Monday, April 12, 2010
One Nil to Errrrr….
Southampton 1 Charlton Athletic 0It seems that all Charlton’s games at this stage of the season may be 1-0 victories or defeats; after two vital wins, Saturday’s defeat at Southampton was no great surprise, but this result did dent the slight rise in confidence that had been recently apparent.
It wasn’t that bad though, as the Addicks did play well in patches, and had Nicky Bailey - playing in an attacking midfield role behind the lone striker – not found home ‘keeper Davis in such good form, the performance would have won points and not just plaudits. Despite the Saints raining in shots at every opportunity, Charlton had more efforts on target, and won the corner count quite convincingly. However, statistics like these do not matter, it’s the goals that count, and the winner came from Antonio midway through the first half.
With most of the other teams in the mix winning (bar Swindon), the side lost ground in the chase for the second automatic promotion spot, and must now look to confirm their play off place with a result against Colchester tomorrow night. This clash now takes on a vital magnitude, as a loss here, and another against leaders Norwich on Saturday could see the Addicks slip out of the play off places.
And that just doesn’t bear thinking about!
Labels: Charlton, Southampton
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
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Saints and Sinners
Southampton 2 Charlton Athletic 1Well, that’s any dreams fans may have had of a trip to Wembley over for another season. A 2-1 score-line that may paper over some cracks, but for an hour, Charlton were abysmal yet again.
Phil Parkinson made plenty of changes, recalling on-loan Carl Ikeme in favour of Darren Randolph, switching Kelly Youga to right back to accommodate Grant Basey, resting Sam Sodje and Therry Racon in favour of Miguel Llera and Matt Spring, playing two wingers (Scott Wagstaff and Lloyd Sam), and finally starting with Dave Mooney alone up front.
The home team should have taken the lead in the first minute, when a free header went wide after Ikeme completely missed a corner. Southampton then put much pressure on Charlton and it was a good twenty minutes before the Addicks settled into the game. By then, Ikeme had fumbled another cross, and also let a shot slip under him that luckily hit the post and bounced out. The defence, marshalled by Christian Dailly, were so so busy again, with Jose Semedo having one of his worst games in a Charlton shirt and completely failing to protect the back four as the Saints surged forward.
When Charlton did settle, Wagstaff had a shot blocked, but that was about it until the first goal; a corner was missed by a couple of players and Youga stood still as Thomas walked past him to tap into the net. Ikeme may have done better if he had tried to claim this ball, but maybe he would have dropped that one too?
Having just about made it to half-time one goal down, it was once more left to Parky to read the riot act, and at least there was a marked improvement early in the second half. Mooney started to find balls played up to him rather than over his head, and Sam and Wagstaff out wide had help as Youga and Basey pushed on. Spring had a shot go wide, but then Parky chose to switch things around a bit, bringing on Luke Holden for his debut in place of Sam. Almost immediately, the lead was increased as Lambert’s snap shot flew under Ikeme’s outstretched hand and, without the luck of the post this time, another poor defensive goal. This led to a complete change of tactics as forwards Leon McKenzie and Deon Burton entered the fray, with Wagstaff and Semedo trooping off. Holden switched to the right to accommodate McKenzie, but this really didn’t look like it helped him as he continually lost the ball when trying to bring it back on his left foot.
The game was drifting to a wet and forgone conclusion when Youga got lucky with an offside flag, played the ball back to Holden who had time to hit a sweet left foot cross which McKenzie turned home from six yards - his first goal for the Addicks. Sadly, there were just two of the three minutes injury time left and Charlton could not mount another attack in the time left.
This has been a disastrous week for Charlton, culminating in three consecutive losses and crashing out of two cup competitions. The management have tried to switch things around, play the whole squad, and try out different tactics, but it has all looked so disjointed, and the team do not seem to believe any more. Saturday’s home game is a chance to bounce back in the league, and it is a chance that they have to take if the wrath of Addicks fans is not to befall the squad and hierarchy.
Labels: Charlton, Southampton
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Marching In
The FA Cup loss to Northwich
Phil Parkinson, as any manager should, rightly shouldered the blame for the defeat to the non-league side, as he picks the players for every match. He will have gone into that game knowing that Charlton had three games in six days, and had already said that he would need to use his full squad. Maybe that accounted for some of the lack-lustre, as players knew that they had other strength sapping matches to come; it was totally wrong if they did.
Parky has to abide by the rules of the competition, which require six of the players with most league and cup appearances this season to play from the start. To this end, it is easier to predict who will have to play rather than who might not, so here goes…
We have three ‘keepers, and Rob Elliot played in the last round; he’s injured now, so as Darren Randolph has been substitute in every game up till Sunday (where he played), and Carl Ikeme has only played once, it has to be Randolph in goal for me.
The defence may be shaken up, but unless Kelly Youga is moved to the right back slot, I expect Elliot Omozusi to carry on at right back. I do think that Grant Basey will get a game, so Youga’s action may depend on others availability. I also think that Miguel Llera will play, and that means that one of Sam Sodje and Christian Dailly will be left out, probably our Nigerian.
If we play Llera, Dailly, Youga, and
That leaves two places for strikers, and Parky really has to make the call between 4-4-3 and 4-5-1. After much recent experimentation, he must agree with fans and realise that the only time we can and should play 4-5-1 is when Jonjo Shelvey fills that behind-the-striker role. Tamer Tuna is the only other player to have made a decent go of it, and it took him over 20 minutes to get settled in the Barnet game. For that reason, unless Shelvey is given a start, and he might be, then I would play two up front and hope that the Bailey-Spring-Semedo midfield can cope.
Dave Mooney must be chomping on the bit to get a start for the Addicks, having been used solely as a sub since he arrived on loan. I would give him that time tonight, and play either Leon McKenzie or Izale McLeod alongside him. Deon Burton was only a sub on Sunday playing the last half hour, and we know that he struggles to recover from his hernia problem from week to week; I therefore think it doubtful he will play from the start this evening. With Tuna dropping back down to play for the Youth team recently, it looks like Parky is content he has enough other options up front.
Darren Randolph
Elliot Omozusi
Miguel Llera
Christian Dailly
Grant Basey
Jose Semedo
Nicky Bailey
Scott Wagstaff
Izale McLeod
Dave Mooney
Subs from Ikeme,
Picking a
Pedro45 has been very down over our loss on Sunday and the recent poor form of the team generally. Sadly, I can see no option for an upturn tonight and think that they may have to call the dogs off when it gets nasty – I predict a 4-0 loss, and more angst among fans.
My one-to-watch for tonight is going to be Scott Wagstaff (left), scorer of a terrific goal against Barnet in the last round of this competition (top pic). With Sam out of form, we should be seeing more of Waggy on the wing, and tonight may be his chance to shine and put pressure on Sam to put up or shut up.
It’s been a bad week for Addicks fans so far, and things may get even worse tonight, unless Charlton can get an unexpected win. That could turn everything around of course, and keep the club on track for Wembley, which is some fans dream. I’m just not of that opinion, but will be happy to see it come true.
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, Scott Wagstaff, Southampton
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Gone For A Burton
Charlton Athletic 1 Southampton 1All good things come to an en eventually, and so it was no great surprise when the 100% win record in the league disappeared at The Valley yesterday. In a frantic game in front of the biggest home gate of the season, Southampton took the lead about five minutes before half time, while Deon Burton turned in the equaliser (left) about five minutes after the break.
Much debate before the game had centred on returning ex-manager Alan Pardew; a few boos rang out as he entered the arena prior to kick-off, and he refused to look anywhere near the west stand as he made his way to the away dug-out. During the game, Pardew took some local stick as he stood, but nothing of a vicious nature, and certainly no more than Mourinho, Wenger, or Ferguson has done previously.
Initially, unchanged Charlton struggled to come to terms with the visitors aggressive tactics; all Charlton’s creative players were man-marked tightly, and Therry Racon in particular received some rough treatment from Hammond. League One Player of the Month Lloyd Sam worked hard to find some space, and ably supported down the right hand side by Fraser Richardson, the pair did cause some discomfort to the Saints back line, but without any clear-cut chances being created. The nearest either team came to scoring in the early periods was when Southampton worked a crossing opportunity on the right and the ball came over to the back post, where the unmarked Mills made enough contact to get the ball on target. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot made a good save, but the ball looped up and appeared to be heading slowly for the net before Elliot’s momentum and good luck combined to allow him to unconventionally volley the ball away from off the line.
Another right wing cross, this time to the near post, broke the deadlock, as Lalana flicked home past an unprotected Elliot. A blow to Addicks hopes of maintaining their 100% record this may have been, but after getting to the break without conceding again, it would be interesting to see how manager Phil Parkinson would react to his former boss’s negative and destructive tactics.The answer was to counter such negativity with a much more positive, attacking, display, with a much improved tempo getting almost immediate results.
Elliot took the ball in hand to break up a Southampton attack, and immediately bowled the ball long to Jonjo Shelvey haring down the left wing. It was a throw that Freddie Flintoff would have been proud of and Shelvey controlled at pace, took his marker to the bye-line, and then delivered a teasing cross that had Davis, the visiting ‘keeper, struggling to gather. As Davis failed to hold, the ball dropped behind him and the fast arriving Deon Burton bundled the ball over the line and in. From defence to attack in the blink of an eye, and a goal created by the vision of Elliot and the skill and impudence of young Shelvey.
Level again, Charlton then stood up to their visitors, and refused to be bullied, matching strong challenge with equally strong tackles. This led to bookings for Racon, Kelly Youga, and Richardson, and they were eventually followed into the book by Hammond and Thomas.
Charlton continued with the new high tempo game, and as the pressure rose, the Addicks did get the ball into the net on two more occasions; sadly, both goals were rightly chalked out for offside – Shelvey and Burton cutting short their celebrations on seeing the raised linesman’s flag.
After dominating the second half in much the same was that Southampton had controlled the first period, you thought that the Addicks might raise a grandstand finish, but sadly, nerves seemed to come to the fore in the last ten minutes, and communication between Scotsman Christian Dally and his Spanish fellow centre back Miguel Llera seemed to disintegrate; first both went for the same high ball which initiated a Southampton raid which luckily came to nothing, and then Llera failed to understand how much time he had when arriving at a long punt forward and rather than controlling and clearing with the time he had, Llera merely hoofed the ball high into the stand.
Llera was also a key player in the near breakdown of Charlton’s multi-ball rotation system, as first he humped a clearance onto the roof of the east stand, and then a wayward Charlton shot (I’m not sure who from?) ended up on top of the Jimmy Seed stand. As my friend said, if that had happened at Millwall, the game would have had to have been stopped while someone went out to get the balls!
After four minutes injury time, the game concluded with honours even; a fair result in the end and one which keeps both teams at the opposite ends of the table. The officials had decent games I thought, although it should be noted that Burton in particular was caught offside way too many times and made their job easy.
Pardew walked back to the dressing rooms, and briefly clapped the North Stand patrons; whether this was as a thank you for not giving him a hard time only he will know. It didn’t go down too well with some fans who saw it though, but at least it broke the ice and future visits by our ex-manager may not attract so much attention.
The point keeps Charlton on top of the table, and now that the 100% record start to the season is over, the onus is to keep the unbeaten record, and stay in front of all the other teams trailing behind. That will not be easy, and another good test of the Addicks resolve will come at Carrow Road next Saturday; the league table never tells the true story until at least ten games have been played, so by the end of this month we will have a very good idea how good a chance we have of promotion this season. Should we go into that game with seven wins, a draw and a couple of losses, then I’m sure in pre-season we would have been happy; now though, the expectation is very high, and Charlton would not want to start losing too many games in close proximity. The key is to bounce back, and a result next week would really show how strong we are this season, and keep the fans happy.
Labels: Charlton, Southampton
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Percentage Game
It’s all about 100% at the moment: players give 100%, and 100% effort is what supporters require. Some players want to give and some fans expect more than 100%, but that is impossible. The Aussie cricket team have a 100% win record in the one-day internationals, and the England cricket team have a 100% loss record; the England football team meanwhile have a 100% record in their World Cup qualifying group, after last nights emphatic 5-1 win against Croatia, and will make the journey to South Africa where the players will give 100% in an effort to win that trophy.In the Premiership, my Spurs-supporting cricketing friends are jubilant with their 100% start to the new season, while my Chelsea loving mate (who does come along to watch Charlton with me when she can) is very happy with the Blues 100% start this year. The only other supporters whose teams can boast 100% winning records are Leeds, who broke a long standing consecutive home wins record last week, and the team that sits above them in Tier Three, our very own Charlton Athletic.
Charlton have made an unexpected and staggering start to 2009/2010 season, winning all six of their league games and sit proudly on top of the table. After three years of pain and misery, the Addicks fortunes may have changed for the better, and the 100% record suggests that all is well at the happy Valley.
This Saturday, Charlton have the chance to extend their best ever start to a season (yes, best ever!) and that 100% record with a home game against Southampton. The Saints, thanks to their points deduction for going into administration at end of last season, are bottom of the table, so it is one of those top versus bottom games that the media love to see and report on every now and then.
Of course, Charlton are masters of slipping on banana skins, and this game could be one of those that sees the league leaders slip up against the bottom side? Southampton are managed by Alan Pardew, and there have been plenty of words written about him and his time as Charlton manager over the last couple of weeks.
Pedro45’s slant is that ultimately Pardew complicated matters too much; expecting to be able to change his team week-in week-out; signing players available rather than those needed (a good example was when he signed McLeod when we desperately needed a centre half…); and confusing the fans and media with after match verbal diarrhoea to cover up his short-comings. I never liked the man when he was in charge at The Valley, and I don’t like him now.
Now Pardew is working his magic at another club, and the same management style is pervading the south coast team as we saw in SE7; players are being signed from all over the place, and good players are leaving because they are either too expensive, or they don’t fit with Pardew’s plans. Southampton have started the season without a win in six games, offering Addicks fans the chance to smirk, and Saints fans the chance to worry. But memories of Pardew’s demolition job on his former West Ham team when they visited the Valley in February 2007 sit in the back of home fans minds, and Addicks hope that a similar performance is not going to come back and bite them this weekend.
Southampton have some good players, and that squad has been bolstered (though maybe not improved?) by Pardew’s signings; in have come Rickie Lambert (4 goals so far this year and top scorer in this league with Bristol Rovers last season) and Ndiaye Papa Waigo (a lanky striker on loan from Fiorentina) to form a potent and explosive forward line, plus defenders Radhi Jaidi (from Birmingham who will do a good job at this level when he is allowed by the authorities) and Dan Harding (from Ipswich). In midfield, Pardew has signed Colchester captain Dean Hammond, so when added to old hands Kelvin Davis (a very good ‘keeper) and ex-Addick Chris Perry, he has plenty of skill and experience to chose from. Pardew’s signings do seem to mirror his profligate time at The Valley though, and the main issue for him is getting them to know how to play together. Charlton fans will hope that they fail to gel enough to cause problems this weekend.
Pardew’s replacement at the helm at Charlton, Phil Parkinson (left), has also been busy in the transfer market recently, with Leon McKenzie, Sam Sodje and Luke Holden all joining the club on or around transfer deadline day. Of course, when you have that 100% start to the season, there is no obvious reason to make changes to your starting team, but Parkinson had holes in his squad, and rather than just try to buy any decent player made available, he simply filled the gaps on his roster that he felt he needed to. Provided the first eleven are fit, which touch wood they will be, none of the new singings is likely to start this weekend, and Parky would, I’m sure, like to go into the game with an unchanged team yet again, and as he has done for every game this season. There may be cause for change though, as one or two players are showing signs of wear and tear; Fraser Richardson has twice this year come close to missing out with a tight hamstring, and Therry Racon also had the same obvious problem during last weeks match at The Valley which required touchline treatment as the game went on. Luckily, Parky has the option of making straight replacements for both with reserves Chris Solly and Matt Spring waiting patiently on the side. And maybe that is the difference between Parky and Pards? If Pardew lost those two players, he might be thinking of moving Nicky Bailey in from the wing, or Jose Semedo back from midfield to full-back, and therefore upsetting the whole balance to the rest of the team; complicating matters just for the sake of it!
Provided there are no other injuries to worry about, I cannot see Parky making any unforced changes to his side; they were the number one choices for the first game of the season against Wycombe, and six wins later, there is no reason to suspect that they are not still his first choice team!
In goal, Rob Elliot will be looking for clean sheet number five for the season, though he will have to do better on crosses than he did last weekend, where he missed a couple of punches. He did make one outstanding reflex save when called upon though so we cannot be too harsh on him.
The defence is looking fine, with Richardson getting settled in his role on the right, and Kelly Youga, able to see better now he’s had his hair cut, on theleft. The middle of the defence was given a rough ride last week by Carl Cort, and Miguel Llera won little in the air against the big forward; similarly, Christian Dailly was exposed a few times by the pace of Myles Weston. It is to their credit therefore that they carried on playing the game, and did not concede, even when under such pressure.
Much of the credit to protecting the defence must go to Jose Semedo, who has had a fantastic start to the new season. Jose started the previous two seasons well too, but then either injury or suspension (he was sent off at Southampton two years ago) have seen him on the periphery of the team after Xmas, and Charlton’s season has trailed off with him out of the team. Hopefully, our Portu-geeser will stay fit and healthy, and not pick up too many bookings this year. The rest of the midfield has also worked hard to protect our defence, with the effort that Nicky Bailey, Lloyd Sam, and Therry Racon putting in obvious to all and sundry. These three, along with Jonjo Shelvey, also add the creative element to the Addicks team, and they will be the ones that Pardew sets out to quieten. The problem for other sides played so far is that they have been unable to keep all that talent down for very long, and I’m not sure that Southampton, even with Pardew’s inside knowledge, will be any different.
Leading the line as the fulcrum of the side is Deon Burton (left); an honest player, who is very fit and always gives 100%, Deon is not the cutting edge striker that many other teams have, but more the Emile Heskey of the Charlton side; he will bring in the other players and set up chances and goals through his unselfishness and skill, but will not be fully appreciated unless he knocks in the odd goal or two as well. So far, Burton has three strikes to his name (probably more than Heskey has score dthis year?), and all came from defensive errors; hopefully, he will get on the end of a cross this week and not profit from a mistake (though I’d be happy with however he scores!).
This is the unchanged team I expect Parky to send out to battle with his former boss –
Rob Elliot
Fraser Richardson
Miguel Llera
Christian Dailly
Kelly Youga
Jose Semedo
Therry Racon
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Jonjo Shelvey
Deon Burton
Subs from – Randolph, Solly, Basey, Sodje, Spring, Wagstaff, Stavrinou, Holden, Dickson, Tuna, McKenzie, McLeod.
The problem with 100% records is that at sometime, they have to come to an end; it’s been great supporting the Addicks these last few weeks, winning every game, and heading the league table, but it will not continue for the whole 46-game season; even I am enough of a realist to not expect that! And sometimes during a season, you just know that you may not win, that things are in the stars or the wind that will conspire against you. Pedro45 is worried that this will be one of those weeks. Alan Pardew was always a lucky manage: he was lucky to have good players at the teams he inherited; lucky to have a listening Board with a fat wallet to do his bidding for him; lucky to walk away from two senior jobs with massive payouts when he was really a failure; and lucky that some other mugs would always give him a new job. With that sort of luck on his side, Pedro45 is predicting a 1-0 defeat for Charlton and an away manager getting rather a lot of stick from those sat behind him this Saturday. Pardew may even be lucky that it is me in one of those seats behind the away dug-out, and not some lout who would want to physically harm him. I would love to be there and to see Charlton’s 100% record remain intact, and to be able to give it to Pardew with a smile on my face and that hand on his face covering the scowl that was regularly prevalent when he picked the Charlton side, but I have a hunch we may not be so lucky.
My one-to-watch should be Pardew, because he is the one person that most eyes will be on during this match, but I’m going to pick a Charlton player because we have moved on – the key player in my eyes this week is going to be Miguel Llera (left). Our big Spaniard has had a funny season so far; looking dominant in the air and on the ground at times, he’s also had to contend with that nasty cut above his eye, plus the wearing of and getting used to his protective head-gear. Added to that the new partnership he has struck up with Dailly, and the couple of goals he scored in the first two home games, then he has done pretty well all round. He also came close to scoring at Orient, where we saw just what a sweet left foot he has, and when he booms those fifty yard passes from the back out to Lloyd Sam on the wing it adds a whole new dimension to just lumping the ball forward. Last week, he was severely tested by Cort, and actually won little in the air over the course of the match, yet still contributed to the clean sheet and victory. With a decent couple of strikers up against him this week, he will need to be at his best if Charlton are to aim for another clean sheet, and more points.
With so much animosity (I nearly typed hate, but maybe that is too strong a word?) surrounding this match, it would be easy to forget that it is just another league game in this 46-game marathon. If Charlton lose, or draw, it may be the end of the 100% record, and it may mean that Charlton are no longer top of the table, but it shouldn’t mean that we have seen the start of a slide. We will lose and draw plenty of matches this year, but that ability to bounce back is a requirement if the Addicks are to challenge for a return to the Championship at first time of asking. In some ways, it would be good to see a negative result provided we did bounce back and follow any loss of our 100% run with a victory at Norwich next week. But then again, wouldn’t it be lovely to win once more, stick it to Pardew, and go to Carrow Road still as league leaders, still with 100% record, and still the team to try to beat.
Sorry it’s been a long one; needed to get that off my chest!
Come on you Reds!
Southampton have some good players, and that squad has been bolstered (though maybe not improved?) by Pardew’s signings; in have come Rickie Lambert (4 goals so far this year and top scorer in this league with Bristol Rovers last season) and Ndiaye Papa Waigo (a lanky striker on loan from Fiorentina) to form a potent and explosive forward line, plus defenders Radhi Jaidi (from Birmingham who will do a good job at this level when he is allowed by the authorities) and Dan Harding (from Ipswich). In midfield, Pardew has signed Colchester captain Dean Hammond, so when added to old hands Kelvin Davis (a very good ‘keeper) and ex-Addick Chris Perry, he has plenty of skill and experience to chose from. Pardew’s signings do seem to mirror his profligate time at The Valley though, and the main issue for him is getting them to know how to play together. Charlton fans will hope that they fail to gel enough to cause problems this weekend.
Pardew’s replacement at the helm at Charlton, Phil Parkinson (left), has also been busy in the transfer market recently, with Leon McKenzie, Sam Sodje and Luke Holden all joining the club on or around transfer deadline day. Of course, when you have that 100% start to the season, there is no obvious reason to make changes to your starting team, but Parkinson had holes in his squad, and rather than just try to buy any decent player made available, he simply filled the gaps on his roster that he felt he needed to. Provided the first eleven are fit, which touch wood they will be, none of the new singings is likely to start this weekend, and Parky would, I’m sure, like to go into the game with an unchanged team yet again, and as he has done for every game this season. There may be cause for change though, as one or two players are showing signs of wear and tear; Fraser Richardson has twice this year come close to missing out with a tight hamstring, and Therry Racon also had the same obvious problem during last weeks match at The Valley which required touchline treatment as the game went on. Luckily, Parky has the option of making straight replacements for both with reserves Chris Solly and Matt Spring waiting patiently on the side. And maybe that is the difference between Parky and Pards? If Pardew lost those two players, he might be thinking of moving Nicky Bailey in from the wing, or Jose Semedo back from midfield to full-back, and therefore upsetting the whole balance to the rest of the team; complicating matters just for the sake of it!Provided there are no other injuries to worry about, I cannot see Parky making any unforced changes to his side; they were the number one choices for the first game of the season against Wycombe, and six wins later, there is no reason to suspect that they are not still his first choice team!
In goal, Rob Elliot will be looking for clean sheet number five for the season, though he will have to do better on crosses than he did last weekend, where he missed a couple of punches. He did make one outstanding reflex save when called upon though so we cannot be too harsh on him.
The defence is looking fine, with Richardson getting settled in his role on the right, and Kelly Youga, able to see better now he’s had his hair cut, on theleft. The middle of the defence was given a rough ride last week by Carl Cort, and Miguel Llera won little in the air against the big forward; similarly, Christian Dailly was exposed a few times by the pace of Myles Weston. It is to their credit therefore that they carried on playing the game, and did not concede, even when under such pressure.
Much of the credit to protecting the defence must go to Jose Semedo, who has had a fantastic start to the new season. Jose started the previous two seasons well too, but then either injury or suspension (he was sent off at Southampton two years ago) have seen him on the periphery of the team after Xmas, and Charlton’s season has trailed off with him out of the team. Hopefully, our Portu-geeser will stay fit and healthy, and not pick up too many bookings this year. The rest of the midfield has also worked hard to protect our defence, with the effort that Nicky Bailey, Lloyd Sam, and Therry Racon putting in obvious to all and sundry. These three, along with Jonjo Shelvey, also add the creative element to the Addicks team, and they will be the ones that Pardew sets out to quieten. The problem for other sides played so far is that they have been unable to keep all that talent down for very long, and I’m not sure that Southampton, even with Pardew’s inside knowledge, will be any different.
Leading the line as the fulcrum of the side is Deon Burton (left); an honest player, who is very fit and always gives 100%, Deon is not the cutting edge striker that many other teams have, but more the Emile Heskey of the Charlton side; he will bring in the other players and set up chances and goals through his unselfishness and skill, but will not be fully appreciated unless he knocks in the odd goal or two as well. So far, Burton has three strikes to his name (probably more than Heskey has score dthis year?), and all came from defensive errors; hopefully, he will get on the end of a cross this week and not profit from a mistake (though I’d be happy with however he scores!).This is the unchanged team I expect Parky to send out to battle with his former boss –
Rob Elliot
Fraser Richardson
Miguel Llera
Christian Dailly
Kelly Youga
Jose Semedo
Therry Racon
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Jonjo Shelvey
Deon Burton
Subs from – Randolph, Solly, Basey, Sodje, Spring, Wagstaff, Stavrinou, Holden, Dickson, Tuna, McKenzie, McLeod.
The problem with 100% records is that at sometime, they have to come to an end; it’s been great supporting the Addicks these last few weeks, winning every game, and heading the league table, but it will not continue for the whole 46-game season; even I am enough of a realist to not expect that! And sometimes during a season, you just know that you may not win, that things are in the stars or the wind that will conspire against you. Pedro45 is worried that this will be one of those weeks. Alan Pardew was always a lucky manage: he was lucky to have good players at the teams he inherited; lucky to have a listening Board with a fat wallet to do his bidding for him; lucky to walk away from two senior jobs with massive payouts when he was really a failure; and lucky that some other mugs would always give him a new job. With that sort of luck on his side, Pedro45 is predicting a 1-0 defeat for Charlton and an away manager getting rather a lot of stick from those sat behind him this Saturday. Pardew may even be lucky that it is me in one of those seats behind the away dug-out, and not some lout who would want to physically harm him. I would love to be there and to see Charlton’s 100% record remain intact, and to be able to give it to Pardew with a smile on my face and that hand on his face covering the scowl that was regularly prevalent when he picked the Charlton side, but I have a hunch we may not be so lucky.
My one-to-watch should be Pardew, because he is the one person that most eyes will be on during this match, but I’m going to pick a Charlton player because we have moved on – the key player in my eyes this week is going to be Miguel Llera (left). Our big Spaniard has had a funny season so far; looking dominant in the air and on the ground at times, he’s also had to contend with that nasty cut above his eye, plus the wearing of and getting used to his protective head-gear. Added to that the new partnership he has struck up with Dailly, and the couple of goals he scored in the first two home games, then he has done pretty well all round. He also came close to scoring at Orient, where we saw just what a sweet left foot he has, and when he booms those fifty yard passes from the back out to Lloyd Sam on the wing it adds a whole new dimension to just lumping the ball forward. Last week, he was severely tested by Cort, and actually won little in the air over the course of the match, yet still contributed to the clean sheet and victory. With a decent couple of strikers up against him this week, he will need to be at his best if Charlton are to aim for another clean sheet, and more points.With so much animosity (I nearly typed hate, but maybe that is too strong a word?) surrounding this match, it would be easy to forget that it is just another league game in this 46-game marathon. If Charlton lose, or draw, it may be the end of the 100% record, and it may mean that Charlton are no longer top of the table, but it shouldn’t mean that we have seen the start of a slide. We will lose and draw plenty of matches this year, but that ability to bounce back is a requirement if the Addicks are to challenge for a return to the Championship at first time of asking. In some ways, it would be good to see a negative result provided we did bounce back and follow any loss of our 100% run with a victory at Norwich next week. But then again, wouldn’t it be lovely to win once more, stick it to Pardew, and go to Carrow Road still as league leaders, still with 100% record, and still the team to try to beat.
Sorry it’s been a long one; needed to get that off my chest!
Come on you Reds!
Labels: Charlton, Miguel Angel Llera, Southampton
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Men in Black Colour Away Win
Southampton 2 Charlton Athletic 3It was a shame that some of the off-field events marred this good win by Charlton; financial troubles of both clubs aside, the disturbances outside the ground after the match (and prior to at a local station I hear) cast a slur on the name of the club. It was worrying to see 20 or so black clad men, hooded and capped (possibly fresh from G20 Summit duties?), goading home fans during the first half, and after the break, this group moved to another area of the away end and continued to abuse and antagonise the nearest Saints fans. Police and stewards did what they could but seemed powerless to evict all of the culprits. I am sure that this group brokered the trouble at the away exit afterwards, and at that stage, with plenty of other home fans now close by, police struggled to control the melees that ensued. One 50-ish man was not lucky, and he was laid out looking very ill with little in the way of medical help at hand due to the situation that was almost out of control. I left the ground but with more fans seeming intent on joining in, I just hope nobody was seriously hurt.
I know that every club has their rogue element, but this was the first time I have seen this particular group at a Charlton match, and looking so threatening. It was against Southampton some years back that a group of supposed Charlton fans organised a clash at Westcombe Park station that turned into men against boys, so perhaps this was a legacy of that day? Most of those involved then were jailed, but perhaps they are now out again?
Sadly, this did impinge of a good day out: I had travelled to the ground through Wiltshire and Hampshire without delay or mishap. The walk to the stadium was quicker than I remembered, and I even had the pleasure of a steward going outside of the ground to get me a programme as I hadn't seen any sellers on the way in. This sort of excellent service is a credit to Southampton and their stewards.
Charlton lined up as predicted, and Jonjo Shelvey did push forward most of the game, and attempt to get alongside and in front of Tresor Kandol whenever he could. It was a simple goal that Charlton scored to take the lead within the first six minutes; Rob Elliott kicked long and the ball was flicked on by Kandol – who won plenty in the air all match – for Shelvey to beat the last man (Chris Perry?) and cooly slot home past Davis in goal. Charlton were in front early, but could they hang on?
The answer was no, as too much faffing around led to an easy equaliser just over ten minutes later. Hudson should have cleared, but didn't and played a tight ball to Nicky Bailey on the left. Bailey was unable to turn and subsequently tackled, and danger man McGoldrick strode onwards and shot across Elliott and in.
At least Charlton didn't buckle at this point, and with Zheng Zhi and Therry Racon seemingly always available for a pass in midfield, and with Lloyd Sam finding space on the wing, the Addicks continued to be the brighter. A ball into Kandol by ZiZi saw him being hauled to the ground, and the otherwise excellent referee correctly pointed to the penalty spot. Sometimes, it is best if the player fouled for a penalty doesn't take the spot kick himself, and sometimes it makes no difference whatsoever. This time, Kandol lazily stroked too close to Davis who flopped on the ball to save (left). Oh dear! Immediately, Mark Hudson gave away a foul on the edge of the Charlton area and you wondered if the Addicks would be punished immediately but thankfully the shot was blocked and eventually cleared.Elliott was really only called into action again once in this half, when a long cross (after Kelly Youga had again gifted the opposition the ball) was headed back across goal and goal-wards at the far post; Elliott flung himself at the ball and turned it around the post for a corner.
Youga provided some entertainment when he strode forward to a deflected half-clearance on the edge of the area and steadied himself for the shot; sadly for Kelly, the spin took the ball away from him and he was left swinging at fresh Hampshire air. Luckily, as he strolled back with an embarrassed look, the Southampton break-away came to nothing.
At half-time, you felt that the Addicks had been the better team, and if they continued, they would still have a chance. That is if they chose to play more than just 45 minutes, as they only sadly have in some games this season. The weather was lovely though, and I think this is the first time I can remember a lineman wearing a cap for the whole game, in order to keep the sun out of his eyes as he looked across the pitch. It was a black cap, and I wonder if it was Football League or anarchist issue?
The second half news was good; Charlton started equally brightly, and the midfield, provided players didn't linger on the ball too long, was being won. Kandol continued to make a complete nuisance of himself, and after an hour laid the ball back to the arriving Racon, who curled a lovely shot over Davis and into the far corner. The celebrations in front of the travelling fans was quite good too (left). Back in front, this time it was crucial that Charlton didn't concede an equaliser.The Saints tried hard, and did make Elliott work, but too often, any shots they got away were too close to the Charlton keeper or went well wide. Ex-Addick Jason Euell showed he still has an excellent second touch, and also that his first touch is just as awful as it always was! As the game progressed, it became more open. Matt Holland replaced the excellent Zheng Zhi (for no apparent reason), and very soon, Charlton broke once more, this time down the left. Bailey, who had an indifferent game overall, beat his man and when expected to pull the ball back, toe-poked the ball past Davis and into the far corner; this was the first time Charlton had scored three goals in a game since last August!
Southampton made some substitutions, in a desperate attempt to get back into the game, and Charlton really should have wrapped things up when countless breaks saw them three on two, or two versus one. Deon Burton came on for Kandol, as he had incurred the wrath of the referee and the crowd by first kicking the ball away after a foul to earn a booking, and then by showing dissent after another foul. Burton was involved in the next break, as he and Shelvey plus Bailey went clear with just one defender back. Sadly, Burton messed it all up by not seeing the totally free team-mates square of him, and when he did, failing to even get a pass away.The game entered an exciting climax as streams of Saints fans trundled out of the ground. Wright-Phillips volleyed over Elliott at the second attempt, from distance, and you did wonder if Charlton would throw the win away as they have done before? Thankfully, they did OK, and could have scored more themselves in the last few minutes. As Southampton became desperate, their players seemed to throw themselves to the ground every time they entered the penalty area, and if a Charlton defender was close. The referee ignored these claims each time, and finally the home Manager snapped and started to have a go at him. Charlton manager Phil Parkinson got involved (not for the first time this season!) and stood up for the man in black a little too forcibly. The result was that both Wotte and Parky were sent off to the stands. Parky will probably get a touchline ban for this altercation, but I hope it’s not too long as it was just the heat of the moment stuff and did bring a smile!
After four minutes injury time was played out and the final whistle went to visiting supporters cheers, the players and manager came across to show their appreciation for the support given. Racon and Shelvey threw their shirts to the crowd (via a steward), with Racon showing an impressive tattoo that covered his whole back (much like Nigel Benn I thought), and Elliott’s gloves ended high up the seating too.
Three points won away for the first time since September; I know it is too little too late, but we have to take what we can at present, and say “Well done lads – can we have some more please?”
Labels: Charlton, Southampton
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Hope Springs Eternal
It’s some time since the last Charlton game, and I always find it difficult to get back into the blogging swing of things and do a match preview, but here goes.Charlton travel to play a Southampton team whose "future is in jeopardy" according to the BBC website, and could be liquidated and drop out of the Football League if a new owner is not found by the start of next season. This would normally be expected to have a significant effect on the Addicks opponents, but as both teams, the bottom two in the Championship, are in similar straits, who knows what influence it might have on the match this weekend?
Charlton have moved to shore up finances by offering the freeholds of land for sale to current directors, and along with a loan from the Chairman, will be able to raise £2 million to help ease the financial pain over coming weeks. Season ticket prices have also been announced, and have been denounced by many waverers amongst the Valley faithful; Pedro45 will be buying his tickets next year without complaint, just as he has done every season for god knows how long – Charlton is for life in this household! I know it seems expensive, but that’s the name of the game. Rather than blame the directors (who would certainly be getting it in the ear if they didn’t try to generate enough income for the club…) we should all move on (if you buy, great, if not, that's fine too...) and try to ignore the blame game (Curbishley, Murray, Parker, Murphy, Dowie (spit!), Pardew, etc etc ad infinitum…) that is hurting the club so much these days.
On Phil Parkinson’s mind will be which players to pick: Charlton do have a mathematical chance of staying up, although nobody including your correspondent believes that it is a real option.
In goal, providing he has recovered from the back injury he had prior to the Preston game, Rob Elliott should continue. The defence is very likely to be unchanged, with on loan Danny Butterfield at right back, the also on loan Darren Ward at centre back, alongside Mark Hudson, and with Kelly Youga at left back. There are rumours that youngster Chris Solly is close to making a first team appearance, but I cannot imagine that being tried in this still important match.
In midfield, I fully expect to see Therry Racon, Zheng Zhi and Nicky Bailey carry on their recent good work, which on paper sees them as potentially one of the best midfields in the division(!). Tresor Kandol should continue to lead the line up front, and that leaves just two positions for Parky to make a judgment on.
This decision needs to be based on what formation he wishes to play; bearing in mind that he recently stated that Charlton were most likely to score with a 4-5-1 formation, I fully expect Deon Burton and Chris Dickson to get bench duties once more. That means that Lloyd Sam, Darren Ambrose and Jonjo Shelvey are fighting for two positions. Shelvey played the full match for the first time in a while in the last league game, and you would normally expect him to start again here, but he has been away for a week with England’s under-17’s in Germany, and played two matches. The issue is if he is fit enough after the trip? If he is, I expect Shelvey to start with Darren Ambrose as substitute for when he tires (as he normally does), and Lloyd Sam on the right wing. Sam was by far the busier and better player in the match versus Preston, where he played the second half after Ambrose gave a lacklustre performance during the first period. This unacceptable show was down we are told to a hamstring injury, so we must expect Ambrose to have recovered if he is to take his place in the squad.
This is the side I think Parky will send out at St Mary’s –
Rob Elliott
Darren Butterfield
Darren Ward
Mark Hudson
Kelly Youga
Therry Racon
Zheng Zhi
Lloyd Sam
Nicky Bailey
Jonjo Shelvey
Tresor Kandol
Subs from Randolph, Weaver, Moutaouakil, Solly, Basey, Holland, Spring, Ambrose, Dickson, Todorov, Burton.
Southampton have had injury concerns themselves to go with their off-field problems. They do expect Jason Euell to be fit to face his former club though, and line up alongside another ex-Addick Chris Perry. Their danger-man though is likely to be David McGoldrick, who has a decent scoring record this season, even playing for a poor team – it will be up to Ward and Hudson to contain this threat.
Pedro45 will be making his way down to the Solent, via a circuitous route, to watch the game, and has to be positive about the result; I predict that – as so often happens – just when it is too late, results will start to pick up, and I forecast a 2-1 win. If Charlton get on top, the crowd will turn and home heads will drop. I’m hoping that the Addicks can take full advantage and force their way to a second three-points on their travels this season. It won’t make any difference, we will still be relegated come the end of season, but a win will at least delay the inevitable by a few days or weeks…
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Therry Racon. This game is one that he should relish – full of tussles and small battles with plenty of tackles offered and balls to be won. If Racon gets involved as he did when he first broke back into the team, his partnership with ZiZi can flourish and win points for the Addicks.It will be strange to visit a team with possibly more headaches off the field than Charlton, and I do hope that our nice-guy image doesn’t prevent Charlton taking full advantage. Three points and a show that we can still win matches this season is really important now that the season ticket prices for next season have been announced. As long as the players and management realise this, then I am confident we can win.
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, Southampton, Therry Racon
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Only the Loanee
Charlton Athletic 0 Southampton 0No goals, but plenty of positives from Phil Parkinson’s first home game in charge of the Addicks.
Parky’s first problem was choosing which of his seven loanees to play in his squad; sensibly, in my opinion, he started all five of his choices, rather than have any of them on the bench. He was always likely to go with two from the three defenders he could choose, and three out of the four wide men and forwards at his disposal. He finally went with Martin Crainie and Jay McEveley (left) as his full backs (leaving out Linvoy Primus), and playing Keith Gillespie, Hameur Bouazza, and Deon Burton more forward (and surprisingly leaving out Martyn Waghhorn).
Waghorn will feel a little aggrieved I feel, as he did receive plenty of plaudits from the new manager for his performance on Tuesday, but Parky preferred new man Burton to play alongside Andy Gray. Primus was replaced by the returning Jon Fortune, and also dropped was Kelly Youga, while Therry Racon annoyingly succumbed to a slight knee injury. This was particularly hard on the Frenchman, as he has only just got back into the team after injury, and scored Charlton’s equaliser on Tuesday in his first start since August. Nicky Bailey deputised.
Mark Kinsella once again got the players warmed up on the pitch before the game, and it was the home side who settled better early on. In fact, although Southampton played with some confidence, the first half was very much Charlton’s as only Kelvin Davis, in the Southampton goal, kept the scores level, making three good saves. Bouazza was foiled on a couple of occasions and the pick of the saves was from a Burton overhead kick just before half time (left), which squirmed round the post for a corner. Prior to that, Gillespie had come close, and two handball shouts were ignored by both linesman and referee. The second of these was quite blatant from my position, as a cross penalty area pass was guided away by the defenders arm; why the lino dismissed shouts is open to judgment but he could have been fast asleep as he did little all game really.The second half saw the visitors improve, but it was still quite even apart from a fifteen minute spell mid-half when Charlton just could not keep possession. This may have been down to some tiredness, and Parkinson moved quickly to replace Gray with Todorov, Gillespie with Sam, and Semedo with Holland. Nicky Weaver had a few saves to make, but once more put in a very solid display.
Charlton huffed and puffed for the last few minutes, trying to snatch a late win, but it couldn’t be – Bailey’s curling shot which was a little too high being the closest to a late goal.
Positives to take from the game were the display of Burton, who is much more than the channel runner I thought. He linked particularly well with Gray, as each flicked on headers and found the other in the right place to receive – something that has been rare over recent years! McEveley was solid in defence, and tried to get forward at every opportunity; he reminded me a bit of Danny Mills, though without the brutality, even if he did get booked midway through the second half. It was also good to see Jon Fortune back and in control; when Forch is having a decent game, the whole defence looks much more comfortable.
On a slightly negative front, Bailey was short of confidence it seemed, and Bouazza (left) was back near his enigmatic best (shooting from a long way out when others were better placed…). Some of Crainie’s passing was also suspect, though he defended well.The management team now have a week to bed in the new recruits, and their new style, and hopefully we will see the continued improvement up at Blackpool next weekend.
Labels: Charlton, Southampton
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Home for the Saints
Phil Parkinson (left) returns to The Valley for the first time this weekend as manager of Charlton, and he really does need a bit of a boost in terms of results. Tuesday’s first game in charge saw a great improvement in terms of tactics, and confidence, but ultimately no points were won. That needs to change, and fast!Southampton are the next opponents, and they are not too far ahead of the Addicks in the league table, so it is possible that Charlton can expect some sort of return from this match, though expectation does not guarantee anything as we all well know.
Parky showed that he is his own man by making a few changes to the starting line up at Rangers, and playing them in his own preferred formation (4-4-2), and I guess we should expect more of the same in this match.
Nicky Weaver will benefit from having a manager who believes in him, and says as much, rather than one who did not, and will start in goal. Weaver has had a tough month or so, but did look solid and comfortable on Tuesday, and he had no chance with either goal conceded. The crowd do like him (being the cuddly old bear that he is…), so provided he gives his all, he’ll be fine.
The defence will also have a similar but not the same look to Tuesday I suspect; Hudson and Primus looked better, if not impregnable, in the middle, but Youga and Crainie are not the best distributors of the ball, and perhaps Parkinson will consider his options at full back? Certainly Yassin Moutaouakil gives plenty of attacking option if played at right back, though he is not as good defensively as Crainie. I must admit I would be tempted to play the Frenchman in home games due to his speed and ability to support, while keeping Crainie for the more defensive minded option at away venues. Kelly Youga had a reasonable game at Loftus Road, but it is likely he will be overlooked in favour of Jay McEveley who arrived today on loan from Derby. If this does happen, then Parky will have to make some sort of change, as he is only allowed five on-loan players in his 16-man squad; perhaps he could deal with this by playing Moots and leaving Crainie out? On paper, it does look like a straight choice between Moots and McEveley or Crainie and Kelly.
The 4-4-2 formation that Parkinson was rumoured to prefer was evident in his fist game in charge, and Charlton’s lack of recent substance in the middle of the park was filled by bringing in Therry Racon for his first game since August. Alongside Jose Semedo, the pair were very combative and made tackles and won plenty of possession against QPR. The problem was that they are a very similar pair, both in terms of playing style, ability, and looks, and sometimes they did get in each other’s way. That will improve as they play more together, and I do expect them to start again on Saturday. That leaves no place for Nicky Bailey, or Matt Holland, or either of the young guns (Wright and Shelvey), unless one fills a wider role. That option is unlikely as Hameur Bouazza is starting to show what he can do on a much more regular basis, and he is a threat in every game now. On the opposite, right, flank we now have Keith “Dizzy” Gillespie showing Lloyd Sam how a right-winger should play.
I first saw Gillespie (left) play when he was part of the Manchester United FA Youth Cup team in 1991; I saw the away leg they played against Millwall at the Den, which finished in a 2-2 draw (I think it was the semi final?). He was playing in the same team as Gary and Phil Neville, plus probably Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, plus many other of United’s young team of kids who would go on to “win nothing” over the coming years. The thing about Gillespie was that he seemed to be much bigger than the other lads, and he simply ran the whole show. I think he scored both United goals that night, even though Millwall went through to the final. Since then, he has gone on to have an excellent career in the Premiership, and at 33 years old now, is only starting to slow down a little. He showed on Tuesday that he can still contribute enormously, especially to a team lacking in confidence like the Addicks.That leaves a forward line for Parky to chose that is likely to be Martyn Waghorn alongside Andy Gray. Both Gray and Waghorn worked effortlessly on Tuesday but had few chances between them. Waghorn’s best effort was well blocked when he looked likely to score, but his time will come. He did work hard and chase when not in possession, and tried to use the ball simply when he had it under control. I do think he is a little lightweight and naive at times, but he does have the skill and stamina that could allow him to become a very good player in the future. As for Gray, he simply ran and ran and chased until he had nothing left toward the end. He held the ball well, and linked with Bouazza and Gillespie at every opportunity. No chances came his way, but he is still confident enough to finish them when they do.
That cannot be said for Luke Varney, who has now made his way to Derby today for a prolonged loan period, and possible transfer in January (and likely to recoup a fair bit of his transfer fee from Crewe by all accounts...). Luke simply cannot score at the moment, and moreover, he knows it. A change is as good as a rest, and with him off the books, his salary can be put to better use.
I must admit I was a little astounded that we have signed Deon Burton on loan with a view to a permanent transfer from Sheffield Wednesday; we do have many other forward options, but Parky is insistent that Burton is cover for Gray, though I would have put them as completely different types of player (solid holding versus fast channel runner). With no other players having left on loan prior to todays loan-embargo date, I find this a strange move, although the cost is small apparently.
This is the team I think Parly will put out for his first home game in charge, bearing in mind only five loanees are allowed in the 16-man squad –
Nicky Weaver
Yassin Moutaouakil
Mark Hudson
Linvoy Primus
Jay McEveley
Jose Semedo
Therry Racon
Keith Gillespie
Hameur Bouazza
Martyn Waghorn
Andy Gray
Subs from Elliott, (Crainie), Fortune, Youga, Basey, Holland, Bailey, Shelvey, Wright, Todorov, Dickson, McLeod, (Burton).
The doubt to all the above was the nature of the game on Tuesday, as Rangers were tapping at ankles all game long; it is entirely possible that one or two Charlton players will not have recovered from the knocks they received in that match, but at least we do still have plenty of reserves to call upon if the need arises. I also feel that if we can only field five loanees in the squad, then they should be starting in the team, and not on the bench.
Southampton come to The Valley unbeaten in their last two games - a good win at Reading, and then a home draw versus Plymouth. Bradley Wright-Phillips scored both goals at the Madjeski, so will need to be watched, and the returning Jason Euell provides a threat that Charlton fans used to applaud every week. As with every team the Addicks play at present, they will see this as an opportunity to gain points, and get further away from the bottom of the table at Charlton’s expense.
I do think that provided the team show the improved effort and confidence that was on show on Tuesday, then something can be gained from this match. The crowd should be in better voice than of late, and will have to compete with a fair away following, so the atmosphere will be better. Provided the team does perform, Pedro45 is going to forecast a 2-1 home win; I think this is the first game where I have forecast a win for over two months, so hopefully I will be right! If the defence can be solid, cut out the schoolboy errors (play to the whistle!!!), and attack the ball like they did in West London in midweek, then that should be enough. If the midfielders battle and are determined, win ball and then give it to the more creative wide men, then that area should be won too. If the effort and ability to run all day is shown again by the front-men, then chances will come their way, and they are both good finishers, we know that they have the ability to get on the score sheet, and more than once in a match.
My one-to-watch in this match is not old hand Keith Gillespie, but the man on the opposite flank who is starting to perform well in every match – Hameur Bouazza. Fresh from goals at Birmingham and against Sheffield United, plus an assist at Rangers on Tuesday, we need a continuation of Hammer’s good form and excellent contribution on a regular basis from the Algerian. He has the skill, and pace, and experience to be way too good for most Championship teams, and hopefully this sort of form will be on show once more this week. As long as Hameur (left) makes the right choices – like not shooting from 45 yards when we have five others in attack ahead of him – then he is a danger to every opponent. I’m expecting him to be the key man in an Addicks victory this weekend.It’s too early yet to worry too much about whether we are in the bottom three or just above them, but we do know that we are in a relegation battle, and that it will probably continue until the end games of the season. But we cannot make ourselves safe from League One this weekend, or next, nor will we be relegated if we don't win this match; it will be a much longer process. The team and fans need to recognise this, and take every point on offer, be it one or three. If a draw is all we can expect, then let us shut up shop to ensure we go home with something; every point will count come the first week of May, and every point dropped (including those courtesy of Luke Varney’s misses this season) will count against us. It is a long haul to get near fifty points, but I’m hoping for three points to get us under way this Saturday.
The struggle is hard and the struggle long, in any Redvolution, but at least we are moving forwards.
Come on you Reds!
Labels: Charlton, Hameur Bouazza, Southampton
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Addicks Go Fourth!
Southampton 0 Charlton Athletic 1That's more like it - down to ten men after Jose Semedo was sent off in the first half for a dubious second bookable offence, Chris Iwelumo silenced the doubters on other blogs and finally headed in the winning goal for the Addicks three minutes into injury time.
I started the game listening to Radio Kent, but by half-time, reception was almost non-existent, so I had to rely on Sky Sports News for any goal updates. Nil Nil it said. Pards started the game with Varney dropped and Thomas starting, and the team shaping up in a 4-5-1 formation. Nil Nil it remained, half an hour left; on and on. Obviously backs to the wall stuff. with ten men, 4-4-1 was how we played. Nil Nil. Just ten minutes to go. Could we become the first team to stop Southampton scoring this season, and with only ten men? I'd heard the commentary about all the missed chances in the first half - Sodje hitting the bar, both keepers making saves, and shots flying wide. It didn't sound like a goalless draw but still it remained nil all, all the way to 4.50.
All the other scores were in and the classified results started to be read out - "Southampton Versus Charlton Athletic, late result, not yet in". On to League one. Then it flashed up. GOAL - Chris Iwelumo (90)! Yeahhhh!!!! A couple more minutes, then the final score came up.
This is a tremendous boost to the team and the clubs fans; all the hopes that had been diminished by three successive defeats in a week have now been put to bed, and nothing could be better than coming back with three wins on the trot, if we can!
If we can avoid defeat at Ashton Gate, our season is going to be well and truly back on track, and we can start to look upwards once more.
Labels: Charlton, Chris Iwelumo, Southampton
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Hail Mary for St Mary’s?
After three defeats on the trot, a trip to play Southampton away is not really conducive to getting the Addicks confidence back; Charlton players have failed to score in the last three games, whereas Southampton have knocked in at least one goal in every game this season so far.Alan Pardew cannot blame results on the curse of winning the manager of the month award; although he came close to getting the gong after results in September, he had no chance this last month. Maybe it was just a bad October and November will bring us back to winning ways? Charlton have a bit of history when it comes to performing in certain months of the year...
Pards has the same old same old problems to deal with this weekend, but at least there are no new injury worries that we know of. With Holland, Todorov, Powell, Thatcher, and Gibbs all out, he really only has to choose between the old faithful 4-4-2 formation, or maybe switch to 4-5-1 for the second time this season. The previous occasion followed a couple of dodgy results in August, and playing Iwelumo upfront on his own ended with a 1-0 win in Croydon. Of course, by the time we scored, we had dumped the holding formation and Todorov had come on to a revertion of 4-4-2. It would not surprise me to see the team switch once more, and perhaps a slight hint of this came with the midweek reserve side win where Sam, McLeod and Thomas formed a three-pronged attack. Bearing in mind that two of them scored in that game, I guess it could have been classed as successful?
So in goal, Nicky Weaver is almost certain to continue. Although blamed by some (including himself) for the only goal last Saturday, it would be a real surprise to see Darren Randolph thrown in at St Mary’s. Weaver has made good saves this season, and they can directly be attributable to points that have been won. Sadly, he has yet to convince on crosses (which will be in abundance on Saturday), and he really does need to start to take control of his six yard box, or the clamour for Randolph to be given a chance will increase.
Weaver hasn’t been helped by the shy-ness of our central defenders to head the ball so far this season. Sodje is the only centre back we have who attacks the ball, and Fortune and Bougherra must be stronger against big raw strikers (like Rasiak) or they will just get bullied. Sodje proved last week (when he offered to meet Rowan Vine in the car park after the game to settle their differences) that he won’t stand for any nonsense, and I expect him to retain his place.
The full backs will be Mills, who needs to forget about his errors and revert to his firm, strong-minded attacking play (hopefully the crowd will be against him as this does seem to spur him on…), and Grant Basey (left). Young Basey did little wrong on his debut last weekend, but it would be good to see him more confident in his own ability and get forward to support when he gets the chance. He also needs to try to stop crosses coming into the box, and stick tighter to his marker than he did last week.The midfield will probably have the same look to it, even if Pards switches formation. Semedo, Zhi and Reid will all play, and hopefully they will all get 90 minutes so the team has balance throughout whoever plays in front of them.
The options for the wide positions and up front is more open. Darren Ambrose is fit again, and a bit of a Pards favourite. He would have been substitute last weekend if he hadn’t been stuck in traffic on the M25 (what, no police escort Dazza?). I doubt he will displace Lloyd Sam though, as Lloyd had a decent game against Rangers - his first after suspension - and deserved better from his team-mates. Then it’s a case of do we play with two strikers – one of which will be Iwelumo – or Big Chris and another winger (Thomas or Ambrose)? Certainly the confidence seems to have evaporated from Luke Varney, and it would be no surprise to see him rested (dropped) after several missed chances and lacklustre performances. That leaves the only other striking option to be McLeod; Izale really hasn’t looked quite ready for the Championship so far, even though he has started to find the net in reserve games. Even then, he missed two good chances before he scored according to reports.
I therefore think this is the team that Pards will send out, and in a 4-5-1 formation –
Nicky Weaver
Danny Mills
Jon Fortune
Sam Sodje
Grant Basey
Jose Semedo
Zheng Zhi
Andy Reid
Lloyd Sam
Chris Iwelumo
Jerome Thomas
Subs – Randolph, Moutaouakil, Bougherra, McCarthy, Racon, Ambrose, Varney, McLeod.
Southampton are another of those Championship teams who have an ex-Addick who would love to score against us, and he probably will! Jason Euell left The Valley for Middlesboro, but he didn’t seem to fit with Gareth Southgate’s Premiership plans last season, and he has moved on to the South coast after just one year up north. He is playing, and scoring, so will be out to upset us Addicks fans I’m sure! The Saints sit a couple of places below us in the table, but only on goal difference. Obviously, a win takes them above us, so we are again a target to be aimed at…
Pedro45’s score forecasts this season have been pretty rubbish; every time I say we will win, we don’t, and when I think we will lose, we win! I do think that this game is another tough one (as are the three afterwards too!), and much as I want us to get back to winning ways, I really cannot see us preventing Southampton from scoring, and I don’t have confidence in our forwards to find their goal touch again. I think we will go down 2-0, but really hope I’m wrong.
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Andy Reid. Reiddy has had two frustrating games where he was marked tightly and didn’t get to use the ball as much or as well as he normally likes. He may get a bit more space if we play 4-5-1, and he could therefore get to influence the game in a big way. He hasn’t scored for a while either, and it would be good to see him back on the score sheet (though I wish he would let Lloyd Sam take the free kicks now, if just for the surprise value).We are coming up to another three games in eight days period, and in reality, this period could make or break Charlton’s season. Southampton will be tough, and Ashton Gate on Tuesday potentially even tougher. If we entertain Cardiff next Saturday after five consecutive defeats, who knows how or when the streak will end or what damage that may do to the club in the short and longer terms. Of course, if we have 25 points in the bag by then, we would be thinking once more about the positive aspects and how long it might take to catch Watford!
Fingers crossed eh?
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Andy Reid, Charlton, Southampton
