I was watching The Andrew Marr show this morning and thought a comment by Martina Navratalova was poignant for us Charlton fans. Talking about Government communication of spending cuts over the next few years, Martina* said,"Just tell us the truth, we can handle the truth. Its not knowing the truth that we can't handle."
This is so true in the case of the lack of information from the board of Charlton. Long established fans and recent fans may not like the truth, but if they knew it they would get on with backing the team,instead of speculating about the worst scenario's.
*The greatest tennis player never to win the mens singles at Wimbledon
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Friday, 3 July 2009
Comings and goings and rumours
Ambrose and Hudson have both departed the Valley this week, Ambrose is making the opposite journey to Dowie, so has moved from oop north to the southern reaches of Norwood and into the clutches of Palace manager Neil Warnock. Ambrose was to the Championship for Charlton, what Rommedahl was to the Premier League, an unfulfilled enigma. I wish him well, because despite the views of others, I do think he always tried, he just did not look like it, but maybe after he has left Palace.
Hudson, who made the Dowie journey last season to join us as Captain has ended what he has described as a nightmare to leave our English shores and turn up in Cardiff. Not a lot of positives for his year here, he promised much but finding himself in a malaise of mediocrotiy instead of raising the team, as captain, he settled for the depths of demotivation and dissilusionment.
We have added to our ranks Llerra a Spanish Central Defender from MK Dons. By all accounts he was poor whenn he first joined them last season but improved towards the end of the season, so it will be interesting to see how he performs. He does currently hold the accolade of only fit central defender. Last season started with only two central defenders, so this season we are going to emulate this by having two, but one being crocked, well that assumes that Johnathan Fortune signs a new contract.
We are waiting on three players to sign new contracts:-
ZZ = rumours are he may have work permim problems if he leaves us, that can be the only reason I can imagine him considering a year in the third division.
Johnathan Fortune, a player whilst injured, is also not that ambitious. At a fans forum last season, after JF had turned down a move to Stoke a club offoicail advised that some players are just happy to be content with their current situation.
And Matty Holland. Rumours have it that he is currently training with Colchester.
I would expect some player movement next week, as contract negiotiations conclude and we start to fill some of the gaps like central defence. There is also a guarantee that an annoucemnet will be made about the takeover (I have a reliable source who knows Richard Murrays cat).
Murray and Chappel are at a fans evening on Thursday and probably for the 1st time Murray will be facing a hostile audience, incensed by the lack of information and the continued employment of Parkinson. As I have said before if the club have appointed Parkinson and it appears they have then they should come out positively and support him.
Hudson, who made the Dowie journey last season to join us as Captain has ended what he has described as a nightmare to leave our English shores and turn up in Cardiff. Not a lot of positives for his year here, he promised much but finding himself in a malaise of mediocrotiy instead of raising the team, as captain, he settled for the depths of demotivation and dissilusionment.
We have added to our ranks Llerra a Spanish Central Defender from MK Dons. By all accounts he was poor whenn he first joined them last season but improved towards the end of the season, so it will be interesting to see how he performs. He does currently hold the accolade of only fit central defender. Last season started with only two central defenders, so this season we are going to emulate this by having two, but one being crocked, well that assumes that Johnathan Fortune signs a new contract.
We are waiting on three players to sign new contracts:-
ZZ = rumours are he may have work permim problems if he leaves us, that can be the only reason I can imagine him considering a year in the third division.
Johnathan Fortune, a player whilst injured, is also not that ambitious. At a fans forum last season, after JF had turned down a move to Stoke a club offoicail advised that some players are just happy to be content with their current situation.
And Matty Holland. Rumours have it that he is currently training with Colchester.
I would expect some player movement next week, as contract negiotiations conclude and we start to fill some of the gaps like central defence. There is also a guarantee that an annoucemnet will be made about the takeover (I have a reliable source who knows Richard Murrays cat).
Murray and Chappel are at a fans evening on Thursday and probably for the 1st time Murray will be facing a hostile audience, incensed by the lack of information and the continued employment of Parkinson. As I have said before if the club have appointed Parkinson and it appears they have then they should come out positively and support him.
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Kinsella's still here
Rumours of Kinsellas departure have been greatly exagerated. Where have I managed to get this devastatingly good bit of news, well I looked on the Official site for the announcement, after all they are putting every bit of trivia on there these days. I searched,but it was not there. No I found it in an article where the great man has talked about the forth coming season So like Parkinson being around still we know Kinsella is here through his utterances.
I am now subscribing to Beijing weekly to see how ZZ's negotiations are going, Financial Times for Jonathan Fortunes contract negotiations ... you get my drift.
News continues to drift into the publc domain by default, c'mon Mr Murray throw us a crumb.
I am now subscribing to Beijing weekly to see how ZZ's negotiations are going, Financial Times for Jonathan Fortunes contract negotiations ... you get my drift.
News continues to drift into the publc domain by default, c'mon Mr Murray throw us a crumb.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
True Supporters
What worries me about the comments on the previous post is that they come from a section of fans who, not long ago, would have thought Murray walked on water, but the longer this farce continues the more loyal fans are becoming disillusioned. This is not the fly by nights who only followed Charlton so they could watch the top Prem clubs, or the glory boys who have only been with Charlton since '97, its not the promiscuous supporters like Kelvin Mcenzie, this is, true supporters, supporters who were there when we last were in the third tier, who enjoyed the glory years but knew they would end. Charltons board cannot afford to lose their support. Players come and go, Managers come and go, Boards come and go, but most fans stay through thick and thin and it takes a lot to turn a Charlton fan against this board, but it is happening not through performances on the pitch, or even through the bad decisions which have been made ... no .. its the disrespect that this silence shows to the fans. We don't need to know what is going on, we don't need to know names but we should be told why there is such silence, because rumours grow and anticipation grows at the end of this something great may be declared, but if it isn't if its just a refinancing to enable us to limp on to the next step then we have a problem then expectations will not have been met and then the fans will leave in droves and the only premier league we will ever be thinking of will be the Blue Square Premier League.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Please Mr Murray ...
The deathly hush continues, rumours abound. yesterday was suppossed to be the big day, but its not Minty's fault if an internet rumour becomes alleged fact only to dissapoint when nothing happens. The same source alleged that something would happen today, but it hasn't .... yet, oh and the same source tells us its not a takeover but a significant investment to give us stability.
Its still rumours and mirrors. But tomorrow is a big day, the squad return to training, no ones who has left we wanted, no one has come in. We know Parky is still in charge, but only because he is being quoted in the SLP, maybe no one has told him that he has gone.
On the playing front rumours are that Shelvey is dimissing rumours of a Spurs move, as he holds out for a West Ham or Liverpool move (personally I would prefer him to go to Liverpool,be farmed out to a 3rd tier club for a season,before replacing Stevie G), Hudson could be on his way to Cardiff as they sell on their defender to Birmingham. Palace can't afford Grey, so he's staying for a while,maybe Burnley or Stoke will come in for him. Of course, we could end up contributing to his wages at Palace) Fortune, Randolph and Holland are still in discussions over contracts and ZZ has not yet left.
The board used to be so close to the squad, after the 1st Prem relegation a group of us from the Rose of Denmark met Martin Simmons and Bob Whitehand for a post match drink. This closeness has gone, runours abound and lack of comment is undermining the fondness we have for Murray and his team.
The worst is the silence on Kinsella and Parkinson. The rumours are that Kinsella, a legend, is gone .. if true then tell us, explain why, was he incompetent, is it financial.. if he is gone then let us know,if he is here why let the rumours abound. For some Parkinson is the anti christ, the reason for our demise, but we can only assume the man who was given 8 games to prove his worthyness to move from Coach to Manager and succeeded with probably the worst record possible, appointeed till end of season he oversaw the death throes of our season and saw us relegated, but still he is there or is he .... is he holding the seat for the Guv'nor? Why be silent about Parkinson, if he is here to stay, then the non believers should at least know and we can, however reluctantly, get behind the manager. Parkei has been let down, hung out to dry, neither sacked nor supported.
Questions, questions we are filled with questions. Please Mr Murray we need some answers
Its still rumours and mirrors. But tomorrow is a big day, the squad return to training, no ones who has left we wanted, no one has come in. We know Parky is still in charge, but only because he is being quoted in the SLP, maybe no one has told him that he has gone.
On the playing front rumours are that Shelvey is dimissing rumours of a Spurs move, as he holds out for a West Ham or Liverpool move (personally I would prefer him to go to Liverpool,be farmed out to a 3rd tier club for a season,before replacing Stevie G), Hudson could be on his way to Cardiff as they sell on their defender to Birmingham. Palace can't afford Grey, so he's staying for a while,maybe Burnley or Stoke will come in for him. Of course, we could end up contributing to his wages at Palace) Fortune, Randolph and Holland are still in discussions over contracts and ZZ has not yet left.
The board used to be so close to the squad, after the 1st Prem relegation a group of us from the Rose of Denmark met Martin Simmons and Bob Whitehand for a post match drink. This closeness has gone, runours abound and lack of comment is undermining the fondness we have for Murray and his team.
The worst is the silence on Kinsella and Parkinson. The rumours are that Kinsella, a legend, is gone .. if true then tell us, explain why, was he incompetent, is it financial.. if he is gone then let us know,if he is here why let the rumours abound. For some Parkinson is the anti christ, the reason for our demise, but we can only assume the man who was given 8 games to prove his worthyness to move from Coach to Manager and succeeded with probably the worst record possible, appointeed till end of season he oversaw the death throes of our season and saw us relegated, but still he is there or is he .... is he holding the seat for the Guv'nor? Why be silent about Parkinson, if he is here to stay, then the non believers should at least know and we can, however reluctantly, get behind the manager. Parkei has been let down, hung out to dry, neither sacked nor supported.
Questions, questions we are filled with questions. Please Mr Murray we need some answers
Saturday, 20 June 2009
No News, Any News
What is happening? There are no mixed messages coming out of the Valley... because there are no messages coming out of the Valley. Rumours abound.
Peter Varney is heading a consortium thats Irish, Arabic, Nigerian,Chinese ... its not confirmed,its not denied.
Kinsella and Parkinson have cleared their lockers at Sparrow Lane, but its not confirmed, but its not denied ..maybe they have not told Parkinson, after all he is still talking to the South london Press about the fixtures, the Players etc.
The 23rd is suppossed to be D-Day,but whoh as set the D-Day,after all its another rumour - it may even be a story madeupon a message board.
Another rumour that has not been dispelled is that after the Norwich game the board got locked in the board room and nobdy has realised,hence no comment from them.
Peter Varney is heading a consortium thats Irish, Arabic, Nigerian,Chinese ... its not confirmed,its not denied.
Kinsella and Parkinson have cleared their lockers at Sparrow Lane, but its not confirmed, but its not denied ..maybe they have not told Parkinson, after all he is still talking to the South london Press about the fixtures, the Players etc.
The 23rd is suppossed to be D-Day,but whoh as set the D-Day,after all its another rumour - it may even be a story madeupon a message board.
Another rumour that has not been dispelled is that after the Norwich game the board got locked in the board room and nobdy has realised,hence no comment from them.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Parkie making progress?
Richard Sheppard of Rose of Denmark fame, friend of Graham Tutt and class mate of Brian Kinsey has been issuing stats on our performances for a number of years. His latest review of the end of season performances over the last few seasons shows that Parkinson has a record over the last 7 / 10 games that compares favourably with his predecessors:-
The dreaded last 10
1998/1999 D, L, W, L, D, L, L, D, W, L (9/30 - Prem - Curbs
1999/2000 W, W, W, D, D, L, D, D, L, L (13/30) - 1st div - Curbs
2000/2001 D, L, W, L, L, D, W, W, L, L (11/30) - Prem - Curbs
2001/2002 D, W, L, L, L, L, D, L, D, D (7/30) - Prem - Curbs
2002/2003 L, L, D, L, L, L, L, W, L, L (4/30) - Prem - Curbs
2003/2004 L, L, D, W, D, L, L, D, D, W (10/30) - Prem - Curbs
2004/2005 W, L, D, L, L, D, L, L, L, D (6/30) - Prem - Curbs
2005/2006 W, L, W, D, D, L, W, L, L, L (11/30) - Prem - Curbs
2006/2007 D, W, W, D, D, L, D, L, L, D (11/30) - Prem - Pards
2007/2008 L, L, L, D, L, W, D, L, L, W (8/30) - C'ship - Pards
2008/2009 D, L, D, W, D, D, D, D, L, W (12/30) - C'ship - Parkie
The pathetic last 7
1998/1999 L, D, L, L, D, W, L (5/21 - Prem - Curbs
1999/2000 D, D, L, D, D, L, L (4/21) - 1st div - Curbs
2000/2001 L, L, D, W, W, L, L (7/21) - Prem - Curbs
2001/2002 L, L, L, D, L, D, D (3/21) - Prem - Curbs
2002/2003 L, L, L, L, W, L, L (3/21) - Prem - Curbs
2003/2004 W, D, L, L, D, D, W (9/21) - Prem - Curbs
2004/2005 L, L, D, L, L, L, D (2/21) - Prem - Curbs
2005/2006 D, D, L, W, L, L, L (5/21) - Prem - Curbs
2006/2007 D, D, L, D, L, L, D (4/21) - Prem - Pards
2007/2008 D, L, W, D, L, L, W (8/21) - C'ship - Pards
2008/2009 W, D, D, D, D, L, W (10/21) - C'ship - Parkie
In the last 10 & 7 games Parkie generated the best performance for a Charlton team since 2,000 and before that respectively. So is Parkie getting there,or is it just a case of lies, damn lies and statistics?
The dreaded last 10
1998/1999 D, L, W, L, D, L, L, D, W, L (9/30 - Prem - Curbs
1999/2000 W, W, W, D, D, L, D, D, L, L (13/30) - 1st div - Curbs
2000/2001 D, L, W, L, L, D, W, W, L, L (11/30) - Prem - Curbs
2001/2002 D, W, L, L, L, L, D, L, D, D (7/30) - Prem - Curbs
2002/2003 L, L, D, L, L, L, L, W, L, L (4/30) - Prem - Curbs
2003/2004 L, L, D, W, D, L, L, D, D, W (10/30) - Prem - Curbs
2004/2005 W, L, D, L, L, D, L, L, L, D (6/30) - Prem - Curbs
2005/2006 W, L, W, D, D, L, W, L, L, L (11/30) - Prem - Curbs
2006/2007 D, W, W, D, D, L, D, L, L, D (11/30) - Prem - Pards
2007/2008 L, L, L, D, L, W, D, L, L, W (8/30) - C'ship - Pards
2008/2009 D, L, D, W, D, D, D, D, L, W (12/30) - C'ship - Parkie
The pathetic last 7
1998/1999 L, D, L, L, D, W, L (5/21 - Prem - Curbs
1999/2000 D, D, L, D, D, L, L (4/21) - 1st div - Curbs
2000/2001 L, L, D, W, W, L, L (7/21) - Prem - Curbs
2001/2002 L, L, L, D, L, D, D (3/21) - Prem - Curbs
2002/2003 L, L, L, L, W, L, L (3/21) - Prem - Curbs
2003/2004 W, D, L, L, D, D, W (9/21) - Prem - Curbs
2004/2005 L, L, D, L, L, L, D (2/21) - Prem - Curbs
2005/2006 D, D, L, W, L, L, L (5/21) - Prem - Curbs
2006/2007 D, D, L, D, L, L, D (4/21) - Prem - Pards
2007/2008 D, L, W, D, L, L, W (8/21) - C'ship - Pards
2008/2009 W, D, D, D, D, L, W (10/21) - C'ship - Parkie
In the last 10 & 7 games Parkie generated the best performance for a Charlton team since 2,000 and before that respectively. So is Parkie getting there,or is it just a case of lies, damn lies and statistics?
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