It's difficult to work out whether the calls for Nathan Jones to be replaced come from a vocal minority or an exasperated majority? I am looking at some new software to see if I can create a survey.
Names that have been mentioned as replacements include Chris Powell, Lee Bowyer and Johnnie Jackson. I doubt whether the first two would return. I agree with those who argue that Jackson was let go too quickly, but he is now settled at the Wombles.
The squad really needs to be strengthened, but getting value for money in January is really difficult. It is all very well to call for 'ambition' when it is someone else's money that is being spent. However, there may be chances in the loan market: I know we have had some real dross, but there have been one or two successes (Rak-Sakyi).
I do think that the whole financial structure of football is turning against clubs like Charlton and while I support the idea of a regulator, I do not think it will change things fundamentally. Even in the second tier of non-league there are full time teams and de facto nursery clubs.
BTW, those who argue that Charlton are little better than non-league haven't seen much football at that level recently (perhaps excluding National League tier 1).
I am less confident than some that I know the answers, although I think that Peter Varney is right to say that we need to resolve 'structural' issues at the club.
For the last ten years of my career I was largely working on life science projects and one leading life scientist told me, 'I know that everything I know is wrong.' For example, Darwin's account of evolution is now seen as flawed (This doesn't mean that dinosaurs were here 6,000 years ago). I think that also applies to football as the way the game is played, the technology and the financial structure are all changing. Clubs like Charlton risk being left behind.
Commiserations to 2,000 Millwall fans after the floodlights failed at Portsmouth. Someone forgot to top up the prepayment meter.
Good morning. A good piece Wyn and I take two pertinent points from it.
ReplyDelete1) Nathan Jones is failing Charlton Athletic. He is binded by his own bullshit and has just about ruined any chance of getting out of this division (upwards) I just cannot understand why after our regular manager sackings he suddenly gets a free pass. The previous managers went because thet were judged not good enough. He isn't good enough.
2) Finance. Yes the finances in football have gone mad. Far too much in the Premier league and not enough distributed evenly down the pyramid.
The longer Charlton Athletic wallow around in League 1 (or potentially L2) the more dire our situation becomes. The club was built for a minimum of Championship football with a ground better than some Premier League teams. We need to get promotion to survive. Varney knows that, I know that and I suspect you know that.
I certainly agree we need promotion, although survival in the Championship is tough as we have found. Hopefully, parachute payments in their present form are going. If we are to sack Jones, we need a quality replacement lined up first. Coventry have just taken on Lumphard and I think they may regret it.
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