Sunday, March 01, 2009
...Without a Paddle!
Swansea City 1 Charlton Athletic 1A point gained from a hard fought match, but things are looking bleak for the Addicks as other teams near the foot of the division all won. The gap to apparent safety is now ten points, and nothing less than six of these are required in the next two home games. In a funny sort of way, the next two matches may now be more difficult than the following two; Doncaster and Watford are winning regularly, while the promotion contenders at Reading and Birmingham (the games after that...) are not exactly setting the world alight presently. That’s for the future though…
Charlton started with just a single change to the starting eleven – Jonjo Shelvey replacing Tresor Kandol, who was absent through a family issue. In some ways, this may have been a preferred starting team anyway, as Shelvey’s tenacity and work rate inproved the tactics at a tough away game.
Shelvey had the first shot of the match, firing just wide from distance, and it’s good to see that now he has committed himself to the club by signing that first professional contract, he has lost none of his flair and desire.
Swansea were not perturbed though, and their passing game caused plenty of problems for the Addicks rearguard thoughout the game. Rob Elliott had to make one very good save early on, and he was protected as well as could be by Darren Ward and Mark Hudson.
Swansea took the lead near the end of the half, when four forward passes – from the keeper to defender, to midfielder, to forward, to the scorer – ripped straight through Charlton and the middle of the park. Dyer – on loan from Southampton – finished coolly past Elliott; it was a clinical and excellent goal.
Half time prospects were not good for Charlton, especially as three players were booked in the first half by the fussy referee, but they started the second half well, with Shelvey again shooting with power and this time drawing a good save.
The game now was pretty open, and Charlton rode their luck and strived for the equaliser, which finally came from Nicky Bailey. A cross was semi-cleared and came to Bailey 25 yards out, and his shot may well have severely troubled the keeper even if it hadn’t taken a deflection, leaving him stranded. Minutes later, Bailey hit the bar with an excellent free kick; he also took a severe blow to the knee, but finished the game well.
The final minutes saw each team look to take all three points, with Swansea creating openings and Charlton counter-attacking. Darren Ambrose (on as sub for Shelvey) had the Addicks best chance when he broke through, but his shot was well saved. The last minute of added time saw a Swansea forward sky the ball over the bar, and the points were shared.
Normally, I’d be happy with this draw, but other results have curtailed any enjoyment. The games against Doncaster on Tuesday, and Watford on Saturday have now taken on enormous proportions and are definite must win games. With Graeme Murty possibly injured (he went off with an ankle knock toward the end of the game), at least one change may be required to the starting team; more if Bailey’s twisted knee worsens over the next couple of days.
The positives are that Shelvey once again showed his undoubted class, and he does seem to be posing more of a goal threat than any of the forwards at present. The issue is finding a front man who is comfortable playing on his own, and capable of holding the ball up so that the midfield can pour forward; Chris Dickson did a reasonable job, working hard in Wales, but will he be able to do so three times in a week?
The ten point gap to safety now looks enormous, and with only a dozen games left, the writing is written largely on the Valley walls – only wins from now not draws will do. It could be an exciting time where scores are close in the last twenty minutes of matches over the next few weeks…
Friday, February 27, 2009
Up The Swanee?
First, it’s Happy 17th Birthday Jonjo Shelvey; thanks for signing that birthday contract. May you continue to improve, and if you cannot play Premiership football with Charlton in the next couple of years, then at least we should be able to benefit from a decent transfer fee (not set by a tribunal).
Jonjo’s next involvement with the first team squad comes with the visit to Welsh Wales, and a first visit to The Liberty Stadium in Swansea. It remains to be seen if manager Phil Parkinson starts Jonjo, now he is definitely committed to the club, rather than leaving him on the bench where he has been for most of the last month or so.
The likelihood is that Parky will keep an unchanged side, especially as the team have won four points from the last two games, and not conceded a goal in the process. There are no reports of injuries from last weekend’s Barnsley game (where Parky didn’t use any substitutes), and the only changes may be to the bench where Deon Burton is available again after one game suspension, and Zheng Zhi could be recalled after another week’s training having recovered from injury.
Rob Elliott is now firmly esconced between the posts, having seemingly won his battle for the goalkeepers jersey with Darren Randolph and Nicky Weaver. In the right place at the right time to take his chance, and having not conceded a goal for couple of weeks, Elliott should be full of confidence for this challenging match.
The defence in front of the goalkeepers has seen plenty of changes this season, but at least now, we seem to have settled back four too; Graeme Murty, Mark Hudson, Darren Ward and Kelly Youga are the chosen ones and the record does suggest that they are good enough at this level. With Yassin Moutaouakil out of favour, and Jon Fortune and Jose Semedo injured, there really aren’t too many other options around at present either.
That cannot be said in midfield though, even if the incumbent four are likely to play once more on Saturday. All of them – Tom Soares, Matt Spring, Nicky Bailey, and Therry Racon – have scored this year, and that goal threat is one good reason that the manager keeps picking them. Pushing all the way is another 2009 goalscorer – Shelvey – plus Lloyd Sam, Matt Holland (whose midfield appearances may be limited due to other options even if he can still do a job in defence), Josh Wright, Darren Ambrose (another 2009 scorer...), and the returning Zhi.
It is good that goals have been coming from midfield as the forwards at the club have not been scoring recently. Chris Dickson has promised, but so far failed to deliver a league goal to go with his cup scores, even though he has been a breathe of fresh air in attack. Alongside him recently has been Tresor Kandol, who has goal pedigree with Leeds and Millwall this year, but he hasn’t really looked very close to scoring for the Addicks yet in his loan spell. Neither has Burton over recent weeks, and his penalty some time back is his only goal so far for the club. Svetislav Todorov filled a bench space last weekend, but the fact that he failed to get on the pitch while the game remained scoreless suggests he is not favoured by Parky, and the only other attacking option is Stuart Fleetwood, who has yet to make an appearance for Charlton.
This is the side I think Parky will send out to win points in Wales –
Rob Elliott
Graeme Murty
Mark Hudson
Darren Ward
Kelly Youga
Tom Soares
Matt Spring
Therry Racon
Nicky Bailey
Chris Dickson
Tresor Kandol
Subs from Randolph, Weaver, Moutaouakil, Holland, Basey, Shelvey, Sam, Wright, Ambrose, Zhi, Todorov, Burton, Fleetwood.
Swansea are having a pretty good season for a club that was promoted last year; they are ninth, but have a very good home record with just one defeat. The good news is that they have a few injury problems, exacerbated by a tough midweek cup defeat at Fulham. Hopefully one or two of their team will be below par, and that could give the Addicks the edge that they crave. In saying that, a defeat would not be unexpected, and a point gained would be a point more than hoped for in reality.
Pedro45 is happy to have seen some improvement consistency from the Charlton side over recent weeks, but thinks that to expect anything from this game is letting heart rule head – I forecast a 2-1 defeat. The recent clean sheets are great, but at some time we will concede, and we don’t have a great record of coming from behind this year to look back on with any confidence. I do hope I’m wrong however!
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Mark Hudson; our skipper opened the scoring against the Swans way back when the sun was shining in August at The Valley. He has come through a recent ankle problem, and will hopefully now be fit and free from suspension for the remaining dozen games after this one. His leadership qualities are desperately needed, even when others are natural leaders (Bailey, Holland, Murty…); hopefully he can lead us to a much needed win?
The next week – which includes two winnable home games – will go a long way to defining if this season is a battle won or lost; whether it is Championship or league one next year; whether we need to chop another three million quid from the budget or not. Anything coming home from Wales will be a bonus. Fingers crossed eh?!?
Up the Addicks!
Jonjo’s next involvement with the first team squad comes with the visit to Welsh Wales, and a first visit to The Liberty Stadium in Swansea. It remains to be seen if manager Phil Parkinson starts Jonjo, now he is definitely committed to the club, rather than leaving him on the bench where he has been for most of the last month or so.
The likelihood is that Parky will keep an unchanged side, especially as the team have won four points from the last two games, and not conceded a goal in the process. There are no reports of injuries from last weekend’s Barnsley game (where Parky didn’t use any substitutes), and the only changes may be to the bench where Deon Burton is available again after one game suspension, and Zheng Zhi could be recalled after another week’s training having recovered from injury.
Rob Elliott is now firmly esconced between the posts, having seemingly won his battle for the goalkeepers jersey with Darren Randolph and Nicky Weaver. In the right place at the right time to take his chance, and having not conceded a goal for couple of weeks, Elliott should be full of confidence for this challenging match.
The defence in front of the goalkeepers has seen plenty of changes this season, but at least now, we seem to have settled back four too; Graeme Murty, Mark Hudson, Darren Ward and Kelly Youga are the chosen ones and the record does suggest that they are good enough at this level. With Yassin Moutaouakil out of favour, and Jon Fortune and Jose Semedo injured, there really aren’t too many other options around at present either.
That cannot be said in midfield though, even if the incumbent four are likely to play once more on Saturday. All of them – Tom Soares, Matt Spring, Nicky Bailey, and Therry Racon – have scored this year, and that goal threat is one good reason that the manager keeps picking them. Pushing all the way is another 2009 goalscorer – Shelvey – plus Lloyd Sam, Matt Holland (whose midfield appearances may be limited due to other options even if he can still do a job in defence), Josh Wright, Darren Ambrose (another 2009 scorer...), and the returning Zhi.
It is good that goals have been coming from midfield as the forwards at the club have not been scoring recently. Chris Dickson has promised, but so far failed to deliver a league goal to go with his cup scores, even though he has been a breathe of fresh air in attack. Alongside him recently has been Tresor Kandol, who has goal pedigree with Leeds and Millwall this year, but he hasn’t really looked very close to scoring for the Addicks yet in his loan spell. Neither has Burton over recent weeks, and his penalty some time back is his only goal so far for the club. Svetislav Todorov filled a bench space last weekend, but the fact that he failed to get on the pitch while the game remained scoreless suggests he is not favoured by Parky, and the only other attacking option is Stuart Fleetwood, who has yet to make an appearance for Charlton.
This is the side I think Parky will send out to win points in Wales –
Rob Elliott
Graeme Murty
Mark Hudson
Darren Ward
Kelly Youga
Tom Soares
Matt Spring
Therry Racon
Nicky Bailey
Chris Dickson
Tresor Kandol
Subs from Randolph, Weaver, Moutaouakil, Holland, Basey, Shelvey, Sam, Wright, Ambrose, Zhi, Todorov, Burton, Fleetwood.
Swansea are having a pretty good season for a club that was promoted last year; they are ninth, but have a very good home record with just one defeat. The good news is that they have a few injury problems, exacerbated by a tough midweek cup defeat at Fulham. Hopefully one or two of their team will be below par, and that could give the Addicks the edge that they crave. In saying that, a defeat would not be unexpected, and a point gained would be a point more than hoped for in reality.
Pedro45 is happy to have seen some improvement consistency from the Charlton side over recent weeks, but thinks that to expect anything from this game is letting heart rule head – I forecast a 2-1 defeat. The recent clean sheets are great, but at some time we will concede, and we don’t have a great record of coming from behind this year to look back on with any confidence. I do hope I’m wrong however!
My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Mark Hudson; our skipper opened the scoring against the Swans way back when the sun was shining in August at The Valley. He has come through a recent ankle problem, and will hopefully now be fit and free from suspension for the remaining dozen games after this one. His leadership qualities are desperately needed, even when others are natural leaders (Bailey, Holland, Murty…); hopefully he can lead us to a much needed win?
The next week – which includes two winnable home games – will go a long way to defining if this season is a battle won or lost; whether it is Championship or league one next year; whether we need to chop another three million quid from the budget or not. Anything coming home from Wales will be a bonus. Fingers crossed eh?!?
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Charlton, Mark Hudson, Swansea
Monday, August 11, 2008
Key to Success
Charlton Athletic 2 Swansea City 0
Five texts; two goals; and three points – a good start to Charlton's 2008/9 season thank you.
Breakfast time (OK, a late breakfast, but purportedly the “best breakfast in the world”!) on Sanibel Island at kick off was enriched by text messages flashing across the Atlantic from the Valley. Yes, Weaver was fit and in goal. As my friend continued he only keyed Youga and then Hudson, before adding 1-0. It was only 10.03, so a pretty quick goal for a change! At first it looked like an unlikely goal - Weaver to Youga, to Hudson, and 1-0. My imagination played out the goal many times as Youga beat eight players before crossing for Hudson,who had surged forward from the kick off and headed in. Only once the next text came (which started Fortune, Semedo, Shelvey, Racon, etc), did I realise my mistake and the first text was merely the start of the team news!
There does seem to have been debate about who scored the first goal - Hudson or Gray – but Fortune added a second half second, and the Swans had someone sent off. There is a limit to what you can say in texts...
Apart from that, I don't have much news of the game as web access here is still problematic; sadly the blokes who sit behind me are still there this season I'm told (Spurs tickets still being expensive, I guess they had no choice?), so I hope they didn't moan too much after a win. Hopefully the crowd exceeded 20,000 as expected and continued the clubs proud claim of not dipping below that figure for over 150 consecutive league games.
Yeovil on Tuesday will be a lot more low key, and I expect Pards will give some of the squad a run out in an effort to save the legs of the first team. As my wife went to school in the Somerset town, a defeat is not an option for the Addicks please!
Five texts; two goals; and three points – a good start to Charlton's 2008/9 season thank you.
Breakfast time (OK, a late breakfast, but purportedly the “best breakfast in the world”!) on Sanibel Island at kick off was enriched by text messages flashing across the Atlantic from the Valley. Yes, Weaver was fit and in goal. As my friend continued he only keyed Youga and then Hudson, before adding 1-0. It was only 10.03, so a pretty quick goal for a change! At first it looked like an unlikely goal - Weaver to Youga, to Hudson, and 1-0. My imagination played out the goal many times as Youga beat eight players before crossing for Hudson,who had surged forward from the kick off and headed in. Only once the next text came (which started Fortune, Semedo, Shelvey, Racon, etc), did I realise my mistake and the first text was merely the start of the team news!
There does seem to have been debate about who scored the first goal - Hudson or Gray – but Fortune added a second half second, and the Swans had someone sent off. There is a limit to what you can say in texts...
Apart from that, I don't have much news of the game as web access here is still problematic; sadly the blokes who sit behind me are still there this season I'm told (Spurs tickets still being expensive, I guess they had no choice?), so I hope they didn't moan too much after a win. Hopefully the crowd exceeded 20,000 as expected and continued the clubs proud claim of not dipping below that figure for over 150 consecutive league games.
Yeovil on Tuesday will be a lot more low key, and I expect Pards will give some of the squad a run out in an effort to save the legs of the first team. As my wife went to school in the Somerset town, a defeat is not an option for the Addicks please!
