The performance of Leeds against MK Dons was modest, and their performance against Carlisle last night less than modest, suggesting that they are not invicible:
Leeds
Leeds are playing down the injury to Robert Snodgrass who had to be helped off the field last night, claiming that he will be fit to face Charlton on Saturday.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Addicks lose 3-0
Colchester's kick off went straight out for a goal kick, but then Lisbie won an early corner, writes Erith's Paul May among a sell out Charlton crowd in a total of 7,098. The Addicks cleared eventually.
Colchester surged forward, but the ball was blocked and Charlton were able to scramble it clear. Colchester were playing a very direct and forceful game with their two burly strikers. Youga put in a good cross, but Charlton were unable to make use of it.
Llera blocked Platt after another Route 1 attack from Colchester at the expense of a second corner. The U's kept up the pressure, but Bailey eventually cleared. Burton got in behind the defence, but shot over the bar.
After Bailey ran in well, Colchester scraped the ball off the goalline. Charlton kept up the pressure well with Sam and Burton involved, but Bailey put the ball wide. Burton got in behind the somewhat lumbering U's defence but was hauled down.
Lisbie won another corner. It was well dealt with by Burton. Colchester kept up the pressure, but Racon brought the ball under control.
Wordsworth put the ball up in the air, Llera tried to head back to Elliot but there was no communication and the defender put the ball in the net to put the home side 1-0 ahead out of nothing to the fury of Phil Parkinson.
The U's kept up the pressure and a cross almost caught Elliot out. Then the misery was compounded when Llera was outpaced and the U's went 2-0 up from their loan striker Odejayi.
Sam turned provider for Shelvey but he scuffed his shot wide. As Lisbie turned provider for Platt, Richardson had to put it behind for a corner as the Charlton defence wobbled. Dailly was fouled as he cleared the ball from the corner.
Llera put in another dangerous backward header and Elliot berated him. Charlton won a corner and then a second, but U's were able to clear from Shelvey's effort.
Platt put in a shot, Llera smothered it and eventually there was an infringement. Sam won a free kick in a promising position as the game went into two minutes of time added on. The free kick from Shelvey was converted into a corner. The U's were able to clear.
Half time: U's 2, Addicks 0
Word came through that Chris Dickson had scored an equaliser for Bristol Rovers at Southampton.
Elliot saved from a free kick from Wordsworth after Bailey had been judged to foul Lisbie.
On 55 minutes Odejayi effectively put the match beyond reach by making it 3-0 for Colchester after a mistake by Elliot.
On 61 minutes McLeod replaced Spring. Colchester won a corner, but fortunately it was unproductive. The hapless Llera was replaced by Sodje.
Colchester took off Platt and Lisbie went up front. Sodje looked more effective against Odejayi. Shelvey turned provider for Burton and his header was not too far off target.
Sodje had hamstring trouble and Basey was lined up. The U's won a free kick in a promising position, but Charlton won an offside decision. A U's shot was deflected and ended up on the roof of the net. Sodje seemed to have overcome his hamstring problem.
Bailey won Charlton a corner. Shelvey put in a good ball but Williams in the U's goal saved well to the left tipping the ball over at the expense of a corner, but it led to a goal kick.
Shelvey got a yellow card after an incident with O'Toole. McLeod was caught offside. Lisbie had a chance from six yards out to make it 4-0, but fluffed it. Charlton kept up their record of never winning in the league at Colchester. The grumbling has been bubbling along under the surface and it will be gala night for moaners.
Colchester surged forward, but the ball was blocked and Charlton were able to scramble it clear. Colchester were playing a very direct and forceful game with their two burly strikers. Youga put in a good cross, but Charlton were unable to make use of it.
Llera blocked Platt after another Route 1 attack from Colchester at the expense of a second corner. The U's kept up the pressure, but Bailey eventually cleared. Burton got in behind the defence, but shot over the bar.
After Bailey ran in well, Colchester scraped the ball off the goalline. Charlton kept up the pressure well with Sam and Burton involved, but Bailey put the ball wide. Burton got in behind the somewhat lumbering U's defence but was hauled down.
Lisbie won another corner. It was well dealt with by Burton. Colchester kept up the pressure, but Racon brought the ball under control.
Wordsworth put the ball up in the air, Llera tried to head back to Elliot but there was no communication and the defender put the ball in the net to put the home side 1-0 ahead out of nothing to the fury of Phil Parkinson.
The U's kept up the pressure and a cross almost caught Elliot out. Then the misery was compounded when Llera was outpaced and the U's went 2-0 up from their loan striker Odejayi.
Sam turned provider for Shelvey but he scuffed his shot wide. As Lisbie turned provider for Platt, Richardson had to put it behind for a corner as the Charlton defence wobbled. Dailly was fouled as he cleared the ball from the corner.
Llera put in another dangerous backward header and Elliot berated him. Charlton won a corner and then a second, but U's were able to clear from Shelvey's effort.
Platt put in a shot, Llera smothered it and eventually there was an infringement. Sam won a free kick in a promising position as the game went into two minutes of time added on. The free kick from Shelvey was converted into a corner. The U's were able to clear.
Half time: U's 2, Addicks 0
Word came through that Chris Dickson had scored an equaliser for Bristol Rovers at Southampton.
Elliot saved from a free kick from Wordsworth after Bailey had been judged to foul Lisbie.
On 55 minutes Odejayi effectively put the match beyond reach by making it 3-0 for Colchester after a mistake by Elliot.
On 61 minutes McLeod replaced Spring. Colchester won a corner, but fortunately it was unproductive. The hapless Llera was replaced by Sodje.
Colchester took off Platt and Lisbie went up front. Sodje looked more effective against Odejayi. Shelvey turned provider for Burton and his header was not too far off target.
Sodje had hamstring trouble and Basey was lined up. The U's won a free kick in a promising position, but Charlton won an offside decision. A U's shot was deflected and ended up on the roof of the net. Sodje seemed to have overcome his hamstring problem.
Bailey won Charlton a corner. Shelvey put in a good ball but Williams in the U's goal saved well to the left tipping the ball over at the expense of a corner, but it led to a goal kick.
Shelvey got a yellow card after an incident with O'Toole. McLeod was caught offside. Lisbie had a chance from six yards out to make it 4-0, but fluffed it. Charlton kept up their record of never winning in the league at Colchester. The grumbling has been bubbling along under the surface and it will be gala night for moaners.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Wake up call for U's
Aidy Boothroyd admits that his team's stuttering performance against lowly Tranmere Rovers when they came from behind to secure a point was a 'wake up' call for the U's as they prepare to face 'high flying' Charlton: Wake up
It does not read to me as a statement of great confidence, but perhaps it's all mind games.
It does not read to me as a statement of great confidence, but perhaps it's all mind games.
Boothroyd's formula for success
Aidy Boothroyd talks about his formula for success at the U's: Blend
One signs of a successful team is when they don't play that well and win as happened at The Valley on Saturday. Although others thought better of Spring than I did, I will be pleased to see Semedo back on Tuesday.
This will be a tough test, but I think we will remain unbeaten. I am going for a 2-2 draw, but a narrow win is not out of the question. The new stadium looks rather bland in photographs whereas at Layer Road the crowd was very close to the pitch, creating a good atmosphere.
Many Addicks are going to the match, among them Erith's Paul May who will be providing the match report.
One signs of a successful team is when they don't play that well and win as happened at The Valley on Saturday. Although others thought better of Spring than I did, I will be pleased to see Semedo back on Tuesday.
This will be a tough test, but I think we will remain unbeaten. I am going for a 2-2 draw, but a narrow win is not out of the question. The new stadium looks rather bland in photographs whereas at Layer Road the crowd was very close to the pitch, creating a good atmosphere.
Many Addicks are going to the match, among them Erith's Paul May who will be providing the match report.
Unsuitable for children
What happens to you if you are an unsuccessful manager/coach at four clubs? You become a pundit on Match of the Day 2.
Viewers last night were treated to the sight of Iain Dowie deploying his expertise. Seriously folically challenged and pop eyed, Dowie fortunately appeared after the watershed but no warning was given to viewers of a nervous disposition.
Asked by Adrian Chiles to draw on his experience and say what one did if one had one's back against the wall, Dowie attempted jocularity and replied 'Panic'. Or send the team on a crazy training run?
Viewers last night were treated to the sight of Iain Dowie deploying his expertise. Seriously folically challenged and pop eyed, Dowie fortunately appeared after the watershed but no warning was given to viewers of a nervous disposition.
Asked by Adrian Chiles to draw on his experience and say what one did if one had one's back against the wall, Dowie attempted jocularity and replied 'Panic'. Or send the team on a crazy training run?
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Three points secured
It was a hesitant and nervous performance at times, but Charlton secured an important three points in a 2-1 victory over Exeter City at The Valley this afternoon. With Bristol Rovers drawing and MK Dons losing at home to Leeds, the gap with the nearest challengers was widened. Alan Green on 606 forecast that Leeds and Charlton would win automatic promotion at the end of the season.
The Addicks made a storming start to the match but were not immediately rewarded with the goal their play deserved. They then started to fade a little until Nicky Bailey scored the club's 3000th goal to put them 1-0 ahead at half time. The first goal was also scored against Exeter.
We seemed to want to mount all our attacks down the right in the first half, missing opportunities to feed the ball to Bailey or Youga on the left. There was also a lot of carelessness and casualness in our play.
We failed to impose ourselves on the match in the second half and the visiting Grecians went wild when they scored a goal that was offside. Substitute Izale McLeod seemed to put the game beyond doubt with a second, but Exeter scored a consolation, leading to a nervous last few minutes.
Detailed report
Some of the omens for the day were not good. I rang up Steve Watt who was hosting Radio Scilly's breakfast show, told him I was going to the match and he assumed that I was supporting the Grecians and regaled me with tales of his time watching them when he was at uni in Exeter.
Then we were badly delayed on the Bakerloo Line by a signal failure, the journey from Marylebone to Charing Cross taking 50 minutes instead of the usual 15. If London Transport had told us how severe the delays were we would have got on the 453 bus. Then I noticed that the tide on Deptford Creek was very low.
The Addicks made a storming start from the kick off with Lloyd Sam putting in a good cross. Kelly Youga evaded two Exeter defenders but was brought down by a third, winning a free kick in a good position. Shelvey's free kick was on target was saved by Sweden's Under 21 goalkeeper Oscar Jansson in the Grecians' goal.
Bailey turned provider for Burton, but he headed over. Lloyd Sam put in a good cross, but the ball went over the crossbar, Burton having got in the way of Shelvey.
An Exeter corner led to a moment of danger and the ball had to be cleared off the line by Bailey. Spring made an important interception. Stansfield forged down the wing for Exeter, leading to a corner for the visitors. Burton showed a propensity to fall over: perhaps it is not such a good idea to water the pitch before the match.
Just when it looked as if the match might be goalless at half time, Bailey and Youga combined well to win Charlton a corner. This was taken short and Lloyd Sam put in a short pass which was converted by Bailey to make it 1-0.
Bailey conceded a free kick to the visitors, but they were not able to make use of it.
Half time: Addicks 1, Grecians 0
Racon put in a speculative effort that was worth a try and was not that far over the crossbar. Lloyd Sam won Charlton a corner. Llera put in a strong header that was only just wide of the post. Richardson defended well to avert potential danger.
Exeter took off Stansfield, who I thought had been one of their livelier players, and brought on Corr. Elliot saved well from an Exeter corner. Exeter won another corner, but their effort went over. They then burst through, but their goal was ruled offside.
Exeter took off Craig Noone and brought on Richard Logan from their incredibly large squad. Shelvey burst through, but his effort went wide of the target. On 70 minutes Parky brought on McLeod in place of the off form Burton while Racon was replaced by Wagstaff. Exeter took off Marcus Stewart and brought on Bertie Cozc.
Jansson pushed the ball out from a Charlton attack and McLeod was well positioned to pounce and put the ball into the corner of the net. His enthusaistic celebrations earned him a yellow card.
Elliot saved from a dangerous situation, but at the expense of a corner. From a crowded goalmouth, Cozic was able to make it 2-1. A fracas broke out in the goal as the Grecians tried to wrestle the ball from Elliot and charm merchant Troy Archibald-Henville (who surely has one of the most ridiculous names in football) received a yellow card.
In the three minutes of time added on, Charlton managed to keep possession and avoid conceding another last minute goal, while Sam Sodje was brought on to a warm welcome in place of Jonjo Shelvey.
I thought that the officials had a good game. Referee Grant Hegley was willing to play the advantage, while the linos seemed to have a good grasp of the offside rule.
Thanks to Sacha Zarb (and congratulations on your engagement) for revealing that the fully kitted Exeter keeper was seen collecting a Domnino's pizza order at The Valley after the match. They certainly know how to live at Exeter!
Charlton now face two tough away tests, first at Colchester and the goal machine that is Super Kevin Lisbie and then at Leeds. Their unbeaten record is clearly at risk, but the grumbles that have started about Parky have little justification.
Match analysis
Match analyst Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Kelly Youga. He ran rings round the Exeter defence, setting up a number of important attacks and also got back to cover well in defence. Elliot had a good game and was not to blame for the Exeter goal. He was not put under a lot of pressure by Exeter's wayward shooting, but still had to make some important saves. Dailly was not that noticeable, but mainly because he was doing his job competently and I noted one important interception. Llera remains suspect. He is too inclined to hoof the ball out of defence without thinking about it, often losing possession as a result. His long balls forward often fed no one in particular. Richardson was solid and made some good runs down the right, although he spoilt one of his best ones by giving the ball away easily at the end.
Spring replaced the injured Semedo and looked rather rusty, giving the ball away rather too often. Bailey scored the opening goal and positioned himself well, but some of his challenges could land him in trouble. Racon played his part but was not at his most sparking and was eventually substituted. Sam was a real danger, particularly in the first half and put in some great crosses which were not always well used. Shelvey had his moments, but whether he has reached the standards of the end of last season is a matter for debate. Whether Burton was still affected by having his broken nose clicked back into place was uncertain, but I thought that he was well below par, although he often lacked adequate support.
McLeod at last managed to score and his delight was evident to see.
Wagstaff was relatively anonymous when he came. Sodje had a cameo in time added on.
Hiss of the Match This goes to the bare chested Exeter City fan who ran on to the pitch when they scored a goal that was ruled offside.
Crowd rating Quite subdued at times, 6/10.
The Addicks made a storming start to the match but were not immediately rewarded with the goal their play deserved. They then started to fade a little until Nicky Bailey scored the club's 3000th goal to put them 1-0 ahead at half time. The first goal was also scored against Exeter.
We seemed to want to mount all our attacks down the right in the first half, missing opportunities to feed the ball to Bailey or Youga on the left. There was also a lot of carelessness and casualness in our play.
We failed to impose ourselves on the match in the second half and the visiting Grecians went wild when they scored a goal that was offside. Substitute Izale McLeod seemed to put the game beyond doubt with a second, but Exeter scored a consolation, leading to a nervous last few minutes.
Detailed report
Some of the omens for the day were not good. I rang up Steve Watt who was hosting Radio Scilly's breakfast show, told him I was going to the match and he assumed that I was supporting the Grecians and regaled me with tales of his time watching them when he was at uni in Exeter.
Then we were badly delayed on the Bakerloo Line by a signal failure, the journey from Marylebone to Charing Cross taking 50 minutes instead of the usual 15. If London Transport had told us how severe the delays were we would have got on the 453 bus. Then I noticed that the tide on Deptford Creek was very low.
The Addicks made a storming start from the kick off with Lloyd Sam putting in a good cross. Kelly Youga evaded two Exeter defenders but was brought down by a third, winning a free kick in a good position. Shelvey's free kick was on target was saved by Sweden's Under 21 goalkeeper Oscar Jansson in the Grecians' goal.
Bailey turned provider for Burton, but he headed over. Lloyd Sam put in a good cross, but the ball went over the crossbar, Burton having got in the way of Shelvey.
An Exeter corner led to a moment of danger and the ball had to be cleared off the line by Bailey. Spring made an important interception. Stansfield forged down the wing for Exeter, leading to a corner for the visitors. Burton showed a propensity to fall over: perhaps it is not such a good idea to water the pitch before the match.
Just when it looked as if the match might be goalless at half time, Bailey and Youga combined well to win Charlton a corner. This was taken short and Lloyd Sam put in a short pass which was converted by Bailey to make it 1-0.
Bailey conceded a free kick to the visitors, but they were not able to make use of it.
Half time: Addicks 1, Grecians 0
Racon put in a speculative effort that was worth a try and was not that far over the crossbar. Lloyd Sam won Charlton a corner. Llera put in a strong header that was only just wide of the post. Richardson defended well to avert potential danger.
Exeter took off Stansfield, who I thought had been one of their livelier players, and brought on Corr. Elliot saved well from an Exeter corner. Exeter won another corner, but their effort went over. They then burst through, but their goal was ruled offside.
Exeter took off Craig Noone and brought on Richard Logan from their incredibly large squad. Shelvey burst through, but his effort went wide of the target. On 70 minutes Parky brought on McLeod in place of the off form Burton while Racon was replaced by Wagstaff. Exeter took off Marcus Stewart and brought on Bertie Cozc.
Jansson pushed the ball out from a Charlton attack and McLeod was well positioned to pounce and put the ball into the corner of the net. His enthusaistic celebrations earned him a yellow card.
Elliot saved from a dangerous situation, but at the expense of a corner. From a crowded goalmouth, Cozic was able to make it 2-1. A fracas broke out in the goal as the Grecians tried to wrestle the ball from Elliot and charm merchant Troy Archibald-Henville (who surely has one of the most ridiculous names in football) received a yellow card.
In the three minutes of time added on, Charlton managed to keep possession and avoid conceding another last minute goal, while Sam Sodje was brought on to a warm welcome in place of Jonjo Shelvey.
I thought that the officials had a good game. Referee Grant Hegley was willing to play the advantage, while the linos seemed to have a good grasp of the offside rule.
Thanks to Sacha Zarb (and congratulations on your engagement) for revealing that the fully kitted Exeter keeper was seen collecting a Domnino's pizza order at The Valley after the match. They certainly know how to live at Exeter!
Charlton now face two tough away tests, first at Colchester and the goal machine that is Super Kevin Lisbie and then at Leeds. Their unbeaten record is clearly at risk, but the grumbles that have started about Parky have little justification.
Match analysis
Match analyst Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Kelly Youga. He ran rings round the Exeter defence, setting up a number of important attacks and also got back to cover well in defence. Elliot had a good game and was not to blame for the Exeter goal. He was not put under a lot of pressure by Exeter's wayward shooting, but still had to make some important saves. Dailly was not that noticeable, but mainly because he was doing his job competently and I noted one important interception. Llera remains suspect. He is too inclined to hoof the ball out of defence without thinking about it, often losing possession as a result. His long balls forward often fed no one in particular. Richardson was solid and made some good runs down the right, although he spoilt one of his best ones by giving the ball away easily at the end.
Spring replaced the injured Semedo and looked rather rusty, giving the ball away rather too often. Bailey scored the opening goal and positioned himself well, but some of his challenges could land him in trouble. Racon played his part but was not at his most sparking and was eventually substituted. Sam was a real danger, particularly in the first half and put in some great crosses which were not always well used. Shelvey had his moments, but whether he has reached the standards of the end of last season is a matter for debate. Whether Burton was still affected by having his broken nose clicked back into place was uncertain, but I thought that he was well below par, although he often lacked adequate support.
McLeod at last managed to score and his delight was evident to see.
Wagstaff was relatively anonymous when he came. Sodje had a cameo in time added on.
Hiss of the Match This goes to the bare chested Exeter City fan who ran on to the pitch when they scored a goal that was ruled offside.
Crowd rating Quite subdued at times, 6/10.
Friday, 25 September 2009
Exeter treat Charlton game as their cup final
One of the problems of being an ex-Premiership club is that smaller clubs treat the game against you as one of the most important fixtures of the year where they hope to secure a surprise result and this is what seems to be happening with the Grecians:
Cup final
For me this increases the incentive to give them a thumping.
One good omen: on my flight back from Hamburg today, the plane doubled back to fly over The Valley (I had my Charlton bag with me). Although I have seen the ground from the air before, the red seats really stood out.
Cup final
For me this increases the incentive to give them a thumping.
One good omen: on my flight back from Hamburg today, the plane doubled back to fly over The Valley (I had my Charlton bag with me). Although I have seen the ground from the air before, the red seats really stood out.
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