Despondency and apathy are probably the two best words to describe fan’s views towards Charlton at the moment. A feeling that there is nothing to play for this season is there for everyone to see, from the stands and on the pitch. Some would say it smacks in the face of people who have signed up for a season and want to see effort, commitment and signs of progression, others say it doesn’t matter and let’s wait until the summer.
Contract talks have been put on hold for baker’s dozen (plus one) of players out of contract this summer, and rather than it motivating them to try and earn a new one, a laissez-faire attitude seems to have been adopted. New loans in the form of Parrett and Nouble were introduced to reinvigorate the squad, but if the Brentford game was anything to go by, it has had simply no effect.
We take the short trip to Dagenham (and Redbridge) this week where a defeat would see our opponents a mere 9 points behind us, and considering they were relegation certs not so long ago it really does show how far we have fallen. Charlton will have a decent following out in Essex and its up to the team to reward them with a result and performance that is so badly needed before a daunting (it was exciting/promotion defining a mere seven games ago) visit from Southampton at The Valley next Tuesday.
Powell showed his hand last weekend by opting to throw Chris Solly in for a return appearance after injury rather than Simon Francis and if he has shown no ill effects I expect him to retain his place. Llera will look to continue to be the only fluttering light of hope in a desperate situation by lining up against Dailly if he has returned from a weekend knock. Matt Fry’s loan ends for the 56th time against Dagenham so this could be his last outing at left back.
I don’t expect the midfield to change other than Twitter exile Alan McCormack to make way for Spurs loanee Dean Parrett who now has a week of training (and a assist and goal for Spurs reserves) in his back pocket. Energy, drive and a touch of class has been missing from the centre of the park all season so if it works out then it’s a temporary plaster over a gaping hole that Powell needs to plug for good in the summer.
I fully expect BWP and Nouble to start up top again while Nathan Eccleston continues to moan that he has no friends and is really hungry. A win has to come soon. Surely?
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Comments
No logic to that just what I think.
Parrett to run the show, Solly and Waggy to wreck havoc down the right, Nouble to bundle a couple in.
Want a CL badge? I'll have a bag of them at the game and I will be offering a special away fan price of £3.50 per badge to anyone who approaches me.
Feel free to pay more as a way of contributing to keeping the CL hamsters fed.
It seems strange to be going to Dagenham for a third division match, having first visited the ground in the late 70's for an Isthmian League match (level 6) against Dulwich Hamlet, and even more so when I remember seeing Dagenham in a FA Amateur Cup Semi-Final against St Albans at the old Den in 1969. (John Still scored their goal in a 1-1 draw, and hes still their!). However, if Wimbledon can rise from Non-League to the First Division, disappear, and then start the journey again, in the same space of time, anything is possible.
I'm looking for a properly organised Charlton team using a system that suits this game (unlike previous matches). Dagenham will see us as a huge scalp, so we will have to match their effort and workrate at the very least to end the winless run. The management will know that, but will the players respond? I like to see Solly, Eccleston and Parrett in to inject some enthusiasm.
Agreed, really excellent WSS.
Personally i think the gloom is going to temporary lift.
a proper sunday morning fixture this between two pub toilet teams
when llera is a shining light you know you're in deep doo doo
so many nothing players in the team bringing disgrace to a once proud club these truely are shameful times
anyway we're playing against a load of tosh so can't see us losing
2-1 to the Daggers
We have new players coming in, injuries, nobody knows what their role is, and they will want it more than us.
Daggers win and the pressure mounts on CP then we have the simple task of Soton and B'Mouth
I'm sure Daggers will be a decent price so will use them to bump up a five fold.
2-0 defeat and the same old excuses rolled out.
Dont be surprised if we dont win again this season.
Solly Fry Llera Jenkinson
Eccleston Parrett Stewart Jackson
BWP Anyinsah
Could this team be any worse?
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE: OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW! PLEEEEEAAAAASE!
I think we can win this but the team needs to be changed somewhat. If we have some of our walking wounded back then I would like to see (assuming that Jacko is still out) the following-:
Worner
Solly, Fry/Daily, Llera, Bessone
Ecclstone, Parrett, Semedo, Reid
BWP, Anyinsah/Nouble
Subs - Sullivan, Jenkinson/Francis (if Jenks not fit), Racon, Doc (if fit), Waggy, Nouble (if anyinsah is fit and starts), Macca.
We need to attack from the off, use pace on the wings and give a decent supply to the front two. I would go with Anyinsah over Nouble but not sure if he is fit and if Daily is out lets play Fry in his natural (apparently) place.
2-0 addicks
Grateful thanks to a big club like Millwall for kindly lending their third choice goalkeeper to their plucky little neighbours. If we ask nicely perhaps they will lend us their third and fourth choice midfielders so we can enhance our squad even more.
I have made my feelings known several times about the way I feel our new fantastic owners have screwed our season by sacking our best manager since Curbs so will be as positive as I can.
2-0 Dagenham
Haha, that's one way of looking at it !
I think the absence of McOxotower and Francis will be very beneficial.
as for the game itself........do you know what, I really couldn't give a monkey's !!
I haven't seen them play post Parkie but from listening to the commentaries and reading the threads on here I just haven't faith in the team or the management. I hope I'm wrong and he plays a mixture of loanees, returning squad members and yoof, but I doubt he will.
Worner
Sollly Dailly Llera Jenks
Waggy Semedo Parratt Racon
BWP Nouble
If Daiily isn't fit then Fry at CH instead. Jenks deserves to keep his place and Solly deserves a chance to further impress.
If we shore things up with Solly in midfield on right, Bessone on left and Semedo and Parret in the middle we might catch the pub team with a hang-over and scrape a draw.
Displaying the Racon twinkle -toes show in muddy Essex might delight the locals but with McOxo face down in the turf for half the match, it wont earn us any points.
1-1