Kermorgant agreed to take pay cut to come to Charlton

Richard Cawley's new Substack platform is allowing him to do more expansive and informative interviews than when he was at SLP.   His latest one is with former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney.

Richard now derives his livelihood from the platform, but I am going to give a short teaser from the interview about Yann Kermorgant: 'I don’t want to quote the figures of what he was on at Leicester, but we only had half of that money left in the budget. We came up with a way that Yann got the money later, if we got up. All that is quite stressful because he wants a figure and you can’t get a figure from the powers that be. So you have to be innovative in the way that you’re doing it.'

Congratulations to the Chicago Addick on 21 years of blogging.   Addick's Diary started in September 1997, so it has been going for nearly 28 years.   It was then much more personal, as it really started as series of electronic notes for my own benefit.

The first entry read: 'On September 26th I gave up the line management job I have held for the last seven years. At 12 noon I handed over the personnel files to the fervent Baggie who was succeeding me. In the afternoon we held a meeting which he chaired for the first time, ending with his wishing us all 'Good football matches over the weekend.' 'How does it feel?' asked one of my young Australian colleagues, 'Are you going to go home and open the champagne?' 'No', I said, 'I'll just have a workout and open the champagne if we win tomorrow.'

The heyday of blogging was in the Premier League days, Richard Murray even invited us in for a briefing.  We have now lost two of our best bloggers who have gone to join Sam Bartram.

I will be slowing down somewhat as Richard Cawley is now really the 'go to' source of news, but I will post stories from time to time that he has not covered.

Solly bares his soul

Richard Cawley does some great Charlton interviews and this one with Chris Solly is particularly good: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-chris-solly-reflects-on-his-time-at-charlton-athletic-and-how-he-knew-at-start-of-2020-that-his-valley-stay-was-drawing-to-an-end/

Of course, Solly is giving his version of events, but it is clear that he is not happy with Lee Bowyer and Steve Gallen who warned him in January that his Valley career was coming to an end.   As he puts it, 'There are still a lot of people at the club I've got a lot of respect for.  The likes of Keithy Peacock, Steve Avory and Chris Parkes - some of the best people I know are working at that club.  I'm grateful and thankful for people like that, who did so much for me.''

For him, Chris Powell was the best boss he played under and Yan Kermorgant was the best player he played with.

Solly is trying to rebuild his career in the non-league at Ebbsfleet United.   I have seen players do that in their early twenties at my non-league club and go on to play in League One or Two, but it is more difficult when you are 29.  Solly has had to postpone his wedding.

I hope this loyal servant of Charlton is able to rebuild his career, but I also respect the right of those in charge to make difficult choices.

Was he one that got away?

Having read a profile of Scott Wagstaff in The Football League Paper this morning, I was left wondering whether he was one that could got away - or not. Could he have done a job for us in League One? He had his fans and his detractors at The Valley, as is so often the case for any player that is not a talisman like Yann Kermorgant. Yann is now playing foVannes Olympique Club, in Group C of Nationale 2, the fourth tier of French football.

Admittedly, a lot of the profile focuses on his hipster style beard which both his parents and his teammates want him to shave off. Certainly if he returned to The Valley, removing it would be a condition of any contract otherwise he might scare very young fans. However, apparently it has taken him two or three years to get it to its current level. It would go down well in Shoreditch (or in the Royal Spa for that matter, as my bestie's son has one).

Having let go by Gillingham, the Kent native is now with AFC Wimbledon. He says that he would have loved to stay at Gillingham as it was his local base. However, he is able to car share with former Addick Joe Pigott.

Wagstaff left Charlton for Bristol City. At the Dons he is back to his original role as a wide attacking man which is want he likes.

Kermogant leaves Reading

Yann Kermorgant has left Reading by mutual consent with one year left on his contract. He never fully recovered from hip surgery: Kermorgant

It is thought that he is heading back to France (or Brittany) where he will be working in property management.

Yann Kermorgant to carry on

35-year old Yann Kermorgant is to carry on for another season at Reading before retiring: Kermorgant

When he retires he has plans for an investment or banking career.

He has had a very successful season at Reading and letting him go was surely one of the biggest mistakes made by the current regime at The Valley.

Reactions from Charlton fans on Twitter can be found here: Charlton fans react

Beneath The Valley of the Super Nerd

The second part of the scoop interview by Louis Mendez with Thomas Driesen appears in the South London Press today. It is unlikely to appear online until tomorrow at the earliest.

Apparently it covers Driesen's views of Charlton's managers and coaches, explains why Yann Kermorgant was let go and Nego was signed. It is stated that he did not approve of the Kermorgant transfer, but Roland and Katrien are not to blame as they were advised by unknown others.

p>The second part of the interview, in which Drisen admits that Karel Fraeye was not up to the job of Charlton coach, is now available online: Driesen

Score draw against leaders

Charlton fell back to 9th in League One after a 1-1 draw with Phil Parkinson's table topping Bolton Wanderers at The Valley.

Bolton's 100 per cent start to the season came to an end as a 90th-minute stunner from Ademola Lookman earned Charlton a point. Lookman came off the bench to strike the ball past Trotters keeper Mark Howard from 20 yards. And another Charlton sub Brandon Hanlan could have won it right at the death, but his header hit the side-netting.

Bolton had taken the lead through Gary Madine in the 53rd minute after good work from Liam Trotter on the wing.

Both sides could have gone into the break a goal up with Charlton's Jason Pearce heading wide from a Holmes free kick, and David Wheater seeing his effort cleared off the line by Solly and onto the crossbar.

There was a lengthy stoppage of play at the start of the second-half as Bolton's Mark Davies was stretchered off with a knee injury after landing awkwardly when making a tackle.

Fans opposed to the regime unfurled a North Korean flag above the directors' box during the game.

One fan commented after the game, 'Charlton desperately need to sign some attacking midfielders. Croft and Foley are both defensive and have no pace or creation Slade is a defensive manager, when Jackson was injured Lookman should have come on then not Bauer. At home we should be starting with our best attackers.'

Whether Lookman will still be at Charlton after the transfer window closes is a moot point. There are rumours about Yann Kermorgant returning, but I think it's unlikely. He scored a good goal to give Reading victory over Cardiff today.

Football League Paper rankings

Rudd, 6; Solly, 7; Konsa, 7; Pearce, 6; Fox, 6; Crofts, 6; Foley, 5; Jackson, 6; Holmes, 7; Ajose, 5; Magennis, 6. Subs: Bauer (24), 6; Lookman (64), 8; Hanlan, 90.

'We've got our club back'

That was the chant of the Covered End in the middle of a eloquent speech by Chris Powell after the presentation of the League 1 trophy to Charlton at The Valley yesterday. Sometimes days of this kind are an anti-climax, but I enjoyed yesterday more than our last promotion, to the Premiership. It feels as if a dark cloud has lifted from The Valley. There are many challenges ahead, but they will be more exciting and worthwhile ones than in League 1.

Everyone is being very English and ignoring the smurfs on the adjacent escalator

At London Bridge, I had a large number of Hartlepool supporters asking me what train they should get, what the station was called and whether a travelcard was valid. They seemed more confused than the average crowd from up north, but also very friendly.

I got to The Valley by about 1.15 but already there were large crowds around. The attendance was 26,749 which I think is enough to give us our highest ever average attendance in League 1. I had to queue for some time in the club shop, soon to be taken over by Nike, to get my souvenirs.

The build up to the match was just superb. The singers were excellent, not least the South Korean lady. It was also great to see Charlton legend Richard Rufus whom my wife used to sponsor: we have a number of his signed shirts and gave one to the Rose of Denmark. However, the landing of the Red Devils on the pitch, one of them carrying the match ball, was simply superb. It must take real and courage to jump out of a small aircraft and land on what is, relatively speaking, a patch of grass surrounded by tall structures.

The Hartlepool players and the officials formed a guard of honour for the players. We started the match with a rather slow tempo, treating it very much as an exhibition or training game. It was nine minutes before we launched an attack that was worth noting and then it came to nothing. On twelve minutes Wiggins was forced to concede a corner to the visitors but the ball went over. Charlton won their first corner on 19 minutes. It was taken by skipper Johnnie Jackson, but the header from Wright-Phillips was caught by the former Glazier in the Hartlepool goal.

Good work by Wiggins led to a second Charlton corner but it was caught by the keeper. Wright-Phillips went on a run which ended with an unproductive Charton free kick. A mix up between Solly and Hamer led to a corner for the visitors. Johnnie Jackson had to be taken off, presumably because he had a knock or strain although I didn't notice anything. Haynes replaced him.

We paid the price for our somewhat casual approach on the half hour mark when from a Hartlepool corner the unmarked Peter Hartley was able to sneak the ball into net along the ground at the near post.

Wright-Phillips had a half chance at an angle, but he is not too good at those and the ball went just wide. Hollands challenged Scott Flinders in the Hartlepool goal and won the Addicks a corner. The visitors looked dangerous with some corners, but we went in at the break only one goal down. The backroom staff were recognised with medals. Alan Curbishley came on to the pitch and paid tribute to Chris Powell.

HT: 0-1

When Chris Powell was appointed as manager, some people argued that he was too nice to do the job well. He is a genuinely nice person and he doesn't throw the tea cups around, but that doesn't mean he can't be firm. No doubt he had a few things to say at half time and indeed he showed his frustration from the touchline during the game.

Whatever he said didn't have immediate effect and the usual suspects in the East Stand started to give vent to their frustration. Someone said to me in the pub afterwards that the crowd is very fickle and goodness knows what will happen if we hit a rough patch in the Championship. I was quietly confident that our quality would show through.

It didn't start well with a free kick on the D after a trip. The match was generally played in a good spirit and there were no cards awarded. Hamer saved the free kick but was then challenged and seemed to fumble but the move ended in an offside decision. Yann Kermorgant fed Wright-Phillips but his effort went over. Charlton won a corner taken by Dale Stephens but it was saved. The subdued Scott Wagstaff was taken off and replaced by Bradley Pritchard which made a real difference. As Steve from Petts Wood commented, the midfield had been flat and had not got forward enough.

Wiggins won Charlton a corner and Hollands was able to equalise with a decisive short. Then from another Charlton corner Danny Haynes made it 2-1 by nodding the ball in the net after Taylor had looped it in and the mood relaxed. The best was yet to come, however. Bradley Pritchard put in a good long ball to Yann Kermorgant. The angle looked completely impossible but the ball went in the net. I just wrote 'Fab!'. This is a goal I will remember for a long time.

Then on 86 minutes Gary Liddle scored a second for Hartlepool. It came from more or less nowhere but was really a product of sloppiness and over confidence on our part. It threatened us achieving the ton but we stayed in command for the four minutes of time added on and ended the season with 101 points.

Such was the excitement that the news that the Massives had been promoted as well was not recognised as it should have been by bowing in the general direction of Sheffield. Today the Football League Paper describes Wednesday as a 'huge' club: how many superlatives are there. Radio 5 headlined an interview with manager Dave Jones discussing whether they would go straight up to the Premiership. No thought of interviewing the unfashionable champions, although Sir Chris himself has warned us to be realistic.

On the Football League Show our match got cursory attention, while the presenters could scarcely contain their excitement about Wednesday, proclaiming that they would be the 'biggest club' in the Championship next year. That puzzled me a bit as either Birmingham City or West Ham United will stay down, the clubs that are likely to come down from the Premiership are not exactly small ones and nor are clubs like Cardiff City or Leicester City tiny. But never let the facts spoil a good story. The Football League Paper had a front page taken up entirely with a photo of Miguel Llera surrounded by adoring Massives with the strapline 'Salute the Heroes'. We can already see what the media agenda for next season is.

The players were given their medals by the chairman of the Football League and a mini skirted director of sponsorship from nPower. It was good to see the loan players recognised. The trophy was presented, the players paraded around the pitch and Chris Powell made the eloquent speech that showed how he is Charlton through and through.

I went to the pub afterwards and two Hartlepool coach went past and we applauded them as they waved back. They played their full part in the day with their Smurf costumes. I finally got back to Leamington at 9 p.m.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible was delighted to award another Silver Bone to Yann Kermorgant not just for the goal but for his contribution throughout. The point was made in the programme that it was the acquisition of the Breton that really completed the side as we needed an aerial threat. His work rate and commitment has been tremendous and it was great to see him wearing part of the trophy as a berry after the game. From his knowledge of him at Leicester, Chris Powell was able to see that he was a real talent who had been sidelined because of a penalty miss.

The Bloke Behind Me is always quick to spot what he sees as any deficiencies in a Charlton player and he thinks that Hamer panics. He does fumble sometimes, but I wouldn't particularly blame him for the two goals yesterday. I certainly don't see a new keeper as a target for the summer. Morrison has been an ever present in the side and once again yesterday he showed that he is usually Mr Reliable who can also get forward when that is required. Taylor was brought back in and he was competent, although it would be interesting to look at his positioning for the two goals. He provided the assist for the second goal. Wiggins has been an ever present and a great acquisition. I voted for him for Player of the Year because I wanted him to get a place. Solly will be named as Player of the Year tonight and it was another excellent performance. According to the programme Stephens is regarded as one of the best players outside the top flight and certainly yesterday he was very energetic and even seemed to have recovered some of the skill he had shown before his operation. Hollands scored an important goal and it was great to see the triplets in the parade. Jackson was playing well before he had to be taken off. I thought that Wagstaff was not very involved and it was the right decision to take him off. He can be very inconsistent. Bradley Wright-Phillips seems to have lost his scoring boots and I think we need to bring in a striker. Haynes displayed energy and no little skill. Pritchard more than played his part when he came on. It was nice to give Euell a cameo to conclude his Charlton career.

Rescue cat Reg has given the Hiss of the Match to the East Stand linesman. One wag shouted out, 'last season is it lino?' He made a very strange decision over a throw in.

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?

Addicks go 13 points clear

Charlton have gone 13 points clear at the top of League One after their 1-0 victory at Bournemouth.  Sheffield United suffered a surprise 2-3 defeat at home to Oldham while the Massives secured a point away in a draw with pub team Rochdale.

Yann Kermorgant headed a stoppage-time winner from Danny Green's corner for the Addicks, although the home side complained it had not crossed the line.

Cherries striker Wes Thomas hit the post early on but home keeper Darryl Flahavan kept his side in the game with saves from Bradley Wright-Phillips and Danny Green either side of the break.

Danny Hollands and Dale Stephens went close for Charlton while ex-Addicks man Harry Arter shot wide for the hosts.

The 13th away victory for the Addicks eclipsed the previous best achieved in 1999-2000 when we were promoted to the Premiership.

Chris Powell admitted that it was 'a smash-and-grab victory.'   Bournemouth manager Lee Bradbury said, 'Charlton gave it a push towards the end and you would expect it of a team like them.'

Hamer suffered a slight twist of the ankle, but it does not appear to be too serious.

'Boring' Charlton

The Sheffield Star has finally hit on a narrative in the build up to tomorrow's match between Charlton and Sheffield United at The Valley.  The Blades, it is argued, play with flair and are easy to watch.   The Addicks are, it is implied, a boring side who grind out results with hard graft and organisation.   Not sure that Wright-Phillips, Kermorgant, Jackson or Wiggins fit that description for starters.

Read more here: http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/top_stuff_at_the_valley_1_4162440

Good news, by the way, that an approach from Celtic for Kermorgant has been rebuffed.

Valley of Frustration

There was little pre-Christmas cheer for the Addickted at The Valley this afternoon in a dour and physical 1-1 draw with Oldham Athletic.   The Lactics came to do a number on us and they succeeded, greeting their exultant supporters as if they had won the game before being booed off the pitch by the Addickted for their spoiling tactics.

Fortunately the encounter between Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield ended in a 4-4 draw, Huddersfield scoring the equaliser towards the end of seven minutes added on.   This means that the Addicks are five points ahead of the Owls in second place and with a far superior goal difference.   Sheffield United won their game, but perhaps more signficantly soaring MK Dons lost 0-1 at home to Preston now without tanned maestro Phil Brown.

Our efforts today were not helped by weak kneed refereeing, but it also has to be said that we lost the midfield battle for much of the match while Bradley Wright-Phillips had a below par game.  We had our chances put the game beyond reach but failed to take them.   I do think that we really miss Johnnie Jackson - and Dale Stephens.

I left rather late for The Valley and I must say that I had an uneasy feeling about the match as I left Coventry.   One thing that strikes me is how well spoken tube drivers are these days.  The young (I presume) lady driving the crowded Northern line train to London Bridge advised us to 'mind the daaws'.   But when you think what they get paid it is more than most graduate level jobs.   A further bad omen was that the tide at Deptford Creek was out.

It was great to see the tribute to Peter Croker before the match.   My father was a great admirer of both the Crokers whom he thought were real quality both as footballers and individuals.

We actually started the game rather well.   We won a very early corner but for some reason decided to take it short rather than putting more pressure on the keeper.   In my view short corners very rarely work, certainly at this level, and we just invited pressure on ourselves at the other end as a result.

What quickly became apparent that Oldham are very short on skill but compensate it for by physicality.   Shefki Kuqi is a big guy but it quickly became apparent that he was a headless chicken player with loads of pace who thought that running at Hamer would intimidate him but no sense of positioning.

Charm merchant Tom Adeymi got a yellow for a two footed lunge which could have been a red if the referee had a grip.    The Charlton free kick came off the wall but we were in again very quickly and Kermorgant's effort was just wide.

A clash of heads between Kermorgant and Diamond saw both players go off to receive stitches.  They were off for some considerable time.   Baffingly, for the rest of the match the Breton seemed to have trouble with his laces.   Perhaps we could get him a new pair.   The only option on the bench to replace him was Euell, Hayes being nowhere to be seen, quite why was unclear.

Green burst through and looked as if he might score but his effort was just wide.   Kermorgant had to go off to receive more treatment and to change his shirt.   Oldham declared their intent with a shot from distance which Hamer did well to tip over.   Wright-Phillips managed to draw a save, but one gets the feeling that this is a player who will never realise his full potential because of a lazy streak or something of that kind.

Half time: Addicks 0, Lactcics 0

Wright-Phillips burst through at the start of the half but just missed.   He started to display some of the skill he undoubtedly has but missed an open goal - but then he was offside anyway.   Following a Charlton corner, Darel Russell scored with a header on 59 minutes.

What we need to do then was to get the second goal but despite some chances we failed to do so and eventually paid the price.  The best chance was a Danny Green free kick which he struck well but it went inches wide of the post.  Darel Russell managed to pick up a yellow card for a tackle that was unnecessarily vigorous.   Hollands was given a yellow card for nothing at all which puts him on four.

I thought we were starting to tire a bit and it might have been a time to bring Bradley Pritchard on who can be quite a nuisance to a team like Oldham.   The visitors stepped up a gear and we seemed to become very open at the back.  On 83 minutes what I had been fearing happened and Filipe Morais, who had come on as a substitute, scored for the Lactics.   A number of away supporters, two of whom had been frog marched out shortly beforehand, came on to the pitch.

Oldham had got what they had come for and it was then difficult for us to get something out of the game with ten minutes left.   Indeed, as we tried to press forward, we were in danger of giving them another scoring opportunity.   I didn't think that our play in this final phase was very well coordinated, indeed it was a bit panic stations.

With his customary cheerfulness, the BBM proclaimed that we were now in a 'slump'.   Admittedly, we have a difficult Boxing Day match away against Yeovil another team trying to stay in the division and claim a big 'scalp' in the process.   I was talking to a Bristol City supporter in the week and he said they had found it a very difficult division to get out because there were so many teams who played spoiling tactics and were allowed to get away with.

All 7,000 tickets for Fulham were sold out by 10 a.m. and clearly this will be a big day out for the Addickted.   However, I do think that it is a distraction from our league campaign and we are in danger of getting a thumping.

At least Brakes won away at Aresley Town to maintain their promotion challenge.


Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Yann Kermorgant.   Having been taken off for stitches to a head wound and wearing an impressive bandage, he nevertheless stuck to the task.  I was talking to Walsall Addick Graham Speller afterwards and he said that he had never seen a Charlton player win so many headers since Bartlett.

Ben Hamer had a generally good game and was not really at fault for the equaliser which was unstoppable.  I liked the way he celebrated our goal.  Michael Morrison  seemed to be getting forward in attack quite a bit but not because he was neglecting his defensive duties.   Matt Taylor as captain was once again very solid.    Rhoys Wiggins had some brilliant moments at one point taking the ball away from the danger area under pressure and forging forward to launch an attack.  Chris Solly made a few mistakes but redeemed them although he needs to watch his positioning.  Danny Green launched some impressive attacks but seems unable to score.   Danny Hollands was relatively quiet and failed to impose himself on the game.  Hogan Ephraim was not as impressive as in some earlier matches.   Darel Russell seized the opportunity to score.   Bradley Wright-Phillips was often in danger of being caught offside and seemed reluctant sometimes to make the extra effort needed to take advantage of a promising opening.   The contribution of Wagstaff seemed to be limited to moaning at the officials.

For trainee match analyst Reg it was the first match at League 1 level as he was a Coventry City supporter before he was rescued.   He was appalled at the standard of refereeing and the inability or unwillingness of referee L Collins to deal with the physical tactics and time wasting of the visitors.  However his mentor Juneau the Soccer Cat pointed out that the officials were constantly harried by the uncouth northeners and gave the official Hiss of the Match to the worst offender, Oldham captain Dean Furman.

Addicks defeat Invincibles

Charlton defeated Huddersfied Town 2-0 in front of the Sky television cameras at The Valley last night to go seven points clear at the top of League 1.   Huddersfield's much lauded undefeated run of 43 games was brought to an end, confounding concerns that I and others had that the draw specialists might go home to Yorkshire with a share of the spoils.   Instead the Terriers were advised by the Covered End to stick their record where the sun doesn't shine.

It's interesting to see that The Times record the defeat in a small paragraph at the bottom of a column.  The media hype has been ludicrous: apparently one of the commentators on Sky was comparing the Terriers to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest yesterday evening!   But now the media will have to find a new hero or zero (Chelsea having replaced Arsenal in that role).

Huddersfield are a robust side with a lot of skill and I expect to see them in contention at the end of the season, so beating them is no small feat.    The one downside was Kermit being stretchered off, but apparently it was not as serious as it looks and he doesn't have to play on Saturday anyway.

Deustche Bahn had added on extra platforms on Marylebone to make it easier to get in there.   You usually have to wait a couple of minutes at the mouth of the tunnel, but we were there for 10-15 minutes last night.  Fortunately, I set a record last night from Marylebone to The Valley of just 45 minutes: straight on to a Bakerloo train, straight on to the Jubilee line and then jumped on a 161 at North Greenwich whose driver did not hang about.

This set me up well for the match, but it was crowded outside and many Addickted arrived after the game had started which is what happens with a night game.   It is also interesting to see the likes of Paul from Bexleyheath resplendent in a suit, once again giving the lie to the claim that Charlton supporters are pikeys.

I thought that we were quite nervous in the opening ten minutes or so and Huddersfield piled on the presssure which they are well capable of doing.   Most of the game was being played out in our half and the Terriers got a lot of corners (indeed if the game had been decided on corners, they would have won).   However, the important thing is that we stood up to it and didn't buckle.    There may have been nerves but there was no real panic and that is a measure of the current team.

The Terriers would no doubt argue that our opening goal came against the run of play, but you have to capitalise on your set pieces (the visitors failed to do this with one or two truly woeful efforts).   After a rather harsh award to Huddersfield by the referee that had led to a corner, even he could not ignore Rugby League play when it happened right in front of him.   Green put in a superb curling ball and a seemingly unmarked Kermorgant was able to move forward to connect with his head and put the ball in the back of the net, stunning the Terriers behind the goal.

The second goal was created by a shot from Wright-Phillips.   The ball rebounded but Ephraim was alert and ready and put in a shot that was sufficiently powerful and well directed to evade the keeper.  Huddersfield's tally of away goals conceded had now increased by a third.

Half time: Addicks 2, Terriers 0

Town took off Tommy Miller after the break and brought on incredible hulk Anton Robinson.   Within minutes the charm merchant had been warned by the referee about his fouls.   Eventually the referee found where he had put his cards, having brought his Oyster card on instead in the first half, and gave the charm merchant a well deserved yellow card.

Talking of hulks, Parkin was not as much a threat as many of us had feared and his legs appeared to be carrying a big load in his upper body.   All muscle no doubt, but he didn't look fully match fit.

An early effort by Keromorgant came off the bar, but the visitors also renewed their acquaintance with the woodwork, hitting the crossbar while Hamer had to push the ball off the post to make a save. 

The mood around me grew increasingly tense as the half wore on with fears that there might be another goal and it could be Huddersfield's.  They kept their shape well, while we started to look a bit ragged with the service to our strikers deteriorating.  

It was very open play and there was a lot of the ball alternating between the two keepers, sometimes via a defensive header.  However, the Terriers were exposing themselves at the back so we could have scored a third, while our defence held firm even if they had to make the odd hoof.

There was genuine joy at the final whistle.   The fun is coming back to watching Charlton.   Health warning: we will lose another game this season and it may not be to a top side.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible was spoilt for choice in awarding the Silver Bone and had to consult semi-retired match analyst Homer the Cherry Hound who had been watching the match on television at home.   Homer thought that the whole team deserved a Silver Bone, but instead it was decided to give them all a commemorative Silver Biscuit embossed with the legend 'Defeat of the Invincibles'.    The Silver Bone went to Chris Solly who had a truly outstanding performance.   Chris Powell kept the faith with him when some of us had our doubts and he is really developing as a player.

Hamer made a really outstanding save in the second half, pushing the ball on to the post.  If the Terriers had scored then, they could well have gone on to produce one of their famous draws.   I do wish that he would steady the ball when he has the time to do so rather than kicking it right away.  Distribution is an area for further work, but no one can argue with a clean sheet and it was good to see how pumped up he was saluting the East Stand after the match.   Taylor got the Man of the Match award from Sky and he was clearly thrilled to receive it.   I am delighted for him as he and Morrison have given us at last a truly solid central defence.   Very little gets past them.   A friend who has a season ticket at Huddersfield e-mailed me this morning to say, 'Your defenders closed down our attackers very well.'  Wiggins had another excellent game and it is a delight to watch such an intelligent footballer.   Russell had a rather uninspiring start and was withdrawn at half time, but I think there is more in him and hopefully he will be used again on Saturday.   Hollands had a good game, in particular making some important defensive interventions.   Ephraim showed what he was made of with a very well taken goal.  I also noted some good defensive work. If we can sign him up in January we should do so.   He is one of those players who has been undervalued where he is.   He looked genuinely touched by the warm standing ovation he got when he left the pitch.   Green put in an excellent free kick to score the opening goal and is delivering on his promise.  The goal by Kermorgant was well taken and we would certainly miss him as Brad's strike partner if was injured.   Wright-Phillips has the ability of a true striker to suddenly drift into promising positions unmarked, unfortunately it didn't quite come off this time and it probably wasn't his best game of the season.  He was getting too readily by Huddersfield's offside trap.

The mark of a good manager is making the right substitutions at the right time.  Part of the critique of Chris Powell as an 'inexperienced' manager that was advanced in some quarters earlier in the year was that he would not be able to do this.   I don't know whether Russell had picked up a knock, but in any event it was the right decision to bring on Hughes at half time.   His signing attracted some criticism, but once again the experienced player gave his all for the cause and was really thrilled at the end of the game.   I also thought that Wagstaff came on at just the right time when we were tiring and his running could unsettle the Terriers.  Hayes only had a cameo after Kermit's injury, but he did make one important intervention.

Juneau the Soccer Cat did not have to consult her assistant Fleur to give the Hiss of the Match to referee R East.   Despite his name the folically challenged official was not too popular in the East Stand.  I thought he was one of those referees who tries to show he is not a 'homer' by giving very few decisions to the home side.   Lots of fouls by the visitors were ignored, but every time a Terrier fell over, to then stage a recovery once the free kick was awarded, the referee was there to come to their aid.  I would add, however, that I thought that the East Stand lino knew what he was doing which was a welcome change.

Incidentally, a new feline commentator and the first boy member of our team, may be joining us shortly.  Look out for news of Reg.

Kermorgant: I want to face Foxes for Charlton

One reason Yann Kermorgant wants to secure promotion with Charlton is so that he can play against Leicester City where he feels he was not well treated.

For Leicester fans he is the man who missed a £90m penalty.   His chipped penalty in the play-off final against Cardiff City was easily saved, ending the Foxes' hopes of promotion to the top flight.  Of course, they would still have had to win the final.

The Breton is the subject of a feature article in today's The Football League Paper which suddenly seems to have woken up to Charlton as Bradley Wright-Phillips is also featured.

Kermorgant said, 'There is still a little bitterness over my time at Leicester because I think I deserved better and that I never really got a chance.   [As for the penalty] I'd come on ten minutes earlier, I had no confidence whatsoever and there was huge pressure on me.'

'I'd tried the chipped penalty before with success, but I was probably more confident when I'd done it before.  That time I wasn't in the right frame of mind and I executed it poorly.  I became the scapegoat.  I was the only Frenchman, everything was my fault.   It's easy to criticise but there weren't that many people who put their names forward to Nigel Pearson.'

As for the move to The Valley, 'When I got the opportunity at Charlton, it was with Chris and I knew him from my time at Leicester.   I didn't want to end my time in England as a failure.  And it was an opportunity to work with someone who knew what I could do, as well as at a big club in London.'

He notes, 'We've seen Norwich go up two years in a row, Southampton look like they might do the same.  Why not Charlton?'   He probably doesn't know that is just what we did in the 1930s under Jimmy Seed (my father always thought - rightly - that that was a more significant achievement that winning the FA Cup).  Most of us would settle for being in the Championship for now, whether Leicester are there or not.

Bradley Wright-Phillips is actually pictured on the front page of The Football League Paper.  You can buy an online copy more cheaply than in the newsagent.

If like me you find it difficult to stay up late to watch The Football League Show and don't want to use I-player, you can see it (repeated at least once) on Channel 301 on Sunday mornings.  It is then available later in the morning on the red button.

Chris Powell's barmy army

That was the chant that echoed round The Valley today as Charlton convincingly defeated Carlisle 4-0, the clean sheet being due to a penalty saved by Ben Hamer.   The Charlton manager accepted the plaudits of the crowd afterwards and perhaps doubters are being to accept that he has what it takes to be a manager.  Of course, we have two tricky away games coming up and our rivals for the top slot won, but for now we remain top of the league.

I had wondered if Hayes and Wagstaff ought to return to the starting line up, but Chris Powell stayed with Kermorgant and Green and his faith was rewarded, the Breton scoring two goals while Green was much improved.   Stephens was not available following the birth of his child overnight and Hughes replaced him.

Admittedly, Carlisle were let down by their porous defence, their keeper slinking away at the end of the game, while their shots on goal were often wayward, but the Addicks displayed considerable fluency and creativity in their passing, albeit helped by the visitors being reduced to ten men before the break.

The match got off to a slow start, in part because the referee blew up for three free kicks in the first few minutes.   Hughes also went down and required some treatment.  However, I thought we were a bit sluggish to start with.   Wright-Phillips laid off a good ball to Green, but he was unable to capitalise on it.   Wright-Phillips burst through, but seemed to think that he might be offside and didn't use the opportunity.

A good cross from Wiggins allowed Kermorgant to score with a header after 13 minutes.  Collin in the Carlisle goal was furious with his defence.   There had been much talk in the week from Carlisle of unsettling 'fragile' Charlton with an eary goal, but the boot was on the other foot.

Matt Robson for Carlisle was given a yellow card for a foul.   Hamer made a bit of a mess of a Carlisle corner, leading to a second, but this was easily cleared.

On 20 minutes Wright-Phillips made use of a clearance to score the second.   Great work by Wiggins played the ball along the line.  An effort by Wright-Phillips was cleared off the line, but Kermorgant was there to make use of the rebound to make the scoreline 3-0.   The Bloke Behind Me mused that we might get away with 3-3.

A cynical foul on the advancing Wright Phillips by Matt Robson saw the Cumbrian charm merchant sent off for a second bookable offence.

Half time: Addicks 3, Carlisle 0

Carlisle took off Liam Noble and brought on Lubomir Michalik after the break.   Hollands saw a scoring opportunity and advanced on goal, sending his shot through the legs of the hapless keeper to make it 4-0.

The lino then spotted a cross hit someone's hand and the referee awarded a soft penalty.   However, justice was done when James Berrett's effort was saved by Hamer.

Hughes made a good run and put in a cross that led to a Charlton corner.   However, one got the sense that Charlton were taking their foot off the gas in the second half.

A great save by a Carlisle defender using his hands produced a good case for a penalty, but the referee took no action, no doubt feeling sorry for the visitors.

Green and Hollands were withdrawn and Wagstaff and Euell came on.   Carlisle made their last two substitutions and their day was summed up when the board called for number 13 to come off and be replaced by number 13.

There was an outbreak of handbags at six paces over a Carlisle free kick and Kermorgant and Craig Curran received yellow cards.  The free kick went way over.    Zoko was given a yellow card for a two footed challenge from behind on Hayes which arguably should have been a red.

On the underground someone said to me, 'You had a good result.   We dropped two points.'   I wondered which team this was: it was Leyton Orient where Super Kevin Lisbie had got the equaliser for the O's.   Curiously enough, Charton and the O's were the only teams playing at home in London on Saturday.

606 had two calls about Charlton, one was a discussion of the phenomenon of negativity at The Valley in the context of a similar trend at Wolves.  

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Yann Kermorgant not just for his two goals, but for some good defensive work and some nice lay offs of the ball.  Hamer deserves full credit for the penalty save, although he did flap once or twice at crosses and his distribution needs improving.  He was not helped in the first half by having the sun in his eyes and I was surprised he did not wear a cap.  Solly justified his recall.  Wiggins was once again highly professional, defending effectively and getting forward well.   Once again Morrison and Taylor provided a solid central defence. Jackson was not outstanding, but he fully justified his place.   Called into the squad with Stephens evidently not available, Hughes did a good job, energetically involved, chasing down balls and providing a great bicycle kick at one point.  Hollands scored a great goal and generally played his part.  Green provided some good crosses and received a standing ovation from many fans when he was taken off.   The Carlisle keeper said before the game that he feared Wright-Phillips and with good reason as the striker latched on to balls well and also laid off the ball well to his fellow players.   Wagstaff was energetic when he came on, linked up well and got the ball forward, but did not have the opportunity to make a decisive difference.   Euell got involved, but not to any great effect/  Hayes was rather disappointing.

Juneau the Soccer Cat was driven to distraction by the referee's fondness for his whistle and has given him the Hiss of the Match.  Apparently he does a stint as a guard on a preserved railway now and then.

Yann Kermorgant

Bouncing Breton Yann Kermorgant talks about his battle with leukaemia and how that has influenced his approach to the game: http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford_messenger/sport/2011/october/13/charlton_athletic.aspx

Best start to a campaign since 1927

Charlton's unbeaten run continued this afternoon with a 1-1 draw at The Valley with Tranmere Rovers.  They remain top of League 1, although Sheffield Wednesday narrowed the gap to three points after beating Chesterfield 3-1 at home.   Huddersfield beat Stevenage 2-1 in a game which ended with trouble between the benches and are just one point behind the Owls.   This is Charlton's best start to a season since 1927 and Radio 5's afternoon programming came from The Valley with the whole game carried live.

Kermorgant started in place of Hayes and Green replaced Wagstaff, although the latter came on in place of Green in the 69th minute.   These are changes many fans have called for.

The visitors went ahead in the first half on 33 minutes when Adam McGurk's strike took a deflection off Chris Solly and flew into the top corner.  The Addicks improved after the break and Dale Stephens and Danny Hollands both went close.

Yann Kermorgant was fouled in the area by Ian Goodison late on in the half and skipper John Jackson levelled from the spot on 80 minutes.

The Radio 5 commented that this result showed how difficult a division League 1 was to get out of, but thought that it would be looked back on as a useful point later in the season.

Charlton five points clear

Charlton are five points clear at the top of League 1 after their 2-0 win at Sheffield United today in what would have been a Premier League fixture four years ago.   Perceived big threat Preston lost 2-1 at lowly Orient.  No wonder Chris Powell felt able to say, 'We have made a statement.'

My train took me through Sheffield at 16.20, but I didn't hear the result until 18.15.

Charlton substitute Yann Kermorgant was the hero after he came on in place of Paul Hayes.  After an uneventful 65 minutes, with the match looking as if it might be heading for a 0-0, the bouncing Breton stepped off the bench and headed home with his first touch from Johnnie Jackson's corner.   Kermorgant has now scored twice in three substitute appearances.

And two minutes later he set up Bradley Wright-Phillips, who finished at the second attempt from close range.  Blades' Ched Evans hit the post from outside the box deep into injury time.

Someone who was there has said, 'Great win. Worked hard in a tense first half and survived a couple of goalline scares, although we had a good chance at the other end which was fluffed by Morrison, I think. Solly was excellent again.'

'Second half more even, then the substitution won the game. United couldn't deal with the Frenchman in the air and BWP had another chance to score moments before he did.'

'Hamer had a great game, although he misread one first half cross. It was the sort of ground-out but ultimately convincing win that persuades you we will go up, albeit it's too early to say that really.'

'What we can say is that those looking to make a judgement after 10/11 games ought to be singing Powell's praises if they have any sense of fairness because no one could reasonably ask for any more over the 11 games.'

Breton retains Charlton's unbeaten record

He is almost certainly the only Breton to have ever played for Charlton and last night Yann Kermorgant secured a 1-1 draw for the Addicks against MK Dons.   Preston won 4-3 at Wycombe and hence are now just two points behind the Addicks: they also have a game in hand.     MK Dons dominated the first half, but Charlton came back strongly in the second.

MK Dons started strongly as Balanta and charm merchant Clinton Morrison went close within the first five minutes.    However, Morrison was unable to secure his objective of scoring against the Addicks, although it is the second time this season he has been involved in a 1-1 draw with them.

Dons played a 4-3-2-1 formation to deny Charlton possession and the alert Hamer had to make three important saves in the first half.

The franchisees secured a first-half lead after Dean Lewington was brought down in the box by Matt Taylor (one report says Chris Solly) and Shaun Williams converted the penalty.

After the break Paul Hayes brought an excellent save from keeper David Martin before Bradley Wright-Phillips wasted a free header from a Rhoys Wiggins cross.

Skipper Johnnie Jackson, was at the heart of much of Charlton's improved work after the break and created two chances in as many minutes on the hour mark. First Paul Hayes’ volley was blocked close to goal, before Bradley Wright-Phillips headed over.

Kermorgant, who had only been on the field three minutes as a substitute replacing Wagstaff, headed Charlton level on 75 minutes from Danny Green's cross.

As the slogan goes, 'Win at home, draw away, go up in May.'