The blame game

Leicester City have their man of their match and keeper to thank for their 1-0 victory at The Valley on Saturday.   Conor Coventry is a scapegoat player for a few fans but his shot needed a great save.

However, now the blame game for the defeat can start.  The mood was considerably brighter on Saturday evening at the King's Head on Deal's seafront as Desmond and his few friends gathered to enjoy a few pints and a good moan about Charlton.

But let's look at the candidates.

The referee

One thing I don't like is when managers and fans start blaming the referee for a result.  Yes, they make a lot of mistakes, sometimes important ones.   But some realism is needed: faced with a marginal decision between a relegated Premier League club and a promoted League One club, it's not hard to predict the outcome.

Richard Cawley provides a balanced assessment on his Substack page: ‘What appears to have caught [referee Dean] Whitestone’s eye is the contact between Josh Edwards and Leicester’s Caleb Okoli. And he blew his whistle before the ball ended up in the back of the net.

The Charlton wing-back has his right arm wrapped around the neck of his opponent, who seems particularly keen to hit the turf directly in the official’s eyeline. There is often plenty of contact allowed inside the penalty area from set-pieces. Not on this occasion.

Addicks boss Nathan Jones found the decision tough to take. The Welshman was careful with his comments, keen to avoid any disciplinary scrape with the FA. He clearly felt that Whitestone overly-protected Leicester’s players during the match. “They felt that our physicality, aggression and how we press was something they didn’t want to do - and that was helped out,” said Jones, who added the reason behind striking off his namesake’s goal was “an absolute fairytale”.

It probably partly depends on which technical area you are standing in as to whether you feel it was a foul,’ concluded Cawley.

Jones

Why did he start Leaburn rather than Kelman?   Tactics and the fact that Leaburn had been impressive in training during the week.   Fans don't (usually) see what happens in training but managers can't disregard it.

In any case Leaburn had a decent game.  If anyone had a mare it was Tyreece Campbell.

Where the pessimists have a point is our inability to score goals.  We had plenty of chances in the second half.    We miss Godden, but need to score without him.

On Saturday the Super Hoops will be looking to avenge their drubbing by Coventry City.   My Sky Blue neighbour was round my house on Sunday celebrating the result and the fact that Coventry had now bought their stadium.   Coventry fans have been through the mill with their former owners, playing in Northampton and Birmingham, but now the wealth of Stratford upon Avon has come to their rescue.

I know a little about just how many multi-millionaires live in that town often in discreet but fabulous houses (I have been fortunate enough to be invited into a couple).   The town council owns a lot of the central town and were able to fork out for a nice new stadium for Stratford Town (the Bardsmen) with  all weather training pitches.  But don't expect 'verily' and 'forsooth' if you find yourself at the Anne Hathaway!