Charlton Sign Yoda

" Obika told me good Charlton are "

This is what Milos is quoted as saying according to the Charlton facebook page announcing his arrival. Clearly we got a good reference from Jonathan Obi Wan Kenobi !

Finally, the powers that be have decided to replace Francis Coquelin at last. Not before time and whilst Coquelin's return to Arsenal has been great for him it's been awful for us. I don't think one can understate how much we've missed him.

Hopefully our latest North London recruit will prove as successful whilst staying somewhat longer. I'm informed by a Spurs supporting work colleague that he is either a ball playing centre half or a defensive midfielder.

Surely he'll come straight into Saturday's side for the trip to Molineux. After the Watford fiasco it sounds like only two or three players deserve a place, sadly our threadbare squad means there's little threat to most players' places.

Recent events have been well covered by many blogs and in better than fashion that I could manage. One would have thought that Roly would have at the least been sufficiently embarrassed by them to at the very least make some sort of statement. Quite how this man has made any money is beyond me. Then again, running a football club is not like any other business.

There have been so many shameful aspects of recent events. Katrien has well and truly been hung out to dry by our Belgian owner. She has been found wanting but it's not entirely of her own making. I found her comment in explanation of Roly's absence from the recent press interview very telling....." he wouldn't want to waste his time ". 

Katrien quickly tried to retract that but it was too late and the cat was out of the bag. That view must have come from somewhere and one suspects especially in the light of events of the last few days that Roly does feel it's a waste of time to be present at the announcement of a new manager.

Whether Roly attends games or not really doesn't bother me and I don't expect him to be over here on a regular basis. However, when things have gone as bad as they have you would have thought a statement was the very least you would expect.

I say this because given the battering our CEO has taken lately you'd expect any decent person would step in to defend her or explain his view and take some responsibility. 

I accept that he treats us with contempt and now it appears that this extends to his direct reports. Whilst some of what Katrien has suffered has been brought on by herself and she has shown herself to be a little naive and unprepared I do feel some sympathy for her. 

Clearly she is a capable and intelligent woman and surely she doesn't have to rely on working for the Belgian. I do wonder if she has had serious thoughts of walking away. I'm sure she didn't sign up for being Roly's mouthpiece for the rest of her career.

As far as I'm aware Luzon still doesn't have a work permit. Most folk would see that as a perfect facesaver by way of appointing someone else to the job whilst saying you felt it was important for the new man to start asap.

Mike Phelan is also now available. There's another candidate to add the list that as we know is at least 20 names long !

It has been about the most embarrassing period in my time of supporting the Addicks. A few weeks ago and we were laughing at Millwall losing games heavily whilst conceding 5 goals. Now we're doing the same.

The sad thing is that I can easily envisage us swapping places with them. If Millwall carry on their truly awful run then Holloway will go. The Lions will then do the sensible thing that we've failed to do and appoint a manager ( probably British ) with a good knowledge and experience of league football. He will then comfortably guide them to safety as they wave us on our merry way to League One. 

To be sailing on the wind of better days seems a long way off !

How Do You Make A Belgian Waffle ?

Unlike the waffle above the head coach fiasco wasn't at all savoury.

The answer to the question is of course to tell her that the head coach is safe, there are no plans to sack him and then do exactly that a couple of days. This having allowed her to go to print first.

Follow that up by getting her to relay to the fans that thoughts of a dismissal hadn't crossed anyone's mind until Sunday. Add to that a large dollop of how the search for his successor will be an exhaustive one and one that most be got right for the long term future of the club.

There you are.......you have the perfect waffle and the egg seen above is perfect for putting on Katrien's face. 

Either Ms Meire knew what was to happen along or she was made to look rather silly by Roly. If it's the latter then I feel sorry for her. However, at least she gets paid for having to swallow and recycle this nonsense. Us fans are are paying HIM for the privilege !

Now, we all know pretty much how Roly likes to run his football clubs. No problem with that it's his prerogative. Move all staff around clubs, keep costs low and invest in youth. That's my understanding of how Roly plays things. 

I like many others are not impressed with being taken for fool and fed a load of b*****it. I'd rather he was straightforward making it clear what he intended to and say so..........as I said it's his prerogative.

The " long term " future of the playing side of the club has seen Luzon rewarded with an 18 month contract. I wasn't expecting one of Pardewesque proportions but only a mayfly would view 18 months as long term.

Roly's search for new head coaches extends to looking down the back of his sofa and seeing who's there. A little silly really as he has invested quite heavily in our club. One presumes he wants to see a return on his investment or to break even at least. 

I've no issues with Guy Luzon and like the similarly Roly appointed Jose Riga he may turn out to be rather good. However, to give yourself and the club the best chance then surely you'd look for a tried and tested football league manager. Hell, at the very least you'd swallow your pride and go to Riga with the biggest of olive branches.

A proven manager like Mick McCarthy for example shows you what you with someone like that. He's spent next to nothing and got the club at the top of the league. The football may not be the best but it's not that bad and winning beats the hell out of losing.

Manager like Mick also have a wealth of knowledge and contacts to back that up. They know who can do a job for them and where to get them.

This whole episode is a sorry one and I was more surprised with the outcome of James Cameron's Titanic movie ! 

As I say his football model and the appointment of Luzon may ultimately turn out for the good but at the moment it doesn't look too clever. I am concerned......

   

Where Seagulls Dare !

It's Steven......Steven Seagull......

I note that the club are doing a special food deal on Saturday. Amongst the offerings is cut price fish and chips. Do we never learn ! Those pesky seagulls will swoop down an be off with them quick as a flash leaving tearful children all round S.E. 7. 

Come 5pm and they could be joined by thousands of tearful adults should the footballing seagulls make off 3 points in their beaks ! 

As we’ve seen from various reports all is not well within The Addicks’ dressing room. Stories of unrest and rumours of Bob and at least some players not seeing eye to eye are not good.

Further suggestions that the manager may be replaced soon don’t help either even if they don’t appear to hold much water. 

There have been some signings this week and normally that would in itself raise spirits and be cause for a little optimism at least. However, that these are mostly from within the network dulls that a little. This is exacerbated when the individuals concerned have not exactly been pulling up any trees of late ! 

It’s only right that we reserve judgement of course. Despite an apparent suspect temperament, Watt clearly has some talent and we have to hope that this will come to the fore and that Bob can get him focused. 

                                                                                              

Ketts on Doctor Kish reported that Bob has been on a scouting this week. Let’s hope that he is allowed to bring in a few more as we desperately need reinforcements.

I do believe that Bob has potential as early start saw him make an immediate and positive impact. Of late though as problems have arisen he has shown something of a lack of judgement. 

It’s in these difficult times you need to show your mettle and earn your corn. We’d all acknowledge a paper thin squad but you need to make the most of whatever hand you’re dealt. The recent lack of consistency in team really doesn’t help. Neither does what appear to be instances of poor man management. 

Our skipper epitomises what Charlton is all about and it’s a mistake to fall out with or alienate him. Quite the reverse I’d suggest as I’d keep him close and make him one of my main confidants. Jackson is a vital link between Bob and the players and also the fans. Use him well ! 

Our recent run means that Saturday’s game has become rather important and 3 weeks ago Brighton would have been ideal opposition. However, Hyypia has now gone, Nathan Jones did an excellent job of a short term fix and the capable Chris Hughton in now at the helm. 

Following the departure of Hyypia Brighton’s fortunes have seen an upturn. Not least in that O’Grady is scoring again following his recall from loan and we’ve got Nathan Jones to thank for that ! 

At least we won’t have to face Darren Bent as nice as it would have been to see him grace the Valley turf one more.

Last time out we were doubled dunked and hopefully we won't see a repeat of that. Please God that we don't go a goal up early on and try to hold on. We need to be more adventurous from the outset and keep going for it.

I've really no idea what side Bob will put out. I do hope we see Watt at some stage. Aside from that we need to play players in their preferred and most suited positions.

It's crunch time, the chips are down, we need a top effort from all concerned because this'll be a tough one.

Come On You Reds !



Bud and Lou React To Charlton's Latest Signing

Abbott: How do you how do you like my football club Lou?
Costello: Hey, I hear they've signed a new player ?
Abbott: Certainly.
Costello: Who is he ?
Abbott: Watt.
Costello: I said, who is he ?
Abbott: Watt !
Costello: Who's the new player ?
Abbott: No, Watt's the new player
Costello: What's the new player ?
Abbott: Yes !
Costello: What or who is the new player ? 
Abbott: You sure gonna get me mad ! I've already told you Watt's the new player !
Costello: Oh I know they give those football players awful funny names.
Abbott: You think that's funny ? Just wait till he joins the St Louis Wolves baseball team !


Next week :- Bud and Lou discuss former Addick Darren Pitcher's move to baseball..........

My Cup Runneth Over

 

A break from league action tomorrow for our boys and for some it may be a break altogether if Bob decides to rest some players. Mind you he's not got many options in that regard with the injury list and size of our squad such as they are !

 

I had intended to go tomorrow but my usual partners in crime aren't going, I don't fancy it on my own and to be fair I do have some other matters to attend to ( I know, I know, what could be more important than football ? ).

 

We all know our record in cup competitions, not just the FA one. Occasionally we offer some false hope of getting a sniff of Wembley even if it's just the semis but we always get let down.......see last season for the most recent example.

 

The tie isn't appealing to the fans of either side to be honest. Both teams may want to rest players with an eye on the league but for differing reasons. Rover will believe they've a sniff of the playoffs and we desperately need to arrest a poor run of form.

 

As so often seems to be the case we face Brighton next up in the league at a time when they've relieved Hyypia of his managerial duties. His replacement, Chris Hughton, knows the league well and is a very capable manager and I'll not be surprised to see them move up the table.

 

It's nigh on impossible to predict what eleven Bob will put out. He could use the occasion to try out some untested players and formations. Last season the cup saw the emergence of Diego Poyet who ultimately went onto to scoop the player of the year award of course. He played a massive part in securing our safety and cannot be ignored whatever folk may feel about his departure.

 

It would be nice to see another youngster come to the fore although I think they'll have to do it 90 minutes because it's hard to see us progressing beyond the 3rd round even if Rovers do field a slightly weakened squad.

 

The worse scenario is a draw of course so it might be worth putting a few quid on that ! I believe Pitcher is on standby for the replay !

 

Good luck if you are going and I do hope that we get a win. I'd never want to see us lose and in any case, a win would be good for morale. It'd be great to be in the 4th round draw and then..........who knows !

 

Come On You Reds !

 

 





Suffolk Punched !

One leg for each of the goals Ipswich scored this season and being a gelding the ratio of testicles to goals scored by us in proportion too !

Best we gloss over last night's Portman Road performance. In truth with the form we and they are in it was only to be expected. Whilst we have pulled a few away results out of the bag such Norwich and Reading it's at home where our failure to hold onto leads or to see out draws that our problems lie.

Bob's earlier glossy sheen is starting to look a little tarnished even accepting a paper thin squad. He needs to make better use of what he does have available.

In respect of some players he's in danger of repeating some of Curbs early errors in remaining too loyal to some underperforming players or those simply lacking in confidence. 

He also should ensure that the best players for each position play there when fit and available. The experiment of Solly in midfield for example was a flawed one.

I'm sure we'd all like to see some new faces in January but only if they are adding value to the squad. Given Roly's intentions of running a tight ship this doesn't seem likely..........we can but hope.

Goodness knows what 2015 hold for the Addicks. For the UK there is a general election looming large on the horizon. As things stand at the moment I'd not be surprised to see a repeat of 1974 with two election in the same year.

The rise of the SNP since the independence debate suggests that Labour will lose many seats to them. Similarly, UKIP appear as though they will take several Tory seats, a few Lib Dems and the odd Labour one too.

A minority Government is a very real prospect. It's not hard to envisage the Lib Dems losing votes all over and they are unlikely to be able to offer the prospect of power to either Tory or Labour in the same way they did in 2010.

None of the parties has much going for them such is the way politics has become so diluted and it's the age of the sound bite rather than conviction politics. Clearly the NHS, immigration and the deficit will be the main focus but no party seems clear on any of it or can be totally trusted in my view. Voter apathy might reach new levels especially if my view is typical !

Hopefully the apathy will be restricted to politics and not spread to The Valley. We need new players, a more positive approach and to return to the early season football that we witnessed in August and September.

Thanks as always to the good folk at Doctor Kish especially Ketts. Thank you to fellow bloggers who do a far better job than me in writing about our splendid club. Thanks to those that comment ( even those lovely Bolton fans ! ). Thank you if you read this occasional nonsense.

May all of you have a fantastic evening and I wish everyone a wonderful 2015 !

Come On You Reds !

Merry Christmas !

Hey Santa ! Have you got a striker in there for us ?

Last Saturday is best forgotten for a number of reasons. In terms of Charlton lots of lessons to be learned for Bob I think.

Don't play the same team that couldn't secure 3 points against a poor Blackpool side. Don't continue to play a keeper low on confidence when one of your experienced summer targets is on the bench. Don't play your best players out of their natural positions.

As much as Cardiff won't come to the Valley on Boxing Day full of confidence they'll prove a tough nut to crack especially if the displays against the aforementioned rock bottom club and Rovers is anything to go by. 

Let's hope the Welsh side over indulge on Christmas Day and come with a leeky defence ! Who needs cracker jokes eh !

We need to turn the corner and fast. Ipswich away in a few days is hardly what the doctor ordered is it ? I know we've pulled a few rabbits out the hat before but I really can't see us getting diddly squat from Portman Road.

If you're looking for positives then the fact that I'll not be at the Valley on Boxing Day is perhaps one. I missed the 5-4 Cardiff game the last time we played them and I won't be too upset to miss it again provided we get the same outcome.

We always seem to be at home on Boxing Day and it's again a 1pm kick off. Not great for those of us living away from S.E.7. No public transport and with no desire to refrain from drinking on Christmas Day means it's a no go for me. 

Far from ideal for Cardiff fans either. I'm not sure who programs the computer these days but I'm sure I could do a better with pen and paper !

The total nonsense of fixtures sees Norwich at home to Millwall  and Ipswich away to Brentford. The fixture computer...........programmed with you in mind !

I wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas. 

I hope you have a great time and may that please include 3 points on Boxing Day !

Come On You Reds !