I Genuinely Don't Get It

Take another non-league striker into the "fourth best supported league in the world"? (pat pending). Now, gentle reader, there are many out there that know more than I, when it comes to this game we call football, but I must admit I am not entirely sure I understand this level of speculate to accumulate thinking on behalf of "Chullun".

It would of course be perfectly reasonable to point out at this juncture, that young Mr Dixon was one of the few vaguely exciting things to come out of last season, albeit briefly, and who is to say that MacFleetwood won't be another, but I am not sure that yet another unproven striker is going to help us here. We also have Izale, remember, who apart from winning penalties (very useful), has done little else to set the world alight.

Should we be spending our guineas on somebody who might come good, or saving them for somebody who is more likely to cut the proverbial mustard at this level? Let's not kid ourselves here, if we don't get promoted to the Prem next season, we will be a middle of the road Champ club, if we are lucky, for some time to come. Look at Southampton, Coventry, and ultimately Leicester, and it could well get a whole lot worse.

Given that Charlton is not likely to appeal to an overseas billionaire in the immediate future, I just feel a distinct lack of enthusiasm for this prospective signing. As I said up top of this posting, I know nothing, and will be the first to eat my words if indeed he does sign, and proves to be the next Sir Clive

Really?

Sorry guys - I don't really buy the backlog front.

http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=32455&newstype=t

My lack of political sensitivity is almost certainly the reason why I will never make it to the ultimate reaches of big biz or politics. I also appreciate you have limited choices but to make such statements, but forgive me please, if it causes me to raise an eyebrow more theatrically than Roger Moore playing Bond

Wee Hooligan

I was fortunate enough not to witness the debacle that was Blackpool away last season. I did, however, watch the fixture at The Valley. Blackpool were poor that day, and it is because of that, I remember thinking that Wee Hooligan was their best player, and would like to see him in the Charlton red or seagrass, or whatever other away colour we end up playing in next season.

Not the answer to the midfield creativity I feel we need, but more than adequate to compensate for a departing Thomas, who surely must be destined for a lower end, doomed to relegation Prem outfit?

Dull?

No - I am not talking about England v U.S.A. - you can make your own mind up on that one. Oh!, you already have, good, let's move on then.

What I am referring to gentle reader, was the half time "entertainment" that is the BBC's goal of the season. Did anyone else notice, that in amongst the Ronaldo show, were no less than three goals by Middlesborough players?

Yes, that's right, three goals by probably one of the dullest teams in the Greatest League In The World (pat pending). Rochemback, Tuncay, and our very own dear departed Lukewarm, all got in on the action. Naturally I voted for Lukewarm, but I have to say it was one of those "'ave it" and "pick that one out" goals, that make the Prem a little suspect when it comes to consistent quality. If there is any purist footballing justice, Ronaldo's cheeky little back flick will probably get it.

Methinks he doth protest too much

Am I the only one to feel a little cynical at Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United's reaction to the overtures of Real Madrid to young Ronaldo? Would this be the same Sir Alex, and Manchester United, who Jaap Stam claims in his book "tapped" him up using similar tactics?

This sort of activity seems to exist throughout football, and so I await the clandestine knock on the door from some furtive figure, wishing to lure my son away from his title winning Old Coulsdon Colts team. If said person has a Scottish accent, I may just have to refuse him entry as a matter of principle, but then again I think I would be more likely to get on the phone to The Valley.........

Backing Shyly Into The Limelight

I am not an Addickt, honest......I just have a bit of a cold today.


And so, another Charlton blog is born! It is not my intention to post every day, but hopefully two or three times a week, assuming there is something to say of course. And so, welcome Mark Hudson from our cousins in SE25.

Living deep in the heart of Palace territory as I do, I confess here and now, that I don't have the same antipathy towards the Nigels that most Charlton fans have. Ron Noades however, is a completely different kettle of fish!

A few days ago, before the Hudson transfer happened, I was shooting the breeze with a Palace supporting friend of mine, whose views on Mark Hudson were at one with most of what I have read about him since, namely that he is a solid journeyman pro, whose best season was the one just finished. Prone to the odd gaffe, he is generally sound, and as Palace's captain, sounds like he has the type of leadership qualities that Alan Pardew believes will be required for a tilt at promotion next season.

I hope he is a signing to strengthen the squad, rather than as a replacement for Magic, but I guess time will tell on that one. I also wonder what his signing will do to the future Charlton career of Monteiro? With Gibbs, Sankofa, and Powell gone, and with Bent (hopefully) on his way, my biggest wish is that we get a replacement creative midfielder. Such a player may exist within the club already, but I have seen no evidence since the sale of Reid, to suggest that this is the case.