Charlton reserves beat Millwall 5-1 at the Toolbox yesterday and remain top of the Combination. Our reserves correspondent Clive Richardson writes, 'Our lot played Millwall off the park, and so they should with those playing, albeit mixture of experience (Fortune/Racon/Halford (very encouraging debut- great goal from 25 yard free-kick)/McLeod???) and youth (Uchechi/Yussuf/Wagstaff/Basey/Shelvey) and newbie Monteiro doing well at centre-half. 4-0 half-time...could have been 8 if Izale had taken his four good chances. (Halford free kick, Uchechi tucking away a loose ball after a Halford shot (though the main site gives that goal to McLeod), Uchechi penalty after McLeod fouled, Yussuf from good one-on-one with keeper on through-ball).'
'5-0 a minute into 2nd half- McLeod ran onto long clearance, squared ball to Uchechi who tucked it away from 6 yards). They got a consolation goal on 65 mins (just after Halford was subbed)- the game had slowed down a bit and the Lions finally got a shot on goal.'
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Palace in Europe in 18 months
Simon Jordan has a vision for Crystal Palace which sees them in Europe in 18 months. This is too much even for gobby manager Neil Warnock who has commented that perhaps the Orange One is thinking of a trip to Majorca in the summer to top up his tan. Book on Sleazy Jet now and there are some great prices!
Of more real concern is one of the Glazier's danger men, given a sychophantic profile in The Grauniad: Glazier
Of more real concern is one of the Glazier's danger men, given a sychophantic profile in The Grauniad: Glazier
Monday, 4 February 2008
What is Paulo Monteiro for?
The club is celebrating our last gasp signing of Paulo Monteiro. Now it may well be that he is a player with a lot of potential. He is certainly a big lad who could match some of the big sides sent down from the north. He almost certainly hates Millwall. And he will be someone for Jose Semedo to talk Portuguese to. His English is certainly not all that good to judge from the sample on the website: 'The camaraderie among the players is very good, and I'm thankful the gaffer has given me such an opportunity'. (Although it's certainly better than my Portuguese).
But I'm still not quite clear what the signing is for. After all, the reserves seem to be doing well enough. We have much bigger squads than many of the teams that visit us, but that means many of the more peripheral players in the squad don't really get much of a chance to show what they can offer.
Of course, it's always useful to have 'cover'. And I'm sure that Monteiro doesn't cost that much in wages. But do we have too many bit part players who are going to get a cameo at most?
But I'm still not quite clear what the signing is for. After all, the reserves seem to be doing well enough. We have much bigger squads than many of the teams that visit us, but that means many of the more peripheral players in the squad don't really get much of a chance to show what they can offer.
Of course, it's always useful to have 'cover'. And I'm sure that Monteiro doesn't cost that much in wages. But do we have too many bit part players who are going to get a cameo at most?
It all goes off at Palace
Trouble at the Palace v. Southampton game, although Southampton supporters aren't all Saints: Palace (Some of the comments are quite amusing)
Manager Neil Warnock was not happy with the draw. He said: 'We got punished with an elementary defensive error from Shaun Derry, one of our more experienced players. It was disappointing really, put it in the stands and they can't score a goal from it.
'That's two games we have thrown away by elementary defending really so we've just got to get back to basics over the next few games.' However, he consoled himself with the fact that he reckons the Glaziers need just another five points to avoid relegation.
Their defensive weaknesses might give me more confidence if our final ball was better. Our approach play is often fluent, if sometimes too slow. But sometimes we hesitate fatally in front of goal. A few more speculative shots would not be a bad idea.
Manager Neil Warnock was not happy with the draw. He said: 'We got punished with an elementary defensive error from Shaun Derry, one of our more experienced players. It was disappointing really, put it in the stands and they can't score a goal from it.
'That's two games we have thrown away by elementary defending really so we've just got to get back to basics over the next few games.' However, he consoled himself with the fact that he reckons the Glaziers need just another five points to avoid relegation.
Their defensive weaknesses might give me more confidence if our final ball was better. Our approach play is often fluent, if sometimes too slow. But sometimes we hesitate fatally in front of goal. A few more speculative shots would not be a bad idea.
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Blogs and killer get it wrong
We were not the only blog to forecast a 2-0 win for Charlton at Scunthorpe today and it was also the bet placed by Killer. We had forgotten that Charlton tend to let themselves down against teams in the relegation places. Remember Colchester United?
As expected, Pards started with Gray and Varney up front. Thomas was withdrawn after the first half and replaced by Sam.
On 63 minutes, just after Iwelumo had replaced Varney, substitute Martin Paterson score for the home side. Yassin Moutaoukil failed to make a clearance and Paterson was able to shoot past Weaver.
On 74 minutes Andy Butler was sent off for the home side for a second bookable offence, but the Addicks were unable to take advantage. A late chance fell to Iwelumo, but he fired straight at Murphy.
Despite this setback, Charlton remain in their customary 5th place. Palace, who drew at home against Southampton, fell back to 7th.
As expected, Pards started with Gray and Varney up front. Thomas was withdrawn after the first half and replaced by Sam.
On 63 minutes, just after Iwelumo had replaced Varney, substitute Martin Paterson score for the home side. Yassin Moutaoukil failed to make a clearance and Paterson was able to shoot past Weaver.
On 74 minutes Andy Butler was sent off for the home side for a second bookable offence, but the Addicks were unable to take advantage. A late chance fell to Iwelumo, but he fired straight at Murphy.
Despite this setback, Charlton remain in their customary 5th place. Palace, who drew at home against Southampton, fell back to 7th.
Stalemate at Kayte Lane
Leamington's title hopes were dented by a 0-0 away draw at Bishop's Cleeve (essentially a suburb of Cheltenham) this afternoon. The authorities decided to send a referee from nearby Tewkesbury and, along with his incompetent linesman on the Tai Stand side, he managed to ruin the match with his inept decisions, accompanied by a blizzard of yellow cards. Having said that, although I did not see the Brakes at Chasetown on Tuesday, they played much better then - so I am told by those who went.
At least Richard Morris kept a clean sheet on his 250th appearance for the Brakes. This included tipping one ball over the bar, the incompetent referee awarding a goal kick. Later Mozza burst into laughter at one of Mr Eaton's more ludicrous decisions and got a stern ticking off.
The match turned sour for Leamington in the 1st minute when Liam Reynolds was scythed down, depriving them of a key linking player. Reynolds had to be carried off, although I understand that nothing is broken.
Cleeve's 17-year old keeper Sam Gilder rushed out of his goal and collided with the advancing Jamie Towers. The ball ended up in the net, but the referee carded Towers and gave the home side a free kick.
Brakes applied more pressure in the second half, but this simply led to more cynical fouling by the home side, while the shots that were put in were largely off target or straight at the keeper.
As the players made their way towards the snazzy extending tunnel at this neat but modern ground one Brakesman expressed his opinion of the foul play of their No.12 which drew the response '**** off mophead.' The refree marched off wearing an inane grin in response to the jeers that greeted him. With Evesham United winning 3-0 at Willenhall, it was not a good day for Leamington.
At least Richard Morris kept a clean sheet on his 250th appearance for the Brakes. This included tipping one ball over the bar, the incompetent referee awarding a goal kick. Later Mozza burst into laughter at one of Mr Eaton's more ludicrous decisions and got a stern ticking off.
The match turned sour for Leamington in the 1st minute when Liam Reynolds was scythed down, depriving them of a key linking player. Reynolds had to be carried off, although I understand that nothing is broken.
Cleeve's 17-year old keeper Sam Gilder rushed out of his goal and collided with the advancing Jamie Towers. The ball ended up in the net, but the referee carded Towers and gave the home side a free kick.
Brakes applied more pressure in the second half, but this simply led to more cynical fouling by the home side, while the shots that were put in were largely off target or straight at the keeper.
As the players made their way towards the snazzy extending tunnel at this neat but modern ground one Brakesman expressed his opinion of the foul play of their No.12 which drew the response '**** off mophead.' The refree marched off wearing an inane grin in response to the jeers that greeted him. With Evesham United winning 3-0 at Willenhall, it was not a good day for Leamington.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Feed the horse and he will score
This is the headline on Scunthorpe United's official web site as they celebrate the signing of veteran striker Geoff Horsfield on loan until the end of the season. It is four months since a home win at Glanford Park and it is hoped that Horsfield's years of experience will enable him to outwit on form Addicks keeper Nicky Weaver.
However, even the official site admits that the team is lacking confidence, while the Addicks should be full of it. It also looks as if there will be a good crowd of the Addickted to urge them on.
Scunthorope are associated with steel, but I found myself sitting next to a Scunthorpe director at an agri-business lunch in North Lincolnshire a few years ago and he was a potato king.
Given that I would prefer an attacking formation, I would start with Gray and Varney up front with Iwelumo on the bench. There will be no Chris Dickson as he has received the Mark Fish award for the most ridiculous injury of the season, incurred in a hotel reception lobby when he was evidently horsing around with Lloyd Sam.
The rest of the team pretty much picks itself. There might be a question mark about how Kelly Youga will do at the ground where he enjoyed so much success, but there is no feasible alternative to him.
As the Sub-Standard would put it 'Addicks Steel Shatters Brittle Iron'. I am going for 2-0 Charlton win.
However, even the official site admits that the team is lacking confidence, while the Addicks should be full of it. It also looks as if there will be a good crowd of the Addickted to urge them on.
Scunthorope are associated with steel, but I found myself sitting next to a Scunthorpe director at an agri-business lunch in North Lincolnshire a few years ago and he was a potato king.
Given that I would prefer an attacking formation, I would start with Gray and Varney up front with Iwelumo on the bench. There will be no Chris Dickson as he has received the Mark Fish award for the most ridiculous injury of the season, incurred in a hotel reception lobby when he was evidently horsing around with Lloyd Sam.
The rest of the team pretty much picks itself. There might be a question mark about how Kelly Youga will do at the ground where he enjoyed so much success, but there is no feasible alternative to him.
As the Sub-Standard would put it 'Addicks Steel Shatters Brittle Iron'. I am going for 2-0 Charlton win.
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