Ok....having calmed down....here is my take on Saturday's events. What hurts more than losing the game (losing happens....thats football) is the manner of the defeat. Millwall were poor, I saw at HT that they had 7 attempts at goal, all of which must have been speculative efforts from 25+ yards out as they rarely troubled or stretched our defence until Morison came on, by which time we were making a feeble attempt at chasing the game anyway. Their goal came via a unlucky deflection which you cannot compensate for. I thought Hamer (one dodgy kick out aside) and the back three were solid enough, Wiggins started strong but was very well marshalled by Alan Dunne thereafter, still needs to work on his crossing. As has been mentioned once or twice already, the problem was the midfield. Although I accept that Stephens didnt cover himself in glory, I didnt think he did a huge amount wrong either, from memory he would be the player who would more often drop off to take the ball off the defenders but was then IMO left with few options when in possesion. Jackson huffed and puffed, showed a fair bit of passion and fight, but not a lot else.....just wasnt his day! Which brings me on to Pritchard....I am one of those who sees what Pritchard brings to a team while accepting his short comings as a footballer. However, I cannot defend his performance saturday. Up front, Pigott for me was simply 'wet behind the ears' and the occasion was one that he was not ready for. I refuse to write the player off as one bad game does not make him a bad player. He has shown enough in the development squad and so far this season to be kept around, how he reacts to this weekend could make or break him as a player. Church was probably our brightest spark but that doesnt say much. Stewart, Harriott and Sordell all offered something when they came on but decision making from all (plus those that started) was poor in the final third, CP was spot on in saying that! In terms of CP's selection, I can understand it, it worked against what is IMO a very good Leicester side last time out at The Valley and from what I hear we were unlucky at Huddersfield. I do however expect CP to make changes for the next game and will be extremely disappointed if things are not shaken up. I was also a little disappointed in CP's post match comments. After such a gutless performance I wanted to hear about how gutted the players were and how they were hurting after letting those of us that did turn up down, especially after all his pre match comments about wanting to give the fans 'local bragging rights' etc. I know CP has to defend his players to a point but I think that was a difficult task after such a performance. I understand Lawrie Wilson has come out and said words to that effect today, which I will be interested to read later on this evening. An injection of energy into the midfield is crucial for the next game to my mind, I would like to see Cousins replace Pritchard as from what I see he has the box to box nature of Pritchard but also has composure in possesion.
The argument I'm making is that I like Chris Powell based on his past record, and that he deserves to remain Charlton manager. This, I think, is the argument of most Charlton fans, which you can see on here and on CL. Vol doesn't want Powell to remain Charlton manager, and he originally said that Powell is 'dining on ten England caps and the supporters who have a middle class guilt complex because they buy their shopping off Ocado'. You then appeared to agree with him. I asked him to prove it, and he hasn't, and neither have you. If you can prove, with evidence, that a significant number of Charlton fans like Powell and want him to stay just because he is black, then fine. You are welcome to like Powell for whatever reason you choose. Personally, I don't think he should be given more slack because of his skin colour. Vol argues that that is what Charlton fans are doing, and he's the one who needs to prove it. I don't think that's the case.
This thread has become silly. It started off as a perfectly sensible thread but now it's become silly. So come on, on your way.
Then why did Alan Curbishley get so much shat then? He was a genius but he faced the wrath of the Bovril slurpers and arguably left because of it? You can't possibly no what the masses are thinking can you? or can you......? People are fickle and what is vogue and fashionable only has a limited shelf life. Now I want Powell sacked because I want a Chinese manager. I don't have to prove anything other than you cant say what peoples motivation for liking someone is. I've already told you why I like him but you ignored that?
He didn't leave because of the fans. That's a media myth. Read his book if you don't believe me - he makes no mention of fans being the reason he left. I go by what I read on here and on CL. Plus, it seems to me innately sensible to like a manager because of his good record, which Powell has. If this poor run continues, the voices calling for him to go will understandably increase in number (as indeed they did late on in the 10/11 season, at which point Powell did not have his good record as justification for remaining as manager).
Whether Powell stays or goes is totally immaterial to me. He will stay for his own financial betterment or will leave when another job gets offered. That's life, I don't buy this he love cafc bull. He is however very fortunate that he is being patronised by the CL sychophants and the blackheath rugby club rejects who have made it clear that he is their man come what may. "I would rather watch CAFC with CP in the Ryman than live another day with this board" is the sort of bollochs that I have read. Also ask Bill Curbshley what effect the fans criticism was having on his brother alan? Its in the London Standard, I can't find it but it is there.. Something along the lines of he has had it with the West Stand and radio phone in divies who are forcing him out. I have read his book thank you. What author would criticise the only people likely to buy it? Not a lot in it about the fans being tossers is there? yet every club in the land refers to us as the club that got what they wished for!
The phone-in idiots were a tiny but noisy minority. The real fans were the ones who gave Curbs a fantastic send off at home and away in his last two games. He has always said he was cheered out the front door, rather than kicked out the back door. He was also quite amused by Bill being over-protective towards his young brother.
These are also the ones who explain why every club in the land, and plenty of pundits who should know better, refer to us as the 'club who got what they wished for'. Just because loads of people think it doesn't mean it's true. I don't even know why you brought up Curbs when we're talking about Powell, typical.
I almost choked on my jerk chicken, typical. You like Chris Powell because he is black? That is one of the funniest things I have ever read on this board, so I applaud you, Sir. Perhaps the majority of retired black footballers prefer to do something else other than go into management, rather than it be a matter of racism or exclusion. Personally, I dislike most people, regardless of their skin colour. And that is why I am the most liberal person on this board.
Captain you argue that my first wife. I give you evidence you ignore it, I give you examples of charlton fans being fickle and you give the classic "why did you have to bring that (her) up" response. The fact remains and it is a fact, that people do like Chris Powell because he is black. Thousands of white woman will probably agree with me as well. . I have read all the gushing sweaty nonsense on CL and it is clear to me that you dare say a word against CP and your worse than than Nick griffin. I have sat and listened to two Barbour wearing cous cous brained dicks who described Powell as 'really quite intelligent'. What the fack did they expect him to be like? Chicken George? That is the sort if thinking that he has to overcome. People will over play his color and are embarrassed to question his credentials for fear of being seen as a racist. I like him and want him to do well, firstly because he is a good guy and secondly he could help a lot of black players go into management and be the role model that is needed. Now as I am a typical cafc fan are you suggesting that nobody in the valley sees it that way?
I didn't think I could squeeze that one past you but in a way it is true. I have a affinity for the underdog, the victim, the bullied. While CP is none of these, he still is unique in cafc terms and as such deserves a bit longer. Saturday. If the useless bungling fool don't get it done right on Saturday, let's get rid of him and get a Indian or a Chinese manager in.
Kinda really makes my point don't it. "Bill ffs I am trying to sell my book don't go telling home truths until it reaches paper back at least." I am sorry but this club has fans that should be castrated and it was not a few either, many of them are still spewing their toilet brained opinions over on other boards, they helped this club sink in the dumper and now they want to do it again. . I will never let them forget or forgive them for that. And it does speak volumes that every club thinks we got what was coming, because we did deserve it. Try telling that story now.
