Michael Morrison returns to The Valley with Birmingham City next Saturday and the Blues take the view that they need to thank Charlton for their wasteful transfer policy. Manager Gary Rowett reckons that Morrison was the best signing of his career: Morrison
Yes, but we have Roger Johnson.
Birmingham City captain and former Addick Michael Morrison has opened about the circumstances of his departure from Charlton, stressing his respect for the club and its fans: Morrison
It seems like another case of poor treatment of a stalwart player and, what's more, the Blues got him for free.
Michael Morrison says he has nothing to prove in today's game against Charlton. It is a special match and rather weird for Birmingham's 'talismanic' player, but he enjoyed his time with the Addicks: Morrison
Jordan Cousins is the latest Charlton player to be targeted by Premier League clubs. He has been regularly scouted by Aston Villa and West Ham are also interested.
Michael Morrison, as anticipated, has signed a permanent deal with Birmingham City: Morrison
Coincidentally, I just had a Birmingham City supporter in the house (doing a television interview) and he reckoned that Morrison had given them just what they wanted.
Problem is, would you play him in front of TBH and Bikey? I doubt whether he was happy with being cover.
Michael Morrison says that there is no future for him at Charlton. He wants to extend his loan at Birmingham and stay there permanently if possible: Morrison
He did a good job for us and I shall be sorry to see him go, but it is probably inevitable.
Michael Morrison has gone on to an emergency loan to Birmingham City until the end of the year, while much travelled American international Oguchi Onyewu has been brought in on a short-term loan: Loans
I always thought that Michael Morrison was an honest player who did his best for us. Although he made the occasional error, on the whole he did well for us. However, he evidently does not fit into the style of play favoured by Bob Peeters who likes a ball player.
The decision has provoked some discussion about the intentions and strategy of the current regime, but it doesn't seem inconsistent with what they have done so far.
After their defeat of Millwall earlier in the week, Birmingham City manager Lee Clark has urged his players to return to South London tomorrow without any fear: Be Brave . The win at Millwall was their first in nine games in all competitions.
This is not because he underestimates Charlton. Rather than the usual 'easy three points' line from the opposition, exemplified by the Norwich paper which Bob Peeters used as a motivational tool, Clark said after the win at Norwich that a tough match had got tougher.
Charlton will be without Tal Ben Haim because of Yom Kippur which is a major religious festival. Michael Morrison is likely to step into his place. Some Addicks have expressed concern about his match sharpness or whether he can play out from the back as the present style requires. However, he has been a solid and reliable defender for us and I have confidence in him.
Gudmundsson is still out and Joe Gomez has picked up an injury.
Our record against the Blues at home has not been good. Last year we lost 0-2 at home, a result that followed a 1-1 draw in the preceding year. Odds are Charlton, evens; draw, 11/5; Blues, 11/5.
The number nine shirt is currently vacant at The Valley. Last season's incumbent, Simon Church, and Igor Vetokele were keen to take the number but it was reserved for Delort who went to Wigan.
One player thought to be on the radar for a loan switch to the Addicks is Sunderland's much travelled striker, Danny Graham. The Gateshead born 29-year-old has made league appearances for Middlesbrough, Darlington, Derby, Leeds, Blackpool, Carlisle, Watford, Swansea, Sunderland and Hull. He would be well placed to take over Michael Portillo's Great Railway Journeys programme.
Charlton were interested in Graham several years ago when he was at Carlisle, but he moved to Watford instead, where he enjoyed the best spell of his career, scoring 37 goals in 91 league appearances. He moved from Watford to Swansea, then returned to his native north east with a big money move to the Stadium Of Light.
For whatever reasons, Graham's move to Sunderland has not worked out and he has so far failed to score for the Black Cats. It may well be that the Championship is the level where Graham is at his most effective.
The South London Press are reporting that the club would be willing to let Michael Morrison go on a free transfer. Morrison only penned a new deal in the summer but Tal Ben Haim and Andre Bikey are Bob Peeters' preferred central defensive pairing.
Whether he would initially go out on loan, or agree to have his contract cancelled so he could sign a permanent deal as a free agent, remains to be seen. Big Bob would probably prefer a more technical player than Morrison, who is a traditional no frills British defender.
I think Morro has worked hard for us and I would be sorry to see him go, but I understand that he may feel that he needs to pursue his career elsewhere rather than languishing on the sidelines at Charlton.
Former Addick Carl Jenkinson has joined West Ham on a year's loan from Arsenal. He says that he has 'a lot of friends' at the Boleyn Ground and it is the place where 'he always wanted to go'. Possibly one new friend he will make is Diego Poyet and they can swap stories about their escape from The Valley. Read more here: Jenkinson
My season ticket has arrived, something that always heralds the start of a new season. Equine magnate John Window got his last week and I was in some trepidation about mine coming at all after the local Post Office managed to lose a parcel addressed to me. However, the mystery was solved when it transpired they had been looking at the sender's address in Andover rather than mine.
Apparently Michael Morrison and Lawrie Wilson, two popular players, have been delivering season tickets to some fans personally this afternoon, a nice idea.
Many fans will, of course, be using the Rickshaw service this season which will be augmented by new First World War surplus vehicles from Belgium - picture below.
New standards of rider comfort
Speaking to his home town paper, Michael Morrison (not a Belgian) said that he is delighted with his new deal at The Valley which means that he will not have to move house. He reckons that Charlton could be an 'unknown quantity' this season which he is one way of putting it: Morrison
Shame that they refer to us as 'The Valiants'.
Elsewhere Flemish language sources are linking us with Club Brugge's Lior Refaelov. He is an attacking rights-sided midfielder which would be useful. Like Ben Haim he is an Israeli, so they could chat in Hebrew when they are not speaking Flemish or French. Basic career outline: Refaelov
Press reports this morning are suggesting that Michael Morrison has turned down offers from Ipswich, Rotherham and Wigan and will sign a new two year contract with the Addicks. Good news, if true.
Charlton are reported to be chasing high scoring out of contract Coventry City midfielder Franck Moussa: Moussa
Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Huddersfield are also interested, but the 24-year old may be attracted to the nearest thing you can find to a piece of Belgium in England.
Moussa had a two year spell at Leicester City: Career details
Meanwhile, a number of clubs are interested in obtaining Michael Morrison's signature including José Riga's Blackpool: Morrison
Charlton drew 0-0 with Bolton at The Valley this afternoon to secure what might have been a useful point if they had beaten Barnsley on Tuesday. As it is, they have gone ahead of Blackpool on goal difference. The Seasiders lost 0-1 at home to Burnley and sound as if they are in free fall. Their assistant coach was sent to the stands after he shoved a substitute in the face as he was about to go on the pitch and fans halted the match by throwing hundreds of tennis balls on the pitch in protest at owner Karl Oyston.
By contrast at Charlton fans got behind the 'sea of red' day. I paid the price for wearing an old CASC top by being stopped by someone at London Bridge with a question about the CAS Trust. Director Katrien Meire came on to the pitch before the game to address fans and was listened to respectfully and was politely applauded, although in the excitement she almost left her capacious handbag by the dugout.
In the first half I felt that we were giving Bolton too much space to attack, especially down their right. Our own efforts to score were way off target. We started to get on target more in the second half, but the key moment was when Church took the ball off the keeper and appeared to be ready to score when the keeper brought him down with his leg. However, the portly referee did not award a penalty and his linesman rubbed it in by repeatedly shaking his head in front of the East Stand.
Astrit Ajdarevic, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Simon Church and Johnnie Jackson all squandered first-half opportunities. David Wheater volleyed over for Bolton and Matt Mills had a header cleared off the line for the visitors. Ajdarevic fired wide and keeper Adam Bogdan did well to block Ghoochannejhad from having a shot. Church also missed a header and Ajdarevic, Ghoochannejhad and Jackson all failed with poor efforts.
Wheater and Mills had chances for Bolton either side of half-time, with Diego Poyet clearing the latter's effort on the goalline. It took 63 minutes for Charlton to have a shot on target, with Bogdan saving Ghoochannejhad's weak shot, and moments later the keeper had to make his second save, this time from Church. Ajdarevic had another effort saved and Jordan Cousins, Jon Obika and Michael Morrison all missed the target. The Addicks would have been made to really pay had Danns done better after Bolton charged down the pitch to find space in front of goal but he scooped his effort over the bar.
Once again we played some neat football, but failed to find the back of the net.
Match analysis
There were a number of strong contenders for the Silver Bone but Ivy the Terrible finally awarded it to Michael Morrison. It was good to see him back and he was strong when he needed to be. Hamer did not have a lot to do, although he did dither unnecessarily once or twice. Dervite was very solid, although one or two attempted passes were poor. Fox had an excellent debut at The Valley, dealing with his opposite number well, making himself available and putting in some good crosses. Wilson got forward well and put in some good passes. One Addick commented rather cruelly that watching Jackson was like seeing a family pet at the end of his life. He did try his best, but he is slowing down markedly. Cousins is knackered, having played too many games at his age at this level. It showed, for example by giving away an unnecessary free kick in a dangerous position. But he did make some good contributions. Poyet once again displayed his natural talents. Astrit is clearly affected by his chest infection, but put in a good shift and was warmly applauded when he was substituted. Reza is disappointing in terms of speed and reaction for someone who is an international player. Church was very involved and was unlucky not to win a penalty. Green seemed to be peeing in the dugout before he came on. He was completely clueless, wandering out of position and making no real contribution. Obika changed very little when he came on. Hughes is often a substitute, but rarely makes it on to the pitch. This was one of the exceptions and he was brought on to shore up the defence and hang on to the point.
Rescue Cat Reg has given the Hiss of the Match to the East Stand linesman who displayed some poor decision-making. The referee was also reluctant to notice pushes in the back.
The following report has been carried by Sky Sports.
Sky Sports understands Charlton face a battle to hang on to star defender Michael Morrison this summer. Morrison has been one of Charlton's shining lights this season and he is out of contract at the end of the season. Charlton are yet to tie down Morrison to a new deal and a number of clubs are monitoring his contract situation.
The 26-year-old is regarded as one of the best defenders outside the Premier League, having made over 300 league appearances already in his career. Morrison, who has only missed three league games since 2011, has played a key role in helping the club climb out of the bottom three in the Championship in recent weeks their last ten games.
Charlton are expected to offer Morrison a new deal, but they may struggle to match offers from elsewhere as his suitors look to lure him away from The Valley.
Charlton head coach José Riga tried to get in another striker before the loan window closed, but was not successful. Hence, he has to rely on what he already has in the squad: Striker
He may, of course, not have the range of contacts within the game that a British coach would have.
Michael Morrison says that the Addicks will have no one to blame but themselves if they get relegated and he will take personal responsibility: Morrison. He also says that coach José Riga will rely on squad rotation given the hectic pace of games for the rest of the season.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon made the long journey down to Oxford on Tuesday night to check out Yann Kermorgant: Kermorgant
No doubt he was impressed with what he saw and with just six months left on his contract he would not be an expensive option. However, he is only one of a number of strike options that Celtic are checking out and Charlton would be reluctant to let him go. Richard Cawley of the SLP has tweeted that Kermorgant wants to be reassured about Chris Powell's future before he discusses his own situation.
Apparently Lennon was also checking out Michael Morrison, but Kermorgant was his main focus.
According to Sky Sports, a number of clubs are monitoring Charlton defender Michael Morrison's contract situation at The Valley. They understand that several Championship sides and Celtic are keeping tabs on highly-rated centre back Morrison. The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and as yet there has been no new offer of a new deal at Charlton.
The news has alerted a host of sides to Morrison's possible availability with the 25-year-old establishing himself as one of the best defenders outside the Premier League. The former Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday man has already made over 300 appearances in his career and is vice-captain at Charlton. Charlton are thought to be keen to keep Morrison, but could find their resolve tested this month as his suitors weigh up moves for the player.
However, one well-informed source made the following interesting point, 'I think maybe Players' Agents' are trying to force Charlton's hand to offer new contracts to their clients by means of stating interest from other clubs, which may well be just casual enquiries.'
Michael Morrison has pleaded in the Football League Paper this morning for help for Charlton's struggling strikers. He calls for reinforcements up top if the Addicks are to avoid a relegation scrap this season.
Morrison said, 'Church has had to play up front on his own quite a bit this season but Yann is back now and we are going with two up top which has and will make us stronger going forward. There have been glimpses of that but hopefully it will be something that gets solved sooner rather than later.'
'Having a permanent partner for Simon - him being able to link up with somebody and moving the two centre halves and running in behind rather than being the man who does the day's work - will help him. I think they will click soon enough and they will be a great partnership, though. [This implies that they haven't been up to now and often they do seem to play some way apart].'
Morro concluded, 'Simon has got goals in him when he has that partner up front. We maybe could have had a bit more quality in the final third.'
The FLP concludes that 'the answer to Charlton's prayers' may be American billionaire Josh Harris. Nothing more has been heard on that front recently, but that doesn't mean that there is no possibility of a takeover.
I said that I would have taken a point before the game and the 1-1 draw at Watford represents a good result for Charlton, especially with Millwall crashing to defeat at home. The draw keeps the Addicks in 17th place. Charlton had 62 per cent of the possession.
Charlton thought they had opened the scoring when Richard Wood got the ball over the line, but the offside flag was already up. Just after the break, Belakem, who had already tripped Simon Church on the edge of the box, repeated his error and gave away a penalty for an unnecessary sliding challenge on Wilson. Zola claims that there was no contact and that Wilson should have been booked for simulation. Kermorgant made no mistake from the spot, firing high in the net past the keeper's left hand, to make it 1-0 on 47 minutes.
Minutes later Deeney forced a smart low save from Hamer. The Hornets equalised on 71 minutes through Pudil after Ben Hamer could only parry a shot from Fabbrini. Stephens tested Almunia on 60 minutes and Jackson later went close for the Addicks, but Watford were able to celebrate their 1,000th draw in league football, although manager Gianfranco Zola made it clear afterwards that expectations were higher for the match and things didn't go as he wanted.
The Football League Paper this morning gives scores of 7 to Dervitte, Morrison and Kermorgant. Dervitte 'worked well with Morrison and Wood, stood firm in face of Watford pressure.' Morrison was 'solid at the back, coped comfortably with Deeney for the most part.' Good to see Morro back on form.
