Second Division And Proud

RIP IT UP AND START AGAIN?

2008-12-28T16:46:00.003Z

‘So after the good and the bad came the … actually it wasn’t that ugly. It wasn’t that pretty either …’

As you may be aware it’s been over two weeks since my last blog (except that from earlier today ;) and above is as far as I got following the Derby match. Since that draw snatched from the jaws of victory, we’ve lost to Narwch and drawn (2-2 at home again) to Rangers and losing to Sheffield United. Plenty has happened worldwide and in my own little world including seeing temps come and go and I’ve even had my first (and probably last) trip on the famous Valley Express. Now with Parkinson at the helm until another bleeding ‘strategic review’ at the beginning of January we await the next bout of ins and outs. However there’s some questions bashing around inside my noggin …

If the board have carried out so many strategic reviews and need to keep doing it again aren’t they getting it wrong? (I’m not blaming them as we have (had) one of the best around - but why dress it up – just make a bloody decision and appoint someone)
If Parkinson was given the opportunity to prove himself with results – surely he hasn’t so we’ll get someone new?
Who is making the decisions about players coming and going? A temp manager or the board? Either way it’s time to rip it up and start again … get the new man in pronto and let him start making the decisions now. We have (almost) half a season to go and a decent group of players for this level (even without all the temps) so the right man has the time and resources to turn things around – I just hope he, whoever he may be (and I’ll add Ince to my list of definite nos!), arrives sooner rather than later – Coooome on you board!!! You’ve had some time to sort it – now do it, please!

A short rambling today after such absence with which I’ll leave you with a snippet from a somewhat surreal evening I had recently which included a short conversation with fellow Addick Gary Bushell who in a moment reminiscent of the famous quote about George Best asked me (in similar wording) where did it all go wrong? We shared a shrug of the shoulders and carried on the evening … now Charlton need to start again rather than carry on regardless.

LET'S GET THE REDVOLUTION KICK STARTED WITH A NEW LEADER!

COME ON SANTA ...

2008-12-28T15:13:00.000Z

... I'm still bloody waiting!!!

DOWN DOWN DEEPER AND DOWN

2008-12-11T19:27:00.004Z

So after section 4 of the mental health act comes section 2 (which issupposed to mke sense to the sain) and after the nigels (and uncle les) comes parky (or Jack as I like to call him). But what comes after that? More Phil? Paulo? Keano? Well I'm waiting to hear and am glad I used what little sense I had about me to resist full on endorsement for Parkinson to be named permanent manager. After the lord mayors show came - well, another two defeats. I know the saints match wasn't the resounding victory we all crave but boy was it a million times better than most of the gruel we've been served up over recent times. Contrast that with the dross we witnessed for large parts of the coventry match and it almost makes you feel like I'm not the only schizophrenic around here. Nor me.

There were several times, most noticeably at set pieces where the 'team' (or at least elements of it) didn't seem to know what was going on. The vastly improved style of football and team work from less than two weeks ago had disappeared. But why? I honestly don't know and my recent sabbatical has left me lacking in updates from fellow bloggers, forums and professional journalism alike. I'm serious when I ask what the feck is happening at Charlton?

I know I've said the board need to take time to make the right decision and I stand by that sentiment. I just hope they don't leave it too long - we need to know who will be leading us through the next stage of the REDVOLUTION and out of this mess.

As far as individuals are concerned there are a few who deserve special mention in (anti) despatches but I'll limit my targets to Cranie (please let's just get rid now regardless of loan period, who's paying his wages and whatever the deal was with 'Arry - the bloke's a lazy liability and I'm fed up with the sight of him, particularly when rentokil or Jose could do a far better job) and Bailey (the once promising ginger ninja doesn't seem to have managed the step up and whilst playing in a poor team obviously doesn't help he doesn't seem to be able to buy a pass - an old golf buddy of mine once offered wise advise when asking me what percentage of short putts settle in the hole? The answer of course is nil and that applies with football too - Bailey's passing seems to have been hit hard by the credit crunch). I could go on about others but I won't for now, except to sadly admit that even 2DAP's favourite Portuguese seems to be witnessing a dramatic downturn in form too.

One player who can hold his head up high in my opinion is Matt Holland whose tireless working may now lack the mileage of his Ipswich (and early Charlton) days but his intelligence makes up for this. As someone who thought he was possibly surplus to requirements a couple of years back I freely acknowledge I was wrong -although I still don't see him as a regular in the first eleven (unless we drop) his influence on and off the pitch is highly valuable, particularly in current climes. Add to his play his leadership and I wonder how worse (if possible) we might be without him. On that note I've held off commenting on a couple of things I've noticed over recent months for fear of being tarred (albeit correctly) as being a blinkered nigel hater. Well I'm guilty (just ask me who my least favoured five teams are and it'll explain ;-) and here's my latest rant why we should have little to do with anything or anyone ever associated with them tossers. In recent times I've noticed on more than one occasion that after the poncey pre-match handshakes our current skipper buggers off to do whatever he does. This has left a group of young mascots (I've preached on the virtues of our next generation of Addicks and will do so again!) Standing around looking lost - until Sir Matt steps in that is. Not his job anymore you know but still there to help when others fail. The other thing is the attitude of hudson during games when his head has dropped but there's Matty running, clapping and shouting to get the boys going again - particularly noticeable after letting in a goal (there's been plenty) and multiplied in the last match of pardew's reign (or should that be shower). Give the armband to Mr Holland on the way out - let his opus continue?

Anyway, I want to know what's going on with my team and its manager as its not looking particularly rosey at present and I really don't fancy writing 'third division and less proud than I used to be' next season.

So it's time for my medication and hopefully when the doctor sees what I've been up to he'll let me stay at home - see doc, back to my normal drunken incoherent negative ramblings - I'm OK really.

HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM CAUSED BY TWO nigels?

2008-11-30T20:42:00.003Z

Pride in the red shirt and Kinsella warm ups
Pre kick off huddles and friends with whom to sup
When the covered end stands up and sings
These are a few of my favourite things

Slick and smart passing with movement off the ball
Managers shouting but still looking quite cool
Fast footed wide men who even swap wings
These are a few of my favourite things

Clean sheets from Weaver and a 4-4-2 formation
Temps who immediately exceed expectations
A manager understanding where our club has been
These are a few of my favourite things

When the scum fight
When the nigels sing
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don’t feel so mad

(2DAP is currently unavailable to write his usual post match blog having unfortunately been detained under section 4 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Apparently he returned home on Saturday night claiming to have actually enjoyed the match at the Valley. His family felt this behaviour to be most out of recent character and the authorities have, after due diligence agreed with them. The latest news via REDVOLUTION towers is that his condition has not altered since then and he will be closely observed for the remainder of the legal 72 hour period. We hope a full and swift recovery will not be too far away so that normal service can be resumed.)

WE ALL STAND TOGETHER

2008-11-28T09:08:00.002Z

Whether you are a fully paid up card carrying member of the REDVOLUTION, whether you wanted pardew gone but were not up for the beard and beret, whether you thought he seemed like a nice man who needed some more time, whether you were his illegitimate love child – it doesn’t matter now - he’s gone. It doesn’t even matter who you want as the next manager (and I’ve left nobody guessing as to my preference – and added another couple of random comments below). We are all Charlton and for the tomorrows match at least Mr Branning is in charge* so there is no point at this point in debating previous managers’ merits or otherwise. I’m sure there will be a few curious walk-ups wanting to see the caretaker’s first (and maybe only) home game, and maybe even some of the errant season ticket holders returning. I’m even sure that the crowd will get together and behind the temp and his temps – won’t they? I hope so – COME ON YOU REDS!!!

(* Mr Brannings temporary team leadership at Charlton Athletic Football Club is subject to all usual terms and conditions plus the assumptions that Walford police will not need his presence for assistance in ongoing investigations or Mr Curbishley does not arrive on a white stallion before tomorrow’s kick off)

I’m hopeful that the central midfield partnership used on Tuesday will continue and that Racon and Semedo will prove to be the engine room pushing us forward to our first win in what seems like an eternity. I’m predicting a 2-0 home win for the reds.

Interesting to see yesterday that the caretakers odds had shortened considerably whilst Curbishley was drifting further out ?!? ;-)

FULLY ENDORSED BY 2DAP
Paulo DiCanio - What can I say? Class, enthusiasm, contacts, passion, passion and more passion!

UNDECIDED
Gus Poyet - looks and talks the part!
Dennis Wise - may well come with Poyet in tow and would probably divide support

PLEASE NO!
John Gregory - erm, that’s just plain wrong!
Steve Gritt - great servant, but not now surely!

PS - Don’t forget the FA Cup 3rd round draw @ 14:15 on Sunday
PPS - Thanks to Chicago Addick for sharing this sad news regarding one of my boyhood heroes, Nicky Johns. As I've already commented, I will always remember Johns as one of my boyhood favourites and had the pleasure to briefly meet him as a kid - a true gent he was too. I know it's been said a million times but news like this really does put on the field struggles into perspective and I'm sure many will agree that our thoughts are with Nicky and his family at this difficult time!

THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT

2008-11-26T11:58:00.003Z

Couldn’t get much worse could it? Another defeat, 21st out of 22 in the league, 1 point off rock bottom, more goals shipped than any other team in div 2, ex manager going to take a big pay out just before Christmas and the Jan sales (which will be more like us having a sale than visiting one), caretaker manager might go down for running over his brother Max ... sorry I can’t go on ...

Oh yes you can! (it is pantomime season after all – cue more jokes)
This is Charlton after all and this is when we’re at our best isn’t it? Backs to the wall with a big pile of shit facing us. So we lost last night? So what! Did you really expect Mr Branning to turn it around in his first match? The REDVOLUTION has started so let's give him (and the board) time. He made some changes to personnel, attitude, formation etc and the performance was by all accounts an improvement on what we’ve recently witnessed – and remember he’s only babysitting (for the time being at least). I’m looking at this as a window of opportunity. We can bring in a new (or maybe old ;-) manager (and I’m not ruling out the caretaker or our last decent manager at the moment), ship out some of the wasters come January, bring in a few fresh faces who want to fight for their place, blood some of the youngsters we have and turn this whole mess round. Why? Because we are Charlton, Super Charlton and this is the light that never goes out.
The board have done the right thing and got rid of bloody pardew, installed a sensible interim option and will now be working damned hard to get it right for the first time since Lwellyn took over all those years ago. I for one appreciate there will be no instant fix and whatever happens on Saturday we will get out of this - together!!!

Whilst writing, thought I’d add a comment on a few more of the names being bandied around to (possibly) take over from the caretaker on a full time basis ...

FULLY ENDORSED BY 2DAP
Paulo DiCanio - What can I say? Class, enthusiasm, contacts, passion, passion and more passion!

UNDECIDED
Mark Bowen - Able assistant and ex Addick – may be able to make the step up?
Glen Hoddle - I know this would be a popular appointment with some but I guess he’d want a salary even bigger than his ego

PLEASE NO!
Keith Peacock - great servant, but not now
Lawrie Sanchez - so uninspiring I’m falling asleep just thinki.....................

CAN’T GO BACK

2008-11-25T19:55:00.003Z

Or can you? Well some areas of the blogscene, media et al are tipping Mr Curbishley for a return to SE7 – whether it be in a temp / permanent / director of football / king of the world role or whatever! I’m not sure about that but I have started to put together a list of those candidates I would / wouldn’t give my vote to. I know I don’t get a vote but others have / will put cases for / against far more elequantly than I – anyway the REDVOLUTION manifesto is underway so why would the board not take heed with regards to this MOST important decision? Trouble is, I ended up with a list of about 50 names I’m currently undecided about. As the Beautiful South once sang ‘I need a little time’. I hope the board take a little time – to get it right 4th time lucky? I’m sure there’s miwwions of names I’ve not even thought of through various reasons but here’s a few of my thoughts!

Before starting the list however, I hear we have signed Bobby Gillespie on loan from Primal Scream – thought we’d had enough of that at the Valley for a while haven’t we?

FULLY ENDORSED BY 2DAP
Paulo DiCanio - What can I say? Class, enthusiasm, contacts, passion, passion and more passion!

UNDECIDED
Jorge Costa - The tank was a favourite at the Valley but has he really proved himself? Could add contacts, European style and much needed grit(t) to the proceedings
Alan Curbishley - Sometimes it’s best not to go back to an old job (as I know from personal experience)
Billy Davies - wouldn’t the previous events put him / us off?
Darren Ferguson - proving himself so far, could make the step up – and just think of the loanees we could get from daddy (oops sorry, forgot I don’t like temps for a second there ;-)
Mark Kinsella - I absolutely love this fella but don’t believe now is the right time for him or us, sorry Mark but I hope whoever takes control has room for him
Phil Parkinson - But which Phil Parkinson will we get? And is he tarnished by the pardew regime?
Chris Powell - Untested (at any level / position) but one of the characters missing from the modern game – would be a wow with fans – I’d have him in my dream team assisting Paulo
Bryan Robson - has had mixed success since hanging up his Captain Marvel boots

PLEASE NO!
Sam Allardyce - great background / technical set up but lacking style – besides which we couldn’t afford him or his huge backroom staff
Aidy Boothroyd - like watching Watford? Me neither
Mark Robson - again not proven at any level, and certainly doesn’t have the same crowd draw as Powell / Kinsella
Anyone with any association with the nigels – please not again!

Oh yeah, that small matter of an away trip to play Rangers (and there is only one as far as I’m concerned) – I’m predicting a 2-1 defeat as I believe it may take a while before the much needed and expected upturn starts – Paulo’s home wasn’t built in a day and at least the REDVOLUTION has started in earnest – Come on U Reds!!!!!!!!

PS - Good luck Phil!

CHINESE DEMOCRACY

2008-11-23T21:37:00.003Z

Phew ... where to begin? So many titles came to mind for this blog but in the end I’ve plumed for the above – too bloody long in the making but finally here – Ladies and Gentlemen, The REDVOLUTION is alive and well in Sarf East London.

I’m not going to dwell on the match too long as we all know what a(nother) horror that was. I must admit I just dozed off on the journey home and even Take That night on the X-Factor and plenty of cheap (but strong) lager, whilst bringing a couple of smiles to my face, couldn’t bring me out of the trance I was in. Then I checked my phone which had rudely been beeping away in an attempt to interrupt Gary, Mark, Jason and Howard – pardew had left. At this point I didn’t know how, why or even whether it was true or not but by the time I logged onto t’internet the Beeb confirmed it (although the fact that I couldn’t get onto the OS – presumably due to volume of traffic – almost did the job). How do I feel? I must admit there’s no joyous relief come to me yet – I’m saving that (hopefully) for the announcement of our next permanent manager (and my favourite for the position is no secret ;-) Relief is the word that best describes it – like a once great rock band toiling 17 years to bring an album which can never live up to the hype, it’s here – or rather he isn’t.

The way I write my post weekend match blog is pretty standard - I normally get a few beers down my neck on a Sunday night and start hammering at the typewriter (oops – keyboard) with gay abandon and then post whatever drivel has come out of my fingers – and yes before you say it I know I’m no Oscar Wilde, but my therapist says it’s better for me that the drugs and alcohol so here I am. I rarely read any reports and never read any other blogs before posting, safe in the knowledge that the opinions I offer are genuinely mine – not curried by having read the far superior intellect or wit of some more esteemed bloggers amongst us. It’s been pointed out to me that I rarely use spellchecker and that’s correct – it just doesn’t seem that important when my Italian friend Signori Peroni is with me. However, I had already decided on the way home on Saturday to treat my post match blog in a different way to usual. The events of Saturday night had tempted me to change that approach and post haste but I decided to stick by my original plan of action.

I first stated I thought we should change the manager in my October 1st post (after shamefully losing to the nigels) and two days later christened the revolution before continuing with the name change (or was that another drunken typo?). Others joined willingly, in particular Pedro 45 (who offers amongst the very best of the Charlton blogs around) who breathed new life into it and brought its attention to a far wider audience. Some joined and left whilst others still would not be drawn into the ‘gorilla’ operation. Well ladies and gentlemen, wherever you stood shall be remembered when the bullets are handed out but for now an amnesty is declared in the spirit of democracy – after all we’re not fascists (or are we?). I’ve decided this week to read a few other blogs before posting so that I could see what others are thinking about this important time for the club – after all, the REDVOLTION was never intended for a small few – it’s for all of us Addickted – and those saucepan lids which will hopefully follow us for years to come ...

Comrade Daggs’ (for whose patronage and comments I am truly grateful) comment was the first thing I read after the match as his 5:28PM comment hit my blackcurrant on the way home ...
Open the Doors. "this is the end" - Indeed sir - but an end is required for a new start

Blackheath Addicted obviously got online before the news and asked ‘can pardew suffice this?’ whilst giving his highest mark (8/10) to REDVOLUTION hero Semedo. Response (at the time of writing is mixed regarding Jose and RS said ‘I don’t envy whoever has the job of sorting out this mess’

A Red Divided came back after a few weeks off due to work commitments to state that ‘pardew’s position is untenable’ continuing that ‘he looks short of ideas and the team look short of confidence, leadership and inspiration’

All Quiet In The East Stand almost waited until after the news and noted ‘some fans say pardew sarcastically applauded the home fans after he trudged off following his worst ever defeat at Charlton’ before ending with the mason chipping out his tombstone

Deepest Darkest noted that ‘over 300 fans gathered behind the West Stand demanding that alan pardew be sacked’ and that there was an ‘emergency board meeting in progress’

All Quiet In The East Stand was back on line again to confirm the news that not only had pardew left but Phil Parkinson ‘will be in charge for the game at QPR on Tuesday, to which he ‘might even o to Loftus Road now’. The responses started with ‘fucking hope so’, ‘get this twat out!’ before referring to the booing of ‘that CU Next Tuesday’ in the dugout’ Strong response indeed – and at last some might say

New York Addick was first to ask about a successor – but I’m not going to go there today, aside from being pleased with his mention of a certain Italian ex of ours for whom I admittedly have more than a passing admiration for.

The oft thought provoking intelligence of Wyn Grant thanked pardew for what he ‘tried to do’ whilst referring to his ‘ironic wave at the booing Covered End’ along with mentions of the emergency meetings (and Keith Peacock’s alleged involvement) as well as some ‘inside’ information on who will be the next full time occupant of our home dug out before expressing opinions including ‘that they (the players) are (talented)’. As usual Wyn draws some good feedback so please check out his page if you haven’t already.

Pedro 45 takes the comical approach of a letter penned by Waghorn in which he rightly points out that ‘when I finally got a touch of the ball, I did lay on the second Charlton goal’ – from the rest it’s difficult to pick the best as it’s just had me laughing for quite a while – so again I recommend you visit a blog far superior to this twaddle.

Within half an hour Pedro returned with the gem ‘The simple facts are that he lost the dressing room, lost the fans, and lost all semblance of hope when he just wouldn’t stop tinkering with the team every week, and then came out with a host of excuses that blamed everyone and everything apart from himself.’ I couldn’t have put it better myself – seriously I could have only tried.

Chicago Addick put it that pardew’s reign ‘had the great potential to be an exciting new act in the club's history but sadly instead turned into an ugly horror show’ before adding that ‘the board has made the right decision, but the next decision will be the hardest of all’ – here, here CA but who do you mean when you say ‘Let the rumours begin but please not another ex-West Ham manager’ – ‘Arry (who is the inspiration behind the creation of this blog) isn’t going to leave tottingham for us surely?

Fittingly Frankie Valley finished the night of with such gems as ‘Pards is free to go watch some proper football. Pards - you are one lucky, lucky, BASTARD.’ Before raising the next big debate of ‘So who will be the next lamb to the slaughter Charlton manager then?’ Indeed Frankie that is what we are all wondering.

There have been more postings today, coupled with extensive media coverage, and I apologise for not mentioning them all, as I also apologise for not writing a ‘proper’ blog and rather (unoriginally) pinching bits from others – a bit like when the writers of shows like friends can’t come up with that next story, they do a flashback episode where all but 2 minutes are just ‘borrowed’ along the way.

On the OS pardew called it ‘bloody awful’ and for more times than I care to remember, I again agree with the words of others – perhaps we will all become united now?

REDVOLUTION MISSION STATEMENT
1 pardew out (check!)

MANIFESTO OF THE REDVOLUTION 2008
1 Action mission statement (see above)
2 Replace aforementioned manager with the legendary Paulo DiCanio (open to debate in the coming days – to which I will obviously add my two lires worth)
3 National recognition of the Real Second Division table (well Reuters and arabianbusiness.com have referred to us as a Second Division team so I think we’re on our way here)
4 Gillian Anderson to be put in charge of forming cheerleader team (time to get serious!)
5 Get Jose Semedo in the team – every week! (check!)
6 Reinstate the Junior Reds (come on fans forum – time to pull your finger out ;-)

You see from the above we can make a difference, so I’m going to finish by adding point 7 (and I’m open to suggestions) ...
7 “WE WANT OUR CHARLTON BACK” (I think we’ve started that but the fight is far from over – let’s all keep together on this one – please)

VIVA LA REDVOLUTION !!!

HOMEWARD BOUND

2008-11-21T07:44:00.005Z

So we're back at the Valley after a couple of weks off and let's hope things are a bit better than the last few home performances. Hopefully the 'improved' away performances (if not actual results - and that's what will count come May), the installation of the centre peg that is Senhor Semedo and the introduction of Mackam Waghorn will lead to a long overdue victory and that's what I'm predicting for tomorrow. Despite the steel city's second finest being placed for a play off beth, I'm going for a 2-0 win with Waghorn netting both. He's going to play isn't he? Otherwise why bring him in? I'm still waiting for the other 3 loanees (although overall I hope they don't arrive) we were promised some week ago but then maybe pardew ment four limbs - not loans? Anyone's guess really where he's concerned.

Another draw or defeat and his position will become ever more tentative - another win and the fickle amongst us will be cheering SAP again - not I!

THE REDVOLUTION IS FOR REAL - sack the manager!

Meanwhile, rather than writing more than the brief rambling above, like many others on Charlton Life, I've been captivated by these Zahada riddles - don't click on the link unless you have lots of free time :-(

We're Horny!

2008-11-18T09:34:00.003Z

So we have signed an inexperienced 18 year old striker as the solution to our woes! I knw there's a lot of antipathy about this but with limited options I have to say I like this move - yes I'm actually agreeing with pardew. Not calling off the REDVOLUTION yet but I think this guy could help us get out of the mire. Let's be honest Varney is hardworking but isn't getting the goals he once got for Crewe, Gray is inconsistent at best, Toddy (much as I'd love to see him fit and dictating attacks) is far from fit and not utilised to his best in our style of play (sound familiar?) and then there's a lot of lower league players I won't go through now but obviously with varying degrees of ability but none of which the manager seems to have sufficient belief in. So here we have the next rooney strutting his stuff at the Valley. No league goal yet - don't worry, he's our man - sure to keep us up (at least until Keane calls him back to try and keep Sunderland up). Seriously I do think this is a good move, partly as this guy will come in fresh, wanting to prove himself and free from the recent morale / confidence problems at the club. Therefore his first couple of games will be key that he doesn't get suked into the abyss - start him on Saturday and the week after pardew - his first couple of games are key - for him, you and all of us.

More loans are promised and although I'll go with the above I really don't agree with tem in principal. Martyn Waghorn coming in as an 'emergency loan' makes a mockery of the rules (as did Gray's 'loan' last season). I'll wait and see who we bring in before adding to that debate.

Meanwhile in other second division news all our remaining representatives have been drawn against first division 'giants' in the quarter finals with Burnley and Watford at home to north Londons arse-nal and tottingham respectively, whilst Derby have a winable trip to Stoke City. As Curbs always said 'a first division club will probably win this' - he was usually right but don't stop trying guys.

I'll sign off with this interesting snippet from the BBC that 'Birmingham City full-back Nicky Hunt admits that Alex McLeish's half-time team talk had a big say in Saturday's victory over Charlton at St Andrew's.' Somehow it appears that whilst our current manager doesn't have sufficient belief in the large roup of strikers he's bought to the club (or many others judging by the number of loanees already here and arriving soon) - and some might say that some players, fans etc don't have sufficient faith in our manager. I'm not a big McLeish fan but I think it would be nice to have a manager who could inspire a win through his half time team talk, rather than standing with crossed arms, head in hand (umbrella al?) or leaving it to Matt Holland. Anyone got Paulo's number?

VIVA LA REDVOLUTION !!!

I LOVE MY CAFCTV?

2008-11-17T08:30:00.003Z

Well I quite like it at least. Have to say that the commentary wasn’t bad (certainly better than the silence I’ve been living with as I dwell in an area where I cannot get suitable reception of either Radio London or Kent when required), the streaming kept coming without interruption – the only down point I’d say is the delay (about 2 minutes?) that meant that having Sky Sports News on the TV whilst listening to the Charlton commentary may be avoided in the future. Not sure why it’s called CAFCTV as it’s an internet service not television but then people call pardew a ‘manager’ so I suppose it’s media poetic licence. Due to travel commitments I’ve not had a chance to savour more than a couple of minutes of the press conference but will undoubtedly be visiting often. To the people who have made this happen – salut! – Much needed and looking good in its infancy.

Onto the match and I’m going to chuck in as many positives as I can because I don’t want to keep sounding pessimistic ... we’re at last scoring goals – 4 away from home in the last 2 matches – Semedo seems to have finally been given the starting berth he’s long deserved and MC Hammer has finally hit the target, which will hopefully give him some confidence – which is sadly lacking generally amongst our troops (and certainly their general) at the moment. We’ve been in the lead in both of the two away matches but squandered this on both occasions. The few teams below us are even starting to pick up points. Sorry I couldn’t keep it up long. I still believe we need a change at the helm and using the excuse of ‘tough’ away matches, an unfit, past his prime temp not being available – or whatever the excuse is at the moment – is not going to wash come May. Change is needed sooner than later – we have more ‘tough’ matches approaching fast. If you want to put it one way – every match is tough as most teams are currently higher than us in the league. However, I believe that the squad we have at the valley is (on paper) one of the best in the second division and if utilised to its capabilities would be nowhere near the predicament we currently possess. There are many, many reasons why I (and a lot of others) believe pardew should go and to repeat them every week is a pointless exercise. To make it known that these feelings are not going away is neither pointless nor producing the required results at present but I believe in what I say so simply (again) ...
pardew out
JOIN THE REDVOLUTION – IT WILL NOT BE IGNORED !!!
Hopefully those who can actually make the change will do so, if not for the disgruntled fans or because of our rantings – but for the club itself and because of what’s (not) happening on the pitch!

Ho Hum Silver

2008-11-14T07:40:00.003Z

So the loan arranger has done it again - or rather he hasn't! We'll have new faces in for Plymouth - except we didn't! They'll be here in time for Brum - or not! Don't get me wrong, I don't think loans are the answer (and I don't think many do) - rather get someone to 'manage' the team, ie use the resources to their best potential though organisation, motivation etc - that's what 'managing' is about isn't it. Come the REDVOLUTION, come a real Manager!

But why oh why does the current position holder insist on blowing hot air all the time? If you say something, like I will sign someone this week, you've got to be able to back it up with action - particularly in these media frenzied days. If you're unsure SHUT UP! (please do) The Charlton way would be that of mysterious silence until something was a done deal when they could announce with gusto and fact - earning respect at the same time - but not any more, now we are dazzled with the oft not followed through claims of team changes / loans etc on a weekly basis. Another point of management is if you say you're going to do something - do it - or you'll lose the respect of your team - sound familiar?

Anyway, according to the OS, we've given up on trying to win (which is no surprise really) and are this Saturday are looking for a 'favourable result'. Well I'm epecting us to getthumped 3-0 although a 'favourable result' would be pardew to resign and the boys to run out 3-0 winners but thenI'm clearly delusional. Have a favourable weekend fellow Addickted.

COME ON U REDS!!!

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

MORE DISTRACTIONS

2008-11-13T12:35:00.003Z

League Cup congrats to our second division 'chums' Derby (who beat Leeds), Watford (who have gained a bye into the next round) and in particular Burnley who stunned the mighty chelski with a penalty win (sound familiar?) - Commiserations to QPR who were defeated at Old Trafford

That's it really - if you think I'm going into in depth analysis over games that don't involve Charlton forget it - I'm struggling to get the excitement going when we play at the moment. Perhaps someone in a high up place heeding the REDVOLUTION and getting rid of the fella pardew would help (us all). Anyway there will be 3 second division teams in the last 8 so lets see how they get on.

Other news about CAFCTV (at last) is warmly welcomed at REDVOLUTION towers - although the limit to use only at 2 IP addresses may be problematic for anyone (like me) who would wish to use the service in a variety of locations. No new loan signings? (phew!).

DISTRACTIONS?

2008-11-11T13:05:00.004Z

OK so we might not have the distraction ourselves but I cannot let it go without note that some of those amongst us will be performing this week. Sorry, I don't mean my felow bloggers but our colleagues of the second division as QPR travel to Manu, Derby entertain Leeds and Burnley travel to Chelsea in round four of what I know as the English League Cup. Well done on getting further than the rest of us guys, show the 'big boys' there's life outside the first division won't you?

Meanwhile Mr Ambrose has left for a temporary (yeah, right!) trip back to Ipswich and I have to admit I have mixed feelings about this. I think he's quite a gifted footballer who I was genuinely pleased to sign but ... never lived up to his potential - at least not on a consistent basis, partly due to us rarely playing to his strengths (ala Big Chris etc) by various managers. I know he has his knockers ;-) but I hope he does well up there and shows what he can really do.

Can't post without mentioning the REDVOLUTION - it's not going away guys - we need a change at the helm if we're going to get out of this mess and I'm not prepared to sit on my hands and accept it. pardew has to go soon before it's too late - simple as! If you don't agree fair enough - but don't complain and blame the manager when we get relegated.

HALLELUIAH !!!

2008-11-09T20:24:00.005Z

Well we got a bloody point didn’t we? Didn’t expect that did you? Me neither. Hell most newspapers even claim we’re out of the relegation places (wrongly – as the real second division table (right) shows). So let’s dance in the streets - interest rates are down, Charlton are staying up, Take That have a new record coming out, we’re all saved - pardew is the new messiah. Well maybe not the last one but let’s savour the (small) moment and see what happened. I’m sure many others will go into more in depth, analytical, intellectual details than a stoopid sod like me could ever contemplate so here it is in the dumbed down version.
Semedo started and we got an away point against play off challengers Plymouth. For this I take full credit as it is the REDVOLUTION in my head which believes he should be in the side every week. No he’s not God but guess what? He’s bloody good at what he does (that may not be spectacular or everyone’s cup of tea – but bloody effectual) and consistent. That’s the key – he’s bloody consistent, reliable, whatever you want to call it – you can call on him. Sound like anything else going on in SE7 these days? Not on your nelly so let’s stick with him and see where we can build up to – Jose the REDVOLUTION salutes you.
As for pardew – well if his ‘thorough planning’ consists of nicking ideas of an young upstart blog written by an old piss head like me then he has yet again show how bloody useless he is – and he must go – soon.
PARDEW OUT !!! JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

The real reason for the song inspired title this week is a personal one – although it has a vague Charlton link. I’ve been working away from home for a while now on what can in football language be compared to a loan period. In other words, by bringing me in my boss has shown complete lack of belief in those already there, my colleagues don’t really want me there, the fans don’t really want me there, I know it’s not a long term prospect, I’m overweight and unfit, not giving my all – oops sorry meant to be talking about me not football loans ;-) Anyway on Friday afternoon I left the office early to attend an interview for a company within walking distance of my house. Nerves were building on the long journey home but – a mere couple of hundred yards away from the place – I passed an ex Charlton first teamer (identities will be withheld to protect the innocent). The nerves left and my current constant vitriol flooded out of my body as a rare smile came across my face. I spent the last seconds walking to the interview thinking of this Charlton legend and happier days at the Valley, went in a great mood with no last chance for last chance nerves and blitzed it – job offer there and then, thank you very much! So I’ll be handing in my notice on Monday and starting to work on the all important ‘work life balance’ everyone’s talking about these days. Aside from sharing my joyous news I do have a point – I was uplifted by the mere fleeting presence of a man I don’t even know personally. Yet we have a squad of players clearly playing below both their individual and team capabilities – makes you wonder doesn’t it? (If not - I don’t care, I got me a new job :-)
PARDEW OUT !!! JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

WHAT'S GOING ON?

2008-11-07T07:17:00.003Z

Well ... any ideas? No, me neither! 'We' have a new liberal (and let's not forget African American) President Elect in the US [which means he's basically the big boss for us too ;-)] but not a lot else is changing :-(

We still have 'sooper' (definately not my word - ever) alan pardew at the helm of our beloved football team, we've not been sold to zillionaires, the playing staff is still the same (despite being told otherwise) and ... hang on, I can notice a change - which has to stop!

Some quarters are going soft on our (present) guv'nor - now is not the time for this and even if he does turn things around (and I have to admit I'd love to see us win the next 3,000 games let alone 3 - but can't see either happening even with whatever new hope Mr Obama brings the world) temporarily that's really the best he can hope for - He must go and ASAP - weeks ago in my opinion because every day, every week he carries on we are moving backwards as a team and as a club.

Come on comrades - are we tottingham ficklespurs fans? No we're bloody Charlton Athletic fans and we stand by our convictions. We wanted the Valley back and we got it, we wanted fans voices to be heard on the board and we got it, we wanted division one football and we got it (occassionally), we wanted 'big name' player and packed houses and we got them - now what do we want?

WE WANT PARDEW OUT!!! and don't you dare forget it young man!!!

On a lighter (?) note we travel SW at the weekend for another expected defeat. I'm fed up of my own pessimism to be honest but can only predict a 2-0 home win (although I pray I'm wrong).

Those making the long journey we salute you - The team we emplore you, come on u reds. I'm praying that at last we'll start to see Semedo taking the central pin role of the team on which we can build with certainty that he will do his job allowing others to do theirs. Martin Luther King had a dream - let's please not lose ours.

You can't join the Junior Reds but you can JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

SIT UP !!!

2008-11-04T23:37:00.004Z

Say it quietly but things are changing. With no disrespect to our US bloggers I’m not talking about the new POTUS / LOTFW (still TBC as I write sitting up [drinking and] watching auntie’s coverage) but about the REDVOLUTION agenda. Now I know Pedro45 will again say that we need to get our mission statement right first but I take some solace (quantum of ? ;-) in the fact that the world is listening to the published manifesto already!

I couldn’t help but notice that within this Reuters link from Addicks Ch********ip Diary (Hope you don’t mind me stealing the link Wyn) this great news institution correctly refers to us as ... get this ... a SECOND DIVISION CLUB !!! (AND PROUD)

Even this Arabian site list the c word in brackets and refer to us as a SECOND DIVISON (AND PROUD) CLUB !!!

With this success I’m afraid I can’t stand still (thanks for the support for the Junior Reds Kings Hill Addick) but that's because I've been drinking Guinness for the last x hours - come on, you must have ideas to add ??

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

Welcome TJSE7 (as I know him) to the world of the might boosh ... sorry blog!

I BELIEVE THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE

2008-11-04T08:11:00.005Z

An update already? Yes, we’re not sitting on our hands here at REDVOLUTION HQ you know, we’ve got strippers to meet the brains out of and berets to sew and sell – and more importantly start again looking after the people who’ll be warming our squares of plastic after we vacate them at the Valley – hence item 6 on the revised manifesto below relating to the saucepans' own Charlton supporters club.

Pedro 45 is, as ever, right - the mission statement is key - and until we live up to our mission statement then nothing else will come to fruition, so here goes ...

REDVOLUTION MISSION STATEMENT

1 pardew out

However, I still believe we should be prepared to follow up item 1 when it happens (soon surely)
MANIFESTO OF THE REDVOLUTION 2008
1 Action mission statement

2 Replace aforementioned manager with the legendary Paulo DiCanio
3 National recognition of the Real Second Division table
4 Gillian Anderson to be put in charge of forming cheerleader team
5 Get Jose Semedo in the team – every week!
6 Reinstate the Junior Reds

I’ll add that, following Frankie & Miss Kish recent writings on what the new fans forum can do, this latest point is for you guys to get your teeth into. Disbanding and reforming the womens team may have been a publicised PR nightmare but when the club decided to stop Junior Reds a couple of years ago it went by largely unnoticed. But now is the time to act – get the Junior Reds back up and running (hell I’m even in the job market if the club want an experienced piss head – sorry, administrative manager to do it for them). Like Whitney I think we should use our long standing position as a leader in the youth stakes to our advantage. That means more to follow Grant Basey, Josh Wright and Jonjo Shelvey into the first team and for my kids and yours to be able to belong to the club we all love from an early age as many before them have – even I was in the junior supporters club (or whatever they called it then) many moons ago.

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION – for the sake of the kids!!!

Who do you believe?

2008-11-03T17:45:00.002Z

Just read this interesting snippet in the club bulletin ...

No Charlton move for Campo
Alan Pardew was quick to dismiss media reports linking the Addicks with a move for Ipswich Town midfielder Ivan Campo on Saturday.The Charlton boss said: "Campo was never coming here. That was never a goer."

However, widely quoted is Mr Magilton of Suffolk ...
"Charlton manager Alan Pardew did ask me about Ivan after Tuesday's game having been impressed with his performance in our match at Charlton earlier this month,"

He’s bloody delusional that bloke ... but which one?

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!! Where the truth counts.

THIS IS THE END!

2008-11-02T21:37:00.003Z

Not so beautiful friend ... the end!
Surely that’s it isn’t it? After what I can describe (having taken 24 hours to get pissed, calm down, sober up, and analize with a semi sensible head on) as one of the worst performances I have ever seen from Charlton surely we will not be seeing pardew on the Valley touchline any time again. Rumours of a board meeting on Monday are abound and surely that will seal his fate – at bloody last! I’m not going to go into the match (or even the other second division matches) in too much detail but would say that maybe Josh Wright would be one of very few who can hold their head up after that shocker. Maybe he isn’t ready yet but he made some of his more experienced colleagues look like mugs (or do they do that themselves?). No things have moved on since my last post and surely they will move on between my writing this and my next random rambling – with pardew leaving his position? The REDVOLUTION is underway and that is what I’m here to talk about today. Pedro45 is certainly on board and Russell Brand’s got a bit of time on his hand so he’s offered to man the phones – although I’m not sure that’s such a good idea he has got the image and talks about revolution more frequently that I. So to get the ball rolling I’m starting to put together a manifest for the REDVOLUTION. Please feel free to let me know what else should be included as it is after all a cause for all of us Addickted.

MANIFESTO OF THE REDVOLUTION 2008

1 Removal of pardew as manager of CAFC
2 Replace aforementioned manager with the legendary Paulo DiCanio
3 National recognition of the Real Second Division table
4 Gillian Anderson to be put in charge of forming cheerleader team (I know CND will be with me on this one)
5 Get Jose Semedo in the team – every week!

Come on guys do we want this or not?
JOIN THE REDVOLUTION NOW – it’s a starting!
Welcome to Charlton North Downs and Kings Hill Addick

FRANKIE SAY WAR !!!

2008-10-30T21:03:00.002Z

Or rather Frankie says what’s happened to the bloody war and, as is occasionally the way with Mr V, he may be right. I myself have been otherwise disposed and have not posted since last Friday due to other commitments. Tonight I’ve cranked up the old babbage to see what’s been happening in my cyber absence and the first thing I read about our beloved CAFC is that ‘it’s all gone quiet over here’. I don’t know how true that is as I haven’t had a chance to read many other blogs yet – I know fellow revolutioniser Russell Brands lying a bit low at the moment but I’ve been on a motorcycle journey with Ewan McGregor only to find out that he’s not hanging out with Che Hales and he’s not even a bloody Jedi Knight after all. Anyway, I’ve grown a beard (sort off), ordered 10,000 berets and printed some t-shirts up as well as some nice flyers. So here it is fellas (and fellees) let’s get the bloody redvolution back on track!

I openly admit that I have never ever liked pardew – never sung ‘super al’ either as a player or manager – and I want him out ASAP. I’ve made it clear who my personal choice would be to replace him but then I’d like to get a wantsome call from Gillian Anderson but I know neither is likely to happen. Whether the next manager is Paulo, Kinsella, Parkinson or FV himself I want Pardew out NOW!!!

FV asked ‘were some of us secretly hoping for a good ol' thrashing on Tuesday night?’ and from my point of view I’d say bloody hell no and anyone who does think like that can line up behind pardew for the guillotine when we take control. I can see Pedro 45 still waving his flag (although no R word in his last post) so everyone get behind the cause – pardew out, pardew out, pardew out!!!

Well now I’ve got my blood pressure up, I’ve updated the real league table for you all – still looks crap doesn’t it? I’ve not had a chance to preview this weekends games but I’ll briefly plum for a 1-2 home defeat – although obviously I hope I’m completely wrong.

Anyway I’m back off to sleep now – might be arsed to have a look online in another week or so ;-)

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!
DON’T LET FRANKIE DOUBT – LET’S GET PARDEW OUT !!!
CUUUUUUUM ON U REDS !!!

WHY DOES MY HEART FEEL ZA-BAD?

2008-10-24T08:59:00.003+01:00

Oh Lordy – trouble so hard!

Don’t jump Moby! I was here first! So we’re 20th in the second and staring the third in the face and it doesn’t look too pretty does it? Add to that the fact that the men from overseas have taken their money and done a runner and what’s the prognosis Doc? Well a mixed bag of opinions out there so I won’t dwell too much for now but the thing that sticks in my tin pot of a head is that they made an indicative offer which was subject to due diligence – I follow this far. Then due diligence is undertaken with no problems / skeletons etc but they pull out for a load of feeble excuses (in my opinion). They want to invest at home (big change of heart) - Economic crisis (well that was there when you made the dick offer) – View of foreign investors (nothing’s changed in last two weeks) – it doesn’t stack up to me and I’m a bit peeved. Grrr, anger, anger !!!!! Apparently they’re not interested in any other clubs but time will tell? We now need to forget about Parker, Beckham, D Bent et al coming to the valley and see if we can cough up enough to tempt just Paulo (I’ve an ayrton to start the whip off!) ... I mean get on with the relegation battle we’ve found ourselves in. Tomorrow we take on high flying Burnley followed by Ipswich in the week and it’s hard to see many points coming from these two matches.

However I’m predicting a 3-1 win tomorrow (after all Gray normally scores a couple when Burnley visit the Valley) because I’m expecting the fans to react as they have in the past – with a rallying cry that we will not be defeated! We’re not going bust and we’re not going down damn it! We’re ‘plucky’ Charlton and we may not have Houdini at the club anymore but that fighting spirit lives on. I expect the crowd to get behind whatever 11 players step out tomorrow and cheer them on to the start of the recovery.

Or more likely we’ll put in another ‘disfunctional’ (the ‘manager’s word – not mine) performance, lose 2-0 amidst grumblings (Ingerland style) from the off, booing at half / full time and open calls for ‘pardew out!’

... don't nobody know my troubles but God?

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION NOW !!!

TAKE ME TO THE RIVER :-(

2008-10-23T10:26:00.002+01:00

I'm gonna jump ...

In case you've not seen this yet ...

Addicks acquisition is off

The board of Charlton Athletic plc was today informed by ZabeelInvestments that it will not be proceeding with the proposed acquisitionof Charlton Athletic plc.Zabeel Investments has informed Charlton that the decision not toproceed was taken on the basis that its focus moving forward will be ondomestic opportunities in Dubai that complement the current ZabeelInvestments portfolio.This, combined with the current debate around foreign ownership offootball clubs and the worsening economic climate in the UK, contributedto the decision by Zabeel to pull out.Furthermore, Zabeel Investments has made it clear to Charlton that thisdecision was not made as a result of any discoveries during the duediligence process.Contrary to press reports, Zabeel Investments has confirmed to Charltonthat it has not approached any other club since it made an indicativeoffer for Charlton on October 10th, not has it authorised any approachon its behalf.

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

NOW - BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS

2008-10-22T18:11:00.002+01:00

Well, if the money comes in maybe but at the moment it’s looking more like pigmies. (no offence intended to Gary Johnson) I know I love ‘lil old’ Charlton but third division wasn’t quite what I had in mind L I’d much rather love ‘new bigger and better’ Charlton as I said last week. It could have been a bad omen as my train departed London Bridge and I glanced over the shoulder of the young lady next to me to see the TV page in her paper and there he was – hairy Bristolian Justin Lee Collins, not just looking, but beaming back at me with a huge smile. Don’t get me wrong I quite like the guy but all that goes out the window when it’s football and he was clearly taunting me with his knowing smile. ‘You used to be good, but now your shit’ I could almost here him singing from the printed page – as his locals did later on last night. They were right, we used to be good and now we are shit – but then we’ve been shit before and good before that etc etc – and in fact I thought we started off pretty good. A solid formation and players trying to make a fist of it but as soon as a goal goes in the positive attitude the current Charlton manager talks about goes out of the window. Then at half time their guy does his business. He might be small in stature but I’m sure the city team sat up and listened to their boss as they came out and ripped us apart in the second half. Whereas DiCanio’s predecessor ... well who knows? I’m not going into too much detail but I felt Cranie was worse than poor, Bailey clearly not fit and Bouazza for all his running needs to look up / pass / hit the target occasionally. I give credit where it’s due (IMHO) to Luke Varney who chased the cause all night (as usual) and again was victim of his own versatility – but what happens in the West lower? He parries one ball in the wrong direction and gets slated!?! Give the guy a break – we’re all pissed off at the moment but let’s not attack our own players that are doing their job! I have to be honest and say I’m struggling to see where the points – or even goals - are coming from and with games now thick and fast we could slump even closer to the foot (20th now !!!! shitting hell we never saw that coming !!!)
I don’t suppose the board want any managerial uncertainty (ala Geordie Maggots) with an impending takeover but enough is enough – do something before it gets worse. It’s been said elsewhere that Kinsella / Parkinson couldn’t do any worse and I agree – it’s time to START THE REDVOLUTION !!!

PS – Did anyone sky+ Jamie Oliver last night? I wish I’d stayed in as apparently he was cooking roasted par deux duck.
And I’m not mentioning the insult that Leroy Lita scored a hat trick to put Norwich above us – doh!

GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS?

2008-10-21T13:23:00.004+01:00

Well, well, well ... just over a week ago there was excitement aplenty as we considered whether we would play Ronaldo behind Drogba or out wide in a 4-3-3 when our new team took shape under the influence (or is that just me under the influence?) of Chief Paulo (just me again?). Now w're back to our usual doom and gloom ... ah that's life as an Addict / Addick. All went quiet on the blogs and news regarding our (indicative) friends from the Midle East and now we're back to the beans after the weekends friendly match. But, reading around, nobody seems particularly excited, optomistic, bothered, whatever! Come on lads (and lasses), this is supposed to be the highlight of our week isn't it? (which is probably a sad indicement for some of us) Back to the Valley for a home match under the floodlights after acouple of weeks off. No - I must admit I can't get too built up either - I'll be there though - expecting the guys behind to provide as much entertainment as on the pitch (and as dissapointing). I'm plumbing for a 0-2 defeat at the hands of the team that beat surrey's worst in last season's play offs ... see, at least that thought made you smile didn't it? No - you miserable sod ... a true Addick I salute you ;-)

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

READY OR NOT?

2008-10-20T09:46:00.003+01:00

So, nice idea but maybe a bit premature? Having now played 3 foreign teams this season we’re not faring to well with a sole home win and two defeats. Stick the results together and we’d be lucky to get past the first round of the UEFA cup – but that’s all for the future – possibly. We’re just not ready yet. The big shame about these friendly matches is that cards picked up now count towards suspensions and two reds was not what we would have liked as Semedo and the other fella will now miss propa matches when we could do with them ... well Semedo anyway. So without dwelling on this ‘practice’ excursion abroad or the deafly silence on the proposed takeover too much for now I’ll attempt to round up the rest of the division two action without attempting to appear too bothered by any of it – we may not have moved down the table but some ‘team’(s) have moved above us – it’s time for a change – JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

BURNLEY 1 - BIRMINGHAM 1
A header from Chris McCann gains an unexpected share of the spoils against second placed brummies.
croydon 3 – BARNSLEY 0
Blah, blah, blah.
DERBY 2 – PLYMOUTH 1
A great strike from Gallagher is not enough to stop Derby continue their upturn in form.
DONCASTER 0 – BLACKPOOL 0
Donny off the bottom – what else do you want to know?
PRESTON 2 – READING 1
Noel is tackled in the box so brother Liam steps up to score the penalty. However two keeper flaps cost Reading dearly oop norf.
QPR 2 – FOREST 1
Take note Add9icks - This shows that if you have enough money you can buy success – even if you put a plank in charge of spending it.
SHEFF W 1 – SHEFF U 0
Wednesday get the local bragging rights in a game which saw six yellow and two red cards!
SOUTHAMPTON 0 – WATFORD 3
Two missed penalties (Saints), three goals and five bookings - all in the first half – CAFC v Reading déjà vu?
WOLVES 2 – COVENTRY 1
millwall mick wins this local south (of) London derby against ‘nigel’ taffy coleman. Big Chris misses from close range again and Wolves remind me of one of the many modern introductions into our game which our new owners should steer well clear of – playing music over the tannoy when the home team wins – please Allah no!

So that’s it short if not sweet – get ready for back to back home matches against Bristol City (9th) and Burnley (11th) who both sit higher than our meagre 17th – oh happy days – not!

JOIN THE REVOLUTION !!!

SAFE EUROPEAN AWAY?

2008-10-17T08:28:00.002+01:00

I doubt it very much. I’m sure the locals will be less than hospitable towards the travelling Addicks. But what a stroke of genius from our new (indicative) owners to have a dry run ahead of our planned European matches in the near future. Whilst a flight isn’t needed for this (un)friendly match on Saturday a passport and much signalling and saying very loud and slowly ‘two pints of lager please dear’, so as to be understood by the locals, will be in as much use as if it were Barca or Milan. (Just think Paulo you could be leading us out against Roma in a couple of years – what a record you have against them ;-)
Anyway whilst the takeover saga rolls on we get a few more days off before playing another league match. Let’s hope we can get a result on Tuesday because, with most other teams playing competitively at the weekend, we may be looking closer to the Third Division than the European Cup.

Anyway, having sat on the fence for too long I’m giving a yay to the Maktoums. Lots and lots has / will been written so I won’t go into great depth but I must admit I’ve been a bit worried about our home / identity / integrity / beer etc, but at the end of the day I am a realist (sometimes) and we need something in order to secure our medium to long term existence. I know I’m probably in a minority of one or two but I really would rather watch a team of Charlton players signed as trainees (all born within the Borough of Greenwich would be nice) play in the third division, at the Valley of course, and be owned by people who support the club (like some of the fantastic people we had / have recently in charge at the club – they are / will be missed greatly) than a foreign owned team of JFH-alike mercinaries poncing it up in front of a load of plastics. (That’s part of the point why I started this blog – we’re in the second division and I don’t care what my mates who support manyoo, arsenal or west spam say, I am proud of that – and very proud of the club this plays in this division!) But that’s not going to happen and the times they are a changing as CND points out. Hell football’s changing, I’m changing, you’re changing, the world’s bloody changing and whilst it might not always be for the better we have to accept that so (gulp) I am accepting it and doing so as I believe this will be a good thing for us in the long term because more than I’d like the ‘good’, ‘little’, ‘old’ Charlton I love and adore to stay the way it was (rather even than the way it is in some ways) there’s one thing I’d like even more.

Here's the crunch ('stop going oin about the crunch, have you even been to the crunch?') ... When my boy’s old enough to decide he wants to support The Addicks rather than be force fed at every opportunity, then bugger me ... there’s still a club for him to support!!!
So thank you Messers Alwen, Bartram, Curbishley, Di Canio, Kinsella, Lawrence, Murray, Peacock, Seed, Shirtliff, Simons and Welsh (to name just a few that spring to mind – the list is extensive). But you’re all a part of what’s good about my club - our club - and I love you all for that. So to Mohammed Al Hashimi (and his esteemed associates) - thank you too (wasn’t that hard, was it?) I trust the club is being brought with good intentions and thank you for ensuring we stay around for at least another hundred or so years – stay a while wont you please?
(Now that I’ve blurted that out I’m sure the deal will fall through knowing my luck – but, honestly, I hope not, for all our sakes)

If you get the chance check out an excellent read from drinking during the game, which I most enjoyed reading yesterday – let’s hope others read it too.

UP THE ADDICKS - JOIN THE REVOLUTION !!!

VIVA LA VIDA (PART II) / JOIN THE REVOLUTION (PART VIII)

2008-10-15T13:51:00.003+01:00

For those art buffs out there, this is the real Viva La Vida painting which explains why the boys from Coldplay used the title but not the painting. Anyway, he’s a bloody soothsayer that bleeding Chris Martin you know. If I wrote something on my hand in felt tip? Bugger all chance of it happening. He writes ‘Zabeel = CAFC’ one day and what do you flipping well know? Anyway, still trying to not get to involved / excited / worried / whatever by all the fuss and nonsense I’ve been listening to his pop toons again this morning and keep hearing a voice in my head (but that’s the schizophrenia – two Andy Goram’s and all that). Still might be worth a try - I’m going to write Gillian Anderson = Bed, Paulo = Valley and start talking in a slightly posher accent, which won’t be ‘ard.

One minute I held the key (Still do but I’d try and hold on tight if I was you pardew)

Next the walls were closed on me (Erm yes they certainly are)

And I discovered that my castles stand (Stop talking about bloody west spam will you?)

Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand (Is that code for Norf of the river because I’m with Blackheath Addicted on this one)

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing (That’s Dubai – not Jerusalem)

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing (That’s Paulo’s crew – move over)

Be my mirror my sword and shield (Too late to bring the sword into it – you’re off matey)

My missionaries in a foreign field (Yes a lot of Addicks dreaming of European trips now)

For some reason I cannot explain (Well you could but you’d only contradict yourself)

Once you know there was never, never an honest word (You said it)

That was when I ruled the world (That was when! Yes the time is coming – JOIN THE REVOLUTION !!!)

On other football / music related news I’m contemplating putting all my Smiths / Mozza records on ebay soon if anyone’s interested ... heaven know’s he’ll be miserable ... don’t do it Mozza, we implore you ... no chance of him down at the Valley with the Sheiks coming in?

JOIN THE REVOLUTION !!!

BROMLEY BEWARE! (Chappell Cancels)

2008-10-14T14:22:00.003+01:00

Talking of donkeys, Phil Chappell ... what do you mean it's not him - oh dear ... anyway some Chappell bloke has pulled out of tonight's meeting in Bromley - read the full story at the club site here

Unfortunately I've not the time to get a song title in or write anything stupid about it - just hope it helps save at least one dissapointed journey if anyone reads this first

Looks like another night in with Mr Oliver for me then

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION !!!

NOT WHAT WE WANTED!

2008-10-14T09:59:00.005+01:00

Whilst it's great to see Pedro45 and Charlton North Downs sign up to JOIN THE REVOLUTION I have to say this isn't quite what I had in mind!

Money or no money (and I'm still staying fairly tight lipped on the subject as my heart and head battle it out) we want an Italian Stallion not a north london gypsy donkey thank you very much!

Still today brings even more twists in the middle eastern (i've noticed as predicted that tickets are already more expensive in the middle east stand anyway) saga with west spam entring the fray - what are they going to do? Buy enough English clubs to form their own league?

Don't count your Robins just yet I've thought all along but it could prove to be a very interesting evening in Bromley tonight - might even pop along myself to see what our man somewhere near the top has to say - and I don't mean Ben Hayes ;-)

JOIN THE REVOLUTION !!!

MONEY'S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION?

2008-10-13T07:51:00.002+01:00

Yes Dr Kish, I’m one of them who (like yourself recently) like to use song titles to head up blog entries ... I’m not sure why exactly, although I’ve got a rough idea, and I know I’m not alone but Doctor, doctor can’t you see I’m (stop quoting song lyrics and get on with it you call? OK then) Doctor - What do you prescribe? Plenty of R&R? (rest & recoup or rock ‘n’ roll? – see I can’t help it) Lucoazde? Prescription drugs? Non prescription drugs? Stop blogging? Or just some nice homemade soup?

Well reading a recent copy of the Observer Food Monthly magazine over the weekend I stumbled over an interesting article on Richard Mabey, the guy who wrote ‘Food For Free’ (that’s a book, not a song in case you were wondering). Never heard of it? Well it was quite a hit when published in1972 (a fine year from my personal experience) and ... well it’s all in the title, isn’t it Doc? So with a credit crunch on and ignoring the weekend headline event (the ‘some guys from somewhere hot might wanna buy lil old Charlton’ story not the ingerland stuff) which I’m avoiding writing about (a) because there’s plenty of other opinions and comments being thrown about and (b) to be honest I’m not sure where I stand on that one yet. I’m sure the title of this blog shows some of my feelings towards modern day football, which I’ve not yet fully explained yet online, but even an old stick in the mud can see why it could be a good thing. Maybe the scare from Pedro45 about beer sales when I’m pushing for Peroni to be made available will influence my final view and maybe nobody will care anyway. Anyway this guy had quite an interesting story as well as a few recipes to save a bob or two. So, with financial doom facing us all and no competitive football for another week and a half I thought I’d take Mr Oliver’s lead. For those that don’t know he’s asking people to teach a healthy home cooked recipe to two friends who in turn show two friends and so on. Like pyramid selling but with a good target for all concerned. Well here’s my contribution to the two people who read this page I share with you the stockpot recipe taken from Mr Mabey. I’m sure he won’t mind and that Jamie would support me in court but just in case I’ve changed a few words – just so the Observer don’t sue my arse for the six quid own – lot of money these days, six quid, unless you want to buy our beloved club.

A stockport – by which I mean a rough and ready ongoing group of northerners – sorry soup, to which new ingredients and liquids are added each day, or as they become available for emergency loan, is one of the greatest contributions you can make to reducing food waste. But mostly it’s an adventure, since you never know exactly how it’s going to perform on any given day.
In my experience almost anything once kicking will make interesting stock if boiled for long enough. More realistically, utilitarian stock can be made from the simple boiling of a chicken carcass, lamb bones or ham hock. Trim off any remaining fat from the bones (ie those still on first division wages), place in a large saucepan with a couple of chopped onions and carrots, and add water to a level of about 10 o 15cm from the bottom of the pan. Don’t attempt to cover the bones with water. Bring to the boil, place the lid of the saucepan on securely and simmer for 90 minutes pressing the bones down into the both as they become loosened from each other. Leave to cool a little, then strain the contents of the pan through a firm sieve into a bowl, pressing as much as you can from the moist residue with a wooden spoon. Leave to become entirely cold then remove as much of the fatty layer, which will have risen to the top.
A pile of remnant vegetables – onions, carrots, nigels, potatoes, celery – will make a stock through the same process.
To thicken the stockpot use chopped potatoes, cooked or raw, carrots, crushed occasionally as the soup simmers, a handful of pearl barley, rice breadcrumbs, porridge oats or lentils.
A team with an accumulating cargo of vegetables and disintegrating meat can become a tad full-bodied. It may need lightening or sharpening. The juice of a lemon will help cut the fattiness. A dash of soy sauce (Mr Z) or dry sherry (please don’t buy that millwall scum) adds depth to the squad. A pinch of chilli powder cures most ills. Keep testing and adding til the blend pleases you!

So there you have it. I could have used loads more football puns but decided if Jamie’s taking this seriously then so should I – I also left most same so you can actually use the recipe – ‘pass it on’ as Mr Oliver emplores us to do. So hopefully one of the two readers of this will know a certain current Charlton employee who I know would love making this – keep tinkering til the blend pleases you anyone? Anyway you’ll all thank me for the cheap grub when it’s two hundred sovs a match to watch our new team of international superstars poncing about in the first division.

JOIN THE REVOLUTION!!!

VIVA LA VIDA

2008-10-10T08:20:00.004+01:00

With no football on this weekend I’m sure many of you, like I, will be wondering how to kill (nigels?) time before our beloved Charlton (or whichever second division team you support) grace the footballing arenas of England again. No ... oh well sod you then if you’ve already got a life. I have decided to take in a bit of culture and visit an art gallery. Being a complete novice in this area I consulted our trusty internet and googled a few bits and pieces ... after my wrist recovered I found the painting shown here which is a 20th century work by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Its title directly translates into English as ‘alive [is] the life’ - meaning ‘long live life’. See, we’re all feeling uplifted already aren’t we ... no? Then I shall continue. Actually, this is a myth – the painting in question is actually entitled ‘Liberty Leading the People’ by French artist Eugène Delacroix and depicting the July Revolution of 1830. (See where I’m going now?). Viva la vida is actually by Kahlo but is a painting of melons ... no not them ... yawn! Anyway I discovered neither piece resides in the UK so I’d have to make do with some other art. Meanwhile I discovered that save the world single handidly / actress marrying / miserable sod / head up my own arse Bono ... sorry, I meant the lovely Chris Martin of Coldplay – has written a toon with said title. His lovely jaunty ‘all the melons I have seen’ is due to be released sometime soon but Viva La Vida you will probably have heard of. In case not here’s some of the lyrics to help jog your memory?

I used to rule the world (sorry Chris – thats Take That / manu)
Zhi would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone (well at least you’re getting some sleep ... ask pardew or Ambrose)
Sweep the streets I used to own (bit like Paddy Powell but without the mower then?)

I used to roll the dice (Two 6’s – you’re starting today Luke)
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes (but who are our enemies and who are our friends – and who do we keep closer)
Listen as the crowd would sing: (well North upper anyway)
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!" (I’ll leave you to think about this one for now)

I’m sure our manager doesn’t really roll dice to pick the team and there’s loads more great lines there about Romans and Revolutions (wonder where that could go? - seriously I couldn’t make this class stuff up) but enough for this culture robin today. Enjoy your weekend off everyone and remember it’s only art!

Alright I confess (I wasn’t expecting the Spanish inquisition – but then nobody does) I’m going to the zoo with the kids –

JOIN THE (Gorillas of the) REVOLUTION!

SOMEHWHERE ELSE?

2008-10-07T09:23:00.002+01:00

After comments being raised about pardew’s ability to talk excessively about his former surrey side – more so than us -last week, here we have him talking about another of his former loves ...
Ahead of Saturdays match ‘I know the Ipswich squad well; I've come up against them twice in the play-offs as manager at West Ham’ and afterwards ‘When you've been West Ham United manager for four years you get used to the pressure but this week has been tough’
Somewhere else you’d rather be al?

TAXI !!!!

JOIN THE REVOLUTION !

YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION

2008-10-06T08:02:00.004+01:00

Well I agree – we all wanna change the world - and I urge you all to JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

So we won – panic over? No, this is just a respite! Every woman, every man, it’s time to stand up, join the caravan – oops ... join the revolution! Yes that’s right – ignore Saturday’s blip and stand up and be counted – like Pedro 45 did. We were all fannying around with Con Te Partiro and the like but he put his money where his mouth is and said what he meant (just like a fiery Italian might) and I know he feels better for it. So, whilst you’re reading this just say the words to yourself ‘I want to join the revolution’ feel better? Course you do. Unfortunately the oppressors broke in and f*d about with my sky+ box at the weekend so I didn’t get to see the telly programme (I forget its name) with the second division goals and highlights on so my reporting this week might be a bit off the mark in some people’s eyes but I don’t care – I have a greater cause and the sacrifice is worth it.

(Readers warning ... subliminal messages may be used in the following ‘performance’ those with the IQ of a palarce fan can’t use a computer anyway so no harm can come of it – only good)

CHARLTON 2 – IPSWICH 1
Whatever the result was I can’t get excited about this win. There was a very strange mood around the Valley before (and during) this match – the people are revolting (sorry that was last Tuesday). The game well, it was born in the Quarticciolo district of Rome on July 9th 1968 and we’re now up to 17th.

BARNSLEY 4 – DONCASTER 1
Rare win for the Tykes whose career started at local boyhood club Lazio.

BIRMINGHAM 1 – QPR 0
Kevin Phillips scores again before pushing over referee Paul Alcock ... or that’s what the oppressive regime want you to think – we here at revolution headquarters know the truth is that he dived.

COVENTRY 4 – SOUTHAMPTON 1
Good home win for Ghost Town City all of whose players have a tattoo reading DVX on their arm.

NORWICH 1 – DERBY 2
So the turn around in form continues for the American giants known to be former members of the Lazio Irruducibili.

FOREST 0 – croydon 2
I wouldn’t sully his good name by linking him with this shit!

PLYMOUTH 4 – SHEFF W 0
Shows you how poor the team that beat us last week was, despite winning the 2001 FIFA fair play award for the special act of sportsmanship shown when playing against Everton.

READING 3 – BURNLEY 1
West Irish score another 3 including BBC goal of the season 2000

SHEFF U 3 – BRISTOL C 0
Are the messages getting really obvious yet?

WATFORD 2 – PRESTON 1
I love you Paulo x

So there’s the weekly round up, along with an updated table still headed by Wolves rather than a team who finished in it’s highest league for nearly 50 years in the one season Di Canio played for us... Charlton don’t have a competitive match for over two weeks now so I’ll leave you with this thought that brought a smile to my comrades at the match on Saturday and might do the same for you. In response to the usual complaints about the watered down fosters on offer I offer you this reply ... Join the revolution and it could soon be ice cold Peroni we’re drinking ... SALUT!!! You know it makes sense!

THE BOY IS BACK IN TOWN!

2008-10-03T07:47:00.003+01:00

With the defeat to surrey nonces fresh in the memory (current) manager (tick tock) pardew will know he needs to get back on track again with a convincing win in front of a large home crowd tomorrow. The tractor boys won't be any kind of a pushover though and SE7's own ole gunner solscar (or whatever) won't be letting any past loyalties get in his way. Shake ups are threatened but ZZ and Todorov (2 players I'd like to see in most staring line ups) probably aren't ready for 90 minutes yet - where's Jonjo? Anyway I'm going for a 3-3 draw and pardew to keep holding on ... for now.

PAULO DI COACHIO - Join the revolution!

CON TE PARTIRO

2008-10-01T08:20:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Daggs for the title suggestion – Although I’ve put a little twist on it - I’ll not make too many blind man jokes / puns as I’m really not in the mood (particularly as there’s a nigel where I work) – Perhaps there’s an Italian out there who might appreciate the language change – one who’s recently got some coaching badges? A facist, not a nazi? Big mutton chops?

Anyway as Wolves lose their first of the season so the team at the foot pick up their first win – I really don’t know what to say – too early to drink, should have told me that two hours ago :-(

THEY COULD BE HEROES

2008-09-30T07:58:00.003+01:00

Even if just for one day ... this one really counts pardew!

Show which side of the surrey / SE London fence you're breads buttered on (now / for now) and send out a team willing to fight tooth, nail and anything else required to keep up the good record from last year

I'm sure there will be tomes written elsewhere so I'll stick to a quick predction of 14-0 with each player scoring a piece - hell a 'Reading goal' and 1-0 will do me

UP THE ADDICKS!!!

HEAVEN KNOWS I’M MISERABLE NOW

2008-09-29T09:03:00.006+01:00

CHARLTON 1 – SHEFF WED 2
Another home defeat isn’t exactly the warm up we wanted ahead of a midweek trip to sh*thurst dump but then the man in charge should know that shouldn’t he, having played his part for both teams. Alas what we got was, well the stuff that had me drowning my sorrows for quite a while after the match – until I decided my vicinity to the Thames was maybe not a good idea and jumped on a late train home ...
Anyway, Varney reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner to stab home the lead and it could have gone so much better. Despite hitting the woodwork twice we were unable to extend the lead and two goals in three minutes left us trailing for the remainder of the match. The opposition scorer ran miles through our defence without a tackle in sight for each goal which should start alarm bells ringing. I know some of the defensive changes are forced but there seems to be a real problem opening up (pardon the pun) there. However, I’m sure the manager had plenty to say at half time – must have shouted his bollocks off as he didn’t seem to have any energy left to rally the troops to claw back in the second half – come on tinker man – please at least look like you give a shit!?!

Where are the points coming from?

Weaver (7) ‘is a Wednesdayite’ but I don’t really blame him for either goal when he had the red sea defence in front of him
Youga (7) Pedro 45 says he has the makings of a cult hero at the Valley and I have to agree – I think he could be a real fans favourite – don’t let the bastards drag you down Kelly
Cranie (6) Not as promising as previous performances for us (and England) but still better than some
Ex Croydon bloke (3) Better play better than this on Tuesday or he might find the Thames quicker than me
Primus (6) Clearly not fit and not expected to play so can’t be too harsh on his second coming – with time (which apparently we don’t have) could form a good partnership with someone but good to see him starting in a red shirt again
Sam (5) Can do sooooooo much better than this
Bouazza (8) 2DAP MOM covered miles and put in some telling balls and looks likely to stick one in himself too
Holland (5) Sagging form can’t warrant place in the team for mr nice much longer with Jonjo and ZZ knocking on the door – not sure he’s a centre back either!
Bailey (6) Not his greatest game in a red shirt – but not his worst either – tell him the history and let him rip on Tuesday night
Gray (5) After a promising start to the season seems to be dipping like the team – shame
Varney (7) Usual energetic performance deserved more than his solitary goal, even if the team didn’t
Ambrose / Basey – came on with 20 minutes left but the game was over by then
Todorov Good to see him back – this guy can make a big difference – but never got going - yet

BARNSLEY 0 – NORWICH 0
Barnsley have a penalty saved in this lower half bore draw
BLACKPOOL 1 – COVENTRY 1
Seasiders take the lead but Freddy Eastwood dances through the home defence to take a point away with the visitors
BURNLEY 3 – PRESTON 1
Not the result many expected in this NW derby – Preston took the expected lead but a 30 yard Gudjonson strike equalises before Caldwell and e*gl@s take the points
DONCASTER 0 – SOUTHAMPTON 2
An own goal and a penalty may not be the ideal way of grabbing 2 points – but at least they did
IPSWICH 1 – croydon 1
Tractor boys take the lead which lasts just 2 minutes – moses equalised with a header but either side could have taken the extra point – with Lisbie nearest – these nigels will fancy their chances of a first league win and getting off the foot of the table after these results :-(
PLYMOUTH 1 – FOREST 0
A strange game if your names Morgan as his clearance bounced off the Plymouth player to be the vital goal and then he gets sent off – worse luck than a Charlton supporter
QPR 0 – DERBY 2
USA run out convincing winners away to Italy and look to be turning the corner – at least it lifts them away from the surrey bastards at the foot – and above us ... bugger!!!
SHEFF U 2 – WATFORD 1
A steel town double with veterans Gary Speed and James Beattie securing the points for a team who could be slightly richer soon – thanks to the cheating ‘old ‘ammers
WOLVES 2 – BRISTOL C 0
And they go marching on and on and on – with Brum not playing Wolves are now 4 points clear at the head of the table – bugger again!!

So another weekend of exciting second division football with some unexpected results and the again expected Addicks heartache draws to a close – I’m off to plant some Gladioli!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

2008-09-26T12:37:00.001+01:00

Thursday 18th September
Pardew, though, ruled out a similar (loan) deal for summer signing Stuart Fleetwood, who scored twice for the reserves in a 4-1 behind-closed-doors friendly win over Barnet on Wednesday. "Fleetwood is in the first-team squad for Saturday at Nottingham Forest," added Pardew. "He's trained very well and got a couple of goals for the reserves on Thursday so at the minute he's too close to the first team to be sent out."
http://www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=32884

Thursday 25th September
Charlton boss Alan Pardew hinted on Thursday that he could allow striker Stuart Fleetwood to leave the club on loan.
http://www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=32919&newstype=p

Oh how I laugh when football managers say one thing then retract it straight away. It’s not as if they’re not reported on radio, TV or even their own official club websites. Why they’re never brought to task about effectively lying to the fans I’m not quite sure but do it they do again and again and again ... ‘Scott Parker will not be leaving Charlton’ etc etc etc as every club in the country can tell you. OK so pardew’s backtrack may be just that – genuine change of mind – or pressure from above – or doesn’t know what the real ‘manager’s plans are – or what the flip he’s doing himself – but don’t these sort of things harm credibility? I believe so and the old say nothing you fool (or something like that) should apply ... sit down shut up isn’t it? AT least Fergie and O’Neill got to keep to their word ... sort of!

Anyway back to the important thing of division two on this sunny weekend ... The Addicks take on Sheff Wed who seem to either ship or score a bucket load each week – I’m going for a 2-0 home win to put us back up the table ahead of our trip to the sewers in the week. Elsewhere I expect wolves unbeaten run to end at the hands of Reading whilst wins afoot for Ipswich, Norwich, Preston, Forest, QPR and Watford with northern draws at Blackpool and Doncaster – but what do I know. I’m planning a few pints by the river tomorrow so lets hope the sunshine continues on and of the pitch!

SUPER HOOPS?

2008-09-25T08:58:00.002+01:00

Congrats to QPR (well all except their supermodel manager) on keeping up the fighting spirit of the 2nd division in the league cup last night by defeating 1st division Villa.

We now have 3 flag bearers (Burnley, QPR and Watford) in the next round ... and 4 if Derby can defeat Man City ... oops Brighton ;-)

Sheff Wed home on Sat seems like ages since last home match - up the Addicks!

THIS IS THE MODERN WORLD?

2008-09-24T08:30:00.000+01:00

WTF ... through a forced abstenance from the modern world I’m just catching up with emails, results, news, free porn and shopping but not necessarily in that order. So what’s been occurring in my absence? Well same old really – or is it? Wolves have carried on winning with Big Chris scoring a hat trick (ad getting sent off!) and ... well there normal service stops ... Charlton pick up 3 away points against Donny and the trees, Brum lose, Preston lose (now only Micks boys remain undefeated in div 2 and open up a 2 point lead) while Watford and Burnley both beat first division teams in the league cup – Jesus H Corbett what is going on in the world, all the above and financial / political turmoil worldwide ... still we can rely on pardew still being in charge at Charlton :-( and the nobs from surrey still bottom of the league :-)
Good luck to Rangers and Ipswich in the cup tonight ... (ab)normal service will be resumed soon ... for now I merely update the REAL league table

ORTON 1 – PARDEW 0

2008-09-15T10:42:00.002+01:00

Well Beth Orton certainly gave me more to smile about than the Addicks on Saturday with her usual entertaining mixture of beautiful tunes mixed with a handful of jokes. Shame about Charlton really as it could have been so much better ...

CHARLTON 1 – WOLVES 3
After hearing that big Chris had pulled out during the warm up, good old Michael Gray was on the bench and a wonder strike in the early minutes the sun was certainly shining down in SE7 ... but just for a short while. Yes it can be argued the free kick that led to the penalty shouldn’t have been allowed that quick (with several Addicks players backs to the ball) and that the penalty was harsh but to be honest we were second best for the majority of this match ... Reading seems such a long time ago now

Weaver (6/10) A pen and a parried tap in may be harsh but didn’t seem as confident as recent weeks ... still his reaction to letting in the goals showed his passion ... come on Nicky
Cranie (7) Is it just me that thinks he has elements of Herman about him (build wise as well as playing) – solid start
Fortune (5) oh dear, to think he could be in div one with stoke now – or they here with us
Hudson (5) worst game to date – looked out of place but for the first time only
Youga (6) not his best game – seemed out of position a lot but probably covering others who went missing
Sam (5) struggled with injury for too long before giving way
Bailey (7) Great strike – 2DAP MOM – his goal was also the 100th 2nd division goal of the season
Holland (5) Looked like his age is showing – he’s performed better than I’d expected for the past couple of seasons but maybe now it’s time to (slowly) pass the baton to Zhi / Jonjo?
Bouazza (6) Enthusiasm in patches but nowhere near as cutting as he can be
Gray (4) Was he out there? Shame after recent upturn in performances
Varney (6) Usual hearty display but with little to show for it
Basey - late substitution added little
Dickson – late substitution showed usual livewire performance

2DAP Man of the match : Nicky Bailey if only for his goal – and the fact that he’s only been playing at this level for weeks as opposed to others who he outshone – keep going ginge!
Moment of the match : Has to be Nicky Bailey’s early screamer of a goal

BIRMINGHAM 1 – DONCASTER 0
With a man sent off in the first half it was left to Kevin Phillips ... sorry I mean Cameron Jerome (from a Marcus Bent assist!!) to take the points for the blues

BLACKPOOL 1 – BARNSLEY 0
Another Kabba goal and another Blackpool win means more div 2 surprises – oh well it was only Barnsley they were playing

COVENTRY 0 – PRESTON 0
Apparently the score flattered the entertainment in this match

DERBY 2 – SHEFF U 1
Just a few days short of a year since last league win (the longest in league history!!!) and they go and bloody do it - Both sides hit the woodwork before Derby took the lead through Green although really an own goal. For United ex Addick Halford crossed for the equaliser before the ref gave a penalty to Derby then changed to corner! But Hulse won the points anyway – and I thought this sort of stuff only happened at the Valley?

IPSWICH 2 – READING 0
John Stead struck a sweet first goal for Ipswich before a Walters header wrapped up the points against a less promising / fancied Reading as the season continues.

FOREST 1 – BURNLEY 2
Robert Earnshaw’s goal for the trees proved not enough against a Burnley side who scored from a direct free kick and a penalty to earn their first win of the season

PLYMOUTH 1 – NORWICH 2
Two great goals from Norwich were enough to take the points despite a Plymouth conciliation goal and the super yellows continue marching upwards – remember where you saw them tipped first!

SHEFF W 2 – WATFORD 0
A lucky goal and a classy one see Wednesday start to climb the table whilst yet another fancied team lose again – this certainly is the second division we all want isn’t it?

QPR 4 – SOUTHAMPTON 1
Not had a chance to see / read this but the man city of div 2 keep marching on

Well we’re down to a lowly 18th now but at least it’s 4 places above the nigels who didn’t play at the weekend and sink to the foot ... my prediction coming true (although I only got 4 from 10 right this week)

Move over Paulo ... here comes Big Chris!

2008-09-12T12:18:00.004+01:00

So after the lay off and lack of football ... except Paulos's double against England last week (Salut!) ... I've got so much to write ... well not really

With a fun packed weekend including seeing my fave all time recording artist Elizabeth Caroline Orton (Beth to her friends) live and the Addicks taking on the might of plastic paddy / millwall mick's wolves I just can't be bothered / haven't got the time so sod you all ;-)

I'm predicting wins for Birmingham, Backpool, Preston, Sheff U, Reading, Forest, Norwich, Watford and QPR with a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Valley - goals from Varney (2) and an og - hat trick for Mr I anyone?

As Beth may have sung 'and if I never saw the second division baby, then maybe, I wouldn't mind the third' ... have a good 'un ... back soon but not sober

MATCH OF THE DAY

2008-09-05T11:41:00.002+01:00

SOCCER AID ...

This has to be it ... forget Ingerland and whoever they're playing (I honestly don't know nor care) ... tune into ITV this weekend and check out the next West Ham manager Paulo strutting his stuff for a good cause ... have a good weekend Addicks and supporters of many other 2nd div teams ;-0

SPARE A THOUGHT FOR DERBY?

2008-09-02T08:23:00.006+01:00

Never mind bloody Barbietov, Robin-o and all the other transfers that went on yesterday (no Primus in or Zhi out I note) and spare a thought for Derby. I decided to check out the draw for the next round of the league cup on the beeb and couldn’t believe my eyes ... Derby are having to play both Man City and Brighton in a third round tie on the same day. That must be the case as the two don’t play their second round tie until the day after (see pic) Presumably that match will only take place if their combined forces can beat the mighty sheep?!? It’s an outrage as Tony Harrison would say in the Boosh. Still, did we sign Chris Powell again yesterday?

THANK HEAVEN FOR THE PROFESSIONALS

2008-09-01T09:10:00.002+01:00

Oh dear, dear, dear ... the Addicks lost and the nigels got their first goal(s) of the season ... what a weekend it’s been! Still at least the Gordon jocko brown and the bloody credit crunch hasn’t affected the price of mind numbing, pain relieving drugs ... yet ... and we have 24 hour licensing laws to aid the ever addickted amongst us. Here’s the round up boys and girls ...

PRESTON 2 – CHARLTON 1
Sorry, it’s all my fault – my predicting a Charlton away win may be rarer than a croydon fan with dress sense (playing with a leprechaun on a wii fit) but I went and bloody put the jinx on us didn’t I. Sorry boys it won’t happen again (often). With Varney showing the drive I predicted in my pre-match ramble his chasing of a ball he had no right to think about getting to he managed to get upended for the 217th penalty in matches involving Charlton this season. Andy Gray stepped up for the second week running and again we lead. Can we all go home now please? Erm, apparently not. Preston, who are turning out to be an ever improving side over recent years decided to spoil the party with two second half goals – or rather our defence did. Will the real Linvoy Primus please stand up, please stand up, please stand up ... OK any centre halves out their reading this who fancy a game?

BARNSLEY 2 – DERBY 0
So the team bottom of the league (at 3PM on Saturday anyway) decide to go and beat ‘big boys’ Derby ... what a fucking liberty! Well hurrah for them I say, leaving global market infrastructure leaders Derby in the same place as they spent the last year or so ... bottom of the league!

BRISTOL CITY 1 – QPR 1
I think I might have to start taking cider drinking, sorry the cider drinkers seriously soon (I take cider drinking very seriously already) as they notch up another point against mr ugly’s ugly troupe leaving them sitting proudly almost top of the real second division table. QPR took the lead with Blackstock managing to score despite being on his arse but Adebola equalised before midweek goal hero Ledema got himself sent off for the mighty hoops. I myself am drinking as many cans of strongbow as possible whilst writing this in the hope the apple magic may rub off on the Addicks.

BURNLEY 0 – PLYMOUTH 0
Yawn ... highlight was Chris eagle setting sent off for having such an offensive bloody name. If Cantona got nine months (should have been a knighthood) then this fella should be banned for at least life.

DONCASTER 1 – COVENTRY 0
Surprising everyone with early top half of the table results ‘Donny’ march on with a 30 yard effort from Mr Weller – oops Wellens.

NORWICH 1 – BIRMINGHAM 1
No Phillips goal = no win = third place, at least temporarily as the super canaries start to show the form that has me, and me alone, tipping them for a promotion challenge this year.

READING 4 – croydon 2
Well for one weekend at least I can forget that the scouse dwarf is a serial nigel as they crush the surrey girls unceremoniously. With their leading goalscoring defender Sonke deciding he really is too good for this league step up Sir Kevin Doyle and take the applause. Despite the nigels getting their first (and second) goals of the campaign Reading were never going to lose this one. One from Harper and Doyle’s three secured the points but it could have been so much more – especially if Kebe hadn’t had his goal disallowed for blatantly being fouled in the box – no penalty, no goal, foul against! Oh dear referee! Doyle could have had a couple more himself but his two tap ins and appropriately headed hat trick goal led the chief nigel to call his team a ‘disgrace’ – I for once agree with him!

SOUTHAMPTON 0 – BLACKPOOL 1
Another surprise win, which appears to have been much more convincing than the 1-0 scoreline suggest, moves the seasiders above the Addicks (and a few others beside) with woodwork hit and 3 (correctly) disallowed they showed some real attacking passion

WATFORD 2 – IPSWICH 1
A header from Eustace and O’Toole taking advantage of a parry of the keeper ruled superior to Counago’s goal when the Watford custodian politely gave the ball away and almost asked Watford to score.

WOLVERHAMPTON 5 – FOREST 1
Wolves now stack up an impressive 13 goals in 4 league appearances and this looks like 10-1 might have been a fare result ... McCarthy’s still the manager? Sorry I mean 4 offsides and a dubious penalty robbed the unlucky forest boys ... seriously though Wolves go top and look good. Kightly might have got two but it was former Addick and one of my all time favourite players (not!) Big Chris who claimed a goal and an assist – what a team player – why did we ever let him go?

Oh well that rounds up the action before we take a week off for some overpaid and ovepampered tossers to flounce about for ingerland and the like – still ITV are showing the charity match with at least one true star, Paulo DiCanio, next weekend so a week of won’t be too hard to take. Prediction wise I’d like to forget my 3 form 10 as quickly as the rest of the weekend ... thank heaven for the professionals - or should we thank Cowley?

OFF TO PRESTON

2008-08-29T08:47:00.003+01:00

So a long trip oop norf awaits our boys tomorrow (without Linvoy who needs to get match fit – and presumably Chantelle who looks pretty fit anyway – and probably isn’t a big Preston fan either – I’ll be in front of sky sports with a couple of tins if you’re at a loose end love). Anyway, after the good win against Reading last week it’s back to earth with a bump and a trip to the sort of place JFH, (Marcus) Bent and the like would have loathed – however in players like Luke Varney and our new ginga ninja hopefully we have some attitude, battle, resilliance or call it what you will. The team may be lacking the ‘big name stars’ (yuk) of a couple of years ago but maybe now we can start to become a team again (without too much tinkering). That’s why I’m plumming for a 2-1 win for the boys in red and white – goals courtesy of the two aforementioned players.

Elsewhere I’m going for home wins for Burnley, Reading, Southampton (who take on the tangerine seasiders in the televised early KO) and Wolves – aways for Birmingham (who continue marching on at the lead of div 2), Coventry, Derby (yes a Derby win which will leave Barnsley at the foot). To complete the round up I’ll go for draws between Bristol City and QPR as well as the late kick off between Watford and Ipswich.

AWAY THE LADS!!! 2DAP

And then there were eight ...

2008-08-28T12:21:00.003+01:00

Despite some valiant performances against first division opposition (and less valiant against third division teams) there now remain only eight representatives of the second division in this year's league cup.

In terms of predictions I fared OK with 9 out of 13 and to follow the line from Charlton to Yeovil to Middlesbrough who take over the baton there - no doubt to lose in the next round.

So good luck to Burnley, Derby, Ipswich (thanks to a goal by Super Kevin Lisbie), QPR, Reading, Sheffield United, Southampton and Watford in the next round. Remember it's not just your club you're representing but the proud old second division ... up and at em boys!!!

Apparently Leeds won as well ;-)

THE GREAT BRITISH DUCK RACE 2008

2008-08-27T10:26:00.001+01:00

No relationship to the second division or Charlton I know but using this page to promote a good cause, which is taking place this Sunday. Lots of charities involved and it costs just £2 to sponsor a duck – I think there’s a prize but that’s not the point. Personally I’m a supporter of NSPCC so please log on and check out www.nspcc.org.uk/duckrace and you can help them with their good work. Remember the NSPCC are trying to stop this sort of preposterous thing happening to innocent kids!

GOOD LUCK YEOVIL

2008-08-26T15:54:00.000+01:00

Very quick post as it’s the second today (couldn’t get out of a pub across bank holiday weekend to sit at a PC!)
With 13 second division teams playing in the league cup second round tonight and tomorrow I’ll just wish (most of) them luck ...

I’ll be really, really bold by saying that I predict Burnley, Bristol City, Colchester, QPR, Reading, Wolves, Watford and Sheff U will triumph against lower league opposition whilst Coventry and Forest will falter to first division Newcastle and Sunderland respectively. With two all second division ties I’ll plum for Preston to win against Derby and Brum against the Saints. Meanwhile glance a sly eye as Third division Yeovil, and Valley victors in the last round, take on mighty Middlesbrough ... Cider, cider, cider!!!

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

2008-08-26T08:26:00.002+01:00

So, with 20,000 (erm?) in attendance, 6 goals, 4 penalties (all debatable), 4 bookings, 3 strikes of the woodwork, 1 red card and a birthday boy in Bartram’s even Messrs Weller, Foxton et Buckler would be hard pressed to give more value for money than was dished out at the Valley on Saturday. With new boys coming in for their first home league match and a general anticipation of a hard fought afternoon and keeping it respectable the sun shone down on the Valley and the natives … Reading hadn’t conceded in the league yet so the scouse / croydon midget must have been pleased with them shipping 4 ...

Weaver (7/10) Needs to get a consistent defence in front of him but starting to make saves
Basey (6) Not likely to retain the slot after Youga’s suspension if you ask me
Hudson (7) Not his best performance since joining a London team but better than many of the defensive performances we’ve seen over the last few years
Fortune (6) Looks like he’s going to be sitting on the bench for a while now … wish you joined Stoke?
Moutaouakil (7) Another promising performance as he stood solid at the back as well as getting forward for some attacking support
Bouazza (8) 2DAP MOM
Bailey (8) Settling in well and showed in patches that he’s capable of bossing games at this level … not much of the summer sun left now so just see how he goes then!
Holland (7) Must admit I’ve thought he’s been past it for a few years now but frequently proves me wrong – ran solidly for the team and deserved the goal
Sam (7) Showed sometimes the simple move can be the best one
Varney (7) Again ran around a lot but seemed to link with others a bit better
Gray (7) Best performance in a red shirt to date … starting to look more like Andy Hunt than JFH
Ambrose (sub for Sam) Came on late but good to see him back in the squad
Semedo (sub for Moutaouakil) Another late substitution who looked solid as usual

2DAP MOM : Bouazza – Booked for remonstrating after the retaken penalty but made up for it with a great goal to seal the points. In between ran tirelessly and showed why he’s worth £2M (well everybody else seems to want to say it every time his names mentioned ;-)
Moment of the match : Nicky Weaver’s 2 penalty saves (well neither went in did they) … oh how my son (who loves Nicky Weaver) was overjoyed to hear (and subsequently see) that
Statler and Wardorf : Oh so very quiet! In fact the quietest I’ve ever know them to be. I was expecting to be writing pages on this subject but alas .. sorry I mean hoorah no, not a dickie bird. Perhaps a lovers tiff? Perhaps readers of this blog? Who knows?

Have we seen enough red cards and penalties for the season yet … bloody hell no … Here’s my roundup of the rest of div 2 action from the weekend …

BIRMINGHAM 2 – BARNSLEY 0
Brum 3 matches, 3 Kevin Phillips Goals, 3 wins, top of the table … repeat for the season?
Barnsley 3 matches, 3 defeats, bottom of the table ... ???

BLACKPOOL 1 – SHEFF U 3
Blackpool continue to struggle whilst Sheff U seem to be getting it right. Even at 38 Gary Speed shows he can still pull the strings, and wades in with a goal too, whilst Greg Halford keeps up appearances for ex Addicks everywhere.

COVENTRY 0 – BRISTOL C 3
So one croydon twat of a manager leaves and another joins … thankfully their undefeated run ends … and taffy coleman gets sent off … who cares about the goals – not me lol

croydon 0 – BURNLEY 0
So Burnley pick up their first point of the campaign and a big well done to them say all of us! The Sunday morning ITV show used the word mediocrity but with two nigels sent off and the manager adopting his usual persecuted whinge this joins Charlton and Forest’s wins up there a highlights of the day for me … how was it for you tango man? Not scored yet? Everyone else has – even Barnsley

DERBY 0 – SOUTHAMPTON 1
Southampton’s young side ‘hammer’ Derby 1-0 – what can I say except ha ha ha

IPSWICH 0 – WOLVES 2
Super Kev v ‘super’ Chris … and neither score, remembering their Addicks form Wolves move up to second - I’m so pleased for you mick … really I am

FOREST 3 – WATFORD 2
A result that shows what this league is all about … and why anyone can beat anyone. No offence (at all) to Forest but they’re not fancied and for some reason Wimbledon … sorry I mean Watford are. Another game, like that at the Valley, with plenty of goals and excitement. Love the second division and respect to the trees – good to see one of the old skool ‘big clubs’ back from the lower leagues IMO. Great long range goal to open the match for Forest and twice more they had to take the lead when Watford equalised but they’re moving on up.

QPR 2 – DONCASTER 0
Money can’t buy me love so the Beatles sang … dowie seems to be able to buy the points now (shame about the crap you wasted millions on us for you twat!) but good looks … not even your new employers can help you there

SHEFF W 1 – PRESTON 1
Preston drop first point of season and slip to fourth whilst Wednesday opt for a more ‘usual’ scoreline – after 4-1 for and 1-4 against.

Prediction round up : erm ... just 4 out of 10 this week I’m afraid but we won and the nigels had two ‘men’ sent off and haven’t scored yet so who cares

Next week we travel to fourth placed Preston, with will be another tough test – keep ‘em coming that’s what the thirty ninth best league in the world is all about … UP THE ADDICKS

SOME WEEKEND READING

2008-08-22T09:10:00.001+01:00

Just a quick pre-match ramble here as the bank holiday weekend beckons starting with poets day ...
So tomorrow we take on the fancied royals of Reading and ‘welcome’ their (ex croydon scouse – what a terrible combination!) manager steve Coppell to the Valley in the Sky TV early kick off.
No Todorov, Ambrose, Racon, McCleod (all injured), Youga (suspended), ZZ (still recovering from his visit to some event full of people running around in their pants and vests?), Jerome Thomas (now joining the herminator on a full time basis), Sinclair, Wagstaff, Aswad Thomas ++ (loans) and Basey doubtful means pardew will be scrapping around for a team. Well maybe not the first 11 but the bench isn’t going to be bulging with superstars is it?
Anyway, regardless of this I’d predict a defeat anyway (pessimistic bastard I am early on but then Watford and Reading are good sides in this league) – I’m plumming for 0-2 unfortunately but hope I’m wrong

Elsewhere I’m predicting home wins for Brum, Cov and QPR – away wins for Sheff U, Burnley, Wolves, Watford and Preston (yes 5 aways!) with a draw at Derby – with 9 out of 10 right last week I might even put a couple of quid on a perm

COME ON YOU REDS!!!

STATLER AND WALDORF

2008-08-21T07:27:00.005+01:00

These two ‘gentlemen’ sit near me and my friend at the Valley and, if you weren’t trying to watch your beloved Addicks in action every week they’d probably be very amusing. Each week they talk the same old tripe, including a suspiciously high volume of tottingham hotspurs discussion (!?!) before starting to discuss what time train to get home ... in the 50th minute ... aren’t the train routes and times the same every week? Bloody hell!

Anyway, I have to put up with them, so you will share in moments of their madness / genius ... you decide!

Quote of the match against swansea ... ‘It’s (the midfield) never been the same since Kishishev left’ Fair enough you may say (although I know many would disagree with differing aspects of this statement) but ... these two guys never, ever, never, ever said a single good word about the Bulgarian workhorse in all the time he stomped around the valley. Even when he’d run 60 yards to make a goal saving challenge they’d say he was out of position or the like ... aaaaargh, another season of this drivel ... good job they sell alcohol at half time ... Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Statler and Waldorf

Former Addicks 4 – Current Addicks 0

2008-08-19T07:05:00.002+01:00

Whilst we were struggling to keep a full team on the pitch, let alone score any goals, some of our ‘old boys’ were not having quite the same trouble ...

WATFORD 1 – CHARLTON 0

With new ginger signing Nicky Bailey coming in for Jonjo, Pardew pretty much resorted to the team that played our last friendly against Swansea a week earlier. Going back to what they used to do, did they ever stop?, a typically route one Watford goal where the keeper can claim the assist let Tommy Smith slip through a sleeping defence and past the rotund Weaver. Didn’t look / sound like a great game from what I heard / read etc so both teams will have to pull their socks up sharpish if they want to get back to the big money. Shame to see R Kelly sent off and, whilst I’m not one of the majority of supporters who believes every decision should be in their favour I did feel he was harshly dismissed. Nice to see Nicky Weaver making a quality save too ... sadly I predicted a single goal defeat but then my prophecys were correct in 9 of the 10 matches with only the draw at Norwich beating me. We now sit a sad 20th with no goals or points yet. Next up Reading ... bugger!!

BARNSLEY 1 – COVENTRY 2

So 2 wins, 4 points and top of the table show that life can only get better after dowie. Barnsley’s Howard scored with a beautifully timed run but it was Coventry’s Eastwood who stole the show with a goal and an assist – and 1 of the 8 cards (7 yellow + 1 red) shared out during the match. Next up for the early leaders are Bristol City so I can see them extending this run.

BRISTOL CITY 1 – DERBY 1

The late kick off for sky saw some nice open play down the right lead to a good goal for City – only for Manager’s son Lee Johnson to give the ball away for the equiliser – oh dear son!

BURNLEY 0 – IPSWICH 3

2 games, 2 goals, that’s our Kev – the model of consistency – if only! So Burnley are rooted to the bottom with nil points and -6 goal diff whilst arguments must have been abound in Suffolk as to whether Kev’s scoring fetes after heading in (again) after a rebound or the skydiver landing on the roof of the stand was the most bizarre act of the afternoon – welcome to the wacky world of Ipswich Town!

NORWICH 1 – BLACKPOOL 1

‘highight’ of this match has to be the miss by Lupoli which would even have made geoff thomas whinge ... oh dear

PRESTON 2 – croydon 0

Preston move to second with a fine win ... what can I say ... nothing that would make this any better that’s for sure ... well done North End

READING 2 – PLYMOUTH 0

Next weeks visitors to the Valley pick up a good win with Sonko scoring two headers and former Addick (and fanit chav) Leroy Lita trying his hand with a spectacular overhead volley

SHEFF U 3 – QPR 0

I’ll avoid the sharp / blade puns and say the hat trick was a header, a composed strike from the edge and a scrappy finish to seal it ... all together now, ‘let’s all laugh at dowie’

SOUTHAMPTON 1 – BIRMINGHAM 2
An entertaining and lively match saw my pre season picks to win the league continue in fine form, but the Saints looked half decent too. A few disallowed offside goals, a rare actual goal for former Addicks defender Chris Perry and some great play from ex goner Quincey and Jerome showed that you can play attractive football and win at this level. I’ve got to say from what I’ve seen of Quincey in the past and this season Birmingham could have a potential star on their hands here . Oh yeah and the usual (well two weeks anyway) Kevin Phillips coming off the bench to score the winner ... are you Solskjaer in disguise?

WOLVES 4 – SHEFF W 1
Having won 4-1 last week Wednesday were on the receiving end this week, despite taking an early lead. Big jock and former Addick Chris Iwelumo notched a couple with a cleanly won header (what?) and running through with pace (what?) to tap in a rebound off the post ... Lisbie, Perry and Iwelumo all score, sorry gotta go and lie down!

Say hi to Herman while you’re there

2008-08-15T12:58:00.001+01:00

So, one player not featuring against Watford tomorrow will be Jerome Thomas and, whilst I’m sure there’s some logic behind it I feel it’s a shame really. I’ve always liked ‘JT’ as a player – even when being too flash / lazy you knew he could change a game – if only he wanted to, so perhaps div 1 is the place for him. With Bouazza coming in all starts to make sense although I doubt he’s on less than Thomas the prospect of cash from Pompey (who became the first team to win the FA Cup with a walkover in the final last year ;-) would be hard to resist. I actually though Thomas had started to show some good form pre / early season so I’ll miss him, even if not all Addicks will. Well I say good luck Jerome – show them what you can do ... and say hi to the Hermanator.

And of down the yellow brick road to Watford the team wander tomorrow. Sorry to be a pessimist but I’m predicting a 2-1 defeat with Varney grabbing our goal. Hopefully I’ll carry on my 0/1 result predictions so far for the season and the lads can prove me wrong ... come on u reds!!!

Elsewhere in Div 2 Bristol City take on Derby in the televised clash and I’ll predict a bore draw there. I’m also going for home wins for Norwich, Preston, Reading and Wolves, aways for Coventry, Ipswich and Brum and a draw at Sheff U v QPR. Elsewhere Doncaster and Forest have a free weekend but I here rumours they’re both planning exhibition matches ... don’t do it guys, take advantage of the rest. With 71% of results correctly predicted in the week I’m confident I can continue the run ... maybe?

PS – don’t forget the championship programme on Sunday shows bits of the second division :-)

Ginge!

2008-08-14T08:17:00.002+01:00

So, on the day that all four second division teams progressed as (unexclusively) predicted here at 2DAP to the second round of the League Cup, Charlton were signing a ginge! Oh woe is me, the shame of it – no seriously one of my best friends is a ginger, I also know people of ethnic minorities and gays – I don’t mind any of them, just not the taffs in our league ;-) In terms of gingers I’ve a bit of a soft spot really and Gillian Anderson, Patsy Palmer, Lindsey Lohan, Gillian Anderson, Nicole Kidman, Fergie (not that one!), Shirley Manson, Gillian Anderson, Louis Griffin and even Catherine Tate are welcome at the Valley (or round mine) anytime as far as I’m concerned ... did I mention Gillian Anderson?
No Halliwell though – she’s a head the ball!!!
Welcome Nicky Bailey, we’ll get the sun cream ready ;-)

So with 14 second division teams progressing to round two, most have avoided each other with only Southampton v Birmingham and Preston v Derby creating two all round two, division two ties. Elsewhere Coventry and Forest, as well as the Valley victors of Tuesday Yeovil, get money spinning ties against first division opponents. Good luck to them, they'll bloody need it.

Cider, Cider, Cider!

2008-08-13T09:58:00.003+01:00

So a huge crowd of 632 people crammed into the Valley last night and boy were they disappointed? Well personally no – not that I’m defending the defeat but (prediction of 3-0 win aside) you’ve got to almost expect it really. Usual poor fare for the first league cup match of the season and, that’s right, Charlton out – at least they spared us from extra time. Congratulations to Yeovil who worked hard for their win and deserve a good draw in the next round.

So George Doors ...

Elliot (5/10) Looked out of place, well at goalkeeping anyway – looked as dangerous as some outfield players late on
Basey (6/10) Looked more comfortable in second half at left back rather than first when the side didn’t seem to have much shape to it
Youga (8/10) Solid performance whether at full back, centre back, attacking, kicking opponents, whatever
Fortune (6/10) Went off injured and was below his best even until then
Moutaouakil (6/10) Can be international class as we’ve seen but then can play like last night too
Wagstaff (5/10) Early doors so I’ll not be too critical – If he’s going to make it he needs these games so I’m not complaining
Holland (7/10) Ran tirelessly but didn’t show the leadership you’d expect on a night like this
Shelvey (8/10) SDAP MOM – See below
J Thomas (7/10) Actually tried to take people on without being flash, stood up to a few challenges – come on JT you can do it!
Bouazza (6/10) Should have scored early on but seems to be settling in – watch this space
Varney (6/10) Another headless chicken night tonight – started really well but then seemed to be chasing shadows
Semedo (Sub 7/10) Usual solid performance – why doesn’t he play more – anywhere?
Sam (Sub 6/10) Like JT ha an on off button Pardew needs to find out how to work
Dickson (Sub 7/10) Usual livewire performance – shame he couldn’t breakthrough

Moment of the match : Has to be Elliott’s foray forward for the 4 or 5 corners at the death – almost woke some people up in the lower West

2DAP MOM : Has to be Jonjo – another performance where he looked a class above his more experienced colleagues – I’m trying not to get too excited about Jonjo but if we’d paid £3M to a club from a higher league I’d be over the moon but he’s 16 and cost us nowt ... woohoo!!! J

As for the other results ... well I got that slightly wrong too with just 10 of our 17 second division representatives progressing ... although I did predict Crewe & MK Dons (well done Roberto) getting the results they wanted
Let’s hope the ‘big’ four out tonight do better than some of us ... I expect a clean sweep

Coventry v Aldershot
Forest v Morecombe
Sheff U v Port Vale
Wycombe v Birmingham

Spot the difference ...

2008-08-12T14:00:00.005+01:00

Well I'm off to the Valley tonight and I know I'm only interested in one ... the English Football League Cup ... do you know which one it is yet?

And here for your perusal is a list of the 17 fixtures featurng second division teams tonight ...

Bristol C v Peterborough
Bury v Burnley
CHARLTON v Yeovil
Crewe v Barnsley
Dagenham v Reading
Derby v Lincoln
Exeter v Soton
Ipswich v Leyton
Luton v Plymouth
Macclesfield v Blackpool
MK Dons v Norwich
Notts C v Doncaster
Preston v Chesterfield
Sheff W v Rotherham
Swindon v QPR
Watford v Bristol R
Wolves v Accrington

Im predicting 14 safe entries into round 2 with Crewe, Exeter and MK Dons providing possible 'upsets'
As for the Addicks I'll go for 3-0 with Jonjo, Varney and Sam doing the do ...
UP THE ADDICKS!!

Spread the word ...

2008-08-11T13:17:00.003+01:00

There’s a programme that ITV put out on a Sunday called the championship (judging by the presenter I guess it’s supposed to be about gaelic football or something similar) that ... wait for it, shows bits ‘n’ bobs of second division football. They should advertise that really because I couldn’t find any mention of it anywhere and (without sky sports) was wondering where I’d get my weekly three seconds of Charlton action from.

DERBY 0 – DONCASTER 1
Anyway, I was going to start of by welcoming Doncaster to the second division but they seem to have done that themselves ... well done Donny! Their match is one of the reasons I love propa football at this level, you don’t have to have billions or wait on line for the ‘big four’ to steamroller you each season, as Hull City supporters will surely tell you. I recently predicted that Derby would make the play offs whilst Doncaster left for the third a bit sharpish but I take that back. Based on this performance (and as most blokes will tell you, one swallow does not a wife make) it could well be the other way around ... and I really hope so. You’ve got Derby with their septic chairman talking about ‘global branding’. If that wasn’t enough to make you puke they have a scouse manager who clearly can’t dress himself (and now th’ve dropped a division they can’t afford to pay someone to do it for him – come on jewell I know it’s probably a while since you’ve been in court but surely your daughter, sister, wife, granny or someone could have helped?) and just to wrap it up taffy savage who, like someone like vinnie jones rather than the likes of Paul Ince, may be a whingeing dirty bastard but isn’t actually anywhere near as good as he thinks – or his ‘mates’ / ‘advisers’ tell him. Well I hope they go down! Not much chance I know but we can hope (remember Man City?). Anyway Doncaster turned up at ‘pride park’ and duly nicked the points with a solitary goal. It was a nice smart goal from a team which seems to want to play nice smart football and I again applaud you for that. The newly promoted Rovers could have won by more and although they looked a bit shaky at the back should have had a penalty when Stubbs fouled in the box during the first half.

So whilst, Doncaster were announcing themselves to the world (well those of us who care about second division football – and that mainly excludes the media), Charlton finished their pre-season build up with defeat of daffodil league one team Swansea. We’ve now played two home friendlies – against two foreign teams – and seen two sendings off – all with Danny Mills nowhere to be seen. Anyway I’m mildly optimistic and not just in that my ambitions lie in finishing seventh, which is fully achievable with the right wind. Things look like showing signs of promise if Pardew can get the right mix of youth (Youga, Jonjo et al) and experience (Weaver, Holland) which will form a good building block for the club. We maybe not at the level of Athletic Club of Bilbao who only sign players with a basque ‘connection’ (which some would argue approaches Jack Charlton’s approach to the Irish national team) but at least we can count at least four players in the starting line up on Saturday who got their first real chance at the Valley. Anyway, on with the round up where everyone, barring ourselves and Southampton, have thrown their hat firmly in the ring ...

BRUM 1 – SHEFF U 0
Two of the divisions more fancied sides met in the early kick off and I tipped Brum to run away with this league. However, any team that plays marcus bent (thanks for the money brady) ahead of Kevin Phillips should reevaluate their management process. Without going into his reasons for joining them from West Brom (I can see a good argument for both sides – not just money – and who knows which sides grass is greener?) Phillips came off the bench to do what he’s been doing for years – grabbing the half chance provided and turning it into points – even at 35years old.

BLACKPOOL 0 – BRISTOL C 1
What to say about this? Looked like a bag o’shite really and city shouldn’t kid themselves this will be any continuation of last season.

COVENTRY 2 – NORWICH 0
So the proud yellow canaries were beaten by the team from ghost town – shame L Ward struck a penalty before McKenzie converted a clintons morrisons cross – enough reason to have wanted an away win me thinks but unfortunately the win leaves the sky blues in second

croydon 0 – WATFORD 0
Whist the glaziers continue to finance the ‘boys’ from surrey at the same time as pumping millions into / taking millions out of (your choice) manu ... isn’t there some league rule about that which could get both sides kicked out? ... they continue to change their shirts to replicate greater teams than they ... witness the return o he old peru shirt they wore this weekend. Please someone tell them it doesn’t matter what shirt they wear, they’re still a bunch of nigels! Still Watford hit the bar and had one disallowed for offside so could have been better.

IPSWICH 1 – PRESTON 2
I’m told that Super Kevin Lisbie scored with his head in the second minute here ... yeah right! Still whatever he and Campo did or didn’t do, Preston took the points, partly due to a beautifully hit shot from outside of the box by their captain McKenna.

PLYMOUTH 2 – WOLVES 2
Twice the pilgrims lead and twice millwall mick’s boys came back – shame, shame, shame!

QPR 2 – BARNSLEY 1
So how much money can dowie waste ... well I thought it’d be hard to surpass his ‘achievements’ at Charlton but I’m sure he’ll raise the bar at Rangers – if he keeps his gob shut long enough to keep his job. Despite Barnsley taking the early lead, Hall (who hasn’t scored for two years) managed to stick two in and miss a penalty – not a bad outing fo him overall

SHEFF W 4 – BURNLEY 1
So they could have gone down on the last d of the season but here they start at the top thanks to two doubles from early leading scorers Tuday and Sodje – but it was only burnley

Meanwhile Forest drew 0-0 with Reading yesterday (hats off to the trees) completing the fixtures for the weekend. As you can see I’ve calculated the ‘real’ table here and will continue to keep it updated on as regular basis as I can ... starting with our first match next week against Watford ... until then Up the Addicks!!

Where will it all end? (part 3)

2008-08-01T10:50:00.003+01:00

So, very quickly ... sorry I’ve not been posting much ... I’m getting set up to calculate the REAL league table when most teams kick off next week ... then I’ll be keeping you all up to date with where we (et al) are in the league
Nothing much to say about this last bunch really except anybody (from surrey) who thinks I’m too biased can stick it … at least I’m including 'them' in the real second division on the grounds of sexual equality

See ya's all at the 2 home friendlies ;-)

Where will it all end? (part 2)

2008-07-12T15:44:00.001+01:00

Having missed out on getting to Ebbsfleet (a long story I won’t bore anyone with here but I’m disappointed to have to wait another two weeks to see my beloved boys in red and white) I’ve decided not to write about the pre-season friendlies for now and concentrate on my second division predictions again. Anyway I’ll be seeing us take on Brighton, Bilbao (shouldn’t we get Bowyer back if Stallone’s coming to SE7?) and Swansea in friendlies ahead of the propa kick off fast approaching.

Moving onto the mid table I must admit it could be anyone’s game but here’s my opinion to be sniped, laughed and derided as seen fit by anyone who knows better ... Having picked the top eight, including CAFC here’s the next batch of division one wannabes...

9th = Ipswich ... always there or there about but not perhaps on a downward trend (?) for the team that brought us up to 5 players in a single match at recent points of history
10th = Wolves ... I wish it was lower but they have the money and support – let’s hope mccarthy feels like he’s mistakenly turned up to Roy Keane’s birthday party when he comes sarf again this season
11t = Southampton ... nothing to say really – former 1st division perennials, now nowhere men
12th = Bristol C ... no way they’re going to repeat last season’s feats but well done on the play off semis guys – mine’s a strongbow please Mr Lee Collins ;-)
13th = Coventry ... no dowie so a move in the right direction but not really going o achieve anything
14th = Barnsley ... this team is second division and proud – shouldn’t trouble either ends of the table and should stay here forever, lucky bastards ;-)
15th = Preston ... lost a good manager couple of years back and don’t look like reignighting the potential of one of the country’s most historic clubs

That’s all folks ... I’ll be back soon to put you out of your misery as to where the trees, seasiders and ladies from croydon will finish soon ... well when the money runs out, the pub kicks out and I’ve nothing else to do ... until then tara chuck

And They’re (almost) Off

2008-07-09T13:02:00.001+01:00

So here we are, after two months of euro pansies, cr*ck@t and wimbledon the reds return with proper football ... hoorah I here you join me? Well it might be hoorah tonight when we carry out the standard drumming of non league Welling (well usually anyway) but last night saw a Charlton XI crash 1-0 away to Bromley. Not that the result matters of course at this stage – it’s about fitness, formation, etc etc ... or so they say

Well despite being tempted by a ‘goal-laced evening’ by the official site it seems like a rather low key affair apart from the heralding of the new kit, which I actually rather like for a change over recent years. With Phil Parkinson and Mark Kinsella taking control (at the Valley?) Charlton fans were able to see some new faces (and some not so new but mainly young) in the new kit.

A young and mainly reserve team (yes that includes you Jerome!) failed to manage a goal amongst them despite promising non league statistics from debutant Stuart Fleetwood (36 for Forest Green 2007/08), Chris Dixon (31 for Dulwich Hamlet 2006/07) and trialist Sean Canham (41 for Team Bath 2007/08). Good news to here Fleetwood, who I expect will feature against Welling with the current injuries up front, to make an impressive debut but ... what is this recent trend with buying non league strikers? Can players really make the jump 3 or more leagues up at a time o the second division? I’m not so sure but glad to be proved wrong if only one in three make it. However when some other strikers (you choose from the list) fail to make the step up from second division to ... erm second division I feel I may be right. Dickson and Basey both hit the post but that appears to have been it I’m afraid.

With Elliot in goal and Binks on the bench it will be interesting with the other young studs and possible signings to see who will be number 1 and number 2 number 1 (if you know what I mean) at the Valley this season ... but that’s a discussion for another day. Other interesting thing was that Jonjo Shelvey warmed the bench all night so hopefully he’ll be featuring tonight against Welling and more often in the coming months.

So it’s of to Welling tonight and I’m afraid I won’t be there due to work commitments but hopefully the lads can start to gain a bit of momentum, fitness, camaraderie and confidence after all the pies ad tequilas of the summer.

If only they could have had Jar Jar Binks in goal, I’m sure nothing would get past those ears ... see y’all soon

Where will it all end? (part 1)

2008-07-03T18:20:00.004+01:00

Jimminy Cricket (or any other associated boring sport for that matter) I hear you say (well all 2 of you who found / read the first blog (thanks for the link Pedro45) it’s back for more … a ground breaking 2nd blog from 2dap! Well maybe not but here anyway is my second blog – enjoy ;-)

So, with the slightly different set of rules for the league* having been established I’m going to try and predict where everyone will finish.
* That’s no foreign teams and the correct title of second division having been restored … hell I’m even going to go as far as 2 points for a win – any other suggestions?

First of all I took about 2 minutes to divide the teams into groups when I got in from the pub last night (a little worse the wear from my old mate Nelson!) That didn’t prove very successful as I basically had Charlton and Birmingham in group 1, croydon planks in group 3 and everyone else in group 2 so I thought I’d start again. Well not quite – my first prediction is that the blue nosers will run away with the second division – much in the same way as we did last year ;-) My second prediction is that Charlton will finish 7th but that’s as much down to wishful thinking and my backward psychology as anything else (more to follow on that another day) – if you want reasoned debate my friends then try www.charltonathleticonline.co.uk my friends – you’re in the wrong bar here.

Having regrouped the teams when slightly more complus mentus I’ve come up with the chasing pack of …
Derby, Norwich, QPR , Reading, Sheff U and Watford. So putting them into order we have the following –

2nd = Watford … should have learnt the lessons of being almost over confident of pissing the league last year (sound familiar pardew?)
3rd = Derby … have been playing 2nd division football since November so the drop won’t be any problem to them
4th = QPR … surely that money’s gotta pay off? Maybe not in the real second division hey flavio!
5th = Reading … Coppell seems to be keeping most of the team together and they should do well at this level (where they’ve always belonged)
6th = Norwich … because I really like Norwich … the city, the day out there, the ground, Delia, the broads, Great Yarmouth, the yellow kit, the long bar … I could go on but you’d think I was on the turn
7th = Charlton … just where we (well I) want to be but that’s for another day
8th = Sheff U … as the old boxing phrase goes they could be contenders … repeat & fail each year

So that’s the top 8 – I’ll be back when I can be arsed with some more random scrawlings that might be vaguely Charlton related if you’re (un)lucky … Cheers

Inspired By 'arry & Ken!

2008-07-01T10:28:00.004+01:00

Ok so, here we are … the 1st July ... half way through the year and just 46 days from Charlton’s push for seventh place in the second division. Just 7 days from the first riveting pre-season friendly at Bromley and 32 days from the home match against who knows?

So … do we need another blog about things vaguely resembling Charlton Athletic Football Club? … No!
So … what can I offer that others can’t? … erm, nothing really!
So … Why? … I guess I’m bored … no wait … I have a mission …

Fed up with the transglobal (express) monopolisation, over packaging and saturisation of football (as it used to be called) I’m regaining what is rightfully ours … the English Second Division!

Inspired by ‘arry and Ken I’ve decided to publish the ‘real second division’ table as the season unwinds because … well just because I want to really. I’m not a Pompey fan by any long shot … no soft spot for ‘ammer ‘arry or their bloody chimes … in fact ‘erman’s the only real reason I might give a toss what they’re doing. Except for Saturday 17th May 2008 when ‘arry saved ENGLISH football! Don’t get me wrong I’m not anti welsh at all … except when it comes to the double standards of playing in our competitions but still keeping one foot in each camp – like glasgow celtic and glasgow rangers they have their own league, cup and seep so why should they be in our league, cup etc.

So, in 39 days time when 18 teams kick off their second division season on Saturday 9th August, 4 teams will have to wait. Forest play Reading a day later but Charlton and Southampton must wait a week more to kick off after meaningless ‘friendlies’ against welsh opposition on the 9th … what a sad and sorry state of affairs.

So here it is … the real second division is here … no premiership (ship?), championship or ky jelly super cup in sight … propa English football for … well anyone who wants to join me … Cheers