In the cold light of day, relegation still seems the most likely outcome to this season. After playing around with the BBC Championship predictor, the very earliest we could get out of the bottom three would be mid February, and that would need us to win our next five games on the trot, and for other results to go our way. I really can't see that, or anything near it, happening.
We have probably seen the last of Andy Gray in a Charlton shirt, which probably won't upset too many people, and as I wrote in a previous post, I believe that picking him was a habit that Charlton had to break. So, with Dickson getting close to a start, and Fleetwood recalled from Brighton, did we really need another striker? I am puzzled by the signing of Tresor Kandol, but pleased to see him nevertheless.
28-year-old striker, Kandol signed a new deal at Leeds in 2007, which will keep him with the Elland Road club until summer 2011, and last season he was part of the deadly duo, along with Jermaine Beckford, which terrorised third division defences all season. So why then, has he been on loan with Millwall for a large part of this season? He is still scoring goals at that level, having netted 8 in 16 games for the Spanners, and yet he has been loaned straight back out to us. Has he fallen out with the manager or something? No doubt somebody can tell me.
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
A Splendid Affair
Despite my better judgement, I stayed rooted to the commentary for this game, where the reality was, that two below average sides, needed one lucky break, and guess what? For once, Charlton got the break, and did it without receiving a punishing reply. Watching the goal, and the players celebrations at the end, did the heart and soul a power of good, and it is a shame that the night was only marred by the fact that ultimately it made no difference to our parlous position at the base of the league due to other results.
Judging by the way the players and subs celebrated at the end, I would like to think that this could spur the team on in their bid to return to winning ways, and who knows, it might, but let's not kid ourselves here. If it does, it will be with the sort of blood and guts application we showed last night, rather than any great degree of skill. But bloody hell, we would all take that wouldn't we? For now, I shall enjoy a rare glimpse of sunshine, as will my kids, who for once will relish school today, living as we do, in the heartland of the spotty Nigels
Judging by the way the players and subs celebrated at the end, I would like to think that this could spur the team on in their bid to return to winning ways, and who knows, it might, but let's not kid ourselves here. If it does, it will be with the sort of blood and guts application we showed last night, rather than any great degree of skill. But bloody hell, we would all take that wouldn't we? For now, I shall enjoy a rare glimpse of sunshine, as will my kids, who for once will relish school today, living as we do, in the heartland of the spotty Nigels
Sunday, 25 January 2009
To Hull And Back
Fortunately not us, but Sheffield United, in the 5th round of the FA Cup. We are on our way to our own private version of Hull thank you very much. I won't be around on Tuesday, as I am working away, but quite frankly I don't really want the poison, and vitriol, that will go with this particular squalid encounter. If Hudson and Soares don't play, then for me it will say it all with regard to commitment.
Still, they are in good company aren't they?
Still, they are in good company aren't they?
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Ever Decreasing Circles
"We need to make the players know in no uncertain terms that we are not going to accept that. I'll be trying to change this team round so I can get some stronger mentalities in.”
Phil Parkinson in the aftermath of the abject failure of the team to put in anything resembling a performance at Sheffield Wednesday.
I think it is now safe to assume that we will be relegated at the end of this season. It is difficult to know what else Parkinson can say to explain the inadequacies of the playing staff, but inadequate they certainly seem to be. Another merry go round of players leaving the club, with Weaver, Gray, Zhi, Shelvey, and Ambrose as obvious candidates to be exiting, but what will we replace them with? If we see any more one month loanees, then we will be perpetuating the cycle of failure, that has plagued us thus far. So, what to do?
My own view is that we should be looking at consistently playing the likely personnel that will still be with us in division three. For me, that means Elliot or Randolph in goal, which is already happening, with Weaver being sold, or released. Looking at the back line, the only one likely to be retained is Basey, although I still think Moutaouakil and Youga can do a job at the third level. Fortune, and Hudson will both go, so that is an area that needs addressing, probably in the summer.
Midfield will probably revolve around Spring, Bailey, Racon, Semedo, Sinclair, and hopefully Sam. I really hope Shelvey won't be sold, but believe it is inevitable. Zhi will also be sold, or released, as will Ambrose, and Holland will also be released. No obvious left side in that midfield, and that will need to be addressed, but those are the six to predominantly use.
Up front is interesting, as a strike force of Fleetwood, McLeod, and Dickson, actually sounds like it could do a job at the third level. Burton should be released; he isn't the future, indeed, he isn't even the present. Gray will be sold, and Todorov will be released.
Phil Parkinson in the aftermath of the abject failure of the team to put in anything resembling a performance at Sheffield Wednesday.
I think it is now safe to assume that we will be relegated at the end of this season. It is difficult to know what else Parkinson can say to explain the inadequacies of the playing staff, but inadequate they certainly seem to be. Another merry go round of players leaving the club, with Weaver, Gray, Zhi, Shelvey, and Ambrose as obvious candidates to be exiting, but what will we replace them with? If we see any more one month loanees, then we will be perpetuating the cycle of failure, that has plagued us thus far. So, what to do?
My own view is that we should be looking at consistently playing the likely personnel that will still be with us in division three. For me, that means Elliot or Randolph in goal, which is already happening, with Weaver being sold, or released. Looking at the back line, the only one likely to be retained is Basey, although I still think Moutaouakil and Youga can do a job at the third level. Fortune, and Hudson will both go, so that is an area that needs addressing, probably in the summer.
Midfield will probably revolve around Spring, Bailey, Racon, Semedo, Sinclair, and hopefully Sam. I really hope Shelvey won't be sold, but believe it is inevitable. Zhi will also be sold, or released, as will Ambrose, and Holland will also be released. No obvious left side in that midfield, and that will need to be addressed, but those are the six to predominantly use.
Up front is interesting, as a strike force of Fleetwood, McLeod, and Dickson, actually sounds like it could do a job at the third level. Burton should be released; he isn't the future, indeed, he isn't even the present. Gray will be sold, and Todorov will be released.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Really?
Do you think Wikipedia could be the new way to start loan move and transfer gossip? as I reckon Wiki almost beat Sky Sports to the news
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Soares
Yet again, the move is only for a month, and just as with Graeme Murty, I don't agree with it. When are we going to learn that this short term speculate to accumulate thinking is very rarely ever productive. The lack of loanees in the team that won at Norwich should really tell us something shouldn't it?
Speaking of which, the decision to let McLeod go on loan to the Spanners for the rest of the season is a good one. He can rejoin us if we slip into tier three, and he has shown himself capable of scoring goals at that level. With Eastwood also out on loan, and Dickson looking to go as well, Pardew's record in the speculation game is a big fat zero so far. With Gray also being linked with a move, even Pardew's apparent star performers aren't er.... performing. The inclusion of Gray in the team, is a habit the club really should break, but please don't bring in a striker for a month, it will almost certainly end up in tears....ours.
As for the Norwich game, well done to the lads, but it will only mean something if it gives the team confidence to beat Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. A return to our more usual performance there, and the FA Cup becomes an even more unnecessary distraction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Soares
Yet again, the move is only for a month, and just as with Graeme Murty, I don't agree with it. When are we going to learn that this short term speculate to accumulate thinking is very rarely ever productive. The lack of loanees in the team that won at Norwich should really tell us something shouldn't it?
Speaking of which, the decision to let McLeod go on loan to the Spanners for the rest of the season is a good one. He can rejoin us if we slip into tier three, and he has shown himself capable of scoring goals at that level. With Eastwood also out on loan, and Dickson looking to go as well, Pardew's record in the speculation game is a big fat zero so far. With Gray also being linked with a move, even Pardew's apparent star performers aren't er.... performing. The inclusion of Gray in the team, is a habit the club really should break, but please don't bring in a striker for a month, it will almost certainly end up in tears....ours.
As for the Norwich game, well done to the lads, but it will only mean something if it gives the team confidence to beat Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. A return to our more usual performance there, and the FA Cup becomes an even more unnecessary distraction.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Positive Thinking?
I really do not enjoy posting negatively the whole time, but the club are really making it impossible to do otherwise at present. So what has happened this past week?
The Results
No, not the ones on the pitch, but the annual report from the club. The only shock for me is the size of the wage bill for the playing squad. Even if we were pushing for promotion right now, this represents an unsustainable percentage of the clubs total turnover. Next year, that bill will need to be about a third of the size it is now, just to allow us to survive.
Can anybody question the directors commitment though, when you see how much per week they are having to plough into the club just to keep it above water. For those that think we will go into administration though, I don't believe it will happen. Look where the debt is, and the vast majority sits with the directors of the club. To go into administration would wipe out them rather than avoid the taxman, or some other governmental body.
Murty
So yet another unfit loan player, looking to play his way back to match fitness at our expense. He is not with us long enough to make a significant impact, and then at the end of the month, he goes back to the Royals, fit and ready to help them with their promotion push. Two years ago, Murty would have been a decent loan player for us, but not now, and not for a month.
Spring
One for Division 3, and the first sign for me that the club are now looking towards a campaign in the third tier next year. He should be able to do a reasonable job there, as that is where the majority of his career has been conducted to date. An obvious replacement for Matt Holland who will be released during the summer.
The Game
For the record, the first goal was a defensive mix up between Murty and Hudson. Not altogether surprising, given that they only met for the first time a few days before. The second was a horrendous header by Holland in midfield that took out two Charlton players allowing Forest in for an easy second. Before the game, there was a minutes applause for those connected to Charlton who have died in the past year. By the end, fans were streaming for the exits long before the final whistle had blown. It was not a fitting game to remember the dead, and a club record that nobody wanted came with it.
Perversely, Charlton will now probably win at Norwich in the FA Cup
The Results
No, not the ones on the pitch, but the annual report from the club. The only shock for me is the size of the wage bill for the playing squad. Even if we were pushing for promotion right now, this represents an unsustainable percentage of the clubs total turnover. Next year, that bill will need to be about a third of the size it is now, just to allow us to survive.
Can anybody question the directors commitment though, when you see how much per week they are having to plough into the club just to keep it above water. For those that think we will go into administration though, I don't believe it will happen. Look where the debt is, and the vast majority sits with the directors of the club. To go into administration would wipe out them rather than avoid the taxman, or some other governmental body.
Murty
So yet another unfit loan player, looking to play his way back to match fitness at our expense. He is not with us long enough to make a significant impact, and then at the end of the month, he goes back to the Royals, fit and ready to help them with their promotion push. Two years ago, Murty would have been a decent loan player for us, but not now, and not for a month.
Spring
One for Division 3, and the first sign for me that the club are now looking towards a campaign in the third tier next year. He should be able to do a reasonable job there, as that is where the majority of his career has been conducted to date. An obvious replacement for Matt Holland who will be released during the summer.
The Game
For the record, the first goal was a defensive mix up between Murty and Hudson. Not altogether surprising, given that they only met for the first time a few days before. The second was a horrendous header by Holland in midfield that took out two Charlton players allowing Forest in for an easy second. Before the game, there was a minutes applause for those connected to Charlton who have died in the past year. By the end, fans were streaming for the exits long before the final whistle had blown. It was not a fitting game to remember the dead, and a club record that nobody wanted came with it.
Perversely, Charlton will now probably win at Norwich in the FA Cup
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Inspired?
Ishmel Demontagnac is only at Charlton on a trial of course, but take a look at this;
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article5151344.ece
Yep - we really are scouring the depths. The link here of course is Mark Kinsella, who would have seen him break into the Walsall first team during his time at the Bescot Stadium, and maybe believes he can tame the youngster. If we are genuinely looking at signing him, then I sincerely hope so.
As for Graeme Murty in from Reading for a month, and potentially Hameur Bouazza out to Birmingham for the rest of the season, so much for continuity. If this current group of players is that uninspiring to Parkinson, you have to wonder how much influence, if any, he had over Pardew's decisions to recruit them in the first place.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article5151344.ece
Yep - we really are scouring the depths. The link here of course is Mark Kinsella, who would have seen him break into the Walsall first team during his time at the Bescot Stadium, and maybe believes he can tame the youngster. If we are genuinely looking at signing him, then I sincerely hope so.
As for Graeme Murty in from Reading for a month, and potentially Hameur Bouazza out to Birmingham for the rest of the season, so much for continuity. If this current group of players is that uninspiring to Parkinson, you have to wonder how much influence, if any, he had over Pardew's decisions to recruit them in the first place.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
It's Official
Phew! - we made it. Now without question, the worst performing team in Charlton's history, after seventeen games without a win. Having had the high of Wembley, I can now say I have seen the other side of the coin. Now can we all stop messing about, and go back to playing football please?
As regular readers may remember, I didn't go to this one. I really could not care less for the FA Cup at present, and yes, I know it brings in revenue, (not much given the sub 13,000 crowd figure reported), and yes, I know that a win may have had some positive impact on team morale, (difficult to see that, given the result), and ooh, we get to do it all again, and no, I won't be going to that one either.
Meanwhile Nottingham Forest, inspired by having a new manager on board, were tonking the blue side of Manchester. The very bounce that the Board must have hoped Parkinson would enjoy, was being lapped up at the Mancs stadium this afternoon. I bet Billy Davies side can't wait to get to The Valley next weekend, and yes, I will be at that one. It is beyond important.
As regular readers may remember, I didn't go to this one. I really could not care less for the FA Cup at present, and yes, I know it brings in revenue, (not much given the sub 13,000 crowd figure reported), and yes, I know that a win may have had some positive impact on team morale, (difficult to see that, given the result), and ooh, we get to do it all again, and no, I won't be going to that one either.
Meanwhile Nottingham Forest, inspired by having a new manager on board, were tonking the blue side of Manchester. The very bounce that the Board must have hoped Parkinson would enjoy, was being lapped up at the Mancs stadium this afternoon. I bet Billy Davies side can't wait to get to The Valley next weekend, and yes, I will be at that one. It is beyond important.
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