I think all the players were there. I didn't count them all but all the first team regulars were about. Don't remember seeing Sarr but might have missed him. Riga, Wim and Simon Clark were there. Simon Clark got a lot of positive mentions from players and is seen as a good, innovative coach. A name to watch I'd suggest, maybe sooner than later. Spoke briefly to Riga and he was pretty low key. I didn't get a hint that he knew his future although one player seemed to think he did and that it wasn't good (for Riga). Meeting with RD tomorrow according to one player. This season described as a "Shambles from the start" by another player. Cited the trip to Belgium where half the sqaud couldn't play on the artificial pitch so came home to play Dulwich. Previous year said that players couldn't warm up a St Truiden as other RD teams playing so had to make 10 min bus ride to warm up pitch and then get back on bus to stadium. This year Austria to a camp used by Arsenal and others. Viewed positively. More than one player unhappy with being asked by the CEO what to do and then advice from the senior players being ignored/not acted upon. This related to coaches and signing players. Players spoken to have lost any initial sympathy and respect for KM because of her actions and lack of action. One said was disillusioned with football as a whole as a result and doesn't feel that he should be involved with a CEO's role as a player. Names of players such as Lee Tomlim, who was willing to join, were given to the CEO but no action taken. Deal to bring Yann back at a price acceptable to CAFC agreed in Jan 2016 (on free transfer) but having agreed the wages with his agent and with Yann happy to signCAFC pulled the plug. Constant changing of managers and mistakes with recruitment didn't help. Relegation seen as avoidable is better decisions had been made. Fraeye not interim as had a contract from the start. Karel seen as nice guy but "just didn't have it". Club lucky to have Gomez and Lookman to sell but can't expect to find a valuable youngster every season. RDs way of running things not understood or seen as viable. Lots of uncertainly over who will be around as coach and players "around 90%" of players have a clause meaning their wages drop with relegation but different percentages depending on each contract. Training ground badly needs to be done but works seems to be continuing and not stopped One player said that each coach had a different way of playing and it all took time to get used to. Had lost count of the number of assistant coaches. Players aware of prices paid for players like Stephens and Morro and how poor these decisions were especially as replacements not up to it ie Polish Pete. - Some players had agreed extensions to there contracts with KM but when it came to putting pen to paper the deal mysteriously disappeared with KM saying that she knew nothing of it. - Not many people rate Riga and that he has undertaken some training sessions in French - Some players think that Riga has already been told what his future is - KM had asked senior players what was needed to avoid relegation and when they told her she didn't act (They even told her 5/6 players that were ready to sign and keen to come) - The players do not want to see any game get abandoned but agreed with the stoppages at the start - The lie about the players not liking the POTY dinner was met with dismay by every player I asked (which was practically all of them) - Simon Clarke had the respect of every player
Some players had agreed extensions to there contracts with KM but when it came to putting pen to paper the deal mysteriously disappeared with KM saying that she knew nothing of it. Same thing happened with Poyet 2 Jan's ago whilst Wiggins contract was signed. Interesting read. Obvious who needs to go first.
I don't really see what's stopping the players speaking out; assuming that each anonymous player referenced there are different ones then that's a damning consensus from the playing staff - it could easily be argued that senior mismanagement has directly disrupted their work and cost them relegation (and therefore income).
I'm genuinely shocked the players have relegation wage drops. That's what normal sensible clubs do and requires forward thinking and planning. Something the entire regime lacks.
What effect are the protests like before Brighton, having ?? How much media coverage on main tv channels does it get over there guys ?
Hillsborough Inquest: Absolutely bored silly with this. Feel for the families who were bereaved 26 years ago, but hate the Professional Scouser Grievance Industry that has latched on to them. Pathetic the way PSGI have latched on to the Sun again today zzzzzz and refuelled their petty vendetta.
@DonCorleone Airbrushed from history by "PSGI". Twitter really is a sad place today. Never seen so much fake emoting.
As any Charlton fan knows, it's always good to see liars being exposed, especially when they assume they can get away with it. And boy have there been some whoppers told along the way. That's why it's gone on for such a long time, no other reason.
Agree with billy - and I can't help but personally feel angry with some of the stuff that was printed. I wish for nothing like that to happen again. Some of the stories brought a lump to the throat.
The scale of lying by the police was so great that I don't expect any of them to get prosecuted, it just wouldn't be possible, and besides it used to be the norm in those days. Not that it was always a bad thing, fitting up known criminals was sometimes the only way they'd get put away, but sadly it all got out of hand and became institutionalised.
Will they forgive and forget now, like they expected Juve fans to after heysel. Or will they keep going on about it for next millennium?
