Oh dear. Now officially not as good as Leyton Orient or Carlisle United. I didn't go tonight but am guessing we were not unlucky.
Two home games to look forward to now. (and I will go). Be interesting to see what the new owners do next. Still at least we are not as bad as Barnett (yet).
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Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Monday, 7 March 2011
MK Dons v Charlton Preview
I grew up spending summer holidays visiting family up in good new Milton Keynes as a kid. They did actually have a football team pre Franchise, Milton Keynes Borough whom I watched on occasion during these trips. My Mums family lived in a small village called North Crawley, where most of the football following inhabitants supported Ipswich or Cambridge United (both a good hour away) for some odd reason, rather than Northampton who are just one junction up the M1. I even bumped into an old colleague who used to be a Luton season ticket holder and now regularly attends the grandly named stadiummk.
I think what I'm trying to get across is that the Newtown of Milton Keynes stands for everything that is shite about modern day football. And I hope we stuff them.
Tomorrow nights game is much much more than a six pointer. It really has to be viewed as the beginning of the recovery of Charlton. Regardless of whether we can sneak into the play offs or not, I think the rebuilding of the team/club really needs to start here. The focus since Curbs departure and subsequent relegation has been firmly based on 'getting the club back where it belongs' ie. The Premiership. I think quite a few have missed the point here. We won two promotions to the premiership, and gained the ial title of 'the model run club', because we had a manager who was astute, cautious and sensible in the way he managed us. The recent preoccupation with getting the club back to where it belongs, has done exactly the opposite, in my opinion, and held us back. Knee jerk decisions have been made, and a succession of managers have come and gone. It took Curbishley 8 years to finally get us up and stay up in the top flight. Such luxury of patience all of his successors to date have not appreciated.
I've been a bit negative about Sir Chris so far. The whole team seem to have lost confidence. I think this is more to do with expectation levels than anything else. Chris will get this right, of that I'm certain. The squad assembled by Parky, to be fair on a shoestring, overachieved early this season. I think we will win tomorrow night. What I look forward to is the summer when Mr Powell can actually start to put his own team together and we can then take this division by storm!
Franchise 0 Charlton 3
Friday, 4 March 2011
Charlton v Tranmere Preview
Post on post, I'm finding it difficult to find anything enthusiastic or different to say in game previews.
I don't know about anyone else but recently the cheer when we score to go in front never feels that genuine as I find myself just waiting for our eventual capitulation.
Right I must now try to be positive. Sir Chris's team selection for this Saturdays home game, will I think be quite fascinating. And he is being presenting with some interesting forced decisions.
In the defence, Doherty is injured (great news in my opinion as he has not been up to scratch in recent games). The question is who comes in to partner Dailly? Fortune did not look at all bothered when he came on as sub on Tuesday night, no passion and I got the impression he was 'going through the paces' and nothing more. When Llera first joined the club I thought he did really well. A few poor games and then he really seemed to fall out of favour, not actually getting a chance. I'd quite like to see him given another go. He can pass the ball, and provides a real aerial threat when he pushes up for set pieces. I think Jenkinson deserves another go, other than being a bit of a slow starter and looking nervous early on in games. When he sets his mind to it he seems to have real potential.
The midfield offers the biggest question mark. As a unit it has been so unaffective in joining up the play from back to front both defensively and creatively. Semedo and Jackson on good day work well in the centre and left respectively. The right and other central birth are real problems for us. McCormack, for all his charging around and grimacing isn't up to much, and both Reid and Wagstaff of late have been shadows of their former selves. I don't know enough about some of our younger fringe prospects, but perhaps now is the time to take a chance on a couple of them?
We have two more loans aloud. I really hope we see a good midfielder who can hold and distribute brought into the fray, and a twenty something central defender who has the speed and stamina that Dailly and Doherty (team saga) don't posses.
Oddly I'm not as concerned with our forward line. (Well not now Pawell's gone anyway).
Anysiha is a great player. (I know he's injured but should be back soon). BWP can score goals, as can Benson, who is hard working and with confidence a decent striker in this division.
It will only take a couple of players to pull the team back together, and only one good (good, not lucky) win to reinstall the confidence and sense of team that has been lacking on and off all season.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Three games played, nine points dropped...
I don't want to be negative. I'm not going to be negative. But I am going to be (begrudgingly) honest.
We've seen four back to back wins (albeit riding our luck frequently) followed by four back to back defeats now. I've just got home from tonight's game against an, at best average, Carlisle side.
Several things have now become apparent.
Scotty Wagstaff is completely not comfortable playing up front. Carl Jenkinson will grow into a very good fullback. I can now see why Kyle Reid was 'let go' by Sheffield United (bad attitude and application when things doesn't come easily). Gary Doherty, whom i admire and had a goodish start to the season, is now to old and losing his defensive brain along with his legs. Christian Dailly shows none of the tenacity and 'growling' qualities he had back in the day when he was playing for Scotland.
Our midfield once again did not look in anyway solid. BWP may have chipped in with regular goals, but like Reid, his attitude when things aren't going our way, lacks that ability to role sleeves up and get on with it, without pouting and wiggling his head in a negative fashion. Ecclestone has bucket loads of potential, negated by his childish attitude (see BWP).
Unlike, the growing number, of teams that have come down to the Valley, and turned us over this season, we simply do not look threatening going forward. It's more a case of whose going to give the ball away, than here comes the goal!
And the most worrying, and i apologise for this, heartbreaking thing, is the management teams seemingly complete lack of 1. Confidence, 2. Cohesive/togetherness(Powell and Dyer at opposite ends of the dugout writing frantic notes on seperate bits of paper, not in the spirit of collaboration me thinks) 3.Idea of what to change if things aren't going our way (rather than what is becoming a bit of a sad theatrical posturing of 'I really do not understand why we are not three nil up yet?', 'i'd better unconvincingly kick something in frustration'.
There i've finally 'come out' and said it. On the face of it, blips aside, our average points, consistency, starting line up and formation were better under Parkinson.
The knee jerk decision of our new board to sack him and then replace him with an inexperienced Charlton legend (and whatever transpires, he will always be a legend), just to appease the fans because all the other 'mmm factor' appointments would had not come off, i think was perhaps a little indulgent and overstated in some cynical need to be accepted by the supporters.
Over decisive direct action (Parkinsons sacking) needs to be followed by decisive and positive action. (I really believe that Chris Powell can become a great manager, but perhaps he needs a bit more than Dyer as his assistant and Peacocks arm around him at half time). Get Peacock directly involved on the bench and in the coaching set up. If the board don't do anything then the reality is that we all will have to endure, at least, another season in the third division, shit football (i can suffer that if the shit players in questionactually apply themselves and try to earn their money, and shit ref's).
We've seen four back to back wins (albeit riding our luck frequently) followed by four back to back defeats now. I've just got home from tonight's game against an, at best average, Carlisle side.
Several things have now become apparent.
Scotty Wagstaff is completely not comfortable playing up front. Carl Jenkinson will grow into a very good fullback. I can now see why Kyle Reid was 'let go' by Sheffield United (bad attitude and application when things doesn't come easily). Gary Doherty, whom i admire and had a goodish start to the season, is now to old and losing his defensive brain along with his legs. Christian Dailly shows none of the tenacity and 'growling' qualities he had back in the day when he was playing for Scotland.
Our midfield once again did not look in anyway solid. BWP may have chipped in with regular goals, but like Reid, his attitude when things aren't going our way, lacks that ability to role sleeves up and get on with it, without pouting and wiggling his head in a negative fashion. Ecclestone has bucket loads of potential, negated by his childish attitude (see BWP).
Unlike, the growing number, of teams that have come down to the Valley, and turned us over this season, we simply do not look threatening going forward. It's more a case of whose going to give the ball away, than here comes the goal!
And the most worrying, and i apologise for this, heartbreaking thing, is the management teams seemingly complete lack of 1. Confidence, 2. Cohesive/togetherness(Powell and Dyer at opposite ends of the dugout writing frantic notes on seperate bits of paper, not in the spirit of collaboration me thinks) 3.Idea of what to change if things aren't going our way (rather than what is becoming a bit of a sad theatrical posturing of 'I really do not understand why we are not three nil up yet?', 'i'd better unconvincingly kick something in frustration'.
There i've finally 'come out' and said it. On the face of it, blips aside, our average points, consistency, starting line up and formation were better under Parkinson.
The knee jerk decision of our new board to sack him and then replace him with an inexperienced Charlton legend (and whatever transpires, he will always be a legend), just to appease the fans because all the other 'mmm factor' appointments would had not come off, i think was perhaps a little indulgent and overstated in some cynical need to be accepted by the supporters.
Over decisive direct action (Parkinsons sacking) needs to be followed by decisive and positive action. (I really believe that Chris Powell can become a great manager, but perhaps he needs a bit more than Dyer as his assistant and Peacocks arm around him at half time). Get Peacock directly involved on the bench and in the coaching set up. If the board don't do anything then the reality is that we all will have to endure, at least, another season in the third division, shit football (i can suffer that if the shit players in questionactually apply themselves and try to earn their money, and shit ref's).
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Notts County v Charlton Preview
No the above is not a picture of our ex manager Dowie the mad rocket scientist or our nippy centre back Doherty it is indeed Frankensteins monster.
Ages ago, before sky had chosen to televise the Notts County game my wife had booked tickets to see Jonnie Lee Miller (trainspotting) and the bloke out of Sherelock (something Cumberbatch) in a new production of Frankenstein at the national. I've tried to get out of it, but to no avail. So the challenge tomorrow will be to get back to Dartford without finding out the score and watch the game 'live' having sky plussed it! This on top of resigning from my job.
As for the game itself a difficult one to call. With a pretty dreadful home record (county have not won at home since January 3rd) and our decent away record we might fancy getting maximum points ( and boy do we need them ). Despite being at the wrong end of the table, County don't have a negative goal difference and a consistent goal scorer in Hughes (horrible bloke). I'm thinking the best we could hope for is a 1-1 scoredraw. Mind you, of late I'm usually wrong, so here's hoping I keep up that particularbtradition in my predictions.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Charlton 1 Exeter 3
I'm really not sure quite where to start with this one.
I suppose with the positives. It was Jack my son of fives first Charlton game, and despite the lack of atmosphere generated by such a large crowd, the boy done well. Asked lots of questions, and never really got too fidgety or bored. And has infact asked to return, on the understanding that we don't lose every game. (a real Charlton supporter in the making).
Chris Powell also looked 'super fly' in his coat and cheese cutter.
The first half we were not all that bad. A few half chances not taken, and never really looking that troubled by at that time a nervous and unambitious Exeter side. What did seem quite obvious to me were several points that left me in no surprise come the final score.
None of the players from the word go looked comfortable in the 433 set up. We lacked any decent width, Jenkinson, who actually had a much better second half looked nervous about going forward and taking players on. If this is the formation we are to go for then Jackson needs to be playing at wingback and we need to bring in a right sided defensive winger or wingback.
Doherty, who despite his lack of I actually like, had a woeful game. The back header that gave an Exeter side growing in confidence their second goal, was school boyish. I appreciate he then went on a mission to get a goal back, but it is the ability to do the simple things that makes a great centre back, and he did none of those again.
One of the final points I'd like to make is the captains role within the club and on the pitch. I can't fault Dailly in his application and professional attitude during a match. What we really missed yesterday, and have done for sometime now, was anyone roaring at their colleagues when things weren't going well yesterday, and taking the game by the scruff of the neck lifting their colleagues and supporters alike into putting in an effort full performance.
I noticed at times (loath as I am to say it, how disjointed the management team looked in the dugout). Lots of notes being written by Sir Chris who was often in dialogue with Matthews whilst Dyer sat pretty prostate in the background. I hope the team (management) find their collective feet soon. Powell looked quite confused at one point when the subs were warming up in a 'who asked them to do that' type of way.
The final 'negative' has nothing to do with the team but, once again the dreadful refereeing in this division. It's just so inconsistent. To be fair the oddest decision in this game was kind of in our favour. The penalty. Elliot seemed to take out the Exeter forward who was last man standing, but it was out of the area. Either way, this should have been a straight red card. However what we got was a penalty and a yellow card? Makes no sense to me, but I'll take it as at least Elliot has avoided suspension and I really don't think we'd have come back even if they had not got the third goal.
This is where we'll really see the metal of the board, the management, the players and the 'five pounders' in the way one and all react to this second consecutive defeat. I'm hoping a return to 442, a couple of loan signings (perhaps one of captain material) and six points from the next two games.
Come on you reds!!!!!!!!!!!!
I suppose with the positives. It was Jack my son of fives first Charlton game, and despite the lack of atmosphere generated by such a large crowd, the boy done well. Asked lots of questions, and never really got too fidgety or bored. And has infact asked to return, on the understanding that we don't lose every game. (a real Charlton supporter in the making).
Chris Powell also looked 'super fly' in his coat and cheese cutter.
The first half we were not all that bad. A few half chances not taken, and never really looking that troubled by at that time a nervous and unambitious Exeter side. What did seem quite obvious to me were several points that left me in no surprise come the final score.
None of the players from the word go looked comfortable in the 433 set up. We lacked any decent width, Jenkinson, who actually had a much better second half looked nervous about going forward and taking players on. If this is the formation we are to go for then Jackson needs to be playing at wingback and we need to bring in a right sided defensive winger or wingback.
Doherty, who despite his lack of I actually like, had a woeful game. The back header that gave an Exeter side growing in confidence their second goal, was school boyish. I appreciate he then went on a mission to get a goal back, but it is the ability to do the simple things that makes a great centre back, and he did none of those again.
One of the final points I'd like to make is the captains role within the club and on the pitch. I can't fault Dailly in his application and professional attitude during a match. What we really missed yesterday, and have done for sometime now, was anyone roaring at their colleagues when things weren't going well yesterday, and taking the game by the scruff of the neck lifting their colleagues and supporters alike into putting in an effort full performance.
I noticed at times (loath as I am to say it, how disjointed the management team looked in the dugout). Lots of notes being written by Sir Chris who was often in dialogue with Matthews whilst Dyer sat pretty prostate in the background. I hope the team (management) find their collective feet soon. Powell looked quite confused at one point when the subs were warming up in a 'who asked them to do that' type of way.
The final 'negative' has nothing to do with the team but, once again the dreadful refereeing in this division. It's just so inconsistent. To be fair the oddest decision in this game was kind of in our favour. The penalty. Elliot seemed to take out the Exeter forward who was last man standing, but it was out of the area. Either way, this should have been a straight red card. However what we got was a penalty and a yellow card? Makes no sense to me, but I'll take it as at least Elliot has avoided suspension and I really don't think we'd have come back even if they had not got the third goal.
This is where we'll really see the metal of the board, the management, the players and the 'five pounders' in the way one and all react to this second consecutive defeat. I'm hoping a return to 442, a couple of loan signings (perhaps one of captain material) and six points from the next two games.
Come on you reds!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Charlton v Exeter Preview (and Jacks first game)
I'm more excited than I probably should be at the prospect of a third division home match against Exeter City.
This is due in part to the excellent work the new board have been doing to create an occasion out of such a fixture. The 'official' launch of the new big screen combined with the premiership reminiscent prematch entertainment, what is going to be a bumper crowd thanks to the five quid any seat deal, something I know a lot of supporters have taken to heart and activley encouraged lapsed Addicks to take up. And more importantly my son Jacks first ever visit to the Valley. Mine was back in eighty one when we beat Gillingham in our last third division promotion season.
What will be interesting will be how the players and management team react to that first defeat against Hartlepool. Will Sir Chris feel it obligatory to shuffle the pack on the back of a loss and what I hear was a poor performance. I think we may see Reid back on the left with Jackson (in my opinion consistently our best player this term so far) pushed back to left back, Ecclestone out on the right once again with Wright Phillips and a n other partnering him. If fit I'd like to see Anysiha up top with BWP.
I'm going to go for a Charlton 2 1 win for no other reason than we do seem to do 'big occasions' well and it's my sons first game.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This is due in part to the excellent work the new board have been doing to create an occasion out of such a fixture. The 'official' launch of the new big screen combined with the premiership reminiscent prematch entertainment, what is going to be a bumper crowd thanks to the five quid any seat deal, something I know a lot of supporters have taken to heart and activley encouraged lapsed Addicks to take up. And more importantly my son Jacks first ever visit to the Valley. Mine was back in eighty one when we beat Gillingham in our last third division promotion season.
What will be interesting will be how the players and management team react to that first defeat against Hartlepool. Will Sir Chris feel it obligatory to shuffle the pack on the back of a loss and what I hear was a poor performance. I think we may see Reid back on the left with Jackson (in my opinion consistently our best player this term so far) pushed back to left back, Ecclestone out on the right once again with Wright Phillips and a n other partnering him. If fit I'd like to see Anysiha up top with BWP.
I'm going to go for a Charlton 2 1 win for no other reason than we do seem to do 'big occasions' well and it's my sons first game.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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