Derby draw

Charlton shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Fulham at The Valley last night. I thought it was quite an exciting game, although I was surprised when I read the stats that we only had 42 per cent of the possession.

The Fulham defence looked shaky when we attacked with pace. Our slow builds ups were less threatening. However, our defence also looked under pressure at times. We tended to give unmarked players on the wings too much space and opportunity to develop an attack, notably the right back Hoogland.

Hendo was captain and for some reason he decided to change ends, allowing the Cottagers to attack the Jimmy Seed and their fans.

McCormack gave Fulham the perfect start after just eight minutes when he nodded his 14th goal of the season over Stephen Henderson following a flick-on from strike partner Smith. This led to chants of 'We're winning away' from the Cottagers.

However, the lead lasted just 10 minutes before Morgan Fox whipped in a low cross for Gudmundsson to hammer the ball into the roof of the net at the far post, despite Fulham's claim that team-mate Frederic Bulot had been in an offside position. I must say that from where we were sitting it did look offside. However, it makes a nice change to get a favourable decision from a linesman in a match against Fulham.

Gudmundsson then missed a great chance when he shot wide from a Igor Vetokele cross before the break when it looked as if he had a tap in. What went wrong I don't know. Chris Eagles was denied by Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli in the second half.

But Fulham could have earned only their fifth away win with Smith seeing an effort cleared off the line by Joe Gomez before wasting a fantastic late chance from a free kick by the 'D' when he blasted the ball over.

Inevitably Scott Parker's appearance attracted some controversy. Initially, he was booed by the Covered End every time he touched the ball, although as the Bloke Behind Me remarked, in one of his more sensible comments, this only encouraged him to get stuck in (to the extent that he picked up a yellow card). In the second half, he was involved in an exchange of views with Charlton supporters in the corner of the Lower North. Leaving the pitch at the end of the game, he was serenaded with chants of 'One greedy bastard.'

Parker's departure to Chelsea did undermine our chances in our best season in the Premiership, but he was one of the best talents to come out of the Charlton academy and perhaps it is time to move on after eleven years.

Curbs was at the game in his capacity as Fulham's technical advisor and I saw a tweeted picture of him with Keith Peacock.

Player ratings

Henderson supplied one superb save, turning the ball round the post, and some other excellent ones. Talal Ben Haim got a possibly avoidable yellow card, but on the whole did his job well enough. Gomez continues to impress, he is an excellent player for his age, active in attack and defence. Johnson had one or two wobbly moments, seems to think he is better than he actually is, I wouldn't favour a new contract. Fox was solid and is improving, I don't think he deserves the abuse he gets from some fans but once they have made up their minds someone is useless, that is that.

Diarra justified his new contract with a professional performance. Cousins probably played the ball more than any other player on the pitch, apart from Parker. Gudmundsson took his goal well, but then had a miss. The Bloke Beside Me had Bulot as his player of the match and we were both disappointed when he was substituted. He shows real pace down the wings.

Vetokele didn't contribute a lot and was eventually substituted. Watt displayed his penetrating power and trickery, but sometimes he needs to be a little less selfish and lay the ball off.

Eagles got involved when he came on. Church really didn't make much of a difference.

Another derby challenge

Charlton face another derby challenge at The Valley tonight, but one with less significance than that at Millwall. Alan Curbishley will, however, presumably be accompanying the Cottagers in his role as technical advisor.

However, our record against Fulham is also poor. Fulham won the earlier meeting this season 3-0 at Craven Cottage in October. Fulham are unbeaten in the last seven meetings in all competitions, winning four. Charlton's last win was 2-1 at The Valley in the Premier League in December 2004. However, Charlton are unbeaten in the last four meetings at The Valley, winning two. Fulham's last win there was 1-0 in the Premier League in May 2003.

Rhoys Wiggins is said to be nearing fitness. Chris Solly is out with his red card. Fulham are trying to get Snotty Parker fit after illness.

Charlton have fallen back to 4th in the form table after their defeat at Millwall, while Fulham are fifth from bottom in both the form table and the league. Fulham lost their local derby 1-4 to Brentford on Saturday and were booed off the pitch.

Odds are: Charlton 11/8, Draw 12/5, Fulham 2/1.

Gudmundsson heading for Prem

Johann Gudmundsson could be heading for the Premier League at the end of the season, reports this morning's Football League Paper. The paper notes, 'Gudmundsson is keen on moving up because there is no chance of him playing in the Premier League with the Addicks, while Charlton know they have to be realistic in terms of bigger clubs coming in to tempt players away from The Valley.'

Stoke and Hull City have been checking him out in recent weeks with a view to making a move in the summer. Bournemouth are also watching him, while Nottingham Forest would renew their interest if they were promoted.

Ten man Charlton lose to Millwall

Despite Chris Solly being sent off in the first half, Charlton went 1-0 ahead against Millwall in the second half, but the home side then scored two goals to take all three points.

Tony Watt won an early corner against Millwall, but it was unproductive.

Millwall played in a dangerous ball, but Gregory was unable to connect. The home side started well and got the initial upper hand.

Chris Solly was given a yellow card after an exchange of views with Gregory. Why Gregory was not booked was unclear. A Millwall free kick came off Vetokele for a corner which was followed by a second. Millwall raked up the pressure with a third corner. Diarra cleared an O’Brien header well.

Charlton were looking bright down the left-hand side with Tony Watt. The Addicks had a chance after a great ball from Gudmundsson, but Eagles at full stretch put the ball into the side netting.

Millwall were still winning the midfield battle. Jordan Cousins was not at the top of his game. Gomez had to clear the ball off the line. Chris Solly got a straight red for a handball and was sent off. Henderson saved Gregory’s penalty on 28 minutes.

Chris Eagles was sacrificed and Bikey came on.

Charlton won a corner from a free kick after Millwall got their first yellow card. Millwall counter attacked from the corner, but Henderson was alive to the danger and Fox cleared.

Henderson dived to his right to make a great save as a shot came in.

Charlton had another corner. Diarra put the ball wide as two minutes of time added on were signalled.

Millwall won a corner. Johnson got the ball away and then Cousins blocked it.

HT 0-0

Gomez had to put a block in at the expense of a Millwall corner. Upson’s shot was well over the bar.

There was a period of pressure on Charlton and Vetokele had to help out with defensive work. Henderson had to save to his right. Henderson had to punch clear from Gregory.

Diarra put the ball into the back of the net from a cross from Gox to make it 1-0 to Charlton on 67 minutes.

Millwall took a defender off and brought on a long ball merchant. Williams got a yellow card.

Vetokele was ushered off by the referee and Bulot came on.

Upson came off and charm merchant Nicky Bailey came on. Watt came off and Church came on.

Millwall got the equaliser through Gueye after an error by Bikey.

Church jumped a little too early and put the ball just wide.

Millwall won a corner. Then they made it 2-1, Hoolveld scoring from very close range.

Six minutes were added on. Charlton won a corner after Bailey put the ball over the bar. Henderson came forward, but his effort went wide.

Luzon's big test

If Guy Luzon can secure a win at Millwall, Charlton fans may at last embrace him with real warmth. As Charlton's season peters out towards a mid-table finish, this is the game that really matters to the Addickted. A mid-table finish is, of course, very welcome considering where we were not so long ago, while Millwall badly need three points to help dig themselves out of the relegation positions.

Charlton are currently top of the Championship form table, while Millwall are 22nd However, Charlton's record against Millwall, especially at the New Den, has not been good. Millwall are unbeaten in the last seven meetings, winning three. Charlton's last win was 2-0 at The Valley in the old Division One in March 1996. Charlton have won only one of the last 13 meetings at Millwall. Their only win there since 1978 was 2-0 in the old Division One in December 1995. This was the famous match in the snow when it was announced that 'Shooters Hill station is closed.'

Millwall can bring back skipper Alan Dunne after his suspension for collecting 10 yellow cards this season. Charm merchant Nicky Bailey has recovered from back spasms but may not be ready to return. Paris Cowan-Hall (ankle) and Lee Martin (foot) are in the same boat. Igor Vetokele could feature after recovering from an Achilles injury and Rhoys Wiggins (calf) and Chris Solly (ankle) could also return.

The odds reflect genuine uncertainty about the outcome: Millwall 6/4, Draw 23/10, Charlton 19/10.

Gudmundsson makes top 50 list

Johann Gudmundsson is the one Charlton Athletic player to make a list of top 50 Football League players in Four Four Two. He is ranked at 40. Yann Kermorgant is not on the list.

The magazine says: 'After five decent years playing for AZ in Holland, the Icelandic winger adapted immediately to the hurly-burly of the Championship, impressing with his pace, energy and willingness to chase down loose balls. He has chipped in regularly with goals, too, and popped up with some stunning finishes, such as his curled cracker against Rotherham in September. He also notched a international hat-trick against Switzerland back in September 2013.'

It's Network 2.0!

Ambitious plans for a further development of the network next season have been unveiled. Squads are to be registered with other clubs in the network, so that they can play each other ‘s matches. Thus, for example, one week Charlton could play at Alcorcón, they could go to Upjest and the Hungarian team would come to The Valley. The official site has now revealed that home and away kits will be shared with the Spanish side in a solidarity package: Shared kit

Season ticket holders would be entitled to free entry when the Charlton squad was playing elsewhere. The scheme does not involve the mother ship.

Closer to home, Charlton are to launch a beach football team. This has been planned for some time, but was held up when Andy Delort did not join the club last summer as he would have been captain with his beach football experience.

Looking for a site to play games, club officials quickly discounted locations along the Thames as too small and muddy.

Derek from Dymchurch then contacted the club pointing out that there is a large beach at Romney Sands at low tide. The nearby static caravan park has semi-permanent residents and Derek contacted residents Dennis and Sandra who are active in his UKIP branch.

They got in touch with the camp management who were able to offer a 10 per cent discount on accommodation to Charlton fans coming to watch games. They would also receive a free copy of the Daily Express. The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch railway chipped in with an offer of discounted tickets for fans travelling to games.

The beach at Romney Sands at low tide.

Unfortunately, when club officials inspected the proposed pitch at low tide they sunk up to their calves in mud. A pair of Katrien Meire’s trademark boots were completely ruined.

At this point Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt stepped in as cabinet member for economic development on Thanet Council. ‘There is more interest in Charlton in my village than round the ground,’ said the Rickster. ‘We have a lot of level sandy beaches and an arrangement would be to the benefit of the club and Thanet.'

On a clear day it is possible to see the French coast from parts of Thanet, indeed this was an inspiration for Edward Heath’s European vision when he was growing up in Broadstairs. It is not possible to see the Belgian coast, but, as a mark of respect for the club’s owners, a beach is to be selected facing in the general direction of Belgium.

Fun and games on the beach with Rick Everitt

Help will be needed in marking out the pitch and other preparations and anyone interested should write to Rick Everitt at Thanet Council. The address is c/o The Addicktion Unit, Valley Suite, Powell Wing, Kermorgant House, Robins Way, New Charlton, Farage-on-Sea.