Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Park Life...
It’s been a pretty incredible start to 2011 for Charlton, 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!Phil Parkinson 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!
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 Redvolution 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Labels: Charlton, Join The Redvolution, Phil Parkinson
Monday, December 29, 2008
Cut Off and Adrift...Which Way to Look?
Sheffield United 3 Charlton Athletic 1I certainly cannot add any more on the events at Bramall Lane than some of the match reviews already posted, as I was only able to occasionally check the BBC text commentary during the match. From that, it seems that Charlton had much the better of the first half, with plenty of possession and opportunities on goal – Hameur Bouazza (left) scoring after 33 minutes after a punt forward from Rob Elliott. Then the second half was one-way traffic toward Elliott’s goal, with many shots, chances, and desperate defending. Midway through the half, Untied equalised, then followed that with another then another goal. Phil Parkinson tried to shake things up when the team fell behind by bringing on forward substitutes, but to no avail. Five players were booked, including Nickly Bailey who is now going to be suspended for a league game.
The result leaves the club equalling their worst ever run of games with out a win (16), and bottom of the Championship table by four points as Donny and Forest both won.
So where does the club go from here?
Obviously the manager situation needs to be sorted out, and the blogosphere is rampant with advice and comment about what the Board should do in the apparently imminent strategic review. Pedro45’s view?
Really, there are only two options – stick with Parky for the rest of the season or get someone else in. Both options have good and bad points about them.
Stick with Phil Parkinson
Parky does know the players, and also knows what areas of the squad need changing and improving in the January transfer window (just as nearly every fan does!). With some (small amount of) money being made available by the board (including a rumoured £1m from the sale of Varney, although this could be in danger now Paul Jewell has quit as manager of Derby, plus maybe £250k from Ipswich for Ambrose?), whoever is manager will be able to do some wheeling and dealing. The problem though is that sales in this month will be overpriced (no 50% discounts in football sales!) and may also be limited to players other clubs do not want and who therefore may not be good enough to help Charlton enough. To bolster the transfer/wages funds, other fringe players – Dickson, and possibly McLeod – may be sold too. The only way to generate "big" money is the sale of Zheng Zhi, but that really does depend on his fitness, and Parky has already said he is unlikely to return to training much before the end of January… Even then, he is out of contract in the summer so I doubt we will be able to get much more than a million for him? That leaves more loan signings to fill the gaps left (by sales and loan signings going back to their parent clubs…), and you cannot really say that many of the clubs loan signings have been much of a success this year – maybe to a very limited extent McEveley, Bouazza, Crainie and Waghorn, but have Primus and Gillespie added anything other than cover for players who needed a rest or to cover injuries? Burton will become a Charlton player on Thursday, but he’s hardly set the team alight, with just a penalty to show since he joined seven games back.
The negative aspect of keeping Parky is that he may wheel and deal, but will remain a weight on the club who cannot change results. He’s had 8 games, and we haven’t won any of them, even though they have been against some of the less talented teams in this league. It is kind of acceptable this season to lose to Wolves and Birmingham, and even Sheffield United, especially away, but not to Barnsley and Coventry at The Valley. With even more players in on loan, or even players who are signed with the specific reason to keep the club up and who will be sold if we are relegated (probably at a loss!), then the poor record shown so far in transfer dealings does not look good or bring confidence.
Get a new manager in
Well, where do the board start? If Parky isn’t the man, then it is probably fair to say that Mark Kinsella isn’t too. Both are good football (and Charlton) men (in my opinion), and it would be possible for both to remain at the club in their former roles (as under Pardew), provided the new man at the helm accepted that. If either were asked to leave, then the financial aspect has to be considered, and that could have an over-riding effect on any decision made, as Charlton are not rolling in money (surprise surprise!).
So we look for a head-honcho who may or may not want to work with the current coaches –
Those who might are –
Alan Curbishley
Mark Robson
Mark Bowen
Paulo Di Canio
Those who might not are –
Billy Davies
Paul Ince
John Hughes
Colin Calderwood (might be too soon for him…)
Kevin Keegan (well, he ain’t going back to Newcastle!)
Steve McLaren
plus anybody else, including the four who might above!
The plus for any new manager coming in is that they might be a breath of fresh air (a la Harry Redknapp) that the squad, who apparently are good enough for this division, might need. Parky certainly jivvied things up, gave players a chance, and has settled on his chosen starting team, but that hasn’t won us a game, so may not work for a new man either. So then the reality is that a new manager will need to make changes (just as Parky will if he stays…), but may not know where the changes are needed (unless he asks anyone in the blogosphere for advice…) which could slow down decision making and ultimately the available points we are fighting for.
So I really cannot see too much difference between opting to keep Parky, or get him to assist a new leader, or to get the broom out and sweep the coaching staff away and start again.
Pedro45 is not one to sit on the fence though, and as one of the first Blogs to publicly voice the requirement to remove and replace Alan Pardew, I feel that it is almost my duty to jump one way of another, much as the Board will have to in the next few days (and take the flak if they get it wrong..). So I say bring on the Redvolution! He would be a wild card, but it cannot get any worse. Crowds would flock back, and any expense in his short-term appointment would be offset by this increase in people actually coming through the turnstiles (rather than just tickets given away...). He would probably work with the current coaches, as he will know some of them. If it was for the short-term (until the end of season, and then you get a bonus if we stay up) then it would not cost much money. The style would improve, and the media would love us for doing it!
Give us PAULO!Bring on the REDVOLUTION!
Happy New Year!
Labels: Charlton, Join The Redvolution, Paulo Di Canio, Sheffield United
Monday, November 24, 2008
Brave New World
Phil Parkinson, manager of Charlton Athletic. Bet he loves that. No more second fiddle to Alan Pardew; it’s his team now! Phil gets to write the names on the team sheet; Phil gets to choose the tactics, and formation. Phil gets the plaudits when we win, and the stick when we lose. Phil (left) needs a hard hat, as it could be a tough baptism!Away to QPR is one of those games that in some seasons is tough, and in others it’s one where the “old Charlton” would look to gain all three points. I think I may have seen Charlton win more times away in Shepherd’s Bush than I have at any other London football ground. But then again, I remember the 5-0 drubbings on plastic that we used to get in the eighties too!
The hope is that having a new manager will sweep away all the angst and rustiness that has pervaded the Addicks line up over recent months, but the reality may be a little different.
Rangers have a decent home record this season, though anyone who thought that the mega-rich owners would bank-roll the club super-fast into the Premiership is very mistaken (Mittal was on the radio on Sunday morning and said promotion is a three-year plan and that it has to be self-funding…). Sitting in mid-table, the club has just appointed a new manager – Portugal legend Paulo Sousa – though he started with a thumping 3-0 loss to Watford at the weekend. Hopefully, that sort of form will continue, and Charlton can get some sort of return from the match. It's probably a shame that Iain Dowie got sacked a few weeks ago, as that is two seasons running that he has been sacked prior to playing Charlton...
Parky’s first team sheet could, quite honestly, be anything. Not knowing if he had much input into who played each week, we don’t know if he preferred Youga to Basey, for instance, or thinks JonJo Shelvey should be starting every week? So based on what I (and most of you) will have witnessed on Saturday, this is the team I would pick if I were Parky to take on QPR at Loftus Road –
Nicky Weaver
Yassin Moutaouakil
Mark Hudson
Linvoy Primus
Kelly Youga
Nicky Bailey
Matt Holland
Jose Semedo
Keith Gillespie
Hameur Bouazza
Andy Gray
Subs from Elliott, Basey, Crainie, Shelvey, Wright, Racon, Sam, Dickson, Todorov, Varney, Waghorn.
OK, you may see that the team I’ve picked is pretty much the same as that which started the horrible defeat at home on Saturday, bar the new on-loan winger. So let’s clear up a couple of things;
First, I am presuming that the Mirror is not right and that we have not signed Heidar Helguson in time to make his debut at Loftus Road. If it can be arranged in time, then he will have a great incentive to do well at Rangers, as they appear to have upset him a bit by insisting he join them until the end of January with no option to go elsewhere if he doesn’t fancy staying. Andy Gray’s ongoing personal problem may prevent him being available, and maybe giving him the game off will help him some? If neither Helguson nor Gray is available, then maybe Svetislav Todorov will get a chance or maybe Luke Varney will be back in favour?
Second, the team that took the field on Saturday was, on paper at least, possibly the best that Charlton could offer up. I know that that is not saying much, but I would hope that they cannot be as bad as they were for two games running. I’m sure each of the defenders, especially, will have done some serious soul-searching on Saturday night and Sunday morning, because arguably, they did what we all wanted them to on Saturday and got Pardew out of the club. Now they collectively have to show that they want Parkinson in the club!The problem comes, though, with players like Linvoy Primus, who Pards told us couldn’t play twice in a week; with Kelly Youga, who’s confidence (even for a guy that has brimfuls most of the time) must be at a very low ebb; with Nicky Weaver, who is going to have self-doubt very time a cross is pumped anywhere near him; and with Lloyd Sam who knows that he has to start to deliver the promise that everyone can see he has or he won't get his place back from Gillespie.
It is these players who are also in the firing line if Parkinson wishes to make any changes following Saturday’s debacle – Rob Elliott, Martin Crainie, Grant Basey, and Luke Varney are all itching to get into the team, and they must wonder how badly others have to play before they get their own chance?
The key, as far as I can see, is for Parky to instil some sort of new order into the side – you cannot forget all that has gone before, but you can kind of cover up the slate so it looks like it is clean (even when it isn’t…).
So how does Pedro45 see this one playing out? With Pardew still in charge, I have no doubts we would have suffered another clean and simple defeat; with a new man in charge, anything could happen (and probably will!). My heart says we can actually get a win, as if the team click going forwards (as they did on Saturday at times) but also behave sensibly in defence, then we are quite capable of scoring goals. My head however, knows that this is another tough game, and that the scars from the last two months may take a little while longer to heal. Pedro45 is going to forecast a close 2-1 defeat, but I really do hope I am wrong.
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be the much-maligned Nicky Weaver. Goalies don’t get much closer to the crowd than they do at Loftus Road, so for 45 minutes, Weaver will have Addicks fans just behind him, and for the rest of the time he will have home fans jeering him and his fat belly. What Nicky needs to do is make sure that he keeps his confidence; makes the right decisions; wins over red fans (again); and doesn’t drop any more balls, clangers, or jaws. We know he is a good shot stopper; all he needs to do is learn how to catch the odd cross or push out shots at 90 degrees (and not straight back to a forward!). If he can do that, then at least the defence in front of him will be a bit more confident too.Whether we win, lose or draw though, at least we won’t have to listen to Alan Pardew going on in the press conference about how it was this players fault or that players fault when we lost, or how it was all down to his fabulous decision making when we won. Let’s get back to a bit of reality please, eh, Phil?
In new eras like this, we need all Addicks fans to stick together; provided the heart and effort that we have seen in flashes this season is evident on the pitch, then the fans will warm to the team and new (temporary) manager. What we don’t need is to be a goal down inside the first fifteen minutes, and for players to start hiding or dropping their heads when things start to go against them. We the fans must support, cajole, influence, help, and sing! It might be cold but we can all make some noise in support of our team.
For a few years, we were not the familiar “Little Old Charlton”; we were never massive, but we were a bit bigger than little. We may have loved those years, but they are now memories. Now we are back to being little again – we’ve got our Charlton back! When you are little, you have to fight for everything you want. Otherwise the bigger clubs will just bully you. We all have to stand up now and stop the bullying. It's what Charlton are good at.
Now is the time to fight – the Redvolution has started.
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, Join The Redvolution, Phil Parkinson, QPR
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Redvolution Starts Now!
Just as I posted Waggy’s letter home, I read the news – SAP has finally packed his bags and is leaving ASAP.I’m not going to be nasty about the man, but I am glad he has left Charlton. For a couple of months now he has lost the plot and not been leading the Addicks in the way we would expect a man of his stature to do. Sure, he has had to work under budgetary constraints, but then so does every manager in football (even Mark Hughes!).
The simple facts are that he lost the dressing room, lost the fans, and lost all semblance of hope when he just wouldn’t stop tinkering with the team every week, and then came out with a host of excuses that blamed everyone and everything apart from himself.
Now the club moves on, and Phil Parkinson is in charge for the game on Tuesday night at Loftus Road, in a clash of two brand new managers.
I doubt we will see an immediate upturn in fortune (we never seem to get the new manager kick some other teams get…), but hopefully, we can now plan a longer term strategy (that isn’t based on only being two/three/four wins off a play off place…) and aim to retain our position in this division and get stronger next year.
The key question that the board will be asking over the next few days is whether Phil Parkinson is the man they want to lead that turnaround, or if some of the other names being bandied about are realistic options.
The King is Dead, Long Live the King!
Labels: Alan Pardew, Join The Redvolution
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sharpening the Blade
Seven games without a win – could Charlton finally end the run this weekend? It will be tough – Sheffield United sit in fifth place in the league at present, and they will be looking to bounce back after a home defeat last week (to Reading) that left them a little way behind the top three. You can guarantee that they will see anything other than a victory as dropped points, so Alan Pardew will have his work cut out getting Charlton ready.Pardew has finally delved into the loan market, and brought in a player, but then again we were promised up to four by this weekend, so maybe we shouldn’t shout too loud…
Choices to make then, after finally getting a relatively settled team during the last two away games (just 12 players started in the two matches…), and it does seem that Martyn Waghorn, the striker who is here for a month from Sunderland, has to start, otherwise what is the point in him being at The Valley when we have so many others strikers available?
Starting at the back however, Nicky Weaver will hope that he is not made the victim, as others have this season, when mistakes in one match have cost them their place for several months! Weaves didn’t so much drop a clanger last weekend at St Andrews as push it up in the air for Kevin Phillips to head into the net. Then he pushed another ball straight back out to another blue shirt and the hard earned half-time lead had disappeared in just five minutes of goalkeeping mayhem. Personally, I can’t see (even) Pardew dropping our Nicky, unless he does the same thing this week and next, as he is a much better keeper than both Elliott and Randolph, our only other options (bar a loanee?).
Defensively, I expect the same players to start as at Plymouth and Birmingham, even though we conceded five goals in the two games. Moutaouakil, Hudson, Primus, and Youga are settling into playing with each other regularly, and any options we have do not really improve the overall defence, either going forwards or holding firm.
If we presume that Waghorn will play, and that is by no means certain, then the midfield five will be reduced by one this weekend. We will still play two wide players – almost certainly Lloyd Sam and Hameur Bouazza, but who will drop out from the middle? Well, it’s unlikely to be Nicky Bailey, as he has played much better now that he isn’t playing minder to Josh Wright and has his defensive duties strengthened by Jose Semedo. I would like to see our Portugeuser retained too, with Matt Holland dropping to the bench.
Up front, Andy Gray, without much training but with goals in consecutive games, is sure to start against one of his former clubs.
This is the team I expect to see run out to The Red, Red Robin –
Nicky Weaver
Yassin Moutaouakil
Mark Hudson
Linvoy Primus
Linvoy Primus
Kelly Youga
Nicky Bailey
Jose Semedo
Jose Semedo
Lloyd Sam
Hameur Bouazza
Hameur Bouazza
Andy Gray
Martyn Waghorn
Martyn Waghorn
Subs from Elliott, Crainie, Basey, Holland, Wright, Shelvey, Todorov, Varney, Dickson, McLeod.
Sheffield United have James Beattie up front, and a very solid team. They will take no prisoners, and look to counter-attack, just as they did when whipping a better Addicks team last season three-nil.
Pedro45 wants the team to get something from this game, and I predict a 1-1 draw. It will prolong the run of games without a win, but may just about send the fans home contented that the battling away form was true, and that maybe, just maybe, the tide is starting to turn. Of course, if we are 3-0 down at half-time as we were last time out at The Valley, then the manager can expect no more chances, give no more excuses, and the board will have to make the right decision for the Club - which is sack him.
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Mark Hudson. Our skipper (left, just about to be sent off atr Cardiff!) will have his hands full looking after Beattie and any return from the game is key to him doing a good job on the ex-England striker. If he can be contained, then that will be half the battle, but if Beattie is allowed to rampage, then Charlton have no chance really.
I still do not think that Pards is the man to lead Charlton, and if we get nothing this weekend, and nothing from Tuesday’s game at QPR, then the next Valley match versus Southampton becomes yet another must win game, and possibly Pardew’s swansong. He has said he will not quit, so that leaves any decision with the board.
But to finish on a positive note, should Waghorn prove an inventive and ingenious loan, and able to do what Varney, McLeod, Fleetwood, Todorov and Dickson are not capable of according to the manager, then maybe Pardew will get more time and the Redvolution will have to wait still longer.
Saturday afternoon could tell us quite a lot…
Come on you reds!
Sheffield United have James Beattie up front, and a very solid team. They will take no prisoners, and look to counter-attack, just as they did when whipping a better Addicks team last season three-nil.
Pedro45 wants the team to get something from this game, and I predict a 1-1 draw. It will prolong the run of games without a win, but may just about send the fans home contented that the battling away form was true, and that maybe, just maybe, the tide is starting to turn. Of course, if we are 3-0 down at half-time as we were last time out at The Valley, then the manager can expect no more chances, give no more excuses, and the board will have to make the right decision for the Club - which is sack him.
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Mark Hudson. Our skipper (left, just about to be sent off atr Cardiff!) will have his hands full looking after Beattie and any return from the game is key to him doing a good job on the ex-England striker. If he can be contained, then that will be half the battle, but if Beattie is allowed to rampage, then Charlton have no chance really.I still do not think that Pards is the man to lead Charlton, and if we get nothing this weekend, and nothing from Tuesday’s game at QPR, then the next Valley match versus Southampton becomes yet another must win game, and possibly Pardew’s swansong. He has said he will not quit, so that leaves any decision with the board.
But to finish on a positive note, should Waghorn prove an inventive and ingenious loan, and able to do what Varney, McLeod, Fleetwood, Todorov and Dickson are not capable of according to the manager, then maybe Pardew will get more time and the Redvolution will have to wait still longer.
Saturday afternoon could tell us quite a lot…
Come on you reds!
Labels: Charlton, Join The Redvolution, Mark Hudson, Sheffield United
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Nickety-Slip!
Birmingham City 3 Charlton Athletic 2Another Valiant battle lost, with all fingers pointing (literally) at Nicky Weaver’s slip ups – leading 2-1 into the second half, a weak cross looked oh-so-easy for Weaves to catch, but then his footing gave way, and all he could do was punch the ball weakly skywards, allowing Kevin Phillips an easy headed goal. Five minutes later, another shot was fumbled by our keeper, and Quedrue was on hand to knock in the rebound for a lead that Charlton never really threatened.
It is easy to call for fans (and bloggers) to support the team, which I do on every occasion, but exasperation with the managerial situation is being prolonged.
Of course we cannot blame Pardew (above) for Weaver’s two costly errors, or for Lloyd Sam hitting the post when he had much more of the goal to aim at (and which, if he had scored, would have given Charlton a 3-1 lead…), but part of the reason that the confidence is so low and mistakes are being made is the errors that the manager compounded earlier in the season by tinkering with the team and tactics.
Sacking Pardew following the Barnsley debacle may not have changed the points return from last two games, but results like those we have seen all this season cannot be allowed to continue, or we will all be watching Charlton play in one division lower next year! The only answer is a change at the helm, the Redvolution’s primary objective, and the sooner the better.
I logged into the new Charlton TV audio service for yesterdays game, and found it quite easy to use. I was unsure as to whether it was working originally, as I was simply hearing a Radio London broadcast going around the grounds; then it went quiet but for St Andrews background noise (including the pitch announcer giving it loads!), before finally a commentary started a minute or so before kick off. I understand others had trouble maintaining reception, but that was not my experience. Half time was a quiet affair, and my wife thought she had lost the service, but that was simply the commentator going off for a cup for tea or similar and leaving the mike open. As long as you didn’t mind him repeating the score line every time he had to give updates to other radio stations then you got a pretty good service I thought.
The match itself saw Pardew start with Sam instead of Varney, the only change from the previous week, but it didn’t take long for Birmingham to score, danger-man McFadden picking up a cleared corner on the edge of the penalty area and just as he had done so for Everton a couple of years back, firing home a great shot, this time past Weaver (left).Charlton battled hard though, and a break out of defence eventually saw Bouazza control the ball on the edge of the area and volley home into the roof of the net. Five minutes later, Gray chased down a long ball over the top and shot across Taylor to give the Addicks the lead.
Both teams had further chances but Charlton hung on to go into half-time in front.
Sadly, the two Weaver mistakes put the Addicks straight onto the back foot soon after half time, and though Quarshie was sent off for a second booking with half an hour left, the extra man Charlton had was not allowed to pay off and the blue-noses hung on for all the spoils.
It is fair to say that Charlton have played much better in parts of the last two games than they had been for a month previously, but doing so for 20 or 30 minutes here and there (like we have against Bristol City, Plymouth, Birmingham, Burnley, Barnsley, Wolves, etc) are not enough to win matches in this division. The balance of the team is better, at last, now that Pardew has finally brought in Semedo to play the holding role in midfield, and other players who are either out of form (Varney, Ambrose) or too lightweight (Wright, Crainie) have been shifted out of the starting eleven, and that has helped too. But it is too little too late to make a significant impact on this league; hopefully, the one major change that still needs to be made (and soon) will have the right impact and the Addicks can start to move up the league once results improve.
Sadly, with two further tough games to look forward to, the required improvement may be some time yet in coming. By the time we get to the Southampton and Blackpool games, we may well be into double figures of matches since a win, and that run will just have to stop if we are not to remain in the relegation zone for much of the rest of the season.
I’m proud to be a Charlton fan, and I will always carry on supporting my club; I just wish we had a different manager, because the one we have currently isn’t good enough! The kids who support this club deserve better.Labels: Birmingham, Charlton, Join The Redvolution
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A Week Off from Singing the Blues (laryngitis rules OK!)
The next Charlton game in this oh-so-eventful season is away at one of the pre-season divisional favourites, Birmingham City. Not an easy game then, on paper, but actually, where Alan Pardew is concerned, he has nothing to lose going into the game. After a point last week at Plymouth that could have been three, the pressure seems to have been lifted off his shoulders somewhat, and backed by the fact that he and other club officials have been singing his virtue at every opportunity recently, it does look as if Pards is going to be given a chance to sort out the mess he has created. Whether he is capable, in the time Charlton can afford, or not, is open for debate, but it is probably safe to say that the Redvolution will not be taking place after this weekends match; win, lose, or draw.The manager obviously won over a few hearts and minds at the recent supporters club meeting, where he answered questions succinctly. However, it is tough when you are a fan of a football club to ask one of your heroes (and yes, anyone employed by Charlton is my hero, even Rick!) a tough question like – when are you going to let someone else have a go at cleaning up the mess you have made. The one question from the floor that got anywhere near the mark – Are you going to resign? – was always going to be followed with a categoric denial, and a call to arms. With ample media training at the disposal of all football related staff these days, Pards would probably have answered these questions in a way that made him sound confident, in control, and with purpose, thereby hiding all the very elements where he has fallen foul over recent months.
It was a triumph in hiding the problems; well done to the club – all of us fans love you again!
But the trouble is we still have the same problems with the tactics, team structure, and confidence, that we have had most of the time since Pardew took over. In two years, he has failed to deliver.
So where do we go from here? Well, with Ambrose now off on loan at Ipswich, that takes one enigma out of the equation; with Zheng Zhi also unlikely to feature this side of Xmas, the balance of the side is changed with no apparent player able to play "in the hole" behind the forward(s). The strikers themselves are now only likely to get any sort of service from the flanks, due to the lack of midfield creativity, and so that is the area where Pards needs to concentrate.
Step forward Charlton’s wingers – Lloyd Sam and Hameur Bouazza. The fly in the ointment though could be Pardew’s willingness to have Luke Varney on the pitch, even though our man from the Midlands is going through a crisis of confidence that even Sarah Palin would struggle to cope with. Varney has been tried down the channels, through the middle, out wide, and still he has failed to handle the pressure that a goal or two would relieve. As Pardew publicly blamed him for the initial goal conceded last week ( a key area that every forward needs to cover!), I do think that his starting position in this match will go elsewhere.
That means that Andy Gray is almost certain to get another game, which is amazing considering that Pardew said he would not be available for the next three weeks or so just prior to the Barnsley home game due to personal problems.
This is the team I expect Pards to send out in search of a result at St Andrews –
Nicky Weaver
Yassin Moutaouakil
Linvoy Primus
Mark Hudson
Kelly Youga
Jose Semedo
Matt Holland
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Hameur Bouazza
Andy Gray
Subs from Elliott, Basey, Crainie, Wright, Shelvey, Wagstaff, Dickson, McLeod, Todorov.
It’s quite an interesting reserves bench shown above, which if you remove Toddy from the equation, are all pretty young (though not quite to the Arsenal League Cup team level!). One day, eh?
The Blue Noses will be seeing this game as the one to get their season back on track; without a win in three games, they have slipped back behind midland rivals Wolves, and with Reading hot on their heels and banging in the goals, they will not want to drop too many more points at this stage of the season. Some of the older Charlton players will be able to re-acquaint themselves with Marcus Bent, who is just about capable of making the starting eleven for a Championship side these days. The obvious danger man though, is James McFadden, who could give Yassin a bit of a troublesome afternoon if he allowed time on the ball.
I would love the Charlton revival heralded last week by fans and the like to continue from Devon to the second city, but I just cannot see anything other than a defeat. The manner of the loss is what will count again, as nobody really expects Charlton to gain anything but a few bruises from the match. Pedro45 score forecast is a 2-0 defeat.
The only way around this is for the team to play very solidly, and frustrate the home forwards. If you can compete and be strong against Bent, he is unlikely to be able to lay off decent ball, but the issue is are Primus and Hudson capable of doing so? The midfield will also need to shine, as that is another area where Brum have been solid this year; Holland and Bailey will need to compete and win the area from Carsley and the like. My one-to-watch this week is Nicky Bailey; due a storming game, if he is the player that can step up from a lower league and drive Charlton up the table, then this is the sort of game where he needs to start to shine.
But the trouble is we still have the same problems with the tactics, team structure, and confidence, that we have had most of the time since Pardew took over. In two years, he has failed to deliver.
So where do we go from here? Well, with Ambrose now off on loan at Ipswich, that takes one enigma out of the equation; with Zheng Zhi also unlikely to feature this side of Xmas, the balance of the side is changed with no apparent player able to play "in the hole" behind the forward(s). The strikers themselves are now only likely to get any sort of service from the flanks, due to the lack of midfield creativity, and so that is the area where Pards needs to concentrate.Step forward Charlton’s wingers – Lloyd Sam and Hameur Bouazza. The fly in the ointment though could be Pardew’s willingness to have Luke Varney on the pitch, even though our man from the Midlands is going through a crisis of confidence that even Sarah Palin would struggle to cope with. Varney has been tried down the channels, through the middle, out wide, and still he has failed to handle the pressure that a goal or two would relieve. As Pardew publicly blamed him for the initial goal conceded last week ( a key area that every forward needs to cover!), I do think that his starting position in this match will go elsewhere.
That means that Andy Gray is almost certain to get another game, which is amazing considering that Pardew said he would not be available for the next three weeks or so just prior to the Barnsley home game due to personal problems.
This is the team I expect Pards to send out in search of a result at St Andrews –
Nicky Weaver
Yassin Moutaouakil
Linvoy Primus
Mark Hudson
Kelly Youga
Jose Semedo
Matt Holland
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Hameur Bouazza
Andy Gray
Subs from Elliott, Basey, Crainie, Wright, Shelvey, Wagstaff, Dickson, McLeod, Todorov.
It’s quite an interesting reserves bench shown above, which if you remove Toddy from the equation, are all pretty young (though not quite to the Arsenal League Cup team level!). One day, eh?
The Blue Noses will be seeing this game as the one to get their season back on track; without a win in three games, they have slipped back behind midland rivals Wolves, and with Reading hot on their heels and banging in the goals, they will not want to drop too many more points at this stage of the season. Some of the older Charlton players will be able to re-acquaint themselves with Marcus Bent, who is just about capable of making the starting eleven for a Championship side these days. The obvious danger man though, is James McFadden, who could give Yassin a bit of a troublesome afternoon if he allowed time on the ball.
I would love the Charlton revival heralded last week by fans and the like to continue from Devon to the second city, but I just cannot see anything other than a defeat. The manner of the loss is what will count again, as nobody really expects Charlton to gain anything but a few bruises from the match. Pedro45 score forecast is a 2-0 defeat.
The only way around this is for the team to play very solidly, and frustrate the home forwards. If you can compete and be strong against Bent, he is unlikely to be able to lay off decent ball, but the issue is are Primus and Hudson capable of doing so? The midfield will also need to shine, as that is another area where Brum have been solid this year; Holland and Bailey will need to compete and win the area from Carsley and the like. My one-to-watch this week is Nicky Bailey; due a storming game, if he is the player that can step up from a lower league and drive Charlton up the table, then this is the sort of game where he needs to start to shine.From these comments, you will see that the key is to stop them playing, while making the most of any chances that do come Charlton’s way. Sadly, this has been the Addicks problem all season – we have not been able to stop other teams, and it has been easy for them to stop us; chances have been squandered, and any luck that has come the way of Charlton has been wasted.
Maybe it is time that this all changed? Maybe, just maybe, if Pardew has been able to maintain any of the confidence that came into the team last weekend at around 4.45, and if the side play without fear as they are not really expected to get anything from the game anyway, and if we have a whole heap of luck, then we could just about grab a draw. I’d love to think so.
The Redvolution is coming, just not yet!
Up the Addicks!
Maybe it is time that this all changed? Maybe, just maybe, if Pardew has been able to maintain any of the confidence that came into the team last weekend at around 4.45, and if the side play without fear as they are not really expected to get anything from the game anyway, and if we have a whole heap of luck, then we could just about grab a draw. I’d love to think so.
The Redvolution is coming, just not yet!
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Birmingham, Charlton, Join The Redvolution, Nicky Bailey
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Back to the Drawing, Board
Plymouth Argyle 2 Charlton Athletic 2So near, yet so far. Another away draw that so nearly could have been three points yet wasn’t. Charlton took the lead deep into injury time at the end of the game, yet failed to hang on to the advantage as Mpenza volleyed home for Plymouth with the last kick of the match.
I’ll try to concentrate on positives from this game, though one or two of the negatives are still very apparent, and still need dealing with (not least, the manager!).
The game was a bit of a first for me; no Radio Kent commentary (despite what the official website said…) due to lack of funds meant I had to follow the game via the in-game text available from the Plymouth website (which was so much more detailed and better than the Charlton version by the way). I had tried to get on to the online audio commentary, but as with many others, could not log in. In addition to the text updates, I had the pleasure of reading the comments of those on Charlton Life who could listen to commentary, then post what was happening, and a fantastic job they did too!
Charlton made five changes as tinkerman Pardew reverted to old heads in this match. Matt Holland, Linvoy Primus and Hameur Bouazza all started, as did Kelly Youga and Jose Semedo. Out went Wright, Basey, Sam, Ambrose, and Crainie. Luke Varney played wide right, in a 4-5-1 formation, with both wide-men and the bolstered midfield supporting Andy Gray when they could.
Holland went close a couple of times in the first half, and brought decent saves out of the Plymouth ‘keeper. But then, as seems to always happen, Plymouth scored with their first effort on target – a header from a corner where the marking was terrible. Pardew has helped Varney’s deteriorating confidence by blaming him for slipping, though why he would be marking the tallest opposition player I’m not sure?
At half time, it seemed to be same old same old; lots of possession, and intent, but ultimately no return.
The second half was similar, with Charlton battling away, yet getting not very far. Varney was hauled off for Sam, and Todorov came on for Holland in an effort to implant more attacking options. Then Semedo was carried off with Dickson coming on, so Gray had to move back into midfield.
Hudson brought another good save out of their ‘keeper, and Weaver was busy too.
Finally, Charlton found some return, when Youga headed home a Bailey corner with just four minutes to go.
Reading this on Charlton Life was quite thrilling, as more and more comments came in exulting the scorer (many after slagging him off repeatedly earlier it should be noted as he seemed to be the main culprit for the lack of marking at the first goal, contrary to what Pardew subsequently said…). Then, as the game moved into injury time, and all Addicks fans hoped for a final whistle, the mention of a penalty came, but who too? Turning to Sky Sports News at this point, it was to see that we had taken the lead through Andy Gray (left). Skipper Hudson (who by all accounts had a very solid game) had been tugged back at a free kick, and the referee had made a bold decision to award the away team what looked like a match winning penalty.As I returned to my computer, it was to see a score flash of 2-2; great I thought, two minutes into injury time and we still cannot hang on for a win!
The final goal was once more was the result of a set piece, with a free kick headed up and volleyed in (very well it should be added) from the edge of the area.
I suppose if I had been happy with 1-1 then I should have been happy with the same point from 2-2, but there is that underlying sense of frustration that being a Charlton fan gives way too often!
Anyway, reports suggest that the team did much better this week, and that there was at least (and at last) some cohesion with the way they played. The problems with playing some members of the team that were either not contributing (Ambrose) or not strong enough (Wright), or not good enough in certain positions (Basey and Crainie) seems to have been dealt with, and hopefully the team can now settle down and not be tinkered with (except in a positive way) over coming weeks. That may be compromised by Semedo’s injury, but if the club is to bring in players on loan then that is one position that can be dealt with.
Then the next thing is to deal with Pardew – he’s not good enough to lead Charlton, but this away point, and the fact that he may be allowed to bring in one or two loan players suggest that he will be given (even) more time to sort out the mess he has created. Whether we get anything at Birmingham next week may now not be the (next) defining moment in his Charlton stewardship, but with not many winnable games in the near future (at least on paper), with Pardew in charge at any rate, how long must we give him until the Board do make the necessary change? We haven't won since early October, and it could now be after Xmas before we gain three points from one match... Bring on the Redvolution!
Well done to the players and to those supporters who made the trip and those who kept the commentary coming for those of us not fortunate enough to be able to listen in live.
Labels: Charlton, Join The Redvolution, Plymouth
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Change We Need!
Now where have we heard that heading said before? Was it a few weeks back when Alan Pardew vowed to give some youngsters a game? Or was it a couple of weeks later when he said we needed experienced heads on the pitch in these grim times?Maybe it was last January, just prior to when he got Cook, Sinclair, and Halford in on loan, or maybe it was when he waved the loan players all goodbye at various times not long afterwards.
If Pards did say those words, at any stage, never could they be more true than now: Change is needed at The Valley, but rather than on the pitch, it is the manager who should be changed. Alan Pardew, you should leave the club.
Now I know that Pards is meeting with one section of the supporters club tonight (provided he doesn’t get late advice from the solicitors that it would be better not to attend, as happened during the Zabeel on-off deal weeks with Chappell and Murray), and it would not surprise me one iota to hear from that meeting that he had issued a rallying cry; but where else can he go, but to offer upward hope? The club is in such dire straits on the pitch that Pardew will get a huge verbal abuse tonight. He will have to sit there and hope that whoever chairs the meeting offers him some protection, but I do hope that the fans majority view – which is that he should leave Charlton, and evident on at least two website polls this week – is allowed to be put across for him to answer directly.
Pardew will no doubt be prepared, and maybe if he made as much effort in preparing his team for a game each week, we wouldn’t be in such a low league position!
I cannot support any theory that Pards is just three games away from being a hero (provided we win them all…); quite frankly, we will be lucky to win three games in the remainder of 2008 based on what we have seen recently on the field of play.
No, it is time for him to go, and if he will not resign (and I would not if I were him by the way…), then the Board must act accordingly and do the right thing.
I ought to point out that I have nothing against the man personally, and I do hope that the meeting this evening is conducted properly and he is given the chance to speak – even if it is just to give fans the chance to hear him and listen to any explanation of why things are so bad.
It is my stated opinion, and has been for some weeks now, that he is not the man who should be in charge of picking the team at The Valley, and the Club and the manager are better off going their separate ways.
However, it does look likely that Pardew will still be in charge this weekend, and as such, I want to preview the game as best I can.
Pardew’s wish for any proposed loan signings have so far failed to materialised; whether this is due to negotiations taking longer than envisaged or if the Board are not willing to release the funds that would be necessary is unclear. What is sure is that Darren Powell – who played for the reserves in midweek - is not the answer, or even the question!
So Pardew merely has that enormous squad that he has had all season from which to choose. If only he had a loan signing or two, at least it would make picking the team easier as they would have to play.
The likelihood is that just one of the current loan signings – Martin Crainie - will get a start this Saturday at Plymouth, although after Pards blamed last weeks defeat on the loss of Linvoy Primus through injury, our old, ex-player, on loan, may get a look in if he has recovered.
The other certainties, as named by Pardew a couple of weeks ago are Nicky Weaver in goal, plus Mark Hudson, and Nicky Bailey.
So the rest of the team that Pards will need to choose from are:
Right Back – Yassin Moutaouakil or Jose Semedo; well, Yassin has done OK but without making any big splashes since he got back in the side, maybe that is him simply concentrating on cutting out any defensive errors? I’d stick with this Frenchman.
Left Back – Straight choice between Kelly Youga, Grant Basey or Semedo; I’d pick the Frenchman again, as he is a better defender which is what we need away from home. Some of Basey’s defensive play last week was awful, though he does offer more going forwards than Youga. Close one…
Right Wing and Left Wing – Lloyd Sam, Luke Varney, Hameur Bouazza, and Darren Ambrose are all playing for just two positions. Of course, the formation will go some way to deciding where Ambie plays, but I suspect that the 4-2-3-1 may get another start, and as such, Varney and Bouazza will get the nod out wide.
Central Midfield – If Pardew does go for this formation, then Ambrose will slot in behind the front man, and behind him, we can expect to see Matt Holland get the chance ahead of Josh Wright. Josh hasn’t done much wrong (although he is very raw) but Pards intimated last week that he needs more experience, and that can just mean Holland in midfield. Semedo would be good, but that experiment (which worked) last season seems to have been completely dropped…and JonJo Shelvey seems to be behind Wright in the current pecking order as far as Pards is concerned, though I’m not sure why?
Striker – If only we had one eh?!? Well, if Varney plays out wide, then it will be Andy Gray up front again, if his personal issues are resolved enough for him to travel, or we could be looking at another trial where we play Dickson, McLeod, or Todorov (who had a nice rest last weekend!). Mind you, if Toddy gets a go then I think Varney will be pushed up, with Ambie out wide, and Toddy in the hole. Pardee has lots of choicy!
This is the team I think he might start with –
Nicky Weaver
Yassin Moutaouakil
Mark Hudson
Martin Crainie
Kelly Youga
Matt Holland
Nicky Bailey
Darren Ambrose
Hameur Bouazza
Luke Varney
Andy Gray
Subs from – Elliott, Primus, Semedo, Basey, Wright, Shelvey, Sam, Dickson, McLeod, Todorov.
Sadly, as the T-shirts aren’t ready yet, Pedro45 will not be making the long trip to Devon this weekend, but as I predict a score forecast of another defeat – this time 2-0 – then I won’t be sorry. Even with the best Addicks side possible taking the field of play, without firm leadership, I cannot see any upturn in results. The sooner Pardew leaves, the sooner we can start to think positively about winning a game or two!
While Plymouth had a decent season last year before falling away toward the end (that seems familiar!), they were thought to have a weaker squad this season. That seemed to be evident from early results, but recently they have picked up, and did win five out of seven games. They then lost last weekend so will be hoping to bounce back. Without Ebanks-Blake; without Halmosi, they shouldn’t be feared, but then again, Charlton are petrified of anybody these days it seems.
My one-to-watch this week is going to be Mark Hudson; Gawd knows what he is thinking after joing a few months back. We need his leadership on the pitch as we are not getting enough off it. Oh, and maybe he can point out to Varney where the goal is?I want Charlton to win, but I know that will only delay the inevitable for another ten days or so. With no Charlton fan expecting any points from the Plymouth or Birmingham games, I would rather lose if it meant confirming Pardew’s fate. If the Board will not make that judgement call soon, then I hope that we can at least get the odd-point here and there, because when a new manager takes over (and we will need one at some point this winter), he will need everything that we have in the pot if we are to survive relegation this season.
The Redvolution is now – it is change we need!
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, Join The Redvolution, Plymouth
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Welcome New Members of the Redvolution!
Two new blogs have surfaced this week, and both are new and willing members of the Pardew Out! Redvolution sweeping the Charlton blogosphere.Danny Valley, possibly Frankie's younger brother, and Always a Better Day, another recent Redvolution convert are now posting.
With many other blogs, and Charlton Life, also backing the Redvolution, it can surely only be a matter of time before the deed is done and Pardew is shown the door. The sooner the better!
I'm toying with the ideas of selling "I joined the Redvolution" t-shirts at Home Park on Saturday - any takers if it gets off the ground? (It will have Pardew Out! on the back...)
Labels: Join The Redvolution
Sunday, November 02, 2008
A Quantum of Solace
Charlton Athletic 1 Barnsley 3I have lacked any motivation to write up a report on yesterdays game, it was that depressing, but having read most of the other Charlton blogs this morning, here’s what they are saying -
Charlton were a shambles.
New York Addick
…the team lacked passion, motivation, direction and leadership both on the field and off.
From the Hill to The Valley
Deepest Darkest
Once again throughout the game his body language was negative and passive.
Addicks Championship Diary
15 points from 15 games this season, what makes an average of 1 point per game but come on that is not good enough!
By the Sword
This is the problem, we have the players but the team spirit, the life blood of Lennie Lawrence and Curbishley teams is gone and that is not the responsibility of the players it is what managers are paid for and if Pards can't do it, then we need someone who can by the next home game. From the Hill to The Valley
Addicks Championship Diary
15 points from 15 games this season, what makes an average of 1 point per game but come on that is not good enough!
By the Sword
This is the problem, we have the players but the team spirit, the life blood of Lennie Lawrence and Curbishley teams is gone and that is not the responsibility of the players it is what managers are paid for and if Pards can't do it, then we need someone who can by the next home game. From the Hill to The Valley
As the waters rise above our manager, he seems ever more determined to stick with ways which really don't work.Inspector Sands
We are not a team, we lack pride and passion and certainly there are too many players on the park who are not willing to give all for the shirt.
Charlton North Downs
Charlton North Downs
The players are not playing for the manager.
Drinking During the Game
If Pardew is not removed we will be relegated.
Roehampton Addick
I have tired of his arrogance, his myriad of excuses and our poor performances and results.
New York Addick
Drinking During the Game
If Pardew is not removed we will be relegated.
Roehampton Addick
I have tired of his arrogance, his myriad of excuses and our poor performances and results.
New York Addick
He’s pretty much lost the fans and the players are giving no indication that they want to play for him.
Blackheath Addicted
These are not my words, but other bloggers. My position is clear - I have wanted the Redvolution for some time; Pardew must leave Charlton.
Charlton started the game yesterday with another tinkered team sheet; Josh Wright came back into the starting eleven, as did Grant Basey, and (surprisingly) Andy Gray. Within two minutes, the first goal was conceded, and before half time, two other set plays had seen the ball finish in the net behind Nicky Weaver.
Charlton’s only efforts were a Lloyd Sam volley that went over when it was 1-0; a Gray shot on the turn that went wide when it was 2-0; and a Darren Ambrose thunderbolt that was blocked.
With Hameur Bouazza on for the out of sorts Sam at half-time, the formation switched to the 4-2-3-1 that was tried initially against Bristol City, few other chances were manufactured though. Mark Hudson scored in much the same way Todorov did last Saturday – from a Basey free kick wide right, but it was too little, too late.
"Pardew out" sang the crowd; AP stood with arms folded, immobile.Whether the Board need to inform the Stock Exchange first, and are therefore leaving news of his departure until tomorrow morning, or if they will give him two tough away games at Plymouth and Birmingham to seal his own fate, remains to be seen.
One thing is now certain – “SAP” must go ASAP!
Labels: Barnsley, Charlton, Join The Redvolution
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Redvolution Starts Soon!
So here we go – the real McCoy: Our day of Destiny. One more game, and it just has to come to pass. It’s is just Barnsley that stands between Alan Pardew, and the Redvolution. Chin up eh, Al?Now don’t get me wrong, I would love Charlton to win this match, as I want them to win every single game that they play. But enough is enough, and I believe that this will be Alan Pardew’s last game in charge of the Addicks.
If Charlton do not secure a win, even a dodgy own-goal victory like the last time we won three points about a month ago, then the Board must do the right thing for Charlton.
Looking back over the years, the Board of Directors have always followed that principle; to do what is right for the club at that time – when it was time for Alan Curbishley to make a go of it on his own, Richard Murray stood up and told Steve Gritt the news; when Curbs said he wanted just one more season, our Chairman said that was not in the Club's interests, and an amicable parting of the ways came about; when Dowie and Reed made a pigs ear of our last Premiership season, they were quickly shown the door; when Zabeel offered to buy the Club, the Board said it was in the best interests of the club and made a recommendation, sadly which didn’t come to fruition.
A defeat, or even a draw, on Saturday, and the Board should do what is right for the Club, once more, and relieve Pards of his duties. They have absolutely no other choice. A win may postpone the inevitable for another week or two (after two more away games, which could be pointless), but the writing is definitely starting to appear on the pay-off cheque.
I know it will cost the club money, but no more so than that which is starting to be lost through falling gates, falling merchandise sales, and lack of season ticket uptake, all a result of the managers tinkering and failure to pick a team to do a job.
I know that we have to find a replacement, and quickly, but with managerial experience available from within the club (Parkinson and Gritt for instance), why that cannot suffice until a permanent replacement is found I do not know? It is my opinion that whoever is placed in charge can do no worse (and probably a whole lot better) than Pardew is currently. Anyway, it shouldn’t take too much to get a few other managers interested in awakening this sleeping giant? And there are plenty out there who are not currently drawing a wage in pounds, shillings and pence…or even Euros! And sometimes, yes sometimes, the caretaker manager comes up trumps and carries on permanently and does a very good job - a certain Mr Lawrence comes to mind...
So who is it that can save the managers door nameplate from being unscrewed this week? Well, Nicky Weaver is sure to be in goal – Weaves saved a penaltyn (left), and possibly Pardew’s ass on Tuesday night, even though he apparently took some stick at half-time for daring to let a goal in.Then there is skipper Mark Hudson, he’ll be on the pitch and fighting to keep Barnsley (and ex-team-mate Jon Macken) at bay. I expect Yassin Moutaouakil to get another home start, even though he was substituted at Ipswich by Jose Semedo, who did well. I think Martin Crainie is almost certain to play alongside Hudson, especially as Linvoy Primus is carrying a slight injury.
Whether Pards trusts Kelly Youga, who played at Ipswich, or Grant Basey, who played last weekend against Burnley, at left back is a close call, though I think Basey is better suited to home games, and can cause plenty of problems for the opposition with his free kicks and corners.
The midfield will certainly contain Suffolk goalscorer Nicky Bailey, but who else plays is very open to option; alongside Bailey we could see either stalwart Matt Holland, or the youngster half his age – Jonjo Shelvey - fresh from England U-17 duty. Then again, we could see Semedo step in and play the holding role he did so well last season if Pardew wants to free up the rest of the midfield to attack, or even last weekends debutant, Josh Wright. Out wide, you can probably pick any two from three of Lloyd Sam, Hameur Bouazza, and Darren Ambrose.
As with the midfield, Pards is not short of choice when it comes to the forward line either. Luke Varney didn’t miss a chance on Tuesday, thankfully, but demons may be creeping into him, as it is a while since he last scored. Andy Gray could be back after family illness, but I wouldn’t count on that, while Svetislav Todorov is far less effective starting than coming on as a second half substitute. Then we have the enigmas that are Chris Dickson and Izale McLeod who could start, be on the bench, or be left out completely depending on Pards mood.
I’d like to say that this is what we like about Pards, the inconsistency of his rotation policy, but I cannot; it is ridiculous the way he tinkers with his team and fails miserably to get anything like the right blend on the pitch from the off.
This is the eleven I would pick if I were Pardew and I had one more match to save my job –
Nicky Weaver
Yassin Moutaouakil
Mark Hudson
Martin Crainie
Grant Basey
Grant Basey
Lloyd Sam
Nicky Bailey
Matt Holland
Nicky Bailey
Matt Holland
Hameur Bouazza
Luke Varney
Andy Gray (or Todorov if Gray is not available)
Andy Gray (or Todorov if Gray is not available)
Subs from – Elliott, Semedo, Primus, Youga, Shelvey, Wright, Ambrose, Todorov, Dickson, McLeod.
One game, and it has come down to Barnsley at home; will they roll over and let Pardew seek out that victory? I doubt it, they are as desperate for points as Charlton are, but did win their first away game of the season at Doncaster in midweek (where have I heard that before I wonder…).
They are no great shakes as a team, but do have individual players who could thwart the home team. Jamal Campbell-Ryce is an ex-Addick who would love to light up The Valley with his undoubted skill, while Muller in goal is a tough nut to crack when on form.
Putting aside my thoughts on Pardew, I really am not that confident about getting a result on Saturday anyway! Pedro45 is going to forecast another 1-1- draw, with the boo’s ringing out once more and all those kids who have come to the game to shout and scream at the top of their high-pitched voices going home disappointed. I would love the efforts of the team that Pardew picks to be enough to win over some of these youngsters as future Addicks fans, but unless the team can win, and win well, then they will all revert to being Chelsea, or Arsenal, or Manchester United, or Liverpool fans come Monday morning (or until they have seen Match of the Day and not heard Charlton mentioned…).
My one-to-watch for the second week running is going to be Alan Pardew. I’ll be watching him, and so will most of you, especially if his (possibly last) Addicks starting side fails to get on top during the initial phase of the match, even when he phones a friend (left). We have the players to go out and beat the Barnsley’s of this league, but getting the right players out there on the pitch, in the right formation, and mentally prepared to win games for themselves, the management, the directors, and the fans seems to be beyond Pardew’s capability at present. I hope for his sake I am wrong, but I truly do not believe it.
I get absolutely no pleasure from wanting the manager to be removed from the heart of the club I love, but sometimes these things are for the best.
A win and we can smile and hope that our luck has changed, and that we are going to start climbing the league table at last; a draw or a defeat, and all those that have joined the Redvolution will be baying for one thing – we just need the Board to be listening.
Come on you Reds!
One game, and it has come down to Barnsley at home; will they roll over and let Pardew seek out that victory? I doubt it, they are as desperate for points as Charlton are, but did win their first away game of the season at Doncaster in midweek (where have I heard that before I wonder…).
They are no great shakes as a team, but do have individual players who could thwart the home team. Jamal Campbell-Ryce is an ex-Addick who would love to light up The Valley with his undoubted skill, while Muller in goal is a tough nut to crack when on form.
Putting aside my thoughts on Pardew, I really am not that confident about getting a result on Saturday anyway! Pedro45 is going to forecast another 1-1- draw, with the boo’s ringing out once more and all those kids who have come to the game to shout and scream at the top of their high-pitched voices going home disappointed. I would love the efforts of the team that Pardew picks to be enough to win over some of these youngsters as future Addicks fans, but unless the team can win, and win well, then they will all revert to being Chelsea, or Arsenal, or Manchester United, or Liverpool fans come Monday morning (or until they have seen Match of the Day and not heard Charlton mentioned…).
My one-to-watch for the second week running is going to be Alan Pardew. I’ll be watching him, and so will most of you, especially if his (possibly last) Addicks starting side fails to get on top during the initial phase of the match, even when he phones a friend (left). We have the players to go out and beat the Barnsley’s of this league, but getting the right players out there on the pitch, in the right formation, and mentally prepared to win games for themselves, the management, the directors, and the fans seems to be beyond Pardew’s capability at present. I hope for his sake I am wrong, but I truly do not believe it.I get absolutely no pleasure from wanting the manager to be removed from the heart of the club I love, but sometimes these things are for the best.
A win and we can smile and hope that our luck has changed, and that we are going to start climbing the league table at last; a draw or a defeat, and all those that have joined the Redvolution will be baying for one thing – we just need the Board to be listening.
Come on you Reds!
Labels: Alan Pardew, Barnsley, Charlton, Join The Redvolution
