Back To The Future Or New Broom?

So another page turns. The Adkins era in Charlton history ended up lasting for seven months and, like most such tenures (and the careers of most politicians), it ended in failure. Regrettable but there it is, the club wishes him well and I’m sure so do most if not all Addicks.

I’d assume this leaves us with three options: internal promotion (ie JJ given the job, at least to the end of the season); back to the future (Curbs or Sir Chris); or a new broom. It’s reading between the lines but the fact that the club announced that JJ is caretaker manager (assisted by Euell) without any specified time period (ie to the end of the season) suggests to me that, while he may be in the mix, TS is not inclined to confirm at this stage at least that JJ will be given a run in the post. If he was, presumably that would have been the basis of talks yesterday and today’s announcement would have been different.

Personally, if Sir Chris wanted to return (and to walk away from his coaching role with the England side and position at Tottenham) he would be my first choice. This isn’t harking after the past, rather that the guy has unfinished business with us, is a Charlton legend, may want to be outright manager again, and would be our best option if he does. It is, however, reasonable to assume that he is very happy with the job(s) he has.

Curbs being given an official position, whether manager or mentor, would now (IMO) be a very positive move, if JJ (or indeed Euell) is being groomed for the job. I had hoped that Adkins was at least talking to him, but a formal role while Adkins was still manager would have looked like undermining his position and may well have caused confusion. The situation is now different. Whether Curbs wants a formal role is of course another matter, as is whether TS favours that route. It’s fair to assume that Curbishley would not put up with any interference on team selection matters and would place a greater emphasis on getting results over playing nice football, which may not be music to TS’ ears. Of course for now there’s no issue over new signings/departures. If it’s Curbs, on whatever basis, more than fine by me.

If it’s to be an outsider obviously Wilder is the name most often mentioned, given how close he came to managing us before and in view of his success at Sheff Utd. He may of course, unlike Adkins, want to bring his own people in to assist him – and there’s no way of telling if he would be to TS’ taste. Howe gets mentioned but really, if TS managed to attract him to us right now he truly would have the gift of the gab (and presumably the wallet to match).

All we can really say right now is that the odds on an outsider, whoever it may be, shorten the longer we go without further news. And the chances are we won’t get anything more than rumours and hearsay this side of the Sunderland game. JJ does of course have a 100% record as caretaker manager and it is going to be fascinating to see who he selects for the match. Fitness and availability will no doubt be instrumental, and there’s hardly going to be an upheaval in selection; but we could get some insight into just who it might be felt has not been pulling their weight and whether or not the Adkins formation was universally backed.