Bristol fear 'moneybags' Charlton

Bristol City fear a 'tough' season in the Championship next season. Well, it could be for them as they might well face a relegation battle: Bristol City

Particular concern is expressed about Charlton and Chris Powell's 'expansive war chest' to fund new signings. Obviously they know something we don't as at the end of the season Sir Chris was talking about 'sensible strengthening' which hardly sounds like splashing the cash.

The one surprising thing about this report is that there is no specific discussion of Sheffield Wednesday which one would think would be the team Bristol City would most fear. Instead, they seem more concerned about the three teams relegated from the Premiership who arguably lack the 'massive' status enjoyed by Wednesday.

No doubt Charlton fans venturing to Ashton Gate will receive the usual friendly west country welcome. Plans for a new stadium never seem to come to fruition. One is really in egg chasing territory and Bristol clubs have never made an impact commensurate with the size of the city.

Massive news

The news that the city of Sheffield will be represented solely by its massive team in the Championship next season has already been tweeted to Planet GJ667Cc by a team of electronic artists in Arizona. Unfortunately, the news will take twenty years to get there travelling at the speed of light.

However, more information is emerging about this massive planet. Apparently, part of it, especially towards the north, is occupied by a race of super intelligent giant owls who have enough dexterity in their talons to make steel. The feedstock for the steel comes from intergalactic scrap metal merchants.

Apparently they are the remnants of a little known space expedition that was sent from New Cross to Uranus in the hope of finding intelligent life there as there was none in New Cross. They missed their target and ended up in another part of the galaxy.

One of the scrap merchants said, 'It's an in and out job for us on their planet. The screeching of those owls does your head in. And as for the smell. We beam up to the mother ship as soon as we can and tune into the New Den to chill out.'

The rest of the planet is occupied by a humanoid race called Bladesmen whom the Owls depend on to turn their steel into implements. Apparently their cutlery is much prized in that part of the galaxy.

The two races encounter each other at the massive Merryhell retail outlet.

14 years since that day

It is 14 years today since the 'greatest game' when Charlton beat Sunderland on penalties to get promoted to the Premiership. Some of the Addickted couldn't watch and descended into the bowels of a decrepit Wembley until they heard the cheers. When I got home my neighbour, who supports Coventry City, rushed out to greet us. An ITV newsreader announced with a look of surprised horror on her face that the 'tiny' London club had been promoted.

You can read my thoughts at the time here (you need to scroll down): Wembley

We've had some ups and downs since then, and some grim times, but today we can once more be proud of the club and what it has achieved under Chris Powell. Richard Murray always used to think there would one day be a Premiership B and that's where would be. Such a model would have involved fewer clubs in the top and second tier, but in a sense the Championship is a de facto Premiership B.

Not much news at the moment, all summed by an official tweet the other day. 'Quiet day at the training ground. Not much happening.

The Times is featuring a house in Crystal Palace in its property section today. It doesn't look a very good buy anyway, but the downsides forget to mention the locale.

Pardew sets his sights on England job

Alan Pardew would like to follow Roy Hodgson in the England job. No false modesty there, then, and no mention of Charlton Athletic in this interview: Pardew

Pardew does accept, however, that he is not quite ready for the role yet: he has yet to secure a European trophy or, for that matter, manage Sheffield Wednesday. Anyway, it's quality all round as Mihir Bose interviews Pardew in the Sub-Standard.

Stepping up

Former performance analyst and Loughborough University graduate Bradley Pritchard talks about the experience of stepping up from the non-league to play for the Addicks: Pritchard

The year has clearly surpassed his expectations, but he also exceeded mine. He was particularly pleased to play against both Sheffield clubs, both the massive one and the slightly smaller one.

Northern parts

Following the promotion of West Ham, the only teams from the capital in the Championship next season will be the three rival clubs from South London. Watford are on the fringes of London - and could be one possibility for a relegation struggle next year.

Ten of the teams are from Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cleveland meaning some long trips for the Addickted who go regularly to away games. However, no trip will be as long as Carlisle, but that was well worth the trouble for those who went.

There are also five teams in the Midlands, plus two from the East of England, one from Wales, one from the West of England (friendly Bristol City), one from the south coast - and Watford.

West Ham were designated as a 'massive' team yesterday but have now left the division. At the time of writing three clubs have been described as 'massive': Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and the Jupiter-size massives, Sheffield Wednesday. Presumably that's all three promotion spots accounted for, but no doubt other clubs will be added to the list of massive over time.

Ricardo Gardner linked with Charlton

Rumours are linking central midfielder Ricardo Gardner with the Addicks. He can also play on the left, providing an alternative to Johnnie Jackson. The Jamaican has been released by Bolton Wanderers, but he will be 34 in September.

Rhoys Wiggins has had to withdraw from a possible debut with Wales because of a heel injury. He is on a six week programme to restore his fitness.

West Ham describe themselves this morning as a 'massive' club: if they stay down, they will meet another one.

Apologies for putting a post about the CAP on this page earlier this morning: it has now found its real home.