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.'
In a specially arranged Yuletide peace and harmony fixture, Charlton play Millwall at The New Den tonight. Charlton's record against their neighbours is not good to say the least and the last we played them there at this level we lost 4-0. Charlton have not beaten Millwall since 1996.
Odds are: Millwall Evens, Draw 12/5, Charlton 11/4. Millwall expect to be close to full strength: Millwall preview
Josh Magennis claims to be 'fired up' for the game. Let's hope so: Magennis
Charlton manager Karl Robinson says that the match is about actions not words. He revealed that it is a 'massive' game: Get in
Let's just hope that after this evening he doesn't have to replace his book of football clichés by a copy of Alan Pardew's Great Big Book of Football Excuses.
Millwall have been having their own troubles with Lewisham Council trying to slap a compulsory purchase order on some of their land, including that used by their Community Trust. The origins of this improbable gentrification project are rather murky and likely to be fought out in the courts.
So much for hiring expensive consultants, Roland's latest outburst has made the Currant Bun: Dumb fans
I watched the video of his interview, shame it was in Flemish rather than French. If this programme passes for entertainment in Belgium, Sundays there must be boring.
What was clear was that at some points the young interviewer was making Roland squirm as he was obliged to say 'No! No!' more than once. I also liked the way they used footage of the protests which made it clear they were well supported and a still of the taxi.
The studio audience looked bored and bemused, but I suppose if you are a middle-aged lady from Ghent it wouldn't mean a lot to you.
May I suggest that the Belgian ambassador in London tells King Philippe of the Belgians that this isn't doing his country's image any good at all. Usually people associate chocolates and beer with Belgium, and the First World War. Now they see a prize chump displayed before them.
Philippe (left), have a quiet word with you errant subject.
Roland Duchatelet has delivered what is in effect a Christmas message to Charlton fans through an interview on Belgian TV and it is not one designed to win friends and influence people.
Apparently, he thinks that those who have opposed him are 'stupid people'. From what I know of the CARD activists, a number of them are high calibre individuals and this is reflected in the ingenuity and sophistication of their campaign. Roland once again comes across as arrogant and obdurate. Admittedly, there is a view that business skills can be applied to any activity, including running a country, but in my view football requires very specialised forms of knowledge and some direct experience of the game.
According to Roland, the campaigners are not real supporters but activists motivated by considerations other than the true interests of the club. In the past it has been suggested that this might include disgruntled ex-employees and those opposed to a woman holding senior office in a football club.
Duchatelet criticises Chris Powell for not accepting help and advice in the form of the largely useless players that were shipped over from the network. It quickly became clear that Duchatelet and his advisers had no conception of the strength and quality of the Championship which many analysts would rank as just behind the top four European leagues (or perhaps even better than France's Ligue 1).
In response to one question, there is at least a hint that he might not go on for ever. Charlton may represent a mere 1.5 per cent of his empire, but perhaps it is beginning to take up too much of his time and emotional energy.
Charlton went down to a 0-2 defeat at home to Peterborough this afternoon in a performance that disappointed those hard core Addickted who have kept the faith. Karl Robinson doesn't seem to have been able to sprinkle any magic sparkle dust on the side.
With the mist literally rolling in from the Thames, the visitors played in a luminous yellow and set themselves up as 4-3-3 against Charlton's 4-4-2. The Addicks did press quite well in the opening minutes.
However, the Posh were then able to score too easily on 21 minutes. A free kick conceded by Botaka was taken by the lively Taylor. The inswinging cross left Phillips with no chance with Tafazolli the scorer.
It was worrying to then see signs of panic with players taking out their frustrations on each other. The crowd also became restive.
Charlton did make a decent start to the second half, playing with more urgency and intensity. Ajose put a shot just over the bar, then Magenniss saw a shot come off the post while Botaka hit the crossbar.
However, it was effectively game over when Edwards scored for the Posh. Phillips should have perhaps not stayed on his line. The Addicks made a double substitution, giving Aribo his first league start and he and Chicksen did liven things up. Ajose should have scored from a corner.
Once again problems in the central midfield were evident. Fox was booed from some sections of the ground when he was replaced by Hanlan.
Charlton are 13th, one place ahead of Millwall, but these positions look likely to be reversed next week. Official attendance was 10,193, of whom 1,017 were from Peterborough.
Charlton face Peterborough United at The Valley tomorrow. They are currently in the play off places with a four point lead over the Addicks. In the form table they are one place ahead of Charlton in 7th.
The Posh's away record is strong, winning four, drawing two and losing just three. They have scored 11 goals away and conceded ten.
It is ten years since Darragh McAntony bought Peterborough and he will be overseeing his tenth permanent boss this season, having appointed Grant McCann who was eager to take his big break in management. He likes to use a midfield diamond.
We last met Peterborough at home at this level in 2010/11 when we won 3-2, a possible score tomorrow.
Odds: Charlton 5/4, Draw 5/2, Peterborough 2/1.
A new Voice of the Valley is out tomorrow and it seems that it is taking a moderately favourable view of new boss Karl Robinson: Warm feelings
It is rumoured that VOTV editor Rick Everitt will be wearing a Santa Claus outfit tomorrow and will have a sack of presents for Katrien and Roland. Katrien gets a one way Eurostar ticket to Belgium and a file of Edith Piaf singing 'je regrette rien.' The man who has everything, Roland, was more difficult to cater for but will get personal development books on humility and listening skills.
The CAS Trust preview of the match is here: Tough test
I can't be there as I am still recuperating from my knee replacement, but thanks to the Warwick orthopaedic team for doing an excellent job. The sawing and hammering during the op was impressive, but I have had hardly any pain and family and friends have rallied round to look after me.
Charlton exited the FA Cup in extra time at stadium:mk yesterday. Ben Reeves and Dean Bowditch both struck early in the first period of extra time for the Franchisees. Earlier the teams could not be separated after 90 minutes as Daniel Powell and Adam Chicksen netted for MK Dons and Charlton respectively, the Dons goal resulting from a Charlton error.
Not only do MK Dons face a thumping from the Seagulls, their fans may find there are no Southern Trains to get away on afterwards.
