It was a hugely contentious issue when Powell was manager and played a big part in him leaving.
As for Riga, who knows. Maybe when someone RD trusted had a similarly negative opinion of the players brought in he took that opinion more seriously, but that is purely speculation.
I would have given it more credence if Riga hadn't played practically the same players that Powell had/would have had (e.g. Obika) at his own discretion, and if Thuram's tantrum hadn't essentially guaranteed that network players were NOT in fact given any preference even if they assumed otherwise. Reza, AA, Thuram all were bit players, Nego only ever appeared once, our very own home grown Solly came straight back into RB.
Belgian Bob is already basically a nodding dog yes-man toady in the eyes of many before he even takes the job (if indeed he does), but we have had NO-ONE in an actual position to know that RD was directly pressurising any manager to play specific players.
What is for sure. By the time we kick a ball in anger next season the RD "network" will have laid its cards on the table and made its intentions much clearer to the support. A new coaching and playing set up will be in place.
Will all the speculation, bias and second guessing end on CL? Never! and so it should always be IMO.
I believe it. Heard form yet another reliable source recently that RD emailed Powell to ask Powell why Thuram wasn't playing and Powell responded by saying "Because Alnwick has kept x amount of clean sheets." RD then said Alnwick won't play for the club again.
Following on from this, RD told all his network players that they would be playing against Sheffield Utd. Jackson got wind of this, went to Powell, asked him, Powell said that will not be the case. None of them start that game and RD sacks Powell.
As for Riga, I have no idea. But he didn't play many either did he? I assume he's also told RD they're not good enough.
It's worth remembering we stayed up with the majority of the team made up of existing and academy pre-network players.
We will never know. If it is the case we can only hope that RD will reflect that the scouting teams landed us with some utter shite, and will be a bit smarter with who he trusts in future
We will never know. If it is the case we can only hope that RD will reflect that the scouting teams landed us with some utter shite, and will be a bit smarter with who he trusts in future
IF he realises this. He's already underestimated this league once. Let's hope RD, Katrien and Peeters don't make that mistake again. My theory is that we we'll become a glorified shop window for Roland and his network players. How can the FA Football League stand by and let that happen?
We will never know. If it is the case we can only hope that RD will reflect that the scouting teams landed us with some utter shite, and will be a bit smarter with who he trusts in future
IF he realises this. He's already underestimated this league once. Let's hope RD, Katrien and Peeters don't make that mistake again. My theory is that we we'll become a glorified shop window for Roland and his network players. How can the FA Football League stand by and let that happen?
I believe it. Heard form yet another reliable source recently that RD emailed Powell to ask Powell why Thuram wasn't playing and Powell responded by saying "Because Alnwick has kept x amount of clean sheets." RD then said Alnwick won't play for the club again.
Following on from this, RD told all his network players that they would be playing against Sheffield Utd. Jackson got wind of this, went to Powell, asked him, Powell said that will not be the case. None of them start that game and RD sacks Powell.
As for Riga, I have no idea. But he didn't play many either did he? I assume he's also told RD they're not good enough.
It's worth remembering we stayed up with the majority of the team made up of existing and academy pre-network players.
Just who is your reliable source? BexleyBoy? If you're going to make such sweeping statements you should be prepared to reveal your source otherwise it's best saying nowt.
I believe it. Heard form yet another reliable source recently that RD emailed Powell to ask Powell why Thuram wasn't playing and Powell responded by saying "Because Alnwick has kept x amount of clean sheets." RD then said Alnwick won't play for the club again.
Following on from this, RD told all his network players that they would be playing against Sheffield Utd. Jackson got wind of this, went to Powell, asked him, Powell said that will not be the case. None of them start that game and RD sacks Powell.
As for Riga, I have no idea. But he didn't play many either did he? I assume he's also told RD they're not good enough.
It's worth remembering we stayed up with the majority of the team made up of existing and academy pre-network players.
Surely if Jackson did know this and he obviously knew that RD wanted to run the club this way, why would you sign a long term contract?
No discrediting what you are saying TRR, just interesting to note.
Putting it simply. I think it's bollix. Every player at The Valley is "a network " player.
I think those that were brought in quickly to bolster the squad were expected to strengthen the team but as admitted the quality of the championship was higher than thought and most were not good enough.
As for RD saying of Alnwick "he'll never play for the club again" I just don't believe that. In fact if that ever is proven beyond doubt then my attendance at The Valley stops there until RD is gone.
The story I have heard is a little less dramatic, and one you can hear throughout the business world all the time. RD and CP did not immediately hit it off, and so the quality of dialogue started badly and went downhill from there. It's suggested that CP perhaps wasn't prepared to ring RD back and make his case re various players. Riga came in with the advantage of already enjoying RD's trust. So when Riga said "I'm not playing Thuram et al because they are not good enough", RD accepted it from him. That just happens all the time in the business world.
I remain perplexed as to why RD has let Riga go in such an apparently clumsy way, but I doubt it's to do with playing the shower that were sent over in Jan.
No digging out people about 'sources' please. People are adding to the debate with what they are told, don't grill them for that. It is down to you to determine whether you think the rumour or the individual telling the rumour is believable. But lets be a bit softer with our approach to fellow posters, please.
Personally, i don't know what to 'believe' where RD and squad selection is concerned. When Powell was manager, i do believe there was some form of pressure to feature certain players he was'given'. To what extent, and the fall out of that, i don't know. I do know though that in hindsight, that performance at Sheffield United was one from a squad that were clearly having internal wrangles.
As for Riga, was he similarly lent on to feature certain network players? I don't know, i'd guess that if he wasn it was less so than Powell was. The fact is there that Riga clearly didn't favour the 'network players' over the 'Charlton players'.
Which leads us to why Riga is no longer here.
No one logically can explain it. It appears to me one of the most bizarre situations i've ever seen in football where a manager has done brilliantly, positively taken to by club, players, supporters, goes public expressing his desire to want the job. Yet gets completely ignored as a less-proven, less experienced individual replaces him.
No one can explain that. I'd guess its down to cost saving, but i can see with no clear explaination why some might feel it was down to Riga, like Powell, not towing the line.
I believe it. Heard form yet another reliable source recently that RD emailed Powell to ask Powell why Thuram wasn't playing and Powell responded by saying "Because Alnwick has kept x amount of clean sheets." RD then said Alnwick won't play for the club again.
Following on from this, RD told all his network players that they would be playing against Sheffield Utd. Jackson got wind of this, went to Powell, asked him, Powell said that will not be the case. None of them start that game and RD sacks Powell.
As for Riga, I have no idea. But he didn't play many either did he? I assume he's also told RD they're not good enough.
It's worth remembering we stayed up with the majority of the team made up of existing and academy pre-network players.
Just who is your reliable source? BexleyBoy? If you're going to make such sweeping statements you should be prepared to reveal your source otherwise it's best saying nowt.
I don't think you'd hear that from BexleyBoy - I think he's one of the main cheerleaders for all things 'network'......
I believe it. Heard form yet another reliable source recently that RD emailed Powell to ask Powell why Thuram wasn't playing and Powell responded by saying "Because Alnwick has kept x amount of clean sheets." RD then said Alnwick won't play for the club again.
Following on from this, RD told all his network players that they would be playing against Sheffield Utd. Jackson got wind of this, went to Powell, asked him, Powell said that will not be the case. None of them start that game and RD sacks Powell.
As for Riga, I have no idea. But he didn't play many either did he? I assume he's also told RD they're not good enough.
It's worth remembering we stayed up with the majority of the team made up of existing and academy pre-network players.
Just who is your reliable source? BexleyBoy? If you're going to make such sweeping statements you should be prepared to reveal your source otherwise it's best saying nowt.
I don't think you'd hear that from BexleyBoy - I think he's one of the main cheerleaders for all things 'network'......
I believe it. Heard form yet another reliable source recently that RD emailed Powell to ask Powell why Thuram wasn't playing and Powell responded by saying "Because Alnwick has kept x amount of clean sheets." RD then said Alnwick won't play for the club again.
Following on from this, RD told all his network players that they would be playing against Sheffield Utd. Jackson got wind of this, went to Powell, asked him, Powell said that will not be the case. None of them start that game and RD sacks Powell.
As for Riga, I have no idea. But he didn't play many either did he? I assume he's also told RD they're not good enough.
It's worth remembering we stayed up with the majority of the team made up of existing and academy pre-network players.
Just who is your reliable source? BexleyBoy? If you're going to make such sweeping statements you should be prepared to reveal your source otherwise it's best saying nowt.
No idea who or what Bexley Boy is.
There's plenty of sweeping statements all over CL, not just mine.
If you were trying to solve a crime one of the things you'd want to understand is motive.
What nobody has explained is what Duchatelet would be seeking to achieve if he forced his Coaches and/or Managers to play network signings who simply aren't good enough for the team they've joined.
How does such an approach add value, exactly? Why would he do it?
If you were trying to solve a crime one of the things you'd want to understand is motive.
What nobody has explained is what Duchatelet would be seeking to achieve if he forced his Coaches and/or Managers to play network signings who simply aren't good enough for the team they've joined.
How does such an approach add value, exactly? Why would he do it?
To showcase them in a game that was televised around the world?
We will never know. If it is the case we can only hope that RD will reflect that the scouting teams landed us with some utter shite, and will be a bit smarter with who he trusts in future
IF he realises this. He's already underestimated this league once. Let's hope RD, Katrien and Peeters don't make that mistake again. My theory is that we we'll become a glorified shop window for Roland and his network players. How can the FA Football League stand by and let that happen?
What usually follows the phrase "shop window" is the word dummy. Showcasing talent is one thing but that will get you relegated without question. Leaving a devalued shop window.
I just cannot buy into all this conspiracy stuff. It makes no sense.
What usually follows the phrase "shop window" is the word dummy. Showcasing talent is one thing but that will get you relegated without question. Leaving a devalued shop window.
I just cannot buy into all this conspiracy stuff. It makes no sense.
But can you make any sense of the Riga situation ? None of it makes much sense.
If you were trying to solve a crime one of the things you'd want to understand is motive.
What nobody has explained is what Duchatelet would be seeking to achieve if he forced his Coaches and/or Managers to play network signings who simply aren't good enough for the team they've joined.
How does such an approach add value, exactly? Why would he do it?
I don't know the answer to that - but, from memory, the suggestion at the time (from Airman I believe - although I'm sure he'll correct me if I've mis-remembered) was that the particular problem (last straw?) was the Sheffield United game which was televised and it was suggested that Duchatelet wanted certain players to have the wider public exposure/'put in the shop window' of television......?
The email part is most definitely true but SHG has nailed it all the players we have currently are network players
But look at it another way
Name all the signings powelly made and then mark them success or failure and when we get to the same number for the next mgrs of cafc let's measure it then
Until that point we are no different to any other club
I just cannot buy into all this conspiracy stuff. It makes no sense.
With respect, i struggle to see how you can take such an entrenched positive stance when they have been a number of either questionable decisions, or things that leave you scratching your head.
The Riga situation is one, and well covered.
So is the lack of supposed action with players like Morrison.
So is the blanket silence / new cold approach to people leaving the club like Riga, and players who have served us well over the last few years
The 'who selects our squad' is another. I think we can all agree its being done in Belgium, not in Charlton, and our best guess at the moment seems to be that a big piece of this jigsaw is made up of an Israeli football agent, and a Belgium Division 3 manager. But we've no idea who else feeds into that working group, and who the decision maker would be (it clearly isn't Duchatelet)
What the motive is in accumulating so many clubs ?
I just don't see how any of it is firm enough for anyone to nail their colours to the mast in full support of yet.
Comments
As for Riga, who knows. Maybe when someone RD trusted had a similarly negative opinion of the players brought in he took that opinion more seriously, but that is purely speculation.
It's his scouting teams opinion that he maybe trusts to much
I wouldn't say RD is playing manager
Belgian Bob is already basically a nodding dog yes-man toady in the eyes of many before he even takes the job (if indeed he does), but we have had NO-ONE in an actual position to know that RD was directly pressurising any manager to play specific players.
Will all the speculation, bias and second guessing end on CL? Never! and so it should always be IMO.
Following on from this, RD told all his network players that they would be playing against Sheffield Utd. Jackson got wind of this, went to Powell, asked him, Powell said that will not be the case. None of them start that game and RD sacks Powell.
As for Riga, I have no idea. But he didn't play many either did he? I assume he's also told RD they're not good enough.
It's worth remembering we stayed up with the majority of the team made up of existing and academy pre-network players.
No discrediting what you are saying TRR, just interesting to note.
I think those that were brought in quickly to bolster the squad were expected to strengthen the team but as admitted the quality of the championship was higher than thought and most were not good enough.
As for RD saying of Alnwick "he'll never play for the club again" I just don't believe that. In fact if that ever is proven beyond doubt then my attendance at The Valley stops there until RD is gone.
I remain perplexed as to why RD has let Riga go in such an apparently clumsy way, but I doubt it's to do with playing the shower that were sent over in Jan.
Personally, i don't know what to 'believe' where RD and squad selection is concerned. When Powell was manager, i do believe there was some form of pressure to feature certain players he was'given'. To what extent, and the fall out of that, i don't know. I do know though that in hindsight, that performance at Sheffield United was one from a squad that were clearly having internal wrangles.
As for Riga, was he similarly lent on to feature certain network players? I don't know, i'd guess that if he wasn it was less so than Powell was. The fact is there that Riga clearly didn't favour the 'network players' over the 'Charlton players'.
Which leads us to why Riga is no longer here.
No one logically can explain it. It appears to me one of the most bizarre situations i've ever seen in football where a manager has done brilliantly, positively taken to by club, players, supporters, goes public expressing his desire to want the job. Yet gets completely ignored as a less-proven, less experienced individual replaces him.
No one can explain that. I'd guess its down to cost saving, but i can see with no clear explaination why some might feel it was down to Riga, like Powell, not towing the line.
There's plenty of sweeping statements all over CL, not just mine.
What nobody has explained is what Duchatelet would be seeking to achieve if he forced his Coaches and/or Managers to play network signings who simply aren't good enough for the team they've joined.
How does such an approach add value, exactly? Why would he do it?
I just cannot buy into all this conspiracy stuff. It makes no sense.
The email part is most definitely true but SHG has nailed it all the players we have currently are network players
But look at it another way
Name all the signings powelly made and then mark them success or failure and when we get to the same number for the next mgrs of cafc let's measure it then
Until that point we are no different to any other club
The Riga situation is one, and well covered.
So is the lack of supposed action with players like Morrison.
So is the blanket silence / new cold approach to people leaving the club like Riga, and players who have served us well over the last few years
The 'who selects our squad' is another. I think we can all agree its being done in Belgium, not in Charlton, and our best guess at the moment seems to be that a big piece of this jigsaw is made up of an Israeli football agent, and a Belgium Division 3 manager. But we've no idea who else feeds into that working group, and who the decision maker would be (it clearly isn't Duchatelet)
What the motive is in accumulating so many clubs ?
I just don't see how any of it is firm enough for anyone to nail their colours to the mast in full support of yet.