I was never a fan of Francis during his time with us, but I have no problems with him being interviewed about the match tonight and giving his opinions. This clearly happens all the time. I can understand that some on here wouldn't like what he has to say however as it doesn't fit in with the pro RD sentiment.
Francis told the Daily Echo: “I’ve still got friends there (Charlton) and they say it’s a little bit of a shambles with the new owner coming in. “Chris Powell was being a bit of a puppet at times and I think he was being told what team to pick and now they have decided to change the manager. “This game has probably come at a good time for us because their players don’t know the kind of formations their manager wants and, hopefully, we can catch them unawares and get a result.
I would imagine from his phrasing the question was probably asked in such a way to draw a provocative answer, which he duly provided. The general attitude in the press seems to be RD is bad news (rightly or wrongly) so trying to get a rise from an ex-Addick seems fair game in that sense.
On the other hand, I don't really give a shit about his form before or after his Charlton days, when he was playing for us, he was crap. That said, we are currently stuck playing probably the best right midfielder we've had for a while back in the right back position so perhaps chucking stones is not quite appropriate!
If Callumity Harriott is up against Simon Francis tonight, Francis will be able to put on his slippers, light a massive cigar while callumity runs through his pointless repertoire of 'tricks' until he steps on the ball and concedes possession. In the unlikely event that callumity looks like trying to run around SF to put in a cross, one firm tackle will establish the man v boy disparity and SF can go back to his cigar. Wiggins v Francis will be a much more interesting challenge at both ends of the pitch.
If we get on this back as much as we did when he played for us he's bound to crumble under the pressure. Fingers crossed Harriot and Wiggins are at their best.
I wish we'd just focus on our team and what we have to do tonight, rather than dig out opposition players.
He's moved on. It's about time that we do too.
Moved on enough to talk about us in an interview. Ok.
Oh come on, Gary ...... Francis is being asked questions by a reporter specifically about their Charlton fixture. What's Francis supposed to say?
It's just general football talk. He hasn't dug us out, hasn't moaned about the tough time he had here and has only answered the reporters questions.
Right, so when someone posts the interview on here you expect all of us to turn a blind eye and not talk about what he said? Thats what i got from your original post.
Every time we have played Francis since he left he has handled us with ease.
I said after the game against Bournemouth on the opening day that *if* he hadn't already played for us and failed before, people would have been calling for him to be Solly's replacement had Solly gone.
Sometimes players don't work out at certain clubs and at others they do. He really didn't work out for us but for them he's looked a completely different player.
I wish we'd just focus on our team and what we have to do tonight, rather than dig out opposition players.
He's moved on. It's about time that we do too.
Moved on enough to talk about us in an interview. Ok.
Oh come on, Gary ...... Francis is being asked questions by a reporter specifically about their Charlton fixture. What's Francis supposed to say?
It's just general football talk. He hasn't dug us out, hasn't moaned about the tough time he had here and has only answered the reporters questions.
Right, so when someone posts the interview on here you expect all of us to turn a blind eye and not talk about what he said? Thats what i got from your original post.
What I said in my original post was, "I wish we'd just focus on our team and what we have to do tonight, rather than dig out opposition players".
You don't have to agree with that, Gary - but it was merely my wish, that's all.
I wish we'd just focus on our team and what we have to do tonight, rather than dig out opposition players.
He's moved on. It's about time that we do too.
To be honest, I don't imagine many of us would've 'dug him out' prior to this interview. As you say he's moved on, yet he still feels the need to cast his judgement on what is going on at our club. Obviously looking for a reaction, which is quite funny considering how poor he was when playing for us.
Sounds like he's playing well down at Bournemouth, but Solly is a much better player.
I don't think it particularly sounds like he's looking for a reaction, Cabbles - the article is just intended to fill some space in a local Bournemouth rag primarily read by local Bournemouth people.
Seems like we are flavour of the month to get a pop, Francis, Varney, Sunday Supplement, The Late Show ....... just bore off!
you forgot the Daily Fail, Evening SubStandard and Stuart Pearce. You begin to wonder if it's being orchastrated by person or persons unknown.
I think its
(a) a genuine like for Chris (b) Dislike of another foreign owner (c) We're an easy target, if it were a big prem club they would get dogs abuse and if it were Millwall they would probably end up with a rats head in their bed. (d) Like us they don't really understand the network concept .. its different so attack it.
Comments
Francis told the Daily Echo: “I’ve still got friends there (Charlton) and they say it’s a little bit of a shambles with the new owner coming in.
“Chris Powell was being a bit of a puppet at times and I think he was being told what team to pick and now they have decided to change the manager.
“This game has probably come at a good time for us because their players don’t know the kind of formations their manager wants and, hopefully, we can catch them unawares and get a result.
It's not as if he's mentioned us in a pre season chat, we're his next game and he used to play for us so obviously he's going to be asked about us.
It's just general football talk. He hasn't dug us out, hasn't moaned about the tough time he had here and has only answered the reporters questions.
On the other hand, I don't really give a shit about his form before or after his Charlton days, when he was playing for us, he was crap. That said, we are currently stuck playing probably the best right midfielder we've had for a while back in the right back position so perhaps chucking stones is not quite appropriate!
Anyway, I thought Powell was sacked because he wasn't a puppet ?
Wiggins v Francis will be a much more interesting challenge at both ends of the pitch.
Shouldn't it be Charlton are a shambles......
but he has got a point, and to be confident enough to say it to the press, it's pretty bleeding obvious we are but only our fans can't accept it.
Charlton as a club, is a single entity.
Time I put the kettle on ...........
"This is blasphemy, this is madness"
"Madness?"
"THIS IS CHARLTON"
Charlton Shambles!
I said after the game against Bournemouth on the opening day that *if* he hadn't already played for us and failed before, people would have been calling for him to be Solly's replacement had Solly gone.
Sometimes players don't work out at certain clubs and at others they do. He really didn't work out for us but for them he's looked a completely different player.
You don't have to agree with that, Gary - but it was merely my wish, that's all.
The journo would have asked very probing questions to get those answers.
You Sir are certainly no master at photoshop, but I genuinely laughed at that!
Sounds like he's playing well down at Bournemouth, but Solly is a much better player.
(a) a genuine like for Chris
(b) Dislike of another foreign owner
(c) We're an easy target, if it were a big prem club they would get dogs abuse and if it were Millwall they would probably end up with a rats head in their bed.
(d) Like us they don't really understand the network concept .. its different so attack it.