Two Wins and A Rather Splendid Book

My mood has improved significantly since my last post. A couple of wins and unexpected ones at that often have that effect.

Enough has been written about those victories over Wednesday and Brum that I have nothing of value to add ( as usual I hear you cry ! ).

It’s not just those results that have brought an upturn in my outlook and like a couple of other bloggers I would draw your attention, if it hasn’t already been drawn, to Steve Bridges’ rather splendid book, Charlton In Pictures 1975-2015.

My order was delivered on Friday and upon arriving home I couldn’t resist a quick browse…..well, by quick I mean 30 to 40 minutes !

The book contains some lovely photos from the last 40 years and will no doubt stir a lot of memories and overwhelmingly good ones at that ! It has the advantage also of being one of those books that you can pick up every now and then to have a quick read.

Steve has now secured enough orders / interest to be able to authorise another print run so further copies will now be available. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Again as others have said the book will make a decent Christmas present for any Addick. If you check out Steve’s website ( there’s a link on Wyn Grant’s blog ) you'll find full details and you can also order copies of the photos should you wish.

What ? Not The Doctor Ordered ?

Oh Matron !

Having been suffering from man flu for over a week now the last thing I need is a follow up to the pathetic MK Dons display. However, it’s hard to believe that we’ll witness anything other than a repeat performance and maybe worse against a Wednesday team that is bang in form.

It’s worth a punt on 3-0 but I fear it may be more than that.

I needed to see the doctor at the start of the week. He advised me to use a nasal spray for my cold but tells me there’s no drug in world to cure me of my strange addiction to Charlton.

Talking of medical folk, the rumours of former Chelsea doctor Eva Caneiro joining the club remain strong. Unlike some of our more recent appointments she’ll have plenty to do and would no doubt be a more than useful addition to the medical team.

Oh Roly !

However, whatever problems we have at the moment I don’t think the recruitment of the good lady doctor should high on the list. Roland seems keen on adding another young filly to the fold. What a Carry On ! It’s not hard to envisage him in the Sid James role !

As I said in my previous post I don’t think I’ve a Charlton side so dispirited and at odds with itself. There were plenty of disagreements and we appeared totally unorganised. On several occasions two of our boys challenged for the same ball….a sure sign that there’s trouble at mill !

Aside from the unnecessary booing of Poyet the chanting of “ you’re not fit to wear the shirt “ was as depressing for me. Whatever you think these boys are all we’ve got and we need them to go out and play again for us tomorrow…….there isn’t anyone else !

It’s all counter-productive and it doesn’t do any good or change anything. Give the lads what support you can and leave it at that. I’m too down anyway to boo them !

I see our present manager has urged us to do our job ! Hello ? Since when did supporting your team become that ? Much like our recent job holders I don’t remember the interview. Depending on how you look at it it’s an accident of birth although I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Should Mr Fraeye start to show one iota of passion himself then maye he’ll have earned some right to ask us fans of more. Until then or we start getting some results then best keep schtum mate.

It is entirely possible that tomorrow will be the only home game that Karel manages. That’d be some record eh ? Maybe take the opportunity for an autograph or selfie before it’s too late !

They've probably got more answers.

Will the international break be used to address some of the issues surrounding the club ? Unlikely I guess but one can hope. In the meantime a  “ randomly “ selected group of fans will meet with Richard and Judy. Ice-cream and jelly will be provided and they all get to take home a Charlton stationery set after.

They'll no doubt get a good grilling. As Sid would say " you'll need a stiff one after that ! "

I travel to The Valley tomorrow with expectations at an all time low and I’m not looking forward to it. Almost anything other than a right spanking will be a positive….that’s how bad it is !

Come On You Reds ! 

Feeling Like...........

A Limbo Dancer........and that's really low !

If ever there were a performance or result to indicate just how far we’ve fallen then it was duly delivered last night. An inability to score, never mind get any kind of result against a poor Dons side was about as bad as it gets.

No other side is going to keep losing games like us and that we now find ourselves 4 points adrift of the sides above us is no surprise.

In all my years supporting the club I don't think I can recall such awful football. Allied to that I've not seen one of our sides with players so clearly at odds with each other. 

This is about as depressing as it gets because I really can’t see things changing. Whatever the plan is with Fraeye it needs to end now because it’s clearly not working. That may seem harsh over just two games but one can’t help but think that had Luzon stayed then it couldn’t have been worse…………at least Guy had some passion !

However, I’m not naïve enough to believe we’ll see any response, immediate or otherwise.

Lloyd Dolyley was watching from the stands yesterday, I doubt he’s chomping at the bit to sign up now !

Karl Robinson can have no complaints about last night’s officials. The ref couldn’t wait to award fouls against us and usually this was followed up by a yellow card. In addition, he failed to award us anything for the most blatant of fouls. Added to which the lino got at least 4 offside decisions wrong that really angered our boys.

On a night where everyone and everything seemed to be sponsored I half expected to hear that the officials were sponsored by the MK Citizen !

One wonders if they read Robinson’s comments from the weekend where he criticised the referee. Whatever, it was a truly shocking display that managed to match that of our players !

                                                                                                                    

The proposed meeting with Katrien and Murray ( whenever it occurs ) will no doubt be a non-event. Lip service will be paid in large amounts. Sod that ! We need actions not words !

Clearly we need a proven Championship manager and players. They don’t have to cost the earth. There are plenty available if there’s the desire to get them.  What wouldn’t you give to see Roger Johnson, Eagles, Ben Haim, etc. out on the pitch now ?

The decisions and rush to get rid of them was more short-sighted than even Mr Magoo could manage !

We seem to have picked up some injuries yesterday to further add to the woe. I’m really not looking forward to Saturday. At least a couple of beers may help to numb the pain.

I’ve tried to remain optimistic but I’m really struggling now. This morning I contacted some builders to enquire about that study and the revolver is on order !

P.S. I see that Chris Powell has been sacked by Huddersfield. That is ludicrous. They were only a few minutes away from an away win at Reading last night. Proof, I guess, that the madness isn’t confined to S.E.7 !

Consistency !

Ain't that the truth Christine !

If you were seeking greater consistency from the Addicks then you can’t say you haven’t been rewarded in the last 3 games. Each of them has been lost 3-0. However, we can do without consistency of that kind thank you very much.

Tuesday sees us playing the Dons and the closest away game for me. Even if my efforts to support the lads only involves a 10 minute car journey I don’t think anyone would deny it’s still a big ask ! At the moment most of us wouldn’t bother to draw the curtains if the lads were playing in the back garden !

Never mind, as I said in my last post, the players do need our support and with that in mind I shall be cheering them on. No matter what the outcome I’ll not be booing our boys. I never have despite being severely tested on many occasions over many years of supporting Charlton. There really is no point.

Saturday’s 3-0 loss had an air of inevitability about it and I doubt we’d have won even had we been on a good run. Sadly, there don’t appear to be any positives to take from the game with a number of Boro fans citing us as the worst team to play the Smoggies for many a year ! Oh dear !

My optimism that Karel may not be as bad as many fear looks somewhat misplaced. Talk of smiling faces, getting fit and only being able to field eleven players at any one time really isn’t cutting the mustard, On the contrary, it’s more like cutting the cheese…it stinks.

Whether Roland and Co are desperately seeking a more qualified and suitable replacement is unknown but the silence speaks volumes so it’s probably safe to assume they’re not.

We’ve been here before of course and most will remember Parky’s “ trial period “ where he garnered 3 points from a possible 24 which was sufficient for him to get the job ! Those 3 points, you may recall, did not come about as the result of a win, I believe they were 3 draws……..boy, they must have been good ! At least at that time I think it’s safe to say there really wasn’t any money to get anyone else in.

Rumours that many managers wouldn’t touch us with a barge pole whilst Poirot’s countrymen remain in charge is concerning although understandable. Anyone worth their salt won’t be considering a move to S.E. 7…………..cue Malky Mackay !

That a number of our normally reliable players are now regularly turning in sub-standard displays is a further concern. If Skip managers to rally the troops and gets us out of this mess then it will be his most remarkable achievement to date.

Tuesday’s opponents are not on a great run themselves. Manager Karl Robinson will bleat on about having a small budget, limited squad whilst at the same time bemoaning every referee’s decisions……..on occasions he makes Mourinho sound quite balanced !

Robinson has for some time been telling anyone who’ll listen that Simon Church is a prolific goal scorer and he’s about to explode ! Clearly he never watched Churchy last season then. Of course sod’s law dictates that he’ll bag a goal or two against us…he won’t get a better opportunity.

Another old player we come up against tomorrow is Diego Poyet. Nearly all Champ sides would love to have him in their squad ( another reason to dismiss Robinson’s comments about his squad when you see a player of that calibre in their team ) and it’ll be sad to see him not wearing the famous red shirt.

I know some have issues with the manner of his leaving but I understand he wanted to stay but wasn’t given a serious offer and the departure of Riga also played a big part in his decision to leave.

Even playing another side on a poor run I can’t see us getting anything from this one and let’s not even think about Saturday ! Fortunately, I’m devoid of both a study and a revolver ! However, I do own three cats, it’s just a question of which one to kick. I’ll probably end up kicking all three, one for each goal in Church’s hat-trick !

Come On You Reds !

Interesting Times

Was it one of Jonathon's ?

Interesting times indeed. Life is never dull in S.E.7. Not for us season after season of mid-table obscurity. If we have haven’t replaced at one manager during the season then it just wouldn’t be the same.

There is certainly a vast amount of unrest with the sacking of Luzon being the latest catalyst for that. However, what has really changed and wasn’t his dismissal what a lot of fans wanted ?

I liked Guy and it was to a degree sad to see him go as I thought he had us playing some good football at times. Rather like Bob Peeters things started to go awry and he seemed incapable of turning things around. Of course injuries ( mostly long term ) took their toll on our paper thin squad. Throw in the odd suspension or two and you really are hampered. Interesting to note that Igor is now near a return btw…..

However, as I said earlier, what has really changed. As at the end of August having beaten QPR and Hull at home we still had a weak squad in terms of numbers at least. We still hadn’t heard from Roland or indeed very much from Katrien. It was safe to assume that Roland’s ambitions / aims or whatever you want to call them hadn’t changed much if at all.

Fast forward to October and the removal of Luzon and the appointment of our one time assistant manager and it’s Armageddon. There was no surprise that Roland was going to make an internal appointment, for the interim manager at least.

That some folk are angry that the appointment would be made permanent if successful is surprising. There has to be some incentive for Karel and his right hand man, there’s little point in giving them the jobs otherwise.

I’m not fussed where he’s come from and if you pressed me I couldn’t say other than it’s a Belgium team of course. However, he was part of a successful duo before and I’m for one would have been very happy if Jose Riga had come over with him.

No one knows how this is all going to pan out. May be it’ll be the big disaster that many are forecasting. On the other hand we may have acquired Morecombe rather than Wise or Skinner as opposed to Baddiel !

                                        

We ought to be reassured that Jason Euell has been brought into the management team, that is important. Hopefully that was Fraeye’s decision and if so, it’s to be applauded.

Karel does at least know most of the team and will be aware of individual strengths and weaknesses. In addition,  his previous experience at the club and this very same situation ought to stand him in good stead……he’s been here before. Despite rumours to the contrary Karel is quite able to converse in the mother tongue.

I’m not a Duchatelet apologist, far from it but in reality as I said at the beginning, what has really changed from those heady days in August ? That's not me ignoring all the issues surrounding Roland's ownership and if fans want to protest then I understand that.

I think rather than voice any dissatisfaction during the games, support for the players remains important and the priority. Any negativity will no doubt affect them and they don’t need telling or reminding about the current situation or the general view of Duchatelet.

I can’t subscribe to the view that it’d be good if Fraeye’s tenure is a disaster and we get someone else in. For one there’s no guarantee that will happen and by its end we may be cut off and it’ll be too late to avoid the dreaded drop.

Hopefully we can get something from Middlesbrough and MK Dons on the Tuesday. That at least will be something to build on for whatever follows. 

Come On You Reds !

Michael v Johnnie

Not all Jacksons are going to get you points !

Thankfully since we aren't owned by Al Fugger we're more likely to see a statue erected to Johnnie rather than Michael Jackson.

One should never write off our Skip. Yesterday once again he came off the bench to inspire the team to a draw that seemed most unlikely after we'd gone 2-0 down.

Looking like we would never score not matter how much time was added on Johnnie Jackson had other ideas. Destiny is sometimes dictated by others but our leader likes to write his own. Good for us as no one else seemed likely to inspire the team. Indeed such was the impact of our captain that we might have snatched a late winner. Truth be told that would have been undeserved but such was his impact that it could have happened !

Our lack of a goal scorer is hitting us hard at the moment and as is the absence of a left sided midfielder. I'm sure I'm not alone in preferring it if McAlney, our Everton loanee, played as a striker despite his early miss yesterday.

Neither team played any really decent football and Kit Symons is deluded if he thinks that Fulham deserved to win. I think Kit is trying to paper over the cracks of his team's inability to go on to win from being 2-0 with ten minutes to go.

No doubt he's upset at conceding an equaliser in time added on but if his side hadn't been timewasting from so far out then it might not have happened.

Hopefully the point gained has a morale boosting effect on the team. Normally an international break would not be welcome but given our injury crisis it could be quite timely. It'd be good if the next time the lads take to the field we have pretty much all our injured back and available. Certainly how much we miss Henderson has been highlighted in the last few games and others have pointed out it's as much for his organisation as anything else.

It'd be good to get another player like Jacko although unlikely.........perhaps a sculptor could to make the next best thing.

Black Sabbath

You got no trains ! Do you want some ?

Not much to look forward on the Sabbath. It is, of course, traditionally a day of rest. Sadly for us Addicks that's what the lads have be doing on most other days of the week of late !

As I write I should be post-Wetherspoons and pre-match. However, Sky have dictated that this isn't the case and moved the game to tomorrow with a ludicrous noon kick off. With total disregard for the fans of both sides it is a day when there are no trains to Charlton. 

Still all that matters are the armchair fans and Sky TV itself as after all, they are the lifeblood of the game eh ?

I couldn't believe that some of our fans were moaning about not being on Sky and some went further and wrote to them about it. Well done if they were influenced by that because aside from tomorrow the kick off for the Ipswich game is also moved.

Football should be 3pm on a Saturday, end of ! It's what season ticket holders and the majority of other fans sign up for and expect. 

I might have a more favourable view of things if I could see any real evidence of the Sky money permeating its way down to the grass roots of the game. Sadly, all I see is players across the Prem and many football league clubs lining their pockets and driving nice cars with homes to match.

Good for them but not for the future of the game both at domestic and international level. The money available to clubs only serves to deliver the odious characters that we see week in, week out on our television screens.

I gave up hoping that the bubble might burst years ago and with every passing year it seems further away than ever. A return to the " good old days " when fans supported their local teams and could watch games at an appropriate time and price have gone for good I fear. 

You don't need to be overly perceptive to detect a downbeat mood from me ! It's not helped by our current run. I can readily acknowledge our bad run of injuries albeit that some of them are self-inflicted. The club still seem to be rushing players back too soon..........I'm sick of reading that so and so probably returned to the side too early !

We all knew our squad was paper-thin before a ball was kicked in anger but we lived in the hope of recruiting another decent centre-half and left sided midfield player. I appreciate the need to stick to a budget but the outlay would have be recouped in terms of points and money as improved results would inevitably bring more bums on seats.

One has to question the idea of sending Lennon out on loan and our apparent willingness to loan out Igor but not until he's regained fitness and confidence........a very different way of playing your way out of the team !

It all smacks of muddled thinking whilst money is more sensibly spent in other areas. Great for the long term future but please don't take your eye of the here and now !

Given all of the above I have a lot of sympathy for Luzon. He has managed to get the team playing some of the best football we've seen for some time. I don't think he's been backed at the right time. I'm sure none of us wants to see another managerial casualty, it's not the Charlton way or at least, it didn't used to be !

Other commitments prevent me from being at the game tomorrow although I'll be watching on tv. I can't see any reason for any optimism and even a point appeals. I hope I'm wrong of course.

Come On You Reds !