Curbs: Parker sale denied us Europe

A recent edition of Four Four Two has a double page spread interview with Alan Curbishley.

He states: 'After that first promotion to the Premier League, we made a joint decision that of whatever money we took from that season, a third would go on the squad, a third on the stadium and a third would be back-up money if we got relegated.  You see teams relegated from the Premier League having a mass exodus because they can't afford the players' contracts.   That plan meant we didn't have to sell anyone.  We could invest in the squad and we came back up as champions.'

'All of the players we brought to the club had a point to prove.  We never bought the ready-made Premier League player until later.   It ended up working to our detriment a little bit because once we got to that 40 point safety mark, we tailed off from some really good positions.'

'The closest we came to Europe was in 2003/4.  I'm sure we would have finished in the top four or five if Scott Parker hadn't joined Chelsea in January.  We got £12 million, but so late in the window I couldn't spend it.'

Curbs says he didn't get the interviews the other boys did for the England job in 2006, they were interviewed in a private house, he was interviewed in the FA offices because of a timing clash with a FA Cup replay.

In terms of other high profile jobs, Curbs said that he was in a position at Charlton where he was in charge of the whole football club.  He didn't think he was ready for a bigger club, he needed more experience.  He had one year left on his contract and has just been interviewed for the England job.  He wanted his contract to run out - but we all know what happened.

Addicks edged out of play off places

Charlton were edged out of the play off places on goal difference after their 1-0 defeat at Birmingham this afternoon.  It is no shame to be narrowly defeated by the league leaders, although they were dominant in the game.

Nathan Jones thought that his side lacked spark and sharpness: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-charlton-athletic-lacked-spark-during-defeat-at-birmingham-city/

There was some controversy in the game when Blues fans thought that Maynard-Brewer had come outside his area to pick up the ball.  The referee didn't think so and  Blues boss Chris Davies got a yellow card for his protests.  At least part of the ball was on the line and therefore inside the area,.  Nathan Jones said that he thought that Birmingham made far too much of this: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/that-was-mental-nathan-jones-provides-view-on-ashley-maynard-brewer-handball-accusation-at-birmingham/

The winning goal came after Ethan Laird flicked on a goal-kick from Ryan Allsop and Stansfield took it past Conor Coventry on the halfway line before lashing it into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

Kieran Dowell almost made it 2-0 but his free-kick grazed a post and Willum Willumsson's curling shot from the edge of the box flew inches wide.  Tomoki Iwata was denied by Maynard-Brewer when his shot was saved.

Charlton were forced to replace the injured Maynard-Brewer with Will Mannion at half-time.   The Australian has a suspected groin injury.

The only on-target effort from the Addicks came in the 76th minute when Daniel Kanu's shot was saved by Allsop.

Captain Greg Docherty dissects Charlton's performance, saying that we lacked 'killer instinct': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-skipper-greg-docherty-we-lacked-killer-instinct-in-defeat-at-birmingham-city/

Charlton are Scott free

There have been no reports of Charlton fans rending their shirts or returning their season tickets after it was reported that technical director Andy Scott had left the club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/andy-scott-leaves-technical-director-role-at-charlton-athletic/

Indeed, many fans took the view that rather than adding value to the team the overall balance was negative.

Blues prepare injuries alibi

Birmingham City are complaining about five injuries in case tomorrow's game against Charlton does not deliver the expected three points: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-injury-news-charlton-29851911

The top three clubs in League One have really serious money behind them, Birmingham City most of all. Their owners seem to have good judgment and a strategic vision.

I watched them play Newcastle United on television and there is no doubt that they have some quality players.  Alfie May fans should note that he played only a cameo role.

2,000 Addicks are making the trip to Birmingham and there would have been more if the Blues had been prepared to release more tickets.  The odds must favour the Millwall of the Midlands to end Charlton's unbeaten run, but the Addicks are in confident mood and a draw is possible.

Apart from the super Salopians, we are the only team to have beaten them in the league this season: https://www.castrust.org/2025/02/whats-it-all-about-alfie/

'Useless' player scores late winner

It looked liked being a valley of frustration at Charlton tonight until Gillesphey, a favourite target of moaners, scored the winning goal against Peterborough with a pinpoint header.

As is often the case, Charlton did not start particularly well with the visitors trying out a different formation.  

A shot from outside the area by Luke Berry hit the post after 32 minutes for Charlton, before Peterborough keeper Jed Steer had to save from Matty Godden at point blank range a minute later.

The game kicked into life in an amazing eight-minute spell. After increased Charlton pressure, the visitors were undone by a penalty after 54 minutes. Sam Hughes handled in the box, with Godden converting from the spot.  Steve Brown thought ir wasn't a penalty and was upbraided by his nemesis from Canada, Brown retorting that his critic had never played football.

It looked to become an awful evening for Peterborough when charm merchant Fernandez was dismissed after 58 minutes for lunging at Thierry Small.

However, they hit back three minutes later from a Malik Mothersille spot kick, after Ricky-Jade Jones was upended in the area.   Darren Ferguson was indignant that Ramsay was not sent off, but the double jeopardy rule did not apply.

The Peterborough resolve was finally broken when Gillesphey headed home an 88th-minute corner delivered by Alex Gilbert.

Nathan Jones admitted that it was more hairy than he would liked it to have been, but praised the mentality of Charlton's players who didn't give up: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-praises-charlton-athletic-mentality-as-they-strike-late-again-to-climb-to-5th-in-league-one/

Another key game tonight

At the end of the season midweek winter matches often turn out to have had a decisive impact on the final outcome.  Three points off Peterborough tonight are vital if Charlton are to qualify for the play offs.

Yo-yo club Peterborough were expected to be competing for promotion, but things have not gone to plan and they are 20th in the table and in a similar position in the form table.  Charlton are 4th in the form table.  Posh's away record is particularly poor, having won two, drawn two and lost nine.   They have conceded 29 goals away from home.  

Holders of the Vertu Trophy, Posh did manage to battle their way through to the semi-finals last week, beating Cheltenham Town 3-2.

Although I am hopeful that the Addicks can take three points tonight, Peterborough can be very physical and referees generally show little interest for fear of being seen as a 'homer'.

Magazine pays tribute to Lennie Lawrence

Lennie Lawrence has stepped back as Hartlepool United coach and taken the No.2 role: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce3lgy17q0ko

However, before this became known Four Four Two published a two page tribute to the Charlton legend in their March issue.   The survival of the club owes much to him.

Lawrence notes that Hartepool asked him to do the job for a month, just like Charlton did 40 years ago. 

The 77-year old says that  'Man management remains the most important thing and there are aspects of it that are the same as they were 30 years ago.   Others are different (he cites social media)and you need to embrace that.'

Lawrence says that he was not particularly abrasive or confrontational back in the day and 'these approaches now wouldn't hold you in good stead.   To use a modern buzzword, you have to show empathy towards players as well as being demanding and having standards - you've got to understand them and help them.'

'Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it - that's the key, there has to be mutual respect.  The first thing I said to the players when I took Charlton over 40 years ago was "I promise I'll be honest with you and I'll try to be fair - I can't always be fair, but I'll try to be honest -that's the starting point.'