Sarr and Lookman reflect on happy times at Charlton

Naby Sarr reflects on his five years at Charlton in an interesting in depth interview with Benjy Nurick: https://medium.com/@benjynurick/naby-sarr-exclusive-i-think-its-a-good-story-i-m-really-happy-with-how-things-turned-around-789eaa15da5 

Ademola Lookman, who scored the winning goal for Fulham against Sheffield United yesterday, reflects on his 'happy time' at Charlton, noting the talent that comes out of South-East London: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/20/ademola-lookman-i-had-to-make-decisions-that-didnt-put-my-family-at-risk

Elsewhere yesterday Lyle Taylor missed a sitter for Nottingham Forest but Omar Bogle scored a penalty for Doncaster. 

Ricky Holmes has rejoined his boyhood club, Southend, at the age of 33/

Naby Sarr becomes a Terrier

Former Addick Naby Sarr has been given a good new role in the Championship at Huddersfield Town who are delighted with their acquisition: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54125259

Naby Sarr says farewell

Naby Sarr has said farewell to Charlton fans: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/naby-sarr-posts-farewell-message-to-charlton-athletic-fans/

For me, his hallmark was inconsistency.   At his best he could be very good, delivering precise balls forward.  He was also capable of making basic defensive errors.

Richard Cawley has tweeted: 'Sarr endured some fierce criticism in his first season at Charlton but came back to feature a lot more under Lee Bowyer. Battled through adversity to become a cult hero for many.'

Good news on Pratley

Up in Middlesbrough, they're try to boost morale through a discussion of Charlton's defensive problems: Injury crisis

The good news is that Darren Pratley has been training all week and will be in the squad. Whether he starts is another matter. If he picks up another booking he will miss two matches.

Naby Sarr will not be available. He is still 'struggling' according to Lee Bowyer.

The shell shocked supremo put Pratley's back spasm down to an inability to rotate him during the season, but he made clear how much he values Pratley describing him as a 'leader' on the pitch: Key reason for Pratley's absence

Bowyer calls for realism

Supremo Lee Bowyer has called for a degree of realism about Charlton's relegation battle. Bowyer thinks that 50 points rather than 47 will now be needed for survival. 'The teams that are winning have all got to start playing each other – so both can’t win,' he told the SLP's Richard Cawley. 'People can say our run-in looks easier on paper but all the teams are fighting for something. There are no bad teams in this division.'

Bowyer is in doubt that the team missed Naby Sarr and Tom Lockyer. Lockyer is still suspended for Saturday's game against Boro and Sarr is still having problems with a calf injury. Read more of the interview here: If we're not completely at it we get found out

Polls on Twitter organised by fans suggest that more blame Roland than Bowyer or the players for the relegation battle, although the 'Bowyer must go' crowd are vociferous. Roland still has a financial stranglehold on the club.

Anyone who doubts this should read the documentation online at Companies House. It is quite complex as is the company structure (including Baton 2010 Ltd), but in very simple terms ESI own the club, but not the real estate. A statement for Charlton Athletic Holdings is actually due today, but even if it is filed it may be a few days before it appears.

Some people are reviving property play rumours about Duchatelet. It was the group of businessmen who were the previous owners who had that in mind with a new ground on the peninsula. The designation of Sparrows Lane as a sports ground means that planning permission would never be given for it. There would be major planning issues with The Valley, not least access for those living in any development. One could not realise the sort of return that was possible at Highbury because it is a much less fashionable location.

Bowyer wants to keep Sarr

Sagacious supremo Lee Bowyer wants to keep Naby Sarr after his contract expires in the summer. Bowyer admits that Sarr makes mistakes, but considers that he has a lot to offer, including the contribution he makes to morale: Contracts update

Sarr has his fans and detractors. He is probably one of our most inconsistent players. He can put in a great pass, as he did at Forest this week, and then nearly score an own goal. If Bowyer wants to keep him, that is good enough for me.

Contract negotiations are also taking place with Alfie Doughty and Dillon Phillips.

To the Londoners 1-0

Charlton achieved what many thought was impossible last night and beat Nottingham Forest 1-0. An excellent Naby Sarr cross was converted by Lyle Taylor in the first half. Sarr then nearly managed to score an own goal. Forest's manager admitted that Charlton were the better team, saying that Charlton controlled the game

The Addicks went up to 19th in the table, six points above Wigan in the first relegation place.

Report from Louis Mendez here: Vital away win

Smiling supremo Lee Bowyer said: 'We're now three points nearer to the target of staying up that we need. People wrote us off and said we'll go down, but I believe in this group of players and they keep fighting and I keep pushing them. With our fans behind us, we've got a good group here.'

However, the striving supremo was not completely satisfied, saying that Charlton should have scored more goals. Certainly chances were missed in the second half. Hemed in particular was guilt of some wayward finishing.

Pessimists and negativists are few and far between this morning, but Desmond from Deal was unabashed: 'Bowyer does get lucky sometimes, but it was a fluke result. Mark my words, we are going down.'

A late goal for Charlton for once

A 95th minute goal by the 'Nabster' Naby Sarr secured a 2-2 draw for Charlton at Queens Park Rangers: Derby draw

Nevertheless many fans have been critical of Sarr on social media, saying that he cost Charlton the first goal.

Louis Mendez has noted that the result has given a boost to the morale of players and fans. Only a point, but it 'feels massive'. However, the winless run continued to eleven games and Charlton slipped to 18th in the table.

On his 20th birthday Alfie Doughty played well and blogger Hungry Ted commented, 'When this injury crisis is finally over, this lad needs to stay involved. Taken his chance and looks a great prospect.'

Lee Bowyer has said that goal scorer Lyle Taylor insisted on staying on for the full 90 minutes which was not the plan. He also clarified the position on the new contract offer which had nothing to do with the potential new owners, East Street Investments: Ninety minute stint

Reading won 3-0 at home to a faltering Derby and went above Charlton. Huddersfield are on the same number of points as the Addicks, but have a worse goal difference.

More injury worries with the mercurial Jonathan Leko seen hobbling around in a knee brace, it looks like a bad knee injury.

Lee Bowyer said that he hoped the result was a sign that Charlton's luck was changing. However, defensively they had to improve and he was critical of Naby Sarr over the first goal. He praised Alfie Doughty. 'I thought he was outstanding,' said the supportive supremo: Hopes late leveller is a sign

Another blow at the death

For the second time in a week, Charlton conceded a 96th minute goal to draw 2-2 with Hull at The Valley tonight. What is with Charlton? Is there a lack of resilience with the players, a tendency to panic in time added on (which always seems longer than for other teams)? It should be pointed out that Dillon Phillips kept Hull at bay with some good saves.

The game got off to a rather slow start, although the Addicks probably had the better of the opening exchanges. The main excitement was a fan in a Mr Blobby outfit.

Then on 36 minutes Gallagher put in a corner to the back post and the 36-year old Pratley scored with a header. On 42 minutes Morgan put the ball past the post from distance.

Louis Mendez commented on the first half: 'Not the free flowing stuff we may have seen earlier in the season but solid and a clear improvement on recent weeks.'

Inevitably Hull equalised just after half time. A low ball came in from the left and a tap in was all that was required of danger man Bowen. But three minutes later Naby Sarr made it 2-1. The move started from the back, Leko put in a cross and Sarr slammed the ball home.

On 67 minutes Morgan was replaced by Oshilaja. On 69 minutes there was great defending from Pratley. On 71 minutes Bonne headed a good Hull corner clear. Three minutes later Phillips made a superb save from Bowen. Taylor came on at the 81 minute mark.

With five minutes added on, Gallagher and Leko used their pace to try and keep the ball in the Hull half. On 93 minutes Phillips made a fine save to keep out a header.

Then the final blow came from Keane Lewis-Potter, the Hull substitute. His header was forced towards goal from a last-ditch free-kick and a gamble to nothing. Dillon Phillips couldn't quite get across to stop this effort and bounces off him and the inside of the post for the equaliser.

Lee Bowywr was 'devastated' in his post match interview with Louis Mendez and resorted to a number of 'flippings'. The equaliser came in time added on to time added on. The interview with Louis Mendez can be read here: Devastated

Attendance was 14,447 (524 away). The match marked 50 years of supporting Charlton for VOTV editor Rick Everitt.

Bowyer speaks up for Sarr

Lee Boywer has defended Naby Sarr from social media criticism after his performance at Millwall. Bowyer says that we should remember how far Sarr has come. He was in a bad place when Bowyer became manager: Boywer has his say on Sarr

Bowyer also looks forward to Saturday's game against Cardiff City.

Rainbow over The Valley

A rainbow was seen at The Valley this afternoon as Charlton secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Derby County with goals from Bonne, Sarr and Gallagher. Serving the first game of his touchline ban, Lee Bowyer directed operations from the press box.

The attendance was 19,408 but the Jimmy Seed emptied out after Charlton's third goal.

Charlton started brightly with a Forster-Caskey effort blocked on four minutes. On six minutes Sarr released Jonny Williams who charged down the left side and cut the ball back for Bonne who put a left foot finish into the far left hand corner.

A good sliding challenge by Pratley denied Malone.

A Charlton counter attack on 20 minutes started with Pratley winning the ball of Bielik. Bonne's low cross was just in front of Williams. Sarr put in a great tackle on the edge of the area.

Derby were not being given any time on the ball and Bielik in particular was being aggressively closed down. The impressive Williams had to be withdrawn on 31 minutes, but Sam Field who replaced him played well. Roos made a big save from Cullen before the break.

Naby Sarr took advantage of a Cullen corner at the far post to make it 2-0 with a header. Waghorn fouled Gallagher and received a yellow card. On 60 minutes Derby made a double substation with Bielik going off to a standing ovation.

Gallagher made it 3-0 wit a brilliant strike from 25 yards into the top left-hand corner. Bonne was replaced by Hemed on 75 minutes. Gallagher was then replaced by Kayal. Phillips had to make an excellent save from Bennett to deny the Rams a consolation. Hemed shot straight at Roos in time added on.

Charlton are now 7th in the table and two points behind Leeds in second place.

Charlton are waiting for an assessment of the Jonny Williams knee injury: Anxious wait

Match report from Louis Mendez here: Rams swept aside

Charlton defeated by Vegans

Shawn McCoulsky netted the winning penalty as Forest Green Rovers sent Charlton tumbling out of the Carabao Cup and set up a second-round tie at Premier League Bournemouth. League Two Rovers scored all five of their spot-kicks to win 5-3 after Charlton's Albie Morgan's effort struck the post.

The Addicks could have won the tie when a foul on Naby Sarr earned them a penalty midway through the second half. But Rovers keeper Joe Wollacott flung himself to his left to push away Jake Forster-Caskey's kick.

Wollacott had already produced a string of saves to thwart the Addicks, notably blocking Sarr's close-range volley in the first half. Forest Green rarely threatened, although Junior Mondal forced a diving stop from Ben Amos 15 minutes from time.

Lee Bowyer was disappointed with the performance. he said that only Sarr and Amos came out with any credit from a Charlton point of view. He felt a lot of fringe players wasted their chance to stake a claim.

There is still no further update on the ratification of the signing of Tomer Hemed. Bowyer admitted it's frustrating that the decision is taking this long by the relevant authorities, says it is wasting everyone's time.

Naby Sarr departs

Naby Sarr has joined French Ligue 2 side Red Star on a one year loan: On his way

The five year contract to Sarr was one of the most expensive mistakes made by the current regime. One fan said on social media that it was 'fantastic news.'

VOTV editor Rick Everitt tweeted that presumably no one will pay what Charlton want for a permanent move by Sarr or Vetokele. That was telling of itself.

Sarr himself tweeted, 'Thank God.' Amen to that.

Slade to cull 'bloated' squad

New Charlton manager Russell Slade is determined to cull a 'bloated' squad: Streamlined squad

Having a large squad last year did us no favours. We want quality not quantity, battlers not half hearted commitment. I confidently predict that there will be no rending of shirts if Naby Sarr or Cristian Cabellos depart. The challenge will be to find someone to take them.

Burnley have made an offer for Nick Pope, but Charlton want to hold on to him. I hope they do.

As far as I can work out, customer reaction to Slade has been broadly favourable. Fans have been asking for some time for an English manager with relevant experience for some time and now they have one.

He is solid rather than spectacular, but we have to recognise the pool we are fishing in. Mourinho would have responded with one of his famous Portuguese phrases if approached.

The counter argument is that the regime won't let him manage and he will be out by Christmas. We'll have to wait and see, but for now he has my backing. I am not excited, but I am reassured (although not about the continued presence of the chief executive).

Future prospects bleak

Richard Cawley of the SLP reminds us that it could be a case of 'going down with the Bolton' on Tuesday, although most Addicks have been bracing themselves for relegation for some time.

Most of the article is a look forward to life in League One, and a bleak prospect it is. The best players are likely to leave and we will be saddled with those who haven't made the grade, often expensive purchases as with Sarr. Moreover, there will be no emergency loan window next year, although players brought in under that arrangement have often failed to contribute.

What we need is a systematic and informed recruitment strategy with someone who knows what they are doing in charge and are allowed to get on with it.

Read Cawley's in depth, interesting article here: Bleak outlook

Naby Sarr to Charlton?

French central defender Naby Sarr is reported to be joining Charlton in a €2m deal from Sporting Club de Portugal: Naby Sarr

Defender set to catch Eurostar

Charlton are in advanced talks to take French central defender Naby Sarr on loan from Sporting Lisbon: Naby Sarr

More about Sarr here: Man for the big occasion

Reports from Spain are linking us with 26-0year old central defender Hector Rodas who plays for Levante UD. I would not say that his career has been stellar: Hector Rodas