A different Charlton

I had tried to post prior to the Reading game, but the rubbish app I've been using on my iPad for whatever reason froze and I needed to get on to the game.

Now that things seem to be stabilising down in SE7 I think it' time to take a step back away from all of the recent hysteria surrounding the new owners and their network and have a look at the pluses.

The players and manager that have come in since the departure of Bob Peeters (who it would seem was well out of his depth, both tactically and from a man management point of view) have certainly stepped upto the mark, along with the existing squad players. A great run of results with the exception of the home game against Blackburn have seen us climb the table, leaving even some of the wonderfully optimistic cup half full Addicks whispering of a miracle run to sixth place. A bit premature me thinks - but blind optomism is a general must if your to endure a long term love affair with our club.

Broadcasting the Millwall game live to The Valley is a great idea, I appreciate it's mainly commercial, but it shows that the club is begining to understand and reconnect a bit with the supporters.

Katrien Meirre has been on a media offensive, appearing on Sky Sports, Radio Four and in The Evening Standard. To be fair I understand and appreciate her comments about unpleasant emails and being accosted on the train returning from the Watford Debacle. I quite like her, she seems articulate, if not a little un-media savvy in some of the things she comes out with.

All in all it's a different Charlton to the last few incarnations we've seen. Different to 'the model football club' that we saw under Varney et al's stewardship, different to the well invested record breaking Leaggue One winning squad AND the club left to die on the vine by Jiminez and Slater once their backer bailed, different to the nomadic days of Selhurst and Upton Park.

Owners come and go. At the moment, all be it through a bit of trial and error, the current owners seem to have managed to get their incarnation of Charlton Athletic on an upwards curve. I'll wait and see what the summer brings, what will say though is that I'm actually optimistic that in a sensible way (ie. Not breaking the bank) the incumbent owners and individuals running the club at the front end will do their best to keep the current trajectory of the club going.

I've got that Luzon feeling ...

A bit over the top perhaps, but I think post YET ANOTHER well drilled display, full of passion, hunger and not just the will to not lose - but to win we may have to begin to admit, at least just a tad, he does know what he's doing! I've been wrong before, countless times, but  willing to admit the fact.

The great atmosphere from start to finish last night further enhances a thoroughly enjoyable 'match day experience'

A couple of things stood out for me. Despite us all moaning of the lack of cover and depth to the squad for some time, all those who were called upon to step up and fill in for injured or rested players did so with verve.

Diarra and Gomez looked like they'd been the playing as a central defence pairing all season, Lawrie tried hard, and did cut out some of the surging runs from Forests beast of a left winger a few times. Having said this bringing on Bikey for Wilson and switching him for Gomez as right back following Harriotts injury, although being a tad risky leaving yourself only one sub for the entire second half - was the right thing to do and I've no doubt was a pivotal part of us seeing out the win.

Man of the match could go to anyone of Bulot, Watt or Cousins.

The way Watt took the piss out of the Forest defenders at The West Stand corner flag, getting continuously taken out, only to get up and take the piss all over again was a joy.

Even Luzon giving it back to the annoying and scrawny ex Palace weasel Freedman, when the latter began remonstrating about our player having the audacity to keep getting clattered, getting up and getting clattered over and over in he name of the Red Shirt made me smile.

Still not completely sure who's exactly fully responsible for this turn around, but I'm enjoying it.

Forest Preview

Following on from yet another stunning 3-0 win Charlton entertain Nottingham Forest tonight, and for the second time in a week welcome back a former managerial legend in Lennie 'Houdini' Lawrence.

The signs are both Wiggins and Solly may be in need of a rest. Let's all hope Lawrie Wilson proves the Addicks faithful wrong for the second time in his career, and puts the sort of shift in we all know he can. I hear the excellent Gudmunnson may be out so we could see Christ Eagles get a start. I hope so as it's becoming quite apparent Jordan Cousins engine room role suits him much better than out wide, and I've no doubt this recent re-jig of the midfield has been a major part in our recent transformation of both form and more importantly performance. How different does the anticipation and excitement leading up to a game now feel to a month ago.

What will interest me will be to see how Forest look to deal with Igor and Tony Watt Watt Watt, now that their potent partnership is up and running.