Who is your scapegoat player?

Keith Jones, to whom I dedicated a book

Charlton fans like to have a scapegoat player.  My father used to think that 'Squib' Hammond was not up to much, but I thought he played his part in the midfield engine room.

I remember when it was Keith Jones whose kit I sponsored. People objected to him passing the ball sideways, but he was supposed to be a defensive midfielder.  When he stepped up to take his penalty at the Greatest Game people around me shouted 'Not him', but he scored.

In his latest blog, the Chicago Addick assesses Conor Coventry who was an unused substitute for Ireland in their 5-0 defeat.

However, perhaps it is the Gasman who has disappointed most this season.   Here a fan analyst [?] discusses his contribution: https://soccer4u.co.uk/?p=12255

Looking on the bright side of life

A recent football crossword had the clue 'embarrassment' and the answer was 'Tottenham'.   No doubt some Charlton fans would suggest that our club might be the answer.

Having enjoyed last night's England win, I have some non-league excitement to look forward to.  Tomorrow Leamington's manager celebrates 15 years in charge at a FA trophy game.   Next Tuesday sees the first home match live on television (v. Chester).  Then next Saturday it is Scunthorpe United at home.

At the moment, even though the standard is lower, I am enjoying non-league football more.  There is less  moaning and a lot more jovial banter.   And it is possible for the individual fan to make a difference. The chairman rang up and asked if I could pay for new drainage on the training pitch and I was happy to send him the readies.   The same four figure sum would have been a drop in the ocean at Charlton/

But then if you are a born and bred Charlton fan, you expect to suffer.

Jones sent off in 'Bristols' clash

Charlton beat Bromley 1-0 with a Leaburn goal last night in what Louis Mendez insists on calling the 'Bristols'?   Doesn't he know his rhyming slang or is he just winding us up?

Somewhat bizarrely, Nathan Jones was sent off, although apparently it only applies to this competition.  Louis Mendez explains: 'Adjudged to have touched the ball whilst it was in play. It was going out, nearly was out, and there wasn't anyone near it to try and keep it in but them appears to be the rules.'

Somewhat surprisingly there were nearly 3,000 there, but in large part this was because of a big turnout of Bromley supporters. Charlton fans in the West Stand had to cope with just one catering outlet open.

So we end up top of the Bristol Street Motors Southern Group C with nine points out of nine. Hardly a great achievement, but a win is a win and we might be able to progress.

Former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney commented: 'It usually takes a few matches for a young player to find his feet when moved up to the first team and it can be quite a nerve racking appearance on debut. In that context I was excited by Kai Enslin’s performance in the BSM Charlton v Bromley cup match on Tuesday evening. He showed pace, was not shy to tackle, constantly demanded the ball from teammates and made intelligent runs. Definitely one for the future.'

BTW, I am no fan of Shropshire's finest, but they have made a shrewd appointment in Gareth Ainsworth. I wouldn't have minded him at Charlton.

My glass looks half empty

Greg Docherty says that he shares fans' frustrations at poor performances and bring out the 'It's a long old season' cliché: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-captain-greg-docherty-says-he-shares-fans-frustration-at-recent-results/

I'm a glass half full guy, but increasingly it looks half empty.   To those who think sacking the manager is the answer, is there a long queue of qualified individuals wanting the poisoned chalice?

Will Mannion is the latest on the injury list of 10, at least the postponement of the Peterborough game may give some of them the chance to recover: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-goalkeeper-will-mannion-added-to-ever-growing-injury-list/

I wish we had some reliable comparative statistics on injuries at different clubs.

Dismal defeat in Devon

To stay in touch with the play off places, Charlton needed to win at Exeter City today but they handed the Grecians a 1-0 win and their first clean sheet in five games.

It was a poor performance and one fan who was there felt it was season defining although it was still only November.

There was a lot of hoofing the ball in the air, one might expect that in non-league but not in League One.

Tristan Crama scored the only goal of the game in Exeter’s League One win over Charlton.

The on-loan Brentford defender, who turned 23 on Friday, was outstanding in keeping the Addicks at bay and then scored the only goal of the game with a superb header to settle an even contest between the two promotion hopefuls.

Charlton started well with Matty Godden heading straight at Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth but chances were largely at a premium in a cagey first half.

The second half started with Conor Coventry placing a shot just wide of the upright from a smart free kick move for the Addicks, while Ilmari Niskanen saw a shot deflect into the side-netting with Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer rooted to the spot.

That led to Exeter’s 13th corner of the game and this time, in the 59th minute, Crama got across his man to guide a brilliant header into the net from Ed Francis’ delivery.

Charlton had a glorious chance to level when former Addick Ben Purrington sold Whitworth short with a back header but Godden dragged his shot wide of the upright from 15 yards.

Alex Mitchell also headed a great chance wide as Charlton laid siege to the Exeter goal but they could not force the ball home

Nathan Jones slammed the first half performance but thought the second half was better: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-slams-first-half-performance-at-exeter-but-feels-charlton-side-were-really-good-after-the-interval/

Just a shame we couldn't take our chances.

Louis Mendez reviews the game, pointing out that once again the Addicks had difficulty in exercising control over it for any length of time: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-exeter-city-1-charlton-athletic-0-addicks-edged-out-at-st-james-park-as-concern-grows-over-lack-of-wins/

Supremo's warning

Charlton will fail to achieve their objectives this season unless they tighten up at the back, warns Nathan Jones: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-nathan-jones-warns-side-they-will-fail-in-season-objectives-unless-they-tighten-up-at-the-back/

We also need more consistent firepower up front and a creative midfield.

Last gasp win in Cup

Charlton are in the 2nd round of the FA Cup after a last gasp extra time victory at Southend United.  Moaners complained about a struggle against a non-league outfit, but like most National League sides the  Shrimpers are full time and the gap between the National League and the EFL has narrowed.

Gassan Ahadme scored a last-gasp extra-time winner as Charlton Athletic escaped with a thrilling 4-3 FA Cup win at National League side Southend.

Miles Leaburn and Zach Mitchell, scoring his first Charlton goal, had put the Addicks in control during the first half.   Leaburn headed home a left wing cross from Josh Edwards after just nine minutes.  Mitchell nodded in a left wing free from Terry Taylor on 40 minutes.

The Addicks wasted a golden chance to go 3-0 ahead with skipper Matty Godden firing a shot against the crossbar when he was clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat.

But their non-league opponents fought back through a Jack Bridge penalty on the stroke of half time and Oliver Coker’s 52nd-minute strike.

Matty Godden put Charlton back in front midway through the second half, sliding the ball in from close range.

But Joshua Edwards’ own goal in stoppage time sent the tie to extra time.  Louis Mendez thinks it went in off Gillesphey.

However, it was Charlton’s turn to strike in time added-on when Ahadme sent the Addicks into round two following a mix up in the home defence.

Full report from Louis Mendez here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-southend-united-3-charlton-athletic-4-addicks-scrape-into-next-round-of-the-fa-cup-after-roots-hall-thriller/

Nathan Jones expresses his relief and says 'we have to be better': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-expresses-masses-of-relief-as-charlton-athletic-edge-beyond-non-league-southend-the-hard-way-in-the-fa-cup/