Destiny awaits...

To say that the next two league games Charlton are to play could well have a pivotal effect on the outcome of our season could certainly be no understatement in my opinion.

The games, order and timeliness that the fixtures computer throws these sequences and dates up never ceases to amaze me.

On Saturday we travel to a vastly improving Sheffield Wednesday team followed by a visit to the Valley by their local rivals United the next week.

It's no real surprise that two such big clubs are up there jostling with ourselves for one of the two automatic promotion places on offer. What is slightly surprising (and a tad frustrating) is the fact that despite having only surrendered to defeat twice this season we are not as clearly out  front on points as you would expect.

This could change dependent on the results over the next fortnight. I don't really need to outline the maths but will anyway. We win both games and this could see us 7 and 8 points respectively clear of second and third place. (This is if both Sheffield clubs win their other games, Wednesday at home to Hartlepool and United away to Bury).  The other alternative being that if we fail to win and lose both games we'll drop to third and be in the play off melee!

It's certainly going to be a nervy and exciting couple of weekends. The current crop of Charlton players do seem to have the ability to rise to the occasion. Just look at (not the result) the way they acquitted themselves against Fulham last week.  The 4-0 scoreline receiving the general consensus (everywhere outside of SW6) that it flattered Fulham somewhat. Also the way in which we put down the 'unbeatable' Huddersfield Town.

I'm not deluded enough to actually expect us to get all six points but honestly believe that we can pick up four to go some way to cementing our place in the top two and push us closer to a return to The Championship.

...'It's a funny old game'

...So a winning start to 2012 for us then.

It was a funny old afternoon, and to coin a phrase a funny old game.

The kick off delay was a pain, but did make it an altogether different experience in the lower west.  The drummers from the North Stand had relocated to the West, so added to the usual atmosphere we of the living dead usually enjoy.

The game itself was both frustrating and a wee bit blander than the 2-0 final scoreline may have suggested to those who were not there.  At times, despite the 17 odd thousand that were there at the ground, it was quieter than usual. But I put this down to general nerves of the players and supporters alike, worried about the prospect of another defeat in this potential banana skin of a game. Don't get me wrong, we were and are a better side than the Bee's, but we did find it very difficult to carve out any straight up chances. BWP really does need to get what is becoming that allusive goal, he is beginning to cut a frustrated figure and low in confidence.

As seems usual with Rosler the Tossers Brentford side, there was a fair bit of gamesmanship and foul play involved.  The most surprising thing being that they did not receive a single booking.

I'm all for blood and thunder tackles, and even a bit of argy bargy, but Alexander's antics for a couple of late free kicks were at best irritating and at worst just plain unsporting behaviour. Cheating if you want. Blind siding the goalkeeper whilst he is trying to line up his wall for a direct free kick just isn't right!

As it was the (once again) awful officiating and Brentfords gamesmanship was not enough to thwart Charlton unpretty but effectual performance. And a collective cheer of relief wrung out across the Valley when Green kept his composure and nerve to control the long ball from Hamer and clinically plant the ball past the Bee's keeper.

With one or two players rested I thought Cort did a good job filling in for Taylor, Pritchard despite his inexperience did well in the midfield, tackled back if and when he ever lost possession and continues to impress.  New boy Clarke, although I appreciate he was only on for a short period, did not inspire me at all. I think one position we really need to address in the transfer window is a second striker of BWP's quality. To both cover for injury and to provide a bit of direct competition for the strikers place.

We can now look forward to the light relief of a cup game against premiership opposition (is it just me or does it still seem weird that we are going to top flight Fulham as third division underdogs looking to spring a 'cup shock'?) followed by two huge games against both of our closest promotion rivals from Sheffield.

Brentford at home

There's this horrible thing myself and I'm sure other Charlton supporters, and infact football fans in general suffer from. Random attacks of pessimism!

After the none game that was away to Orient on Old Years night, ruined courtesy of the referee/Ben Hamer depending which way you look at it, and a tight win at Yeovil preceeded by a couple of draws, I'm getting a bit worried (almost certainly unnecessarily so). There's the old adage of Charlton coming down with the Christmas decorations, which is not statistically true - but these kind of thugs stick within the physcee of your average football fan. And who could forget the hideous second half of last season.

I know that when I rationally look at things, the squad we have, the way the season has panned out so far, our manager the likelihood of any kind of capitulation during the second half of the season is pretty unlikely.

There, that bit of irrational negativity now off my chest. I fully expect us to turn the corner on some shaky results/performances today and stick it to Brentford. It won't be easy, in they have a clever tactitian of a manager, so will come with a game plan, on the upside they do not have any ex Addicks to come and stick the knife in.

I'm going for a hard fought 3-1 win to The Addicks.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Swap shop to take place after Addicks head East...

So potentially the first bit of transfer window business has taken place. Or will tomorrow once the transfer window re-opens.

Leon Clarke, who had that very odd bust up with Dicanio at the start of the season, will be joining us in what is apparently a straight swap for Paul Benson.

I liked Benno, he was a hard working, if not skillful, forward.  I am guessing it's another member of the non Powell brigade leaving, and in Clarke we are signing more of a target man who I guess will give us cover for Kermogant and an alternative option from the bench rather than the immobile Jason Muell.

I'm wondering what team Sir Chris will put out this evening. There's been a fair bit written quoting him as saying he may mix things up to protect those players near a ban prior to the booking amnesty. (This is a rule I've missed/not heard of before). I expect we may well see Jackson back on the left and Ephriam may well play on the right in the absence of Green (suspended) and Wagstaff (possibly carrying an ankle injury).

Expect to see a return to goal scoring form from BWP and Kermo pitching in with a goal as well. Here's my precise prediction, The O's to take an early lead courtesy of Lisbie (we all know he will score against us as he always seems to) followed by a Charlton come back rolling over Orient 4-1.

Happy New Year.

Christmas 'blip' becomes unbeaten run and promotion push...

...So following on from the back to back draws, Charlton come back twice from behind in Somerset followed by an injury time winner turning things round from a seeming blip in a promotion march into an eleven match unbeaten charge towards the Championship. Coupled with Sheffield Wednesday's late collapse, we sit 8 points cleat at the summit of the third division. Let's hope there is no Leyton Orient backlash from their latest set back at Brisbane Road.

If we do get the three points that we should on Old Years Night then we come out of the tricky Christmas programme on an amazing 54 points. And who knows? Maybe even with an eleven point cushion at the top! Happy bloody Christmas Messrs Powell, Dyer, Slater and Jiminez!

I think a special mention should go to the Gaelic Kermogrant.

2002–2004	Vannes	49	(11)
2004–2005	Châtellerault	29	(14)
2005–2007	Grenoble	58	(16)
2007–2009	Stade Reims	66	(13)
2009–2011	Leicester City	20	(1)
2010–2011	→ Arles-Avignon (loan)	26	(3)
2011–	Charlton Athletic	13	(7)

Besides the fact he does work tirelessly for the team, when you look at his previous record (above) as I did when we signed him, it is far from prolific.  However his confidence under Sir Chris has certainly grown, and by his terms he is becoming a second goalscorer for the club. A ratio of a goal very two games.  (Which is priceless, when your main striker hits a baron spell, as they all do from time to time. Takes the pressure off.)

This leads me to deduce, that perhaps, in Chris Powell we have unearthed one of those fantastic and rare types of managers who can take an under performing and underrated player and coach them into something pretty special.

Oldham park the bus

It's taken me a while to post re yesterdays game.  I left the ground so deflated.  Oldham did what they intended to do and ground out, what for them was a good point.

Despite the last ten minutes of each half there was only really one team in it for me. Us. Kermogant does seem like a bit of a marmite player for alot of  Addicks and I hear varying opinions. For me he was immense yesterday, a real target man who not only holds the ball up well, but when it is hoofed up the park to him does try and nod it into some areas that make life difficult for the opposition. And he did not stop chasing down the ball until the final whistle went.

We were not dreadful at all, it was just one of those really frustrating days. You could see how frustrated BWP was getting with not quite good enough through balls and he did miss a bit of a sitter one on one with the keeper. I've been really impressed with Bradley's work rate this season, and he obviously has the skills to perform at at least Championship level. (In fact I have on more than one occasion embarrassed myself and shouted his name as Shaun by some odd form of mis identification).  I feel he really needs a goal to get him back on track and ease what could become a lack of confidence issue.

I don't think this is the beginning of the infamous Charlton Xmas and New Years capitulation that we are well known for. I can see Sir Chris being given the opportunity to strengthen the squad in the window for the promotion push. Not that I think we need it. But every little helps. (And an impact player to bring on from the bench for occasions like yesterday).

I was listening to the post match interview with Sir Chris in the car on the way home yesterday. I had to laugh. I've always liked the guy, and don't ever seeing that changing whatever way Charlton's or his fortunes go.  The interviewer said something along the lines of 'being your 50th game in charge at The Valley how fantastically you've done', Chris laughed and replied 'well for the last 25, not the first 25'. Such honesty.

Finally, what a great crowd yesterday. Considering Oldham must have brought just one coach full by the looks of it.  One of my kids schools had been given free tickets from the club, so I sat with the two that accompanied me away from my usual seat. To be fair I'd dreaded the idea of sitting with a bunch of screaming school kids but both the parents and children from StAlbans and York Road school did themselves, the school and Charlton proud.

Happy Christmas at The Valley...

I certainly hope so.  My day could not have got off to a better start. Channel chopping I find The Specials recorded live in concert is on Sky Arts.  So are furthering my children's musical education by watching it with them.

I'll be taking two of my brood along to the game today, so am hoping the lads can put a good performance and pick up all three points.  I've seen some pretty good games against Oldham over the years in the second division, I seem to recall a 3 all draw and I'm pretty sure a 5-3.

Russell seems to be getting better by the game and with potential players incoming to the midfield in January along with Stephens and Jackson returning from injury the midfield is looking extremely strong and will be extremely competitive for places. (Especially if Ephriam stays into the New Year).

I said I expected at the very least a draw last week at Wallsall, some saw this as a set back, but on the back of Sir Chris being awarded manager of the month was a decent result. (Not that I'm superstitious or anything).

I'm pretty confident that we'll see a good Charlton win this afternoon.  There haven't been too many setbacks so far this season, however when there have our reaction in the following fixture have been consistently good. After the home draw against Scunthorpe we beat Championship Reading and Bury away in the league, following our home draw against Sheff Weds we went on a 5 match unbeaten run in the league then following our three match win less streak we went on an 8 match winning streak and are now unbeaten for nine games in all competitions (some set back that draw at Wallsall hey?).

Floating not that far above the relegation zone and with a negative goal difference of minus four, conceding 18 times on the road in the league I'm confidently predicting a good Charlton victory, perhaps even seeing a return to scoring form for BWP and perhaps even seeing him bag that elusive first hat trick. 5-1 Charlton.