Please don't come back Sky TV

I don't like lunch time kick off's, never have. I'm a bit of a tradition, 3 o clock Saturday afternoon's when I want to be cheering the lads on.

I'm beginning to dislike the TV cameras even more. Whether it's Sky or terrestrial we never fair well.

Today's game, despite the late late nature of the winning goal, it really could have gone either way. Possession overall, plus shots on and off target there was nothing in it stat wise. However I felt we cut out better chances, but as has been for far too long looked a bit naive and not well enough drilled in what final pass to make or when to just go for it.

Harriott, Vetokele and Gudmundsson were all guilty of the above.

Now the unbeaten home records gone we can begin to realistically look at our chances for the rest of the season.

I think the squad is far too good to get dragged into a relegation scrape. If the right investment is made in the transfer window we could well still flirt with the play off places. We still need an experienced and self assured forward to partner Igor (come on RD, take a chance on that Bournemouth journeyman, the one I hear owns a house in South East London) someone with Championship experience who can chip in with ten goals in the second half of the season.

I'd also like to see an incisive winger and midfielder with proven Championship experience.

Failing the above I feel confident we can finish mid table.

It may seem a bit flat, but if mid table can be achieved, and RD perceivers with Big Bob for another season I think something we all enjoyed for the first half of the naughties can return to The Valley once more.

Disappointed, but not despondent. If we can enter the new year on 35 points, I'll be more than happy.


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Close but no cigar

A close, at times spicy, local affair ended in a disappointing nil all draw.

Tucadean missed a tilted chance right at the death to send the home supporters into raptures when he did all the hard stuff other than putting the ball into a goalkeeper less net.

We also had a couple of very good penalty shouts. I'll be interested to watch the football league show tonight, we are the feature game, to see whether they were as nailed on as they looked.

Pope was very self assured in between the sticks, I expect great things from the lad, if he keeps it up Henderson may find himself with a bit of a problem reclaiming his place as custodian.

All in all not a bad game for a scoreless draw, but I can't help but feel today was an opportunity missed.

On the plus side though, every player wearing the Charlton shirt was up for it today. Something we've not seen in a local derby for a while.

Sorry it's a bit of a brief post. I'm off to recover with a beer.




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The Unbeatables

Every now and then I delve into the annals of history and throw some statistics into the mix, that make me both a tad sad and equally sad for getting a bit of thrill by my findings and what they may mean. (Usually bugger all, but for that moment of delusional excitement well worth it).

With our both surprising and extremely pleasing start to the season seeing us alongside Forest as unbeaten as we nearly enter the second quarter of the fixture list I thought I'd take a look back at how other teams, unbeaten at this point, fared come the end of the season.

First bit of good new is none of them got relegated. The second is that we really ought to revel in our status. It is actually incredibly rare to get to this point not having dropped a whole three points in any one match. Perhaps rarer than you may think.

Prior to ourselves and Forest, only three clubs have managed this feat in the last ten years going back to 2004-2005 season. QPR twice, Middlesborough and Wigan Athletic.

QPR were unbeaten at this point and finally got promoted, all be it a touch of fluke in 2013-14.

Boro were unbeaten at this stage (not with a dissimilar record to our own) and finished just short of a play off place in seventh and five points off the pace. (I'm sure all sensible Addicks offered that in the summer would have bit the proverbiall hand off).

QPR again in 2010-11, going on to romp to the title.

Finally, and a full ten years prior, Wigan Athletic finished second to grab automatic promotion.

So as you'll see, we are amongst good company and it's not a common occurrence.

Interestingly the season we went up via the 'greatest ever game at Wembley' do you know who were Champions? Nottingham Forest. But that really is a tenuous statistic twist too far.

Bottom line for me though is, regardless of the number of draws, this is not what we know as a typical Charlton side (except for the stoic and plucky determination NOT to lose). The will to win, confidence and general big thinking attitude fills me with confidence that there will be no spectacular bubble burst. Almost certainly the odd blip, but we will be there or there abouts come May.

The next three results may or may not bring us all out in raptures of delusional optimism and joy.

On paper all three games could offer some kind of return. When I look at the fixtures, tomorrow is the one that worries me the worst. Bournemouth have none of the delusions of grandeur that Bolton, Fulham and their respective managers do. And I believe are the most likley to put an end to our run. I'd be happy with another draw tomorrow. I feel we have the beating of Bolton under the lights at The Valley on Tuesday. And we are due a win at Craven Cottage, who I still believe look like going the same way as ourselves and other mid table premier league regulars have gone over recent seasons - league one! 

If we come out of the next three games with five points i'll begin seriously thinking of a season at least two games longer than I'd anticipated, and perhaps even a trip with the whole family back to the new Wembley for another play off final. Last time I went it was with the wife, Mum and Dad and technically my eldest (who was busy kicking around in my wife's tummy getting ready to make her imminent arrival).

Being a Charlton supporter and blogger is officially becoming fun again. (Almost).

Super Big Bob Peeters...

The easy thing would be to predict a score draw for tomorrow's game. But there are so many things to factor in following Boro's excellent display in midweek against Liverpool.

Will they be fired up following such a fine display? Will they be tired? Will players be rested? I don't know. The now overused but entirely correct cliche that any team can beat any team in The Championship still seems to remain true.

It appears there is an entire army of 'he'll be found out soon...' Bob Peeters knockers waiting in the wings for us to finally lose a game. Maybe they'll get their bizarre wishes come true tommorow. There's no doubt now the Boro players have settled they are contenders.

Personally I think he's already been 'found out'! He's articulate, charming with a dry sense of humour, passionate about our team, honest and does seem to know a thing or two about how to play the game.

My thoughts are long may our 'fluke' of a run continue! Charlton 3 Boro 1

Millers preview

It's always exciting when we play a team we've not faced for some time.

Charlton travel to Rotherham for the first time in 31 years to face the Millers.

The last time we actually managed to record a win against them was even further back in 1980.

Thankfully ex Addick Richard Wood is injured so won't get the opportunity to stick one in against us as seems to happen so often with ex players.

Vetokele is apparently in contention for a place.

This is really the first fixture of the season, based on form, that we could be classed as favourites to come away with a result. (Rather worryingly!)

It will certainly be a test, the Rotherham manager has gone on record intimating they may well park the bus this afternoon and try to nullify our attacking threat, rather than go all out to win the game and a precious three points.

I'm going to err on the side of caution and predict a frustrating nil all draw with our unbeaten run to continue.

Spoils shared...

Another frantic and exhausting game was played out at The Valley last night. I got to the game without much time to spare so settled on a bottle of water rather than the customary pint I'd usually have.

Charlton were out of the traps quickly, and the game was both as entertaining and hard fought as Saturdays match against Watford.

I checked the table once the again excellent Biley had put us one nil up, and nearly put every joint in his body out with his acrobatic celebration, and we were top!  Unfortunately this didn't last, as good as we were in the first half, Wolves were equally as good in the second.

Like Big Bob, Jackett has put together a competitive team that besides the ability to be physical play good football.

An enjoyable night was tarnished by Wolves equalising, but to honest one all was a fair result. In Wolves, Watford AND Charlton I think we have seen three of the best teams in the division who will all be in contention for a top six place come May next year.

The big test comes at the end of the month when we travel to Carrow Road.

Another tough test looms with Boro at home.

Charlton look to continue great start...

If you'd have told me we'd be sitting pretty in 5th place and on 12 points after only six games, having seen off 3 of the pre seasons most fancied teams for promotion I would have probabaly sighed 'I wish' before a ball had been kicked.

More importantly I think the good start we have made is no fluke and we are there on merit!

Wolves, who are begining to growl about back to back promotions, visit the Valley tonight. Both sets of players will be tired, particularly the Addicks, after Saturdays tough fought but deserved victory against Watford. I expect where needed we may see a bit of squad rotation. Wilson will start I hope. He deserves to. Ben Haim could even be rested with Morrison making his first start of the season. Both deputee's will fill in fine if picked I'm sure.

We are a bit thin up front and in the midfield however. In my opinion if we look to pick up another three points tonight then Vetokele HAS to start. Buyens fitness levels look good enough that he should start as well. As for the rest of the midfield it will be fascinating to see who lines up wide and partnering Buyens in the centre.

My head says a hard earned for draw is on the cards tonight, however with this group of players mindset any things possible, so I'm going with my heart and betting on a Charlton win. 2-1.