Henry thinks that loan spell has been a big boost

Aaron Henry talks about the progress he has made at Wealdstone and hopes this will help put him in contention for the first team squad next season.  I have certainly read favourable reports in The Non-League Paper: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-midfield-talent-aaron-henry-on-bouncing-back-from-arsenal-rejection-wealdstone-loan-move-boosting-his-first-team-prospects-at-valley/

Henry talks about being signed by Arsenal at five and released at eight.   This almost seems exploitative to me.  

He also makes it clear that Nigel Adkins was not his biggest fan and did not try to develop him as much as other managers.   Another black mark for the Adkins diet.

Dobson: how Adkins froze me out

George Dobson talks about being frozen out of the first team by Nigel Adkins: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-midfielder-dobson-sunderland-situation-helped-me-cope-with-being-out-of-first-team-picture/ 

This was certainly one of the worst decisions taken by the former manager.

Pointing the finger of blame

Chris Dunlavy gives his verdict in this week's Football League Paper on the sacking of Nigel Adkins.

'This summer the Addicks released 16 players, all of them on July 1.   Yet it was the end of September by the time the squad was fully rebuilt.'

'Nine of Charlton's 15 signings arrived after the season had begun.   Three - Sam Lavelle, Harry Arter and Jonathan Leko - turned up on deadline day, whilst Papa Souare and Stephen Henderson, both free agents, made their entrance in September.'

'That's nine players - four of whom were in Adkins' final squad for Tuesday's 3-2 defeat to Accrington - who didn't receive any preparation for the season at all.'

'Covid-19. Two years of empty stadiums have emptied cash reserves across the EFL, and Charlton are not the only club to take transfers to the wire in the pursuit of value.'  But 'Plymouth Argyle, a club with a significantly lower budget and a geographical disadvantage, had completed eight of their ten signings by the middle of July.'

'It does suggest that Charlton's technical director, Ged Roddy, and head of recruitment Steve Gallen, are as culpable for the club's current predicament as the man who paid the price.'   Most fans would attach more blame to Roddy than Gallen, although I think that the decision-making structure was overloaded in a way that hampered decisiveness.

I do think that Dunlavey hasn't told the whole story.   For me some of Adkins's formations were both too complex and too rigid while his team selection was also open to criticism, even if it was compromised by a lack of fitness.   Players work better with a formation that is clear but fluid which is what Johnnie Jackson provided on Saturday.

Diagnosing what went wrong

It's hard to work out why things have gone so badly wrong for Charlton says the SLP's Richard Cawley, although Nigel Adkins was clearly frustrated by what happened in the summer transfer window.  However, an escape from the drop zone is still possible: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletics-season-was-unravelling-nigel-adkins-was-always-going-to-be-the-first-to-pay-a-heavy-price-for-that/

Sandgaard: my agony over Adkins

Thomas Sandgaard says that it was a difficult decision to get rid of Nigel Adkins as he had enjoyed working with him, but sometimes a shock to the system was necessary: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-on-handing-charlton-caretaker-boss-role-to-johnnie-jackson-and-difficult-decision-to-part-company-with-nigel-adkins/

Some Charlton fans have argued that a wider shock to the system was necessary, in particular getting rid of Roddy, given a poor pattern of recruitment over the summer.  I am not saying that they are wrong, simply that I don't know enough about how decisions are made.  However, there may be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth and it would be good to have a CEO in overall charge.

No rushed decisions will be made about a replacement and Johnnie Jackson will be given time to show what he can do which is only fair.

Something deeper may be wrong at the club

VOTV editor Rick Everitt spells out his views on the departure of Nigel Adkins: http://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2021-22-blogs/21-10-adkins-exit-had-become-inevitable/

Like many of us, the Rickster thinks there may be something deeper that is wrong at the club than the coaching methods used by Adkins being outdated.   

It would be good to have the Ramsgate-based fan's diagnosis of what this might be, beyond the usual complaints about Roddy.  I don't have enough information to decide whether these are well founded or not.

Nigel Adkins has left Charlton

Nigel Adkins has left Charlton and Johnnie Jackson and Jason Euell are in temporary charge: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-confirm-nigel-adkins-exit-with-johnnie-jackson-in-caretaker-charge/

Whether this represents a longer term solution remains to be seen.   Jackson is understandably popular with fans, but he was also in charge of defensive coaching under the Adkins set up which is hardly a recommendation.   However, attracting a good manager to a League One club in the relegation zone will not be easy.

We shall also have to see if the players are good enough to respond to different leadership, again I have my doubts.

The talk of Alan Curbishley in an advisory role is being revived, but it is six years since he had such a role at Fulham and that didn't go too well.

Richard Cawley reports: 'Just had a chat with Thomas Sandgaard. He's made it clear that no rush to bring in a replacement and that Johnnie Jackson will get a crack at showing what he can do.'

Thomas Sandgaard on Talksport, sounded gutted but says it’s result driven and we can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Says JJ will be allowed time to grow into the role and make it his own so he’s here for now (but) they’ll look outside to keep options open.

Says players need to be fitter and more driven, talents in the squad but it’s not happening. He believes we’ll turn it round and acknowledges fans were turning but didn’t influence his decision.

Simon Jordan made a good point about if the fitness isn’t there now, will it ever be? And that JJ’s a good guy but he’s been part of two set ups that haven’t worked.

Charlton's players need to step up to the mark

Besieged boss Nigel Adkins could probably have done without the backing of Accrington manager John Coleman: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/accrington-boss-john-coleman-charltons-players-need-to-step-up-to-the-mark-its-not-always-the-managers-fault/

Nevertheless, he does have a point when he says that not everything is the manager's fault and Charlton's players need to step up to the mark.  After all, the manager is on the touchline, not the pitch.

Coleman states that last night's game could have ended 5-5 which says something about Charlton's defence.

Adkins on the brink?

Louis Mendez provides his four take aways from last night's defeat and says 'it is hard to see how Adkins can survive this': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-loss-to-accrington-stanley-nigel-adkins-on-the-brink/

Louis Mendez provides excellent coverage of Charlton and I hate to disagree with him.  After all, he has the contacts inside the club.  But the tea leaves I am reading suggests that Adkins is here to stay, at least for now.

Adkins thinks he can win back fans

Nigel Adkins still believes that he can win back the support of Charlton fans with positive results.  He said that he had a thick skin and wanted to be at the club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-asked-if-there-is-any-way-he-can-win-back-the-faith-of-charlton-athletic-fans/

This leaves an impasse as it is clear from social media comments that he has lost the confidence of most fans while Thomas Sandgaard has no intention of sacking him in the short run.

Once again the whole focus is on the manager, but it is the players who are on the pitch and they have to take some responsibility for woeful defending that gave away soft goals.

Sandgaard jets in

Thomas Sandgaard has flown from the United States for tonight's game against Accrington Stanley as pressure mounts on Nigel Adkins: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-owner-thomas-sandgaard-jets-in-as-pressure-ramps-up-on-manager-nigel-adkins/

Some fans are suggesting that Sandgaard is unwilling to sack the beleaguered boss because of the compensation he would command.   I think that a bigger issue is the lack of availability of a good replacement willing to take on a League One club in a relegation battle.

Forget Chris Wilder or Chris Powell giving up his England role.   Johnnie Jackson and Jason Euell would no doubt be caretakers after a dismissal, but arguably Jackson in particular is as much part of the problem as part of the solution.

As for Curbs in an advisory role, it's a long time since he did that at Fulham and it wasn't a great success.

Rickster calls for complete clear out

Besieged boss Nigel Adkins has reiterated his desire to stay in charge at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-manager-nigel-adkins-says-hes-working-hard-to-remain-in-post-after-latest-loss/

VOTV editor Rick Everitt has stated: 'I don’t think Nigel Adkins can continue as manager given the results AND performances, but TS may also need to consider if the whole football set-up he has in place is flawed. I’m not sure a change of manager will be enough.'

Louis Mendez says that fine margins are not enough and that a vital week has started with a whimper.  Any hope of the play offs can be written off: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-defeat-at-lincoln-fine-margins-arent-fine-in-these-circumstances/

Adkins reacts to Dane's departure

Nigel Adkins has remained sphinx like on the reasons for the departure of Ronnie Schwartz: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-reacts-to-ronnie-schwartzs-departure/

It's an unfortunate episode which no doubt he wants to put behind him as he focuses on an important fixture at Lincoln.

Happy 50th birthday to the 'Tank', Jorge Costa, a great player.   He never did like Millwall.   I remember bidding a fond farewell to him at Old Trafford in an end of the season 0-0.

Adkins under pressure

The SLP's Louis Mendez talks to Lincolnshire Live about Charlton's poor start to the season ahead of Saturday's away game against the Imps.  He says that Nigel Adkins is under pressure, but that Thomas Sandgaard is a patient owner: https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lincoln-charlton-athletic-nigel-adkins-6051416

'Real quality at Charlton'

The London Football Scene blog assesses the situation at Charlton: https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2021/10/11/charlton-athletic-are-a-quality-side-nigel-adkins-just-hasnt-discovered-it-yet/

The article argues: 'There is undoubtedly quality within the squad and Adkins’ tactical flexibility in his quest to find it should be applauded as opposed to having a manager at the helm who stubbornly sticks to a failing approach on the off-chance it works.

 Bringing in a new manager would see another restart without any guarantee of solving Charlton’s current problems or achieving long-term success. What would most likely happen is an adoption of defensive pragmatism and long-ball tactics in order to arrest the slide without any sort of promise of a Valley spectacle anytime soon. 

Furthermore, the tenacity with which Charlton defended their second-half lead at Fleetwood before the international break showed defensive improvement.  Now they have something to build on, Adkins should at least be given until the next international window to find some much-needed momentum.  

Adkins vows to fight on but is running out of time

Those fans left in the ground last night chanted 'We want Adkins out' and that sentiment has been reflected in social media posts.   However, the shell shocked supremo is determined to stay put and fight on: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/beleaguered-adkins-vows-to-fight-on-at-the-valley-after-bolton-wanderers-thrash-charlton/

However, he could be a dead man walking.   Louis Mendez says that there is a stink around The Valley thinks that for the first time last night Adkins realised that his days might be numbered: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-heavy-home-loss-to-bolton-nigel-adkins-is-running-out-of-time/

However, Dean Kiely and Alan Curbishley think that the time for excuses is over: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/alan-curbishley-and-dean-kiely-agree-any-excuses-for-charltons-terrible-start-to-season-need-to-stop-now/

Adkins has nothing against DJ

Besieged boss Nigel Adkins insists he has nothing against DJ who has not featured in recent games.  However, the priority appears to be getting players who are less than match fit up to a level by rotating them: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-diallang-jaiyesimis-absence-from-charlton-squad-is-nothing-personal/

I am reminded of Curbs's mantra that a consistent team brings consistent results.

Adkins talks tough

Referring to his decision to drop Jayden Stockley from the starting line up against Gillingham, Nigel Adkins has emphasised he is willing to make the tough calls.   He wants a settled squad and a settled style of playing - although at the moment we have neither: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/im-happy-to-make-big-calls-nigel-adkins-on-decision-to-take-jayden-stockley-out-of-charltons-starting-line-up/ 

When Corey Blackett-Taylor was signed a leader negativist said it was 'scraping the barrel', yet the same negativist praised his performance at Gillingham as the best from a Charlton player this season.   The fickleness of fans never ceases to amaze me.  However, it looks as if his five month contract could be extended: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/addicks-chief-seems-relaxed-about-winger-only-being-on-a-short-term-contract/

Charm merchant Gills boss Steve Evans reckons they should have won 3-1, blaming referee Kevin Stroud for failing to award a penalty: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/gillingham-boss-steve-evans-we-deserved-to-beat-charlton-3-1/

Alex Gilbey has tweeted that the alleged Ben Watson quote by Steve Evans is a lie.

New signings before Saturday doubtful

Nigel Adkins does not sound too hopeful about bringing in new signings before next Saturday's encounter with the Massives and it's evidently not the outcome he hoped for, but he is heartened by the spirit in the camp and the commitment of the players: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-time-will-tell-if-charlton-can-do-any-further-business-before-season-starts-next-weekend/

Charlton to miss out on automatic promotion

Charlton will finish 3rd in League One this season, forecasts Four Four Two magazine.  They comment: 'Owner Thomas Sandgaard isn't alone in his promotion ambitions, but the Addicks can back it up.'

The fan file is written by VOTV editor Rick Everitt and he cautiously forecasts a top six finish.

The Rickster says: 'Last season was a real wasted opportunity, but probably as much as we could have expected given the long-awaited resolution of the club's ownership in late September.'

'The big talking point among fans is our squad's depth, and whether it will be strong enough to deliver the very bullish predictions of new owner Thomas Sandgaard.'

The Ramsgate-based supporter warns: 'I won't be happy unless Charlton are promoted.  League One has some very sizable clubs, whose fans will think the same, but we cannot afford to hang around at this level or the current positivity will dissipate.'

'Our most underrated player is Conor Washington.  He impressed me last season, and we missed him when he wasn't available.  Look out for centre back Charlie Barker, who in September made his debut at 17.  Didn't look out of place.   Our key player will be Jayden Stockley whose loan, now made permanent from Preston, proved better than his career record.'

'The best thing about matchday at Charlton is seeing the groups of home fans streaming down Floyd Road in the hour before kick off - whether or not they stop to buy Voice of the Valley.'

'The fans' opinion of the gaffer is that he defied expectations.  Nigel Adkins only arrived in March, but quickly made an impression.  He wasn't many supporters' first choice - maybe he should have been.'

Everitt issues a clarion call from his Isle of Thanet fastness: 'The one change I would make is that rebuilding support in Kent (and south-east London) is vastly more important and realistic for Charlton than looking overseas.   Other clubs' fans don't know that we've got more fans 60 miles away on the coast than in London, barring the south-east boroughs.'

'The ground I'm most looking forward to visiting is Morecambe's on a November Tuesday.  What's not to like?  We've never played them.'