Like just about everyone else, my initial reaction to the news of Richard Murray taking sole control of the club is positive. Nobody questions where his interests lie (which is not to suggest anything different on the part of those leaving the scene) and he has earned the full trust of Charlton supporters. Given that, anything that additionally promises to make the club more attractive to potential investors and which affords the possibility of more money being available to spend on the squad has to be welcomed; Murray’s pledge of injection of new money is in itself highly laudable. But I’m a natural-born contrarian, so it there anything to pick holes in?
First, will what has been done make the club more attractive to an outside investor? I may be completely wrong (and I guess we won’t know any more until the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, which is likely to take place when most of us are swanning off on hols), but I’m not sure I see that this is a given. The club has nearly been bought twice (at least) in recent times, by the Dubai investors and Sullivan and Gold (before they had to settle for a less desirable location more suited to their dress code). In both cases it seemed to be a full takeover (whether or not Murray kept a role) and in both cases the club’s debt wasn’t an insurmountable obstacle. In any such deal those holding the club’s debt (leaving aside the bank) would undoubtedly have been asked to take a good deal less than full paper value; formalising their loss may help (and I don’t mean this to sound indifferent to their support) and speed future investment negotiations, but doesn’t look to me like a fundamental change. If the amounts invested by the other former interested parties have simply been written off it would be a remarkable gesture. If the others are being bought out by Murray, it’s fair to assume that they are taking a substantial loss (if not, debts have only been shuffled). And if that’s the case, given the stated intention to try to secure fresh investment, I would imagine there is some other agreement between Murray and those backing out to cover the event of the club being sold on.
There’s been no doubting the seriousness of the club’s financial position over the past few years. But through the period I think I’ve been more relaxed than many about the risk of administration/bankruptcy. The vast bulk of the club’s debt has been to the directors and the bank, in both cases (if memory serves correct) secured against the ground. That situation does produce a happy (if that’s the right word) alignment of interest. Whatever the pressure applied by the bank and cutting of facilities, forcing the club to the wall would not have been worth it. The bank (HSBC, if memory serves correct) would attract unwanted criticism and would end up with a messy situation involving the sale of the ground. And any one of the directors would have ended up getting little return after the bank and others were paid off after a sale of The Valley. Football clubs tend to get pushed into administration by the taxman (or someone daft enough to make short-term loans to them, as in the blissful case of Palace) and I’ve seen no indications that we’re seriously behind with them.
If the latest moves involve a tidying-up exercise whereby the club’s non-bank debt is consolidated in Murray’s hands that sounds fine to me; and maybe that would help attract investment, whether or not a full takeover. I’m not privy to inside information, so I’ve no idea if the suggestions about the imminent involvement of one of the Sainsbury family are accurate. If it happens, I promise not to moan during any forced Saturday morning shop (except when I have a hangover and/or when Doris with her trolley gets in the way).
Any other downsides? Well, two possibly. First, assuming the plc is wound up I will regret not getting a copy of the accounts (I know they’re accessible but I’m very lazy) and not being able to attend shareholder meetings. It isn’t anything to do with any notional value of the shares (that went out of the window with Dubai if not before, and like others shares were not purchased with any expectation of a return or any lingering claim on the club). It is about feeling of involvement and the sharing of information. Of course all the actual decisions at the meetings are a done deal, but the rationale still has to be outlined. We’ve already lost the fans director (for perfectly good operational reasons), and if an AGM is going to be a one-man show I hope Murray and the new board make every effort to develop further the fans forum and other ongoing means of communication with the fans. It matters. We are ready to shell out on the shirts and buy season tickets but it’s good to feel some sense of involvement from time to time.
Second, perish the thought but just what happens if Murray falls under a bus? He has our full confidence, but a one-man ownership always casts doubts about a succession issue. Would the person/people who would inherit the estate be as committed to Charlton? There is, after all, no guarantee that fresh investment will be forthcoming.
While I’m in a nit-picking mood, and while we await the new strikers, has anyone heard anything regarding Liverpool loanees? When explaining the sale of Shelvey, Murray stated that this time around it was different from the Internazionale and Valencia links and that “I think there will be some exciting loanees coming to the club in the future”. Now wouldn’t be a bad time, although it’s fair to assume that any developments would have to wait for Liverpool’s new manager to make his own assessments of his needs. I remember Murray a couple of years talking of the potential new stars we were nurturing outside of the country (due to work/passport restrictions). Have they moved on or come to nothing? All such deals can run aground, but if they do it’s reasonable for the club to confirm that they have.
All that leaves is to decide whether to go to Watford or do the seat-cleaning next week. Time constraints (yes, those hols are coming up and next week is a bitch for bank results) mean doing both isn’t possible. To my shame I missed out on helping clean up The Valley (I can’t remember why), so perhaps its time for the elbow-grease. I guess at least I’ll know the seats to be cleaned are owned by Murray (and HSBC).
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Insanity Returning?
I don’t think it’s the fact that it hasn’t (yet) started chucking down in London, or that the trend in friendly results is clearly positive, or the approach of holidays, or even that Goldman Sachs’ results for once raised a chuckle. Perhaps it’s just the natural order gradually being reinstated, which means an unavoidable decline back to lunacy. But I’m starting to get positive about the season ahead. The men in white coats aren’t (yet) at the door, as I’m not confident that we will win every game and secure promotion by Christmas. But as the prospective squad is becoming clearer I’m at least feeling that disaster (ie relegation) will be avoided, that we can be competitive, and that, just possibly, I’ll find a way to enjoy games. This is probably a fair sign that we’re about to get turned over at Bedford, Barnet and Bromley, let alone Watford.
I was cautiously encouraged by the comments made by Doherty after his signing and the return of Jackson, at least unconcerned at the Welling work-out, pleased by Dailley’s resigning (although I’m assuming that it means Fortune’s return is much less likely), and undoubtedly pleasantly surprised at the signing of Reid. I thought he’d gone for good (like I suppose Mooney) and to pick him up on a free has to be great business. And with McLeod departing at least the picture is clarified on that front. (The litany of failed strikers of recent seasons just goes on too long; they’re history – and hardly glorious history at that.)
Of course there’s still the risk of further sales, although the departure of Shelvey, Bailey and Richardson doesn’t exactly leave us stocked full of cash-raising assets. For the life of me I don’t understand why the transfer deadline extends to end-August rather than the end of July, at least outside the Premiership. It’s not as if Parkinson and the board should be having holidays to interrupt deals. I just want it all sorted before it begins in earnest, not to have further disruption.
We know the starting keeper, Elliot, with presumably a back-up to be signed. A defence of Solly, Jackson/Basey, Doherty/Llera/Dailley may not look overly blessed with pace, but could pass muster in this division. I get the impression that Semedo could be called on to play in midfield or provide cover at right-back or central defence, barring fresh signings. In midfield, Wagstaff and Reid provide the width, Racon the guile, and McCormack/Semedo the grit. Not much cover, aside from Stavrinou, but enough to be working with.
I think we all know the missing piece – and what we need to fill it. I now have a signed photo of Killer on the wall and it stares out at me. With the departure of Dickson, McLeod, McKenzie, Fleetwood, Burton (assumed) and no return as yet for Mooney, there’s Sodje and Tuna on the books. Bauza seems to be waiting in the wings, but I would have thought Parkinson’s seen enough of him to either make an offer or pass. Maybe we're waiting for the dosh from Cardiff for Hudson. I’m not privy to inside information, so perhaps he’s still considering other options (if he turns out for someone else this weekend I guess we’ll know). Whatever, we need two more strikers. Bringing them in might just tip me over the edge.
I was cautiously encouraged by the comments made by Doherty after his signing and the return of Jackson, at least unconcerned at the Welling work-out, pleased by Dailley’s resigning (although I’m assuming that it means Fortune’s return is much less likely), and undoubtedly pleasantly surprised at the signing of Reid. I thought he’d gone for good (like I suppose Mooney) and to pick him up on a free has to be great business. And with McLeod departing at least the picture is clarified on that front. (The litany of failed strikers of recent seasons just goes on too long; they’re history – and hardly glorious history at that.)
Of course there’s still the risk of further sales, although the departure of Shelvey, Bailey and Richardson doesn’t exactly leave us stocked full of cash-raising assets. For the life of me I don’t understand why the transfer deadline extends to end-August rather than the end of July, at least outside the Premiership. It’s not as if Parkinson and the board should be having holidays to interrupt deals. I just want it all sorted before it begins in earnest, not to have further disruption.
We know the starting keeper, Elliot, with presumably a back-up to be signed. A defence of Solly, Jackson/Basey, Doherty/Llera/Dailley may not look overly blessed with pace, but could pass muster in this division. I get the impression that Semedo could be called on to play in midfield or provide cover at right-back or central defence, barring fresh signings. In midfield, Wagstaff and Reid provide the width, Racon the guile, and McCormack/Semedo the grit. Not much cover, aside from Stavrinou, but enough to be working with.
I think we all know the missing piece – and what we need to fill it. I now have a signed photo of Killer on the wall and it stares out at me. With the departure of Dickson, McLeod, McKenzie, Fleetwood, Burton (assumed) and no return as yet for Mooney, there’s Sodje and Tuna on the books. Bauza seems to be waiting in the wings, but I would have thought Parkinson’s seen enough of him to either make an offer or pass. Maybe we're waiting for the dosh from Cardiff for Hudson. I’m not privy to inside information, so perhaps he’s still considering other options (if he turns out for someone else this weekend I guess we’ll know). Whatever, we need two more strikers. Bringing them in might just tip me over the edge.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Fortune Returns, Akpo One For Five
So, having failed at Wimbledon tonight we emerged from Welling with the victory by the only goal. It was a chance to see the new faces (Doherty, Jackson, McCormack), to get a glimpse of some of the trialists, to welcome back one expected returnee (Basey, although according to others it’s not clear if he’s extending his stay), and one not so expected, a prodigal son in the form of Jonathan Fortune. Whether that proves to be a fleeting appearance depends I guess on his contract expectations and whether or not Dailly agrees terms and whether Sam Sodje has indeed left (I’ve still seen no confirmation, but neither of the two were listed as in the Charlton squad).
Was there much to be learnt from the exercise? Well, the defence lined up at the start may well prove to be that which starts the season: Elliot, Solly, Jackson, Doherty and Llera. McCormack seemed to be captain for the game and in the first half gave a decent enough account of himself. There don’t seem to be any pretentions here, does what it says on the can. No bad thing, but if Semedo is still around it would be hard to see a central midfield accommodating them both. Racon started alongside McCormack, with Wagstaff and trialist Esajas (I’m led to believe, the tannoy left a little to be desired) providing the width, while another trialist Bauza started alongside Akpo Sodje.
The first half proved to be all about whether Akpo could adjust the sights sufficiently to finally put the ball in the net. The first chance that came his way saw his effort clear not just the bar but the road behind, then it was a miscued shot, a wayward header when the goal beckoned, and finally a failure to get on the end of a low cross to convert. Eventually good work by Solly down the right produced a perfect ball in and this time he buried the header. A lot seems to rest on Sodje’s shoulders this season, if Burton departs and if McLeod doesn’t reemerge. In between Bauza almost converted another low cross. He looked useful and intelligent but if one was critical it wasn’t clear that he’s a poacher or blessed with pace. Aside from one mazy dribble which embarrassed a few there were no alarms at the other end.
The half-time entertainment was provided by a group of Welling youth players going through a warm-up, including a coach firing shots at a goalkeeper from short range just by the goalline in front of the Charlton fans. Which was fine, except for when he misdirected the odd shot. Unsuspecting and unaware supporters felt the force.
At the break Fortune and Basey came on, for Doherty and Jackson and not long afterwards came the deluge of subs that left me clutching at straws. Tuna came on for Wagstaff, but then five at the same time saw the stadium announced give up. I’m pretty sure that Semedo and Mambo came on, quite possibly Stavrinou, but for the other couple I’m going to have to check the club site. One bore more than a passing resemblance to Mark Robson. And to round things off a goalkeeper came on for Elliot. Just who it was is a mystery to me, but he was a noisy one. Not surprisingly thereafter we lacked some cohesion and Welling came into it more as they sniffed the chance of a draw. That created plenty of space at the other end, but passes were misplaced or wrong options taken. All part of the pre-season process.
So the positives were decent run-outs for the three newcomers and the appearance of Fortune. Seems Welling have a game at home against Arsenal coming up if the programme is to be believed. I wonder what Fabregas will make of World Cup final to Welling in the space of a few weeks. But maybe not. I guess it’s not just us who aren’t sure who will be donning the shirt when the serious stuff begins.
Was there much to be learnt from the exercise? Well, the defence lined up at the start may well prove to be that which starts the season: Elliot, Solly, Jackson, Doherty and Llera. McCormack seemed to be captain for the game and in the first half gave a decent enough account of himself. There don’t seem to be any pretentions here, does what it says on the can. No bad thing, but if Semedo is still around it would be hard to see a central midfield accommodating them both. Racon started alongside McCormack, with Wagstaff and trialist Esajas (I’m led to believe, the tannoy left a little to be desired) providing the width, while another trialist Bauza started alongside Akpo Sodje.
The first half proved to be all about whether Akpo could adjust the sights sufficiently to finally put the ball in the net. The first chance that came his way saw his effort clear not just the bar but the road behind, then it was a miscued shot, a wayward header when the goal beckoned, and finally a failure to get on the end of a low cross to convert. Eventually good work by Solly down the right produced a perfect ball in and this time he buried the header. A lot seems to rest on Sodje’s shoulders this season, if Burton departs and if McLeod doesn’t reemerge. In between Bauza almost converted another low cross. He looked useful and intelligent but if one was critical it wasn’t clear that he’s a poacher or blessed with pace. Aside from one mazy dribble which embarrassed a few there were no alarms at the other end.
The half-time entertainment was provided by a group of Welling youth players going through a warm-up, including a coach firing shots at a goalkeeper from short range just by the goalline in front of the Charlton fans. Which was fine, except for when he misdirected the odd shot. Unsuspecting and unaware supporters felt the force.
At the break Fortune and Basey came on, for Doherty and Jackson and not long afterwards came the deluge of subs that left me clutching at straws. Tuna came on for Wagstaff, but then five at the same time saw the stadium announced give up. I’m pretty sure that Semedo and Mambo came on, quite possibly Stavrinou, but for the other couple I’m going to have to check the club site. One bore more than a passing resemblance to Mark Robson. And to round things off a goalkeeper came on for Elliot. Just who it was is a mystery to me, but he was a noisy one. Not surprisingly thereafter we lacked some cohesion and Welling came into it more as they sniffed the chance of a draw. That created plenty of space at the other end, but passes were misplaced or wrong options taken. All part of the pre-season process.
So the positives were decent run-outs for the three newcomers and the appearance of Fortune. Seems Welling have a game at home against Arsenal coming up if the programme is to be believed. I wonder what Fabregas will make of World Cup final to Welling in the space of a few weeks. But maybe not. I guess it’s not just us who aren’t sure who will be donning the shirt when the serious stuff begins.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Ins And Outs; Welling Awaits
‘Cheer up, cheer up the sun is red ....’ It might feel that way for Spain at the moment, but it just doesn’t feel appropriate for us. As was to be expected, the players’ exit door hasn’t stopped swinging since the final penalty kick, there’s the news that Richard Murray has had a heart operation (here’s truly hoping for a complete and speedy recovery), and the insult of the BBC at first putting a Gillingham shirt on the news about KRBS’ white knight/vulture capitalist. At least, unlike some others not far away, we only depend on them for sponsorship.
Nevertheless, now the nonsense of the past month or so is behind us and it’s back to the serious stuff (having been in Amsterdam recently at least I can lay claim to having been involved in celebrating a World Cup semi-final win, having been a little too young to fully participate in London in 1966). This means hopping on the bus for the annual dose of incredulity that is the Welling friendly. As others have noted, there’s next to nothing usually to be gleaned from these occasions, given the level of fitness and the trotting out of trialists. But this time around I can’t help thinking it’s a little more important than usual, not for the result but for the attitude. With no home pre-season friendly this will be the only chance for a number of us to get any sort of a glimpse at the players until late August (I guess Watford at end-July is a possibility but for me with the hols approaching it will be Oldham at home to kick off the season). Heaven knows we could use a lift, even in this game.
We must all be well aware that this season is about survival, as a club, and relative stability. Given the further comings and goings before end-August, we can’t have a clue about prospects on the pitch (quite frankly if offered now mid-table and financial stability I’d take it). But I doubt whether any other team in this division will be starting the campaign with such a change of personnel. Getting a new team to gel is bound to be difficult and a poor start to the season could encourage a mood of terminal decline among the fans. In such a situation, shortcomings in style and skill may have to be accepted, but that means developing other strengths. Fitness and determination come to the fore. I’ll forgive a lot if we show on the pitch that we’re the fittest team in the league and have best team work ethic. That’s asking a lot for a squad being cobbled together, but without those two basics we’re asking for trouble.
As for the departures, we got a decent price for Bailey and I hope he goes on to improve as a player. Richardson just showed that any decent price will be accepted and there’s no hard feelings there (looking at Sam’s comments about him saying he never wanted to leave Leeds may hint at him having gone through the motions, but he was a cut above the average in this division and Southampton’s chances of promotion are only strengthened). We all knew Sam was going to walk and he goes with my best wishes, not least as it means I won’t have to listen to the screams of some around me at his every error (‘ee ‘asn’t got a brain’ was the best example of pots and kettles). Randolph was a slight surprise, but this is at least one to focus on the positives. Two young keepers vying for the jersey can be good, but I feel happier with an established first choice that the defence can settle around and that always looked more likely to be Elliot. Presumably we need to sign an old lag content to warm the bench; there should be plenty to choose from (I don’t suppose Deano fancies coming back, but I suppose he’d be out of our price range and warming the bench was never his preferred option). And apparently getting some money for Fleetwood has to be a bonus; no slur intended but he didn’t show anything for us. Dickson, Spring and others are now all in the past.
As for the incomings, I was surprised by Doherty. Not that he can’t do a job for us – and it’s genuinely heartening to read his comments on the club site about his attitude to the move - but with Llera, Sodje and Dailly (with Semedo possible cover and hopefully Mambo developing) this didn’t look to me our weakest area. Perhaps one of them is on his way (I see there are still talks with Dailly). I can’t honestly see Doherty and Llera being an effective partnership (I’m of the old school that favours one big lump and the more mobile partner). Jackson’s return is welcome, although whether Basey sees it that way remains to be seen. And I’m sorry to say I know nothing about McCormack. May his stay with us be long and successful. And if Akpo Sodje can develop what looks still a pretty raw talent he could be the best of the signings.
This still leaves a bucketload of players whose future with us I have no idea about. Are Semedo and Racon content to stay? Are Youga and McLeod going to come into the equation, and is Burton set to walk? Have I missed things? I confess to having not followed news during the past month or so (and just never got around to player ratings for the season); I think we all needed to put some distance from the past season (and the previous three). It may have been successful in some respects but it ended in failure, the consequences of which are all too obvious. I think it’s clear from the above that at least my mood of despondency hasn’t lifted yet; I want it to ... even as early as tomorrow evening.
Nevertheless, now the nonsense of the past month or so is behind us and it’s back to the serious stuff (having been in Amsterdam recently at least I can lay claim to having been involved in celebrating a World Cup semi-final win, having been a little too young to fully participate in London in 1966). This means hopping on the bus for the annual dose of incredulity that is the Welling friendly. As others have noted, there’s next to nothing usually to be gleaned from these occasions, given the level of fitness and the trotting out of trialists. But this time around I can’t help thinking it’s a little more important than usual, not for the result but for the attitude. With no home pre-season friendly this will be the only chance for a number of us to get any sort of a glimpse at the players until late August (I guess Watford at end-July is a possibility but for me with the hols approaching it will be Oldham at home to kick off the season). Heaven knows we could use a lift, even in this game.
We must all be well aware that this season is about survival, as a club, and relative stability. Given the further comings and goings before end-August, we can’t have a clue about prospects on the pitch (quite frankly if offered now mid-table and financial stability I’d take it). But I doubt whether any other team in this division will be starting the campaign with such a change of personnel. Getting a new team to gel is bound to be difficult and a poor start to the season could encourage a mood of terminal decline among the fans. In such a situation, shortcomings in style and skill may have to be accepted, but that means developing other strengths. Fitness and determination come to the fore. I’ll forgive a lot if we show on the pitch that we’re the fittest team in the league and have best team work ethic. That’s asking a lot for a squad being cobbled together, but without those two basics we’re asking for trouble.
As for the departures, we got a decent price for Bailey and I hope he goes on to improve as a player. Richardson just showed that any decent price will be accepted and there’s no hard feelings there (looking at Sam’s comments about him saying he never wanted to leave Leeds may hint at him having gone through the motions, but he was a cut above the average in this division and Southampton’s chances of promotion are only strengthened). We all knew Sam was going to walk and he goes with my best wishes, not least as it means I won’t have to listen to the screams of some around me at his every error (‘ee ‘asn’t got a brain’ was the best example of pots and kettles). Randolph was a slight surprise, but this is at least one to focus on the positives. Two young keepers vying for the jersey can be good, but I feel happier with an established first choice that the defence can settle around and that always looked more likely to be Elliot. Presumably we need to sign an old lag content to warm the bench; there should be plenty to choose from (I don’t suppose Deano fancies coming back, but I suppose he’d be out of our price range and warming the bench was never his preferred option). And apparently getting some money for Fleetwood has to be a bonus; no slur intended but he didn’t show anything for us. Dickson, Spring and others are now all in the past.
As for the incomings, I was surprised by Doherty. Not that he can’t do a job for us – and it’s genuinely heartening to read his comments on the club site about his attitude to the move - but with Llera, Sodje and Dailly (with Semedo possible cover and hopefully Mambo developing) this didn’t look to me our weakest area. Perhaps one of them is on his way (I see there are still talks with Dailly). I can’t honestly see Doherty and Llera being an effective partnership (I’m of the old school that favours one big lump and the more mobile partner). Jackson’s return is welcome, although whether Basey sees it that way remains to be seen. And I’m sorry to say I know nothing about McCormack. May his stay with us be long and successful. And if Akpo Sodje can develop what looks still a pretty raw talent he could be the best of the signings.
This still leaves a bucketload of players whose future with us I have no idea about. Are Semedo and Racon content to stay? Are Youga and McLeod going to come into the equation, and is Burton set to walk? Have I missed things? I confess to having not followed news during the past month or so (and just never got around to player ratings for the season); I think we all needed to put some distance from the past season (and the previous three). It may have been successful in some respects but it ended in failure, the consequences of which are all too obvious. I think it’s clear from the above that at least my mood of despondency hasn’t lifted yet; I want it to ... even as early as tomorrow evening.
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Next Step In The Personal Rehabilitation Process
It’s been a few weeks now, but for me at least it’s still far too soon to think about next season. Obviously others have to, when it comes to sorting out who’s staying and who’s going. But there’s nothing we can do to influence this process, so let it run its course. It is, after all, going to have a long way to run, with no guarantee that it will be over when the new season kicks off. We could by then still have players out of contract not having signed for another club, leaving open the possibility that they will stay, and others still on the books we would be happy to offload. Just how Parkinson goes about shaping a team and trying to fill in gaps in these circumstances is beyond me, but that’s the task in hand.
Of the six already released, the only possible surprise for me was Spring. With Shelvey gone (to learn at the feet of Gerrard seemed to be the goal, although it looks like he might have to learn Spanish to achieve that goal), Bailey looking likely to be sold, and no certainty that Racon and/or Semedo will fancy another season in SE London (I hope they do), I would have thought he might have come into the picture. But so be it; presumably both sides felt he needed pastures new. McKenzie was a gamble that didn’t pay off, Dickson had his chances with us and others and went backwards through the season, while Sinclair never made the grade with us. I’ve no idea what goes on behind the scenes, but they are all players you hope still have something left to offer for others. As for Moutaouakil, even an ardent Francophile like myself has to say we’ll remember the name with affection but nothing else. The guy’s obviously a talented footballer, but like Dickson needs to take a long look at himself if potential is going to be turned into something concrete. I’d have honestly been ashamed of myself for picking up the wages and contributing nothing.
Nobody could accuse Bailey of not contributing his all. But as our one obviously saleable asset it’s a case of good luck as long as the fee’s OK. I hope he goes to a Championship side rather than, as rumoured, Southampton, for two reasons. First, he needs to improve. He’s been splendid for us in terms of his attitude and his goals, but it isn’t an accident that this season he was unable to really nail down the central midfield role and found himself pushed out wide left. His passing can let him down and he struggles to impose himself. Basically I think he needs to be playing at Championship level to really prove himself. Second, having sung ‘Bailey’s too good for you’ with others in the games against Southend, it would rather stick in the throat to hear it thrown back at us next season if he returns under Pardew, especially as Southampton have to be among the favourites for promotion.
But this wasn’t the purpose of the post, should there ever be one. The nation might be about to indulge in a month of solid football (albeit one destined to end in similar fashion to our season), but I’m still stuck in a rut trying to reconcile myself to our failure to win promotion and possible reasons why. I’m sure others have already been writing eloquently on the subject, but I’m sad to say that after Swindon I’ve not wanted to think about Charlton, for a while at least. So belated thoughts on what went wrong might just be the next, necessary step in a personal rehabilitation process.
Parkinson said the players should be proud of what they achieved. There’s merit in that, especially as before the season began expectations were not especially high. However, Murray and the board nailed their colours to the mast by not selling Shelvey or Bailey and making it clear that promotion was the only goal, and from about late August through to the final penalty I believed we were going to go back up. In that context the season was, ultimately, a failure. The fourth in a row.
A 46-game season in which you fall short by two-and-a-half points and fail to make a Wembley play-off final by one goal and a penalty shoot-out means that any number of games/incidents can be flagged with hindsight as crucial. The same applies to other teams; after all, Swindon would have finished second were it not for two last-gasp equalisers by us. Obviously the final game still rankles as we had done the hard part and let it slip from our grasp. But if there is one moment which might have changed the season (aside from Youga’s injury, followed not long after by the cruelly unpunished taking out of Basey) it was Millwall’s equaliser against us at The Valley. They’d actually played much better football than us on the day, but we were winning, against 10 men. We couldn’t close out the game, as against Swindon. In the final analysis, although the margins were fine, we came up short because we weren’t good enough.
That might seem a little strange as in the early stages of the season we looked head and shoulders above the others, with the exception at the time of Leeds. But for me the season had three quite distinct phases. The first was the period through to that game against Millwall just before Christmas. In those first 21 games we were always in the top two and took 45 points, or 2.14 points per game. That return if sustained through the season would have given us 98 points. Perhaps most tellingly, in that extended spell we won seven games (of the 13 won) by more than a single goal. In the remaining 25 games we managed that feat only three times more. At times I thought the team was sturdily professional and doing just enough to win. But with hindsight they weren’t good enough to blow teams away. With nearly every game ending up close it has to take a mental toll.
The second stage of the season was the 16 games from Millwall at home through to Gillingham at The Valley in March. This is the period when we blew a golden opportunity to secure a top-two finish. We managed just 22 points, or 1.38 points per game, a return which if extended through a full season would have resulted in a mid-table finish. The period included just three wins out of nine games at home, including defeats against Orient and Brighton and a failure to beat Gillingham and Tranmere (as well as Millwall and Swindon). In this period we kept just one clean sheet, conceding 24 goals.
By late March we were in danger of dropping out of even a play-off position and there must have been some home truths driven home as the team did manage to stabilise the situation. Indeed, we ended up playing better than at any stage other than the early games (when in truth the opposition often handed us the game). It began with a dogged and very necessary draw away at Huddersfield and in the final 9 games we picked up 17 points, or 1.89 points per game. Extend that through the season and we would have had 87 points – just enough to have taken second place. It was clear where the change came as in the final nine games we conceded just four goals – and never more than one. Back to basics of a sort.
So, we started and ended well but failed miserably in the middle. I can’t say why. A 46-game season is a long haul and, not unlike Leeds, perhaps we simply lost our way, with a few key injuries, some loss of form, perhaps some bad luck. What is galling is that when the management/team realised that we were in danger of missing out even on a play-off spot they were able to recover and show towards the end of the season what they were capable of. Perhaps they had it in mind through the season that if we were close to Leeds that would be enough, before Norwich came along and changed the picture. But only people in the dressing room will have a good idea why we went off the boil between Christmas and late March.
The next stage in the therapy will be my ratings for the season, perhaps mixing this with thoughts of how each department of the team might look next season (in a desperate attempt to avoid pure navel-gazing). I once received an application for a job and the candidate wrote that he was keen on the position because his psychiatrist had advised him that it would be a good move for him (not surprisingly he didn’t make the interview stage). If I had a shrink (other than one at the bottom of a glass) he/she might say that it doesn’t matter that everyone else has moved on. There will come a day when next season seems appealing, probably about the time that the club releases a DVD of what has just passed.
Of the six already released, the only possible surprise for me was Spring. With Shelvey gone (to learn at the feet of Gerrard seemed to be the goal, although it looks like he might have to learn Spanish to achieve that goal), Bailey looking likely to be sold, and no certainty that Racon and/or Semedo will fancy another season in SE London (I hope they do), I would have thought he might have come into the picture. But so be it; presumably both sides felt he needed pastures new. McKenzie was a gamble that didn’t pay off, Dickson had his chances with us and others and went backwards through the season, while Sinclair never made the grade with us. I’ve no idea what goes on behind the scenes, but they are all players you hope still have something left to offer for others. As for Moutaouakil, even an ardent Francophile like myself has to say we’ll remember the name with affection but nothing else. The guy’s obviously a talented footballer, but like Dickson needs to take a long look at himself if potential is going to be turned into something concrete. I’d have honestly been ashamed of myself for picking up the wages and contributing nothing.
Nobody could accuse Bailey of not contributing his all. But as our one obviously saleable asset it’s a case of good luck as long as the fee’s OK. I hope he goes to a Championship side rather than, as rumoured, Southampton, for two reasons. First, he needs to improve. He’s been splendid for us in terms of his attitude and his goals, but it isn’t an accident that this season he was unable to really nail down the central midfield role and found himself pushed out wide left. His passing can let him down and he struggles to impose himself. Basically I think he needs to be playing at Championship level to really prove himself. Second, having sung ‘Bailey’s too good for you’ with others in the games against Southend, it would rather stick in the throat to hear it thrown back at us next season if he returns under Pardew, especially as Southampton have to be among the favourites for promotion.
But this wasn’t the purpose of the post, should there ever be one. The nation might be about to indulge in a month of solid football (albeit one destined to end in similar fashion to our season), but I’m still stuck in a rut trying to reconcile myself to our failure to win promotion and possible reasons why. I’m sure others have already been writing eloquently on the subject, but I’m sad to say that after Swindon I’ve not wanted to think about Charlton, for a while at least. So belated thoughts on what went wrong might just be the next, necessary step in a personal rehabilitation process.
Parkinson said the players should be proud of what they achieved. There’s merit in that, especially as before the season began expectations were not especially high. However, Murray and the board nailed their colours to the mast by not selling Shelvey or Bailey and making it clear that promotion was the only goal, and from about late August through to the final penalty I believed we were going to go back up. In that context the season was, ultimately, a failure. The fourth in a row.
A 46-game season in which you fall short by two-and-a-half points and fail to make a Wembley play-off final by one goal and a penalty shoot-out means that any number of games/incidents can be flagged with hindsight as crucial. The same applies to other teams; after all, Swindon would have finished second were it not for two last-gasp equalisers by us. Obviously the final game still rankles as we had done the hard part and let it slip from our grasp. But if there is one moment which might have changed the season (aside from Youga’s injury, followed not long after by the cruelly unpunished taking out of Basey) it was Millwall’s equaliser against us at The Valley. They’d actually played much better football than us on the day, but we were winning, against 10 men. We couldn’t close out the game, as against Swindon. In the final analysis, although the margins were fine, we came up short because we weren’t good enough.
That might seem a little strange as in the early stages of the season we looked head and shoulders above the others, with the exception at the time of Leeds. But for me the season had three quite distinct phases. The first was the period through to that game against Millwall just before Christmas. In those first 21 games we were always in the top two and took 45 points, or 2.14 points per game. That return if sustained through the season would have given us 98 points. Perhaps most tellingly, in that extended spell we won seven games (of the 13 won) by more than a single goal. In the remaining 25 games we managed that feat only three times more. At times I thought the team was sturdily professional and doing just enough to win. But with hindsight they weren’t good enough to blow teams away. With nearly every game ending up close it has to take a mental toll.
The second stage of the season was the 16 games from Millwall at home through to Gillingham at The Valley in March. This is the period when we blew a golden opportunity to secure a top-two finish. We managed just 22 points, or 1.38 points per game, a return which if extended through a full season would have resulted in a mid-table finish. The period included just three wins out of nine games at home, including defeats against Orient and Brighton and a failure to beat Gillingham and Tranmere (as well as Millwall and Swindon). In this period we kept just one clean sheet, conceding 24 goals.
By late March we were in danger of dropping out of even a play-off position and there must have been some home truths driven home as the team did manage to stabilise the situation. Indeed, we ended up playing better than at any stage other than the early games (when in truth the opposition often handed us the game). It began with a dogged and very necessary draw away at Huddersfield and in the final 9 games we picked up 17 points, or 1.89 points per game. Extend that through the season and we would have had 87 points – just enough to have taken second place. It was clear where the change came as in the final nine games we conceded just four goals – and never more than one. Back to basics of a sort.
So, we started and ended well but failed miserably in the middle. I can’t say why. A 46-game season is a long haul and, not unlike Leeds, perhaps we simply lost our way, with a few key injuries, some loss of form, perhaps some bad luck. What is galling is that when the management/team realised that we were in danger of missing out even on a play-off spot they were able to recover and show towards the end of the season what they were capable of. Perhaps they had it in mind through the season that if we were close to Leeds that would be enough, before Norwich came along and changed the picture. But only people in the dressing room will have a good idea why we went off the boil between Christmas and late March.
The next stage in the therapy will be my ratings for the season, perhaps mixing this with thoughts of how each department of the team might look next season (in a desperate attempt to avoid pure navel-gazing). I once received an application for a job and the candidate wrote that he was keen on the position because his psychiatrist had advised him that it would be a good move for him (not surprisingly he didn’t make the interview stage). If I had a shrink (other than one at the bottom of a glass) he/she might say that it doesn’t matter that everyone else has moved on. There will come a day when next season seems appealing, probably about the time that the club releases a DVD of what has just passed.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Bank Irresponsibility Reaches New Heights
Is there no end to the irresponsible practices of the major UK banks? We cover their losses, we guarantee their survival, and we fund their bonuses. And how are we repaid? First, Bank of Scotland apparently agrees to sell Selhurst Park for a price below that which a property developer would be ready to pay (which does beg the question of just what is the current value of a relatively large, poorly maintained, damp and downbeat private members toilet in one of London’s utterly unloved areas). Now we are told that Bank of Scotland’s parent, Lloyds Banking Group, has reached agreement with CPFC 2010 for the sale of the ground, paving the way for a full deal to go through and seemingly avoiding the prospect of the administrator starting to flog off any Palace player at any price (which does beg the question ....).
It’s all very disappointing. Just as I’ve switched all my pension into the hedge fund that pushed Palace into administration in the first place, so I was poised to move all my accounts to Lloyds. But no more. It’s obviously time for Eric Daniels to go. We accepted him destroying shareholder value by taking on a complete closet case of a bank just because of a bit of government pressure, but Lloyds striking a deal to head off the liquidation of Palace? Heads should not just roll but be kicked all the way across town. And as for CPFC 2010 calling for intervention by new prime minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, I’m up for that. I’d even write to that dipstick Vince Cable – who was after all banging on about banks’ irresponsibility in a grubby attempt to win votes – about the need for banks to get the best price available for assets being disposed of, whatever the consequences. If that means taking the full ten quid from a local spiv rather than the lower offer from Palace fans so be it.
I do still love it that the best they can come up with as the case for allowing Palace to continue is that it is “supported by thousands” (so apparently is Cliff Richard but you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to put a stop to him) and that the club “has a 100-year history”. By definition anything that has been around for 100 years has a 100-year history. But even Palace diehards must acknowledge it hasn’t exactly been glorious, has it? We’ve learnt to live without Woolworths. I was trying to think of a suitable use for Selhurst Park and the best I can come up with so far is hiving it off to BP to be mixed with the other rubbish and used for a fresh attempt at plugging the leaking well. It would be a fitting end for a property which to date has served no useful purpose.
If this all sounds like throwing stones in glass houses at a time when we are not exactly immune from financial pressures, well we need to get our laughs where we can at the moment. And in any event an actual liquidation of Palace never seemed likely. If the administrator’s deadline had been missed, he’d have sold some players. That might have prompted CPFC 2010 to walk away for now, but they would have been back with a different offer. Let’s face it, Palace can’t even do real financial crises in style; we helped to define the art.
In truth it just doesn’t bloody matter. Not much football-related does at the moment. I couldn’t get worked up about Palace avoiding relegation on the final day, with other impending games a good deal more important (and having watched the game you had to say they looked a cut above Sheff Wed, who can have no complaints about going down). This weekend I couldn’t even be bothered that Swindon rolled over tamely against Millwall. The outcome does mean that I’ve had to change my line when it comes to explaining why our season turned out as it did. Previously I’d been arguing that we had to go into the play-offs to ensure that Millwall couldn’t be promoted, a line which has become a little difficult to defend. Now I outline to friends that, having decided a few years back to leave The Premiership, our priority has been to achieve a state as quickly as possible that would involve not having to lower ourselves and play against either Palace or Millwall. We’ve taken a rather circuitous route (OK, just going back to the top flight would have been enough) but the end-goal has indeed now been achieved. When we start to look forward to next season – and it’s far too soon for that - there is indeed at least the real satisfaction of knowing that we will not have to get our feet truly dirty.
It’s all very disappointing. Just as I’ve switched all my pension into the hedge fund that pushed Palace into administration in the first place, so I was poised to move all my accounts to Lloyds. But no more. It’s obviously time for Eric Daniels to go. We accepted him destroying shareholder value by taking on a complete closet case of a bank just because of a bit of government pressure, but Lloyds striking a deal to head off the liquidation of Palace? Heads should not just roll but be kicked all the way across town. And as for CPFC 2010 calling for intervention by new prime minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, I’m up for that. I’d even write to that dipstick Vince Cable – who was after all banging on about banks’ irresponsibility in a grubby attempt to win votes – about the need for banks to get the best price available for assets being disposed of, whatever the consequences. If that means taking the full ten quid from a local spiv rather than the lower offer from Palace fans so be it.
I do still love it that the best they can come up with as the case for allowing Palace to continue is that it is “supported by thousands” (so apparently is Cliff Richard but you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to put a stop to him) and that the club “has a 100-year history”. By definition anything that has been around for 100 years has a 100-year history. But even Palace diehards must acknowledge it hasn’t exactly been glorious, has it? We’ve learnt to live without Woolworths. I was trying to think of a suitable use for Selhurst Park and the best I can come up with so far is hiving it off to BP to be mixed with the other rubbish and used for a fresh attempt at plugging the leaking well. It would be a fitting end for a property which to date has served no useful purpose.
If this all sounds like throwing stones in glass houses at a time when we are not exactly immune from financial pressures, well we need to get our laughs where we can at the moment. And in any event an actual liquidation of Palace never seemed likely. If the administrator’s deadline had been missed, he’d have sold some players. That might have prompted CPFC 2010 to walk away for now, but they would have been back with a different offer. Let’s face it, Palace can’t even do real financial crises in style; we helped to define the art.
In truth it just doesn’t bloody matter. Not much football-related does at the moment. I couldn’t get worked up about Palace avoiding relegation on the final day, with other impending games a good deal more important (and having watched the game you had to say they looked a cut above Sheff Wed, who can have no complaints about going down). This weekend I couldn’t even be bothered that Swindon rolled over tamely against Millwall. The outcome does mean that I’ve had to change my line when it comes to explaining why our season turned out as it did. Previously I’d been arguing that we had to go into the play-offs to ensure that Millwall couldn’t be promoted, a line which has become a little difficult to defend. Now I outline to friends that, having decided a few years back to leave The Premiership, our priority has been to achieve a state as quickly as possible that would involve not having to lower ourselves and play against either Palace or Millwall. We’ve taken a rather circuitous route (OK, just going back to the top flight would have been enough) but the end-goal has indeed now been achieved. When we start to look forward to next season – and it’s far too soon for that - there is indeed at least the real satisfaction of knowing that we will not have to get our feet truly dirty.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
It Don't Change Nothing, Not A Thing
Just over a week ago we had around 15 minutes when the dream of promotion was alive. Tonight we had longer and this time it hurts badly. We all know the financial consequences of not going up and just how many of those who trudged off at the end will take to the pitch for us next season remains to be seen. Plan B is going to have to come out of the drawer and I guess it isn’t going to be nice. Whatever. It’s done. And I’m still glad that we aren’t owned by those disgraceful Thunderbirds puppet rejects who are showing what they are made of. I hope Zola doesn’t settle and takes them to the cleaners in the courts.
I hope no-one’s looking for a proper match report. There just aren’t any words. The first half we played superbly, all through the team, and rounded it all off with what would have been a contender for goal of the season (although I’m glad that went to the second against Brentford, which alone justifies splashing out on another DVD that will ultimately be painful to watch). Swindon weren’t playing the same sort of game they had on Friday night (having been off to Amsterdam I’d missed out on the tickets but found a prime spot in front of a big screen) and we’d truly taken the game to them.
It was always going to be a little different in the second half, with them having time to regroup. But with the goals in the bag – and then what if I was reasonable I’d say was a tough sending off (he only got Burton in the chest; the Palace player against Sheff Wed got the goalkeeper in the throat and only saw yellow), which isn’t to say I didn’t howl for it – it was all falling into place. I thought then that even if they got one back at the death, 11 against 10 through extra time should be good enough; and I also thought we’d be able to see out the game and perhaps get another to really finish things off in style.
It just all fell apart. There’s no point laying blame. Yes, Bailey should have played the ball out left instead of cutting in and losing it, but how did we get caught short at the back with the game at that stage? Their goal was bad enough, but with Llera taking one for the team with another breakaway (no real complaints over that one) suddenly it was all square in numbers and into extra time. The game could have gone either way during the additional 30 minutes. They put one wide of the post and, although without Mooney and Reid we were less effective going forward (there was always going to be a need for fresh legs), we had the chance with just a few minutes left. Burton, who’d been excellent all night, put it agonisingly wide of the post.
Penalties? Cruel when you’re on the losing end. Only one miss in 10 but that was enough for them. There’ll be time enough tomorrow and in the days ahead for fair reflection, assessment of players’ seasons, thoughts about just how many will be let go/sold, and what will be realistic expectations for the next campaign. Tonight is just about being miserable as sin and even the cognac tastes sour. We were unlucky, the players gave everything they had, but we had it in our hands and couldn’t hold it. To call tonight a failure is harsh; it wasn't, but the season is. We know the reality is that its a fourth season in a row that’s turned out as bad as we could have feared. And the consequences are going to be tough.
So sod it. I’ll be there next season and bring it on. Well, I’ve already bought the season ticket so what the bloody hell else am I going to do? Charlton ‘til I die and tonight we paid back a little more for those years in clover. Let's have some time to mope and weep. But it don’t change nothing, not a thing.
I hope no-one’s looking for a proper match report. There just aren’t any words. The first half we played superbly, all through the team, and rounded it all off with what would have been a contender for goal of the season (although I’m glad that went to the second against Brentford, which alone justifies splashing out on another DVD that will ultimately be painful to watch). Swindon weren’t playing the same sort of game they had on Friday night (having been off to Amsterdam I’d missed out on the tickets but found a prime spot in front of a big screen) and we’d truly taken the game to them.
It was always going to be a little different in the second half, with them having time to regroup. But with the goals in the bag – and then what if I was reasonable I’d say was a tough sending off (he only got Burton in the chest; the Palace player against Sheff Wed got the goalkeeper in the throat and only saw yellow), which isn’t to say I didn’t howl for it – it was all falling into place. I thought then that even if they got one back at the death, 11 against 10 through extra time should be good enough; and I also thought we’d be able to see out the game and perhaps get another to really finish things off in style.
It just all fell apart. There’s no point laying blame. Yes, Bailey should have played the ball out left instead of cutting in and losing it, but how did we get caught short at the back with the game at that stage? Their goal was bad enough, but with Llera taking one for the team with another breakaway (no real complaints over that one) suddenly it was all square in numbers and into extra time. The game could have gone either way during the additional 30 minutes. They put one wide of the post and, although without Mooney and Reid we were less effective going forward (there was always going to be a need for fresh legs), we had the chance with just a few minutes left. Burton, who’d been excellent all night, put it agonisingly wide of the post.
Penalties? Cruel when you’re on the losing end. Only one miss in 10 but that was enough for them. There’ll be time enough tomorrow and in the days ahead for fair reflection, assessment of players’ seasons, thoughts about just how many will be let go/sold, and what will be realistic expectations for the next campaign. Tonight is just about being miserable as sin and even the cognac tastes sour. We were unlucky, the players gave everything they had, but we had it in our hands and couldn’t hold it. To call tonight a failure is harsh; it wasn't, but the season is. We know the reality is that its a fourth season in a row that’s turned out as bad as we could have feared. And the consequences are going to be tough.
So sod it. I’ll be there next season and bring it on. Well, I’ve already bought the season ticket so what the bloody hell else am I going to do? Charlton ‘til I die and tonight we paid back a little more for those years in clover. Let's have some time to mope and weep. But it don’t change nothing, not a thing.
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