It is always preferable for any manager to get his squad as near finalised as possible at the earliest opportunity, and Chris Powell is no exception. If, as seems likely, there is minimal investment into the club over the close season, the only way the manager can refresh the squad is by moving players on, and he has certainly wasted little time in doing that. With Mambo and Sullivan deemed surplus to requirement last week, this week sees the release of Fuller, Kerkar, Taylor, and Wagstaff.
Wagstaff had openly stated that he was not going to be around next season, and although it is always sad to see one of the former youth players leave, it is absolutely the right decision. I suspect the two biggest wage earners at the club are Fuller and Wright-Phillips, and with the former on his way, I would be surprised if Wright-Phillips is not shown the exit as well. The release of these two will free up some significant wages for new signings, albeit that any new arrivals may well have to be free transfers in the first place.
The release of Kerkar is no surprise, as he is at best a squad player, and with Powell under pressure to run with a smaller squad, Taylor is also no surprise, although I believe we do need four centre backs at this level. Could Feely be considered ready to be given that fourth man role? I am sorry to see Taylor go, as he was a stalwart of the third division winning team, but although he would never let anybody down, it was fairly obvious that he was not considered up to the job of Championship level football.
So, what of the rest? Of those players who will be out of contract at the end of this season, the surprise package to some extent is Hughes. His presence during the final run in, and the results the team achieved with him in it, made a very big statement in his favour for a new one year deal. If that transpires, then any interest Powell may have harboured for Gower will surely evaporate. I would expect Cort, Dervite, Evina, Harriott, and Haynes to be given new deals. I would not be surprised, however, to see Evina go. An unguarded comment on Twitter that he stepped back from rather rapidly, did seem to lend weight to his leaving rather than staying, and if he did go, is Cousins considered ready for the step up to be Wiggins understudy as Evina himself has so patiently been for the last two years?.
Of those in the squad with contracts that don't expire this summer, I think that Green and Hollands may well be on their way if any club comes in for them, a suspicion confirmed for me when Green almost joined Swindon on loan in January, and Hollands did. I am also not convinced that an offer for Stephens would be rejected in the same way it was in January, Indeed, if Jimenez had not been so bullish shall we say, as to the players value, he would have been gone already.
Let us hope that if we are to lose Solly this summer, Jimenez will show more commercial finesse than the Stephens episode showed. Jimenez efforts aside, I think we probably do have to resign ourselves to losing our double winning player of the year. As with just about all clubs bar four or five, we are a selling club, and if we are able to gather in circa £4m, then that would fund a lot of the strengthening work that the squad needs, albeit I suspect that cash up front is likely to be nearer the £2m mark.
Contract End - June 2013
Cort
Dervite
Evina
Fuller (Released)
Harriott
Haynes
Hughes
Kerkar (Released)
Mambo (Released)
Sullivan (Released)
Taylor (Released)
Wagstaff (Released)
Wright-Phillips
Contract End - June 2014
Button
Cook
Green
Hamer
Hollands
Jackson
Kermorgant
Morrison
Pope
Pritchard
Stephens
Smith
Solly
Wiggins
Contract End - June 2015
Wilson
Loans
Gower (30/06/13)
Obika (30/06/13)
Rouamba (30/06/13)
Showing posts with label Chris Powell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Powell. Show all posts
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Charlton 0 Burnley 1
When the team with the second poorest run of form meets the team with the poorest run of form, you know that the fare offered isn't going to be pretty or clever, and both Burnley and Charlton did nothing to dispel the theory. Only Charlie Austin forgot the script, and that was only on the one occasion, with the resulting goal being probably the only thing of any class to come out of a performance that did not flatter either team.
He may only have a limited deck when it comes to quality, but Chris Powell certainly tried to mix it up yesterday, with no fewer than five changes from the team that had capitulated against Nottingham Forest a week earlier. It made no difference, but at least he tried. Whilst honest endeavour was undoubtedly present, any quality was noticeably absent. Going for aerial bombardment towards the latter part of the game smacked of desperation, and a complete lack of faith in the pudding that is our pitch. It is even more galling when you consider that there was nobody up front whose natural game is to receive a hoofed ball. The whole thing was profoundly depressing to watch.
There was a young German lad sat near me yesterday, and he seemed genuinely shocked that Charlton were even allowed to play on a pitch in that state. It would never be allowed in Germany he said. Most Charlton fans probably wish it wasn't allowed in the UK either. Thankfully the next two games are away from home, and both are winnable. Charlton really need to get something from both, because whilst it is unthinkable that we could be relegated, our current form suggests that we just might. Not to worry though, as we are one game away from entering the last ten games of the season, and we all know how good we are at those historically. Sorry to sound so negative, but I am really struggling to see anything that was positive about yesterday's performance.
He may only have a limited deck when it comes to quality, but Chris Powell certainly tried to mix it up yesterday, with no fewer than five changes from the team that had capitulated against Nottingham Forest a week earlier. It made no difference, but at least he tried. Whilst honest endeavour was undoubtedly present, any quality was noticeably absent. Going for aerial bombardment towards the latter part of the game smacked of desperation, and a complete lack of faith in the pudding that is our pitch. It is even more galling when you consider that there was nobody up front whose natural game is to receive a hoofed ball. The whole thing was profoundly depressing to watch.
There was a young German lad sat near me yesterday, and he seemed genuinely shocked that Charlton were even allowed to play on a pitch in that state. It would never be allowed in Germany he said. Most Charlton fans probably wish it wasn't allowed in the UK either. Thankfully the next two games are away from home, and both are winnable. Charlton really need to get something from both, because whilst it is unthinkable that we could be relegated, our current form suggests that we just might. Not to worry though, as we are one game away from entering the last ten games of the season, and we all know how good we are at those historically. Sorry to sound so negative, but I am really struggling to see anything that was positive about yesterday's performance.
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Charlton 0 Nottingham Forest 2
The only surprise for me after watching yesterdays abject performance by Charlton, was how Forest were only two points above us before yesterday's kick off? This was probably the most one sided performance I have seen Charlton involved in this season, and all for all the wrong reasons. If two players playing in the same position for their respective sides can sum yesterday up, and I think they can, then step forward Andy Reid and Dale Stephens.
Reid calmly controlled the entire game, whilst Stephens was rightly hauled off at half time for a performance that was little short of woeful. Those that went to Leicester on Tuesday night spoke of Stephens having had one of his best games in a Charlton shirt, and yet here we were four days later, and a showing that was beyond dreadful. I am struggling to think of a completed pass of any note that he might have made in the first half.
His wasn't the only poor performance, but take nothing away from Forest, as a large part of the reason we looked so poor, was because they are a very good side, and made us look poor. Yesterday was a little puzzling to some of their fans as well. The same players that had been having an indifferent season are suddenly pulling up trees since the second coming of Billy Davies. I often wonder what would have become of Charlton had the Board coughed up the higher basic salary Davies wanted after Curbishley left us. Instead we ended up with Dowie, and the rest as they say is history.
I should be feeling annoyed at how bad Charlton were yesterday, but I am not, and the reason is that I can accept a footballing lesson like that if we have been completely outplayed by a far better team, and that is exactly what happened. With the possible exception of Wiggins, nobody in a Charlton shirt should be feeling any satisfaction with their performance yesterday, least of all Kermorgant, who spoilt a great week for himself, by petulantly kicking out at former Addick Greg Halford, and getting sent off for his troubles. I personally didn't have a problem with the referee consulting with his West Stand lino about it either, as I would rather the man in charge took on all views available before making a decision to send a player off. That is what he did, and the decision, as Chris Powell has subsequently admitted was the correct one.
Moving swiftly on; a fond farewell to Bradley Wright-Phillips. As regular readers will know, even before the season started, I didn't believe Bradders would be a first choice striker this season, and so it has proved. I wish him well at Brentford, and I am sure he will score goals again at third division level. On the basis of one out, one in, a welcome to Jonathan Obika. The loanee from Spurs' introduction to Charlton being a cameo in yesterdays horror show, and who could blame him if he was looking up bus times back to White Hart Lane even as I type. In Chris we trust, of course, but I can't get too excited by this signing, and I wonder who we would have brought in had Wright-Phillips and Green joined Swindon during the transfer window as originally planned. With all due respect to him, I am not convinced that Obika would have been one of them.
Reid calmly controlled the entire game, whilst Stephens was rightly hauled off at half time for a performance that was little short of woeful. Those that went to Leicester on Tuesday night spoke of Stephens having had one of his best games in a Charlton shirt, and yet here we were four days later, and a showing that was beyond dreadful. I am struggling to think of a completed pass of any note that he might have made in the first half.
His wasn't the only poor performance, but take nothing away from Forest, as a large part of the reason we looked so poor, was because they are a very good side, and made us look poor. Yesterday was a little puzzling to some of their fans as well. The same players that had been having an indifferent season are suddenly pulling up trees since the second coming of Billy Davies. I often wonder what would have become of Charlton had the Board coughed up the higher basic salary Davies wanted after Curbishley left us. Instead we ended up with Dowie, and the rest as they say is history.
I should be feeling annoyed at how bad Charlton were yesterday, but I am not, and the reason is that I can accept a footballing lesson like that if we have been completely outplayed by a far better team, and that is exactly what happened. With the possible exception of Wiggins, nobody in a Charlton shirt should be feeling any satisfaction with their performance yesterday, least of all Kermorgant, who spoilt a great week for himself, by petulantly kicking out at former Addick Greg Halford, and getting sent off for his troubles. I personally didn't have a problem with the referee consulting with his West Stand lino about it either, as I would rather the man in charge took on all views available before making a decision to send a player off. That is what he did, and the decision, as Chris Powell has subsequently admitted was the correct one.
Moving swiftly on; a fond farewell to Bradley Wright-Phillips. As regular readers will know, even before the season started, I didn't believe Bradders would be a first choice striker this season, and so it has proved. I wish him well at Brentford, and I am sure he will score goals again at third division level. On the basis of one out, one in, a welcome to Jonathan Obika. The loanee from Spurs' introduction to Charlton being a cameo in yesterdays horror show, and who could blame him if he was looking up bus times back to White Hart Lane even as I type. In Chris we trust, of course, but I can't get too excited by this signing, and I wonder who we would have brought in had Wright-Phillips and Green joined Swindon during the transfer window as originally planned. With all due respect to him, I am not convinced that Obika would have been one of them.
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Charlton 1 Birmingham 1
The game had 0-0 written all over it from the off. Whilst both teams were full of honest endeavour, there was little of any class to seperate the teams. The exceptions were Butland for Birmingham and Fuller for Charlton. If the former might be forgiven for not being fully focused, there was no evidence of it, as he calmly made some fine saves, including one from his own defender, and a point blank hold on the ground from a Wagstaff shot. Fuller too played his part with intelligent passing, and muscular terrorising of the Blues rearguard. Aside from those two though, the fare on offer was mediocre for the most part, and the game itself immediately forgettable.
Whilst it would be fair to say that Charlton edged it on the quality stakes, the game looked dour, and I don't recall the pitch looking this bad since Charlton returned to The Valley. I was fortunate enough to meet one of Paddy Powell's ground keeping mentors some months ago, the redoubtable David "Piggy" Powell, (no relation). For those of you that follow the egg chasers, Piggy probably needs no introduction, but for the benefit of those that don't, Piggy is an England international, from the mid 60's, who now tends what is known irreverently as Piggy's Patch, otherwise more formally called Franklin Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints rugby club.
I had no idea that Piggy was Paddy's guide and help through the process of relaying The Valley pitch for our return to The Valley. Piggy rated Paddy highly; told me a few groundkeeping style anecdotes about him, and referred to him as "a good man" many times throughout our conversation. One thing I am absolutely sure of, is that Paddy is hurting at the state his pitch is in. He more than anybody does not need to be told that it is not good enough. Similarly, his namesake in SE7, rather than NN5 will not need to be told that the nasty habit Charlton has of leaking goals at the death of a game is not good enough either. I don't think there is any doubt that the club has not given, or in fairness been able to give, either man sufficient resources to do anything about their respective issues though, so both men will have to continue fighting through with the resources they have.
Whilst the manner in which Charlton conceded two points is galling, the reality is that although the men from SE7 edged it, there wasn't quite enough quality to make it stick. Unlike the ball, which stuck rather a lot.
Whilst it would be fair to say that Charlton edged it on the quality stakes, the game looked dour, and I don't recall the pitch looking this bad since Charlton returned to The Valley. I was fortunate enough to meet one of Paddy Powell's ground keeping mentors some months ago, the redoubtable David "Piggy" Powell, (no relation). For those of you that follow the egg chasers, Piggy probably needs no introduction, but for the benefit of those that don't, Piggy is an England international, from the mid 60's, who now tends what is known irreverently as Piggy's Patch, otherwise more formally called Franklin Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints rugby club.
I had no idea that Piggy was Paddy's guide and help through the process of relaying The Valley pitch for our return to The Valley. Piggy rated Paddy highly; told me a few groundkeeping style anecdotes about him, and referred to him as "a good man" many times throughout our conversation. One thing I am absolutely sure of, is that Paddy is hurting at the state his pitch is in. He more than anybody does not need to be told that it is not good enough. Similarly, his namesake in SE7, rather than NN5 will not need to be told that the nasty habit Charlton has of leaking goals at the death of a game is not good enough either. I don't think there is any doubt that the club has not given, or in fairness been able to give, either man sufficient resources to do anything about their respective issues though, so both men will have to continue fighting through with the resources they have.
Whilst the manner in which Charlton conceded two points is galling, the reality is that although the men from SE7 edged it, there wasn't quite enough quality to make it stick. Unlike the ball, which stuck rather a lot.
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Charlton 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2
Is it possible to dominate something unconvincingly? After yesterday's performance I would have to say yes. Sheffield Wednesday were in the main a poor side, with only Reda Johnson, and latterly Lita causing trouble to the Addicks backline. So how did we contrive to lose a game that should really have been sewn up long before the final six minutes and the two goals for Sheffield that turned the whole match on it's head?
Much of the comment after the game was critical of Powell for not changing things sooner. In his defence the manager would argue that at 1-0 up with five minutes to go, why change something that wasn't broke? The reality was that a tiring Charlton side needed a managers response to the ongoing threat of Johnson, and then the fresh legs of Modine, and especially Lita being brought on. With Lita it isn't exactly a case of misjudging the impact of an unknown quantity is it?
The impact of those fresh legs was obvious throughout much of the last half an hour, so there was plenty of time to respond. For me, a very tired looking Pritchard should have been replaced by the more physical presence of Dervitte, to provide some speed and protection from the raiding Johnson, as well as the rapid movement of Lita. As much as we love Morrison and Taylor, they are not fast, and Jones the Sheffield manager knew it. I would also have replaced Kermorgant with Fuller as our favourite Breton spent most of the game being impotently angry, and I suspect Fuller would have given the giant blue backline something different to think about, as would Harriott for a visibly tiring and increasingly ineffective Wilson.
So, a game we did not deserve to lose, (or win if truth be told), but for me it is another reminder that we shouldn't expect Powell to get it right every time. Yesterday's defeat was largely down to him rather than the players, who generally did well throughout a tough physical encounter.
Much of the comment after the game was critical of Powell for not changing things sooner. In his defence the manager would argue that at 1-0 up with five minutes to go, why change something that wasn't broke? The reality was that a tiring Charlton side needed a managers response to the ongoing threat of Johnson, and then the fresh legs of Modine, and especially Lita being brought on. With Lita it isn't exactly a case of misjudging the impact of an unknown quantity is it?
The impact of those fresh legs was obvious throughout much of the last half an hour, so there was plenty of time to respond. For me, a very tired looking Pritchard should have been replaced by the more physical presence of Dervitte, to provide some speed and protection from the raiding Johnson, as well as the rapid movement of Lita. As much as we love Morrison and Taylor, they are not fast, and Jones the Sheffield manager knew it. I would also have replaced Kermorgant with Fuller as our favourite Breton spent most of the game being impotently angry, and I suspect Fuller would have given the giant blue backline something different to think about, as would Harriott for a visibly tiring and increasingly ineffective Wilson.
So, a game we did not deserve to lose, (or win if truth be told), but for me it is another reminder that we shouldn't expect Powell to get it right every time. Yesterday's defeat was largely down to him rather than the players, who generally did well throughout a tough physical encounter.
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Charlton 1 Ipswich 2
A miserable day at the Valley weather wise was matched by events on the pitch. It is blindingly obvious that the midfield needs surgery, and has been for some time now. The arrival of Frimpong should have helped, but quite frankly it hasn't. Take a look at the Charlton Christmas message on YouTube to see that the Arsenal loanee's priorities probably lie in a career in marketing, so little wonder Wenger keeps loaning him out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SyfelpeQ6k
His rash challenge resulted in an Ipswich penalty, which fortunately DJ Campbell blazed wide of Hamer's right hand post, to save our midfield man's blushes temporarily at least. Frimpong's reward was to be subbed at half time, although my own feeling was that Stephens, (one free kick aside), was even less effective in a first half where nobody really stepped up to the plate.
Whilst Seaborne had probably one of his worst days at the office ever, and I'll forgive him that given the left side of midfield was being sucked inside to protect the fragility that exists at our heart, it is Stephens who really should be feeling ashamed of his performance. Directly responsible for surrendering possession on more occasions than I care to remember, he was directly responsible for one of the Ipswich goals, having yet again lost possession in midfield. To say that Charlton were not competing in the first half would be an understatement, and the manner of the "performance" in the first forty five will give Powell the most cause for concern.
With a double substitution at the break, Pritchard and Jackson on for Frimpong and Green, we at least looked like we wanted to fight for it, but the sad fact is that our midfield is not coping too well at present, and that was a changed midfield from the side that faced Sheffield Wednesday as well. Powell knows where the real weakness in the team lies at present, but the question is will he be able to do anything about it when the transfer window opens in less than a weeks time?
If we assume he can only tinker, the very best I can see is that he may be allowed to buy one, and loan one. That is assuming that nobody gets sold of course, although I have no doubt that Wagstaff, Hollands, and possibly Green from the midfield department will at the very least be made available. Before the season started I floated the idea that Anthony Wordsworth from Colchester would be a good move for the left side of midfield, and I still think he would be, but what we really need is a Keith Jones playalike. We need a sideways scuttling crab who protects the back four, breaks up opposition attacking play, and passes the ball simply and most importantly, accurately. Whilst Dervitte can do a job there, an ankle biting, sideways passing brick wall with a terrier attitude is what we really need. Any thoughts as to who are welcome, as nobody springs immediately to my mind!
His rash challenge resulted in an Ipswich penalty, which fortunately DJ Campbell blazed wide of Hamer's right hand post, to save our midfield man's blushes temporarily at least. Frimpong's reward was to be subbed at half time, although my own feeling was that Stephens, (one free kick aside), was even less effective in a first half where nobody really stepped up to the plate.
Whilst Seaborne had probably one of his worst days at the office ever, and I'll forgive him that given the left side of midfield was being sucked inside to protect the fragility that exists at our heart, it is Stephens who really should be feeling ashamed of his performance. Directly responsible for surrendering possession on more occasions than I care to remember, he was directly responsible for one of the Ipswich goals, having yet again lost possession in midfield. To say that Charlton were not competing in the first half would be an understatement, and the manner of the "performance" in the first forty five will give Powell the most cause for concern.
With a double substitution at the break, Pritchard and Jackson on for Frimpong and Green, we at least looked like we wanted to fight for it, but the sad fact is that our midfield is not coping too well at present, and that was a changed midfield from the side that faced Sheffield Wednesday as well. Powell knows where the real weakness in the team lies at present, but the question is will he be able to do anything about it when the transfer window opens in less than a weeks time?
If we assume he can only tinker, the very best I can see is that he may be allowed to buy one, and loan one. That is assuming that nobody gets sold of course, although I have no doubt that Wagstaff, Hollands, and possibly Green from the midfield department will at the very least be made available. Before the season started I floated the idea that Anthony Wordsworth from Colchester would be a good move for the left side of midfield, and I still think he would be, but what we really need is a Keith Jones playalike. We need a sideways scuttling crab who protects the back four, breaks up opposition attacking play, and passes the ball simply and most importantly, accurately. Whilst Dervitte can do a job there, an ankle biting, sideways passing brick wall with a terrier attitude is what we really need. Any thoughts as to who are welcome, as nobody springs immediately to my mind!
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Charlton 0 Barnsley 1
Dull, Dull, Dull
I thought it after the game, and still think it this morning. Charlton were never really at the races yesterday, going down by the finest of margins. An all too familiar scenario this season. The truth is though, Barnsley bossed this game pretty much in its entirety, and would justifiably have felt robbed had they not come away with all three points. The issue as ever with Charlton, lay almost exclusively in the midfield.
So, are we lacking a creative spark?, or a defensive bedrock on which to build? The answer, sadly, is both. We can only dream about what might have been, had Powell been given a sensible amount of money to spend in the summer, as the centre of the park was always in need of strengthening. If we are to assume that in order to live within our means, means we have to make the best of what we have, then what to do? Could a fit Hughes provide at least the defensive base on which to build? One thing is clear to me though, Jackson playing in the centre is not the answer. A largely anonymous substitutes outing yesterday added nothing positive to Charlton fortunes, and the withdrawal of arguably our most effective player outside the back four in Razak to accomodate an orthodox 4-4-2, only made a poor situation worse.
Meanwhile off the field the club appears to be in some discord. I am deliberately understating this, as backstage the wheels appear to be coming off big time. If you were Chris Powell how long would you put up with what is happening at your beloved club? It's a serious question, as Charlton needs him far more than he needs Charlton. Strangely, it is a question that I, and other fans of my acquaintance are also asking of ourselves, and our own resolve. With a club that off the field is in turmoil, and a team on it that is showing relegation form, (we have less points now than we had at the same stage of our relegation season), how distant does last season feel now? Time to dig deep folks!
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Charlton 1 Sheffield United 0
In 1974, the golfer Gary Player was asked how he was enjoying the luck that had just culminated in him winning his third Open Championship. His reply was, "You know what?, the harder I practice, the luckier I get". Thirty eight years later, and for the second time in successive matches, Jackson proved that simple truth with a sublime free kick, that Simonsen in the United goal could only admire from afar as it kissed his right hand post and in. I don't know if Gary Player likes football, but he would certainly approve of all the hours Jackson spends at Sparrows Lane honing his dead ball skills.
Charlton have played better than this, and I am sure Sheffield United have as well, but yesterday the spoils went to Charlton, courtesy of our captain's "luck". It was a moment of quality in a game that was cagey for the most part, and courtesy of referee Deadman, and his trigger happy cards routine, produced no less than six yellow, and two red cards. It was never the sort of game that warranted that much colour, or at least it wasn't, until the melee that broke out after Russell was sent off for what I thought was a perfectly good challenge.
If that was a poor call by the referee, the straight red shown to Beattie moments later was inevitable, and correct. His attempt to squeeze the life out of Kermorgant was spotted by the East Stand lino, who hurriedly joined Deadman on the pitch to help restore order, and to report on Beattie's attempts at diplomacy by strangulation. I wonder if United will appeal the straight red? I somehow doubt it.
With regard to the game, and I don't mean to sound overly negative about this, but I personally believe that Hamer had a bit of a nightmare yesterday. I am sure the gusting wind may have had something to do with it, as did the close attention from the opposition he was getting at corner kicks, but our number one did not acquit himself particularly well. His shot stopping was fine, but his catching and punching left a lot to be desired. By the length of his contract, he has been given the nod that Championship football is there for him, but on the strength of his showing both yesterday, and on other occasions recently, I would question his ability to step up to that. Perhaps he just needs some of Jackson's "luck"?
Elsewhere, the back four were immense, and congratulations to Solly on his new deal. Although not at his best, Wright-Phillips, by playing yesterday, has triggered the one year extension to his contract apparently, so that is good news as well, although I wonder with the arrival of Haynes, whether he will be rested, as he is not the same player he was earlier in the season. The arrival of Haynes from the bench certainly gave United a new problem, as his speed drew a foul within minutes of his arrival. A free kick from the edge of the box on the East Stand side, showed that our captain is human after all, as he sent it out for a throw in on the West Stand side. Bad "luck" eh Johnnie?
This, for me, was another of those significant games that will shape our season. It was never just another game, and the team came through with flying colours. Onwards and upwards, COME ON YOU REDS!
Charlton have played better than this, and I am sure Sheffield United have as well, but yesterday the spoils went to Charlton, courtesy of our captain's "luck". It was a moment of quality in a game that was cagey for the most part, and courtesy of referee Deadman, and his trigger happy cards routine, produced no less than six yellow, and two red cards. It was never the sort of game that warranted that much colour, or at least it wasn't, until the melee that broke out after Russell was sent off for what I thought was a perfectly good challenge.
If that was a poor call by the referee, the straight red shown to Beattie moments later was inevitable, and correct. His attempt to squeeze the life out of Kermorgant was spotted by the East Stand lino, who hurriedly joined Deadman on the pitch to help restore order, and to report on Beattie's attempts at diplomacy by strangulation. I wonder if United will appeal the straight red? I somehow doubt it.
With regard to the game, and I don't mean to sound overly negative about this, but I personally believe that Hamer had a bit of a nightmare yesterday. I am sure the gusting wind may have had something to do with it, as did the close attention from the opposition he was getting at corner kicks, but our number one did not acquit himself particularly well. His shot stopping was fine, but his catching and punching left a lot to be desired. By the length of his contract, he has been given the nod that Championship football is there for him, but on the strength of his showing both yesterday, and on other occasions recently, I would question his ability to step up to that. Perhaps he just needs some of Jackson's "luck"?
Elsewhere, the back four were immense, and congratulations to Solly on his new deal. Although not at his best, Wright-Phillips, by playing yesterday, has triggered the one year extension to his contract apparently, so that is good news as well, although I wonder with the arrival of Haynes, whether he will be rested, as he is not the same player he was earlier in the season. The arrival of Haynes from the bench certainly gave United a new problem, as his speed drew a foul within minutes of his arrival. A free kick from the edge of the box on the East Stand side, showed that our captain is human after all, as he sent it out for a throw in on the West Stand side. Bad "luck" eh Johnnie?
This, for me, was another of those significant games that will shape our season. It was never just another game, and the team came through with flying colours. Onwards and upwards, COME ON YOU REDS!
Friday, 5 August 2011
Once More With Feeling
Well, almost time once more, for the Saturday ritual to begin. It will be good to see old friends and new in the Rose of Denmark again, and I do get a buzz from seeing The Valley turf in pristine condition, ready for another season of toil.
Fifteen new signings, most of whom will be hoping to make an impact on Saturday, and I suspect no less than eight will be in the starting lineup, with at least one other on a reduced five man bench. Had Green been available, I would have expected nine starters to have been on the pitch at 3pm on Saturday. A new beginning for the club, most certainly. A new dawn?, possibly, but let's not get carried away just yet. Whilst it is undoubtedly true that Powell has pretty much got the parts, it would be unrealistic to say that he had the finished article in terms of a team.
I occasionally wonder whether the players or management understand how a good or bad result makes, or messes up the rest of the weekend for us fans. Win this one, and I will seek press coverage of the game, and read it avidly. I will also convince my long suffering eldest son that compiling a league table after one game is a meaningful exercise. In a mood of largesse, I will offer to take the DD family out for lunch on Sunday. They will almost certainly refuse this random act of kindness, as they have no desire to be seen with a broadly grinning loon. Lose, and I will probably have to cut the grass. Being a balanced sort of chap, I believe it will be a draw :-)
Good luck to Powell, the squad, and all of us - Come on you Addicks!!
Contract End - Dec 2011
(25) Davisson
Contract End - June 2012
(23) Alonso
(14) Benson
(12) Doherty
(44) Elliot
(19) Francis
(15) Mambo
(18) Pritchard
(10) Wright-Phillips
Contract End - June 2013
(3) Evina
(32) Harriott
(2) Hughes
(33) Osborne
(30) Pope
(20) Solly
(13) Sullivan
(6) Taylor
(11) Wagstaff
Contract End - June 2014
(7) Green
(1) Hamer
(9) Hayes
(22) Hollands
(4) Jackson
(5) Morrison
(8) Stephens
(16) Wiggins
First Professional Contract
(31) Cousins
(29) Gough
(21) Bover-Izquierdo
(26) Popo
(27) Warren
Loan
None
Fifteen new signings, most of whom will be hoping to make an impact on Saturday, and I suspect no less than eight will be in the starting lineup, with at least one other on a reduced five man bench. Had Green been available, I would have expected nine starters to have been on the pitch at 3pm on Saturday. A new beginning for the club, most certainly. A new dawn?, possibly, but let's not get carried away just yet. Whilst it is undoubtedly true that Powell has pretty much got the parts, it would be unrealistic to say that he had the finished article in terms of a team.
I occasionally wonder whether the players or management understand how a good or bad result makes, or messes up the rest of the weekend for us fans. Win this one, and I will seek press coverage of the game, and read it avidly. I will also convince my long suffering eldest son that compiling a league table after one game is a meaningful exercise. In a mood of largesse, I will offer to take the DD family out for lunch on Sunday. They will almost certainly refuse this random act of kindness, as they have no desire to be seen with a broadly grinning loon. Lose, and I will probably have to cut the grass. Being a balanced sort of chap, I believe it will be a draw :-)
Good luck to Powell, the squad, and all of us - Come on you Addicks!!
Contract End - Dec 2011
(25) Davisson
Contract End - June 2012
(23) Alonso
(14) Benson
(12) Doherty
(44) Elliot
(19) Francis
(15) Mambo
(18) Pritchard
(10) Wright-Phillips
Contract End - June 2013
(3) Evina
(32) Harriott
(2) Hughes
(33) Osborne
(30) Pope
(20) Solly
(13) Sullivan
(6) Taylor
(11) Wagstaff
Contract End - June 2014
(7) Green
(1) Hamer
(9) Hayes
(22) Hollands
(4) Jackson
(5) Morrison
(8) Stephens
(16) Wiggins
First Professional Contract
(31) Cousins
(29) Gough
(21) Bover-Izquierdo
(26) Popo
(27) Warren
Loan
None
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