Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Franchisees have no fear

Milton Keynes Dons think they are hitting their best form of the season and go to The Valley tonight without any fear: Fearless

Charlton have won all three of their league encounters at home to MK Dons, although none of these were in the Championship. MK Dons have found the net in each of their past four against the Addicks (W2 D1 L1). The Addicks have not won at home since 7 November, drawing five and losing four since then.

The visitors have won just two games away all season, fewer than any other team in the Championship apart from Bolton. They have, however, drawn five games and this must be a worry for tonight.

Monday, 7 March 2016

Harriott confident we can beat drop

Callum Harriott remains confident that Charlton can beat the drop: Harriott

We certainly need belief at this time and hopefully Saturday's win will give the team some much needed confidence.

Tomorrow's game against MK Dons is clearly massive. Win and we can keep our slim hopes alive. Draw or lose and we can wave them goodbye. Even if we win, we have a mountain to climb. We would probably need another six wins against some tough opposition, although good teams can bring out the best in Charlton.

Stephen Henderson will not be available, but there is a outside chance that Diarra could play: Player availability

Crystal Palace lost again yesterday and I liked Lawro's comment that Pardoo couldn't manage a 1-0 lead against ten men. Unfortunately, just one more win would probably buy the Glaziers safety.

'Scoop' Burrowes had better hand over his hard won title to Rick Everitt, as the Ramsgate resident has another major story in the latest edition of Voice of the Valley which will be available from around the ground before the game: VOTV preview

Odds are: Charlton 31/20, Draw 23/10, MK Dons 9/5.

Saturday, 5 March 2016

Charlton win away

Charlton went ahead after 15 seconds at Griffin Park after Harriott side footed the ball into the net, the attack having been started by Fox on the left. Brentford won the first corner of the afternoon. Pope got enough on it to get the ball out to Harriott.

Fanni had to deal with a Brentford free kick chipped into the box at the expense of a corner, but Charlton managed to clear the ball.

A good counter attack by Charlton involving Harriott and Sanogo led to a corner, but it was unproductive. Brentford had their first real chance but Swift’s header was misdirected wide of the post.

The referee booked Sanogo for handball.

As Charlton applied more pressure, they won another corner, leading to another on the opposite side.

The referee complained to Cousins and Harriott that there were too many free kicks. Pope did well to come out and smother the ball at the expense of a corner which was taken short.

A cross flashed across the six yard box but no one from the home side could connect. Judge advanced after Motta slipped but Pope made a super save.

On 24 minutes applause rang out for the Brentford fan Dean Langford who tragically lost his life in a car accident. While this was going on, Pope had to make an excellent save. From the corner Barbet equalised for Brentford with a header on 25 minutes. Once again the weakness of the Addicks at set pieces was evident. A Charlton corner led to a second on the opposite side, but the move ended in a free kick.

A header from Sanogo was just wide of the Brentford post. A great cross from Fox led to a Charlton corner, once again taken by Gudmundsson. Diarra was not able to continue and Poyet came on after 34 minutes. Fox had to concede a corner. Pope felt that he had been impeded, but Charlton had a goal kick.

Poyet put in a sliding tackle with his foot up and received a yellow card.

HT: Bees 1, Addicks 1

Gudmundsson lost the ball on the half way line and Canos broke through but put his shot wide.

Canos got a yellow card for a trip on Suk-Young. Motta received a yellow card for something that happened off the ball.

Brentford won a corner on 59 minutes. A low shot from Swift on the edge of the box was easy for Pope. A cross blocked by Tex led to another Brentford corner. Cousins cleared. Brentford brought on Vibe. A corner was well claimed by Pope.

Motta did well to win a corner for Charlton with a great run. Tex’s deep header was too easy for Button.

Charlton had a two on one situation but Sanogo couldn’t find Gudmundsson.

After great work by Fox on the left, and a good cross by Gudmndsson, Harriott advanced into the six yard box and scored a great goal to make it 2-1 to the Addicks.

Brentford took off Canos and brought on Saunders.

Sanogo was caught offside in a marginal decision. Saunders went down dramatically in the box, but the referee took no notice. Pope claimed a cross from Judge well.

McEacharan went off for Brentford and Hoffman came on for the long ball on 81 minutes.

Great work by Tex, but Brentford won a corner on 84 minutes. It was cleared from the near post by Cousins.

On 86 minutes Harriott went off to a standing ovation and Makienok came on. Fanni got booked for time wasting.

Brentford applied pressure on 89 minutes, but Charlton were able to block the ball and clear. Cousins won a free kick. Judge got a yellow card for his challenge.

Four minutes were added on. Charlton launched an attack, but it was unsuccessful. Makienok took a shot which came off the bar. Cousins advanced but was fouled by Hoffman who got a yellow card. Gudmundsson came off and Reza came on. A shot by Judge cannoned off the head of Poyet and a second attempt went over the bar.

Friday, 4 March 2016

Never say die

I had lunch with my London boss today. He is a Fulham supporter and he was impressed with Charlton's away support who kept singing when they were 3-0 down and in the pub afterwards.

A good friend is a season ticket holder at Brentford. Their strategy is to consolidate in the Championship until they get their new stadium when they will be able to tap into the affluent south-west London market. But, be warned, Katrien was also targeting that in her search for new customers.

Brentford have conceded exactly once in each of their past four home league meetings with Charlton (W1 D2 L1). Charlton are unbeaten in two league visits to Griffin Park but have not gone three without defeat since their first three trips there in the 1920s.

The Bees have lost seven of their past 10 league games (W2 D1), including each of the past three away games, and have not lost four or more on the road since February 2011 (five losses). The Addicks have only won once in eight away league games (D1 L6), conceding 25 goals (3.1 goals per game).

Charlton have made more errors leading directly to goals than any team this season (9). The Addicks have conceded more goals via set-pieces (not including penalties) than any other team this season.

Jordan Cousins should return after being out injured.

With relegation a near certainty, they are now playing for honour.

Odds are: Brentford 4/6, Draw 3/1, Charlton 4/1.

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Happier days

An Evening Standard article recalling when both Brentford and Charlton were top clubs: The 1930s

As the article points out, lack of investment by the Charlton board prevented the club becoming established as a top one.

Tuesday, 1 March 2016

Charlton could extend Callum Harriott's stay

Charlton have an option to extend Callum Harriott's contract by one year: Callum Harriott

I would extend him as he showed at Colchester United how effective he can be in League One. However, falling revenues may stop this happening.

It's possible there could be another relegation in South London as Super Alan Pardew loses his magic touch: Glaziers

Gooner breaks Sanogo twitter promise

An Arsenal fan has had to back track after he promised to run naked down Regent Street if 'useless' Yaya Sanogo scored a hat trick: Gooner

He now claims that the second goal was an own goal, but he could have said that Championship goals don't count.