Tuesday, 7 October 2008
A message from our sponsor
Our sponsors, Kingdom Signs, are shortly to move into new premises in Didcot ('Growing with Didcot' is one of their slogans) which will be opened by His Worship the Mayor of Didcot early next year. Occasional match analyst Monty Martin has a day job in reception at the company. They have revamped their web site: Signs
The Pards debate
It's been interesting reading the arguments for and against retaining or getting rid of Alan Pardew as manager on the list run by Glynne Jones over the past few days. Of course, in reality it's an irrelevant discussion because any decision will be made by the board and they can't afford to get rid of him (his detractors would say we can't afford to keep him).
I have become increasingly disappointed with Pardew. He seems to be the ultimate Tinkerman: always bringing in loan players, who then often disappoint and block the development of our younger players; always changing the squad and fiddling with the formation. Surely after 18 months he knows who his starting 16 are?
And he's not that starved of resources compared with other Championship managers. For me, and many others, the final straw was the Sheffield Wednesday game. I think that our players are individually than those of the Owls and we have more resources. Yet they won. Of course, it could have ended up another way, but 'might have beens' don't count in the table.
The main argument for retaining Pardew is, who would you replace him with? This sort of situation sends some Addicks into 'Roy of the Rovers' mode, advocating heroes like Mark Kinsella or Chris Powell who have no first team managerial experience. Their day will come, but not yet.
The likely successor would be Phil Parkinson and I simply don't know enough about him to assess whether he would be an improvement.
I suppose we just have to hope that Pards will get his act together. It's possible he could get us in the play offs, but they are a 1 in 4 lottery chance and just because our lucky number came up last time, we might not succeed again. Indeed, it's quite likely we would go out in the semi-finals. Then we will have to adapt next year to a £11m loss of parachute money plus a likely fall in season ticket numbers.
The board has now appointed a managing director and it seems that Steve Waggott is going to be spending more time at Sparrows Lane, although quite what he will be doing was not clear from the programme notes. Presumably he will not be advising Pards on his training routines, so is he going to inspect the quality of the meals or check that the kit is laundererd in as energy efficient a way as possible? We live in hope that he can make a difference.
I have become increasingly disappointed with Pardew. He seems to be the ultimate Tinkerman: always bringing in loan players, who then often disappoint and block the development of our younger players; always changing the squad and fiddling with the formation. Surely after 18 months he knows who his starting 16 are?
And he's not that starved of resources compared with other Championship managers. For me, and many others, the final straw was the Sheffield Wednesday game. I think that our players are individually than those of the Owls and we have more resources. Yet they won. Of course, it could have ended up another way, but 'might have beens' don't count in the table.
The main argument for retaining Pardew is, who would you replace him with? This sort of situation sends some Addicks into 'Roy of the Rovers' mode, advocating heroes like Mark Kinsella or Chris Powell who have no first team managerial experience. Their day will come, but not yet.
The likely successor would be Phil Parkinson and I simply don't know enough about him to assess whether he would be an improvement.
I suppose we just have to hope that Pards will get his act together. It's possible he could get us in the play offs, but they are a 1 in 4 lottery chance and just because our lucky number came up last time, we might not succeed again. Indeed, it's quite likely we would go out in the semi-finals. Then we will have to adapt next year to a £11m loss of parachute money plus a likely fall in season ticket numbers.
The board has now appointed a managing director and it seems that Steve Waggott is going to be spending more time at Sparrows Lane, although quite what he will be doing was not clear from the programme notes. Presumably he will not be advising Pards on his training routines, so is he going to inspect the quality of the meals or check that the kit is laundererd in as energy efficient a way as possible? We live in hope that he can make a difference.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Can you speak Pardew?
Alan Pardew tells us in the club's E mail bulletin in relation to Jose Semedo, 'The problem perhaps is his utility so maybe he's made a little statement about right-back today and maybe I should take heed.' Does this mean that Pards thinks that he is a jack of all trades and master of none?
However, the Charlton supremo does say that Cranie will have to sweat a little over his right back position. Given that Cranie is really a centre back and the principal full back position he has apparently played in is left back, perhaps he would appreciate a change of scene.
If you're near Boreham Wood tonight you could go and see Charlton reserves play the Hornets in the topesportcasino.com Combination Cup Group B. You couldn't make it up! It's almost as exciting as Katie Smith's announcement on Radio Scilly that people on St.Agnes were picking blackberries and making jam.
The real interest would have been if a forgotten figure, Izale McLeod, who has now recovered his fitness, had led the Charlton attack as appeared possible at one stage. I know that some of the Addickted rate McLeod, but I was always doubtful about his quality.
However, the Charlton supremo does say that Cranie will have to sweat a little over his right back position. Given that Cranie is really a centre back and the principal full back position he has apparently played in is left back, perhaps he would appreciate a change of scene.
If you're near Boreham Wood tonight you could go and see Charlton reserves play the Hornets in the topesportcasino.com Combination Cup Group B. You couldn't make it up! It's almost as exciting as Katie Smith's announcement on Radio Scilly that people on St.Agnes were picking blackberries and making jam.
The real interest would have been if a forgotten figure, Izale McLeod, who has now recovered his fitness, had led the Charlton attack as appeared possible at one stage. I know that some of the Addickted rate McLeod, but I was always doubtful about his quality.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Dowie under threat at QPR
A number of sites are reporting that former Charlton manager Iain Dowie is under threat at the Super Hoops and may be replaced by Alex Ferguson's son, Darren, who has proved a chip off the old block in his management of Peterborough. A typical report is here: Dowie
Following his lack of success at Palace, Charlton, Coventry and now QPR, one would have thought that someone would work out that Dowie hasn't got what it takes at Championship level. It's not rocket science is it? But no doubt some other club will take him on if he is let go.
Now, has that vacancy at Woking been filled? They seem to like people with a link with Charlton.
Following his lack of success at Palace, Charlton, Coventry and now QPR, one would have thought that someone would work out that Dowie hasn't got what it takes at Championship level. It's not rocket science is it? But no doubt some other club will take him on if he is let go.
Now, has that vacancy at Woking been filled? They seem to like people with a link with Charlton.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Charlton get some respite
Charlton moved up to the respectable lower mid-table position of 14th after today's 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town which saw own goals scored by both sides. However, they are only two points off the lowest play-off place and five points clear of the relegation zone. The win gave the club a welcome respite ahead of the international break. Although it was an improvement on recent performances, the Tractors were far from impressive and there is a lot to be done if the Addicks are going to mount any sort of challenge for a play off spot. For me this was exemplified by kicking free kicks by the line out of play.
The pitch announcer asked at the beginning of the game, 'Is there anywhere else you would like to be?' which brought wry smiles and a few comments from those around me.
After the referee had stamped his authority on the game by yellow carding Bouazza for a minor foul, he gave us a free kick in front of goal which I thought was a little fortunate, but when we often fail to get these marginal decisions. In any event, Bailey made good use of it, driving the ball along the ground and into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 on five minutes.
What worried me about our play after the opening goal is that we looked too comfortable rather than going all out for the second goal which would have effctively put the match beyond reach.
Varney launched an attack and there was a hand ball shout. Primus provided good defensive work. Bailey was injured, but there was no booking. He had to limp off and was replaced by Holland. Credit to Hudson as captain for giving the referee his views about this piece of ineptness.
Ambrose powered in and was not far wide. Kelly Youga provided good defensive work, clearing to avoid danger. Todorov put in an effort that was way off course. With Ipswich threatening, Primus defended well and took the right safe option by putting the ball out for a corner. This ended in nothing more than an Ipswich throw in.
The East Side lino took an odd offside decision and then gave a throw in the wrong way. As the crowd gave him a piece of their mind, a voice was heard to shout: 'Don't fret lino, they're being nasty to you.'
A Charlton free kick went straight at Wright in the Ipswich goal. Hudson provided good defensive cover. Ipswich took off Paddy Miller and brought on Pablo Courago. Holland controlled the ball well in midfield to prevent an Ipswich attack developing.
Youga managed to miss a header downfield and after a display of inept defending, an under pressure Cranie put the ball in his own net on 33 minutes to make it 1-1. Why is that we can never defend a lead?
Bouazza put in a neat cross in front of an open goal, but there was no one there to connect. A goal from Ambrose was rightly judged offside, but it was a nice move. Ipswich won a corner, a flustered looking Zheng Zhi gave the ball away and Weaver made a good save at the expense of another Ipswich corner. Ipswich won a free kick in direct line with the goal, for what I am not sure and their effort hit the crossbar.
Half time: Addicks 1, Tractors 1
Cranie was replaced by Semedo after the break. Luke Varney put in a shot which tested the keeper and won Charlton a corner, but this was unproductive, ending in an Ipswich throw in.
The Tractors won a corner, the ball was played back in and the ball ended up on the roof of the net. Luke Varney burst through and was brought down on the edge of the area. Many of the Addickted thought that it was inside, but I thought at the time that it was only a free kick. For me it was telling that none of the players claimed a penalty. The free kick was cleared and then the referee awarded Ipswich a free kick for reasons known only to himself.
Semedo put in a good cross which produced a Charlton corner. Ambrose put in an excellent cross and under pressure from Bouazza an Ipswich defender put the ball in his own net to make it 2-1. Pardew by this time was actually becoming a little animated.
Charlton kept falling for the offside trap, Varney in particular needing to watch his positioning. On 67 minutes Todorov was withdrawn and Gray brought on. Quinn and Darren Ambrose were given a long talking to by the referee who clearly likes the sound of his own voice.
The ever popular Ivan Campo was taken off and replaced by Owen Garvan while Stead was replaced by super Kevin Lisbie. Pessimists around me said 'that will be worth at least one goal to them.' Matt Holland provided a good defensive header.
An Ipswich free kick led to an Ipswich corner, but their effort went over. Semedo had a go and it was an effort worth making even if it went wide. Weaver made a good save. Three minutes added on gave the referee the chance to book Gray.
If we had got a point against Wednesday and one against Palace, we would have actually had the same number of points as two of the teams in the play off places. The likes of Burnley, Coventry and Plymouth are far from invincible and we should be able to mount a challenge to them. Whether we can remains to be seen.
Elsewhere, Leamington beat Chesham United 2-0 to go eight points clear at the top of the British Gas Business Midlands Division.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible took the unusual step of awarding the Silver Bone to someone who came on as a substitute at half time, Jose Semedo. Even so, the Covered End were singing his name by the end of the game and it was a creditable and lively performance by the out-of-favour player. Weaver had to make a couple of important saves, but was otherwise not troubled too much by the far from sharp shooting tractors. He needs to work on how he puts the ball forward. Youga has some sublime moments, but also makes some basic errors like playing the ball forward to a position no one can reach. Hudson was once again solid and reliable. Cranie once again failed to show the quality he is supposed to have and capped his underwhelming performance with an own goal. He was rightly withdrawn in favour of Semedo. Primus was generally reliable. Bailey scored a great goal and then had to be withdrawn.
Holland who came on for him showed once again that he is reliable and committed. Ambrose had his moments, but was not that involved.Bouazza was lively and involved and set up the winning goal. Zheng Zhi was clearly not match fit and was getting hustled off the ball. He should not have started. Todorov exchanged words with Varney for getting out of position, but did not contribute that much himself. Varney was once again able to break through from time to time, but I remain unconvinced that he will score many goals. Gray was an improvement on Todorov when he came on, but that was about all.
Hiss of the Match This was awarded by Juneau the Soccer Cat to referee Grant Hegley who deserves another suspension for incompetence. He yellow carded Bouazza early in the game for an innocuous foul and yellow carded Gray at the end, presumably because he told him what a wally he had been, but he ignored fouls by the Tractors which were as bad as that committed by Bouazza. His East Stand linesman was also hopeless, although one must make allowance for the fact that his hair kept blowing in his face.
The pitch announcer asked at the beginning of the game, 'Is there anywhere else you would like to be?' which brought wry smiles and a few comments from those around me.
After the referee had stamped his authority on the game by yellow carding Bouazza for a minor foul, he gave us a free kick in front of goal which I thought was a little fortunate, but when we often fail to get these marginal decisions. In any event, Bailey made good use of it, driving the ball along the ground and into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 on five minutes.
What worried me about our play after the opening goal is that we looked too comfortable rather than going all out for the second goal which would have effctively put the match beyond reach.
Varney launched an attack and there was a hand ball shout. Primus provided good defensive work. Bailey was injured, but there was no booking. He had to limp off and was replaced by Holland. Credit to Hudson as captain for giving the referee his views about this piece of ineptness.
Ambrose powered in and was not far wide. Kelly Youga provided good defensive work, clearing to avoid danger. Todorov put in an effort that was way off course. With Ipswich threatening, Primus defended well and took the right safe option by putting the ball out for a corner. This ended in nothing more than an Ipswich throw in.
The East Side lino took an odd offside decision and then gave a throw in the wrong way. As the crowd gave him a piece of their mind, a voice was heard to shout: 'Don't fret lino, they're being nasty to you.'
A Charlton free kick went straight at Wright in the Ipswich goal. Hudson provided good defensive cover. Ipswich took off Paddy Miller and brought on Pablo Courago. Holland controlled the ball well in midfield to prevent an Ipswich attack developing.
Youga managed to miss a header downfield and after a display of inept defending, an under pressure Cranie put the ball in his own net on 33 minutes to make it 1-1. Why is that we can never defend a lead?
Bouazza put in a neat cross in front of an open goal, but there was no one there to connect. A goal from Ambrose was rightly judged offside, but it was a nice move. Ipswich won a corner, a flustered looking Zheng Zhi gave the ball away and Weaver made a good save at the expense of another Ipswich corner. Ipswich won a free kick in direct line with the goal, for what I am not sure and their effort hit the crossbar.
Half time: Addicks 1, Tractors 1
Cranie was replaced by Semedo after the break. Luke Varney put in a shot which tested the keeper and won Charlton a corner, but this was unproductive, ending in an Ipswich throw in.
The Tractors won a corner, the ball was played back in and the ball ended up on the roof of the net. Luke Varney burst through and was brought down on the edge of the area. Many of the Addickted thought that it was inside, but I thought at the time that it was only a free kick. For me it was telling that none of the players claimed a penalty. The free kick was cleared and then the referee awarded Ipswich a free kick for reasons known only to himself.
Semedo put in a good cross which produced a Charlton corner. Ambrose put in an excellent cross and under pressure from Bouazza an Ipswich defender put the ball in his own net to make it 2-1. Pardew by this time was actually becoming a little animated.
Charlton kept falling for the offside trap, Varney in particular needing to watch his positioning. On 67 minutes Todorov was withdrawn and Gray brought on. Quinn and Darren Ambrose were given a long talking to by the referee who clearly likes the sound of his own voice.
The ever popular Ivan Campo was taken off and replaced by Owen Garvan while Stead was replaced by super Kevin Lisbie. Pessimists around me said 'that will be worth at least one goal to them.' Matt Holland provided a good defensive header.
An Ipswich free kick led to an Ipswich corner, but their effort went over. Semedo had a go and it was an effort worth making even if it went wide. Weaver made a good save. Three minutes added on gave the referee the chance to book Gray.
If we had got a point against Wednesday and one against Palace, we would have actually had the same number of points as two of the teams in the play off places. The likes of Burnley, Coventry and Plymouth are far from invincible and we should be able to mount a challenge to them. Whether we can remains to be seen.
Elsewhere, Leamington beat Chesham United 2-0 to go eight points clear at the top of the British Gas Business Midlands Division.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible took the unusual step of awarding the Silver Bone to someone who came on as a substitute at half time, Jose Semedo. Even so, the Covered End were singing his name by the end of the game and it was a creditable and lively performance by the out-of-favour player. Weaver had to make a couple of important saves, but was otherwise not troubled too much by the far from sharp shooting tractors. He needs to work on how he puts the ball forward. Youga has some sublime moments, but also makes some basic errors like playing the ball forward to a position no one can reach. Hudson was once again solid and reliable. Cranie once again failed to show the quality he is supposed to have and capped his underwhelming performance with an own goal. He was rightly withdrawn in favour of Semedo. Primus was generally reliable. Bailey scored a great goal and then had to be withdrawn.
Holland who came on for him showed once again that he is reliable and committed. Ambrose had his moments, but was not that involved.Bouazza was lively and involved and set up the winning goal. Zheng Zhi was clearly not match fit and was getting hustled off the ball. He should not have started. Todorov exchanged words with Varney for getting out of position, but did not contribute that much himself. Varney was once again able to break through from time to time, but I remain unconvinced that he will score many goals. Gray was an improvement on Todorov when he came on, but that was about all.
Hiss of the Match This was awarded by Juneau the Soccer Cat to referee Grant Hegley who deserves another suspension for incompetence. He yellow carded Bouazza early in the game for an innocuous foul and yellow carded Gray at the end, presumably because he told him what a wally he had been, but he ignored fouls by the Tractors which were as bad as that committed by Bouazza. His East Stand linesman was also hopeless, although one must make allowance for the fact that his hair kept blowing in his face.
Friday, 3 October 2008
Your referee tomorrow
Is Grant Hegley. He presided over our 2-1 defeat by Preston last season, but the Hiss of the Match went to the East Stand lino for his lack of understanding of the offside rule.
Hegley has the rare distinction of being a referee actually suspended for incompetence. Many of them are incompetent but do not pay the price. He caused controversy in 2005 after being charged with less than proficiently applying the Laws of the Game after failing to send off Sheffield United's Keith Gillespie after the final whistle of the match against Reading on 1 October. He was suspended for 14 days.
Hegley has the rare distinction of being a referee actually suspended for incompetence. Many of them are incompetent but do not pay the price. He caused controversy in 2005 after being charged with less than proficiently applying the Laws of the Game after failing to send off Sheffield United's Keith Gillespie after the final whistle of the match against Reading on 1 October. He was suspended for 14 days.
The state we're in
It seems to me that the club is in a bad a way as it has been since the return to The Valley. An underlying fundamental factor is the lack of money which will get even worse next year without any parachute payments (I am working on the reasonable assumption that we won't be promoted).
It would be unreasonable to expect the directors to dip into their pockets any more than they have. And if a foreign investor of the right calibre and with sufficient dosh was going to turn up at The Valley, they would have done so by now (although, in the longer run, I do not think that all hope is lost with the owners of the Dome).
Then we have not so super Alan Pardew. I was pleased by his appointment, so that's something I got wrong. It seems to me that he has lost the plot, if he ever found it in the first place. One of the characteristics of our Premiership promotion push was that we had a reasonably settled side, barring injuries and suspensions. And, although the likes of Gary Nelson might describe themselves self deprecatingly as journeymen they were good, honest footballers.
Pards says he is going to make two or three changes for Saturday. One would be filled by more confidence by these moves if one felt that he knew what was wrong with the team and how he would remedy it. But that confidence is not there and the confidence of the team as a whole must be sapped by the run of results. Even if we go ahead tomorrow, I have no confidence that we will stay ahead. Remember that this is a team that has won only 9 out of 34 Championship matches.
Once again there are injury worries for Saturday. Primus is highly doubtful with a back injury. (Since writing this piece I have learnt that Primus may well be fit after all, so less juggling may be needed than I feared). Youga at the left can be very erratic: he often gets forward well, but is not reliable defensively. There may be a case for Basey there, although I am not sure about that.
In midfield, if Zheng Zhi is fully fit, he would certainly add something and it would have to be at the expense of Holland who gives his all, but is beginning to show his age. Despite a somewhat disappointing performance last Saturday, I would keep Bailey. By some accounts, Bouazza was our best player at Palace. Sam is inconsistent and Varney on the wing is always an option with Gray and Todorov up front. But I expect it will be Gray and Varney.
Ipswich come into the game off a 3-0 win against an admittedly struggling Barnsley. Super Kevin Lisbie will be keen to show again what we are missing. Lisbie's career at The Valley was blighted by illness and injury. He could score some great match winning goals (not least one at Ipswich) but he could also miss the simplest of tap ins. It was the right decision for the club and the player to let him go.
I could save myself a journey to London and go and see Leamington play Chesham United where the odds must be on a win given their 100 per cent league record. But, of course, I will be at The Valley. Will my spirits be lifted by a win? Yes, because it will take us away from the relegation zone. But I don't think it would indicate that the fundamental problems have been solved. What is clear is that Pardew is here to stay for some time, unless he goes of his own accord.
I know it sounds crazy, but I am going for a 2-1 win against the Tractors. And, although I think we will have a lower mid-table finish, I do not think we will be playing in League 1 next season.
When O'Leary left Villa, Pardew made one of his best investments by buying his great big book of excuses off him. It will be interesting to see what he says in the programme tomorrow. Meanwhile, for a preview of Pardew's new look team go here:
Tinkerman
It would be unreasonable to expect the directors to dip into their pockets any more than they have. And if a foreign investor of the right calibre and with sufficient dosh was going to turn up at The Valley, they would have done so by now (although, in the longer run, I do not think that all hope is lost with the owners of the Dome).
Then we have not so super Alan Pardew. I was pleased by his appointment, so that's something I got wrong. It seems to me that he has lost the plot, if he ever found it in the first place. One of the characteristics of our Premiership promotion push was that we had a reasonably settled side, barring injuries and suspensions. And, although the likes of Gary Nelson might describe themselves self deprecatingly as journeymen they were good, honest footballers.
Pards says he is going to make two or three changes for Saturday. One would be filled by more confidence by these moves if one felt that he knew what was wrong with the team and how he would remedy it. But that confidence is not there and the confidence of the team as a whole must be sapped by the run of results. Even if we go ahead tomorrow, I have no confidence that we will stay ahead. Remember that this is a team that has won only 9 out of 34 Championship matches.
Once again there are injury worries for Saturday. Primus is highly doubtful with a back injury. (Since writing this piece I have learnt that Primus may well be fit after all, so less juggling may be needed than I feared). Youga at the left can be very erratic: he often gets forward well, but is not reliable defensively. There may be a case for Basey there, although I am not sure about that.
In midfield, if Zheng Zhi is fully fit, he would certainly add something and it would have to be at the expense of Holland who gives his all, but is beginning to show his age. Despite a somewhat disappointing performance last Saturday, I would keep Bailey. By some accounts, Bouazza was our best player at Palace. Sam is inconsistent and Varney on the wing is always an option with Gray and Todorov up front. But I expect it will be Gray and Varney.
Ipswich come into the game off a 3-0 win against an admittedly struggling Barnsley. Super Kevin Lisbie will be keen to show again what we are missing. Lisbie's career at The Valley was blighted by illness and injury. He could score some great match winning goals (not least one at Ipswich) but he could also miss the simplest of tap ins. It was the right decision for the club and the player to let him go.
I could save myself a journey to London and go and see Leamington play Chesham United where the odds must be on a win given their 100 per cent league record. But, of course, I will be at The Valley. Will my spirits be lifted by a win? Yes, because it will take us away from the relegation zone. But I don't think it would indicate that the fundamental problems have been solved. What is clear is that Pardew is here to stay for some time, unless he goes of his own accord.
I know it sounds crazy, but I am going for a 2-1 win against the Tractors. And, although I think we will have a lower mid-table finish, I do not think we will be playing in League 1 next season.
When O'Leary left Villa, Pardew made one of his best investments by buying his great big book of excuses off him. It will be interesting to see what he says in the programme tomorrow. Meanwhile, for a preview of Pardew's new look team go here:
Tinkerman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)