tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23581149709514077962024-03-13T10:04:00.246-07:00'I could be wrong, I could be right...'I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right ...Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.comBlogger344125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-54238770488281696642021-09-21T10:20:00.002-07:002021-09-21T10:20:28.296-07:00Strange Times...<p> It's been so long since I've posted anything. So long that I wonder if the feed will even pick up this post.</p><p>The whole Timer/Paul Elliot saga along with empty grounds, the pandemic and generally odd times we are living in left me pretty uninterested with the beautiful game.</p><p>The worryingly Dowiesque nature that this season has started has pricked up my ears however, so I felt compelled to come out of my slumber and put my thoughts on here.</p><p>When he was announced I was neither over or underwhelmed by the appointment of Adkins. Sure he did perform back to back promotions with Southampton, but since then has not achieved very much at all. I also find his over cheerful nature, in the face of such shite performances very annoying. I get his style of man management is very much of the cup half full variety, but come on! You simply cannot polish a turd.</p><p>Defeat at a depleted Gillingham tonight shout really mean the fat lady has sung her final note, but i'm not all that sure TS has the ruthless streak to get rid of quick and admit his mistake.</p><p>One thing I do know is that historically 'Charlton People' have generally made the best managers of the Addicks not B Level 'names'.</p>Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-80138714980971217492020-07-23T09:24:00.001-07:002020-07-23T09:24:42.560-07:00Lets spam the EFL!So another season over. Probably the weirdest one in all of my 40 odd years supporting the club.<br />
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Three different owners over the course of the season!<br />
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The season halted by the Covid lock down. (Don't even get me started on Covid).<br />
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The season re-started but behind closed doors.<br />
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One and a half Charlton legends declining to come back and honor their contracts of employment (I wonder what my boss would have said to me if i'd said 'Sorry Daren i'm not going to come to work on a temporary 20% pay reduction, even if it does help the firm, save jobs and is the right thing to do?)'<br />
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The social media image of what looked like a kids sleep over picnic accompanied by something along the line of 'hankering down for transfer deadline day - it's gonna be a long night'. Sure it is Matt, cos you'll be sitting there doing fuck all squared anyway.<br />
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The revelation that we were and still are on a transfer embargo.<br />
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Nimar and Southall (the pair of arseholes, only less useful) having a very public spat on social media.<br />
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The EFL's complete ineptitude. I've met a lot of useless twats over the years. But this lot really take the biscuit.<br />
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MP's have written to them. CAST have been in touch. But absolutely nothing back.<br />
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Us Charlton supporters are pretty good at taking on the establishment. The link below is the only way for any supporter to contact the EFL (apparently this is due to the Corona virus).<br />
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<a href="https://www.efl.com/contact-form/">https://www.efl.com/contact-form/</a><br />
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Just a suggestion, why not everybody use the contact box to send the EFL a message.<br />
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Subject: Have the EFL actually pass the 'fit for purpose' test themselves?<br />
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Query: When are you lot going to pull your fingers out of your bums and either pass the current takeover of Charlton Athletic or put out a press release or respond to the two MP's who have written to you or the CAST explaining what the problem and delay is?<br />
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Lets Spam the EFL!Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-29828709252702943102020-03-10T02:15:00.003-07:002020-03-10T02:15:26.220-07:00Oh Fluffy Dogs!!!I've not posted for such a long time. If i'm honest I was still enjoying the hangover from the Play Off Final and great football we were seeing at the start of the season. Even when the injuries began to pile up and Gallagher was recalled I was still full of optimism of the fact we could at least scrape a fourth from bottom finish. And after all we then had the team rebuild to look forward to in the Summer! Right?<br />
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Wrong it would seem. What an absolute mess. There have been doomsayers dotted about pretty much from the start of the takeover (if we have indeed we have been taken over - i'm that confused). Me i'm a bit of a perpetual optimist so ignored these, and the lack of business in January (which really should have got the alarm bells ringing).<br />
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If Nimer has pulled the plug one wonders how much is in the kitty to keep the boat afloat? My guess is that if Southall does not find investment from somewhere else then Administration and all that comes with it, including points deducted is on the horizon.<br />
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Be interesting to see what Bowyers take is on it all and what happens next.<br />
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What a load of old crap.<br />
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<br />Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-20048820203889729072019-08-12T05:17:00.001-07:002019-08-12T05:17:05.820-07:00...Charlton enter the Twilight Zone...Who'd have thought it? Not me that's for sure! Two games in and maximum points.<br />
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I have previously alluded to the 52 mark being the points haul required to keep us in the division, and rather fastidiously worked through the fixture list predicting where we could genuinely and historically hope to pick points up, bringing me to conclude we'd finish on 51, hopefully just enough to avoid the drop.<br />
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I'd had us gaining just the one point at home to Stoke out of our opening two weekends. How wrong was I? Thankfully completely wrong. So we are currently tracking five points ahead of my projections already.<br />
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What struck me whilst at The Valley for our opening home game, was how improved and more self assured as a side we looked. The new signings, even those that have been with the rest of the squad for just a few days, settling in well. It took a while last season for Bowyers hastily assembled last minute squad to really gel and get that momentum going that saw us eventual play off winners. I'm sure that the new incoming squad members still need time to fully assimilate themselves into the Bowyer way of doing things. Once they have, the mind boggles at what we could possibly achieve based on what we've seen so far.<br />
<br />
Feels a bit weird being so positive in a post what with experience over recent years. Not just about how we've started the season, but also about the transfer window itself.<br />
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Following on from Aribo's departure north of the border we saw Dijksteel go to Middlesborough. A pretty negative occurrence, and does leave right back as potentially the weakest link in the first team with a relentless schedule of games and no natural cover. However the continued rejections of bids from Brentford, Boro (again) and apparently Bristol City for big sums of money for the services of Lyle Taylor were, to put it simply, most out of character for our current owner.<br />
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We have then gone on to make some quality loan signings, by no means are any of these guys here to make up the numbers and warm the bench. There is real competition throughout the squad for starting places. We even had a late big money (well big for Duchalet) bid turned down for Peterborough's Ivan Toney. The word from Bowyer was that the aim was that Toney would play alongside Taylor and wasn't planned to be a direct replacement for the Charlton idol. This would have been funded by the money received for Dijksteele.<br />
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Strange days indeed down in SE7.<br />
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As for the game itself (apologies if this is your first time reading this blog, I don't do blow for blow match reports, there are others much better at delivering that type of information), Once we'd got through the first twenty minutes or so of Stoke probing and testing us out we grew into the game. Taylor, whose attitude following on from what must have been quite a difficult and frustrating week for him, showed why he is lorded so much by the Addicks faithful. 100 per cent commitment to the cause and another tireless performance capped off with scoring our opening goal and setting up our third.<br />
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After the disappointment of conceding an equaliser, once the second half went underway we slowly worked ourselves into a position where we began to dominate the game. When possession was lost the team to a man worked hard to regain it. And once Aneke scored his debut goal there only looked like being one winner.<br />
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A marvellous performance was capped off for Gallagher when he finished from Taylor's lay off to see us out 3-1 winners. No weak links to report at this point.<br />
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Final word to the twelfth man. All 15 odd thousand of them. If you compare the atmosphere to that of the Pre Bowyer days under Duchalet, it is completely different. Momentum carried through from last seasons run in combined with the players attitude and style of football we are getting to watch make The Valley an exciting place to be right now.<br />
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Lets see where we can all take this season now.<br />
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<br />Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-52749017730522978712019-08-02T06:05:00.002-07:002019-08-02T06:05:46.236-07:00...13...it's the magic number!It seems like such a long time since the Euphoria of May 26th.<br />
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We've seen a variety of takeover false dawns, various interviews on talksport and official club website statements from Roland Duchalet. The strange, strange man, bemoaning the EFL and blaming everyone else for his inability to find a buyer willing to pay his vastly over inflated price for the club.<br />
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We now face the beginning of the Championship campaign. Plenty of players, key ones in last seasons team at that, have gone. However we have seen incoming, including the highly rated Connor Gallagher from Chelsea being announced today.<br />
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My personal opinion is that with the players left from last season, those that Lee Bowyer and his backroom team have bought in, and I hope three or four more quality loan signings (Bowyer and Gallen do seem to have a knack of finding loanee's who don't just make up the numbers but have a positive impact on the squad), we will be not only be alright but may surprise one or two. Hopefully starting with Blackburn Rovers. A team whom I personally cannot stand.<br />
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I won't do an in depth preview of the season, fellow blogger 'Chicago Addick' has done that quite thoroughly <a href="https://chicagoaddick.wordpress.com/2019/07/28/2019-20-the-championship-preview-part-one/" target="_blank">here</a> , <a href="https://chicagoaddick.wordpress.com/2019/07/29/2019-20-the-championship-preview-part-two/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://chicagoaddick.wordpress.com/2019/08/01/2019-20-the-championship-preview-part-three/" target="_blank">here</a>. It is one of the toughest divisions to predict accurately, and seems to throw up 'dark horses' year after year.<br />
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Sky Sports polled supporters opinions (receiving a massive response from Charlton fans i'd assume) to compile a predicted <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11684/11775183/fulham-leeds-up-birmingham-hull-sheffield-wednesday-down-sky-sports-readers-predict-championship-table" target="_blank">final table</a> for this seasons Championship, i'd be more than happy with the predicted 8th place finish for The Addicks.<br />
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The bottom line is that we are back in The Championship, after another three years stuck in the third tier. The primary objective must be avoiding relegation.<br />
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Looking back over several seasons 52 would be the average points total required to finish fourth from bottom and avoid the dreaded drop zone. 50 has been mentioned as the target number of points.<br />
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Based on the above we need to achieve the magic number of 13 to stay up. 13 wins and 13 draws.<br />
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Looking at who we traditionally do alright against i'm predicting 12 wins and 14 drawers will see us finishing on exactly 50 points. Which will hopefully be enough to keep us up. Based on when the games are played against the team I think we'll pick these points up it'll be the final home game against Wigan Athletic that will see us hit the 50 mark. My hope is that by this point we would have already 'crossed the line' by the skin of our teeth due to others falling well short of the magic 50.<br />
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October could be the toughest month of games based on my predicted results. What will be critical to our survival is Duchalet holding his nerve and sticking with Bowyer when we do go on winless runs. And there will be a few of these during our first season back in the division that has been our natural home over the years.<br />
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If the results go the way I think they could, throw in some surprises against the well established promotion candidates and we could see a more respectable points haul, and something closer to 56-59, which would see us well clear of the relegation places.<br />
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One thing I do know, regardless of ownership issues, regardless of a (currently) thin squad, regardless of the doom and gloom merchants, I'm excited and looking forward to the season ahead. The above is my anticipated worst case scenario. Bring it on.<br />
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In Bowyer we trust.<br />
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<br />Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-14399497391641720842019-05-27T11:27:00.003-07:002019-05-27T11:27:47.689-07:00Its days like these...... they keep you coming back. Despite the club nearly liquidating back in the eighties, the nomadic years at Selhurst, various relegation dogfights, Ian Dowie and Alan Pardew, The Duchatelet years (ongoing).<br />
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Yesterday three generations of my family made the trip together to Wembley, (my first visit to the new stadium, last time I had reason to visit was 21 years ago for our last play off final).<br />
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Ironically it was a very similar experience. Until that 94th minute goal going in, just willing it all to be over, let’s just get to the final whistle so we know out fate. Good or bad. And how good was it? Bloody good. The atmosphere generated by the Charlton fans was electric, I’d say better than last time round. I’ve been told a lot by supporters of other teams how the new Wembley has no atmosphere. I’d beg to differ.<br />
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My throat is till sore and voice hoarse from all of the singing and shouting. The buzz during the walk to Wembley Park was like nothing I’ve experienced in 40 odd years of following Charlton. All the way back to Kent.<br />
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I’ve watched lots of post match footage of Bowyer and this group of players, there’s such a bond and spirit showing amongst them, whether Duchatelet stays or not if we can keep the Management team and these players together I really believe we could be on an upward curve that can take us who knows where!<br />
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Happy days!<br />
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<br />Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-61033520194256187532019-02-28T06:26:00.003-08:002019-02-28T06:26:41.097-08:00Duchalet finally breaks... he's gone f***ng mental!Following on from Rolands idea being floated at last nights fans forum of the EFL buying Charlton these two items have now been added to the clubs website.<br />
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<a href="https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5c77e0391c719/owner-roland-duchatelet-demands-efl-acquire-charlton" target="_blank">Buy Charlton demands owner</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.cafc.co.uk/club/club-overview/ownership" target="_blank">Owner Overview</a><br />
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Okay, i couldn't say for sure that the latter is new, but I've certainly not seen it before.<br />
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It strikes me after the last few days we are entering the end game. Whatever that may entail. It certainly seems after events on his home soil that Duchalets staying power is finally evaporating into a desperate last attempt at proving he has not been a complete and utter fucking failure at running a football club effectively.<br />
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If we do go up this season via the play offs, what Bowyer and his back room staff and team would have pulled off would be nothing short of miraculous. (I do however feel that with all that is going on behind the scenes along with the obstructive environment that management have to work within - promotion is unlikely).<br />
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I'm at the point where Duchalet throwing the towel in, administration, points deduction and one more season in League One - under sensibly ambitious stewardship, is beginning to look appealing.<br />
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The schmuck has to go! One way or another.<br />
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<br />Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-52021561001781507832019-02-09T10:00:00.001-08:002019-02-09T10:03:23.626-08:00Charlton fail to capitalise with extra man...A hugely frustrating afternoon at The Valley saw a Charlton side without either of their top strikers due to suspension of one and Duchalets cashing in of the other fall short against an unskilfull Southend United.<br />
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Having taken the lead against the run of play and then had a player sent off you’d have thought the extra man may help a lively Charlton team jog on to three points.<br />
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Bowyer moved to a back three in the second half introducing new boy Parker to the fray. Who impressed and it could have been a different story had he had decent foil to play off of him up front.<br />
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Charlton mounted wave after wave of attacks. Ben Reeves equaliser one would have thought would be the start of an expected come back. But for a mixture of the ineffectual Fosu, Marshall and Vetokele saw the ball end up pretty much every where else but on the target. This alongside some roughing up of mainly Marshall and some of the worst time wasting I’ve seen for a long time from Southend and The Valley faithful had to trudge home both frustrated and disappointed.<br />
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I’ll be interested to see how Parker and Taylor hook up next Saturday. It will be a very different dynamic to the type of partnership Lyle enjoyed with Grant. On the face of it Parker is the kind of forward who will knock down into Taylors path and hold the ball up for the wingers bombing on through.<br />
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Onwards and upwards.<br />
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Footnote. ‘I said ooh aah Nabby Sarr...I said ooh aah Nabby Sarr!’ What a revelation.<br />
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<br />Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-32151677736310469132019-02-06T11:14:00.000-08:002019-02-06T11:14:25.555-08:00Oh please Monsieur Duchelet...do one!!!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">As yet another transfer window passes under the Duchalet regime, this one more than any other epitomises what a stark and ineffectual period this has been for the club.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I was waiting to return to blogging about my favourite club until the takeover had taken place, as I was fed up with just posing pretty negative stuff. But having been sold a puppy for a third time now. This time via James White on the radio I figured I may as well get back on the bike. Otherwise it seems like I’d be waiting for hell to freeze over.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Grant going, based on the current form of his partnership with Lyle Taylor, was hugely disappointing. As was the 11th hour signing of his replacement, the slightly ageing Journeyman Josh Parker. We are extremely light upfront, and with the way Taylor likes to put himself about I have no doubt he will spend more time on the naughty step suspended as the season reaches its finale. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">The lack of decent and experienced back up in strikers certainly told on Saturday. And what about the blow to general morale losing one part of the most prolific Charlton goal scoring partnership in years? Can’t help.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I feel for Bowyer. What he has managed to achieve to date with no budget in comparison to our competitors speaks volumes for his motivational skills.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">And so on to Saturday. We welcome back to The Valley Sir Chris. I know some get a bit fed up with the Sir Chris brigade banging on about the past. But I wonder what would have happened if he’d been backed and allowed to do his own thing?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">One thing I do know, I hope he goes home with no points after being given a warm welcome by the Addicks home supporters.</span></div>
Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-378073484959496892018-08-12T05:05:00.001-07:002018-08-12T05:32:29.325-07:00Youngsters do Charlton proud...Charlton followed on from last weeks dissapointment at The Stadium of Light by notching their first win and three points of the season.<br />
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We even actually managed to get six bodies on the bench.<br />
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In all honesty, and this isn’t me be over critical, it was a game contested by what looked like two very average third division sides. Pluses were Lapslie (again) and Morgan who came on at half time for the ineffectual Marshall.<br />
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No one could fault the application of the team, there was just a lacking spark throughout the pitch. The win being the result of lots of hard work as opposed to skill.<br />
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Naby Sarr (the legend) did a decent enough job, he would however I think be well exposed by better opposition.<br />
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It is early days, once we get the long list of injured back, if we avoid any more injuries I can certainly see us improving on last seasons sixth place. Espiecially if Taylor and Grant continue to grow together and get goals.<br />
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Who knows, we may even finally see the takeover finally happen and few decent loan signings coming in. It’s hard work being a Charlton supporter at the moment, but i’ll Keep on keeping on in the hope that things will finally change behind the scenes.Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-42410020967034038682018-07-31T13:00:00.001-07:002018-07-31T13:00:22.361-07:00The season ahead...So the season is nearly upon us. Still no sign of any takeover. Various musings, rumours and sound bites on social media platforms, press speculation, and forums; but no actual solid news. Good or bad.<br />
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An unbeaten pre season must be good for moral amongst the team, but gives no real indication of how we will fair over the next year and a bit.<br />
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Players have been sold at bargain basement prices leaving a threadbare squad further depleted by injuries.<br />
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The bookies have us as one of the favourites for promotion, I don’t see it myself based on our current circumstances. That is unless we see an example similar to that shown by Leicester City a couple of seasons ago. (Us punching well above our current weight.)<br />
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I really don’t want to sound negative, but I just can’t see us pushing for promotion this season. An unprecedented fourth season in the third division being the outcome.<br />
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In Bowyer I do think we have a manager, who working within a normal situation and environment (which he isn’t) could succeed.<br />
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I think we could get off to a good start, Bowyer does seem to have the Knack of polishing a turd down to a fine art form. But, with our small squad, lack of quality in certain areas of the pitch and all of the uncertainty in the background just cannot see us sustaining momentum and challenging throughout the whole season. Mid table at best.<br />
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Add to all this CARDS threat of restarting the protests and making The Valley the toxic place it was season before last.<br />
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It’s going to be yet another rollercoaster of a season in SE7. My personal opinion would be to get behind the players and the manager, create a siege mentality at home, and ignore the idiot who has driven us to this point and hope for a change of ownership, sooner rather than later.<br />
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COYRScoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-30511692984401329732018-07-05T02:04:00.001-07:002018-07-05T02:04:46.182-07:00Fakeover News...<p dir="ltr">Well there is none is there!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Its now nearly a week since the reported 'deadline' set by Duchalet, and nothing but daily banal news coming from the official site. Going through the moitions of trying to keep a fastly dissapating fanbases interest.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rather foolishly, in a moment of excitement rallied on by claims a takeover was imminent, not only did i renew me and my sons season tickets but i took on additional one for my daughter who has begun to show an interest. I've never had much luck when it comes to taking a punt.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Numerous players have returned to their parent clubs, along with the annual sale of a potential crown jewel and only one new player has come in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On the face of it, IF we see a miracle and have zero injuries or suspensions all season, the first eleven can compete in this league. But we all know thats not going to happen.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A threadbare squad it is then, subsidised by some of the better players from the under 23 team.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still i'll be there come the start of the season cheering the mighty Addicks on.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I just really hope something does happen and i'm proved entirley wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.</p>
Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-75697797852932888162018-05-15T23:51:00.002-07:002018-05-15T23:53:17.301-07:00...Decisions, decisions...My frustration is mounting as we wait for the much mooted takeover to happen.<br />
<br />
Strangely decisions seem to be getting made at the club, large and small, regardless of the fact that we have currently no Full Time Manager, no Finance Director, no CEO.<br />
<br />
The decision was made to open the club shop over the weekend to try and knock out some merchandise whilst we still had the hope of a Wembley appearance via the play off's.<br />
<br />
The decision was made to take season ticket off of the market, and then re-release them still at the early bird pricing. (However they have not yet been put back to market).<br />
<br />
The decision to extend Harry Lennon's contract.<br />
<br />
The decision on who to release and keep going into next season. (I would imagine that at the moment, anyone out of contract will go. Surely? With no one in control from a footballing point of view.<br />
<br />
The only decision i'm really interested in at the moment is the one that involves Duchalet and whoever our new owner will be signing the bloody contracts and transferring ownership of the club across. Whoever does come in will surely bring an improvement on the last four years. Won't they???Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-47443149588089367782018-04-13T07:02:00.003-07:002018-04-13T07:02:55.874-07:00Too many question and not enough answers...Things are never ordinary down in SE7 these days (or for much of the last 4 years to be honest).<br />
<br />
Decisions seem to be being made, but i'm just not sure who by??? Season ticket prices have been announced, changes to the way they can be purchased, a new loyalty scheme, Young Reds revamp. With an absent uninterested owner, no FD, no CEO who in the hell is rubber stamping these decisions?<br />
<br />
Has Murray been told to get on with things but don't spend too much money?<br />
<br />
Is Duchalet dragging out the sale of the club so he can accrue more profit from the ever increasing burden of debt he is ladling onto Charlton?<br />
<br />
Are there actually even two parties close to agreeing a deal? Or was it all just a smoke screen to put off the various protests that were beginning to be ramped up again.<br />
<br />
The Bowyer bounce does seem to have slowed over the past two games, but I do have every confidence in him, and the team, to win some more of the games left to play. Whether it will be enough to gain a play off berth only time will tell.<br />
<br />
In the event we do make the play off's and succeed in getting promoted back to The Championship, then next season, if Duchalet is still the owner, could well be the most catastrophic under he's stewardship.<br />
<br />
There would be a lack of investment in players, of this i'm sure, which would include those out of contract making their escape. We'd also i'm certain see some of our emerging young talent sold off to 'balance the books.<br />
<br />
Can you imagine a threadbare squad, supplemented by youngsters promoted from the Under 23's competing in that division? We could could see record bad season. With even more dwindling crowds despite being in a higher league.<br />
<br />
Something needs to give soon. But as time marches on I am starting to get really worried about what lays ahead.<br />
<br />
<br />Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-17085291600728636882018-03-24T11:50:00.001-07:002018-03-24T11:50:26.706-07:00No new manager bounce...Okay, so maybe I’m going over the top. But today’s performance and result in my opinion was not just an example of the new manager bounce we so often hear about.<br />
<br />
Bowyer played two up front, Zyro makes a perfect target man, holding the ball up well and scoring a great headed goal. Absolutely no way he’s a winger as Robinson touted. Ajose looked lively. And every player to a man fought for every ball for the whole 90.<br />
<br />
Plymouth are a decent side, but based on what Bowyer said, he did his research and used his experience to set the team up to counter their strong points. Not just play the same old formation week in week out.<br />
<br />
The atmposphere in the ground was fantastic, and was merited by the spirit and Football shown on the pitch. The football still a bit tippy tippy, but much more direct than we have seen for some time. It would seem we have a caretaker manager who is comfortable reading the game and having a plan a, b and c when necessary.<br />
<br />
We are very much back in with a shout of a play off berth and if we hit form now could be in a good position to have success should we qualify for the play offs.<br />
<br />
If we get a result against Northampton I would suggest that, in the absence of any regime presence at the Doncaster game, the negativity that a card protest might cause would be counter productive.<br />
<br />
The takeover does seem to be coming, ever so slowly, lets get behind Bowyer and Jackson and cheer the boys on as much as we can to glory.<br />
<br />
As a footnote Curbs and Peacock were in the directors box today. Not sure whether that means anything other than they were there to take a game in or the incoming owners are lining something up.<br />
<br />
Guess we’ll find out in the next few days.Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-60193025467472975872018-03-24T02:36:00.001-07:002018-03-24T02:36:28.272-07:00The beginning of the beginning again...Another odd week in SE7. The ‘Shock’ (sic) departure of Robinson followed by him turning up a few minutes later at Oxford United. And, for my money, hilariously pretty much rolling out the same cliched Football Manager diatribe that we’ve all had to stomach for the last 18 months. The best bit being where in his farewell to Charlton he lyricised about what a tough decision it was only to tell the Oxford reporter that joining them was a’no brainer’!<br />
<br />
To be fair to him I can’t blame him for jumping our rudderless ship. Good luck to him and good to see the back of him to. Hopefully the next exit we see will be the Belgium tossed himself, Roland.<br />
<br />
Takeover regardless we have a six pointer today, against in form Plymouth Argyle. I expect Bowyer to really change things up and not be scared to pick his own team and formation. However far away that is from the surge we have experienced over recent months.<br />
<br />
The Bowyer/Jackson combination could work really well. For however short a period it is allowed to develop. In my mind I see Bowyer as the strict authoritarian and Jackson as the one who would put an arm round players shoulders and offer some encouragement. I got the feeling that half of Robinson’s problem was he wanted to be liked by everybody far to much.<br />
<br />
I’ve no idea how we will set up today, I’m pretty sure whatever formation will allow for more than one out and out striker.<br />
<br />
All in all, with the absence of a takeover, this is the most excited I’ve been about attending a match day for months.<br />
<br />
2-0 CharltonScoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-10097378028396086072018-03-16T09:23:00.006-07:002018-03-16T09:23:42.808-07:00Headless Chickens...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nGY4V4-REk/WqvvaMNs4aI/AAAAAAAABBk/J_NNoqiMqxcM_64fb7VPfY2S9ALt2ra6QCLcBGAs/s1600/headless-chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="350" height="274" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nGY4V4-REk/WqvvaMNs4aI/AAAAAAAABBk/J_NNoqiMqxcM_64fb7VPfY2S9ALt2ra6QCLcBGAs/s320/headless-chickens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">So Robinson
has confirmed/stated the bleedin obvious that we all now know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">No sign of a takeover anytime soon
it would seem. And Charlton Athletic a
rudderless ship with no CEO, no Finance Director, basically no visible
leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s frightening! To be frank. Can
you imagine that this continues into the summer? Players out of contract and
uncertain of their immediate future would surely do the sensible thing for
themselves and their families and find a club that has some direction? The only
direction I can see for the Addicks at the moment is the continued downward
spiral, with nothing happening on the takeover front, at a vastly accelerated rate
than the slow demise we have seen over the last four years of RD’s ownership.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I really cannot see that there is any
takeover about to happen. I’m not even
sure that the announcement wasn’t at the very least premature, if not a
downright lie to quieten down the dissent that was beginning to build once
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">CARD have announced renewed protests
for the Bank Holiday home fixture. Not
sure what good this will do with Katrien Meire long gone now, and no chance of
Duchalet being there to experience the awkwardness. All it will do is get us back to the toxic
atmosphere that stopped me going last season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">It all feels pretty stark. A rudderless ship. Players running around
like Headless Chickens (unless that is they have the opportunity to pass
sideways or backwards) and a tactically inept manager who is much better at
rolling out football manager clichés than he is at winning football matches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fuck sake!</span>Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-77365245691248416982018-02-28T08:04:00.001-08:002018-02-28T08:04:47.547-08:00Price agreed but deal not done...yetSo Richard Murray’s update today declares that two bidding parties have now agreed a price with Duchalet and now its in the hands of the lawyers to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. The deal is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
Charlton have been stagnant since the League One promotion campaign, which seems an age ago now. The previous regime having fallen out with their financial backers somehow managed to see Charlton survive a Championship campaign with little or no investment before RD took over with his ridiculous master plan.<br />
<br />
I don’t actually care who the new owners are (famous last words) I just look forward to a change in direction.<br />
<br />
It’s no secret, for any club (with only a few notable exceptions such as Charlton of the late 90’s and currently Shrewsbury in League One) to succeed there has to be a level of understanding and investment in both management team, infrastructure and playing staff.<br />
<br />
I believe the takeover is imminent, as I could not see Murray further sullying his reputation with smoke and mirrors, we just need to see who, what and how the story unfolds. Bring it on. Please!Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-90328770132367007442018-01-20T10:25:00.001-08:002018-01-20T10:25:02.092-08:00Fosu makes the difference <p dir="ltr">A laboured first half saw Charltons leads cancelled out when the shortest player on the pitch rose to head home an equaliser for the Saddlers.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The turning point in this game, against a Wallsall side that we were far superior to was the introduction of Fosu. Suddenly we had some purpose and drive in going forward. Yes we still at times insisted in the now familiar sideways, backwards passing. But once we had both Fosu and Mavididi on the pitch we had some attacking cutting edge and purpose.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A good three points, if we can keep these players fit and get the one or two extra bodies being touted on board, we may actually have a chance if we can stay in the top six come May. Critically we need more than cover for Magennis. He looked low on confidence, inefectual making poor decisions and dare I say a little uninterested today. At the moment playing him is a bit like playing with ten men.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I look forward to seeing what comes out of the trust's meeting with Murray.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Duchalet has lost any interest he ever had in the club and the staff are basically running things with no leadership on their own.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The bloke needs to accept an offer and get a deal done asap. And then do one!</p>
Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-56574029870189294952018-01-19T04:29:00.001-08:002018-01-19T04:29:27.458-08:00Never a dull moment down at the valley...<p dir="ltr">Well that is except for match days. So we got past Thursday with no announcement from the club, but did see Murray counter CARDS threatened protest by setting up a meeting on Saturday with CAST.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I would be surprised if any major revelations that we don't already half suspect or know come out of this, and I don't envisage a sudden dawn of enlightenment for us poor long suffering supporters.</p>
<p dir="ltr">You've got to feel for Karl Robinson, who is cutting a more and more frustrating figure. He has become a bit of a conundrum for me. On the one hand I have always found his rent a gob a bit annoying, however the way he has conducted himself over the past few weeks, with candour and honesty has impressed me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'll be there tomorrow, and have to admit am glad there will be no protests. It's a game against must beat opposition. With Fosu hopefully back and starting I'm quietly confident we can make it three out of three and I hope by more than the now standard one goal.</p>
Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-36060847822921361772018-01-08T01:07:00.001-08:002018-01-08T01:07:30.671-08:00Charlton pass sideways...<p dir="ltr">And backward and sideways to scrape a much needed 1 nil win at home to Oldham.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was a painful 90 minutes on Saturday that saw us pick up 3 points at last.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Among the lowlights were out inability or lack of eagerness to be in anyway direct. Pushing the ball to the left, to the right, backwards and then out to the wing to waste crosses into an empty box. That and right towards the end Ahearne Grant missing an absolute sitter.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The only time we ever really attacked the ball was when late sub Jackson raced into the box to power a header at the Oldham goalkeeper. How good would that have been to see the skipper put the game to bed?</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the second half we were defending so deeply the Oldham keeper seemed to be playing on the half way line a lot of the time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Truly dire stuff. On the plus side it has stopped the rot of the last 9 games and does give the players a platform to work on trying to regain some of our early season form.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rumours still abound about a takeover, in some quarters getting a touch frenzied with the news of <u>Va</u>rney stepping down at Ebsfleet. (As nice as the idea of him returning with new buyers is, I'm sceptical that this is nothing other than coincidence).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Robinson has been <u>b</u>emoaning the effect takeover talks are having and the lack of transfer activity, but surely having worked under the regime for a year now he must know the score?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Bury away next Saturday and a chance to go for back to back wins to get our season going again. Who knows, maybe even under new ownership?</p>
Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-6954521218776445702018-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:002018-01-04T07:47:05.218-08:00Takeover...in a hurryKarl Robinson’s press conference made for some concerning and depressing reading. On the face of it, no more player investment looks likely to be forthcoming until any potential takeover comes about. My bigger concern would be Duchalet cashing in on the better players in our ever dwindling squad during the window. Leaving us even more under resourced than we already are currently.<br />
<br />
On the face of it, any takeover that is going to happen would look unlikely to get over the line in time for any real player investment could happen.<br />
<br />
I’ll be honest I’m kind of already resigned to a third season in league one, just hopeful that we will have new owners with plans to invest on the pitch eager to move things back in the right direction in the Summer.<br />
<br />
What I do know though is that right now it’s more important than anytime in the last 25 years that, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, we all get behind Charlton and help them through the remainder of the season. Who knows, next season could see a return to the good old days with us all having our Charlton back.Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-68081441829192552862018-01-02T08:33:00.000-08:002018-01-02T08:33:05.157-08:00Critical days ahead for Robinson...<div dir="ltr">
With three games prior to Shrewsbury away it's critical that Karl Robinson gets a turn around on both recent performances and results.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
6 points from both (on paper) winnable home games and a point away to Bury should leave us in touch with the play off spot chasing pack.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
In my eyes it's plain to see where things have gone so wrong. Without blaming it all at the feet of injuries. (Why have we had so many injuries and reoccurring absentees?)</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Once the more savvy managers cottoned onto our game plan we went from being unplayable to easily contained and frustrated.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
This stubborn persistence to persevere with one up front and only reverting to a duo when things are not working (which lets be honest, is pretty much every game these days) seems short sighted.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Saying we've only had one striker does not completely cut it for me. We've had KAG, Dodoo and Best. Plus several <u>f</u>ree scoring members of the under 23 squad. Not ideal I know, but the current formation is simply not gaining any dividends and hasn't for some time now.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Why not try starting with 2 forwards and see of we can put some games to bed early doors? Rather than the current habit of conceding and then chasing the games for the rest of the match? All that huff and puff is getting us nowhere.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
A home capitulation to Gillingham is indicative of how far we have fallen, they matched and beat us in every element of the first half on Saturday.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
With Duchalet seemingly wanting to sell now I don't have much hope of a busy transfer window. My hope is that we get two forwards in to provide improved options and competition for Magennis.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
After our winless December in the League and dreadful start to 2018 Robinson really needs to earn his corn and turn things around. Fast.</div>
Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-14283069863667677552018-01-01T06:01:00.001-08:002018-01-01T06:01:55.654-08:00Charlton v Gills previewThere a two things I’m hoping for today besides three points.<br />
<br />
Firstly Jonnie Jackson has the legs to get another start. And secondly I get to see Scott Wagstaff back at The Valley. He was always a firm favourite of mine, and was a true son of Charlton.<br />
<br />
A big game today. Not just because localish pride is at stake, but it’s now critical that we build on Fridays solid display, break our current run and pick up a win.<br />
<br />
Being it’s New Year’s Day, and a time for optimism, I’m going to plump for a 2-0 win, with a certain Jonnie Jackson grabbing his first goal of the season.<br />
<br />
Cheers and Happy New Year.<br />
<br />
COYRScoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2358114970951407796.post-67606973296293151252017-12-31T10:00:00.001-08:002017-12-31T10:00:22.061-08:00Goodbye 2017 and hopefully it would seem the regime...eI can’t belive it’s been so long since I’ve posted here. But life and work commitments have a tendency to slow us down sometimes.<br />
<br />
2017 has been as frustrating a year as any under the last four years of Belgium rule in SE7.<br />
<br />
A bit like swimming in mud. For me return to The Valley after a seasons boycott has been on the whole enjoyable. We may be a bit of a ‘one trick pony’ tactically, but when our key players have performed it’s been a joy to watch. And a much improved atmosphere in the ground. I think CARDS decision to not have match day protests this season was the right one. The trump card of threatening to launch a political party in RD’s home town perhaps being the catalyst at last for change.<br />
<br />
I was elated when the news at KM’s departure (which happens today, even more reason to celebrate) filtered through. For me a sure sign that our deluded owner must be on the verge of a deal and committed to exiting stage left like the preverbial pantomime villain.<br />
<br />
To add to this a full match run out for the ledge that is Jonnie Jackson a great end to the year I’m sure for all Addicks out there.<br />
<br />
There are those out there murmuring ‘be careful what you wish for’. The reality is that the Starpix era at Charlton ripped the soul out of the club, a community club not a corporate machine of the Premiership, and will leave whoever takes over with a long long road to navigate. Not to get the club back to the ‘promised land’ of the Premier League, but back to the credible club that was the envy of many. Plucky, quirky, full of character and characters. Sometime punching above it’s weight and always in most quarters respected and liked by supporters of many opposing teams.<br />
<br />
In this instance, whether it’s Varney, the Aussies or a n other, change will be a welcome and good thing in my opinion. The start of rebuilding the wreckage that we have been left with.<br />
<br />
I’m doubtful everything will happen in time for a big transfer window impact. And fully expect for RD to cash some of his chips in during the transfer window. Likewise I don’t have high expectations of a return to the Championship at the end of this season. But just for this nightmeir to be at its ending stages is enough for me to look forward to the second half of the season with optimism for a better future and us all finally getting our Charlton back.<br />
<br />
I raise a glass to 2018 and also Katrien Meir. Good riddance you imbecile.Scoopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13704666993331280665noreply@blogger.com0