Nothing to see here

So after a run of 76 league games without a 0 v 0 we succumbed to a draw against coincidently the team we last drew 0 v 0 with Oldham. A boring game was briefly stirred into life mid-way through the first half when Daily was clattered with a high boot which the usually cool headed figure of Dailly reacted with a swift donkey kick into the opposing players mid-section. Rightly so Dailly was sent off and from then a drab match which ended Charlton's 76 league game run without a goalless draw. Fair play to the 180 odd who made the trip, after the highs and lows of last year’s trip a pointless game this year didn't wet the apatite, fingers crossed we go out on a high with the remaining games, I can't see it myself so roll on next year.

At last!

Chris Powell has done it! after what feels like an eternity without a win (12 games) Charlton have arrested the slide and produced a much improved second half display to beat play off chasing Orient at the Valley on Saturday. A poor first half resulted in Charlton going in at the break 1v0 down through a deserved Scott McGleish header. However Powell must have given his Charlton team a rollicking at half time, as the boys came out firing on all cylinders and after just 5 minutes Paul Benson, who had been unlucky on Tuesday night against Rochdale scored the equaliser with a good finish. The goal scoring prowess of BWP was evident again as he fired Charlton in the lead, although Orient had their chances it was a welcome change to see this Charlton side finishing the chances given to them. Finally Jose Semedo scored his first goal at the Valley with a header towards the end of the game, Jose was clearly emotional and celebrated like I would if I scored a goal at the covered end (go absolutely crazy!) and fair play to him, he's worn his heart on his sleeve and is one of the only players in my opinion who really cares about this club and the results! All in all it's great to watch Charlton the football league show not slumped in my chair, and although playoffs is not a possibility in my opinion, we can still finish the season on high.

Bournemouth v Charlton

When we first decided to book this game many months ago, I billed it as the "big one" we were 2 points behind the Cherries in the league, fast forward a few months, a new manager and no win in 9 later we are languishing mid table and the prospect of a draw against "Bournemouth" was the best I was hoping for.

This game was more about the pre and post-match beers and banter. We got going at 9-05 leaving Waterloo with Mario and Luigi, Batman and Robin and about 15 others, along with too many beers a bottle of Absinthe and 2 litres of Jaeger! Needless to say when Jack took a swig from the bottle of absinthe before we even left the station we knew this would be a day to remember (or not in some peoples case) the beers were flowing and the Jaeger was demolished whilst playing two separate games of chase the ace.

We arrived in Bournemouth at 10-50 just in time for opening at the Seaborne pub across with the station we had a few Stella’s, there was a shocking performance by myself on the pool table and ofcourse Seb Lewis body popping and doing the now iconic worm much to our approval.

What amuses me is that with a clear head none of gave us a chance today yet after 7 pints, Jaeger and Absinthe Charlton are now going to win today 3v1 with Waggy BWPx2 on the score sheet... optimism at its finest.

The game started well and although Charlton didn't set the world alight we were certainly playing better than we had been. Waggy put us 1v0 up with a dubious goal with hints of a hand ball involved, but who am I to complain aye? 30 seconds of ecstasy was all that we were given as the Cherries equalised from the kick off and in the second half they took the lead, 2v1 Bournemouth Same old Charlton? No, with not long left in the game an angry BWP popped up with a fine strike from outside the box, que jumping, falling and the proverbial who are ya! to the home supporters. With 5 minutes to go Robbie Elliot confounded the laws of physics by making a string of saves destined for the net.

With the game finished me and Jack split from the large group to meet our pal who's at uni in Bournemouth, he was actually dressed as a clown, but we failed to ask why??

Fast forward to 8 o'clock a cheeky 20 minute a BBQ and the addition of Sam, Steve, Jason and Joe we were on the beers once again.

The night ended in a club called Bliss and due to the clocks going forward we didn't get home until 6am considering I was up at 5-30 the previous morning it was a long day! The day was to get even longer when 3 hours later me and Jack were awake and stalking the streets looking for Bournemouth station, not much to say from their as we got  back to London then into Bromley I was home after a long, boozy weekend and if Charlton are in this league for a few more season, it's away days like this that keep you going and keep my love of football and Charlton ever burning!

Downed at Daggers

Charlton Athletics disastrous slump in form continued yesterday as the not so long ago "pub team" earned a deserved 2v1 victory. Goals either side of half time from Jon Nurse and Danny Green spelled doomed Charlton to another defeat. I don't agree with the "it's not Powell's team" ethos and that "he needs time to learn what his best players are" because at the end of the day being Powell's team or not he inherited a group of players that yes were inconsistent at times but we were on a solid footing in the playoffs with optimistic Addicks like myself harbouring hopes of automatic promotion. Our run of form has thrown that out of the window and Powell's inept tactics were proven on Saturday as to the jeers of away fans he brought of Wagstaff for Kyle Reid and kept the Simon Francis of midfield in McCormack on! It's frustrating and bitterly disappointing to see my team capitulate like we have been, and I have never been more disillusioned as a Charlton fan. Watching a team of players who don't give any effort, and who have as much skill and footballing brains as I did at the age of 4 hurts me just like it does thousands of others, I hope Powell arrests this slide in form as I for one can't take my team being beaten week in week out to the likes of Dagenham and Redbridge.

Charlton v Brentford

So the Charlton tale of woe continues. If the loss against MK Dons hadn't crushed our play off ambitions enough, the loss to lowly Brentford (for the third time this season) really has put the nail in the coffin. Chris Powell needs to face up to the fact that his tactics and overall approach just isn't working, what he's doing wrong is not for me to say but he inherited a squad more than capable of promotion and however hard it is to say it as a manager he is failing and failing miserably. I think a lot of our fans me included are starting to realise how much Parky did, with the budget he had and from the almost constant barrage of fans. I hope Chris succeeds I really do but in hindsight perhaps the board were rash in sacking Phil and here's hoping Chris sorts out the current joke that is Charlton Athletic.

Failings at Franchise

The game that could have been a turning point in our slump in form yet it turned out to be nothing more than another body blow to the already depleted team. I couldn't go to the game last night but by all accounts it was a typical Charlton performance. Didn't play badly but didn't deserve to win. Chris Powell commented after the game that our approach game was good but it was the final ball into the box that let us down. Thus emphasising on the need for a creative midfielder, we lack that Nicky Bailey esc player that can come up with a bit of magic, a bit of the sublime to get results in games like this. Since I can remember we've always had that player in Bailey, Parker and Reid but we desperately lack that spark in midfield. I question the spine of the team yes we all love Semedo as after all he f*****g hates Millsmall and yes Daily is our experienced leader at the back, but these players will not get us promoted we need a new spine for the team this summer centre backs a midfielder and a striker and then perhaps we can build on what we already have with the likes of the disappointing Reidy and the charismatic Wagstaff, not too mention Jackson who's had a tremendous season.
Through the past few seasons with what has seem to be misery upon misery you would have thought being a Charlton fan you'd get used to them building you up to knock you down yet I found myself cursing and as annoyed as ever whilst I watched the score come through. Yet Charlton are our team and I will continue supporting them through the bad times and no matter what happens Charlton will always be my team come a Saturday afternoon. Which brings me to my last point, I've just booked my tickets for Bournemouth away travelling from Sheffield to the south coast in one day on a student budget...someone tell me I'm not mad!!

The Tale of Tranmere

So another game and not quite three points but a point is a point nevertheless. Not an inspirational match by any means and against a woeful Tranmere we should really have been taking three points. Francis again lack concentration and although he made overlapping runs into the box his defending was questionable once again, his poor pass was intercepted by Tranmere which in turn set what looked like Usain Bolt away as our defenders pace or lack of for a better word was horribly exposed not for the first time this season. It was in fact Showumni who had a relatively easy finish against a hapless Robbie Elliot. Elliot in fact was later injured during the game and replaced by Ross Worner. Llera's deflected free kick levelled it for Charlton in the second half and we should have gone on to win it we flooded the box with dangerous balls but lacked the finishing touches a promotion hopeful team should have. All in all we had a poor first half combining the lack of confidence and the inability to pass the ball forward (Ray Wilkins esc) made for a very poor first half performance, however credit to Chrissy Powell the team came out rejuvenated in the second half, although not setting the Valley pitch alight they certainly upped their game and a 1v1 draw was a fair result. We are now 7 points behind 6th place Franchise FC with three games in hand, playing them Tuesday night is now a game we must not lose and after our second half display ever the optimist I believe we have enough quality to see them off. This dreamers prediction MK Dons 1 v 2 Charlton.