Benno for Clarke swap

Swindon Town have apparently agreed a swap deal, Paul Benson to join the Rocking Robins for Leon Clarke, he of the bust up with di Canio.  Thanks to Pedro for alerting me to this story:
http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/sport/9445005.Benson_to_complete_Town_move/

Originally a product of the Wolves youth academy Clarke has played at a number of clubs including Sheffield Wednesday and QPR:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Clarke

Benno deal off

Paul Benson will not be going on loan to the Rocking Robins after all: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/9393427.Benson_move_off/

What happened was that the wonders of Wiltshire failed to get their paper work completed in time.   I think the magic roundabout isn't there any more, otherwise one might think they have been going round it too many times.  Nothing has been said in the meantime because they have been trying to persuade the Football League to show some leniency, but their response is rules is rules.

So from having three League 2 teams chasing him we have a situation where a presumably demoralised Benno is left at Sparrows Lane, although Swindon still hope to sign him up in January.

This is a problem in terms of match fitness when we don't have a proper reserve team, albeit there are behind closed doors friendlies and Kent Senior Cup fixtures.   A false economy in my view.

Perhaps Benno could be given a seat on the bench and a possible cameo on Saturday.

Perhaps more significant is the official announcement that technical director Jeff Vetere has left the club.  It had been rumoured for some time, but some such rumours turn out to be false.   In a sense perhaps he has made his impact for us and needed a new challenge.

Shrimpers failed to secure Benno

Southend United attempted to make a last minute swoop to secure the services of Paul Benson but could not afford him given salary caps in League 2:
http://www.southend.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=263958

This means that three League 2 club were interested in securing his services with Phil Parkinson's Bradford City being disappointed and the lucky winners being Paolo di Canio's Rocking Robins.

As the Southend article points out, he is a proven goal scorer at League 2 level.   However, defences are of a higher standard in League 1, indeed that is probably one of the biggest differences between the two divisions.

It is evident that Benson has a decent salary, which is fair enough.   There are a few Addicks who think he should have been kept at The Valley as cover, but provided we don't pick up any more injuries Paul Hayes does a decent job in that role, particularly if you look at assists rather than goals scored.

Benno becomes Rocking Robin

It is being reported that Paul Benson has joined Paolo di Canio at Swindon Town in a last minute loan deal after his expected move to link up once again with Phil Parkinson at Bradford City fell through.

The Bradford City deal had been on the verge of going through with a £100,000 transfer fee in January, but it fell through after issues arose in the medical.   The Bantams then tried to get a cut price deal, but Charlton were unwilling to agree: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city/frustration_for_city_as_benson_bid_fails_1_4003293

Parky to splash the cash on Benno

Paul Benson is likely to join Bradford City on loan soon.   The League 2 club managed by Phil Parkinson are then prepared to splash the cash on a six figure fee for the striker.   This will be the biggest sum they have paid for a player since the club went into administration in 2002.

Bradford City fans seem less than enthralled by the price that is to be paid: http://www.advertiserseries.co.uk/sport/city/city_news/9371387.Bradford_City_poised_to_splash_the_cash_on_Paul_Benson/

Benno on his way

Paul Benson looks set to leave Charlton shortly on a loan deal that could become permanent in January.   Signed by Phil Parkinson in what was a big signing in those financially straitened times at the club, he has fallen down the pecking order at The Valley, exemplified by his appearance in the Kent Senior Cup fixture at Bromley on Tuesday.

Understandably, the 31-year old wants to get games so that he can make the best of the remaining years of his career.  The introduction of Michael Smith at Halifax is perhaps a sign of the way in which things are moving.

I know that some Addicks rated Benson, at least as a target man, but for me he was often too static, getting into what may well have been promising positions but then expecting the ball to be delivered to him on a plate.

Charlton stay top after Rochdale win

Today's Football League Paper has more than one writer saying that Sheffield United are as good as promoted, but it is Charlton who remain top of their table after their 3-2 win at Rochdale.   The Addicks were 2-0 ahead at half time, but then surrendered their lead before scoring the winner.

Hamer made a superb save while the game was still 0-0.   The wife of Danny Hollands, Natalie, gave birth to triplets this week, but he was ready and alert to head home from six yards out after 20 minutes following a superb delivery from Johnnie Jackson.

On 44 minutes Paul Hayes drove into the box and found Wiggins, who picked his spot from 18 yards.  Wiggins was man of the match for the Rochdale commentators, followed by Jackson, but Chris Powell was full of praise for Hollands.

Rochdale scored their first on 57 minutes when Akpro put in a cross and Grimes muscled Scott Wagstaff off the ball before heading into the corner of the net.   Ball then equalised for Rochdale three minutes later.

Charlton often don't seem to threaten from corners, but on 80 minutes Hollands leapt to connect with a corner from Jackson and put his header past the keeper.

Jason Euell who had come on a sub cleared Balkenstein's header off the line at the end of the game to preserve Charlton's lead.

Charlton have got 12 points from their four games on the road so the challenge now is to do better in front of the edgy Valley crowd.

For me it was another sporting treble weekend: Leamington demolished Boldmere St. Michaels 5-0 in the FA Cup and Blaze beat Stingrays 6-3 (which they deserved if only for their fish mascot).

It is being reported that Paul Benson is going out on loan to Colchester United.

Parky snaps up Reid

Phil Parkinson has 'snapped up' Kyel Reid in his first day in charge at Bradford, he has also confirmed his interest in a reunion with Paul Benson but doesn't think it will be easy to get him, possibly because he does not fancy a move that far 'oop north: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city/parkinson_marks_his_city_arrival_with_first_addition_1_3724599

The Cherries now appear to be leading the race for the signature of Ryan Lowe which doesn't fit well with the notion that he wouldn't come to Charlton because of the upheaval it would cause to his family.  Sheffield Wednesday have also expressed interest which would mean that we would face him again next Monday: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/30082011/63/cherries-eye-lowe-move.html

Parky pounces for Benson

New Bradford City Phil Parkinson looks like he is going to pounce for Paul Benson and the Addicks may get less than the £150,000 price tag: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9220918.Parkinson_appointed_Bradford_City_manager/

Former Charlton player Andy Gray is interviewed and he takes the view that Parkinson did as well as he could in the circumstances as Addicks manager given the club's financial problems at the time.

If Benson does go, we need to get another striker in as cover, but time is running out.

Injuries after last night

Paul Benson may have a dislocated finger which is a shame after a sterling performance.   Doherty picked up a calf injury and Bover had cramp.

This underlines the risks of putting out the first team for such a fixture but Chris Powell's gamble certainly paid off.   Tickets for Preston will also be at £10 and £5 and there may be more than 6,600 or so there.  Those who went certainly got value for money.

Powell's other eleven beat Reading

It's a highly experimental starting eleven at The Valley tonight.   Benson and Euell are the pair up front, while Hamer faces his old club in goal.   Doherty and Mambo blend experience and youthful hope in the central defence positions, while Francis is recalled on the right flank and Evina comes in as left back.   The promising 'Bover' is in midfield, along with Green, Hughes and Pritchard all featuring in the starting eleven for the first time.

An early volley from Benson making use of a long throw from Green went wide reports Andrea Hilton from The Valley.  Green put in a great effort but it had hit the outside of the post and bounced away.    Charlton were under pressure at the other end and Francis had to put it away for a corner.   The ball was hacked off the line by Evina.

Francis charged down the right but the ball was taken away from Benson at the expense of a corner from which Reading made a break.   It was end-to-end stuff.

Euell had a chance to score but it was saved by the keeper.    Reading won their third corner of the game.   Charlton surged forward in a counter attack started by Pritchard, but Benson’s effort was blocked by Euell and went behind.

Hamer made a good save off Church after Mambo and Doherty got caught out.   A shot by Euell was blocked by Benson.    An effort by Howard was turned behind by Hamer for a corner.   Reading put the ball wide.

Evina rode out three challenges, but the Reading defence bundled the ball away before Euell could made use of it.

Charlton took the lead through Benson who got the ball beyond the Reading keeper after their defence had frozen.   Green put the ball in.

Green advanced again and Pritchard had a go.   Benson tried to shoot and the ball was put behind.

Cummings had to clear the ball off the line to deny Pritchard a second for Charlton as the Addicks piled on the pressure.

Charlton advanced well down the right and a good cross came in but Francis was unable to connect. Green put in an effort from long range, but it was gathered comfortably.

Reading won their fifth corner, but they were unable to make anything of it.   Howard went for goal from 20 yards but Hamer made a very good save to push the ball round the post.    The ball was in play in front of goal, but Mambo hooked it away.  

Charlton were in control and looking very coherent.    Pritchard played very well.

Half time: Addicks 1, Royals 0

Reading started brightly and Church put the ball just over the bar and careered into an advertising hoarding.  Benson’s  shoulder  was troubling him and he had to come off.   Wagstaff came on in his place.  Euell moved further upfield and Waggy dropped into the hole that Euell had been occupying where he started to cause all sorts of problems.

Charlton won a corner, Doherty was clattered as he headed towards goal.   Wagstaff put in an early cross who won it back, both times it just missed Pritchard.    As Charlton kept up the pressure with a great one-two between Francis and Green, they won another corner.   Hughes put in a shot from 35 yards.

Reading won a free kick inside the D some 20 yards out.   A six man wall was formed as dead ball man Harte put it round the wall and just over the bar.

Wagstaff’s effort was pushed away, Bover had an open goal but Cummings made a great clearance.  McCarthy got something on it from a good delivery by Green.   Wagstaff advanced down the left but Euell couldn’t connect and Reading cleared.

Green lashed the ball towards goal but McCarthy pushed it away and Euell couldn’t follow up.  Reading made a double substitution, surprisingly taken off Harte.   Bover got a cross in and won a corner, but it was pushed away by the keeper.   A cross by Francis was put out for a throw.   Euell scored to make it 2-0 for Charlton off a great delivery from the right by Francis, re-opening his account after five years.   Chris Powell really enjoyed that goal.

Church fired the ball across the box but Hamer gathered confidently.    Green put in a free kick from 25 yards out which was deflected for a corner.   Charlton won the ball back but eventually Reading got a throw in.

Mills put in a free kick with real pace and Hamer had to tip it over the bar giving the visitors a corner. Doherty was taken off and replaced by Morrison who didn’t deal with the ball well enough.   From the corner the ball was scrambled into the roof of the net by Reading’s Sean Morrison to make it 2-1, dangerous score after Saturday.

Wagstaff cut the ball across the goal but there was no one to turn it in.    Evina was dumped on the ground but no free kick was given and Chris Powell was livid. 

Reading advanced and Morrison headed behind for a corner.  Charlton had to clear off the line through Wagstaff.   Reading kept up the pressure with a free kick near the edge of the penalty area.  The effort by Mills was flicked away by Euell for a corner.   A free header by Sean Morrison went wide.

Mills gave away a free kick.  Then Reading won a free kick level on the left with the penalty area.   A Reading player [McAnuff] got a yellow card for complaining to the referee.   It was handled in the box by a Reading player and the Addicks got a free kick.   Charlton hit the crossbar from Bover.

Solly came on at left back.   Francis defended well.  Four minutes were added on.    Wagstaff fed Evina but his effort was saved in stoppage time.   Evina put in a great diagonal ball to Euell who won Charlton a throw in.   They won a free kick by the Reading corner flag after a foul by Mills, but Reading won a throw in.  The offside flag was raised against Church.   The whistle blew and Charlton were through to the next round and will face Preston at home.