Long To Reign Over us !

We were witness to all of the above yesterday....the heavy petting came after they scored their third...urghh !

The weather played its part in ruining the fortunes of both my favourite sporting teams this week. I was at Canterbury on Wednesday and Thursday as Kent played Gloucs. On the Thursday heavy rain saw a delayed start but following a 2pm pitch inspection play started at 2.20pm. Very impressive especially when one considers the farcical situation at The Valley yesterday. Sadly yesterday's rain also put paid to Kent's chance of winning their game too.

How can it be that cricket can dry out an area so much larger than that of a football pitch. Why would every league football club not a have a super soaker or whatever it's called. Why could covers not have been placed over the pitch on Friday / Saturday prior to kick off ? Not an entirely unreasonable expectation in this day and age. The expenditure would soon be recouped I'm sure.

What of yesterday's officials then especially referee Collins ( pictured above ). At kick off there was an enormous amount of surface water. I didn't arrive until kick off but it should have clear to him that it needed addressing as the rain was not easing off. He could easily have delayed the kick off whilst the ground staff worked on the pitch or to see how the pitch was going to be affected.

In the lead up to their second goal a cross from the right stopped dead on the penalty spot before it was hoofed away after Hamer was unsure whether to collect it or not. I'd say it may be possible to continue the game if an area, say by the corner flag, is saturated but in the middle of the goal ? I think not.

The pitch was at its worst in our half and more so on the East Stand side. I'm not going to criticise our defence under those conditions as I don't see how they could perform with any degree of confidence.

The referee and his indecisiveness was truly awful. I'm sorry but I fail to see how anyone can defend him. As I said it was clear from the opening 5 minutes that the pitch wasn't playable. The amount of water coming up every time any player ran on it was testament to that. It got worse and so it dragged on.   

Irrespective of the score the only questions the referee had to consider was whether the pitch was fit for purpose and safe. Clearly it wasn't. The decision to suspend the game was madness especially as it still raining and it didn't stop when he decided a resumption was in order. I had retired to the bar during the hiatus but I understand that the referee and his assistants didn't come out and try passing a football in all areas of the pitch. Absolute folly !

Prior to the restart the ball was being bounced in our penalty area ( by Pope I think ), well I say bounced but it was in fact dropped and never got off the ground !

I don't care how new / inexperienced Mr Collins is but it was just a case of common sense, unlike the weather, he was distinctly balmy !

Donny fans may feel aggrieved ( and I had a less than erudite conversation with one of them on the station later on. Apparently our players are pussies etc. I did point out who made the decision to call it off but he wasn't listening and seemed keen to use his fists rather than words so I left him to his own devices ! ) but the game had to be called off and shouldn't have gone on as long as it did.

During what play was possible it was clear that Cousins is more than comfortable at this level particularly if he can perform under those conditions. I do hope that Sir Chris sticks with him he's looking like the one person capable of providing the creativity we need from midfield.

We now face another Yorkshire side on Tuesday and Sir Chris faces a difficult task in selection. Personally I hope he keeps faith with the players who served him so well against Oxford. Let's hope it's a dry late August evening eh ? 

  

JC Inspires Church of Valley Faithful To Comeback From The Dead

JC praise be !

I wasn't at Oakwell so can only report on what I've read from others. Obviously a poor first half and for the early part of the second. For those of us who've been critical of Sir Chris in his use of the subs then he wasn't shying away from the use of them today. The introduction of Cort and Cousins at half time shows that.

It was ultimately to pay dividends of course with Cousins scoring the first of our two goals. Church added a second in scoring his debut league goal for us and repaying Powell's faith in starting him ahead of Sordell.

It seems as if Stephens has already been transferred, mentally at least, judging by the feedback from fans at the game.

It may only be one point but hopefully that one point and the manner in which it was gained will kick start the season for us. Next week will be another big game and don't let anyone think Donny will be easy, they won't.

Elsewhere....... if you haven't seen the lead up to Watford's penalty today then make sure you do. Ludicrous. I thought that Chris Ashton has swapped sports ! No change for Watford from last season then it seems. 

  

Old Jokes Revisited No.354

Ian McMillan walks into a pub.....the landlord says " you're bard ! ".

In honour of Barnsley F C's poet in residence, I've penned a poem myself ahead of tomorrow's game.

The Clash Of The Titans

Forecast says dull and grey,

For Barnsley..... away.

And the weather looks no better.

Clash of the Titans.

Our fans hope for a repeat of last season's feat,

But let's be honest,

Just one nil would be neat,

Clash of the Titans.

Our fans on the ale consuming some firkins,

Before later on the day,

The midfield chases Perkins,

Clash of the Titans.

Others drink ale by the yard,

Ahead of the last game,

We play sans Pritchard,

Clash of the Titans.

A tough start for Powell,

But he'll not throw in the towell,

It's just not his style,

Clash of the Titans.

We'll watch and we'll listen,

But whatever the score,

Win, lose or draw,

We'll be back at TheValley,

As always, next Saturday,

Clash of the Titans.

Rather like my pathetic attempt at poetry, tomorrow's game is not exactly a mouthwatering prospect. As always respect to those travelling to Oakwell. I hope you will finally see the lads secure the first points of the season.

None of the off-field shenanigans helps us and no matter what some folk might say, players are bound to be affected in some way by it. That's not me trying to defend last week's performance, that was shocking and very uncharacteristic of a Chris Powell side. No, just an observation that with seemingly no player's future or even the club's being in any way secure, it sure don't help !

How should we approach this game I don't hear you ask. I think we need to go for it given that Barnsley will be as nervous as us and they should be under more pressure given that they are at home. A possible 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 I'd suggest. Church probably deserves a chances and no matter what I'd get Piggott on at some stage. He has shown enough and is keen and can play without fear.

It saddens me to say but Green doesn't deserve another chance and I feel Wilson is now the better bet. I'm certain Solly plays better when he or Pritchard is there. It seems Stephens wants to go up north, we're playing there tomorrow so why not give him a chance to impress ( I won't be sad to see him go, just gutted we didn't take the Villa bid.........even Mr Magoo would have seen that as a good opportunity ).

I'm far from confident surprisingly but let's hope we can get our season started tomorrow.

Come On You Reds ! 

Wilde About Dorian

Picture of Dorian - you'll never guess where I found it.....

About the only bright spot from Saturday was how well Dervite played. Somewhat like Andy Hughes towards the end of last season it's a little difficult to put your finger on what he does. He can almost go unnoticed.

I can't recall him having had a bad game. He can and has played in midfield too of course where I think he does an equally good job. 

We'll have to hope that other teams don't notice him too much either as, like so many others, his contract expires at the end of the season. 

Dorian started out at La Madeleine of which Dorian recalls little as he has problems with a remembrance of things past although he remembers it being a piece of cake.

Dervite joined Lille in 1999 and stayed for 7 years until he joined the Tottenham youth team in 2006. Sadly a knee injury in January 2007 sidelined him for a few months. Keen to make up for lost time, he joined Southend on loan in Janaury 2009 where impressed and was runner up for player of the year despite only playing half a season.

In 2010 he joined Villareal B playing just 23 games until his departure in 2012 to join Charlton.

He has played for the French under 16's through to under 21's with his last international appearance in 2009. Still only 25 who's to say that he might not yet make a full international appearance for his country.

Dervite had to wait a while before establishing himself in the team something he has now achieved. Following Saturday's defeat to Boro he has called for his teammates to remain calm, be patient, work hard and approach treat each game with seriousness and respect. Clearly he appreciates the importance of being earnest and this should stand him in good stead. 

Allez Dorian !

  

Dire

Dire about sums it all up. We were woeful and Tuesday evening seems a lifetime away. Only Dervite had anything like a good game. Yann had probably his worst day in a Chalrton shirt which speaks volumes.

A performance that was unexpected unlike the post match comments where unsurprisingly Sir Chris did not make comments about expecting to beat teams like Middlesbrough at home. He duly acknowledged a poor performance by his side something not all other managers do eh readers !

The Middlesbrough Mourinho

The photogenic Tony Mowbray. A copy of his comments will no doubt be on the dressing room wall but probably not his photo........Sir Chris won't want to frighten the mascots !

Mr Motivator comes to S.E.7 on Saturday. Sadly for him he seems only capable of motivating our boys given his pathetic post match comments following our 2-2 draw with them back in April. 

You don't expect to beat any team in this league not least one that is higher placed and on an excellent run. Poor old Tone, perhaps he was trying to deflect from his side's poor run. The club's website seems to be suffering the same affliction as at the time of writing it records Saturday's 2-1 reverse to Leicester as a 2-0 home win !

The poor start to the season continued on Tuesday when his side went of the Capital One Cup to Accrington Stanley. Post match and one expected Mowbray to borrow the words of Stanley's most fan in announcing that " we flippin' murdered 'em ! ". Defeat on Saturday may see the end of his tenure, what a loss that'd be eh ?

Tuesday night's emphatic win will have given Sir Chris some food for thought although if Skip is fit I'd expect just him and Green to come into the side. As well as all the others did in overcoming Oxford, I'd be surprised if he changed the starting eleven other than that.

On the bench there's every reason to suggest that Church and Pigott may find themselves a place. I was impressed with both of them and would like to see them given every opportunity this season.

I'm off to Colchester Zoo tomorrow which I'm looking forward to as it has a good reputation. In preparation for Saturday a visit to Chimp world would seem to be in order. If we win on Saturday then perhaps the press room at The Valley will resemble Chump world as Tone tries to explain away another defeat.

Come On You Reds ! 

Church Double Leaves Oxford Without A Prayer

Super Simon wins over the Valley faithful

Things didn't look good as the train journey from Milton Keynes was beset with delays that meant my appointment with with a pint or two of Harveys best in Greenwich was a good 45 minutes later than it should have been. Fortunately the Addicks cheered me up later with a fine performance that secured a win. 

The club website promised a couple of changes to the side that played on Saturday. A couple clearly being a euphemism for ten then as only Hamer remained from the eleven that began the campaign at Dean Court.

It's a rare that one is able to report on a comfortable cup win for the Addicks but make no mistake, this was just what is was. When compared to other, and perhaps more fancied sides that exited the competition last night and with more senior players, then it reflects well on our boys.

Oxford never really got going or threatened and you'll find more flair in a pair of Oxford bags ( sorry ). However, they had made a couple of changes themselves and as was shown on Saturday, they will do well this season. Clearly in Potter they have an exciting and attacking player, sadly we didn't see much of him.

Oxford did have a few chances and couple fell to Constable ( wearing the number 9, surely he's lacking another couple of 9's there ! ) who sadly for the U's shot wide.

As I noted before, Sir Chris had to balance the desire for a cup run against the need to keep his regulars fresh for the game on Saturday. He got it just right yesterday.

Clearly the team had been instructed to play a patient, passing game as we prodded and probed for openings. Sadly a few Addicks desired more direct approach but when we did do this long balls were mopped up by the U's and possession surrendered.

I can't think that any player had a bad game. Captain Cort put his body on the line a few times as he led by example. Wood didn't put a foot wrong in tackling well and was commanding when heading the ball. Church showed good awareness and movement and of course, bagged a brace.

I'd not seen young Pigott play before, however, I now fully understand why folk are so fulsome in their praise of young Joe. He really does have some promise and I hope we get to see him at the Valley for a good few years to come.  

Church's first goal on 18 minutes settled the early nerves for us supporters, if not the players. It appeared to come from rebound off Pigott that left Simon with the goal pretty much at his mercy. He fired home comfortably to get off the mark in his Charlton career.

The rest of the half witnessed more patient play from the Addicks with a splattering of half chances for both teams. A goal late in the first half or early in the second is always good and Green provided just that on 48 minutes when his low driven free kick went through a sea of players to find the back of the net albeit possibly via a deflection.

It was just reward for Danny who was impressive and I hope he retains his place for the visit of Boro.

You'd expect to find a Church on the end of a cross and on 53 minutes we saw exactly that as Pigott delivered one but sadly Church had lost his way and was unable to convert from 6 yards. Salvation was just around the corner though as on 57 minutes a neat turn and first time shot saw Simon double his tally for the evening. 

3-0 then and for once we could relax a bit and I was hoping that Cousins and Jordan would get at least 15 minutes each. Sadly we only got a 5 or 6 minutes cameo from Cousins who managed to win a penalty in that time as he was upended in the box.

Fortunately for those of a nervous disposition or long standing Addicks as we're other wise known we were to witness only this one penalty and not the usual ten that results in us going out of the cup !

There was then a bit of a bun-fight over who should be taking it between the legal sounding trio of Pigott, Green and Sordell. It was unclear as to who Sir Chris wanted to take the penalty although I think we can safely assume it wasn't my mate Clive whose Club Day penalty wasn't the best to grace the Valley !

I'm pleased to say that Pigott won the argument and he dispatched the spot kick to cap a very good evening for the young man. Well done sir !

We can look forward to Thursday's draw. I'm hoping for a Prem team at home with Everton being my team of choice. In the meantime, we have Boro on Saturday..........I'm looking forward to that.