Signings reports bring little cheer

Reports from Wiltshire that Russell Slade is about to bring Louis Thompson and Declan Rudd in on loan from Norwich City have done little to comfort disillusioned Addicks: Possible signings

Thompson is a 21-year midfielder of Welsh origin whose career was kick started by Paolo di Canio when he was managing at Swindon: Career details

Declan Rudd would provide the much needed goalkeeper in addition to Phillips. He is now listed on Wikipedia as playing for Charlton: Norfolk through and through

The extent of disillusionment is shown by the fact that there were only 1,409 Charlton supporters at yesterday's final friendly at The Valley with another 217 who had made the trip from the Netherlands. There was a time when this game was a big occasion which I and others would not miss.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw with RKC Waalwijk. They hardly compare with pre-season opponents we once had such as Spurs and Hearts (the latter for Alan Curbishley's testimonial year).

VOTV editor Rick Everitt has tweeted that this may be the lowest post-war attendance for a first team fixture at The Valley.

Charlton Athletic Museum have responded that it was a friendly, hence not a proper first team fixture, but admitted that it was still a very low crowd.

At least the club hasn't brought any civil legal proceedings against fans yet which is what is happening at Blackpool: Popular owners

There is an excellent post on the Drinking During the Game blog which sums up our desperate situation and Roland's motivations very well: Not a good place