French paper mocks Roland

French sports paper L'Equipe has mocked Roland for putting memorabilia for sale on e-bay. The report is illustrated by a picture of Charlton stalwart Jean Tindall, who has contributed to Voice of the Valley from time to time.

The report states: 'English club Charlton, owned by a wealthy Belgian politician, is selling jerseys signed by the club on eBay to finance its media department. Club Charlton Athletic, which has just been relegated to League One (English D3), put up for sale on eBay signed jerseys and other memorabilia from the club to fund "equipment for the media relations team," of the club for the 2016/17 season.'

'An amazing sale given that the unpopular owner of the club, the Belgian politician Roland Duchâtelet, is head of one of the largest fortunes of his country, estimated at over a billion euros.'

'Among the items for sale, are signed shirts of the game where the Addicks lifted the League One trophy in 2011/12, or shirts signed by the French [Breton] Yann Kermorgant, former favourite of the fans.'

The report in French is here: Amazing sale

Slade in Charlton talks

Russell Slade is reportedly in talks with Charlton about the vacant head coach post at The Valley: Slade

He quit as head of football at Cardiff City yesterday.

Whilst I wouldn't say that I am excited by the potential appointment, he looks well qualified for a League One club. If the Roland regime was not in charge, fans might be more positive.

Poyet dishes it out to Riga

In shocking revelations, Diego Poyet has revealed that José Riga 'made decisions' about which players to use: Decision maker

It is quite extraordinary to think of a head coach selecting the players he thought would do the best. Maybe he did get it wrong, but I am not sure that Riga didn't use Poyet because 'his ideas had changed'. It may be that a period bench warming at West Ham meant that Poyet was not the sparkling player he was when he left Charlton.

Charlton cannot succeed under Roland says Poyet

Diego Poyet says that Charlton cannot succeed under the Duchatelet regime: Poyet

That's the general consensus, but it's nice of him to say so, even if it stating the obvious. Actually, the real exclusive would be to get someone to say that Roland is a strategic genius.

'Further revelations' are promised relating to decisions taken by José Riga, presumably not to make much use of Poyet.

Championship clubs have strained finances

The latest annual report from Deloitte Sports Business emphasises the strained finances of Championship clubs and their dependence on owner support: Finances

Wages to turnover ratios remain very high. In contrast, Premier League clubs enjoyed a second year of profitability.

Odds lengthen on Jackson

The latest odds from Sky Bet for Charlton 'manager' show that Johnnie Jackson has dropped from 1/2 favourite to 10/1. Russell Slade is now favourite at 2/5 up from 11/8. Nigel Adkins is 11/4 and Steve Evans 18/1.

Wales Online reports that Slade has had an interview, but other sources have suggested that he is now on holiday. Perhaps in Belgium? Once he returns, it is expected that his appointment will be finalised: Russell Slade

Inevitably, Alan Curbishley has to appear at 28/1. There is no price for Jonathan Acworth.

Vetokele on his way to Belgium

Reports suggest that Igor Vetokele is on his way to Sporting Lokoren in Belgium. As well as an unlimited supply of moules et frites for the player, a fee of £1.5m is being talked about: Vetokele