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 ...
Monday, 27 August 2007
Saturday, 25 August 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, 23 August 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, 11 August 2007
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!
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!
Thursday, 2 August 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
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.)
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.)
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