Youga relives pain of Charlton relegation

Former Addick Kelly Youga has relived the pain of relegation with Charlton at Crawley Town. He went down with the Addicks from the Premier League in 2008. Youga told the Football League Paper, 'I'd experienced it with Charlton, so I knew how it felt before I came here but that doesn't make it better.'

Central African Republic international Youga joined Crawley at the end of March, playing five games for them. He had been playing for Chinese side Qingdao Hainu. Youga is 29, but claims to have the body of a 22-year old. He hopes to be able to stay at Crawley, but hasn't heard anything yet.

Youga joined Charlton as a youngster in 2005 from Olympique Lyonnais. He was then loaned out to various clubs before making his debut for Charlton in 2008. He became the first choice left back, making 69 appearances and scoring one goal. The end of his career at The Valley was plagued by injury and he left when his contract expired in 2011. He currently plays as a midfielder.

Youga given a chance

Kelly Youga has been given a chance to train with the club and show that he can become match fit: Youga

I think that the loss of Youga to injury was a big blow to our hopes and if he can regain something like his old form, I would be pleased to see him back, provided that he realises that it would be on less generous terms.

Youga blow

Kelly Youga will be out for the rest of the season. He is suffering from a chondral defect of the knee. It was a similar problem that kept American signing Cory Gibbs sidelined. Youga is expected to be out of action for 18 months in total.

Youga was developing into a good player. He got forward well in attack. If he had been available throughout last season, there might have been a different outcome. When he does return, it will take him a while to get back to his former standard.

Cory Gibbs is now playing for the New England Revolution, having played for the Colorado Rapids, and is highly rated.

Welcome back, Johnnie Jackson

Johnnie Jackson has left Notts County and joined Charlton: Jackson

This is welcome news. He wants to play for us (or at least live in London, but that should boost his morale) and I was impressed by what I saw on his short loan spell last season (judged against League 1 standards).

So it looks like farewell Kelly Youga who was last seen in France. We missed him after his injury last season when he looked as if he was developing as a player but the recovery from injury was worryingly slow.

Unconfirmed rumours

It's that time of year. We can find no independent confirmation of rumours that Brest have shown an interest in Moutaouakil, but given his reported wage level, it would be welcome if they had.

Less welcome is a rumour that Caen are interested in Kelly Youga. If he had been available throughout the whole season, it might have made the marginal difference that would have improved our chances of promotion.

However, the official site has confirmed that England youth skipper Jordan Cousins is to be offered a professional contract on his 17th birthday next year. Other clubs had been expressing an interest in a player who has been hailed as the new Jonjo Shelvey, although I would have thought that was a rather ambiguous tribute. But it means we will get some cash for him if he develops as hoped.

Sodje foundation

Akpo Sodje will be staying at Charlton after the summer provided he plays a certain percentage of games for the club. Supremo Phil Parkinson said, 'We wanted to get another forward in the building. We haven't got any money to spend on transfer fees so it boiled down to free transfers or loans.'

'Akpo almost comes into both categories as we've agreed a contract with him going into next season if he plays a certain percentage of games for us this term. He's a Greenwich boy, he wants to play for the club, he understands what it's all about and they were key factors in us bringing him back to the club.'

4-4-2 profiled Sodje minor in their last issue and I was interested to learn that he and his brother have set up a Sodje foundation to help youngsters interested in foothall in their country of origin, Nigeria. This looks very worthwhile: Sodje They are holding a fund raising event in Sheffield in April: hopefully there can be later events in London.

The news about Youga is less encouraging. He has been told to rest for another two weeks and then an assessment will be made of what appears to be a complex and serious injury. We could do with him.

Good news on Youga

Many of the Addickted were concerned when they saw Kelly Youga limp off the pitch injured at last night's match against Bristol Rovers. Youga has been an ever present this system and has shown him to be comfortable either at left or right back.

However, the news appears to be relatively good. Youga was due to have a scan on his knee this morning. Addicks assistant supremo Tim Breacker explained, 'He got caught on his knee. We think it's more of a bruise than a twist and hopefully it will settle down quickly.'

With a week to the next match at Brighton, Youga should be available.

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

Valley of frustration

Charlton missed an opportunity to go top of League 1 after a 0-0 draw with Oldham at The Valley. For the third league game in a row, the Addicks failed to score. Oldham had come with a clear game plan to go for the draw and possibly sneak a winner. They succeded with the aid of considerable time wasting which was not penalised by the referee until late in the game. The Addicks showed considerable energy and determination in the last part of the game, after a rather lethargic performance for much of the match, but although they were virtually camped out in front of Oldham's goal, they could not score.

The tide was very low in Deptford Creek which did not give me optimism about the outcome of the match which was played on a mild and sunny autumn afternoon. I didn't see any watering of the pitch, but our players kept falling over - which may suggest a studs problem.

Oldham were awarded a dubious free kick by the tunnel which set the standard for the refereeing all the match when any marginal decision was given to the visitors. Apart from being inept, I think this was a referee who was determined to show that he is not a 'homer' by favouring the opposition.

Bailey put in a shot from outside the box and it was not far wide. Llera put in a shot from distance which was saved by Brill at the expense of a Charlton corner, but Shelvey's effort was caught.

Charlton were engaging in slow builds ups, possibly trying to replicate the goal against Brentford. The approach work was good, but there was no final product.

As danger loomed, Youga put in good defensive work to clear. Sam burst into the box, but keeper pushed the ball out. Youga and then Bailey won Charlton corners, but they were unproductive. A piece of cheating by Oldham won them a free kick in front of the D but it came off the wall. Racon put in a good ball, but it was blocked.

Oldham won a corner and for a moment there was danger but the move ended in a goal kick. Another Oldham corner also posed a threat, but the offside flag was raised. Spring put in a shot from distance that was not far off target. The half ended with a corner for Charlton, followed by a second, but the whistle was blown before it could be made use of.

Half time: Addicks 0, Lactics 0

Sam and Colbeck had an animated but friendly conversation before kick off. Youga won Charlton a corner. An Oldham free kick saw the ball in the net but the referee had already blown up.

Shelvey won Charlton a corner but it was taken short and wasted. A good Richardson cross led to an Addicks corner, but it was also productive. Our corners often seem to lack something.

Shelvey was taken off and replaced by McLeod. McLeod burst throught, but his effort was wide. From a Charlton free kick an effort by Llera skimmed the bar. Time waster Kelvin Lomax no doubt claimed he was still recovering from his dizzy spells, but even this referee had had enough and showed him a yellow card for delaying a throw in.

Leon McKenzie came on for his first appearance replacing Deon Burton. A Charlton corner was overhit. McLeod was fed well and had the goal at his mercy, but his effort went wide. Parker sauntered off the pitch for the Lactics and was replaced by Lee.

Lloyd Sam was replaced by Scott Wagstaff. Youga put in a bicycle kick which hit the bar. At long last Brill was shown a yellow card for his time wasting. Five minutes of time were added on, but despite increasingly desperate efforts by Charlton they could not get the ball in the net.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone once again to Kelly Youga. He was a real threat in attack, hitting the woodwork with a bicycle kick and performed well in defence. Elliot did not have a lot to do given the general inaccuracy of Oldham's shooting, but the communication between him and the defenders does not always seem to be of the best. Balls that could have been headed back to the keeper were hoofed out of play or played up field when this was not the best option. Llera was particularly at fault here and maybe his ear covering headgear means he can't hear Elliot's shouts - or Elliot has to shout louder and generally be more commanding. On the whole, Llera had a decent game with two good shots on goal, which is not to say I would not prefer Sodje when available. Dailly had a competent game. Richardson made some good forays down the right and put in some decent crosses. I thought that Spring had one of his best games for the club so far which is not to say that he necessarily links up with Racon that well: Racon had some sublime moments, but drifted in and out of the game. Bailey was lively and contributed in defence as well as attack, although it was not his best game. Shelvey is asked to do too much, he is too young for a free roaming role and, as Steve from Petts Wood pointed out, there was not as much huff and puff as usual. Some considered that Sam was below par because of his injury, although I thought he generally did well. I notice that he changed his boots after the break. Opinions were divided about Burton. In many respects he did not have a good game, but there are limits to what he can do when he lacks support and plays in an isolated position. McLeod brings pace, but one of the key requirements for a striker is to seize golden goal scoring opportunities which he fails to do. McKenize looked lively and may be a better option. Wagstaff continues to develop as a player and made his contribution after he came on.

Juneau the Soccer Cat gave the Hiss of the Match to time wasting Oldham goalkeeper Dean Brill. This was on two grounds: his time wasting tactics and his offensive lumimous kit borrowed from the Highways Agency.

Referee G Horwood has been awarded a re-training voucher. He is probably a hopeless case, though: the worst referee we have seen at The Valley this season.

Crowd rating: 'The natives are getting restless' commented the Bloke Beside Me and, although it was a frustrating and low quality match to watch, the crowd could have done more to lift to the team. 6/10.