Champions!

When we heard that the departure of the Rickshaws had been delayed, then we knew that the championship was in our grasp. 10-man MK Dons duly obliged by beating Sheffield United 1-0 to cue warm celebrations. It had been achieved with a rather laboured victory over Wycombe Wanderers who were not without quality, but they were fighting to beat relegation.

Before the match started it was good to see the owners on the pitch with Chris Powell, but above Richard Murray recovered from his recent stroke.

We started the game by changing ends which always makes me uneasy. I thought that we were a bit casual in the opening stages and Wycombe won an early corner. They decided to take this short which in my view rarely works and demands a level of skill which the Chairboys did not possess.

We then won our first corner taken by Stephens. The ball was cleared off the line and then saved. Wycombe then demonstrated their ability to counter attack and they were not far wide with their attempt. They then broke again, but this time the ball was well over.

Wright-Phillips shot at the keeper who made a double handed save. Then Kermorgant won a free kick which he took. His excellent effort went over the wall and into the net to make it 1-0.

The Covered End told us that MK Dons had gone 1-0 ahead. Wright-Phillips was one on one with the keeper, but he made the save. Hamer had to save from close range, not the easiest of saves to make. Charlton won a corner taken by Jackson but it was unproductive. A free kick was awarded against Pritchard, but the Wycombe effort went off the wall. Solly provided good defensive work to clear.

Scott Wagstaff was fouled as he advanced on goal and Eastmond received a yellow card. It was in a similar position to the free kick from which the goal was scored, but Jackson's effort went over. Wright-Phillips had a chance, but put the ball just wide. Hamer made a good save.

Then on 45 minutes, with Kermorgant down from a head injury, Wycombe danger man Stuart Beavon made it 1-1.

Half time: Addicks 1, Chairboys 1

Wycombe were boosted by their goal and gave Charlton some nervous moments in the first twenty minutes of the second half. This started the usual suspects in the East Stand moaning, so it is probably worth quoting what the Football League Paper had to say this morning: 'As is the sign of champions, Charlton were resilient in defence and ultimately clinical in attack.'

Scott Wagstaff had the opportunity to create something, but instead of keeping the ball on the ground but sent it sailing over. Wiggins won Charlton a corner. Hamer made a great save at the expense of a corner for the Chairboys which for some reason they took short again. Wright-Phillips received a yellow card. This gave the Wycombe fans the chance to proclaim, 'Bradley Wright-Phillips you're more **** than Shaun.' In any event he was withdrawn on 70 minutes and replaced by Haynes who offered more pace against the suspect Wycombe defence.

It was Haynes who set up Kermorgant whose pull back was placed in the net by Stephens. Haynes burst through but his effort was saved. Grant Basey was taken off and received warm appluase from the Addickted. Hamer made another good save. From the resultant corner, Hamer claimed the ball authoritatively.

After the four minutes added on, we had to wait a few minutes more while the match at MK Dons was finished and then Big Dave Lockwood told us that we were champions. One fan managed to evade the heavy security cordon and did a good job at dodging the security men before embracing Bradley Pritchard. Some Wycombe fans stayed behind to applaud our players.

Congratulations to Charlton fan Jane who managed to make an excellent statement in support of the team on the six second spot on 606 last night.

Match analysis

The coveted Silver Bone has gone to Ben Hamer who now has quite a collection of them. A couple of great saves in the second half kept us in the game and he was not really at fault for the goal.Solly had another very competitive game and is very likely to pick up Player of the Year. I voted for Wiggins because I think Solly is going to get it anyway (or Kermit) and I wanted to see Wiggins get a placing in recognition of his contribution. However, he did make a few errors today. Morrison also created a few problems through misunderstandings with Hamer. Cortwas solid, although I am not sure where he was for the goal. Stephens started well, but then faded and started making unforced errors, although he redeemed himself with a well-taken goal. Pritchard stuck to his task with dedication and energy. Jackson still seems a little off the pace. Wagstaff tends to be inconsistent and spoilt one potential scoring opportunity through a lack of thought. Wright-Phillips missed a couple of good scoring opportunities. The goal scored by Kermorgant was a classic. Haynes not able to make use of his one scoring opportunity, but did play a part in the winning goal.

There is no Hiss of the Match. The officials were generally competent and the game was played in a fair, competitive spirit with relatively few fouls and only two yellow cards. However, why is it that couples now feel that they are entitled to stand alongside one another on escalators on the tube rather than allowing those on the left to pass?

Onward to Oldham

Yesterday television showed pictures of the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team in operation.   It's grim 'oop North, but hopefully Charlton will not need rescuing on Saturday.

Oldham are currently 14th in the table.   There is a nice symmetry about their home results: won eight; drawn four; lost eight; 23 goals for, 23 against. They are out of the promotion race but are not really threatened by relegation.   However, given that they are just seven points clear of Wycombe and not technically safe, they will want to get points on the board.   I also suspect that they may be one of the six clubs in League 1 listed but not named by administrators Begbies Traynor as financially challenged.

They have lost their last two matches, but on Sunday were only one place behind Charlton in the form table.  Charm merchant manager Paul Dickov will no doubt want to put one over the Addicks.   Doubtless the instruction will go out to foul Kermorgant at every opportunity while the referee smiles beningly (indeed, last week's hapless referee was smirking at one point in the game).

A comment on another blog said that we have not been convincing in recent matches.  Well, we don't need to be convincing, we just need to grind out results so that we can get out of League 1.   This is the third division and we shouldn't expect quality football.

Given the amount of grumbling this season when we have been top of the league since September, goodness knows what the volume will be next year when we could well be in a relegation fight and can perhaps hope to be a mid-table team like Burnley at best.

I do have some concerns about the central midfield.   Stephens has never been the same since he came back from his operation and Hollands is inconsistent.   However, we don't have that many options.   Bradley Pritchard is liked by many fans because he displays enthusiasm, energy and commitment but this is matched by a lack of guile and sophistication.   It isn't hard to work out what he is going to do.    There might be a case for at least having Hughes on the bench.

On the more positive side I think that Hamer has been looking strong and Cort has been very solid in central defence, while Solly and Wiggins both continue to play well.  

It's remarkable to contrast the lack of confidence among Charlton fans with that exuded by the two Sheffield clubs, especially the Massives.   However, I think that we can get at least a point out of this match, although we may face another northern referee.   Paul May will be providing a match report.

Local boy makes good

Former Chard Town keeper Ben Hamer talks about his career: http://www.viewfrompublishing.co.uk/news_view/18361/5/1/weekender-sport-puts-charlton-athletic-s

Although the premise of this story that Greg Wylde might join Charlton rather than a Premiership side is flawed, the question whether 'ambitious' Charlton are a more attractive club than Aston Villa is an interesting one: http://hereisthecity.com/2012/03/16/is-charlton-athletic-really-a-more-attractive-club-than-aston-vi/

New Huddersfield triumph and news roundup

Jordan Rhodes is the League 1 Player of the Year, giving Huddersfield a new undefeated record in award ceremonies.  Johnnie Jackson gracuously tweeted that he had lost to a worthy opponent.   However, a boost for the Addicks is that Jordan Cousins was named as League 1 Apprentice of the Year.

Commenting on the situation, a friend who is a Huddersfield fan said, 'My family is very disappointed at Lee Clark's peremptory dismissal by a jumped-up rich local businessman and are having a phase of distaste for Town and football in general. In my view too the Town team is not quite good enough to go up - weak defence (which Lee should have sorted).'

You can vote for Bradley Pritchard as Zimbabewe International Sports Personality of the year here: http://www.zimachievers.com/component/acepolls/poll/9-intl-sports-personality

Ben Hamer has tweeted that he is in the treatment room this morning, alongside Paul Hayes who picked up a hamstring niggle at Wycombe.

Hamer has 'outside chance' of playing

Ben Hamer's ankle injury is being assessed and there is an 'outside chance' that he will play against Colchester United tomorrow night, according to Pravda.

The U's are full of confidence after their 3-0 drubbing of a physical Preston side on Saturday.  Although they are 11th in the table, they are 6th in the form table having last only one of their last six matches.  Away from home, they have lost six, but drawn five and won four.

A Colchester source said, 'Sooner or later Charlton are going to lose at home.  This could be our night  The news that their first choice keeper is injured is a bonus.'

Three Points, But Below Par Performance

After what I and many others thought was a below par performance, Charlton took three points against MK Dons last night with a 2-1 win.   The match turned on two incidents just before the break which gave the Addicks penalties neatly slotted home by skipper Johnnie Jackson.

With the visitors down to ten men, Charlton did not really press for the third goal after the break but seemed content to hang on to their lead.   Their play was often casual, careless and complacent.   Inevitably, MK Dons got one back, but we managed to hang on, in part because of a couple of great saves by Hamer.

Elsewhere, the Massives went down 0-1 at home to Stevenage.   As I anticipated, Sheffield United won at Huddersfield, meaning that they move into the second slot eight points behind us.

The teams changed ends at the beginning of the game.   Dons won an early corner, but it was cleared.  Hamer made a good save.   Solly but in some good work, but the team as a whole seemed rusty after their enforced break and the tempo was rather slow.   Charm merchant Gary MacKenzie received a yellow card which should have served as a warning to him.

Wright-Phillips won a corner for Charlton but it was caught by the keeper.  An effort by Wright-Phillips was caught on the line by the keeper.   The Covered End seemed to think it might have gone over the line, but I am sure that it didn't.

Hollands put in a good run, but he was cynically fouled.  No yellow card was awarded.  Jackson was not far wide with the free kick.

The visitors had a real scoring opportunity, but Hamer dealt with the situation well.   Good work by Green and Wright-Phillips won Charlton a corner.

I was watching play going forward when it became apparent that Scottish charm merchant Mackenzie had Kermorgant in a headlock.   The referee was alerted by the noise from the Covered End and the East Stand lino spotted what had happened.   Mackenzie was shown the red card for the second time this season, although he was none too happy about and appeared to be ready to strike the referee.   Jackson stepped up calmly and slotted the ball home to make it 1-0.

Then Smith brought a Charlton player down in the box (I am not sure who it was and others give different accounts) and a second penalty was awarded, Jackson putting it into the opposite corner of the goal from his previous effort to make it 2-0.

Half time: Addicks 2, Dons 0

Immediately after the break the Dons took off Charlie MacDonald, who was thus unable to score his birthday goal and replaced him by lomg-standing player Kouo Doumbe.

Solly won Charlton a corner.   Stephens received a yellow card for a foul.   The free kick led to a Dons corner which was eventually cleared.

An effort by Wright-Phillips was wide.   A rather dubious free kick for the visitors led to an equally dubious corner.   Jackson was taken off and replaced by Haynes.   An effort by Wright-Phillips was wide.   The visiting fans started a conga in the Jimmy Seed stand, not a very impressive one given their small numbers.

Some of the Addickted were becoming frustrated by the way in which Charlton were trying to play possession football which invariably involves playing the ball backwards rom time to time.   Hamer saved a Dons corner, but then Bowditch broke through and put in a good strike which provided Dons with what turned out to be their consolation goal.

The closing minutes of the game were understandably nervous ones for the Addickted, but we held on, surviving a Dons corner in the three minutes added on.


Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible did not find it easy to award the Silver Bone as no one player had an outstanding game.  However, despite the fact that he conceded a goal that a top class goalkeeper might have saved, Ben Hamer receives the award.   He made one outstanding fingertip save and at least one other excellent one.  Our two centre backs had a less good game than usual.  Taylor made some agricultural clearances and Morrison wanted too much of the ball at times.   Wiggins was also below his best, conceding one foul throw and, with a few exceptions, not getting forward as effectively as he usually does.   Solly gave his all as always, although sometimes he was caught out of position.   Jackson took the two penalties well, but had to go off quite early, possibly because of a niggle.  Hollands was very active, but he didn't see that much of the ball.   Despite a shot that set up the second penalty, Green had a bit of a 'mare.  Stephens had an effective game.   Wright-Phillips certainly made an effort and contributed a good deal in that respect, but he has still not found his scoring boots, although two opportunistic efforts were not that far wide.  Kermorgant had a few sparkling moments, but did not make his presence felt as much as I would have liked.    Haynes apparently made a big impact at the Bury game with his energy, but he didn't see much of the ball this time.   Pritchard was limited to a cameo: his energy might have been useful earlier in a team that seem to be lacking it.

Rescue cat Reg has given the Hiss of the Match to charm merchant Alan Smith.

Hamer suspension upheld

Ben Hamer's one match suspension for denying a goal scoring opportunity will stand which is no great surprise.   However, the suspension has not been increased as some Addicks feared and will be served in our FA Cup match against Fulham which is arguably less important than a league match.

Handling outside the area is of itself not a red card offence.   I remember Deano being given a yellow for that in an away game.

Hamer available today

Ben Hamer is available today after Charlton appealed his sending off which was apparently for denying a goal scoring opportunity:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/defeated-charlton-appeal-hamer-ban-6283944.html

I doubt whether the appeal will succeed, but it could be withdrawn after the game and Hamer's suspension could then apply for the cup game against Fulham.

I was amused that the Sunday Times finally managed to mention us yesterday in their roundup feature, noting that our lead had been cut to 'only' four points.

Busy Bee Justin Fisher has forecast a 1-0 win for his side today.

We are top of the league!

That was the chant of the Addickted after today's 3-1 victory over Chesterfield.   Sheffield United lost 1-0 at Wycombe, putting Charlton three points clear while MK Dons and Huddersfield both drew, the latter dropping two points at home to Orient.

Charlton dominated the first half and went ahead through goals from Paul Hayes and Johnnie Jackson, although Hayes missed two chances to put the Addicks even further ahead.   After the break, the Spireites came into the game more while Charlton seemed a little lacklustre.

However, although the visitors have a strong midfield while the Charlton midfield faded in the second half, their shooting was either wayward or straight at the keeper.  It was a soft penalty that got them back in the game but then Bradley Wright-Phillips sealed Charlton's victory with a late header.

'Everything seems right at Charlton' said the 606 presenter in response to the Addick who called in.  Well, perhaps not everything, and the moaners found their voice in the second half, but it was a clear victory.

Before the match soprano Victoria Stanyon gave an impressive and evocative rendition of Jerusalem and Valley Floyd Road.   She certainly has a very good voice.

I spotted this week's deliberate mistake in the programme which had us 3-2 winners over Preston.

Chesterfield started quite vigorously but then Charlton won a free kick on the edge of the box which led to a corner that was unproductive.  Generally, however, I thought that our corners were better today.

Good work on the left led to a Charlton throw in.   Johnnie Jackson played the ball in and it had to be cleared off the line leading to a Charlton corner.   The ball was played in again, but the Spireites defence was able to clear.

Charlton advanced again.   Hoots mon!   No.2 Spireites goalkeeper Greg Fleming had to make a fingertip save at the expense of a Charlton corner, one of a number of good saves he made in the first half.   Charlton kept up the pressure and Wright-Phillips turned provider for Hayes, but he was unable to take advantage.  The resultant Charlton corner led to a goal kick.

The pressure was bound to tell eventually.   Charton kept up the pressure in the box and Hayes was able to get through the crowd to score a messy goal and make it 1-0.

Good defensive work from Wagstaff won Charlton a free kick.   Wright-Phillips advanced well and turned provider for Hayes but he was unable to take advantage of the scoring opportunity.    Morrison provided some good defensive work.

A Charlton free kick for handball was well taken by Dale Stephens and skipper Johnnie Jackson was able to put the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-0.    Hayes put in a disappointing pass.

While this was going on a Spireite was marched out and the small number of Charlton supporters in the Jimmy Seed subsequently disappeared.

A Charlton corner was tipped over the bar by the keeper.    The alert Wiggins provided good defensive cover as the Spireites attacked.   A Chesterfield corner was taken very quickly, a routine they clearly had well worked out.   Leon Clarke had an excellent scoring opportunity, but put the ball wide, leading to chants of 'Paolo di Canio'.

Wright-Phillips shot straight at the keeper.   A Charlton corner was unproductive.

Half time: Addicks 2, Spireites 0

Chesterfield are a neat passing side and they changed their tactics effectively in the second half, using two central midfielders to close down Hollands and Stephens, leading Charlton to lose their control of the midfield.

A Chesterfield free kick was caught by Hamer.   Johnnie Jackson received a yellow card for a foul.  Spireites manager John Sheridan was sent to the stands after he insisted that they were entitled to a penalty.

A Chesterfield free kick led to a corner for them.   They won another corner, but Hamer remained in control.   Wagstaff was fouled and went down, but the lino remained oblivious.   Chesterfield persisted with their attack and won a penalty.   Some argument followed among themselves about who should take it, but eventually folically challenged Danny Whitaker stepped up and put the ball decisively past Hamer.

A Chesterfield free kick led to a corner, but once again Hamer was on hand to deal with the situation.   A Charlton shot came off the bar.   Hayes was taken off to allow Kermorgant to make his debut.    Chesterfield took off Gary Johnson's son and brought on Morgan.  Talbot received a yellow card.

Taylor was brought down in the area and I thought the referee was going to give a penalty, but instead he awarded a yellow card for simulation.   My view remains that it was a penalty.

Charlton won a couple more corners and then with four minutes added on Kermorgant put in a neat ball to Wagstaff who provided a cross for Bradley Wright-Phillips who headed the ball in the back of the net to make it 3-1.

In the dying minutes Wagstaff was replaced by Andy Hughes.   At the end of the game Taylor politely remonstrated with the referee about his card.

The attendance was 22,105 and those involved in the 'football for a fiver' campaign were a little disappointed.   A club source commented, 'Interestingly matchday sales today were the same as Exeter, in the rain. So perhaps the weather wasn't the factor we assumed back in February.'

'For the last two weeks sales have tracked that Exeter game pretty closely. The missing sales were at the beginning. I'd have liked a five week run at it, but the way the games fell didn't allow it, plus we had to see how the team started before committing.'

'I am not generally disappointed with our crowds because I think we have to be realistic about the appeal of League One football and the opposition. If you look at past promotion campaigns there is little uplift this early.'

'Finally, bear in mind that for the last home game we had 1500 community and schools comps and for Scunthorpe more than 2000. There were none today, so we probably had 8,000 plus extra paying home fans. And I think they will have enjoyed themselves.'

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Ben Hamer.   He wasn't able to save the penalty, but otherwise it was a near flawless performance.   It's good to see a keeper catch the ball rather than punch it out.   Taylor and Morrison once again demonstrated their solidity, showing that we have our best central defensive pairing since relegation.   Wiggins had an excellent match, getting forward well and also providing good defensive cover.  His passing was accurate and his throw ins were good and he received a special round of applause from the East Stand.   Solly had a very good game and is improving all the time.  Although they were checked in the second half, I would take Hollands and Stephens over Racon and Semedo any day.  Wagstaff contributed a great deal, although occasionally he found himself out of position.  Jackson had a good game, contributing well and showing once again that he can take scoring opportunities.   I wish the same could be said of Hayes whose passing also left something to be desired.   Wright-Phillips can seem casual or uninterested, but he does what is required of him when scoring opportunities arise. Kermorgant looked very promising in his cameo, a stylish player.  Hughes was just on for a couple of minutes.

Juneau the Soccer Cat has given the Hiss of the Match to the referee who had an excellent first half but then deteriorated in the second half.