Djimi Traore and Amdy Faye

The much awaited, and badly needed, Charlton additions have at last arrived with the aquisition of two African players with exotic names. Its all very well having a couple of Bents, and a mixture of Young, Hughes, Holland, Thomas but in the modern game its obligatory to sign players from the dark continent with appropriately difficult names.

First to arrive then is defender Djimi Traore, the 26-year-old Mali international from Liverpool. Traore was a member of Liverpool's Champions League winning side against AC Milan in Istanbul in May 2005 after being signed by Gerard Houllier from Laval for £550,000 in February 1999. According to the Liverpool website he played a total 141 first-team games for the reds.

His career at Liverpool has had some ups and downs — he played for most of the 2002–03 season, deputising for the injured Stéphane Henchoz, having been on loan with French club Lens the previous season. He spent the 2003–2004 season, Houllier's last at the club, in the reserve team, of which he was captain, and almost left Liverpool for their Merseyside neighbours Everton on the 2004 transfer deadline day but remained at Anfield, where he has mostly been employed at left back.

Traoré career seems to have been revitalised by new manager Rafael Benítez since the summer of 2004. Rather worryingly the defender had been continually exposed for being poor positionally, and seemed reticent to attack. Now he shows more willingness to support the left winger as well as improved positional play.

Unfortunately for us, rather than his Champions League medal he's better remembered for his bizarre own-goal that gifted Burnley a 1-0 victory over Premiership giants Liverpool in the third round of the 2004–05 FA Cup. This however did solve the problem of how to pronounce his name in Scouse and has reputably earned him the nickname of "Bambi" among the Anfield faithful. He has 5 Mali caps to his name, can also play at centre-back and has reputable scored only one other goal apart but the famous one.

The long-running transfer saga, where a vital sticking point has obviously been that Traoré still has two years left on a lucrative deal at Liverpool which means that we were pushing for a loan deal rather than having to revert to that drastic last resort, and to be avoided if at all possible, the handing over of readies. Well, readies it was, £2 million. Is he worth it? We''ll have to wait and see.

Easier on the tongue is the second new player Amdy Faye a 29 year old Senegalese international from Newcastle United although the spelling of his first name seems in some doubt. Faye began his career at French Ligue One club AS Monaco FC, and then had spells with ES Frejus and AJ Auxerre where he played 80 games and gained a French cup-winners medal in 2003. He played for Senegal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, before transferring to Portsmouth for £1.5 million in August 2003.

He made his debut for Portsmouth in a 2-1 home win over Aston Villa and soon proved to be an excellent buy for the club playing 27 games and helping Portsmouth to a mid-table position. The Senegal international made the most tackles (132) of any Portsmouth player that season and only Steve Stone attempted more passes than the central midfielder although another player who finds goals hard to come by, only scoring 3 in his 8 years of first-team football.

Faye's combative style throughout the season often brought him to the attention of the league's officials, as well as opposing clubs, who pulled him up for 54 fouls and seven yellow cards in his 27 appearances. In January 2005 after having impressed Graham Souness he was transferred to Newcastle United for about £2 million and he's played 45 games in his eighteen months at St. James Park. A change of management however has restricted his appearances as new manager Roeder seems to prefer Parker and Emre in his midfield so recent games seem to have been scarce.

As is sadly commonplace in many of our transfers deals we don't seem to have could out of it too well. Newcastle have recovered the money they paid eighteen months ago for a player unloved by the fans and currently relegated to their reserves. We can only hope that Monica has done his homework.

Amdy Faye

According to the Newcastle website, the Addicks have had an offer accepted for the 29-year-old Senegal midfielder, who now only needs to agree personal terms and pass a medical for the move to go through.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder told his club's official website: "Amady Faye is in a situation where we have allowed him to talk to Charlton. Now we have to wait and see if he makes the move to London."

Amdy Faye is a defensive midfielder, and in a previous report is a man blessed with bountiful physical and technical attributes although the spelling of his first name seems in some doubt. Not a creative player then, nor a goalscorer, but someone to play in front of the defence a la Kish.

But while the papers suggest that its Roeder that is preferring to keep Faye out of the team, Newcastle bloggers are suggesting otherwise. The following quote in from November last year.

"When Newcastle fans don't like or rate a player there is no convincing them, their minds are made up and can't be changed. And for poor Amdy Faye, he is one of those players. There isn't a week that goes by on our own forum where he is the topic of ridicule or the proverbial punch bag for the boo-boys out on the stands.

Souness recently confided that he has had to console Faye and deliberately leave him out on one or two occasions so his fragile confidence doesn't get shattered further by the boo-boys."

Well, thats good enough for me. Not wishing to cast dispersions, but fans from that area have never been close to my heart nor their footballing opinions. All that bare-chesty stuff doesn't impress me. How can you expect someone from the heat of Senegal to perform in the frozen wastes of the dreary North-East. Faye's obviously the boy for us, he just needs a warm family environment, just ask those Pompey fans they even sold him for a profit. From his season at Portsmouth the Senegal international made the most tackles (132) of any Portsmouth player that season and only Steve Stone attempted more passes than the central midfielder.

And what the hell, he even looks like Makelele.

New Zealand Preview

Saturday sees Charlton welcome New Zealand to the Valley for a game that will hopefully feature more first-teamers than Tuesdays runabout against Welling. Thankfully Monica has promised as much.

Ricki Herbert's All Whites 20-man New Zealand squad were there at Park View to see the "reserves" lose 1-0 after their long-haul flight from down-under and despite their obvious jet-lag I'm sure they were suitably impressed. Saturdays game will be different of course and is their European tour opener followed by a game against Blackburn Rovers on August 16.

New Zealand captain Danny Hay is one of the few players with experience playing outside New Zealand having played 4 games for Leeds several years ago and then a season at Walsall although the 31-year-old central defender rates himself just a 50-50 chance of being fit for after straining his right calf muscle during a training run in Auckland last week. Other players include Halifax Town striker Shane Smelz, midfielder Tim Brown, who plays for the US Richmond Kickers and Fulham youngster Chris James. But the star of the team will undoubtably be midfielder Ivan Vicelich who has played for Dutch club Roda for the last 5 years and has over 50 appearances for New Zealand.

One player definitely not playing for New Zealand will be Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen who ironically has been dogged by injury problems since the end of last season, having suffered a hairline fracture of his leg during Rovers' win at Charlton on April 29th.

A scan of their recent games has seen them enjoy ( if that's the word for it ) a 4-1 defeat to Brazil in Switzerland on June 4 although in May they beat Georgia and drew in Estonia. However the aim of Saturdays game was rather put in context by captain Hay explaining "We've already shown we're capable of competing with very good European teams. There are no ranking points on the line so these are practice matches as they are for the clubs, it's all about giving players experience." They'll all set for a thumping then.

For Charlton it'll be the first home game of pre-season and therefore the first time we'll see Iain Dowie patrolling the touchline since he watched Jonathan Fortune's late header relegate his hapless team in May 2005. On this happier occasion, I assume he'll be keen to impress his home fans and therefore play a full strength side. Its even rumored that Darren Bent will at last leave his knife juggling antics in the kitchen and be available to assist Jimmy-Floyd in slicing apart the New Zealand defence. Not for the full game of course as he's not match fit but at last we will enjoy the mouth-watering prospect of at last seeing them together.

For the remainder of the side it'll be much as we left it in May. El Karkouri has returned and seems to have taken over Chris Perrys role alongside Hermann H with Sorondo as another option while Monica seems more than happy to maintain young Nathan Ashton at left-back. In front of Luke Young, Dennis Rommedahl seems set to continue on the wing. After that its guess-work time as Matt Holland, Brian Hughes, Kish, Darren Ambrose and Lloyd Sam "battle" it out for the 3 remaining places.

Nothing further has been mentioned of the four "triallists" at tuesdays game and although that doesn't usually mean much we can only hope that we have another chance to see Spanish midfielder Xavier Farinos, Costa Rican winger Christian Bolanos and young Ivory Coast striker Ismael Fofana.

Meanwhile new squad numbers have been allocated to youngsters Myles Weston, Alistair John, Michael Carvill, Jani Tanska and Rurik Gislason for the first time. Intriguingly the Number 1 is currently vacant......

Welling 1 Charlton 0

Its quite obvious that Monica pays no attention to any advice offered, as least from any armchair fans, however dedicated. He's still trying out people, and this game against annual opponents Welling was going to be NO exception. Whilst understanding the embarrassment of London-based fans at losing to such inferior opposition, I suppose, like Monica we should look at any positives, however few, that may have come from the game.

So, with absolutely no first-teamers in action, he used the game to try out 4 complete newcomers - two of which played the whole game and the others came on in the second half. They were combined with players from the bench such as Euell, Marcus Bent, Fortune, Walton and Sam. But it was the "trialists" that were most interesting. We're all in favour of a strengthened midfield and we should be pleased the manager is still actively looking at midfielders.

According to CAFC, the two players that played the whole match were Spaniard Xavier Farinos and Costa Rican Christian Bolanos. The only Spaniard I can trace called Farinos is 28 year-old Francisco Xavier Farinos, born in Valencia and currently on the books of Inter Milan. After over a 100 games in his 4 years at Valencia, he moved to Italy and has been with Inter for the last 6 years and made 76 appearances in the League, Cup and Europe. During this time he spend a year on loan at Villareal and for the last two years he's been on loan at Spanish club Mallorca. He's played twice for Spain and is now apparently out of contract.

The second player on for 90 minutes was 21 year old left-winger from Costa Rica Christian Bolanos. He played for Saprissa in the FIFA Club championship against Liverpool last year and spent some time at Anfield on trial but without getting a contract. Report at that here. He then played in the World Cup in Germany and received some very good reviews here.

Young striker Michael Carvill and Icelandic prospect Rurik Gislason made the bench alongside two more trialists from the Ivory Coast, Ismael Fofana and Me Aboucar Diomande who are a bit more mysterious. Ismael Fofana played in the Under 17 African World Cup last year and was the leading scorer with 4 goals, and received rave reviews when playing in the World Under 17 Championships in Peru last September. An article in Ussoccer says about him, "Called the “Star of the future in African football,” the bar has been set high for Ivory Coast’s Ismael Beko Fofana. So far, he’s wooed onlookers, scoring four goals in qualifying and already one in the world championship. A product of Asec Abidjan's Mimos Sifcom academy, Fofana may not be the most powerful forward, but he’s got a knack for finding the goal."

So he is obviously "one for the future" as Monica calls them.

Charlton: Randolph; John, Youga, Fortune, Walton; Sam (Carvill 81), Euell (Gislason 64), Farinos, Bolanos, M Bent (Fofana 46), Walker (Diomande 64).

Welling: Turner (Hyde 72); Goodfellow, Guest (Moore 81), C Moore (Vines 66), Perkins; Rowland (Green 52), Boateng, Day, Holmes (Beazant 81); Kedwell (A Sam 72), Stadhart (Lovell 72).

Goals: Walton og 46

Welling Preview

Make no mistake tonights game in Massive for both clubs. Charlton have to get back to winning ways after 2 away defeats and only 3 points to show from the opening three games of the season.

Seriously though, tonights game is important as we set to recover from conceding 6 goals away from home, a statistic that was all too frequent last season. After the awesome proportions of the Mestalla it's definitely going to be a trip down-market as we wing down to the homely Park View ground to take on Welling United.

The local Conference South lost their only home pre-season friendly to Grays 2-1 but have beaten Herne Bay 2-0, Erith 5-0 and Folkstone 1-0 on the road. Lucky we're playing them at home then.

A game that surely demands an attacking formation from Charlton with Marcus Bent partnering Jimmy-Floyd up front as Darren is still resting that injured finger. Anything less than 5 goals will be seen as a relative disaster so perhaps an attacking 4-2-4 will see us solve our mid-field problems in a stroke.

Has Monica seen enough of the youngsters by now? Nathan Ashton seems to have claimed the left-back spot, playing all 90 minutes in the heat in Valencia with Luke Young and Rommedahl set to hold the right-side positions. Everything else seems up for grabs, with no clear candidate for first-choice goalkeeper being made while the centre of defence seems between El Karkouri, Hermann and Sorondo.

And the Midfield? Dowie praised Holland for his non-stop effort in Valencia but the changes made at half-time seemed to lift Charlton. So let's see Kish and Sam together again as we did at the Mestalla in the second 45 minutes and stick Euell up-front for a decent runaround. We need goals as well as training ground barbis to lift our spirits.

Meanwhile the injury list seems to be building alarmingly. Apart from Darren B and Jerome Thomas already out, we have after Valencia, Darren Ambrose with a jarred knee, Sorondo's tightening hamstring and El Karkouri with a severe case of dizziness. We can only hope that the promised "one or two bodies" materialize rather quickly to strength the squad and that they are capable of more than hard work.

Valencia 3 Charlton 1

A less than full-strength Valencia side that only contained 4 first-team regulars were far too good for Charlton last night. A completely reserve defence without Canizares, Miguel, Ayala, Marchena and del Horno and without the prolific David Villa in attack they never had any trouble from a Charlton team that only had one real attack in the first half. Perhaps they didn't know they were playing the reserves.

The game started very late, around 22.45 after various entertainments for the crowd of 35000 with the temperature in the mid-twenties being a major factor. First half goals from Morientes and captain for the night Baraja gave Valencia a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead and although Sorondo got away from his marker and pulled one back from a corner early in the second half we never looked likely to get a second. Six minutes from the end Silva had the chance of a free header and wrapped up the win.

Monica played a 4-4-2 with Marcus Bent appearing alongside Jimmy-Floyd up front and a midfield of Holland and Hughes with Rommedahl and Ambrose on the flanks. Myhre and Anderson each played half a game. Young, Ashton, Rommedahl, and a defender that the commentator laughingly referred to as Hermann were the only players to last the full 90 minutes. Kish and Sam came on for the second half and Charlton saw more of the ball as the heat began to tell. Obviously, Monica is at least getting the boys fit.

Charlton played this game with a more settled line-up with 19 players getting on the pitch but unfortunately the lack of chances created against a team of Spanish reserves will not serve to put the fans painful sensitivities at rest. And with Monica's starting eleven beginning to take shape it can only add to the consternation of the faithful that it still contains many of the old favorites.

Valencia: Butelle, Curro, Moretti, Albiol, Cerra, Pallardo, Baraja, Vicente, Angulo, Regueiro y Morientes. Subs: Mora, Silva, Gavilán, Edu, Jorge López, Aaron Ñiguez, Nacho Insa y Córcoles.

Charlton: Myhre (Andersen 46), Young, Hreidarsson, El Karkouri, (Sorondo 34) (Fortune 66), Ashton, Rommedahl, Hughes (Euell 73), Holland (Walton 80), Ambrose (Kishishev 46), Hasselbaink (Walker 80), M Bent (Sam 46).

Goles: Morientes (16), Baraja (29), Sorondo (47), Silva (84).

Valencia Preview

Saturday sees the Addicks fly to Spain for a serious test against highly-rated Valencia. League winners twice in the last 5 years, in 2002 and 2004 they finished last season in 3rd place behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. In recent years they have twice made it to the Champions League final in 2000 and 2001 losing both times to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively and in 2004 won the UEFA Cup. Clearly then one of the top teams in Europe.

Like ourselves they've had two pre-season games, both in a tournament at Emerlo in Holland. They beat the Dutch Second Division side Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 and then beat the Turks from Fenerbahce by the same score. That's typical Valencia - score 2 goals and close the game down. Always hard to beat, they have one of the best defensive records in Spain last year with solid centre-backs Ayala and Marchena and a dependable goalkeeper in Cañizares. The whole team always work hard but they don't score many goals.

They've surprisingly disposed of goalscorer but ugly geezer Mista and replaced him with Morientes, who as Mrs Nelson tells me is much better-looking and, of course, del Horno returns to Spain after his unhappy year at Chelski. They also welcome back skilful left winger Vicente from a season long injury that kept him out of the World Cup. So Morientes and David Villa as strikers. Villa's very good and will give our boys a real testing but personally if I was a Valencia fan I'd be envious of an attacking line-up of Hasselbaink and Bent. Hasselbaink had a very good year in Spain in 1999/2000 with Atletico Madrid scoring 24 league and he's well remembered. Shame Darren won't be joining him!

So a Valencia team that won't give Charlton as many chances as Hibs did on Tuesday and they'll be more than content to play keep-ball for long periods of the game. Ten-Thirty kickoff but it'll still be up in the 20's with lots of humidity as well. 25000 tickets sold ( well, probably given away more like ) but it shows the importance of a meaningless kickabout to a Spaniard.

So who is going to be in the Charlton line-up? Darren B still seems to have problems holding a knife so we'll still not see what form of cutting edge he makes with Jimmy-Floyd. Monica has certainly shown that he wants to see what the youngsters can do and he's already making some excuses for them after the Hibs game and showing how he wants to give them some experience while at the same time saying he doesn't expect the earth. Looks like good management to me. Bringing back James Walker after he had been supposedly released shows he's not afraid to follow his own instincts or maybe listen to advice from people he trusts.

The twenty-two players that were used against Millwall and Hibs would be quite a plane full but with the heat in Spain maybe a good idea. But we'll need to be at our best to handle this lot and its possible that because of that we'll get a better idea of Monica's first 11. However, with Monica proving full of surprises and seemingly determined to give as many players a game as possible, maybe we'll even see Lisbie make a showing?

Monica's interviews have emphasized the number of positives coming out of last Tuesdays game despite the defeat, and with end-of-week barbis creating the right atmosphere we seem to be getting half-way there. Unfortunately he's joined a team, not only of a couple of dozen players, but of several thousand pessimists and right now I just wish we would splash out a bit and get that creative midfield player that everyone wants. I'm getting to the stage that I don't care who it is. We do seem to have created lots of chances against Hibs and we did score 4 at Millwall I hear someone say but I remember Hughes, Kish and Holland from last season and I'm still having nightmares about it.

Likely Prediction : Valencia 2 Charlton 1

Mistaken Identity - It was Jimmy Floyd

Always check your sources. Seems I was wrong to trust someone that was there to know who scored Charlton goals at Hibernian. Probably the truth being that the Scottish reporter was still in the bar while Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink scored after 3 minutes. People are clearly not used to seeing us score after 3 minutes, especially in an away game. When was the last time that happened?

The Hibs report gave the first Charlton goal to Thomas but of course it was Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink that was on the mark again. I knew I should have trusted Inspector Sands or even the bbc who have a short report here.

A goal after 3 minutes, perhaps our usual apprehensive approach has come to an end?

Hibernian 3 Charlton 2

So our first 3 goal defeat of the season but instead of one where we only wake up at the end of the game here we went 2 goals up through Thomas and James Walker (once again) before finally going down late in the game to a Hibs winner in the 75th minute.

Contrary to anything I believed, Monica choose to take not 22 but 24 players to Easter Road with 2 distinct teams being fielded in each half and lots of substitutions as well. As well as the 22 players on display at Millwall there were second half outings for 18 year old forward Michael Carvill and the 17 year old Finnish defender Jani Tanska as well as the 18 year old Icelandic midfielder Rúrik Gíslason that we signed from Anderlecht last August. Monica is certainly giving the youngsters a try out.

Myhre returned to the action for the first half at the expense of Anderson while Randolph was between the sticks for the second half. I wonder if that means anything.

Of the rumoured Salif Diao there was no sign and of course both Bent's were left on the sidelines. And once again Lislie was missing.

As far as the play was concerned it appears that Hibs were fortunate to win with their 3rd goal coming in the 75 minute. We had the best of the first half and scored in the 3rd minute when Rommedahl crossed for Thomas to control the ball on his chest before slotting the ball home. Rommedahl then missed a chance created by Hasselbaink and Ambrose, the keeper being quick off his line to save. Midway through the half the second goal came. Similar to the first, Rommedahl crossed again this time for Walker to score. Rommedahl then missed a one-on-one chance with the keeper after outpacing the defence but pushed the ball too far and the defence cleared.

Before half-time Hibs pulled one back with a 30th yard strike from Scott Brown.

The second half saw Charlton create further good chances with Gislason and Euell missing sitters before Hibs equalised on 62 minutes. There was time for an unmarked Sam to miss a sitter before Hibs finally when ahead.

So it seems our worries about not being able to create chances seem unfounded as we appeared to miss several easy opportunities. Overall its hard to tell what Monica's ideal first team will be but the first half 11 look more the part and now its off to Spain for a juicy encounter with Spains' third best team.

First Half: Myhre, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Ashton, Rommedahl, Hughes, Kishishev, Ambrose, Thomas, Hasselbaink . Subs: Fortune, Walker, Walton, Sorondo, Ewell, Holland.

Second Half: Randolph, Walton, Sorondo, Fortune, Youga, Ewell, Holland, Sam, John, Gislason, Walker. Subs: Tanska, Carvill.

A full report can be found here hibernian.

Hibernian Preview

Tuesday night sees a trip across the border to play against Hibs in Edinburgh. This will be a much tougher proposition than the game against Millwall and will be for Hibs their last pre-season friendly before they take on Aberdeen in the Scottish League this Saturday. They will obviously field a full-strength side ( no place for kids) in preparation for the league game and after having played 4 Intertoto games are clearly fit and ready.

After hammering Dinaburg of Latvia 8-0 on aggregate in their first Intertoto round they eventually lost to Bruce Riochs' Odense of Denmark at the weekend on the away goals rule, so they'll clearly be wanting to put the disappointment of going out of Europe behind them.

With a game in Spain against Valencia at the weekend it's seems unlikely that a repetition of the Millwall game where 22 players were on display will be tried again. The toughest test of the two games may well be the Hibs game particularly as Valencia are calling Saturday a "Partido de presentación" ( a Presentation Game, eg showing off Del Horno and other new signings to the fans ) rather than a "Amistoso" (friendly). They will probably do as we did against Millwall and give as many players as possible a run-out in front of their fans for the first time this season.

As I can't see 22 Charlton players catching a flight to Spain for one game and Monica's wanting to give people a game it may well be that the stronger Charlton team will be against the Scots with the Spanish game one for the second string and youngsters to enjoy. Whatever happens it's clear that neither Bent will be on the pitch come Tuesday but will we see more of young Franck Dja Djedje ?

More news on the surprise inclusion of European U19 Championship winner Dja Djedje for the Millwall game comes with Dowie giving us some behind-the-scenes thinking: "I thought he did well. He's had a week's training with us and he's coped with it very well. He's showed great hunger and desire - that's the one thing I've been pleased about. He showed one or two little tricks and he was a bit unlucky with his chip in the first few minutes of the second half. He would have liked to have got a goal but we'll keep monitoring him. It's work in progress, we'll take a little time and reflect on it. We won't act in hast. It's just one of those things that we thought he was worth looking at especially when Marcus and Darren were going to miss the game.”

News of Marcus Bent is that he was injured for the Millwall game, while the manager is nursing Darren himself.

Of Darren, who sliced into his finger whilst attempting to make a sandwich, Dowie said: "We don't think it's going to be long, but we'll see how it heals. I would think by the end of the week he'll be starting contact training but we're going to take precautions with it. He's been training with me - non-contact training is fine - and his level of fitness is excellent.”

Before the actual contact training can start, its rumoured that Ainsley Harriet has been asked to provide a few one-to-one sessions, with slicing and chipping techniques the first items on the list.

Millwall 1 Charlton 4

An excellent start by Monica's finest, combining experience with lots of youngsters. Two completely different teams were put out separated by half-time and included old favorities such as Holland, Hughes and Euell, along with a 20 year-old Ivory Coast triallist striker,Franck Dja Djedje, borrowed for the afternoon (!) from Paris St Germain.

People returned who we thought had left ( El Karkouri and youngster James Walker ) and a couple or three were conspicuous by their absence ( Mhyre, Lisbie, Marcus B ).

Anyway a very good start to the season and we've still got Darren with his dicky finger itching to play a part.

Teams were:
Charlton (first-half): Andersen; Young, Youga, Sorondo, Fortune; Ambrose, Hughes, Holland, Lloyd Sam, Alistair John, Hasselbaink.

Charlton (second-half): Randolph, Simon Walton, Nathan Ashton, Hreidarsson, El Karkouri; Kishishev, Thomas, Euell, Rommedahl; Franck Dja Djedje, James Walker.

Goals: Hasselbaink 11, (the impressive) Marvin Elliott (Millwall) 42, Ambrose 45, El Karkouri 56, Walker 60

New Era Begins at the Den

Our boys have been back in training for a couple of weeks now and from the things that are being said they're pretty impressed with the new management. Luke Young, after at last signing his contract, comes out with what a captain is supposed to say, "I can't speak highly enough of how myself and everybody else have been impressed with the first couple of weeks of training.
It's been bright and forward-thinking and it feels as though everything is moving in the right direction."

Darren B. added "Training has been hard but good. The gaffer's come in and brought some new ideas and it's really exciting. I've loved every minute of it. All the lads are buzzing even though training has been really hard. It is as if everyone has had a massive weight lifted off their shoulders because we've got a new manager and everyone is starting out afresh."

So the players at least seem to be in the right frame of mind which, after the usual turgid end to the season can only encourage the fans. But we're not Charlton fans for nothing and there'll still be that nagging doubt that what we have is not good enough. Our Murray has tried to reassure us after Darren signed a new improved contract with "We'd like to get, ideally, another five players of which at least three will be fairly senior players,” said the Addicks chairman.
"We're working very hard on it. I know the season is still two or three weeks away but Iain would like to get them in as soon as possible so he can get them training with the other players. So we're working on it, I can't give you any promises, but the aim is still to get five.”

So that's the plan. Although he's no youngster at 34, the signing of Jimmy-F clearly demonstrates that the management think we belong in the top half of the table and gives us a true strike-force worthy of the name. But the main worry has to be the midfield. There's paper talk of Djimi Traore and Emerson Boyce, both defenders and Matt Oakley, a midfielder but surely not going to set the place on fire. We need that "Big Signing" that can create and influence the play - could it be Sidwell ? Its all gone very quiet for several weeks but that is after all how we operate.

Perhaps we'll see a completely new style of play. In all of Curbs years we never had an attacking duo of the likes of Darren Bent and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink. Curbs liked to have good centre-backs but always seemed to want to fashion a team that played as he played with intelligent, creative midfielders that could make things happen. Over the years he had Jenson, Di Canio, Murphy, Smerton, Parker - all players that could create something but unfortunately this somehow meant that the team seemed to be built around them. The problem, of course, was that, for various reasons, they all walked out on him and he had to revert to Plan B, a play safe 4-5-1.

Darren B also tells us ""With him ( Dowie ) having been a striker as well it helps me out massively. "
And with the Chairman wanting more entertaining football perhaps having a former striker in charge will bring pleasant changes.

I don't think we won't get any idea on Monica's final team selection or formation from tomorrow's game. "It's far too early to give my cards away,” the Addicks boss told the club website. "In my mind I'm slowly forming my starting XI but all the players have come back in fantastic shape and there are about 20 players who could force their way into it.

The New Era starts here!

Get Them Trousers Off !!

One more example, if one is needed, of the world going completely mad. "Dutch fans were told ( or ordered in some papers) to remove their trousers on entering the stadium at Stuttgart on Friday for their match against the Ivory Coast."

I first saw the report in a Spanish paper over the weekend and doubted my own attempts at translation but now the English press guardian have got hold of the story.

Unfortunately no pictures can be traced but it appears that about 100 ( or 1000 depending on who you read ) Dutch fans, determined to enjoy themselves even if it means wearing all-orange outfits, dressed up in their festive gear and set-off to watch the game. Unfortunately in their excitement they had forgotten to order their trousers from Heineken, that well-known garment manufacturer and instead had made the mistake of ordering their trousers from their local brewery, Bavaria.

Strange name for a Dutch company you might say but nevertheless as soon as they were spotted by the local Sponsor-Watchdogs the burly Stadium Bouncers were called and fans were forced to remove their trousers, deposit them in a waste-bin and watch the game in their hopefully stylish underpants. Presumably Kevin Kline is not a world cup sponsor!

Its not reported how large the label featuring the name "BAVARIA" was on the aforementioned trousers, m'lord, but it was obviously large enough to be spotted by the Watching Public relaxing at home in front of their TV's who would presumably all rush out to their local off-license in a desperate search for some Bavaria beer.

The next time I'm in some god-forsaken bar and I ask for a beer and get the response "blah-blah or Heineken" I shall swiftly check the label on my trousers and the size of the bloke by the door before insisting on a cool bottle of blah-blah.

New Face Officially Unveiled

Ah! Sorry about that, must have dropped off. All the speculation in the press has been winding me up and had finally put me to sleep, all from people trying to fill their pages with whatever, when really if the truth be known, they couldn't care less who's in charge of what they see as a low-life club like ourselves.

Anyway at long last, we now can at last celebrate, if that is the right term, a New Manager. 'Unveiled' as the bbc would have it and not a great surprise. He will head a three-man team of Les Reed and former assistant academy manager Mark Robson.

In true Charlton spirit the selection process in the dirty world of football has been handled impeccably with 20 or so applicants somehow interviewed on the quiet with only 2 or 3 being identified. All business appears to have been above board and we would expect nothing less from our leaders. We are not one of your 'Big Clubs' who trample heedlessly over the plebs, we do things properly. Allardyce called us 'too nice' a few years back, well Curbs anyway, but we don't care what he thinks.

Well nice or not, they now can't accuse us of being pretty, not with Iain Dowie in charge. From now on we don't care what he looks like, the only concern is - can he do the business?

A few facts about the boy, as at only 41 he's still a youngster in my book. After a bit of a wandering playing career with Luton, Fulham, West Ham, Palace, Southampton and 59 Caps for Northern Ireland he finally finished his days at QPR. He then became assistant manager of Oldham and following the dismissal of manager Mick Wadsworth, Dowie became manager in May 2002 and the following season the club were in the Second Division play offs, although Dowie was not there to see it.

Financial trouble had hit Oldham in October 2003 and Dowie lost much of his first team, and after battling along for a few months with a severely depleted squad he moved in December 2003 to become manager of Palace, inheriting a useless team with low morale and in nineteenth place in the First Division. Obviously a man not afraid of a challange.

Under his leadership, however, the second south-east London club went on an impressive run that included 17 wins after when he took over enabling the club to finish in sixth place, just scraping into the play-off places. This feat was attributed to complete change in the atmosphere and training regime at the club, including a tougher disciplinary regime, introduced by Dowie. After beating Sunderland in the semi-final, on penalties, ( sounds familar) the club beat Dowie's former club West Ham by a single goal in the final for a place in the Premiership.

But, as we well know, the club lasted only one season there and in May 2005 got themselves relegated on the final day of the season at the Valley. How sad was that?

Dowie, however, impressed as a manager. He remained at Palace for season 2005-06 in the Championship despite rumours that he was approached by other Premiership clubs to take over. The only actual report of a club approaching Palace to speak to Dowie was when Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric approached Mr. Jordon to speak to Dowie, in November 2005. Jordan refused, politely I'm sure.

In 2004, when discussing Crystal Palace's start to the Premiership season, he coined the word "bouncebackability" in discussing their ability to bounce back from the adversity during their Division one season and their habit of conceding early goals. This word gained cult popularity within the footballing world and in 2005 it was included in the Collins Dictionary.

So, a man that has had an exciting time during his short managerial career, with a play-off promotion, a play-off semi-final defeat, a Premiership relegation as well as a financial crisis to deal with in his 4 years in charge. He certainly seems to make things happen. As well as inventing new words for the squad to learn, seems like we'll have a new 'tougher disciplinary regime' in store unless he's changed his methods of course.

We can only wait and see how he will work with our new set-up with Director of Football, Andrew Mills seemingly involved in the signing of new players and give him our full support no matter where he's come from. Judging from our form at the end of last season and the number of players left or reporting to be leaving he's certainly got a lot of work on.

Man U 4 Charlton 0

A not unfamilar scoreline especially when visting the north-west. One only had to look at our record this year ( and last ) to predict the outcome, three predictable first-half goals and when everyone in the home side has turned off a bit the addition of a single second half one. With our best player Darren Bent withdrawn to save him from injury ( in the hope of a World Cup slot) there was never only chance of a consolation goal.

As far as the headlines go, there's much talk about the dramatic exit from the ground by van Nistelrooy that tended to overshadow the preceedings but that is also a reminder that other clubs, apart from Charlton, have their problems with delinquent players.

The report in the independent is sympathetic, there's more stats from the guardian, while the pathetic display is graphically illustrated in the times with Kish getting 2 meagre points out of 10 and Perry, Sorondo, Sankofa and Bartlett amassing a fabulous 3 each. The remaining midfield of Holland, Hughes, Euell and Powell somehow got 4 but I cannot remember such a dismal scoring from a team. Its a timely reminder of exactly where we are and how bad we are.

How many have played their last game? Probably all of them with the exception of Anderson ( not to mention Rommedahl, Lisbie, and Bothroyd ) and we can only hope that Luke Young and Darren Bent will stay. A whole new team then, if not squad, and its a scale of how much work will need to be done by the new man. We only have about 15 weeks or so before the new season starts and with a possible month lost while we select our next manager that only leaves 11 ( ELEVEN ) weeks in which to conjure a miracle and get prepared.

The timing of the World Cup will disrupt things but with the money that we will have available perhaps that shouldn't concern us too much. I suspect it willn't be top-drawer internationals that we'll be after. And whilst the Board will be keen to find someone to fit the special, not to say unique, requirements of Charlton and someone that fully understands the financial constraints that we have maintained in our years in the Premiership, it will be essential to find a man that already has a definite idea of the team and players that he wants for there is precious little time left available to him.

As far as the team is concerned, we badly need to install some heart in the centre of the team that has gone missing since Parker left and we need someone with the creative skills that can create the chances.

But at last the season is over and that's no bad thing for most of us. We finished in 13th Place, 2 lower than last season. Unlucky number but damn better than 18th. The total of 47 points was a point better than last year and we won 1 more game. But even with Darren Bent knocking them in up front we still managed to score 1 less goal than last year.

So its Goodbye 2005-06, Curbs and probably most of his team. We'll look forward to a new season they same way as we always do - with initial hope and optimism.........

729 All Out

The end of a season, the end of an era.

The last game of the season has come at last. Not too soon for many of us, least of all perhaps the manager. And a nice easy game to finish off with, away at Old Trafford. Predictions of 3-1 from cynicathletic, 4-0 from Pedro45 and 3-0 from Lawrenson, home wins of course, have been expressed but I don't care really. As long as its less than 10, which would be just a little embarrassing.

Just treat it for what it is - a game that we can enjoy with no worries, as fans anyway, although perhaps the players wouldn't be enjoying it quite so much. Not knowing if you've got a job next year can't be too enjoyable.

Still as fans it'll be something else. I remember a similar game in 1989, May 13th to be exact. The last game in our third successful season in the old First Division it was the only game in those three seasons that didn't mean anything. The only game that we didn't have to win to survive. It was away to Notts Forest and we lost 4-0 and in the away end nobody cared a fig. I've never seen so many happy fans at a losing match. Because it didn't matter. We were safe from relegation and the teams below us couldn't catch us. The following season we enjoyed our last season in the top flight for a few years but on that day nobody cared.

Tomorrow's game, somehow, has the same feel to it. I just hope that next season is not a repeat of the following season after that Notts Forest game. Call me Mr. Pessimistic, but I think for whoever takes over it'll be a very hard season. I can see now the vultures in the press already marking us down as relegation favourites.

So at 729 games, although not all in sole control, Curbs is saying goodbye. Perhaps Sir Ferg will send out his reserves to give our departing legend a right good sendoff. No, perhaps not.

Goodbye Curbs

Although frankievalley can always be relied upon for some interesting dialogue it seems that judging from the lack of posts from all over our select band there's obviously still a stunned feeling from everyone. I think we all knew from the way things were going that it would happen but that has not lessened the shock and trepidation of what, or rather who, will follow.

As all quiet has already pointed out we've had, even putting to one side Steve Gritts 4 years as joint manager during 1991-1995, thanks to Lennie Lawrence and Alan Curbishley only 2 men in charge in the last 23 years. For many of the Charlton fans that's the full term of their allegiance and in footballing terms its a lifetime. With all the financial and ground-sharing problems that we had to endure during those years this continuity has been something that has helped the club enormously.

So how are we going to remember Alan Curbishley? He was a part of the momentous move back to the valley in 1992, building a team with very little money and with average crowds in his first year at Upton Park of 6,700. When he took us into the Premiership for the first time in 1998 the gates had still only reached 13,000 average. We survived a relegation and returned after winning the Championship Title in 2000 (our first championship since we won the division 3 south in 1929 ) and since then have he given us 6 good solid years in the Premiership.

During that time he's built some good teams with skilful players like Jensen, Di Canio, Parker, Murphy and Smertin but seen them all depart for other clubs. Losing such riches, players that resembled the way he played back in the 80's, has obviously affected him and falling back on what he has left he had no option but to adopt survival tactics. The crowds grew unhappy with this state of affairs and he was left with the only answer possible. We should remember him not only for good management in 7 years of top-flight football but for the loyalty he has shown in the last 15 years.

So we're lost more that a manager, we're drawn a line at the end of an era. How strange in today's world of football that a manager leaving should be so emotional. I can't remember, or imagine, any other manager in English football being given the same ovation as Curbs received. The directors have significant ties to the club or else they wouldn't put their hard-earned cash into the club for little appreciation. We, the fans, have complete emotional links - you can change your job, your wife, your car but you cannot change your football club, or so it goes.

But the manager? Where exactly does he fit it to all this? Well, he's the leader I guess, the conductor, the boss and the longer he's there the more important he becomes. Make no mistake, Curbs was Charlton. In him we had something different to what has gone before. He's the one thats been responsible for our years in the premiership. The Directors provide the money but its the manager that builds the team and its Curbishley's teams that have given us our recent success. He was special and we can thank him for helping to change little Charlton into Premiership Charlton.

I'm not even thinking of who will replace him, there's no natural replacement ( as there has been for England) and I'll leave it up to the Directors to make the choice. For the time being I'll reflect on what Curbs has achieved for Charlton, thank him very much for what he has done for the club and I wish him all the best for whatever the future holds for him.

End of Season Blues

Well, completely shitty week then. You can kick the cat, take it out on the wife or indulge in some retail therapy, whatever takes your fancy, but at the end of it you´ll still be left with that shitty feeling that won´t go away. Seems we always end the season with the wish that it ends as soon as possible so that we can forget about it all during the summer months.

If you have the stomach to read about yet another defeat, you can read the official report at cafc, or you can try the observer or the telegraph.

I suppose we have to find some highlights in order to get through the day. We scored our first goal at Fulham since our win in 1986, had 11 or 12 corners (depending on who you read ) to their 2 and more shots on target than the home side so doesn´t sound like our normal away performance. Once again it seems that Perry was the star of the show and perhaps we deserved more but its all rather predictable. Even Lawrenson got the result right.

And today, instead of the comfort of being able to do something else for a few days and trying to forget about it, we´ve got the joys of all those Easter games and have the excitement of another game today.

Time for the Blue Revolution to hit town. I´m sure they´re more than grateful to the FA for being pulled out of the hat and being granted an-end-of-season party at good old generous Charlton. And while we´d rather not be there at all, the in-form Blues just can´t wait to get started, (in fact they´re probably on the pitch already ) and will be looking forward to giving us a good hiding and departing with three more valuable points to help keep them up. Well, looks like an away banker if ever I saw one.

I said a few days ago that our last season´s tally of 46 points and 42 goals scored against 58 conceded should be a benchmark to better this time around but now I´m not so sure that it can even be equalled. Can anyone see where those 2 more points are coming from. No, me neither.

We´re scored 38 and conceded 44 already. Against an improving Portsmouth, tough as old bricks Bolton, europe-chasing Blackburn and likely runners-up ManU enjoying a last day of the season we´ll be lucky to score 4 goals and with our current defending who knows how many we´ll let in.

So I think I´ll pack my bags, chuck it all in the car, declare the season over and do all my pessimistic forecasting now.

Charlton 1 Portsmouth 2
Bolton 2 Charlton 0
Charlton 1 Blackburn 3
ManU 2 Charlton 0

Position: 15th
Points 44
Goals For: 40
Goals Conceded: 53

See you next season.

Fulham v Charlton Preview

OK, the dreams´ over. Time to return to the real world, where make-believe only belongs in the Dream Factories at Anfield, Old Trafford, Highbury and Stamford Bridge and precious few other places. Over here its time to get back to business and convince ourselves that we´re professional enough to put such disappointments behind us, ( the players that is). This game that we put so much effort into is all about survival, get a grip, we´re never going to win anything unless we can prove to the world that we´re good enough. And at the moment we´re not.

To raise the spirits we can look back and see another reasonable season in the Premier, our 1000th game at the top-level and a place in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup. We´re currently the only team to leave Stamford Bridge unbeaten in the League and to prove the point we also went there and beat them in the Carling Cup so even the most pessimistic fan can argue that the season has not been a bad one.

Another plus point would be to really put an end to the old adage that the papers so much enjoy, that of Charlton turning out the lights and failing to turn up after the clocks go back (or was it forward?). Its not enough to finish the season when 40 points is reached or is even in sight.

As for the game against Fulham, the stats are not encouraging as we have apparently yet to record a Premiership victory or even score a Premiership goal down by the river. In fact the last time we won at Craven Cottage was the 3-0 success during our run to promotion on 22 April 1986. And it's nearly 56 years since the Addicks last managed a top flight victory at the Cottage, a 3-1 win on 23 August 1950.

Well, so much for the theory, history and the confidence-building, Craven Cottage will see the reality. Are we going to be satisfied with finishing the season with ours heads down? We´ll see on Saturday.

I don´t care who plays - just get the most determined out on that pitch. Perhaps its worth remembering that after such a disappointment, its odd-on that social gadabout Murphy would not be one of them.

The BBC armchair critic (lawrenson) goes for the obvious and sadly predictable 2-0 home victory as we are ´drained and crest-fallen´ after Wednesday. Rubbish, the obvious choice should be another boring 0-0 but its high time for a surprise and what better time to do it. 2-1 to the Addicks.

International News

- For those interested in boring old spanish affairs, we can bring news of another expected defeat last Sunday for the boys of Valladolid, sadly witnessed by your local correspondent.

Whilst looking the part of promotion contenders the sad truth is that Valladolid were made to look static by the busier little players of the distintly mis-titled team from Hercules Alicante.

A favorite, and ultimately decisive, tactic displayed by the home side and practised thoroughly throughout the game was that of running into players, falling over and writhing in agony on the ground. These tactics, during the early minutes, showed how the game was going to be played and from the first minute proved an adequate testing ground of the referee´s response to play-acting and after several well-practised attempts it soon brought the first goal. The away defence obviously realising the danger of approaching within 2 metres of any attacker in the penalty area, due to the frequent ability of the ref to penalize offenders, and selected instead to watch in wonder as the left-winger twisted past no-fewer than 4 defenders before gifting a lay-off to the striker who promptly buried the chance in the far corner.

All semblance of the usual laws of gravity were subseqently dispatched out of the proverbial window and even Isaac Newton would have been astonished at how easily it was for grown men to fall over. Fortunately the ambulance with its stock of blood of all types and its eager medics was not required as all players seemed to recover their ability to stand unaided after the desired free-kick and sufficient levels of crowd abuse had been directed towards the opposing player and/or the referee.

Without the same level of vocal support on which to call ( only two coach-loads of visiting fans having bothered to turn-up - it was after all probably a good 7 hours by coach and this was no Sixth Round Replay ), the players from Valladolid seemed to realise that falling over was not a useful option and took out their frustration by helping the home players to fall over in ever-more dramatic circumstances. The referee entered into the farce with gusto and proved only too eager to appease the howls of the home crowd with a generous helping of yellow cards. As a reduction in numbers tends to spoil such spectacles, the yellow cards were evenly distributed among the players.

The overall result of one and an half hours of high drama and farce more suitable to a West End theatre of the Twenties, was inevitably a 2-0 home victory, Valladolid even spawning the opportunity of a penalty to even the score at 1-1 and subsequently never looked back in claiming a famous defeat.

Cup Exit for the Addicks

All good things come to an end. And at this stage in the competition the disappointment is obviously harder to take in and just when we were allowing ourselves to dream a bit. A Sixth Round replay with the tantilising possibility of a Cup Final beckoning just 2 games away is the furthest we have progressed since our Victory in 1947, 59 years ago. A long time to have to wait for such disappointment.

We can seek to find excuses - that we should have scored when we had the early opportunities, the penalty so obvious to the studio panel that the referee failed to spot and the bad defending that finally let us down.

The higher you climb the further you fall. The fans and management want sucess, the players wanted the medals so everyone in the club will be facing the day with a heavy heart. But life carries on and the Most Important Thing for Charlton is that we, or rather the players, can raise themselves and approach the next game on Saturday against Fulham with a determination to prove that we are not just going to fell sorry for ourselves.

I was maybe the first to get home after the game last night, I had to watch from a bar just up the road. I got home in three minutes and sunk down depressed on the settee. Turning on the TV what should be on but the last few minutes of the Spanish Cup Final and there starring back at me, or rather into space, were the miserable fans of the more fancied Zaragoza losing 3-1 to little Espanol with just 5 minutes to go.

It was like looking into a mirror and just to twist the knife another turn their misery got even worst as a minute later a fourth goal went in. Zaragoza, who had knocked out Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to reach the final and just expected to turn up to win were beaten 4-1 and had to watch as the second, and inferior, team from Barcelona lifted the Cup.

The scenes made me feel a bit better for a few minutes and today is another day. Its all part of supporting your local team and the success when it comes will......

Well, whatever. I´m off to the bar to raise my spirits a bit and hope that Curbs is better able to shrug off his disappointment than me.

Middlesbro´ v Charlton Athletic - FA Cup 6th Round Replay - Preview

A big headline for a big game. Some of our jealous non-Charlton readers would say, ´so what´ its only the FA Cup, they being more in love with Champions League football than the old national favourite. But its still our Number 1 Priority and we can only hope that the players show as much desire as they did in the goalless draw at the Valley.

Make no mistake this is important to everyone at the club and to further stress the difference between ourselves and the ´Big Teams´, we sensibly rest our key players before our Cup matches, not during them.

A point gained on Saturday and a another clean sheet earned against Everton has kept the players confidence high while Newcastle have done us the favour ( albeit by knocking us down one place in the table) of upsetting the happy ambience up at the Riverside. They too rested players so Curbs should have an inkling how they will line-up.

As for the Charlton line-up, barring no last minute injuries Darren Bent should return up front with the rested Powell ready to resume at left-back. Spector will continue at right-back with Hreidarsson and Perry back as the central pair despite Sorondo´s good showing against Everton . Hughes seems a question mark with a minor knock but Kish will be there working his socks off. Holland may be wondering where the captains band is going to be but appears to be after a new contract during the summer. Thomas will be our wide option with Rommedahl probably held in reserve on the bench. There remains what to do about a replacement for Marcus Bent. Some would say that´s not difficult, but if Middlesbro´ come out with a 5 man midfield that it will surely be up to Curbs to keep it tight ( and goalless) with maybe Euell or Ambrose in a congested midfield if Hughes is unfit.

But what can we expect from the home side, Middlesbro´. While we play to our strengths defending well and trying to find our goal-scoring machine with a cross or a through ball, they will play 5 men across the park and try to bore us in a slip-up.

So which way will it go, in the battle of the Riverside versus the Valley?. Currently I can find only one person ready to hazard a guess at tonights result with the usually reliable cynicathletic going for a 2-1 win. But unfortunately the last time we scored 2 goals away from home against Premier opposition was a long time ago, being way back in October. And history, I´m afraid, also seems to be against us with no victories recorded against Middlesbro in the FA Cup in 4 attempts. With their cup achievements in europe giving them the edge we must first ensure that we don´t concede and we in turn will draw on our experience at holding teams at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and St. James Park. The longer it goes goalless the more the game will turn our way. 0-0 at half-time is surely the first objective for Curbs.

I think 1 goal may be enough to snick it, but who is going to score it. It´ll be a close call and I wouldn´t rule out the possibility of a penalty shoot-up to decide the outcome. That´ll suit the papers, no doubt already having written up their ´most boring FA cup-tie´ of all time headline.

So another 0-0 and Hughes to once again get Charlton through on penalties? Stranger things have happened.

Charlton 0 Everton 0

So yet another sterile 0-0, but good to see Curbs taking note of various Blog advice and awarding games to Euell, Sorondo, Bothroyd and a place on the bench for Sankofa, giving some players a bit of rest in preparation for our Cup Final on Wednesday at the Riverside.

From the more informed blogs cynicathletic( as opposed to the useless papers ) the star turn would appear to be Kish due to his endless running and ´distribution´, something he´s not normally famous for. Lets hope he continues with more of the same at the Riverside.

Reports from the papers are not too complimentary of the fare offered with the Observer describing it was lifeless and witless while the bbc and the independent at least stuck to the facts.

We´re definitely become the 0-0 champions and it may be a bit boring but it´s infinitely better than being on the receiving end of the 7 (seven) 4-goal pastings that we received last season at the hands of Bolton, Man C, Arsenal, and Pompey and further similiar humiliations at home to Chelsea, WBA and Man. U.

This year a rather disastrous 5 conceded to Man. City and the 4 to Blackburn have been the only hiccups and we´re still 16 goals better in the ´Against´ column ( albeit with 5 left to play ) and back last year we finished up with a minus 16 goal difference. Strangely, despite having Darren knocking them from everywhere we´re still 5 away from last season´s total goals scored of 42.

And a final thought to Newcastle. After a poor season of ungreatness lets get behind them in their derby against Middlesbro and try to ensure that they bring them down to earth after their enjoyable game against Basil somebody. We need our old mate Snotty to bruise a few shins up there and I´m sure after the reception we gave him a few days back he´ll be thinking of nothing else...

Charlton v Everton Preview

David Moyes brings his team to the Valley today and while his 10th position in the table is just 1 point above us, I´m sure that far from being disappointed with the season, he´s much relieved to be where he is. Last season saw them finish fourth but for whatever the reason, this season has been a return to recent years with the early months spent in the bottom 3 while elsewhere they were ´enjoying´ their European games. A tidy reminder that a season in Europe for a group of players unaccustomed to it can often result in a dismal League campaign. It happens all over Europe and should remind us that far from being the Holy Grail that we all look towards, European football can often be nothing more than a poisoned chalice.

Anyway, back to todays business. Since our loss at Everton in December we have experienced a decent spell with only 3 defeats in the 16 games in all competions since then. Despite the 22 goals scored, its been our defence that has been the reason for such a good run with only 16 goals conceded ( and 9 of them in the 3 defeats ) so if we are to continue to enjoy the reminder of the season we can only hope that our defenders can see out the remainder of the games uninjured.

We´ve had one warning with the problem with Young so perhaps its time to do what the big boys do and plan their teams with the big games in mind. Can´t see it happening with the cautious mood of our management but I think the time is right to make wholesale changes, if only to keep the visiting Middlesbro spy in a quandary.

The only players that I can see are necessary for the game today are Myhre (he´ll have something to prove against his old team), Holland (as captain) and Marcus Bent ( ditto Myhre plus he can´t play on Wednesday). As for the rest play the reserves. Get Euell, Sorondo, Ambrose, Fortune and Spencer ( and I was going to say El Tarkouri) on the pitch as starters, plus a couple of the youngsters to see what they can prove. Put either Sankofa and Youga in the defence ( at least on the bench ) and how about having Sam or Varney in, they´ll love the experience. As the boss says we have 4 games in 10 days and we need to spread the load a little.

And make no mistake, despite the promise of money for Premier placings, its Wednesday´s game that we all want to win.

As for today´s result a draw seems the favourite with the reliable cynicathletic going for a 1-1 as does Pedro45, while the odd one out sems to be Lawro who foresees a 1-2 ( maybe he´s thinking of Wedneday as well). With our usual end-of-season drifting in mind, I´ve recently said we can expect 3 draws and 3 defeats from our last 6 games. So I cannot see beyond a point gained today and if we do play the team I expect we will put out, another 0-0 looks a likely outcome.

Just noticed that frankievalley goes for a late Charlton winner 1-0

International News -

Valladolid 3 Xerez 1 ( No, the away team is not the Rank Xerox works side but the outfit from Jerez, where the sherry your mum drinks cames from - they just like their ´x´s over here)

So, for anyone pining to know the results in Spain we can bring you news of another startling home victory by the boys from Valladolid. Three goals up at half-time with a depleted side due to injury and accumulating yellows we can only marvel at the team selection by manager Merino that conjured up another 3 points. Pity is all a little too late as they are still 10 pts behind the magical 3rd place, the last of the promotion places. It all spells out another dismal season in the Second Division and dreams of promotion which were so high at Christmas.

Its rumoured that the ´crowd´, numbering a massive 7800, went home reasonably happy after the usual battle to get a thousand cars out of the one-entrance car park and sadly remembering those happy days a few years ago spent among the elite of Spanish football.

Several have been known to put the blame at the feet of the Chairman Senor Saurez who while contemplating their safe First Division Mid-table position in early 2003 dreamed of ´Greater Things´ and hired a new manager in the summer. Relegation, of course, duly followed.

Take note you dreamers.

It's a Conspiracy

There's been a lot of hot air recently, once again, over the influence of foreign players in English football. Ex-Charlton midfielder Alan Pardew, now in charge of a local team doing quite well, says that Arsenal's home victory over Juve wasn't an English one at all and and then Chelski's Drogba falls over once again after receiving a nasty gust of air up the proverbial and consequently there's lots of talk about English players don't cheat, bloody foreigners etc ( that was even before he did his famous hand-ball trick).

But there's one thing that's thankfully missing from the English Football scene - The Conspiracy Theory. Yes, I do remember Sir Ferguson getting upset a few years ago ( maybe there is a connection) but thats nothing compared to how it is over here in Spain.

No prizes for guessing who starting the rumours, just look at the League table and its not hard to see the answer. Whenever Royal Madrid are not lording it over the provincial plebs, out comes the old line about cheating refs. The local fanzine AS, ( otherwise advertised as a sports paper, a bit like the Daily Sport pretending to be about sport ) devotes its first 10 pages to news and interviews with their stars. During the very lean past couple of years it hasn't been rare to see a double page spread complete with relevent incriminating photos supplemented with lines and arrows on how many points have been accumulated by their rivals due to dubious refereeing decisions.

So it was that after Saturdays away draw with leaders Barca that another series of theories hit the news. "Enough! wrote AS he should have stayed on strike" - "Barça play with a safety net. If they win, fine. If they don't, the ref prevents their fall". All very upset.

Even the official Royal Madrid web-page has got in on the act - "Weird things keep happening for Barça." And described ref Medina Cantalejo's display as "a disgrace". "Real Madrid played against twelve men all game long, eleven Barça players and the referee. He invented a penalty, massacred Real Madrid with free-kicks and cards, sent off Roberto Carlos and didn't give a penalty on Ronaldo..

Sadly the officials and fanzines seem to take no issue with the teams failure being due to a policy of buying whoever was the most expensive at any particular time but seem eager to push the blame elsewhere. A bit like Charlton blaming their mid-table position on those nasty people over at White Hart Lane for beating us twice this year and all those dubious goals scored by those lucky Man.City boys.

Sadly in Spain its always the poor sod in black that gets all the blame.

West Ham 0 Charlton 0

Well, what did you expect? Looking back the game finished as we should have expected. A solid Charlton stifling a more skilful West Ham. We had moments of slick passing, with Brian Hughes usually involved, but failed to create any sort of real chance.

We have became successful at holding teams and stopping them scoring - thats the eighth League 'shut-out' in the last 15 games - a statistic that should please us especially after last season disastrous away trips to almost anywhere, conceding goals like pound notes at a Greek wedding, but as usual there's little praise from the press on that front. Its goals and 'personalities' that are wanted. Would you believe it, some old geezer even received a birthday cake at yesterdays match.

Top marks therefore must go to the defence ( we were the away team after all) with Perry and Hermann keeping Ashton and Harewood quiet. Ashton, after a clever flick in the first minute was withdrawn at half-time and the old geezer came on minus his cake but to a lot of applause. We restricted West Ham to a couple of chances, Kish heading off the line from a corner and Myhre saving well from the old geezer, both occurring late on when the Hammers were having their best spell.

The usual Charlton midfield of Kish, Holland and Hughes played to its strengths with Kish working hard cleaning up, Holland trying to forge something out of nothing and having one snatched shot that went wide and Hughes having one of his better games trying to work openings down the left with Powell's able assistence.
It was left to the wingers to try to get around the back of the Hammers defence but despite winning a series of corners in the second half Rommedahl didn't achieve very much and with 20 minutes to go Thomas came on. Was this a ploy in readiness for the Semis? We'll probably never know.

Up front for the Addicks, Darren Bent was closely marked all afternoon by somebody called Collins that the spanish commentator kept calling Phil and Marcus Bent disappointingly volleyed the only half chance we had into Row X when a deflected ball fell to him with time to control it.

So we remain in 11th place with 43 points consolidating our mid-table position, but are we happy? Well, we're not exactly setting the world on fire with our attacking style and appealing play as was adequately pointed out to me, when sat all alone in the pub watching the game a group of guys walked in and seeing who was playing immediately wrote the game off as mid-table mediocrity and started chatting up the barmaid. And I must attempt there were times when I wished I had joined in.

It would be something if we could point to the idea that we have progressed from last season where we also finished 11th. We're currently won the same number of games, 12 and with 3 points less than we managed last year because currently we're drawn 3 games less. This year 13 current defeats, last year 16. So if during the remaining 6 games we draw 3 and lose 3 we'll have exactly the same results as last year.

And with away trips to Fulham, Bolton and Man.U and home outings to the improving Portsmouth, inconsistent Everton and european chasing Blackburn, 3 draws and 3 losses doesn't seem too unlikely.

So to revive our spirits, we must be positive and look elsewhere for encouragement. We've reached the FA Cup QuarterFinals and are still in with a shout after the draw with Middlesbro'. Because of the drawn game we made the hat for the Semi-Finals for the first time in 59 years. And for the first time since the likes of Mendonca and Hunt we at last we have a striker that always looks like he knows how to score - Darren Bent.

For further excuses, we can point to another controversial mid-season departure, this time by that well-known social-climber Spud Murphy that has surely upset Curbs's well-made plans for the season. We can only hope that he spends this years cash more wisely.

West Ham v Charlton Preview

A short trip through the 'pipe' to visit West Ham comes at a time when both teams are thinking of other things, namely the FA Cup. Despite a torrid autumn the Addicks have revived somewhat, at least at home, and are currently only 3 points adrift of the Hammers. Unfortunately our away form, despite the 3 heroic draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle, has been pretty appalling with only these 3 points out of the last 10 away games, only 6 goals scored and no wins since our win at Portsmouth back in October.

Although the forthcoming Cup Replay still provides some interest in the season it is our away form that appears to illustrate what a disappointing season it has been. This becomes clear when we see that we have failed to win 2 games in a row since we dispatched Birmingham at home on September 10. While our improvement at home has raised the spirits its the overall lack of consistency that continues to disappoint. Having said that it is obviously encouraging that when everyone expects Charlton's usual end-of-season slump, we seem to be enjoying our best form for several months with only 2 defeats in the last 8 games to Man. City, where we scored 2 very good goals, and the all-conquering Arsenal.

The main reason for the current revival stems from the solidity of the back-four and the midfield trio of Kish, Holland and Hughes. The midfield may be unheralded and unloved by some, but somehow, ( practise makes prefect?), they have began to prove if not wonderfully creative at least solid. In fact its probably because Curbs can consistently name the same first 8 players on the teamsheet and without any injury problems that has given us some optimism that we may end the season on a high.

And as we know current league form can always be turned on its head in the frenzy of a local derby. One further source of optimism can be gained by looking at the history of games against the Hammers, where Charlton have a clear advantage over our rivals in the League games, which is a bit odd when comparing our dismal records against other local teams. While we tend to succeed in the league games, its West Ham that usually win in the cup games, a rather odd occurrence which I suppose amply demonstrates our bad cup record over the years. West Ham, remember, have won it 3 times and lost another one.

Thanks to the wonders of Murdochvision its another one of those strange Sunday games at the absurd time of 4 o'clock. However, it does mean that we can allow ourselves to dream after Everton's failure to beat Sunderland which gives us the chance to leap into the top half of table for the first time since November if we can manage a win at the Boleyn.

Curbs will probably play his best away team in his usual cautious fashion with a 4-5-1 formation with Darren up front and with probably no changes in personnel from the Newcastle game.

Interestingly nobody seems to favour an away win here. cynic athletic goes for a conservative 2-2 while lawro favours the Hammers with a 2-1. Pedro 45( I wonder why its 45, must be his age) hopes for a 2-0 home win so as to upset cup form against them. I've got no idea so because of all the optimism that I've spoken about above I'm going for a pathetic home 2-0 to continue our away dismal form and because we're Charlton.

Charlton v Newcastle Preview

Just time for a quick prediction for the game tomorrow. A tight game with Charlton not able to generate the same desire as Thursday and with Newcastle trying to forget their cup exit to Chelski.

The Times goes for a home win and rather worryingly Lawro also for a 2-1.

With recent matches between the sides tending to finish all square and with changes due to the midweek efforts, anything could happen but I see it ending as a score draw. Prediction 1-1

FA Cup Sixth Round

Charlton 0 Middlesbro 0

A great display from our boys was in the end not enough to put us into the FA Cup Semi-final after 59 years of waiting. A performance full of desire and strength especially in the first half told of the teams eagerness to reach the last 4 and was a great improvement on recent displays. "They wanted it more" is a phase often used in football and it was clearly evident here who had the most desire to win. Unfortunately that desire was in the end not enough.

A positive and attacking team selection of 4-4-2 with no room for Rommedahl, Ambrose or Euell saw Darren B sharing the attacking with Bartlett and the two ran and worked hard all night without reward.

But it was the midfield trio of Kish, Holland and Hughes that impressd the most. They battled and harried the opposition and the midfield was the springboard for most of the good moves in the first half. Kish was strong, Holland ran his socks off and Hughes had his best game for a long while. They consequently had most of the procession and while there were mistakes it was all extremely positive. While Boro defended well we should have made more of our first half dominance with Schwarzer making two goods saves.

Mhyre had no saves to make that I can remember and the whole team deserved 10 out of 10 for effort.

Just a thought but maybe the players are as bored as some of the fans with mid-table nothingness. Its usual in the club that as soon as survival is confirmed the lights go out. On Thursday we saw players that had a will and desire to win - something we haven't seen for many a month. Evidently the possibility of actually winning something is important to them as well as us and the effort that that generated was obvious to everyone watching.

Perhaps finishing 10th or 15th in the Premier really doesn't generate the same interest as the possibility as a medal.

International News -

Almeria 2 Valladolid 1

Valladolid suffered yet another defeat last Sunday and against the team above them in the league therefore falling further behind the teams chasing promotion the the premier La Liga . A depressing result with absolutely no redemning features that sends them down to 10th and surely confirms a 3rd successive season in the Second Division.

Charlton 2 Middlesbro' 1

A hard home earned win over opponents that will be disappointed after their first half showing to be going home with nothing and three more points that surely dispells any remaining fears of relegation for another year.

Once again we have to thank the outstanding Thomas Myhre who was the main reason for the scores remaining 0-0 at half-time with one save low to his right from a point-blank effort from Maccarone being truly amazing.

The second half was thankfully a different affair after a double substitution - Euell and Thomas replacing Hughes and Bothroyd. After so much mediocre from Charlton in the first half we suddenly started moving the ball around with some composure with the pressure building as we continued to press forward.

And it was no surprise when, after an afternoon spent also completely smothering the threat of the £8m Maccarone, Chris Powell it was who got deep down the left and crossed beautifully onto Darren Bents head. The striker used his strength to hold off Pogatetz and glanced a header low to Schwarzers left. It was a beautifully worked goal.

Not to be outdone the ever-threatening Viduka then scored a beauty. Receiving the ball with his back to goal and surrounded by defenders, he clipped the ball over his head to beat Hermann H and shrugged off Luke Young before dispatching a dipping shot over Myhre. Who likes him? Well maybe his mum, but there's no denying it, when he feels like it he can score goals.

But as I've mentioned previously, this team of ours these days seems to get better as the game progresses and so it was that our other full-back also decided to get in on the action. Young made the move by his run into the penalty area but Kish it was who controlled an awkward pass from Euell and played it first time into his path. Young continued his run and played the ball low across the box. The hard work having been done it was left to Darren B to arrive perfectly timed at the back post to stab the ball home.

Another beautifully worked goal that seemed completely at odds with the dross that we had seen in the first half. Man of the Match - most people seem to be going for Darren Bent, with Myhre as a close second but for me it has to be the impressive Chris Powell with a fullback display worthy of the best. If his name was Cafu he'd be on his way to Germany.

And a Gold Prize with ribbons on to cynicathletic for once again getting the score spot on. I just hope he's getting down Paddy's to turn his predictions into usable readies. Come to think of it, I think I'll do the same next week

Charlton v Middlesbro'

An important game for both sides, with points still badly needed to get away from the relegation zone but also as a sounding board for both managers to see how to approach the forthcoming FA cup game. Middlesbro' are chasing their 4th Premiership win in a row and a 5th succesive away win so it will not be the straight-forward win it may have appeared a few weeks ago.

But with his players possibly tired after the game on Thursday against Roma and dreaming of next weeks visit to the Italian capital, its odds on that McClaren will continue his love affair with caution. Expect a 5 man defence welded to a 5 man midfield including one winger and with the lone Yakubu up front. Because of the situation its a fixture that can be won but we need to be positive and take advantage.

Hopefully our men will not be affected by yet another desertion ( once upon a time people couldn't wait to escape from Mother Russia, now they're desperate to return) and it may be a chance to see Euell again in a starting line-up just to see how he really is. The midfield's looking pretty empty these days and we need a bit of spark from somewhere. Euell obviously has something to prove and that may be the impetus we will need. I don't know if Thomas is fully fit but hopefully one of them will start.

Having said all that its obviously wishful thinking and we all know that they will both be on the bench with Kish, Holland, Hughes and Ambrose starting in midfield with Bothroyd and Darren B up front.

Sadly Lawro has posted us down as a 2-0 home win, although he does rectify his thinking by implying that something has unduely affected his reasoning as he's sure they'll do us in the Cup.

My first instincts expected a stalemate 1-1 - but then my fingers did the talking and typed out a 1-2. Lets hope that's not a bad omen that's all I can say. Sadly we know what to expect from our boys and the result will depend on which Middlesbro' turns up.

International News -

Valladolid 1 Real Madrid Reserves 0

Shock horror; pass me those smelling salts, a home win at last. In case anyone missed the result on Sunday, it ended with a long overdue home win for Valladolid watched by 7800 strangely optimistic supporters at the Jose Zorrilla stadium. With 4 straight defeats and not a single home victory since October 23th, the season was fast disappearing down that drain where even Dyno-Rod wouldn't be able to find it. Some hard talking from new Manager Merino is obviously doing the trick.

Up against Real Madrid reserves, sometimes called Castilla, the home team gave themselves a mountain to climb rather than a castle to storm, when influential playmaker Sousa was sent off against his former teammates after a woeful tackle on the stroke of halftime.

Not to be fazed, Team Boss Merino, ( sounds like Mourinho, but he's not so snotty and not very special either) dispensed with young winger Alvaro and brought on the old campaigner Victor to orchestrate that elusive victory. Victor it was, you will recall, that scored a wonderful chipped goal a few years ago when Valladolid beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the BernieBow the week before their last European triumph in 2002.

The goal came in the 51st minute scored by Llorente. The match was obviously not for the faint-hearted as in addition to the red card there were a total of 11 yellows - the home team winning that match as well 6-5.

So now up to 7th and only 8 points below 3rd spot and waiting in the wings is the 6th place team. Away to Almeria on Sunday, usually better known for being the home of the spagetti westerns, are 4 points above the 'Pucelanos'.

To add further spice to the match, the former manager Alonso is refusing to come to terms with his financial aspects of his dismissal and if the matter isn't cleared up by Sunday the FA will not allow the new manager Merino to join his team on the touchline. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

Liverpool 0 Charlton 0

At least the scorelines are easy to write these days with a simple cut and paste and the points keep accumulating even if my wife fails to understand the positive mathematics of constant goalless draws being a good thing. But with Curbs' game plan for the year being blown out of the water by Miserable Murp's untimely mid-season torpedo and with our 'Ruski' being deemed to be a luxury we can't afford ( in more ways than one) maybe a point a game is the best that we can expect.

Survival is, after all, the most important thing for the club. At least that is obviously the view of the management after our 3rd successive goalless draw. Our happy five across the park, albeit with a striker out wide on the right, adequately broadcast to the world, especially via murdochview, that we are determined to keep what we have. And for the third successive week we are most definitely proving that we are at least good at what we are. A small club trying to survive in a big mans league.

Can't help wondering, however, when will our cautious formation be ditched, when 40 Pts is reached perhaps? Can't wait to see what happens against Middlesbro'. Five man mid-field meets five man defence. Should be a cracker!

And whilst we congratulate ourselves on taking 4 pts from the best team in Europe, I'm sure that I wasn't the only one to be ashamed at our complete lack of passing ability. Apart from a couple of triangles on the right wing ( 60's technical term), we couldn't string 3 passes together. Of all the seemingly hundreds of headers that we had ( the ball always seemed to be in the air) I can't remember a single one being directed to a teammate. They were all headers away, anywhere would do. According to the stats in the Mondays' Guardian we were the worst passing team at the weekend with a figure of 57% ( whatever that might mean). However, it was the worst of everyone.

And there was more bad news. One Shot in 90 minutes, even Fulham, lucky not to lose 10-0, managed more shots on goal. Of course, there's excuses - when a team is clearly winning it relaxes, and gives the other team an opportunity to create something. Liverpool never relaxed and kept pressing fro the whole game.

But there's some good news. While everyone is comparing the teams and giving players points, I've been watching the guys in charge. We've been shown a vivid illustration of just how important these guys really are with Roeder's recent success story at the magpies. Just a matter of confidence apparently. Well at least our leader seems relatively calm on the touchline and the height of composure when compared with his peers.

Stevie B looks like a little boy that's lost his sheep, Bryan is going to have a heart attack if anyone mentions Jose again and Harry's head will obviously fall off with one more twitch. Poor old basement Mick meanwhile is simply fed up with everything, especially now he's been sacked.
Curbs, meanwhile, is content playing for a draw and dreaming about England. Hopefully Plan B will involve planning which megastars to buy in the summer. As usual we'll probably be targeting teams that have failed to achieve and need to off-load. Dunn from Birmingham, Rivera from Betis Seville (he can pass, tackle, is always involved and makes Snotty P look like a tired little ballboy) and of course anyone who can pass the ball really.

Liverpool Review

Well, its off to Liverpool on Saturday - for the team anyway. I'll be in a warm pub clutching a glass of extremely cold Guinness and trying to put on a brave face, much like the Chelski game although this time I'll be paying in Pounds Sterling and not them silly Euros things.

I spent that game in a very different city, even if the pub looks the same, and I can recall being pleasantly surprised at the number of people who acclaimed our draw even to the extent of getting very excited at the point of Darren Ambrose's late burst into the box. There was the usual Chelsea fan, no he wasn't Russian, enjoying life after all those wasted years as an under-achieving bunch down the Kings Road. Well, he was enjoying it until the second half and then he became strangely quiet. Thats what happens when you build up your expections, you're invariably disappointed.

That was a good point earned but what will happen in todays match. Will we continue our usual away form of late, especially when playing in the north-west, of conceding 3 goals? Seems we're lost 9 out of the last 10 up there, pretty shocking. Our recent home win over Liverpool sounded a bit lucky reading the reports and I don't think will have any bearing on todays result and with Darren B a bit tired ( unhappy? ) after all that depressing running on Wednesday who can be hopeful of anything today?

Rumours of impending departures in the summer will not improve the teams chances and Curbs will have to be at his best in picking todays formation. Unfortunately, I can't see him changing anything from last weekend so expect another Everton/Man. City/Spurs first half. Depending on if and when the goals go in we can expect him to change tact and switch to 4-4-2 from our dependable 4-5-1 but by then it may be too late. A bit predicable, it seems to me but thats Curbs for you. We haven't got where we are today by any other course expect by being dependable.

So its all down to hoping that Liverpool have a bad day and after lots of International games last week and the very, very important Benfica game next week maybe we can surprise someone, most of all me. Having seen Benitez in action a few times, its usually the away formations where he surprises everyone but given the importance of the Champions, and seeing our recent away form he may well decide to give key players a rest, at least initially, by leaving them on the bench.

So my forecast - I was going for a Home Win 1-0 but seeing cynicathletic going for the same, I praying for the opposite - an away win 0-1. (bent)

International News - Valladolid Lose ´Sugar-Daddy´.


Its been confirmed that a new man has taken over as President of Real Madrid as least on a temporary basis until elections are held. Florentino Perez has had enough of spending a fortune ( outgoing funds - 424 Euros, £285m in 6 years ) and never winning anything except top place in the ´Earnings League'. ( OK, he won the league twice and the Champions League once and the Spanish Supercup twice and the European Supercup and the Intercontinental. But apart from that nothing).

Lots of lovely quotes in the papers including the priceless, ´Fed up with the players´( obviously not spending enough time in the shop signing autographs), but a quote that had captain Raul strangely uptight and responding by asking him to name names.

Recent performances seem to have been the main cause with the Arsenal shaming at the BernieBow followed by a 2-1 away defeat at struggling Mallorca.

So Perez has done the honourable thing ( a Spanish idea - long since missing from English politics) and resigned. Unfortunately, the new man is no less that Fernando Martin, a very weathly estate agent ( with Spain currently resembling a building site wherever you look, its full of rich estate agents ) that as native of Valladolid has long been rumoured to be on the verge of buying the improvished club of his native city. So I guess this potential Sugar-Daddy has now regretfully passed us by.

Who are yeh? Who are yeh? Its been a while since I've heard that chant coming from the North Stand. It was usually directed towards some hopeful sods supporting some minor team way below our standard. Then I got to thinking about Charlton and I turned it all around and got to thinking who are WE exactly?

We're now topped the 1000 game mark but our position in the all-time First Division/Premier league table is still only 33rd after our 25 seasons in the top flight, and behind such worthies as Notts County, Preston and Blackpool. The valley has been rebuilt and is now something we can all feel proud of but it's still a small stadium by Premier standards and we live in a small area of South London that's hard to find on a map. We´re only won 3 things in our 100 years, 1 FA Cup, 1 First Division Championship and correct me if I'm wrong a Third Division (South)Trophy. Not so much a trophy room as a shelf in the corner and not much to show for 100 years chasing a ball around.

But, praise be, here we are now - in 2006. In the top league in England. With a team almost full with internationals. Only a couple will be - maybe - going to the world cup but nevertheless we have a lot of players that are good enough to represent their countries and there are an awful lot of fans who would be willing, no dying, to be in our position.

Our position, to remind everyone, is currently 13th position in the Premier, after being in 2nd spot for several weeks and a good part of the season in the top half. And, after this, our 6th consecutive season in the Premier nobody pinpoints us for relegation before the season starts.

So thats the reason for the caption. We´re still a small fish in a big pool. Some people would rather we were over there in a smaller pool where maybe life is easier and we could be more important. But not me. I like it here. I would rather be playing the likes of Liverpool instead of Hull or Chelsea instead of those people near Peckham.

Maybe its easier playing these teams on paper as I do rather then having to watch. Seems to be getting a bit painful right now with survival being upper most in the managements mind. But I sincerely hope that Curbs has better things to do than read some of the depressing things that are sometimes said.