Sign of the times now Chris Powell is boss
The last time I'd met Chris Powell, he was playing for Southend and I was asking for his autograph as a young fan.
Who could have imagined then that he would become my manager at Charlton in 2011? I was a season-ticket holder at Roots Hall when our new gaffer was a top player in one of the most successful sides Southend have had, under Barry Fry in the mid-nineties.
I've not reminded him of the autograph moment but I'm sure I'll chuck it in when he's more comfortable in the job, maybe a couple of weeks down the line.
Chris Powell came in on Monday and introduced himself to the squad. We stood around a table in the main canteen area at Charlton's training ground while he talked to us and he seemed really positive.
He wants the basics from us, which means working hard and mucking in together, in training and in games. That's the minimum we will give him and hopefully if we do that, he will do his best for us.
The club kept it very quiet, so none of the players really knew who was going to be the manager until the very last minute but it was a pleasant surprise.
I think the boys are looking forward to helping him out in his first managerial job. It's all quite exciting and everyone's really hoping to do well.
Tuesday's training session was his second since taking charge and it was one of the hardest I've done since I joined the club in August.
There was a lot of running interspersed with games, so everyone was knackered by the end of it and yesterday's day off felt like it was well earned.
The structure of the sessions we've had have been pretty similar to what the previous gaffer Phil Parkinson put on, in that there's still a lot of high-intensity work both with and without the ball.
Maybe there is a touch more intensity but that's just natural because there's a new manager and everyone in the squad wants to impress.
From next week, I'll be available for first-team matches again and it can't come soon enough.
Serving my three-match ban for the red card I got against Colchester on New Year's Day has been horrible. You train as normal but on Friday, there's no game to look forward to. And when the first team go off to work on their shape in preparation for a match, you're not with them.
You feel left out, so it'll be great to return.
If you can stay in the side when a new manager comes in, it proves you're at the club on merit.
I'm hoping that after only one game in charge, the gaffer will still be deciding on his best team and that I can force my way back in.
While the team were drawing 2-2 at Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday, I was back home helping my girlfriend, Jess, prepare for a party for our daughter Ruby, who's just had her second birthday.
It was much better than sitting in front of the TV watching the scores come in - even though I did make myself scarce before a gaggle of two-year-olds arrived to create chaos in our house!
I'm sure Jess and Ruby won't hold it against me.
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Comments
Did you read the article?
"Tuesday's training session was his second since taking charge and it was one of the hardest I've done since I joined the club in August.
There was a lot of running interspersed with games, so everyone was knackered by the end of it and yesterday's day off felt like it was well earned.
The structure of the sessions we've had have been pretty similar to what the previous gaffer Phil Parkinson put on, in that there's still a lot of high-intensity work both with and without the ball.
Maybe there is a touch more intensity but that's just natural because there's a new manager and everyone in the squad wants to impress.
do players not in the squad ever go to watch their 'mates' play ?
He was at Spurs and I expect he will be at The Valley on Saturday but seems a bit pointless to expect him to schlep up to Sheffield on an overnight coach to sit in the stands when it's his daughter's 2nd birthday. He probably asked for a pass and the club didn't have a problem so I don't think we should!
Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin.
Yes I did. Good wasnt it.
tell me about it !!!
No, seriously, I thought that on occasions a few out of the squad might arrange a few comps, jump in the car, head up to Hillsbrough or wherever, and cheer their mates on/give moral support. Obviously not though.
Paul Benson said it did.....? Doubt you're going to get anything better than that from this list to be honest.
It seems opinion is divided on the subject ;0)
Players say it did. Henry says it didn't ;0)
I suppose it's a quiet news day for any tangible moaning inspiration
I am not moaning about it, just surprised that's all.
Still a taxi ride away from being a positive comment about the club though, eh?
ok am going to lie down now
No chance Dazzler. Obviously said tongue in cheek. Give people more credit!
Although statistics do show that children from a matrimonially united family achieve more from life.
Bastard. ;-)
Henry said some people were perhaps, just maybe, over analysing a couple of tweets as an indication of some major change in training which was totally different from anything that had gone before.
it seems Henry was right.
: - )
Peeps saying that peeps moaning about peeps moaning is dull, is just down right wrong.
Spot on ISaw. No reason for him for him not to be there for his little daughter's birthday party.
It was not that he was needed by Charlton.
Anyway, she would have been so disappointed if her Daddy hadn't been there.
Family comes first.
Rubbish. Charlton should come first. He should have been made to carry the kit. In fact he should have been made to make his daughter carry the kit