Alan Curbishley has been in contact with Aston Villa after Roberto Martinez decided to stay at Wigan. Although Mark Hughes is now the favourite, there is a view at the club that he might just use it as a stepping stone to greater things.
Curbishley, who did play for Villa bfeore moving to The Valley, was interviewed for the role following the departure of Martin O'Neill last August.
At one time it was thought that Curbs (with his wife as a possible influence) would not take a job outside the M25. However, if he wants to get back into management at the top level he may need to be less restrictive.
The view being argued in the media is that Villa fans would not welcome his appointment: Curbs This view seems also to be held by Villa fans here in Leamington who have said they would not dance in the Parade if he was appointed.
On the other hand, they would not welcome Alex McLeish who has just got the Blews relegated but is apparently highly regarded by owner Randy Lerner. Fortunately for Villa fans, relegation specialst Iain Dowie is not yet in the frame but you never know.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Arsenal pay over £1m for Jenkinson
Arsenal have paid over £1m up front for the signature of Charlton's Carl Jenkinson. More here: Jenkinson
Jenkinson said: 'I hope supporters will understand why I can't turn down such an opportunity, but Charlton will always have a place in my heart,' said Jenkinson. 'I will always be in Charlton's debt for the training they have given me since a young age.'
'I'm grateful to the club's academy and all the coaching staff, so I'm delighted the two clubs have come to an agreement.'
Jenkinson has just tweeted to say that he can't describe his happiness at joining his boyhood club and thanks all the Arsenal fans who have welcomed him. If he was going to go to another London club, Arsenal would be my preferred choice. He may sink or swim there, but it is an opportunity that he cannot turn down.
Carl has been trending on Twitter, but mostly on a 'Who?' basis.
Jenkinson said: 'I hope supporters will understand why I can't turn down such an opportunity, but Charlton will always have a place in my heart,' said Jenkinson. 'I will always be in Charlton's debt for the training they have given me since a young age.'
'I'm grateful to the club's academy and all the coaching staff, so I'm delighted the two clubs have come to an agreement.'
Jenkinson has just tweeted to say that he can't describe his happiness at joining his boyhood club and thanks all the Arsenal fans who have welcomed him. If he was going to go to another London club, Arsenal would be my preferred choice. He may sink or swim there, but it is an opportunity that he cannot turn down.
Carl has been trending on Twitter, but mostly on a 'Who?' basis.
Mandaric's millions to secure Semedo
It looks as if out-of-contract Jose Semedo might be going to join Sheffield Wednesday: Semedo
Such a move is not unexpected, but we shall certainly miss the Portugeezer who will be remembered as one of the more inspiring players in a bleak spell for the Addicks. At least hatred of Millwall may now find its place in Sheffield.
There have also been suggestions that Bristol City may be interested and possibly even Pards at Newcastle.
Such a move is not unexpected, but we shall certainly miss the Portugeezer who will be remembered as one of the more inspiring players in a bleak spell for the Addicks. At least hatred of Millwall may now find its place in Sheffield.
There have also been suggestions that Bristol City may be interested and possibly even Pards at Newcastle.
Bougherra wants that Valley magic
Madjid Bougherra wants to quit Rangers, but will only walk away from the Scottish champions with the blessing of manager Ally McCoist.
'Magic' reckons that the time he had at The Valley were the best of his career. He said, 'My focus is still on the Premier League. I played there with Charlton for six months and want to go back as six months is not a long time.'
Unfortunately, the Addicks can no longer offer Premiership football.
'Magic' reckons that the time he had at The Valley were the best of his career. He said, 'My focus is still on the Premier League. I played there with Charlton for six months and want to go back as six months is not a long time.'
Unfortunately, the Addicks can no longer offer Premiership football.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Looking on the bright side of life
Apparently there was an interesting interview on Radio Kent on Saturday afternoon with Peter Varney and Michael Slater. Even if I hadn't been suffering from Frau Rita and her unreliable Wi-Fi (for which she had the grace not to charge me), I wouldn't have heard it.
However, Peter Varney argued that we should look at last season as a positive. Michael and Tony came in and saved the club, helping us to avoid a possible relegation to League Two. Without them the club could have entered administration: Abyss
Sagacious commentators have pointed out that Paul Hart should not be seen as a potential replacement for Chris Powell if things don't work out. Hart has had more than enough cracks of the whip as manager to know that is not his forte. Youth development is his speciality and that is why he has been brought in. Hart's talent in youth development should help Powell to deliver.
The new owners want success, no doubt about that. But they want to achieve it in a prudent way. We don't want our accounts qualified by the auditors as has just happened to Coventry City.
I'm still reeling from the extent to which people in Germany refused to speak English to me, even when it was clear that they could. Even in Zurich Airport, German was insisted on. One café proprietor in Konstanz even complained to me about my East German accent.
But then when I think about it when I checked in for an Iberia flight at Heathrow not so long ago they insisted on speaking in Spanish throughout. Perhaps it's a new linguistic nationalism.
This is developing into one of those odd loose connections features you get in programmes. But then the originator of stream of consciousness writing is commemorated by a blue plaque in Charlton. Italo Svevo, wrongly rendered as Sveno on the plaque, aka Ettore Schmitz, lived at 67 Charlton Church Lane from 1903-13, although his role in the club in the early days remains obscure.
It is the close season after all.
However, Peter Varney argued that we should look at last season as a positive. Michael and Tony came in and saved the club, helping us to avoid a possible relegation to League Two. Without them the club could have entered administration: Abyss
Sagacious commentators have pointed out that Paul Hart should not be seen as a potential replacement for Chris Powell if things don't work out. Hart has had more than enough cracks of the whip as manager to know that is not his forte. Youth development is his speciality and that is why he has been brought in. Hart's talent in youth development should help Powell to deliver.
The new owners want success, no doubt about that. But they want to achieve it in a prudent way. We don't want our accounts qualified by the auditors as has just happened to Coventry City.
I'm still reeling from the extent to which people in Germany refused to speak English to me, even when it was clear that they could. Even in Zurich Airport, German was insisted on. One café proprietor in Konstanz even complained to me about my East German accent.
But then when I think about it when I checked in for an Iberia flight at Heathrow not so long ago they insisted on speaking in Spanish throughout. Perhaps it's a new linguistic nationalism.
This is developing into one of those odd loose connections features you get in programmes. But then the originator of stream of consciousness writing is commemorated by a blue plaque in Charlton. Italo Svevo, wrongly rendered as Sveno on the plaque, aka Ettore Schmitz, lived at 67 Charlton Church Lane from 1903-13, although his role in the club in the early days remains obscure.
It is the close season after all.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Alles its nicht in ordnung!
Konstanz, BRD: I am struggling with a very erratic wi-fi connection in the attic of this traditional German guest house. If any difficulty arises, the proprietor's wife (who seems to be in charge) pretends to speak only German and I can't get beyond 'Ihre wi-fi ist kaput. Alles ist nicht in ordnung.'
Hence it has been a struggle to keep up with developments at The Valley. However, I gather that Pravda is reporting that we had a £300,000 offer for a left-back from Bournemouth turned down. This has three interesting implications:
1. That there is a left back at Bournemouth worth that sort of money.
2. That Bessone is thought not to be the answer.
3. That we have enough readies to think of splashing 300k on a defender.
There has also been a restructuring at Sparrows Lane. This is being spun as giving Chris Powell the resources he needs to finish the job, but a heretical interpretation is that it provides a potential alternative should things not work out next season.
Given that we have England v. Switzerland tonight and that the border with the land of the cuckoo clock runs through the town, it was interesting that at dinner last night locals spent half the meal mocking the Swiss, telling poor jokes about them and denouncing them and all their works.
Hence it has been a struggle to keep up with developments at The Valley. However, I gather that Pravda is reporting that we had a £300,000 offer for a left-back from Bournemouth turned down. This has three interesting implications:
1. That there is a left back at Bournemouth worth that sort of money.
2. That Bessone is thought not to be the answer.
3. That we have enough readies to think of splashing 300k on a defender.
There has also been a restructuring at Sparrows Lane. This is being spun as giving Chris Powell the resources he needs to finish the job, but a heretical interpretation is that it provides a potential alternative should things not work out next season.
Given that we have England v. Switzerland tonight and that the border with the land of the cuckoo clock runs through the town, it was interesting that at dinner last night locals spent half the meal mocking the Swiss, telling poor jokes about them and denouncing them and all their works.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
The New England Tea Men
For those of you who remember Charlton's relationship with them and Laurie Abrahams, there's some interesting material here, some of it new to me: Tea Men
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