On Your Bikey

Andre Bikey has had his contract at Charlton terminated by mutual consent. He impressed initially, but then fell out of favour.

Loic Nego has left to join a Hungarian club. He never impressed and was a network error.

Four players on their way

According to the usually well informed Richard Cawley of the SLP, Charlton are looking to offload the following players: Rhoys Wiggins; Joe Pigott; Callum Harriott; and Andre Bikey. Pigott is not a surprise, as he is probably League 1 level at best and may be able to find a berth at Southend. Bikey has been out of favour for some time. The mercurial Harriott has been in and out of the team. Wiggins is arguably the most surprising, but has been injury prone.

Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt has commented, 'What Richard Cawley’s tweet amounts to is that these players are available for transfer and they can leave if someone else wants to take over their contracts, whether with or without a fee. They have not been released (and can’t be without a pay-off) and the club remains liable for the remainder of their contract.'

Cawley also says that we are interested in Rotherham midfielder Ben Pringle whom he reckons is a good player. However, Fulham seem to be favourites to secure his signature. Bolton Wanderers, Ipswich Town and Leeds United are also said to be interested in the player who started his career at Ilkeston Town: Ben Pringle

The Chicago Addick has a well sourced story that we are to sign Lokeren winger Nill de Pauw (Lokeren is the new club of Bob Peeters): Nill de Pauw

Tired squad have dressing room rows

Andre Bikey has admitted Charlton’s small squad is feeling the effects of a sapping schedule in an interview with Richard Cawley of the South London Press.

Bikey is hoping that reinforcements are drafted in during the January transfer window. “We have got a lot of injuries and players with physical problems,” 'the Beast' told Cawley. “Some players are tired. I’ve already played 27 games and it’s difficult - we’ve got 22 games left. So it’s not easy.

“A new face always makes the squad better. It is not about being fit. Everyone needs a rest, some players play with a physical problem - Igor [Vetokele] is not 100 per cent okay, he has played with that. Igor is only an example. New faces can help us. A different type of player. We don’t have a target man - someone who is 6ft 5ins. Cardiff, Blackburn and other teams have it - we don’t. We need someone who can hold the ball.”

Bikey said: “There were some arguments in the dressing room - it has to happen. The manager has to understand. No-one is happy, we have to try and get a solution. We are in a bad run but there is still a long way to go. I’m not sure Ipswich and Bournemouth are already promoted. We have to keep fighting and try to be on top there.”

Charlton remain unbeaten

Charlton remained unbeaten in the league this season after their 1-1 draw at The Valley last night, but surrendered their 100 per cent home record. They remain 5th in the table. It should be borne in mind that a number of our games have been against teams challenging for promotion. The comments that we were rubbish fail to acknowledge that Wolves were good.

The visitors started with a patient passing game which was a little dull to watch. However, Henry started to be a tricky threat down the wing, the former Millwall player also doing his fair share of whingeing to the lino and referee.

Wolves looked as if they were getting on top, but midway through the half Bikey scored with a volley from a Cousins corner. At first it didn't looked as if it had gone in and not everyone got to their feet, but the celebrating players told us what we needed to know.

Tucudean then had a great chance to put the Addicks 2-0 ahead and effectively put the game beyond the reach of Wolves, but he failed to take it. Wolves then hit the post.

After the break, Wolves came out of the traps full of energy and the game was played at a high tempo. Eventually their pressure told and captain Danny Batth scored from a corner, Henderson failing to hold on to the ball.

One of the disappointments in this phase of the game was that we put in some good tackles, but then failed to hold on to the ball. Overall, however, a draw was a fair result.

The referee was serenaded as an Onanist by the Covered End at the end of the game. I don't know what they put in the water in Bedfordshire, but he wouldn't give us anything. He also let play go on when Vitokele was fouled and injured. The Angolan was pointing to his leg at the end of the game and I hope that he will be all right for Saturday. (It subsequently emerged that he had no feeling in his arm, but this is thought to be due to a cut: it is not broken). Admittedly, none of the referee's decisions were costly in a game changing sense, but they were still poor.

I was amused to see Wolves fans at the station swapping business cards and explaining which financial institution they were now working for.

Attendance at under 16,000 was disappointing given a strong Wolves contingent. It was a good, end-to-end game.

Player ratings

With our canine match analysts retired, the surplus supply of Silver Bones has been dispatched to Rick Everitt's elves for melting down in his workshop, but I don't think anyone really qualified last night. This suggests a poor performance, but I think we were still tired after our gruelling performance against Watford. Even so, we were able to grind out a result.

Stephen Henderson made more than one save that stopped the ball going in the net, including one that he tipped round the post with an outstretched arm. However, perhaps he should have been able to hold on to the ball when the goal was scored. Bikey-Amougou took his goal well and shows that he is not just a robust defender. However, he gave away fouls in dangerous positions and eventually got a yellow card. Ben Haim withstood the onslaught well. Gomez generally had a good game and he is clearly a great prospect. However, there was the occasional error which is to be expected. Wiggins was getting outsmarted by charm merchant Henry. Wiggins has never been as good as he was before his injury.

Wilson is perhaps better as an impact sub and it was his turn to be substituted last night. He tried to get forward, but he often had a torrid time. Buyens was not at his best, with a tame shot on goal, but then Jackson once again disappointed. He did have a chance to score after being given a perfect pass (I think from Igor), but he put it just wide. Steve from Petts Wood commented that two years ago he would have scored. There were flashes of excellence, but at times he disappeared from the game. Indeed, this was not a good game for the midfield. Cousins had his name omitted from the programme, but I thought that his corners were better than they were on Saturday, not least the one that led to the goal.

Tucudean is a worry. He missed two good chances to score and gets muscled off the ball too easily. Vetokele was tireless and even helped out in defence, but he needs better support from the midfield. Moussa huffs and puffs to no great effect. This was a game where I would have brought on Church. The appearance of Bulot was one of the highlights of the night for me. He looks very promising.

Glass Half Empty

Derek from Dymchurch writes: 'We were shown up last night. If it was not for the fact that ladies read this page, I would describe our performance using a four letter word. That Belgian geezer is being found out. We have now used up our supply of luck for the season. Mark my words, we'll be in a relegation scrap by Christmas.'

Rumour mill on its bike

The rumour mill has linked André Bikey with Charlton: Bikey

He isn't Belgian, but if this report is to be believed, he is going to Belguim for the Stayen Cup. However, as a native of Cameroon, and a Cameroon international, he presumably speaks French which is increasingly required in the squad.

He has recently played in the Greek Super League. When playing for Burnley he went by the surname of Amougou. Career details of the defender/defensive midfielder here: On your bike