It has been very hard for us to resist rushing to judgement from almost the start of the season, and I have said before that maybe it is best to wait until after we played Sheffield United before we look at things. Well we're more or less a quarter of the way through the season, and Winston may say we're now at the 'end of the beginning'.
The first and most obvious thing to say is how well the owners, and the management at the club have done so far. There were doubters regarding Chris Powell, there was the famous 'downer' appearance at the Bromley meeting, poor results (but with a hint of better football), and when I met Chris at the end of the season he, very humbly in my view, told me he blamed himself. It is a measure of the man that with support, he has tackled the problems head on. Chris had thought and planned in this inexact world of football, and all of his decisions have stood the early test of the season and then some.
Unbeaten.
Top of the league.
....no one can argue with that, and if there are some bits and pieces to look at well so be it, but no other manager in our league is doing better, and it can be argued that only a handful of managers nationwide are doing a better job than Chris Powell.
Thank you Chris (and your team) I am proud and even thrilled that you are with us, and hope it is for the long haul.
The players recruited are unreservedly impressive. They know where they stand with Chris. If you're picked, and we win, you stay in. Pretty clear message. I also believe his handling of the squad is excellent, a perfect example is Scott Wagstaff, who like all of the squad is nurtured and supported. I also think that Chris man management skills extend to Paul Benson, Gary Docherty and Simon Francis, who have been handled respectfully and decently. Chris repeatedly reminds us that this is 'his squad', he talks of 'my players', and 'my team', and wholly accepts responsibility.
I am pleased that 99.999% of fans seem to support Chris as he supports 'his' squad.
We all have our favourite amongst the players, and opinions on how they're doing, and lancashirelads stats are an excellent reflection of our, overwhelmingly positive, views.
This post is beginning to look like a love in, and of course we should be watchful. You can never be too careful if you see potholes developing in the car park!
So what of the future? As things stand, measured against the normal ups and downs all clubs in our division, I think we can safely say we have given ourselves a chance. We will certainly not be relegated, and it is reasonable to say that finishing outside the top six would be a big disappointment.
Can we do it? Well they say if it ain't broke don't fix it, and there is also a saying 'if it ain't there it can't go wrong'. We have a trim and steady ship, uncluttered by loanees (which I and Chris have doubts about), and we seem to be getting simple straightforward things perfectly right...lets play to those strengths, and not spread the butter too thinly, or be too tricksy.
However I do believe some contingency should be put in place. If we can somehow progress to the third or fourth round of the FA cup, and get a decent (money spinning) draw, if we can realise a bit of dosh for a fringe player or two, and if we have kept a little back to enlarge a war-chest (Robbie Elliott money?), than we should plan to possibly make another one or two signings in the mid season transfer window. Providing it doesn't unsettle the squad, but gives us the right freshness and boost can we get in (another) good 'un? Loans should be reserved to cover injuries.
My mark so far is 8.5 for the season, my expectation now is more of the same.
Comments
Something in me though is refusing to let go. I'm being uber cautious. We had a fantastic start two years ago and didn't make it. This time last season we were approaching the Brighton thrashing that then saw us really into gear, 11 game unbeaten run and a couple of really impressive emphatic away victories at Swindon and Peterboro.
There is still going to be a huge way to go, and so many variables to consider. But you are 100% right in your assessment that we have given ourselves a chance.
Thanks.
Just one question, and very light-heartedly asked - what did he lose the 15% for?
Ok it has been a fantastic start to the season. We have played half the teams in the division and with our best 11 on the pitch have overall been the better the side. The fact that we have been injury free to crucial players has been key in this. The recent addition of Kermit has added to this and without him we could have been looking at only 1 point from the last 2 games.
Looking forward and at the squad overall and cover and competition for places I can see the following.
Goalies Ok, down the right is fine, Solly has been outstanding with Francis ok as cover, Wagstaff is just keeping Green out but for how long, The left is ok, again Wiggins has been outstanding , Jackson has been Jackson with Evina as cover for either and the young Spaniard Bover. I have concerns on cover for cental midfield again Hoolands and Stephens have complimented each other beautifully but Hughes when he has played seems behind the pace of the game when I have seen him. Pritchard played a good game against Reading but looked much less of a player when I last saw him. Alonso is unkown to us yet, perhaps we will find out more on Wednesday. Maybe Jackson could cover giving us room for more pace out left. Perhaps we will see a higer division loanee in as cover at some stage. The centre backs are ok at this level but once Cort gets his chance we may see him retain his place. Upfront well all looks rosie as we are or should I say Miss Piggy.
Hmmmn, I suppose my mark is for the whole kit and caboodle rather than just Chris Powell, and the 10 should be reserved for if we reach our 'one aim'.
My take is this, last season no way was I gonna watch us in the Painting Cup. This season I am looking forward
to Wednesday and I want to watch the fringe players to see how they shape up. I'm kinda dissapointed that the
rules dictate that we have to start with the majority of the first team, whereas last season I was disappointed full stop
with the first team, this says it all, we look like a team again, we appear to have strength in depth and the autos are
a distinct possibility.
1.Off the pitch : where chaos, fragility and dysfunction reigned we now have vision, strength and strategy.
2. On the pitch: a rag bag of players (some of whom seemed to think it was an insult to ask them to play in the third division) topped up witha bunch of bobtail loanees versus a bunch of committed and spirited players who think like a team and work tirelessly for each other.
Of course there will be a period where we go off the boil and draw games we should have won and lose games we should have drawn. But we've given ourselves such a start that we should be able to ride that period, whenever it comes. I'm also sure Powell and company are all already thinking about what they will need to do in January. We have the luxury now of being able to be proactive rather than reactive.
Good piece by Clem and frankly,looking around so many weak teams in this league and then looking at the spirit and the skill in our side, I 'd like to think we are on target for 90 + points.
In short : we're still fifth versus we're still top!
All the recent promoted teams from league one have done very well. Norwich ,Southampton etc
See you all at Old Trafford in 2014. Cant wait !!!!!!!
Leeds and Millwall didn't go up and work where the Spanners are now.
Brighton are slipping after a good start.
Let's get out of this division first and then start to worry about how bad the Championship is. I think we'll compete IF IF IF we do go up but there are plenty of other ex-prem clubs up there.
As Terrance Mann wrote "There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into
place and the universe opens itself up for a few seconds to show you what
is possible,"
We are on a roll, things are going for us on and off the pitch and we know we are capable of reaching the Premier league. That is not a possibility we know we can reach it. But it may not be as easy as we all hope.
Life, love, laugh and be happy
Seth, your eloquence in painting a picture of just how it is has almost reduced me to tears.
Sad old c*w I may be, but it's reminded me how full of pride I am about our Club. Fit to bursting in fact....
When I'm at a match, there's such a fine line between feeling excited and feeling nervous. Only a 4 or 5 goal advantage would quell the latter and reinforce the former. And when the final whistle has been blown and 3 more points added to our enviable total, there's relief & elation which lasts all the way home until I realise how k*ackered I feel - as though I've kicked every ball out there. Does this ring any bells, guys ?
What I'm struggling to say is that it's been difficult re-creating that feeling of utter happiness on non match days over the past few seasons . But now, reading articles such as Seth's & talking to fellow Addicks about what's happening brings back that lump in the throat and a tear to the eye .....I feel I KNOW those players who are so obviously proud to wear the shirt - something I haven't felt for a while - and that with SCP, Messrs Varney, Slater & Jiminez , we are one big family. In it together ; pulling in the same direction and determined to succeed . All for one & one for all IYKWIM.
And yes, there will inevitably be a few hiccups along the way but together we're strong enough to come through the other side , smiling. We, the supporters are playing a bigger part in the Club's fortunes this season because we can relate to all concerned following the bleak period of unease and doom & gloom with our future uncertain. Happy days are here again , as the song goes & I'm SO proud to be playing a bit part .
Charlton 'til I die !
During the summer we all speculated as to who we'd like to sign and whether or not his choices were correct. CP not only went and bought players with the required ability, but also made sure they also had the right mentality. I don't sense that any of the squad are just going through the motions or thinking they're too good for us and looking to jump ship to the first championship club that comes sniffing around or in the twilight of their career, content to just have a contract. Could we say that over any of the past 4 seasons? I personally don't think so.
Part of me is waiting for the fall, I think this pessimism is probably ingrained in most of us by now, but I'm determined to enjoy this season. I don't want to look back at it with regret that I spent one of our best seasons for ages sitting there worrying about if's and buts and missed the party going on around me.
So I say let's embrace it, and without being smug and giving it large, enjoy the times ahead, get right behind Powelly and the boys and party like it's 1999.
I truly believe we'll go up this season.