So after all the speculation for as long as anyone can remember, the prospect of a takeover in the near future has been swept off the table. In true Charlton style, those few with the financial means in their wallet and CAFC in their hearts have again stepped up when the club needs it most.
But perhaps more importantly than the £7 million that has been put into the club, the board has been restructured. There has been a lot of speculation regarding the two main men in Richard Murray and Derek Chappell, and their relationship with one another, and whilst this may be unfair, now that the shuffle has occured, fans may feel more at ease with Murray at the helm on his own. For some reason, fans did not take to Chappell, although this may because his time coincided with a terrible time on the pitch. Murray has made mistakes, but he still has the support of the majority of fans.
The decision making process has been streamlined with fewer bodies having as big a say. Hopefully this will lead to clearer decisions and better communication. Fans have already started to speculate how this restructuring is "clearing the way" for a buy out by Murray and Hatter, but time will tell how true this is. From what has been said in the past, I was of the opinion that Murray no longer felt he had the finances or the energy to continue for too much longer, and was the main reason why the club was up for sale. I don't think that the good start to the season would have revitalised him in a way that he is willing to continue for longer than he originally planned. I think therefore that the £7 million and boardroom shuffle is a short term fix, maybe banking on the club getting promoted this season, and being a more attractive prospect for buyers next season. That the club have said that no players need to be sold certainly backs this up as being the absolute aim this year.
There are other points and questions to be raised, but I will leave that to other bloggers and writers. I am far from being financially minded enough to be able to discuss them in any great detail. What is clear though, is that in the short term at least, this news is very good news, and whilst it isn't the glamourous takover that many were hoping for, we do know that the investors very much have our great club's interests at heart.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Enjoying the Moment
It quite difficult to find something to moan about these days as far as Charlton is concerned. We've had a great start to the season, and whatever is happening off the pitch can easily be forgotten about when you keep winning. You have to be a big nitpicker to find things to have a dig about at the moment.
Yes, we have yet to find out what is going on with a takeover (if anything). Yes, Rob Elliot keeps coming for crosses and missing them. Yes, Kelly Youga is still at times an unreliable left back. Yes, Miguel Llera is a clumsy defender who will make mistakes this season, no doubt leading to goals scored against. But for the first time in years, we are top of the table. The table in question is League One, but you cannot replace the feeling you get when you win several games in a row. Us Charlton fans have had enough to moan about in the last three years, so we might as well enjoy this for as long as it lasts.
Yes, we have yet to find out what is going on with a takeover (if anything). Yes, Rob Elliot keeps coming for crosses and missing them. Yes, Kelly Youga is still at times an unreliable left back. Yes, Miguel Llera is a clumsy defender who will make mistakes this season, no doubt leading to goals scored against. But for the first time in years, we are top of the table. The table in question is League One, but you cannot replace the feeling you get when you win several games in a row. Us Charlton fans have had enough to moan about in the last three years, so we might as well enjoy this for as long as it lasts.
Monday, 14 September 2009
Southampton Reaction
We may not have won, but neither did Southampton and neither did Leeds. A 1-1 draw will be taken due to the circumstances surrounding the game, and given that we were 1-0 down after by all accounts, a disappointing first half.
A brighter second half earned us an equaliser and only refereeing decisions and the woodwork prevented all 3 points going to the Addicks. The second disallowed goal seems at best, dubious, and Kelly Youga's rampaging run deserved better than striking the outside of the post. Penalty shouts at each end were ignored and so the game ended 1-1.
Have we been found out? The last two home games have been closer affairs, yet we have still picked up four points. It is to be expected that after winning the first 6 games that teams would approach us differently. Ironically as a relegated side, Southampton arguably took the most "League One" approach so far. From the start it seemed they were more physical and it took the Addicks the first half to adjust to that. The important thing from the game though is that we came out in the second half stronger, and players like Racon stepped up their game. Indeed, we could have won by the end.
For now the Pardew connection can be put aside. The first dropped points of the season have come and now it will be interesting to see how we respond to that. I think the way the game progressed with us finishing stronger will be beneficial to us in comparison to a point gained with the better performance in the first half. Our next game is against a somewhat resurgent Norwich, who now possess a more talented manager than the last time we met. In a season full of tests, the one coming up on Saturday is without doubt the biggest we have faced so far.
A brighter second half earned us an equaliser and only refereeing decisions and the woodwork prevented all 3 points going to the Addicks. The second disallowed goal seems at best, dubious, and Kelly Youga's rampaging run deserved better than striking the outside of the post. Penalty shouts at each end were ignored and so the game ended 1-1.
Have we been found out? The last two home games have been closer affairs, yet we have still picked up four points. It is to be expected that after winning the first 6 games that teams would approach us differently. Ironically as a relegated side, Southampton arguably took the most "League One" approach so far. From the start it seemed they were more physical and it took the Addicks the first half to adjust to that. The important thing from the game though is that we came out in the second half stronger, and players like Racon stepped up their game. Indeed, we could have won by the end.
For now the Pardew connection can be put aside. The first dropped points of the season have come and now it will be interesting to see how we respond to that. I think the way the game progressed with us finishing stronger will be beneficial to us in comparison to a point gained with the better performance in the first half. Our next game is against a somewhat resurgent Norwich, who now possess a more talented manager than the last time we met. In a season full of tests, the one coming up on Saturday is without doubt the biggest we have faced so far.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Return of the Silver Fox
Tomorrow marks the return of the prodigal son. What? Sorry, I mean, the return of the arrogant barsteward.
Yes, as if his managerial tenure wasn't enough, we now get to "appreciate" his presence for another afternoon. We can only hope that the result is the same of the last time he was in a dugout at The Valley. That his team loses 5-2.
Pardew, when with us, had a knack of performing well against his old clubs - 4-0 against West Ham and 4-2 against Reading. He will no doubt pull out all his motivational skills (don't scoff!) for this one, especially given that his oversized ego will be stinging from the barrells of abuse he receives from the stands. If Southampton fail to put in a decent performance or get a decent result that abuse might not just be confined to being propelled from Charlton mouths. After six games, only four points, and a list of excuses that even CAFC fans without Derren Brown's ability could have predicted, the new owners and fans of Southampton must be starting to worry a little. No wonder the rumours of Steve Coppell coming in as Director of Football have surfaced.
I hope that Phil Parkinson and the squad don't become too tense with the hype that will build regardless of what they would like. Plenty of players in the squad have reasons to show Pardew where he went wrong. And Parkinson, too. Parkinson seems to have learnt from Pardew's errors last year. No loanees at present, a consistent starting line up, and according to most reports, the spirit within the squad is the highest in years.
As far as team news goes, hopefully Bailey and Racon make it for the game as their impact has been classy, slick and effective so far this year. Sam and Semedo will also be looking to continue their excellent form, and the defence and Rob Elliot will be pushing to extend their unbeaten record for another game.
Whatever the result tomorrow, us fans can be secure in the knowledge that we will still be far ahead of Southampton and that without Pardew, we are in a far better predicament than we ever were with him.
Yes, as if his managerial tenure wasn't enough, we now get to "appreciate" his presence for another afternoon. We can only hope that the result is the same of the last time he was in a dugout at The Valley. That his team loses 5-2.
Pardew, when with us, had a knack of performing well against his old clubs - 4-0 against West Ham and 4-2 against Reading. He will no doubt pull out all his motivational skills (don't scoff!) for this one, especially given that his oversized ego will be stinging from the barrells of abuse he receives from the stands. If Southampton fail to put in a decent performance or get a decent result that abuse might not just be confined to being propelled from Charlton mouths. After six games, only four points, and a list of excuses that even CAFC fans without Derren Brown's ability could have predicted, the new owners and fans of Southampton must be starting to worry a little. No wonder the rumours of Steve Coppell coming in as Director of Football have surfaced.
I hope that Phil Parkinson and the squad don't become too tense with the hype that will build regardless of what they would like. Plenty of players in the squad have reasons to show Pardew where he went wrong. And Parkinson, too. Parkinson seems to have learnt from Pardew's errors last year. No loanees at present, a consistent starting line up, and according to most reports, the spirit within the squad is the highest in years.
As far as team news goes, hopefully Bailey and Racon make it for the game as their impact has been classy, slick and effective so far this year. Sam and Semedo will also be looking to continue their excellent form, and the defence and Rob Elliot will be pushing to extend their unbeaten record for another game.
Whatever the result tomorrow, us fans can be secure in the knowledge that we will still be far ahead of Southampton and that without Pardew, we are in a far better predicament than we ever were with him.
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