Just another appointment. He may turn out to be exactly what we need, and I hope so, as what we desperately need is managerial stability. Every change involves a new playing system and we have to rebuild. I'm told Appleton has an L1 promotion on his CV but honestly I can't remember it, and given there were a couple of managers circling with more recent success, I'm curious at what exactly the man said at interview that allowed him to shade the others. Ah well, he has a week to marshall our defence for the match against Stevenage.
Which should automatically disqualify him. The only reason to take the gig right now is the handy pay off we treat our managers to. If he doesn't want that, there's something dodgy going on!!
Apples is starting to talk about the January transfer window. Somebody tell him that it's a Charlton tradition to come out of it weaker than we went in. We have a large squad, and won't be buying anyone without shipping out at least a couple. We desperately need a left back, but are more likely to sell players than buy them, to help cover our weekly losses. In addition to McGrandles and Kirk, who are unlikely to feature, there are other players like Tedic and Chem Campbell who seem to be out of favour for some reason I don't get. With Chuks out it would you'd expect Tedic to feature in his proper position,and Chem looked pretty good under Holden. Abankwah is another who has only featured a couple of times out of position before disappearing. Maybe Micky doesn't like playing loanees, but Hector hasn't earned a regular starting spot. So please forget about January and find a way to play two up front.
If we sell players who are regulars in the team, that will be the conclusive proof that SE7 never had any ambition to help Charlton gain promotion. We're average enough as it is. I don't mind if a few of the squaddies or guys out on loan get flogged, but we'd only get peanuts (if anything) for them. That unbeaten run has eased the pressure on the owners, but we could easily lose our next two tough games, then all the good results of Appleton's honeymoon will be undone. He'll get little or nothing in January. Depending how he takes it, that could be the beginning of the end. Next!
MA’s team selections are becoming more and more bizarre. He seems ok at making timely substitutions (mainly) but his starting line-ups often don’t work. But what’s the point in sacking him. The manager(s) isn’t the problem.
From the owners' point of view sacking him might deflect some pressure from them. But that trick is less effective every time they do it. And it wastes money that they should have spent on supporting the gaffer with new signings. They're hoping he makes it to January without Charlton dropping into the bottom four. Presumably they'll then throw him a couple of bones and hope he muddles on like a good dog. But if we're in the drop zone by Christmas they'll have to fire him I think. I thought some of the suits in the offices at the Valley were supposed to be football people now. But we're seemingly in no better place than we were under Sandgaard and his extended family.
Two tough away games to come which we'll probably lose, means the next home game against Northampton is a must-win, otherwise Micky will equal Holden's 5 successive losses which got him sacked. Not counting Cup Games which we're sure to win, aren't we?
Two defeats after going six without loss, there is no need to panic. Even IF we were to lose our next two league games the manager has to be given time. With that, I mean till the end of the season we keep him. Give him a summer rebuild then he'll have his own team.
Micky Apples was talking about the January window after the game on Saturday. He's in for a rude awakening.
I would imagine that there is plenty of headroom to bring in good quality players in January, as we have got rid of all the high earners who weren’t contributing to success on the pitch. At the same time we now have bumper crowds every week, who are encouraged by our quick passing, high press tactics which have led to us being in a very strong position to be playing Championship football next year. SE7 partners plan is working. Cut expenditure, increase revenue and plough that back into the team in the form of top L1 and Championship standard players. Whilst some may accuse us of copying Ipswich’s formula for success, we in fact are creating our own unique formula. Thanks Charlie. Thanks Andy. Thanks Ed.
The recent appointment of Curtis Fleming leads me to believe that Nigel Pearson will replace Appleton. Fleming worked under Appleton so this leads me to this hunch. £50 at William Hills for anybody wanting to win some easy money.
Did I miss anything yesterday ? No, apparently not. Apart from lots of strong wind blowing in from abroad. Looking forward to the game tomorrow. Let’s hope MA puts the new defenders in his starting lineup this time. I’m sure he will.
