Basically, it's all about what happens on the pitch. We do well and Powell stays, we don't and he's out. The rest of this season will be pivotal. We go on a run like last year and Roland will probably stick with Powell, otherwise he'll be out. Not a good thing for Chris to handle but I think that's the facts of the matter. The last two years have done a lot of damage unfortunately. A win up at Boro is a good place to start.
this "if they are not good enough for Standard Liege" is completely incorrect unless Roland the man who is "all about money" intends to lose 7 million a year, even at that number we cant compete in the championship, I reckon this belgian journalist is bascially a bit Belgian and doesnt get it all....
You know what worries me the most? This statement from Slater:
"An owner like Roland will be perfect for the next few years. That was the biggest factor for me"
Making out like he really cares about us going forward.He doesn't.That is abundantly clear.And the fact that he 'likes' Roland makes me think that I won't like him too much.
I know people are going to shoot me down, but over the past 3 years i have seen so much dross football, so much of no chances,no shots on goal, opposing goalie not having to make a save,so much of me leaving the valley thinking 'i 'm not doing this again', dreadful hoofball (and that happened even during our promotion year too), that part of me thinks, maybe it is time for a good shake-up of the football club in lots of ways - maybe its time to go the way of the likes of Watford of last year - surely it has to be better than the shite i have had to watch over the past few years. When you think about it, the likes of Brian Clough would have wheeled and dealed if they had no money to spend, whereas we seem to have stuck with the same players for the past 3 seasons - maybe its time for us not to be so parochial, and look outside for inspiration and to move forward. Maybe that time is now.
No offence Mr President but this reminds me of the many posts I read on the now defunct Cafc-fans forum during Curbs' last season with us.I've noticed in recent years we're often referred to by other clubs' fans whenever they want to make a comment like 'be careful what you wish for' etc etc.I really don't want ourselves to set a (bad) example once again.I was (and am) a huge fan of Curbs' and I believe given time and money SCP will one day become a legend too (management-wise of course as he's already a lengendary Charlton player). I so want to see him achieve massive success here and lead us to the Premiership but reading the interview I worry he may not get the chance to.The last part of the Belgian commentator's analysis is especially alarming: "He wants to have different clubs co-operating and have players and maybe coaches moving around."
You know what worries me the most? This statement from Slater:
"An owner like Roland will be perfect for the next few years. That was the biggest factor for me"
Making out like he really cares about us going forward.He doesn't.That is abundantly clear.And the fact that he 'likes' Roland makes me think that I won't like him too much.
I think the biggest factor for Michael Slater (& the others) was that someone was prepared and able to buy the club. Not like there was a long list! Might have been different if they had invested sufficiently in the squad to keep the club in the top half and also look to keep the crowds up.
Granted Jessie , however the big difference for me is that Curbs knew his tactics - so often he would make swift changes during the game to counter opposition - however, with Chrissy and his team, i just dont see that and seriously have my doubts about their ability- and also I have never sat there in Curbs reign mid game thinking 'why have i paid good money to watch this hoofball dross' - it always seemed entertaining - and i def wasnt one of those people who wanted him out-such a shame that Murray didnt back him with Dowies money, but anyway, i digress.
The football business model is shot and this guy has new ideas. I suspect that I'm not going to like them one bit, and IMO, we have footballs answer to Rupert Murdoch on our hands. Football is dead, long live football.
Dangerous game conducting your discussions through the media.
Agree kap, he has to learn not to be seen to undermine owners, he does sail close to the wind.
Long way from the truth, that. I think his restraint has been extraordinary.
With the old guard yes, but are you suggesting he has bee restrained with the new guard?
I think it's much too soon to draw conclusions about anything. We're in a dangerous position and the new owner may not fully appreciate how dangerous, in terms of the way revenues would collapse on relegation, which I think would be worse than last time. I doubt if Slater etc went out of their way to stress the risk with the current squad any more than you'd highlight the problems if you were selling a house.
In other words we don't really know the context of any comments Chris makes.
Granted Jessie , however the big difference for me is that Curbs knew his tactics - so often he would make swift changes during the game to counter opposition - however, with Chrissy and his team, i just dont see that and seriously have my doubts about their ability- and also I have never sat there in Curbs reign mid game thinking 'why have i paid good money to watch this hoofball dross' - it always seemed entertaining - and i def wasnt one of those people who wanted him out-such a shame that Murray didnt back him with Dowies money, but anyway, i digress.
Thing is, there was very little "hoof ball" in our unbeaten run at the end of last season. Not only have we not been able to build on that team, we are considerably weaker. I wouldn't underestimate the link between the available players and the quality of the football.
If we do go down the Watford route, what has been the Watford fans reaction to the past 2 seasons? maybe the Hornet fan who comes on here can give us his opinion.
I know people are going to shoot me down, but over the past 3 years i have seen so much dross football, so much of no chances,no shots on goal, opposing goalie not having to make a save,so much of me leaving the valley thinking 'i 'm not doing this again', dreadful hoofball (and that happened even during our promotion year too), that part of me thinks, maybe it is time for a good shake-up of the football club in lots of ways - maybe its time to go the way of the likes of Watford of last year - surely it has to be better than the shite i have had to watch over the past few years. When you think about it, the likes of Brian Clough would have wheeled and dealed if they had no money to spend, whereas we seem to have stuck with the same players for the past 3 seasons - maybe its time for us not to be so parochial, and look outside for inspiration and to move forward. Maybe that time is now.
Spot on President
Since CP has been in charge I can't think of more than 7 or 8 games that have really excited me. As for your comment about clough I did not read it as you saying CP was in his league but if you have no money to spent you have to be able to wheel and deal or face going backwards which is where CP is taking us imo
Back on topic regarding the interview ;0). I think it's obvious that SCP is pretty much in the dark about what's going on. He can't come out and openly say that of course but it's clear to me at least he has no agreed budget. No idea of what's going on with contracts. No idea as to the short, medium and long term plans for the club and I very much doubt he has had been involved in the loan of the three Liege players, none of whom seem to be anywhere near our list of priorities. Less than two weeks now to get in that striker. I have my fingers crossed.
I don't think it's too early to start worrying about the current ownership. Before this takeover, we had all hoped that the new owners, even if they didn't bring lots of money, would at least bring a sense of certainty and direction.
They haven't brought either of those things, and weeks later we're still all sitting around playing guessing games. We don't know whether we've taken a step forward or two steps back. Neither does our manager, it seems.
According to the Belgian commentator quoted in the BBC article, Duchatelet "hates to spend money on wages and transfers. He doesn't want to have high-profile players in his teams." This rings alarm bells with me. Can anyone tell me if he has spent money on buying good players for Liege? The loan of fringe players from Belgium is unlikely to save us from a relegation battle. I predict we'll stay up by a few points and some people will hail that as a victory under difficult circumstances - but President (above) is right in saying the entertainment over the last 18 months has been very poor.
I really can't see anybody coming in for money in this transfer window.Whether we get anybody in on loan from any other club than Standard Liege, I am also doubtful. I have no inside knowledge it is just a feeling. They are not giving Powell money because he won't be here next season. The money will be given to a new Manager to help rebuild the squad in the Summer.
This Not only have we not been able to build on that team, we are considerably weaker. I wouldn't underestimate the link between the available players and the quality of the football.
I really can't see anybody coming in for money in this transfer window.Whether we get anybody in on loan from any other club than Standard Liege, I am also doubtful. I have no inside knowledge it is just a feeling. They are not giving Powell money because he won't be here next season. The money will be given to a new Manager to help rebuild the squad in the Summer.
I know people are going to shoot me down, but over the past 3 years i have seen so much dross football, so much of no chances,no shots on goal, opposing goalie not having to make a save,so much of me leaving the valley thinking 'i 'm not doing this again', dreadful hoofball (and that happened even during our promotion year too), that part of me thinks, maybe it is time for a good shake-up of the football club in lots of ways - maybe its time to go the way of the likes of Watford of last year - surely it has to be better than the shite i have had to watch over the past few years. When you think about it, the likes of Brian Clough would have wheeled and dealed if they had no money to spend, whereas we seem to have stuck with the same players for the past 3 seasons - maybe its time for us not to be so parochial, and look outside for inspiration and to move forward. Maybe that time is now.
Could have sworn we won a league. Championship in last 3 years scorin a record number of Goals. Then Consolidate our place In Championship which is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe. No fucking pleasing some of our fans
Dangerous game conducting your discussions through the media.
Agree kap, he has to learn not to be seen to undermine owners, he does sail close to the wind.
Long way from the truth, that. I think his restraint has been extraordinary.
With the old guard yes, but are you suggesting he has bee restrained with the new guard?
I think it's much too soon to draw conclusions about anything. We're in a dangerous position and the new owner may not fully appreciate how dangerous, in terms of the way revenues would collapse on relegation, which I think would be worse than last time. I doubt if Slater etc went out of their way to stress the risk with the current squad any more than you'd highlight the problems if you were selling a house.
In other words we don't really know the context of any comments Chris makes.
I would imagine that this is right on the mark. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Powell is finding his discussions with Duchatelet very challenging.
Powell's dilemma is that, in a sense, he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He clearly needs to strengthen the squad and its important he makes this clear to Duchatelet. However, if he over plays his hand in that respect, Duchatelet is hardly likely to enthusiastically renew player contracts. Moreover, Powell may even undermine his own position.
As you say, there is no way Slater will have stressed the need to strengthen the squad, so Duchatelet's instinct when asked by the Manager to spend money may well have been, "I've heard that before, it's what Managers always say". Richard Murray's role may well be critical.
So you think Duchalet looked through the clubs details prior to purchase, but never looked at our league position, results, video clips or player contracts?
I really dont think he looked at CAFC and thought, ''Great, here's a club that dont need to strengthen the playing squad. Thank goodness I wont have to spend any money on the players and I can concentrate on the vital stuff like heated domes.''
CP's problem is that RD will not know and will care even less about recent history. He will, like any other new management that takes over a business, be looking at the starting position and looking to make short and long term improvements. We are near the bottom of he league. CP will be tarred with that brush in RD's eyes regardless of the wider reasons. CP will need to make an immediate impression. Oxford won't have helped. Richard Murray's views will be crucial. I don't know what he thinks of Powell. I'm with dick plumb on this. I think Roland will bide his time, do the minimum required to stay up and then have areal sort out in the summer. CP will need to impress in the next few weeks if he is to be part of that. I think it will be a big challenge.
The rejection of the Dom Dwyer loan raises some alarm bells. Is CP going to be able to identify good characters to help build the team or as other Duchalet clubs former managers have complained of that Duchalet wants coaches / not manages who will deal with the players Duchalet wants coached into a team.
From what I can see of Dom Dwyer, he seemed to be a good character who fitted in with the team. He also appeared to fit into the Duchalet mode of player virtues - a player who has travelled and developed themselves and looking to get experience round the world. He also was a striker and did not involve commitment for a long time. He was likely not that expensive and CP wanted him but was rejected and there is no stated reason why, perhaps Duchalet enjoys playing European football manager on his laptop ?
One of Chris Powell's virtues is to be able to build a great team spirit with a set of players that will fit for the team and the club. CP needs to be able to have the final say as to whether the characters that are presented to him add to the team. Charlton are in desperate need of additional striking support. Is the Dwyer rejection because there is something better coming or another striker from the Duchalet Pan European empire that needs to be accommodated ? Will Chris Powell be allowed to say Non merci to a character because he believes that player is not right for the team ?
Does Duchalet understand that he will lose millions in television money if Charlton get relegated ? Mid season, 3 points above the relegation positions is not the time to tear the whole structure down.
I am still waiting, less patiently now, for any evidence that the positions that need strengthening ie striker will be strengthened and the position at Charlton has been stabilised. Chris Powell needs to be able to strengthen the team sufficiently to keep Charlton up.
So you think Duchalet looked through the clubs details prior to purchase, but never looked at our league position, results, video clips or player contracts?
No, I don't think that, but nor do I think it's obvious what now needs to be done.
No doubt, Slater told Duchatelet that the squad is good enough to stay up - he recently said we'd finish mid table. Based on that, you might conclude that all that's needed is a touch on the tiller not major surgery, but what does that actually mean?
Chris Powell will almost certainly need to be clear and precise about what's needed, whilst dealing with a man who is, no doubt, highly analytical, perhaps a bit cynical, and who will not want to spend money unnecessarily. Then he has to deal with the related issue of player contracts and his own responsibility for the current squad and league table position.
If I were in Chris Powell's shoes I'd find that very challenging, especially since time is limited.
As Chris Powell indicates, Charlton supporters want to understand that the plan is. Charlton was / is well known for having a great academy. Paul Hart is doing a great job. Is Duchalet going to build on this by supporting Charlton to get to a Category A youth status, so protecting the value of charlton players from poaching by premiership clubs ? That would be something, I would definitely be happy with and support.
What is the plan and the identity of Charlton Athletic ? Is the club going to be imprinted with a Duchalet pan Europe branding and lose its identity as an independent entity ? Are we Duchalet Athletic UK or Charlton Athletic ?
What is the plan ? Richard Murray needs to be earning his corn / protecting his investment (if he still has that at Charlton) / and carrying out his job as non executive director in communicating with supporters, playing staff what the Duchalet plan is or getting Duchalet to share it with the rest of us. I understand that was the aim of his job is to reassure and communicate with supporters. It is time to start doing that job.
Addressing Chris Powell's question on the BBC and Chicago Addick carefully written article would be a good place to start.
if duchatlet doesnt like to be undermind and if chrissy powell wants to stay in the job he will be forced to play these loan players from liege from now on imo
if duchatlet doesnt like to be undermind and if chrissy powell wants to stay in the job he will be forced to play these loan players from liege from now on imo
Like I say, Duchalet wants to play Euro football manager and wants a coach not a manager. If a manager is expected to put together a team on a shoe string, the manager needs to build team spirit and pick the characters that will help the team and strengthen in areas they need to strengthen. The respect of the team and accountability of the manager is massively undermined if the real manager is Duchalet who appears rarely to go to games and works through staff and is the one making all the decisions on the playing side. Where is Duchalet's accountability ? Will football players want to come play for a coach where they will have no security or know that that person has got their back ?
Duchalet needs to start explaining himself. CP comments were careful but the window is closing and with the contract situation, the club risks relegation and he is speaking up for himself and players for trying to build a team that can retain itself in the championship. I am still waiting to see that Duchalet is good for Charlton. It all appears to be a lot of TINA so far. Whatever that TINA is Duchalet or Murray have not shared with the customers / supporters yet.
Comments
"An owner like Roland will be perfect for the next few years. That was the biggest factor for me"
Making out like he really cares about us going forward.He doesn't.That is abundantly clear.And the fact that he 'likes' Roland makes me think that I won't like him too much.
"He wants to have different clubs co-operating and have players and maybe coaches moving around."
In other words we don't really know the context of any comments Chris makes.
Since CP has been in charge I can't think of more than 7 or 8 games that have really excited me. As for your comment about clough I did not read it as you saying CP was in his league but if you have no money to spent you have to be able to wheel and deal or face going backwards which is where CP is taking us imo
They haven't brought either of those things, and weeks later we're still all sitting around playing guessing games. We don't know whether we've taken a step forward or two steps back. Neither does our manager, it seems.
Either way our club is still an absolute mess.
Not only have we not been able to build on that team, we are considerably weaker. I wouldn't underestimate the link between the available players and the quality of the football.
And unforunately, this!
No fucking pleasing some of our fans
Powell's dilemma is that, in a sense, he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He clearly needs to strengthen the squad and its important he makes this clear to Duchatelet. However, if he over plays his hand in that respect, Duchatelet is hardly likely to enthusiastically renew player contracts. Moreover, Powell may even undermine his own position.
As you say, there is no way Slater will have stressed the need to strengthen the squad, so Duchatelet's instinct when asked by the Manager to spend money may well have been, "I've heard that before, it's what Managers always say". Richard Murray's role may well be critical.
I really dont think he looked at CAFC and thought, ''Great, here's a club that dont need to strengthen the playing squad. Thank goodness I wont have to spend any money on the players and I can concentrate on the vital stuff like heated domes.''
From what I can see of Dom Dwyer, he seemed to be a good character who fitted in with the team. He also appeared to fit into the Duchalet mode of player virtues - a player who has travelled and developed themselves and looking to get experience round the world. He also was a striker and did not involve commitment for a long time. He was likely not that expensive and CP wanted him but was rejected and there is no stated reason why, perhaps Duchalet enjoys playing European football manager on his laptop ?
One of Chris Powell's virtues is to be able to build a great team spirit with a set of players that will fit for the team and the club. CP needs to be able to have the final say as to whether the characters that are presented to him add to the team. Charlton are in desperate need of additional striking support. Is the Dwyer rejection because there is something better coming or another striker from the Duchalet Pan European empire that needs to be accommodated ? Will Chris Powell be allowed to say Non merci to a character because he believes that player is not right for the team ?
Does Duchalet understand that he will lose millions in television money if Charlton get relegated ? Mid season, 3 points above the relegation positions is not the time to tear the whole structure down.
I am still waiting, less patiently now, for any evidence that the positions that need strengthening ie striker will be strengthened and the position at Charlton has been stabilised. Chris Powell needs to be able to strengthen the team sufficiently to keep Charlton up.
No doubt, Slater told Duchatelet that the squad is good enough to stay up - he recently said we'd finish mid table. Based on that, you might conclude that all that's needed is a touch on the tiller not major surgery, but what does that actually mean?
Chris Powell will almost certainly need to be clear and precise about what's needed, whilst dealing with a man who is, no doubt, highly analytical, perhaps a bit cynical, and who will not want to spend money unnecessarily. Then he has to deal with the related issue of player contracts and his own responsibility for the current squad and league table position.
If I were in Chris Powell's shoes I'd find that very challenging, especially since time is limited.
What is the plan and the identity of Charlton Athletic ? Is the club going to be imprinted with a Duchalet pan Europe branding and lose its identity as an independent entity ? Are we Duchalet Athletic UK or Charlton Athletic ?
What is the plan ? Richard Murray needs to be earning his corn / protecting his investment (if he still has that at Charlton) / and carrying out his job as non executive director in communicating with supporters, playing staff what the Duchalet plan is or getting Duchalet to share it with the rest of us. I understand that was the aim of his job is to reassure and communicate with supporters. It is time to start doing that job.
Addressing Chris Powell's question on the BBC and Chicago Addick carefully written article would be a good place to start.
http://chicagoaddick.wordpress.com/
Duchalet needs to start explaining himself. CP comments were careful but the window is closing and with the contract situation, the club risks relegation and he is speaking up for himself and players for trying to build a team that can retain itself in the championship. I am still waiting to see that Duchalet is good for Charlton. It all appears to be a lot of TINA so far. Whatever that TINA is Duchalet or Murray have not shared with the customers / supporters yet.
Not sure why. But I am.