Critical days ahead for Robinson...

With three games prior to Shrewsbury away it's critical that Karl Robinson gets a turn around on both recent performances and results.

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.

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?)

Once the more savvy managers cottoned onto our game plan we went from being unplayable to easily contained and frustrated.

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.

Saying we've only had one striker does not completely cut it for me. We've had KAG, Dodoo and Best. Plus several free 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.

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.

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.

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.

After our winless December in the League and dreadful start to 2018 Robinson really needs to earn his corn and turn things around. Fast.

Charlton v Gills preview

There a two things I’m hoping for today besides three points.

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.

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.

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.

Cheers and Happy New Year.

COYR

Goodbye 2017 and hopefully it would seem the regime...e

I 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.

2017 has been as frustrating a year as any under the last four years of Belgium rule in SE7.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I raise a glass to 2018 and also Katrien Meir. Good riddance you imbecile.

the blip continues...

I’m guessing a few people out there maybe thinking ‘I told you so’. Having witnessed the Northampton and Swindon wins, and enjoyed the positive atmosphere at The Valley, I bit the bullet and bought a season ticket.

Despite the recent run of two losses and a draw I’m still confident that we won’t have anything as bad as last season. However we do need to come up with a viable tactic to revert to when we come up against savvy managers who’ve worked out pressing us up the pitch basically nullifies the attacking way we set ourselves up.

Saturday also showed what a crucial player Ricky Holmes is to us. Him missing showed that we do lack creative flair and aggressive attacking prowess elsewhere on the pitch.

We can only hope that once Reeves and Marshall are fit the burden of creativity will be shared a bit more.

It’s critical we get something out of the next two away games, 2 or 3 points to keep us in touch with the top six. Walsall and Fleetwood will provide tough opposition so Robinson will have to make sure he has the team prepared fully and a well planned game plan in place.

Double Devon delight...

Charlton play their second successive game in Devon this afternoon, having seen a young side come from being to despatch with Exeter City.

A bit of a dilemma in selection upfront for Robinson. With no target men available and Watt not really looking upto it I wonder how the attacking end of the team will line up. Maybe Reeves and Sharpe playing behind Ahearne Grant. It's difficult to call.

Plymouth have list both of their opening games on in the League and the hokey cokey cup, so will be looking desperately to get some points on the board.

If we carry the spirit and attacking mentality we showed against Bristol Rovers into this game I can't see us losing.

Plymouth 1 Charlton 2, and hopefully finishing the game with eleven Charlton players on the pitch.

COYR...

Charlton win the right way...

A crowd of 12,968, swelled by a decent number of travelling Bristolians saw Charlton get off to a winning start despite playing much of the game with only ten men following Novaks early sending off.

The atmosphere at The Valley was nothing like that which i rarely enjoyed last season.  There was a real coming together throughout the stands, promoted no doubt by the recent silence from our Belgium owners and CEO and improved communications overall from the club staff on the ground.

The positive performance must also be commented on. Despite only having ten men this Charlton side continuously surged forward looking to add that second goal.  Ricky Holmes did not disappoint, and showed why it was so important to our chances this season that we retained his services.

Kashi was awesome in the midfield general role, and again will prove to be a pivotal part of any success this squad achieve over the coming month's. Dasilva looked comfortable as both a defensive and attacking full back.  All in all a great day at the office.

The only player not to come out looking at full marks was Tony Watt.  He didn't look at all sharp and certainly not match fit.

The issue we have for the next couple of weeks, until Magennis returns, is who plays up front. I don't think either Watt or Ahearne Grant could play that holding up target man type of role that the former two mentioned can, pulling in Sharpe, Fosu and Holmes into attacking play. Perhaps Robinson will tweak tactics until Magennis is available again.

Happy with the direction things look to be taking so far.

Man of the Match: Ricky Holmes

Could do Better: Tony Watt

A change in Regime policy...

So a line is drawn under our Preseason preparation with the signing of Ben Reeves.

To be honest it's been completely different to any of the recent build ups under this regime. Some good additions to the squad, rebuffing bids for Ricky Holmes and giving him the reward of a new contract. All of this combined with Kashis return to fitness and the squad leave me feeling confident ahead of tomorrow's big kick off.

Even Robinson is growing on me. He may have a motor mouth but he does seem to be the man in charge and looks like he actually understands what Charlton is all about.

Bowyer and Jackson as his bench buddies could be inspired and present us with a young and dynamic management team.

It all reminds me of both the 85 86 promotion Preseason and that of Sir Chris Powell's League One championship campaign.

There are however some very strong sides competing for in League One this season. I don't think we're quite up to speed for an automatic place but believe the top six and a triumphant trip to Wembley is well within our sites.

COYR

Match Prediction: Charlton 3 Bristol Rovers 1