In Chris Solly's 120 plus Charlton career, you can count his bad games on one hand and still have fingers over.
Now last season he only managed 10 games, this current one he's on 7 matches already, only missing two midweek games.
It's been hinted by Big Bob that they are going to try to increase his training and if all go well, midweek games could be back on the agenda.
Now we have never really been told the exact problem but when a guy can only train intermittently because of his knee (swelling or pain or both)
you do wonder how he could start playing 3 games in a week.
If Chris plays all the Saturday games only it look like he would play 34 matches. Better than last season and he could get a reaction if pushed too much.
The medical experts can't be sure either way, as it sound quite individual. Ledley King's Knee issues started when he was in his mid 20's unless they kept it quiet before then.
To get 44 games out of CS (2games missed so far) would be great (no illness or other injuries) but someone got a tough call.
How do you CL see the situation with our two time POTY. (if you asked 2 experts you will get 2 different answers)
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Totally inoperable... Nothing u can do but manage it. You can build up the quads to strengthen it but that's precautionary rather than preventative.
I take my hat off to Chris for battling through it. Total CafC legend in my eyes.
He was different class Saturday. Reads the game a good 5 seconds ahead and is therefore always in the right position.
Harry Redknapp's Quote was, he has no cartilage and it's just bone on bone, that's why he just does gym work and swimming and no running in training.
Maybe this is different to solly's issues because how can it be improving otherwise ?
U won't be out a long.time when it flares up...6-8 weeks
sounds a no brainer to me.
Nurse him along & don't be greedy.
I'm buying my nurse's outfit tomorrow BTW.
what i am fairly sure of is...he is just as likely to have a mishap in training as in a match. its a hard thing to "carry" and protect.
i think the reference to midweeks is that before his knee would be swollen after every game and you then need a week`s rest before you can play competively on it again.
i definitely agree i would rather have CS for 30 games then risk it...but its also impossible to predict when that risk arises so I can see BP`s thinking.
i would rather have solly for 5 games then none at all because he has my 100% ADMRIATION for battling through this injury when most pros would have called it a day. he gets away with it a bit during games because he is so fecking good a player
edit...btw great thread. i have only heard this through someone who spoke to someone etc etc so i could be wrong but think it is the cartilidge. we really should take our hats out to Sir Christopher of Solly because it really is a superhuman effort that he can play at this level at all. CS02 is the best RB this nation has produced in a long time, i know Kyle Walker would love his technique or positioning ability for instance...although sure wouldnt also mind that speed lol.
he had to overcome this country`s stupid reliance on physical statistics to even make it. as we begin to realise, size isnt anything of importance when you play football as it should be played...with the concentration on technique and brain. Without the knee problems, he would have been PL, CL and England for the last 5 years
sounds like a carry on film.
How great would it be if he was club captain for at least 4 of those years.
If it means only 30 games a season from him so be it.
A shame really as a good career possibly awaits.
Without meaning to derail the topic, but I felt a bit of pride knowing Poyet was playing against Man U over the weekend - an academy lad now playing in the starting line up of a league fixture at Old Trafford.
If that was Solly though? Knowing that he had been a loyal player who gave his absolute all in every minute of every match, who was part of an incredible League 1 winning season - before making the step up to a higher league without as much as a single nervous performance.. I'd be absolutely thrilled for him. I think he'd be capable of playing in the Prem too.
I can honestly say I had a huge grin when he took the armband on Saturday; he deserved it and there wasn't a single other player on the pitch that I wanted it to go to.
managershead coaches that would pick someone as captain if they could potentially miss half the games..........