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.
Friday, 20 July 2012
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.
Saturday, 5 May 2012
See You In The Championship
Ah, that was nice. If we couldn’t have Sir Chris on the bench, Jason Euell was a decent stand-in. Hartlepool supplied the smurfs and made a game of it, but we got the 100 points and enough celebration to see us through the coming three months. Tomorrow the reflections, reviews, and thoughts of preparation for the next campaign can begin; today we just enjoy.
The game itself was a reasonable affair, if not the five-goal thriller that the scoreline might suggest. Powell made the right selections for the starting X1, focusing on the players that have done most of the legwork through the season. It was right that Morrison and Taylor were reunited in central defence for the final game, as it was that Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips started up front and Hollands and Stephens formed the central midfield partnership. That’s no reflection on those who have come in, including Cort. Today was about acknowledging what has been done.
After the songs and the parachutists the first half was a low-key affair, like drawing breath before the main event. We had the better of the play, created the better chances, but were short of our best, failed to take the chances, and let in a sloppy goal to give them the lead. A good knock-down in the area, presumably from Kermorgant, saw a goal-bound shot blocked and the rebound over the bar, one cross went through both sets of players instead of being converted, and Wright-Phillips shot narrowly wide. Against that, Hartlepool didn’t look dangerous, but with our focus not entirely all there a couple of bad minutes saw us fall behind. Jackson presumably picked up a knock and was replaced by Haynes and almost immediately indecision over a through ball led to a corner, which went to the near post and wasn’t cleared, allowing their guy in space to convert. Sloppy.
It was a bit tough on us to be behind at the break, but we hadn’t really controlled the game and a slightly lacklustre approach meant that we couldn’t really complain, just needed to knuckle down, play better, and not let the season end on a slight downer.
The first 20 minutes or so of the second half didn’t produce any real change, even though attacking the Covered End inevitably brought a little more urgency to proceedings. Hartlepool had their goal and were happy enough to get players behind the ball and waste some time. It was up to us to break them down – which we should have done as another knock-down for Wright-Phillips should have produced the equaliser, but he shot over the bar. The clock was running down and the further change saw Pritchard came on for the ineffective Wagstaff, a change which did improve our mobility. But before the crowd started to get restive the goals came – in a flood.
Having delivered corners straight into the arms of their keeper, we tried something akin to their opener and one towards the near post saw Hollands meet it sweetly to volley into the roof of the net. That improved the mood all round, except for the smurfs, and not long after a well-worked move down the right produced a cross to the far post which Haynes met superbly to put us ahead. Then, before the crowd had settled down, we seemed to put the game to bed. What looked like an overhit cross was chased by Kermorgant. He stuck out a leg to try to send it back across goal and instead it floated beautifully inside the far post. He had the decency not to pretend there was any such intent, but who cared?
3-1 up in the space of 10 minutes and that was the cue for Euell to make his appearance, with Wright-Phillips departing. The assumption was that was that, but apparently Hartlepool scored again. Some people in front of me were leaving (why?) so I really didn’t see it, but apparently they had a shot deflected and in. That changed the script a little and made for a little more concern over the final five minutes or so, but we saw out the time left without serious alarm. All that was left was to cheer and clap and watch the trophy being paraded around.
There’s no ratings again today. But honourable mentions go to Pritchard, whose introduction made us much more fluid and effective, Haynes, who took his chance very well and was close to making other opportunities count, and Kermorgant. Donning a beret for the celebrations only added to the pure enjoyment. See you in the Championship.
The game itself was a reasonable affair, if not the five-goal thriller that the scoreline might suggest. Powell made the right selections for the starting X1, focusing on the players that have done most of the legwork through the season. It was right that Morrison and Taylor were reunited in central defence for the final game, as it was that Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips started up front and Hollands and Stephens formed the central midfield partnership. That’s no reflection on those who have come in, including Cort. Today was about acknowledging what has been done.
After the songs and the parachutists the first half was a low-key affair, like drawing breath before the main event. We had the better of the play, created the better chances, but were short of our best, failed to take the chances, and let in a sloppy goal to give them the lead. A good knock-down in the area, presumably from Kermorgant, saw a goal-bound shot blocked and the rebound over the bar, one cross went through both sets of players instead of being converted, and Wright-Phillips shot narrowly wide. Against that, Hartlepool didn’t look dangerous, but with our focus not entirely all there a couple of bad minutes saw us fall behind. Jackson presumably picked up a knock and was replaced by Haynes and almost immediately indecision over a through ball led to a corner, which went to the near post and wasn’t cleared, allowing their guy in space to convert. Sloppy.
It was a bit tough on us to be behind at the break, but we hadn’t really controlled the game and a slightly lacklustre approach meant that we couldn’t really complain, just needed to knuckle down, play better, and not let the season end on a slight downer.
The first 20 minutes or so of the second half didn’t produce any real change, even though attacking the Covered End inevitably brought a little more urgency to proceedings. Hartlepool had their goal and were happy enough to get players behind the ball and waste some time. It was up to us to break them down – which we should have done as another knock-down for Wright-Phillips should have produced the equaliser, but he shot over the bar. The clock was running down and the further change saw Pritchard came on for the ineffective Wagstaff, a change which did improve our mobility. But before the crowd started to get restive the goals came – in a flood.
Having delivered corners straight into the arms of their keeper, we tried something akin to their opener and one towards the near post saw Hollands meet it sweetly to volley into the roof of the net. That improved the mood all round, except for the smurfs, and not long after a well-worked move down the right produced a cross to the far post which Haynes met superbly to put us ahead. Then, before the crowd had settled down, we seemed to put the game to bed. What looked like an overhit cross was chased by Kermorgant. He stuck out a leg to try to send it back across goal and instead it floated beautifully inside the far post. He had the decency not to pretend there was any such intent, but who cared?
3-1 up in the space of 10 minutes and that was the cue for Euell to make his appearance, with Wright-Phillips departing. The assumption was that was that, but apparently Hartlepool scored again. Some people in front of me were leaving (why?) so I really didn’t see it, but apparently they had a shot deflected and in. That changed the script a little and made for a little more concern over the final five minutes or so, but we saw out the time left without serious alarm. All that was left was to cheer and clap and watch the trophy being paraded around.
There’s no ratings again today. But honourable mentions go to Pritchard, whose introduction made us much more fluid and effective, Haynes, who took his chance very well and was close to making other opportunities count, and Kermorgant. Donning a beret for the celebrations only added to the pure enjoyment. See you in the Championship.
Sunday, 29 April 2012
In Praise Of 2-2- Draws
As the sage that is Sir Chris indicated after Preston, there are 2-2 draws and there are 2-2 draws. There are times (Scunthorpe at home) when you blow it late on and the cat takes another pummelling (OK, I was on holiday at the time, but somebody suffered, just ask my partner Suzanne). Then there are times when you are already promoted, champions, and suggestions of the pain of being deprived of 100 points just somehow doesn't cut it. Well, I wasn't there. I'm sure for those that were the journey back was that bit less sweet, even if we did seemingly afford Alexander the sort of send-off that Powell himself enjoyed not that long ago (thinking of which, can he name himself as one of the subs for the last game?).
Flicking through the season's stats, I thought there would have been more 2-2 draws than just these two. But no. Rather when it came to stoppage time goals we don't have a lot to complain about. Usually they've involved us nicking wins and those around us dropping points at the death. The Bournemouth away stoppage time was the finest example - even if the turnaround left the gap at the top such that we felt obliged to take only one win in the next five to try to make it interesting. So basically no carping from me.
And we weren't alone yesterday in sharing four with the opposition. It seems that Lyon Duchere shared the spoils with Bourg-Perronas in the top-of-the-table clash in France's CFA Groupe B. That much is confirmed (by France Football) but my less than reliable source informs me that Duchere were reduced to nine men and were trailing 1-2 at the end of normal time only to fire in a glorious equaliser. The goal can't prove decisive in the promotion race, but it's got to come in bloody handy. Assuming that the other Duchere-supporting Addick is correct and Olympique Lyonnais B cannot get promoted from this league (they have gone to the top with a weekend win), it's a straight fight between La Duche and B-P for the one place to go up. Duchere are still three points ahead of Bourg-Perronas but they have a game in hand (and in this league you get four for a win as you get a point for turning up).
Four games left for Duchere and it could get tough. The next round sees them away to Chasselay Monts d'Or - who are second-bottom - while Bourg-Perronas are at home to Jura Sud, who prop up the league. I've never had much time for the wine of Jura, which seems to be more of a cooking additive than to drink, while as was pointed out in comments to a post some time back Chateau de Chasselay, with its Monty Python connotations, has to be a different matter (have to say I've never tried any but I'll make a point of trying to dig some out). Following this, Bourg-Perronas play their game in hand, away at Villefranche-sur-Saone, deep in Beaujolais country. Then while B-P entertain SochauxB Duchere have to take on LyonB in what passes as the local derby; perhaps they can lend their neighbours a helping hand, but I doubt it. The penultimate round sees Duchere at home to Valence (the 'gateway to the south', which is another way of saying you have to go to and through it to get to the good bits - the Rhone vinyards and then Avignon etc) while Bourg-Perronas are away at MetzB. The final round of matches sees Duchere travel to take on NancyB, while B-P are at home to Moulins.
There's still all to play for and hopefully Duchere's spirits will have been as lifted as B-P's deflated by that last-minute equaliser. Whether Duchere are ready for a step up to a national league is an open question; and I'd be a bit sorry to see them have to travel to far-flung places in France that possibly don't even make wine. But that's the price you pay. Next season we'll be visiting at least two places that would be right down there on my list of grounds not worth a peep. I don't know how others feel, but for me it's still too early to be thinking about reviews of the season, where it went right, and where we need to strengthen for next season. No doubt it will come, but I think I'm still just enjoying pondering on a season in which we've blown away expectations. Congratulations to all the others that have gone up in our wake, we've still got a party to come.
Flicking through the season's stats, I thought there would have been more 2-2 draws than just these two. But no. Rather when it came to stoppage time goals we don't have a lot to complain about. Usually they've involved us nicking wins and those around us dropping points at the death. The Bournemouth away stoppage time was the finest example - even if the turnaround left the gap at the top such that we felt obliged to take only one win in the next five to try to make it interesting. So basically no carping from me.
And we weren't alone yesterday in sharing four with the opposition. It seems that Lyon Duchere shared the spoils with Bourg-Perronas in the top-of-the-table clash in France's CFA Groupe B. That much is confirmed (by France Football) but my less than reliable source informs me that Duchere were reduced to nine men and were trailing 1-2 at the end of normal time only to fire in a glorious equaliser. The goal can't prove decisive in the promotion race, but it's got to come in bloody handy. Assuming that the other Duchere-supporting Addick is correct and Olympique Lyonnais B cannot get promoted from this league (they have gone to the top with a weekend win), it's a straight fight between La Duche and B-P for the one place to go up. Duchere are still three points ahead of Bourg-Perronas but they have a game in hand (and in this league you get four for a win as you get a point for turning up).
Four games left for Duchere and it could get tough. The next round sees them away to Chasselay Monts d'Or - who are second-bottom - while Bourg-Perronas are at home to Jura Sud, who prop up the league. I've never had much time for the wine of Jura, which seems to be more of a cooking additive than to drink, while as was pointed out in comments to a post some time back Chateau de Chasselay, with its Monty Python connotations, has to be a different matter (have to say I've never tried any but I'll make a point of trying to dig some out). Following this, Bourg-Perronas play their game in hand, away at Villefranche-sur-Saone, deep in Beaujolais country. Then while B-P entertain SochauxB Duchere have to take on LyonB in what passes as the local derby; perhaps they can lend their neighbours a helping hand, but I doubt it. The penultimate round sees Duchere at home to Valence (the 'gateway to the south', which is another way of saying you have to go to and through it to get to the good bits - the Rhone vinyards and then Avignon etc) while Bourg-Perronas are away at MetzB. The final round of matches sees Duchere travel to take on NancyB, while B-P are at home to Moulins.
There's still all to play for and hopefully Duchere's spirits will have been as lifted as B-P's deflated by that last-minute equaliser. Whether Duchere are ready for a step up to a national league is an open question; and I'd be a bit sorry to see them have to travel to far-flung places in France that possibly don't even make wine. But that's the price you pay. Next season we'll be visiting at least two places that would be right down there on my list of grounds not worth a peep. I don't know how others feel, but for me it's still too early to be thinking about reviews of the season, where it went right, and where we need to strengthen for next season. No doubt it will come, but I think I'm still just enjoying pondering on a season in which we've blown away expectations. Congratulations to all the others that have gone up in our wake, we've still got a party to come.
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