The move of Andy Reid to Sunderland for £4m, although not all of that is up front, has been confirmed while right back Greg Halford comes in the opposite direction on loan for the rest of the season. The 23-year old is known for his long throw-ins, possibly giving Pards another weapon in his armoury.
However, the Charlton supremo was somewhat qualified in his welcome: 'He's coming here on loan and I think he's got a lot to prove. It didn't work out for him at Reading, it didn't work out for him at Sunderland, so I think he needs to be a success here.'
It has been questioned why we need a right back with Moutaoukil on form, but we have limited cover and Halford is more of a utility defender.
The departure of Reid has clearly come as a blow to many of the Addickted, but perhaps the extent of the club's financial plight is perhaps now sinking in. If a finger of blame is to be pointed it should be at the manager of relegation threatened Coventry City. Who knows, having sent Palace down on the last day of the season, we might do the same for the Sky Blues and their manager.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Cook signs for Addicks
Charlton have signed on loan until the end of the season 25-year old Lee Cook, a 5 ft. 9 ins. left winger who has been struggling to break in at Fulham. Cook is a fanatical Super Hoop and gave Rangers his quarter of a million pound signing on fee when he left them to join Fulham. He was originally a Duck, but he left Aylesbury United for Watford.
Read a full profile here: Cook
Read a full profile here: Cook
Reid on his way
Charlton captain Andy Reid is his on his way to Sunderland for a fee of about £4m and Premiership wages. A disappointed Alan Pardew said: 'It was a difficult decision, but we have to look at ourselves and say "are we going to let this affect us or will this make us stronger?" Hopefully, the latter will happen. I feel we've coped well without him since he has been injured - he is still carrying an injury - but it was a tough call for all parties, and also Andy himself.'
The £1m profit on his sale was clearly a factor in the sale. Pards said, 'I still think there are benefits to this deal for us as well as negatives, and the security of the club is key. It's a tight situation when you get relegated. The board laid out heavy investment when we went down and we're paying the price. You never want to lose good players but that doesn't mean it's the end of our campaign.'
I don't think it is. When Reid played too much of our game went through him. It worked well in a 4-5-1 format but I am not sure it would work as well in the 4-4-2 we are now favouring. Often Reid tended to slow the game down. He is also injury prone.
What this does show once again is how limited the club is by its current financial basis. It has been ever thus: in the 1950s we were known as a selling club. The present board have provided great leadership and substantial financial help, but we are increasingly surrounded by clubs that have benefited from a substantial injection of outside capital.
However, the word from the agm is that there is unlikley to be any substantial external investment and the existing directors will be required to dig into their pockets again through a share issue.
The £1m profit on his sale was clearly a factor in the sale. Pards said, 'I still think there are benefits to this deal for us as well as negatives, and the security of the club is key. It's a tight situation when you get relegated. The board laid out heavy investment when we went down and we're paying the price. You never want to lose good players but that doesn't mean it's the end of our campaign.'
I don't think it is. When Reid played too much of our game went through him. It worked well in a 4-5-1 format but I am not sure it would work as well in the 4-4-2 we are now favouring. Often Reid tended to slow the game down. He is also injury prone.
What this does show once again is how limited the club is by its current financial basis. It has been ever thus: in the 1950s we were known as a selling club. The present board have provided great leadership and substantial financial help, but we are increasingly surrounded by clubs that have benefited from a substantial injection of outside capital.
However, the word from the agm is that there is unlikley to be any substantial external investment and the existing directors will be required to dig into their pockets again through a share issue.
Reid offer increased
Sunderland have apparently increased their offer for Andy Reid to £4m which will be difficult for the board to refuse. Charlton have been getting results without him, although it could be argued that it would have been easier to unlock Stoke with him on the pitch.
Chris Dickson has apparently injured his hamstring in a training ground incident (which according to one account allegedly involved Lloyd Sam's shorts) and will be out for the rest of the season.
Chris Dickson has apparently injured his hamstring in a training ground incident (which according to one account allegedly involved Lloyd Sam's shorts) and will be out for the rest of the season.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Transfer talk
The Express and Star - the paper for those with Black Country dialects - is linking Darren Ambrose with a possible move to the Baggies. There is also speculation about a possible move to the Tractors. Ambrose's inconsistency can be infuriating at times but I am far from sure that we want to sell him to promotion rivals at this stage of the season. Like many other former players, he could well come back to haunt us.
Having failed to lure Stephen Hunt away from Reading, Sunderland are now said to be targeting Andy Reid. The reported offer of £2.5m is paltry and the offer of a Sunderland cast off in exchange is even less attractive. Although there are some uncertainties about how he will slot back into the side when he returns from injury, I would not want to sell him.
Having failed to lure Stephen Hunt away from Reading, Sunderland are now said to be targeting Andy Reid. The reported offer of £2.5m is paltry and the offer of a Sunderland cast off in exchange is even less attractive. Although there are some uncertainties about how he will slot back into the side when he returns from injury, I would not want to sell him.
One goal, three points
In a hard fought match at The Valley last night a goal by Lloyd Sam gave Charlton three points. A two goal win would have put Charlton ahead of their opponents Stoke City rather than level on points with them. I thought the match would be a tight one and selected 1-0 in the pub jackpot beforehand.
From early in the game it was evident that Stoke were out to defend and to employ time wasting techniques to help them. Their keeper approached goal kicks as if he was contemplating the fact that the ball was a spherical object for the first time in his life, while throw ins involved elaborate wiping of the ball.
Ambrose managed to give the ball away, but Sam was able to recover. Charlton were able to exert some pressure. On ten minutes a Stoke throw in led to a corner, but it was unproductive.
Gray won Charlton a corner and a header came in that was just wide. An effort by Sam was deflected for an Addicks corner which was taken short. Ambrose put in a shot, but it was fiercely booted out by a Stoke defender. Addicks reject Ricardo Fuller put in an effort that was just over the bar.
A free kick led to a Charlton corner, but Ambrose put in a poor corner. Ambrose won Charlton a corner and for a moment I thought the ball had crossed the line. The referee awarded a second corner when arguably the ball was in play or had crossed the line.
Weaver had to make an excellent save on the goal line. The referee added on three minutes. Charlton were awarded a free kick but instead of playing it forward Ambrose hoofed it over the bar.
Half time: Addicks 0, City 0
Nicky Weaver had to make a save early in the half. Iwelumo was manhandled to the floor. Ambrose won a throw in by the corner flag. Fuller was given space to advance on goal and put in a dangerous angled shot that went just wide of the far post. Gray advanced on goal but shot straight at the keeper. A Charlton ball went across the front of the Stoke goal, but no one was able to connect.
Iwelumo was replaced by Varney. Stoke won a couple of corners in succession. Darren Ambrose came off in favour of Jerome Thomas. A Charlton corner was taken by Thomas. Luke Varney was one on one with the keeper but hesitated and lost the opportunity. There was a penalty call when Zheng Zhi was fouled in the box.
It looked as if Luke Varney had lost control of the ball by the goal line, but somehow he was able to get it across to Sam who headed it into the net to deliver the long awaited goal. He was taken off shortly afterwards and replaced by Semedo. Carl Dickinson was taken off by Stoke and replaced by Jon Parkin.
The referee added four minutes on. Following a Stoke throw in, Weaver had to make a superb save to deny Stoke an equaliser. After a nice move by Youga, a blatant foul was executed (I'm not sure by which charm merchant from the Potteries) and the referee finally got his book out. There was some afters with McCarthy running up the pitch to express his views and Fuller was spoken to by the referee.
This was a gritty, determined performance by Charlton against a very physical side who would be torn apart in the Premiership. Our final ball still disappoints and I would like us to be a bit more confident in front of goal and hesitate a little less. This was an important win.
My cup runneth over as Leamington went to Staffordshire and inflicted a 2-0 defeat on FA Cup heroes Chasetown who are serious title rivals.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Nicky Weaver for two vital saves that ensured that Charlton got the three points. Paddy McCarthy once again put in a solid performance. Bougherra made one error which gave Fuller a goal scoring opportunity, but also made a good run on goal. Youga was very much in evidence, going forward well, although he seemed to be hanging back more in the second half. Moutaoukil had some excellent touches and shared his delight at the result with the fans afterwards. Holland had an excellent workrate, although perhaps tiring towards the end. He did have some half chances to shoot which he should have taken but hesitated. Ambrose once again had a rather disappointing game. His corners were generally disappointing. Sam deserves all credit for the goal, but to up to then had had a rather mixed game, sometimes failing to get forward enough to create opportunities. Zheng Zhi was very active but his contribution was somewhat limited. The partnership of Gray and Iwelumo does not seem to work too well, too often they were in the same space. Of course Iwelumo was subject to the usual shirt tugging and fouling with no intervention from the referee. Whether Gray is a natural goal scorer remains to be seen.
Varney made a difference when he came on, not least in terms of creating the winning goal. Thomas had some runs forward, but did not make a decisive impact. Semedo looked as impressive as ever when he came on.
Juneau the Soccer Cat gave the Hiss of the Match to gutless referee Mark Harwood. Until this season he was refereeing in Leagues 1 and 2 and it is a shame he didn't stay there. He failed to deal with the early time wasting tactics of the visitors, although he and his officials were alert to foul throws. Above all, he failed to stamp down on constant fouling, only awarding one yellow card late in the game.
Crowd rating: The Addickted were in excellent voice. 8/10.
From early in the game it was evident that Stoke were out to defend and to employ time wasting techniques to help them. Their keeper approached goal kicks as if he was contemplating the fact that the ball was a spherical object for the first time in his life, while throw ins involved elaborate wiping of the ball.
Ambrose managed to give the ball away, but Sam was able to recover. Charlton were able to exert some pressure. On ten minutes a Stoke throw in led to a corner, but it was unproductive.
Gray won Charlton a corner and a header came in that was just wide. An effort by Sam was deflected for an Addicks corner which was taken short. Ambrose put in a shot, but it was fiercely booted out by a Stoke defender. Addicks reject Ricardo Fuller put in an effort that was just over the bar.
A free kick led to a Charlton corner, but Ambrose put in a poor corner. Ambrose won Charlton a corner and for a moment I thought the ball had crossed the line. The referee awarded a second corner when arguably the ball was in play or had crossed the line.
Weaver had to make an excellent save on the goal line. The referee added on three minutes. Charlton were awarded a free kick but instead of playing it forward Ambrose hoofed it over the bar.
Half time: Addicks 0, City 0
Nicky Weaver had to make a save early in the half. Iwelumo was manhandled to the floor. Ambrose won a throw in by the corner flag. Fuller was given space to advance on goal and put in a dangerous angled shot that went just wide of the far post. Gray advanced on goal but shot straight at the keeper. A Charlton ball went across the front of the Stoke goal, but no one was able to connect.
Iwelumo was replaced by Varney. Stoke won a couple of corners in succession. Darren Ambrose came off in favour of Jerome Thomas. A Charlton corner was taken by Thomas. Luke Varney was one on one with the keeper but hesitated and lost the opportunity. There was a penalty call when Zheng Zhi was fouled in the box.
It looked as if Luke Varney had lost control of the ball by the goal line, but somehow he was able to get it across to Sam who headed it into the net to deliver the long awaited goal. He was taken off shortly afterwards and replaced by Semedo. Carl Dickinson was taken off by Stoke and replaced by Jon Parkin.
The referee added four minutes on. Following a Stoke throw in, Weaver had to make a superb save to deny Stoke an equaliser. After a nice move by Youga, a blatant foul was executed (I'm not sure by which charm merchant from the Potteries) and the referee finally got his book out. There was some afters with McCarthy running up the pitch to express his views and Fuller was spoken to by the referee.
This was a gritty, determined performance by Charlton against a very physical side who would be torn apart in the Premiership. Our final ball still disappoints and I would like us to be a bit more confident in front of goal and hesitate a little less. This was an important win.
My cup runneth over as Leamington went to Staffordshire and inflicted a 2-0 defeat on FA Cup heroes Chasetown who are serious title rivals.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Nicky Weaver for two vital saves that ensured that Charlton got the three points. Paddy McCarthy once again put in a solid performance. Bougherra made one error which gave Fuller a goal scoring opportunity, but also made a good run on goal. Youga was very much in evidence, going forward well, although he seemed to be hanging back more in the second half. Moutaoukil had some excellent touches and shared his delight at the result with the fans afterwards. Holland had an excellent workrate, although perhaps tiring towards the end. He did have some half chances to shoot which he should have taken but hesitated. Ambrose once again had a rather disappointing game. His corners were generally disappointing. Sam deserves all credit for the goal, but to up to then had had a rather mixed game, sometimes failing to get forward enough to create opportunities. Zheng Zhi was very active but his contribution was somewhat limited. The partnership of Gray and Iwelumo does not seem to work too well, too often they were in the same space. Of course Iwelumo was subject to the usual shirt tugging and fouling with no intervention from the referee. Whether Gray is a natural goal scorer remains to be seen.
Varney made a difference when he came on, not least in terms of creating the winning goal. Thomas had some runs forward, but did not make a decisive impact. Semedo looked as impressive as ever when he came on.
Juneau the Soccer Cat gave the Hiss of the Match to gutless referee Mark Harwood. Until this season he was refereeing in Leagues 1 and 2 and it is a shame he didn't stay there. He failed to deal with the early time wasting tactics of the visitors, although he and his officials were alert to foul throws. Above all, he failed to stamp down on constant fouling, only awarding one yellow card late in the game.
Crowd rating: The Addickted were in excellent voice. 8/10.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
McLeod turns down Leeds loan move
Addicks striker Izale McLeod has turned down a loan move to Leeds. The South London Press reports that the League One high-fliers made the approach last week, but the 23-year-old rejected the switch because he wants to fight for his place at The Valley.
On one level, this is very heart warming. But the loan system provides an opportunity to play more first team football and hence hone one's skills - which, as a raw talent, is something that McLeod needs.
On one level, this is very heart warming. But the loan system provides an opportunity to play more first team football and hence hone one's skills - which, as a raw talent, is something that McLeod needs.
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