Wiggins recalls good times at Charlton

A long interview by Richard Cawley with Rhoys Wiggins.   Injuries forced him into early retirement, a process he did not find easy, although things are looking up now: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/it-was-taken-away-from-me-early-retirement-still-burns-for-former-charlton-and-crystal-palace-defender-rhoys-wiggins/

He was a good player for us and part of our League One 2012 title winning side.   He said that squad had a togetherness he has not seen elsewhere.

That'll do

Charlton beat Leyton Orient 2-0 at The Valley this afternoon to maintain their lead at the top of League 1.  Scott Wagstaff celebrated his 22nd birthday with a goal after six minutes (he was voted man of the match in the lounges and his mum and dad had brought a cake for him), but the Addicks lost some momentum after a goal was disallowed.   Nevertheless, they played some good football in the first half, keeping the ball on the ground, passing well and retaining possession. 

In the second half they started to lose the plot a bit.   The midfield seemed to go awol, there were some unforced errors and Orient were able to get some shots in on goal.   However, they started to recover and N'Guessan scored the second goal having come on as a substitute.

There were plenty of Orient fans on the train from London Bridge, one wearing a shirt proclaiming 'We own East London.'   West Ham fans might have a view about that, but another reaction would be 'you're welcome to it.'

Bradley Wright-Phillips won Charlton an early corner and it was well delivered by Cook.   The striker was then brought down in the area, but the referee saw nothing wrong with it and refused to award a penalty, although I have seen softer ones given.

Hapless Orient full back Scott Cuthbert could not track the movement of Wiggins following a free kick and he set up Wagstaff for a tap in after six minutes to make it 1-0.

Lee Cook made a good run, but the ball was eventually taken off him, perhaps he should have laid it off, although he didn't have many options.

Following a Charlton corner, the ball went in the back of the net but the referee ruled it out because of handball by Cort.  If that was the case, why wasn't Cort booked?

A dubious Orient free kick led to an Orient corner.   Hamer had to make a reaction save with both hands after former Addick Matt Spring sprung into action from six yards out.    Hamer then had to make a great save to deal with a stinging shot from distance.

Wiggins won a corner for Charlton, but play was held up while Cuthbert, who had picked up a hamstring problem, was substituted by Syam Ben Youssef who was playing in Tunisia until January.  Youssef turned out to be much smarter than carthorse Cuthbert which raises the question why Orient did not start with him.

Scott Wagstaff won Charlton a corner.   Stephens contributed some good play.  In the two minutes added on, J Smith was shown a yellow card for a foul on Kermorgant.

Half time: Addicks 1, O's 0

An Orient free kick led to an early corner for the visitors.   Dean Leacock was booked for a foul on Kermorgant.   Orient keeper and former Charlton bench warmer Paul Rachubka pulled off a good double save from first Bradley Wright-Phillips and then Chris Solly.   Solly then put in some good defensive work.

Stephens gave away a completely avoidable free kick, but Hamer was able to make the save.   Scott Wagstaff was felled and Terrell Forbes received a yellow card.   Hollands conceded a corner to Orient.

The fading Wright-Phillips was taken off and replaced by N'Guessan.   In the 82nd minute Lee Cook provided a cross which Chris Powell later described as Premier League quality and N'Guessan headed in powerfully to make it 2-0.     And that was pretty much that, apart from a yellow card for Alan Reed.   A good, solid win.

Coming back on the tube I was talking to a West Ham fan who said his grandfather had supported Charlton.   He said it looked as if we were playing each other next season.

The ticket inspectors at Euston asked what the score was which shows how our profile is rising.


Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Ben Hamer for a clean sheet and a save that kept us ahead.   He also delivered some good balls forward, for example on to Solly who had another excellent game and must be in the running for Player of the Year.   Wiggins was also very good, apart from one occasion when he gave the ball away to Orient.   Cort was very solid, even if his defensive headers lacked direction.  Morrison was playing more of a traditional centre half role and was not getting forward as much as he often does which is no bad thing.  One ball forward was poor.   Even the Bloke Behind Me had to admit that Cook had put in a decent shift when he came off and he provided the assist for the second goal.   Wagstaff was more prominent in the first half but his performance was generally good.    Stephens was anonymous in the second half and I did not think that it was a particularly impressive performance from Hollands.    Wright-Phillips drifted out of the game in the second half and it was the right call to substitute him.   Kermorgant was the object of many fouls, contributing substantially to the five yellow cards that Orient received.   N'Guessan started to trouble Orient from the moment he came on the pitch and the goal was well taken.   Green had a cameo, but did his best to get involved.

Juneau the Soccer Cat has given the Hiss of the Match to referee M Brown.   His performance in the first half was one of the worse I have seen at The Valley.  He did improve after the break, perhaps the fourth official had a word.   He certainly seemed to be relying a lot on his radio, but perhaps he was checking on the Blades score.    They must have a special training centre in East Yorkshire for incompetent referees.

Convincing win for Charlton?

Charlton's 3-0 victory over Yeovil tonight looks like a convincing win on paper, but moaners are already saying it was a poor performance.   Perhaps the Yeovil fan in the Sheepside stand at Leamington tonight was nearer the truth when he said that Charlton would simply have too much quality for the Glovers.

Danny N'Guessan grabbed a goal on his debut when his cross-cum-shot sailed through the hands of keeper Sam Walker to give the Addicks a half-time lead.    Perhaps he is another Kermorgant style signing by Chris Powell, but moaners declared that it was a fluke goal.

Bondz Ngala's snap-shot was well saved by Ben Hamer but Bradley Wright-Phillips nodded in unmarked from six yards as the visitors switched off.

Nelson D'Ath struck a crossbar for the Glovers, but Darel Russell poked home a great  Rhoys Wiggins' cross to seal victory for the Addicks.

For some of those who were there Cort was man of the match, winning every header.   He replaced Taylor, who has been below par recently, and was relegated to the bench.

Elsewhere, Sheffield United did a 5-2 demolition job on Notts County, while the Massives scored a last minute equaliser to share the points with mighty Walsall.   Another truimph for the 'we're already promoted' team.

Good start to 2012

Charlton made a good start to 2012 with a 2-0 win over Brentford at The Valley today giving them a five point lead at the top of the table after Sheffield United lost at Carlisle.  This means that the Addicks have forded the Brent twice, completing the double over the Bees.   Even the Bloke Behind Me was relatively pleased, declaring that we were now relatively safe from relegation.

The Bees are not without a sting and put the Addicks under some pressure but we were able to capitalise on two of our four opportunities and they were not able to utilise theirs, largely provided courtesy of the referee.  

The start of the match was delayed by fifteen minutes ('until 15.15') by 'unforseen circumstances' which turned out to be a power failure in the North Stand which necessitated moving supporters later.  Apparently, there was a risk that the match could have been called off altogether.

Taylor was relegated to the bench which was a bit of a surprise but perhaps he needed to be rested, also he could be goalkeeping cover if the Hamer appeal fails (which seems the most likely outcome).

Cort conceded an early corner.   Green broke from the corner but the move was unproductive.   Wright-Phillips was felled and needed treatment.   The Bees won a corner.   Wright-Phillips put in a good cross, but unfortunately no one was able to connect.   Kermorgant made a good run.

Charlton had been slow out of the traps, possibly because of the fifteen minute delay to the start of the game which must be disruptive, although it didn't seem to affect Brentford.   However, after about fifteen minutes the Addicks started to liven up.

The Bees won two corners in succession.   A blatant handball by the Bees was ignored by the East Stand lino.   Brentford keeper Robert Lee is supposed to be their star player but he got involved in what seemed to be a mix up with his defence.   He failed to come for the ball and Morrison was able to head over him to make it 1-0 to the Addicks.

The game went a bit flat after that, although Wright-Phillips put the ball wide from a Green throw in.  One of the best attacks of the half was mounted down the left in time added on.

Half time: Addicks 1, Bees 0

An early Charlton corner was caught by the keeper.  The advancing Wright-Phillips beat the keeper but then put in a poor ball that went out for a throw in.   Solly received a yellow card for handball.  The resultant free kick was well defended.   Following a Charlton corner, it looked as if the ball was going in but it hit the upright.  

A Charlton free kick led to an effort by Kermorgant that was not far wide.  A good attack involving Jackson and Wright-Phillips led to a Charlton corner.  Brentford made a double substitution and followed up with a third one not long afterwards.   A good run by Wiggins won a free kick.  A free kick was awarded against Cort in a dangerous position, with former Millwall charm merchant Alexander once again trying to intimidate Hamer, but it came off the wall, although some further pressure had to be dealt with.

Charlton took off Jackson and brought on Wagstaff while Clarke replaced Wright-Phillips.   A Brentford free kick in a promising position sailed over the crossbar.   Brentford advanced dangerously but pull the ball over and were offside anyway.   Cort got a yellow card for handball.   Green then made it 2-0 for the Addicks and we could all relax and celebrate.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has taken the unusual step of awarding a joint Silver Bone to our two full backs.  Rhoys Wiggins forged forward well and showed some touches of real class that may qualify him for the Welsh national side.   The day was only spoilt by a ridiculous yellow card for time wasting by the referee.   Brentford tried to launch a lot of their attacks down their left but Chris Solly was up to the task, snapping at the heels of the attacking players with a terrier like tenancity and clearing well.

Hamer was not really tested and the Brentford fans eventually got tired of booing him.  Morrison took his goal well and was stalwart in defence.  Cort made a couple of errors but generally did his job well.  Bradley Pritchard showed some real skill and didn't try to do too much, always being ready to lay the ball off.  Jackson had an excellent game and received a warm ovation when he was substituted.   Green scored the second goal but his contribution to the game as a whole was a bit up and down and his defensive contribution leaves something to be desired.  Hollands was relatively anonymous, but didn't make any blunders.  I think that he was playing too deep and this is less likely to happen when Hughes is in the side.  Kermorgant competed well as usual.   Wright-Phillips played with a patch on his head after his early injury.  He did try to get forward but messed up his best opportunity.  Wagstaff did not make a great difference when he came on.  Clarke was a bit of a disappointment on his debut, coming across as a bit of a lump and playing us into defensive trouble once, but it's early days.  Hughes had a cameo in time added on.

Rescue cat Reg continues to be appalled by the standard of officiating in League 1.  Referee G Scott was unwilling to give anything to Charlton other than three yellow cards.  However, the Hiss of the Match goes to the balding and vertically challenged lino on the East Stand side who can't see a handball in front of him but adopts a pompous stance when standing still.

Fireworks at The Valley

This is Paul May reporting to you from the Covered End on a murky day in SE7 with Wyn Grant stranded in the Midlands, indeed I hear that some Addicks are stuck on trains.   Contrary to what Wyn says, I don’t over indulge, although I like a few pints to get me in the mood.

Charlton fielded an unchanged side.  The Addicks gave away an early free kick.   Solly was brought down with a crude challenge and Smith was shown a yellow card.   Later in the game it might have been a red.

Neither side was on top in the early exchanges, although Preston had a lot of the ball.   Charlton had to put the ball behind for a corner, but Hamer claimed the ball confidently.    

Hamer was not happy about an under hit back pass from Taylor.    Charlton kept surrendering possession.    Green burst through with a great run, the drive was only half dealt with by the Greek origin replacement keeper and Jackson was there ready to pounce and put the ball in the net.

Kermorgant got a talking to for a challenge, although the away fans wanted him booked.  Charlton won a corner.   Jackson’s corner was good, Morrison put the header in but couldn’t get it on target.

Charlton won a second corner after a great run down the left and this time it was Michael Morrison who scored.   The keeper initially blocked it, but he was unable to keep control.

Hamer’s clearance was hurried and poor, Coutts went for goal and the ball was only just wide.   Nevertheless, Phil Brown didn’t look happy.

The Greek origin keeper, formerly the reserve keeper at AFC Telford, came out and floored Kermorgant.   No card was shown when a yellow was probably justified.   The Preston fans tried to put Jackson off, but he sent the keeper the wrong way and hammered it into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 3-0.

An overhead volley from Preston by Nicholson nearly found the goal.    One of the linos picked up an injury and the fourth official got ready.   This led to a long stoppage in play and it looked as if the referee’s assessor got involved.

Wiggins conceded a corner.   The header went over the bar and didn’t bother Hamer much.   Hamer dealt with a shot from the Scot Nicholson who has played for Aberdeen and Dunfermline.

Charlton got a free kick in a decent position after a shove on Wright-Phillips.   Wright-Phillips capitalised to make it 4-0.   The Preston keeper had words with his defence, calling for a coalition of unity.

Preston got a free kick on the edge of the penalty area about 20 yards out after a sliding tackle.   The effort from Parry went over the bar.   Kermorgant was inches wide after a terrific cross from Jackson on the left.

Wright-Phillips got past the defender with great skill, cushioning the ball with his foot, and put in a volley which wasn’t far off target.

Taylor defended well with a header.   Then Hamer put in a scuffed clearance and Chris Powell looked a bit exasperated.   Wiggins made a good run on the left and Charlton won a corner as four minutes added on were announced.   Green’s delivery was good, it was headed away and then Green received a rugby tackle round his ankles, Coutts receiving a yellow card.   Unfortunately the free kick was overhit into the Jimmy Seed stand.

Half time: Addicks 4, PNE 0

Preston weren’t given a team talk on the pitch, but they were sent out early for the second half and went through a full warm up routine.   They made a double substitution after the break.   

Tsoumou put some pressure on Hamer but he was up to the challenge.    Preston seemed to have changed the position of some of their players.   Taylor and Hamer combined well.

There was a poor challenge on Wright-Phillips by one of the central defenders.   He then got caught offside.   A shot by Green which was close to going in took a deflection leading to a corner.    Jackson’s corner was a good one.

Green fed Wright-Phillips but his header went just over.   Wiggins defended well after he had slipped.   Wright-Phillips put in a shot, but the keeper made a good save, pushing the ball out.

An effort by Kermorgant from 35 yards out was saved.   The crowd was announced at 17,486, the highest attendance of the season without a special offer.

Wiggins advanced down the left, put in a great cross with pace and power and Hollands made it 5-0 with a superb diving header.

Preston advanced down the left, but Hamer made a good save.   Wagstaff and Hayes came on to face his old team and Wright-Phillips and Green who had played well went off.

Hollands tackled Nicholson well.    Jackson went off to fantastic applause and a standing ovation.  Jason Euell came on.   Aristidou made another poor clearance.    Good work by Euell and Hayes led to a Charlton corner.   Euell’s corner was cleared.

Preston beat Hamer with a powerful header by Morgan at the near post into the roof of the net to deny Charlton the clean sheet.    Hamer may have got a glove to it.   Morrison berated the other defenders.

The referee spoke to Kermorgant for his reaction to a bad challenge.   Hayes turned provider for Euell, but Preston were able to clear.  A curling shot from Hayes was easily dealt with.  

Preston then scored a second goal through Daley and it has to be admitted it was a good one from the substitute, volleyed into the corner of the net.   Hamer had no chance.

Charlton started to panic a bit, Hamer should have claimed the ball, but left the work to Solly, and Preston won a corner.

Charlton eased off in the second half which led to Preston winning the half.   But it was another great win overall.

It's being so cheerful what makes me happy

Pessimism, negativity and complaining about your own team is a characteristic of football supports generally who tend to see the glass half empty rather than half full.   One suspects that it is a means of releasing other frustrations in their lives.

Charlton fans have something of a media reputation for being a particularly despairing lot, perhaps not so suprising given the club's history on the pitch, although the positive energy surrounding the Back to the Valley campaign showed another side of the coin.

However, I had been wondering how a negative narrative could be constructed around our present position.  I suppose one could argue that if we hadn't drawn at home with Tranmere and lost at Stevenage we would be six points clear.

Pessimists have come up with the argument that just because we are first now doesn't mean we will be at the end of the season.   Incontrivertibly true, of course.   They go on to argue that we can't feel confident until we are mathematically certain of promotion.

Nothing is certain in a long season and there is tough competition in the shape of Huddersfield and the two Sheffield clubs.   We tend to have difficulty coping with physical sides who play negative football, not helped by officials failing to act on blatant time wasting.

Nevertheless, here are a few reasons for optimism.   Bradley Wright-Phillips is a goal scoring machine (pessimists would point out that he could get injured or snapped up in the January transfer window).   Kermorgant has added value to the side, showing that Chris Powell can see beyond a poor penalty.  The midfield is not perfect but a lot better than it was last season.   Rhoys Wiggins is a real discovery and my player of the year so far.   Our central defence looks more solid than it has been since the days of Richard Rufus and Jorge Costa.

And it's mild for November, saving on all those heating bills.

Further thoughts on Tranmere

It's always a bit risky to comment on matches you haven't been to, but having read the reports over the weekend and what fans who were there had to say, here are some reflections.

It's clear that Tranmere played well.   Some of those who were there thought that they were a bit physical, but one has to expect that in League 1.  As expected, their keeper indulged in time wasting tactics and could well have deserved a second yellow.   They also unsucessfully tried to disrupt the taking of the penalty, but Johnnie Jackson kept his cool.   We musn't expect other teams to roll over because they are at The Valley, rather the contrary.

There has been some criticism of Chris Powell for doing a Phil Parkinson and not sticking with a winning team, although beforehand there were quite a few calling for Green and Kermorgant to start.   In my view Kermorgant is something of a super sub.   I also think that Paul Hayes is underrated.   What he does particularly well is to link up with the midfield and that may have contributed to their below par performance on Saturday.

As for the Green v. Wagstaff debate, that will go all season until one of them is injured or suspended.  But Green did not earn a starting place on Saturday to judge by everything I have read.

The League Paper rated Wiggins as the best player on 8 and it is encouraging to see how he has come on since the start of the season.   Bradley Wright-Phillips got a score of only 4 which wasn't really reflected in anything I read.   He can't be expected to score in every game.

Some were disappointed at the attendance of 15,038 with no Premiership or Championship games in London, but Tranmere are hardly a big draw.  They had to cancel their own supporters bus because of insufficient interest and there were only 300 in the away end.   The home crowd was up by 1,000 on Exeter which is good considering that that game was on offer.   Receipts were up by a third.   If it's any kind of benchmark, the crowd at Leamington was up by about 12 per cent on Saturday.

Les Parry claimed that that the crowd had been quietened in the second half, but someone who arrived after six minutes remarked how quiet they were then.  I am afraid that the team has to lift the crowd rather than the other way round.   Much as I admire Big Dave Lockwood, his invocations to get behind the boys are having little effect.

Overall, a point gained, perhaps a little fortunately.   Onward to Stevenage.   Oh, the glamour of League 1.