As my train approached Leamington The Observer rang with the news that Alan Pardew had left Charlton by mutual consent. The words that sprung to mind were those used by the newsreels when Neville Chamberlain resigned as prime minister. Alan Pardew is a decent man and in many ways a talented one but it wasn't working out for him or for Charlton. After today's 2-5 defeat by Sheffield United, the board finally bowed to the inevitable.
As Pardew left the pitch after the defeat he directed an ironic wave at the booing Covered End. That said it all really, along with his attempt in his programme notes to blame the negativity of the fans for recent poor performances.
Before the end of the game the Covered End had been chanting 'We Want Our Charlton Back'. After the match some two hundred or so fans made their way to the West Stand where they chanted 'Charlton till I die' and 'We want our Charlton back'. Reports suggested that an emergency board meeting had been convened and one rumour said that Keith Peacock was present.
It was noticeable today that Phil Parkinson stepped out of the dugout a few times to speak to Pardew and it is Parkinson who will be caretaker manager for Tuesday's match at Loftus Road.
The Observer was very insistent when they rang me last night that Chris Powell would be manager before Christmas and that this was reliable information. Equally, Talksport predicted that Curbs would return to The Valley, but I am not convinced that would be right for him or us (even though I was a great fan of his). I also doubt that it will happen. Speculation about Allerdyce is just that.
Before his removal was confirmed, Pardew told the media, 'My record coming to this club has been good, but it's been difficult here. When I arrived they were on the slide and I haven't been able to stop that. We're in a sticky situation and I have to accept whatever decision is made.'
Colin Cameron had some interesting stats in today's programme. During Pardew's nearly two years in charge there have been 109 player movements involving all kinds of transfers, excluding trialists. 36 players came in and 73 left. Martyn Waghorn became the 50th new boy in three and a half seasons.
We crave stability in the squad and in the team.
I am not going to provide a detailed analysis of the match beyond the comments provided by our dog reporter Monty Martin. Hopefully, there is going to be a fresh start at The Valley: certainly it is difficult to see how things could be worse.
I know there is a view that the players aren't talented, but I think that most of them are - and we actually saw flashes of this yesterday. What we need is a settled team, the right combination of players, the right tactics and a restoration of confidence. I think that 'anyone but Pardew' could do that, not because he is a bad manager - I supported his appointment and I hope he finds another one - but because it just went sour for him.
If he felt he was not given enough money, he could have resigned with dignity then. The board have not handled the post-Curbishley period well and, as Charlton fans, I think they know that. But I still have confidence in them and calls for their resignation are ridiculous.
What we need now is a period when fans support whoever is in charge. The realistic target now is to avoid relegation. With business rates of £1m a year on the stadium before you think of maintenance costs we cannot afford to be a third division club. In addition, something I didn't realise is that the Championship television deal becomes much better next year, but lower league clubs lose out relatively. (See yesterday's story in the Pink 'Un): FT
Match analysis
Normally effervescent match analyst spaniel Monty Martin who is normally very lucky for us has been in hangdog mode since the game. However, I have pointed out to him that he may have brought us good fortune in terms of a dignified exit for Alan Pardew. He has now filed his report from his home in the beautiful village of Blewbury, Oxon: Blewbury
No Silver Bone has been awarded. Weaver had an absolute shocker of a game, suggesting that his errors at Birmingham may be a part of pattern. However, it may just be that he needs his confidence restored, but it is unusual to see Charlton supporters jeering their own keeper. Monty was puzzled why Elliott was not brought on, but perhaps that would have finally wrecked Weaver's confidence. Given that we conceded five goals, it seems odd to argue that Hudson had a decent game, but he put in some good work. Primus scored one of the best goals I have seen this season from Bailey's free kick. It was a free header but it was very well taken. He did make some defensive errors, however. Youga was hapless and hopeless, scored an own goal and was eventually taken off. His 'chats' with Pardew in which his recurrent mistakes were pointed out to him do not seem to have done much good. Bring back Basey. I still rate Moutaoukil. He did make a serious error, but I think that he has the commitment and determination to be part of a reinvigorated Charlton as is evident from his programme interview. Bailey provided the free kick that led to the equaliser, but somehow his game seems to have deteriorated under the Sparrows Lane training regime. Holland give his all as was recognised in the applause he got at the end. He actually showed a good turn of pace at one point. Sam is totally inconsistent and was a favourite target for the row behind me. When he is good, he is very good, but often he is not good at all, in fact he is hopeless. Over to you, PP. Semedo picked up a yellow card which he is prone to do. Once again it was a curate's egg of a performance. Bouazza scored a great goal and fluffed a chance to score another one. But for long periods he didn't seem to be involved at all. It was odd to play a 4-5-1 formation but if one does Gray can't do it because he can't hold the ball up in the way that, say, Leaburn could. He was also totally isolated much of the time. Todorov seemed out of it most of the time when he came on. Waghorn showed plenty of pace, but then so does Varney, and his main contribution was to win a corner. Given that we were doing badly, why not give Racon a chance? He looked good earlier in the season.
Monty Martin writes: 'It's a while since I have seen Charlton play, as I am now resident match analyst at Didcot Town. I thought that the Blades were gifted such a flattering scoreline by appalling defending, particularly by Weaver. Charlton looked quite fluent at times, particularly when they were three behind and they could just play without pressure. It's all about morale really. The fight back starts here.'
9 comments:
A decent man does the decent thing.
This is the right outcome, but Pardew was within his rights to imply criticism of those so-called fans who resort to booing the players and/or the manager as soon as things start to go wrong. I have idea how they think it helps. Moreover, my guess is that most of them have never been responsible for anything more taxing than a paper round. Perhaps if they had they might understand just how difficult it is to succeed in any highly competitive environment.
I've been an advocate to keep Pardew until today. A couple of hours later and he was gone. I think he gave it his best shot in difficult circumstances and ultimately failed to achieve any level of stability.
The way some fans have behaved in recent weeks has made me wonder if we get the club we deserve. A lot of people wanted Pardew out from the beginning purely because of the Palace connection. A petty mindedness which helped nobody. Others are still dreaming of Premiership success, spending other peoples hard earned money whilst at the same time ignoring the reality of our situation.
Was Pardew leaving the right thing for the club, undoubtably yes. The way it has happened should leave many people to hang their heads in shame. When the next manager fails with our squad of youth, wannabees and old timers perhaps reality will finally sink in.
Send for Big Sam
What a day.Following the final whistle any chance of Pards surviving vanished.I sent a couple of texts to friends saying he could not survive this.Didn't think the end would be quite as swift though.
Echo your sentiments about Pards beig a decent guy but it really was the wrong club at the wrong time for him.
At least we are not discussing the referee.
To blame the fans seems pretty pathetic to me. No doubt we, (the fan as a collective) have not really helped Pardew, I struggle to understand how moronic some can be. They're silent when we are one down yet come out with sarcastic chants when we have conceded five. Why?
But Pardew is payed a lot. Has had a lot to spend for a championship manager and has only himself to blame. Last season he had enough money to get us promoted and blew it. This season team selection and tactics at times have seemed beyond belief and has certainly not helped the players gain confidence.
Any decent man would have resigned after Barnsley. I would have. Have some decency Pardew, stop making excuses and stop blaming the fans. I seem to remember West Ham fans having similar sentiments before they were promoted by fluke, according to them.
Pardew has seemed like a desperate man for some time in his team selection as well as post match comments, blaming the fans today is simply more of that. Have some pride man
Looking back Pardew was always on ahiding to nothing once he failed to save us from Premiership relegation. However, he has never kept a settled side nor adjusted tactics to the players he had or the league we were in. Despite his media savvy persona he was basically a limited football manager in termmms of tactics and motivation.
The key now is to begin the rebuilding with avoiding relegation. We need experience and Keith Peacosk with a back up of Mark Robson and Mark Kinsella would fit the bill.
AP and PP didn't work. KP and CP could be the right mix, having Charlton at heart.
I wanted Pards out at the end of the last season. My reasoning then was that the players responded adversly to the constant tinkering that Pards seemed to indulge in. His life wasn't made easy, his best players were sold, but what money he did get, he frittered away on endless loan signings who ended up on the bench. Why did so many players do so much better as soon as they left? It's about man management and Pards didn't have the skills. The booing didn't help, agreed, the board has made some pretty poor decisions but once you've lost the dressing room, there's no point staying. He should have resigned with dignity when he went public about not having enough money. Wasn't his style though, arrogance and blaming others were his hall marks. Now is the time to really get behind the lads whoever we get IC. We've got a battle on our hands and hopefully we will all put this damaging episode behind us and become supporters again.
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