Crossbars and Cross Dressing

What an eclectic bunch we Charlton bloggers are? Even before the posts hit tinternet, I had already lined up Whyteleafe v Godalming Town as a little light relief this afternoon. I first started following the Leafe when big fat Peter Garland turned out for them back in 2003, even seeing him score against AFC Wimbledon in a friendly that year.

On a different note, take a look at The Currant Bun. I freely admit that I have always found the whole Jade Goody thing distasteful, and I had no idea that our very own Josh Wright was closely linked to Jack Tweed. What is of more interest is the assertion that Wright has fallen out with Parkinson. Still, if I was pictured in the national press wearing knickers and a bra, I don't think my boss would be too chuffed either.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2346093.ece

Embers

And so it was Preston on Saturday. The quality, with the notable exception of Zheng Zhi, was poor from both teams, and the result was entirely fair. Even the physically ludicrous contest of Matt "Captain Cleanshorts" Holland against Jon "The Beast" Parkin failed to produce anything close to anxiety for me, as I watched Charlton's season continue to die like embers in the fire.

As Mark Kinsella has been reported as saying, we may as well enjoy Zheng Zhi while we still have him. He is one of the last remaining reminders of our Premiership past, and his quality was certainly a cut above anybody else on the pitch last Saturday. A bright spark in a near dead fire. I can't even take consolation in another talent that could potentially ignite a fire for Charlton in the third division, Jonjo Shelvey. He too, will be gone come season end, albeit for, hopefully, a sensible transfer fee.

And So The End Is Near

Anybody reading this, has been around the block with Charlton, and knows that we don't do "end of season". Thus, it will come as no surprise to learn that the most points we have gained in the last ten games in recent history, was 13 out of a possible 30, and that was in our promotion season in 1999/2000. We have also managed to eke out a miserable 4/30 in 2002/03, so as we now find ourselves 13 points from safety, it is fairly safe to conclude that we will indeed be doing Carlisle away next season. Not that any of us doubted it, of course.

That Chris Iwelumo should rediscover his shooting boots was also entirely predictable.

Bovvered?

No, to be honest. The team couldn't be bothered in the second half on Saturday, and neither could we in the crowd if the truth be told. There was an air of impending inevitability pervading all parts of the ground, and I for one just want this sorry season put out of its misery as soon as possible. It has been over as a meaningful contest for some weeks, and I have been insulted by those in the shirt so many times now, that my return to The Valley is much like a punch drunk boxer who gets off the canvas for more punishment.

I only hope that in the close season, Parkinson can be disposed off cheaply, and that the players we want to keep, can be tempted to stay. I genuinely don't see us holding on to Bailey, Racon, Sam, or Shelvey, but sincerely hope that we can.

That's All Folks

Three of the words uttered by the Northampton Town tannoy man, as a rain lashed Sixfields succumbed to the elements, some 45 minutes before Charlton effectively did the same with their Championship status. We will be seeing one of the two teams I saw on show last night, and that team will be Northampton Town. I have believed we would be relegated for some weeks now, and yes I know that teams do go on runs, but this is Charlton.

Many fans have talked about not renewing their season tickets next year, and certainly the casual walk up is not going to have any difficulty getting in, but I for one will be renewing both my season tickets. The club needs the fans once more for purely financial reasons, and even in these recessionary times, the club is going to need my money more than I do.

Preparation?

The result of the Swansea game was one that I predicted, but sadly, just as our form shows signs of taking a turn for the better, those around us are turning their own fortunes around to more spectacular effect. Unfortunately, I cannot make home games in midweek, as I work in Northampton, so in preparation for next season, I shall be paying a visit to Sixfields tonight to see the local derby between the MK Dons, and Northampton Town.

After all, the likelihood is that we will either be playing the MK Dons in the Championship, or Northampton Town in League 1. There you go, glass half empty, or glass half full, all in one sentence