Charlton Athletic Online

Charlton need to maintain their winning run with a victory in the off-on league game at Stockport County on Saturday if they are to keep hanging on the tails on leaders Leeds, and ahead of chasers Norwich. It does seem like the other contenders win nearly every week, and it is very much to Charlton’s credit that we still sit in second place in the league table and that, despite the other teams consistent winning streaks, we are very much in contention for promotion. It is probably quite some time since the Addicks won four games on the bounce (discounting the excellent start to the season where six games were won), with the run probably going back to November 2007 I think. During that particular run, Charlton won at Preston, and a similar performance to that will do nicely at Edgeley Road.

The wins have come at a price though, and the injury situation is still a cause for concern especially with some players now close to suspension. Frazer Richardson and Kelly Youga are definitely out, which is a loss, and so it seems is Izale McLeod, though that is not so damaging. Luckily, Charlton have two full backs who are doing a decent job as cover for the first choice pairing, with Grant Basey back near his best – defending solidly and putting in great crosses – and Elliot Omozusi getting more match fitness on every outing and contributing accordingly. Both are better going forwards, but on tricky away games like this one, they will need to defend well too.

Luckily, the pair have solid and experienced central defenders between them, and it is terrific to see old hands like Sam Sodje – heart on sleeve for all to see – and Christian Dailly – oozing experience and calm – wearing an Addicks shirt on a regular basis.

In goal, we can expect Rob Elliot to continue after his thigh problem, with Darren Randolph once more the substitute. Elliot continued his knack of making one tremendous save per game along with one moment of ball juggling last week against Southend; luckily, his errors have contributed to far less goals than his saves have prevented, and long may that continue.

In attack, the news that Akpo Sodje has seen his loan spell extended by another month is very good news, and also that Leon McKenzie is once again back near to full fitness after a very stop start to his Charlton career. McKenzie could, if he gets himself and stays fit, be the ace in Charlton’s pack this season as he is likely to score goals with a run in the side. Luckily, those goals haven’t been needed recently due to the fantastic form that Deon Burton is in; goals in the last three matches have seen Burton into double figures for the season, and he does seem likely to score every week now, especially with a good front runner like Dave Mooney along side him. Mooney’s unselfishness should not go un-noticed, and you could see he was visibly upset at being substituted last week; he hadn’t done anything wrong, it is just that Phil Parkinson needs to manage the forwards and with Burton scoring, he is always likely to stay on the pitch when others are tried out. These four being available and in form compensate for McLeod now being injured.

The biggest area of debate around the team is who should play on the left side of midfield. When you remember that this position was a massive problem last season and that Nicky Bailey was pushed out there to fill the gap (and also to give others a chance in the middle) then we have to ask how far we have come since then. Therry Racon switched with Bailey in a couple of games, and did OK, but no more, and Jonjo Shelvey was also tried in the Bristol Rovers game but looked off the pace a little; now we have Scott Wagstaff and Lloyd Sam on the wings, with the youngster playing all game there last week after doing a half each on the left in the Brighton away game. It is difficult to think about leaving Wagstaff out as he works his socks off every match, and he did score at Brighton too. A longer run in the side in this problem position may suit him with the run of games we have up till the new year, but if it doesn’t work, then others may get either a chance (Luke Holden) or another go (Shelvey/Racon).

What is certain in midfield is that Jose Semedo will return after suspension in place of Racon, and rebuild that impressive central partnership with Bailey. Captain Bailey has looked a lot happier playing centrally since he was switched back, though it does bring him closer to the referee and he will have to watch his petulance as the season progresses and referees become more familiar with him.

This is how I expect Charlton to face up at Stockport –

Rob Elliot
Elliot Omozusi
Christian Dailly
Sam Sodje
Grant Basey
Jose Semedo
Nicky Bailey
Scott Wagstaff
Lloyd Sam
Dave Mooney
Deon Burton

Subs from Randolph, Llera, Youga, Spring, Racon, Holden, Shelvey, Sodje A, McKenzie, Tuna, McLeod.

Stockport find themselves in deep trouble – up to their knees in debt off the pitch and in mud on it! The problems are associated, as their pitch is a mess after being shared with Sale rugby union side for a couple of years and finally the bad weather has caught up with it. The last three football games and the last rugby match have all had to be cancelled, and the club therefore have no incoming revenue to rely on, but brighter weather is forecast so your correspondent is hoping not to waste his journey north tomorrow. From a playing perspective things are no brighter, as the team have slipped to the bottom of the league after a defeat at Wycombe last weekend. Their only bright spark has been the form of midfielder Carl Baker, who scored his eighth goal of the season in that game. The squad has few names of note to Charlton fans, reflecting the fact that the team is very short of cash and is made up of a motley bunch of north-west has-beens and never will be’s mostly. (This will probably inspire them to roll Charlton over now!)

Pedro45 is confident that, should the game get the go-ahead, the tie will be won 2-0, and the pressure placed firmly on others at the top of the league to match the result. When a team in second place plays the bottom side away, then we really should be looking for a victory and I believe that only the weather and pitch conditions could affect the outcome (discounting dodgy referees and Northwich like performances...).

My one-to-watch in this match is going to be Sam Sodje. The older of our two Sodje's got himself sent off at Yeovil when his commitment took him a yard too far on a very wet pitch. I doubt he will have trouble stopping in this game; starting to run may be the problem if it is as sticky as they say it might be! The epitome of solid-ness, Sodje is great in the air, and cool on the deck. When it needs to be cleared, he does so, without much finesse, but then again, how many defenders at this level have that? He also has the added inducement of trying to out-score his younger brother, who has matched his two goals for the Addicks this season in less than 90 minutes on the pitch.

I need everything to run smoothly on Saturday as I’m travelling in a circular route to Stockport, via Leeds and Manchester. Nothing less than victory will do in this game even if it also means trying something different in order to get it.

Up the Addicks!

Charlton Athletic 1 Southend United 0

Another professional performance from Charlton that gathered three more points, but in all honesty, it wasn’t a very good showing. One goal, from Deon Burton at the South Stand end of the ground, was enough for victory, but one or two questions are still being asked over the Addicks promotion credentials.

The goal (above), after 25 minutes, was well worked: A corner was cleared out to Lloyd Sam on the right wing; Therry Racon made a great run around him to draw the two covering defenders which allowed Sam the time and space for a left foot cross. The cross itself was beautifully judged and just cleared the front defender before allowing Burton a glancing header into the corner of the net. It was my one-to-watch Burton’s third goal in consecutive games.

Charlton certainly didn’t have it all their own way as the drizzle came down, and but for a great save from Rob Elliot when the scores were still level, it could all have been so different. With Grant Basey beaten on the wing, the defence was outnumbered and dragged to the near post, allowing the ball to float all the way across to Southend top scorer Lambert all alone. One indifferent touch allowed Elliot to get close but Lambert still looked very likely to score before an outstretched leg from the ‘keeper turned the shot away (left). It was a lucky break...

Southend actually looked confident throughout the game, and passed the ball well when in possession, without actually creating all that much. Most threat came from dead balls delivered into the six-yard box with pace, but Christian Dailly and Sam Sodje dealt with these fairly well all afternoon. Many of the kicks were for fouls given away by Therry Racon, who was eventually booked in the first half after being penalised about six times in ten minutes after the goal. Nicky Bailey, playing against his former club, was also getting stuck in and he too was eventually booked for a foul and lucky to stay on the pitch after one verbal assault too many against the decent referee. I thought all the officials had decent games, especially when compared to some we have had this season, and the fourth official was comatose when compared to the hyper idiot we had in the last game.

With Jose Semedo serving out his one-game suspension, the midfield looked much weaker, and this affected the delivery to the front men and wide players. Both Sam and Scott Wagstaff out wide, and Burton and Dave Mooney up front made what they could of passes, but too often balls were over-hit and just had to be chased.

Frazer Richardson was a surprise inclusion to the starting eleven, but he failed to appear after half-time hopefully due to the bleeding cut he was constantly receiving treatment for rather than a reoccurrence of his hamstring problem.

The points were won as the drizzle turned to rain, and thankfully none of the other players on four yellow cards for the season transgressed further; it will be key for the team that Charlton lose no more than one player at a time over coming weeks due to suspension, as to lose more with the injuries we have would severely test certain areas of the squad.

The gap to the leaders closed due to their failure to win and the gap back to the final play off place increased as successful teams start to play each other on a regular basis, so even though it was a very average performance, the result has to be seen in the light of the whole season.

17 years ago, Charlton returned to the Valley and won the game 1-0 with a strike from the veteran Colin Walsh; a generation later, it was another veteran - Deon Burton - who sealed the points for the Addicks, though I doubt we will remember this goal in much the same iconic way over coming years, despite the Usain Bolt impression in celebration (left).

Charlton Athletic 2

A professional performance gave Charlton their first away win since August, and very welcome it was to. First half goals from Deon Burton (celebrating, left) and Scott Wagstaff sealed the points, and then the Addicks sat back and played out the match without due alarm.

I wasn’t at the game and can only judge from the online commentary, but it did seem like a comfortable victory once Brighton’s best chance failed to produce a goal; a Tunnicliffe header beat the fit-again Rob Elliot but hit the bar and was then scooped away by the ‘keeper close to the line. Prior to that, Sam Sodje had been booked after an early scuffle at a free-kick, but slowly Charlton took control.

Burton scored with a good header after half an hour from a Nicky Bailey free kick, and shortly afterwards, Wagstaff finished a flowing move from six yards after a good early cross by Grant Basey (below pic). Burton then missed a good chance to seal the points just before half time when he had more time, and the Addicks went into the half-time break two goals to the good.

It took Charlton until eight minutes into second half to win their first corner, after good work by Wagstaff, then Bailey shot just wide with the rebound from his own free kick.

The tireless Dave Mooney headed wide when well placed from an Elliot Omozusi cross after an hour, before Brighton had a goal disallowed for a foul on Elliot after a clearance off the line.

Akpo Sodje came on as a substitute for Burton after 72 minutes and he shot just wide after another fast break led by Wagstaff. Mooney then saw his header saved and the follow up effort also saved after a cross by Lloyd Sam.

Mooney’s final action of the night was to be booked for kicking ball away with five minutes left, as Izale McLeod came on for him. Rob Elliot had earlier been booked for time wasting, as was Jose Semedo for a foul, and Jose is now suspended for this weekend’s game against Southend.

Some of the other results went Charlton’s way, and they now find themselves four points clear of the chasing pack, while still five points behind leaders Leeds.

The away win monkey has been despatched at long last, and the run in to Xmas could provide more wins looking at the league table. Norwich eased past Southend in Essex last night, so Charlton will look to do likewise on Saturday to maintain that gap.

Finally, a big shout for Phil Parkinson for playing Wagstaff on the left wing ahead of Jonjo Shelvey and Therry Racon; Wagstaff responded with a goal in his first full league start, and it will be tough now to leave him out after such a positive display. That leaves Shelvey and Racon, plus Matt Spring as a pretty useful back-up midfield as the suspensions and injuries kick in later in the season. With Semedo out on Saturday, it will be an interesting move to see who Parky picks to play alongside Bailey.

Onwards and upwards!

Charlton Athletic 4 Bristol Rovers 2

Six more goals at The Valley, and another resounding victory for the Addicks as forwards Dave Mooney, Deon Burton and Akpo Sodje all scored on a blustery night. At least the weather wasn’t as bad as in the previous two games, but the swirling wind did get up in the second half and make passing accuracy difficult.

The highlight though was not one of the players or goals, but the amazing fourth official, who certainly raised chuckles from the stands and ridicule from the benches of both clubs. More later…

Charlton made two changes to the team that started in Somerset on Saturday, with Miguel Llera replacing the suspended Sam Sodje as expected, but less expected was the involvement from the start of Jonjo Shelvey for Therry Racon. Shelvey took station on the left wing, and involved himself as much as possible without really stamping any authority on his position.

The first goal came quickly, after just four minutes; Lloyd Sam hassled his full back and won the ball and made it to the byeline where his pull back found Burton ten yards out. Burton had time and space to control and turn and fire in a shot across goal that the ‘keeper parried out, and Mooney gleefully stroked in the rebound (top pic).

Soon Sam was being hacked to the ground but he still gave the full back a torrid time. A quarter of an hour into the game and Charlton won a corner. Before it was taken, the referee warned the defenders on holding as Llera fell, but they obviously didn’t learn as when Grant Basey swung over the dead ball Llera again clashed and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. There was confusion over who was booked for the foul at this point, and the scoreboard failed to indicate which player had got the yellow card. Burton stroked home the penalty kick with aplomb (below pic), and at two-nil, Charlton were cruising, but as so often happens, chances were missed, and the away team came into the game more.

Sadly, Kelly Youga injured himself when clearing a ball, and he had to go off with Elliot Omozusi filling in at right back.

It didn’t go all Charlton’s way though, and after that period of control, the referee evened things up a bit when he penalised Christian Dailly as a cross sailed into the box, and Rovers had their own penalty. Much as at Carlisle, the ref seemed to want to give one a side. Carl Ikeme had saved that one at Brunton Park (although the rebound was scored) but he couldn’t get near this kick from Hughes and five minutes before half-time it was 2-1.

It was no real surprise when Charlton conceded the equaliser ten minutes into the second half; Rovers had started the half very confidently, and with Shelvey and the forwards were struggling to hold the ball for any length of time. The passing from the back was long, in the main, and this simply allowed the wind to carry the ball to their ‘keeper and gift possession back to the away team. Lines headed in a corner to bring the teams level, and you did wonder if the two-nil lead would end in a 3-2 defeat. Omozusi had to make a couple of excellent blocks near the goal-line to keep the Addicks on level terms, and slowly the game turned and the concern subsided. Shelvey then had a goal-bound half-volley from close range unfortunately blocked by Mooney's body, and you did wonder if Charlton could respond and get back in the lead.

Thankfully, this Charlton team are built of resilient stuff, and with Akpo Sodje waiting to come on, a great move involving man-of-the-match Sam, led to his cross being flicked on by Burton to Mooney, and his header hitting the bar before Nicky Bailey bundled home the rebound to give Charlton the lead once more. Shelvey did then make way for Scott Wagstaff, and Sodje came on for the tireless Mooney. Soon, the younger Sodje was celebrating his first Valley goal (left) after he turned home from close range. With just fifteen minutes left, there was no way back for Rovers now. More chances were spurned, but Charlton comfortably saw the game home.

The most controversial moment though saw the referee make several bookings in the second half, including a yellow card for number four Lines. When he was penalised again for pulling back Bailey and the referee reached for his pocket, the player looked like he was seeing red, but for some reason he got what seemed like another yellow card and no following red. The crowd, Bailey, and the Charlton dug-out all tried to remonstrate with the referee, especially as it could lead to a punishment for him from the authorities if it is found he did give a player two cards and not send him off, but he was adamant that he was right.

The fourth official obviously at this point checked his notebook; he had written every little thing that happened in the game down in this book, and was constantly checking the watches he wore on both wrists. Most fourth officials stay seated, and only get up if something untoward is happening with the team officials. Not this one, he stood the whole game, checking both ways like he was about to cross a road, and regularly found himself in the team box talking to one side or another (we think he may have wanted to be a manager he spent so much time there!). When a substitution was made, he not only checked the players boots, but asked them to lift there shirts and amazingly their shorts too in case they were hiding anything! If a goal went in, he ran to the box to keep the officials off the pitch, not that anyone looked like they may encroach, but just because he wanted to be wanted I guess? When a late foul went against Rovers, their manager went mad and had words directed at the referee, a record of which went straight into the notebook of this man, so it may well be that Trollope gets reported for what he said. God help us when this guy takes charge of a match…

Lennie Lawrence received a nice ovation when he made his way along the touchline before the game, but for some reason he had to sit on the naughty step all through the game. He sat quietly most of the match, celebrating the equaliser, and then the final touch was that the fourth official spoke to him about what Trollope said, as if reporting him to his elder brother. Smirks all round!

So another home win for Charlton without too much trouble, bar Youga’s injury. The key now is to start winning away games too.