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
Friday, April 09, 2010
Old Sores and Old Scores
The last six games of the season for Charlton are hardly going to be easy, and with five teams battling it out in the chase to be runners up (yes, Huddersfield could come through on the ropes should everyone else trip over themselves…and I think Colchester have blown it!) behind Norwich, anything could happen and probably will.The first of these must-win games, is away at Southampton. Last season, a win in the sun in April was a real boost to Charlton’s ultimately tarnished hopes of staying in the Championship. Goals from Jonjo Shelvey, Therry Racon, and Nicky Bailey gave the traveling faithful plenty to sing and shout about, and a repeat (with the same scorers?) would be fine by me! Last years game saw manager Phil Parkinson in a contretemps with the then Saints boss, and this year the match has added oomph due to our ex-manager Alan Pardew now being in charge at St Mary’s. I doubt that Parky and big nose will come to blows off the pitch (if you look at the video he did back off from old man Wenger pretty quick when confronted a few years back…), but there is little love lost between the pair these days I suspect. Pardew was the first manager to take a point from Charlton this season, spoiling the 100% record with a 1-1 Valley draw back in September, and he will have that smug look on his face once more if he can prevent Charlton winning this match, thus hurting any promotion prospects.
Pardew has the most potent forward line in the league to call upon, having signed Ricky Lambert and Lee Barnard since the start of the season, and both have over twenty league goals to their name this season. Barnard scored most (16) of his for Southend before his move (seven goals since), while Lambert got one for Bristol Rovers before he was lured by the Pardew promise/pound. Lambert did score the best league one goal of the season a few weeks back, taking a punt by the ‘keeper on his chest before lashing a volley home from 45 yards. It was a fantastic goal in any league, and shows how much the player (with 25 league goals in total) needs to be respected. Valley scorer Adam Lalana also needs to be watched closely, and the Saints also have a brand new addition in central defence since we played them in Jose Fonte and in midfield where one time Addicks target Jason Puncheon pulls the strings. On paper, they look like a pretty good team…
Charlton have a pretty good team on paper too, but the issue Parky has is getting them to play well together; mind you, that was Pardew’s problem too! After two successive 1-0 wins, it is unlikely that Parky will make too many changes, and certainly Darren Randolph will continue in goal, while the defence will be Frazer Richardson, Christian Dailly, Sam Sodje, and Gary Borrowdale barring any injuries.
Where Parky may think about changing things is in midfield, and up front. The two games in three days over Easter saw him shuffle his forward pack, and the issue really is now whether he goes with 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. With the latter, Shelvey will support the lone striker (probably Nicky Forster), but if he decides to start with two strikers, then Dave Mooney will probably be chosen ahead of Akpo Sodje (or Deon Burton, if he is fit again) to partner Forster. Sodje looked like a bull in a china shop when he came on as sub last Monday, and he really does look like a player desperate for game time; we should remember that his contract for next season is dependant on minutes played in the latter part of this season, so it’s no surprise that he is keen to be playing from the start. Hopefully, this will lead to goals when he is on the pitch, as that is the only guarantee of more game time, with so many forward options now available.
In midfield, Racon returns to the scene of his sublime goal last April, and Jose Semedo to the scene of his first half sending off a couple of years back. Our Portu-geezer will have to be careful, as a tenth booking of the season in this game will see him incur a suspension (3-games?) and we don't want to lose him when he is doing so well. Then we have Parky’s conundrum – who to play on the wings? With captain Nicky Bailey fit again, should he come into the side, or should he start on the subs bench as he did in midweek? With Lloyd Sam and Kyel Reid both looking dangerous but without any end product, this is a tough call. I would like to suggest that if Parky plays 4-5-1, then the two wingers start, but I think if he goes 4-4-2, then Reid may be harshly benched and Bailey will start on the left. But that's my choice, and Parky may think differently...
This is the side I expect Parky to send out at St Mary’s –
Darren Randolph
Frazer Richardson
Sam Sodje
Christian Dailly
Gary Borrowdale
Jose Semedo
Therry Racon
Lloyd Sam
Kyel Reid
Dave Mooney
Nicky Forster
Subs from – Warner, Solly, Llera, Fry, Spring, Bailey, Wagstaff, Akpo Sodje, Burton, Tuna.
Pedro45 is not making the journey to the south coast this year, and will be tuned into the radio hoping for a result. Sadly, I do think that the managers may cancel each other out, but I’m hoping that the upturn in recent form can see Charlton escape with a draw – I forecast a 1-1 result.
My one-to-watch in this game is, after all the recent tribulations and what happened here last season, manager Phil Parkinson. Parky was number two to Pardew for quite some time, and he has struggled to do well when returning to teams he has been associated in the past (think Colchester…). Here, his mentor will be his usual cocky self I’m sure, but not if Parky can get his team to play. From the depths of home defeats to Orient to assured clean sheets last weekend is a great improvement, and if that upward curve can be maintained, then another vital point (or three) can be won. What we mustn’t see is the chin lowered to his chest, and the collar getting higher, hiding his face as much as he can, because if we do, then that means we are losing, and his body language shows we won’t come back.With six games to go, five teams will battle to be runners up to Norwich. It could be us you know…and Saturday’s game will go some way to telling us if it might be.
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, Phil Parkinson, Southampton
Monday, February 22, 2010
Oh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside...
My, how Charlton hearts have lifted since Saturday’s home win against Yeovil! The confidence gained will hopefully see the Addicks through their next spate of games, starting at home against Brighton on Tuesday night. With Southend away the opposition on Friday, it will have been a busy week for the Charlton side, and the squad will have been stretched to the full I’m sure.While manager Phil Parkinson would have liked to have kept an unchanged side after the weekend win, it does seem that that will not be possible, following groin injuries to ‘keeper Rob Elliot and also right back Frazer Richardson. Elliot has been a bit of a wounded soldier in recent games, picking up a back injury versus Tranmere, then a hand knock against Swindon. While those two injuries failed to keep him out of the next game (even if the dodgy back did force him from the field), this one might it seems, and Darren Randolph will be on stand-by to start, with Jimmy Binks as bench back-up. The injury to Richardson is less of a surprise, as he took time out on Saturday to put on some jogging shorts in an effort to keep his groin strain warm; whilst this was a sense of amusement to some at the game (it’s always funny when footballers take off their shorts isn’t it? Ask Terry or Cole!), this did suggest a problem which has now surfaced. Chris Solly will almost certainly step into the breach, although it is possible that Jose Semedo could play at right full back too, should Richardson miss the game.
The rest of the team looks like it may be given another run out in the hope of continuing the form shown against the Glovers; whilst it took time to gel, once it did the players looked quite comfortable and could easily have gone on to win by more. With a third game in six days to come, I would hope that Parky may rest some of the key players once sufficient lead has been won (if it can be), and that should mean game time for Semedo at some stage, plus possibly Akpo Sodje, Leon McKenzie, and/or Scott Wagstaff.
This is the side I think will start against Brighton, presuming Richardson and Elliot are unfit –
Darren Randolph
Chris Solly
Miguel Llera
Christian Dailly
Johnnie Jackson
Nicky Bailey
Therry Racon
Lloyd Sam
Kyel Reid
Dave Mooney
Deon Burton
Subs from Binks, Semedo, Clark, Mambo, Sam Sodje, Spring, Shelvey, Wagstaff, McKenzie, Akpo Sodje.
As I’m going on holiday and will not be able to post a review of the Brighton game, or a preview of the Southend or Stockport games, I thought I’d tie these matches all together in one post.
All three games are winnable, and if they are won then that should be enough to catapult Charlton right back into automatic promotion contention. All of the opposition are closer to the bottom of the table than they would comfortably like, and Brighton showed they have fight when taking a point from Leeds at the weekend that could easily have been all three. They will be without Virgo – a key player for them - who was sent off late in that match, but have dangerous forwards in Murray and Forster. Stockport won their first game in 17 matches on Saturday, and we have to hope that this is a mere blip in their awful season. Southend meanwhile went down 3-1 at the inconsistent MK Dons, and they are just a point above the relegation places now. Since we beat Stockport and Southend in December, both clubs have sold their best players, with Baker leaving County for Coventry, and Barnard joining the Pardew revolution/revolving door in Southampton. Both teams should therefore be weaker than when we played them previously.
Pedro45 will be back just prior to the Millwall game, but may not have time for a preview of that match; I will therefore include that in my predictions which are that we will win against Brighton 2-0; win against Southend 1-0; beat Stockport 3-1; and draw at the new Den 1-1. If Charlton can achieve this set of scores, then the clubs above the Addicks will really start to feel the pressure of the run-in, and that can only benefit Charlton. Of course, should Charlton slip up against any or all these three teams, then the glances back over our shoulders at the other play-off contenders will look like a nervous twitch.
I cannot really have a separate player to watch covering these games, so my one-to-watch while I am away is going to be manager Phil Parkinson. Parky may well have to juggle his squad as the games come thick and fast, starting tomorrow, and provided he continues to pick as settled a side as possible, and provided he doesn’t tinker with the tactics too much, we should be in a fine position for the last few weeks of this tough season. It has to be 4-4-2 from here on in; it has to be Bailey in central midfield; and it has to be two wingers (at the start of matches at least, in all three aspects). The only thing that can stop Charlton if we start to play better is injuries, and we do have enough squad depth to cover most positions now.I have been on holiday in the past and Charlton have lost every game while I was away (5 matches in 1994 I think); I’ve also been on holiday and Charlton have won every time, without conceding a goal (5 games in 1998…). It would be lovely if they could win both games while I am out of the country this time, and set up a really good fixture at Millwall that could be the catalyst for promotion. We have to believe!
Come on you Reds!
PS And yes, the beach where I am going is better than the ones at both Brighton and Southend!
Labels: Brighton, Charlton, Phil Parkinson, Southend, Stockport County
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
