Seoul: It's a stormy Saturday morning in Korea and a little dificult to focus on event alongside the M6 later today when Walsall will attempt to the double over Charlton. The home defeat to the Saddlers was one of the worse in our season. It is generally acknowledged that Walsall were a poorer team then they are now, but they had nothing to lose and had a go realising that a Charlton team lacking confidence could be taken apart.
Now we are playing for pride, a possible top ten finish and to do the decent thing to other relegtion contenders. I am forecasting a 1-1 draw (don't put any money on it as my recent run of luck will come to an end).
Rumour has it that Elliot, back from injury, will be returning between the posts. Is this a good idea as Sullivan seems to have done quite well?
Miguel Llera is on the way out of The Valley when his contract expires. He has been a professional but erratic player who has scored some important goals but been insufficiently reliable in defence,
Friday, 29 April 2011
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Racon discusses contract situation
Thierry Racon discusses his contract situation, emphasising that he is happy at Charlton and comfortable in London: Racon
I'm off to Korea this morning so coverage of the Walsall game will be limited.
I'm off to Korea this morning so coverage of the Walsall game will be limited.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Prediction comes true
I'm having a run of luck with my predictions at the moment and, as I forecast, Charlton beat Rochdale 3-1 at The Valley this afternoon. Racon opened the scoring for Charlton on 31 minutes and that was how it remained at the break.
Rochdale equalised on 51 minutes, but Parrett replied by opening his account with the Addicks just one minute later. Eccleston scored the third on 76 minutes. This was rated as a particularly good goal following a great cross by Benson.
Possession was evenly divided but tellingly the Addicks had ten shots on targets to three.
One person who was there gave Parrett as MOTM, 'was everywhere although tired towards the end. Racon got better as the game went on, his goal did him a lot of favours because he was at best in and out up until then.'
Calum Harriot came on as a late substitute to make his debut for the Addicks (the BBC refers to him as Harriots but perhaps their source had double vision).
Charlton remain 13th, but the target of a top half finish is within their grasp.
Rochdale equalised on 51 minutes, but Parrett replied by opening his account with the Addicks just one minute later. Eccleston scored the third on 76 minutes. This was rated as a particularly good goal following a great cross by Benson.
Possession was evenly divided but tellingly the Addicks had ten shots on targets to three.
One person who was there gave Parrett as MOTM, 'was everywhere although tired towards the end. Racon got better as the game went on, his goal did him a lot of favours because he was at best in and out up until then.'
Calum Harriot came on as a late substitute to make his debut for the Addicks (the BBC refers to him as Harriots but perhaps their source had double vision).
Charlton remain 13th, but the target of a top half finish is within their grasp.
Glass shattered
Leamington won a morale boosting 3-2 victory over bogey team Stourbridge at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon in front of a crowd of just under 800. The well-deserved win set them up for Thursday night's playoff semi-final at Hednesford Town.
The Glassboys were cutting through Brakes like glass in the early exchanges. An early Stourbridge corner led to an effort that went just over the bar. Keeper Breeden and Glassboys charm merchant Ben Billingham got a talking to from the referee after a scuffle. In fact the referee was rather fond of long talking tos, although on the whole Mr Stretton had a good game.
Billingham then dived and somewhat oddly Stour were given a corner when I would have thought it was either a yellow card or a penalty. Gordon Bennett, the corner came in and Nathan Bennett delivered a bullet header to put the visitors ahead after just 8 minutes, sending the rather desultory chorus of visiting glass blowers into ecstasy. Stourbridge continued to edge the game for the rest of the half.
Half time: Brakes 0, Glassboys 1
Corbett put in a great header but somehow keeper Lewis Solly managed to tip it over the bar. However, following chants of 'You'll never beat the Stour' from the visiting contingent, Brakes broke down the right and it was Jamie Sheldon who found the back of the net.
After one free kick, a second nearer the goal was awarded to Stour for a tangle on the ground between two players. McCone converted with a header to make it 1-2.
The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot on 75 minutes and it was Brakes captain Richard Batchelor who stepped up to take the penalty after some attempts at delay and obstruction by the keeper. Solly jumped up and down on his line, but Batchelor drove low and firmly into the net to make it 2-2.
Brakes were really accelerating now and it was Luke Corbett who made it 3-2 on 85 minutes. James Husband had a chance to make it four when he was one-on-one with the keeper but was unable to find the back of the net.
Then it was time to cue the celebrations in the sunshine. Whatever the outcome on Thursday, when I shall be on a plane to Korea, it has been a satisfying season at the New Windmill Ground.
The Glassboys were cutting through Brakes like glass in the early exchanges. An early Stourbridge corner led to an effort that went just over the bar. Keeper Breeden and Glassboys charm merchant Ben Billingham got a talking to from the referee after a scuffle. In fact the referee was rather fond of long talking tos, although on the whole Mr Stretton had a good game.
Billingham then dived and somewhat oddly Stour were given a corner when I would have thought it was either a yellow card or a penalty. Gordon Bennett, the corner came in and Nathan Bennett delivered a bullet header to put the visitors ahead after just 8 minutes, sending the rather desultory chorus of visiting glass blowers into ecstasy. Stourbridge continued to edge the game for the rest of the half.
Half time: Brakes 0, Glassboys 1
Corbett put in a great header but somehow keeper Lewis Solly managed to tip it over the bar. However, following chants of 'You'll never beat the Stour' from the visiting contingent, Brakes broke down the right and it was Jamie Sheldon who found the back of the net.
After one free kick, a second nearer the goal was awarded to Stour for a tangle on the ground between two players. McCone converted with a header to make it 1-2.
The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot on 75 minutes and it was Brakes captain Richard Batchelor who stepped up to take the penalty after some attempts at delay and obstruction by the keeper. Solly jumped up and down on his line, but Batchelor drove low and firmly into the net to make it 2-2.
Brakes were really accelerating now and it was Luke Corbett who made it 3-2 on 85 minutes. James Husband had a chance to make it four when he was one-on-one with the keeper but was unable to find the back of the net.
Then it was time to cue the celebrations in the sunshine. Whatever the outcome on Thursday, when I shall be on a plane to Korea, it has been a satisfying season at the New Windmill Ground.
Woolwich rejects in whinge mode
Sometimes it's nice to share someone else's misery and 606 last night was dominated by fans from the Woolwich rejects fulminating about Arsene Wenger. The press have been in full cry after him for some time and even Radio Scilly was on his case this morning.
As Charlton fans we would be happy with a consistent top four finish. Indeed, we would settle for mid-table mediocrity in the Premier League or even a place in the Championship for now. The sense of entitlement to a trophy among Arsenal fans is overwhelming.
Incidentally, one of the callers was 'David from Blackheath'. Was he a legacy of the generations of Arsenal fans in South-East London that hit our attendance in the 1950s or was he a recent immigrant to upscale Blackheath?
By the way, it was interesting to hear Charlton referred to as 'South London gits' on the United docu drama last night.
Elsewhere, Leamington are secure in the play offs regardless of the result in this afternoon's clash with the Glassboys, something of a bogey team for the Brakes. Straws in the wind indicate that my role at Leamington may be enlarging. In any event this blog will continue, although I must stop postponing setting up a third division version.
As Charlton fans we would be happy with a consistent top four finish. Indeed, we would settle for mid-table mediocrity in the Premier League or even a place in the Championship for now. The sense of entitlement to a trophy among Arsenal fans is overwhelming.
Incidentally, one of the callers was 'David from Blackheath'. Was he a legacy of the generations of Arsenal fans in South-East London that hit our attendance in the 1950s or was he a recent immigrant to upscale Blackheath?
By the way, it was interesting to hear Charlton referred to as 'South London gits' on the United docu drama last night.
Elsewhere, Leamington are secure in the play offs regardless of the result in this afternoon's clash with the Glassboys, something of a bogey team for the Brakes. Straws in the wind indicate that my role at Leamington may be enlarging. In any event this blog will continue, although I must stop postponing setting up a third division version.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
A Dale fan writes
As Charlton prepare for the bank holiday fixture with Rochdale without captain Jose Semedo, our friendly Rochadle fan writes:
'After today's disappointing 3-2 defeat at Spotland to Carlisle in what was a superb advert for league 1 football, we find ourselves three points behind Bournemouth in the last play off spot with an inferior goal difference with three to play. So nothing less than three wins will do it for us, bearing in mind that the last game is at Bournemouth. And we also require them to drop points. So it is looking unlikely that we will make it.
Ten days ago we recorded a fantastic 2-0 win at home to Southampton, but that, as well as playing twice a week for about five weeks, has taken a lot out of the players and they are running more or less on empty now. They need to raise their game one last time for a finish that involves games with Charlton, Peterborough and Bournemouth but, if the play offs prove out of reach, we can still hopefully equal or better our best ever performance, which was to finish 9th at this level in 1969-70
For Rochdale this has been a wonderful season.' (Which is more than we can say)
Chris Powell was serenaded with a chant of 'Chris Powell's red and white army' as he made his way round to the main stand after being sent off yesterday. Semedo was sent off after player-manager Stuart Campbell fell to the ground clutching is face and angry supremo Powell commented, 'When you see a player-manager wink at the fans and clap his bench, having got an opponent sent off, something is wrong.'
Rochdale have lost three of their last four home games and manager Keith Hill admits that they have wilted in the pressure cooker of the run. I am going for a 3-1 win for the Addicks tomorrow.
'After today's disappointing 3-2 defeat at Spotland to Carlisle in what was a superb advert for league 1 football, we find ourselves three points behind Bournemouth in the last play off spot with an inferior goal difference with three to play. So nothing less than three wins will do it for us, bearing in mind that the last game is at Bournemouth. And we also require them to drop points. So it is looking unlikely that we will make it.
Ten days ago we recorded a fantastic 2-0 win at home to Southampton, but that, as well as playing twice a week for about five weeks, has taken a lot out of the players and they are running more or less on empty now. They need to raise their game one last time for a finish that involves games with Charlton, Peterborough and Bournemouth but, if the play offs prove out of reach, we can still hopefully equal or better our best ever performance, which was to finish 9th at this level in 1969-70
For Rochdale this has been a wonderful season.' (Which is more than we can say)
Chris Powell was serenaded with a chant of 'Chris Powell's red and white army' as he made his way round to the main stand after being sent off yesterday. Semedo was sent off after player-manager Stuart Campbell fell to the ground clutching is face and angry supremo Powell commented, 'When you see a player-manager wink at the fans and clap his bench, having got an opponent sent off, something is wrong.'
Rochdale have lost three of their last four home games and manager Keith Hill admits that they have wilted in the pressure cooker of the run. I am going for a 3-1 win for the Addicks tomorrow.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Nine men Charlton secure point in bad tempered duel
There's a definite 'play to be here next year' feel about the Charlton line up at Bristol Rovers this afternoon. Francis comes in for Solly who is rested. Reid, who made his feelings known in a recent frank tweet, comes in for Racon.
Eccleston, who presumably won't be here next year, gets a chance to partner Benson up front with Wright-Phillips on the bench. Dean Parrett replaces Wagstaff who has a hamstring problem. Sullivan stays in goal with Worner on the bench.
Bristol Rovers won a corner after 22nd seconds reports Paul May from the Memorial Stadium. A shot was fired in and pushed away by Sullivan making a good save, leading to a second corner. The ball was cleared. Charlton weathered the initial storm, but then Sullivan sent a goal kick straight to Hoskins who claimed he was held by Fortune. Nevertheless, Charlton won the goal kick.
Semedo put in a good ball from the right, but Reid’s touch was heavy. Francis put in a cross to no one in particular.
After seven minutes Charlton scored with their first clear chance of the game, Benson delivering with a diving far post header after Eccleston floated in a cross.
Semedo was spoken to by the referee after fouling Lines. Benson cleared the free kick from the edge of the area. Doherty made an important interception to take the ball away from Hoskins at the expense of a corner kick. The move ended in a goal kick for the Addicks.
Hughes put a volley in the net on the 17th minute, but the flag had already gone up for offside. Eccleston put in a good shot after a solo run which tested Logan in the Rovers goal.
Rovers won a free kick in a promising position. Anthony’s header was well wide of the post.
The game slowed down as the heat took its toll. A breeze had picked up, but it died away. Coles received a yellow card for a challenge on Reid.
Parrett found Reid who put in a blistering strike on 29 minutes which was just inches wide of the post. Lambe came on for the Gasheads in place of the injured Hughes. Charlton defended well and a cross from Campbell went straight into the arms of Sullivan. The Addicks were keeping their shape well.
Semedo was given a yellow card for a challenge on Gavin Williams. The free kick went through the wall but wide of the post.
Francis got past Anthony and won the first corner of the game for the Addicks. Semedo’s header went on to the roof of the net. Semedo fed Benson but the striker’s shot went just over the crossbar. A Rovers attack after a quickly taken free kick was snuffed out by Francis.
Fortune put in a good tackle on the edge of the area. Three minutes were added on. Spurs loanee Lamb put in a dangerous cross, but the ball was headed over the crossbar. Semedo was caught on the right ear by Campbell and the referee had a word. The skipper wanted attention and after a delay the physio was allowed on. Logan came way out of his goal to make his views known to the referee which the latter did not appreciate. The half came to a rather bad tempered conclusion.
Half time: Gasheads 0, Addicks 1
McCracken came on for Coles after the break. Within less than a minute Reid had made use of an assist from Bessone to put the ball in the top right-hand corner of the net to make it 0-2 to the delight of the 500 or so Addicks in the crowd of 6,586.
Charlton won a corner after a shout for a penalty for handball. Reid received a booking for a tug on Anthony. Eccleston advanced but Rovers keeper Logan dealt with the situation well. Tunnicliffe then had to come to the rescue of Logan who almost let in Benson.
Reid put in a late and high challenge on Tunnicliffe, he received a second yellow and Charlton were reduced to ten men. The stretcher came on as Tunnicliffe’s right leg was strapped. The Addicks switched to a 4-5-1 formation with Benson on his own up front. Wayne Brown came on for Rovers.
Benson was caught from behind by Senda. Semedo received a second yellow card for using the elbow on player-manager Campbell and Charlton were down to nine players. Chris Powell was livid and made his thoughts known to the referee.
Bessone went down winded and the physio was allowed on to the annoyance of the Gasheads. He had to come on, leaving Charlton with eight men. Benson headed away Anthony’s long throw for a corner.
After Stewart lost possession, Rovers counter attacked and Brown scored to make it 1-2 after a solo run from Hoskins.
Francis put in a good tackle on Hoskins. Benson was replaced by Nouble and Solly also came to replace Parrett in a double substitution. A cross from Lambe came off Bessone for a Rovers corner taken by their player-manager Campbell. Sullivan saved comfortably from the header by Lines.
Lambe dived, but was not booked. Sullivan saved to deny Brown. Former Spanner Senda got in a cross, but Doherty was pushed and Charlton won a free kick.
Lambe went down and Rovers were given a free kick on the edge of the penalty area near the byline. Doherty headed clear. Anthony put in an effort but Sullivan saved. Stewart put in a good tackle. Eccleston forced a save from Logan.
Senda put in a poor shot from distance as the Addicks defended well. Fortune put in a good clearing header. Charlton applied the offside trap well to win a free kick.
Williams clearly used his arm to bring the ball under control but he put the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-2 on 86 minutes. Chris Powell and Jon Fortune were both spoken to and the manager was sent off and had to make his way to the main stand on the opposite side from the dugout.
A shot at close range from Rovers went over the crossbar. For arguing that Hoskins was offside, Fortune was booked.
Six minutes were added on. Charlton won a free kick after Eccleston was obstructed. Brown fired a shot over. Rovers won a corner in the last of the six minutes. Brown’s effort was high and wide.
As Wyn Grant predicted it was 2-2 but not in circumstances he anticipated. Scuffles broke out on the pitch after the whistle between the players as Fortune calmed things down.
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Eccleston, who presumably won't be here next year, gets a chance to partner Benson up front with Wright-Phillips on the bench. Dean Parrett replaces Wagstaff who has a hamstring problem. Sullivan stays in goal with Worner on the bench.
Bristol Rovers won a corner after 22nd seconds reports Paul May from the Memorial Stadium. A shot was fired in and pushed away by Sullivan making a good save, leading to a second corner. The ball was cleared. Charlton weathered the initial storm, but then Sullivan sent a goal kick straight to Hoskins who claimed he was held by Fortune. Nevertheless, Charlton won the goal kick.
Semedo put in a good ball from the right, but Reid’s touch was heavy. Francis put in a cross to no one in particular.
After seven minutes Charlton scored with their first clear chance of the game, Benson delivering with a diving far post header after Eccleston floated in a cross.
Semedo was spoken to by the referee after fouling Lines. Benson cleared the free kick from the edge of the area. Doherty made an important interception to take the ball away from Hoskins at the expense of a corner kick. The move ended in a goal kick for the Addicks.
Hughes put a volley in the net on the 17th minute, but the flag had already gone up for offside. Eccleston put in a good shot after a solo run which tested Logan in the Rovers goal.
Rovers won a free kick in a promising position. Anthony’s header was well wide of the post.
The game slowed down as the heat took its toll. A breeze had picked up, but it died away. Coles received a yellow card for a challenge on Reid.
Parrett found Reid who put in a blistering strike on 29 minutes which was just inches wide of the post. Lambe came on for the Gasheads in place of the injured Hughes. Charlton defended well and a cross from Campbell went straight into the arms of Sullivan. The Addicks were keeping their shape well.
Semedo was given a yellow card for a challenge on Gavin Williams. The free kick went through the wall but wide of the post.
Francis got past Anthony and won the first corner of the game for the Addicks. Semedo’s header went on to the roof of the net. Semedo fed Benson but the striker’s shot went just over the crossbar. A Rovers attack after a quickly taken free kick was snuffed out by Francis.
Fortune put in a good tackle on the edge of the area. Three minutes were added on. Spurs loanee Lamb put in a dangerous cross, but the ball was headed over the crossbar. Semedo was caught on the right ear by Campbell and the referee had a word. The skipper wanted attention and after a delay the physio was allowed on. Logan came way out of his goal to make his views known to the referee which the latter did not appreciate. The half came to a rather bad tempered conclusion.
Half time: Gasheads 0, Addicks 1
McCracken came on for Coles after the break. Within less than a minute Reid had made use of an assist from Bessone to put the ball in the top right-hand corner of the net to make it 0-2 to the delight of the 500 or so Addicks in the crowd of 6,586.
Charlton won a corner after a shout for a penalty for handball. Reid received a booking for a tug on Anthony. Eccleston advanced but Rovers keeper Logan dealt with the situation well. Tunnicliffe then had to come to the rescue of Logan who almost let in Benson.
Reid put in a late and high challenge on Tunnicliffe, he received a second yellow and Charlton were reduced to ten men. The stretcher came on as Tunnicliffe’s right leg was strapped. The Addicks switched to a 4-5-1 formation with Benson on his own up front. Wayne Brown came on for Rovers.
Benson was caught from behind by Senda. Semedo received a second yellow card for using the elbow on player-manager Campbell and Charlton were down to nine players. Chris Powell was livid and made his thoughts known to the referee.
Bessone went down winded and the physio was allowed on to the annoyance of the Gasheads. He had to come on, leaving Charlton with eight men. Benson headed away Anthony’s long throw for a corner.
After Stewart lost possession, Rovers counter attacked and Brown scored to make it 1-2 after a solo run from Hoskins.
Francis put in a good tackle on Hoskins. Benson was replaced by Nouble and Solly also came to replace Parrett in a double substitution. A cross from Lambe came off Bessone for a Rovers corner taken by their player-manager Campbell. Sullivan saved comfortably from the header by Lines.
Lambe dived, but was not booked. Sullivan saved to deny Brown. Former Spanner Senda got in a cross, but Doherty was pushed and Charlton won a free kick.
Lambe went down and Rovers were given a free kick on the edge of the penalty area near the byline. Doherty headed clear. Anthony put in an effort but Sullivan saved. Stewart put in a good tackle. Eccleston forced a save from Logan.
Senda put in a poor shot from distance as the Addicks defended well. Fortune put in a good clearing header. Charlton applied the offside trap well to win a free kick.
Williams clearly used his arm to bring the ball under control but he put the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-2 on 86 minutes. Chris Powell and Jon Fortune were both spoken to and the manager was sent off and had to make his way to the main stand on the opposite side from the dugout.
A shot at close range from Rovers went over the crossbar. For arguing that Hoskins was offside, Fortune was booked.
Six minutes were added on. Charlton won a free kick after Eccleston was obstructed. Brown fired a shot over. Rovers won a corner in the last of the six minutes. Brown’s effort was high and wide.
As Wyn Grant predicted it was 2-2 but not in circumstances he anticipated. Scuffles broke out on the pitch after the whistle between the players as Fortune calmed things down.
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