Nolan passing overshadows Cup win

The news of the passing of Charlton journalist (and many other things) Kevin Nolan overshadowed today's decisive 4-0 FA cup win at Walsall.   The word 'legend' is overused, but it applied to him.  I didn't have the privilege of knowing him personally, but the tributes have been rolling in.   Rick Everitt, who did know him, will be writing an appreciation tomorrow.

It was an unlikely combination of 'useless' players who put the Addicks ahead at the Bescot.  Conor Coventry provided a cross which was firmly headed into the net by the Gasman.

Matt Godden then took advantage of a sloppy back pass to make it 0-2 with a tap in.

Walsall came out in the second half determined to unsaddle Charlton and did apply some pressure which the Addicks withstood.

The Gasman then put the game largely beyond doubt without another header.

The final goal came in time added on from another criticised player Tyreece Campbell.   He swept home from inside the area.

Charlton players pushed the Gasman towards the away fans to salute them.

Pessimists were quick to respond with the comment that we had now found our level at last: League Two.

It would be nice to have a glamour tie, but we will probably end up away to Morecambe.

Goodbye Chuks?

A clickbait site is predicting that Chuks Aneke will be let go in the new year.   He has scored some vital goals for us, not least as a super sub, but he has been plagued by injuries.  We need to strengthen the squad and reducing the wage bill is one way of doing that, although there are other players that could also be given a single ticket from New Eltham.

There are limits to sentiment in football, but I hope that he gets a decent settlement to help him on his way, possibly through insurance?  Thanks for all your efforts.

Management matters

First a Christmas reading recommendation.   Neil Carter's book The Football Manager: a History is currently available on Abe Books for just over £6.  Not only does it trace the evolution of the role over time, it  has also has a lot of Charlton content as he drew substantially on the Jimmy Seed archive (and provided me with copies of parts of it).

I was hoping to set up a poll on the future of Nathan Jones, but the online survey tools are now a lot more expensive if one wants a decent response rate.   Apologies for that.

One fan actually made a sensible suggestion of a plausible successor yesterday: Mark Robins.   Quite why Stratford upon Avon businessman Doug King sacked the popular manager is unclear.  His explanation was that he had fallen out with his No.2, but that lacks all credibility.   If it was the league position, why didn't he say so?  'Our doubts are our traitors' as the Bard of Avon said.

In any event it appears that Robins is going to stay in the Championship with Hull City while the Sky Blues have appointed Frank Lumphard who is 'seeking redemption' as a manager.   Good players are not necessarily good managers and average players are often the best managers.

Anyway on to Walsall.  The current over emphasis on managers in football has a lot to do with the rise of electronic games in my view so that fans come to believe that the manager is really pushing buttons to move the players around the pitch.

The Chicago Addick has called for 'width, more width' and he may well be right.  At least we should use the FA Cup game to give some of our younger promising players a chance to show what they can do even if it means giving up on the £75,000 prize money.

The Saddlers are currently second in League Two, having won five, lost one and drawn one at the Bescot which is, of course, alongside the M6. (Be warned that the junction for  it coming from the south is a rather dangerous 'scissors' merge).

Walsall see Charlton as a scalp waiting to be taken but Jones is strangely confident: https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/2024/11/29/charlton-athletic-eager-to-build-on-recent-win-ahead-of-walsall-fa-cup-tie/

CAS Trust take heart from the fact that we have been unbeaten in our last nine encounters with Walsall (of course, we could draw and lose on penalties): https://www.castrust.org/2024/11/635751/

I forecast that Charlton will be unsaddled 2-1.

One of my treasured memories of the time when we were a successful club was 4-2 evening win at Walsall (12 wins in a row) and the report is still worth a read: https://addicksdiary3.blogspot.com/2017/09/remembering-key-victory-at-walsall.html

Should Jones go?

It's difficult to work out whether the calls for Nathan Jones to be replaced come from a vocal minority or an exasperated majority?   I am looking at some new software to see if I can create a survey.

Names that have been mentioned as replacements include Chris Powell, Lee Bowyer and Johnnie Jackson.   I doubt whether the first two would return.   I agree with those who argue that Jackson was let go too quickly, but he is now settled at the Wombles.

The squad really needs to be strengthened, but getting value for money in January is really difficult.  It is all very well to call for 'ambition' when it is someone else's money that is being spent.   However, there may be chances in the loan market: I know we have had some real dross, but there have been one or two successes (Rak-Sakyi).

I do think that the whole financial structure of football is turning against clubs like Charlton and while I support the idea of a regulator, I do not think it will change things fundamentally.    Even in the second tier of non-league there are full time teams and de facto nursery clubs.

BTW, those who argue that Charlton are little better than non-league haven't seen much football at that level recently (perhaps excluding National League tier 1).

I am less confident than some that I know the answers, although I think that Peter Varney is right to say that we need to resolve 'structural' issues at the club.

For the last ten years of my career I was largely working on life science projects and one leading life scientist told me, 'I know that everything I know is wrong.'   For example, Darwin's account of evolution is now seen as flawed   (This doesn't mean that dinosaurs were here 6,000 years ago).   I think that also applies to football as the way the game is played, the technology and the financial structure are all changing.   Clubs like Charlton risk being left behind.

Commiserations to 2,000 Millwall fans after the floodlights failed at Portsmouth.  Someone forgot to top up the prepayment meter.

Three points away, but performance disappoints

Charlton moved to 12th in the League One table tonight after a 1-0 win over bottom club Burton Albion, but the performance gave vocal moaners a narrative.   Some of the complaints seem to focus on Jones being Welsh, and call for 'real Charlton people' to get involved which could be code for Lee Bowyer.

Much criticised player Conor Coventry’s first goal for Charlton was enough to see off 10-man Burton and give the Addicks a first win in six games.

Coventry finally broke the Brewers’ resistance with eight minutes to go, firing home the loose ball after Max Crocombe had saved twice with Albion under pressure after the sending-off of charm merchant midfielder Charlie Webster.

A lacklustre first half saw Charlton have the better of the chances but lack a serious cutting edge in the final third.  Charlton had far more shots and shots on target across the game, but possession was equally divided.

Miles Leaburn had two opportunities, one of which forced Crocombe into a comfortable save and Karoy Anderson also managed to send an attempt on target without seriously troubling the Burton stopper.  This was perhaps no surprise to his many critics.

The home side looked threatening when they could get midfielder Webster into advanced areas, but it was Tomas Kalinauskas who went close for Albion early in the second half with a low shot that Ashley Maynard-Brewer had to get down well to save.

Webster saw red for his reaction to being hauled down by Terry Taylor leaving the Brewers with an uphill task, with Burton unable to hold on for a point.

I am grateful to CAFC Facts and Stats for pointing out: 'Charlton Athletic’s first league win in 6 games last night and brings up the same number of points gained after this many games played for the 3rd season in a row.'

I know nothing!

Some fans are once again calling for a change of manager, but our greatest success has been with managers who have served for long periods.  Of course, there is no point in retaining a manager who is not good enough.   However, there are not many quality managers available who want to come to Charlton with its 'structural' problems and demanding fans.

Given the confidence that many fans have in their own judgment, perhaps we should revive the idea of a fans' consultant, although Jonathan Acworth seems to have disappeared from view.

I have been watching football for over 70 years and I realise that I know very little.   For a start I never see the team training.   I was unable to go to a non-league game recently and listened to the radio commentary instead.  Both the commentator and the analyst were first rate (better than Charlton) and having listened to them I understood some of the tactics.

Gone for a Burton?

It's a long time since we demolished Burton Albion at The Valley in the FA Cup and now they are playing at their dinky ground which is some way outside the home of brewing.   Congratulations to any Addicks who make the trip.   I fear a humiliating draw against the bottom club.

They have won just once at home and lost five times so Charlton are lambs to the slaughter (ok, the Lambs are down the road at Tamworth).

Burton went down 0-3 at home to Stockport on Saturday, but the Hatters are a good team.  Interim head coach Tom Hounsell admitted that they ended up defending for most of the first half which should be less of a problem against the Addicks,.  He added, 'I was also really disappointed with some of the performances out of possession.'    We know about that as well.

A defeat will lead intensity to the calls for Nathan Jones to be dismissed, but is there anyone of quality who would want the job?   The players are not good enough and the fans are known throughout football for their excessive expectations.

Since we were in the Premier League the financial structure of football has changed radically and you need to be a multi-billionaire to fund a club at that level.   The Championship has been distorted by parachute payments, although they now look like being phased out.

I know that Millwall do quite well there, but  let's face it The New Den is a more intimidating place to visit than The Valley and I rate 'Chopper' Harris.

What's it like playing in a pub league?

Charlton fans sometimes assert that League One is a pub or crap league, so it was interesting to read in yesterday's Football League Paper what two newly promoted managers think.

Gareth Ainsworth forged Wycombe Wanderers into a League One force and indeed, somewhat to my surprise, they are currently chairing the division.

Ainsworth has now taken on the unenviable task of reviving Shropshire's finest and he made a first rate start against moneybags club Birmingham City on Saturday.

Ainsworth says: 'Over the years, this division has probably run away from the smaller clubs. League One has got stronger and stronger over the years.   Some of the money that's in League One now .... [it] has really gone crazy with its finances.'

Mansfield's Nigel Clough is approaching 1,500 games as a manager.  He has noticed the jump in standard from League Two.  'It's exactly as we thought it would be - a step up from last season without a doubt.  There are some very good teams.  It's the quality of the players, especially the forwards, it's the quality of everything.'

So is the third tier now a 'rich man's playground' as the FLP claims?   And what does that mean for clubs like Charlton?

Roland's network model was copied but is now losing favour

Barmy Belgian Roland Duchatelet can at least claim to be ahead of the curve in terms of the concept of international networks of clubs, but it is now running into increasing trouble with regulators with the latest victim being a minority shareholder in Crystal Palace: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2024/11/nothing-to-see-here-says-owner-of-top.html

Drifting on a raging Welsh river

Shell shocked supremo Nathan Jones admits that Charlton are 'drifting' at the moment: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-concede-first-for-a-fifth-game-in-a-row-nathan-jones-answers-question-about-recent-slow-starts/

Former chief executive and supporter Peter Varney has said that changing manager again would be pointless without 'structural' changes at The Valley.

Alex Mitchell says that it is 'crazy' how good the away support is, but puts down recent poor form to 'lazy' defending: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-centre-half-alex-mitchell-lazy-defending-is-costing-us-goals/

I wouldn't have thought that a football pitch was a venue for being lazy, but what do I know?

The Football League Show said this morning that Charlton was 'out of sorts' so perhaps a traditional remedy like Andrews Liver Salts would do the trick.

At least we can focus on the Vertu Cup.  I am not sure why it is no longer 'the Bristols', although my experience of Bristol Street Motors was that they charged a small fortune for repairs.

Leaburn 'cramped up'

Miles Leaburn limped off at Huddersfield, but Nathan Jones has tried to reassure supporters that it was not a recurrence of his injury: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-clears-up-miles-leaburn-substitution-after-forward-limps-out-of-defeat-at-huddersfield/ 

If he does require a few days treatment, it will be company for Chuks Aneke.

10 man Charlton lose 2-1

As expected, Charlton were defeated 2-1 at Huddersfield today, but their cause wasn't helped when captain Greg Docherty got himself sent off on 37 minutes.   Many of the 900 or so Addicks there seemed to think it was a harsh call, but a second half goal from the home side cancelled out an equalising penalty from Matt Godden.

Louis Mendez comments: ‘Ten men battled away but lack of quality in front of goal stopped them from stealing a point. Leaburn and Ahadme both came close but Addicks were always up against it. Two wins in 12 now.’

The Gasman missed a sitter from four yards out on 75 minutes.

Nathan Jones got a yellow card for protesting about delays to a free kick.  Huddersfield had 67 per cent possession and six shots on target to one.

Centre-back Matty Pearson put Huddersfield ahead, putting a difficult header in off the underside of the bar. Pearson struck the bar again from another set-piece five minutes later, but this time it came back out.

Brodie Spencer's clumsy challenge on former Huddersfield team-mate Rarmani Edmonds-Green gave Charlton a penalty that Matty Godden put away for 1-1.

But the Addicks were reduced to 10 men four minutes later, with Greg Docherty earning a straight red card for a high, late boot on Nigel Lonwijk.

The Addicks nonetheless started the second half brightly before Huddersfield woke up around the hour and made their advantage count, with David Kasumu smashing home a left-footed drive from 18 yards.

Charlton tried to find a last-second equaliser from a quickly-taken free-kick, but Huddersfield goalkeeper Jacob Chapman showed awareness to race off his line and ensure victory with a clean challenge on Luke Berry.

Those travelling back to London by train seem to have had a grim journey, although helpful staff at Derby provided fanzine editor Rick Eveiitt with a taxi to London.   Of course, Everitt still had to return to his Kent coast lair and reported at 5 a.m. that he was sharing the concourse at St. Pancras with a lazy brown fox (not the Leicester City variety).

Nathan Jones says that the sending off changed the game, which it may well have done, but at least he didn't claim it was unfair.  In terms of today's rules that was a red card: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-red-card-shown-to-greg-docherty-during-loss-at-huddersfield-changed-the-game/

Although Jones says he is weighing up his options for an appeal against the red card, hopefully he is not going to waste time and money: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-manager-nathan-jones-will-weigh-up-options-to-appeal-greg-dochertys-red-card-at-huddersfield/

BTW, China calls me 'Whine' Grant which is appropriate for a Charlton fan: https://addickschampionshipdiary.blogspot.com/2024/11/why-they-call-me-whine.html

It could be grim 'oop North

It's been a strange week weather wise for late November.  My non-league club's first live televised match was snowed off on Tuesday.   There was much annoyance from Spanish fans who had already paid €10 in ignorance of British weather.

What the Star is calling 'Dirty Bertie' this morning could pose problems for tomorrow's game at Huddersfield.  I don't think it will be called off, but travel from the south could be difficult.

High winds could be an issue on the motorway.   The journey from the motorway to Bruddersfield is on a poor A road across high ground and snow is still possible.

These games are important to the band of loyal Addicks who live 'oop North.

Moaners are fond of calling League One a 'pub' league, but I have not seen any pub teams with the resources of the Blues and Wrexham.   Huddersfield and Bolton are one time Premier League clubs.

At home Huddersfield have won five and lost just two.  They are second in the form table whereas Charlton are lower mid-table.   A defeat looks likely and may bring out the first calls of 'this is relegation form' and 'we will be playing in League 2 next season.'

Huddersfield do have some injury problems, but they are probably exaggerating them for alibi reasons: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/really-really-frustrating-untimely-injury-blow-for-huddersfield-town-midfielder-4877955

CAS Trust take heart from our record in cold weather against Huddersfield: https://www.castrust.org/2024/11/raising-our-game-by-a-couple-of-degrees/

I have seen a couple of good away wins there, but those were when Curbs was in charge.

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/

Shrimpers claim they face 'tough test'

Southend Umted's boss is disappointed to be deprived of the chance of a lucrative replay at The Valley.  I suppose it could go to penalties tomorrow: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/southend-boss-disappointed-by-removal-of-fa-cup-replay-chance-with-charlton-athletic-first-round-opponents/

Charlton are beset by injuries and once again questions have raised about our medical/fitness staff.  However, Manchester City have just 13 fit players at the moment.  Our real problem is a lack of quality in  depth.

Players' union Fifpro have started a legal action against Fifa because they think that players are asked to play too many matches to the detriment of their fitness.