I make no apologies for the hugely self indulgent nature of this post!
My Dad, after much badgering took me to my first ever Charlton game back in 1981. After one or two more ad hoc games he brought me to he finally went the hole hog and bought me a half season ticket as a Christmas present. One of those moments in life that has stuck with me ever since. The big hug and genuine thanks for a present that has fundamentally effected my life and given me so much during the last thirty years of laughs, enjoyment, pain, swearing, nail-biting, more swearing, away days and all of those other football things I hope to pass onto my own kids.
Sadly he passed away this month, and amongst his many legacies one will be a whole other two generations of Addicks to enjoy (?) many days of more laughs, enjoyment, pain, swearing, nail biting, more swearing, away days etc etc etc. Cheers Dad x
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Saturday, 24 November 2012
Thursday, 1 November 2012
...Lets park the bus
I'm back posting. Life having overtaken most things of late I thought it was about time to bite the bullet and start thinking about football matters again.
We entertain Boro in what may well be looked back on as a pivotal weekend in our season.
I know it's relatively early days yet, but we are doing pretty much what I had expected so far, perhaps a bit worst than we should have anticipated after home defeats against Watford and Barnsley that I would imagine the management had targeted for three points in each when looking at the fixture list pre season.
The encouraging thing for me is the unwritten goal difference mirroring league position and final points rule will see us stay up without out too much breath holding.
Historically we have a pretty even record against Middlesbrough, Charlton won 35 and Boro 38 over all games, even if you look at the last four encounters it's two wins a piece.
Undoubtedly Boro are on quite a run currently and will be high on confidence following the recent cup win against premier league rivals Sunderland.
With two of our relegation rivals playing each other at the weekend, Sheff Weds v Peterborough, it could be a chance for us to put some daylight back between us and the bottom four.
As far as predicting a result, anything seems possible in this division. 4-5-1 seems to be working better. I think if we play that formation there is a chance of us carrying off a smash and grab and nicking a one nil win. We'll need to come out of the traps quickly, get an early goal, and then park the bus. (Sorry to say, it's the only way I can see us out maneuvering a Boro side that does seem to be getting up a real head of steam).
If we do decide to play with two up top and outplay them I think it could be a long afternoon that may well see us ship some goals. Let hope it's the former.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
mental in SE7
its all going mental down in SE7. First news tonight was that Slater is to be replaced by ex Charlton player Paul Elliott.One of my seminal favourite players and undoubtedly an intelligent man, but what, why and how? And even more surprising, i think, is Waggy being farmed out to Londinium Orient on a months loan. Another Charlton favourite of mine.
This coupled with the recent rumours of Russian mafia in the directors box recently I think we're in for the usual intriguing Charlton supporting roller-coaster over the next few months!
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This coupled with the recent rumours of Russian mafia in the directors box recently I think we're in for the usual intriguing Charlton supporting roller-coaster over the next few months!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, 28 September 2012
It's been a while...
... Both since my last post and also since we last played one of my least favourite football clubs, Blackburn Rovers. But I'll get to that in a bit.
So a quick apology to anyone who is regularly kind enough to visit this page and read (and mostly disagree with I'd imagine) my views. My rather pregnant wife (number six en route for 21st December) managed to both rupture her cruciate ligament and snap her cartelidge, works been a headache and we bloody lost against Palace. So both my time and enthusiasm have been a tad hampered of late. Sorry.
A quick 'whistle-stop' review of the last four game. Following the home draw against Hull City, who are becoming one of the fancied sides to be there or there about's come the end of the season, we then lost three on the spin, all be it with late rallies to try and get something out of the game. (How good would it have been for Hamer to hammer the ball into the back of the net in last minutes against Palace?) These late shows were simply not good enough, the side looked unbalanced and most worryingly Jackson looked out of his depth, out of sorts and out of position at left midfield. Something needed to change.
Away to Ipswich loomed, without the boy Rhoys now confirmed as a mid term injury victim and Yan the Man out injured I wasn't hopeful and expected this to be an unfortunate defining moment. As it turned out it may well have been a defining moment. For the good! It's been no big secret that Jacko's preferred role is in the centre of midfield, funny that he originally played for us on loan at left back, moved into left midfield as cover and may well have found his perfect slot in the middle. Kerkar looks like being another astute signing and reports are that he looked very good on the left. Fuller came in for Kermo, and scored one of the most confident and proactive goals I've seen scored by a Charlton forward for some time. A case of 'i've got the ball, get out of my way, now i'll shoot'. Out of the bottom three and all looking a bit more rosy.
One downside was how effortlessly Solly slotted into left back. This boys got talent. I find it so bemusing that the transfer window interest was in Stephens and not young Chris. A full back who looks (so I hear) equally at home on the left or right defensivley and going forward must be worth a mint!
So on to tomorrows game. I have a solid hatred for Blackburn Rovers. The first team to really 'buy' the league title. (Pre Chelsea and Man City). Broke my teenage heart beating us in the Full Members Cup Final at Wembley, back in the days when I had absolutely no expectation that we would end up both back at the Valley and considered as THE model premiership small club. And of course historically (prior to my time of course) thwarting us at our original attempt to get straight back into the old first division in the days when we used to have regular BIG BIG BIG crowds. And an ex employer who have a box at Ewood Park, who when I asked about their history of supporting Rovers explained that they'd never been in the seats let alone the terrace, grew up in Tulse Hill supporting Arsenal as a kid, and the first live game they went to was the first game after Jack Walker had invested his millions into the playing staff to all but ensure promotion from the executive box they'd bought.
It's one of those games tomorrow I think. Crash or burn. Either Keane (odd man that he seems) will bring his players down to the Valley where they will bounce straight back from their recent defeat and put us promptly back in 'our place' OR Sir Chris's plans will slowly start to take place. These enforced changes to our line up I think were inevitable. Powell admirably stuck with those players that made us all so proud last season, and rightly so. But I think now he will begin to ring the changes that should see us safely flopping around mid table for the rest of the season. I see Kerkar on the left, Jackson in the middle, Solly perhaps back on the right and Evina, who it would seem is beginning to garner favor on the left. Fuller, if fit, will start up front with BWP.
I've got this funny feeling we're going to see some goals tomorrow. I'm going to plump for a 5-0 to us, piling the agony (and P45) on the Blackburn manager and giving me five reason to be cheerful. I might even have a punt on it.
So a quick apology to anyone who is regularly kind enough to visit this page and read (and mostly disagree with I'd imagine) my views. My rather pregnant wife (number six en route for 21st December) managed to both rupture her cruciate ligament and snap her cartelidge, works been a headache and we bloody lost against Palace. So both my time and enthusiasm have been a tad hampered of late. Sorry.
A quick 'whistle-stop' review of the last four game. Following the home draw against Hull City, who are becoming one of the fancied sides to be there or there about's come the end of the season, we then lost three on the spin, all be it with late rallies to try and get something out of the game. (How good would it have been for Hamer to hammer the ball into the back of the net in last minutes against Palace?) These late shows were simply not good enough, the side looked unbalanced and most worryingly Jackson looked out of his depth, out of sorts and out of position at left midfield. Something needed to change.
Away to Ipswich loomed, without the boy Rhoys now confirmed as a mid term injury victim and Yan the Man out injured I wasn't hopeful and expected this to be an unfortunate defining moment. As it turned out it may well have been a defining moment. For the good! It's been no big secret that Jacko's preferred role is in the centre of midfield, funny that he originally played for us on loan at left back, moved into left midfield as cover and may well have found his perfect slot in the middle. Kerkar looks like being another astute signing and reports are that he looked very good on the left. Fuller came in for Kermo, and scored one of the most confident and proactive goals I've seen scored by a Charlton forward for some time. A case of 'i've got the ball, get out of my way, now i'll shoot'. Out of the bottom three and all looking a bit more rosy.
One downside was how effortlessly Solly slotted into left back. This boys got talent. I find it so bemusing that the transfer window interest was in Stephens and not young Chris. A full back who looks (so I hear) equally at home on the left or right defensivley and going forward must be worth a mint!
So on to tomorrows game. I have a solid hatred for Blackburn Rovers. The first team to really 'buy' the league title. (Pre Chelsea and Man City). Broke my teenage heart beating us in the Full Members Cup Final at Wembley, back in the days when I had absolutely no expectation that we would end up both back at the Valley and considered as THE model premiership small club. And of course historically (prior to my time of course) thwarting us at our original attempt to get straight back into the old first division in the days when we used to have regular BIG BIG BIG crowds. And an ex employer who have a box at Ewood Park, who when I asked about their history of supporting Rovers explained that they'd never been in the seats let alone the terrace, grew up in Tulse Hill supporting Arsenal as a kid, and the first live game they went to was the first game after Jack Walker had invested his millions into the playing staff to all but ensure promotion from the executive box they'd bought.
It's one of those games tomorrow I think. Crash or burn. Either Keane (odd man that he seems) will bring his players down to the Valley where they will bounce straight back from their recent defeat and put us promptly back in 'our place' OR Sir Chris's plans will slowly start to take place. These enforced changes to our line up I think were inevitable. Powell admirably stuck with those players that made us all so proud last season, and rightly so. But I think now he will begin to ring the changes that should see us safely flopping around mid table for the rest of the season. I see Kerkar on the left, Jackson in the middle, Solly perhaps back on the right and Evina, who it would seem is beginning to garner favor on the left. Fuller, if fit, will start up front with BWP.
I've got this funny feeling we're going to see some goals tomorrow. I'm going to plump for a 5-0 to us, piling the agony (and P45) on the Blackburn manager and giving me five reason to be cheerful. I might even have a punt on it.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
It's nearly here...
... You'll have to forgive me for being a bit overexcited. I always get excited about the Addicks taking the field, but no more so than when we play local rivals Palace.
It's been one thousand three hundred and twenty six days since we last played and beat them, back at the Valley in 2009. (Yes I am that sad that i have worked out this fact with several old calendars and a bit of MENTAL arrhythmic).
I've enjoyed (and agonised) watching this fixture so many times. My Millwall supporting mate agree's that this for him is also always the one to win. You want and need bragging rights and a defeat can not only write of the evening for you but pretty much the rest of the month. (If not he season if it6's a bad one).
Palace moments that stick in my mind are many.
The penultimate game at the Valley, when THAT crappy piece of paper was first handed (as I remember it) and us going on to beat them 3-1 to stick two fingers up at their crowing supporters.
Sitting in The Arthur Waite Upper as a teenager with my Dad, with just a bit of barb separating us from some idiot spitting at us and generally looking like he wanted to murder me.
Losing at home in the play off semi final. Steve Claridge breaking hundreds of Palace hearts by firing a late winner for Leicester in a play off final.
The photo copied cuttings from pretty much every national paper mounted on the wall behind my desk proudly on display for all and sundry to see the morning after 'nine goal went past Perry...'
Dennis Rommedahl
Pacing nervously around my garden listening to the match updates come in and chatting nervously to my Millwall supporting friend whilst we waited, post Fortune goal, for confirmation of their relegation. (That particular celebration came back to bite us on the bum).
Iain 'Bloody!' Dowie
And stand jumping from the middle of my front room floor onto my bay window ledge, then letting out a primal scream, to celebrate our most recent match winning goal.
Sir Chris will certainly understand and not underestimate the importance of this fixture. I'm sure he'll get his tactics spot on and I'll have a great weekend.
Ricardo to arrive at The Valley in style and bragging rights coming to SE7 for a few months at least. Charlton 3-1.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
The transfer window, West Ham and Bolton bog off!
Besides the addition of some more keeper cover the predominant rumours being strongly touted by the media (including Sky Sports, which is usually pretty close to the mark) are the bid from Villa for Stephens and the double bids from West Ham and Bolton for
It is the hateful thing about the transfer window, clubs leaving it very very late to table these bids, thus if the deal does get done leaving the selling club too little time to get in a replacement thats any where near good enough.
As far as the two players go I think i'd be stating the bleeding obvious when I say I can actually see Stephens being easily replaceable (maybe even from within, Hughes did a great job and the central midfield seemed more balanced, settled and we played better during the period that he was paired with Hollands, we've also got kerkar and ruben boverr waiting in the wings), whereas i will categorically say I simply do not want Solly to go. Particularly not to Bolton who lets face it are now our peers. I can fully understand the allure of a season in the Premiership (which is all i think he'll get with the Hammers).
How hard would Solly be to replace? Wilson, sorry, i don't think based what I've seen so far will cut it for us. And his game is fundamentally limited in comparison. I can only hope that Sir Chris and the board have something lined up as this transfer is a rumour that has failed to go away all summer.
If either has to go, then the best part of a million quid from Villa for Stephens along with Reo Coker as a free agent brought in to bolster the midfield would suit me, with Chris Solly further enhancing his youthful but ever growing stock amongst the Addicks staying to give us at least this season before someone bigger than West Ham paying 'proper' money for him next summer.
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It is the hateful thing about the transfer window, clubs leaving it very very late to table these bids, thus if the deal does get done leaving the selling club too little time to get in a replacement thats any where near good enough.
As far as the two players go I think i'd be stating the bleeding obvious when I say I can actually see Stephens being easily replaceable (maybe even from within, Hughes did a great job and the central midfield seemed more balanced, settled and we played better during the period that he was paired with Hollands, we've also got kerkar and ruben boverr waiting in the wings), whereas i will categorically say I simply do not want Solly to go. Particularly not to Bolton who lets face it are now our peers. I can fully understand the allure of a season in the Premiership (which is all i think he'll get with the Hammers).
How hard would Solly be to replace? Wilson, sorry, i don't think based what I've seen so far will cut it for us. And his game is fundamentally limited in comparison. I can only hope that Sir Chris and the board have something lined up as this transfer is a rumour that has failed to go away all summer.
If either has to go, then the best part of a million quid from Villa for Stephens along with Reo Coker as a free agent brought in to bolster the midfield would suit me, with Chris Solly further enhancing his youthful but ever growing stock amongst the Addicks staying to give us at least this season before someone bigger than West Ham paying 'proper' money for him next summer.
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Wednesday, 22 August 2012
four points closer to the magic fourty nine...
...In all honesty I really didn't expect to be sitting here after two games on four points and already starting to get delusions of grandeur and possible pangs of thought saying to myself ever so quietly 'we couldn't actually do it. Surely not? A double bounce back to the promised land?'
Even as unlikely as this is, the early signs are good. Two good results against two of the better teams and more importantly better managers in this division. Despite riding our luck a bit at times this Charlton side looks neither scared or out of place in The Championship. And will only grow and get better as it did last season.
The real aim this season, as a minimum requirement, is to hit the magic forty nine points that's been enough over recent years to keep you up for another season in The Championship. We've already chalked up four of those points in a couple of games that in all honesty i'd hoped for only a couple at best. So so far so good.
The signing of Fuller is encouraging, a good strong and experienced striker, I remember when we nearly signed him back in the good old days before he'd ever made an impact with anyone. This gives us some real experience in depth up front.
It was good to see Kermo stick down the Leicester City crowds throats and hopefully will excercise one or two demons for our French Talisman.
All in all a rather happy Addick sitting here looking forward to the Hull game on Saturday, where if we can keep our early momentum and get a result accompanied by a polished performance could really start to propel us towards a more exciting season than I'd anticipated.
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