney to provide some movement and a little pace up front, and for incumbents Therry Racon to get his ball control back and Deon Burton some match practice.

I know that the game next week has fans a little split over the possible outcome – if we win it helps Millwall, and if we don’t, then we may get them in the play-offs – and what is the best of the two evils. I’m not sure we can get anything from that game anyway, so let be what may be.

I also hate the play-offs, and have no confidence that we will be able to progress whoever we play, even if the rules changed and we had to face the current Stockport side! I hate the play-offs; I hate the play-offs, and I hate the play-offs! But that’s where we are. And if you had offered that at the start of the season, then I guess most fans would have said yes please without a thought. Just one team wins the play-offs, though four go into them. 25% chance – not good odds. Lots of pressure; lots of disappointment. The whole season on the line. Be prepared.

Labels: Charlton, Exeter City

Much has been made of forthcoming fixtures, and recent results, but as far as this blog is concerned, Charlton are now in the end-of-season play-offs. Mathematically, the Addicks still require at least one point to ensure participation in the five-game lottery, but that has to pre-suppose that the chasing pack will win all of their games. While Southampton might do that, I don't think Colchester will, and even if they did, I doubt that Charlton, even Charlton, could conspire to lose their last three games. So that means we all have some extra footie to watch this May.

Mind you, should Charlton win their last three games then we may not in fact have those additional two games at least; nine more points from this topsy-turvy season could just be enough to usurp both Millwall and Leeds (not to mention Swindon) into second place, though being a realist, I doubt very much that will happen either. I think it much more likely that Charlton will go unbeaten, but not win all their games, and therefore have to play those dreaded extra games where the whole season’s fate is decided by individual mistakes, nerves, and dodgy referees.

That’s for the future though, as this weekend, Charlton take the scenic route down the A303 all the way to Exeter. I quite like the A303, as my father now lives just off it near Mere, and my in-laws live about 25 miles (and minutes) further on in Somerset. That makes it handy when sorting out Xmas and visits at other times of the year, though this time I’ll be on the train to Devon, and missing out on seeing the various relatives (not least because my dad is in Uzbekistan!).

Exeter are one of those nice clubs that you have a soft spot for, probably because you never saw them as a threat. Sure, we came up against them in the FA Cup a few years back, but that was (supposed) giants against minnows; now we are in the same division, and they have as much chance of beating us as we do them.

I’ve been to St James Park, the Exeter version, a couple of times; in 1986 we played them in a pre-season friendly (won 2-0), but the last league game was in 1980, when a Tony Kellow hat-trick saw Charlton off in a 4-3 defeat. I have vague recollections about the day – meeting some members of my cricket team, one of whom was at college in the city, and then walking around the ground at half-time to get a view from behind the goal at one end – but I do remember the last goal, scored right near the end which ended the Addicks resistance. Charlton ended up that season being promoted, so maybe that’s an omen? The game at Then Valley this season saw Charlton coast to a 2-1 victory, even though another late goal was conceded.

Exeter need the points as they are sitting rather too uncomfortably near the bottom four relegation places, so they should be up for it, but they will be without Dunne (suspended), Stansfield (injured), and Fleetwood (loan arrangement), so will be below strength. Ex-England international Marcus Stewart is possibly the only current player well known outside the lower leagues but he also went off at half-time last week, though that may have been tactical following Dunne’s red card.

Manager Phil Parkinson would love to be able to pick the same side that performed well last weekend against league leaders Norwich, despite the result, but that may not prove possible. Akpo Sodje didn’t last until half-time, but despite suggestions that his hamstring injury is not as bad as expected, I doubt he will make the starting line up. Nicky Bailey also went off injured during the second half, and he is another who is apparently desperate to play, but I wonder if he may be held back (possibly as a substitute?) in order to ensure he is fit for the bigger games against Leeds the following week and the eventual play-offs.

Sam Sodje came through the game last week despite his being doubtful, and on quite a few occasions Parky has talked about players not being fit enough on a Wednesday but they still turn out and perform (or not as may be) on the weekend. Maybe the chat about injuries to the Sodje’s and Bailey is tactical?

So if we presume that the goalkeeper (Darren Randolph) and defence (Frazer Richardson, Sam Sodje, Christian Dailly, and Gary Borrowdale) will be unchanged, and that Jose Semedo and Therry Racon will provide the engine room of the team in midfield, and that Lloyd Sam will continue to play as we know he can, and that Nicky Forster is guaranteed a starting spot, who will come in if Bailey and Akpo are out?

The decision over the striker is possibly quite straight-forward; Deon Burton, just back from injury himself, replaced the younger brother last Saturday, and after a full week’s training, he should be OK to start. His bench spot will go to Dave Mooney, who must have felt pretty sick to have been left out completely against his former team last week.

If Bailey fails to recover from his shoulder problem, then the choice is between left winger Kyel Reid, wide man Scott Wagstaff, or maverick Jonjo Shelvey. Bearing in mind that playing either Wagstaff or Shelvey wide left this season hasn’t always worked, I suspect that Reid will be brought in, with options on the bench should he have one of his quieter games or more defensive duty be required.

This is the side I expect Parky to put out in Devon –

Darren Randolph
Frazer Richardson
Sam Sodje
Christian Dailly
Gary Borrowdale
Jose Semedo
Therry Racon
Lloyd Sam
Kyel Reid
Deon Burton
Nicky Forster

Subs from – Elliot, Warner, Solly, Llera, Spring, Wagstaff, Shelvey, Mooney, Bailey, Akpo Sodje, McKenzie, Tuna.

Pedro45 wants Charlton to win this game, but as with the last match, I would not be surprised to see them struggle, knowing that a less than favourable result will not matter too much before seasons end. A win would keep the pressure on the other teams around us, but the likelihood of other results falling as nicely as they did last week (when Charlton failed to take advantage) is remote. I forecast a 1-1 draw that will satisfy both teams, but do little without other performances before seasons end.

My one-to-watch in this game is going to be Therry Racon (left). Our Guadeloupe international has been a little on the periphery over recent weeks, and he really needs to start showing his class if Charlton are to have any chance of getting out of this league this season. One goal is a very poor return from any midfielder over the course of a season, but the consolation strike in Bristol is all that Racon has to his name. The biggest mark Racon has made this season is visible in the home dug-out at The Valley, courtesy of his boot after being substituted. He has made goals, but it is a while since we saw him twist and dummy his way to the bye-line and put over a telling cross that could be converted. Now is the time for Therry to re-discover his form and make a telling contribution; if he cannot, then he might as well go to the Caribbean and play for his island nation (as requested) rather than waste Addicks time in the play-offs.

Knowing Charlton, as we all do, there are more twists and turns to this season yet to come; they may turn up in the remaining league games, or those twists may wait until the play-offs. What all Charlton fans want is effort, commitment, skill and passion – we can take defeat (like last week). With that from the players, and backed by over a thousand Addickted, I doubt Charlton can lose this game, but then again, what do I know?

Up the Addicks!

Labels: Charlton, Exeter City, Therry Racon

Charlton Athletic 2 Exeter City 1

Three more points for a welcome win, and for a short time, we thought Charlton had moved back tot the top of the league table. Leeds very late winner at ten-man MK Dons put paid to that, but the top two will definitely clash next weekend at Elland Road.

Charlton had to make the first change to their starting line up for the home game against Exeter – Jose Semedo out with an injury and being replaced by Matt Spring. The management have kept quiet about the extent of Semedo’s groin problem, so we can only hope he is back for the next couple of important games. Spring’s place on the bench was filled by Grant Basey.

The Addicks started the game confidently, and well, and early crosses from Lloyd Sam and Nicky Bailey rained into the visitors box. Early chances came to Deon Burton and Bailey, who both headed over, and then the best chance came from a delightful move which saw Therry Racon chip to the far post, where the onrushing Bailey powered in a goal-bound header. Unfortunately, Burton was in the way, and his effort to deflect the ball past the Exeter ‘keeper knocked the ball up and over the bar from just a couple of yards out. It really wasn’t to be Burton’s day; suffering from a broken nose, and trying to score his 100th league goal, he got little change all game from a tight Exeter defence who man-marked him very closely.

Exeter settled into their own game, and with both teams trying to pass the ball along the ground, it was a decent match from the football perspective. Some of Charlton’s play out of defence was poor though, and Miguel Llera didn’t have much luck with his forward passes, and especially his long balls in behind the right back for Sam to chase. With players tightly marked, and the longer ball option failing, the away team saw plenty of possession, with winger Noone looking quite dangerous on a number of occasions. Fraser Richardson, who was up against Noone, had a tough afternoon, and he would have been happy to see the on-loan wide man substituted midway through the second half.

Charlton had to wait until the 41st minute for their first corner of the game, and they scored from it. Jonjo Shelvey took the ball short to Sam at the near post, and he beat his man to the bye-line and crossed low for my one-to-watch Bailey to flick home from close range. The goal was along time coming, and did reflect Charlton’s superior skill and fitness in the first half.

After half-time, Exeter came more into the match, and had several periods of prolonged possession, and good play, putting the Addicks defence under pressure. This pressure didn’t really convert to chances though, and Charlton did look dangerous on the break when they did get the ball. The out-of-sorts Burton made way for Izale McLeod, and at least that injected some pace into Charlton’s attacks. Shelvey also came off to be replaced by Scott Wagstaff, and Bailey moved to a more central position. Exeter’s two best players, forwards Stansfield and Noone had also been substituted by the last few minutes, and Charlton made the game safe three minutes from the end of normal time. Shelvey and Sam had worked an opening near the bye-line, but Shelvey’s cross was not the best and should have been dealt with by the ‘keeper; he spilled the cross though, and McLeod was on hand to smash home Charlton’s second goal, and his first at The Valley in over two years of trying. With McLeod being the victim of some abuse over his scoring record, maybe this goal will lift the weight off his back and he can start hitting the back of the net regularly.

A comfortable win is never the Charlton way though, and a innocuous long shot from an Exeter player was similarly spilled by Rob Elliot as normal time ran out. Elliot made up for his initial error by brilliantly blocking the rebound and saving his own blushes at the same time. As is the way with Elliot it seems, a great save is then followed by a mishap, though he cannot really be blamed this time as Charlton conceded from the resultant corner – substitute Cozic flicking his header home after another header put the ball into the six-yard box. Charlton played keep ball during the three minutes of added time, so a repeat of last week’s late equaliser was never on the cards.

Exeter played pretty well, and some of the best football seen from a visiting side at the Valley this season; a mention should also go to the referee, who I thought had an excellent game, playing advantage at every opportunity, and only booking McLeod for his shirt-off celebration (as he has too) and an Exeter player who pushed Elliot too vociferously after the goal.

There were no real stand-outs in the Charlton side; Spring showed he is an able midfield deputy, while Sam continued his good form. Bailey looked back into the mix of things, which is good as he has been short on inspiration over recent weeks, while Christian Dailly coasted through much of the match. Kelly Youga did well, and Therry Racon was involved throughout, and may just have shaded the man-of-the-match award.

The club will be happy to have had a relatively comfortable game, and looked to pick up no injuries ahead of a defining week in the season. With away games at Colchester and leaders Leeds coming up next, a full squad will be required, and the unbeaten Addicks will be hoping to pull themselves back up above the Yorkshire team at the end of the next seven days.

Labels: Charlton, Exeter City

I suppose in other seasons, a two game winless streak would have Charlton fans nervously looking over their collective shoulders, but in these heady times, that would be a disservice to Phil Parkinson’s (left) unbeaten Addicks. Eight games into the season, and still yet to taste defeat, the club sits in second place in the table, and could go back to the top if Leeds fail to win at the weekend.

Standing in the way of the loftiest perch are Exeter City, newly promoted and coming to terms with life in League One. City are the third of the promoted clubs to visit Charlton this season, and with Wycombe dispatched on the opening day, and with last years Champions Brentford comprehensively outplayed a month back, Charlton will be very confident of beating the third best team in League Two last season.

Exeter have started this season with two wins and three draws from their opening eight matches, and have a very good young manager in Paul Tisdale. Tisdale was suggested in some quarters as a possible replacement for Phil Parkinson during the dark days of the summer, though not many would be so vociferous now in voicing that switch.

The Grecians have few players that will be easily recognised by Addicks fans; the on-loan Stuart Fleetwood is not being allowed to play, so old hand Marcus Stewart, once of Ipswich, will probably lead the line once more. Craig Noone, a winger on loan from Plymouth may be the player to watch closely though, as he has scored once, had an assist, and had seven shots in his two matches played so far.

Exeter have already used 23 players in their league games so far this season, and that is in stark contrast to Charlton, who have so far been unchanged in all eight of their own matches; Charlton have also used six substitutes, so 17 players have been utilised. That statistic may well have to change this weekend though, as Parky has a few injury concerns to consider.

A few players have had injuries reported prior to games recently, but all have (miraculously) been able to take their place in the starting eleven come game time. One or two players may have been playing when slightly under par, and it is possible that those knocks are now coming back to hurt them. Fraser Richardson has a groin problem, which may not get better in the week’s rest he has had; Chris Solly will stand by to replace him if need be. Deon Burton broke his nose in last week’s game against Norwich, but it has been reset, and he is thought to be likely to play again this week. League One player of the month Lloyd Sam has a tight hamstring which has prevented him taking part in full training; with two important away games coming up, I would not be surprised to see Sam rested to the bench for this match, or altogether, with Scott Wagstaff given a starting place, especially if it will make a difference to Sam being fit for the next games. Midfielders Nicky Bailey and Jose Semedo also took knocks in last weeks game, but it sounds like they should both be fit enough to play and continue their important roles this week. With Christian Dailly still nursing sore ribs, and Miguel Llera protecting his cut head, the treatment room has been busy this week! In addition, it is unlikely that Leon McKenzie will make the subs bench, as he also has a bad hamstring.

This is the team that I think Parky may put out on Saturday, his first changes to the starting eleven this season –

Rob Elliot
Fraser Richardson
Kelly Youga
Christian Dailly
Miguel Llera
Jose Semedo
Terry Racon
Nicky Bailey
Scott Wagstaff
Jonjo Shelvey
Deon Burton

Subs from Randolph, Solly, Basey, Sodje, Spring, Stavrinou, Holden, Sam, Tuna, McLeod.

Exeter are one of those teams that make up the staple diet of opposition in League One; they fall into a group along with Walsall, Carlisle, Stockport, Oldham, and Hartlepool (among others). They are a team that Charlton should aspire to beat, and beat quite easily, if they want to be amongst the pace-setters for the league. I doubt that Exeter will play an expansive game, and they will be hoping to hit Charlton on a break, and then protect the lead and soak up any pressure. It is up to the Addicks to ensure that they do not fall behind, they themselves score early, and can then relax into the game in the knowledge that Exeter will pose a lot less threat than either of the last two teams Charlton have played, or the next two due to face the Addicks.

Pedro45 is going to predict a comfortable 3-0 win at The Valley on Saturday. It may be up to one or two fringe players – Solly, Wagstaff, Spring, McLeod for instance – to come up with the goods if they are required, and considering the longer term aspects of this season, it is important for each of them to make their own mark now. If each or any of them can get on the score sheet, or do a good job in the midfield or defence, then the likelihood is that when further reinforcements arrive in the January transfer window (or on loan beforehand), then they will not find their own bench positions under threat.

My one-to-watch in this game is going to be Nicky Bailey (left). The Charlton captain has been below par over the last few games, which may be down to the bad back he has been playing with. On the (excellent) Charlton Life player ratings for the season, assessed by fans at games, he only beats Llera (who has also had a couple of dodgy games recently) and Kelly Youga. Bailey started the season with a bang, and three goals in the first four games, but since he has looked quite subdued out on the left wing, and certainly not his vibrant energetic self. Bailey was possibly the cause of the half-time tunnel fracas at Carrow Road, and he does seem to lose a bit when riled. I’m hoping that with others possibly missing, Bailey steps up to the plate and re-asserts himself as the leader of the team, getting himself back on the score sheet and playing a full part in the match.

The last home game was always going to be tough, and to get a point at Norwich will look like a good result come next May; sure it was disappointing to concede in injury time, but these things do even themselves out (mostly) I think – after all, the Addicks goal against Southampton was not dissimilar to that scored by Holt…

If the two game winless streak is extended, then the following two away games will appear daunting, and we don’t want that to happen. With luck, Charlton could regain the top spot in this league on Saturday, and then try to hold onto it in Essex next week, and in Yorkshire next Saturday. The win is there for the taking, but it has to be fought for; anything less could see some red faces, and not the happy kind. The fans want a return to winning ways, and I think they might just get that wish.

Finally, I cannot go without mentioning the funds made available by the Board once more, that confirm that no players will need to be sold this season, and that the club is sound financially for the next few months at least. With Richard Murray (left) back as Chairman of the PLC (and Football Club) in a re-structured (and reduced) board, we have a leader back who can be related to, and one not afraid to speak his mind and put his money where his mouth is. Murray may not be Chairman for as long this time as he has been in the past, but it feels right to have him as our foremost representative once more.

Pedro45 says a big thank you to all of the new board of directors.

Come on you Reds!

Labels: Charlton, Exeter City, Nicky Bailey