Charlton comeback- again

2-2. Not a bad result. An away draw is never bad- especially at Colchester who are a decent team. But worryingly, another two goals conceded. Our defensive lapses need to be cut out if our attacking prowess is going to count for anything. Its no good scoring two if you concede two as well, besides the excitement of it all, that is.

We now enter a period of a few weeks in which teams can climb the league very quickly.

Norwich at home is an interesting fixture. They are a side that have playoff aspirations, and so should come at us a bit.This will leave space in behind for us to exploit (another high scoring game in the offing, perhaps?) with our numerous attackers.

Both Iwelumo and Todorov 'hobbled off' at Colchester. Does anyone know how serious their injuries are?

England 3-0 Israel

So, surprisingly a good performance from England in a game that we never looked like losing.

Wright-Phillips, Owen and Richards got the goals to ensure that Mclaren (wearing a suit and sporting an impressive combover) and Venables (donning his England tracksuit and a black and white striped polo-shirt, with swag written in big letters on the front) looked slightly less pale at the final whistle. Mclaren even looked to have slightly more hair at the end of the game, or maybe it was a trick of the light.

Both Coles were disappointing, and Ferdinand was his usual dopey self, but other than them everyone was uncharacteristically competent. The only other downside was that Heskey performed well enough to earn a recall...

The calm before the storm.

Current ponderings

Fantastic result against Palarse, eh? Apparently, the atmosphere in the stands, and in the changing room after the game was great. Morale in the squad must be superb after a comeback last week and a local derby victory on Saturday. And two consecutive wins puts us up to the heady hights of seventh, only one place outside the play-off places! Wow, us, in the top half... I, like most Charlton fans, am enjoying the Championship; the excitement, the passion, but most of all the optimism I feel going into every game. I genuinly believe we can and should win every week, which is much better than hoping for a draw.

The latest rumour is that Pards is weighing up the possibility of signing a teenage Ireland international on loan, to replace Marcus Bent. Pudon?

England have two games coming up. I love watching England play, but only because I enjoy moaning and shouting at the overrated idiots when they mess it all up- again. Yet, I remain hopeful that one day, maybe far in the future ,there will be a good England side. Fat chance of that with Emile Heskey, yes, Emile Heskey, recalled.

If Mcaren is short of strikers then why not try Agbonlahor, Young, Moore or Derbyshire (all look like players with great potential) instead of Heskey.

Window round-up

The transfer window is finished, and on the whole I am happy with Charlton's wheeling and dealing. The last two days saw two arrivals and two departures.

Both Mills - experienced, tough tackling and influential - and Sodje, six foot odd and wide as a door - are good loan signings, whether as cover or in the first team.

Faye and Bent meanwhile have gone up north, also in "loan" deals. Faye need never return as far as I'm concerned, but I am in the minority of Charlton fans where Bent is concerned. Sure, we paid too much for him; sure, his wages are too high and sure, he doesn't score many goals, but I always thought that he won lots of headers, worked hard (at times), and would be very dangerous in this division. Most other Charlton fans disagree, I know.

I suppose that one reason for all the loans, not just at Charlton, is that it gives the clubs time to haggle over a fee, while the player is still eligible to play.

Today we play Palace. They'll be up for the game, no doubt. But will we? Will our newbees understand the importance of the game? We shall see.

Stockport next up

Anyone else noticed that every team we play begins with the letter 's': Scunthorpe, Swindon, Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday and now Stockport. Typical Palarse to ruin it on Saturday.

I'm not going tomorrow, but I will be interested to see what sort of side we field. Will we try to build a side that knows each other inside out, and start with the same or very similar eleven? Or will we use the cup as an opportunity to rest key players and blood youngsters?

Meanwhile, rumours that Bent may go to Wigan or one of the promoted sides (likely), and Earnshaw might come to Charlton (ridiculous) persist. Reasons to doubt the Earnshaw rumour ? The lad has only just got off the train at Derby, and would surely be reluctant to move straight back to a Championship side; we are already well stocked with strikers, even if Bent leaves; Pards has bemoaned our side's lack of height, so seems unlikely to be on the lookout for another titch; and apparently the money that Derby receive for the transfer would be spent on Nugent, who recently moved to Portsmouth, and probably wouldn't fancy the move to a club already fated to relegation. No one links us with the kind of tough and commanding centre back that we really -- desperately -- need. Pards moves in mysterious ways ...

Charlton 3-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Well I was gonna have a rant, but...


This is the sort of game that can really give a team confidence and kick-start their season, as Pardew pointed out. Certainly the second half was probably as good a performance as we'll see this season, and credit must go partly to Pards for that. But in the first half, we were terible. I don't understand why Reid (all left foot) was on the right, and Thomas (all right foot) was on the left- although he prefers it there- and blame must go partly to Pards for that.


We swapped the wings and introduced Zheng and, in the second half, the game turned. Three fantastic finishes later, we left The Valley happy.


So, a qualified well done to Pards and the lads. Let's hope everyone's learning the lessons. Defensively we've got to toughen up and start winning the aerial battles and Pards needs to recognize the importance of Andy Reid to the side, and play him where he can have the greatest influence on the game - which is not stuck out on the right wing.


Man of the match: Iwelumo. Two thumping finishes to give us the points after a poor first half. Reid, for some great passes and a fine goal, and Zheng, for adding shape and discipline to midfield, ran him close.

Wednesday Preview

Injury list: Yassin, Varney, Holland, Todorov.
Other unavailable players: Dickson (loan), Racon (Pards won't play him yet).

So it could be that our squad will be stretched for Saturday, but I remain unusually optimistic. I didn't see the the Stoke game, so the last time I saw Charlton was against Scunthorpe, which wasn't a bad performance. I am anticipating a similar game: smooth build-up play, slick passing and silky skills creating chance after chance, versus uncompromising hoofs for Big Bent to chase. ;)

Seriously though, the difference in technical ability between Scunthorpe and us was huge, and Wednesday may not be much better. They will probably battle in midfield, defend deep and ride their luck while we attack relentlessly. 0-1 then... with Jeffers getting the only goal... please God no.

Hopefully the ref won't be so bad this week, anyway.

I would line-up:

Weaver
Semedo McCarthy Bougherra Thatcher
Ambrose Zheng Zhi Reid Thomas
Bent Mcleod

Subs: Randolph, Powell (for the post-match jig), Fortune, Sam, Iwelumo.

Charlton 1 Scunthorpe 1

Strange to say, after a home draw with Scunthorpe, this was an encouraging performance. The difference in technical ability between the teams was frankly enormous. Only some wayward finishing, an excellent and courageous performance by Scunthorpe's keeper, and a lapse in defensive concentration at a corner stood in the way of an emphatic win.

The team is, of course, in the early stages of its development and we are going to have to be patient, but it looks promising. Moutouakil was sublime - just about a perfect performance - and Big Bent, a few wild finishes apart, ran him close for man of the match. Semedo was determined and skilful in central midfield; Lloyd Sam tied his marker in intricate knots but must improve his crossing; and Todorov was inconsistent but did produce moments of class. On the down side, there were a few instances of confusion and loss of concentration in defence, and Andy Reid was certainly not at his best. We could reframe this positively - we can feel confident that there is better to come.

The side looks good, with another defender to come, so we should be challenging for the title come the turn of the year. And there are many positives- we are unbeaten, after all.

Up the Addicks!

Holiday and Rumour Mill

We are going on holiday, but are set to return the day before the Scunthorpe game.

Meanwhile, Charlton are willing to sell Fortune to Stoke - a move that would suggest Diawara is staying put - and Pards claims that two experienced players, one of them a striker, will join by the weekend, and that Thomas is staying.

Dyer is going to West Ham, a move that could re-open the possibility of signing Mullins. Or will Pards surprise the rumour merchants of Her Majesty's tabloids by taking Bowyer instead? The 'experienced striker' is rumoured to be Andrew Cole. If true, let's hope he has more honesty and professional pride than Jimmy Fat Arseholebutt.

Roll on September 1st

Just when things were shaping up nicely- an unbeaten pre-season, fringe players on the move and cash in the bank- other clubs are making moves for some of our key players.

Bordeaux say they are in talks with Charlton over a fee for Diawara, and Derby insinuate that they are prepared to pay 3 million for Thomas. I regard Diawara as a class act, and would certainly want at least the 3.7 million that we paid for him if we were to sell. Apparently we value Thomas at 8 million- so under half of that is unlikely to hit the spot.

I think that both players would be quality in the Championship, so should be kept. Pardew announced on the official site that the club was not desperate for cash, so would not be forced to sell. And the players have both played a big part in pre-season, so shouldn't be desperate to move.

For Jerome (who looked a class act in an industrious and skillful midfield with Ambrose, Semedo and Reidy) a move to Derby would not necessarily be sensible, as surely we stand more chance of playing Premiership football in a year's time than Derby do.

Nevertheless, I am still concerned that, as the window closes, our squad will turn from title challengers to play off hopefuls as players jump-Champion-ship. (Excuse the rubbish pun.)

Charlton Changes

Young will be playing at the Riverside next year after Middlesbrough coughed up 2.5 million for him. He was always consistent but never outstanding, so I find it hard to be sad at his departure. I'm not sure it's the right move for Luke though. Middlesbrough have the look of relegation candidates about them, now that they've lost their idol, Viduka. Anyway, I am now eagerly anticipating getting a look at Yassin ( insert correct spelling of that French fullback here) in the friendly at Priestfield tommorow. Certainly Pards seems to think that the kid is a ready made replacement for Young.

Walton has also departed: he's gone for 200,000 to QPR. I trust Pards' judgement, and he obviously thought that he wasn't much cop, but the news puts another black mark against Dowie's name, since he bought him for double that fee this time last year and he never even played in a first team competitive game.

Dean - not the Chelsea winger but the ex-Barnet midfielder - Sinclair has penned a contract after a trial in which he impressed Pardew. Apparently he's got a great engine, but no technique. Sounds like a certain Bulgarian to me. Anyway, he scored against Man Utd so he must be good ;)!

Just think, we could build a team full of players from lower leagues that have scored against Premiership giants in cup competitions - we've already got Varney. We'd be unstoppable.

Mullins? Apparently we're still after him. I, for one, would be ecstatic if we could sign Hayden, I think he would boss the midfield in the Championship and, for the million or so being quoted, he would be a snip.

McLeod would prefer a move to The Valley according to a number of sources. Well, we'll see, but I think that if we were going to sign him we would have done so a few weeks ago.

Romm's Gone! 'Bout bloody time...

Cast your minds back to Sunday the 5th of December 2004... I speak, of course, about the South London derby that ended one-nil to Charlton, courtesy of a last gasp winner from Dennis. This was supposed to be the moment that the speedy winger finally found his feet in the premiership after disappointing previously. Alas, it wasn't to be, as he continued to put in shoddy performances week in, week out until the end of his first season. But, I thought, plenty of players fail to make an impact in their first year in this physically competitive league, so I was willing to give Romm a second season.

No good. Rommedahl remains the same light-weight, work-shy, lily-livered, money-guzzling waste of space today, as he was the day he joined. All pace, no purpose.

Just six goals, none of which came at The Valley, from sixty seven largely pointless performances speaks for itself. Dennis, my boy, you will not be missed.

2.5 million for Young and 0.5 million for Rommedahl gives us some money to help fill the midfield chasm and to buy Mcleod aswell- fingers crossed.

Up the Addicks.

Midfield Minefield

We're getting a bit worried about our midfield vacuum. Or perhaps it's more of a feather duster. We certainly lack a strong ballwinner -- Pards doesn't seem to rate Walton -- and, should Andy Reid get injured, we won't have much in the way of match-winning creative flair either. If true, rumours that Lloyd Sam is going on loan to Kilmarnock and that Jody Morris will not be taken on (good -- there's no way he's a Charlton player) create additional vacancies in our midfield. As the market gradually clears -- Clemence to Leicester etc. -- our options are narrowing all the time.

It would certainly do nothing to solve the ball-winning problem (is Mullins waiting in the wings? Or, sing it softly, Song?), but I am casting my eyes in the direction of Claus. All right, he's a luxury player, but what luxury! OK, he's injury-prone, but he could spend much of his time relaxing on the bench. To our own cost, we know that Claus is a player who can turn a game on its head in a few moments, coming off the bench. So far as I am aware, he's still a free agent. Let's go get him!

Stop press: Luke Young is said to be on his way to Middlesbrough. Is he sure that's wise?

Transfer Update

The MK Dons star striker is having a medical today at Charlton, or so it seems.

According to a number of sources- mostly close to the Dons- the forward, who has scored sixty goals in the past three seasons, albeit in lower leagues, is set to sign in a deal with a fee as high as 1.7 million.

Meanwhile, Sinclair and Sahar look to be going elsewhere after all, largely because Chelsea thought that they would not be given a regular starting berth anyway. I am not too disappointed about this, as I don't think we should be signing loaners.

We have still not landed a midfield player, and with each day that goes by I get more and more worried that we will be signing Morris on a permanent basis.

Rommedahl and Young's respective sagas draw on with Villa, Brum, and Everton the contenders for Young's signature, which is thought to be worth 3 million. While Getafe are the lucky boys who are going to actually pay money (up to 1.5 million) to get Romm, beating competition from, well, no-one to sign the so-called footballer.

Mcleod Medical

In Pards We Trust

I realized something today: when it comes to future signings, and in the meantime the decision over the three trialists -- Pederson, Morris and Sinclair -- I trust Pards 99.9%.

Any signing we make I will view as a good one, simply because he signed them.
And any one we pass up on I will consider a bullet dodged, as long as it was Super Al's decision.

This is a good situation to be in: Pardew can do no wrong (for the moment at least).

As the squad stands, given the inevitable departure of Young (ah, well) and the imminent exit of Romm (yay) this would be my line-up for the first game of the season:

Weaver
Yassin Diawara Bougherra Thatcher
Ambrose Holland Reid Thomas
Todorov Varney

Subs: Randolph, McCarthy, Walton, Christensen, Iwelumo

How much of a Charlton fan are You?-- Find Out.

With pre-season dragging on, most Charlton fans start becoming restless as players return to training. I, for one, can't wait for the 11th of August when we face Scunthorpe. But are we all as keen as we think we are? Answer the following questions and find out.

Do you...

1) go to more than 10 games a season, including friendlies and cup games?
2) 15?
3) what about 20?
4) own a replica home shirt?
5) own an away shirt?
6) have the Official Web-site bookmarked in your favourites?
7) go to away games even if they are north of Birmingham?

Did you...

8) go to the games throughout the 70s and 80s?
9) help de-weeding (is that a word?) The Valley?
10) buy shares in the club to help with the finances?

If you scored nine or ten: you are a diehard fan.
If you scored five, six or seven: you are a loyal fan.
If you scored four or below: you are probably a Johnny Come Lately.
If you scored zero: you are surely wondering who Charlton Athletic are, and why you are on this blog. You are now checking the site address and realizing you made a mistake when typing in 'apeantics.blogspot.com'.

Up the Addicks.

Transfer Updates

With Jody Morris' transfer to the Valley still not announced, the weekend's other rumours have also not been confirmed as of 5 o'clock Monday afternoon.

Mullins was mentioned. For 1 million I thought that this would have been a good signing, he could hold the midfield perhaps, allowing Reidy to dictate in the attacking third. Mullins is a good championship player, but if we sign championship players then we will possibly become a championship club.

Young striker Sahar's impending loan to The Valley has still not gone through, but his Chelsea teammate Scott Sinclair should arrive at Charlton in the near future after Super Al beat a host of championship clubs to win his signature. The promising winger will probably join up with the squad at the same time as Sahar does -- probably the 10th.

And who's on the way out? Young has been linked with Villa again and will be leaving for 4 million- maybe; Thomas is going to Man City for 1 million- supposedly; and Youga has gone on loan to Scunthorpe -- definitely. Oh, and Lisbie is being tracked by Reading -- unluckily (for Reading.)

Please note that the preceding rumours are probably invented by journos with an idle few minutes and itchy fingers, and are most likely a load of rubbish. Therefore, please refrain from suing when (errr... I mean 'if') none of the above happens.

Up the Addicks.

Football hooliganism comes to The Valley

The word is that Jody Morris has put pen to paper (really?) and signed for Charlton. When he first emerged at Chelsea, he looked a promising and moderately talented attacking midfield player, but it wasn't long before his career entered a thuggish decline. An allegedly extravagant late night refuelling habit and a prodigious liberality with fist, mouth and nut accompanied him through a drift down the leagues, ending in the humiliation of a free transfer from the Spanners.

Surely it's time to take stock and pull yourself together, Jody. Get off your knees, stand up and be a real man. Oh... you are standing up.

Ben Thatcher, Jody Morris; who's next?-- Kevin Muscat? Ouch! Looks like we'll be watching Charlton from behind the sofa next season.

This blog, for one, can't say it's pleased to meet you, Jody.

Jynx

On Wednesday, I bemoaned Charlton's inability to sign a striker. Minutes later an announcement on the official website stated that we had landed Todorov on a free transfer. The blogger's jynx. Wait a minute...

...Obviously Charlton need to be looking into signing world class players. It is an outrage that we are not being linked with the likes of Totti or Kaka, as such signings would be a phenomenal boost to the club's promotion chances.
There, that should do it...

Anyway, Todorov seems like a good signing- although I would have preffered Eastwood- and last time he was playing in the second tier he was prolific for Portsmouth. Meanwhile, Nicky Weaver has also joined on a free and if you look on New York Addick's blog, you can see a video courtesy of YouTube, which seems to show that Weaver could be pretty useful. Weaver is what we needed: an experienced keeper who will provide compitition for Randolph between the sticks.

On free transfers, both signings seem decent enough.

Up the Addicks.

So Where's Our Striker Then?

What's wrong with Charlton?

First there was Roberts and Charlton were hot on the trail of the Blackburn stricker. What came of it? Nothing...
Then there was Earnshaw and Charlton were on the brink of signing the Norwich star Did it happen? No...
Then there was Sahar and we had apparently secured the services on loan of the Chelsea starlet. Yet for some reason: nothing on the official website...
Then there was Todorov and Charlton had agreed a one year deal with the Bulgarian international. So where's the news story on the bleedin' website then.
And Eastwood, well, it looks like he's gone an' buggered off to Wolves. Readers, this is the final straw. Wolves.

Heads have got to roll. Either there is something wrong with Charlton that somehow repels players when they are just about to sign on the dotted line, or the official website is just being plain lazy (in the case of Sahar perhaps) and not posting the news. Whichever one it is, things aren't looking good.

Wait, who am I kidding? Nothing is wrong with Charlton. I know what the real problem is: the stupid strikers. They are obviously so over-awed by the magnificence of our club that they feel like they just ain't good enough for us. Never mind.

Fayeding Away?

Following yesterday's announcement by Charlton that 28 year old 'wunderkid' Kevin Lisbie has been released, it seems that Amady Faye will be next to leave, with Birmingham reportedly after him.

For a short while at the beginning of last season, Faye looked awesome, the answer. By mid-season we were wondering what on earth the question could have been. Miserably misplaced passes, an apparent lack of stamina and will; he seemed barely interested. Do we think he will display more energy and commitment in the Championship? Probably not.

Faye's departure, and presuming Youngy and Romm are also on their way out, would see our wage bill reduced dramatically ahead of the new season, which without all the Sky money is very important.But it would leave a huge gap in midfield for us to fill with a reduced budget. Who's out there, within our price range, in the young, talented and hungry mould, good enough to win the Championship and grow into the Premiership? Offhand, no-one. It's a worry.

On the other hand, who are we to stand in the way of good ol' Brucy's legendary prowess in the transfer market and his burning desire to have a cumbersome, cross-eyed midfield maestro with a dodgy motor in his ranks?