It is true, is that what is going on, on the pitch is what really counts and if the product and play is poor, then Charlton are not going to challenge in the top half and no one is going to pay to watch dispiriting performances. The state that Charlton's central midfield has been left in is abject management. I don't know whether that can be or will be sorted out in the January transfer window. That neglect has severely undermined any chance that Charlton had for a challenge this season. That is not going to help attendances or atmosphere.
I think amongst the general gloom and despondency, there is an assumption that Duchatelet and Meire are not going anywhere. I don't think any of this knows what is in Duchatelet's mind. Is the work on the training ground getting anywhere ? The sale of Lookman may cover some operating losses but the projection is downwards. Duchatelet may decide that this is a good time to sell the club. It maybe being planned right now.
When Duchatelet goes will be a surprise and he is unlikely to give prior notice. Charlton supporters need to keep the faith that Duchatelet will be gone at some stage.
Very good post vff. There does seem to be a feeling amongst many that he'll hang on indefinitely until he's killed the club or passes on himself. I don't believe that's true. After we ripped up the sofa, it felt for an hour or two like we'd won back control. Then the summer appointment of an English manager and English players was enough to con a sizeable minority that the regime had changed. This of course is nonsense, but the fact that quite a few people bought into it led others to become more despondent about the chances of forcing the regime out.
We're in a war of attrition and it's bloody hard going. I think it's all to easy in that situation to see how your side is suffering and infer from that that the other side is winning. They are not winning at all. They'd be winning if their aims were to alienate as many fans as possible and to force Charlton into as many serial relegations as they could. But, whilst it might seem like that's the aim, it obviously isn't. They are arrogant, they are incompetent and they are wreckers as a result of that arrogant-incompetence. I know that it feels like Two Shats and Mare are our own personal Beelzebubs sent from some unearthly hell to deliberately torment us, but whatever torment we feel comes not from malice but from their pure unbridled incompetence.
We need to remember that they are hurting too. They aren't anything winning at all. Look at their situation. Two Shats has wasted a load of money on our club. He likes to pretend that it's a loan, but ultimately it won't be, because no-one is mug enough to pay all that. Anyone buying the club, will only pay what they perceive to be the market value and that market value does not include the money that's been squandered through their ridiculous mismanagement. Sure the rat has money in the bank, but as someone on this thread stated so well rich people are rich because they don't like losing money. Then there's the pride thing. Not only has this arrogant man failed in everything he's done to date, those failures have compounded into a situation where any form of success becomes increasingly more difficult. He'll hate that.
And then we have Katy. Feeble minded, narcissistic little Katy. The one who wanted to prove she was so clever by transforming the club in to a West London acid lounge. She's an absolute joke in the footballing world. Everyone knows she's a dim-witted, incompetent liar. She'd struggle running a bath let alone a football club. She had to flee from Colchester in a laundry van, she had to go to Dubai because she couldn't handle the stress of relegation and her beloved couch was shredded in front of here eyes - well, the eye's of the security guard who has accompany her. The little girl who started out wanting to be so popular giving out programmes and walking with the upbeats hasn't even been at the last two matches. Sick leave? Another stress induced vacation or has Roly finally had enough of her? Whatever it is, you only have to look at the myriad empty seats to see just how catastrophically she has failed. Roly has absolutely got to be on her case now.
They didn't want this mess. They will be hurting badly. It's difficult to see that because it's never communicated publicly, unlike our suffering that is publicly posted all over the internet. The day will come when they will go and we will get our club back, it's just a matter of time. In the meantime, let's all stick together and all resolve to do whatever we can to hurry that day on a little bit.
Do you suppose that Meire is perhaps quite satisfied with the way this is playing out with her " customers"? The crowd has effectively been neutered by the absence of the thousands who would protest. She can now focus on her dream of bringing in the new type of customer she craves, to add to the placid shell of remaining supporters
Having been an attending protester last season it was already apparent - (e.g. the abuse I received from some in the East Stand for taking part in the walk-out v Middlesborough) that two camps would emerge.
Those who will continue to attend matches no matter what the regime does or how it treats its 'customers' and who will celebrate this stance as a badge of honour as a true fan; and those who will boycott all or some proportion of home games until there is a change of ownership and will equally and legitimately lay claim to being true Charlton fans .
The one certainty which is inevitable is that there will be no winners or losers in this continuing scenario - it is going to end badly for everybody including Duchatelet and Meire.
The only hope is that in due course a new ownership can revive the club from wherever and whatever state it finds itself in when this regime ends but that task becomes more difficult with every day which passes and Duchatelet remains intransigent
Many here recognise (and I now agree) that the Charlton Athletic of our youth is now gone. The damage done by Meire and Duchatelet is irreparable and generational.
The Club has been re-invented against a background of poorly thought out business plans, lack of understanding of fans attachment to the club and the nature of this interaction (i.e. the fans don't see themselves as customers) and a cavalier at best and reckless at worst approach on the football side.
Not sure what else to say ---------- that hasn't already been said by others...........
Do you suppose that Meire is perhaps quite satisfied with the way this is playing out with her " customers"? The crowd has effectively been neutered by the absence of the thousands who would protest. She can now focus on her dream of bringing in the new type of customer she craves, to add to the placid shell of remaining supporters
If you strip it all down, there are reasons why those not going are not going. In what I suspect are the majority of cases, nothing has changed in the big picture (our owner still shows no real interest in the club and no sign of selling, and that woman is still given the club to run despite it being patently obvious she is toxic to their customers).
They refuse to budge on those key points.
So I don't think it's likely that those people staying away for the those reasons will come back basically because those that still want to go think that the atmosphere is s**t
Agree with this.
Assuming that RD and Meire aren't going anywhere, then the only way you're really going to get some of them to come back, is if we're in the top 2-3 and going for the title. And seeing as we're currently just as much of a shambles on the pitch, as we are off it, then that's not very likely.
I think our attendances would not improve much even on a promotion push.
Fraeye was the straw that broke the camels back and relegation was the final nail in the coffin for thousands.
Hope you don't mind if I return to how shallow the thinking is when faced with the issues at our great club.
A few examples was the pathetic showing at the November meeting with the power point, the 2%. the 'message board thing' throwaway dismissal, the counteracting of agitation by announcing family days, or laughably yesterday as a Valley Gold day. Copying the CARD programme initiative is another shallow reactive move. There has been a response to injuries by saying they would now sign players who played 30 games the previous season to solve that problem (get to it Mowgli), Russell Slade has close up experience of the injury situation he inherited. Signings have been churned around not based on credible knowledge, but yes based on spreadsheets, not human interactions. They have a shallow reactive response to deep lying problems by employing consultants, filming protestors, buying in shed loads of security. Cojones says (with a shallow smidgen of truth it must be said) that a few wins will stop the protests, whilst they construct barriers around the main entrance. However one of the biggest areas of shallow thinking is the 'learned from mistakes change of direction narrative'. For a start they have never articulated what the mistakes were, but seem to think that by throwing a bone like 'here's an English manager, here are non foreign players, shut up it's sorted'.
Well no.
Personally I don't care about the nationality of a manager or players, I care about their quality, and whether that have the character to orchestrate a root and branch change to the football culture of the club.
For the non football people it is the same.
Mel Baroni it seems was not appointed for her expertise but to be a functionary like so many others, she very wisely bogged off, as have others.
In the face of deep lying problems we have inadequate shallow reaction.
You may stop the water coming in by wrapping rags round a leaky pipe, but eventually the plumbing will have to be properly sorted because a leak won't get better by itself.
I've always totally ruled out the AFC Charlton idea, because I think it would be devastating, practically and emotionally. However, I'm starting to consider it. If Roland was still here in three or four years.....
I've always totally ruled out the AFC Charlton idea, because I think it would be devastating, practically and emotionally. However, I'm starting to consider it. If Roland was still here in three or four years.....
In 3-4 years time when we're in the conference we'll still have Sue Parkes and crowds of 3k defending the regime.
Todays game was probably the most depressed i have been as a Charlton fan - and it wasnt because of the defeat ( i've sort of got numb to losing, and cant even remember when i last saw us win tbh). It was because of the atmosphere at the ground - there was zero support,zero atmosphere, and no protests - but what seemed like hundreds of stewards- all leaving a very very toxic feel. An 'atmosphere' that i've never experienced before at The Valley. This isnt the Charlton i have grown up supporting - the club that was known as a nice family club, friendly fans, friendly staff, and a team that i was proud to say i supported-and a club that other clubs and fans used to use as their role-model.
I think, a few weeks back BDL said that he thought the boycott might be counter-productive in that protests in the ground would stop - i am coming to the opinion that maybe this might be the case.
So, i am not suggesting that everyone go out and buy a season ticket immediately, but maybe the boycotters selectively come back for a pre-determined game now and again - as an idea, maybe the £5 games? - at least that way we are not lining RD's pocket with much - and then co-ordinate some protests for inside the ground during the game. At the moment, i get the feeling that KM may believe that she has 'won', in view that there are no longer any protests.
Is there a boycott? Seems to be a lot of people commenting on the match and giving player marks. It's in the blood. I blame those who wanted Slater and Jiminez out. Think where we might have been now.
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Do you suppose that Meire is perhaps quite satisfied with the way this is playing out with her " customers"? The crowd has effectively been neutered by the absence of the thousands who would protest. She can now focus on her dream of bringing in the new type of customer she craves, to add to the placid shell of remaining supporters
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Pretty accurate summary Davo of where we are now in my book. But I just can't understand how we went from all out protest and sofa carnage against Burnley to this. I can't believe the appointment of an English manager was solely responsible. It was Russel bloody Slade for gawd's sake. Something happened over the summer but I must've missed it.
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Pretty accurate summary Davo of where we are now in my book. But I just can't understand how we went from all out protest and sofa carnage against Burnley to this. I can't believe the appointment of an English manager was solely responsible. It was Russel bloody Slade for gawd's sake. Something happened over the summer but I must've missed it.
Apathy. And don't forget none of us are trained in passive resistance. What CARD have done so far has been marvellous but to keep comimg up with new ideas, well??
This war will be won in Belgium not at the valley. Even CARD are starting to see that I think. I won't be back after yesterday and am waiting for a behaviour letter through the door any day lol
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Good post. But I think everyone should be encouraged to come to the £5 Rochdale game.
20,000 in the ground singing and standing "stand up if you want them out", will demonstrate that the vast majority want them gone. They can't stop this because, it doesn't require banners or placards.
*We start winning ---they stay. * We continue to loose---they stay *The"protest" continues as is---they stay. *The cult has £500 million to drip feed the deluded ones "vision" until it works---works means anything that The Leader says it is.
They need to be driven out by January !! and that means intimidation of his mouth piece and her minders------------if The Cult has no one on the ground leading "his path"---it cant operate.
I would prefer to be banned by these tossers than slowly see us die.
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Indeed, Davo.
I'm certain that CARD has indicated time & time again it's a case of "slowly, slowly, catchee monkey" .
And FAR be it for me to criticise the manner in which we should chip away at the already crumbling façade the regime has cobbled together.
But yesterday, although we did our bit in the black & white stakes, I did wish that an additional mode of supporting our cause was "on offer" to be involved in. Apart from my vocal support of the team inside The Valley, I wanted to do more IYKWIM.
Of course, CARD does not have the monopoly for organising protests & they have done a fantastic job thus far. I'm convinced there is more in the planning stage too.
Maybe encouraging the boycotters to buy the tickets for a fiver, pack the stands with black & white, chant non stop during the match and continue the protests after the match would go some way towards empowering likeminded fans again. A huge protesting presence inside & outside The Valley would lift our spirits and with media coverage again, remind all & sundry that we will not go away.
I'm repainting my wooden protest sign in anticipation.....
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Good post. But I think everyone should be encouraged to come to the £5 Rochdale game.
20,000 in the ground singing and standing "stand up if you want them out", will demonstrate that the vast majority want them gone. They can't stop this because, it doesn't require banners or placards.
A special last visit of the year to mark the non attendance with a more positive feeling for many.
Things that will play well on media / social media so that those boycotting / not attending can be involved. Things which involve a sense of humour is good as well.
Thomas Dreisman chief network scout appreciation day ?
Special Belgium Roland Out slogan day / week (in Flemish / French ) - Best slogan gets a crate of Belgium beer / Belgium chocolates for the family / Meal at Belgo's.
Special Katrien Meire North Korea flag day - a special candlelit romantic North Korean restarurant meal as a prize for the best flag / best placed flag ?
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Good post. But I think everyone should be encouraged to come to the £5 Rochdale game.
20,000 in the ground singing and standing "stand up if you want them out", will demonstrate that the vast majority want them gone. They can't stop this because, it doesn't require banners or placards.
A special last visit of the year to mark the non attendance with a more positive feeling for many.
Things that will play well on media / social media so that those boycotting / not attending can be involved. Things which involve a sense of humour is good as well.
Thomas Dreisman chief network scout appreciation day ?
Special Belgium Roland Out slogan day / week (in Flemish / French ) - Best slogan gets a crate of Belgium beer / Belgium chocolates for the family / Meal at Belgo's.
Special Katrien Meire North Korea flag day - a special candlelit romantic North Korean restarurant meal as a prize for the best flag / best placed flag ?
If this is a war of attrition, then we need to open more fronts. Make RD share our pain. Hit his image. Hit his other companies' image. Turn up at any Belgian-themed events to protest/spread information. Melexis must do trade shows in the UK, just the hint of anything happening means them having to pay for extra security, which the other shareholders will start to ask about.
Anything connected to the regime is fair game - he won't like it if he's having to explain to neighbours/shareholders/customers of his other businesses why some random football supporters are giving them grief.
If this is a war of attrition, then we need to open more fronts. Make RD share our pain. Hit his image. Hit his other companies' image. Turn up at any Belgian-themed events to protest/spread information. Melexis must do trade shows in the UK, just the hint of anything happening means them having to pay for extra security, which the other shareholders will start to ask about.
Anything connected to the regime is fair game - he won't like it if he's having to explain to neighbours/shareholders/customers of his other businesses why some random football supporters are giving them grief.
Haven't read the full thread. But in terms of the boycott, I think it needs to be all or nothing to be successful. Half a boycott will just lead to a continuation of our slow gradual, painful death, and they will hang on til the bitter end by which time the debt levels may be so high, and our league position so low, that there may be no hope of saviour. Conversely, a full complete boycott may force their hand very quickly, perhaps only 3/4 home games would be enough.
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Probably the best summary I've seen of how the fanbase is split by feeling and something I feel should be more visible if possible as I feel there are a number of fans who think going by your description that it's one extreme or the other (1 or 5)
Haven't read the full thread. But in terms of the boycott, I think it needs to be all or nothing to be successful. Half a boycott will just lead to a continuation of our slow gradual, painful death, and they will hang on til the bitter end by which time the debt levels may be so high, and our league position so low, that there may be no hope of saviour. Conversely, a full complete boycott may force their hand very quickly, perhaps only 3/4 home games would be enough.
Never going to happen.
You had thousands that could not get their bottoms off their seat during the Middlesbrough.
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club 2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it" 3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise 4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening 5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
Good post. But I think everyone should be encouraged to come to the £5 Rochdale game.
20,000 in the ground singing and standing "stand up if you want them out", will demonstrate that the vast majority want them gone. They can't stop this because, it doesn't require banners or placards.
Would love that. Sadly, I think the large majority of the "stay-aways" wouldn't come and half of the crowd would, consequently, stay seated and silent.
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We're in a war of attrition and it's bloody hard going. I think it's all to easy in that situation to see how your side is suffering and infer from that that the other side is winning. They are not winning at all. They'd be winning if their aims were to alienate as many fans as possible and to force Charlton into as many serial relegations as they could. But, whilst it might seem like that's the aim, it obviously isn't. They are arrogant, they are incompetent and they are wreckers as a result of that arrogant-incompetence. I know that it feels like Two Shats and Mare are our own personal Beelzebubs sent from some unearthly hell to deliberately torment us, but whatever torment we feel comes not from malice but from their pure unbridled incompetence.
We need to remember that they are hurting too. They aren't anything winning at all. Look at their situation. Two Shats has wasted a load of money on our club. He likes to pretend that it's a loan, but ultimately it won't be, because no-one is mug enough to pay all that. Anyone buying the club, will only pay what they perceive to be the market value and that market value does not include the money that's been squandered through their ridiculous mismanagement. Sure the rat has money in the bank, but as someone on this thread stated so well rich people are rich because they don't like losing money. Then there's the pride thing. Not only has this arrogant man failed in everything he's done to date, those failures have compounded into a situation where any form of success becomes increasingly more difficult. He'll hate that.
And then we have Katy. Feeble minded, narcissistic little Katy. The one who wanted to prove she was so clever by transforming the club in to a West London acid lounge. She's an absolute joke in the footballing world. Everyone knows she's a dim-witted, incompetent liar. She'd struggle running a bath let alone a football club. She had to flee from Colchester in a laundry van, she had to go to Dubai because she couldn't handle the stress of relegation and her beloved couch was shredded in front of here eyes - well, the eye's of the security guard who has accompany her. The little girl who started out wanting to be so popular giving out programmes and walking with the upbeats hasn't even been at the last two matches. Sick leave? Another stress induced vacation or has Roly finally had enough of her? Whatever it is, you only have to look at the myriad empty seats to see just how catastrophically she has failed. Roly has absolutely got to be on her case now.
They didn't want this mess. They will be hurting badly. It's difficult to see that because it's never communicated publicly, unlike our suffering that is publicly posted all over the internet. The day will come when they will go and we will get our club back, it's just a matter of time. In the meantime, let's all stick together and all resolve to do whatever we can to hurry that day on a little bit.
The crowd has effectively been neutered by the absence of the thousands who would protest.
She can now focus on her dream of bringing in the new type of customer she craves, to add to the placid shell of remaining supporters
Those who will continue to attend matches no matter what the regime does or how it treats its 'customers' and who will celebrate this stance as a badge of honour as a true fan; and those who will boycott all or some proportion of home games until there is a change of ownership and will equally and legitimately lay claim to being true Charlton fans .
The one certainty which is inevitable is that there will be no winners or losers in this continuing scenario - it is going to end badly for everybody including Duchatelet and Meire.
The only hope is that in due course a new ownership can revive the club from wherever and whatever state it finds itself in when this regime ends but that task becomes more difficult with every day which passes and Duchatelet remains intransigent
Many here recognise (and I now agree) that the Charlton Athletic of our youth is now gone. The damage done by Meire and Duchatelet is irreparable and generational.
The Club has been re-invented against a background of poorly thought out business plans, lack of understanding of fans attachment to the club and the nature of this interaction (i.e. the fans don't see themselves as customers) and a cavalier at best and reckless at worst approach on the football side.
Not sure what else to say ---------- that hasn't already been said by others...........
The meek shall inherit the earth.
If that's alright with you.
Fraeye was the straw that broke the camels back and relegation was the final nail in the coffin for thousands.
Where is SeriouslyRed to cheer us all up?!
Too many people enjoy getting s*** on I'm afraid.
A few examples was the pathetic showing at the November meeting with the power point, the 2%. the 'message board thing' throwaway dismissal, the counteracting of agitation by announcing family days, or laughably yesterday as a Valley Gold day. Copying the CARD programme initiative is another shallow reactive move. There has been a response to injuries by saying they would now sign players who played 30 games the previous season to solve that problem (get to it Mowgli), Russell Slade has close up experience of the injury situation he inherited. Signings have been churned around not based on credible knowledge, but yes based on spreadsheets, not human interactions.
They have a shallow reactive response to deep lying problems by employing consultants, filming protestors, buying in shed loads of security. Cojones says (with a shallow smidgen of truth it must be said) that a few wins will stop the protests, whilst they construct barriers around the main entrance.
However one of the biggest areas of shallow thinking is the 'learned from mistakes change of direction narrative'. For a start they have never articulated what the mistakes were, but seem to think that by throwing a bone like 'here's an English manager, here are non foreign players, shut up it's sorted'.
Well no.
Personally I don't care about the nationality of a manager or players, I care about their quality, and whether that have the character to orchestrate a root and branch change to the football culture of the club.
For the non football people it is the same.
Mel Baroni it seems was not appointed for her expertise but to be a functionary like so many others, she very wisely bogged off, as have others.
In the face of deep lying problems we have inadequate shallow reaction.
You may stop the water coming in by wrapping rags round a leaky pipe, but eventually the plumbing will have to be properly sorted because a leak won't get better by itself.
However, I'm starting to consider it. If Roland was still here in three or four years.....
It is as frustrating as hell right now, but we are where we are:
1. A very small number of idiots and sycophants still think that Duchatelet and Meire are good for the club
2. A considerably larger number think that they are bad for the club, but "we are stuck with them, so get used to it"
3. Even more hate them but are sick of fighting and still love their club and just want to watch football again without thinking about the deeper malaise
4. A large number hate them, are still going to some games, are participating in the low level type of protests that have been happening
5. A large number hate them and are staying away until they are gone
If CARD or anyone else calls a boycott, a sizeable number would ignore it - a visible and public failure.
If CARD or anyone else organises a substantial, disruptive protest (like last seasons') at this stage substantially fewer protesters would come and take part, the people who just want to watch football would be against it and we give the regime the biggest win of all - fighting between fan factions.
So, right now it's about keeping the protest flame alive. Taking advantage of the club's frequent cock-ups; continuing to communicate about the damage they are doing; mounting small scale reminders that the protests haven't gone (and will not go) away; targeting Duchatelet, Meire and Keohane when the chance arises. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back. The momentum will again be with the protests. That's when we have to be ready to push again.
It hurts. But they are hurting too. It's a long game. Our time will come.
And don't forget none of us are trained in passive resistance. What CARD have done so far has been marvellous but to keep comimg up with new ideas, well??
20,000 in the ground singing and standing "stand up if you want them out", will demonstrate that the vast majority want them gone. They can't stop this because, it doesn't require banners or placards.
I'm certain that CARD has indicated time & time again it's a case of "slowly, slowly, catchee monkey" .
And FAR be it for me to criticise the manner in which we should chip away at the already crumbling façade the regime has cobbled together.
But yesterday, although we did our bit in the black & white stakes, I did wish that an additional mode of supporting our cause was "on offer" to be involved in. Apart from my vocal support of the team inside The Valley, I wanted to do more IYKWIM.
Of course, CARD does not have the monopoly for organising protests & they have done a fantastic job thus far. I'm convinced there is more in the planning stage too.
Maybe encouraging the boycotters to buy the tickets for a fiver, pack the stands with black & white, chant non stop during the match and continue the protests after the match would go some way towards empowering likeminded fans again. A huge protesting presence inside & outside The Valley would lift our spirits and with media coverage again, remind all & sundry that we will not go away.
I'm repainting my wooden protest sign in anticipation.....
Things that will play well on media / social media so that those boycotting / not attending can be involved. Things which involve a sense of humour is good as well.
Thomas Dreisman chief network scout appreciation day ?
Special Belgium Roland Out slogan day / week (in Flemish / French ) - Best slogan gets a crate of Belgium beer / Belgium chocolates for the family / Meal at Belgo's.
Special Katrien Meire North Korea flag day - a special candlelit romantic North Korean restarurant meal as a prize for the best flag / best placed flag ?
Keep those ideas coming !
Anything connected to the regime is fair game - he won't like it if he's having to explain to neighbours/shareholders/customers of his other businesses why some random football supporters are giving them grief.
You had thousands that could not get their bottoms off their seat during the Middlesbrough.