Red-hot hitman Izale McLeod

Izale McLeod is profiled by the Football League Paper this week. With some hyperbole, it is suggested that the champagne corks should be popping for the 'red hot hitman' as he put two past Accrington Stanley in the first 45 minutes to aid Barnet's fight against the drop. Of course, it may be that he has found his level.

Let's just recall what happened at Charlton. Wily silver fox Alan Pardew spent no less than £1.1m we didn't really have signing the kilted maestro. He scored one goal in 18 games. He then went out on loan to Colchester but sustained an injury.

In desperation he was loaned out to the Spanners and managed to fall out with boss Kenny Jackett. Somehow or other he was palmed off to Peterborough and achieved nothing there. At various times there was talk of return to his native heath with clubs such as Hearts but the canny Scots pulled back.

McLeod commented. 'I had a big move to Charlton and obviously there were high expectations but it didn't quite work out for one reason or another.' Perhaps it didn't work out because he wasn't good enough.

We've already seen Charlton rejects Marcus Bent and McLeod featured recently in football publications. Any suggestions for a third name? A real waste of money?

Barnet hoping for bumper crowd

Barnet are hoping for their biggest crowd of the season at this afternoon's Oyster card sponsored FA Cup tie with Charlton. Perhaps it will take their mind off their stadium worries: Underhill

Charlton have never been beaten by Barnet, the results being three wins and one draw in competitive matches. I am hopeful that we will overcome the black-and-amber and win by 2-0. Barnet will be without star striker Izale McLeod.

I will be the only Charlton blogger covering this afternoon's clash between Leamington and Evesham United to see if the gold-and-black can maintain their present winning streak, but arrangements are in hand to bring news from Underhill.

The deadlock has been broken in the Isles of Scilly football league after two draws marked the start of the season. On a soggy Sunday, Woolpack Wanderers beat Garrison Gunners 5-2 at the Garrison Field stadium.

Shrimpers turn down McLeod

League 2 Southend United have decided not to offer a contract to Izale McLeod on the grounds that he is 'not good enough': McLeod

McLeod was previously turned down by Brentford and failed to agree terms at Rotherham. Walsall have expressed a slight interest, but they have not seen him play. It makes you wonder how we came to pay so much money for him.

Rumours that Luke Varney might be returning to Charlton seem to have little foundation. It looks as if he might be heading for Bristol City.

It's good news week

The signing of Kyel Reid has been confirmed, while Izale McLeod has left The Valley 'by mutual consent', in other words he has been paid off to go.

On such occasions we normally use the newsreel comment on the departure of Neville Chamberlain, 'Thanks Mr Chamberlain for all you tried to do.' The problem was that Izale McLeod didn't try to do very much or perhaps he tried too hard. Either way it didn't work out.

Now we just need to sign someone who can find the back of the net.

McLeod on his way?

Izale McLeod's agent is looking for a new club for the errant striker but he has warned that he will not allow him to be 'forced out' of Charlton: McLeod

After an indifferent career at The Valley, McLeod joined Peterborough, but was then suspended for unspecified 'disciplinary reasons' and subequently managed to do his knee in.

At one time there were strong rumours that he would return to his native heath in Scotland with Hearts, but the deal fell through after he had been measured up for his kilt.

McLeod has a small coterie of devotees among the Addickted and they may be able to gain a glimpse of him as he drives down Sparrows Lane to pre-season training. One of them said, 'Once again it's down to Parkinson. Real talent has been let go instead of being developed. If we had had McLeod and Dickson up front with Fleetwood on the bench, we would have gone up.'

McLeod dropped at Posh in disciplinary move

Izale McLeod was dropped from the Peterborough squad for unspecified disciplinary reasons: McLeod

The Peterborough manager has now himself been sacked, goodness knows what is going on there. Mark Cooper was formerly at nearby Conference outfit Kettering Town.

It's a posh ending for McLeod

For weeks it seemed as if Izale McLeod was heading north of the border, the Hearts manager having been impressed by his clan membership. But the Hearts owner was less impressed. McLeod had already been measured for his kilt when the deal fell through. Actually, dress sense doesn't seem to be the striker's strong point as he was reported to be wearing an odd Russian scarf/hat combo at Sparrows Lane today.

But all's well that ends well because it looks as if McLeod is going to help out in the relegation struggle at Peterborough: McLeod

Hearts owner asks: do we need McLeod?

Once again it seems that Izale McLeod's fitting for his kilt and sporran may have been premature. Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has questioned the need to bring Izale McLeod and Steven MacLean to the club: 'I do not see anything except publicity for those players. Maybe Csaba Laszlo decided they needed a PR manager. I am not convinced we need them,' he said.

But Hearts manager Laszlo, who admits he was attracted by McLeod's Scottish surname, said of the strike duo: 'They don't need a PR manager if you look at their CV. If you look at the table, we have played 18 games and scored 21 goals. That shows where we have problems.' He may find he continues to have them.

Elsewhere, Newcastle's interest in Jermain Beckford seems to be firming up, while Middlesbrough are said to be ready to make a £3m bid for Leeds striker Robert Snodgrass.

You couldn't make it up

When I referred to Izale McLeod getting fitted up for a kilt, I thought I was making a joke. But nothing is as strange as decision-making in football:

'Csaba Lazslo is convinced that Izale McLeod is the perfect striker for Hearts - because he even has a Scottish name. SunSport revealed yesterday that the Jambos' bid to bring the striker on loan from Charlton had been hit by the big freeze. But Laszlo revealed the 25-year-old WILL report for training at Riccarton on Monday and will then talk terms over a temporary move. McLeod's career has stalled at The Valley and boss Phil Parkinson is willing to allow the player, with just three goals to his name this season, to leave.

But Laszlo is more interested in the fact that the ex-England Under-21 star scored 54 goals in 116 games for MK Dons, which earned him a £1.1million switch to theAddicks. Laszlo said: 'Izale has international experience and in 116 games he has scored 54 goals. I think this tells you everything - he is a goal-scorer [shome mishtake shurely - ed] and we have been lacking that. [And you still will be - ed].

'Plus, he has got a Scottish name! I must see him face to face and see his body language [tell him not to take his shirt off if he does score] and see what he wants. [Money for old rope?] All the small things decide these things.'

'But we know he can play football. [Yes, he can run and he can kick the ball]. I have seen a lot of DVDs of his games. But I would like to meet the player. I think this is important. If you want progress you must concentrate on the future and change the blood to bring competition to training. Everybody knows I'm very interested in this player, he'll be here next week [driven to Scotland by Charlton fans if needs be] and I hope we can have an agreement between the clubs to take him on loan.'

'I've seen him a few times but this is a chance to meet him in person and to get him training and test him. He has accepted this offer and I think this is important. If you can take someone on loan there is no financial risk, and at the end of the season if he is not good enough you can say "thank you very much". But the possibility is also there to offer him a new contract. [Please]. This is a player who cost £1.1m not long ago. [Indeed]. So it is better to sign him on loan!' [A modicum of sense at last].

Wrong kind of snow

Izale McLeod has been prevented from training with Hearts this week because of the snow in London. Getting north of the border has not been easy. It is believed that the striker has already had a fitting for a kilt and sporran.

McLeod may go north of the border

Izale McLeod may join Hearts on loan according to this report: Jambos

Five Hearts players were recently sent off at a match at Hamilton Accies, two of them in the tunnel after the match.

Heavy snow in South-East London prevented fans from gathering at The Valley to express their distress at the news.

A playable pitch?

Much of the focus on Stockport County this week has been on the pitch - literally. Even the Egg Chasers have problems with the surface and it is being re-laid next week. Read more here: Park

However, it has does look as if the pitch will playable for tomorrow's fixture with the Addicks. Kelly Youga is still injured but Grant Basey has been doing a decent if not perfect job at left back. Frazer Richardson is also still out, but Omosuzi has been developing as he gets more match practice.

Izale McLeod is still sidelined and this is perhaps just as well as he is the most hated opposition player among the Stockport faithful. In the pre-season preview in 4-4-2 they commented, 'Cheated and dived his way to two goals against us last season and then celebrated in front of the County fans.'

'Bottom club Charlton' was a label I got fed up with last season and it is one that is now applying to County which is what their fans anticipated at the beginning of the season. They say that Owain Fon Williams is a 'superb keeper', but he has let in 36 goals, of which 20 have been at home. But perhaps it is the defence in front of him that is at fault.

Terrace favourtite is striker Oli Johnson, while Stockport's hope of scoring may come through 18-year old midfield dead ball specialist Greg Tansey. However, the real danger man seems to be striker Carl Baker who, if I have got this right, has scored 12 of County's 16 goals. [Shome mishtake shurely - ed.] He also likes to put the boot in, having committed 32 fouls, but rarely gets a yellow card.

Pride comes before a fall and it would be easy to look at the form of the two clubs and say that the points are already in the bag. Football is never like that, particularly if one gets complacent. However, I think that this will be a good day out for the small but dedicated band of Addicks in the north-west, not always a happy hunting ground for Charlton. The fading memory of Northwich will be wiped out with a 2-0 win for the Addicks.

Paul May is making the trek north and will be covering the match for you.

Parky's Plan B works

Phil Parkinson answered those critics who have said that he has no Plan B with Charlton's 2-1 defeat of a spirited Huddersfield Town side. He rested Jonjo Shelvey on the bench and replaced him with Izale McLeod. Miguel Llera was dropped in favour of Sodje and it was the Greenwich-born Greenwich resident who opened the Addick's account with an early goal and McLeod who scored the winner after Huddersfield had equalised. Parky also had the tactical skill to take off Spring, who had had a decent first half, at half time and replace him with the returning Semedo who upped the quality of Charlton's play. The win took Charlton top of the table, albeit Leeds have two games in hand.

We noted that it was high tide in Greenwich Creek, putting us in an optimistic frame of mind for the match. The Rose of Denmark was full of Terriers in full song, apparently they had piled off the coach. Someone was filming them from a house opposite, perhaps to complain to the council about the noise.

Charlton won a corner in the first minute, but a decent effort by Spring went over the bar. A Youga run led to a Charlton thrown in near the flag and then Racon won a corner which was well delivered by Spring. Sodje made no mistake with his strong bullet header and the Addicks were 1-0 ahead.

There was concern when Sodje needed treatment, but he was fine. A break involving Sam led to a Charlton corner, followed by a second. The ball was played out, but the lively Youga won it back. The move was a good one, but the Wiltshire Whistler blew up to bring it to an end.

Huddersfield were awarded a free kick and Racon was given a talking to, but it was a case of 'Je ne comprends pas' with the geezer from Guadeloupe. Burton played the ball out of defence well and then Bailey provided good defensive work.

It was end-to-end stuff and the Terriers won a corner. Elliot should have been more decisive and come out to claim the ball in the resultant play. The Terriers continued to press forward, with a shot flashing across the face of the goal.

After the Terriers broke, Youga dealt with the threat well. Huddersfield wre awarded a free kick in front of the D and Elliot made a good save at the expense of a corner which was caught by the keeper.

He then had to make another save, and with the Terriers continuing to apply pressure, Elliot got a fingertip to the ball. The corner led to a a scramble in front of goal, but the referee blew up for an Addicks free kick. Parky was not happy with what he was seeing and screamed instructions at Sam and others.

The Terriers were awarded a highly dubious free kick at an angle to the 'D'. It was well taken by Pilkington and it went off the post and into the back of the net to make it 1-1, the away support going beserk.

Lloyd Sam tried to forge through a forest of defenders when he should have passed the ball and consequently lost it. Matt Spring received a yellow card for a foul to his disbelief.

With one minute of time added on, Charlton had a free kick but it was unproductive.

Half time: Addicks 1, Terriers 1

Semedo replaced Spring. Although they kicked off Charlton were unable to get the ball out of their half and the Terriers won a corner. Elliot punched the ball out and Racon tried to run through on the break when he should have passed.

A blatant foul on Bailey was ignored by the referee. However, he did then award Charlton a free kick and this started a move that allowed McLeod to put the ball in the back of the net. He received a yellow card for his exuberant celebrations. If he goes on like this, he will end up suspended for goal celebrations.

A move started by Bailey led to a Huddersfield defender nearly putting the ball in his own net, but Smithies in the goal was able to tip it over the bar.

A Terriers corner was taken quickly, leading to a second. The ball was put in the net but the referee had already blown up for an infringement. Richardson was involved in a clash of heads and required treatment.

After a Terriers free kick, Charlton broke to win another corner. The ball was played back in, but the move was ultimately unproductive. Semedo won a free kick near the flag and this led to a Charlton corner. The Addicks maintained good pressure, but a Huddersfield handball was ignored by the officials.

Sodje performed well in defence. An effort from McLeod went just over the bar. Huddersfield won a corner when Dailly should have kicked the ball out for a throw in. The ball was played back in from the corner and the Terriers effort was just wide of the post. There was still everything to play for.

After a cynical trip on Youga who was powering down the wing, Gary Roberts was booked. The Terriers looked like scoring, but Elliot saved well by kicking the ball out. Bailey was involved in a collision and Peltier received a yellow card.

Huddersfield made a double substitution, while Wagstaff replaced Sam. Bailey put in a poor shot. The Terriers took the still groggy Peltier off. Elliot created danger with a poor kick out. An effort by Racon was saved. Huddersfield were awarded another dubious free kick and before it was taken Mooney replaced McLeod.

Five minutes of time were added on. Huddersfield won a corner, but it was punched out by Elliot. After last week's bore draw, this was a much more satisfying match to watch.

Leamington are now without a bench, even the physio has gone, and they went down 1-2 at home to Stourbridge in the FA Trophy.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible had to check the rules for the award of the coveted Silver Bone but it is not customary to give it to a player who came on after the first half, so once again the award went to Kelly Youga who was incisive in attack and skilled and resolute in defence. As he has received the award three matches running, he now qualifies for the ultimate honour of the Golden Bone. It just shows what a change of haircut will do for you. Elliot made some good saves, but he nearly created danger on one occasion when he hesitated rather than coming off his line. Dailly generally did his job well, but there was one point when he created danger by trying to re-gain possession rather than hoofing the ball out for a throw in which would have been preferable to conceding the resultant corner. Sodje scored an excellent goal and carried out his defensive duties admirably. Richardson was very much involved and managed to combine well with Sam most of the time. Bailey made some good interventions in defence. He does his best out on the left, but he is not really comfortable there. Spring played well in the first half, his corners being particularly good. He then picked up an unfair booking from the referee. Taking him off seemed a tad harsh at the time, but reflected the fact that Parky does not know what he is doing tactically. Steve from Petts Wood is sceptical about Racon, 'I am told he is marvellous, but I never see it.' His contribution was quite limited. Sam made some good contribitions from time to time, but faded as the second half went on. McLeod took his goal well and generally made himself a nuisance to the opposition. Burton playing through the pain barrier contributed relatively little, but he was constantly being held back by the Terriers defence. All the referee was interested in was finding reasons to award fouls against Burton. Semedo and his silky skills definitely made Charlton stronger in the second half. Wagstaff slotted in well when he came on. Mooney, rushed to the ground via the Bakerloo Line yesterday, only had a cameo, but looked strong and vigorous.

Juneau the Soccer Cat awarded the Hiss of the Match
to the 'Wiltshire Whistler' referee R East who was boooed off the pitch after the end of each half. Any infringement against a Terrier was immediately met with action, however marginal the decision, while handball appeals were brushed aside. It was one of his dubious free kick decisions that led to the Huddersfield goal.

Crowd rating The substantial Huddersfield contingent in a crowd nine short of 17,000 were a noisy lot, but the Addickted managed to hold their own for much of the time. 7/10

Salvete/Valete

Tim Breaker has been confirmed as Charlton' assistant manager. Mark Kinsella stays on as first team coach, while Chapple of Rest reverts to the role of chief scout. More on Breaker here: Breaker . I think he is a good appointment.

Izale McLeod, having never really made his mark at The Valley, is to return to his native heath with Hearts, which says something about the condition of Scottish football. More from north of the border here: McLeod