This defeat reflects very badly on Phil Parkinson. Motivation and leadership are key to this game, especially when you don't have any money, and it must surely be obvious to everyone that he is lacking in both. Don't get me wrong, he's trying his hardest, but the facts shout for themselves. Eleven (11) points from fifty-four (54) tell you all you need to know. He has to go. We cannot risk starting with him in League One. I feel so strongly about this that my season tickets are in jeopardy for the first time in 33 years.
Watford dominated the opening 20 minutes and played like a side who knew this was their best chance of three points away from home from their remaining games. They split the Charlton defence on seventeen minutes as they played two men in and Don Cowie broke free to beat Elliot easily from 15 yards. That was the wake-up call we needed and we found it relatively easy to equalise. Tresor Kandol broke clear and, for the first time since he arrived at the Valley, he showed us what he's capable of by rounding Loach and slipping the ball home. We also got the Kandol handspring and somersault which was equally impressive.
Kandol repeated the feat ten minutes later by stooping to head home from a corner, and frankly, that should have been the signal for the end. Deon Burton managed to head wide from six yards after a fine move from Racon and Sam before the break and 3-1 wouldn't have been an unfair score at half-time.
Unfortunately, something untoward happened at the break. Watford came out revitalised whereas Charlton looked like they thought the job was done. The Hornets re-established themselves and after 56 minutes they got an unexpected equaliser when Gregor Rasiak took a ball on his chest 22 yards out before volleying home spectacularly. I thought this might prove a wake-up call for the Addicks but I was wrong. We failed to respond despite Zheng Zhi coming on for the inept Spring and Todorov making a rare appearance for Burton. We weren't threatening and the biggest mistake of the match saw Watford win it. Hudson failed to hold off Priskin and he lifted the ball over the advancing Elliot for the win. Soares replaced Sam before the end but the game was over and we had wimped out yet again
The game is well and truly up and it's time for some blood-letting. Players who will not be here next season need to be axed and we need some blatant honesty from the Board and the management team. Season ticket renewals will be critical to finances next season and serious thought has to be given to the current view that Parky will be kept on come what may.
We now face two away games against Reading and Wolves, both of whom are likely to be competing in the Premier League next season. We have avoided a real spanking all season but I fear one may be imminent. The thought of a late run to avoid relegation has proven to be a pipe dream and we are heading down with embarrassing ease. If we are not careful, we could fall through League One and reach an all-time low.
The only good news for me was hearing that the prize idiot who sits in the row in front of me won't be coming next season. He wasn't allowed to use the toilet nearest to him in one of the hospitality lounges recently because it was only for the use of the players, who were having their pre-match meal, so he's packing it in. He's going to Ebbsfleeet instead next year, which confirms my opinion of him.
I met a long-term Addick after the game and he told me he had seen two faces today from twenty years ago and so, coincidentally, had I. We are going back to the past, and, in a strange way, I am looking forward to it.
Couldn't agree more. Parkinson and Kinsella have to go. There has to be a clean sweep of what appears a woeful group of coaching staff. But that's easier said than done. How much would it cost to fire them? The club is still for sale, so is more attractive to a prospective buyer with total freedom to put in place their own person. It's a really sad situation.
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