http://www.castrust.org/2014/01/fa-cup-valley-shut-down/ My favourite bit is the bit around concerns as to what team will be out out. Do any of you guys, the Charlton fans, have any concerns? (With the exception of sordell?) Do any of our members who are aligned to the trust back this open letter? Seems juvenile IMO.
I'm disappointed the East Stand isnt open as dont like sitting anywhere other than my usual seat (call its stupid but after 15 years its become a part of me I feel) so wont be attending myself. Again I personally dont have any concerns about what Squad gets put out... Chris Powell is the manager so I respect his choices each week as he's the guy who sees the players in training every day... I'd love to see the below sort of team playing yet its not my call so cant complain if it isnt. Pope Wilson - Morrison - Lennon - Fox Stewart - Cousins - Poyet - Cook Pigott - Church Bench Alnwick - Wood - Hughes - Jordan - Jackson - Sordell - Kermorgant (I'd like to see more Youngsters picked but dont know about being ready for first team football etc...)
Strange one that, plays right into typicals hands! Surely the focus should be encouraging us to attend?
Strange is one of the words. I'm just confused by it - from a group that's trying to gain a positive reputation as well as members, to go public with a letter like that is bizarre. Massively ill advised.
I'd rather sit where I normally sit (East) with no irritating people near me for a change than cram into the two open stands. That won't create a better atmosphere, it will just cram you up while you look at four empty stands! All of that said, I have no interest anyway and won't be going. The issue for the club is whether the stand arrangements will turn away some supporters who might otherwise have gone. I suppose there is also the issue of what happens if 17000 turn up (ok, I'm still on the Hogmanay sauce!). But whatever the case, the club has taken a decision based in its view of the likely crowd and the cost savings. It has also explained itself (after a fashion) in Saturdays programme. The Trust's letter is anally retentive and the recipient within the Club will need to exercise considerable restraint not to give it the response it deserves!
Just caught up with this after Ipswich. Absolutely ridiculous. A huge own goal by the Trust which reinforces the impression its all about Egos for most of those involved.
''There are enough concerns around the likely team that will be put out for this and for cup matches in general'' That's the bit that gets me slightly rilled up. Who has concerns? I can't speak for other forums but the majority on here seem all for mixing experience with youth. They have to be clear in their approach whether they are speaking for fans or members of the trust. There is a massive difference
What was the expected outcome of this letter ? A frantic phone call from Jiminez to Powell, ordering him to play his strongest 11 v Oxford Oh, please. The tickets on Saturday are a tenner for a reason! This is all about certain people stroking their egos in public. Again.
I have no concerns whatsover reagrding this. In fact, taking into consideration our thredbare first team squad, our current relegation battle and the fact that I am only paying a tenner for my ticket, I welcome the opportunity of watching some youth on Saturday. Morgan Fox and Michael Smith have returned from their respective loan spells, I would like to see both included along with Diego Poyet.
Michael Smith cannot be included as we allowed him to play in the cup for AFC Wimbledon. Would like to see the following team which mixes experience with youth. Hamer Wilson, Dervite, Lennon, Evina Green, Poyet, Holland, Cook Pigott, Church
I quite like the look of your team, Dickp, I'd probably play Hughes instead of Hollands because he would help Poyet, and Hollands has no future at Charlton.
Isnt Hollands injured / still with Gillingham? Also curious question about the closure of the East Stand and I know we're not a Premier League side anymore but... Whenever we've played in the 3rd Round against Lower-League opposition they've always filled the South Stand and they've taken a quarter of the East (because of the number of tickets you have to give them) - i.e. is it for definite that Oxford arent taking their full allocation in the South?
I don't see why the Trust are making such a big issue of the stand closures. We will only get 5 to 6 thousand. It makes economic sense to shut the stands. I don't think the game will go ahead anyway. A much more pressing concern for me,and one that should be aired, is the awful state of the pitch. I have not seen the Valley pitch look so much like a ploughed field for many years. I have just been over to Greenwich park and the grass is in a much better state. I find it all very embarrassing, even non league grounds are better.
I agree Dick, it is becoming a joke. All other clubs have experienced the same issues with the adverse weather as we have, is it just a case of lack of investment in the maintenance of the pitch? I have higher expectations that my Sunday morning match will be go ahead rather than this Cup match.
I agree Dick. I have kept a watchful eye on the trust and this for me has damaged their rep. Regarding the pitch. I understand that the budget was very little, which explains things. But imagine being the person who makes that call, what you spend on the pitch means it cannot be spent on staff and other elements that require money. Tough call.
The club has responded with a perfectly reasonable letter setting out the reasons. There are no shocks (quelle surprise!) It didn't have to bother and it is commendable that it did so and swiftly. The trust should have made a fuss about something that was worth pestering the club about i.e. the pitch IMHO. A case of using its bullets (such as they are) when it didn't have to. If you are going to pick a fight at least make sure its worth it.
