I’ll plead guilty to any charge of dereliction of duty. Instead of dashing back home after the final whistle (perhaps with some leeway to stay for Sir Chris’ celebration) and scribbling something asap, we felt an urgent need to raise a glass in tribute. Then each time it was time to leave for a train someone hadn’t finished, which left no alternative but to have another. By the time we’d made it back, picked up the takeaway, had more wine while watching last season’s DVD, it was well past my bedtime. My plea of mitigation is that the outcome was the result of my head still being somewhere up a mountain in Italy; I think it’s going to be there for a while yet, long after the hangover has cleared. So no match report from me, just some random thoughts (and they have to be random because there’s no possibility of me being able to join up the dots this morning).
First, I’ll accept full responsibility for our failure to win at Birmingham. We were haring back up from Italy to Lyon (along the Route Napoleon) on Saturday afternoon. Before 3pm UK time, the shirt came out and the badge was kissed. It was hot, bloody hot, so instead of putting the shirt on it rested on my lap. That seemed to be sufficient as the text confirming Cort’s goal came through. With about five minutes left we stopped for a glass. Parked and walked over to the bar, but stupidly I left the shirt in the car. Should be OK I thought as the game must be over. Another text, must be confirmation. Alas, I had clearly broken the unwritten code and we paid the price. It will never happen again.
What pleased me most in the pub before last night’s game (in addition to hearing about the Fuller signing) was hearing from those who went to Birmingham that the team showed all the signs of having retained the level of commitment and determination of last season. And last night that was evident in bucketloads. The quality of some of the play wasn’t bad either, but if individually and collectively the character and resolve shined through, in the tackling, covering and willingness to throw bodies in the way was exemplary. We maintain this – and have this as the template for the players brought in – and we will at the least be fine.
I thought the main difference between the sides in the first half – aside from the fact that we took our chances and they didn’t (in particular Beckford missed with his shot and Wright-Phillips didn’t) - was Pritchard. He found space out wide but also came inside and they didn’t seem to know how to pick him up. The changes they made at the break altered the picture and in the second half Pritchard barely got a look-in. No doubt their movement and link-up play going forward was better than ours, even in the first half; it was even occasionally enjoyable to watch after what we’ve become accustomed to in the past three seasons. But while Morrison and Cort were dominant in the air and our box was generally well protected, Leicester couldn’t say the same. I felt Cort deserved a lot of the credit for Kermorgant’s strike. He didn’t flick on the ball in but his presence made sure that no defender got near it either.
At half-time the game reminded me of Huddersfield at home last season. In each area of the pitch our players were winning the battles and we had the weapons to score. They presumably had something of a telling off at the break and a mix of the substitutions, their greater resolve, and the early goal back made for an extremely testing final 30 minutes. It was a challenge we rose to and they were probably limited to three true chances (the free header late on, the diverted cross which went just wide, and one break where their guy should have put in a better shot). On another night one might have gone in – and Leicester can undoubtedly feel aggrieved not to have taken something from the game – but we had our goals in the bag already. I don’t think we sat back but were rather pushed back by a good side, with some tired legs in midfield leading to an increasing reluctance to make forward runs (the priority being not to get caught out), leading to more hopeful balls forward and far less good possession in their half, which kept us under pressure.
It was delightful to see BWP score in a fashion reminiscent of the first half of last season. My only criticism of him last night was in his passing sometimes when having shielded the ball (which he did well). When a forward is in possession the tendency is for the midfield to be moving up, which makes it very dangerous to give the ball away with a weak pass, especially against a team like Leicester. But keep knocking them in and any criticism will be entirely relative.
Their goal was something that Powell and others will be looking at on the training pitch. From a goal kick their forwards stood some yards behind our central defenders. They then weren’t sure whether to move forward to contest the kick or back to cover the forwards. Hesitation meant they got caught betwixt and between, creating the space. It looked like something Leicester have worked on; full marks to them, no problems as long as we learn the lesson.
A thoroughly entertaining game – and one played in the best of spirits by both teams (I can’t remember a bad foul) – and a really great result. If they had nicked an equaliser late on we would have been left wondering where the first win will come from, increasing the pressure on Saturday, and worrying about our ability to hold leads. Instead we can enjoy the table (top and bottom), which in some obvious respects reflects the world being back to normal. The fact that there were no bad tackles doesn’t mean that the ref didn’t make two bad howlers. I thought we should have had a penalty in the first few minutes, when after a corner their guy went through Morrison from behind to get to the ball. Then in stoppage time there was a clear shove on our defender as he went to contest a ball through, which resulted in their winger getting clear. That almost cost us two points. And as for making Morrison leave the pitch for the final corner, with Schmeikel coming up, surely there has to be a little common sense.
So there’s still a grin on my face as I wait for the hangover to subside. Thanks to the poor planning on the part of my partner Suzanne’s relatives (why on earth plan a French wedding without looking at the fixture list?) I can’t make Hull on Saturday. Unless ... The wedding is in Lille. Can I make some excuse about not feeling well, run to Lille Europe for the Eurostar, get across town, watch the game, then get a train back? Everything is possible, but this may be to risk more brownie points than I have in the bag at the moment.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Plan A, Or Is It B?
It does indeed seem that life for us Addicks bloggers is set to get more complicated this season – and Sir Chris has to take the blame. Through the entirety of the last campaign it was 4-4-2 week in, week out. You can imagine the dressing room discussions: “what formation for this one Boss?” “Have a guess”. We were able to indulge in debate over whether Kermorgant should get the nod over Haynes (that one didn’t last long as it turned out), whether Green or Wagstaff should start, and the relative merits of Hollands’ various partners in central midfield. Otherwise it was just a case of trying to find different words to describe yet another glorious victory (I have bought the DVD but still can’t remember any games we didn’t win). Now it seems we’re expected to blow off the cobwebs and try to think about what Plan B or C might look like (and whether Plan A is about to become Plan D).
Of course we can’t yet tell whether formation changes in the friendlies are just testing out possibilities, whether they are motivated by the attributes of those brought in (to which can be added Kerkar, although rather curiously only on a one-year contract), the fact that Hollands has been missing, or possibly to see whether others can thrive in an altered set-up. Powell may have played most of his football for us under Curbishley in a 4-4-2, but that also changed to 4-5-1 when we lacked a decent second striker to play alongside Bent and had the talent in midfield and out wide. Murphy thrived in it in a fashion that he couldn’t repeat in a 4-4-2. So nothing’s set in stone.
Every team needs to be flexible, to be able to respond when things aren’t going to plan, and even to make changes to accommodate the opposition. Last season we could take on everyone (except Stevanage) without thinking about changes; this time around may well be different. My own attitude, for what it’s worth, is that there is no optimal formation in itself, only formation(s) that get the best out of the available talent. We will need Plans B, C and D, but the priority is to be clear on just what constitutes Plan A – and why. I don’t think there’s any real danger of Powell turning into a tinker man and am first to acknowledge that he has forgotten more about formations than I will ever know.
Last season we weren’t exactly blessed with pace, were effective rather than always beautiful (of course that depends on your definition of beautiful, as in this beholder’s eye it amounts to going home with another victory to mull over), but tended to overpower teams, aware that the defence wouldn’t often leak goals (bugger, I’ve just remembered Notts County) and we’d get one or two from somewhere, not least the set pieces. Against higher quality opposition that alone may be sufficient to compete, but obviously you’d expect the points returns to run lower as others will be able to match us in those areas. So let’s experiment away and then work on Plan A, whatever it may be.
At least now the number of new players in matches the number of directors out. I’m not privy to any inside information and have no idea whether there have been disagreements, personality clashes, or more deep-seated issues involved. Presumably Stephen Kavanagh will be bound by some confidentiality clauses, especially as he remains employed by the club, so it’s unlikely we’ll be finding out what’s really gone on any time soon. Nobody can quibble about the effectiveness of the board in backing Powell last season, if not with substantial net spending on transfers then with sufficient working capital for what remains a loss-making enterprise. There would have been no point in the takeover if that capital had not been made available. Slater has shown himself to be a personable and effective front man, while Jiminez has remained in the background. But we know that they don’t provide at least the bulk of the cash.
The owners of the club have chosen an intransparent structure and to not reveal details of all involved. That is a choice, and it’s unlikely to be one made because they are shy, retiring sorts not looking for the adulation of us Addicks. All choices have consequences, in this case a lack of information encouraging speculation and rumours. The board either has to live with this or provide more information. That is another choice for the people involved to make.
Now for me, scribbling away in sunny Lyon (well, it did bucket down when I arrived last night, just to make me feel welcome), the next two weeks will be devoted to meditation and reflection on the merits of different formations ahead of Birmingham and Leicester. To encourage the process it is best to drink lots of Italian red wine (tried bread and water in the wilderness for 40 days but decided it had been done before and didn’t work so gave up after half an hour). I’m sure my partner Suzanne has other plans for a two-week break, but life’s full of surprises and I know my Plan A.
Of course we can’t yet tell whether formation changes in the friendlies are just testing out possibilities, whether they are motivated by the attributes of those brought in (to which can be added Kerkar, although rather curiously only on a one-year contract), the fact that Hollands has been missing, or possibly to see whether others can thrive in an altered set-up. Powell may have played most of his football for us under Curbishley in a 4-4-2, but that also changed to 4-5-1 when we lacked a decent second striker to play alongside Bent and had the talent in midfield and out wide. Murphy thrived in it in a fashion that he couldn’t repeat in a 4-4-2. So nothing’s set in stone.
Every team needs to be flexible, to be able to respond when things aren’t going to plan, and even to make changes to accommodate the opposition. Last season we could take on everyone (except Stevanage) without thinking about changes; this time around may well be different. My own attitude, for what it’s worth, is that there is no optimal formation in itself, only formation(s) that get the best out of the available talent. We will need Plans B, C and D, but the priority is to be clear on just what constitutes Plan A – and why. I don’t think there’s any real danger of Powell turning into a tinker man and am first to acknowledge that he has forgotten more about formations than I will ever know.
Last season we weren’t exactly blessed with pace, were effective rather than always beautiful (of course that depends on your definition of beautiful, as in this beholder’s eye it amounts to going home with another victory to mull over), but tended to overpower teams, aware that the defence wouldn’t often leak goals (bugger, I’ve just remembered Notts County) and we’d get one or two from somewhere, not least the set pieces. Against higher quality opposition that alone may be sufficient to compete, but obviously you’d expect the points returns to run lower as others will be able to match us in those areas. So let’s experiment away and then work on Plan A, whatever it may be.
At least now the number of new players in matches the number of directors out. I’m not privy to any inside information and have no idea whether there have been disagreements, personality clashes, or more deep-seated issues involved. Presumably Stephen Kavanagh will be bound by some confidentiality clauses, especially as he remains employed by the club, so it’s unlikely we’ll be finding out what’s really gone on any time soon. Nobody can quibble about the effectiveness of the board in backing Powell last season, if not with substantial net spending on transfers then with sufficient working capital for what remains a loss-making enterprise. There would have been no point in the takeover if that capital had not been made available. Slater has shown himself to be a personable and effective front man, while Jiminez has remained in the background. But we know that they don’t provide at least the bulk of the cash.
The owners of the club have chosen an intransparent structure and to not reveal details of all involved. That is a choice, and it’s unlikely to be one made because they are shy, retiring sorts not looking for the adulation of us Addicks. All choices have consequences, in this case a lack of information encouraging speculation and rumours. The board either has to live with this or provide more information. That is another choice for the people involved to make.
Now for me, scribbling away in sunny Lyon (well, it did bucket down when I arrived last night, just to make me feel welcome), the next two weeks will be devoted to meditation and reflection on the merits of different formations ahead of Birmingham and Leicester. To encourage the process it is best to drink lots of Italian red wine (tried bread and water in the wilderness for 40 days but decided it had been done before and didn’t work so gave up after half an hour). I’m sure my partner Suzanne has other plans for a two-week break, but life’s full of surprises and I know my Plan A.
Friday, 20 July 2012
Making The Grade
In years to come there will be a trivia question cropping up in what by then passes as a sports or social anthropology quiz show: ‘what was the difference between Salim Kerkar and a number of other footballers (possibly including Sam Baldock)?’ The answer is of course that Kerkar (along with Jordan Cook and Lawrie Wilson) was(is) an intelligent, well-adjusted, ambitious but aware young man who showed by his actions that he knew where true happiness and glory resided; the others revealed themselves to be short-sighted, money-grabbing, weak, easily-led, blinkered individuals who through their stupidity ended up depressed, alone, and full of bitterness and regret.
How do we know this? By all accounts (well, reading between the lines of the Sky Sports report) Kerkar when he got the call dropped everything and made his way to Spain as quickly as possible to try to grab the opportunity of getting a deal with the Addicks. After what appears to have been a late cameo in the victory over Sporting Clube de Portugal, even if he doesn’t end up signing he can proudly say that he wore the shirt. Hopefully he will do enough and prove to be another star. By contrast, it appears that some others have prevaricated when approached, even ended up choosing another club. I know it’s hard to believe, even in this day and age, but it seems to be true, with Sir Chris expressing some frustration in the transfer market to date.
We have to make allowances, sometimes. Some when young are misled, end up in dark places, and either see the light (like said Sir Chris, who had an utterly inappropriate start to his career) or are seduced by false promises and choose the wrong path (Pitcher). We appreciate that footballers have responsibilities and are forced to make moves that would in normal circumstances be hard to fathom (Racon). Some even sacrifice their own happiness for the good of the club (Bent). But the only possible explanation for a footballer to turn us down in favour of another is that their character flaws mean they are not suitable to succeed with us in any event.
There’s still time for Baldock (and others). Take control of your lives, call your agent, make it entirely clear that he/she will have to live with the cut whatever size it is, and hotfoot it down to The Valley. We’ll then decide if you are suitable. You know it makes sense.
As usual I’ve no insights into what might be going on behind the scenes, on the transfer front or regarding boardroom changes. It’s reassuring that all the indications are that Wilson’s arrival doesn’t seem to herald Solly’s departure; as Powell indicated recently we got lucky last season with no back-up for his position and someone who can operate at right-back and further forward looks at the least like good competition for places. I hope it ensures pressure on Green and Wagstaff to improve areas of their game. At the moment, if you could combine the merits of both (Wagstaff’s goals and effort, Green’s crossing) we’d have a shoo-in for the position. I just hope that if Wilson has to wait for a chance he, like those last season (not least Cort) is ready and grabs it. No doubt he’ll be hoping he doesn’t have to wait as long as Evina.
It seems reasonably clear from the gossip and from Kerkar’s possible arrival that we are looking to strengthen, if possible, the central spine with another centre-half, central midfielder, and forward. In each position we look well enough positioned to be competitive, and those who would drop down a peg with new signings would have a right to be miffed; just make sure that if it happens it makes them more determined. Morrison remains the go-to central defender, with either Taylor or Cort and Mambo in the wings. Same for me in midfield with Hollands (although his knock seems to be limiting his match practise), with Stephens the natural partner but Pritchard, Hughes and the developing Bover available (I’ve been reminded that Russell is currently not with us).
Up front Kermorgant’s name is pencilled in (can we please be ready with a good song for him for the visit of Leicester?) and the key decision is Wright-Phillips. His goals were massive in the first half of last season but there’s no doubt his goal drought affected the latter half. Haynes and Cook seem to be making cases for inclusion, or at least being the ready back-ups (or indeed the third option if the 4-3-3 experiment becomes a regular ploy), unless and until Baldock arrives, with presumably N’Guessan still a possibility. Unless I’m wrong (it happens), Clarke and Hayes are still on the books, although both would seem to have to do something special to come back into the reckoning.
All will take its course. Those who sign/play are automatically elevated to the Kerkar standing. What remains for me and some fellow Addicks is to formally sign off on last season with a suitable combination of wine and curry tomorrow afternoon. Seems the sun might even shine for it (better hurry up if the Heath is to dry out in time). I just hope we will be doing the same, in the same spirits, in a year’s time. May it come to pass. My only immediate concern is that the wine may not be up to recent standards. I was in Paris recently (to meet up with my partner Suzanne for a concert by The Boss) and decided to give Bourgogne one last chance. Splashed out EUR29 on a bottle of Beaune Clos de la Mousse premier cru 2008 and gave it every chance. Time to breathe, decanting with the aerator. Like Bruce, outstanding. Tonight the other bottle I brought back will get similar treatment. A 2007 Cornas. Tomorrow, or the day after, it may be back to reality. Like footballers, some wines make the grade and some just don't.
How do we know this? By all accounts (well, reading between the lines of the Sky Sports report) Kerkar when he got the call dropped everything and made his way to Spain as quickly as possible to try to grab the opportunity of getting a deal with the Addicks. After what appears to have been a late cameo in the victory over Sporting Clube de Portugal, even if he doesn’t end up signing he can proudly say that he wore the shirt. Hopefully he will do enough and prove to be another star. By contrast, it appears that some others have prevaricated when approached, even ended up choosing another club. I know it’s hard to believe, even in this day and age, but it seems to be true, with Sir Chris expressing some frustration in the transfer market to date.
We have to make allowances, sometimes. Some when young are misled, end up in dark places, and either see the light (like said Sir Chris, who had an utterly inappropriate start to his career) or are seduced by false promises and choose the wrong path (Pitcher). We appreciate that footballers have responsibilities and are forced to make moves that would in normal circumstances be hard to fathom (Racon). Some even sacrifice their own happiness for the good of the club (Bent). But the only possible explanation for a footballer to turn us down in favour of another is that their character flaws mean they are not suitable to succeed with us in any event.
There’s still time for Baldock (and others). Take control of your lives, call your agent, make it entirely clear that he/she will have to live with the cut whatever size it is, and hotfoot it down to The Valley. We’ll then decide if you are suitable. You know it makes sense.
As usual I’ve no insights into what might be going on behind the scenes, on the transfer front or regarding boardroom changes. It’s reassuring that all the indications are that Wilson’s arrival doesn’t seem to herald Solly’s departure; as Powell indicated recently we got lucky last season with no back-up for his position and someone who can operate at right-back and further forward looks at the least like good competition for places. I hope it ensures pressure on Green and Wagstaff to improve areas of their game. At the moment, if you could combine the merits of both (Wagstaff’s goals and effort, Green’s crossing) we’d have a shoo-in for the position. I just hope that if Wilson has to wait for a chance he, like those last season (not least Cort) is ready and grabs it. No doubt he’ll be hoping he doesn’t have to wait as long as Evina.
It seems reasonably clear from the gossip and from Kerkar’s possible arrival that we are looking to strengthen, if possible, the central spine with another centre-half, central midfielder, and forward. In each position we look well enough positioned to be competitive, and those who would drop down a peg with new signings would have a right to be miffed; just make sure that if it happens it makes them more determined. Morrison remains the go-to central defender, with either Taylor or Cort and Mambo in the wings. Same for me in midfield with Hollands (although his knock seems to be limiting his match practise), with Stephens the natural partner but Pritchard, Hughes and the developing Bover available (I’ve been reminded that Russell is currently not with us).
Up front Kermorgant’s name is pencilled in (can we please be ready with a good song for him for the visit of Leicester?) and the key decision is Wright-Phillips. His goals were massive in the first half of last season but there’s no doubt his goal drought affected the latter half. Haynes and Cook seem to be making cases for inclusion, or at least being the ready back-ups (or indeed the third option if the 4-3-3 experiment becomes a regular ploy), unless and until Baldock arrives, with presumably N’Guessan still a possibility. Unless I’m wrong (it happens), Clarke and Hayes are still on the books, although both would seem to have to do something special to come back into the reckoning.
All will take its course. Those who sign/play are automatically elevated to the Kerkar standing. What remains for me and some fellow Addicks is to formally sign off on last season with a suitable combination of wine and curry tomorrow afternoon. Seems the sun might even shine for it (better hurry up if the Heath is to dry out in time). I just hope we will be doing the same, in the same spirits, in a year’s time. May it come to pass. My only immediate concern is that the wine may not be up to recent standards. I was in Paris recently (to meet up with my partner Suzanne for a concert by The Boss) and decided to give Bourgogne one last chance. Splashed out EUR29 on a bottle of Beaune Clos de la Mousse premier cru 2008 and gave it every chance. Time to breathe, decanting with the aerator. Like Bruce, outstanding. Tonight the other bottle I brought back will get similar treatment. A 2007 Cornas. Tomorrow, or the day after, it may be back to reality. Like footballers, some wines make the grade and some just don't.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
It’s Different This Time, But Much The Same
Ah, back at last to the bliss of football that matters. The traditional curtain-raiser may not exactly set the pulses racing, but it’s probably my only opportunity to whet the appetite before the thing proper has got underway. This time last year we were trying to assess the merits of a new team, in the context of a decent, early workout. This time around, aside from trying to work out who was on the pitch (Welling’s PA is much the same), and getting an early glimpse of one of the two new signings, it was more a case of ‘welcome back, guys, can we please have the same as last season’. In terms of this one game they went one further, winning 4-0 instead of by three. Only I don’t remember is peeing down a year ago.
The teams for both halves were an understandable mix of first teamers and back-ups. In the first, Pope was in goal, Cousins and Evina the full-backs, Cort and Taylor in central defence, Pritchard and Bover in central midfield, Green and Harriott out wide, and Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips up front. Despite the front two, the team drew 0-0, but should have ‘won’ the mini-game. Apart from a slippery surface encouraging a few questionable challenges from both sides, mostly it was a leisurely pace. Harriott clearly has pace to burn, but his shooting boots weren’t on. A couple of times the ball broke to him from decent crosses and he hit/placed them wide from good positions. One was from a one-on-one that BWP failed to convert, their keeper getting in a block. Welling had their best moments just before the break, from a free-kick after Cort clipped one of theirs and a subsequent corner, but it was to be honours even.
The second half saw someone called Sanz Ovejero take over in goal (have I missed something?). Have to say from behind the other goal I thought it was Hamer, but I had to check the club site for the line-ups and seems I was wrong. Solly and Wiggins were without doubt the full-backs, with Mambo and Morrison in central defence. Jackson and Stephens took over in midfield, with Wagstaff and new signing Cook the wider players, and Smith and Haynes up front. But the change on the pitch that attracted most attention was Welling starting with a different keeper, one who appears to be doing his pre-season work in MacDonalds.
This time around the goals came from early on. Solly, who I don’t think knows how to play in second gear, overlapped and sent in the cross which a Welling defender attempted to clear, only for the sliced ball to loop up comically to nestle in the top of the net. Not long after a corner was met by Smith with a powerful downward header. For their keeper it was a case of one over his head and one under his stomach. Welling did hit the post, after a bad slip by Morrison let in their forward, but before long it was three as Haynes turned smartly in the box and was held back. Jackson stepped up to take the penalty and it must have been as apparent to him as it was to the rest of us that anything low into the corner would be beyond the agility of said keeper. The job was duly done. The scoring was rounded off as Haynes met a near-post corner and deftly flicked it in.
So, did we learn anything? For me, the star of the first half was Bover. He sprayed things around, kept possession when necessary, and got up and down the pitch well. Most promising. He seems to have come on quite a bit in the past year from the rather forlorn figure out wide of a year ago. Smith looked decent enough and could be a ‘big guy up front’ back-up for Kermorgant. Both Green and Wagstaff – who arguably both have to prove they merit a starting place in the higher league - had moments, but neither were especially influential. Can’t say I saw much of Cook, but with more fluidity and movement in the second half the chances are I was often confusing him and Stephens.
Barring further signings, we pretty much know – or can rely on – the defensive starting group for the start of the season. Not sure why Hollands didn’t feature in the game (neither did Russell), but I’m assuming he’s a shoo-in for one of the two central midfield berths, with Stephens in pole position to accompany him but Pritchard, Russell, Hughes and – after today – Bover waiting in the wings. Jackson continuing on the left side of midfield, with Green or Wagstaff on the other. Up front Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips are the deserved holders of the shirts, with Haynes, Cook and Smith (and Haynes and/or Nguessan if he comes) the back-ups. Not much has changed, has it? But why should it? What is essential is that the team spirit, determination and character of last season is retained and tinkering is the order of the day.
That could be it for me until we welcome Leicester to The Valley. I’m delighted by the timings of the start this time around as my partner Suzanne will be dragging me off to Italy again for the first couple of weeks of August. Last season I think I missed at least the first three games. This time the hols rule out the pleasures of another visit to Birmingham (no intended sarcasm – OK, just a bit – as my last two trips there ended very well, the 0-0 draw when Sasha Illic performed like Bartram in his prime and kept out everything to deny them a play-off spot; before that it was the Leeds play-off final). Only problem is Suzanne’s extended bloody family. Leicester I can do, but the weekend after – and the visit of Hull – has to be sacrificed for a wedding in Lille. What has happened to French people’s sense of priorities?
The teams for both halves were an understandable mix of first teamers and back-ups. In the first, Pope was in goal, Cousins and Evina the full-backs, Cort and Taylor in central defence, Pritchard and Bover in central midfield, Green and Harriott out wide, and Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips up front. Despite the front two, the team drew 0-0, but should have ‘won’ the mini-game. Apart from a slippery surface encouraging a few questionable challenges from both sides, mostly it was a leisurely pace. Harriott clearly has pace to burn, but his shooting boots weren’t on. A couple of times the ball broke to him from decent crosses and he hit/placed them wide from good positions. One was from a one-on-one that BWP failed to convert, their keeper getting in a block. Welling had their best moments just before the break, from a free-kick after Cort clipped one of theirs and a subsequent corner, but it was to be honours even.
The second half saw someone called Sanz Ovejero take over in goal (have I missed something?). Have to say from behind the other goal I thought it was Hamer, but I had to check the club site for the line-ups and seems I was wrong. Solly and Wiggins were without doubt the full-backs, with Mambo and Morrison in central defence. Jackson and Stephens took over in midfield, with Wagstaff and new signing Cook the wider players, and Smith and Haynes up front. But the change on the pitch that attracted most attention was Welling starting with a different keeper, one who appears to be doing his pre-season work in MacDonalds.
This time around the goals came from early on. Solly, who I don’t think knows how to play in second gear, overlapped and sent in the cross which a Welling defender attempted to clear, only for the sliced ball to loop up comically to nestle in the top of the net. Not long after a corner was met by Smith with a powerful downward header. For their keeper it was a case of one over his head and one under his stomach. Welling did hit the post, after a bad slip by Morrison let in their forward, but before long it was three as Haynes turned smartly in the box and was held back. Jackson stepped up to take the penalty and it must have been as apparent to him as it was to the rest of us that anything low into the corner would be beyond the agility of said keeper. The job was duly done. The scoring was rounded off as Haynes met a near-post corner and deftly flicked it in.
So, did we learn anything? For me, the star of the first half was Bover. He sprayed things around, kept possession when necessary, and got up and down the pitch well. Most promising. He seems to have come on quite a bit in the past year from the rather forlorn figure out wide of a year ago. Smith looked decent enough and could be a ‘big guy up front’ back-up for Kermorgant. Both Green and Wagstaff – who arguably both have to prove they merit a starting place in the higher league - had moments, but neither were especially influential. Can’t say I saw much of Cook, but with more fluidity and movement in the second half the chances are I was often confusing him and Stephens.
Barring further signings, we pretty much know – or can rely on – the defensive starting group for the start of the season. Not sure why Hollands didn’t feature in the game (neither did Russell), but I’m assuming he’s a shoo-in for one of the two central midfield berths, with Stephens in pole position to accompany him but Pritchard, Russell, Hughes and – after today – Bover waiting in the wings. Jackson continuing on the left side of midfield, with Green or Wagstaff on the other. Up front Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips are the deserved holders of the shirts, with Haynes, Cook and Smith (and Haynes and/or Nguessan if he comes) the back-ups. Not much has changed, has it? But why should it? What is essential is that the team spirit, determination and character of last season is retained and tinkering is the order of the day.
That could be it for me until we welcome Leicester to The Valley. I’m delighted by the timings of the start this time around as my partner Suzanne will be dragging me off to Italy again for the first couple of weeks of August. Last season I think I missed at least the first three games. This time the hols rule out the pleasures of another visit to Birmingham (no intended sarcasm – OK, just a bit – as my last two trips there ended very well, the 0-0 draw when Sasha Illic performed like Bartram in his prime and kept out everything to deny them a play-off spot; before that it was the Leeds play-off final). Only problem is Suzanne’s extended bloody family. Leicester I can do, but the weekend after – and the visit of Hull – has to be sacrificed for a wedding in Lille. What has happened to French people’s sense of priorities?
Monday, 4 June 2012
Progress But No Promotion For Duchere
It was not to be. No double promotion celebration, but for Lyon Duchere, my adopted French team, it was a season of good progress, another stage in their inexorable rise, just as for our good selves. Progress in many areas is very difficult to define, but in football it’s pretty clear: if you end the season in a materially better position that than you ended the previous one that’s progress.
Having managed to secure a 1-1 draw away (well, across town) to Olympique Lyonnais B, Duchere went into the final round of games in third place, one point below promotion rivals Bourg-Peronnas (with OL B topping the group but precluded from going up) and with an inferior goal difference. La Duche did all they could, trouncing Nancy away 5-1. But Bourg-Peronnas saw off Moulins comfortably enough, 3-0 at home, to secure their elevation to National, the French third division.
I can have no bad feelings towards Bourg-Peronnas; good luck to them. They are after all supported by Alain, one of my partner Suzanne’s nephews. That said, it’s hard to find a French team that isn’t supported by one of her relatives. She has four sisters and a brother, all with various offsprings dotted around the country. It’s a bit like trying to find a Championship team that doesn’t have one or two who turned out for us during the misery years. Family gatherings usually begin with a couple of hours of kissing (in a cordial fashion) all and sundry to say hello and are finished off in a similar fashion as goodbyes are said. In between there’s usually enough time for me to pour sufficient pastis down my throat to encourage sufficient basic French to make myself understood (in my world at least). The scriptwriters of ‘Allo ‘Allo had it easy, they only had to tell it as it is. ‘You remember Monique, she was at ze wedding of my third sister’s second son and is ze couzin of my first sister’s daughter’. ‘Oui, bien sure, ca va? Et une autre pastis si tu plait’.
This was after all only Duchere’s second season in this league (if memory serves), after their promotion from CFA2. Last campaign saw them hold down a mid-table spot and after this season’s efforts everything is set up nicely for them to have a real run at promotion next season. The area continues to be redeveloped (I’m informed a hotel is on the way) and interest in the team is building, along with sponsorship. I’ve got a trip set for later this month, all of which would be very nice if it wasn’t for the need to come up with a birthday present for Suzanne to take with me (or find there).
Before then, there’s the small matter of suspending the entente cordial for an evening as England take on France. I’ll actually be in Amsterdam for work when the game takes place, so it will be a case of plonking myself down in a suitable bar with a bottle of red to prepare for the exchange of insults by text. Come to think of it, I even have to take a bottle of English wine with me to Amsterdam, having backed Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in a bet with a Chelsea-supporting work colleague. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
Having managed to secure a 1-1 draw away (well, across town) to Olympique Lyonnais B, Duchere went into the final round of games in third place, one point below promotion rivals Bourg-Peronnas (with OL B topping the group but precluded from going up) and with an inferior goal difference. La Duche did all they could, trouncing Nancy away 5-1. But Bourg-Peronnas saw off Moulins comfortably enough, 3-0 at home, to secure their elevation to National, the French third division.
I can have no bad feelings towards Bourg-Peronnas; good luck to them. They are after all supported by Alain, one of my partner Suzanne’s nephews. That said, it’s hard to find a French team that isn’t supported by one of her relatives. She has four sisters and a brother, all with various offsprings dotted around the country. It’s a bit like trying to find a Championship team that doesn’t have one or two who turned out for us during the misery years. Family gatherings usually begin with a couple of hours of kissing (in a cordial fashion) all and sundry to say hello and are finished off in a similar fashion as goodbyes are said. In between there’s usually enough time for me to pour sufficient pastis down my throat to encourage sufficient basic French to make myself understood (in my world at least). The scriptwriters of ‘Allo ‘Allo had it easy, they only had to tell it as it is. ‘You remember Monique, she was at ze wedding of my third sister’s second son and is ze couzin of my first sister’s daughter’. ‘Oui, bien sure, ca va? Et une autre pastis si tu plait’.
This was after all only Duchere’s second season in this league (if memory serves), after their promotion from CFA2. Last campaign saw them hold down a mid-table spot and after this season’s efforts everything is set up nicely for them to have a real run at promotion next season. The area continues to be redeveloped (I’m informed a hotel is on the way) and interest in the team is building, along with sponsorship. I’ve got a trip set for later this month, all of which would be very nice if it wasn’t for the need to come up with a birthday present for Suzanne to take with me (or find there).
Before then, there’s the small matter of suspending the entente cordial for an evening as England take on France. I’ll actually be in Amsterdam for work when the game takes place, so it will be a case of plonking myself down in a suitable bar with a bottle of red to prepare for the exchange of insults by text. Come to think of it, I even have to take a bottle of English wine with me to Amsterdam, having backed Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in a bet with a Chelsea-supporting work colleague. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Sorry Pep, The Job's Taken
One problem ahead of another season, or any tournament, usually involves managing expectations (given that our club is by a distance the finest in the land they will only be satisfied, to some extent, when we have dominated the Premiership and the rest of Europe for say five years). This time around it’s different as there’s a bit of a problem in actually framing our expectations for the campaign ahead (while for once there’s general agreement that England don’t have a bat in hell’s chance at the Euros). I noticed that Huddersfield’s manager, following the most entertaining penalty shoot-out for the neutral since a certain 7-6, was quick to state that their priority is to survive in the Championship. Can we say the same?
It’s easy to list in order our priorities: first, to not get relegated; second, to avoid a relegation battle (such that we might actually enjoy some games); third, to challenge for promotion; fourth, to get promoted; and fifth, to win every game and blow away the division. Somewhere in the list you can feed in playing good football. In the past six seasons the single priority has been easy to identify: stay in the Premiership (failed), rebound (failed), consolidate (failed), rebound (failed), get promoted (failed), get promoted (succeeded, gloriously). This time around, and ahead of new signings, I just don’t know what would constitute success. I guess the answer is, as for Huddersfield, not getting relegated, as that’s progress. It may turn out that way; equally something a good deal better could be on the cards.
A quick check on one website for the early odds on us winning the Championship suggests the bookies aren’t sure yet either. We seem to be being bracketed in a group outside the obvious favourites (Leicester, Wolves, Bolton, Birmingham, Leeds) but at around 20/1 on a par with those that are considered likely to finish mid-table but could surprise (Notts Forest, Middlesbrough, Ipswich etc). We are favourites to finish the top London team in the division, but given the competition that given could still be compatible with a relegation struggle.
I don’t know either whether the outcome of the season ahead will be affected by uncertainty over the objective, even whether my uncertainty is framed by experience (which can be useful but sometimes a limitation). It would be foolish of Sir Chris or the board to be making statements to the effect that promotion is the goal. Last season was different. We all knew that the club couldn’t survive indefinitely in the third tier (I remember Rochdale fans singing ‘your ground’s too big for you’ and at the time they were right). We all know that it can live in the Championship; we’ll be competing against peers in terms of size, probably with a set-up and squad size that will stand comparison with others but not be stand-out. In this division you know you’re just one good season away from the dosh; we can live there. So I guess next season – and the one after that - is all about progress and getting stronger, to whatever degree, on and off the field.
I don’t think that amounts to complacency about being back in the second tier. Yes, we have spent most of my life in the division; the Lennie spell in Division One was a glorious interlude, something of a triumph of will for sides packed full of character, albeit one marred by inability to enjoy ‘home’ games. The period under Curbs was different, given that the money generated afforded the opportunity to develop the club (including the stadium) to a level whereby we could expect to compete in the top flight. We didn’t quite make it that far, in that we were always one bad season away from potential disaster (ie not getting back). I’ve never been able to feel sorry for clubs like Wolves, Sunderland, even West Ham when they get relegated. Sooner or later, given their support levels and potential, it’s virtually assured they will get back (I wouldn’t add Mans City, they needed another few seasons in the third flight to get some semblance of reality into their lives). It’s different for Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn etc, as it was for us.
What did in the end for the Lawrence era in the top tier was, as he effectively said, was a collapse of will. You can over-achieve for only so long and he has talked in terms of the well having been drained. I think there were elements of that in Curbs’ final year, after Murphy threw his toys out of the pram having not received an England recall, Smertin jumped ship, the team lost momentum, and then Curbs himself didn’t get the England job. What gives me confidence for the season ahead is the fact that mental fatigue shouldn’t be an issue in that sense, plus the character shown by the squad through the past season. They showed qualities that carried more than echoes of the best sides put together by Lawrence and Curbishley. We have indeed got our Charlton back.
I do still think – and don’t doubt that Sir Chris and his team are well aware of it - that there will be work to do on the mental side of the game ahead of the season. The squad that was put together a year ago involved a large degree of cherry-picking the best players from teams in the division. They already knew that they could thrive in the third flight. To a man they’ve earned the opportunity to show that they can do the same against better quality opposition. But it is relatively unknown territory for many of them and they have to show they can step up. Confidence shouldn’t be an issue early in the season, but a bad start and that can change. Hopefully all the squad will see this as their best opportunity to prove they belong in at least the second flight, if not higher.
It’s not as if we haven’t done it before. Never mind Lennie and Curbs, I’ve just been reading through the Sam Bartram book and the tales of how a team moved from the third division to Division One runners-up in successive seasons, each time people questioning their ability to cope. So progress is fine and good enough, but collectively the squad could prove to us all that it could involve priority number four, if not five.
It all adds up to bitter disappointment for Pep Guardiola. Having quit Barcelona, it seems he said that “I will be ready (to return) if one club wants me and seduces me”. You can’t blame him for sending out the obvious feelers in the direction of SE7, but sorry Pep, the job’s taken.
It’s easy to list in order our priorities: first, to not get relegated; second, to avoid a relegation battle (such that we might actually enjoy some games); third, to challenge for promotion; fourth, to get promoted; and fifth, to win every game and blow away the division. Somewhere in the list you can feed in playing good football. In the past six seasons the single priority has been easy to identify: stay in the Premiership (failed), rebound (failed), consolidate (failed), rebound (failed), get promoted (failed), get promoted (succeeded, gloriously). This time around, and ahead of new signings, I just don’t know what would constitute success. I guess the answer is, as for Huddersfield, not getting relegated, as that’s progress. It may turn out that way; equally something a good deal better could be on the cards.
A quick check on one website for the early odds on us winning the Championship suggests the bookies aren’t sure yet either. We seem to be being bracketed in a group outside the obvious favourites (Leicester, Wolves, Bolton, Birmingham, Leeds) but at around 20/1 on a par with those that are considered likely to finish mid-table but could surprise (Notts Forest, Middlesbrough, Ipswich etc). We are favourites to finish the top London team in the division, but given the competition that given could still be compatible with a relegation struggle.
I don’t know either whether the outcome of the season ahead will be affected by uncertainty over the objective, even whether my uncertainty is framed by experience (which can be useful but sometimes a limitation). It would be foolish of Sir Chris or the board to be making statements to the effect that promotion is the goal. Last season was different. We all knew that the club couldn’t survive indefinitely in the third tier (I remember Rochdale fans singing ‘your ground’s too big for you’ and at the time they were right). We all know that it can live in the Championship; we’ll be competing against peers in terms of size, probably with a set-up and squad size that will stand comparison with others but not be stand-out. In this division you know you’re just one good season away from the dosh; we can live there. So I guess next season – and the one after that - is all about progress and getting stronger, to whatever degree, on and off the field.
I don’t think that amounts to complacency about being back in the second tier. Yes, we have spent most of my life in the division; the Lennie spell in Division One was a glorious interlude, something of a triumph of will for sides packed full of character, albeit one marred by inability to enjoy ‘home’ games. The period under Curbs was different, given that the money generated afforded the opportunity to develop the club (including the stadium) to a level whereby we could expect to compete in the top flight. We didn’t quite make it that far, in that we were always one bad season away from potential disaster (ie not getting back). I’ve never been able to feel sorry for clubs like Wolves, Sunderland, even West Ham when they get relegated. Sooner or later, given their support levels and potential, it’s virtually assured they will get back (I wouldn’t add Mans City, they needed another few seasons in the third flight to get some semblance of reality into their lives). It’s different for Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn etc, as it was for us.
What did in the end for the Lawrence era in the top tier was, as he effectively said, was a collapse of will. You can over-achieve for only so long and he has talked in terms of the well having been drained. I think there were elements of that in Curbs’ final year, after Murphy threw his toys out of the pram having not received an England recall, Smertin jumped ship, the team lost momentum, and then Curbs himself didn’t get the England job. What gives me confidence for the season ahead is the fact that mental fatigue shouldn’t be an issue in that sense, plus the character shown by the squad through the past season. They showed qualities that carried more than echoes of the best sides put together by Lawrence and Curbishley. We have indeed got our Charlton back.
I do still think – and don’t doubt that Sir Chris and his team are well aware of it - that there will be work to do on the mental side of the game ahead of the season. The squad that was put together a year ago involved a large degree of cherry-picking the best players from teams in the division. They already knew that they could thrive in the third flight. To a man they’ve earned the opportunity to show that they can do the same against better quality opposition. But it is relatively unknown territory for many of them and they have to show they can step up. Confidence shouldn’t be an issue early in the season, but a bad start and that can change. Hopefully all the squad will see this as their best opportunity to prove they belong in at least the second flight, if not higher.
It’s not as if we haven’t done it before. Never mind Lennie and Curbs, I’ve just been reading through the Sam Bartram book and the tales of how a team moved from the third division to Division One runners-up in successive seasons, each time people questioning their ability to cope. So progress is fine and good enough, but collectively the squad could prove to us all that it could involve priority number four, if not five.
It all adds up to bitter disappointment for Pep Guardiola. Having quit Barcelona, it seems he said that “I will be ready (to return) if one club wants me and seduces me”. You can’t blame him for sending out the obvious feelers in the direction of SE7, but sorry Pep, the job’s taken.
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Something To Whine About At Last
It feels like we’re in a transition period, perhaps the twilight zone. The reflected glory’s still there – and being prolonged by some splendid interviews with the players. You’ve just got to love Kermorgant’s comments; I’m even starting to believe he might have meant that final goal. TREC’H Yan (I’m reliably informed that’s Breton for victory); and Yann Basten does sound better than K the frog. Wright-Phillips’ comments on the back of The Mercury were fun. A guy who measures his season by the number of goals he scored – and nothing else. And Solly is of course a worthy player of the year. But it’s all going to fade over the next couple of months, before Welling hoves into view and the DVD comes out.
There are still the formalities of the season to finish off. A (non-Addick) friend recently inquired as to why there was still football going on when the only thing that matters is decided? The answer I suppose is that, just of the rest of the world (or at least the bits I perceive) has to exist in some sense to provide a framework for me, so it is necessary for other football teams to exist, and for there to be a pretence maintained that they in some sense matter. Supporters of other teams are necessary, and they need to be kept in a state of ignorance, since if the reality of their insignificance were to become clear to them they would stop helping to fund a league and in turn Charlton would find it more difficult to operate. So Manchester, Chelsea and Bayern Munich and others still have to finish things off even though nobody really cares. (I should add that the one remaining undecided issue of importance, namely whether Lyon Duchere get promoted, has taken a turn for the worse, with Duchere losing last Saturday and Bourg-Peronnas won; with four games left it’s now theirs to lose.)
After that can start the preparations for the next glorious campaign and who comes in. Good luck to Doherty and Euell, and the others released, including Alonso, while I’m assuming that the few new faces that are likely to come in will be spread around the positions. Three centre-backs is OK, but without Doherty and unless Mambo is considered up to it a fourth may be required, while no cover for Solly at right-back would remain a risk. Powell will have to assess whether a choice from Stephens, Hughes, Russell (if he joins us) and Pritchard to partner Hollands will be strong enough in a division where we will probably need to control possession better. It is a different style of play in the Championship (as I remember from when we passed through it the last time) and may suit some of ours more than others. Green and Wagstaff, along with others, will need to up their game to thrive, while the key choice for the season ahead has to be confidence in BWP knocking them in regularly alongside Kermorgant.
What will be interesting is the approach of the owners in terms of whether operating losses for the club are acceptable and if so what sort of level? These things can’t be set in stone as we really can’t tell whether we will have a season looking up or at the trap door. But they must have parameters in mind. So far they’ve played a blinder, but I’ve no idea what sort of level of fresh investment in the team is envisaged, taking account of the money already shelled out in covering operating losses, which presumably were pretty much in line with what the owners envisaged when the acquired the club (these issues having been well covered by New York Addick in his posts). We shall see.
Let’s end with a taste of things to come, by giving vent to a natural inclination to whine. These instincts have been suppressed for a season now as there’s been next to nothing to complain about. OK, we didn’t win every game, once or twice Sir Chris’ choices and substitutions didn’t work out, occasionally BWP missed, and occasionally the opposition scored (although with each passing day it’s even more difficult to visualise any of their goals). Sometimes the red wine I had before the game fell short of even my (very) low quality control.
I can’t say I’m delighted to discover that our new kit sponsors are Nike. We’ve had some years of making the best of things, but I didn’t think that stressing choices of partnering companies that share some of our values was completely down to needs must. I’m not well up on whether Nike has indeed improved its corporate responsibility record with respect to the use of suppliers with awful labour standards, but a quick glance at a few sites suggests it’s still at best a work in progress. I was intending to invest in a new shirt and retire the old (Llanera) one in honour of the season past. But unless I’m persuaded otherwise there’s a change of plan on that front. We had to sacrifice our old club website for financial reasons, which was understandable at the time if unwanted. Having the club shop and the kit taken over by Nike doesn’t fill me with joy.
There are still the formalities of the season to finish off. A (non-Addick) friend recently inquired as to why there was still football going on when the only thing that matters is decided? The answer I suppose is that, just of the rest of the world (or at least the bits I perceive) has to exist in some sense to provide a framework for me, so it is necessary for other football teams to exist, and for there to be a pretence maintained that they in some sense matter. Supporters of other teams are necessary, and they need to be kept in a state of ignorance, since if the reality of their insignificance were to become clear to them they would stop helping to fund a league and in turn Charlton would find it more difficult to operate. So Manchester, Chelsea and Bayern Munich and others still have to finish things off even though nobody really cares. (I should add that the one remaining undecided issue of importance, namely whether Lyon Duchere get promoted, has taken a turn for the worse, with Duchere losing last Saturday and Bourg-Peronnas won; with four games left it’s now theirs to lose.)
After that can start the preparations for the next glorious campaign and who comes in. Good luck to Doherty and Euell, and the others released, including Alonso, while I’m assuming that the few new faces that are likely to come in will be spread around the positions. Three centre-backs is OK, but without Doherty and unless Mambo is considered up to it a fourth may be required, while no cover for Solly at right-back would remain a risk. Powell will have to assess whether a choice from Stephens, Hughes, Russell (if he joins us) and Pritchard to partner Hollands will be strong enough in a division where we will probably need to control possession better. It is a different style of play in the Championship (as I remember from when we passed through it the last time) and may suit some of ours more than others. Green and Wagstaff, along with others, will need to up their game to thrive, while the key choice for the season ahead has to be confidence in BWP knocking them in regularly alongside Kermorgant.
What will be interesting is the approach of the owners in terms of whether operating losses for the club are acceptable and if so what sort of level? These things can’t be set in stone as we really can’t tell whether we will have a season looking up or at the trap door. But they must have parameters in mind. So far they’ve played a blinder, but I’ve no idea what sort of level of fresh investment in the team is envisaged, taking account of the money already shelled out in covering operating losses, which presumably were pretty much in line with what the owners envisaged when the acquired the club (these issues having been well covered by New York Addick in his posts). We shall see.
Let’s end with a taste of things to come, by giving vent to a natural inclination to whine. These instincts have been suppressed for a season now as there’s been next to nothing to complain about. OK, we didn’t win every game, once or twice Sir Chris’ choices and substitutions didn’t work out, occasionally BWP missed, and occasionally the opposition scored (although with each passing day it’s even more difficult to visualise any of their goals). Sometimes the red wine I had before the game fell short of even my (very) low quality control.
I can’t say I’m delighted to discover that our new kit sponsors are Nike. We’ve had some years of making the best of things, but I didn’t think that stressing choices of partnering companies that share some of our values was completely down to needs must. I’m not well up on whether Nike has indeed improved its corporate responsibility record with respect to the use of suppliers with awful labour standards, but a quick glance at a few sites suggests it’s still at best a work in progress. I was intending to invest in a new shirt and retire the old (Llanera) one in honour of the season past. But unless I’m persuaded otherwise there’s a change of plan on that front. We had to sacrifice our old club website for financial reasons, which was understandable at the time if unwanted. Having the club shop and the kit taken over by Nike doesn’t fill me with joy.
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