So where did you stand at half time yesterday??
After a home draw with Scunthorpe, who were at least as good as us and a home win over Championship side Reading and that was with our second string (allegedly!), the trip to Bury was a chance to extend our unbeaten run.
As you are aware, I'm absolutely useless at telling how we are playing, realistically. At half time I felt that, although Bury were passing slightly better than us, neither team really had a worthwhile shot on target and things weren't too bad. The free kick, which reminded me of Derby at home a few season's ago, was their only shot and Mr Hamer was caught napping in the same way as Deano (a half time guest on the pitch) was.
We certainly weren't at our best but they weren't causing us any problems so things could only get better, I hoped.
Since I fall well and truly into the optimist camp, (it's how I have managed to follow Charlton for more years than I care to think about without going completely mad) my thoughts are usually not worth listening to! The realist in me never ventures out, in fact I'm not sure he really exists. At 6-1 down with about 15mins to go I still thought we had a chance of a draw at home to Leeds back in 2003!!
So as the second half kicked off, my main thought was the same as during that game against Derby "It is very ungentlemanly to take a free kick when the keeper is still arranging his wall and frankly you don't deserve to win if you do!!"
I think my God agrees with me, because on both occasions, Derby and now Bury, it came to pass that they got what they deserved, absolutely nothing! It did get a bit bizarre at one point when we were given a free kick just outside the box. Our lads thought they would do the same (tut tut!), Bury spotted it, we changed our minds, we thought about it again, Bury spotted it, we changed our minds again and then just kicked the ball into the wall. Heaven knows what would have happened if we'd done the same to them, it doesn't bear thinking about. On that point why doesn't anybody try something a little different? Argentina v England anybody!
Anyway I digress a little, basically it was a game of two halves (he he!) and we were always going to win once they scored from that free kick!
I wasn't able to focus on any one player, in fact I'm finding it increasingly difficult to do so. It takes far too much concentration and I start to get a headache!! I don't think my brain was meant to work that hard and certainly not while I'm watching Charlton. So suffice to say they all played a lot better in the second half and Bury didn't really cause us many problems, basically we were better than them! That's as far as my in depth analysis of the game goes!
So whatever you are remember
Love is better than anger, hope is better than fear, optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we will change the world!!
Sunday 28 August 2011
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Paul Hayes
This blogging business can be difficult at times! Two games in four days and lots of mining to do here at Happy Valley meant that I hadn't been able to write anything about the game up at Notts County before we were off again to that 'lovely' stadium in Colchester.
So I decided to combine the two games and just follow the exploits of Mr Hayes in both, although a side view from one end of the ground at Notts C. wasn't the greatest for this sort of thing.
I think I can report, without fear of contradiction, that Paul Hayes is probably the best centre forward we've had for some time. His hold up play is excellent, his layoffs seem controlled and accurate but above all that he seems to have a great eye for a pass. At Notts C. he laid the ball on a plate for Scotty Wagstaff for the first and last night he provided a number of scoring opportunities with precise passes. He drops deep when he needs/has to and can still win headers (the second last night) and be in the right place at the right time (the second on Saturday). The only problem seems to be that he is able to produce passes/flicks for players who aren't quite on his wavelength yet and don't move to where he thinks they will. Other than that he looks a whole lot better than pre-season seemed to show. In fact it raises the question of who would come in if he were injured and looking at the bench/reserves this is probably the one area I am most concerned about. However, since I don't actually bother worrying about these things until they happen (mainly 'cos there's nothing I can do about it) and also since SCP seems to know what he's doing, so far things are looking very good indeed!
As for the matches, I can report that Notts County threw the proverbial kitchen sink at us on Saturday. I would have thought Ibuprofen would have been prescribed for the back four at the end and I'm not sure they used the centre third of the pitch at all during the second half. We seemed to stand up quite well to the task, apart from the one corner, so that bodes well for the more agricultural teams.
The Colchester game was completely different in the sense that the result, in my opinion, was never in doubt. What looked a tough game on paper turned out to be anything but, we bossed the midfield, only had a couple of problems at the back and should really have won more easily.
So if you haven't seen them yet, don't miss Scunthorpe on Saturday it should be a real treat.
Just one note of caution, for the less forgiving amongst you, if we go a goal down or even, heaven forbid, lose or draw the game, don't start giving them stick, don't start booing just give them all the support you can. I don't think I can emphasise enough how much help we as fans can be. To make The Valley a fortress needs our help as well, even if it ends in tears they are far more likely to win the next home game if they've had our support than if they haven't!
Remember
A mistake is not a failure. It is something that goes wrong.. and then you fix it. You never fail until you stop trying!
So I decided to combine the two games and just follow the exploits of Mr Hayes in both, although a side view from one end of the ground at Notts C. wasn't the greatest for this sort of thing.
I think I can report, without fear of contradiction, that Paul Hayes is probably the best centre forward we've had for some time. His hold up play is excellent, his layoffs seem controlled and accurate but above all that he seems to have a great eye for a pass. At Notts C. he laid the ball on a plate for Scotty Wagstaff for the first and last night he provided a number of scoring opportunities with precise passes. He drops deep when he needs/has to and can still win headers (the second last night) and be in the right place at the right time (the second on Saturday). The only problem seems to be that he is able to produce passes/flicks for players who aren't quite on his wavelength yet and don't move to where he thinks they will. Other than that he looks a whole lot better than pre-season seemed to show. In fact it raises the question of who would come in if he were injured and looking at the bench/reserves this is probably the one area I am most concerned about. However, since I don't actually bother worrying about these things until they happen (mainly 'cos there's nothing I can do about it) and also since SCP seems to know what he's doing, so far things are looking very good indeed!
As for the matches, I can report that Notts County threw the proverbial kitchen sink at us on Saturday. I would have thought Ibuprofen would have been prescribed for the back four at the end and I'm not sure they used the centre third of the pitch at all during the second half. We seemed to stand up quite well to the task, apart from the one corner, so that bodes well for the more agricultural teams.
The Colchester game was completely different in the sense that the result, in my opinion, was never in doubt. What looked a tough game on paper turned out to be anything but, we bossed the midfield, only had a couple of problems at the back and should really have won more easily.
So if you haven't seen them yet, don't miss Scunthorpe on Saturday it should be a real treat.
Just one note of caution, for the less forgiving amongst you, if we go a goal down or even, heaven forbid, lose or draw the game, don't start giving them stick, don't start booing just give them all the support you can. I don't think I can emphasise enough how much help we as fans can be. To make The Valley a fortress needs our help as well, even if it ends in tears they are far more likely to win the next home game if they've had our support than if they haven't!
Remember
A mistake is not a failure. It is something that goes wrong.. and then you fix it. You never fail until you stop trying!
Sunday 7 August 2011
Dale Stephens
Well was that a good game or a bad one? I'm not really the right person to give a report on the game or even to comment on what we did well and what we did badly. I sometimes wonder if I have watched the same game as other people so you won't be getting that from me this season, in my opinion Wyn Grant's blog provides the best report you can ask for so I'll leave that to him. I thought this season I would try to concentrate on one player and see how he performs throughout the match.
Dale Stephens was the one player we added to our squad who I was most curious about, he was signed from Oldham potentially as a direct replacement for Therry Racon who lets face it, had flattered to deceive for quite a few seasons. I really wanted to like Racon, he always looked like he could do the business for us but just never seemed to rise to the occasion, in every game he played I was willing him to stand up and be counted.
So when Stephens ran out wearing the number eight shirt I felt it was a real opportunity to see if this season things would be different. I tell you what, that Chris Powell fella can find a player!
The man seemed to be everywhere, his goal was taken superbly and he certainly can pick a pass. At one point in the first half Stephens was pressing the ball on our right side touchline, with the ball moved over to the Bournemouth right wing, I'm not sure how, he suddenly appeared almost from nowhere, won the ball and set up another attacking play. Let us all be honest here, did you ever see that from Racon and more to the point when was the last time Racon scored at home?
He was our standout player yesterday and there were many good performances all over the pitch. His tireless running, eye for a pass and ultimately his ability (albeit only seen in one game) to get on the end of a pass to score mean in that position the improvement over last year is 100%.
As for the game, with my totally biased hat on, it was great to watch, we will certainly improve and for the first time in a while I was pretty confident we would win from almost the first whistle.
So as I said I will leave it to others to discuss whether we were good or bad I'm just ecstatic with the win, I thought we looked good and that's all I could really ask for. As messrs. Hanson, Lawrenson and Shearer say "You can only beat what is put in front of you".
Next week will be a different story I am sure, away and at the League leaders (albeit joint), I'll be there to bring you a totally biased view through red coloured glasses. Not sure yet who I will focus on, any ideas greatly received.
For now though my promotion prediction is feeling quite good.
Remember
If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?
Dale Stephens was the one player we added to our squad who I was most curious about, he was signed from Oldham potentially as a direct replacement for Therry Racon who lets face it, had flattered to deceive for quite a few seasons. I really wanted to like Racon, he always looked like he could do the business for us but just never seemed to rise to the occasion, in every game he played I was willing him to stand up and be counted.
So when Stephens ran out wearing the number eight shirt I felt it was a real opportunity to see if this season things would be different. I tell you what, that Chris Powell fella can find a player!
The man seemed to be everywhere, his goal was taken superbly and he certainly can pick a pass. At one point in the first half Stephens was pressing the ball on our right side touchline, with the ball moved over to the Bournemouth right wing, I'm not sure how, he suddenly appeared almost from nowhere, won the ball and set up another attacking play. Let us all be honest here, did you ever see that from Racon and more to the point when was the last time Racon scored at home?
He was our standout player yesterday and there were many good performances all over the pitch. His tireless running, eye for a pass and ultimately his ability (albeit only seen in one game) to get on the end of a pass to score mean in that position the improvement over last year is 100%.
As for the game, with my totally biased hat on, it was great to watch, we will certainly improve and for the first time in a while I was pretty confident we would win from almost the first whistle.
So as I said I will leave it to others to discuss whether we were good or bad I'm just ecstatic with the win, I thought we looked good and that's all I could really ask for. As messrs. Hanson, Lawrenson and Shearer say "You can only beat what is put in front of you".
Next week will be a different story I am sure, away and at the League leaders (albeit joint), I'll be there to bring you a totally biased view through red coloured glasses. Not sure yet who I will focus on, any ideas greatly received.
For now though my promotion prediction is feeling quite good.
Remember
If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Here We Go!
This is it folks!! It all starts in four days time and the blogging world will be full of opinions come Saturday at 5pm. I have to be honest and tell you all I am a very simple man, I have read other blogs and message boards with interest over the summer, the motives behind the owners, the ability of Rhoys Wiggins to defend, does Chris Powell really know what he's doing and why did we sign two centre backs who are 6ft or less. The fact is I don't have a clue about any of it, I am the man who thought Peter Hunt was a great midfield enforcer, Martin Pringle was the next Clive Mendonca and Francis Jeffers was the man to get us goals! I have learnt over the years to go with my heart over my head, I'm probably wrong more times than I'm right, it's definitely harder to cope with when you are wrong but believe me when you're right, boy is it a great feeling.
The pessimists out there will tell you the defense isn't fast enough, tall enough or experienced enough, we only have one forward who can score goals, the midfield is good but then again it was meant to be good last year and who knows whats going on between the sticks!
If you really think about it though what is the point in believing anything other than "we will get promotion"? Do you really want to go there on Saturday believing it's going to be another awful season, or that the best we can hope for is a play-off spot?
The players know promotion is the aim, so do the fans even if they don't believe it. So go there on Saturday knowing we are going to win, knowing we will be promoted, sing your hearts out, support the team, no matter what the score we will be going up. Don't boo them if it's not great, don't shout abuse this is your team and they need your support from now until May (well April actually, we'll be up by then!). Go on tell me you're not even just a little bit excited.
Remember
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
The pessimists out there will tell you the defense isn't fast enough, tall enough or experienced enough, we only have one forward who can score goals, the midfield is good but then again it was meant to be good last year and who knows whats going on between the sticks!
If you really think about it though what is the point in believing anything other than "we will get promotion"? Do you really want to go there on Saturday believing it's going to be another awful season, or that the best we can hope for is a play-off spot?
The players know promotion is the aim, so do the fans even if they don't believe it. So go there on Saturday knowing we are going to win, knowing we will be promoted, sing your hearts out, support the team, no matter what the score we will be going up. Don't boo them if it's not great, don't shout abuse this is your team and they need your support from now until May (well April actually, we'll be up by then!). Go on tell me you're not even just a little bit excited.
Remember
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
Saturday 9 July 2011
Tell Me I'm Wrong....................I Dare You
Its been a pretty short summer made even shorter by the activity going on down in SE7. As you will all realise I have been saying for some time that this will be our season and the new faces give me even more cause for optimism. However, the bookies, what do they know, have us just making the play-offs behind both the Sheffield clubs, Huddersfield and Preston.
To be honest we won't really know until at least 10 games in whether this year is going to be good or bad, most fans of the above teams are pretty confident they can make it out of this league at this stage of the season.
Lets look at what has been happening and why I must surely be right.
Goalkeeper
Robbie did well last year but he needs competition and now we've brought that in both he and John Sullivan should be good enough. One interesting note, according to the official site they are the same height but John Sullivan is a stone heavier!!
Defence
Dailly, Fortune and Francis have gone and lets be honest did you ever really feel that the opposition wouldn't score last season.. In fact we managed it 10 times, the seventh worst in the division, who were the top two, Brighton and Southampton, it's not rocket science you know!!
Cedric Evina and Rhoys Wiggins are both excellent defenders, I have a lot of time for Chris Solly despite his lack of height. I know less of Michael Morrison and more of Gary Doherty than I would like but time will tell on them. Its a massive improvement on last year, there may be more to come and surely we can get close to the 20 odd clean sheets we will need.
Midfield
If the main aim of the midfield is to create opportunities for the forwards and chip in with goals themselves then Scott Wagstaff and Johnny Jackson are the only two who should remain from last year (there is no room for sentiment here, sorry Jose!). Guess what, if we can offload McOxo that'll be the case, I tell you this Powell chap knows what he's doing! Of those coming in I only really noticed Danny Green and Danny Hollands last year as two standout midfielders, oh my gosh hes gone and signed them!!
Forwards
Who do we have again, oh yes, Paul Benson, he hasn't quite made it yet but he thrives on crosses, we need wingers who can provide that sort of thing, can anybody think of any? BWP I need say no more!! Again I have little knowledge of Paul Hayes so I can only hope!
I know I haven't mentioned everyone, I know a lot is guesswork and hope but surely every Charlton fan out there must be excited by the season ahead. You may question Chris Powell's experience or even his tactics but surely no one can say he hasn't replaced players who have failed with players who should do an awful lot better.
Today we will start to see, I'll be there, I can feel the excitement already come on you know you can feel it too!
Never let the demands of tomorrow interfere with the pleasures and excitement of today.
To be honest we won't really know until at least 10 games in whether this year is going to be good or bad, most fans of the above teams are pretty confident they can make it out of this league at this stage of the season.
Lets look at what has been happening and why I must surely be right.
Goalkeeper
Robbie did well last year but he needs competition and now we've brought that in both he and John Sullivan should be good enough. One interesting note, according to the official site they are the same height but John Sullivan is a stone heavier!!
Defence
Dailly, Fortune and Francis have gone and lets be honest did you ever really feel that the opposition wouldn't score last season.. In fact we managed it 10 times, the seventh worst in the division, who were the top two, Brighton and Southampton, it's not rocket science you know!!
Cedric Evina and Rhoys Wiggins are both excellent defenders, I have a lot of time for Chris Solly despite his lack of height. I know less of Michael Morrison and more of Gary Doherty than I would like but time will tell on them. Its a massive improvement on last year, there may be more to come and surely we can get close to the 20 odd clean sheets we will need.
Midfield
If the main aim of the midfield is to create opportunities for the forwards and chip in with goals themselves then Scott Wagstaff and Johnny Jackson are the only two who should remain from last year (there is no room for sentiment here, sorry Jose!). Guess what, if we can offload McOxo that'll be the case, I tell you this Powell chap knows what he's doing! Of those coming in I only really noticed Danny Green and Danny Hollands last year as two standout midfielders, oh my gosh hes gone and signed them!!
Forwards
Who do we have again, oh yes, Paul Benson, he hasn't quite made it yet but he thrives on crosses, we need wingers who can provide that sort of thing, can anybody think of any? BWP I need say no more!! Again I have little knowledge of Paul Hayes so I can only hope!
I know I haven't mentioned everyone, I know a lot is guesswork and hope but surely every Charlton fan out there must be excited by the season ahead. You may question Chris Powell's experience or even his tactics but surely no one can say he hasn't replaced players who have failed with players who should do an awful lot better.
Today we will start to see, I'll be there, I can feel the excitement already come on you know you can feel it too!
Never let the demands of tomorrow interfere with the pleasures and excitement of today.
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Boredom
Is June the most boring month in the football calendar? Probably not when there is a World Cup or European Championships (although when you're English it doesn't make much difference!), but in the world of Charlton Athletic it probably is.
How bored should we really be though? There have been a few signings and we have the "excitement" of the will he, won't he be here next season. Lets face it for most, it's a time when we can gossip, make comments on who would be a good signing, continue our debates on whether SCP is the right man for the job and maybe as Wyn Grant (the Keith Peacock of the blogger world!) has done, discuss what might have been.
To us here at HV it's a time to regroup, recharge our optimism tanks and prepare for the upcoming season. Yes, don't worry, we still believe promotion will be ours come May 2012, we still believe in SCP and despite having no idea who will be in the team come August, we know it will be an exciting one to watch.
Let us remember of course that this week sees the release of both the fixtures for next year and the draw for the first round of the League Cup or what ever it is now called. The latter we use here to prove to all that our belief in promotion is not just blind optimism. Despite the tanks being almost up to full, we do not believe that we will win this trophy in 2012!!
So if you were bored with the world of football, that all comes to an end this week. We can start to spend some time discussing the start of the season and more importantly at which game we will clinch promotion, don't worry you'll hear it here first! Then in just a couple of weeks time the transfer world comes to life and the signings will be coming thick and fast!
Remember
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.
How bored should we really be though? There have been a few signings and we have the "excitement" of the will he, won't he be here next season. Lets face it for most, it's a time when we can gossip, make comments on who would be a good signing, continue our debates on whether SCP is the right man for the job and maybe as Wyn Grant (the Keith Peacock of the blogger world!) has done, discuss what might have been.
To us here at HV it's a time to regroup, recharge our optimism tanks and prepare for the upcoming season. Yes, don't worry, we still believe promotion will be ours come May 2012, we still believe in SCP and despite having no idea who will be in the team come August, we know it will be an exciting one to watch.
Let us remember of course that this week sees the release of both the fixtures for next year and the draw for the first round of the League Cup or what ever it is now called. The latter we use here to prove to all that our belief in promotion is not just blind optimism. Despite the tanks being almost up to full, we do not believe that we will win this trophy in 2012!!
So if you were bored with the world of football, that all comes to an end this week. We can start to spend some time discussing the start of the season and more importantly at which game we will clinch promotion, don't worry you'll hear it here first! Then in just a couple of weeks time the transfer world comes to life and the signings will be coming thick and fast!
Remember
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Positivity
Hi Folks!
Well as you know this is not necessarily the place to be if you want informed comments based on clear facts. There are plenty of people far better than me who can provide this and I find it very informative and interesting to read.
Here at Happy Vally we can only really cope with the here and now and what we think will happen based on what we know and an unshakable belief that Charlton Athletic will win every game from now until eternity. Totally deluded I know but if you don't believe then what have you got?
Now I'm not saying it isn't tough here in this dream like world, because if you believe that you will win every game then any defeat or in fact draw can be like a hammer blow to your heart. It takes an awful lot of effort to pick yourself up and carry on but carry on you must.
We may have the best manager in the division, we may have the worst, we may have the most money to spend or we may have the least but whatever it is, we here in HV have absolutely no idea, so we can only really comment on each game as it happens, each player as they arrive or each point that is dropped or gloriously gained.
Now I am not so presumptuous as to think I can tell people how they should be, why they should remain positive at all times or even how they should support our club but as an aid that you can take or leave as you see fit here are my five most important rules when supporting our lads.
Remember
The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.
Well as you know this is not necessarily the place to be if you want informed comments based on clear facts. There are plenty of people far better than me who can provide this and I find it very informative and interesting to read.
Here at Happy Vally we can only really cope with the here and now and what we think will happen based on what we know and an unshakable belief that Charlton Athletic will win every game from now until eternity. Totally deluded I know but if you don't believe then what have you got?
Now I'm not saying it isn't tough here in this dream like world, because if you believe that you will win every game then any defeat or in fact draw can be like a hammer blow to your heart. It takes an awful lot of effort to pick yourself up and carry on but carry on you must.
We may have the best manager in the division, we may have the worst, we may have the most money to spend or we may have the least but whatever it is, we here in HV have absolutely no idea, so we can only really comment on each game as it happens, each player as they arrive or each point that is dropped or gloriously gained.
Now I am not so presumptuous as to think I can tell people how they should be, why they should remain positive at all times or even how they should support our club but as an aid that you can take or leave as you see fit here are my five most important rules when supporting our lads.
- Always, always, always go to a game believing we will win. You won't always be right (honestly!) but believe me "If you think you're beaten, you are" http://guidezone.e-guiding.com/jmif_you_think.htm
- Never boo the players, with very few exceptions (and there are always those) every single player who pulls on that shirt is doing their best. It may not be their best in your eyes and it may not be good enough but it is almost certainly the best they have got on that day, we are all human.
- Never and I mean never, leave a game before that final whistle has been blown. You just never know (most of the time!) it could all go spectacularly right and there is no better feeling than Dennis in The Last Minute. After all how can you complain about the players if you are not prepared to put the effort in yourself.
- Remember this is just like a marriage except divorce is not really possible, "Till death do us part, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer ......."
- Finally, and you cannot under estimate the importance of this, when you blow out those candles there is only really one thing you can wish for!!
Remember
The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.
Thursday 12 May 2011
Kyel Reid
So the first of perhaps a long line of first team players leaving the club is Kyel Reid. This player, to me, typifies the world of football today and why Chris Powell, the board and the 2011/12 players should get the support of the fans for the whole season.
How many fans saw Kyel Reid as one of the reasons Charlton would be there or thereabouts last season. At worst he was seen by the majority as one of our better players even if the rest of the team couldn't cut it. Throughout the whole season he has been greeted with fans calling his name whenever he runs along the touchline (as a sub of course not on the pitch itself!)
Yet, has been mentioned in other places, Scott Wagstaff is seen as not good enough, in and out of games etc.etc.
Looking at the facts which player would you rather have in your team and therefore as Charlton fans which players name should we be singing??
So many fans think Reidy is a good player and should have more game time and Waggy is only an impact player and should be a sub.
The bottom line in all this is, as fans we all have opinions but frankly very few of us really know, when it comes to the finer details, who is good and who is bad. Even "football" people keep getting it wrong, there is a long list of players that managers (including Curbishley, Wenger and Ferguson) have signed that have not been "good enough".
Managers are "easy" though, they stand or fall on results and Chris Powell's results have been terrible, therefore he should be sacked. This makes us as bad as "The Owners", instant success means everything, we can't wait a year or two you've got to get it right now.
If we assume that all managers make mistakes when signing players then the most important factor must be their tactics and how they want the game to be played. Although it is possible to change the way a team plays in half a season, it is by no means guaranteed, it is possible to stop the rot in half a season but it is not guaranteed, in fact nothing is guaranteed.
Surely if you give a manager time and that means years not months, there is more chance that he will build a team playing winning football with good players in most positions. Its seems madness that the manager changes, the results get worse, we sack him, new manager, the results don't improve, we sack him, new manager, results don't improve etc. etc.................
Chris Powell may not be the right man for the job but I do not believe anyone can tell me with absolute certainty that he is or he is not, he needs time before we can make that judgement.
As you would imagine there really is only one opinion that counts and he says "He will do well in the future" lets just hope that future is soon!
Remember
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
How many fans saw Kyel Reid as one of the reasons Charlton would be there or thereabouts last season. At worst he was seen by the majority as one of our better players even if the rest of the team couldn't cut it. Throughout the whole season he has been greeted with fans calling his name whenever he runs along the touchline (as a sub of course not on the pitch itself!)
Yet, has been mentioned in other places, Scott Wagstaff is seen as not good enough, in and out of games etc.etc.
Looking at the facts which player would you rather have in your team and therefore as Charlton fans which players name should we be singing??
So many fans think Reidy is a good player and should have more game time and Waggy is only an impact player and should be a sub.
The bottom line in all this is, as fans we all have opinions but frankly very few of us really know, when it comes to the finer details, who is good and who is bad. Even "football" people keep getting it wrong, there is a long list of players that managers (including Curbishley, Wenger and Ferguson) have signed that have not been "good enough".
Managers are "easy" though, they stand or fall on results and Chris Powell's results have been terrible, therefore he should be sacked. This makes us as bad as "The Owners", instant success means everything, we can't wait a year or two you've got to get it right now.
If we assume that all managers make mistakes when signing players then the most important factor must be their tactics and how they want the game to be played. Although it is possible to change the way a team plays in half a season, it is by no means guaranteed, it is possible to stop the rot in half a season but it is not guaranteed, in fact nothing is guaranteed.
Surely if you give a manager time and that means years not months, there is more chance that he will build a team playing winning football with good players in most positions. Its seems madness that the manager changes, the results get worse, we sack him, new manager, the results don't improve, we sack him, new manager, results don't improve etc. etc.................
Chris Powell may not be the right man for the job but I do not believe anyone can tell me with absolute certainty that he is or he is not, he needs time before we can make that judgement.
As you would imagine there really is only one opinion that counts and he says "He will do well in the future" lets just hope that future is soon!
Remember
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
Sunday 8 May 2011
Dopey By Name...........
Well there you have it!! Our first attempt to decide on the outcome of a game and we messed it up. So are we downhearted? Of course not, it was a nice day, the fans seemed to be happy enough, we did feel that dressing up as our arch enemies was a bit over the top but it was quite funny!
So now we move on to the serious business of preparing for the promotion season. It's certainly not going to be easy but at some point we all have to stop deciding we know better and just get behind the team, the manager and the board. We should take this summer as that point!
It may not have been the win we wanted but a system of play does seem to be taking shape. It was quite nice to be watching the players pass the ball to someone wearing the same kit as them, not get too worried when the opposition moved the ball into our half and generally watch a game when were never really going to loose. Lets face it after the season we've had you've got to be Happy with that!
As for us, well due to the current economic climate we will all be down the mines for the next three months or so. Over this time each of us will try to bring their own unique ideas to you, giving insight into how well each new signing will do, who the teams to be wary of are and why we should all try to be Happy no matter how bad you think it's getting (football wise that is!).
Remember
Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.
So now we move on to the serious business of preparing for the promotion season. It's certainly not going to be easy but at some point we all have to stop deciding we know better and just get behind the team, the manager and the board. We should take this summer as that point!
It may not have been the win we wanted but a system of play does seem to be taking shape. It was quite nice to be watching the players pass the ball to someone wearing the same kit as them, not get too worried when the opposition moved the ball into our half and generally watch a game when were never really going to loose. Lets face it after the season we've had you've got to be Happy with that!
As for us, well due to the current economic climate we will all be down the mines for the next three months or so. Over this time each of us will try to bring their own unique ideas to you, giving insight into how well each new signing will do, who the teams to be wary of are and why we should all try to be Happy no matter how bad you think it's getting (football wise that is!).
Remember
Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.
Friday 6 May 2011
Hartlepool and Beyond
Well, the last game of the season is upon us and after this the speculation can start. I suppose it's a bit of fun deciding who will stay and who will go, but to be honest we have far better things to be doing here in Happy Valley. The most important of which is making sure we keep the spirits up of all you non-residents out there who think, especially after SCP's latest comments, that we are all off to hell in a handcart!
But before we start with that we have tomorrows game to consider and in a desperate attempt to prove we know what we are talking about we've decided to take a vote here on what the result will be. Despite what you might think we can't predict the score, well Dopey says he can (3-0) but what does he know.
Anyway the Happy Valley prediction for tomorrows game is a nice day and a good home win, which will certainly keep us all happy here! It will almost certainly have the usual suspects (off to hell... etc.) pointing us in the direction of 2007/2008 when we finished with a 4-1 victory over Coventry City, and we all know what happened the next year!
But as you know we are nothing if not optimistic, so don't listen to them, fear not, victory will be ours and roll on 20011/12, its going to be our season!
We'll be back on Sunday morning to gloat and start the mammoth task of convincing you all, next year is gonna be good!
Remember
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
But before we start with that we have tomorrows game to consider and in a desperate attempt to prove we know what we are talking about we've decided to take a vote here on what the result will be. Despite what you might think we can't predict the score, well Dopey says he can (3-0) but what does he know.
Anyway the Happy Valley prediction for tomorrows game is a nice day and a good home win, which will certainly keep us all happy here! It will almost certainly have the usual suspects (off to hell... etc.) pointing us in the direction of 2007/2008 when we finished with a 4-1 victory over Coventry City, and we all know what happened the next year!
But as you know we are nothing if not optimistic, so don't listen to them, fear not, victory will be ours and roll on 20011/12, its going to be our season!
We'll be back on Sunday morning to gloat and start the mammoth task of convincing you all, next year is gonna be good!
Remember
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
Wednesday 4 May 2011
Chris Powell
Nothing, apart from a criticism of our leader KP, will send all of the residents here in Happy Valley to see Doc for some of my pills quicker than the comment by fans that Chris Powell should be replaced as manager.
Now it's worth pointing out that neither I nor the others wanted Phil Parkinson sacked but that has now happened and we must move on.
Everyone has their opinions, but there really is only one right one, Chris Powell must stay and have at least next season, not just 10 games, to see if he is the right man to be manager of Charlton Athletic Football Club. This is the only question that needs to be asked, certainly not is he a good or a bad Manager. How can anyone answer that? He hasn't been in the job long enough for any of you to make that sort of statement and anyone who makes either, is at best misguided. Even if he fails does that make him a bad manager, not necessarily, we may not be the right club for him.
You see the issue really is "who is the right man for the job?". Roy Hodgson was according to Fulham fans, according to Liverpool fans he wasn't and my guess is according to West Brom fans he is.
Only time will tell if he is right for this club, but nobody can tell if the next man will be either even if he is seen as a "good manager", just ask West Ham fans about a certain Alan Curbishley.
So for Docs sake, stop banging on about getting rid of Chris Powell, you have NO IDEA, ABSOLUTELY NONE if your new man will do any better.
Remember
To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.
Now it's worth pointing out that neither I nor the others wanted Phil Parkinson sacked but that has now happened and we must move on.
Everyone has their opinions, but there really is only one right one, Chris Powell must stay and have at least next season, not just 10 games, to see if he is the right man to be manager of Charlton Athletic Football Club. This is the only question that needs to be asked, certainly not is he a good or a bad Manager. How can anyone answer that? He hasn't been in the job long enough for any of you to make that sort of statement and anyone who makes either, is at best misguided. Even if he fails does that make him a bad manager, not necessarily, we may not be the right club for him.
You see the issue really is "who is the right man for the job?". Roy Hodgson was according to Fulham fans, according to Liverpool fans he wasn't and my guess is according to West Brom fans he is.
Only time will tell if he is right for this club, but nobody can tell if the next man will be either even if he is seen as a "good manager", just ask West Ham fans about a certain Alan Curbishley.
So for Docs sake, stop banging on about getting rid of Chris Powell, you have NO IDEA, ABSOLUTELY NONE if your new man will do any better.
Remember
To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.
Monday 2 May 2011
Happy Birthday
You see, there is ALWAYS something to be Happy about.............
Today is a cause for celebration in Happy Valley. Our glorious leader, true Charlton legend and all round top man, Keith Peacock was born on this day in 1945. Probably the nicest man we, here in The Valley, have ever had the pleasure and privilege to meet, you won't remember us Keith but believe me we will never forget you.
If there is one man who typifies what Charlton is all about it is Keith Peacock and as we said yesterday, if he says "Chris will become a very good manager", then trust us, he will.
So "Happy Birthday, Keith" from all of us here at Happy Valley.
A really great man is known by three signs... generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success.
Sunday 1 May 2011
You Heard It Hear First
Remember this day, 1st May 2011.
If you follow Charlton Athletic, and lets face it if you don't you've got lost on the Web again, then you are probably not the happiest football fan in the country at the moment.
However, I bring you tidings of great joy!
In approximately 365 days time your beloved club will be promoted to the English Championship, see I told you we were the most optimistic blog around!
Forget all this doom and gloom, don't worry if Chris Powell is a novice manager, don't worry about who will be leaving, staying or arriving on a fast train from somewhere good, we're going up!
Its a nailed on certainty, we heard it the other day and we believe it, Keith told us and here in Happy Valley we know it's true, next year will be OUR year!
If you like to moan or feel fed up then this isn't the place for you, because on this site there is only happiness and positivity. This season may have seemed like the worst but at the end of it we have a true legend in charge and the greatest man ever to wear the shirt is there to oversee it all, if that doesn't make you happy and proud, be off with you and don't darken my doors again.
Remember
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