Charlton play well but come away with nothing

Charlton played as well today as I have seen them play this season but came away empty handed while Norwich celebrated automatic promotion to the Championship. The Addicks showed real commitment and skill, but a first half goal from a corner put the Canaries ahead. Charlton had Norwich under the cosh in the second half until the last phase when they started to tire a little, but they could not score. To be fair, Forster in the Norwich goal made three exceptional saves.

The pitch was watered before the match but this produced something of a crisis in the centre circle where a puddle appeared and the ground staff were engaged in frantic activity with pitchforks.

The teams changed ends which I always regard as a bad omen. Following two throw ins, Charlton won a corner within the first minute. However, this was unproductive as were all the many corners we had during the game. Many of them were put too close to the tall keeper so that he was just able to catch them. They should have been put further out and attempts should have been made to block the keeper's line of vision.

Darren Randolph slipped on the pitch and for a moment it looked as if he might have conceded a goal before he recovered. Sam was looking very lively and Semedo put in an excellent pass to him. Sam won a corner but it was caught by the keeper. Forster won a free kick on the edge of the D. Following an evident training ground routine, Semedo touched the ball to Bailey who blasted it over.

Norwich gave a warning of their intent when they scored a goal disallowed for offside. The quality of our crosses left something to be desired. Darren Randolph made a great save, but from the subsequent corner Norwich scored through Nelson.

Bailey put in an effort that was just wide. Akpo Sodje turned provider for Lloyd Sam leading to a Charlton corner. Akpo Sodje provided some pressure. Canaries charm merchant Drury received a yellow card.

Akpo Sodje was withdrawn in favour of Deon Burton. Bailey put in a great shot from an angle and Forster made a superb save to deny him. With two minutes added on Lloyd Sam created a Charlton corner, but once again it was unproductive.

Half time: Addicks 0, Canaries 1

Charlton created good pressure from the start of the second half, drawing another save. Nicky Forster, Lloyd Sam and Therry Racon were prominent in the action. Stephen Hughes received a yellow card for a foul. An effort from Bailey went over. Sam Sodje just missed with a header. A shot from Racon was on target but was easily gathered by the keeper and the same happened with an effort from Burton.

A Charlton corner led to an effort that was way over. The next Charlton corner was saved on the line. An effort from Forster was tipped over by the keeper. Burton shot at the keeper. Semedo had had a good game but he was taken off to allow room for Reid.

Forster had been time wasting and the referee gave him a yellow card. The problem is that referees always take too long to do this and they will never given a second yellow if the behaviour persists.

Bailey gave the ball away creating potential danger. Shelvey came on and replaced Bailey. Michael Spillane was the next Norwich charm merchant to receive a yellow card. Despite five minutes of time added on Charlton were not able to score.

Charlton had 68 per cent of the possession, nine shots on target on two and nine corners to one - and we couldn't score. Our lack of a clinical finisher has been our greatest weakness all season. It's a great shame we couldn't have put up this sort of performance against some of the weaker teams in the league.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Lloyd Sam. He was consistent for most of the game today and his dinking runs caused Norwich real trouble. Darren Randolph made one excllent save and generally did well, but I thought he could have done more to save the goal. Christian Dailly was once again solid and as the game went on played an increasing role in getting the ball forward. Sam Sodje was good in defence but a little disappointing up front in set pieces.
Borrowdale once again showed that he is a very professional footballer who knows what his role demands. Richardson made some good runs forward. Semedo had another good game, snapping at the heels of the Norwich midfield. Racon drew rare praise from Steve from Sidcup and showed some really nice touches. Bailey had some great efforts on goal but lost the ball once or twice. I assume Akpo Sodje was withdrawn because of injury (he took a blow to the face). He was winning more balls in the air than usual, but not all of them. Forster got in some good positions, but never came that close to scoring. Burton made some attempts on goal but they lacked power.
Reid was a threat when he came on and unhinged the Norwich defence.
Shelvey was competent but did not make a decisive difference.

Juneau the Soccer Cat was happy with the officials, the travel arrangements and the ball boys and has not given a Hiss of the Match.

Crowd rating Attendance was one short of the season record against Gillingham. Did their best to get behind the team, 8/10.

Norwich out to ease the pain

Norwich are seeking to ease the pain of their 4-2 end-of-season defeat at Charlton by taking three points tomorrow. Although on paper it is a more difficult match that the one that produced a midweek defeat Orient, they remain confident of victory: Canaries

Phil Parkinson is viewed in Norfolk as having turned up the heat on Norwich: Parky

Holt is still suspended while Wes Hoolihan is doubtful because of a thigh injury so Norwich's attack may be blunted. Deon Burton could be back for the Addicks and it would be interesting to see him in partnership with Forster. Burton's ability to hold the ball up might be useful.

Charlton's defence has been looking very solid. The midfield has been playing well. My one question mark on Tuesday was about Racon. There might be a case for moving Bailey to the centre and using Reid on the left. His pace could unhinge the Norwich defence.

As to the result, I really have no idea, although I fear a 1-2 Norwich victory. However, this is a game where the crowd has to play its part and not start moaning the first time there is a misplaced pass or a panic header from the defence.

Norwich' off colour

Norwich have been 'off colour' but are still hopeful that three points at Charlton on Saturday will secure promotion to the Championship: Canaries

It seems from another report that the defence is being blamed, although I would have thought that the absence of their two main attacking threats played a part: Defence

In a sense the pressure is as much on Norwich as it is on us, making it important to get behind the team.

Norwich to sell off ground?

One possible solution to Norwich's financial problems is to sell off Carrow Road to creditor Axa and lease it back, but the plan has divided Canaries fans: Norwich

The plan has divided Norwich fans. It would probably attract an even stronger reaction at The Valley, although probably the training ground would go first if there was an urgent need for fans. Some directors at Charlton were going to buy and lease back Sparrows Lane before the £7m cash injection was arranged.

Norwich face financial black hole

As we have suggested before, Norwich have major financial problems, possibly even bigger ones than we have: Canaries

I have never bought into the media narrative that Norwich are invincible and certain to occupy the second automatic promotion place. It seems a bit early in the season to decide that.

However, Canaries fans are no doubt relieved that manager Paul Lambert has turned down the offer of the vacancy at Premiership club Burnley.

No one thinks very much about Colchester in this equation, but King's Hill Addick makes the point that they have some money to spend and have retained the services of Super Kevin Lisbie. They also have a very good manager, someone I would have been happy to see at The Valley. It's a matter for concern that if we are in the play offs we will have to face either Colchester or Norwich and possibly Southampton as well.

The weather seems to have been bad in Norfolk and the airport runway at Norwich international airport (I once had the misfortune to land there) had to be cleared of snow yesterday, but it appears that today's game there is going to go ahead, along with that at league leaders Leeds.

My boss (a Leeds fan) contributes the following: 'On the radio yesterday, someone was reminiscing about the big freeze of 1963 when undersoil heating was virtually unheard of. One week Norwich had the bright idea of hiring a few military flame throwers to melt the snow covering the Carrow Road pitch. Their next game was cancelled because the pitch was water-logged.'

Norwich edge ahead

Norwich went ahead in the 77th minute at Wycombe after a game in which possession had been evenly shared, but the Canaries had more shots on target.

This was the final score so Norwich will edge ahead of Charlton in the table on goal difference. The Addicks now have to play a rearranged game when the Bescot has thawed out. The way things are going it won't be available for Norwich on 12 January.

Suddenly, the Saddlers have a significant role to play in the promotion race. The Pools Panel gave a home win to Walsall. Sky Sports News forecast that Leeds and Norwich would go up, with Charlton a strong 3rd and Saints a dark horse.

Elsewhere, supposedly invincible Colchester lost 7-0 to Preston in the FA Cup.

Norwich game rearranged early doors

I was amused to see a senior policewoman with West Midlands Police announcing on the regional news last night that anyone causing trouble in Birmingham's 'entertainment' district over the new year would be arrested 'early doors'. Ronglish conquers all! You can take lessons in Ronglish here: Big Ron

Postponed games are often replayed a couple of months later, but the Walsall v. Norwich game has been re-scheduled for January 12th. Sources close to the league explained, 'The media narrative, and indeed that of the fans of champions designate Leeds, is that Norwich will occupy the other automatic promotion spot. Let's face it, that Delia has a touch of class even if she does like the occasional glass of sherry. We don't want unfashionable clubs like Charlton or Colchester in the automatic promotion spot. So Norwich need to get the points on the board.'

The spokesman said that awarding a 3-0 victory to Norwich had been considered, but fans were thought not to be ready for such an innovation yet.

If Norwich beat Walsall and we draw with them, that could be important at the end of the season.

Curse of Dowie, part 94

After drawing 0-0 at home with Pompey tonight, Newcastle remain in the relegation places in the Premiership and are rapidly running out of road - and I am not referring to the A road used for Iain Dowie's notorious training run before Charlton played at St. James's Park.

Television viewers were able to get a glimpse of Newcastle's problems when a grim faced Dowie, resplendent in barcodes, could be seen striding away from the pitch after the match. The magic of Shearer is no compensation for the curse of Dowie which has been seen in operation in South, South-East and West London, Coventry and now Geordieland. It's not rocket science!

Elsewhere, Norwich went down at home 0-2 to Reading which means that Sunday's match at The Valley could see the chirping canaries silenced. However, if Barnsley draw at Plymouth and Norwich win at The Valley, they would still be relegated.