Saturday, 15 January 2011

Owls fear Powell reaction

Sheffield Wednesday fear that the appointment of Chris Powell as manager will revitalise Charlton's players for today's fixture at Hillsborough: Owls

I know that many Addicks have decided to go to today's match. Unfortunately I have a work meeting starting at 11 a.m. and that rules me out. Our usual away match reporter Paul May has gone down with the 'flu and Philippa Nicholson only makes the journey from Kent for home matches.

After all the euphoria of yesterday, it is important to remember that it is still (with one addition) the same bunch of relatively limited players and it will take a while for Chris to turn the ship round. Indeed, my current assumption is that, given the timing of the appointment, Keith Peacock will be in charge today. If he could stay for the rest of the season as an assistant to Chris, that would be ideal.

Chris needs to think about bringing in new players and also has to get the team playing football again. Even if the results are not immediately achieved, at least games should be less dire to watch. Realistically I think it is the play offs for us again this season, but another Wembley triumph achieved by Chris is a mouth watering prospect.

In the long line of Charlton managers since the somewhat shadowy and scandal ridden figure of Walter Rayner, notorious for telling officials what he thought of them, this is one of the most daring and exciting appointments. It may be a roller coaster ride, but it has already revived the spirits of the Addickted.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to be pedantic Wynn but I understand that the Play Off finals will not be scheduled at Wemberleeee as it is hosting the Chumps League final.

Good analysis though and a play off berth will not be a disaster if Sir Chris can improve the team by May. The quality of div 3 is not as strong as last season - see how well the three promoted teams are fairing in this season's Championship - so our chances of play off success cod be improved if we improve.

It's definitely got the juices flowing!!

EG Addick

Anonymous said...

Wyn,
I think Chris Powell is the right appointment for Charlton at this time:-
1) Young and fresh (brings no baggage or fixed ideas)- hence he will be willing to learn and flexible in his management of the club.
2) Will be correctly priced in line at the new board's financial planning.
3)He is a Charlton legend - the fans will be much more patient with him than with an experienced prima donna. He knows to club inside out and the importance of fan and community links.
4)His previous employer, Leicester City, did not want to lose him - that says something to me about the quality of the man.

Doubters should remember that Curbs had little or no management experience when they appointed Steve Gritt and him as joint managers after Lennie Lawrence departed to. And that was in a higher division. Look what happened! All to often clubs like Bournmouth in the lowest ranks of the English game give young prospects a chance and then, if success occurs, the vultures from the higher echalons circle to poach them. Well I for one am very pleased they have given youth (if you can call Chris a youth at 41!) a chance.
Yuor suggestion that he retains Keith Powell in a supporting role is very good and I hope it happens as Keith has such a wealth of knowledge to impart.
All the very best

Behind Enemy Lines