A survey in The Times reveals that British people are very gloomy about the state of their country and a discussion on the list run by Glynne Jones suggests that Charlton fans have always been pretty miserable about the team. In an effort to cheer people up, here is a positive story about 'League one minnows Charlton' and the work they have been doing in South Africa through the Community Trust:
Charlton
But then good news doesn't usually sell newspapers.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Colchester poised to go 3rd
Colchester beat Southend 2-0 last night on a pitch that looked like it had been imported from Clacton beach. It was reminiscent of that pitch we played on at Chelsea. Southend dominated large parts of the game with possession only 51 per cent in favour of the Oystermen, but their first goal was helped by the pitch and they came out top in the Essex derby.
Colchester are away at Stockport on Saturday and, given that they are used to playing on bad pitches, some are saying that the result is a foregone conclusion. I am not so certain, but I have to admit that they do look poised to go 3rd.
Colchester are away at Stockport on Saturday and, given that they are used to playing on bad pitches, some are saying that the result is a foregone conclusion. I am not so certain, but I have to admit that they do look poised to go 3rd.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Table topping Blaze
Coventry Blaze beat championship rivals Nottingham Panthers 5-3 at the Skydome arena last night. It was a closely fought game, but Blaze defended more effectively than usual and the Panthers defence was less secure. Considerable controversy was caused when one Blaze goal was disallowed when the goal was timed at 3-3. The final goal was scored after a last minute timeout and the Panther net minder being pulled off the rink. The game ended in a brawl and a Blaze player being sent down the tunnel. At least one team I support is doing well.
High spirits and low spirits
It's a full rink with only standing places left available at the Skydome tonight as table topping Coventry Blaze take on their main rivals Nottingham Panthers in the Elite Ice Hockey League. In the last encounter at the Skydome a couple of weeks ago Panthers run out 3-1 winners. On that occasion Blaze were sapped by a trip to Cardiff the previous evening and this time they have been on the long road trip to Edinburgh where they beat the Capitals 4-3 in what must have been a draining match.
I must say that I have been looking forward to the encounter all weekend. I was too busy trying to catch up with work yesterday to go to Swindon and there was no short trip to the New Windmill Ground to see Leamington as they were away at Truro where they achieved a creditable 2-2 draw in the Cornish county town.
My journeys to The Valley recently have been less fun, partly because the last performace I saw was poor and partly because this understandably feeds the negative mood of Charlton fans.
It wasn't too easy to follow the match at Swindon yesterday with Emma's ve-ry sl-ow commentary with its references to 'Carl' Reid and the 'field of play' (had I tuned into a jousting tournament by mistake?) However, as far as I can make out, we were poor for much of the match with less than 40 per cent of the possession. Once again we were caught out defensively at a set piece and it required a captain's goal by Bailey to get a point (and, more important, take two off Swindon). If recent results at home had not been so poor, we would have probably regarded this as a decent result.
Parky experimented with a 'continental' formation. Sam disappeared altogether from the line up, perhaps as part of Parky's 'resting' policy, although we have too limited resources to permit much in the way of squad rotation. I hope that Parky has not caught 'Pardew's disease' and is starting to resort to tinkering with the side and formation in an attempt to recover form. There is much to be said for a settled side, although admittedly this is difficult at Charlton as one never knows whether some of our better players (Sam being the classic example) are going to have a good day or a bad day.
We are not very good because, a few players aside, we are essentially a League 1 outfit of journeymen and youngsters. However, it is important to remember that we are playing in League 1 and many of the other sides are not that good either. We tend to buy too readily into the view that teams like Leeds or Norwich are invincible or that Swindon are about to sweep all before them. In fact no teams in the starting top five picked up three points yesterday (although the main threat to our 3rd place, Colchester, play their hated rivals Southend on Monday).
Charlton versus Millwall in the play-off final anyone?
I must say that I have been looking forward to the encounter all weekend. I was too busy trying to catch up with work yesterday to go to Swindon and there was no short trip to the New Windmill Ground to see Leamington as they were away at Truro where they achieved a creditable 2-2 draw in the Cornish county town.
My journeys to The Valley recently have been less fun, partly because the last performace I saw was poor and partly because this understandably feeds the negative mood of Charlton fans.
It wasn't too easy to follow the match at Swindon yesterday with Emma's ve-ry sl-ow commentary with its references to 'Carl' Reid and the 'field of play' (had I tuned into a jousting tournament by mistake?) However, as far as I can make out, we were poor for much of the match with less than 40 per cent of the possession. Once again we were caught out defensively at a set piece and it required a captain's goal by Bailey to get a point (and, more important, take two off Swindon). If recent results at home had not been so poor, we would have probably regarded this as a decent result.
Parky experimented with a 'continental' formation. Sam disappeared altogether from the line up, perhaps as part of Parky's 'resting' policy, although we have too limited resources to permit much in the way of squad rotation. I hope that Parky has not caught 'Pardew's disease' and is starting to resort to tinkering with the side and formation in an attempt to recover form. There is much to be said for a settled side, although admittedly this is difficult at Charlton as one never knows whether some of our better players (Sam being the classic example) are going to have a good day or a bad day.
We are not very good because, a few players aside, we are essentially a League 1 outfit of journeymen and youngsters. However, it is important to remember that we are playing in League 1 and many of the other sides are not that good either. We tend to buy too readily into the view that teams like Leeds or Norwich are invincible or that Swindon are about to sweep all before them. In fact no teams in the starting top five picked up three points yesterday (although the main threat to our 3rd place, Colchester, play their hated rivals Southend on Monday).
Charlton versus Millwall in the play-off final anyone?
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Charlton win a share of the points
The match had a relatively uneventful start, although Swindon won an early corner writes Paul May. Neither goalkeeper had any work to do in the first ten minutes. Then Swindon attacked with Douglas having the first real chance of the game after a lapse in concentration by Charlton. Elliot did well to get down and stretch out an arm to put the ball round the post. From the corner the ball was headed on to the crossbar by Greer.
Swindon threatened again with the ball bobbling around dangerously until it was put out. Charlton were sitting deep and hoping for a counter attack. Further attacks were blocked by Dailly and Sam Sodje. Charlton were giving the ball away cheaply and Swindon were very much on top. Wagstaff conceded a free kick.
Dailly was obliged to concede a corner as Swindon advanced again. Shelvey played a poor ball. Basey conceded another corner. A free kick gave Lucas in the Swindon goal something to do. Dailly provided a good defensive header under pressure.
Austin went close after some sloppy defending by the Addicks. Racon conceded a corner, but Elliot gathered well. The midfield was not playing well.
Shelvey and Reid linked up well on the left and Shelvey put in a great ball only to be denied by the woodwork. A left footed effort from Reid was on target. Charlton were back in the game. An effort by Wagstaff was tame.
Swindon made a good effort from distance. Three minutes of time were added on. Charlton won a corner in the last minute as Akpo Sodje threatened. Swindon broke, but the whistle blew as Richardson blocked. Charlton had withstood the early pressure and had started to play some decent football.
Half time: Robins 0, Addicks 0
Wagstaff was taken off and Semedo was brought on. Bailey went on the left and Reid switched to the right. Racon had to come off to receive treatment to a head wound, as did Swindon captain Greer after a clash of heads. Greer was bandaged up and returned.
Racon was unable to return and Solly came on to play as left back. Basey was brought down by Amankwaah and the referee stopped play to the annoyance of the home fans who accused the official of being an onanist. Greer fouled Akpo Sodje. Richardson conceded a corner as Swindon advanced down the left wing. The corner was taken short, Elliot threw the ball out and the advancing Shelvey was fouled.
Austin failed to connect when Ward turned provider. Ward advanced again and Bailey had to intercept at the expense of a corner. Bailey got a head to the ball. Solly conceded a corner. The ball came in and the right back Amankwaah put the home side ahead. There was no one guarding the far post.
Basey came off and was replaced by Burton. Dailly made a great run and Bailey made a good effort on goal but it was saved. Elliot came out to stop Austin's run and seemed to be in some pain. It appeared to be his arm that was hurt.
Sam Sodje fouled Austin. The free kick was ineffective. Burton flicked the ball on to Bailey who went down inside the penalty area, but no card was shown for diving.
Reid put in an effort but it was well wide. Austin was withdrawn. Swindon were happy to sit on their lead. Swindon made a rare defensive mistake, but managed to turn the ball out after the hard working Sodje got a touch.
Shelvey gave away possession and Swindon were able to attack. Five minutes were added on. Richardson made a great break and put in a good pass to Akpo Sodje. A Charlton free kick came in from Shelvey, but Bailey's header went over.
Bailey made it all square from inside the area after a great move by the Addicks. Burton picked up a late yellow card.
It was the third 1-1 in a row for the Addicks as we predicted.
Swindon threatened again with the ball bobbling around dangerously until it was put out. Charlton were sitting deep and hoping for a counter attack. Further attacks were blocked by Dailly and Sam Sodje. Charlton were giving the ball away cheaply and Swindon were very much on top. Wagstaff conceded a free kick.
Dailly was obliged to concede a corner as Swindon advanced again. Shelvey played a poor ball. Basey conceded another corner. A free kick gave Lucas in the Swindon goal something to do. Dailly provided a good defensive header under pressure.
Austin went close after some sloppy defending by the Addicks. Racon conceded a corner, but Elliot gathered well. The midfield was not playing well.
Shelvey and Reid linked up well on the left and Shelvey put in a great ball only to be denied by the woodwork. A left footed effort from Reid was on target. Charlton were back in the game. An effort by Wagstaff was tame.
Swindon made a good effort from distance. Three minutes of time were added on. Charlton won a corner in the last minute as Akpo Sodje threatened. Swindon broke, but the whistle blew as Richardson blocked. Charlton had withstood the early pressure and had started to play some decent football.
Half time: Robins 0, Addicks 0
Wagstaff was taken off and Semedo was brought on. Bailey went on the left and Reid switched to the right. Racon had to come off to receive treatment to a head wound, as did Swindon captain Greer after a clash of heads. Greer was bandaged up and returned.
Racon was unable to return and Solly came on to play as left back. Basey was brought down by Amankwaah and the referee stopped play to the annoyance of the home fans who accused the official of being an onanist. Greer fouled Akpo Sodje. Richardson conceded a corner as Swindon advanced down the left wing. The corner was taken short, Elliot threw the ball out and the advancing Shelvey was fouled.
Austin failed to connect when Ward turned provider. Ward advanced again and Bailey had to intercept at the expense of a corner. Bailey got a head to the ball. Solly conceded a corner. The ball came in and the right back Amankwaah put the home side ahead. There was no one guarding the far post.
Basey came off and was replaced by Burton. Dailly made a great run and Bailey made a good effort on goal but it was saved. Elliot came out to stop Austin's run and seemed to be in some pain. It appeared to be his arm that was hurt.
Sam Sodje fouled Austin. The free kick was ineffective. Burton flicked the ball on to Bailey who went down inside the penalty area, but no card was shown for diving.
Reid put in an effort but it was well wide. Austin was withdrawn. Swindon were happy to sit on their lead. Swindon made a rare defensive mistake, but managed to turn the ball out after the hard working Sodje got a touch.
Shelvey gave away possession and Swindon were able to attack. Five minutes were added on. Richardson made a great break and put in a good pass to Akpo Sodje. A Charlton free kick came in from Shelvey, but Bailey's header went over.
Bailey made it all square from inside the area after a great move by the Addicks. Burton picked up a late yellow card.
It was the third 1-1 in a row for the Addicks as we predicted.
Burton dropped in 4-2-3-1 formation
Deon Burton has been dropped from the starting line up for this afternoon's game against Swindon. Akpo Sodje starts up front with Shelvey in the home and Reid and Wagstaff out wide. Bailey and Racon are behind them and then it's Richardson, Sodje, Dailly and Basey (in for Solly) with Elliot in goal.
Subs: Randolph, Llera, Solly, Semedo, Burton, Mooney, McKenzie.
Paul May has arrived at the ground.
Subs: Randolph, Llera, Solly, Semedo, Burton, Mooney, McKenzie.
Paul May has arrived at the ground.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Hall of fame
I gained the somewhat unwelcome accolade of being placed in the CAFC Picks Hall of Fame for January on the basis of predicting that Charlton would pick up only 7 points during the month. Given the quality of the team, I think that they are performing much as one would expect.
With Charlton reduced to nine men, Swindon managed a 2-2 draw at The Valley. They then went on to beat Leeds 3-0. Looking at the form table, and this particular construction of reality has a lot of followers among Charlton fans, it might therefore seem that there is only possible result tomorrow, a win for Swindon by at least two goals.
I am not going to attempt a detailed match preview, as that has already been done well by Pedro on Charlton Athletic Online. I am not sure, however, that I agree with him about dropping Burton in favour of a Mooney-Sodje (A) pairing. Admittedly particularly if you think penalties don't count (but that still have to be scored, not least against Millwall), Burton's scoring record is not impressive. However, I do think he brings other things to the team such as neat lay offs and an ability, sometimes at least, to hold up the ball.
Pedro reasonably makes the point that three teams come away disappointed from the play offs (although not necessarily in vital cash terms if one makes the final). They are a lottery. However, given my hope at the beginning of the season was that we might just make the No.6 slot, our league position is still well ahead of my expectations.
Although all the signs point to a comfortable win for the home side at the County Ground, bad (or good) form never continues for ever. I would be surprised and delighted if we won at Swindon, but I think that our role as draw specialists may continue and I am going for another 1-1 (Reid).
With Charlton reduced to nine men, Swindon managed a 2-2 draw at The Valley. They then went on to beat Leeds 3-0. Looking at the form table, and this particular construction of reality has a lot of followers among Charlton fans, it might therefore seem that there is only possible result tomorrow, a win for Swindon by at least two goals.
I am not going to attempt a detailed match preview, as that has already been done well by Pedro on Charlton Athletic Online. I am not sure, however, that I agree with him about dropping Burton in favour of a Mooney-Sodje (A) pairing. Admittedly particularly if you think penalties don't count (but that still have to be scored, not least against Millwall), Burton's scoring record is not impressive. However, I do think he brings other things to the team such as neat lay offs and an ability, sometimes at least, to hold up the ball.
Pedro reasonably makes the point that three teams come away disappointed from the play offs (although not necessarily in vital cash terms if one makes the final). They are a lottery. However, given my hope at the beginning of the season was that we might just make the No.6 slot, our league position is still well ahead of my expectations.
Although all the signs point to a comfortable win for the home side at the County Ground, bad (or good) form never continues for ever. I would be surprised and delighted if we won at Swindon, but I think that our role as draw specialists may continue and I am going for another 1-1 (Reid).
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