Two stern tests in a row

With the visits of Middlesbrough today and Cardiff City on Tuesday, the Addicks face two tough home games in a row. The odds for today (Coral) are home win 6/4, draw 23/10, away win 7/4. In other words, another match that could go one of three ways.

Boro beat Sunderland 1-0 in the league cup at the Stadium of Light earlier in the week (Tom Morris once pointed out that the light was not that good and he had the meter readings to prove it). The Times reported, 'reflecting Mowbray's desire for neat possession, [Boro] played with the confidence of a team on a four-match winning streak ... On the break, they offered pace and verve, a combination that deservedly earned them the advantage in the first half.'

Scott McDonald came off the bench to score twice against Bolton to give Boro victory last Saturday and he also scored the winner against Sunderland. But the Australian was not even part of Boro's first team squad for the first two months of the season after a falling out with the manager. However, he is clearly now very much a threat.

One time Addick Nicky Bailey was a bench warmer against Bolton, but featured in the Sunderland game, delivering a wild shot on goal. I would have thought that he is quite likely to play today.

In goal, Jason Steele is regarded as solid. Stuart Parnaby continues to look at home in defence after being out of the game all of last season. Andre Bikey was nearly caught dawdling in possession against Bolton. Seb Hines battles away. George Friend needs careful marking as he can power up the left and deliver good crosses.

Grant Leadbitter spreads the play well, often with raking long balls, but is less impressive in front of goal. Josh McEachran is always neat and tidy at the heart of midfield and rarely concedes possession.

Chris Powell faces a dilemma with Evina out injured and may have to revert to the not very satisfactory formula of Solly at left back which then limits Wilson. I expect a 4-5-1 formation and a draw.

He's got a devil inside him

'He's got a devil inside him and sometimes you need that'. That is Gordon Strachan's view of new signing Nicky Bailey: Bailey

Another way of looking at it would be to say that Bailey is too petulant and sometimes too pumped out which led to his penalty miss against Swindon. The wee man also thinks he can play centre or left side in midfield. He was so used at Charlton, but playing him out of position didn't help our cause.

Strachan is my view an over pumped up manager so that could either help or hinder in his attempts to mould Bailey. It will be interesting to see how things work out.

We will miss Bailey's ability to score super volleys from distance, but for a cash strapped club seeking to survive it's good business. Indeed with all the sales (admittedly not all cash up front) and savings on wages we may be close to a cash flow position that will allow us to see out the season as a mid-table League 1 club.

Parky linked with Leicester job

Phil 'must go' Parkinson just might. He has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Leicester City after manager Nigel Pearson left to take the vacant job at Hull City. Chris Powell is in interim charge at Leicester, but this is not seen as a permanent appointment.

The official site has announced that Steve Gritt is to leave the building for a second time: Gritt . The widely respected Academy Director agreed to leave by mutual consent on the expiry of his contract as the clubs searches for further ways to save money.

Elsewhere, Nicky Bailey has passed his medical at Boro and Gordon Strachan has 'spoken to' the ginger nut and his wife. However, the paperwork cannot be completed 'because Keith Lamb is in South Africa' according to reliable local sources. So we will have to wait a bit to trouser the money and pay the gas bill.

CAFC tweets report that a fox was seen inspecting a cardboard box outside The Valley this morning, but he did not get in the box so could not be signed up as 'the fox in the box'. Just as well given the problems we had with a previous occupant of that role.

It's goodbye from him

Nicky Bailey thanks Charlton fans as he looks forward to joining Middlesbrough on Monday: Bailey

He certainly scored some superb volleys and no one could doubt his commitment. However, sometimes passion can go too far. He attracted a lot of stick from opposition supporters, not just Shrimpers, and he was a little too fond of rolling around on the ground and getting other players booked.

But no doubt Gordon Strachan is just the man to take him in hand. He used to live at Stoneleigh Abbey when he managed Coventry and a friend who also lived in this up market development used to see him exercising and shouting at the flower beds every morning.

Done deal on Bailey

Nicky Bailey is ezpected to sign for Middlesbrough in the next 24 hours for a fee in the region of £1.4m. Quite how much of that will be cash up front and how much will depend on appearances, Boro's promotion etc. is unknown. Clearly Charlton needs as much cash up front as possible to keep the club in business.

In any event they'll be dancing on Southend pier as 20 per cent will go to the Shrimpers in a nice boost for the League 2 club.

This deal has been expected for some time and the club has managed to get much more than I hoped for, so it's good news on balance.

Boro offer for Bailey?

A number of sources are reporting that Middlesbrough are about to make an offer for Nicky Bailey. The Daily Mail even claims that the deal has been done at £1.5m: Bailey

That would be a great finnancial result if it was true and there may have been some competition for his services which forced up the price. However, the absence of any commentary on the effect on house prices in SE7 leads me to question how well founded the Mail story is.

Bailey certainly has an eye for goal, but his petulance and attempts to get players booked did not make him popular with all Charlton fans. He was also capable of losing possession in midfield.

Pigs seen over The Valley

Air traffic controllers at London City Airport were disconcerted when a group of pigs were seen flying in formation at The Valley trailing a streamer: 'Nicky Bailey. Price tag £1m.'

The Daily Express started a story that he was going to Celtic for £1m as Neil Lennon's first signing and this was picked up by another rag the Sottish Daily Record.

It's possible that he could go to Celtic, but they are not so flush with cash that they can casually spend more than the market valuation.

Town in for Bailey?

It could be a Tractors v. Canaries contest for the signature of Nicky Bailey with reports from Ipswich Town sources of interest there: Bailey

Don't think this will trigger off a price war, however, as they are talking of a fee around £500,000, a bit on the low side in my view.

Canaries and Saints in for Bailey

Phil Parkinson putting up the 'Player for sale' sign seems to have had some effect as the Canaries and Saints have expressed an interest in Charlton captain Nicky Bailey: Bailey

It seems to me that it is the sort of signing that the Canaries might want to make to ensure they stay in the Championship, while Alan Pardew might want to splash out and put one over Charlton.

I don't take the references to West Brom seriously as that would be too big a leap and 'Boro have been reported to be interested for ages but have never made a move.

Over the weekend, a Forest blog said they were seriously interested, but this may just be someone trying to find something to write about over the summer.

How much we will get for him I am far from sure, but I sure it will be a lot less than most people anticipate. However, it should be enough to keep the club ticking over.

I know that makes a selling club, but we were in the 1950s as well.

No offers yet for Bailey

Charlton have not yet received any expressions of interst in Nicky Bailey: Bailey

It was thought that he might be sacrificed to keep the club afloat, but that depends on a suitable offer.

Talks are to start soon with out-of-contract players including Christian Dailly, Darren Randolph and Lloyd Sam.

Reading after two Charlton players?

Reports have been received from somewhat unreliable sources that Reading have offered £800,000 + David Mooney for Bailey and Semedo. I don't treat these reports too seriously, but what would think of such an offer?

Bailey: I would be prepared to sell him, but I would hope for more than £800,000, but perhaps that is unrealistic in today's market.
Semedo: In my view one of our key players, any offer would have to reflect his worth.
Mooney: Not as bad as some fans make out, but he is a bit of a 'headless chicken' player, racing round the pitch after the ball to no great effect much of the time. Commitment is fine, but is there enough skill?

Same seats, same division next season

That was the comment of Paul from Bexleyheath as he said goodbye to me after last night's play off defeat at The Valley. It was also goodbye for the summer to Steve from Petts Wood and a less fond farewell to the Bloke Behind Me. Although I was sitting a few seats from my usual place, his complaints were still very audible.

Yesterday I predicted that it would be 2-1 at full time, go to extra time (although no more goals were scored) and would then be down to the lottery of penalties. Charlton captain Nicky Bailey blazed high and wide. I don't think one should blame any one player for a defeat of this kind, but it was typical of his over pumped up approach to the game.

Charlton and Swindon have drawn twice during the season and played over what amounts to 220 minutes or more of football (over 10 minutes of time added on last night) but it was difficult to say which team was the better, as was also reflected in their relative places in the table.

The stats were in Charlton's favour: 57 to 43 per cent possession; 20 to eight shots on target; and 11 to 4 corners. But, of course, it's getting the ball in the net that counts and that has been a challenge all season.

Even when I got to Marylebone there were rocking Robins chanting 'Wem-ber-ley'. Whether they can overcome the Spanners remains to be seen. I doubt whether we would have done, and would have a defeat against them at Wembley being even more bitter? Personally, I think it's our interests for them to go up and cause mayhem in the Championship.

The one thing Wembley would have given the club is a much needed pay day. Others know more about the financial situation at the club than I do, but there are clearly going to have to be further cutbacks.

I was disappointed but not surprised by last night's outcome. I always thought it would take us two or three seasons to get out of this division. At the beginning of the season I thought we would be on the fringes of the play offs, but just fail to make them, so we have done better than I hoped.

The game

What other blogs have already emphasised is that one could not fault the commitment or the passion of the Charlton players to the cause last night. They gave their all and it produced an exciting match, albeit one that ended in deflation. The attendance was a little disappointing, below those against Gillingham and Leeds, but then one has to remember that those figures include season ticket holders who were not in the ground.

Before the game in the pub, Mooney was rubbished and his selection was seen as evidence of Parkinson's ineptness as a manager. Well, he scored the two goals. The first one was a scrambled affair which could well have been an own goal, but they all count. The second one was very well taken. Also one cannot fault Mooney's work rate, although I am not sure that dashing all over the pitch is a sign of real skill.

A word of praise also for the much criticised Burton. He may not score many goals, but he is an intelligent player who can hold the ball up well, read the game and provide good flicks and lay offs. Unfortunately, when had a chance to score and win the match for the Addicks, he could not turn quite quickly enough and that is the downside of an older journeyman striker.

I also thought that Frazer Richardson had another good game and came very close to scoring in extra time with a thunderbolt. Reid also added a clear attacking threat (whereas Sam was a bit of a disappointment) and it is a shame we probably cannot afford him for next season.

As for the sending offs, it seemed to me that Greer actually caught Burton in the neck and I had a good view as it was straight in front of me, but others thought that the contact was lower. In any case, the referee had no hesitation in reaching for his red card. My view and that of those around me was that Llera also had to go, but others disagree with that. It does seem odd that kicking a player while he is on the ground is only a yellow card offence.

The disapperance of the Swindon keeper after the first minute did not have that much effect on the game. His replacement, Phil Smith, might have had a plain man's name, but he was your everyday effective keeper. After all, when Elliot had to be replaced by Randolph, he was at least as good. Looks as if Randolph may be going though as we are apparently bringing in a keeper from Woking as the back up. I'm told he only costs £800k a week, so we will have a player who earns less than many fans.

The Rocking Robins came storming out of the traps after half time which is what you would expect them to do. I don't think we had been instructed to sit back, it was just that they were pumping long balls into the box. Also, Swindon always looked particularly dangerous on the counter attack. Their goal was, however, a result of a mix up in which Bailey just tried to be too clever. Bailey did make some good contributions in the game as a whole, but he can also sacrifice possession needlessly.

I thought that Racon did lift us when he came on and actually posed more of an attacking threat than I saw from him all season. Semedo also did his job very well throughout. However, it was not enough and neither team was really able to break the other down.

Quite a nasty incident outside after the game. The crowd was moving slowly and a fan cut right across it in a hurry, knocking into one person. His wife complained and the fan turned nasty, saying to her husband, 'You are an old man and I will knock your head off.' He continued to make threats. Charming from someone in their early twenties.

However, the fans really excelled themselves in getting behind the team and the mood today is disappointed but upbeat. As our train drew into GX, I saw the Chalfont St.Peter Addick 'Uncle Albert' get off looking understandably dispirited. I got home at 1.30 a.m., but I am glad I went and my allegiance remains as firm as ever.

News developments will be followed here over the summer. When I get time, I will do a re-design as the conceit of 'Championship Diary' will have to be abandoned and there will be a re-launch as 'Third Division Diary'. No doubt some pessimists will say that will have to be replaced after a year by 'Fourth Division Diary'.

I think we will still be in contention next year. Southampton will be a major challenge, but Norwich, Leeds and probably Millwall will have gone and I am not that daunted by Peterborough or Plymouth or the teams coming up, although the Owls will be there or thereabouts. Some teams may start to stop thinking of their match against us as their cup final as we lose the shine of a 'big' club.

Big build up in Leeds

There's a big build up in Leeds for tomorrow's match at The Valley. If you go here you can read the forecasts of Leeds fans, meet referee Lee Probert, and learn about danger man Nicky Bailey and his feared accomplice Deon Burton.

One piece of good news ahead of the match is that Sam Sodje has recovered from his knee injury and is available to face his former club. I have no particular recommendations on selections, except to say that I think that there is a case for starting Kyel Reid for his attacking threat. Given that we need Semedo, Racon may have to retreat to the bench.

I would also keep Darren Randolph in goal, notwithstanding that Elliot once seemed to be an inevitable first choice.

Although winning tomorrow would help Millwall, I would rather face a somewhat faltering Leeds in the play offs. I think that they would lose it if they have to go through the play offs again.

Having said that, I am not particularly optimistic about the match. Our defence has become more solid and we have a midfield that is capable of sparkling. The problem is up front, notwithstanding the worthy efforts of Burton and Forster. One is never clear where the goals are going to come from and there is always the chance of conceding.

The consensus among the Leeds 'jury' is 1-2 to them and they may well be right. I think it will be 1-1 until the 96th minute when Leeds will score the winner.

League 1 Team of the Year

Frazer Richardson and Nicky Bailey are included: team

Some of us might have thought that there was a case for Christian Dailly, but Norwich get three of the places, reasonably enough.

Charlton's attacking style will lead to defeat

Exeter City think that Charlton will go all out for three points on Saturday and that this is easier for the home side than a team that adopts a defensive stance. Hence, the Grecians are confident that the three points are theirs: Grecians

I would be more concerned about us taking a 1-0 lead and then trying to defend it and conceding at least an equaliser. However, although all our recent matches have been decided by one goal, I am going to stick my neck out and go for a 2-0 Addicks win tomorrow.

Charlton do have a number of injury worries ahead of the match. Kyel Reid has an ankle problem and has not been training and can be ruled out. Both Sodjes have problems that are likely to meant they are left out so that means Llera in central defence and Burton partnering Forster up front. Of the injury worries, Nicky Bailey is most likely to take part, although his trapped nerve problem has made it difficult for him to sleep at night.

Bailey doubtful, but Sinclair returns

Nicky Bailey is doubtful for Exeter on Saturday because of a shoulder problem. Apparently, he has had a trapped nerve for some time.

However, a frisson of excitement ran through Sparrows Lane with the news that Dean Sinclair was back at the training ground, for a few days at least: Dean

Carlisle preview

Tom Aldred is the hero of the hour for Carlisle United after they bounced back from their defeat in the decorators' trophy with a 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Friday: Cumbrians

It is unlikely that Nicky Bailey will be fit for the game, although he might get a place on the bench. Wagstaff seems to function best as a super sub and after his disappointing performance on Saturday, Lloyd Sam could well replace him in the starting line-up.

Darren Randolph was very much the hero of the hour, but he needs to rely less on punching the ball out.

The defeat at Carlisle earlier in the season contributed to a deflation of initial optimism about our performance. The performance at stadiummk was functional rather than classic like the stadium itself. But as long as we get the points, I am not worried. I am going for a 2-0 victory for Charlton.

Dons hope to be at full strength

MK Dons hope to be back at full strength for the clash against Charlton yesterday. Striker Sam Baldock has missed 10 games through a knee injury, but trained on Thursday and could feature tomorrow. This is important as the side is short of attacking options.

Nicky Bailey and Deon Burton both remain doubtful, both having received injections, Bailey in the ankle and Burton in the knee. The return of Bailey would be important for the side, provided he can avoid outbursts of petulance. Randolph will remain between the sticks.

MK Dons are clearly a controversial club and I personally do not like franchise systems. One only has to look at the problems that have arisen in North American ice hockey where new franchises in places like Arizona have floundered, not surprisingly given that it is difficult to get in the mood when there is a heatwave outside. However, a lack of flexibility has meant that it has not been possible to transfer the franchise to Canadian cities like Hamilton, Ontario which would have a much more viable support base.

The real culprits in the Wimbledon saga in my view are the local council who made no effort to help them find a new ground once they vacated the inadequate Plough Lane. Once they were at Sainsbury's their fate was sealed. MK Dons have managed to build up a much bigger support base than I anticipated as I thought that most of those living in the 'city' would be adherents of big London clubs. Indeed, that may be the case, and MK Dons may be their second club or be preferred as a local alternative, particularly when taking the family to the game.

With Paul May off on a stag weekend in Prague, I will be covering the game myself tomorrow. I am going for a 2-1 win for the home side.

Dons reconcile themselves to League 1 football

MK Dons are reconciling themselves to another season of League 1 football, but their consolation is that they don't want to be another Peterborough. As far as the visit of Charlton is concerned, they see them as one of the most erratic teams in the league, but also having the best player in the division in the shape of Nicky Bailey. Read more here: Dons

The franchisees have put down some roots in the so-called city, but just as in Coventry, an indifferent performance by the football team is being offset by success in ice hockey. The Milton Keynes Lightning team have taken the EPL title, the second tier of British ice hockey.

Away point against play off challengers

Nicky Bailey has picked up an ankle injury, so Christian Dailly takes the captain's armband, a role which some think he has deserved for some time writes Paul May from Huddersfield. Sam Sodje partners him in the centre of defence and Randolph is preferred in goal to Warner, contrary to expectations.

Wagstaff gets a start in midfield and is partnered by Semedo, Racon and Reid. Mooney and Forster are up front in the 4-4-2 formation.

Mooney got in behind the rather flat footed defence, but Huddersfield were able to clear and counter attack but it ended in a Charlton throw in. Neither team dominated in the opening phase.

Charlton won the first corner. Borrowdale's effort went beyond everyone for a goal kick.

Sodje headed clear after Robinson advanced. Racon put in a good challenge as Huddersfield attacked again. Richardson had to deal with a potentially threatening Terriers attack just after the quarter hour. They then reverted again to the long, high ball which the Charlton defence was well able to deal with.

Sodje dealt well with a threatening attack and then Mooney was fouled in a poor challenge on the halfway line. Reid conceded a free kick in a promising position for the home side. It was deflected for the first Huddersfield corner which ended in a goal kick for Charlton.

Collins tried a shot but Sodje blocked it. Racon was left crumpled in a heap by a dreadful challenge, but only a yellow was awarded. Peltier should have received a red for such a late and over the top challenge.

Wagstaff advanced well, but Forster's header went out of play. Mooney and Forster were not really linking up well. Robinson challenged Randolph, but the keeper cleared with a punch.

Charlton won a corner kick after pressure from Mooney and Forster. It led to a second, but the Terriers dealt with it. Dailly hauled down Robinson and received a yellow card. The free kick was whipped in and the ball hit the crossbar. A free kick from Drinkwater was dealt with by Sodje.

Two minutes were added on. A last minute Huddersfield attack led to a corner. It had not been an impressive performance by either team while word came through that Millwall were 3-0 ahead at the Toolbox.

Half time: Terriers 0, Addicks 0

Charlton won a corner, Smithies punched the ball out and then clattered into Dailly and collapsed on the pitch, but recovered quickly enough. Charlton won another corner which led to a throw in for the Addicks.

A well delivered cross allowed Rhodes to score on 53 minutes with a header with Randolph left with no chance. Borrowdale was caught out of position in the build up.

Randolph did well with a clearance. A handball by Peltier was ignored, Huddersfield surged forward and tried to claim a penalty. From the corner of the penalty area Reid put in an unstoppable volley to make it 1-1.

Forster was hauled down by the Australian Heffernan as he broke away. A free kick was awarded, but no yellow card. The free kick was unproductive. Robinson advanced into the penalty area, but Huddersfield were not able to take the opportunity.

Randolph had words with Semedo about the wall after a Terriers free kick which was unproductive. Semedo got a warning from the referee Mr Singh for a high boot.

Huddersfield advanced down the right, but Pilkington put in a dreadful cross. Mooney looked for Forster, but Trotman was able to intervene. Robinson advanced, but Charlton were able to clear their lines.

Huddersfield advanced down the right again, but Randolph was able to gather comfortably. Rhodes put in a shot, but Dailly put in a good block at the cost of conceding a corner. Forster did some defending.

Sodje went down and looked as if he was in some discomfort. He appeared to be having some attention to his nose.

A cross came into the far post but it was headed away brilliantly by Sodje. The tiring Borrowdale, who seemed to lack full match fitness, was taken off and replaced by Chris Solly.

A highly dubious corner kick was awarded to Huddersfield after the ball went out off one of their players, but the referee rectified matters by giving Charlton a free kick for a non-existent foul.

Akpo Sodje came on for Nicky Forster. It might have been better to take the lightweight Mooney off. Sam Sodje dealt well with a good ball from a free kick at the expense of the corner. Huddersfield attacked again, but Charlton cleared their lines. Reid should have turned provider for Wagstaff who had made a good run.

The lino gave a free kick against Solly as word came through that Norwich were ahead against Leeds. Randolph made a good save. Reid won a corner after a throw in near the corner flag. Richardson's effort led to a goal kick.

Three minutes were added on. We heard that Wycombe had equalised at Colchester. Wagstaff put in a poor delivery and it ended in a goal kick. Reid's run led to an effort that was deflected wide. There was a suspicion of handball by Huddersfield.
The corner kick was gathered by Smithies.

We would have taken an away point against play off challengers Huddersfield before the game.