Tough As Iron

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

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

" 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

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

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

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 ?

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.