The words of Phil Parkinson as we face two home games that will make or break our season-long hopes of automatic promotion back to the Championship. Phil goes on to say that "we looked at the fixture list at the start of the season and thought these games could be pivotal." All part of his grand plan then and we shouldn't be worried.
A six point return against play-off chasers and champions-elect could ease us into pole position and create promotion fever, however unlikely that has looked in recent months. It's a big fence to clear but we are capable of it and we have at least shown some signs of the levels of concentration and determination needed in the last four games. Elsewhere there will be debate about our nemesis Kevin Lisbie and the fact that Colchester will be without influential midfielder Anthony Shakespeare, two-goal scorer against Swindon following his foolish booking for celebrating his second strike. But we must concentrate on what we have to do to win this game. Millwall and Leeds could still peg us back but both need maximum points from two respective away games.
We need another assured back four display and a real togetherness in the midfield. I expect Nicky Bailey to play again and he is due a goal after seeing three efforts foiled by Kelvin Davies on Saturday. The obvious lack of effort from Lloyd Sam at Southampton is unforgivable at this stage of the season and Phil Parkinson's patience with him may have finally snapped. Expect to see Jonjo or Wagstaff starting in a re-shaped midfield. There's talk about Deon Burton possibly returning but my hunch is this may be at least a game too soon and with Nicky Forster fulfilling the Burton role, Parky may choose to go again with a 4-5-1, especially if he puts Jonjo in behind Forster.
I have a former work colleague coming to the game this evening for his first Valley visit since God was a little boy. He's actually an Arsenal fan but asked if he could get along to a game before we finished this season. He lives in Kent and has just retired, so I will treat this as a chance to convert him or at least a sales opportunity to get him to return. It's so much easier than trying to get tickets at the Emirates you know. I hope our players make it that much easier for me.
Charlton forever!
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Dave,
ReplyDeleteI'm worried about the lack of application we've seen from Lloyd Sam at times this season, but as we don't know the details of the discussion he has had with Parkinson and Richard Murray about any future contract I think we have to assume that he doesn't believe he will be here next season.
Without a contract offer on the table it must be hard for any player to motivate himself to raise his game. I know it's a little unprofessional but I suspect that the same would be true of anyone that is facing the real possibility of losing their job in a few weeks time.
Having said that the same situation exists with Daily and Sodge (S) and their attitude has been perfect.
With that scenario you would think there'd be two options for him. The one where he isn't motivated and the one where he puts all effort in to showing they're wrong in not giving him a new contract and put himself into someone else's thoughts...
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