Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Welcome back Linvoy Primus
Gilmanton, N.H.: The news of the return of the former Valley favourite has even reached Loon Pond Road, although I have to admit it was not a talking point at Dog Hour on the lake last night. He was a great favourite of many of the longer term Addickted even though his time with us was limited. He is nearing the end of his career but he gives us needed cover. Interesting piece on him in the programme on Saturday.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Justice is done
Despite two penalties awarded against them, one taken a second time to enable Reading to equalise, Charlton came out convincing 4-2 winners against the Royals at The Valley today. Charlton were really up for it and playing as a team. For all their billing as the team that would take the division by storm with automatic promotion a foregone conclusion, Reading were less than impressive and somewhat disjointed.
One of the miserable crew behind said he would leave at half time if Charlton were 0-2 behind and go to Bromley instead, showing what a confident bunch of supporters we have.
Charlton started quite brightly, even though it was an end-to-end affair as it was for much of the game. Holland provided a good pass to Bouazza who had a try. Fortune was out maneouvred, but Bailey recovered well in defence. Holland won the ball. There was momentary danger in front of the Charlton goal. Hudson showed real skill in defence by playing the ball through the legs of a Reading player.
Basey was out manoeuvred by his man and Weaver had to make a save. A good run by Moutaoukil forced a Reading defender to head over his own goal and gave Charlton their first corner. However, Basey's corner was poor. Good work by Bailey set up a shot by Lloyd Sam. Sam then forced a Charlton corner.
Reading were awarded a free kick in a potentially dangerous position, but the Premiership maestros showed their quality by putting the ball out of play. The Addicks launched a counter attack and the impressive Bouazza put in an angled shot that was just wide of the far post.
Sam gave the ball away, but Charlton recovered. Hanhemann in the Reading goal saved from Moutaoukil, but then fumbled the follow up and Holland was able to tap the ball into an unguarded net to make it 1-0.
Weaver made a commanding catch and followed this by a good save. Bouazza cleared a dangerous attack. As Reading pressed for the equaliser, the referee gave Reading a rather generous penalty, but they missed, hitting the woodwork. Basey went in well and Varney had a shot.
Bouazza put in a cross and Hanhemann had to save at point blank range from Gray. An effort by the busy Bouazza was just wide. Varney surged forward in a solo run on goal and was brought down in the box. The referee was clearly disconcerted at the thought of a penalty award to Charlton and consulted the West Stand lino. The penalty was then awarded and Gray slotted the ball home decisively to make it 2-0 to the Addicks.
Bouazza forged away down the wing and was only stopped by a very good tackle. With two minutes added on, Reading were awarded a corner. This was defended far too deeply by Charlton with only Matt Holland coming out when it was partially cleared. Consequently, Sonko was able to put the ball away and revive Reading's hopes by sending the two teams in at half time with a 2-1 scoreline.
Half time: Addicks 2, Royals 1
Lita and Gray had a chat on the halfway line about old times as they waited for the kick off. Charlton were awarded a free kick, but Sam's header went over. There was a worrying moment when Bailey went down.
Reading won a corner and once again it was not played out. The referee awarded a penalty for an alleged foul by Fortune, although I did not see it. Weaver saved Stephen Hunt's first effort. The referee decided that the penalty should be taken again, presumably for encroachment, although I did not see it. This time Hunt struck home to make it 2-2. Bouazza received a yellow card: whether this was for encroachment or dissent I don't know.
Charlton won a corner which was taken by Basey. The ball returned to Basey by the corner flag, but his effort at a cross was overhit. A fierce shot by Luke Varney which tested Hahnemann and led to a Charlton corner. This was taken by Sam and the keeper had to punch the ball out.
Reading were awarded a free kick near the West Stand corner flag and then three corners in succession, but their attempt to take the lead ended in a Charlton goal kick.
Holland provided good defensive work. Sonko received a yellow card for a blatant foul on Varney. Then a good Lloyd Sam cross enabled Varney to head the ball in the net to make it 3-2. This was the decisive goal that turned the game but it was followed by a real peach of a goal by Bouazza which announcer Big Dave Lockwood immediately nominated as a candidate for goal of the season.
Reading decided to go fraternal by bringing on Noel Hunt to partner his brother. Varney powered through but was foiled by the keeper. Fortune put in an excellent ball across the pitch to Bouazza who turned provider for Gray whose effort came off the woodwork, but he was probably offside anyway.
Moutaoukil provided good defensive cover in front of the Charlton goal. Lloyd Sam was replaced by Ambrose. Charm merchant Sonko received a second yellow card for a foul and Reading were down to ten men. As often happens in such cases, they looked more threatening and a shot came off the woodwork. Basey provided good defensive work. Moutaoukil was taken off, receiving warm applause and Semedo replaced him. He was almost immediately fouled by Noel Hunt who received a yellow card.
With four minutes of time added on, Nicky Weaver had to make a good save to preserve Charlton's margin. Charlton were 6th in the table after the other matches were played which is somewhat at odds with the proliferating prognostications of likely relegation. Moreover, the performance today gave real hope.
I was back home in time to hear Dave Pender's Big Saturday Night Party on Radio Scilly (see links). Appropriately, he was playing It's A Beautiful Day as I finished this report. Apparently, Old Town was rocking last night, but not as much as The Valley. And Leamington won to maintain their 100 per cent record.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible (who also contributed a report for tomorrow's Observer) introduced Hameur Bouazza to what is now a Charlton tradition with the award of his first ever Silver Bone in recognition of his constant forays down the flank, his excellent positioning and his superb goal. However, in his first appearance at The Valley Nicky Bailey provided the combative and dominating presence we have needed in midfield for so long and was awarded a special commemorative Silver Biscuit. Nicky Weaver made some great saves, including frustrating two penalty attempts. It was not his fault that Reading were given a second attempt.
Moutaoukil was on song, making some great runs down the wing and looking solid in defence. Basey generally played well, but was out manoeuvred once or twice and his corners are ordinary at best. Fortune is solid most of the time, but makes occasional worrying errors. If only he could concentrate for 90 minutes. Hudson did what was required him of with quiet efficiency. Holland brought dependable solidity to complement the combativeness of Weaver. Apparently his goal was his first at The Valley for over four years. Sam was disappointing in the first half, but improved in the second, providing the assist for one of the goals. Gray took his penalty confidently and showed some nice touches, but sometimes seemed a little slow. Varney got his reward for his efforts with a well taken goal.
Ambrose came on late in the second half and still looked very much the curate's egg, good in parts, but unsatisfactory as a whole. Semedo had a short cameo.
Hiss of the Match There was only one candidate for Juneau the Soccer Cat who awarded it to referee Lee Mason for his inconsistent and often bizarre decision-making. However, Juneau recruited her sister Amber to give a special hiss to the East Stand lino. Reading could do nothing wrong in his eyes, but his facility with the offside flag against the Addicks can only be explained by his time as a guard on trains serving Selhurst and Norwood.
Crowd rating: The team's performance lifted the crowd, but it should really be the other way round. 7/10.
Statesside
I leave early tomorrow morning for the States for work, to New Hampshire (where I have not been before) and Boston Ma. There will consequently be no report on the Preston game.
One of the miserable crew behind said he would leave at half time if Charlton were 0-2 behind and go to Bromley instead, showing what a confident bunch of supporters we have.
Charlton started quite brightly, even though it was an end-to-end affair as it was for much of the game. Holland provided a good pass to Bouazza who had a try. Fortune was out maneouvred, but Bailey recovered well in defence. Holland won the ball. There was momentary danger in front of the Charlton goal. Hudson showed real skill in defence by playing the ball through the legs of a Reading player.
Basey was out manoeuvred by his man and Weaver had to make a save. A good run by Moutaoukil forced a Reading defender to head over his own goal and gave Charlton their first corner. However, Basey's corner was poor. Good work by Bailey set up a shot by Lloyd Sam. Sam then forced a Charlton corner.
Reading were awarded a free kick in a potentially dangerous position, but the Premiership maestros showed their quality by putting the ball out of play. The Addicks launched a counter attack and the impressive Bouazza put in an angled shot that was just wide of the far post.
Sam gave the ball away, but Charlton recovered. Hanhemann in the Reading goal saved from Moutaoukil, but then fumbled the follow up and Holland was able to tap the ball into an unguarded net to make it 1-0.
Weaver made a commanding catch and followed this by a good save. Bouazza cleared a dangerous attack. As Reading pressed for the equaliser, the referee gave Reading a rather generous penalty, but they missed, hitting the woodwork. Basey went in well and Varney had a shot.
Bouazza put in a cross and Hanhemann had to save at point blank range from Gray. An effort by the busy Bouazza was just wide. Varney surged forward in a solo run on goal and was brought down in the box. The referee was clearly disconcerted at the thought of a penalty award to Charlton and consulted the West Stand lino. The penalty was then awarded and Gray slotted the ball home decisively to make it 2-0 to the Addicks.
Bouazza forged away down the wing and was only stopped by a very good tackle. With two minutes added on, Reading were awarded a corner. This was defended far too deeply by Charlton with only Matt Holland coming out when it was partially cleared. Consequently, Sonko was able to put the ball away and revive Reading's hopes by sending the two teams in at half time with a 2-1 scoreline.
Half time: Addicks 2, Royals 1
Lita and Gray had a chat on the halfway line about old times as they waited for the kick off. Charlton were awarded a free kick, but Sam's header went over. There was a worrying moment when Bailey went down.
Reading won a corner and once again it was not played out. The referee awarded a penalty for an alleged foul by Fortune, although I did not see it. Weaver saved Stephen Hunt's first effort. The referee decided that the penalty should be taken again, presumably for encroachment, although I did not see it. This time Hunt struck home to make it 2-2. Bouazza received a yellow card: whether this was for encroachment or dissent I don't know.
Charlton won a corner which was taken by Basey. The ball returned to Basey by the corner flag, but his effort at a cross was overhit. A fierce shot by Luke Varney which tested Hahnemann and led to a Charlton corner. This was taken by Sam and the keeper had to punch the ball out.
Reading were awarded a free kick near the West Stand corner flag and then three corners in succession, but their attempt to take the lead ended in a Charlton goal kick.
Holland provided good defensive work. Sonko received a yellow card for a blatant foul on Varney. Then a good Lloyd Sam cross enabled Varney to head the ball in the net to make it 3-2. This was the decisive goal that turned the game but it was followed by a real peach of a goal by Bouazza which announcer Big Dave Lockwood immediately nominated as a candidate for goal of the season.
Reading decided to go fraternal by bringing on Noel Hunt to partner his brother. Varney powered through but was foiled by the keeper. Fortune put in an excellent ball across the pitch to Bouazza who turned provider for Gray whose effort came off the woodwork, but he was probably offside anyway.
Moutaoukil provided good defensive cover in front of the Charlton goal. Lloyd Sam was replaced by Ambrose. Charm merchant Sonko received a second yellow card for a foul and Reading were down to ten men. As often happens in such cases, they looked more threatening and a shot came off the woodwork. Basey provided good defensive work. Moutaoukil was taken off, receiving warm applause and Semedo replaced him. He was almost immediately fouled by Noel Hunt who received a yellow card.
With four minutes of time added on, Nicky Weaver had to make a good save to preserve Charlton's margin. Charlton were 6th in the table after the other matches were played which is somewhat at odds with the proliferating prognostications of likely relegation. Moreover, the performance today gave real hope.
I was back home in time to hear Dave Pender's Big Saturday Night Party on Radio Scilly (see links). Appropriately, he was playing It's A Beautiful Day as I finished this report. Apparently, Old Town was rocking last night, but not as much as The Valley. And Leamington won to maintain their 100 per cent record.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible (who also contributed a report for tomorrow's Observer) introduced Hameur Bouazza to what is now a Charlton tradition with the award of his first ever Silver Bone in recognition of his constant forays down the flank, his excellent positioning and his superb goal. However, in his first appearance at The Valley Nicky Bailey provided the combative and dominating presence we have needed in midfield for so long and was awarded a special commemorative Silver Biscuit. Nicky Weaver made some great saves, including frustrating two penalty attempts. It was not his fault that Reading were given a second attempt.
Moutaoukil was on song, making some great runs down the wing and looking solid in defence. Basey generally played well, but was out manoeuvred once or twice and his corners are ordinary at best. Fortune is solid most of the time, but makes occasional worrying errors. If only he could concentrate for 90 minutes. Hudson did what was required him of with quiet efficiency. Holland brought dependable solidity to complement the combativeness of Weaver. Apparently his goal was his first at The Valley for over four years. Sam was disappointing in the first half, but improved in the second, providing the assist for one of the goals. Gray took his penalty confidently and showed some nice touches, but sometimes seemed a little slow. Varney got his reward for his efforts with a well taken goal.
Ambrose came on late in the second half and still looked very much the curate's egg, good in parts, but unsatisfactory as a whole. Semedo had a short cameo.
Hiss of the Match There was only one candidate for Juneau the Soccer Cat who awarded it to referee Lee Mason for his inconsistent and often bizarre decision-making. However, Juneau recruited her sister Amber to give a special hiss to the East Stand lino. Reading could do nothing wrong in his eyes, but his facility with the offside flag against the Addicks can only be explained by his time as a guard on trains serving Selhurst and Norwood.
Crowd rating: The team's performance lifted the crowd, but it should really be the other way round. 7/10.
Statesside
I leave early tomorrow morning for the States for work, to New Hampshire (where I have not been before) and Boston Ma. There will consequently be no report on the Preston game.
Friday, 22 August 2008
Varney in hopeful mood
Luke Varney thinks that losing the 'favourite' tags will help Charlton this season and that Reading are a 'tentative' side (there is some support for that in the lack of goals they have scored, but Lita may do the business tomorrow as returning players often do).
Steve Coppell thinks that Dave Mooney, who he has signed from cash strapped Cork City, is the solution to the departure of Dave Kitson. Mooney has at least one thing going for him which is that he turned down a move to Palace in favour of the Royals.
Read more here:
Royals
Steve Coppell thinks that Dave Mooney, who he has signed from cash strapped Cork City, is the solution to the departure of Dave Kitson. Mooney has at least one thing going for him which is that he turned down a move to Palace in favour of the Royals.
Read more here:
Royals
Compare and contrast
Reading keeper Marcus Hanhnemann compares the management styles of Alan Pardew and Steve Coppell (reaching Wokingham on the internet does seem to take a little time):
Pards
He forecasts that Royals fans will be well up with so let us hope that the Addickted rouse themselves.
So, farewell then (permanently), Jerome Thomas. Will his real talent show through at Pompey or will he continue to disappoint?
Pards
He forecasts that Royals fans will be well up with so let us hope that the Addickted rouse themselves.
So, farewell then (permanently), Jerome Thomas. Will his real talent show through at Pompey or will he continue to disappoint?
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
A week away
After a week away on a very relaxing cruise down the coast of Croatia, I find that quite a lot has happened at Charlton in the last week, but on the whole the negative developments outweigh the bad.
By far the worst news is that Racon will be out for three months after being injured at Watford. He looked one of the most promising players against Swansea and he plays in an area where we are particularly weak.
Not only has Youga got himself red carded and hence will miss the clash against the Royals, but Grant Basey is doubtful with a hamstring injury.
The good news is that Faye has finally departed to the Potteries for an 'undisclosed fee' and we have signed Nicky Bailey.
Two other pieces of news may be viewed as mixed. Jerome Thomas has gone out on loan to Portsmouth for a year with the promise of a permanent signing, having made his debut as a substitute in their 4-0 drubbing by Chelsea. Thomas has his fans, although they are tending to decline in numbers. I have felt for some time that he took the view that he deserved better than Charlton and this has affected how he has played for us.
The departure of Dean Sinclair to Cheltenham (again) is almost a piece of non-news. A baffling signing, can't we offload him to them?
More encouraging news was that Leamington have started their season with two 2-1 wins, the last at home against Nuneaton Town in front of a crowd of 1,056 which is excellent for a mid-week game in Level 4 of the non-league.
By far the worst news is that Racon will be out for three months after being injured at Watford. He looked one of the most promising players against Swansea and he plays in an area where we are particularly weak.
Not only has Youga got himself red carded and hence will miss the clash against the Royals, but Grant Basey is doubtful with a hamstring injury.
The good news is that Faye has finally departed to the Potteries for an 'undisclosed fee' and we have signed Nicky Bailey.
Two other pieces of news may be viewed as mixed. Jerome Thomas has gone out on loan to Portsmouth for a year with the promise of a permanent signing, having made his debut as a substitute in their 4-0 drubbing by Chelsea. Thomas has his fans, although they are tending to decline in numbers. I have felt for some time that he took the view that he deserved better than Charlton and this has affected how he has played for us.
The departure of Dean Sinclair to Cheltenham (again) is almost a piece of non-news. A baffling signing, can't we offload him to them?
More encouraging news was that Leamington have started their season with two 2-1 wins, the last at home against Nuneaton Town in front of a crowd of 1,056 which is excellent for a mid-week game in Level 4 of the non-league.
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Booed off
Radio 5 this morning made a point of the fact that Charlton were booed off the pitch after the 0-1 defeat to Yeovil. I wasn't there and other blogs give varying accounts of the performance of the makeshift team. However, with two full backs playing in central defence in the second half, it emphasises our weakness there.
But, as Pards said, it's a matter of availability and finance and the last thing we want is go into administration and have a 10 points deduction.
Too much negativity is creeping in. Keep the faith!
But, as Pards said, it's a matter of availability and finance and the last thing we want is go into administration and have a 10 points deduction.
Too much negativity is creeping in. Keep the faith!
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Enjoy the games!
When we were a mid-table Premiership side, I thought that we could have made a bit more of the League Cup. It was a competition in which we might have progressed, bringing some excitement to the season.
Now it raises a dilemma. It would be a blow to morale to go out to a League 1 side like Yeovil Town. It might give us a tie against Premiership opposition - although that would inevitably mean defeat. But ultimately it is a distraction from the chase for promotion.
Clearly the answer is what is likely to happen: we put out a changed side to give the fringe players a chance, but have some firepower on the subs' bench in case it is needed to avoid humiliation. Someone was saying on Saturday that we are allowed seven subs, but only three can come on. A bit different from Keith Peacock's debut as the first ever sub. It will be like ice hockey soon.
We won't be at the Yeovil game as we are going on holiday tomorrow and I will probably be at sea when we play Watford. I think we could get at least a point out of that match and possibly three. I'll be back for the game against Reading.
I see that the old perennial of why the attendance figure doesn't match the number in the ground is being discussed again. The simple answer is that it would not be worth the effort and cost of counting all the ticket stubs to see if everyone who had a season ticket or bought a ticket had turned up.
Rick Everitt has raised some interesting questions about how some of those 'in attendance' are classified. For example, apparently the referee is allowed to bring a guest. Who does he bring? His mum or the president of his appreciation society? If the latter, does he say afterwards, 'I really liked the panache with which you showed that yellow card in the second half'?
Anyway, enjoy the games. Drinking During the Game thinks it might be called off. I'm not sure if we still have the 'whale' to suck up excess water, but I am sure that the Valley drainage system can prevent the pitch becoming waterlogged.
Enjoy the games!
Now it raises a dilemma. It would be a blow to morale to go out to a League 1 side like Yeovil Town. It might give us a tie against Premiership opposition - although that would inevitably mean defeat. But ultimately it is a distraction from the chase for promotion.
Clearly the answer is what is likely to happen: we put out a changed side to give the fringe players a chance, but have some firepower on the subs' bench in case it is needed to avoid humiliation. Someone was saying on Saturday that we are allowed seven subs, but only three can come on. A bit different from Keith Peacock's debut as the first ever sub. It will be like ice hockey soon.
We won't be at the Yeovil game as we are going on holiday tomorrow and I will probably be at sea when we play Watford. I think we could get at least a point out of that match and possibly three. I'll be back for the game against Reading.
I see that the old perennial of why the attendance figure doesn't match the number in the ground is being discussed again. The simple answer is that it would not be worth the effort and cost of counting all the ticket stubs to see if everyone who had a season ticket or bought a ticket had turned up.
Rick Everitt has raised some interesting questions about how some of those 'in attendance' are classified. For example, apparently the referee is allowed to bring a guest. Who does he bring? His mum or the president of his appreciation society? If the latter, does he say afterwards, 'I really liked the panache with which you showed that yellow card in the second half'?
Anyway, enjoy the games. Drinking During the Game thinks it might be called off. I'm not sure if we still have the 'whale' to suck up excess water, but I am sure that the Valley drainage system can prevent the pitch becoming waterlogged.
Enjoy the games!
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