Normally reliable sources close to Spain's central bank are claiming that Llanera faces bankruptcy. A central bank official in Madrid stated, 'There is growuing evidence that smaller real estate companies and housebuilders who launched projects late in the cycle may have problems.'
This follows a warning by Professor Michael Ball to the Investment Property Forum on Thursday night. The professor of real estate at Reading University stated that second home owners in the Mediterranean facing a property correction because of the credit crisis.
Savills, the estate agency, have conducted a survey which claims that the most common motive of purchasers is to make a profit through capital appreciation on the model of the British housing market. This makes markets even more precarious, given that buyers may have overestimated the rental returns they could make from these properties.
Estate agents in Spain say that demand for second homes on the Mediterranean coast where Llanera operates has been softening for two years. Many have reported a virtual standstill since May after a series of corruption scandals and a collapse in property-related shares.
It might be suggested that to lose one sponsor through financial problems is a misfortune, to lose two is carelessness. Having been through this experience before, the club is better placed than many to tackle it a second time. But it is an off pitch distraction we could do without.
Sunday, 30 September 2007
A sense of disappointment?
If the Addicks had won at Coventry, they would have gone top of the Championship. Typical of the press coverage is:
Sunday Times
Predictably the Baggies have flattened the Super Hoops 5-1 and have gone ahead of us. West Brom are the classic yo-yo team and a real threat to us this season.
Comments from fans have focused on the denied penalty. Whilst I am not of the 'penalties don't count' school, and this one was at a key stage of the match, it is not good relying on penalties to win us matches. Referees often fail to get these decisions right: indeed Coventry had a good penalty claim denied.
I thought that there were two general faults in our play yesterday: the forwards often looked too isolated (although I would have brought on Todorov rather than McLeod); and our central defence looked suspect at crucial moments.
We need to get three points at Hull. There are a number of these northern away matches midweek which makes it very difficult for anyone working to attend unless they take a day off (which is often impossible anyway). I shall therefore miss Preston away as well, although I have hopes of getting to Burnley in March with one of their supporters.
Sunday Times
Predictably the Baggies have flattened the Super Hoops 5-1 and have gone ahead of us. West Brom are the classic yo-yo team and a real threat to us this season.
Comments from fans have focused on the denied penalty. Whilst I am not of the 'penalties don't count' school, and this one was at a key stage of the match, it is not good relying on penalties to win us matches. Referees often fail to get these decisions right: indeed Coventry had a good penalty claim denied.
I thought that there were two general faults in our play yesterday: the forwards often looked too isolated (although I would have brought on Todorov rather than McLeod); and our central defence looked suspect at crucial moments.
We need to get three points at Hull. There are a number of these northern away matches midweek which makes it very difficult for anyone working to attend unless they take a day off (which is often impossible anyway). I shall therefore miss Preston away as well, although I have hopes of getting to Burnley in March with one of their supporters.
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Addicks rue missed chances
Charlton will rue a number of missed chances, particularly by McLeod, after their 1-1 draw against Coventry at the Ricoh Stadium today. Given that there was a rash of draws in the Championship, the result leaves them in 2nd position, although the Baggies could overtake them if, as expected, they beat QPR at home tomorrow.
Lloyd Sam was scorer for Charlton after 15 minutes, but Coventry equalised late in the second half. A 1-1 draw was our prediction for this match and, on the balance of play, it was not an unfair result. We also had the pleasure of seeing how annoyed Iain Dowie was when the first goal went on.
The Sky Blues dancing girls came on waving some shreds of kitchen foil. I notice that when the teams came on to the pitch their moves were not coordinated. The Coventry chairman came on in a tasteless light brown suit and made some remarks that were drowned out by the jeers of the Addickted. A naff tune that could apply to any club called City was played.
Charlton made a couple of early errors. Semedo lost the ball allowing Coventry to attack. Reid made an unforced error, but he made up for it when he put a superb ball right across the pitch to Semedo. However, the Millwall hater could only put in a soft shot to keeper Andy Marshall who I am sure I saw play for Norwich City reserves at The Valley many years ago (Sky Blues have wisely dropped the hapless Whatawasteofmoneytopoulos).
Neither side was really in charge in the first fifteen minutes and it was therefore especially pleasing when Lloyd Sam scored at the other end. He controlled a high clearance well and put the ball past Marshall.
Chris Powell was in great form at this stage of the match and engaged in some excellent defensive work. Coventry have collected more yellow cards than any team in the league apart from Sheffield Wednesday and charm merchant Robbie Simpson was booked for a foul on Reid.
Luke Varney was brought down in the box and there was a strong penalty call from the Addickted. Pards has subsequently said that he thought it was a penalty which would have hopefully given Charlton a 2-0 lead from which Coventry would have found it hard to recover.
As the half hour was passed, hesitation by Fortune left the goal at Coventry's mercy but fortunately the shot came off the post. Sky Blues won a corner, Weaver punched out Doyle's effort and the Charlton defence started to panic, leading to two further corners (good news for the firm of builders sponsoring them).
Charlton won a corner but the delivery was too low and generally poor. It's an aspect of our play that still concerns me. Sam turned provider for Big Chris, but Marshall saved. Iwelumo then put in a header that was not too far wide.
Half time: Sky Blues 0, Addicks 1
At times the first half had been played at quite a relaxed pace, but the second half was more frenetic as Coventry searched for an equaliser. Semedo conceded a free kick in a dangerous position, picking up a yellow card. The free kick came off the Charlton wall. Another mistake by Fortune required Weaver to make a good save with his feet. Iwelumo won Charlton a corner and Reid put in a decent effort, but it was cleared.
Weaver had to make a save on the ground. Luke Varney burst through, but was ruled offside and the keeper saved anyway. A moment of danger in front of the Charlton goal led to a Sky Blues corner.
Dowie withdrew Leon Best, who was not and brought on Dean Adebola. Charlton applied some pressure, but Coventry broke away and won a corner. Former Quorn ace Luke Varney, who must have played nearby in more humble grounds, was withdrawn and replaced by McLeod.
Sky Blues won another two corners. McLeod won Charlton a free kick and Stephen Hughes was booked. McLeod burst through and was one on one with Marshall but his weak effort was easily saved, the keeper giving him a reassuring pat on the head. Coventry had a penalty call and both me and the bloke in front of me thought it was as good as that denied to Charlton.
Lloyd Sam was withdrawn in favour of Matt Holland and went straight down the tunnel. McLeod made another of his runs but put in a tame shot. Then on 84 minutes the Mosquito at last started to buzz. With a big gap opening up in the Charlton defence, he buzzed through and put the ball well beyond the reach of Weaver at the near post into the far corner of the net. The home crowd suddenly came alive.
A Charlton free kick led to a corner, but once again it was poor. Semedo was cynically brought down. Then Chris Iwelumo had a great chance to score from a header and we all thought that it must have gone in, but it went just wide. Someone said that it was reminiscent of the Lisbie miss at Watford.
Although Charlton won another corner in the four minutes added on, it was clear that the match was going to end all square. An away point at Coventry is far from a bad result, but many had hoped for more.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible and Hooch the Pooch conferred in the car on the way back and have awarded the Silver Bone to Lloyd Sam for his contribution througout the match as well as his goal. 'There's only one Lloyd Sam' sang the Addickted with fervour when he was substituted. Weaver made a number of good saves and was not really at fault for the goal when he was let down by his defence. Fortune showed a worrying tendency to be error prone and nearly gave Coventry an equaliser in the first half. Bougherra was not prominent although he seemed to do his job well enough. Powell had a great game until towards the end when arguably he was at fault for the goal. Can he last ninety minutes? Mills had another good game, powerful in defence and threatening in attack, although he collected an avoidable booking. Semedo had a good game, showing some silky skills. Reid made a good contribution, passing well, although some of his corners were a little disappointing. Zheng Zhi had some excellent moments, but also some less good ones. Varney played his heart out, but was sometimes lacking in that final ten per cent of skill that would make the difference. Iwelumo had been identified as the danger man by Coventry and was closely marked, but missed one golden chance to score from a header. McLeod was energetic when he came on, but his finishing was poor and the lack of skill needed for the Championship showed. Holland played reliably when he came on.
Hiss of the Match has been given by Juneau the Soccer Cat to Iain Dowie for being a plonker. The tracksuit may be intended to suggest effectiveness in contrast to Alan Pardew's sharp suit, but all it does is try to contribute to a pretence that he is a top line manager.
Crowd rating: 8/10. The large group of Addickted was in good voice and I particularly enjoyed the apposite chant of 'Your ground is too big for you.'
Lloyd Sam was scorer for Charlton after 15 minutes, but Coventry equalised late in the second half. A 1-1 draw was our prediction for this match and, on the balance of play, it was not an unfair result. We also had the pleasure of seeing how annoyed Iain Dowie was when the first goal went on.
The Sky Blues dancing girls came on waving some shreds of kitchen foil. I notice that when the teams came on to the pitch their moves were not coordinated. The Coventry chairman came on in a tasteless light brown suit and made some remarks that were drowned out by the jeers of the Addickted. A naff tune that could apply to any club called City was played.
Charlton made a couple of early errors. Semedo lost the ball allowing Coventry to attack. Reid made an unforced error, but he made up for it when he put a superb ball right across the pitch to Semedo. However, the Millwall hater could only put in a soft shot to keeper Andy Marshall who I am sure I saw play for Norwich City reserves at The Valley many years ago (Sky Blues have wisely dropped the hapless Whatawasteofmoneytopoulos).
Neither side was really in charge in the first fifteen minutes and it was therefore especially pleasing when Lloyd Sam scored at the other end. He controlled a high clearance well and put the ball past Marshall.
Chris Powell was in great form at this stage of the match and engaged in some excellent defensive work. Coventry have collected more yellow cards than any team in the league apart from Sheffield Wednesday and charm merchant Robbie Simpson was booked for a foul on Reid.
Luke Varney was brought down in the box and there was a strong penalty call from the Addickted. Pards has subsequently said that he thought it was a penalty which would have hopefully given Charlton a 2-0 lead from which Coventry would have found it hard to recover.
As the half hour was passed, hesitation by Fortune left the goal at Coventry's mercy but fortunately the shot came off the post. Sky Blues won a corner, Weaver punched out Doyle's effort and the Charlton defence started to panic, leading to two further corners (good news for the firm of builders sponsoring them).
Charlton won a corner but the delivery was too low and generally poor. It's an aspect of our play that still concerns me. Sam turned provider for Big Chris, but Marshall saved. Iwelumo then put in a header that was not too far wide.
Half time: Sky Blues 0, Addicks 1
At times the first half had been played at quite a relaxed pace, but the second half was more frenetic as Coventry searched for an equaliser. Semedo conceded a free kick in a dangerous position, picking up a yellow card. The free kick came off the Charlton wall. Another mistake by Fortune required Weaver to make a good save with his feet. Iwelumo won Charlton a corner and Reid put in a decent effort, but it was cleared.
Weaver had to make a save on the ground. Luke Varney burst through, but was ruled offside and the keeper saved anyway. A moment of danger in front of the Charlton goal led to a Sky Blues corner.
Dowie withdrew Leon Best, who was not and brought on Dean Adebola. Charlton applied some pressure, but Coventry broke away and won a corner. Former Quorn ace Luke Varney, who must have played nearby in more humble grounds, was withdrawn and replaced by McLeod.
Sky Blues won another two corners. McLeod won Charlton a free kick and Stephen Hughes was booked. McLeod burst through and was one on one with Marshall but his weak effort was easily saved, the keeper giving him a reassuring pat on the head. Coventry had a penalty call and both me and the bloke in front of me thought it was as good as that denied to Charlton.
Lloyd Sam was withdrawn in favour of Matt Holland and went straight down the tunnel. McLeod made another of his runs but put in a tame shot. Then on 84 minutes the Mosquito at last started to buzz. With a big gap opening up in the Charlton defence, he buzzed through and put the ball well beyond the reach of Weaver at the near post into the far corner of the net. The home crowd suddenly came alive.
A Charlton free kick led to a corner, but once again it was poor. Semedo was cynically brought down. Then Chris Iwelumo had a great chance to score from a header and we all thought that it must have gone in, but it went just wide. Someone said that it was reminiscent of the Lisbie miss at Watford.
Although Charlton won another corner in the four minutes added on, it was clear that the match was going to end all square. An away point at Coventry is far from a bad result, but many had hoped for more.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible and Hooch the Pooch conferred in the car on the way back and have awarded the Silver Bone to Lloyd Sam for his contribution througout the match as well as his goal. 'There's only one Lloyd Sam' sang the Addickted with fervour when he was substituted. Weaver made a number of good saves and was not really at fault for the goal when he was let down by his defence. Fortune showed a worrying tendency to be error prone and nearly gave Coventry an equaliser in the first half. Bougherra was not prominent although he seemed to do his job well enough. Powell had a great game until towards the end when arguably he was at fault for the goal. Can he last ninety minutes? Mills had another good game, powerful in defence and threatening in attack, although he collected an avoidable booking. Semedo had a good game, showing some silky skills. Reid made a good contribution, passing well, although some of his corners were a little disappointing. Zheng Zhi had some excellent moments, but also some less good ones. Varney played his heart out, but was sometimes lacking in that final ten per cent of skill that would make the difference. Iwelumo had been identified as the danger man by Coventry and was closely marked, but missed one golden chance to score from a header. McLeod was energetic when he came on, but his finishing was poor and the lack of skill needed for the Championship showed. Holland played reliably when he came on.
Hiss of the Match has been given by Juneau the Soccer Cat to Iain Dowie for being a plonker. The tracksuit may be intended to suggest effectiveness in contrast to Alan Pardew's sharp suit, but all it does is try to contribute to a pretence that he is a top line manager.
Crowd rating: 8/10. The large group of Addickted was in good voice and I particularly enjoyed the apposite chant of 'Your ground is too big for you.'
The Big Day Dawns
For the small band of Warwickshire Addicks this is one of the biggest matches of the season as Charlton face Iain Dowie's Coventry City. You could probably fit the Warwickshire fans of Charlton into one of Racing Club Warwick's Racing To Get You There minibuses. Occasionally I see them trundling empty through an affluent village as they search in vain for the socially excluded (which is why the council paid for them).
You may have seen the brilliant YouTube video in which Adolf Hitler is a Sheffield United fan who is brought news of their relegation. Foaming at the mouth, the fuhrer threatens not to renew his season ticket and advises Warnock what he can do with himself. 'It had to be Unsworth who scored', raves the fuhrer. See it here:
Hitler
Hitler 'Coventrated' the city of Coventry and today one can see the poignant ruins of the old cathedral alongside what I think is a modern masterpice by Sir Basil Spence where I have been to a number of events that have filled the building. It is, however, arguable that the post-war planners did more damage to the city with their ring road on stilts and their shopping precinct, although an effort has been made to improve the latter.
I was amused that the Google Ad we were carrying earlier in the week was one for flights out of Coventry. This must be the only airport in the country with a temporary terminal building, but the flights have enraged Brakes supremo David Hucker who lives under the flight path in the chocolate box village of Stoneleigh.
Coventry supporters are anticipating an easy win today. Andy Turner's 'big match prediction' is a 2-1 win for the Sky Blues with Chris Iwelumo named as danger man: Big Match .
Pride sometimes comes before a fall. I am forecasting a 1-1 draw: at least that should prevent women Coventry supporters staging Lady Godiva style rides in honour of Iain Dowie.
You may have seen the brilliant YouTube video in which Adolf Hitler is a Sheffield United fan who is brought news of their relegation. Foaming at the mouth, the fuhrer threatens not to renew his season ticket and advises Warnock what he can do with himself. 'It had to be Unsworth who scored', raves the fuhrer. See it here:
Hitler
Hitler 'Coventrated' the city of Coventry and today one can see the poignant ruins of the old cathedral alongside what I think is a modern masterpice by Sir Basil Spence where I have been to a number of events that have filled the building. It is, however, arguable that the post-war planners did more damage to the city with their ring road on stilts and their shopping precinct, although an effort has been made to improve the latter.
I was amused that the Google Ad we were carrying earlier in the week was one for flights out of Coventry. This must be the only airport in the country with a temporary terminal building, but the flights have enraged Brakes supremo David Hucker who lives under the flight path in the chocolate box village of Stoneleigh.
Coventry supporters are anticipating an easy win today. Andy Turner's 'big match prediction' is a 2-1 win for the Sky Blues with Chris Iwelumo named as danger man: Big Match .
Pride sometimes comes before a fall. I am forecasting a 1-1 draw: at least that should prevent women Coventry supporters staging Lady Godiva style rides in honour of Iain Dowie.
Friday, 28 September 2007
Mosquito bite is Dowie's secret weapon
Maltese international Michael Mifsud, nicknamed 'The Mosquito', is a household name in Malta and Coventry after he scored two goals at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup. The magic midget who is somewhat on the portly side is a little reminiscent of Ben Mackie whom Coventry offloaded on to Leamington after playing him in their first team.
You can read more about the Maltese threat to Charlton here:
Mosquito
Two dog reporters named for game
Ivy and Hooch enjoyed a regular lunchtime swim when they were on work experience with the St.John Ambulance at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire in August
Both senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch and up and coming young reporter Ivy the Terrible will be covering tomorrow's game. This is an unusual step and underlines the importance of the game to the Warwickshire shepherds. 'We can also double up as guard dogs,' explained Hooch the Pooch who is a little portly himself but tries to keep fit by daily swims in the Grand Union Canal. Hooch will return to Leamington with Ivy rather than go home to Long Itchington so that he can help with the match analysis.
You can read more about the Maltese threat to Charlton here:
Mosquito
Two dog reporters named for game
Ivy and Hooch enjoyed a regular lunchtime swim when they were on work experience with the St.John Ambulance at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire in August
Both senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch and up and coming young reporter Ivy the Terrible will be covering tomorrow's game. This is an unusual step and underlines the importance of the game to the Warwickshire shepherds. 'We can also double up as guard dogs,' explained Hooch the Pooch who is a little portly himself but tries to keep fit by daily swims in the Grand Union Canal. Hooch will return to Leamington with Ivy rather than go home to Long Itchington so that he can help with the match analysis.
Your referee tomorrow
One of the things that is different about the Championship is that we don't know the referees. There are no 'personality' refs who subsequent become minor celebrities and pundits like Graham Poll. The methane breathing appartus is no longer in evidence to accommodate referees who have just arrived from another planet. On the other hand, some of the refs in the Championship might as well have come from a minor asteroid for all the use they are, particularly in controlling foul play.
Tomorrow's referee Neil Swarbrick is described, admittedly by another referee, as 'one of the nicest, most down to earth-guys I have met in my long refereeing career. He is possibly the only good thing to have come out of Preston other than the West Coast main line.'
But he is no softie having upset the cabbie's friend Dennis Wise at the match which Leeds lost to the Baggies in January:
'Wise slammed replacement referee Neil Swarbrick over his handling of the game.
Swarbrick, belatedly appointed in place of Steve Bennett, stepped in and ordered Wise to the stands when the Leeds boss pushed Albion man of the match Diomansy Kamara with a minute left.
Wise thought Kamara was taking too much time to leave the pitch on being substituted and was angry that the striker made a gesture to the home crowd.
He blasted: "It took Kamara more than four minutes to walk off. How the referee could only allow four minutes added time I don't know.
"Kamara was taking his time and I pushed him to get him off the pitch. I'd had enough of him making gestures to the crowd. I wish we'd had Steve Bennett in charge today. The referee's performance was very poor and he didn't control the game."
You can make your own assessment tomorrow.
Tomorrow's referee Neil Swarbrick is described, admittedly by another referee, as 'one of the nicest, most down to earth-guys I have met in my long refereeing career. He is possibly the only good thing to have come out of Preston other than the West Coast main line.'
But he is no softie having upset the cabbie's friend Dennis Wise at the match which Leeds lost to the Baggies in January:
'Wise slammed replacement referee Neil Swarbrick over his handling of the game.
Swarbrick, belatedly appointed in place of Steve Bennett, stepped in and ordered Wise to the stands when the Leeds boss pushed Albion man of the match Diomansy Kamara with a minute left.
Wise thought Kamara was taking too much time to leave the pitch on being substituted and was angry that the striker made a gesture to the home crowd.
He blasted: "It took Kamara more than four minutes to walk off. How the referee could only allow four minutes added time I don't know.
"Kamara was taking his time and I pushed him to get him off the pitch. I'd had enough of him making gestures to the crowd. I wish we'd had Steve Bennett in charge today. The referee's performance was very poor and he didn't control the game."
You can make your own assessment tomorrow.
Dowie: Charlton made a mistake
Iain Dowie thinks that Charlton made a mistake in letting him go as manager and that he has a point to prove in tomorrow's match. However, there are no hard feelings:
Dowie
Sky Blues are walking round Coventry with their chests puffed out after they beat Manchester United's youth team in the Carling Cup. They are insistent that they are on a roll and will crush Charlton without any difficulty. We shall see.
What is evident from reports of the match at Old Trafford is that Chaventry favour crunching tackles and it is always open to question whether you get the kind of protection from the referee in the Championship that you get in the Premiership.
Dowie
Sky Blues are walking round Coventry with their chests puffed out after they beat Manchester United's youth team in the Carling Cup. They are insistent that they are on a roll and will crush Charlton without any difficulty. We shall see.
What is evident from reports of the match at Old Trafford is that Chaventry favour crunching tackles and it is always open to question whether you get the kind of protection from the referee in the Championship that you get in the Premiership.
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