Will takeover boost Carlisle or distract them?

Today's opponents, Carlisle United, have new American owners, a takeover warmly welcomed by supporters who see it as a major boost: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67501658

However, boss Paul Simpson thinks it could be a distraction for his players who have only won once in their last five outings: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/carlisle-boss-wary-of-distraction-ahead-of-charlton-clash/

Historically Carlisle has been a place where we have secured promotion: https://www.castrust.org/2023/11/can-another-operation-brunton-cure-the-winter-blues/

Nearly 1,000 Addicks will be making the journey north with one train already cancelled.

Curbs: I'm available if needed

Curbs says that he would be happy to help out at Charlton if needed, but is enjoying retirement (he certainly doesn't lack holidays).  He talks about how his career hit the buffers because of the way in which he left West Ham: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/alan-curbishley-fergie-mistake-west-ham-2772639

Better times at The Valley

This article argues that Charlton are making significant progress under Michael Appleton and the new owners, but surplus players need to be offloaded in January and the defence strengthened: https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2023/11/23/michael-appleton-is-slowly-bringing-the-memorable-moments-back-to-charlton-athletic/

May's Haaland target

Alfie May would like to score more goals that Erling Haaland this season, but admits it was a wrench to leave Cheltenham: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13003293/alfie-may-interview-charlton-forward-on-his-hopes-of-scoring-more-league-goals-than-erling-haaland-in-2023

I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Dave of Drinking During the Game.  He was always on the button with his analysis of games and takeovers.   An excellent tribute from Charlton author Paul Breen can be found here: https://www.castrust.org/2023/11/raising-a-parting-glass-to-dave-thomson/

McGrandles is on the up

Michael Appleton was delighted with his players performance and attitude of his players in the 3-0 victory over Sutton United in the used vehicles trophy.   In particular he noted the continuing improvement shown by Conor McGrandles who was his captain at Lincoln: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-delighted-at-spot-on-attitude-as-efl-trophy-progression-secured/

The Valley Story

TalkSport takes an illustrated look at the history of The Valley: https://talksport.com/football/1642203/charlton-stadium-the-valley-condemned-arsenal-liverpool/

Job done

A professional performance by Charlton last night saw the Addicks shred Cray Valley Paper Mills 6-1 at the Valley of Reams, earning supporters the chance to once again enjoy the amenities of Gillingham's temporary stand.

Alfie May was deservedly man of the match and Dobbo scored a brilliant goal.  Good to see Mbick make his senior debut just after his 17th birthday and score.

Congratulations to Lisbie Junior on scoring the penalty, even if his dad couldn't look.  Fans calling for us to sign him up are wide of the mark.   However, National League sides should be interested as he clearly has an eye for goal.  Our priorities should be to retain CBT (albeit not at his best recenly) and Dobbo.

Cray Valley have played very well and I wish then success for the rest of a crowded season, starting with a FA trophy match on Saturday.  Unfortunately, they are too far down the pyramid for us to loan out players. 

Pompey hopes

Michael Appleton said before Sunday's match against Cray Valley Paper Mills that he wanted Charlton to be a paragraph in the papers on Monday, not a leading story.   As it happens, The Times devoted two short paragraphs to Charlton, but made a major splash of Portsmouth's defeat at Chesterfield where they played their first team..

CAS Trust preview here.  It mentions Colby Bishop who was available at a snip from Leamington some years ago: https://www.castrust.org/2023/11/portsmouth-three-points-as-usual-please/

Coming into Saturday's game, Pompey have some injury worries: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-hit-with-double-injury-set-back-ahead-of-charlton-clash-but-welcome-encouraging-news-over-skipper-4404495

We have had a good record at Fratton Park in recent years against a background of general mediocrity, but these good runs eventually come to an end.  Much depends on our defence.

2,153 Addicks will be in the away end,

Congratulations to Alfie May on becoming League One Player of the Month, the first time we have had this accolade for three years which speaks volumes.  Interview with him here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-interview-with-league-ones-player-of-the-month-for-october-charlton-athletic-striker-alfie-may/

The FA Cup dilemma

A club like Charlton faces a dilemma when playing a FA Cup match against a team like Cray Valley Paper Mills.  We aren't going to win the FA Cup and we wouldn't even progress far enough to make much money out of it.   The league is more important and we have an cricial match against Portsmouth coming up.  We can't afford injuries to key players.

So we can't really blame Michael Appleton for putting out a 2nd XI, although perhaps eleven changes was a step too far.  One could have front loaded the team with Leaburn and May and then withdrawn them when a lead was established.

However, the 2nd XI should have been good enough to win.   Instead we saw just how bad Charlie Kirk is, and at one time he was seen as a player with great potential.   Walker in goal was not impressive, fumbling the ball more than once.   Their goalkeeper did well.

Now we have to deal with a replay with the prize of a trip to Gillingham.  I would probably put the same side out, but tweak it a bit, dropping Kirk and Walker.

Appleton says that he takes full responsibility for the team selection: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/michael-appleton-i-take-full-responsibility-for-team-selection-in-fa-cup-draw-against-non-leaguers-cray-valley-pm/

Parking resttrictions will hit club

A survey by CAS Trust shows that matchday parking restrictions proposed by Greenwich Council will hit matchday attendances and club revenue.  Fans are dispersed well beyond the home boroughs these days: https://castrust.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=47ab8cc58db1fe6727e9ed9c2&id=de44fc0244&e=97ed1d02c3

It's a confidence game

Charlton got their first away win in six months at Wigan with a 3-2 scoreline.  The Addicks were well on  top in the first half, scoring three goals and nearly a fourth.   However, two late Wigan goals made for a nervy finish.

Confidence is a large part of success in football and the last ten minutes showed that this was still lacking.

Nevertheless, Michael Appleton excused the nervy finish and explained his late substitutions which did seem to upset the balance of the side: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/michael-appleton-ready-to-forgive-nervy-finish-as-charlton-athletic-record-first-away-win-in-six-months/

Charlton are now 11th in the table.