Some surprises as Jacko rates Charlton managers

A long interview with Johnnie Jackson in which he talks about working under Karl Robinson and Lee Bowyer.   I am no fan of Gobby, but Jacko is full of praise for him and no doubt saw a side of him that we didn't (I notice he was complaining about referees once again at the weekend): https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/johnnie-jackson-interview-charlton/

He talks about a whole series of managers and in particular he praises José Riga saying he was 'really impressive' and wishes he could have stayed on.  I always thought he was one of the best of the Roland era.

He notes that he could have gone with Bowyer to Birmingham, but has less to say about recent challenges. However, he does say that Sandgaard was 'serious and different to what we had before.'   The fear of players not getting paid went away.

Of course, he is hardly likely to criticise the owner.   I still think we have reason to be grateful to him, but his initial irrational exuberance was unfortunate to say the least and created expectations that could not realistically be met.

The final curtain - for Riga as well

Today was the last match as season ticket holders for many Addicks fans who have vowed not to renew until the regime goes. I suspect that they will have a long wait.

Charlton were defeated 0-3 at The Valley today by champions Burnley to finish third from bottom in the Championship. Once again the match was overshadowed by customer protests.

As for the match, Charlton started well enough, but then fell to a sucker punch after 20 minutes. They pressed hard in the remainder of the half, creating a number of chances and putting in several shots on target, Gudmundsson being prominent, but they were all straight at the keeper.

The Addicks made a lacklustre start to the second half and defensive errors gave Burnley two goals in quick succession. That was pretty much game over. After Gudmundsson was fouled and taken off, he received warm applause from the crowd in appreciation of his efforts. This was the last time we would see him in a Charlton shirt.

As for the protests, like all fans, I was frisked and had my bag searched before entering the ground. Netting had been placed along the whole length of the covered end, not something you see in the average supermarket to deal with dissatisfied customers. In the first five minutes of the game paper aeroplanes and screwed up leaflets with one or two toilet rolls were thrown on the pitch.

Towards the end of the half, a home made banner with the word 'Liar' and an arrow pointing downwards was moved along the front of the upper west above where Katrien Meire was sitting. It was eventually removed by a jobsworth.

After the third goal went in, flares were thrown on the pitch and the game was temporarily halted. A dissatisfied customer got on to the pitch and evaded efforts to capture him for some time.

The referee blew up with no time added on and Clarets fans swarmed on to the pitch to congratulate their players. It all kicked off at the intersection of the East Stand and the Covered End as Charlton fans tried to join them. Eventually large numbers got on and congregated in front of the West Stand expressing their dissatisfaction.

According to an ex-director he and other ex-directors were forcibly ejected from the directors' box after the game. It has also been reported that the valued amenity of the fan sofa was damaged beyond repair.

José Riga resigned after the match. He said, "It's not necessarily about going down to League One - and I am not a liar. I have taken this decision a few days ago. Even before that it was down to what I saw and could feel. Everybody can recognise my investment in Charlton the first time I was here and this time."

A powerful report on the day's events has been written here by Paul Breen: The Big Smirk

A ten minute video of the protests here: Angry customers

Farewell then (again) José Riga

It will be St. Pancras Station and Eurostar on Saturday for José Riga as he leaves the club for a second time: Farewell

If he had been in charge for the whole season, and we had not had to suffer the hapless Karel Fraeye, we might have done enough to stay up.

There has been talk of a coach with English league experience, but I wouldn't hold your breath. Moreover, anyone hoping to progress their career would not find the present set up at Charlton inviting.

In his report on Riga's departure, Richard Cawley of the SLP mentions the speculation surrounding Northampton's Chris Wilder: Wild card

However, would he want to club with a bonkers owner and an incompetent chief executive where he would have limited influence over player recruitment? Moreover, whereas Northampton's fans are in a buoyant mood, Charlton's customers continue to seethe with dissatisfaction.

Wilder has also been targeted by Bolton, although financial constraints might be an issue there given that many players are on high wages with a year or more to run on their contracts.

Riga: I didn't know the full story

José Riga says that he was aware of instability before his return to Charlton, but he wasn't aware of the full extent of the war between Roland Duchatelet and Charlton fans: Instability

Cousins: managerial changes have not helped

The managerial changes at Charlton this season have not helped the team's performance this season according to Jordan Cousins. It's a statement of the obvious, but it's still worth players making the point: Jordan Cousins

Cousins is full of praise for José Riga, but reasonably enough refuses to commit himself on whether an earlier arrival of Riga would have saved us. Riga also refused to comment on this point when he was interviewed the other day: Riga on former managers

I think that there will be interest in Cousins from other Championship clubs in the summer and I fear that we will not be able to hold on to him.

Riga: I understand fans' anger

José Riga says that he understands the anger and protests of Charlton fans, but just wants to do his job: Riga

Customer dissatisfaction affects players

José Riga thinks that the negative situation at The Valley is affecting player performance on the pitch: Valley issues

Assistant head coach Jose Jeunechamps has left the club after a month to manage a second tier Belgian side: Farewell

This probably puts him out of the running as a future head coach at Charlton. Thanks for all you tried to do.

Vaz Te feels hard done by

Ricardo Vaz Te feels that he did not get fair treatment from José Riga who did not want him at Charlton: Vaz Te

I don't think that Vaz Te set The Valley alight and not many Charlton fans were disappointed to see him go.

Riga: 'I can only master what I can master'

José Riga has said that he had no say in the decision that Jason Euell would step back from first team coaching duties. Apparently, Euell was unable to agree terms with the club.

Simon Clark has now stepped up to a first team coaching role: Riga helpless

Welcome Yun Suk Young

Full back Yun Suk Young has been brought in on loan from Queens Park Rangers: Loan signing

I'm not clear why we need another full back and there seems to be an element of panic in expanding an already bloated squad as we fight relegation. I am not saying that he is a bad signing, just that I am uncertain what the overall strategy is.

The 26-year old is principally a left back, so he may be a threat to Morgan Fox who is not highly rated by many fans. Career details here: Yun Suk Young

The word from QPR is that he is quick and will run all day long, but they don't trust him defensively.

José Riga explains his recent defensive signings here: Explanation

Riga is the best, says Cousins

Jordan Cousins reckons José Riga is the best manager he's worked with, and he has experienced six at Charlton. He reckons that Riga is a good man manager who understands the players: Cousins on Riga

Decisive victory for Riga's men

Charlton beat fellow relegation strugglers Rotherham United 4-1 this afternoon to move just a point behind Bristol City who drew at home to Birmingham.

Simon Makienok scored twice to help the Addicks end their 11-game winless run. The Dane opened the scoring early on from Zakarya Bergdich's cut back before Chris Burke levelled for the home side. Igor Vetokele then finished off a well-worked counter-attack to put Jose Riga's side ahead at half-time.

Makienok headed in to make it 3-1, then Jonson Clarke-Harris blazed over a Millers penalty before Ademola Lookman rounded off victory in added time.

Charlton took the lead after just four minutes when Bergdich cut the ball back for Makienok to smash in. They did not stay in front long as Rotherham's Burke scored his first goal for the club on his home debut, receiving Danny Ward's pass before slotting under Henderson.

After Grant Ward had shot wide for the Millers, Johann Berg Gudmundsson crossed for Vetokele, who turned in from close range after a rapid counter attack. Henderson then produced a diving save to keep out Danny Ward's left footed strike before Makienok met Gudmundsson's pinpoint delivery to give Charlton a two-goal lead.

Rotherham had a chance to get back into the game when Clarke-Harris was brought down by Jorge Teixeira, but the striker smashed his attempt over. Substitute Lookman slid in a fourth to complete a hat-trick of Gudmundsson assists.

In remarks after the game, José Roga was critical of Tony Watt's commitment and also that of Ricardo Vaz Te: I want committed players

The game got good coverage on the Football League Show including the banners. Chris Powell was interviewed and emphasised that Riga knew the Championship.

Welcome, José Jeunechamps

José Riga has appointed José Jeunechamps as his right hand man. He was Riga's No.2 at Metz: Jeunechamps

The 48-year old Belgian arrived on Eurostar last night. There is speculation that he may succeed Riga in June.

Goodbye, Tony Watt

It looks as if Tony Watt is heading out on loan as a sale has not been possible: Watt? Watt?

Goodbye, and thanks for all you tried to do.

His departure is a bit at odds with what José Riga was saying last week, but then he's not in charge: Watt fully committed

It appears that Watt may be going to Blackburn Rovers who may have been impressed by him last Saturday.

Give Riga a chance

Until our 5-0 and 6-0 defeats I thought we might have a chance of avoiding relegation. We were still in touch with the teams around us and some of those teams are far from that great. I was talking to a Brentford fan yesterday and he thought that both MK Dons and Rotherham were weak.

Some argue that our players are not good enough, but they were good enough to beat Hull and QPR earlier in the season. Confidence can make all the difference in football and hopefully José Riga can restore some of that. Relegation will do nothing for the long-term prospects of the club, in particular attracting another owner.

Charlton have lost their last four league games against Blackburn, conceding two or more goals in each meeting (11 in total). We lost 1-3 in the last two matches at The Valley. Jordan Rhodes has scored twice in each of his last three appearances versus Charlton for Blackburn. Overall Rhodes has scored more league goals versus Charlton than any other opponent in the Football League (10 goals in 12 appearances).

Charlton have not won a league game since the end of November (D4 L6), the longest wait in the division. Rovers have lost their last three away games 1-0. They are currently 17th in the form table. Charlton are, of course, bottom.

Charlton's new signing Jorge Teixeira could make his debut on Saturday. However, Patrick Bauer (groin), Ademola Lookman (hamstring), Alou Diarra (foot) and Ahmed Kashi (Achilles) are all out.

Charlton are the only Championship side yet to be awarded a penalty.

Odds are: Charlton 14/5, Draw 12/1, Blackburn Evens.

Riga knows how big a task he faces

Jose Riga knows how big a task he faces if he is going to save Charlton from relegation, but he is no network 'yes' man: The challenge for Riga

Jose Riga available

Jose Riga has been sacked by Metz: Riga

As the best of the Belgian appointed coaches (admittedly not a competitive league), bringing him back to Charlton could be a solution.

Welcome back, Karel Fraeye

José Riga's assistant Karel Fraeye is to return to Charlton as manager: Karel Fraeye

His Wikipedia entry is in Flemish, which is a language I have no knowledge of, but he has been coach at lower league Belgian club VW Hamme since he left Charlton. The club is in the Belgian 3rd division. I am not sure what the standard is there, but my guess would be League 2 or the top tier of the non-league system.

The news will disappoint fans who had been hoping for an English manager with Championship experience, but that was never very likely at London's Belgian club.

I don't remember much about him from his last stint here, except that he was sometimes seen in intense conversation with Riga walking round Bexleyheath. Riga was the best of the three Belgian coaches we have had so far, so perhaps there is some hope.

José Riga leaves mother ship

José Riga has left Standard Liege where his contract has not been renewed: Riga

Riga returns to mother ship

The rotational merry go round in the network continues with José Riga returning to Standard Liege as head coach: Riga