It's a Fraeye up

Former interim coach Karel Fraeye has discussed his time at Charlton at some length, complaining that you can't make a chocolate cake with pepper and salt: Karel Fraeye

One cheer for Riga

Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt gives a lukewarm reception to the appointment of Jose Riga as coach: One cheer

Everitt reveals that there was an extraordinary meeting at the weekend at which Richard Murray was present when Katrien Meire asked two senior players who were there whether Fraeye was good enough to continue. This does seem to be a rather odd way of running a football club.

Fraeye, to his credit, said that the club needed to appoint a manager with British experience.

Everitt insists that there must be no let up in attempts to get rid of Duchatelet and Meire.

Fraeye denies involvement in player recruitment

'Interim' coach Karel Fraeye has denied that he has in any way been involved in the recruitment of players at Charlton in the last couple of years: Denial

Fraeye has asked fans not to boycott matches, after a boycott of the Blackburn Rovers game was discussed on line: No boycott please

Charlton go second from bottom

Charlton have gone second bottom in the Championship after losing 4-0 at Burnley.

The Addicks enjoyed the better of the opening stages in at Turf Moor but Johnnie Jackson's shot, which was tipped over by Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, was their only effort on target before they fell behind.

Karel Fraeye is in defiant mood and reckons that the calibre of the opposition has a lot to do with Charlton's poor performances: Don't blame me

The plan was probably to make him permanent coach for the rest of the season, but results make it difficult to take that decision. I don't know if any other Belgians are available.

Into the Fraeying pan

Last week Rick Everitt was treating his gnomes and elves to a round of drinks in the Rose of Denmark for their valiant efforts in selling Voice of the Valley. Then the news came through that Guy Luzon had been sacked and the Rickster was about to celebrate with more drinks. But a surly goblin pointed out that Luzon may have gone, but his replacement might be even worse.

No surprise, then, when Charlton went down 3-0 at Boro today, their third loss in a row by that margin. In the first half, David Nugent's low strike was kept out by Addicks keeper Stephen Henderson as Boro continued to attack. Henderson's acrobatic 27th-minute save then denied on-loan Watford midfielder Diego Fabbrini.

Charlton managed to hold out for 52 minutes, but eventually the pressure by the superior side told, which Charlton offered no attacking threat. Substitute Reza did draw a save from the keeper.

Once again the stats tell a sad tale: possession 74-26 for Boro; they had ten shots on target to our one; and fifteen corners to our two.

The only slight consolation is that Charlton didn't initially fall further down the table, but the goalless draw between Preston and Bolton in the evening kick off put paid to that, pushing the Addicks down to 23rd. However, it is very tight at the bottom, so Tuesday's game with MK Dons is crucial. Taking a longer perspective,a revival could occur under the right leadership.

Fraeye, nevertheless, insists that he does not want to return to the comfort zone of the Belgian third division. He wants the Charlton job on a permanent, long-term basis: A hungry man

Baptism of fire for Fraeye

Karel Fraeye faces a baptism of fire when Charlton play Middlesbrough tomorrow. Our last four encounters with them away at this level in recent years have produced one draw and three defeats. Charlton are 8/1 to win and 7/2 for a draw. A full set of officials from Yorkshire has been provided to ensure that no quarter is shown to southern softies.

I remember a 8-1 win over Boro at The Valley in my first year of supporting Charlton. Gloom merchants have piled in suggesting that we will be beaten 8-0 tomorrow.

I don't think that Stephen Henderson has suddenly become a useless keeper or that Bauer or the returning Diarra have suddenly lost all their skill as central defenders. Our problem is not defensive: other teams in the relegation league have conceded more goals away from home. However, we have only scored three goals away from home this season, a record equalled in the Football League only by Doncaster Rovers.

Shell shocked supremo Fraeye did not give a press conference yesterday, but is to give an interview on the official site today which will no doubt produce some formulaic replies. Fraeye knows that he has given up the comfort of the Belgian third division for an open return ticket on Eurostar. Boro are not the equivalent of Welling United.

It is difficult to see him pulling a rabbit out of the hat and I am forecasting a 2-0 win for the home side.

Charlton fan and author Paul Breen is taking an interest in the Save our Steel campaign and is featured in the local paper: Paul Breen

Hasselbaink for The Valley?

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been named as a possible long-term coach at The Valley. He did not impress as a player at Charlton in the latter stages of his career, but has been very successful at Burton Albion as a manager: Hasselbaink. He is not, of course, Belgian.

Interim coach Karel Fraeye has been told he needs to get results and quickly if he is not to find himself heading for St.Pancras. He faces a tough test at Middlesbrough on Saturday and has ducked out of holding a press conference.

Former Addicks favourite Paul Mortimer says he is shocked by the appointment of Fraye: Morts

Temporary duo in charge

Wim de Corte contemplates the task ahead at Charlton

Karel Fraeye has been appointed as interim head coach at Charlton and he will be joined at Sparrows Lane this morning by fellow Belgian Wim de Corte: Carry on

De Corte is 43 years old. His previous clubs include Standaard Wetteren, Beerschot AC and Roeselare.

The club is to search for a new permanent head coach, but whether this search will extend beyond Belgium or the network more generally remains unclear.

According to The Times this morning, Malky Mackay remains interested in taking the job on a permanent basis. He was expected to become manager of the Glaziers in August 2014, but dropped out of contention after allegations of racist, sexist and homophobic text messages.

The Times also discusses the prospects for Alan Curbishley who has resumed his 'man in the stands' role at Fulham. That is not going to happen and I am far from convinced that such a 'back to the future' move would be the right one. The golden days have gone and they are unlikely to ever come back.

Stephen Henderson has said that all the Charlton players need to take a hard look at themselves and he includes himself: Players to blame as well

This article argues that Charlton have lost their identity: Identity loss

An online petition is now available for fans unhappy with the situation at the club: Communication wanted

A more specific petition asks the FA to investigate the running of Charlton Athletic and to review the fit and proper person criteria: New petition

In Shakespearean mode, Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt gives his latest thoughts on the situation at The Valley: Belgian play. Perhaps he'd like to come and watch Stratford Town at the Anne Hathaway Stadium?

Welcome back, Karel Fraeye

José Riga's assistant Karel Fraeye is to return to Charlton as manager: Karel Fraeye

His Wikipedia entry is in Flemish, which is a language I have no knowledge of, but he has been coach at lower league Belgian club VW Hamme since he left Charlton. The club is in the Belgian 3rd division. I am not sure what the standard is there, but my guess would be League 2 or the top tier of the non-league system.

The news will disappoint fans who had been hoping for an English manager with Championship experience, but that was never very likely at London's Belgian club.

I don't remember much about him from his last stint here, except that he was sometimes seen in intense conversation with Riga walking round Bexleyheath. Riga was the best of the three Belgian coaches we have had so far, so perhaps there is some hope.

C'est Luzon avec Fraeye

Guy Luzon on Eurostar

Sources close to The Valley are claiming that Guy Luzon is to be appointed as the next coach with Karel Fraeye as his assistant. The Addickted have said that they he won't go on a Luzon streak, but you have to give the Guy a chance.

If the appointments go ahead it will be a coup for top fan Jonathan Acworth who was calling for the removal of Bob Peeters before his dismissal and his replacement by Luzon. Perhaps Acworth will be offered a role scouting non-league players for Charlton, so expect to see him at Cray Wanderers.

Luzon left Standard Liege after 18 months in charge in October after supporters rioted and demanded he was sacked following the club’s poor start to the season. Before his spell in Belgium, he spent three years as Israel Under-21 boss and he has also managed a number of clubs in Israel.

During his time in charge of Standard Liege, Luzon worked with Tony Watt, the former Celtic forward signed by Charlton last week. Watt has said he learned more in two months working under Luzon than he did in his final two years with Celtic.

Karel Fraeye will continue to work in Roland's network

Jose Riga's assistant Karel Fraeye has been appointed as head coach of Belgium Division 3 side VW Hamme. The club represents a level higher than his last job in Belgium at Eendracht Zele.

Reflecting on his time at The Valley he said: "I look back on that with a fantastic feeling of adventure. It was an intense period with two matches per week, but I have learned a lot. I cannot thank Mr Duchâtelet enough for this opportunity, but on the other hand, I also want to continue to develop as a head coach. Hence the choice for VW Van Hamme. Hamme is for me a step forward in my development. Mr Duchâtelet understand my choice and supports me 100% because in addition to the work at Van Hamme I will also continue to undertake analyses and scout for the network, just as in the past half year. I will also have a coordinating role for his network." Flemish original text here: Fraeye