The lure of the Premiership and being part of the Irish revolution at Sunderland has proved too much for Andy Reid. Hopefully he will get the chance now to finally show what he's capable of if he can steer clear of injuries and keep himself fully fit. The big shorts favoured by those north-east clubs will also suit him.
Coming in on loan are right-back Greg Halford (23) and left winger Lee Cook (25). Both have had fixed fortunes since relatively big money moves to Sunderland and Fulham respectively and both have something to prove. Cook will give us options on the left wing and is reckoned to be a very good crosser of the ball, something that Jerome Thomas and Darren Ambrose could both improve on. Halford will presumably provide cover for Yassin Moutaouakil and effectively replaces Danny Mills.
Assuming there are no late surprises, interest in Jerome Thomas again appears to have dissapated and maybe he will knuckle down and concentrate on doing what he's best at and finally earning a regular place on merit by running at defences and creating goals. The freak accident to Chris Dickson that will put him out for 3 months (apparently he twisted a knee in Reception but "freak accident in a hotel" is often a euphemism for something Fishy!) means Izale McLeod will be retained. Maybe a last opportunity for Izale to show us that he can score goals outside the lower leagues.
On reflection, we appear to have come out of the transfer window better than anticipated. We've probably strengthened the squad in terms of playing options and have actually made a bit of money with which to fund Halford and Cook's wages. I don't believe many, if any of our rivals have actually fared better than us, so we should be able to get our heads down and focus on the run-in.
Showing posts with label mcleod. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mcleod. Show all posts
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Saturday, 15 December 2007
WBA 4 Charlton Athletic 2
West Brom scored four, took all three points and have gone top of the table. Charlton can have few complaints and were comprehensively beaten. Nicky Weaver made several good saves or it might have looked worse.
Alan Pardew won't be too disappointed. His side competed well in the first half and had even managed to take the lead through a fine piece of play from Thomas on the right flank. He skinned the young Albion full-back and left him on his back-side as he floated in the cross which Big Chris did very well to reach and direct back across the keeper. The goal came against the run of play but we hadn't looked ragged. Roman Bednar had hit a post and Weaver was busy but we looked strong. The Baggies hit back before the break when Bednar latched onto a through ball and managed to turn it inside the advancing Weaver. Big Chris turned an ankle and couldn't continue which will be a concern for Pards.
West Brom started the second half in top gear and Zoltan Gera headed home a fine cross at the back post. He squeezed it passed a surprised looking Nicky Weaver who looked to me like he'd shut his eyes. If Weaver can take any criticism for the second it would be harsh and he more than made up for it seconds later with a one-handed diving save from a follow-up header. West Brom created a number of good chances to kill the game but it was the Addicks who scored next. Luke Varney (on for Ambrose) broke free on the left and Izale Mcleod (for Iwelumo) slotted home. At this point anything looked possible but we were fortunate to be level.
Justice was duly served with Gera again thumping home a powerful back-post header from another delicious cross. We still had time for another couple of half-chances before substitute Kevin Phillips sniffed a fourth following a goalmouth scramble and ended the contest.
A heavier-than-usual looking Andy Reid was substituted in the sceond half and appeared to be struggling, so we have to hope that's precautionary and that Iwelumo's ankle doesn't turn out to be as bad as it looked. Hopefully this defeat can be turned to our advantage and be the stimulus for a convincing win against and double against Hull next week.
Alan Pardew won't be too disappointed. His side competed well in the first half and had even managed to take the lead through a fine piece of play from Thomas on the right flank. He skinned the young Albion full-back and left him on his back-side as he floated in the cross which Big Chris did very well to reach and direct back across the keeper. The goal came against the run of play but we hadn't looked ragged. Roman Bednar had hit a post and Weaver was busy but we looked strong. The Baggies hit back before the break when Bednar latched onto a through ball and managed to turn it inside the advancing Weaver. Big Chris turned an ankle and couldn't continue which will be a concern for Pards.
West Brom started the second half in top gear and Zoltan Gera headed home a fine cross at the back post. He squeezed it passed a surprised looking Nicky Weaver who looked to me like he'd shut his eyes. If Weaver can take any criticism for the second it would be harsh and he more than made up for it seconds later with a one-handed diving save from a follow-up header. West Brom created a number of good chances to kill the game but it was the Addicks who scored next. Luke Varney (on for Ambrose) broke free on the left and Izale Mcleod (for Iwelumo) slotted home. At this point anything looked possible but we were fortunate to be level.
Justice was duly served with Gera again thumping home a powerful back-post header from another delicious cross. We still had time for another couple of half-chances before substitute Kevin Phillips sniffed a fourth following a goalmouth scramble and ended the contest.
A heavier-than-usual looking Andy Reid was substituted in the sceond half and appeared to be struggling, so we have to hope that's precautionary and that Iwelumo's ankle doesn't turn out to be as bad as it looked. Hopefully this defeat can be turned to our advantage and be the stimulus for a convincing win against and double against Hull next week.
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Charlton Athletic 2 v Norwich City 0
It's looking good. The team are beginning to get to know each other and dictate a pattern of play. We played like a proper home team for 90 minutes and deserved our win.
The midfield was dominant for the opening 30 minutes with Reid pulling the strings and venturing forward at every opportunity. Semedo and Zheng Zhi were quick to the breakdowns and Lloyd Sam looks increasingly comfortable in the shirt. At the back SAP brought in Bougherra for McCarthy and it made all the difference with Fortune looking very asssured alongside him. Powell played a tidy game and Danny Mills provided the abrasion for Huckerby and finally Dublin.
Iwelumo headed onto the bar in the first half and Norwich cleared the rebound under presure from Varney. Varney looked a class act from the off and was unfortunate not have opened his account when put clear in second half only to slam his shot against the advancing Marshall.
Norwich came for the draw and it wasn't until 10 minutes before the break that they attacked with any purpose and caused Weaver to make the save of the game with a left handed reflex save from a snap-snot inside the box.
The game tightened in the second half but Charlton were still creating chances. Following Varney's miss, Reid had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock firing wide from 12 yards out when all around him were at sixes and sevens following a spell of pinball. As the clock counted down it looked like a draw might be on the cards. SAP had other ideas and brought McLeod on for Varney. The impact was immediate. McLeod hared into the box and fired inches wide from a tight angle. Minutes later he repeated the burst but this time from the right and this time Gary Doherty, who struggled all evening, put in the clumsy challenge that begged a penalty. Referree Singh obliged and Andy Reid smashed the opener. Before the Valley could draw breath McLeod seized the ball again and hurtled goalward. This time the challenge looked less obvious and it was closer to the edge of the box but the result was same. Singh pointed immediately to the spot and Andy Reid repeated the trick. In the dying minute as the Norwich faithful were waved on their way, Dion Dublin clashed with Danny Mills and stupidly kicked out during the follow-up which earned him a straight red card.
Up to third with Leicester at home on Saturday. This performance deserves a decent increase on the 21,533 there tonight, just less than 20,000 of who were Charlton fans.
The midfield was dominant for the opening 30 minutes with Reid pulling the strings and venturing forward at every opportunity. Semedo and Zheng Zhi were quick to the breakdowns and Lloyd Sam looks increasingly comfortable in the shirt. At the back SAP brought in Bougherra for McCarthy and it made all the difference with Fortune looking very asssured alongside him. Powell played a tidy game and Danny Mills provided the abrasion for Huckerby and finally Dublin.
Iwelumo headed onto the bar in the first half and Norwich cleared the rebound under presure from Varney. Varney looked a class act from the off and was unfortunate not have opened his account when put clear in second half only to slam his shot against the advancing Marshall.
Norwich came for the draw and it wasn't until 10 minutes before the break that they attacked with any purpose and caused Weaver to make the save of the game with a left handed reflex save from a snap-snot inside the box.
The game tightened in the second half but Charlton were still creating chances. Following Varney's miss, Reid had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock firing wide from 12 yards out when all around him were at sixes and sevens following a spell of pinball. As the clock counted down it looked like a draw might be on the cards. SAP had other ideas and brought McLeod on for Varney. The impact was immediate. McLeod hared into the box and fired inches wide from a tight angle. Minutes later he repeated the burst but this time from the right and this time Gary Doherty, who struggled all evening, put in the clumsy challenge that begged a penalty. Referree Singh obliged and Andy Reid smashed the opener. Before the Valley could draw breath McLeod seized the ball again and hurtled goalward. This time the challenge looked less obvious and it was closer to the edge of the box but the result was same. Singh pointed immediately to the spot and Andy Reid repeated the trick. In the dying minute as the Norwich faithful were waved on their way, Dion Dublin clashed with Danny Mills and stupidly kicked out during the follow-up which earned him a straight red card.
Up to third with Leicester at home on Saturday. This performance deserves a decent increase on the 21,533 there tonight, just less than 20,000 of who were Charlton fans.
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