Bete Noir Et Deja Vu Encore !

Yann - Il est magnifique

Le samedi, elle était charmante et ensoleillée contrairement à samedi dernier et il était donc trop pour Athletic Charlton sur le terrain.

A la grande surprise de tous les Addicks gagner!

Un performance tres bien d'Athletic Charlton !

Matty James est un enfant terrible avec les mots grossiers à l'arbitre ! 

Le trois cinq deux formation a été une surprise !

Le gaffer, Monsieur Chris Powell est le tactician supérieure !

Le keeper de Cité - les shots, tres bien - les crosses, médiocre ! Monsieur Schmeichel comme son père sans le nez rouge !

Tout le monde a été fantastique !

Les specators étaient fantastiques !

Un jour formidable !

Allez les rouges !

* Today's post was dictated to Philippe by Monsieur Kermogant. Merci Yann !

Over Land and Sea........

Sir Chris's good friend and mentor Nigel Pearson

We couldn't really have a tougher game tomorrow than playing Leicester. In some ways we'd probably be better off playing almost anyone away given our current situation. The players seem low on confidence, the pressure is on and the natives will no doubt be restless.

The transfer window still being open doesn't help and one or two players may be making their swansong appearances on Saturday. The sooner the window closes the better and perhaps players can be more focused without that distraction.

Our defence which has served us so well over the previous two seasons suddenly seems all at sea. Prior to the start of this season it was obvious we were unlikely to match the achievements of last term. I felt that mid table would be a success. I was confident we could do that given that the first choice back 5 were still here. For some reason and probably as part of the general malaise the rearguard has been more of a chocolate fireguard. 

It's difficult to be positive about any aspect of the club whether on or off the pitch. However, this is Charlton and the majority of us has been there, done that and got the t-shirt. It's not easy been a fan of most football clubs with Charlton it's mostly been bloody hard work.........yet we're still here eh ?

Those tough times ( too many to mention ! ) were not for the faint-hearted and they're not now. However, frustrating it may be we really need to get fully behind Sir Chris and the players not matter how poor any of them may be. Moaning and especially booing won't help in any way whatsoever. We saw against Cardiff at home last season how positive and vocal support can help the team..........we need the by the bucket load at the moment.

Leicester are a good side and in great form and they have an excellent manager in Pearson who is now in his second term at City. He has twice missed out on play-off success in recent times both as a result of penalty shoot outs such is the fine line between success and failure in sport.

Missing out in such fashion usually has a galvanising effect on a team and Leicester's start to this campaign suggests that is the case for them.

I'll be glad if we get anything from tomorrow but I can't see it myself. Aside from what I've written above we still don't know our best side or come to that, formation. I do hope that Cousins starts as I really like the look of him, he has great promise.

It's hard to be upbeat but tomorrow morning I'll set off in anticipation as always because on a Saturday where else would you rather be than at The Valley ?

We will follow the Charlton over land and sea etc !

Come On You Reds !

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 !