I saw Semedo in Chislehurst during the week before the Millwall game. Had a fair chat, his English is more than good enough.
Asked him about the song and he told me he understood it perfectly and the historic rivalry. Seemed a top class bloke, with no hint of big-time and pleased to be recognised and to chat.
He was in his trakkies and about to walk back to Bickley where he lives.
I reckon he will be an entertaining guest at this event.
Someone else said he lives in Bickley so a nice local one for him.
Shame it's not a more up beat mood for them to come along but once they get going these meetings go pretty well regardless.
People are still interested to hear what the players have to say and once they realise that we are quite civilised and not about to lynch them they relax and get right into it.
On strict orders from the club to make sure they leave no later than 10.00am
Hope to see a few of the regulars there as well as any new faces who fancy giving it a try. Come up and say hello.
[cite]Posted By: Henry Irving[/cite]For family reasons Jose can't make it tonight but Sam Sodje has stepped in which is great of him.
See some of you there.
Have you got the St Johns Ambulance on stand-by?. If someone asks a risque question and Sam doesn't like it I can envisage two footed lunges in the carpark afterwards.
[cite]Posted By: Henry Irving[/cite]For family reasons Jose can't make it tonight but Sam Sodje has stepped in which is great of him.
See some of you there.
Have you got the St Johns Ambulance on stand-by?. If someone asks a risque question and Sam doesn't like it I can envisage two footed lunges in the carpark afterwards.
No need, people may boo or heckle from the safety of a stand or from behind a keyboard but face to face people tend to be slightly more polite and reasonable : - )
Plus this is Bromley. We are used to having players, coaches and directors in our midst. You're not proper Charlton unless you've done a Bromley Addicks meeting.
Another good night if a little low key. Both guests really warmed up as the night went on
Poor- ish turn out by Bromley standards (only about 45 people there) but perhaps to be expected.
Both Grant and Sam came over as solid, grounded men who realise how fortunate they both are to be playing pro football.
SS said that coming out of non-league as he did makes you realise how much you get. He was in Nigeria until he was 18/19 and didn't play league football until he was 24.
GB has been at Charlton since he was 8 and clearly has a real love for the Club. Says that he's seen many players go who perhaps had more talent or potential but didn't have the right attitude or work ethic. Says he remembers "bollocking" other youth team players as a 17 year old captain of the team for going out on a Friday night before a youth team game.
More later but real news was that yesterday the 2nd year scholars were told who were being offered contracts and who not. GB said that he was in the dressing room with them while they waited to be called in and when they came out. He said they are a very tight group and tears were shed. Those kept on didn't celebrate as they knew their mates were hurting.
Those staying are Tuna, Mambo, Davidson, Jenkinson and Perkins. Leaving are Jack Binks, Jordan Anderson, Liam Bellamy and Harry Pell. Personally I'd like to say good luck to all of them and hope you make a career in football somewhere.
GB on his injury. Says he hopes it wasn't deliberate. he's never played against the other guy before. Says that other than a few fans no one from Bristol Rovers (including Lennie or Blizzard) have been in touch which he was not impressed with.
Was on crutches and wearing a surgical boot but still drove to the meeting in an automatic.
Will be off crutches next week and boot two weeks after that. Then lots of re-hab and hopefully back for pre-season. Doing some weights and lifting of the leg with the physios at the moment
Normal week for players is
Monday - recovery from Saturday
Tuesday - weights and fitness
Wednesday - off
Thursday - Team shape, look at other team and videos of us.
Players are given notes on all the opponents players strenghts and weaknesses
Friday - Training. If away up north might train at home then travel to hotel or might train up north. This friday will train at Derby. Have also trained at Crewe, Leeds and Bristol City this season amongst others. Always travel straight back after the game.
Booing
Players try to block it out but they do hear it. SS and GB said that you want the fans behind you. They get frustrated as well but GB didn't like to hear the booing of Mooney before the kick off. Not nice for a mate and a fellow pro.
Thanks for that Henry. Have met Basey a few times and he came across the same then.
Interesting to see the list of u18s staying and which are being released. They've done well for five of them to be staying on, no often that many do. Though with us being in League One or hopefully the Championship next season, they have better chance of breaking through than they would have in the Prem.
From what you hear from the club a lot of it is down to attitude, the way they train, professionalism etc, not just talent. You can see that in Shelvey, Solly, Basey, Wagstaff etc now, they're all hard working players that don't want to waste their opportunity.
interestingly GB said when asked who would be the next young player to make the breakthrough he said it wasn't always obvious. He said Wagstaff didn't really stand out and was actually given extra time to prove himself but his hard work paid off.
GB said Tuna is the most likely but that Mambo is really progressing well. "the new Rufus" according to GB. Says he's always had the physique but now adding some more skill and technique. Says Mambo stays behind a lot to work with Kins and the other coaches on that side of his game.
In fact that's 6 out of 10 of that group staying, as Shelvey is the same age. Could even say 6 out of 9 as Anderson only signed for us last summer from Birmingham. We usually only keep 2 or 3 of each group.
GB said that he likes playing CH but would play anywhere. SS said the same.
SS on red cards. Said that's the way he plays "120% - I put my heart into it" Says he doesn't go out to get sent off but can't go out there worrying about it.
Moo2 is injured (groin strain cue obvious jokes) but not training with the first team. Clearly not a topic they were going to expand on.
SS talked alot about the senior players roles and how often PP and MK don't need to say anything as the senior players know when they have played badly. GB and SS very complimentry about Dailly as a player and leader. Snr pros with experience will be vital in the run in.
Play-offs are "different games" according to SS. If we play Millwall again it will be different and we can beat them. Still aiming for 2nd but "if it's the play-offs, it's the play-offs".
Comments
Will let everyone know who the other guest is as soon as I hear from the Club.
?
Ah right, yes of course............thanks Len.
Only £5 Bargain!
See you there
Now on the OS so I can believe it's true : - )
Boo the players direct to their faces and then run away (Basey's not going to catch you is he)
: - )
Asked him about the song and he told me he understood it perfectly and the historic rivalry. Seemed a top class bloke, with no hint of big-time and pleased to be recognised and to chat.
He was in his trakkies and about to walk back to Bickley where he lives.
I reckon he will be an entertaining guest at this event.
Shame it's not a more up beat mood for them to come along but once they get going these meetings go pretty well regardless.
People are still interested to hear what the players have to say and once they realise that we are quite civilised and not about to lynch them they relax and get right into it.
On strict orders from the club to make sure they leave no later than 10.00am
Hope to see a few of the regulars there as well as any new faces who fancy giving it a try. Come up and say hello.
We having a lock in then Henners ?
See some of you there.
Have you got the St Johns Ambulance on stand-by?. If someone asks a risque question and Sam doesn't like it I can envisage two footed lunges in the carpark afterwards.
No need, people may boo or heckle from the safety of a stand or from behind a keyboard but face to face people tend to be slightly more polite and reasonable : - )
Plus this is Bromley. We are used to having players, coaches and directors in our midst. You're not proper Charlton unless you've done a Bromley Addicks meeting.
Poor- ish turn out by Bromley standards (only about 45 people there) but perhaps to be expected.
Both Grant and Sam came over as solid, grounded men who realise how fortunate they both are to be playing pro football.
SS said that coming out of non-league as he did makes you realise how much you get. He was in Nigeria until he was 18/19 and didn't play league football until he was 24.
GB has been at Charlton since he was 8 and clearly has a real love for the Club. Says that he's seen many players go who perhaps had more talent or potential but didn't have the right attitude or work ethic. Says he remembers "bollocking" other youth team players as a 17 year old captain of the team for going out on a Friday night before a youth team game.
More later but real news was that yesterday the 2nd year scholars were told who were being offered contracts and who not. GB said that he was in the dressing room with them while they waited to be called in and when they came out. He said they are a very tight group and tears were shed. Those kept on didn't celebrate as they knew their mates were hurting.
Those staying are Tuna, Mambo, Davidson, Jenkinson and Perkins. Leaving are Jack Binks, Jordan Anderson, Liam Bellamy and Harry Pell. Personally I'd like to say good luck to all of them and hope you make a career in football somewhere.
Was on crutches and wearing a surgical boot but still drove to the meeting in an automatic.
Will be off crutches next week and boot two weeks after that. Then lots of re-hab and hopefully back for pre-season. Doing some weights and lifting of the leg with the physios at the moment
Normal week for players is
Monday - recovery from Saturday
Tuesday - weights and fitness
Wednesday - off
Thursday - Team shape, look at other team and videos of us.
Players are given notes on all the opponents players strenghts and weaknesses
Friday - Training. If away up north might train at home then travel to hotel or might train up north. This friday will train at Derby. Have also trained at Crewe, Leeds and Bristol City this season amongst others. Always travel straight back after the game.
Booing
Players try to block it out but they do hear it. SS and GB said that you want the fans behind you. They get frustrated as well but GB didn't like to hear the booing of Mooney before the kick off. Not nice for a mate and a fellow pro.
Interesting to see the list of u18s staying and which are being released. They've done well for five of them to be staying on, no often that many do. Though with us being in League One or hopefully the Championship next season, they have better chance of breaking through than they would have in the Prem.
From what you hear from the club a lot of it is down to attitude, the way they train, professionalism etc, not just talent. You can see that in Shelvey, Solly, Basey, Wagstaff etc now, they're all hard working players that don't want to waste their opportunity.
GB said Tuna is the most likely but that Mambo is really progressing well. "the new Rufus" according to GB. Says he's always had the physique but now adding some more skill and technique. Says Mambo stays behind a lot to work with Kins and the other coaches on that side of his game.
SS on red cards. Said that's the way he plays "120% - I put my heart into it" Says he doesn't go out to get sent off but can't go out there worrying about it.
Moo2 is injured (groin strain cue obvious jokes) but not training with the first team. Clearly not a topic they were going to expand on.
SS talked alot about the senior players roles and how often PP and MK don't need to say anything as the senior players know when they have played badly. GB and SS very complimentry about Dailly as a player and leader. Snr pros with experience will be vital in the run in.
Play-offs are "different games" according to SS. If we play Millwall again it will be different and we can beat them. Still aiming for 2nd but "if it's the play-offs, it's the play-offs".
Hope he stays
So a very good group or because we are in League 1. Bit of both I guess.
Large, shame you couldn't be pleased for the players who are staying or wish good luck to those who aren't but just had to have a dig instead.