Nothing To Report Here.

Oldham Athletic 0 - Charlton Athletic 0.


For those of us who went through a puerile phase towards the end of the 1980's, 'Oldham' is synonymous with the Viz character Finbarr Saunders, (and his Double Entendres).

"I'm taking your mother on a tour of the north-west, first I'm going to Oldham, then I'm going to Bangor."
(Fnarr, Fnarr).

This is a roundabout way of saying Charlton gained a rather meaningless point yesterday. 
We aren't going up, we aren't going down. 
Another game ticked off on the increasingly interest free list of remaining fixtures.
The spin doctors will claim yesterday was a show of mental fortitude by the Addicks as Christian Dailly got his marching orders, after around half an hour.


What a silly sausage.
Retaliation after a bad foul is not what I'd expect from a senior pro, especially one with such a long and distinguished career.
However, it's now the 3rd time, this season, he's had first dibs on the Imperial Leather so perhaps the "he's not that kind of player" comments are being rather generous to our current club captain.


His ban takes him to the end of the season where I fully expect him to be thanked for all his efforts and then shown the door.
It's not all bad news for Christian. He's probably slouched on the sofa as I write, checking out his options on Expedia.com while his training gear is doing a final spin around in the washing machine.


I wasn't in the North West yesterday.
I chose to enjoy the sunshine in South East London.


It would appear I missed very,very little.

Just A Few Words.

Southampton 2 - Charlton Athletic 0.


I have an old mate who is a mad Saints fan.

Midway through the second half of our game down at St Mary's this evening he sent me a message.

"Sorry, you aren't very good...."

'Nuff said.

Onwards and upwards to the weekend and hopefully a better performance.

Twelfth Time Lucky.

Charlton Athletic 3 - Leyton Orient 1.


*With apologies to the 'only band that mattered', The Clash.

He's in love with Rock 'n Roll (Whoa),

He's in love with getting stoned (Whoa),

He's in love with Jamie Jones (Whoa),

But he don't like his boring job NO!

The game today at the Valley will live long in the memory of Orient's stopper, Jamie Jones.

He played what the pundits label 'a blinder', yet one mad rush of blood to the head wrecked his afternoon.

From a Charlton perspective, the game started really well. 

Orient seemed to be chasing shadows as the home side stroked the ball about, totally in control.

As is common for contemporary Charlton, all the possession and confidence lead to nothing when in front of goal.

Racon was having a fine afternoon, playing with his head up for a change and showing flashes of the player we all believe him to be underneath.


Orient became stronger as the half progressed. They started to dominate.

........................................................................

Unfortunately, Orient scored the opening goal. 

A deep cross / mishit shot ended up on the head of what seemed to be a painfully offside McGleish, who put away probably Orient's only good chance up to that point.

Charlton were stunned but the officials had obviously seen something we hadn't and the goal stood.

At half time, I was still fairly confident we could get back into the game but recent experience had taught me we probably wouldn't.

How wrong I was.

Jamie Jones had been the recipient of plenty of moans from the Addicks for his blatant time wasting. He'd been strolling around, hanging onto the ball for an eternity when he had a goal kick or any other chance to have a bit of a saunter. 

Time wasting in the first half?

Shouldn't he be playing for Tranmere?

The totally ineffectual referee had the opportunity to chastise him but decided to wave his watch clad wrist while pointing at his timepiece instead.

Yeah, that told him!

I wished misfortune on Jones and commented to Crispy that I hoped we scored after the ball cannoned in off his nether regions.

Rather juvenile I know but I really wanted him to suffer.

In the second period, Jones had a massive let off when he was caught in possession and attempted to dribble his way out of trouble. 

He lost the ball on the edge of his penalty area to the type of challenge that had it been made on any other player wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow.

However, apparently if you tackle a goalkeeper who thinks he's a sweeper, the bizarre no contact 'rule' seems to result in a free kick.

Who knew? Perhaps we should put Robbie Elliot in midfield?

Jones then performed some unbelievable saves, leading me to believe it wasn't going to be our day.

"Yet again, we meet a goalkeeper having the game of their lives", commented Crispy.

All this changed when Jones couldn't hold onto a BWP shot and presented a tap in for Johnny on the spot, Paul Benson.

I was pleased for Benson.

He's not had the season he was hoping for since joining from Dagenham, being hampered by injuries and also 2 sendings off.

He'd become the target for some of the less intellectual members of our support, who are searching for someone to blame for our current lowly league position.

It was soon to get better / worse depending on your club loyalties.

Jones had the ball, ambled about a while, then for some unknown reason, opted to throw the ball straight at BWP instead of punting it straight up the field.

Had Kevin Lisbie or Luke Varney been presented with the chance (while wearing a CAFC shirt), the ball would have probably gone for a goal kick but I was never in doubt young Bradders would tuck the ball away, which he did.

Jones looked like he wanted to find somewhere to hide. 

Had he not been so annoying earlier on, we might have shown him some sympathy, (well we might!) but in the circumstances it was a right old hoot.

I was up cheering but also having a right old belly laugh at the custodian's expense.

To add to Orient's woe, the goal came barely 3 minutes after they'd had what seemed a fairly good goal chalked off for what the referee seemed to be ostentatiously miming as 'pushing'.

Didn't see it myself.

Charlton put the game to bed when substitute Michael Stewart showed composure and timing to send in an inch perfect ball to the far post where Semedo was there to power in an unstoppable header.

What a day!

Semedo on the score sheet!

Of course, this is Charlton so we had to endure a few last minute moments when Orient managed to hit Elliot's crossbar (twice!) but the result was never in doubt by this time.

I never dreamed I'd ever be celebrating and really caring about a home win against Leyton Orient!

These are the times and the position we find ourselves in of course so celebrate like a madman I did.

It felt good to be walking along Harvey Gardens with the chant of "Red Army' filling my ears.

It's been a while.

A Casual Rating.

A Lacoste polo is being awarded to i) Paul Benson for his tireless running and following up for his goal.

 ii) 'Terry' Racon for finally looking like he can run a midfield.

iii) Jose Semedo for finally getting a Valley goal and then reportedly crying at the emotion of it all.

iv) Jamie Jones for giving us all an "I was there" moment.

The Primark novelty slogan tee shirt is going to ........ Jamie Jones, for, well you get the picture by now.

Ref Watch.

Hmm, both teams could probably find many incidents to show he was favouring the other side.

Could it be possible he was equally crud for both teams?

Not the best referee we've had this season but also not the worst.

An honest score of 5/10.

It Goes On and On.......

Rochdale 2 - Charlton Athletic 0.

I wasn't up in the Manchester suburbs this evening.
I relied upon the commentary provided by BBC London on their DAB station.

It was an honour to be treated to quite so many cliches and platitudes within such a short time span.

It was also beyond joy to find out what pattern, (and colour!) trim Steve Froggatt had on his black boots when he was a player.

This was all truly 'radio gold'.

As for the game, I think the best thing that can be said about it is it knocks off another fixture we have to fulfill before this season can finally be put to bed.

Less than 2,600 people, in the entire ground, bothered to show up to see our visit to Rochdale.
We've had more than that in the Jimmy Seed stand, purely for away supporters on numerous occasions this season.
We can't blame resources for our current predicament.

I just find myself shaking my head when I think about our beloved Charlton at the moment.

Paul Benson sounded as if he was unlucky not to score when he came on and poor Nathan Ecclestone must be wondering why he's only used in the final quarter of games.

Three points from a possible thirty three is an awful record.
Losing to yet another side for the first time in our league history just adds to the feeling of gloom.

The Charlton performance sounded to be at least good enough for a draw but again, the luck went against us and we ended the evening pointless.

Every game from here on is rather pointless too.
We are lucky to have already gained enough wins and draws to avoid a humiliating tumble into tier 4.

While grasping at straws, that at least is some comfort.

So, the O's on Saturday.
Surely, SURELY, this run without a win must end soon.
Will it be Leyton Orient who are the first team since Peterborough on 12th February to fail in their attempts to take points from us?

I really, really hope so.

Sad News.

I received an email from Ken Jennings at CAFC Picks this evening, concerning Paul Weaver, known to many of us as Charlton North Downs.
Paul tragically had a fatal heart attack, playing tennis in February.
Paul's sister Carol contacted Ken to let it be known in the Charlton Athletic community of his untimely death.


I met Paul quite a few times in the Rose of Denmark. I even sat next to him at Legends in the North stand for a meal before a game where he was good company.
Paul loved his tennis. He often seemed to be trying to fit in a game before heading to the Valley.
Whenever I saw him, he seemed to be wearing a red Fred Perry tennis polo.

Sadly, I think the last time I saw him was when Charlton were in the Championship.
He was leaving the East stand with only a few minutes of play remaining but paused as Charlton were attacking.
He turned away in disgust as Jerome Thomas shanked what seemed an easy chance.

I don't believe I saw him again.
I shall remember him as a lovely man.

RIP.

Stiff Little Fingers.

I've woken up this morning, - (is it still morning?) with a head that feels like it's been kicked around the bedroom all night.

Last night I was at the Forum, Kentish Town for Stiff Little Fingers.

It was bloody marvellous.

There were plenty of people present who must remember SLF from their early days but it was also pleasing to see some young shavers who were busy making mischief down at the front.

Personally, I lasted about 10 minutes before retiring to the 'Old Farts Balcony' upstairs.

Fifteen or twenty years ago, (and the rest!), I'd have been appalled at my future self, questioning how I could fully believe I was part of the experience if I wasn't crushed against some beery Irishman all night.

Unfortunately, modern me is very happy to see the surging, swaying crowds but nowadays I'm just not so keen on the inevitable sharing of body parts.

*(I'm still slightly traumatised from spending a whole Jesus & Mary Chain show with some blokes long sweaty hair in my mouth back in 1989).

If you know SLF then it was more of the same, though I'd add that the band seemed to be really enjoying themselves last night.
Some shows are obviously better than others but last night was definitely one of the best I've seen.

short clip here

Thanks Fingers.
Same time next year I hope.

Much Better!

Charlton Athletic 1 - Southampton 1.


Yeeeeeeessssss!!!


Sometimes a draw feels like a loss and sometimes it feels like a win.

Tonight, mostly due to the appalling performances preceding it, a draw most certainly feels like a win.

It actually feels like an absolute humdinger of a win with added cream on top.

Southampton were very strong going forwards but Charlton managed to keep them out without too many problems.
Reaching half time with the score still 0-0 felt like a significant mile stone.

Andy D'Urso was making his usual erratic decisions but ultimately, Charlton were still masters of their own destiny.

Radhi Jaidi scored a fantastic opening goal from a corner, though there was a bad taste in many Addick's mouths due to the build up.
Parrett had gone down injured so the ball had been hoofed out of play.

Semedo and Harding had a long 'chat' in front of the East stand, the outcome being Harding didn't feel he should give the ball back to Charlton.

The East stand booed Harding but he threw it forward for his team mates to attack.

There was still plenty to do but the fact is, Charlton never recovered possession before the ball went for a corner and the goal.

The next turning point was Llera's effort that may or may not have crossed the line.

My initial reaction was it did not but the Saints players did look a little sheepish and Llera seemed very, very sure.

D'Urso didn't give the goal anyway so it looked as if Charlton were going to be gallant losers until very late on.

Parrett showed his Spurs pedigree and hooked a sublime ball over the defenders for BWP to beat Davis in a one on one.

Wright Phillips had looked very under the weather for most of the game. He ran as if he was carrying an injury or saving himself. He looked shattered from the first few minutes of the game.

All that means nothing of course as he's on the pitch to score and that he did, when his chance arrived.

With around 15 minutes to go, Ecclestone replaced Waggy and the Charlton tempo stepped up almost instantly.
Surely it's time for Nathan to be included earlier or get a start?

The game ended with all 4 corners of the ground bellowing encouragement at the pitch.

Much better than the poisonous atmosphere of many recent games.

How refreshing.