More signings needed

More signings are needed before the start of the season says Addicks coach Damien Matthew. A bit of a statement of the obvious really, but good to hear from it inside the club: Squad too thin

Optimists are keeping their spirits up by saying that perhaps Roland will strengthen in January when he sees what our needs are then, given that we started with a small squad last season.

Richard Cawley of the South London Press has recently tweeted that Charlton are closing in on a signing, he is likely to be in Belgium with them.

It is increasingly looking as if we are going to lose Fredéric Bulot. Indeed, Richard Cawley has tweeted that the deal is dead and he will be joining Reims. The move has now been announced: Au revoir. A loss in my view and a shame that Roland couldn't have got this sorted before selling the mother ship.

Apparently, SL's new owner is not happy with the way the Watt deal worked out and lack of money received by them caused a few problems.

It appears that we agreed a deal with Bayern Munich for Bastian Schweinsteiger 15 years ago, but the player eventually decided not to come: Lost signing

Bulot may not return

French sources are saying that Fredéric Bulot is in contact with Reims with a view to going there.

Sparrows Lane sources are saying that there are a lot of complexities with sorting out his contract because he is an overseas player. It is all very frustrating, but procedures have to be followed and they are lengthy.

He does have permission to train with Charlton and to take part in the pre-season friendlies with a view to signing permanently or on a new loan. He is booked on the train to Belgium on Tuesday.

This may just be a case of his agent playing one club off against another to secure a better deal. But, clearly, there is a risk of losing him which I would regret.

In an unrelated development, Reza Ghoochannejhad and Piotr Parzyszek have both been cleared to leave Charlton, reports the South London Press.

The Sparrows Lane tea lady has linked us with Brighton winger Kazenga Lua Lua. He might be available, but I think she has been at the sugar cubes again.

Charlton chase target man and midfielder

Michiel Kramer scored 17 goals for Den Haag last season and Charlton are one of three Championship clubs chasing him: Michiel Kramer

He is definitely leaving Den Haag and given his wish to come to London, it seems unlikely that he will go to Sheffield to become a massive. Hence, the real choice is between West London (Brentford) and SE7.

English and French sources are reporting that El Hadji Ba is to sign for Charlton: Signing. Of Sengalese descent, the 22-year old midfielder has played for Sunderland.

The signing of El Hadji Ba has now been confirmed by the club. See him score here: El Hadji Ba

Fredéric Bulot has been seen in South-East London, suggesting that his anticipated signing is imminent.

Kermorgant rumours lack credibility

Rumours that Yann Kermorgant may return to Charlton lack credibility. Admittedly, the striker is trying to get a year's extension on his contract at Bournemouth and such rumours may not harm his efforts: Yann Kermorgant

I also don't give much credence to reports that we are one of a number of Championship clubs interested in Real Madrid forward Fran Sol: Fran Sol

Don't get too excited anyway. Although he is a product of Real Madrid's youth system, he has been loaned out to a succession of lower level Spanish clubs.

Chris Parkes is now back from holiday so we may see a couple of signings that have been lined up completed in the next week or two. Indeed, the first of these anticipated signings has now been confirmed by the club: Patrick Bauer.

Fredéric Bulot is expected to sign soon.

'This Luzon bloke does have a clue'

That is what one Addick tweeted after Charlton beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at The Valley tonight through a Bulot brace.

Tony Watt launched one of his trademark attacks early in the game, but got fouled.

Tony Watt was taken out as he went steaming forward and a yellow card was given to Lascelles. From the free kick Bulot put it into the top left-hand corner with a screamer to make it 1-0 after six minutes. The Gabonese fans I passed in Floyd Road on Saturday would be happy if they had come again.

Antonio got the ball on to his right foot and put the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to make it 1-1 as Henderson made a despairing drive.

Lawrie Wilson was brought down off the pitch by Antonio and needed the attention of the physio.

Watt didn’t have enough support as he forged forward and ran into a dead end. Lansbury put a shot straight at Henderson.

Diarra had to clear the ball away as Charlton were under pressure from Diarra. This led to the first corner of the game. Henderson got his fists to it and put it out. The curling ball caused chaos. Charlton struggled to get the ball clear, but it eventually went out for a goal kick. However, the old Charlton vulnerability in defending corners showed.

Forest had the upper hand as news came through that Millwall were 2-0 down at Boro. Diarra did well, but was thrown head first into the advertising hoardings. Charm merchant Lansbury was lucky to get away with a yellow card.

Wilson did well as Antonio threatened again. His powerful runs had troubled Reading last Saturday. Henderson was unsighted as Antonio made a shot and Henderson put it out for a corner. The ball went out for another corner. Henderson missed it, but the ball went out for a goal kick.

Charlton needed to get back in the game as Forest were on top. Wilson delivered a good ball into the box and Bulot buried it to make it 2-1. This is Bulot who was written off in the last Voice of the Valley by Steve Dixon: ‘I cannot remember a significant contribution from [him].’

Cousins battled well with Osborn as two minutes were added on. Harriott seemed to be in trouble after he tripped up. Good work by Vetokele dealt with Antonio.

HT: Addicks 2, Forest 1

With Harriott off with a knock, Eagles came on. Bikey replaced Wilson. Luzon showed that he was not afraid to make half time substitutions.

Forest got a free kick in a dangerous position after protestations by Antonio. Vetokele intercepted for a corner.

Charlton got their first corner of the game, but it was unproductive. Diarra defended well.

Forest put in a header which went over the bar, Bikey told Fox he should have got it away.

Antonio was still causing problems, muscling Eagles out of the way.

A Forest shot curled wide. They had got the upper hand in the second half. But then Charlton put in some good work with the ball hitting the defender for a throw in.

Gardner, who had had a frustrating time in the second half in his role of feeding Antonio, was taken off.

Henderson took the ball well as the offside flag was raised, but it looked as if he had injured his shoulder, but he carried on.

Vetokele couldn’t just get to a ball that was chipped in by Gomez. Dexter Blackstock came on for Forest. Bikey defended well.

Burke got away from Fox but Bikey blocked his shot. Lansbury came off and was replacesd by Vekdwijk.

Bulot had shot on 85 minutes, but it was held by Darlow in the Forest goal. Vetokele went down and Lepoint came on. Darlow kept out a header from Watt and a shot by Bulot was blocked. Lichaj was booked for a foul on Watt. Antonio was then shown a yellow card for a bad foul.

Forest got a late corner and Darlow came up but to no avail.

The Addicks are now 14 points above Millwall who lost 3-0 at 'Boro. Charlton are now 5th in the form table.

Charlton win 3-0 after Red-Robin scores on debut

Either Guy Luzon is riding his luck or he is a better coach than we thought. Derby will be a tough test.

Charlton got their second 3-0 in a week at Wigan to go 12th in the table. Although we will go down a bit after this afternoon's game, we have played six of the top eight twice. It was Charlton's first double of the season. As one fan tweeted, 3-0 is the new 1-1.

Vetokele had an early attempt from 20 yards out but it went over the bar. Charlton were marking well in the early exchanges. Johnson challenged Fortuné at the expense of a corner. Leon Clarke got his head to it and Henderson had to tip it over. Ben Haim hooked the second corner clear.

Charlton blocked a series of Wigan efforts, although they were living dangerously with Fortuné given too much space. The Lactics continued to apply pressure as the sparse home crowd became animated.

Morgan Fox was evaded too easily and Buyens had to take one for the team, his tenth yellow card of the season. Charlton counter attacked from the free kick.

Morgan Fox was beaten again by Ojo. Bulot scored with his left foot, a good finish in the 16th minute after Tony Watt beat his man.

Kvist went off due to an injury and McCann came on. Charlton won their first corner following a Buyens free kick. Wigan counter attacked but Charlton dealt with it. There was a minute’s applause for a Wigan player diagnosed with leukaemia, the Addickted joining in.

Leon Clarke went down and a stretcher was called for. There was a break of several minutes as the necessary precautions were taken. He had to be given oxygen. He was later taken to hospital: Leon Clarke .

The referee spoke to Solly for being too vigorous. The Wigan fans were starting to get on their team’s back after they made a simple mistake. There was great work by Johnson as Wigan tried to mount an attack.

There was a cynical foul on Solly by McClean who received a yellow card. Ten minutes were added on. Vetokele scored in the 47th minutes to make it 2-0 to the Addicks after Bulot had won the ball and put in a glorious cross.

Ojo went past Fox and won a corner. Henderson collected the high ball. McClean had a little bit too much space, but put his header over.

HT Lactics 0, Addicks 2

Urged on by the home fans, the referee gave Vetokele a yellow card for a foul. Watt applauded the four hundred or so Addicks behind the goal as they chanted his name. The keeper just got a hand on the ball after Vetokele made a great run.

Tony Watt got away after a flick by Vetokele and should have scored, but he put the ball just wide. Big lump Fortuné was taken off and replaced by Waghorn.

Charlton conceded a corner. Roger Johnson put the ball clear and then had to make two more clearances for which he was well positioned.

Another corner was conceded. Johnson won the header. Henderson had to make a save from a ball which he saw late. Wigan won a free kick off Vetokele in a dangerous position. Henderson caught the ball.

Wigan won a corner off Solly halfway through the half. Tony Watt came off and Chris Red-Robin (formerly Eagles) made his debut for Charlton. Charlton won a corner which was unproductive. Gudmundsson fired in a shot which was just over the bar.

It was raining heavily. Some Wigan fans started to leave, the empty stands becoming even emptier, and others were booing. Cousins got in the way of a dangerous shot. Wilson was waiting to come on. Luzon and Mackay were having a disagreement. Cousins, who had taken a knock, came off. Gundmundsson fed Red-Robin who scored his first goal for the Addicks. Vetokele came off and was replaced by Harriott.

553 Addicks made the journey and were able to celebrate on Wigan Pier afterwards.

There is quite a long report on the game in The Times this morning. As is inevitably the case when Charlton win, it mainly about what is wrong with Wigan. Apparently, we were lucky and boosted by having players from SL.

A strange euphoric feeling

I experienced a strange euphoric feeling as I left The Valley today. Charlton had played well, had not conceded a goal and scored three against a team in the play off places at the beginning of the game. As a result, they have gone up to 18th in the table. Of course, it's just one game, but it may give the team some much needed confidence.

It was good to see Henderson back in goal and he made some excellent saves. The last time we won was at Reading when he was in goal and I sometimes think that not enough weight has been given to the effect his absence has had. He gives confidence to the defence in front of him.

Roger Johnson was derided as a useless signing, but he was much more solid than the off form Bikey whom he replaced. He marshalled the defence, giving instructions to the likes of Morgan Fox who had come on when Wiggins was injured.

We got the up front pairing of Watt and Vetokele that we wanted. Watt has a traditional centre forward's eye for goal and, even if he did not score today, he unsettled the Brentford defence. Igor Vetokele had an excellent work rate today and took his goal well.

Then there is Bulot. He was very poor last week, but a revelation on the wing today and took his goal well. In Voice of the Valley today, Steve Dixon asked, 'Is there any point in examining the contribution of Frédéric Bulot?' Perhaps professional gloom merchant Dixon will think again.

I was surprised to see elves around The Valley when I arrived, but Voice of the Valley has been brought out two weeks early because of 'the crisis engulfing the club'. The second part of the interview with Derek Ufton was excellent and the Rickster gave space to an article which looked critically at some of the excessive sentimentality that surrounds the notion of 'our Charlton'. Nevertheless, VOTV does increasingly seem to be the refuge of disgruntled former employees. Those who want changes at the club must be careful to avoid going back to the future with the Valley Party. As a fellow fan remarked to me, having looked at his copy, 'positive spin as usual.'

Gudmundsson scored decisively on 27 minutes after Vetokele had turned provider. The moaners behind me had been quiet up to then, as even they could not fault Charlton's standard of play, but became nervous and vociferous after we went ahead. The Bloke Behind Me believes that we should man mark every opposition player, but how we could do that and engage in any creative play or attacks is beyond me.

Charlton doubled their lead 10 minutes after half-time when Watt dragged defenders towards him and set up Vetokele to finish well. Alex Pritchard had the best chances for Brentford but his free-kick and snap-shot were both comfortably saved by Stephen Henderson. A resounding win was completed late on when Dean allowed Bulot a free run on goal and he struck a left-footed shot.

As for Brentford, I got the notion that they somehow felt they just had to get on to the pitch and easily claim three points against a poor team. When things started to go wrong, they increasingly resorted to fouling, but even an elbow in the stomach for Johnson received nothing more than a quiet rebuke from the lenient referee. Their fans final chant of 'You're going down with the Fulham' gets a prize for face saving irony.

I had real difficulty getting to the game today with no trains from Coventry, the line from Leamington closed by a landslip and the M40 shut by a major accident. I was late getting to Marylebone, but probably had the fastest trip ever from there to the ground by tube and bus, just 35 minutes. It was a good omen.

Millwall lost at Leeds, while I enjoyed listening to the final phase of Crystal Palace's cup defeat as I drove back from Banbury.

A Brentford fan interviews Charlton fans in the pub after the game, good quality podcast: Besotted Brentford

Player ratings

Stephen Henderson was man of the match for me. In command of his area, the Bees couldn't get past him. His kicking out was also usually central. Ben Haim wasn't prominent, but did his job well. I have seen some comments that Johnson was slow and not up to it, but I thought that he looked reliable and had a good effect on other defenders. Solly had a faultless game as far as I could see. Wiggins was playing well, until he succumbed to the first of two first half injuries. The other was to Jackson who had been looking useful, but was able to come out of the tunnel at the end of the game to do the Chris Powell jump. Gudmundsson took his goal well. He does drift in and out of games a bit. Cousins showed some real touches of skill. It was good to see us dispossessing the opposition in midfield, rather than the other way round. He also showed great determination and had an excellent work rate. Bulot was a revelation on the wing.

Watt would also be a nominee for man of the match. He showed real character and gave the opposition no quarter. He displayed some excellent ball skills. Vetokele was tireless and combined well with Watt. Fox is not as skilled or experienced as Wiggins, but he played a decent game of honest endeavour. Buyens started the season well, but has faded badly. His first action on coming on to the pitch was to spoil a promising attack by putting the ball out of play. His passes forward were often over hit. Wilson had a cameo after Vetokele was withdrawn, but seemed a bit out of his depth.

Bulot signs from the mother ship

Fredéric Bulot has signed on a season long loan from the mother ship. This is one of the rare occasions when the official site delivers news: Bulot

The 23-year old from Gabon is described as a left-footed box-to-box midfielder: Career details . See him score an exceptional goal here (although I am sure he doesn't do it every week): Magnifique

With his career stalling in Belgium, his first preference was to go to France. However, assured that Charlton was a predominantly French-speaking club, he accepted the Eurostar ticket, Oyster card and room at the Swallow Hotel (now rebadged as the Marriott): Angleterre . The beverage department says he may take a walk round Bexleyheath this afternoon, so bear this in mind if you are not going to Brighton.

Johnnie Jackson had better get on with that 'Teach Yourself French' course!