And Nothing Else Matters - Charlton Athletic F C

Arrivederci

2012-02-08T21:59:00.000Z

Fabio, who kept Ultravox off the No.1 spot many years ago, has joined leading bankers by waiving any potential bonus.

Hello, I'ma Fabio, I gottta something speciala for you, Ready, uno, duo, tres, Suzie

When I was a boy just abouta fiftha grade, Mama used to say don'ta stay out alate

With the badda boys ( JT and Ashley ), always shoota pool, Fabio goin-ta looka fool

Boy it make-a me sick, everyting I gotta do

I can'ta getta no kicks, always gotta follow F.A. rules

Boy it make-a me sick, just to make-a lousy bucks

Gotta a feela like a fool

Itsa not so bad, Itsa nice-a place, Ahh shaddupa you F.A.

That's it then, Fabio has resigned and in so doing hasn't done any harm to England's chances of success in Euro 2012..........they remain as remote as they ever did. The great disciplinarian needed the FA to make the decision he clearly couldn't or wouldn't having nailed his colours to the mast of S.S. Terry and ironically, in the year of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titantic, he has abandoned ship.

Capello was, like McClaren before him, a ludicrous appointment from start to finish. For me he's always had a rather hapless appearance and a somewhat comic persona which I'm sure is unintentional but only serves to make it funnier. We were led to believe that he was tough on discipline. He later went on to restore the skipper's armband to Terry having removed it some time earlier. At a stroke he undermined himself.

The team is no better than when he arrived and the England side has suffered its usual share of embarrassing results set against a background of ridiculously high expectations. The whole exercise has been a huge waste of money as he was allowed to bring in his own largely annonymous backroom staff who were also on ludicrously high wages. God knows how much it's all cost but please don't transfer it into his country's old money........it probably runs into billions of Lira !

Capello also managed to repeat the mistake that Sven made in not taking Darren Bent to the world cup or even giving him much of a chance despite him regularly scoring 20 goals a season in some of the most average Premier league sides.

The FA never learns and were quite happy to again send a manager off to a major competition knowing that even if he won it the next day he wasn't going to be in the job. That resulted in the bizarre selection of Theo Walcott in 2006 by Sven. The Swede didn't care by then and that was one of the by-products.

All the above is to say nothing of his unwillingness to learn the language although his command of the Queen's is probably still better than most of his charges !

The only good thing to emerge from his tenure is the exposure and experience that Stuart Pearce has gained. I hope that whoever gets the job next is merely keeping the seat warm for Psycho. I'm greatly impressed whenever he speaks and he won't put up with the behaviour and attitude of some of the lowlifes that have donned the white shirt in recent times.

Redknapp seems to be the favourite for the job although how his achievements merit that I don't know. Apart from being a cheeky wideboy who the media appear to adore it's hard to see what he'll bring to the party. Famously praised as being a great man manager he publicly slated and humiliated Bent with his infamous " Sandra " comment.....no suprise when Dazza left in acrimonious circumstances soon after.

His moves from Portsmouth to Southampton and back were very strange indeed.

Whoever gets the England job will need to be able to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. However, I don't care too much to be honest given my feelings towards the majority of players that currently represent the national side. Until Pearce gets the job I'll not be taking a great deal of interest.

How ?

2012-02-08T20:21:00.001Z

Fred Dinenage - how do you end up being associated with Harry Redknapp ?

A real throw back to my youth today as good old Fred got mentioned in dispatches following 'Arry's aquittal today. No case to answer then for the Spurs manager nor Monster club chairman Mandaric.

A good job that as West Ham manager Harry didn't complete the transfer of Richard Rufus and open an offshore account in our former player's name eh. Still the idea of opening an account with a canine name is proposterous, I don't know why I even gave it any thought.

Enough of other club's manager and chairman. Saturday's postponement whilst an unwelcome disruption to my weekend's plans did at least give our boys a break. We might just have needed that although the resultant 5 games in 15 days isn't exactly what the doctor ordered.

We haven't being played that great of late albeit well enough to beat the Sheffields, Exeter and gain a point from the Shakers. The early season fizz and panache has somewhat disapated and needs to be rediscovered. Hopefully the enforced hiatus will have given our boys the chance the re-charge their batteries.

In addition, I didn't fancy us playing Rochdale at the moment and when the re-arranged game comes around the traditional honeymoon period for new manager John Coleman may have passed.

Let's hope that we are raring to go and that Saturday's game doesn't also fall foul to the weather.

Come On You Reds !

Miss Rochdale ?

2012-02-02T21:51:00.000Z

It certainly is !

Somehow I can't see the lovely lass above making the long trip to the Valley on Saturday especially given the expected freezing weather. However, I do hope more Addicks fans are inspired to make the effort than those on Tuesday night. It was a poor turn out and as ever I'm not believing the announced attendance that I understand covers tickets sold rather than those actually there.

Of course the weather may put paid to the game but if not, then surely more folk will be there to cheer the lads on.

I was quite wary of this fixture before we struggled against Bury. With a new manager the Dale saw a much improved display as they brushed the Shakers aside in a manner that we too should have done. I'll not go as far as new manager Coleman who felt it was like watching Real Madrid and Brazil ! Like the Blades fans before him he felt that beating Bury 3-0 was cause to go somewhat overboard in praise of his team.

The new manager effect will no doubt have some impact and of course Rochdale didn't play in midweek. Rochdale have several loan signings and God knows we're all aware that it isn't a recipe for success ! Quite the opposite eh ! However, I see this as a difficult game for us.

Sir Chris and the players may be saying all the right things about getting up for the lesser games but events on the pitch are proving otherwise. We really do need a convincing performance. The midfield, Stephens aside, really need to up their game from the midweek performance. It's rare that 3 out of the 4 have had below par games this season.

Powell has shown a ruthless streak in dropping players this season and he may feel he needs to do so with Hamer. He is becoming a bit of a liability despite the excellent defence in front of him. Whether there's an element of complacency of late or ont I'm not sure but I don't think a game or two on the bench would do him any harm.

BWP or Haynes needs to start on Saturday. I think Powell missed a trick by not playing Bradley against Bury and further in not starting with Haynes. It's still a mystery why BWP wasn't even on the bench. I can see the logic in resting players but that's usually done when said player is in a rich vein of form. Not something you'd expect when your star striker desperately needs a goal and the oppo turn up with a keeper who'd not look out of place in your average pub team.

I'm hoping the weather doesn't mean the game's off, that we win, we play with style, BWP scores, Haynes gets 20 minutes or more, none of the other top 6 wins..............oh and a lottery win too would be nice !

Come On You Reds !

" Bury It ! "

2012-02-01T19:33:00.000Z

.............and indeed he did !

First let me say that it was bloody freezing ! That we struggled to score against a poor side boasting the Pilsbury Dough Boy in between the sticks didn't help take my mind off it. In addition, the lack of supporters around me meant there was no protection from the chill wind.

I had an interesting journey down to the Valley. Virgin trains from Central Milton Keynes to Euston, squashed like sardines on the tube to London Bridge and then squeeze onto a train at London Bridge. Thank God it's not like that on a Saturday !

In my late teens and early twenties I did do my share of commuting into the smoke but never again. You can't beat working locally and for many years my trip to work has taken no more than 10 minutes. People were literally squashing themselves onto the tube like students in a mini during rag week. For God's sake there's another tube along in two minutes ! God forbid you should have to wait that long ! What are they rushing home for...........perhaps it's the lure of The One Show !

Folk were running up escalators, courtesy went out the window and elbows flew everywhere. Blimey ! If they include crazy commuting in the Olympics then Team GB will romp home with the gold ! I felt worn out just witnessing the frenzy. Suffice to say that I'm not likely to opt for a train journey down to the Valley during rush hour anytime soon. Thankfully the Dons game is during half term and an earlier journey and pre-match beers will be very much in order.

It was apparent after the first 15 to 20 minutes that The Shakers weren't that good although they did fashion a couple of chances. Only a matter of time before we scored I thought. Quite why BWP was rested to the extent that he was not even on the bench is unclear and unless he was injured it was a shocking decision. I'm sure he'd have loved to be in the box on a couple of occasions and despite his recent goal drought who'd have not seen him scoring ?

Strangely Clarke was Sir Chris's choice to replace Bradley. As Blackheath Addicted says in his review, he's too similar to Yann and the obvious replacement was Haynes. It became even more obvious when Danny H did get on and immediately lifted the Valley and chances came our way.

The Gaffer made a mistake but compounded it in my view by not getting Haynes on at half time at least if not earlier than that, it was that obvious that Clarke wasn't going to do it. Chris really does need to use his subs better..........and earlier !

Hamer was clearly at fault for the goal and again was flapping horribly at various stages. I'm very concerned. Time to give Sullivan a chance...perhaps we can " rest " Ben. As I've said before I think he will be fine but needs working on and dropping him won't hurt.

Our defence was good as ever and the usual polished performances of Solly and Wiggins were a joy to behold. The midfield, Stephens aside, was very much below par.

I thought we might score earlier when we won a free kick just outside the area. I know that Yann scored from an identical position against Yeovil but surely it was time for another Jackson special ?

I'm disappointed we didn't win as we face a resurgent Rochdale on Saturday that will pose many more problems than Bury. However, we've done the business when it really matters against the sides up the top and if you're going to drop points then better against the likes of Bury, Stevenage and Orient eh. A 12 point gap at the top would have been lovely but I'm probably being too greedy !

Charlton v Inter

2012-01-30T17:48:00.001Z

Charlton legend Peter Shirtliff, assistant to the Chief Barker

The Shakers come calling to the Valley on Tuesday evening. Rochdale await on Saturday and they're not playing midweek and are on the upturn that usually accompanies a new manager. Therefore, the Bury game is one we really need to win.

Bury have established a win, lose sequence over the last 6 games and if you don't know I'm sure you can guess what they did on Saturday ! Yep, lost and to Rochdale ironically.

Richie Barker has done a good job in keeping Bury in the top ten for most of the season although Saturday's result saw them slip to 11th. Despite that they remain on the fringe of the play-off places. It must all be Shirtliff's influence surely !

In the third tier you expect to come up against a Sodje almost every other game and this is no exception as we welcome the bandana wearing Efte Sodje at the heart of the Shakers defence. I hope that BWP can give him the run around, from what I've seen Efte doesn't seem that mobile.........perhaps he needs more aerodynamic headwear ?

The other week saw a right old tiff between two of their players. Skipper Schumacher and Coke almost came to blows over who should take a penalty and both got booked as a result. What a to do eh ? Can you ever imagine two Charlton players ever losing it like that ?

Anyway the club say they've...er...buried their differences and all is well. The 3-0 reverse didn't go down well with boss and I hope we don't get the backlash from Barker's barking.

What of the Charlton side ? Good question, I'm glad you asked. Well, I feel we may see Dale " Shakin " Stephens ( moniker for this match only you understand ) return. I really hope that we witness at least 20 minutes of Haynes. I do like the look of him. Other than that I feel the same side and indeed squad will be named by Sir Chris.

I had intended to drive down tomorrow but foolishly I overlooked the game when I arranged an Olympic meeting. Don't get excited, I'm not meeting Seb or Boris........just me, the deputy head and some other teachers planning sports and curricular activities related to the games. My mind will be focused on just when I can get away so I'll probably deserve a gold medal for talking quickly and will agree to many actions just to get to the finish line. Anyway all this waffle is to say that as a result I need to get the train or I'll not make kick off. I'm praying against ( rather than for ! ) a failed Virgin that would mean I don't get there !

A win tomorrow would make me a little more relaxed about Saturday's game. It's going to be freezing tomorrow so I think I'll be well wrapped up and hope that the lads can make forget about the cold with a superb display.

Come On You Reds !

Rub Of The Green

2012-01-29T09:40:00.000Z

Danny isn't the only Green associated with a goalkeeping error.....

Listening to 606 on 5Live last night and on came Skip who was allegedly buying Addicks fans drinks on the train back to London. Good lad ! Strictly vodka though you understand as the toast was to the Grecians Polish keeper.

The bits of the show I heard were hilarious for the inane comments from the majority of fans save for Skip and one Charlton fan who correctly observed that a previous caller, an Owls fan, was somewhat mistaken in his belief that Megson is the most underrated manager in league football. Our fellow supporter pointed out the horrible football his 6ft 3in plus players play. Well said sir !

Not one of our best performances I understand but Exeter are a difficult team to beat at home and their defence has been very good of late. A lot of teams will come a cropper at St James Park. Hamer had a little to do aside from one save late one.

Danny Green was honest enough to admit that he was crossing the ball rather than shooting but either way it was all down to the Grecians custodian who didn't quite live up to that title.

BWP got the inevitable abuse that is so dissociated with the normally welcoming Devonians. Sadly he didn't score but he did set up a great chance for Yann which sadly he failed to convert. I'd have thought Haynes was the obvious replacement for BWP when he was subbed but Clarke came on. Nothing against Clarke he just hasn't looked that fit to me and is too similar to Yann. Haynes offers more pace and perhaps more trickery too, I hope we see at least twenty minutes of him on Tuesday.

Having established a nine point lead at the top we look forward to Tuesday night and hosting a Bury side that got thumped 3-0 yesterday. Sir Chris may decide to make some changes although much other than Stephens coming in possibly for Pritchard would be a surprise. Even then only if the Gaffer feels young Bradley needs a rest I guess.

Elsewhere it seems Huddersfield were grateful for a point at Tranmere and Wednesday now face a replay in the cup. If they get a good draw today then their focus might be diverted a little although I'm sure the vastly underrated Megson won't allow that ! Sheffield United got thumped at home by Brum and will now be fully concentrating on the league.

BTW you may have seen that the Sun is once again offering deals for tickets for football league matches. Please note that none of our games is included in this offer.

Sartorial Elegance

2012-01-26T19:52:00.000Z

Grecians boss Paul Tisdale who gets his neckwear from Bangkok.......in Thailand

Sir Chris has some strong competition in the tailoring stakes on Saturday as Mr Tisdale is a natty dresser. We'll happily let him win the war of the wardrobe as long as we are victorious on the pitch. The game itself needs no dressing up as the Addicks seek to secure a fourth successive league win. Never mind PT's headgear, Skip will seeking a unique hat-trick of his own. He couldn't do it again........could he ?

I've a lot of time for Paul Tisdale aside from his dress style. He's not one who is prone to silly outbursts or comments and is a very able manager at league one level. He has done and continues to do a really job for Exeter. I admired his approach at the Valley following the dismissal of the hot-headed Nardiello as kept two players up front in a positive approach that was the very antithesis of Oldham's.

Nardiello is finding his way back from injury and it a probable starter but perhaps not finisher on Saturday. In goal for the Grecians will be Artur Krysiak who was born and raised in the lovely Devon village of Lodz just outside Barnstaple !

We struggled to beat 10 man Exeter earlier in the season and one can but hope that the free flowing football returns and that we can overpower 11 men in some style. The Exeter fans stirred BWP into action last time with some unpleasant chants and comments, let's hope he responds in similar fashion Saturday to get his season back on track.

The west country side are unbeaten in four and whilst they've not been free-scoring as such their defence has been pretty tight it appears and should prove hard to break down.

In a sense of blogging deja vu I find myself again typing that I think the Gaffer will retain an unchanged squad let alone the starting eleven. The squad may come into play more over the following two games with a midweek game in the offing.

Devon is one of my favourite parts of the world and I'd love to be going but sadly I'm not and will be doing my usual trick of keeping myself occupied with some mindless task whilst resisting the temptation to check the score until @ 4.40pm.

All things being equal we should expect to win and we ought to but no one can ever be totally confident, not least an Addicks fan. If you're going I hope that you enjoy a good day and make sure you partake of some of the rather splendid local ale whilst hopefully roaring the Addicks onto victory.

Come On You Reds !

Bang On Target

2012-01-22T13:53:00.002Z

The big screen at the Valley yesterday....courtesy of " referee " Deadman

With nearly 80 minutes gone yesterday we were ahead 4-0........on yellow cards that is. How on earth the walking disaster that is Mr Deadman manged to contrive that scenario is beyond the imagination of most. He did go onto flash a few more cards before the final whistle of course. His ineptitude and reluctance to deal with various fouls, cynical and otherwise only served to wind up both sets of players.

When Russell made his tackle you sensed that he couldn't wait to brandish a red to someone. The brawl that ensued allowed Deadman to go one further as it saw the " experienced " Beattie or Beats if you prefer follow Russell for the early bath. Somewhat short of " attacking " options as a result I understand that Danny Wilson is set to sign Tony Curtis on loan in a reprise of his infamous 1968 role.

There can't be too many occasions where two subs have been sent off within about 5 minutes of coming on. Perhaps that's a first even for Deadman, I wonder if he gets off on that sort of thing.....just a thought.

Maybe United deserved to get something from yesterday's game but a consistent failure to hit the target meant they didn't. In a nod to the Owls approach to the game, Yann and BWP too occasions received the close attention of Baldes players. Never mind we got on with it and in a show of rudeness stood up to the fight.

The inference on last night's football league show was that the Addicks have been indulging in some underhand shannigans to achieve a win over both the Sheffield teams. This is lazy on their part and seems to eminate from the whinging Owls and subsequently I guess, Blades fans. I've obviously missed something then in these last two games although I did get a distinct whiff of sour grapes as I left the ground.........perhaps that was what it was.

We were far from our best yesterday and that it was enough to see off the team in second place speaks volumes about our side. They coped admirably with what was sent their way. I share the concerns of other bloggers about Hamer's performance.....flapping aplenty and no real command of his area. He is still young especially for a keeper and will improve I'm sure and he's good enough for this league. We may need someone a little better for the next level should we get there. I'd keep him as reserve keeper because he will develop and progress I'm sure.

BWP was again out of sorts and until yesterday I felt he'd not let his head drop. I sensed some real frustration in the later stages of the game. I don't advocate dropping him because he must get better opportunites against Exeter and Bury. He won't need reminding the Haynes will be putting him under pressure as he looked quite sharp yesterday.

I'm a big fan of Green but sadly it wasn't a great day for him all round. He had two great chances when through and sadly both efforts went straight to the keeper. At least one should have found the back of the net I felt.

Sir Chris got it almost spot on again yesterday although I'll question his use of the subs again. With 20 minutes to go and with us floundering a little it needed Russell and Haynes to come on for Pritchard ( on a yellow and looking dodgy ) and BWP.....out of sorts.

Obviously the free kick from Skip ( can't believe I've left it this long to mention it ) was a real deja vu moment and what joy ! My elder son and I were bemoaning that we'd not seen a decent free kick from us at the Valley in many a year only for JJ to deliver again.

I would have been happy with two draws from the Sheffield games so the wins have left me cock-a-hoop ! We can't allow complacency to set in for the upcoming games. I'm sure the gaffer won't let that happen.

Two more wins against Exeter and Bury will round off January nicely and see us in an even stronger position.

Deja Vu

2012-01-21T08:53:00.000Z

It's Saturday so it must be another top of the table clash against a team from Sheffield in front of a 20k plus crowd.

Today's a day that we're all relishing I'm sure. For me anything other than defeat will do. Of course I'd like to see a win for us but in the overall scheme of things a draw is fine.

A look at the recent past will tell you that when we play at home in front of big crowd we don't do well, however, this season and indeed the team are somewhat different. I'm pretty certain it'll be a close game and again the first goal will be crucial and we'll probably need to get it if we're to get anything.

The Blades have been on a good run having experienced only 1 defeat in the last 12 games in all competitions. We will need to be at our best today. There's no reason to think we won't be. It is a big game and we're full of confidence and have goals from all over the pitch.

I hope that BWP scores today but won't be overly fussed if he doesn't. He didn't shy away from the ball last and worked hard whilst looking one of our most creative players.

For United, Kevin McDoanld is on form at the moment and we need to nullify his threat from midfield. The much travelled James Beattie will probably be on the bench. His career never really amounted to what it should have, nonetheless he'll pose a threat should he come on.

The Blades attendances are very similar to our own.....after the 28k that turned up to their derby with the Owls the next highest was the 20k that witnessed our victory there on 1st October.

One assumes that our team will be unchanged from last Saturday with the increasingly impressive Pritchard set to retain his place. Stephens would expect to be on the bench. The only decision on the bench is perhaps who out of Clarke and Haynes gets a place on it.

The atmosphere should be terrific today with United's fans no doubt making a lot of noise so we all need to give good vocal support to lift our boys, this is no time for apathetic support........it's got to be full on folks !

Come On You reds !

Sweet As A Nut

2012-01-15T21:30:00.000Z

If Johnnie's free kick were confectionary it might look and taste like this.

A superbly executed free kick from Skip yesterday was enough to secure the win and three points at Hillsborough yesterday. Well, it took a bit more than of course as excellent defending was required against the inevitable bombardment. It was no surprise to witness a direct approach from Wednesday as that's the way Megson likes to play. It's all set up for that ( right down to the ballboys with towels for drying the ball ahead of long throws although that wasn't a courtesy afforded to our boys ! ) with a very big physical team and it obviously works well for them especially at home unless the oppo's from S.E.7 !

I was sorry to hear of a number of train-travelling Addicks who didn't make it to the game due to signal failure at Leicester. I'm not sure if some didn't arrive in time to catch the last part of the game. I hope the rail company concerned will refund monies although it's probably unlikely.

Ref Neil Swarbrick was bad for both teams on occasions not seeing some blatant pushing from both sides and on one occasion awarding the Owls a throw-in that clearly should have been ours. I don't believe that Semedo should have got a red for blocking Pritchard as it was inside our half and I don't think you could call that a goalscoring opportunity really.

The Owls ground is a fine football stadium which serves to remind of us the excellence of Archibal Leitch, a man who desinged a vast number of stands for football stadia in the UK.

The tension was high yesterday and I've never seen Sir Chris so wound up by the oppo's coaching staff. The fourth official made several interventions. It wasn't just Megson but also Chris Evans ( no not that one ! ) and Andy Rhodes ( most notable for being quite portly and Jordan's dad in that order ). The gaffer has since indicated he was sworn at several times as was former Wednesday player, Morrison. No need for that but confirms the popular view as to what type of person Megson is. Never mind, at the end of the day I'm sure Sir Chris enjoyed his anniversary.

Speaking of Megson and a word about the Wednesday side, perhaps he should remember the old adage of not changing a winning side. Clinton Morrison made way for Madine who'd been out of the side a while. I'd have thought Morrison C had a point to prove and is always up for it against us. He looked quite determined to me as he came on as sub.

I wouldn't have started with Pritchard yesterday and thankfully I'm not the manager because he had a fine game, never one to shirk a tackle young Bradley got stuck in and again showed he has time on the ball and is always looking to play a good pass. He has come on so much.

Sir Chris had done his homework and defenders doubled up on Marshall and nullified his threat. I have to say that Hamer's distribution was terrific yesterday and in particular one kick out to Green in the first half should hve brought us another goal.

The defence was superb again as it has been throughout this season. They play so well as a unit. Those clean sheets give us such a platform and after all if you don't concede, you don't lose....it's amazing what you learn from watching football for years eh !

Sadly BWP wasn't able to score when one on one with Weaver who did make a good save to deny him. A confident Bradley would have buried that. He still made a good all round contribution, working hard to find and create space whilst being prepared to take on defenders.

Yann again worked tireslessly, I'm loving the Frenchman........in fact all the team come to that !

Aside from the goal, I thought Skip had a great game......for me one of his best. I'm not a big fan of him out on the left but he really did well yesterday. Super stuff Skip !

Next week's opponents won and played " superb " according to some of their euphoric fans on Radio Sheffield. The Dons game was frozen off which is a poor show, it was so much colder up north but no other games got called off. I pity the poor Carlisle fans and perhaps the hapless groundsman who has a lot to answer to. The plus side is of course another midweek game for the Dons who reply against QPR on Tuesday. The two Sheffields remain in the cup and I'm sure we're wishing all three sides the very best in the competition.

Huddersfield, like us, no longer have interest in the cup and they managed a one nil win and without Jordan scoring......who'd have thought eh ?

Winning the three remaining January games is a big ask but if we can we'll set ourselves up nicely for the outstanding 3 months and a week. We have 12 home games remaining which should be good, however, some sides will no doubt park the bus. It is so important that we don't go behind at home as I fear that'll probably be the case.

Greenwich and Haynes

2012-01-14T09:20:00.000Z

If the royal borough and Danny enjoy as partnership as successful as the one above then we're in for a treat !

I was mightily relieved when Cort signed up and very pleased in equal measure when Danny put pen to paper too. These will prove to be very useful and significant signings I feel. Now we'll spend the remainder of transfer window not looking for new recruits but hoping that none of the present squad heads the other way.

We're oop north today for the first of two Sheffield games both of which have a great bearing on our season. I've said I'd be happy with both being draws and feel that 4 points is best we can hope for but maybe that's me being a tad pessimistic. No Sky cameras today so that helps immediately.

Wednesday's home record is tip top so anything other than defeat will do for me as I said. In addition, we don't want to cede any ground to our promotion rivals.

I'm travelling up with my lads and some Wednesdayites today so I will be able to give the Sheffield view of things post match.

No Madine of late for the Owls although he may be on the bench. Semedo, Llera and Weaver will all probably play a part. As much as I never liked Weaver and didn't rate him at all he seems to have been playing ok for his " own " club. I'd suggest not booing him as it only serves to inspire the less able but I feel that a bit of pantomime behaviour from our fans is inevitable.

I think we can successfully name most of the side with midfield the only area where it's difficult to call. I'd have thought that Russell will be in for Pritchard alongside Green, Jackson and Hollands.

I believe it's safe to assume that the other Sheffield team and MK Dons will secure wins today so avoiding defeat is crucial. I expect us to go for the win though of course, Sir Chris doesn't send his teams out a la Oldham eh !

I guess we can expect a physical approach from the Owls.........Megson doesn't do neat and attractive football. We showed we can deal with that when we played with Huddersfield so there's no reason why we can't today with support from the ref.

Let's hope for a good game and travelling back down the M1 with another 3 points.

Come On You Reds !

Sir Christopher Powell

2012-01-10T17:52:00.000Z

My favourite photo of Sir Chris.

Saturday sees Sir Chris celebrate a year in charge of the Addicks and they say a week is a long time in politics ! Looking at him on the touchline and it seems like he's been there forever. It sure wouldn't be the same without him.

This is a small part of what I wrote a year ago when he was appointed :-

Views are mixed as to whether this just a populist appointment a la Keegan or Shearer or a sound one with an eye on the future with a promising manager with loads of potential.

I believe it's a great appointment. Not to have given Sir Chris the job now would have meant we might have never had him at all. To see him develop and do well at some other club would have hurt like hell. He knows our club, he cares about our club, he loves our club.
I feared we'd lost our chance to have him back at the Valley in any kind of coaching / managerial capacity. I'd have spent the rest of my life wondering like England and Brian Clough of what could have been.
He brings great promise and you can, as others have reasonably asked, whether that promise and love of our club is enough. Well it's not a bad starting point and having the fans, almost to a man, on your side is a real plus factor. The news of our new manager has got the club going again and I for one was dancing round the bathroom singing " Chrissy Powell. Chrissy Powell, etc " for some while. I'm feeling quite positive and the best I have for some time now about our club. Next Saturday's game against Plymouth can't come soon enough for me.
Hopefully Chris can use his connections and will be given cash to get some players in. Sir Chris was earmarked as a future manager of some quality by many some time ago when he was still with us. I'm happy that the right decision has been made. No one knows for sure of course but like I said before we won't die wondering.

Not sure why it was the bathroom I was dancing around in but hey ho I was happy eh ! Those who appointed him obviously saw the potential that I referred to and even if it does all go Pete Tong this season, I'll still love the man.

He started with four straight wins and in all fairness a couple of those owed a bit to luck but then all managers need some of that. Following that it was not a good finish as the season tapered off. I was concerned that the board might act in haste but to their credit they more than nailed their colours to the mast of SS Powell and it was full steam ahead and then some !

Virtually all the existing players were moved on as the Gaffer quickly went about recruiting his own players ( and I doubt he's stopped yet eh ! ). He's been able to get players with the right mentality and a desire to play football in the best way. A strong work and team ethic is very much at the heart of the squad and if there's been any dissention then it's not been apparent.

I believe that his superb man-management skills and his desire to treat everyone with respect has been integral to that. Sir Chris realised that he needed to get his players in early in order to get them to gel quickly. He's certainly achieved that.

His greatest triumph in player recruitment may well be Yann. What a difference that man has made. Another of the big plusses for the boss !

The recruitment of Alex Dyer is also an important one I would suggest. Not much is ever said of him but he, like Sir Chris, is held in high regard and it'd be easy to overlook him.

There was always a doubt that he would be too nice......not the sort of manager to throw tea-cups around as he openly admitted. However, you don't need to rant and rave. Sir Chris is calmness personified on the touchline ( and in the dressing room too I assume ) and I prefer my managers that way. I watched highlights of us v Palarse today, the one where we sent them down.......you may remember it. When Palarse took the lead there was Dowie going ape in the technical area......hmm didn't do much good did it ! No, I like my mangers cool, calm and collected thank you.

The boss has shown that he's not afraid to drop players if he thinks it's right. Some of those players will feel hard done by and for some I have some sympathy. However, I have to say that Sir Chris has usually got it spot on. His only achilles heel seems to have been Jason but he may be over that now. He did also slip up in dropping Solly against Stevenage but I can't see that being repeated anytime soon.

Those two are minor quibbles in Sir Chris's tenure. He's got us all proud and happy again with a team that plays football in the right way.

He has managed to turn things around in such a short space of time. Can he now go on and deliver promotion and then get us established in the Championship ? Hopefully the answer to that question is yes. I can't see why he shouldn't. The only concern is that if he develops as a manager in the way I strongly feel he will, can we keep him ? A lot of that will depend on how we progress and who comes calling.

I hope that I will be blogging in 10 years time on Sir Chris's tenth anniversary and reflecting on how Charlton have gone from strength to strength.

Happy anniversary Sir Chris !

No Appointment At The Doctor's

2012-01-09T21:27:00.000Z

The Good Doctor - an integral part of a trip to Everton

Had we won at Fulham we would have had a trip to Everton and for me that would involve a beer or two in Doctor Duncan's. Nevermind, I'll save that for another day.

It's been interesting and frustrating to read others accounts of Saturday - thanks for the reports and photos. As I say mixed emotions reading them but great to see that so many had a superb day. We weren't disgraced and we need to remember that we are a work in progress and should things go according to plan the next step for us is the Championship.

On Saturday I went out for a romp in a local forest without my mobile ( doh ! ) so didn't have a scooby about the score ! I arrived home to see we were 3-0 down quickly followed by the news that it had just gone to 4.

I know I missed out on a really great day and am disappointed not to have been amongst the 7,000 Addicks. Well done to everyone who went for what was obviously support par exceleence and to the players who gave it a good go and didn't resort to the type of hoof ball that so typifies a number of League One clubs.

Oh well, we got the least we hoped for and we can now fully focus on the league.

Breaking news as I type that Cort has had his contract with Burnley terminated and that means he's no longer on loan with us. We can only hope that as he's now a free agent he'll sign up with us although I guess a lot will depend on how he feels about not being a regular starter.

His absence leaves us very short on cover at central defence although I can't beleive that if we haven't sorted something with Leon that we'll play out the rest of the season with Doherty on the bench ! I assume we'll seek to move in the loan market at the very least.

I'm pleased to see that three of our title / promotion challengers are still in the cup albeit maybe only a replay further for MK Dons. A shame that Warnock was sacked ( did I really write that ! ) as I feel QPR might well have gone out to their league one opponents even if they are playing at home. For what it's worth, Warnock has been treated disgracefully given what he achieved last season and with the R's spending power there's no reason to be believe he wouldn't have kept them up especially when one considers how Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan and Wolves are performing.

Anyway the Dons and the Sheffields live to fight another day and that means more games and good news for us I trust. Whether it's a good time to play Wednesday and United is a difficult one to call. Would we better playing them a week before the cup or now with their attention hopefully diverted ?

I hope that the plethora of scouts at Adams Park on Friday night were suitably impressed to report that their club must buy Jordan Rhodes no matter what the cost. However bad Wycombe may have been ( and they were awful ) he's a class act and will be difficult if not impossible to replace. Still whatever happens this season Huddersfield can be proud of their " unbeaten run "......promotion's just a sideshow eh ?

The only serious challengers to automatic promotion, perhaps fairly obviously, come from Huddersfield, MK Dons, Sheff Weds and Sheff Utd. Out of those the Dons are top of the recent form table and one can but hope that they suffer a stumble. They do have some tough games coming up after which they have a fairly straightforward run to the end of the season.

I'll not be too disappointed if we come out of the Sheffield games with 2 points. With the Sheffields and potentially the Dons not playing on Saturday 28th January added to our Tuesday 31st January game against Bury we have an opportunity to open up a bigger gap at the top. 8 points or better from the Sheffield games and the final two in January would put us in strong position ahead of February.

The rest of this month and the next two games in particular will be pivotal to our success this season and it will be interesting as pretty much all of it has been to date.

Charlton Steel Themselves For Another London Derby

2012-01-05T20:33:00.000Z

Killer - no doubt on his way to another goal !

A return to cup action on Saturday and a cup tie away to Fulham. I was at Craven Cottage the last time we played Fulham in the cup, January 1981 in the fourth round. I remember it quite well not least for the goal that Killer scored......you'd be hard pushed to find many better than that ! Sadly that was in the days before all games were recorded and as far as I know there's no video of it.

I was right behind the goal. As I recall the ball came to him on the edge of the area and he controlled it and turned in one movement before firing into the top corner.........bl**dy fantastic !

I remember that after the game I was off to the Abbey National Christmas do, somewhat delayed obviously ! It was at the Inercontinental Hotel in central London as I recall. Incredibly the 3 course meal plus wine with disco entertainment cost me all of 50p ! The remaining cost was paid for by Abbey........the good old days ! I celebrated well that night !

My mate Vic ( sadly longer with us ) gave me a lift into the centre of London as I put on my smart / casual gear in the back of his car.........thanks Vic !

My last visit to the Cottage was for a Prem game, not sure what season but we definitely lost but I do remember going to the White Horse in Parsons Green for some lovely ale. They were also cooking burgers outside and they were equally tasty. The website should you be interested is :- http://www.whitehorsesw6.com/

We played Ipswich away in the fifth round following the win at the Cottage, a game we lost 2-0 but we competed very well for a third tier side ( ultimately promoted of course ! ) against about the best team in the country at the time. I'm fairly sure Les Berry got a broken nose for his troubles with the old claret going everywhere. It was a brilliant day out and our boys didn't disgrace themselves. Upon return home I was drinking in the Duchess of Edinburgh in Welling after the game. That was very much my regular watering hole at the time despite living in Bexleyheath.

There are mixed emotions about the Saturday's tie. If you could guarantee that progress in the cup wouldn't affect our push for promotion then I'd bite you arm off. I seem to recall that a cup run nearly derailed Leeds efforts a couple of years ago and we wouldn't that.

Sir Chris has picked teams for the cup that are slightly changed but still quite strong usually with back up on the bench if needed. This game is different given the level of the oppo and the gaffer has said he'd like to give it a good go. I'm not going to attempt naming the side apart from sticking my neck and saying that I feel Sullivan will be in goal !

Sadly I'm not going on Saturday for various reasons. If you are going then I'm sure you'll have a great day amongst 7,000 fellow Addicks. You should make a hell of a noise and one that's bound to lift our players and leave none of them in any doubt that they are at a very special club.

Come On You Reds !

Yann's The Man !

2012-01-03T18:02:00.003Z

YK - thankfully his legs didn't turn to jelly

The longer this season goes on the more one wonders where we would be or would have faired without Yann. Since his arrival he has just got better and better. He had a point to prove and I think he's made it. Yesterday saw a polished performance allied to 100% commitment and effort. He ran his chaussettes off yesterday !

Sadly his stirke partner is not enjoying the best of times but Yann is doing more than his fair share of work to help BWP through his slump. Very much a confidence player it'll only take a goal or two for Bradley to return to his best.

Our full backs also had great games yesterday, that's pretty much taken as red this season but none the less needs to be commented on. That the Bees never really looked like scoring yesterday has a lot to do with our solid defence. They had one good chance in the second half but a brave tackle from Cort helped ensure that went over the bar. Leon fitted in really well and was impressive given his lack of match action.

The first half was a forgetable affair and most of the team looked as though they were suffering the effects from 84 minutes with only 10 men on new year's eve. Douglas was afforded too much time and space seemingly allowed to play passes wherever he wished.

Morrison reacted first and bravely to the opportunity to score and took it well. " England's number 1 " got himself in a right old mess.......perhaps he should have spoken to Hamer about when to come off your line !

Speaking of our number one I'm afraid he didn't have a great game. He had little to do but there were a couple of dodgy moments from crosses and the punch in the first half was a bizarre piece of keeping that can only be put down to a terrible misjudgement. I think Hamer's good enough and should develop but he'll be as grateful as any of us that he has such a good back four in front of him.

The second half saw an improvement in our play as we pressed more and allowed Douglas less time. Why we didn't do that in the first I'm not sure. Sir Chris shouldn't leave it to half time to sort these things.

Brentford are a very big and very physical side who can play a bit of football when the mood takes them. They were permitted too much physical stuff yesterday and the referee made himself a laughing stock with some of his decisions. The repeated fouls from the West London side went totally unpunished. Pritchard got flattened as one defender put a ball out......I accept thier player won the header but the follow through was as unnecessary as it was dangerous.

I see that Rosler was moaning about not getting a penalty from the Saunders free kick which it probably should have been but he and the rest of his team get no sympathy from me following the pathetic behaviour from Alexander at both free kicks. Totally out of order and if that's how he want his team to play and condones it that's up to him. Personally I'd hate to see any of our players doing that and the German's obviously short on ideas if that's what it's come to.

I'm not totally au fait with the LOAF but I'm sure there's something in there covering unsporting behaviour. That it came from the charmless ex-Millwall man came as no surprise to me. Just another example of the weak refereeing we witnessed yesterday.

The East Stand lino was as hapless as his senior colleague seemingly missing incidents in front of his very eyes and seeing the ball go out of play when it clearly never did !

Leon Clarke came on for an instantly forgettable debut. One can only assume his lack of game time explains it. I'm sure he's better than that and must possess greater pace when fit. Sir Chris again showed his ruthless side in having Clarke on the bench and as I said in my previous post I do wonder where his arrival leaves Euell and Hayes not to mention young Smith.

I was pleased to see Pritchard make his full league debut and he again showed touches of class allied to great composure. I like him..........

One of the lessons learned from the festive period is that Green needs to play the full ninety plus time added on. The gaffer has clearly learned that as Danny Boy didn't come off when Wagstaff came on. He's on a hot goalscoring streak now eh !

I rather enjoyed the PA's quip on announcing the Huddersfield score that they are unbeaten this year........well done to them and the lovely Lee Clark.

Sir Chris has been in charge for nearly a year now and has forged his own team that contains players that all have gelled quickly and impressively. A hint as to one aspect of how that's been acheived was contained in the programme yesterday which was the team photo in the centre pages. This was Team Charlton containing as it did not only the players but also backroom, office staff etc with no obvious hierarchy in terms of the seating arrangements. All Mr Powell's idea apparently and something that speaks volumes about our manager.

We've Got No Herr But We Don't Care

2012-01-01T16:24:00.001Z

Herr Rosler or should it be Herrless Rosler

Indeed, we don't need a German manager and we're quite happy with Sir Chris thank you very much. At the half way point of the season with the Addicks in first position with a lead of 4 points it's been a very good first half despite last night's set back.

Following a defeat it's often good to have an early chance to go out and put things right. I think less than 48 hours counts as an early opportunity. Of course we will now have Hamer in goal which will please the Brentford fans who are probably looking forward to giving him dog's abuse as they were upset with him following the game earlier in the season. Hopefully it will spur him on.

Opinion on Uwe Rossler amongst Bees fans seems to be divided however, it would seem he's done an acceptable job if their position of 7th in the league is anything to go by. One or two seem to feel he lacks something tactically although he was obviously astute enough to make the necessary changes yesterday to turn the game after being 3 - 0 down to the Dons.

Brentford are unbeaten in the league since 19th November when they lost 1-0 to........us ! We didn't get any credit from Uwe or Brentford fans that day and from what I read we did seem to ride our luck somewhat. Mind you there was a reluctance to accept that we were atop the league on merit and they were keen to judge us on that one performance.

The Bees last three games have all ended in draws none as spectactular as yesterday's of course. They arrive at the Valley full of confidence and a never say die attitude as a result one would imagine.

Sadly Miguel Llera has left and is now at Sheffield Wednesday so we won't see him tomorrow. As far as I'm aware, in contrast to the Orient game, there is only one ex-Charlton player in the Brentford ranks. That's Myles Weston who hasn't featured too much this season.

The charming Gary Alexander plays up front, he's a really nice chap and is bound to give us Addicks a cheery wave.

In light of the appeal for Hamer, John Sullivan will not now start between the sticks. Hopefully at worst Hamer will be banned for the Fulham game. Green will, of course, return following suspension. Hopefully Ephraim will be available following illness although whether he gets more than a place on the bench will depend I suspect on how Skip is feeling following the Orient game.

I do hope that Yann gets to take a free kick should the opportunity arise. I couldn't understand why Skip took one yesterday in the first half with the Breton having scored a peach of a goal against Yeovil.

Sir Chris did say he was going to rotate the squad over Christmas and new year but other than that which has been enforced there's been little sign of it to date. We'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out how serious he was that one.

Leon Clarke has now joined following Benson's departure to Swindon. Clarke is clearly a competent player at this level with the only question marks being over his attitude. I'd back the gaffer and his team on knowing what they're doing and believe we should give young Leon a chance before we judge him. Since his spat with PDC he's managed to keep his nose clean at Chesterfield it seems.

Where Clarke's arrival leave Hayes is open to question. One assumes that Clarke will be on the bench sooner rather than later and Sir Chris has shown previously that he's not overly given to sentiment ( perhaps save for Euell ) in his team selection. If he feels someone will do a job then they'll get their chance.

This also raises questions over Euell. Having been on the bench for the last two or three games Jason was nowhere to be seen yesterday. I do find the selection policy with him and indirectly with others has been inconsistent to say the least !

Chris Solly deserves another mention as he continues to impress. He really is progressing well and perhaps the myopic Arsene Wenger will be wondering if he got the better right back !

I'll be disappointed if we don't come out all guns blazing tomorrow and giving it a really good go. My hope is for a win, playing well and a Wright-Phillips hat-trick.....all in that order. It's not too much to ask is it ?

Come On You Reds !

Hamer Horror

2012-01-01T11:41:00.000Z

Fangs for nothing. Horrible goings on in old London Town.

Oh dear ! It certainly didn't go according to plan did it ? I feel that the laws are silly at best if they mean that the referee must send off the keeper in that situation. However, whatever the rights and wrongs we paid a heavy price for that rush of blood ( see above ! ). Even having commited himself an attempted header from Hamer might have been the better option.

Teams can occasionally play for 30 minutes or so with ten men and emerge with a point or better but for 84 minutes it's a big ask. I admired Sir Chris in his positive approach by retaining both strikers.

Sullivan didn't have the best of games, he was a bit shaky on crosses and was a tad too far off his line for the goal although it was a horrible deflection. He did make a couple of good saves later on to be fair.

The O's should have scored more when they were on top but a combination of poor finishing and officiating allied to resolute defending meant they didn't add to the Spring goal.

We should be encouraged by the determination shown by the Addicks and with better finishing could have come away with a point. This was one occasion when having a keeper on the bench proved useful, ironically the O's didn't have a keeper on their bench.

I understand that the BBC is going to ditch the football league show from next season. From what we've witnessed over the festive period it seems that they may have done so already ! No sign of it last night again or today it seems.

This raises the possibility of ITV taking over the highlights and they make a mess of it with an awful format usually fronted by Matt Smith and his staccato delivery....arghhh !

Anyway onwards and upwards. Like games against Sheffield teams you play one London derby and another pops up straight away ! Back at home tomorrow and let's hope the lads get back on track with three points and a decent performance to start 2012 in good fashion.

Friends Re-united

2011-12-30T13:27:00.001Z

Super Kevin Lisbie - still the only Jamaican international to score a Premiership hat-trick. We'll never forget that day will we !

Yes, tomorrow we are re-aquainted with not only Super Kev but also Mooney, Cook and Spring sounding like a firm of solicitors but all of whom have plied their trade with the Addicks at one time or another.

Young Kevin ( 22 years old now you know - my how time flies ! ) as Curbs used to call him was a player we let go far too soon in my opinion. Having watched him week in week out in the Prem not quite cutting the mustard it seemed nonsense to release him hen we got relegated when he might actually score a few. He was always good enough at Tier 2 level as he went on to prove with Colchester. One of Pardew's many irrational decisions eh.

Mooney is a player I never really rated and in contrast to SKL has not really proved me wrong. Scored a cracking goal in the play off semi with Swindon but all too late I'm afraid.

We will also meet up with Lee Cook and Matthew Spring. Cook flattered to decieve I thought...amazingly he's still on loan from QPR ! Spring I liked, always hard-working and giving 100% - a solid and reliable player although I don't think we saw the best of him.

Tomorrow then and we're live on Sky at the Barry Hearn Matchroom Carlsberg Flats Brisbane Road Stadium or somesuch. Good old Barry has decided not to lower the prices for this one despite it being played at 5.20pm on new year's eve and live on Sky.....hmm the man who has transformed snooker and boxing ( so Baz says anyway ! ) didn't think it prudent to do so. I guess we're a big draw but nonetheless he might have got more punters in had he done so.

BTW I note that Eddie Hearn is vice-chairman..........it couldn't be that he's rel........no, of course not and I was silly to even entertain the idea.

What of the O's then ? Well aside from the aforementioned quartet with Charlton connections there's also Jamie Jones ( cue Clash song in your head for the rest of the day ) who dropped a clanger aginast us last season as I recall. I'm sure he'll want to atone for his error.

Defender Tony Craig has just returned to Millwall who he was on loan from. An adjustment needed in defence for them.

As far as I know ( which is bu**er all eh ! ) we've no new injuries although Danny Boy Green is suspended following the yellow card picked up in the West country. Oh well, he'll be fresh on Monday at least.

Whether Wagstaff has recovered from ankle knack remains to be seen. Jackson is on the verge of returning although Sir Chris may not want to bring him in just yet. Perhaps a place on the bench for Skip.

The gaffa has other options should he decide to swop players around, Evina is a possibility and Pritchard looks like he could do a job on the wing to me. Mr Powell will be keen as we all are that BWP returns to scoring goals.......we really need him to be full of confidence.

The O's will be hurting from their loss to the Dons.....fancy being beaten by a bunch of professors....that'll teach 'em. Therefore, they'll want to bounce back. In any case this is always another tough place to go. Sadly after being at our last two visits I'm not there tomorrow. Please say hello to the chap in the home area wearing the United shirt if you're going.

This is another game where we really ought to win. The first goal will be crucial, if we get it then the game should open up allowing us to play with a bit more freedom as there should be more space. If they get it then it'll be similar to the Yeovil game I suspect with the home side defending and holding on to what they have.

We've done the business consistently away from the Valley this season and let's hope that buoyed by own terrific away following we can bring home the 3 points....a good perfomrance would be the icing on the cake.

This is my last post of 2011...no plans to post post Orient before the new year ! My thanks to everyone who blogs...I really enjoy reading the thoughts of others and the occasional pieces on the authors lives away from the Valley. We are a pretty diverse bunch but all with the one same passion ( or troubled shared as Dave from DDTG puts it ).

Big thanks to Ketts for his continued interesting and informative articles on an almost daily basis. He's the man in the know for sure !

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read anything what I have wrote as Ernie Wise might have said. Thanks for any comments you may have left.......clearly not everyone agrees with me especially fans of Oldham although judging by the comments left on a number of CAFC blogs I'm not alone. Blinkered is how I feel one might best desrcibe their view of their team and our most recent encounter !

I wish you all a most enjoyable new year's eve of course and I hope the script goes according to plan !

My very best wishes to you all for 2012, an Olympic year, that I hope sees the torch enter the stadium with the Addicks firmly in the Championship !

Come On You Reds !

Euell-Tide Cheer !

2011-12-27T09:52:00.002Z

I do believe that's a red red robin on the top.

There is superstition as Stevie Wonder once sang....very true Stevie. I started out listening to BBC radio London but switched to following the game by Sky after we went behind as I'm a superstitious old sod. As it turned out it made all the difference as we won on Sky with the late winner !

As ever this season there was a long wait for our score and then unexpectedly up came the news that Green had scored a late goal that ultimately proved to be the winner of course. I recall that Norwich were quite tenacious in their promotion seasons in both league 1 and the championship with late goals a feature of them. Our boys are showing similar determination and resilience this season seemingly very driven and focused.

The late goals at the Banks's Stadium made things even sweeter. Huddersfield won as you might expect and Dons also although the size of their win was something of a surprise. We can but hope that the O's are in a similar generous mood on new year's eve.

I gather that we were very much on top for the majority of the game and that the last quarter or so saw the Glovers pretty much camped in their own half. We did well in striking back quickly having gone behind twice. At last Yann scored from a free kick. I guess we've all seen those Youtube clips of him knocking them in from outside the area and now the good old boy has done it for us !

Then of course Danny Green popped up with the winner.......just a thought but I wonder if Wagstafff had been fit if he'd have come on for Green ? We'll never know. Danny is now suspended for the game at Orient which is a big miss but hey ho someone will need to step up in his place. Wagstaff may be fit or perhaps Jackson may return and Ephraim switches to the right.

The biggest hope now is that Bradley scores soon. He still seems to be doing everytihng right save for putting the ball in the net at the moment. One can't imagine that his goal drought will continue for much longer.

What are the BBC all about......I was looking forward to seeing our game on the football leaue show but no, it wasn't to be. The usual MOTD with associated drivel from Shearer and Lawreson but no proper footie. Not on tonight either I see, how bad is that ?

A win on Saturday and again on bank holiday Monday will finish and start the old and new years in splendid fashion allowing us to anticipate the cup match against Fulham with some relish.

The Magi of Christmas

2011-12-22T14:43:00.000Z

They should have gone west not east and now may miss the Addicks v the Glovers, as a result it wasn't only the camels that had the hump ! Never mind they realised if they headed home straight away they would probably catch the Addicks at the Matchroom Stadium ( well they do come the Orient ). I bet they've got a flat overlooking the ground.

A reference to the Magi made me think of former player Bougherra and had he still been with us then I might have attempted a pathetic name based joke but he isn't with us any more so that won't happen.

Last Christmas we got new owners and fortunately we avoided having a wise man at the club as we once feared. We also managed to avoid Gold ( and Sullivan et al ) as he headed east so we truly have a lot to thank God for eh ?

My preparations for Christmas are just about done with one present left to get. I've got most of the food but not the drink yet...must remedy that tomorrow ! Got the crackers so they'll be good for some awful jokes that will get repeated over the next few months on the blog....sorry !

Got my pressies from Milton Keynes shopping centre. Once this was viewed as one of the best if not the best in the country and people would bus in or drive from miles away to visit. Not sure why and have never seen the attraction myself, shops are shops aren't they ? MK doesn't have shops that you can't find anywhere else and the main part now looks very dated......even I've aged better and that is saying something !

Last night saw a reunion of some of my fellow tourists from 16 years of cricket tours for Abbey National Cricket Club. Each one of the tours has been in North Devon mostly based in Bideford. What a wonderful part of the world, lovely scenery with people to match. We gathered in Wetherspoons, drank some toothsome ale and reminisced.......... a lot. With most of us having aged somewhat and retired from the game each tour has been harder for numerous reasons. We are hoping for one last hurrah in 2012.

Can the boys return to winning ways on Boxing Day ? Let's hope so as the 3 points would be a Christmas bonus for all us Addicks before the first of two London derbies away to the O's.

I wish everyone and their families a peaceful and happy Christmas.......have a good one !

And A Merry Christmas......Everyone !

2011-12-18T11:53:00.000Z

Why didn't the skeletal Oldham fan go to the match ? Because he knew it'd be really boring with very little skill on show. Hear no good football, speak no good football and certainly see no good football.

Well what a great start to Christmas week ! Speaking of weak, what about those officials eh ! Absolutely useless. I won't waste time ( irony or what ! ) on them suffice to say they were the worst we've seen this season. The allowed Oldham to carry out their boring game plan ( if you can call it a game plan ) to a T.

Nevertheless, despite Oldham's approach we really ought to have beaten a very poor side that has so little skill in it. We fluffed our lines somewhat.

The first half was an instantly forgettable affair and I bet Yann wished he'd stayed in the chaning rooms longer following his clash of heads. His battling on is to be applauded, I think I'd have looked at how we were playing and said " nah ! " shortly before hot-footing it to an early bath.

Sir Chris obviously had words at half time as we emerged with more intent and increased tempo. Failure to convert more thn the one chance really smack us on the bum. Sadly Oldham managed to do the same with the only one they had aside from a shot in the first half which Hamer tipped over but I felt he ought to have caught comfortably.

Wright-Phillips is really struggling and his determination to score meant he ignored the chance to pass to others in better postions on a couple of occasions. On one occasion Green played him in with an exquisite pass that he only just failed to convert but that you'd have expected him to put away. He needs a goal and very soon !

Again I can't understand what Sir Chris is doing with the subs. Euell again on the bench....why I don't know. For the second week running we needed a goal and he didn't bring on the player he apparently sees as our 3rd best striker. Wagstaff on again and Pritchard was also lined up to come on...both ahead of Euell. Anyone understand how that works ?

Given his size Smith or indeed Hayes would have added something and either could have come on for BWP had they been on the bench. Sorry I'm not getting it at all.

Yann's iunjury seemed to produce a slightly below par performance from him which is I guess understandable given the knock he got.

We now face some tough games over Christmas and the New Year. I'm realistic enough to know we're not going to win every game but ones like this against a poor side who've played midweek games for the previous 2 weeks really should be put to bed. We have the players and the ability.......the lads are going to have to do better than this if we're going to stay out in front.

It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

2011-12-16T00:07:00.000Z

It's Christmaaaaaas by Sleighed

One of the joys of working in a school is the nativity play, carol concert and general enjoyment of this time of year by the kids. It's the culmination of our Christmas celebrations and yes, we did have a traditional Christmas assembly too. Santa has visited as well, he didn't look overly tanned so I don't think it was Phil Brown......Phil Brown geddit ? He got the sack this week.....oh please yourselves......

I attended the carol concert tonight and it was rather splendid and well attended by parents and family, one of the best in my time at the school. With the children undertaking lots of Christmas activities; making and sending cards, exchanging presents etc it's a lovely atmosphere and unique during the curriculum year in my view. There's nothing like the kids to remind you of what Christmas should be about and they're not yet so affected by life that they have a cynical view of things and remain full of optimism. Supporting the Addicks over many years would knock that out of them eh !

Snow permitting, tomorrow will be a day of watching dvds and partying perhaps with some bringing in toys from home. In my day that'd mean a board game of some sort or one of your lucky mates might have a robot, about the only electronic toy at the time. These days of course most have PS3, Xbox or the like and i-pods etc........ you name it, they've pretty much got it. That is a shame really as Christmas for me was the only time you got big and what for me were expensive presents. Children these days pretty much get these all year round almost which to a certain extent leaves some children less grateful and appreciative. ( I'm just managing to avoid a full-on Pythonesque living in a hole in the road type rant ! ).

Hopefully our boys won't be taking the spirit of Christmas too far on Saturday. No gifts for our visitors - just us taking home the 3 points I hope.

Quite rightly there'll be a minute's silence to honour one of our FA Cup winning heroes Peter Croker. His passing was sad news indeed.

We ought to win and hopefully our guests will have an eye on their forthcoming cup tie at Anfield that'll distract from the task in hand. I'm looking forward to seeing Ephraim and Russel in tandem as both are more than useful additions to the team. If they both stay beyond January and our injured players return then we really will have competition for places. All that bodes well for the future.

Hopefully Hayes or Smith will be on the bench as opposed to Jason as I believe they offer more than he. I won't be suprised if Sir Chris keeps Euell there though.

In the spirit of Christmas I'm looking forward to a bit of quaffing before and aft the action on Saturday, well it'd be rude not to.

Come On You Reds !

One All At Walsall

2011-12-13T18:41:00.001Z

A Point Gained

You can't win 'em all as they say so best look at Saturday's result as a point gained. We've been on such a great run that ti would be churlish to view as much else. Walsall were never going to do anything other than work hard for whatever they could get given their league position.

I wasn't at the game and have nothing to add to what's already been said. However, I was somewhat surpirsed to see Euell take precedence over Hayes and to a lesser extent Smith. Along with most other Addicks I've a great affection for our record signing but affection and sentiment doesn't win you games of football. He may have scored in the cup the week before but to be fair it was served up on a plate and as Geoffrey would say " my old Gran could have scored that ! ". Even then it just trickled over the line.

No doubt Sir Chris thought that the goal would re-ignite our Jas but I'm afraid I can't see that happening. Hayes and indeed Smith offer a more potent threat. In fact we really ought to question given that we needed a goal why Euell didn't come on. In what scenario would Jason come off the bench then ? When we were winning by a goal or two ? Was he going to come on to slow things down or use his experience to see out the game ? It seems a bit illogical.

I hope that Hayes or Smith take the place of Euell on the bench on Saturday. Sir Chris could of course not put a keeper on the bench and play the extra outfield player. Sadly for me I rather doubt either of those coming to pass.

I was pleased to see that Russel had a good game. He should be a useful addition to the team and hopefully become a permanent signing come January.

Next week we entertain Oldham and this is one that we definitely ought to win for a variety of reasons. Not least amongst those is that Oldham have played midweek last week and this. Tonight they play Southend for the privelege of playing Liverpool in the F.A. cup third round. Oldham have a sufficient tally of points not to be too concerned about relegation whilst not quite threatening to push on for promotion. Therefore, it's safe to assume that they'll be going all out to win tonight. We can but hope for extra time and perhaps penalties.

Come 4.55pm on Saturday if we haven't won, unlike last Saturday, I'm going to be very disappointed. Of course, I don't really have to worry as this is Charlton and it wouldn't be like them to ruin my Christmas now would it ?

Not BWP but BP !

2011-12-04T08:53:00.001Z

Bradley Pritchard

It's all in the initials apparently. What a polished performance from BP yesterday who was the biggest plus point for me. Having played little football to date this season and being injured seems to have had little effect on Bradley who put in a good shift. Shift probably isn't the most appropriate word given that it suggests a rather laboured performance and reality it was far removed from that. BP was accomplished and confident.

Pritchard seemed to have time on the ball, put in many good tackles and both short and long passes were executed in equal good measure. This was a very encouraging display from the young man.

Sir Chris made 6 changes to the eleven that started on Monday night that perhaps rather refelcted a similar shift in atmosphere and size of crowd. The 7k plus attendance was disappointing even in these tough economic times.

As ever the boss seems to have got it about right although I'd have like to have seen Smith start. I'm not a fan of Wagstaff in his supposed proper position and playing him up front or just behind the main striker does little to endear him to me I'm afraid. The thinking is that his running will unsettle the oppo's defence.......it doesn't. In addition, he seems to have acquired an annoying habit of going down all too frequently looking for a foul.

The first half was a very forgetable affair with one good full length save from the assured Sullivan being the only moment of any real note. The steward in front of me must have sensed that it was a lucklustre affair as they fell asleep after 15 minutes. It was the worst 45 minutes of the season which speaks volumes as in recent times one would have said it was par for the course.

Sir Chris obviously had words at half time as the Addicks emerged a different animal in the second half seeming to want to up the tempo and displayed much more urgency. Green, who had a good game throughout, delivered some quality crosses and was unlucky with an opportunistic volley from about 30 metres that just flew past the right hand post.

The first goal was a somewhat scrambled affair following a corner that had come about after a superb and skillful driving run from Evina if I recall correctly. Morrison would not be denied and eventually slammed the ball home.

The second came about after a well delivered cross from Keromogant and Euell's scuffed shot trickled inside the post to make it safe.

Carlisle played reasonably well but lacked a cutting edge rarely posing any serious threat. In addition, they were too easily opened up in the second half by our much altered side.

Now we look towards the third round and can but hope for a home tie against a top drawer team......that's what we hope for but we all know the reality, don't we children !

Of course our home match with Bury now needs to be re-arranged. With several other third tier sides also in the hat ( in the hat ? it long ceased to be that eh ? ) for the third round, the League One programme is pretty much decimated on January 7th anyway. The only team up the top that have no F.A. Cup concerns is Hudedersfield who play on the Friday evening away to Wycombe who similarly fell by the wayside in the first round.

Time For Change

2011-12-02T20:02:00.000Z

What contrast in tomorrow's fixture compared with that of Monday night. The Huddersfield was a must win played in front of two quite vocal sets of fans, tomorrow, well, very much quieter and I can take or leave the result to be honest although I do want us to win of course. If we do win then I hope for a plum home tie against Man City followed by the honourable defeat by a team that has produced the best football in this country this season.

It's an opportunity to rest a few players and give an outing to some that we don't see so much of and clearly would benefit form a run out. I'd like to see Smith, Pritchard, Evina, Russell, Harriott and a few others. I guess Sir Chris may opt for something akin to the side that dealt with F C Halifax in the previous round.

I didn't think I'd make tomorrow's game but a previous commitment in the Metropolis has been cancelled allowing me to attend........whoopee !

I'm driving tomorrow so no pre or indeed post-match imbibing for me, think I'll save that for the Oldham game just before Christmas.

I assume that Carlisle will field a pretty full strength team hopefully with the result of seeing a good match.

Whatever the nature or importance of the game, a trip to the Valley is to be treasured and I'm always filled with anticipation as indeed one should be as a fan. It's always special and if that ever stops then it'll be time to call it a day.........can't see that happening though......ever !

Come On You Reds !

Hogan's Heroes

2011-11-29T15:46:00.000Z

A programme from yesteryear kids.......

Really they're all Powell's heroes but you'll excuse me that as I clutch at straws for a headline I'm sure.

Wow what a performance ! Each and everyone of our boys stood up to the physical battering that we got from the Terriers. There was little protection on offer at times from a referee who wasn't flattered or swayed by the fact that he has a stand named after him at The Valley......the Roger Stand ? It sounds like a place for amourous Addicks eh !

Ne'er mind...... no one's complaining ( too much ) and the team deserves great credit as each player played their part. I was delighted with and for Solly who was truly magnificent. Each passing game only serves to highlight what a rare error was made by Sir Chris in omitting him from the team against Stevenage.

I shouldn't single anyone out because as I said they were all rather splendid. This is a match and result of some significance. If I felt that the win over Sheff Utd laid down a marker then this one has made a real statement of intent. We all have to hope that injuries and suspensions and indeed the possible sale of a player or two don't jepordise the season.

As for Huddersfield, I've said for a while now that I'd rather be top of the league than have their unbeaten record. Certainly it doesn't compare to that of Forest or Arsenal in terms of the division they've achieved it in alone. It is some achievement there's no doubt of that but possibly at the expense of turning draws into wins as they sought to maintain their unbeaten status. How they respond the last night's defeat will be interesting. I think they'll be all right and I'd be surprised if they don't finish in the top 3 let alone 2.

The last two games have summed up what you expect from teams that usually go on and win something. A less than dazzling display at Griffin Park but coming away with a win and an outstanding one with another 3 points heading our way last night. For all those Brentford fans who questioned why the Addicks were top of the league.....well you got your answer last night. Never judge a team on one performance and that we won the game anyway should tell you something.

What do we now want from Saturday's F.A. Cup game ? A win may set up a tasty third round encounter but then would impact on the league programme. Perhaps we'd settle for a win Saturday, Man City at home and an honourable defeat.

That's all for the future, for now let's bask in the glory of a fantastic win and performance last night......oh and being top of the league !

Come On You Reds !!!!

It's A Funny Old Game

2011-11-28T15:56:00.000Z

Patrick Monohan ( Show Me The Funny Winner ) who may well do the post match interview for Lee Clark

If it was good enough for Sir Alex to parade some poor sap for interviews in his stead then Lee Clark may well opt for Patrick Monohan to do the same. Shut your eyes when either is talking and you'd be hard pushed to know who is who although some may find Lee funnier but not intentially !

A late post for me and by the time you read this ( let's be honest probably no one as I sound ritual echo once more ) the game will have kicked off.

Hopefully the pressure for the Terriers to maintain their unbeaten record will weigh heavily on them. A win for us tonight would be wonderful but I'm as pessimitic as usual and then there's the t.v. cameras !

I trust we won't miss Skip to the same extent as that of last season......God help us if we do ! We are better prepared and equipped to manage without him. In addition, Ephraim who must surely play is a more than capable replacement. In addition, in Taylor we have someone who will step up to the mark as captain.

I'm keeping everything crossed for tonight and would be more than happy with a draw.

Hopefully Patrick won't be in the mood for any funnies come the end of the ninety !

Come On You Reds !

Beelief

2011-11-20T09:17:00.000Z

With apologies to entomologists everywhere.....

My decision to avoid all media contact from 3pm to 4.50pm served me well only in that it saved me from 1 hour and 50 minutes of fretting to a lesser extent. However, the wait until @ 5.05pm was almost unbearable. I realised that our delayed result meant that something had happened and all kinds of thoughts went through my mind.

I occupied myself with washing, ironing and cleaning. My domestic duties were completed during the usual 90 minutes plus half time of course.......I was indeed a busy bee.

I switched on BBC1 at 4.50pm to discover we were winning 1-0 and then the full time results were read out by Tim Gudgin who was performing his duties for the last time after 40 odd years with the beeb.......thank you sir. Tim made only one error yesterday in that despite what it said on the screen he read the score as 0-0.....arghh, maybe the screen caption was wrong and it was 0-0 !

There then followed, quite rightly, a review of Tim's time at the BBC which of course meant no news of our final result. By now I'd gone onto the t'internet to discover the reason for the delay. Much relief when our win was finally confirmed.

It seems we dug in yesterday and maintained our self-belief and came away with the 3 points. Not the most convincing of performances by all accounts but Griffin Park isn't an easy place to go. Sir Chris sorted things out at half-time and we played much better in the second period I understand.

As we all know sometimes you have play badly and win...winning ugly as they say. Over the years we've had a few players and one manager in particular who knew how to win ugly eh ? It is supposed to be the mark of a good side.

One good cross from Green and a clinical finish from BWP, the footballing equivalent of a rolled up copy of a newspaper, was enough to see off the Bees. After that little to report it seems save for time at the end for the delightful Alexander to wind up a few players and yellow cards to ensue.

The one sour note is Skip's injury which we all hope isn't too serious although it does sound as though he'll be out next week at least. I've no idea who got the armband when he went off. I hope it's Taylor who is made skipper, he's clearly passionate and is always talking, shouting and communicating in general with all and sundry. He's the logical choice for me.

In light of Skip's injury the decision to recruit Ephraim looks a good one for the options he brings alone aside from clearly bringing some more quality to the team. In addition, I like what he said when he joined.

A massive game awaits next week then as we face a Huddersfield team sans Lee who got sent off yesterday. I'd have preferred it to have been Jordan Rhodes of course. Their undefeated record is some achievement, however, as I said before I'd rather be top of the league courtesy of having won more games.

I'm pleased that the Terriers have maintained their unbeaten run and established a new record. For one thing they've done that now and may be less determined and two they come to us under pressure to keep it going as a result.

We have tasted defeat this season and they, of course, haven't. It'll be interesting to see how they respond if and when that happens.

I increasingly like the way Sir Chris conducts himself and how he interacts with the players. He manages to remain calm and thoughtful on the sidelines. Some may misintepret that and feel it's a lack of passion, however, I'd rather our manager remained in control as opposed to some maniacal posturing or gestering. In any case I don't think anyone can doubt Sir Chris's passion, desire or will to succeed. One does feel these players do really want to play for him.

His post-match comments were spot on yesterday and clearly he said the right things at half-time too. Well done to him and the team. Well done too to all those who went yesterday and gave good support to the boys. It's great to know that we've got support in such numbers.

15 to 1 ?

2011-11-19T13:14:00.000Z

William G Stewart or Bill as some of us know him.

If Charlton win today it'll be 15 wins in the season against one league defeat. All that is a tenuous link to the fact that today marks the 20th anniversary of my winning appearance on 15 to 1. Is that a good omen I wonder ? That I managed to win anything and beat 14 others in doing so remains a mystery twenty years later ! I amassed a massive score of 61 points.......no Grand Final for me then !

What a show ! Bring back 15 to 1 ! I wonder what Bill is doing these days ?

Anyway onto today and a rather late post for me.....a blessing to those who've gone to the game and will miss it ! I hope the fantastic turn out we have are in good voice. We haven't won at Griffen Park for some time so a win is long overdue. I wonder if our last win dates back 1980/81 season..........I was there for that 1-0 to us in that promtion year I recall.

I've been to the last 2 games for us there and am gutted not to make today......after all, a pub on each corner....I mean come on !!

I've been at some Schools Cross Country this morning and am pleased to report one of our Year 6 girls won her race which is a fantastic achievement and has little to do with her rather unathletic P.E. teacher !

I may adopt my policy of avoiding contact with all media until 4.50pm as it worked last time although not knowing what's occuring is unbearable and all sorts of horrible thoughts go through your mind about just how bad it could be.........sorry but being pessimistic goes with the Charlton territory doesn't it ? SE7 in the London Borough of Pessimism twinned with Le Vale Sans Hope in France.

Good luck to all at the game wherever you may be situated and let's pray for another win on the road ahead of the big match on Monday that still irks me it's not on Saturday.

Come On You Reds !

Match of the Shay Exclusive

2011-11-13T17:39:00.000Z

Halifax ( Branch ) Manager Howard - zero percent interest in the cup now

Charlton came through a difficult cup match with Halifax ending up as flattering 4 - 0 victors. Halifax manager Howard quipped " the scoreline's gross and unfair. I felt we deserved to find the back of the net ". " We should have had a ( financial ? ) penalty. I had to make an early withdrawal of one of my players who was on a yellow card. We failed to cash in on our chances. Still we got good exposure from the tv coverage via ITV who have in the past been decscibed as a licence to quantative easing. My chairman will be pleased with the income if not the outcome "........Howard continued in jocular vein.

Howard went on " I need to review the game and look at our APR ( actual passing rate ) I do like to see high APRs. On balance Charlton deserved the win but not by such a big margin. " Howard went onto say that the ball seemed a little flat and that the ref hadn't made enough allowance for inflation.

Finally, Howard observed that the main focus of attention is the league and he has a strong desire to compete with the big four.

ANEM would like to express its thanks to Howard for the interview and assure him that the cheque's in the post. No other blogs or media secured a post match interview with Howard and we only managed to do so having booked it with him 2 weeks ago. We fully understand the hour's delay to the appointed time and appreciate that we are mere customers and should be grateful for his time and....... can you guess ?

Moving on...................a good decision by Sir Chris to field a fairly strong side as Halifax proved to be very good opposition. They went behind very much against the run of play. We deserved to win but not to the extent of 4-0. I agree with BWP being on the bench but fail to comprehend why he needed to come on and in particular when Wagstaff had just been scythed down in front our bench. That should have served as a reminder of the potential risk but clearly didn't.

At 1-0 midway into the second half the exquisitely named St Juste was causing us problems and there seemed no outlet. At the time I felt that Smith, Green and Pritchard should have come on. We left our subs a tad late for me. I'm afraid that our Jason didn't look the ticket at all today and his miscontrol when through on goal was..... disappointing shall we say !

I'm pleased that Taylor and Pritchard scored their first goals for the club. I wonder if we can have 11 different goalscorers by the end of the season ? Perhaps Ben can take a penalty.

The only spoiler for me today was some of our fans and their singing. As ever no need for the awful family song and worse I felt in the shape of " you're sh*t and you know you are ". That doesn't reflect well on our club at all. It's probably the usual spotty youths but it's irritating whilst showing a lack of respect and class, they need to grow up or go support someone else.

Carlisle await in the next round and at home too. Good news that although I may not be there due to another commitment which annoyingly is in the Metropolis but won't allow me to get to SE7 for the game.

No Win Situation

2011-11-12T09:50:00.000Z

Certainly not a no fin situation

Another trip opp north for our boys tomorrow for the FA Cup match with FC Halifax. First round of the cup ? Live on ITV ona Sunday ? Non-league opposition ? Footballing deja vu in every sense. Of course our boys have learned from that experience and history won't be repeating itself will it ?

For Sir Chris this is the classic no win situation for whatever he does he doesn't come out of it with any credit. Rest your key players and do owt but win and you've got it all wrong. Rest them and win by anything less 10 goals and of course it'll have been the least we could expect. Why didn't we score more ? BWP should have played the full ninety !

Worse scenarios exist in the form of playing a fairly full strength team and do anything other than win and Sir Chris must do the honourable thing and fall on his sword !

These games are such a lottery and to be honest all I'm hoping for is a win sans any injuries serious or otherwise and no yellow cards. A one nil win with a goal deflected of some poor sod's arse will do for me. We all know where the bread and butter lies and what's most important in this season.

No, for me a win and a home draw in the second round against fairly decent oppo to ensure a decent gate is reward enough for me.

Ketts on Doctor Kish has given his thoughts on what the team is likely to be ( check it out ) and he's usually pretty much spot on with that and all things CAFC come to that. I'd like to see Poyet in the squad, good enough for the national team ( whatever that means these days ) he surely should be making the bench at least for games such as this. Sir Chris has the luxury of seven subs so he has plent of options there.

Let's hope that we can overcome the hoodo that is a televisual appearance and progress smoothly onto the
second round with our eyes firmly on the two upcoming league games that are tough and critical to our successs this season.

Jackson Five

2011-11-06T11:08:00.000Z

What a guy ! He'd cost more than a penny though eh !

Fortunately the weather forecast proved as accurate as my prediction for the game. There was little rain and we witnessed a stunning performance from the Addicks with plenty of goals.

A good day all round started with an excellent journey from MK and once parked up, it was swiftly into the York Cafe for the usual excellent breakfast or more approrpriately brunch shall we say.

The first 10 minutes suggested we might be in for the difficult game I had anticipated, however, it was not to be. The old saying of " beware Greeks bearing gifts " proved to be as wide of the mark as Green's free kick at the end of the first half. Arestidou was very giving yesterday and we were happy to receive. Initially I was annoyed he didn't get sent off but then I thought no, I'm happy for him to stay on ! Ironically he does have a reputation for saving penalites as he did save a couple recently in a paint pot trophy game for the Lilywhites but clearly no homework had been done by him or any of the Preston staff as Skip hammered the ball down the middle.

Of course none of us takes any pleasure in seeing Phil Brown suffering on the sidelines. I couldn't believe it, no half time team talk on the pitch. I know the Valley's not the City of Manchester Stadium ( AMEX ? whatever it's called now ) but surely it cried out for a repeat of that masterstroke. Never mind the orange one made up for it at the end by sending the Lilywhites back out before most of us had left our seats.

What a great run and shot from Green for our first goal and I was very impressed with Skip's finish as that wasn't easy at all. His coolness in despatching the penalty was equally good. I thought he, amongst most other of course, had a good game yesterday. For me he's clearly not a left winger whatever anyone says, however, with Wiggins overlapping so effectively ( exhibit A - goal number 5 me lud ) it works okay for us.

Credit to the Preston players who kept battling away and were rewarded with two goals. Rarely for me I applauded their second goal from Daley...........what a piece of class that was.

It's hard to fault anyone yesterday and Wiggins and Hollands along with Jackson were the stand out ones for me. In addition, Hughes had another good game. I had alluded to Stephens not playing too well prior to his omission from the team and we've improved since he's been out of the side. I'm not saying he's not a good player because clearly he is but his performances were below par of which of course he is now one !

Never mind their keeper's shortcomings, Hamer had some dodgy moments yesterday. He does worry me at times. I hope he can become more assured.

Sir Chris looked very smart yesterday and seemed to enjoy every minute of the game. He had long discussions in the second half with the fourth official ( ex-West Stand lino ). No idea what that was all about.

The crowd was healthy yesterday ( in numbers at least ! ) with 17,000 Addicks fans and that is another reason that it's a crying shame that the Huddersfield game has been moved to the Monday night. We could surely have expected a bumper crowd for that one on the Saturday and without the cheap tickets too.

I was pleased that Sir Chris didn't get the manager of the month award given that it is the poisoned chalice. In any case it has little meaning over a bit of recognition for doing well for 4 weeks. I'm sure the only reward and recognition the Boss wants is that which comes from promotion at the end of the season. Let's hope that comes to pass.

Well done to Huddersfield for their remarkable run of unbeaten games, however, for all that they are not top of the league and I know which I prefer.

A break from the league for cup action next weekend before the awkward visit to Brentford. I hope we can come through the Halifax game successfully followed by a home tie in the second round as there's precious little footie at the Valley from now until the new year. I won't know what to do with myself and I'm quite enjoying it all at present.

Apologies for the dearth ( I had a near death experience when I looked that up in the dictionary ) of fireworks puns.

A Sense Of Foreboding

2011-11-03T21:51:00.000Z

Having shaved off his silly little beard and tache meant Phil didn't look a twat at all for his appearance on Goals On Sunday

" Can't act, can't sing, can dance a little "........allegadly this was once said of Fred Astaire but he went onto prove that critic wrong. Similar things could be said of a visitor to SE7 on Saturday.

Phil Brown ( surely his surname should be orange ? ) brings his Preston side to The Valley for the second time this season. The previous defeat to the Lilywhites has little bearing to this weekend's game for a number of reasons. Firstly both teams fielded understrength teams with ours much more so than theirs. Secondly, of late our form has been rather good, one match aside, whilst Preston have been on a bad run which hasn't been helped by injuries to key players.

The latest to succomb is keeper Iain Turner who some may recall scored a winner in the game against Notts County when a long clearance beat the Magpies keeper. Unless a loanee is brought in before Saturday, Andreas Arestidou ( he's got Greek heritage you know ! ) will be between the sticks. The words Greek and loanee would have some blogs making pathetic jokes about the financial distaster that is Greece but as you'll know we're above all that.

It seems that other injured players include Mellor, Hume and Proctor. Lloyd Sam's old mate Ian Ashbee started on the bench last week but may make a start against us.

Preston are a famous old club who regularly turn over their managers. Few seem to last more than two or three years and I can't see Phil Brown bucking that trend. Three of the famous 1966 World Cup winners have had a go a management there. Yes Ball, Stiles and Charlton R have all at one time been in the managerial hot seat.

Our referee on Saturday is Phil Gibbs whose last officiating with us was away to Tranmere on 18th September 2010 when he booked no less than five Addicks !

Whilst Preston have been in bad form, The Addicks have collected a maximum 9 points out of 9 following the Stevenage debacle. We've scored 10 goals in conceded just the one in that time. Therefore, with us playing so well, them playing so badly and with several injuries there couldn't be a better time to play them....could there ?

Well perhaps not but my fear as alluded to above is not just a result of the ref ! Most will probably recall the horrible, timewasting, souless football that Hull played on their to the Prem........I know I do. I think we can expect much of the same on Saturday. Brown has said he'll set up his side to get a result.....that means just one thing...he'll be happy with a draw but a goal on the break will be fine with him. I'd not be surpirsed to see a 4-5-1 or 5-4-1 or any other defensive formation you can think of !

I'm sure it won't be pretty and our inability to break these teams down doesn't bode well. Hopefully Sir Chris and the lads will have worked hard during the week to have a few ideas on how to overcome the negativity.

I'd expect the same starting eleven from the last 3 games. There's no reason to change and I think the boss has learned his lesson already this season. One bonus from Hughes inclusion is that Hollands can get forward more and he's been very effective. The emerging form of Wiggins is a real pleasure and he's certainly come on from those early season games.

This side played well from the off and to our delight has progressed nicely ever since. There does seem to be team spirit, unity, belief and a togetherness in the squad. All that is something we've not seen in Charlton teams for some time.

I hope I'm wrong about the prospects for the game but despite the date I'm not expecting any fireworks !

Come On You Reds !

An Evening with Deano - Friday 2nd December

2011-10-28T17:18:00.001+01:00

Trawling through various e-mails and t'internet news I came across a couple of items. Aside from " Footballer charged by police " a story concerning Titus Bramble who no doubt is being charged under the trades descriptions act ( footballer ? ) although the charges are more serious than that, I discovered news of an evening with Dean Kiely at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury.

As it says via the link below, Kent and Charlton have strong links not only for those that played for both but many have trained with the other team, Knott and Elliott for example albeit over different decades !

Promises to be a good evening for those that can attend. Details below :-

http://www.kentcricket.co.uk/news-blogs/news/an-evening-with-dean-kiely-friday-2nd-december-7pm

Long Trip Oop North

2011-10-28T12:16:00.000+01:00

Pilots returning their planes to the monkey hangar.........

I'll admit that our nickname is a little contrived as I don't think discovering a haddock dressed up as a footballer in S.E. 7 is all that plausible but a monkey dressed as a Frenchman ? No wonder The Archbishop of Canterbury won't ever go to Hartlepool, well if you're the primate of all England..........

Another away trip and one of the longest, let's hope it's worth it. Hartlepool had a good start at home early doors but since September they've lost 3 at home including a midweek defeat. It should be a good time to play them but...............this is Charlton !

I understand that Hughes played ok on Tuesday albeit being more effective in his defensive duties and I would now expect Stephens to return. It is to be hoped that he returns refreshed and puts on a performance more in keeping with that of early season.

I'd not expect any others changes baring injuries and we can hope that Yann's blossoming partnership with BWP yields yet more goals. Hopefully can score early again and in addition, give ourselves a cushion of more than 2 goals but I'll settle for a win by whatever margin.

Our defence is the meanest in the league along with Tranmere in only conceding 12 goals. Long may that continue and hopefully we'll keep a clean sheet tomorrow.

All the best to all those making the long trip north. I'll be at Franklin's Gradens watching the Saints v Newcastle whilst having half an eye on matters further up the country.

Come On You Reds !

3 Chairs for the Addicks ! Hip Hip !

2011-10-26T08:49:00.000+01:00

Hooray !

The Addicks got back to winning ways on the road again last night. Judging from the reports of ANEM staff and the radio commentary the first half was a comfortable affair for the Addicks who dominated and thoroughly deserved their 2 goal advantage at the break.

The second half wasn't quite so straightforward and our boys in red endured a couple of nervy moments after the Chairboys had scored. I had a nagging feeling that new loanee Bignall would score but it didn't come to pass.

I also had a negative feeling about D'urso when I learned that he was the ref. I understand he was greeted by Addicks fans in a fitting manner with the them warming up for panto season. Like a Shakespearean actor doing said panto I'm sure D'urso thinks he's too good for League One........" it's beneath you ! ".......no he and it isn't. I wouldn't want him reffing a kids game to be honest.

Where would we be without BWP ! Every successful team needs someone who's going to bag you 20 goals or so in a season. He has been outstanding and as has been acknowledged here and elsewhere, his workrate this season has been a plus too. He is developing a really good partnership with Yann who was unlucky himself not to score last night with the spectacular overhead but Bradley tidied up. The second goal was a lovely calm and clinical finish from a man in form.

I was surprised to learn that BWP has never scored a senior hat-trick but that must surely come soon eh ?

A third goal would have been nice and meant that everyone could relax but Saturday aside that's not our way is it. If we can go to Hartlepool and secure another 3 points on Saturday then that sets up nicely for a Preston side who have lost some form of late.

Am I hoping for too much that we continue in this vein for the next 3 games until we meet Huddersfield ? Someone's got to end their unbeaten run..........could that be at The Valley on November 26th ?

Encore Les Bleus

2011-10-25T09:43:00.000+01:00

Friends reunited - Grant Basey aka The Count now plays for Wycombe

Tonight we play the Chairboys although like Carlisle they are often referred to as the Blues. Another local away fixture for me but finances and decorating / work ( despite it being half term ) dictate otherwise. Fear not as there will be ANEM staff on hand ! Senior reported Clive and young cub Dan will be in attendance to report on the game.

Adams Park, surprisingly not named after ex-manager Tony but rather former captain and benefactor Frank, is somewhat out of the way. Only one pub close to the ground as I recall and parking isn't easy. However, you can park at one of the industrial car parks or the ground itself for about a fiver so not too bad. In addition, on my last visit I had a beer in their clubhouse which was rather pleasant.

Gary Waddock is the man charged with keeping Wanderers in the division. He got them promotion last season and this season the team has had a couple of notable scalps, namely Sheff Utd at home and more recently Hartlepool away. As with all games in this league it will be a tough one.

I'm hoping that Sir Chris retains the same side as the one that started on Saturday. I've commented before that I didn't think Stephens has been at his best of late and Hughes did nothing wrong for me and deserves to retain his place.

We will have optoins on the bench if needed and I'd expect Stephens to replace Euell on there as that seems logical.

I'm pleased that there's been no mention of Sir Chris being linked with the Leicester job now Sven has gone. That man must have been paid more in compensation that actual salary ! What a life ! I'm sure that the Foxes will be looking an established and experienced manager.

As ever Curbs name gets a mention but I fear the longer he goes without a job the harder it'll be for him. I think he set his sights to high and should have taken a Championship or League One job instead of holding out for a Prem one as seems to be the case. If I were making the appointment I'd go for Billy Davies ( how different things might have been if we got him instead of Dowie all those years ago ! ) making Billy a very rare breed if not unique in managing Derby, Forest and Leicester !

If you're going enjoy and give the lads a cheer for me. I shall nervously be listening or checking internet, paint brush in hand.

Come On You Reds !

I guess that's why they call them the blues

2011-10-23T15:56:00.000+01:00

Carlisle fans certainly had the blues yesterday

I had much sympathy for those hardy Carlisle fans that made the long journey to the Valley yesterday. Their team produced such an insipid performance even allowing for the loss of one player. It'd be nice if their club offered to refund them some money but perhaps given the general state of finances of football outside the Premier league that is unlikely to happen.

The display from the Blues makes it a little difficult to assess our own. However, we started with positive intent and maintained that pretty much throughout although invenitably we tapered off somewhat after the fourth goal was scored. I guess the players aren't to be blamed for that especially as a midweek game looms large on the horizon.

Hughes was a more than adequate replacement for new dad Stephens. When he returns I hope that he will rediscover his early season form. Hughes was quielty effective and conducted his defensive and attacking duties in equal measure.

Green retained his place and produced a more competent performance living up to his initial promise. Yann too of course was kept in the starting eleven. Aside from the goals his link up play was far better than we'd seen to date and it was clear that a lot of hard work was done on the training ground during the week.

I, amongst probably all others, save for Cort was pleased to see the hardworking Solly return to the back four. Another polished show from young Solly.

Hamer did well in saving the penalty although I was concerned to see him flapping again at a couple of corners / crosses. In addition, he had a couple of dodgy moments in the first half that I hope was entirely down to the sun blurring his vision. I got a cap at my cricket club's end of season do last night perhaps I ought to post to Ben !

The opening goal was a good header from Yann although unchallenged he buried it with power and accuracy. BWP's finish for the second was as exquisite as it was precise. The third could have been scored by anyone of half a dozen players and the fourth was a poor effort from the keeper but no less than Hollands deserved.

An accomplished performance by the whole team. Hopefully we are starting out on another long unbeaten run. We all ( well me anyway ) got a bit carried away following the win at Bramall Lane and a good win over a poor Carlisle team isn't reason to repeat that. However, if we can maintain that level and keep passing it well then we may again enjoy success even against those teams who opt to be in your face and frustrate.

Huddersfield's unbeaten run continues and Jordan Rhodes bagged another hat-trick. Despite what heir chairman says we can but hope that a club buys him in the next transfer window. Sheffield Wednesday's good run continues too so it's important that we do the same.

The upcoming games away to Wycombe and Hartlepool are tough but winnable, even more so if we can carry on where we left off yesterday. It was a rare occasion that one could relax from half time knowing that even the Addicks couldn't throw it away !

Summit's Up ?

2011-10-21T22:34:00.001+01:00

Will the Addicks surrender top spot tomorrow ?

Come 4.55pm tomorrow and Charlton may have lost top spot and even Notts County could be above us.....a sobering thought !

Having garnered a decent amount of points prior to the previous 2 games having taken one only 1 since wouldn't normally be cause for concern. However, as has been pointed out elsewhere it is the manner of the results that causes a worry.

I will plead guilty to allowing myself to be slightly carried away by the victory at Bramall Lane. I felt that was a great win and one that I hadn't anticipated us getting. That however is to overlook my own fears expressed in previous posts that we would pay soon for some of our shortcomings. Whilst there's little doubt that beating Sheff Utd was a jolly good show previous victories or indeed draws were far from convincing.

Sir Chris has indeed tinkered with the side largely as I would have liked to be honest but it's not really worked out. Overlooking the puzzling omission of Solly last week, I'd have gone for Yann and Green being in the starting eleven. Green hasn't played anywhere near the level, I and indeed I suspect, a large number of Addicks fans would have hoped. In addition, whilst Yann wins numerous headers, he doesn't seem to link up as well with BWP as Hayes whose all round game seems slightly better albeit that he may not score as many.

The solution to the latter dilemma would seem to be to start with Hayes and bring on Yann later as his ability as an impact sub is proven. Not sure I can quite bring myself to suggest that the same approach is taken with Wagstaff over Green, however, if Danny doesn't shape up then Wagstaff will merit a start over him even if only for his potential to score.

I've felt for a while that Stephens is fortunate to keep his place as his performances haven't been anywhere near those of August and early September. Allied to that I firmly believe that skip is better in central midfield. Will the boss make that change I wonder ?

As I reflected last time out, there's nothing inherently wrong with our defence which as I said made last week's dropping of Solly a somewhat odd decision. Surely being top of the league and with a 100% record on the road we should be making the oppo worry about us rather than vice versa especially when that oppo is Stevenage.

Carlisle stump up at the Valley on a good run of form. Patience is the order of the day and us as fans need to

" get behind the boys ! " and offer every support.........I'll even give Wagstafff a cheer if it helps !

Gregory Abbott may well shake us down from top place.......let's hope not. Hopefully the management team will have been working hard to get us back to where we were at the start of the season. Thankfully Sir Chris hasn't been daft enough to suggest that " there'll be a backlash " or " big reaction to last week's defeat " ........when managers made these comments there usually isn't and it only serves to galvanise the other team !

Let's hope for a return to some decent football and winning ways.

Come On You Reds !

Nil Points

2011-10-16T09:05:00.000+01:00

You get nothing for a pair - not in this game

We might reflect that the run had to end although no one's told Huddersfield that. I had a splendid day at Franklin's Garden watching the Saints overcome Sarries in the LV Cup. It was then ruined by news of the defeat in Herts.

Having read the blogs of those who were there that we didn't play well again is disturbing. Sadly Green has disappointed again and that's a shame as he looked to be full of promise earlier in the season. It seems that Yann and BWP may not be clicking. I was shocked to see Solly dropped to the bench in what I assume was a tactical move to nullify their big men. Every opponent is a big man to Solly and he's coped well so don't get that logic if this is the case.

Our midfield has been a worry for me for a while and clearly it is in midfield and attack that need addressing. The defence is playing ok and isn't leaking goals and the last two have come via deflections.

I trust that Sir Chris and his team will be working hard with the players to address this during the week.

I was also saddened to read of the fighting in our stand before kick off and subsequent abuse to stewards. Our club doesn't need this. I hope that the culprits will be caught and dealt with appropriately.....that's not our club and we don't have a good reputation by chance although it can easily be destroyed by a mindless few.

From next Saturday we have 3 games in just over a week. I'd suggest we need at least 6 points from those in order to stay up there. The visit of Preston follows that and if none of the upcoming fixtures is easy that one certainly won't be.

Stevenage

2011-10-14T23:56:00.000+01:00

Stevenage is sponsored by Sure deodorant

Not sure how the " new town " of Stevenage can be twinned with 4 other places as it suggests above. It's funny how it's still called new much in the same way the " new " lighthouse at Dungeness is referred to in that way although it was built in the early 60's.....I think I'll call myself new then !

Sadly tomorrow's fixture, the second closest to my home isn't one I'll be attending. Tickets were hard to come by but it was finances more than that which dictated otherwise. Fortunately my weekend isn't entirely devoid of live sporting action as a mate has offered me a ticket for Northampton Saints who play Saracens in the LV Cup. Should be a good game and the Saints have an incredibly strong bench containing a large returning England contingent.

Saturday's encounter with the imaginatively nicknamed The Boro promises to be x-rated. Make no mistake the oppo are a very physical side who will have intention to play a passing game and will lump it up front at every opportunity. One can only hope that we come away with no injuries, serious ot otherwise and no red cards........we've not had one of those this season have we ?

Cort should make a welcome return to the bench following his games with the Guyanese having played in more glamorous and sunnier climes than Stevenage. He may be needed to add some beef to the defence at some stage.

Not sure whether Sir Chris will make any changes from last Saturday. He suprised most of us by playing Yann and Green last week and tomorrow's side is a difficult one to call.

There was an unpleasant end to Boro's game away to Huddersfield last week and it is to be hoped that we don't see a repeat of that and with Sir Chris that seems highly unlikely.

I'll be keeping a close eye on the game from Franklin's Gardens as much in the hope of not reading that we've lost someone to injury..........fingers crossed. Let's hope our fine form on the road continues.

Come On You Reds !

Not great but like a freshly laid egg we remain unbeaten.....

2011-10-09T09:16:00.000+01:00

" Now come on then Owain, these nice people haven't come here to watch you waste time, they want to see a good game of football. Please hurry up and take the goal kick, there's a good chap "....repeat ad infinitum...

Darren Drysdale, Darren bloody Drysdale...........if I never see him again it'll be too soon. When the Addicks aren't playing well against a team with cynical tactics the last thing we need is an incompetent ref but that is of course what we got.

Weak and ineffectual, I'm afraid he really wound me up. A lot of the time he had his back to the action and consequently missed a lot of what was happening. Bizarrely he happened to see things than no one else did ! Clearly the man is incapable of running backwards in spite of perfomring most other things in that fashion..

He even left the pitch without the ball and I guess it's still lying there on the half way line just in front of the East Stand.....I wish the same could be said of Mr D.

Enough of him.........Tranmere were clearly there to spoil and timewaste which Wyn Grant had highlighted in his blog pre-match and I hadn't recalled from previous games but Wyn was spot on. With all the timewasting and cynical fouls it shouldn't have been left until the 72nd minutes for a yellow card to be produced. I'm not sure why Solly got booked and Drydale's bizarre arm gestures a la John McCrirrick gave no clue either !

Sir Chris made the two changes I'd have made save for perhaps resting Stephens and moving Jackson into the middle with either Evina or Wiggins or Hughes covering left back / midfield in some combination.

Green was to have disappointing game although he rarely got the ball in the first half and was to some extent nullified and restircted as Rovers 5 man midfiled limited time and space. They wont be the only team to employ that formation and we must find a way to counteract it. With only one man up front then 4 defenders aren't needed and giving one the freedom to get forward more or simply matching up to the oppo will suffice.

Yann had a curate's egg of a game. He won an awful lot of headers but for the most part they weren't finding BWP who'd either made a run in a different direction or failed to read his strike partner. He did though link up well on some occasions and put Bradley through. I think whilst Yann will win most aerial battles he doesn't hold the ball up as well as Hayes.

Tranmere always carried a threat in the first period and it was no great surprise when they scored. It looked like a deflected shot.......I've yet to see it but can't believe that Hamer wouldn't have saved otherwise.

That left us searching for parity at half-time but sadly the only parity to be found at the interval was Tranmere's boss's cup of cha.

The Addicks started brighter in the second half and could perhaps should have gone on to win it with BWP missing a glorious opportunity late on. I'm not sure about our penalty award but it seems that we should have had one earlier when the aforementioned Mr D ( Grrrr ! ) ruled it outside the area. Jackson dispatched the penalty with aplomb following lengthy delaying tactics from the oppo ( lengthy delaying tactics from Tranmere ? Surely not ? ).

The remainder of the game saw the Addicks press hard for a winner and Yann fizzed one just past the right hand corner from a free-kick that was some way better than his Wednesday night effort. Fortuntely a late mix-up between Morrison and Hamer went unpunished.

I felt that fresh legs were required for the last 15 to 10 minutes but again Sir Chris showed a reluctance to make subs. We need to take a gamble sometimes although not in the way Dowie did away to Newcastle in 2006, the famous incident was referred to in yesterday's programme on page 25. What a plonker !

We are struggling to play well at home but are better away. The inference is that the fans' expectations are high and they get on the players backs and put them under pressure. I sense a few folk get irritated if we don't score after 10 minutes and put teams away easily ( I'm guilty of that on occassion but do keep that to myself and not vocalise it if so ) but overall the vast majority are supportive. The response to going behind was good yesterday.

In addition, I think most of us will accept that a number of teams will use similar tactics to Tranmere to frustrate and to get what they can. As I said we need to learn to deal with it.

A tough away game awaits next Saturday as we face something of an ale-house side in Stevenage....that won't be pretty. Let's hope that the lads have a good week and can stand up to all that next weekend.

Parry At The Valley

2011-10-06T21:50:00.000+01:00

Ian Goodison - cool dude and a rather good defender

Sir Chris will be keen to gloss over Wednesday night's performance and want to resume normal service on Saturday. It wasn't pleasant viewing and only served to highlight the problems arising from a lack of reserve games. Alonso finally came out of hiding but I bet he wished he hadn't. I can't believe he's that bad a player, particularly at this level. I can only assume it's down to a lack of regular games and returning from injury. I'm afraid Doherty hasn't been looking anywhere near good enough for sometime and I'm not sure we'll see him again in an Addicks shirt. Not a good night at the office.

Moving on.......we entertain a Tranmere side that has garnered only 4 points from 24 in the last 6 league games. However, manager, Dr Les Parry states that Rovers have been playing better than those results would suggest. The boss says that they will be coming to play football and looking for a win which is good to hear.

As you'll no doubt be aware their paint pot trophy game against Accrington was abandoned following serious injury to Tom Bender who thankfully now seems on the mend.

Tranmere had a good start to the current campaign but as highlighted above their form has fallen away of late. In attempt to inprove fortunes they've brought a player in on loan from Everton and sadly for me given my love of irony, it isn't the aforementioned Goodison. It is striker Jose Baxter, who, despite his lack of goals is a quality player.

Another striker to look out for, well he'd be hard to miss, is 6ft 5 inch Enoch Showumni. The former Sheffield Wednesday frontman offers quite an imposing physical threat. Let's hope that Taylor and fellow former Wednesday player Morrison can snuff out his menace.

In goal is the delightfully named Owain Fon Williams, apparently he's Welsh..........no, really he is !

Enough of the lesser players, I'm looking forward to seeing veteran defender ( he's nearly 39 ) Ian Goodison. I've always been impressed with him and his calm, efficient manner on the pitch. He doesn't seem to break sweat either....one cool dude !

The boss Les Parry is another favourite of mine. Very good sense of humour with a philosophical approach to life in the third tier that's probably borne out of the surprise of taking over as manager from John Barnes and having been the club's physio. He's done a much better job than the ex-Charlton man and that says as much about Barnes ability to manage as it does Parry's.

I'm not sure we'll see many Tranmere fans at the Valley on Saturday as they've cancelled their supporters club coach. Therefore, we can expect something of a total contrast to the crowd and atmosphere we experienced at the last home league game.

Enough of the oppo..........what about the Addicks. I think we can safely assume that BWP will return if fit having missed Wednesday debacle. Hollands and Wiggins too should return along with Hamer. Who will partner BWP up front remains a mystery, perhaps Yann will be given his chance if not the freekick-taking duties ! He won't be adding that one to his Youtube collection.

Perhaps Sir Chris's most difficult decision will be over Wagstaff or Green. I'd go for Green but Sir Chirs seems to favour Wagstaff and as we know is reluctant to change the league eleven.

Whatever the make-up of the team, here's hoping for a good game and 3 points to the Addicks.

Come On You Reds !

Reminiscing......

2011-10-03T22:19:00.000+01:00

Jimmy-Floyd Piggybank - The start of the decline

Just sorting through some old programmes......when I say some I mean over 10 seasons worth I think.........I've not finished yet. I'm intending to sell them soon and will offer them up on here as I'd like them to go to a genuine Addicks fan and there's more chance of that given that you'll have had to have read through my drivel first.

I've got just about every home league programme for most seasons plus a few varied away ones. Until last season I'd never fail to buy one.

The 2006-07 programmes caught my eye, not least because of the lazy, money grabbing lump on the front as seen above ( thank me when I tell you that I spared you an awful sight..............Dowie's on the reverse !! ). No, more due to the odd size and shape of the programme. It is square and as I recall it was a bugger to fit into your pocket as basically it wouldn't. It was no surprise then despite lasting longer than Dowie it too didn't survive past that season. Perhaps there was some correlation between the programme and our fate that season.....who knows. Perhaps it just reflected the manager.....ugly, impractical and not popular with the fans.

Inside I managed to read just a few of Dowie's words prior to the onset of nausea........." I do think that our new signings, which include Amady Faye, JFH, Andy Reid, Simon Walton, Scott Carson, Cory Gibbs when he is fit and Christian Bolanos when he receives his work permit, will add a good deal of quality to the squad , and allow us to be very competitive in this very, very tough league. "

I can't remember exactly what he spent in acquiring that lot but it was so much more than Curbs ever had or would have sqandered. Carson and Reid aside, what a waste. Faye was woeful, Walton never really played, Cory Gibbs never ever played and flitted back and forth to the States for treatment and I couldn't tell you what he looked like and Bolanos I have very little recollection of, if he played I don't recall it.

This doesn't include Djimi Traore, who, of course got himself sent off in the first game away to the Hammers which we lost 3-1. What a player he turned out to be.......I've forgotten how much we lost when he moved on soon after.

Further inside the programme Richard Murray talks of the selection process for the new manager and reveals that he'd had applications from an inmate HMP Blemarsh, a policeman and a professor of psychology.......... on reflection perhaps a shame that one of those didn't get the job ! Sadly we know who did.....

All quite depressing and serves as a reminder ( lest we need one ) of how long and how far the fall has been and how long we've been suffering.

However, things are looking better now and the moral is........keep a traditional normal looking programme......don't flirt with anything odd or unusual looking.......

If anyone can..........

2011-10-02T11:10:00.001+01:00

Yann can !

I was too worried about this game to have any contact with tv, radio or other media. I spent an hour and 50 minutes from 3pm doing household chores to keep me occupied although my thoughts weren't totally diverted from what might be happening in Sheffield.

I feared the worst and what delight then to turn on the telly to discover we were winning 2-0 with only 3 minutes to go. Further pleasure was gained from learning that Yann had again scored off the bench and with his first touch ! He's had quite an impact. Where to place the credit for his recruitment is not clear but I guess it was largely Sir Chris's input having worked with him before.

The management and scouting team deserve huge recognition for the acquisitions this season because not only have they been good, each and every one of them but they all complement the team and style of play. What more is there to come from Yann I wonder ? Remember he takes a mean free kick too !

The 4 points from the last two games is a fantastic return and I would have been pleased with two points having avoided defeat against two teams who'll be up there at the season's end.

A fantastic piece of man management after the game from Sir Chris to get the squad on the pitch for a very public debrief and praise for their efforts to date. I have issues with Powell's reluctance to make changes at times but how well has he done this season with a team that he can very much now call his own.

Praise to the owners for keeping faith with him when others might have been tempted to think things wouldn't work out. Prior to coming to us Powell was widely acknowledged in football as a coach of the utmost promise. Given his Charlton history it would have been a sad loss had we not seen him manage us and doing a good job elsewhere. Our history is littered with missed opportunities and what might have beens.

It is only a quarter way through the season but there is every cause for optimism and yesterday's win at possibly the toughest away trip in this division gives rise to every hope that this team that will deliver promotion.

The upcoming games until Preston at home on Saturday 5th November are all ones that should give a good return if we can maintain this early season form. If we can then we can look forward to our Lilliwhites clash with great confidence.

Wednesday sees us host Brentford in the paint pot thingy. I'd have no qualms with Sir Chris copying Megson when he subbed two players inside the first 20 minutes in a tie the Owls subsequenlty lost at Bradford City. Our focus must be the league and we surely have enough strength in depth to overcome Brentford anyway. The one good thing this competition offers is a chance to give games to the second string / fringe players. Sadly an international call up means no appearance for Cort who whilst he will get some playing time with Guyana won't be as useful as playing with his Charlton team mates.

Exciting times for us Addicks and I'm already wishing the week away till 3pm Saturday.

Sheff United

2011-09-29T23:04:00.000+01:00

Wayne hints at a move to Chef United

Saturday sees us, to my mind, face our most difficult away day yet for a number of reasons. The Blades ( expertly sharpened of course ) have been going well, are good at home and didn't play midweek. Added to all that they are champing at the bit following last week's Wycombe woe.

I'm not sure if it's my advancing years or this season's raised expectations but for most games this season I'm feeling slightly irritable even when we've won. Am I expecting too much ? Take Tuesday for example, rather than focus on a spirited second half performance I felt more miffed about the poor first half display. This followed my anger at what I felt was laboured victory over Chesterfield on Saturday. Having seen what these players are capable of I'm expecting them to replicate all the time.........perhaps I'm being too unrealistic and be pleased at how well things are going.

I probably do need to lower my sights and chill out a bit. However, I can't help but feel frustrated at the way Sir Chris and the management team are slow to react, adapt or make changes. I do wish they'd improve as I love Sir Chris and so want him to succeed and there's no one I'd rather have as manager, I'm proud he's ours !

I believe that Stephens needs a rest, skip should move to central midfield, Green should start maybe Yann too but I'd have to look at him and Hayes in training to be sure. Who's play on the left is a tough one. Maybe Wiggins could go there and Hughes or Evina go to left back. Nothing to lose I feel.

I probably know the result will be that the usual suspects will start at Bramall Lane though. I hope I'm wrong even if only in respect of Green who should definitely start.

The main injury concern of course is BWP and we can ill afford to be without his goal threat. Fingers and toes firmly crossed that he's ok to play.

This will be tough and I'd be happy if we manage to avoid defeat. Let's hope do and that Preston lose so we can remain top.

Come On You Reds !

Substandard

2011-09-28T16:21:00.000+01:00

Perhaps not the best choice of a business name.

A lovely sunny evening and I took the bus to a Charlton game ! A very long time since I've done that ! Re-united with my lad back from uni til the weekend and we celebrated by dining in a seemingly appropriate American franchise hamburger joint.

We made our way round to the Red Dot bar to join senior reporter Clive once he'd finished a marathon phone call. We were later united with other friends and my other lad. All very pleasant, we made our way round to our seats and then the game started...........( oh dear ! )

The Addicks produced their worst 45 minutes of the season against a Dons team that was at the outset low on confidence. They however quickly became more assured as the half progressed as they realised we weren't playing well.

I couldn't tell if it was a penalty from my vantage point but others closer to the incident claim it was. A shame and the only blip on Solly's season to date.

We only fashioned one effort on target in the first half and clearly we should have made two subs at half time. They were glaring obvious and this is not said with the benefit of hindsight. I, like the rest of the travelling Addicks knew that Sir Chris wasn't about to do anything at the break.

Wagstaff was woeful. You know you're not doing well when you can't beat Lewington one of the oldest and inept left backs in the league. Mind you I can't recall Wagstaff trying to do so as he mostly did a 180 and went back the other way or simply passed the ball to someone else.

Hayes was not at his best and Yann was another who should have been on with Green at the start of the second. The changes were eventually made and of course produced the desired effect. Green and Yann made an immediate impact.

This game could have been at least 4-4 with a number of glaring misses for both teams.

There must be a concern over BWP who got a knock on the knee again and looked limited of movement afterwards and it led to him being subbed towards the end. I hope that's not too serious but it didn't look good.

I said following Saturday that I felt Powell should rest a couple of players at least by dropping them to the bench. Stephens is one who wasn't at his best on Saturday nor last night. There is a danger that players may take their places for granted. In addition, it wouldn't hurt to swap things around.......Robinson must have known the starting eleven and formation he'd be up against.

Preston have now almost caught us up with a game in hand. Huddersfield will always be up there and Sheff Utd will almost certainly be. Added to which Hartlepool are going well too.

More pressure for the lads on Saturday then but with our squad we ought to cope.............should we choose to use it of course !

P.S. has anyone seen the Great Alonso ?

" The best passing team in the league "

2011-09-26T20:23:00.000+01:00

Gary Megson reflects on his luck in getting someone to take Morrison off his hands....thought he'd be happier than that !

This is my second post of the day ! Wow ! That nearly makes me prolific although I'm sure you can think of better adjectives to describe my output !

MK Dons have now added the delightful Clinton Morrison to their ranks alongside fellow on-loan Wednesdayite, Mark Beevers. Morrison said on joining that Dons were the best passing team in the league. We're in for a treat tomorrow then. I have little doubt that the irritating Morrison will score tomorrow, I'm not too fussed as long as we win.

Ex-Addick Charlie McDonald is a Don too having joined when their star striker Sam Baldock left for the Hammers just prior to the transfer deadline. However, Charlie's been injured of late following a bright start to his time with them. I think we may be pleased if he's absent tomorrow, he knows his way around the third tier.

The postponment of this fixture looks to have helped us as the Dons were on a good run when the fixture was originally scheduled. Of late they've drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 3 league games and suffered defeat in the league cup late on to Burnley last week.

Having won every game on the road this season there's every cause for optimism but this is Charlton ! I noticed in the second half on Saturday that we weren't looking to play out from the back much with Hamer booting mostly up the pitch. I do hope we try to do more of the former tomorrow night as we have the players capable of doing so and you've more chance of retaining possesion.

As a Milton Keynes resident this is the shortest journey for a game and I managed to secure tickets via the Sun offer ( 2 for £19.50 ) so all good news. Needless to say I've been there for all our previous games at Stadium MK. It would be nice if the fixture computer would deliver a Saturday fixture. Last season and this even the home games are on a Tuesday !

Stadium MK is a decent if somewhat remote ground. Plenty of legroom on very comfortable seats. The ground is too big for the usual attendances and therefore, lacks any atmosphere. For fellow lovers of fine food there is a McDonalds plus a KFC at the stadium. There is also an ASDA right next door.

The nearest pubs are in Bletchley ( not recommended ) or Fenny Stratford, a better option, which is a bit further afield. If you're getting up to MK early then a trip to one of the Wetherspoons in Central MK ( the one opposite Chiquitos is best ) just up from Central MK train station is recommended. You would need to cab it to the match from there or get a train to Bletchley though.

The nearest train station is Bletchley but beware that is still a good 15 to 20 minute walk to the gound.

There's plenty of parking at the stadium for a fiver but you can park on one of the nearby industrial estates for nowt.

A win tomorrow night would ease the pressure on Saturday's game as well as enhance our position atop the table. Let's hope our excellent road trip continues !

Come on you reds !

Peak Practice

2011-09-26T12:46:00.000+01:00

One of them must be called Bob.

Another good win on Saturday that we made harder work of than we should. The first half was great albeit another goal or two wouldn't have been undeserved. Again we weren't quite as good in the second half and on another day will pay for it. It was crying out for us to make a change long before they scored and I do wish Sir Chris would do that more readily.

There were good performances from most playersd especially Hollands and Solly I felt. It's all the more satisfying to see our home grown players develop and do well so Solly will always get an extra cheer from me. He has been consistently good this season.

Sadly I thought Wagstaff was virtually non-existant. Aside from the cross for the third goal he did nothing of note. I watched him closely in the second half and on several occasions when we broke forward he was making runs down the middle only going wide right when nearly on the edge of the area. Why he did that I don't know. We already had our strikers in the middle and there was no point in it. Green, if fit, simply has to start ahead of him.

I'm not sure what occured in the Jimmy Seed when our few supporters were moved out of there. It did look and seem rather silly as it left a handful of stewards to supervise no one. Are we now so affluent that we can afford to do that ?

Now onto the next two games, both of which are away. As suggested before Morrison has joined MK Dons on loan and will play against us tomorrow. You just know he'll score. Then we face Sheffield United on Saturday. 4 points from these two games will be a good return , 6 even better and 2 points having avoiding defeat would be quite good also I feel.

A challenging 5 days lie ahead of us and the squad will surely now come into play. Given the make up of the team this shouldn't prove to disruptive.I do hope that Sir Chris uses the opportunity to rest a couple.

Twisted Spire Starter !

2011-09-22T20:50:00.000+01:00

Saltergate - The Spireites old home

Chesterfield travel to the Valley on Saturday. They no longer play at Saltergate ( pictured above ) following the infamous weighing machine scandal of the same name. The B2net Stadium is their current less romantically sounding home.

Last Sunday I passed through Chesterfield, nothing to do with research of the third tier or indeed for this blog. Readers, regular or otherwise will be fully aware that research, facts and possession of any relevant information are not associated with ANEM. I was taking my lad to university in Buxton. It was a lovely journey passing some of the most spectactular scenery this country has to offer. The drive from Buxton to Macclesfiield ( I ended up at their Moss Rose ground ) is highly recommended and I mean " drive ". Some hardy souls were cycling the route......I admire their stamina and will power but it's not something I'll be doing anytime soon !

I hope to spend a few days up there sometime in the future as it seems a lovely area to explore. Perhaps I can combine it with a visit to the aforementioned B2net in February !

Back to this Satruday's oppenents and what promises to be quite a day and the prospect of the whole event is one I'm relishing. The £5 offer has one of my lad's mates coming along so he'll balance out my Buxton living son. Senior ANEM reporter Clive ( I get a beer for every name check ! ) will be there as he's not dj'ing at some Milton Keynes society social gathering or acting as interim manager of the village footie team.

Aside from that and the prospect of quaffing a few pre and post-match ales we should again see a decent crowd at the Valley. Added to all this is soprano Victoria Stanyon, a Charlton fan no less, who will be singing before kick off. Not the usual Nessum Dorma but Jerusalem and Valley Floyd Road will be sung. Jerusalem was sung at my wedding but depsite that it remains a favourite of mine ! For me that or I Vow To Thee My Country should be our national anthem not God Save Our Queen which covers the UK as far as I'm concerned.

All that should make for a wonderful day. All we need to rely on is our boys to deliver a good performance and the 3 points at the start of a crucial 8 days of league action action for the Addicks. They, of course won't let us down will they ! We face two tough away games after Saturday and I fear we might just face Clinton Hubert Morrison again on Tuesday night if the rumours are correct.

The squad will be tested to the full I feel as the need to rest players or injuries and suspensions will no doubt play their part. Sadly no Pritchard for a while due to injury which is a real shame, hopefully his time will come. Still no sign of The Great Alonso, Man Of Mystery. Will we ever see The Spanish Pimpernel ? Who knows perhaps he's being saved for the Johnston's Paint games.

Pre-Rochdale I bemoaned the lack of the width on the left given by Jackson. Well he obviously read my blog and decided to do something about it as two goals came from that side. What ? You think it was just fate !!!

I maintain we need genuine width and wing play on the left. Daggs ( do I get a beer for a name check there too ! ) suggested that it might be worth trying Wagstaff left whilst keeping Green on the right. A good idea and one I'd favour as an option later on in a game. I firmly believe that Wagstafff's best role is as an impact sub.

I'm pleased and impressed by our ability to bounce back on the road but the concession of two quickfire goals last week is a slight concern. We can't afford any slips up against an improving side for whom Leon Clarke is on fire at the moment with a point to prove to one of our ex-players.

An exciting and important week ahead.......if you haven't already secured a ticket for Saturday then get it sorted pronto......all this for fiver.........you'd be mad to miss it !

Come On You Reds !

Roch n Dale

2011-09-17T11:17:00.000+01:00

Chip has been sidelined and Dale has teamed up with Roch. Like Ant and Dec no one knows who is who.

The lads are off to Spotland today to take on Dale.........I can't really be sure about Roch or Chip, who knows ?

Given most of our boys having a rest and the Dale playing on Tuesday and our on paper better team we ought to win. However, we know better don't we readers ! Nothing is ever straight forward and we need only rewind to last Saturday for evidence of that.

I'm not one who feels that we ought roll teams over. However, I do expect we might show more invention or tactical nous when necessary.

Wagstaff seemed to do well on Tuesday but as sub and not in the position he's supposed to be best at. If he starts ahead of Green today then it's a mistake not least because we have no width or decent supply line from the left. We really need to sort that as I feel it will cost us big time. It's not hard to envisage Wagstaff starting and nothing coming from right or left and then Green comes on to try and win or save the game.....too little too late.

I'm not wishing to sound miserable but this is so frustrating. Jackson is so much better in the middle and shouldn't be wide left. We do need to sort this.

Our form on the road has been good this season having won them all and one would hope that would continue today. Hopefully Kermogant will be on the bench and should he get on I trust will take any free kick in and around the area........Youtube evidence seems to suggest he's quite good with those.

ANEM sadly has no presence at Spotland today for reasons such as lack of funds, getting ready for Uni and in the case of senior reporter Clive.......interim manager of the local footie team and no doubt dj'ing in some village hall in deepest Bucks.

For myself I'm off to Franklins Gardens taking my mate's wife's ticket as she gave birth last week. The Saints play London Irish......depsite the absence of those on world cup duty it promises to be a good game. I'll be checking t'inernet on my mobile throughout though of course.

As I type the Irish have just beaten the Aussies....wow, what a performance.....let's hope the Addicks more than match that !

Come On You Reds.

P.N.E.

2011-09-13T12:24:00.001+01:00

The Lillywhites

The charmless Phil Brown brings his Preston team to the Valley tonight. As with Sir Chris, the exact make up of his team is not known but one can safely assume both teams will feature a few second string players with Addicks almost entirely so.

As you may have guessed I don't have much time or respect for Brown. I thought his half-time antics at Man City when Hull City manager was an act of gross stupidity. Ultimately he paid the price. Many of us recall the horrible football his Hull team produced to gain promotion to the top flight.

Brown has also had the lovely Ian Ashbee follow him from Hull City. You may recall him setting about Lloyd Sam and Sam getting a red when Ashbee should have been sent off. I understand this charmless oik is due to play tonight......I trust he'll get the reception he deserves !

All we can hope for tonight is a good performance both individually and collectively. Hopefully a few will give Sir Chris something to ponder ahead of Saturday's game. As I remarked following Saturday we need some options as teams pretty much know what to expect from us and we need some alternatives. A change to the usual starting eleven or tactical switch if things aren't our way would be good to see. We need to give the oppo something to think about.

Come On You Reds !

Shout Dad !

2011-09-11T09:52:00.000+01:00

Should we come away from a game feeling disappointed following a win with a clean sheet ? To be honest yes because that's how I felt yesterday.

I know it's always tough to play against 10 men but when the oppo is reduced to 10 players so early and they really aren't that good and you have promotion aspirations you really ought to put them away comfortably.

Following the exit of Nardiello it wasn't only Exeter that needed to effect a change, we needed too as well. This was either a change of formation or a sub being made. We had 4 defenders against 1 striker for the remainder of the first half. It wouldn't have been too much to ask to go to a 5 man midfield or go 3 up front with a wide man further forward. These things need addressing as we will play tougher teams with a full complement of players. Our seeming inability to adapt is a cause for concern.

Yesterday we missed a great chance to vastly improve our goal difference. I'd like to think that had Green been playing we would have done so given increased chances from his crosses alone. Wagstaff's crossing was woeful and again any attacking intent is missing. He remains an impact sub.

No decent crosses from the right, what of the left then ? To say that Jackson is playing left midfield should have the trades description people hot-footing it to the Valley ! He was so central and on several occasions was on the right. What on earth is going on ? I can only assume he's being told to do that. Time and again yesterday there was a vast empty space on the left midfield where someone should be ready to receive the ball.........they just weren't.

Jackson is a good player at this level.......no mistake about it, however, as I've remarked before it's the Nicky Bailey syndrome. We have to play skip and / or are unwilling to change the central pairing so we play Jackson ( formerly Bailey ) on the left......it doesn't work for me.

We should have had BBC's Final Score spelling out the goals we scored yesterday but it didn't happen. We must be more ruthless and clinical in front of goal. In addition, against 10 men teams like Exeter we must create more chances.

The sending off may have been right but I've never seen a player get a straight red for the verbals before. I wish refs would be consistent.

BWP was naturally up for it yesterday and I felt that Solly and Hollands had good games. Everyone else was pretty mediocre.

I'm not sure if I'll be along on Tuesday despite really wanting to go as I'd like to see the second string as I guess it will be. Perhaps The Great Alonso ( Man of Mystery ) may make an appearance. Shades of Cory Gibbs was it who was with us for a couple of seasons but never once donned a Charlton shirt in first team if my memory serves !

A Nice Litte Urner

2011-09-10T08:49:00.000+01:00

" What's a Grecian urn ? " the old Morecambe and Wise sketch ( ask your dad kids ). Eric is seen here with his own little Ern.
The day has started well with my mate's wife having given birth to Stanley weighing in at a healthy 7lb 11oz at 6.30am. Such is the way these days that a photo of the new arrival was up on facebook within minutes. Let's hope the Addicks can deliver too.

Early in the season but this is a must win game and not least because the oppo arrive short on both confidence and players. With us not playing in the league on Tuesday, defeat today could see us 8 points behind the Blades come Tuesday evening. Not totally disasterous but if you're mounting a promotion challange then you don't want to lose touch.

The Dons, the surprise package of the season, don't look like faltering despite the sale of Baldock to the Hammers. Charlie MacDonald has started well for them. We have to hope for the manager of the month curse to befall Robinson.

There was a very good post from New York Addick on the subs policy earlier in the week. His proposal in not having a goalkeeper sub is a very valid and sensible one it seems to me. He backed up his argument with some stats about the increased options that it gives you which further enhanced that view.

Talking of keepers, I'm not too sure about Hamer's claim that he was impeded on Monday night for the goal unless impeded is a euphemism for " I came, I flapped, they scored ! ". I wasn't sorry to see Lowe leave the pitch but as with most of us I just knew that Morrison was going to score.

We should have won on Monday of course but again that failure to score when we're really on top has hurt us again. We must be more clinical / ruthless in front of goal. We do need to get an experienced striker in on loan leaving aside the issue of whether Benson stays or not. Despite Sir Chris saying he's pleased Benson's still here everything else seems to suggest the opposite and that having fail to sell him he wants to loan him out somewhere.

We badly missed Green on Monday. Wagstaff's crossing was abysmal. It sounds like Green's not available again today which is another big miss for us.

Ketts voiced concerns over Sir Chris's decision making in respect of subs and I think he's right. I do hope he learns fast. The negativity of early season replacements seems to have gone at least. However, it was crying out for something far earlier than 78 minutes on Monday. Ketts also pondered whether the boss's ability to make a game changing alteration and I have to agree. As with the rest of us I do hope the management team are quick learners.

Last year the Grecians spoilt our sales promotion day, let's hope they don't today that we can bag 3 points and that tickets sales have provided a nice little earner.

Come On You Reds !

England are Number 1 - Lessons for our football team

2011-09-02T17:20:00.000+01:00

Stuart Broad Englands man of the series against India

Having completed a 4-0 series over India the English cricket team are now the top test playing nation. Make no mistake this is a fantastic achievement and not something that they claim in the modern era and even further back than that to a degree. You'd probably have to go back to the early 60's to say England were the number one nation.

This would have seemed a million miles away in early 2009 in Jamiaca as England were shot out for 51 to lose the first test. In April 2009, Andy Flower was appointed head coach and the team has blossomed from there. None of this was by chance of course. Flower assembled a strong team around him and everyone has worked incredibly hard. In addition, they've made use of the modern technology and methods.

We've now reached the stage where the Aussies are looking into our methods to see what lessons can be learned for them. Blimey ! Who have ever thought that would happen ?

Sadly the Indian team never seemed up for the battle which is disappointing on a number of fronts not least when you consdier what was at stake. The lack of effort was never more clearly highlighted than in the pre-match preparation; it was shocking and normally far removed from any side led by ex-England supremo Duncan Fletcher.

Our most recent success has been dleivered by two Zimbaweans and in cricket, at least, it seems an overseas coach can be a success. Contrast that and almost every other aspect of the sport with our national football team.

In comparison with the footballers the cricketers get peanuts, spend months, if not years, away from home and largely have to mkae their own arrangements even down to travel. We don't have enough time to go into all the issues surrounding our foreign manager who obviously isn't getting paid enough to learn the language !

We've known for a long time that the majority of England's football players are far from what you'd call role models ( although several can find a role for a model when needed ). We've also known that most aren't remotely good enough and in recent years only one or two would even get close to most nations starting eleven.

Gary Neville has now declared that playing for England was a waste of time. Wonderful ! I've felt for a long time that for the majority of players representing our country didn't mean much other than increased media exposure and more money.

Neville has further gone onto say that he knew the 2010 world cup squad wasn't good enough. Well tell us something we dont know. For the second world cup running we sent our team to a world cup finals with coach who knew he wasn't going to be in charge at the next one. What did we expect !

Luckily for English cricket the folk in charge of it who far from getting most things right, were spot on in their approach and recognising the changes needed and appointments required. They didn't give up or, like Neville, say it'll take us 10 years to get there. In addition, I don't see any acceptance from Neville that it was down to him or any of his team-mates to accept responsibility to try improve themselves or the team.

Neville says that our approach of bang the ball up and down the pitch won't work ( if it ever did ! ). Well hello Sherlock ! We need to be patient and pass the ball more and better. Dong ! Nail hit on the head. You might wonder why English players who are amongs the most well-paid in the world ( Eto'o and one or two others aside ) can't do that. Probably but not entirely down to the work ethic again I suspect.

However, that alone is not the case that our football finds itself floundering on the international stage. The whole structure needs looking at and as is often mooted starting at grass roots level. The FA has consistently ignored Sir Trevor Brooking's plan for grassroots football. Amongst the suggestions is to make junior football less competitive and not go from 7 a side to 11 a side in one fell swoop.

Aside from anything else we don't have the pitches to do so in reality. Most juniors when moving to 11 a side suddenly find themselves playing on something approaching a full size pitch. Ludicrous ! No wonder we're still banging balls all over the place.

That leap from 7 to 11 players also means an awful lot less touches of the ball........something to the opposite of what we're trying to see at senior level in that we want players to be comfortable on the ball.

You watch the vast majority of junior games over a weekend and the over-riding aim is to win. All parents shouting, usually not in a positive way, desperate for their kids not to lose but be victiorious in a way most of them never were. Ah, the reflected glory !

Of course there's nothing wrong with wanting to win at a young age and defeat builds character. However, we should encourage them and the youngsters themselves should have the confidence and freedom to play with flair. They shouldn't be worried about trying a new skill or doing something other than hoof the ball out if it's in their own area. Sadly due to the pressure from parents or some coaches that rarely happens which is ironic because they've no doubt spent many hours teaching them different skills only for them to be left behind on the training pitch.

They should be encouraging them to express themselves.....who cares if they lose......they've got a lifetime of football and games to play and taste both victory and defeat in something apporaching equal measure.

England will no doubt beat Bulgaria tonight and ultimately qualify for the Euro finals, however, once there we know they won't be remotely good enough to win it. Further to that we won't play in a manner that's pleasing on the eye or matches the technical skill of the top teams.

Until players take more responsibility for themselves, get paid an awful lot less, get more in touch with the reality of normal life in England and the FA totally reshapes junior / grassroots football we won't be able to say of our football team as we can of our cricket team " we're number one in the world ! " .

Exclusive - Veteran Striker Joins

2011-09-01T09:21:00.001+01:00

A typically joyful Dave Benson-Phillips after his late move

Sir Chris moved late last night to capture senior striker DBP. It was really a 2 for the price of 1 offer he quipped in a reference believed to be a nod to fellow attackers Hayes and Euell.

It was certainly a surprise transfer as many thought the 46 year old's Play(ing)days were over. Sir Chris said a move for his former sidekick Brian Cant be ruled out.

Missy Elliot

2011-08-31T10:01:00.000+01:00

A final wave goodbye from Rob

Rob has finally gone. Good luck him and I hope he does well. Being a Charlton fan and home produced he had a great rapport with the fans. He always had time for them too. He is still young for a keeper and this season in particular he has shown he has some potential. A 5 year deal gives him some security. I wish him all the best.

Bantum Wait

In what may be a long day in respect of transfers we will see where Benson ends up with Bradford looking most likely at the moment. We may also see Francis depart with Bournemouth looking favourites for his signature.

We hope to see a striker come in with several names in the frame. As Dave from Drinking During The Game said yesterday it'd be good if we could get a surplus to requirements premiership striker on loan. I'd be more than happy to see Eccleston again if he's available.

I did see we are being linked with Marshall from Barnet but fail to see much truth in that as we don't need another right winger.

It'll be interesting to see what unfolds today..........

Cort Onside

2011-08-29T15:57:00.000+01:00

As suggested by Ketts earlier today Leon Cort has joined on a season long loan from Burnley. His brother Dean used to play for Bournemouth.

Hopefully we will be adding a striker to our numbers too in the next couple of days.

Addicks win despite being shorn of Wright-Phillips

2011-08-28T10:31:00.000+01:00

A quickly taken Lowe fee kick saw Charlton shaken but stirred !

ANEM was sadly devoid of correspondents at Gigg Lane, finances being the main reason. In addition, our senior reporter, Clive, was unavailable. Therefore, we can only make observations from afar.

Obviously it was a lacklustre first half from the Addicks against a Bury side who had a tough midweek fixture. It was a game we ought to have won comfortably if we're honest even without BWP. However, the signs of a rousing teamtalk from Sir Chris and resulting positive response form the players augers well.

Lowe was clearly highlighted as the man to watch especially at set pieces so that we weren't alert to his free kick is disappointing.........one assumes that the management team focused on this during the week. However, we did get a reaction.

The goals were almost instant and well taken. It sounds like most players had good second halves if not the full ninety with Morrison and Solly stand outs. Hamer seems to have had a couple of dodgy moments but okay otherwise. Like most others he knows an able deputy is waiting in the wings.

We have got over any possible hangover from the previous Saturday with this and the Reading game. Indeed, Sir Chris seems to be endorsing products of the hangover variety as the OS headlines " Powell hails resolve ! ".

Many positives this week then as the Addicks have shown the second string can beat championship opponents, the main eleven demonstrate that we can win without our main goal scorer and we can come back from going behind. In addition, we didn't make negative substitutions when defending our lead late on. All good as clearly we are progressing and lessons are being learned !

Damn Sky have put paid to our Saturday next week and we have to wait until the following Monday for our football fix. Wednesday beat Scunny yesterday although it doesn't look very convincing. That the Iron had only just played on the Thursday was out of order I thought and why they weren't allowed to delay until at least today is beyond me.

The Owls are in action midweek in the paint pot trophy with a game away to Bradford. We have a bye and subsequently a break. Hopefully BWP will be restored to full health and everyone else will be fit. Maybe Elliot and Benson will have departed and one or two new faces will have arrived. Certainly one would like to see a new striker.

It was good to see Mambo on the bench yesterday. Like to see him stay there ahead of Doherty when the Doc is fit assuming no centre half arrives in the next few days.

The Shakers

2011-08-25T21:31:00.001+01:00

Bury are sponsored by a firm of estate agents and as such the end of season party is not to be missed.......all the movers and shakers are there.......

If one is looking for links to last week's oppo then there's a good one in the Shakers former manager Alan Knill. He must take a large slice of the credit for Bury's promotion last season. Mind you current boss, Richie Barker oversaw a terrific set of results at the end.

They've had a reasonable start to the league campaign with a loss, a draw and two wins, the most recent last Saturday away to fellow promotees ( ? ) Wycombe Wanderers. Ryan Lowe is most certainly the danger man, a prolific scorer who is in good form. He'll be dangerous from set pieces as well as open play. Jones will also be likely to pose a goal-scoring threat.

Hopefully the Shakers will be tired from Tuesday night's exertions against Leiceseter where they took a 2-1 lead before the Foxes came back to win 4-2. Unlike ourselves they didn't field an entirely different starting eleven to that of the previous league game.

They have got a touch of Parkinson's at the moment with 3 loan players although that of course falls someway short of Phil's efforts in that area ! Cullen is on loan form Hull, Oyenula from Spurs and this week Ashley Eastham was brought in from Blackpool.

Forming part of the defence is Efe Sodje, the bandana wearing brother of the family. Dare I say he's looked shaky ( sorry ) of late and hopefully we can exploit that.

Gigg Lane has a capacity of just under 12,000 but it's not likely that the crowd will approach anything like that even with the Addicks in opposition.

Another Bury sponsor is ( this is true unlike my previous sponsor reference which might not be ) is Frankie and Benny's, the restaurant chain. I'm thinking a little initiative could see ice cream flavours of stawbury, raspbury, blackbury etc. not to mention the milkshake(er)s....

Follow Tuesday night's magnificant Royal upset ( " we are not amused " ) Sir Chris has selection issues of the best kind. The game served to underline the squad's strength in depth and it's been somewhile since an Addicks manager had one like it. That they played in similar manner to the usual starting eleven is a real bonus. Genuine competition for places isn't something we've known for many a season.

However, for all that I'd probably only make one change from the usual starting league eleven and that is to bring in Green for Wagstaff . I can't see how he can be left out given the quality of his set pieces and crosses. Wagstaff is better coming on as a sub later in the game. In addition, Jackson isn't giving us genuine wing play on the other side. Both Saturday's goals came from balls from the left and he was in the middle to score the first and Hollands delivered the second. Don't get me wrong, Skip plays well but we do need genuine width hence the need for Green.

Given the rest the players have had and if we can play as we have done for most of the season allied to more clinical finishing then we really ought to win this against a team that had a tough game in midweek.

Our number 8 hasn't been at his best for the last couple of games, however, hopefully he'll do well and if he does then the headlines will write themselves !

Come On You Reds !

Reading Allowed

2011-08-23T10:03:00.000+01:00

The Reading game finally goes ahead tonight

Folk have mixed views on whether we should aim to do well in this competition. My view is that if we were in the Championship and anticipating a mid-table finish then yes, we should go for it. However, given where we are I think we should treat it as a competitive friendly and give a few a run out. I'd rather we had fewer games to play and I'm not impressed that teams are seeded in this competition....totally wrong.

I like the Royals manager Brian McDermott and he's done well since being appointed last year although they've not had a great start to the season and their fans are pretty downbeat about tonight with many predicting a win for us. It's a tough one to call as I'd expect both sides to rest players.

They've sold Shane Long to West Brom and that's a big loss for them. They still have some good players though and ordinarily would be too strong for us. We'll see.

Here's hoping that Evina, Mambo, Hamer, Hughes, Euell, Bover, Cousins, Harriott, Green and Alonso ( is he fit ? ) all get a start. There were some tired looking players on Saturday..........not sure why so early in the season but clearly one or two need a night off.

Sir Chris should be busy in the transfer market before the window closes. If Benson goes we need another striker and clearly we need another centre back if we're not going to give Mambo a chance. These may be loan signings of course, whatever, some business will surely be done.

I'm not worried about losing tonight just hope all the players come through it unscathed with no bookings and those that've been outside the starting eleven play well.

Come On You Reds !

The Iron Show Their Mettle

2011-08-20T19:54:00.000+01:00

The scoreline was as changable as the weather. A sunny Valley later saw the home team depart under something of a methaphorical dark cloud as 2 points were lost in the last quarter of the game.

To be fair a draw was the right result as Scunthorpe played their part in an entertaining game. They never sat back and were indeed unlucky to go behind. Up to that point I felt they'd had the greater possession if not threat. We probably didn't really deserve to extend the lead soon after the break either.

I felt that Scunny would prove difficult opposition and so they were. They were a tad physical at times and I think the ref should have dealt better with an assault on Hayes early on to set a marker but in all honesty they were far from the worst we've seen in tier 3. They played some good stuff at times and are probably a couple of players shy from giving themselves a good chance of going back up. Come the end of the season this may look quite a good point although I felt we really ought to have held on.

We did seem a little lacklustre today and never really got going. The slick one touch stuff of recent games wasn't there today and on occasions we were slow to close down too.

I'm still to be convinced about Skip playing on the left. He doesn't look or play like a winger, always tucking in and dropping too deep on occasion. On the other side Wagstaff did little in the first half and was often seen at right back. For me he didn't show at all in the second and should have been replaced by Green after no more than 10 minutes. Green in the short time he was on created several chances and delivered some quality crosses whilst displaying the aggression that Wagstaff clearly lacks.

Why Stephens came over to play keep ball in the corner to waste time when Green was waiting to deliver a corner I don't know. It was negative thinking and we need to be more postiive than that. The negative thinking was enhanced when Doherty came on for BWP. Sir Chris has done that twice at home now. His presence didn't prevent the second goal and again sent out the wrong message.

The result was when we needed a third goal there was only one stiker in Euell on the pitch. We should look to play to our strengths and not be so negative.

I remarked after the Colchester game that if we kept failing to take more of our chances it would in all likelihood come back to bite us on the bum sometime and today it did. I appreciate that their keeper made some good saves but we need to be more clinical.

However, I mustn't be too critical, to date we've played some good football that's pleasing on the eye and are still level on points at the top.

Perhaps there's greater reward in beating Reading on Tuesday than just getting into the 2nd round of the Carling Cup. A postponement of the MK Dons game doesn't look too bad a thing at the moment.

Tough As Iron

2011-08-19T12:31:00.000+01:00

It won't be easy

Tomorrow sees us play The Iron. Silly and obvious references to a flat back four, they play a pressing game and they'll be hard to beat etc are avoided because as regular readers will know ANEM doesn't do that sort of thing.

It might seem that this should be a straight forward home win but I think The Iron will prove a tough nut to crack. Scunthorpe suffered their first defeat on Tuesday going down at home to a previously pointless Oldham. The match stats show that the home side were ahead on everything save for the goals. I know that matters most but they aren't to be taken lightly.

It appears they acquired two players during the clsoe season. Midfielder Jimmy Ryan arrived from Accrington and winger Andy Barcham signed from the Gills. Barcham along with Dagnall have both notched two goals each this season. They provide the main goal threat especially Dagnall who looks a good direct striker who'#s not afraid to run at the defence.

Scunny's manager, ex-Bury boss Alan Knill, feels the team is performing better away from home, let's home they don't tomorrow.

Injuries aside and the decision over Elliot in respect of his much touted move to Newcastle I assume the starting eleven and bench will be the same as Tuesday night. If Robbie does play he might find himself playing them again soon in different colours as United have been drawn against Newcastle in the Carling Cup. Newcastle may decide to blood young Robbie in that one.

The team is playing well and all are working hard for each other and we've seen in recent games that closing the oppo down quickly has foreced errors and we've capitalised on them with some degree of ruthlessness. I hope we can start converting more of the chances we create as we could easily have doubled our goals tally in the last two games.

Some things don't change.........Big Brother is back on our screens ( that even Channel 4 thought it had run its course says everything about Channel 5 really ! ), the Gallagher brothers are at eachother's throats but thankfully CAFC have changed......we're playing good football that's pleasing on the eye, we're winning and are top of the league. Long may that continue !

Come On You Reds !

London - Essex

2011-08-17T09:21:00.000+01:00

The old argument from the excellent Monkey Dust - think London won that one last night

A superb Addicks display, certainly in the first half, made the inaugural ANEM trip to the Weston Homes Stadium a very pleasant and worthwhile experience. Even the weather played its part in making it a good evening.

We arrived early at just after 5pm as I'd been led to believe there were only 700 parking places available at the stadium. Oh how wrong that was ! If the entire crowd had driven in their own car I'm sure the car park could have accommodated them. When trying to get out after the game it seemd as if everyone had ! One big car park, one singular and small exit route !

All the Colchester staff encountered were friendly, pleasant and polite and further enhanced an enjoyable evening. Our support was excellent with everyone noisy and well behind the team. As far as I could tell no silly behaviour or songs either which was most welcome !

Plenty of time to kill but sadly nowhere to go other than the BP garage across the road and I'd have been Alan Partridge like in taking a trip over there almost for the sheer hell it. I did think of him as I tucked into my pre-match pasty bought at the ground, it was as Alan infamously said " hotter than the sun " and I burnt my hand as some of the contents went my way rather than anywhere else !

Pre-match entertainment mainly involved dodging the shots from our boys. Sullivan seemed most amused when one poor lady caught one smack on her bottom. She did well to laugh it off.......it must have hurt.

I've often thought that when announcing the line ups at the Valley we ought to show the oppo's players pictures.........the one of Matt Taylor last night showed precisely why we don't do that. It seemed he'd lost 3 stone, a foot in height and turned black !

The first half saw us play some lovely football, slick and for the most part at times one touch. The two goals were excellently taken and as Sir Chris observed on Saturday, it could have been more. That could will need to become should as it will cost us I'm sure in future games.

The pitch was ridiculously over-watered at half time.........a strange decision when your team keeps the ball off the grass most of the time. We seemed to allow the U's to keep the ball more for most of the time in the second period. BWP should have added more than one to his total and he will rue his under-hit lob. Euell was unlucky not to score late on as their keeper ( man of the match for the U's by the way ) made a fantastic save.

I can't really fault anyone's performance. They all worked hard as well as looking to play a fast-moving passing game. The subs were about right although I felt Wagstaff faded in the second half and Green should have replaced him.

Elliot's booking for alleged time-wasting was a nonsense. No warnings and he wasn't anyway....sure he wasn't rushing but he wasn't excessively slow either. The ref will have the complete set of League One custodians if he continues in that vein !

Early days but all very encouraging. There will be tougher tests ahead not least when we have to cope with injuries and suspensions. However, at the moment it's good to be an Addicks fan and the team is a joy to watch.....did I really just write that !

The U's

2011-08-16T10:35:00.000+01:00

" I told you we should have signed Shearer "

The U's manager David Bleat is still in charge despite being a pre-season favourite for the chop. When asked if he felt under any pressure Mr Bleat observed " not really, if I do get sacked I'm minted anyway ".

The boss is quietly confident of success this season as " this is the best squad I've worked with, whatever I tell them to do they just seem to follow. I'm not sure we'll win promotion but am hoping for some success in the cups although I'd prefer the games to be over four legs rather than two in some competitions ". A pig from the nearby Manor Farm was seen nodding his head vigourously in agreement whilst muttering something about two legs being bad before making a hasty retreat.

Bleat feels that the undefeated start to the season is partly due to a more caring approach that he's adopted this season. " I keep telling the lads to remember that me and the fans adore ewe all ". He went onto say " the dressing room music helps too. We've a regular playlist now..........ewe don't have to say ewe love me, loving ewe is easy, only ewe etc. I don't mind what the lads listen to really......to be honest I'm a bit mutton ".

Bleat felt that on Saturday the team was a bit too cautious leading them to be penned in their own half. " I had to speak to them at half time especially as them seemed very distracted every time the whistle went ".

When asked about tonight's game Mr Bleat said given Charlton's good start he was looking forward to it adding " I expect that our fans will flock to the ground ".

ANEM staff weren't expecting to attend tonight's game but the treasurer has found a few pennies in the piggy bank ( once separated from the francs, escusdos and drachma - all being retained until the collapse of the euro you understand ) and it seems we can afford to go. I never went to Layer Road and haven't been to the Weston Homes either. Tonight's visit is prompted by our good start, style of play and that I'm on hols and don't want to miss out. Mind you I've a feeling of Unlucky Alf about it but hope I'm proved wrong.

Colchester remain a physical side despite the departure of previous manager Aidy Boothroyd who, as we know, prefers a direct approach. Hopefully our passing game will win the day.

Barring injuries I assume that the same starting eleven will take to the field as that against Notts County. A very good win that and Wagstaff scored again. I still think he's best from the bench but fair play to him he's scored twice in two and from reports had a good game. Like Elliot it seems he responds to having genuine competition for his place.

Having waited so long for an away win in the league, can the lads deliver two in four days ? Let's hope so !

I'm hoping that our goalscorers include Jason Ewell !

Come On You Reds !

Knott's County

2011-08-13T08:55:00.001+01:00

Deadly and Knotty officially opening their stand on Thursday this week.

I returned late yesterday afternoon having spent a few days in God's chosen county. Initially being based in New Romney allowed me to re-visit many places and reminisce about childhood holidays in Greatstone. It also allowed me the pleasure of a few trips on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway which even at my tender ( !! ) age never loses its appeal.

From Wednesday onwards I was based in Canterbury for the Kent v Surrey match. This should have been a 4 day game, however, Surrey weren't able to take the game into the fourth day despite the vast sums invested in the team. If they don't go up then you feel Adams will be under pressure and I won't be surprised to see him go. This should draw compairsons with a football team but I can't think of any !

Thursday saw the return to the St Lawrence ground of two Kent and England cricket legends, namely Knott and Underwood as they opened the newly named stand in their honour. Knotty fondly recalled how Bernard Julien once threw a ball over the Frank Wolley stand, no mean feat as those of you who know the ground can readily testify ! I feel the stand should be called the Knott and Underwood stand because it sounds better to me probably due to the " caught Knott bowled Underwood " method of dismissal so popular ( with Kent fans anyway ) during the 60's, 70's and 80's.

During my short break a lot has happened on both national and more parochial levels although both have impacted on each other. I've no intention on commenting on the riots as other CAFC blogs have expressed the feelings of the vast majority of us and have done so more eloquently than I could.

On strictly footballing matters Jason Euell has returned to our ranks as one always suspected he would. I'm quite pleased about this as I believe he still has something to offer particularly at Div 3 level. I thought his treatment by Curbs that ultimately led to his leaving was a poor show and that the great man over-reacted to the inicident in the Man Utd game. Anyway good to see that he holds no grudges and is now back with us.

Today's game offers a tougher test than last week if only because we are away and an away league win isn't something we've witnessed for a while even allowing for the summer break !

I think we'd all take a draw right now although I'd prefer the win of course. Sadly today we come up against Lee Hughes. I've no time for the bloke who in keeping with most of the idiots widely shown on our tv screens this week shows no sign of remorse.

County won last comfortably last week in the league although one hopes that their mid-week defeat on penalties following extra-time and sadly a miss from the lovely Hughes will have knocked them.

As another blog observed ( sadly I can't remember which one due to reading several last night in an attempt to catch up ! ) there should be no room for sentimentality and Green should start today despite Wagstaff's excellent strike last week. As good as that was his overall game wasn't great and if Green is deemed by Sir Chris to be a better player then get him in from the start. I suspect it'll be a place on the bench for Green though.

Sir Chris will again be observing from the stands as he completes the second and final game of his touchline ban. Perhaps if we win again he may decide like Curbs did to base himself there permanently.

Hopefully we can return with 3 points today as it'd be good top the table again however embryonic it may be.

Cone on you reds !

Cherries Lost

2011-08-07T10:11:00.000+01:00

With so many " Charlton virgins " it's no surprise that cherries lost....

Debuts aplenty yesterday then and surprise to see Elliot in goal and he took the chance well albeit not having a great deal to do.

An accomplished and confortable win aided by two fine goals. A good goal by Wagstaff but one shot does not a summer make. I thought he was decidely average for the rest of his game with two or three hospital balls to team-mates and the usual reluctance to attack a poor left back. However, let's not dwell too much on that.

Stephens was magnificent and imposed himself on the game. Hollands too was another star performer. The defence coped well and Solly, although the concern of his lack of height remains, had a very good game.

For the Cherries I was surprised that Taylor didn't start as he seemed to pose a greater threat than anyone else and perhaps should have scored with a close range header. Molesley too looked a skillful player.

I think young Arter had wound himself up a tad and was lucky to stay on the pitch. He had a good game with some telling and intelligent passing. He reacted like Bournemouth had been relgated at the final whistle collapsing to the floor......all a bit over the top.

Pleased with the goals, scoreline and performance. Next week will give us a better indication of where this team is at. After we've played Sheffield United having completed 10 or 11 games will be a truer reflection though of course.

Onwards and upwards hopefully. Reading up next and a chance for Sir Chris to rest some and give a run out to others. Should be interesting.

Kent's demise in the T20 took the gloss off an otherwise perfect day.

Hopefully we'll get that other striker we need and a central defender too during the next few days.

Bourne Again

2011-08-05T09:37:00.000+01:00

Smart, fast-paced and totally gripping............sounds like a typical Charlton game eh !

A sense of deja vu as we entertain ( ? ) Bournemouth at home for our first match of the season. Let's hope that the campaign's denouement is more satisfying this time.

Bourne again too as the team has been totally rebuilt and only a few remain and one wonders how much longer some of them will be us. The wait ( sic ) of expectation is over and it's time to do the business.

Sir Chris has been backed to the hilt, an appropriate phrase given our badge. He's got the players he wants ( although rumours abound of some being imposed on him ) and he has a good backroom staff. Powell never looks like he's feeling pressure or appears flustered. Not sure if that's a good thing, however, he'll need a cool head if things don't go the way we expect or want them too.

I'm sure fans will turn on him and the board will be expecting results as the chairman's comments have indicated. I'm sure that Mr Hart lurking in the background doesn't ease that situation either.

The team will, I suspect be pretty much as generally anticipated. Hughes can expect to start and Wagstaff ( oh dear ) too as Danny is Green but not heard as he serves a one match suspension. Is it my imagination or do we start every season with a player serving a ban in the opener ?

I assume that Hamer will start in goal and that Robbie sadly won't even make the bench. I hope that if Jackson plays on the left and I can't think he won't, that he gets wider and doesn't drop as deep as he did in the game against the Dutch. Wiggins needs to up his game, hopefully he will against his old club. As I understand he was performing a lot better last season and is obviously capable of more.

This season is eagerly awaited by Addicks' fans. I can't recall us ever having bought and sold / got rid of ( McOxo !! ) so many players. That it seems we're trying to play some decent football is a bonus as we all want to be entertained even if results are paramount.

As if this weren't excitement enough, we have a big new screen to look at. That's bound to come in useful as a diversion from the " action " on the pitch ! I missed it when we didn't have have one.....after all I'm still recovering from the loss of the ABCD etc board that gave scores corresponding to associated fixtures.

I live in the hope that we will one day have credit card like season tickets along with so many other clubs. Why this still isn't in place I've no idea........surely the initial outlay will be repaid in no time with the reduced staffing costs ? Oh well pack the thick season ticket into my pocket then I guess.

A busy sporting day as Kent play their T20 quarter final after the match. Aside from playing at home this was about as good as the draw could get for the Spitfires. If anyone has read this far ( I admire your endurance ) and knows of a pub or watering hole that will be showing the match then please leave a comment letting me know as I'm keen to see it... thank you.

Let's hope for a double win, Addicks and Spitfires to send us all home happy.

Come On Your Reds !

Who's on first ?

2011-07-28T10:02:00.000+01:00

Confirmation that times are hard as Ladbrokes are now operating out of Trap 2 in the East Stand

Who's on first, what's on second........it was something akin to that on Tuesday night as I tried to get my head round all the new signings. Kick off was delayed for 5 minutes as the crowd and in some cases the players were introduced to each other. The lack of names on shirts wasn't helping me either but I knew who Elliot was at least.

Most acquitted themselves quite well perhaps save for Mr Wiggins........have we signed Bradley ? If he doesn't perk up he too will be on his bike. Things didn't go well from the start for him.....number one son observed " he's got a good throw " only for him then to produce one the worst foul throws you'll ever see. Clean through in acres of space towards the end of the first half and Wiggy put in a cross that found Steward No. 258 by the corner flag.......oh dear ! Still give the lad time, he's not that bad.

BWP seemed quite lively and a tad more mobile allied to what seemed a better work ethic which bodes well and he took his goal with aplomb. Hayes showed some nice touches and held the ball up well, however, he needs to shot more when in good positions and be more direct. In addition, he seemed off the pace at times and reacted late when his instinct should have been to get into better positions.........had he done so he could have had 2 goals at least.

The bench was a personal nightmare containing as it did the remaining players I want to see out the door.....Benson, Francis, Doherty and Wagstaff. It seems we can't give or indeed pay someone to take Francis away !

There are genuine fears for the depth of the squad and getting rid of Llera is looking like a bad move and I'd rather see him there than Doherty. Hopefully that and the need for at least one more stirker will be addressed.

I got a sense of deja vu with Jackson playing on the left....reminders of Parky with Nicky Bailey. Jackson is so more suited to the middle and offered little width on the left. Powell must decide who's best in the middle and play them....it'll do my head in if we have to endure another season of playing players because they're ok but out of position where they're not effective. Mind you I'm not sure who else can play on the left save for Harriott now that Reidy has left the building.

It seemed as though we were trying to play football but the midfield dropped deep time and again to collect the ball and that wasn't good to see. Can't understand why you'd pass the ball to a team-mate who's standing next to you or why you wouldn't attack open space to at least draw a player in.

I know I sound I right miserable old ba**ard but I've high hopes and believe these players are capable of producing better. After all Brighton adopted a simple method playing with no greater calibre of players and they did ok.

So the team are off to the Toolbox on Saturday. Why we are playing them I've no idea. I'd have gone to almost any other ground and I dare say others will feel the same............I've no wish to go there. Our team and fans will get dogs abuse and why we opened ourselves upto that God knows. Not a very sensible decision.

Change Management

2011-07-26T11:37:00.000+01:00

We won't need to worry about the relapse bit......will we ?

Early this morning the janitor made his way down to the bowels of ANEM towers, brushed aside some cobwebs, kicked a few rats and forcefully opened the door to room 101. There it was, the old PC ( not Dixon of Dock Green kids ) but the DELL. Gingerly, I fired it up........oh err ! Hey presto and we're off and running again......well blogging again anyway.

Glancing at a tear-stained copy of the last programme I note that there have been a few changes in personnel since then. Certainly the arrivals lounge has been busy but then again the departures lounge hasn't been a lonely place either. I wasn't sad to see McCormack go and he's probably one of the reasons behind Mick McCarthy's thinking in getting someone in to chat to his players about the perils of Twitter.

I'm not really disheartened or saddened by any of those that have left save for Semedo and Stewart but one never expected them to stay. I'd like to see Benson and Francis go too plus Wagstaff who never does it for me and may command a decent fee.

We were led to believe that there really wasn't much money to spend on new players, however, it seems that was a bit of kidology and further to that there has been significant investment in staff other than the playing variety. All good news and by and large pretty sound acquisitions I'd say.

We still need a couple more players and I hope that Euell will be one of them.....he would be good for us at this level.

I'm so excited by the prospect of this new season and will be there for tonight's game against the Dutch. I'll need to keep referring to the programme, assuming there is one, as I'm strugling to keep up with the new players.

It seems from what I read that we are looking to " do a Brighton " to paraphrase the great Curbs ! They proved you can play decent football in this division and get promoted..........let's pray that we can do the same.

The baord have gien Powell his head and he will have to deliver and I'm sure he's aware of that. I guess that we'll hear and read a lot about the team needing time to gel.........hmm that's been the club's catchphrase for the last 3 or 4 seasons now it seems. They need to do it quickly.

I hope that renewed optimism results in a good attendance tonight and more importantly has a knock-on effect in season ticket sales.

As I said, well wrote anyway, I'm pretty excited by the prospect of the new season starting with toinght's game. Prior to that I'm visiting some old haunts....my parents grave not least amongst them ( not an intentional gag but I'm leaving it in anyway ). I'll go to my old schools in Bexleyheath and Erith, my childhood home and probably visit my mates's parents who never seem to get any older although I suspect they are.

Living as I do in Milton Keynes I don't often get to do this as it's an early start for match days at the Valley especially when travelling by train. Having just started the 6 week school holidays allows me to do so today. I can visit the greengrocers where legend has it Keith Peacock or Billy Bonds used to live above or something. Happy days !

Can Sir Chris do the business this season ? I sure hope so because I really want him to succeed. It's all down to how he oversees the change management or there'll be a change in management. I'm really up for this and it should be good fun !

The Midas Touch

2011-05-15T19:38:00.000+01:00

Gold, Makesnosense and Her

Soon to be appearing at the Olympic Stadium......" Faster, Higher, Stronger " ooooh matron !

All together now.... " we're forever blowing leads.........."

Karren Brady seen here with a pair of tits ( what's keeping them up ? Nothing now ! ) !

Suprisingly the above photo wasn't taken in soft focus as you might reasonably expect given our friends business backgrounds. Thank goodness they didn't take us over..........God knows where we'd be eh !

Karren Brady is often seen on telly giving astute and erudite advice to those Apprentice candidates.......how so ? Is it good business practice to sack someone without telling them, announce the new guy seemingly without his knowledge, have the incumbent make a great play of leaving, saying farewell to the fans only to do a complete 180 later on in the day ? It's a funny old game !

Even funnier is Hammers fans moaning about who should be manager now. Well most of us recall they didn't want Curbs because the footie wasn't attractive enough. Of course, overlook the fact that he did the almost impossible and kept them up a few years back. You'd rather be playing in the Championship than stay up and get some stability and build on it.

Pardon the pun but there's much irony surrounding West Ham. They play football the cultured way, always attractive they say. Of course, that's why the likes of Billy Bonds, Julian Dicks have cult status.

Misconception is there too...........we all know Defoe came out of their famous academy don't we children !

Relegation at the time of moving to a new stadium presents added headaches............I do so hope they'll be alright. Oh well, at least they're likely to retain Carlton Cole eh !

The past has finally caught up with them and they are now going down as they should have done following the Tevez saga. They got away with it but still messed up. Good to see their fans accept the drop with good grace though.......... " some advertising hoardings are on the pitch, they think it's all over.......it is now ! "

Meanwhile in the metropolis Darren Bent continued to show what a quality player he is. We'll never quite understand how he didn't make it to the last two world cups although clearly you need to be a complete knob to hold down an England place. Perhaps the overpaid, clueless Italian might sit up and take notice. Then again he might not and will continue to select players in his own likeness.....i.e. overpaid and clueless....

none of them able to speak a word of the Queen's either !

St George and the season drags on

2011-04-22T09:18:00.000+01:00

Shakespeare walks into a pub, the landlord says " you're bard "
Tomorrow is both St George's day and the anniversary of The Bard's death. The nation will celebrate both with the same level of enthusiasm as Addicks fans have for Rovers away.

Having kicked an opponent I doubt that Christian Dailly is kicking himself at the moment. Misses the last 5 games of an awful season and gets to enjoy some of the finest weather we've had in April in many a year.

Given that our season was over many weeks ago and we've had bugger all to play for ( pride and season ticket sales aside ) it's a shame that we've not seen some of our youngsters given a go. Jenkinson shows what you can discover if you do albeit he's off to pastures new. We've got previous in this area as Curbs also refused to blood youngsters when we were safe with nothing to play for.

I think we know who Powell wants to keep next season if he can. I guess we'd all want Stewart to stay but I think he has loftier ambitions. That his family are abiding in Caledonia would suggest that a northern club would appeal more to him than one in the metropolis.

I doubt there'll be many surprises in team selection. One can hope that should we be in need of a goal late into the game then we send on a striker rather than put the Doc up front ! Couldn't see the logic of that last week.

At least the oppo for the next 3 games have something to play for. Perhaps that may get our boys to raise their game.

Come On You Reds !

Can I Have Some Of That Bad Luck Please !

2011-04-16T07:54:00.000+01:00

suffering......
One of the club's daily ( geddit ! ) e-mail bulletins this week headlined a story about our Christian's 5 match ban with " Dailly endures early end to campaign ". Endures ? Er excuse me ? There are plenty of adjectives one could use but endure surely isn't one of them.

If anyone is enduring anythng it's us poor bastards in the stands ! All of us are thinking how fortunate he is not to have to witness the end of this woeful season. If any of us were cynical and of course, as Charlton fans none of us is, we might wonder if Christain had worked out before kick off what a red card might entail. Would I blame him or hold it against him ? No, of course not ! If only a similar system were in operation for us hapless souls !

The cricket season has started and naturally that has meant a return to dull and overcast conditions which could be a metaphor for our collective mood. Like the Addicks, Kent started with a win but now look like losing their second game against Northants and by some distance. That it's a couple of ex-Kent men inflicted the damage with the bat makes it no easier to bear !

Is it worth looking at today's team selection ? No, not really. Dave from Drinking During The Game did a good assessment of which players we ought to retain for next season and I agreed with most of it. I think it's pretty much black and white for the majority with perhaps a couple of borderline cases. We'll see what Sir Chris and his team decide over the summer. Hopefully he can retain Stewart.........that increasingly looks like his main objective.

We get to vote for player of the year today. Even if AV were in operation it'd be pretty much a forgone conclusion. I expect Semedo to canter home with Jackson second despite missing a large part of the season which pretty much sums it up ! Some may fail to register a vote.........I understand that even McCormack's mum is voting for Francis !

Meanwhile the FA cup semis are on this weekend and the FA's decision to hold both at Wembley although based on footballing traditions, looks increasingly ludicrous. However, I doubt those purists at the HQ give a toss about that as thousands of fans from all 4 teams are stuck in traffic having shelled out loads of cash for the privilege. No, they'll be too busy counting the money.

I was so pleased to see Brighton get promotion. They have proved that you can play some decent football and still get out of this division in the right direction. Speaking of which I don't think we'll witness a feast of football from the Terriers today.....we know we wont from our boys. However, we travel to SE7 in the hope that our boys can raise their game and put up a decent fight whilst showing some spirit.

Come On You Reds !

Motivation

2011-04-09T08:09:00.000+01:00

Hmmm I can hardly wait.........
It'll surprise no one that I'm not making the trip to Oldham today. One wonders how many Addicks will. Good luck to those that do......truly loyal supporters. I've got a couple of weeks off as it's the school holidays. I will mostly be decorating. I can't stand it and somehow need to motivate myself to get on with it.

Similarly Chris Powell has to motivate the lads for today's game and in fact the rest of the season. With a few going and presumably not giving a toss it must be hard work. Not sure we can judge him too much on these next few performances.

I guess I'll still be going to The Valley for the last 3 home games but I can't get too excited about it.

One can only hope that we start to see things taking shape for next season to give us a glimpse of better things to come.......here's hoping !

Come On You Reds !

O Dear !

2011-04-03T11:49:00.000+01:00

Gary Sprake............kids if you liked Jamie Jones yesterday you'd have loved Gazza !

The O's............

O dear !
O my God !
O sod it !
O s**t !

Visit Charlton Casual for a nice twist on a Clash classic in tribute to JJ !

You've got hand it to the O's yesterday or rather Mr Jones handed it to us ! A comic piece of goalkeeping for the second goal that will live long in the memory. It makes a nice change to report on a gaffe from the opposition rather than us.

Like Sir Chris, I felt we pressed quite well yesterday and that bit of effort is the least you can expect from a team especially if things haven't been going your way. I was surprised that Orient opted to try and play it about at the back when clearly their players seemed ill-equipped to do so and appeared terrified when the ball came to them.

The departure of Revell was a boost as he looked to be playing well. Despite that, Orient caused us problems right to the death. Not sure on the validity of " both Orient goals "....... even McGliesh looked sheepish about his. Hey ho ! Never mind we won in the end.

The ref aka The Pilsbury Dough Boy was truly awful and should have clamped down on the time wasting early on. The point at which he further wasted time by going over to Jones to speak to him and not issue a card was depressing. If he wasn't going to book him he should have gestured and made it clear that he wasn't going to accept any more of it. Again if it were rugby he'd have had a word with the skip and skip in turn would have had to make it clear to the rest of the team there'd be no more of it.

Just about everyone played their part yesterday save for Wagstaff who failed to deliver again. Why does he never attack space and / or take on another player ? How he stayed on I don't know.

How lovely to see Semedo score yesterday and even more the sheer delight he got from doing so. Wonderful and akin to Sir Chris's goal againt Coventry in his last game for us.

I was very impressed with Stewart and as Ketts points out, he is a player to build a team around and from the gesturing and communicating yesterday seems a natural leader. A good acquisition....

Pre and post match beers in the Royal Oak were lovely yesterday. They keep the Doom Bar well even if they do have a worrying trend to run out at various times !

A real test awaits us on Tuesday at St Mary's. I suspect a change or two may be needed for some tired legs. We do have options though and that's quite refreshing to report.

Good luck to the Bees today at Wembley. I'd like to see them win the paint pot thingy.

Oh to be in August now that Spring ( and the rest of his team-mates ) is here....

2011-04-02T09:26:00.004+01:00

Can our Christian stay on for the full 90 plus stoppage today ?

Back in August, sun shining, we all had a thoroughly nice away day at Brisbane Road. A balmy evening, down to 10 men, we won 3-1, even McCormack scored and we had a laugh at an " O's fan " in a United shirt ! Up the football league we go we sang as everything looked rosey in the Valley garden and we contemplated the possibility of another 6 game or so winning start to the " promotion campaign ".

However, Charlton wouldn't be Charlton if that wasn't to come crashing down around us. It all seems a long time ago now and the roller coaster ride that contains more downs than ups continues to disappoint.

Performances have improved a bit of late although I don't know what that says exactly given the base point from which that comparison is made ! Never mind, to be an Addick you need a large dollop of optimism ( as well as a sense of humour and a predilection for masochism ). It's with that state of mind that I approach today's game with a positive outlook and after all, the sun is out and we always play well against the O's in warm weather.........it's fact........see above !

Since their inspiring cup run the O's have seen something of a dip in form. Their win bonus of a trip to Vegas may have turned their heads perhaps ? I'm convincing myself more and more of a 5 star performance today from the Addicks with goals a plenty for us, a clean sheet and Brazilian type football. Blimey and I've not yet stepped out into the sun today..... !

Joe is injured again and good a player as he is I'm not sure can afford to keep a player who has more knocks than Frank Spencer. This means a return for Benson I guess and I know he played well on Saturday. Sadly he can't seem to do it all the time and he's not my " type of player " to be honest. Like Elliot he only seems to perform when he's under pressure. If there's one of many things to hope for next season it's that there's more competition for places as currently too many players can safely assume they'll not get dropped.

Too much to hope that Eccleston will start ahead of Wagstaff. I sound like a scratched record ( remember those ? ) but I can't see how Wagstaff gets in ahead of him. My midfield would be Parrett, Stewart, Semedo and Eccleston...........boy that sounds good. Sadly it wont be anything like.

Never mind it's a lovely day and I'm looking forward to some quality ale ( pre and post match ), quality football and 3 points for the Addicks !

Come on You Reds !

New Merchandise Available From The Club Shop

2011-03-30T08:11:00.003+01:00

A scatter cushion just one of the many items from the club's new " Binary Range "

In my opinion the club's commercial and marketing department doesn't get the credit it deserves. However, they look to have secured a hit with the new binary rage. This is inspired by results from the last eleven ( 11 ! ) games and is in anticipation of supporter demand.

Fully endorsed by many players it's sure to be a winner unlike......

Rob Elliot, BWP and Reid will be signing the new items in the club from 1.01pm on Saturday ahead of the Orient game ( come on you 0's........)

In the bars around the ground special buy one get none free offers will be available on most snacks and drinks.

Hurry whilst ( laughing ) stocks last...................

They're Here.........

2011-03-26T06:58:00.000Z

The inspectors are on their way !

Next week the good folk from Ofsted are visiting my school. This always put staff on edge however " human " the inspectors try to present themselves to be. Personally I think they should arrive totally unannounced in order to get a true picture of how a school is. I'm proud of our school, its ethos and what it offers children. I don't think most schools would or indeed should have anything to fear from this approach.

Good job the inspectors from Offoot haven't been down to the Valley lately. They'd not be impressed and " Special Measures " may indeed be the verdict ! However, Tuesday night was encouraging and at long last a performance to gladden the heart. I'm pleased I decided to go. Much better stuff from the lads.

Llera was my man of the match and he continues to show how wrong it was that he was left out. Fair play to Mig as no doubt he was a tad miffed at being left out when so many were underperforming but he kept his angst private.

Someone else who we know wont be impressed by his many recent omissions is Eccleston. Rightly so. God knows who he needs to sleep with to get a start but let's hope it's rectified today at Bournemouth. He's got to replace the hapless Wagstafff surely to God.

Big Joe impressed on his return on Tuesday as sub and I hope he is restored to starting berth today as Nouble didn't impres me on Tuesday. Must do better the verdict for him.

Hopefully we can dig deep today and produce something akin to Tuesday night and we may come away with something. We need several good displays now against these stronger teams to give some hope for next season.

The board has nailed its colours firmly to the mast of SS Powell for next season if Slater's letter is to be believed. If its contents are sincere then it was something he can be proud of..........let's hope the trust that they are putting in Sir Chris bears fruit. I don't think any of us really wants him to fail.

Following the Saints it's another coastal town........let's hope the tide has turned and we're back to winnings ways !

Come On You Reds !

See Last Week For Details....

2011-03-20T19:29:00.000Z

I didn't go and so won't be as wound up as those loyal fans who did. To think we had a whole week to prepare and play like that ! My lad went with a mate to watch Saints v Owls.........we are going to get a pasting he tells me. I think we'd get that from almost whoever we play.

This week's blogette is easy as I'm basically cutting and pasting last week's.........let's hope I have cause to write something new soon or I could just repeat this ad nauseam eh.........

.................it's hard to B + ( positive )............ more likely to be like another blood group O sod it !

I found yesterday a bit depressing. I just didn't enjoy it at all. I trust that I can find rediscover my enthusiasm which has has been curbed !

It was my hope that with the season pretty much over even before kick off that we might try and play some decent or even better football. We didn't and team selection again baffled me.

McCormack is pants.....end of. Eccleston must be speechless that he still can't get a game.

On the plus side...........oh ! there doesn't seem to be one at all this week !

I hope that we can salvage something from this season. How about playing more youngsters.....there's nothing to lose assuming we can stave off relegation and that's increasingly looking a greater possibility.

Nothing else to say really. Totally fed up and somehow I've got to find a reason to go on Tuesday. Perhaps that I'll see some good footie from the Saints may be reason enough. I bloody hope so !

Probably time to make like my blood group however........

2011-03-13T13:43:00.000Z

.................it's hard to B + ( positive )............ more likely to be like another blood group O sod it !

I found yesterday a bit depressing. I just didn't enjoy it at all. I trust that I can find rediscover my enthusiasm which has has been curbed !

It was my hope that with the season pretty much over even before kick off that we might try and play some decent or even better football. We didn't and team selection again baffled me.

McCormack is pants.....end of. How on earth Parrett didn't play is bewildering. Wagstaff just doesn't achieve anything and best as a late sub.....Eccleston must be speechless that he can't get a game.

On the plus side...........Solly looked good on his return and Jenkinson continues to look an assured player who's full of confidence. Nouble looked ok second half and will only improve once he adjusts to his team-mates and playing at this level.

I hope that we can salvage something from this season. How about playing more youngsters.....there's nothing to lose assuming we can stave off relegation and that's increasingly looking a possibility.

Nothing else to say really. Totally fed up and somehow I've got to find a reason to go on Tuesday week. Perhaps that I'll see some good footie from the Saints may be reason enough. I bloody hope so !

Oh ! I Can Hardly Wait !

2011-03-11T19:09:00.000Z

If only it was that funny !

It feels like we're witnessing the end of our season already and giving it the last rites as we watch the last few games. You hoped it might get better but sadly it hasn't.

Like many others I was perplexed at the team selection on Tuesday. If BWP had a knock then I'm still at a loss to understand why you'd keep a quality player like Eccleston out of the action. Even more baffling is Francis's continued presence in the team.....truly awful ! He got dogs abuse from our fans and some after the game when boarding the coach too I understand.

It was a shocking night all round capped off by some racist abuse directed at Sir Chris from one idiot who was probably a few rows back from me but where one couldn't tell where. That really pi**ed me off.

Perhaps if we manage to play something approaching decent football in these last couple of months it may give some hope for next season. Whether Sir Chris will be given the time to assemble and fashion a team in the way he wants to play is anyone's guess.

Let's hope we see the two new loan players as it'll make a nice change to see something half decent.

I'm on the train tomorrow and a few pre and post match pints will help numb the pain again.

As you can tell, like most, I'm finding it hard going at the moment and whether I can find it within me to make the journey down for the Southampton game is unknown at present. Bearing in mind I was in Bartrams on Boxing Day at the very moment the oringinal fixture was called off and wasted the day not least the impact it had on my Christmas.............I have to say it's not looking good !

Let's hope we can win the big London debry tomorrow and the players can send us all home happy !

Come On You Reds !

Milton Keynes

2011-03-07T22:48:00.000Z

It's not just the cows that are concrete in MK

Tomorrow sees my nearest trip to watch the Addicks. After the game I could be home in 15 to 20 minutes although I won't as a few post match beers are in order. A few pre-match ones will be taken too come to that !

I'm not looking forward to this at all. We're playing Dons just at the wrong time. We're rubbish and they've hit something of a purple patch. Oh dear !

Hope it's not too dire as Ketts has asked me to name the man of the match and I feel obliged to stay to the end !

Keanu Marsh-Brown and Daniel Powell are getting good reviews at the moment and are worth watching out for I understand. Rowan Vine may have slowed down a bit these days but will pose plenty of threat to our defence.

After Saturday's good showing Llera ought to return against his former club and hopefully with a point to prove, put on a decent performance.

Eccleston should start as I can't see how a player of his quality can be left out. Not sure what Francis has to do to be left out. Surely Solly will get a chance ?

I hope that Sir Chris can find the right combination to get us something from this game. Like most I think it's clear that an automatic place is beyond us and increasingly I find it unlikely that we'll even get a play off place. However, hope springs eternal and a win tomorrow would be a step in the right direction.

Come On You Reds !

1 down 3 to go

2011-03-06T09:27:00.000Z

The Tranmere Ethos

I suggested yesterday that in the interests of symmetry we might just go onto draw our next four games......well if so, that's number one taken care of then.

Tranmere's intent was clear from the off. Time waste and feign injury. Things have been bad for us and I've seen some terrible Charlton teams in my time but thank God none has ever stooped so low. My respect for Les Parry totally disappeared after that.

Talking of respect.........perhaps we should have a campaign of that name for match officials.....we do you say ? Well I never ! Think someone once said you have to earn respect perhaps that's why there was precious little towards the men in black yesterday then. Time wasting, play acting and cynical fouls went almost toally unpunished. The major infringements overlooked and the minor ones were made a big issue of......" move the ball back 2 inches " etc. Too depressing to think any more about the inept whistle blower and we're not talking David Shayler !

I was fortunate to bump into Ketts before the game and we chewed the fat on current goings on. Neither of us totally happy with things of course but trying to be optimistic for an upturn in fortunes.

I was surprised and disappointed that Eccleston didn't start and that he didn't get on until the 82nd minute. No time at all to make an impact although had he not been scythed down he might well have done just that. I felt that two players should have come on when we equalised. Sir Chris needs to address the subs issue as it's not looking like his forte at present.

Don't want to dwell too much on the game. First half absolutely awful and second half better and we deserved to win. Francis as shocking as Llera was good. He'd not played for 5 months Ketts informed before kick off........hadn't appreciated that. Jenkinson was again magnificent ! For one so young and with little match experience, to show the desire, confidence and hunger to take the game by the scruff of the neck suggests a promising career for him.

Other results didn't go our way and we face an MK Dons side on Tuesday that will be full of confidence.

We need those loan players in and fast. Not sure if Elliot's injury keeps him out how that affects our ability to bring two more players in. Sometimes you can get emergency cover for keepers but this is usually after you've used up your loan allowance I think ?

Not looking forward to Tuesday. I've always felt that we'd not lose to the Dons when we've played them before and now I can't see us doing anything else. I'll get it in the neck from the kids at school if we do.......maybe I'll send in a note from my mum on Wednesday morning !

The Queen Vic

2011-03-05T08:56:00.000Z

In the not so distant past this fixture was typically a Friday night away or a Tuesday night at home, mutually inconvenient for both sets of supporters. However, the fixture programme ( in reality five old codgers sitting round a coffee stained table smoking woodbines ) has decided that Les and his team are visiting us today. Jolly good too say I !

I quite like Les, another manager who seems to typify most in this league in being able to get more than he should from his squad. Allied to that is his excellent sense of humour, essential for a league one boss I'd have thought.

Sir Chris is certainly having to earn his corn now. Tuesday's performance was shocking and only Jekinson comes out of it with any credit. Pants probably best describes what we witnessed. That it was so bl**dy cold didn't help matters.

A crowd already halved from the last time out and one wonders what today's turn out will be. We all know that we can ignore the official attendance figure but luckily, with little on the pitch to distract us, I suspect we'll be able to count the punters ourselves.

I don't like Wagstaff starting and playing on the right wing........I like it even less when he's playing up front. We need to stop that nonsense. Another I'm not too enamoured of is Benson, however, fair play to him he did win a few headers and was spotted holding the ball up a couple of times on Tuesday. Indeed late into the game he laid the ball off and made a good run into the box and was a whisker away from getting his head on a cross to score. Perhaps his enforced lay off has done him some good.

Best I don't mention Mr Fortune. Having called for his return he rather, well er let's just say, let me down. He seemed a stranger to a football pitch let alone his team-mates although I did see him " chatting " in rather animated fashion to Mr Dailly late on in the game ! I can only assume the absence of reserve games hasn't helped him.

I'm still with Sir Chris and will not turn on my man in haste. I firmly believe he's got what it takes. If as he says you learn more from defeat than victory then he'll gained a great deal from the last four games ! Come the end of the season he could the most knwoledgable around ! However, as is widely acknowledged Sir Chris will need to get his own team together before we can truly judge him anyway.

I had hoped we'd get a couple of loan players in by now and clearly work is being done in that area but at the moment we don't seem capable of getting a book out of the library ( assuming its not been closed ).

Now is the time for everyone to come to the aid of the party etc. ! I'm not impressed with booing as I've remarked before. It serves no purpose. We all need to do what we can to get behind the team. Some folk are getting so down. I know it matters, I know it hurts but hey, this is Charlton and this is the harsh reality of our team. It's never been easy and I suspect it never will but I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's time to be positive but not in a Toure kind of way........my wife's slimming pill.....my ar*e ! Yes of course, haven't we all !

Sir Chris will get it right and sort it all for us, don't worry about that. My friend, Clive observed that in the interests of symmetry we should now look forward to four draws ! Maybe but at the risk of making myself look an even bigger ar*e ( is this possible ? ) I'm going for 3-1 to us today. Defence tightens up, free flowing football returns and so do the goals as a result !

Come On You Reds !

PS I apologise for the frequent use of the word " ar*e ", what a cheek eh ? I'll try to refrain next time.

Who's Off First ?

2011-03-01T12:57:00.000Z

" Psst...Pawel's off apparently "

" Really ? "

" Yep, gone to Polish up on his football ! "

I missed Friday's defeat at Meadow Lane as I was attending a Milton Jones gig. Not as subtle as Jim Davidson of course and very, very funny. Well worth catching Milton if you get the chance.

I haven't seen anything other than the BBC highlights but it looks like another game where shouldn't have lost and should have come away with a point at least. I know some folk are starting to question Sir Chris but we went down to a goal scored by an ar*e but it wasn't the one we expected. No, indeed Lee Hughes drew a blank on the night.

Even then it took a further deflection off Francis and BWP took a shocking penalty with our regular penalty taker off the pitch. Their keeper should have gone by all acoounts. BWP from reports gave a lacklustre performance. Sounds similar to the Exeter game then where I felt he wasn't trying too hard. It's okay scoring goals but we need to see good commitment.........not sure I'd start with him tonight.

Whilst we acknowledged Sir Chris's luck in those first few games it has certainly disappeared in the last 3 games. Sir Chris is still the man and we all need to give him the backing and support that immediately followed his appointment.

We all know where we need to strenghten and hopefully that will be addressed soon.

Seems like Jackson will be out. I'd bring Fry back, move Jenkinson to right back and push Francis or Joe up to right midfield. However, I fear that Wagstaff will start not something I'd do given his recent performances. I hope he proves me wrong if he does.

Sadly in a number of areas we don't have players under enough pressure due to lack of competition. That's a real shame. I'd like to see Fortune return but can't see that happening.

We really need to win tonight and again on Saturday of course. Here's hoping the lads can win, win big and in style to get us all going again !

Come On You Reds !

Comic Timing

2011-02-24T09:03:00.000Z

" My mother made us eat all sorts of vitamins and supplements, until one day I nearly choked on part of The Sunday Times”

Timing is very important in comedy. That is also true of football. Therefore, it's very disappointing that Sky got its grubby little paws on our game against Notts County. Moving it to tomorrow when I've got tickets to see Milton Jones at the Stables in Milton Keynes ( no relation ) is a real pain. Given the proximity of County's ground it's an away fixture I'd probably have done.

By the way........if you're ever up in MK then I can recommend a trip to the Stables. It's a fantastic place to watch or listen to an act and they get a good variety. Staffed mainly by volunteers, it has been going for just over 40 years and was established by Cleo Laine and her late husband Johnny Dankworth.

Whilst I'm laughing at Milton tomorrow I hope the viewing public isn't laughing at our team. The omens aren't good having lost the last two games and we all know about our record for live televised games.

In addition, we are playing on a cabbage patch. The powers that be really shouldn't allow football and rugby to be played on the one ground. We're copping it at totally the wrong time. It may be alright for the likes of charm merchant Lee Hughes but not for our boys.

Some might suggest that Sir Chris has a lot to do after Saturday but I'd say not, just a couple of adjustments are needed. I'd move Fry or Fortune into the defence in place of Doherty who clearly needs a rest. Other than that Racon for McCormack and move Ecclston over to the right. Job done.

As I said before you can't legislate for our mis-firing forwards and the shocking defending from Doherty second half that cost us big time. Even allowing for those defensive lapses had we taken just half of our chances we'd have won comfortably.

I'm still with Sir Chris. He has the potential to be a very good manager. He and the current board seem to be going about things the right way. It's a total rebuilding job and they are laying the foundations. We all want instant success however let's be patient. I'd rather see Sir Chris flourish and enjoy success at our club than another one.

Come On You Reds !

The Magic Boomerang

2011-02-22T19:15:00.001Z

Boo is the Aboriginal word meaning to return because an ordinary merangue won't come back........with apologies to Milton Jones

The recent time-keeping fiasco against Peterborough again highlighted the issues associated with time added on. At the end of the first half where we saw the ref stretchered off after some lengthy treatment, two players receiving first aid following a clash of heads and a couple of other injuries but only 4 minutes added on. Then at the end of the second period a full 6 minutes were plucked out of thin air when I couldn't recall any timewasting or injury.

I was taken back to my childhood and a tv programme called.........skippy ! No I'm messing, it's the magic boomerang another one from down under. A lad with the said boomerang with certain qualities used to throw it in the middle of some adventure and time and everyone else would stand still except for the lad. Invariably he used the time to tie up some villains or similar before catching it.

Why don't I take my magic boomerang down to the Valley and throw it whenever there's a stoppage and we can all be happy the requisite amount of time has elasped, no arguments and the ref can blow his whistle safe in the knowledge that he is spot on.

Just one problem........I don't have a magic boomerang and between you and me.......I'm not sure if what happened during that 60's tv show was entirely for real.

Sans boomerang, magic or otherwise how could we address the time issue. If only there was another sport that managed to address the problem without any worries whatsoever ! Da dah ! Step forward rugby union ! Every week they cope quite well. Play stops and so does the clock. Central timing and all is hunky dory. No need for irritable Scottish managers with a love of horology to get tetchy.

Seems to work doesnt it. As ever I don't think there's a cat in hell's chance of it ever happening. Much less likely then to witness a law change that would, a la rugby, not see play stop until the ball is dead. How good would that be ! That'd make some games a lot more interesting.

I can but dream.

Rod Lidl

2011-02-21T14:31:00.000Z

Good journalist and good looks......lucky fella. His mum must be so proud.

Rodney, as most of you are probably aware, writes occasionally for the Sunday Times. Rodney is also a Millwall fan as he's proud to let you know each week. He seemingly can't resist mentioning it in the same way he can't seem to resist having a pop at Charlton. It happens so often that you can't help but think the poor man's obsessed with us. Perhaps it's the result of a lifelong regret of not supporting a better and more decent club, i.e. the Addicks, just a few miles down the road.

Anyway his fixation with oursleves does nothing to improve his sub-standard articles. Yesterday was another masterpiece from Rodney. He divulges that he likes a drink and a smoke..........no really ? You'd never guess that from exhibit A above eh ! One can only hope that for his sake he's under the influence of some substace or other when he produces the tosh that somehow is approved for publication. It surely can't be the product of a sober mind.

Lidl hopes that " in form striker Bradley Wright-Phillips gets well and truly clattered one of these days quite soon ". Nice..........

Rodney concludes his insightful piece with " What is the point of football if not for the pleasure of schadenfreude ? ". No surprise in that sentiment from a Millwall fan even if most of them would be clueless to know what he meant by it.

I wonder if next week Lidl might turn his attentions to his own club and supporters who again disgraced themselves on Saturday. Objects thrown at linesman and referee.......ah that'll be the schadenfreude then ! My guess is not. Their manager couldn't bring himself to condemn what happened so why would this third rate journo.

I hope Lidl can receive help for his obsession..........until then I'm not shopping at his supermarkets.

There's a fine line between............

2011-02-20T09:35:00.000Z

.....hyphenated words.

In addition, there's a fine line between success and failure. That was brought into sharp focus at The Valley yesterday. 3 - 1 looks like a heavy defeat but we could easily have scored 5 or 6 ourselves. At 0-0 Abbott hit the bar, had that hit the underside and gone in then it's a different story. How do you legislate for Doherty being so poor and at fault for, in my view, both the 2nd and 3rd goals ? Why did our players mis-fire so spectularly in front of goal ? All that added to a keeper who made some great saves as well as giving us all a headache.

I think we'd have been better with 4-4-2 yesterday but it's hard to argue against Sir Chris when you look at what we created. I think we'd have done even better with Racon starting instead of McCormack or perhaps Reid on from the start and keeping Jackson in the middle. I though JJ got forward well and had some good chances himself. Central midfield does seem a better place for him.

Some will point to Sir Chris and blame him for the defeat yesterday but as I say it could all have been so different such is the nature of sport. Luck seems to have evened itself out as it always does. Aside from making one or two changes at half time or on 60 minutes as I felt we needed to I don't think we point the finger at the manager. The players had ample opportunity to score and Doherty was woeful.

Good to see a packed although we probably wont see it like that again for some time. Charlton have a way of killing the atmosphere eh. Having worked up the crowd with the tenor that got everyone singing we decide to play an interview with Sir Chris. Now I'd like to have heard that but just not at the moment. In any case you couldn't hear it.............not good any of that !

Sadly there was a fight just behind me in the East Stand. Very distressing for the children around it and all so unnecessary of course. Some kids were in tears. You do wonder what the job of a steward is. The one in front of us remained planted in his seat. Just what is he supposed to do other than sit and watch the crowd ?

The heavies eventually arrived after fellow supporters had managed to keep the two antagonists apart. Not a good advert for us. I've never seen that at the Valley before in recent times but I wonder how many children and their parents would believe anyone that said that doesn't happen every week ?

Back to matters on the pitch. Where do we go from here ? Is it down to the lake.........oh sorry ! For me it's..............go 4-4-2 with Eccleston on the right, Reid on the left, Fry in centre defence which may mean Jackson moving to left back which is a shame as I like him central midfield, bring back Racon. There you go......sorted.

Young Jenkinson did well yesterday and offered us more defensively than Francis but even I have to admit we missed the crosses that Francis can provide. Cqn we merge them both into one player ?

For me it's not all doom and gloom and I'm not ready to write off Sir Chris, I think he knows what he's doing leaving aside the myopia as far as McCormack is concerned ! I'm still pleased and happy to have him as our manager. A couple of loan players would greatly help too and I'm sure the boss is looking at his options.

Insert Cliche Here

2011-02-13T09:27:00.000Z

No, not that one !

That's better !

Many would agrue that yesterday's fine win wasn't all down to luck and that's largely true. However, I would just point out that a large slice of good fortune saw that we were sans Benson yesterday. Before the game I said I'd be happy if his backside didn't leave the bench as it turns out of course it didn't even get that far.

We were blessed with a new strike partnership of BWP and Eccleston. As a result we had two players up front who showed good movement and could hold onto the ball. I'm a big admirer of young Eccleston but would like him to calm down when things don't go right. He needs to remember he's playing in the third tier and his team mates are unlikely to play the quality of ball he clearly expects.

The first half is best forgotten and we were fortunate to have only lost one goal and one referee at the break. Talking of officials...........the East Stand lino.........what was that all about ? Dressed like an overgrown teenager and how I wished he'd worn that baseball cap back to front to complete the image............I can only assume that his hair got in his eyes on occasions.

Time added on........hmmm always a bit of fun to guess how much of that you might get. It seems obligatory to have one minute even if bugger all has occured in the way of injuries or delays. How on earth we had only 4 minutes at the end of the first period and then 6 after the 90 minutes is something I'd love to hear explained. Aside from the stoppage for the referee we must have had at least 2 minutes for the two players who clashed heads in the first half.

Frankly I was disgusted of Tunbridge Wells when I heard the booing at half time. Never been in favour of it nor done in my life. We'd just won our previous 3 games, we had one bad half and we got that from some quarters. Not needed, Sir Chris and the team knew it wasn't acceptable. They needed encouragment. Give them the silent treatment if you like but keep the booing for panto thanks.

Mercifully Wagstaff was, as he was during during the opening 45 minutes, withdrawn. For me he remains very much an impact sub at best. His contribution of late has been minimal. We can't afford to carry players and the same was true of McCormack who had a shocker. I hope Sir Chris took note of the cries for " Therry Racon ". McCormack played on one decent pass all afternoon and even he'd have to admit that it wasn't intended !

What an impact Abbott was to have. How it made one think of how shameful it was that Parky didn't give him more an opportunity whilst Benson seemed to be the one who shall not be subbed. Pavel won countless headers, brought others into play and showed some lovely touches. He had a great 51 minutes ( time added on remember ! ).

Our second goal was one of the best I've seen from us in many a year. The movement, passing and execution was superb......more of the same please.

Francis is so frustratng. Clearly ok going forward with the ability to deliver a good cross his defending leaves so much to be desired. I felt that Doherty was as awful first half as he was brilliant in the second.

Picking a man of the match is difficult. The whole team seemed galvanised in the second half. Elliot was great none more so than when saving at the feet of two Posh players late on.......very brave and vital. Semedo probably edges it for me as he kept us going. He was everywhere and so good on the ball seeming to have more time than others. I'm overlooking his needless trip for which he was lucky to get away with scot free. Jose was immense especially when you consider how ineffctual his central midfield partner was. McCormack looked unfit and I'm sure he was running through treacle for most of the second half.

Well done to Sir Chirs for making the right changes and the team for responding with a good second 45 minutes plus " time added on ". Plenty of competition for places which can only be good news as we play catch up with our games in hand.

PC Problems Let's Hope There Are No CP Problems !

2011-02-12T08:14:00.000Z

Problems with my PC mean no photo in today's blogette and as you know that's usually the only reason to look at it. I have to get my mate who knows about these things to restore my PC to full health. Always a pain when this happens I've so much stuff on files that I need, a lot of it lesson planning for school.........hey ho !

Today we take on a rejuvenated Peterborough not that they were necessarily on a slide. Think they were 7th when they sacked the previous manager. Anyway Ferguson junior is back at the helm at the one club he can seemingly do no wrong at. Not sure if that's the case for all managers but if it is then Pardew must live in the hope he can find such a club before he retires. Got off the hook last week didn't he..........aided by some distinctly dodgy refereeing decisions.

One would have though that 0-0 is the most unlikely scoreline today but it might just be worth a punt. My brother religiously had a put on Rufus to score and of course that particular boat eventually came in so who knows eh ?

We'll see if my belief that Sir Chris has got the defence better organised as a unit is correct or not. I don't think we can truly feel comfortable today as even as 2 or 3 nil up you know Posh are capable of coming back at you. I'm hoping that Bessone is back in the side nothing against Fry who I was delighted to see back with us again albeit only for a few more weeks at present. I like the thought that Fry may be used more as a central defender, he'll do a good job for us there I'm sure.

I thought Bessone offered something going forward. If Reid works on the defensive side of his game then that allied to a move inside for Jackson would add something to our team I think.

I know some folk don't rate Racon but I think he gets a hard time from some. He works hard and does play some quality passes at times. I much prefer him to McCormack.

Hard to see past Joe and BWP starting up front. I'd really like to see Ecclestone get a good run out today and partnering one of those two. I'll be happy if Benson's backside doesn't leave the bench today. As ever opinion is divided on him but he needs to do some stregthening work and man up as he's too easily knocked off the ball in a very physical league.

As ever it remains tight at the top and it won't get any clearer after today's games. That'll be the case until all those outstanding matches are played and for all sides, not just us. I expect that it'll go down to the wire for the play-offs places. I still can't see past Brighton and the Saints for the automatic spots.

Let's hope we get the result today.........another 1-0 with a huge slice of luck will do me just fine !

Come On You Reds !

6-1 ! That's really taken the gloss of our Ashes victory down under

2011-02-07T18:58:00.000Z

This particular sporting trophy remains in safe hands.

The headline is steeped in irony of course, not that an Aussie would understand. Thank God that tedious and meanlingless seven match one day stuff ( excluding the 20-20s ) is over. We lost 6 - 1 apparently........really ? Seems so. Who cares ? Not any true cricket lover or England player. Some Aussie or somesuch may say it matters but that just emphasises how they have to cling to any little bit of glory in the offing !

I can't believe I heard one Sky commentator suggest that was the case ( the edge taken of our fine win ) over the weekend and a former English test player at that......can't remember who it was but shame on you sir !

Despite the seemingly increasing popularity of the one day game, test cricket remains the pinnacle. For any Englishman the aim's got to be to be the top test playing nation and holders of the Ashes at the very least. Who remembers top one day batsmen over top class test players ? Only their mums probably.

Not sure who agreed to those pointless matches after the main event. Good preparation for the world cup I heard some say. Yes indeed we've a sick bay the envy of MASH and confidence lower than a penguin's chuff. Those involved are home for a week and then back off again. Bugger all rest for our boys. All for the sake of stuffing a few more dollars in the ACB's coffers. I know we're as guilty when they come over here. I just wish we'd all accept it for what it is..........fund raising and perhaps give a run out to the lesser lights....they could hardly have done worse.

In the only contest that mattered we beat the Aussies 3 - 1 and those 3 wins were all by more than an innings. We are so much better than them in all aspects of the game and at the end of the day " that Mitchell Johnson his bowling is sh**e ! "

Don't get me wrong I'm not totally alien to one day cricket, how could I be having been brought up watching Kent win the lot during the late 60's and 70's........domestically it's fine although a county championship is worth an awful lot more than any one day title of course. It's just the seemingly endless round of one day games and the desire to milk it to the nth degree does no one any favours in an already packed international calendar.

That's illustrated by players asking to miss entire test series. Please don't make me play for my country ! Players of yesteryear will be turning in their graves at the very thought. Too many test nations and too many games as a result of trying to keep all cricket boards sweet. Dilute the product at your peril.

It was clear that England's players had had enough after the Ashes and none of them really wanted to be embark on a pointless series of matches. You didn't need hindsight to know that.

It'd be nice if England win the world cup of course but that's all it is.........nice. It means nothing ! Their over-riding aim should be to be the number one test playing nation. Nothing in cricket can top the excitement of a close, hard fought test match...........well perhaps only being the number one test nation !