Dear Chris It pains me to write these words, it really does. I want to see you leave us with your dignity intact, but I don't think this will be the case if you continue as our manager. You know that you are much loved by many, many fans, and you know that you have semi-valid reasons for our poor performances, yet if you keep toiling on blithely, even your most ardent supporters will tire of you. So do the right thing, Chris. Tell us that you can't work under such difficult circumstances any longer, and then hand the job over to someone with more nous and experience. Why not enjoy a restful Christmas and then find a new job in 2014, eh? Your stock is high and there will other teams willing to take you on. I will always be thankful for your hard work at Charlton Athletic, and the memories will always be sweet, but now is the time to let it go. Yours truly, **** *******
Powell came over on his own at the end. He looked a beaten man. He is out of juice and out of ideas with this motley group of League One players. He need to limp to January and then pray for investment, otherwise Charlton Nil are going down !
I've thought that recently the Doctor looks dispirited rather than defiant after a defeat. If he does not believe that he can do a job with this squad I think there is a good chance he will walk if there is no take-over. Last night's result was not significant in itself, but Saturday's must have been hard for him to take. Ipswich, man for man, were no better than us, but CP was mugged by his opposite number, and there may be some soul-searching going on. Remember, though, the wise words of our dear leader "We're all in this together".
Powell has got to get better at making his own luck. Once again he sets us up not to lose, takes too long to react after we concede, and then only urges players forward at the end. I have NEVER known any side that gets fewer players in the box than us. That is down to CP.
However we have to remember that ................ [video=youtube;eBpYgpF1bqQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBpYgpF1bqQ[/video]
That's why my team didn't include Kermit. Say what you like about Pig, he does get into good positions in the box. I was hoping Kermit would prove me wrong; what was he like last night?
Very frustrated, either given 'hospital passes' from team mates or nothing at all. Out of contract next month ....
Next month? In the summer and the club have a years option. Players can only talk to clubs outside of England.
Isn't he out of contract at the end of the season, but able to talk to other clubs next month? We were all looking forward to his return, and it gave everyone, including me, a lift even to see him on the bench at first. As CP has said, he's our talisman, that's why I'm so disappointed at his contribution. We were thinking that with him and Solly out that was some excuse. I wonder whether it's his fitness, or, whisper it, his attitude? Something ain't right, yet it's Church who gets the criticism.
Yep, can speak to other Clubs next month. No doubt he will. Church was getting flak last night because he is a striker who never looks like he can score a goal. As typical's favourite poster Ricky Everitt rightly said, why do you think Church was available at the start of the season for nowt !
Why would anyone be so keen on bringing in a manager who is out of contract himself, and would have numerous failings on his CV in the last few years ? CP is doing what he can with what he has. We need investment, recruiting. CP is not the problem, clearly.
If you play within the UK you can only talk to foreign clubs. You can start talking to English clubs in June.
I hear Sordell played well when he came on. Can you verify this, Vol? I do think we have a stronger squad than at least six Championship teams, so why are we failing so miserably?
Depends how you define "played well". A couple of flick ons, and chased down a bit more than normal....but no....nothing that warrants 20k a week wages. I hope we send him back in January.
There must be something good about Marvin Sordell. Surely he hasn't deceived all those youth coaches, scouts, and managers with sheer luck and no discernible talent. Perhaps a prolonged run in the side will see the best of him...
The Championship looks like being a tight League again this season - you probably need at least 50 points to stay up. If you got rid of Powell (I dunno to a neutral that feels harsh by the way), who would you get?
It's a real conundrum this. CP is a genuinely nice guy, a Charlton legend and we are forever grateful for the ride he took us on a couple of years ago. Moreover, he has been well and truly shafted up the khyber by the current regime and he is managing with at least one hand tied behind his back. I desperately want him to wake up one day as a brilliant manager and be with us for decades. All of that said, the nagging question that I can't answer is if we are to be taken over and come into at least modest resources, should CP be trusted to spend them? The jury is out for me. Despite my man love for him there is just the nagging suspicion that he got lucky with our league one winners. He has sure signed some duds, his tactics are deadly dull (I have no inclination to go at the moment) and I believe he has handled some players (Green for one) very poorly. I genuinely can't make up my mind whether he is a good manager being held back by the board/circumstances or a poor tactician who is getting the benefit of the doubt because we love him as a bloke. As I say, I want him to succeed but I have my (increasing) doubts.
