A hectic 24 hours which included a boozy evening at the Music Industry Trust Awards last night where Gary Barlow was honoured. A glowing tribute from Sir Elton John was topped off when Gary and the Take That boys climbed on to the stage to be joined by Robbie for an impromptu gig. Enjoyable though it was, the main event is this evening when we remount the horse that threw us on Saturday.
The "this is Charlton, this is the Valley" refrain is certainly sounding tired and unconvincing at the moment but we must all be strong here and continue to do everything we can to win some football matches and find our just level in this division. Probably not the right time to be facing the table-toppers but why not a reassuring home win against them tonight? Injuries aren't helping the cause but we should give it a good go and we need to get behind the team.
This is not the time to be questioning our side or our manager. The fickle amongst us are beginning to show their hypocrisy and cowardice by declaring that our team aren't good enough and calling for a change of manager. I thought we had all learnt that lesson? We didn't spend enough in the close season and all that guff. Sorry but I'm not buying it. This side was good enough to romp League One last year and it's good enough to stay in the Championship. The squad was improved with a number of key additions even if we didn't really nail the central midfield question. Solly was retained and we even hung onto Dale Stephens when we had a better offer. We are good enough and I think the players know it and sooner or later results will improve even if it's not this evening.
As far as Chris Powell is concerned, there are continuing rumours that he doesn't see eye-to-eye with Jiminez and that Spanish Tone would like to see him replaced. The laughable notion that Alan Shearer has been lined-up must surely be just that. Chris Powell knows his job is with the players and that getting on with the owners is not a requisite for success even if it might help. Jiminez may not give a toss about Charlton beyond his investment and he may be arrogant enough to believe he doesn't have to communicate with us at all, but he won't ignore declining gate receipts. Prematurely sacking a Charlton "legend" after a tricky spell would cost him significantly in terms of compensation, a replacement, presumably more spending money not to mention the damage to his plummeting relationship with the supporters. It would inevitably lead to a decline in attendances, not something we are well equipped to deal with given the lack of qualified staff at the club to manage it.
So, it's back on the charger tonight and roar for the Reds!
The "this is Charlton, this is the Valley" refrain is certainly sounding tired and unconvincing at the moment but we must all be strong here and continue to do everything we can to win some football matches and find our just level in this division. Probably not the right time to be facing the table-toppers but why not a reassuring home win against them tonight? Injuries aren't helping the cause but we should give it a good go and we need to get behind the team.
This is not the time to be questioning our side or our manager. The fickle amongst us are beginning to show their hypocrisy and cowardice by declaring that our team aren't good enough and calling for a change of manager. I thought we had all learnt that lesson? We didn't spend enough in the close season and all that guff. Sorry but I'm not buying it. This side was good enough to romp League One last year and it's good enough to stay in the Championship. The squad was improved with a number of key additions even if we didn't really nail the central midfield question. Solly was retained and we even hung onto Dale Stephens when we had a better offer. We are good enough and I think the players know it and sooner or later results will improve even if it's not this evening.
As far as Chris Powell is concerned, there are continuing rumours that he doesn't see eye-to-eye with Jiminez and that Spanish Tone would like to see him replaced. The laughable notion that Alan Shearer has been lined-up must surely be just that. Chris Powell knows his job is with the players and that getting on with the owners is not a requisite for success even if it might help. Jiminez may not give a toss about Charlton beyond his investment and he may be arrogant enough to believe he doesn't have to communicate with us at all, but he won't ignore declining gate receipts. Prematurely sacking a Charlton "legend" after a tricky spell would cost him significantly in terms of compensation, a replacement, presumably more spending money not to mention the damage to his plummeting relationship with the supporters. It would inevitably lead to a decline in attendances, not something we are well equipped to deal with given the lack of qualified staff at the club to manage it.
So, it's back on the charger tonight and roar for the Reds!
Great post Dave.
ReplyDeleteSo who's the bet with tonight Dave? If you fancied Boro, you must fancy the Redbirds.
ReplyDeleteAs for Powell, Craig Levein's available...
Anon - good question. I'm not betting this evening although I don't fancy Cardiff nearly as much as I did Boro. I suspect the result could depend on who's the most adventurous. A point would probably do Cardiff but we need to start with more urgency and gamble going forward. Might need 4-4-2 but suspect maybe 4-5-1....
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