Gower picks himself

Mark Gower was asked to name his dream team in this week's Football League Paper and he picked himself, but then he did pick four other Charlton players as well. Of himself he says, 'I'm an all-round good player! I can defend, I can attack, I can create chances and I'm not bad at set pieces! I used to get the odd goal, I don't much anymore, but you can't have everything.'

Skipper Johnnie Jackson is in at left midfield and Gower says, 'He won't be happy at being pushed out on the left, but he has a great left foot. He scores goals from midfield and his set piece delivery is exceptional. He hasn't really got the legs, which is why he prefers to play in the centre of midfield, but he can't play there because I am.'

Of Leon Cort he says, 'In a side you need height and he pretty much wins every header. He's had a good career. I've played him at Southend and now we're together again at Charlton. He's just dependable, reliable, he doesn't let you down with a header and he's good in the attacking box as well.'

Yann Kermorgant is picked as the striker along with Southend's Freddy Eastwood and Gower says, 'I've only played with him just recently, but I'm very impressed. He's a real handful. He can drop deep and retrieve the ball and he loves turning and splitting the defence. He also wins pretty much everything in the air, which makes him a real danger from set pieces.'

Haynes on his way?

Sky Sports News is reporting that Danny Haynes will leave Charlton when his contract expires next month: Haynes

A number of clubs are reported to be interested in getting him on a free which is not surprising. Whilst he was affected by injury problems, he scored some exciting goals for us.

Former Addicks keeper John Sullivan has joined Portsmouth on a two year contract, rather than AFC Wimbledon where he was on loan. He says that he is excited by the 'project'.

Leon Cort has been retained for another year at The Valley.

Believers head north

The loyal Addickted will be leaving the Beliebers surrounding the 02 arena behind this morning and heading north for Huddersfield. Hopefully, they will not arrive two hours late and will not encounter any parparazzi or will require a hospital stay.

The Addicks have not claimed all three points at Huddersfield since 1999. I always recall a 0-3 victory there on a Tuesday night in the 1990s when Lee Bowyer, then with Leeds turned up in the row in front, and a 1-2 victory at Christmas time when Johnnie Robinson scored a wonder goal.

Charlton have now gone 16 successive games without a clean sheet, the worst record of any team in the league. Attention therefore turns to the defence. One of the debating points among the Addickted is whether Button or Hamer should be in goal. It's a difficult one to decide, although the more experienced Hamer may have the edge, despite his tendency to fumble the ball.

It's unfortunate that we no longer have Rob Elliot who played for Newcastle in their 0-0 Europa League draw away in the week. Apparently, he only had to make one save though and spent the rest of the time shivering in his goalmouth. Whoever is in goal today will certainly be called into action a lot more.

Leon Cort is still a doubt because of his knee injury so it looks like Taylor and Morrison in central defence. Morrison has been making some uncharacterisic errors recently. Stephens is also a doubt.

In both of the two previous encounters this year, one player was sent off, but there is no reason to expect this happen today. Huddersfield are one of the teams to claim a prime minister as a supporter, Harold Wilson. At one time, they were one of the leading teams in the country and there are some great pictures of their old ground packed with fans.

I think that the best we can hope for today is a draw, but with Charlton away and playing with more confidence than they do at home, you never know.

Seagulls swoop in

With over 23,000 season ticket holders at their new stadium, the largest number in the Championship, Brighton and Hove Albion are once again a formidable force after many difficult years. Their average home attendance of 25,446 is the biggest in the league and the Jimmy Seed Stand will be sold out on Saturday.

Given all this, the pundits were not very generous to them pre-season, rating them as 5th, 7th and 12th. They are currently 8th which is the average of the predictions. The Times described them as 'error prone'. Their away record is impressive, however: won four; drawn three; lost three.

The position of keeper was a bit of an issue last season, but Tamasz Kuszczak was brought in on a free from Manchester United to address that problem. Ex-Valencia right back Bruno Saltor can make the occasional error. Also from Spain is Andrea Orlandi, but he was injured in the 3-0 defeat at Palace. In midfield Liam Bridcutt was last year's player of the year. Craig Mackall-Smith leads the strike force, although he missed a golden opportunity against Palace. The Seagulls are perhaps over reliant on him to score the goals.

Michael Morrison will be back to reinforce Charlton's defence, although Leon Cort did a valiant job at Millwall. The Football League Paper said that he 'marshalled the defence in impressive fashion' and named him in their team of the week. The often criticised Ben Hamer was 'solid and dependable as ever behind an excellent defensive showing.

The midfield also came in for some praise with Dale Stephens being singled out, although it was noted that Bradley Pritchard needed to improve his end product. Johnnie Jackson 'has lost pace but his vision remains'. Understandably, analysis of the attack was more lukewarm and one wonders if the Hulse/Kermorgant pairing is one that works well. Kermorgant is also still shaking off the rust from his enforced absence.

Gus Poyet has got his side to play aesthetically pleasing and free-flowing football and hopefully this will be an enjoyable match to watch that also serves up three points.

Racial chanting claims to be investigated

Claims by Bolton players that they were the subject of racial abuse at the New Den yesterday are to be investigated by the Football Association: Allegations

Elsewhere, half of today's Football League Paper report on the match at Blackpool is taken up with Ian Holloway losing his rag. Identical copy seems to be here on Clubcall: Holloway . Some of the positive comments on Charlton players lead one to wonder if these were the same players I saw against Watford, e.g., Hamer as a 'calming influence'.

Cort gets the top ranking of 9 for his defensive work as well as his goal. Fuller gets 8 for 'giving Charlton a foothold from which to build attacks with pace and power.' Hamer also gets 8 as does Morrison for 'a powerful and composed display' with which we are familiar. Interesting that Stephens got 7 for 'consistent quality from set pieces' and Hollands who 'disrupted Blackpool's rhythm.' I have had doubts about both these players in home games.

I was pessimistic about yesterday's match and I got it completely wrong. With the benefit of hindsight, it can be seen that Blackpool's results have a very up and down pattern. One wonders if they thought they just had to turn up and claim the three points, given our recent form (although we can often be more of a threat away from home).

I think that I was also very influenced by the fact that we last won there in 1981, but, of course, we haven't played there many times since then - twice in the noughties, I think.

I was there for the 5-3 defeat and there was a strong wind off the Irish Sea and no cover where we 'sat'. The ground has been substantially improved since then. But when we last played them the Seasiders were on the up and we were on our way down. Since then they have been up to the top flight, down again and lost a play off final. As far as one can tell from the commentary, their fans seemed very subdued yesterday, even at the start. But perhaps we just shut them up.

BTW, one reader said he had a problem posting a comment because he kept being identified as a 'robot'. Coincidentally, I have just had a problem posting a comment on the excellent Drinking During the Game blog. Has anyone else had a problem with posting a comment on this blog? Also, some of the comments made about the chairman's misadventure in Spain seem to have disappeared and I didn't delete them.

Blackpool rocked

Charlton are now 15th in the Championship after their unexpected win at Blackpool who were, perhaps, a little complacent, having read the result off the table. Indeed, I admit that I fell into that trap as well. The Massives are now in the relegation zone. Here is Paul May's report.

Wright-Phillips was relegated to the bench, Fuller was up front and Razak was brought in at Bloomfield Road reports Paul May. It was evident that Razak was playing as the link up man between the midfield and Fuller.

A poor kick by the Blackpool keeper in the bright sunshine led to an early Addicks corner, but the Seasiders counter attacked.

Cort had to concede a corner after five minutes. A second corner for Blackpool followed after Fuller cleared, but the move ended in a goal kick for the Addicks. The home crowd was unusually a bit subdued. Green went down with a leg injury and the referee eventually stopped play.

Good play by Charlton led to Kerkar winning a corner. The ball went over the crossbar for a goal kick.

Blackpool kept possession for a while with a short passing game but the Addicks were eventually able to break it up. A shot from Phillips was crucially blocked by Solly and Morrison who provided some good defending, denying Blackpool their best chance so far. Charlton were being pushed back, but then there was another stoppage on 20 minutes as Green had to go off and Bradley Pritchard replaced him.

Charlton gave the ball away, but recovered. A cross from Pritchard was cleared. Fuller won a corner for the Addicks. Fuller surged forward but his effort came off the underside of the bar. It was very nearly 0-1 with Fuller causing the home side problems.

Taylor-Fletcher very nearly scored from 40 yards with Hamer out of position near the penalty spot, but fortunately the ball went on to the roof of the net. Hamer had to make a superb save from M Phillips after a great turn by him. The counter attack was fast down the left, Pritchard threatened to tap the ball in, but Crainey made a last ditch tackle.

Taylor-Fletcher blazed over with the Addicks defence finally putting pressure on him after giving him some space. Stephens gave the ball away to Delfouneso and Blackpool won a corner which was taken short and led to a second. M Phillips put a cross in and Morrison had to concede a corner. Hollands headed the ball away. Gomez got a booking for a professional foul on Fuller. Gilks had to save from Fuller at the expense of a corner. It had been a well organised and solid performance from the Addicks.

Half time 0-0

Blackpool won an early corner, livening up the home crowd. Their effort went well wide. Kerkar did well to win a corner for the Addicks. Stephens took the corner kick and Cort scored.

Razak went down holding his knee. He looked as if he was in real pain. He had been tidy without being dominant. The Addickted sang a rousing chorus of Valley Floyd Road. Razak got back on his feet.

Blackpool winger and potential danger man Tom Ince came on in place of Gomez, having faced a late fitness test. Fuller very nearly opened up the Blackpool defence. A chorus of the Solly song started up.

Hamer saved comfortably from Ince. Charlton won a corner as they continued to look dangerous. The Addicks won a second corner. The ball was just over Cort’s head. Kevin Phillips came on to give two of them on the pitch, Delfouneso coming off. Charlton couldn’t clear their lines and Ince got a half chance leading to a corner but the header was just outside the post. Morrison went down after a challenge by Baptiste.

Blackpool took off Osbourne and brought on Dicko. Fuller won a free kick for Charlton. Kerkar’s free kick was very poor and led to a goal kick. Hollands put in a good challenge.

The Seasiders won a corner. The ball was claimed well by Hamer. Charlton counter attacked, Solly put the ball into the top right-hand corner to make it 0-2. It was a great goal from the outside of his right foot from perhaps 20 yards out. Kerkar made a great turn to beat the defender and set things up. He rolled it back to Stephens and his ball was used by Solly.

Razak came off, having been more influential in the second half. Dervite took his place. Cort made an important interception. Fuller went off to a standing ovation from the Addickted. Hulse came on in his place.

Poor defending by Cort in the form of a sliced clearance led to a corner which fortunately was unproductive. Four minutes were added on. Dicko had a try from the edge of the box but he was just wide of the post.

Cort injured

It is being reported that Leon Cort is injured. Apparently he didn't join Guyana for their double header with El Salvador.

It could just be a niggle which wouldn't be helped by long flights. There were hints of hamstring trouble earlier. Should he be unavailable, given that Matt Taylor is injured, it would then be a case of step forward Dorian Dervite.

For how an outsider writes a summary history of Charlton go here: Charlton

One time Addick Hermann Hreidarsson has offer to play for former club Portsmouth for nothing. The Herminator is a free agent after leaving Coventry City at the end of last season.

Charlton hearts broken by last minute equaliser

A last minute equaliser by Birmingham denied the Addicks victory at St.Andrews, but they can take heart from a 1-1 draw. We would have taken it before the game.

Not too many surprises in Charlton’s line up today, except possibly the inclusion of Bradley Pritchard, merited in my view, reports Paul May from St. Andrews. Wagstaff was not in the eighteen.

Cort had to head away from danger as Marlon King advanced. Hamer made a comfortable save from Lovenkrandz. Charlton won a free kick on four minutes at an angle on the right about 20 yards out. Jackson’s effort took a deflection off the Birmingham wall and was not far wide. Jackson headed just over from the good corner by Stephens.

Wright-Phillips was held as he advanced, but the referee was not interested to the indignation of Chris Powell. The 1,637 Addickted in the crowd of 18,210 were in good voice and serenaded Chris Solly. Hamer handled well from an Ambrose free kick, the former Palace player being greeted with boos.

Bradley Pritchard put in a good defensive header as Ambrose threatened. Kermorgant turned provider for Wright-Phillips who was tackled. Jackson put a great ball into the box, it evaded Wright-Phillips and Kermorgant put it over the bar. Pritchard got caught offside, but he was making some good runs from deep.

Bradley Wright-Phillips put the ball over the bar with Kermorgant poised. Ambrose put in an appalling shot which went high up in the air with the ball eventually dropping by the corner flag.

Birmingham had a spell of possession but didn’t do very much with it. Charm merchant King fouled Wiggins. Play from the free kick led to a shot by Wright-Phillips which went over.

Lee Clark didn’t seem too happy about the way things were going and shouted out some instructions. Hamer made a comfortable save.

Kermorgant won the Addicks a free kick, but the move didn’t go anywhere. Wiggins dealt well with the advancing Burke, guiding the ball out.

Wiggins put a great ball in, Jackson failed to take the chance. The kilted Burke advanced and put the ball into the near post where it was gathered by Hamer.

Wiggins made Burke look a complete fool with a beautiful turn and the Scotsman slipped over. Charlton won a corner through Stephens. Morrison headed it back across goal and Birmingham counter attacked.

Morrison got away from the Charlton midfield and put in a shot which was not too far wide. Clark continued to show his frustration at the lack of progress for the home side.

Wiggins had to go safety first and conceded a corner, enlivening the home fans. King put in a poor header.

Half time: Blues 0, Addicks 0

Kermorgant tackled Ambrose from behind and got a booking. Hamer got the free kick away from danger with a punch. Chris Powell had a long chat with Cook. Hamer was annoyed with the midfield for not being tight enough and allowing a shot to come in. Morrison put in a great defensive block as King threatened. Wiggins had to concede a corner. The ball was cleared away by Morrison.

Wright-Phillips should have put in a shot instead of laying the ball off to Kermorgant.

Birmingham were stepping up their game. Burke beat Wiggins for the first time, but then as Ambrose threatened, Wiggins got in a block.

Charlton won a corner following good work from Wiggins. Jackson took the corner, then in the following play Pritchard put a good ball in and Jackson had another heading opportunity and for the third time put it over.

Charlton applied some good pressure after a corner, then Birmingham broke, but Solly coped well and Charlton countered and Butland did well in the Blues goal. Blues made a double substitution bringing on Spector and Redmond.

King shot straight at Hamer. His handling had been good, evidently the laser eye surgery has done its job. Solly shoved Murphy and the Blues called for a penalty. Charlton won a corner, but it was cleared. Hollands was caught and the Addicks got a free kick in a promising position 30-35 yards out. The effort by Stephens was wide, he should have let Kermorgant take it.

Johnnie Jackson put in a shot but it was well saved. Jackson put in a good ball to Wright-Phillips, but he put it wide and was judged to have used his hand. Redmond put in a shot that went wide.

Wright-Phillips came off and was replaced by Cook. Ambrose put in a strong challenge on the substitute. A corner taken by Ambrose was won by Hamer in the air. Kermorgant put in a great ball and Spector had to put it out for a corner.

King headed the ball clear. Charlton won another corner after a Stephens throw in. Charlton kept the ball alive and Cort scored from point blank range eight minutes from time. The Addickted were in full voice with ‘Valley Floyd Road’. Birmingham brought on Zigic. Lovenkrandz came off.

Morrison was caught with an elbow by Zigic. Some of the Blues fans started to head home. Hollands put in a strong challenge on Zigic. Matt Taylor came on to strengthen the defence in place of Jacko.

Charlton were playing keep ball. Four minutes were added on. Charlton won a free kick off Zigic. Charlton failed to clear the ball, Zigic got the ball on his favoured left foot and equalised.

Elsewhere Palace lost 2-3 at home to Watford and Millwall were defeated 2-0 at the Toolbox by Blackpool, but Sheffield Wednesday got a massive point away with a 2-2 draw at Derby.