The BBC tried to get me into their Mailbox studio in Birmingham this afternoon to record some segments for their news programmes, assuming that I would be at the clash at St.Andrew's. In fact I wasn't, given the personal safety problems one encounters at that ground. Having already got up at 6 a.m. to do a slot for Radio 5 after the 7 a.m. news, I felt I had done my bit for the Beeb for the day, although my press officer will not be a happy bunny when he finds out I turned it down.
So what does one make of the 3-2 defeat at St.Andrews? It's no disgrace against one of the top teams in the division. The match really turned on two mistakes by Nicky Weaver, the first of which which was pounced on by our old adversary Kevin Phillips to level the match at 2-2 on 50 minutes. Queudrue then grabbed the winner on 55 minutes.
In the first half James McFadden put the home side ahead, but then Bouazza equalised with a fantastic volley, presumably similar to the one he scored at The Valley. Andy Gray put Charlton back in front on 27 minutes. When I saw the half time lead, I thought 'we're not going to hang on to this.' It was particularly disappointing that we were not able to equalise in the last half hour of the game after Nigel Quashie was sent off for a second booking. McFadden and Ridgewell were also booked for the Blews, whilst we had no bookings.
Fortunately the teams around us aren't much better. Watford and Southampton both lost, the latter at home and Forest drew (Doncaster play later). So we remain in the 20th position we have made our own recently.
One positive sign was that Pardew seems to have got over his blind faith in Varney who only came on after 81 minutes to replace Youga. Shelvey got a look in at the end of the game.
The stats give a mixed picture. Birmingham were just ahead, 15 to 13, on goal attempts. More of theirs were on target, nine to five, but we hit the woodwork twice. However, we were ahead on corners, eight to four.
One thing that does give me some encouragement is that the failed takeover bid seems to have given us some profile and it may well be that another bid could come in over the next few months.
This was one of the best performances from us I've seen so far this season.
ReplyDeleteThe plus points.......Two excllent goals both from open play and both
being finished with some style. Excellent team efforts for both goals
with decisive finishing.
The fighting performane especially in first half where we domintaed a side
reduced to fouling, some niggling some down right dangerous.
The use of wing play to get past their defence and expose the keeper with
crosses. Our approach play looked threatening even if sometimes it didn't
result in a goal scoring opportunity.
The support from the fans was excellent and at times funny and amusing if
perhaps a little pointed.
BCFC have made changes to the approach for away fans so there is no longer
visual contact on the exit with home supporters and this improves the
sense of safety.
The down side...We lost when we desrved a draw at least. We can't defend
corners and two of their goals came from that source. Nicky Weaver slipped
badly for their third goal and you wonder about suitability of footwear.
It as a horrible day with constant drizzle and there were a number of
times when our players slipped on greasy surface at crucial times. If we
play like that against many other sides in this division we should be
comfortable.
This was a creditable performancee right to the end and on other days
would comfortably led us to take at least a share of the spoils
Thank you anonymous -and kudos to you and others who went. Your words are some consolation - particularlt the bit about getting down the wings. That is the sort of football that excites me!
ReplyDeletecheers
Pembury Addick
Wyn, I've just re read your piece, and note your gaurded little nugget about another buy out bid. Please elucidate. I am determined to not get excited about such a thing ever again. But I'm allowed curiosity.
ReplyDeleteDo tell.
Pembury Addick
Charlton played really well & deserved something from the game.
ReplyDeleteI also understand that a bid will be made within the next few months.I can not say from whom but you will be surprised when their identity is revealed!
Its bloody Jordan isn't it! The revenge of the tangoman!
ReplyDeletepembury Addick
I would certainly expect a bid to occur within the next few months - there have been clear indications to that effect. I do not know who the potential bidder is. There are many candidates: (i) the Americans who own the Dome with whom the club has maintained contact; (ii) a different South African consortium from the one interested in Portsmouth; (iii) a different grouping from the Middle East; (iv) a Chinese company; (v) a suprise bidder from the UK, possibly someone prominent in national commercial life.
ReplyDeleteWyn,Having reflected on APs Q&A session with supporters a week ago just a few thoughts. AP has had to re-build the side lacking sufficient funds (since Dowie's disastrous dip into the transfer market). He has tried all the players in all sorts of positions, sometimes with disastrous results sometimes with potential. He is down to what he considers his best line-up and since we've had a bit of consistency in the line up, our play has improved (our luck hasn't).
ReplyDeleteNearly all the great managers have inherited a core of decent players on which they've built, AP on the other hand has had (due to finances) to let go some players with potential Reid, Magic and Iwelumo. I'm not sure any manager would be able to pull it out of the bag in a few seasons with dwindling resources and a new team. Wolves under McCarthty struggled early last season and he had been there for sometime (and had a lot of stick from his fans) but he stuck at it and where are they now?
Hopefully if we can steady ourselves with a few wins, we can survive this season and continue to improve.
I'll be at the next home game as usual, I won't be booing AP but hope the crowd can give the team a lift with a positive reaction and lots of noise.
I appreciate the spirit of what you say, but there are plenty of managers in the division who are achieving far more than Pardew on less resources. This is a results business. However, it looks like we are stuck with Pardew for the time being, so we just have to make the best of it. What worries me about him more than anything else is his passive body language in matches.
ReplyDeleteWyn
ReplyDeleteto return the bidder issue again if I may, at the risk of sounding picky, do you think any of them have sufficient financial clout to inject a substantial enough financial investment to provide a Chamionship challenge, and then a (hopefully) long stay in the Prem ?Or are they merely better off than our current Directors
Pembury Addick
We have to get away from the quick fix mentality- this type of thinking from AP got us into this mess. a fairy godmother may come and save us all....... the neext loan will transform the team, lets try the lad in the U18 team he can play a bit etc
ReplyDeletewhat will save us is hard work, good team selection(based on merit) good performances and occasional well thought thru purchases. There is no quick fix.
Andrew
Anon 1- Great summary of what transpired at St Andrews on Saturday - sorry my comments are rather belated but stayed in the area overnight .
ReplyDeleteI also felt Brum were not punished early enough for their bully boy tactics - earlier yellows, especially for Quashie may have proved pivotal for us....
Les- also echo your thoughts.Makes a nice change to hear someone else defending Pards. Your reference to Wolves & MM was one I made following our defeat this season.
And I DID wonder whether hearing Wyn's dulcet tones early on Saturday morning on Five Live would prove a good omen for the team...
Oops , that last Anon should have read " Compo" .
ReplyDeleteAll this talk of another takeover bid has got me all excited ....!
To reply to Pembury, I don't have any inside information about the identity of the potential bidder(s). However, what I do hear leaves me to believe that they would be more than an enhanced version of the current board. There would be real money, but it would be spent wisely.
ReplyDeleteCheers Wyn. The right approach too.
ReplyDeletePembury Addick