Search parties out for Nugent

Search parties were out on New Year's Eve for Charlton's most successful coach Kevin Nugent. He has not been in the dugout for the last two Cbarlton games.

When Karl Robinson was questioned, he was very vague saying that Nugent had been 'in the building' in the last few days: Disappearance

Presumably this meant a visit to Sparrows Lane to collect his personal effects and P45. He is then believed to have headed up the M1 to Coventry City's Ryton training ground to join Russell Slade.

VOTV editor Rick Everitt has tweeted that he thinks that the underlying issue is a financial one.

Sky Blues to swoop for Ajose?

Russell Slade appears to have been so impressed by Nicky Ajose during his stint at Charlton that he wants to sign him for the Sky Blues, reports the Coventry Evening Telegraph: Ajose

Ajose nearly signed for the Sky Blues before. The 20 goals a season form he showed at Swindon has not been replicated with the Addicks, but if he went to Coventry, he would at least be familiar with an environment in which games are interrupted by protesting fans.

Boycott king Slade joins Coventry

Russell Slade clearly likes clubs where the fans are in dispute with the owners, as he has joined Coventry City as manager: Russell Slade

Sources close to Slade said, 'What's not to like? If there are no fans in the ground, no one can see his negative tactics.'

Fox praises Slade

Morgan Fox thinks that Russell Slade improved things for Charlton on and off the pitch and was surprised when he was sacked: Fox on Slade

Axed MK Dons boss in frame

Former MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has emerged as the latest favourite for the hot seat at Charlton. However, caretaker manager Kevin Nugent now thinks that the job is much more attractive as Russell Slade has put the foundations in place: Dirty work done

Of course, that leaves aside the question of working for Katrien and the regime. However, Robinson is attracted by the club's thriving Academy: Odds slashed

Farewell, then, Russell Slade

Reports are circulating (from the BBC among others) that Russell Slade is to be sacked and a statement is expected at 7 p.m. After just 16 games in charge, he was given the news after training today according to a tweet from Richard Cawley of the SLP.

His spell as manager has been far from inspiring, although he is not the fundamental problem. We also have to be concerned about his replacement.

According to VOTV editor Rick Everitt his replacement may well be former Sint Truiden boss Chris O'Loughlin. The Irishman has no experience of the English league, but has remained on Roland Duchatelet's payroll: Likely replacement

There are reports that Nigel Adkins is also in the frame: Adkins

Another candidate to emerge is Steve Evans, but he has now sealed a deal with Mansfield: Steve Evans

The Rickster now fears that the whole future of the club is at stake: Club in danger

The official statement on Slade's dismissal did not appear until 9.40 p.m.: Parted company

Slade has expressed his disappointment at his dismissal and says he was not given time to finish the job he started. He says that the club needs stability (if only): Slade speaks

Slade does have the distinction of being the third longest serving Charlton manager under Duchatelet: Track record

Slade: why I took off attackers

Russell Slade has explained why he took off two attacking players at Port Vale just before Charlton conceded a penalty, although he insists that the two events were unrelated: Why I did what he did

Unfortunately it looks as if both Holmes and Lookman are doubtful for today's so-called 'Kent derby' at Gillingham, limiting Slade's attacking options. 2,200 Charlton fans are going.

Gillingham are now without a win in their last five games and are 18th in the table.

Odds are: Gillingham 19/10, Draw 11/5, Charlton 13/10.

Addicks 'not in the place we want to be' says Slade

Russell Slade has admitted that Charlton are 'not in the place they want to be' after last night's 0-2 home defeat to Crawley in the Checkatrade Trophy: Any answers?

Charlton did not force the Crawley keeper to make a save until the 79th minute.

Slade likely to get the boot

Russell Slade is likely to be the seventh Charlton manager to get the sack from Roland forecasts VOTV editor Rick Everitt writing in The Currant Bun. He forecasts that the long nightmeire at The Valley is likely to continue: Ramsgate fan writes

Not good value even for a fiver

Only goal difference now separates Charlton from a relegation place after they went down 0-1 at home to Rochdale at The Valley this afternoon, giving the visitors their fifth successive victory. In 18th place, the Addicks are one place above Millwall.

The attendance was about 4,500 down on the last 'football for a fiver' match. In 2012 we got over 10,000 more for an equivalent game against Stevenage.

Charlton started with an unadventurous 4-5-1 formation and Johnnie Jackson failed to score from the penalty spot. Charlton did produce a late rally, but it was not able to secure even a point. It's just two wins out of eleven now. The rainbows seen over The Valley brought no good fortune.

The report on the game by Louis Mendez is here: A forgettable week

Russell Slade thinks that the booing by fans when Ricky Holmes was substituted was 'slightly disrespectful': Customers rebuked

Bauer a doubt for Saturday

Injury prone defender Patrick Bauer has a minor hip problem and may not be available for Saturday, but Jason Pearce could return after missing two games: Defenders

Russell Slade has reiterated his dissatisfaction with Tuesday night's performance against Oldham. Some fans are calling for his head, but any replacement could be a network member with no experience of the English game. However, I am not confident of much more than a mid-table finish under Slade.

Draw specialists?

Charlton slipped to 16th in League One after a 1-1 draw with Oxford United at the Kassim Stadium. Russell Slade's view is that 'If we keep performing like that, there's no doubt we can turn the draws into wins and climb up the table.'

The Addicks went in front through a 54th-minute penalty by Johnnie Jackson. Oxford's right back Phil Edwards handled Ademola Lookman's deep free-kick and Jackson calmly planted the spot-kick straight into the middle of the goal as Simon Eastwood dived to the right. That was the first goal Oxford had conceded for over five and a half hours.

However, they equalised on a swift counter-attack in the 67th minute as substitute Kane Hemmings picked out Maguire making a run to his right, and Maguire drove beyond Declan Rudd from 14 yards.

Both teams produced some free-flowing passing football in the first half. Rudd saved superbly to turn Chey Dunkley's header for a corner and Marvin Johnson twice went close with angled shots.

Eastwood raced off his line to block Lookman's shot with his legs and late in the game as the home side's goalkeeper brilliantly tipped over Josh Magennis' point-blank header. Charlton finished with 10 men as Harry Lennon was shown the red card in the 94th minute for his second foul on Liam Sercombe.

Alan Curbishley commented on Channel 5, 'It looks as if Slade has not had the backing ... the people that own the club have some big decisions to make.'

VOTV editor Rick Everitt says that Russell Slade's start is the worst for Charlton in the third tier in ninety years: Not good

Lookman was Palace target

Russell Slade has confirmed that Ademola Lookman was a Crystal Palace target on deadline day: We had to stay strong

The Glaziers opened the bidding at £4.5m plus Nectar points.

A work in progress

That is the most charitable thing that could be said about Russell Slade's Charlton after a 1-1 draw with Northampton Town left them just above the relegation zone in League One.

Getting off the bus to go to the Rose of Denmark, someone asked me who Charlton were playing today which suggests that Katrien's SE7 campaign has not been a resounding success. The best part of the day was meeting up with old friends. We also talked to two Cobblers supporters.

It was quite a surprise to see Brian Cole working again as pitch announcer. It will be recalled that the lost the job after a game against the Glaziers in which referred to them as 'Crystal Pal****.'

Commenting on the Bury match, Russell Slade said in the programme that we created opportunities but snatched at them and didn't work the goalkeeper enough. That's how it was in the first half today. All of our shots were from outside the box and, not surprisingly, were either off target or straight at the keeper. The Cobblers went ahead on 16 minutes when a decent cross was followed by a decent header from Revell who for some reason was not been properly marked. It will be good to get Bauer back (he was on the bench).

Ricky Holmes was being constantly barracked by the Cobblers fans. Perhaps this put him off a bit, but he has good pace.

We looked better in the second half, particularly after Lookman came on. Andrew Crofts forced Smith into a smart, low save to top his strike around the post, before Nicky Ajose fired just wide after turning neatly. He should really have scored. An assist from Ajose allowed Johnnie Jackson to level the score on 57 minutes.

Jordan Botaka looked lively when he came on. We pressed hard in the last ten minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net. Lookman saw his free kick turned away in the last minute.

I was impressed with Konsa who showed some nice touches.

There were no red or yellow cards and Darren England had a decent game.

Russell Slade has said that he wants to strengthen the central midfield before the transfer window closes. This is our main weakness at the moment: Manager's verdict

Football League Paper scores

Rudd 6 (looked competent to me); Solly 7 (worked tirelessly); Pearce, 6; Konsa, 6 (I would have given a higher score); Fox, 6 (usual mix of good and bad); Foley, 5 (subbed by Lookman on 60, 6, I would have given more); Jackson, 7; Holmes, 7 (subbed by Botaka on 67); Magennis, 6 (subbed by Novak on 80); Ajose 6.

Slade is history man

Charlton are the featured club in today's League One coverage in The Times under the headline 'Charlton owners given time by fans to lift club'. This refers to a one month grace period granted by to the owners by CARD before protests are resumed.

Russell Slade said, 'I felt the opportunity was here to build a team and get this great club back on track. One of the first things I did was show the players a little presentation of the history.'

'To move on you have to see the association with the past and the fact that it's a community club that left the ground and fought to get back, that it was in the Premier League for eight years, in an FA Cup final [and winners]. All these things the players needed to be aware of along with the expectations and values.'

It will be all right on the afternoon

Charlton are hoping to sign two new players before Saturday's clash with Bury. A mystery player was smuggled into Sparrows Lane this morning and is undergoing a medical prior to an announcement later today. The Addicks are also two thirds of the way to signing another player, according to manager Russell Slade: Late signings

Better late than never, and it looks as if Slade might have won his battle with the powers that be.

However, the price may be the departure of Jorge Teixeira and Callum Harriott: Two in, two out?

Slade has described the situation he inherited at Charlton as 'ridiculous' in terms of a lack of professional preparation for pre-season training: Unprofessional

Outcome critical

Rick Everitt: 'For the avoidance of doubt, I is from Ramsgate.'

It is now many years since Rick Everitt was Mayor of Welling and he has retreated to the Isle of Thanet, but he keeps his ear to the ground and appears to have a good idea of what is going on inside the club.

This morning he has tweeted, 'Season hasn't kicked off but battle between Slade and CAFC ownership over signings well under way. Outcome will be critical for club.'

A Voice of the Valley will be on sale at next week's first home game of the season.

Meanwhile, Everitt is reported to have arrived in Stratford upon Avon as he soaks up some culture before heading 'oop north. Could he be visiting the Anne Hathaway Stadium to see if the Bardsmen (Stratford Town) have any players they could loan us?

Club's heartbeat needs to be louder, says Slade

"Some people might think coming here might not be the wisest decision, but this club has got a real heartbeat. It is just that heartbeat is not loud enough at the minute. But it will be," Russell Slade has told the Evening Standard.

'Russell Slade is two months into the job of fixing a broken club. The 55-year-old knew it would be a big challenge to rescue Charlton but it was only after he took over that he realised the size of his task. Slade was appointed to stabilise the Addicks after they were relegated to League One following a disastrous season in the Championship.'

'He took over a club in a spiral of decline. Supporters have watched Charlton crumble in recent years and protests against controversial owner Roland Duchatelet has seen the atmosphere turn toxic.'

Full article at: Club's heartbeat

Charlton to finish 3rd

According to Four Four Two magazine, Charlton will finish 3rd this season. Of course, this same magazine had us hovering just above the relegation zone in Chris Powell's promotion season.

The magazine says: 'The discord between Charlton fans and the club's owner Roland Duchatelet seems irreparable, not helped by chief executive Katrien Meire adding fuel to the fire every time she opens her mouth. But if there's one manager who can bring any sense of calm back to The Valley, it's probably Russell Slade.'

Commenting on Slade, Four Four Two states: 'The softly-spoken 55-year old delivers more than his resources allow and with a remit to get results while slashing the playing budget he did good work at Cardiff, even if the football was a little dreary. Simplicity and continuity are key. Slade tends to find a system to suit his best XI and then stick with it.'

With Ricky Holmes now providing the ammunition for a front two of Lee Novak and Nicky Ajose, it's possible to see a promotion charge taking shape. The drop in standard should also enable Johnnie Jackson to boss matches in a way he hasn't done with any real consistency in recent years.'

Lee Novak is selected as key player: 'Charlton beat off stiff competition to land the Birmingham City striker following on an impressive loan spell at Chesterfield. Novak bagged 15 goals for the Spireites - not bad for an unselfish player who stretches defences.'

Millwall are forecast to be champions and Gillingham 14th.

Putting a more sceptical view, VOTV editor Rick Everitt commented on the Glynne Jones list: 'Rudd’s a good signing as are the other three, but bearing in mind the loans and short contracts we had at the end of the season we’ve lost about a dozen players (Fanni, Motta, Suk-Yung, Sanogo, Makienok, as well as those sold, loaned out or just released) and replaced them with five so far. The squad is way too small and key parts of it are injured. I like Diarra and Kashi a lot, but will they ever play again regularly for us?'

The Rickster continued, 'A lot now hinges on Teixeira, Harriott and Lookman staying. Not sure I’d put any money on it. We have some good kids, but most will need to be played sparingly and when they are ready, whereas the Belgians will probably expect Konsa, Hanlan, Umerah, Thomas, Kennedy, Charles-Cook and Mitov to slot in at this level, along with Ahearne-Grant.

Valete, Cristian Cellabos

He has signed on loan for a year with STVV. The Chicago (resident in Bermuda) Addick who spotted what had happened sums it up all very well: Valete

The Chicago Addick suggests that he took the worst ever corner kick in Charlton's history. The streets of SE7 remained calm last night with no reports of fans rending their Cellabos shirts.

More to the point is when the 'Blackpool of the South' will actually make any more signings to help poor out Russell Slade out.

It has just been announced that former Valley announcer 'Big Dave' Lockwood is to perform a similar role at Ebbsfleet United. Former Charton chief executive Peter Varney has a key role at the one time Gravesend & Northfleet. Read more here: Big Dave