Charlton made his debut against Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton made his debut for Manchester United against Charlton at Old Trafford on 6th October 1956, scoring the home side's second and third goals in a 4-2 win.  Lucas and Ayre scored for Charlton, Marsh was in goal.   Charlton finished bottom of the table and United took the title.

'Kanu's a new king of Shrimpers'

That was the headline in today's Non-League Paper today after Daniel Kanu scored four of Southend United's goals in their 5-0 demolition of third placed Solihull Moors.

Shrimpers supremo Kevin Maher said: 'Daniel is a goal scorer and he knows where to be on the pitch.'

Match report here: https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2023/october/21/match-report--blues-v-solihull/

He played up front

Andy Hunt certainly seems to have found the good life in Belize with his superb tourist resort: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/24427380/andy-hunt-premier-league-luxury-holiday-resort-jungle-wife/?fbclid=IwAR3MHBCbqxBZuCf5Nv3KesVmsx1jM02pZOx0HEvUhkl3HGWrRrYJnardRDs

One of my all time favourite players.

Derby draw for Charlton

Charlton face  Eltham-based Cray Valley Paper Mills in the first round of the FA Cup whose team includes one of Kevin Lisbie's sons.  Kyrell Lisbie scored twice for them in their 5-2 win over Enfield Town.

Their website is here: https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/

Elliott hopeful of path ahead

Paul Elliott thinks that the whole culture and set of values was ripped out at Charlton, but now thinks that the club is back on the right track with the current owners: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/13/paul-elliott-charlton-athletic-diversity-football

Rak-Sakyi benefits from time at Charlon

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was a standout player for Charlton last season.  Many thought that the Glaziers would loan him out to a Champinship club this season, but Roy Hodgson could see Premier League potential, saying 'I think this was the best learning curve for him.'

Yesterday 'he galvanised a deflated crowd' at Sainsbury's according to The Times, bringing 'a burst of zeal' but also showing 'defensive discipline'.   Hofgson praised his skill at 'manipulating the ball' and creating 'a yard of space', but also praised his defensive awareness.

The Times managed several paragraphs of salivating without mentioning his development at Charlton, but The Athletic brought the Addicks in to their report

'This is a player who is not easily daunted. Rak-Sakyi has impressed Palace’s staff and team-mates in training with his performances, application and his character. There is an eagerness to learn, demonstrated by his decision to take French lessons while on loan with Charlton Athletic in League One last season given his ambition to play for Ghana, with a number of their squad either born in France or now with clubs there. There has never been any question of allowing his early Premier League involvement — his debut actually came in August 2021, at Chelsea — to think he had ‘made it’.

Understandably there were a a few nerves in the early stages on Saturday, but once he had the chance to run at Forest’s left-back Harry Toffolo he gained confidence.

Toffolo looked afraid of the tall, skinny winger with clever feet and good close control. None of his team-mates had managed to create such panic in the visitors’ back line and by the end of the afternoon, no player on either team could surpass Rak-Sakyi’s tally of dribbles (five) and successful dribbles (three).

Rak-Sakyi was stepping into the space created by injuries to Michael Oliee and then Schlupp. Providing the same impact as Olise would be too much to ask, but this was his most encouraging showing yet. The step up from the third tier with Charlton to the Premier League is a significant one, but the only way he will bridge it is with continued exposure to challenging match situations.'

It's a bitter pill to swallow to help the Glaziers, but it may encourage other clubs to lend out promsing players.

Onward and upward?

Charlton have the chance to make it four home wins in a row when they face Blackpool at home.   The teams are adjacent in the form table (13th/14th) but the Seasiders have a better home than away record (won just one).   Three points might eeen get us in the top half of the table: https://www.castrust.org/2023/10/the-top-half-beckons/

Streaming allowed me to watch Tuesday's game.   The result was obviously pleasing even if the dirty Devonians were in part the architects of their own misfortune.   I particularly enjoyed Leaburn's goal.  I thought that the right substitutes were brought on at the right time.

Derided as scraping the barrel when he joined us, Corey Blackett-Taylor showed once again that he is a class act.   Chuks Aneke;s physicality is a challenge for opposition defences and he has good ball control.  Alfie May should have taken the penalty and should be positioned up front.   Louie Watson is a great loan signing.   Tedic is a very technical player, not sure whether he will deliver.   Good to see Scott Fraser back on the pitch.

Without joining that nabob of negativity Steve Brown, there are clearly areas for improvement.   The space we gave Exeter for their goal was worrying, although Maynard-Brewer could have done better. Our corners rarely threaten and often give the basis for a counter attack where we are often at sixes and sevens.  One of the corners taking short was more threatening, but this is a skilled art.

So far so good for the new manager, but he has been fortunate in the players coming back from injury.