Sunday 27 January 2019

Point At Posh

Have we seen the last of Karlan ?

A large away following saw their team just fail to secure all 3 points at London Road ( I'm not calling it anything else ).

The away support this season has been excellent and steadily increasing as the Addciks have been on such a good run. Bowyer is always quick to acknowledge this and did so post match again yesterday.

It appears we played the better football especially during the second half. The second 45 minutes saw Grant's rather tepid penalty comfortably saved. As it appears that young Karlan could be on his way to pastures new he will be disappointed with that but as was seen in the Chelsea - Spurs league cup semi penalties are never easy and even the best players miss them.

Steve Evans was dismissed immediately following the game and few will shed a tear over that. No doubt he'll back in charge somewhere soon such is the way of the managerial merry-go-round.

The last few days would appear to have dealt the Addicks a double blow in their promotion bid. Our recent fine run has given rise to the possibility of securing one of the two automatic spots but with Taylor's ban and Grant apparently on his way that looks an increasingly difficult task.

Who knows to what extent Bowyer will be backed in his quest to secure replacements ? Whatever, he and Steve Gallen have a hectic and trying few days as they try to do so.

All will become clear when the Addicks next take to the pitch at Fleetwood. We can only hope that if Grant does go Bowyer is able to bring in the players he wants. Here's hoping !


Sunday 20 January 2019

Busby Had A Bird's Eye View !


of course he did !


Me too me hearties !

A rather lacklustre and disappointing game came to life in the last 10 mins of normal time. Upto then Charlton had played the better football without finding the clinical finish needed to overcome a resilient Stanley side.

Accrington slowed things down, wasting time where they could and were pretty physical throughout. Their game plan was obvious but we really ought to overcome them with greater ease.

Williams had a fine game and looks every bit the quality player many have said he is. Admittedly Pratley had a fine game last week but we looked better and created more with the introduction of Reeves and Fosu. 

Reeves impresses me more with every game he plays. It was good to see him back. 

Phillips collected another clean sheet with another fine performance where he pulled out two fines saves, one in each half. It's good to see him doing well and getting a run in the side.

The late drama arose from a corner which Beilek converted and seemingly without any foul from anyone. Busby ( he of the bird's eye view ) saw something and then sent off both keeper and Taylor. 

The referee had to wait a while before brandising the red card as Stanley players carried a rather unpleasant attack on our number 9. Having watch some footage it's not clear what the referee saw that either player had done.

That footage also shows the kicks that were landed on Taylor and a Stanley player who came from nowhere to stamp on his head. I hope that he receives a lengthy ban for that along with every other player who resorted to that.

Into time added on and Reeves shot was blocked by the hand of an Accrington player. Under present laws it's handball all day long. Grant, unlike the majority of Stanley players, kept his composure to fire the penalty home and secure the 3 points.

Queue more outrage from the Accrington boys and a mini-pitch invasion which saw an exuberent Addick slip and catch Beilek in the plums. Ouch ! Still the win will have eased the pain!

John Coleman didn't appear for the post match interviews as he sent out his assistant, Jimmy Bell in his stead. Jimmy said he couldn't understand how the ref sent off Maxted as he had a bird's eye view. When one considers the former BT bird that featured in those ads from years ago, quite a good line.

Of course, it's factually incorrect as it implies that the official has somehow hovering about the pitch although he did seem to be a bit of a bird brain at times! Jimmyaccused Taylor of assualting their keeper although I can't see any evidence of that.

Mind you our Jimmy also thought it wasn't a penalty and as I said, the video suggests nothing other than it was.

A mixed day for Stanley with their owner impressing pre-match when meeting Addicks fans and we can only dream of having an owner like that at present.

Their players rather let the side down with aggressive and boorish behaviour that did little for their club.

The Addicks remain in 4th although with Portsmouth and Sunderland dropping points it was enough to close the gap at the top.

We have some momentum at the moment although that will clearly be impeded should the appeal over Taylor's red card not be upheld. He will be amssive loss expecially since Ajose albeit not the best striker now plying his trade elsewhere.

Should Taylor not be at Posh next week then a hugh follwoing of Addicks certainly wll be. Bowyer will again want another 3 points particularly from the odious Evans and considering the manner of the defeat at The Valley.