Smith backs Faye

Rangers manager Walter Smith has given the vote of confidence to Charlton loan player Amdy Faye, despite his being substituted at half time in two matches. He also survived a whole cup game against mighty East Fife. Story here: Faye

Brakes Win Again

Just as Charlton have had a run of defeats, Leamington keep on winning. Admittedly, it is often only by a margin of one, but one is enough. Tonight they defeated Bedworth United 1-0 at the New Windmill Ground to go through to the third round of the Errea (Southern League) Cup.

It was a niggly match with one case of handbags at six paces. Richard Adams burst through to score the only goal in the first half to please the crowd of 426. Clunesie scored in the second half, but it was ruled offside.

Brakes also hit the post, but Bedworth kept fighting to the final whistle and came close to scoring. I took a visitor who had just arrived from California to the game, but quite what he made of it I am not sure.

A Pilgrim visits Charlton

An away fan's perspective on an evening at The Valley. Other away fans have complained to me about the poor facilities in the Jimmy Seed, but then we hit the same problem at many grounds:
Pilgrim

For Kent Addicks

Kent Addicks may enjoy this portrait of the chequered history of Margate who face Leamington in the FA Trophy next Saturday:
Margate

There are also some quite amusing typos: building 'woks' being one.

Charlton linked with Big Pole

Charlton may make a £2m bid for Polish striker Grzegorz Rasiak in the transfer window. However, Saints supremo George Burley is confident that the imminent takeover of the club by a hedge fund will enable him to head off any bids.

One Addick described him as another big lump of a centre forward who would encourage even more of the hopeful long ball rather than playing to feet and using the skills of our midfield. 'Hit and hope' would appear to be the new motto.

There are also rumours that Chris Dickson may be recalled from the Gills.

How much do Charlton fans want success?

This might seem a strange question to ask on the back of three defeats in which the only Charlton goal has been scored by that famous Welsh international, Owen Goal. Writing in the programme for QPR, chief executive Peter Varney reflected on the trauma of relegation.

During that period he notes that he received a lot of personal abuse and no doubt there will be some in his in box tomorrow. I have never met Peter Varney, although I have had some electronic arguments with him and I think that we have different views about a number of things. But there can be no doubt that he is Charlton through and through and strives to make the club a success.

What many Charlton fans evidently like is seeing Academy players on the pitch. Indeed, one reaction to difficulties is to play even more of them as 'they couldn't do any worse.' Well, they could.

Crewe have had a great record of bringing on young players. Charlton could carry out that role very successfully as a League 1 club. But is that what we really want?

I am all for Charlton's community work and its development of young players. But at the end of the day what I want is success on the pitch - by which I mean Charlton established once again in the Premiership.

The difference in levels

Josh Blake

Leamington faced a tough test away at Chesham yesterday, given that the Buckinghamshire club had been on a run of four wins. However, Brakes recorded their sixth league win a row, completing the double over Chesham with a 1-0 win. A parried shot from ex Coventry City ace Ben Mackie enabled Josh Blake to finish off a week on the moving van by removing Chesham's hope of victory.

Brakes are now seven points clear at the top at the BGB Midlands Division which contrasts with Charlton's plight in eighth. One of the calls from Charlton fans is to bring back Chris Dickson given that he has been scoring for Gillingham in League 1. They seem to forget that Luke Varney was playing in the non-league not so long ago and it shows in a lack of polish.

There is a real difference in level between the leagues. I have been surprised this year by how much lower the skill level is in the Championship than in the Premiership. For example, consider Chelsea's second goal yesterday which involved a brilliant pass from Lampard to Drogbha. You will never seen that in the Championship which depends much more on physical strength, something which has worked to Charlton's disadvantage.

It's a few years since I watched quite a bit of League 1 and League 2 football with Rushden and Diamonds. But my view was that League 1 was well above League 2. In particular, it was faster and more accurate. League 2 depended more on hoofing the ball out of defence with no particular object in mind. The difference between League 2 and the fourth level of the non-league where Leamington are is probably less than that between League 2 and the Championship. Hence why McLeod was a great success in League 2 but is not in the Championship.

Leamington is full of ex Academy players, even ones who have played in the Championship. The line between success and failure is a thin one and there is probably an element of luck. However, players who revert to the non-league lack the polish that comes from playing regularly at a higher level.

As I have said for some time, Richard Murray and the board have done a marvellous job for Charlton. But if we are going to succeed, then sooner or later we will need at least an injection of capital.

In this connection, note that a hedge fund has acquired a majority stake in Southampton: Saints . They will be providing funds. The advisers were the same firm (Seymour Pierce) who has so far been unable to find a buyer or investor for Charlton: not their fault as we are a less attractive investment prospect.