Failing To Rediscover That Passion For Our Club

The shock-wave that was felt by Charlton supporters following the sacking of Chris Powell made for an uncomfortable night when Huddersfield visited the Valley barely 24 hours later. Since then, some have rediscovered the passion of supporting Charlton, as they get wrapped up in the battle to avoid relegation. But for others, its been hard to rediscover that special feeling you get when following your football club. The events were taken by many to simply have been made for footballing reasons - but from the club statement it was clear that it went much deeper. The way Charlton is currently being run jeopardises our independence - by placing us in the middle of a businessman's network our primacy as a club is diminished. It is a complex and as yet unexplained network, but enough signs have emerged to induce a feeling of fear, rather than excitement.

Debates have raged about events on the field, whether the sacking was right in footballing terms or not, but as the justification for it was given as a difference in "footballing vision", it is clear that the decision's significance transcends the playing field. Calls to "move on" have been misplaced in a number of ways. Some find it easy to take the moral high ground; to call those critical of past actions disloyal. They forget that we all still care about the football club, but instead this is couched in a concerned voice rather than excited one. My struggle to rediscover that passion for the game is not because I'm disloyal and planning a desertion, but because I care about what is being done to Charlton. When you step back and assess what's been done, not even events on the pitch prove a sufficient distraction because they are inextricably linked with what the future appears to hold.

Before making these broad arguments, its important to look at the chain of events this season.

The Impact of the Takeover:

It's been a difficult year for Charlton. Lack of investment meant we entered the season having lost four strikers who played important roles in 2012/13. The weaker playing squad meant results were a struggle, but the odd victories scattered through the winter months demonstrated that Powell's side still had that fighting spirit. Few expected relegation, despite some fearing it. A victory over Brighton at home on Boxing Day was superb, with it looking like things had finally clicked into place. Then January came.

Roland Duchâtelet's takeover was greeted with optimism in it's initial stages. Contracts needed sorting out to ensure that uncertainty no longer affected the players on the pitch, as well as the manager himself. A few players were sent from Standard Liege to boost our survival chances - but what was really needed was a couple of strong, dependable Championship players. In the final week of the transfer window, startling truths became clear. Ben Alnwick, Dale Stephens and Yann Kermorgant were all sold without being adequately replaced. These were not decisions Chris Powell would have sanctioned - three players who had played pivotal roles, with Stephens and Kermorgant clearly two of the side's most important players. But they'd been sold, justified as "good business" with their contracts running to a close. You only need to read Kermorgant's take on the issue to see the cold-hearted conviction with which the ownership made these moves happen.

Those are not the actions of a man with the interests of Charlton as a Championship club at heart. Kermorgant was not only a brilliant player, but a man who had an emotional bond with the crowd. It was a dreadful decision to move him out of the club given his importance to fighting relegation. A quick buck in January might look like financial sense in the short term, but if it costs us Championship status then long-term it will have been disastrous. It wasn't beneficial to our survival bid, but as counter-productive as it's possible to be. Not a decision that would've been made with the best interests of Charlton at heart.

It's not just a financial point of view from which the decision made waves. It struck at the heart of what Charlton means to us. "Football is a business" cry those defending the sale. Who wants to support a business? Football is enhanced by the emotional attachments people form, and a club is nothing without heroes to support on the pitch. "No man is bigger than the club", they say. Granted, but supporting a team with faceless players wouldn't be anywhere near as enjoyable or engaging as it would be with great men like Kermorgant on the field. It wasn't as if he was unimportant to us, especially in a season where we've failed to score goals.

Duchâtelet had successfully removed one of the pillars of our football club, and just over a month later he made sure a second central pillar was demolished.

Chris Powell was a brilliant manager, and a fantastic man to have as the face of our football club. Prior to Charlton beating a star-studded QPR team at home, and Sheffield Wednesday away in the FA Cup 5th Round, Roland spoke of Powell's qualities as a manager and a coach.

“We are discussing right now to renew his contract for the coming years,” Duchâtelet said, “I hope we can reach an agreement soon. There is no doubt in my mind that he is an extremely good coach, there is certainly a desire to continue to work with Chris. It’s important for the fans that Powell is a club legend, but for me it’s not the most important matter. The most important matter is just that he’s a very good coach.”

On the 11th of March, less than three weeks later, Powell was sacked.

“We have been working with Chris Powell and his representatives for a couple of weeks to try and agree a contract extension which would have seen us continue to work together. There was good progress, but we could not reach an agreement over the club’s football strategy going forward. The situation put a strain on the working relationship between Chris and the board. Therefore I think it is best for all parties that we part ways at this stage."

And people think he was sacked for footballing reasons.

“Given the club’s position in the league and the number of important fixtures upcoming, I felt this difficult decision was unavoidable at this time. I can assure supporters this was not an easy decision, but it has been made with the club’s future in mind. Time will tell if it is the right decision."

Hardly words of conviction. The position in the table was merely a secondary reference by Duchâtelet. Vague statements referring to the club's future did nothing to ease the pain of losing the club's greatest remaining asset. He'd been kicked out because he would not cede control of transfers to Roland and his fabled "network" of scouts. Powell quite rightly wanted to be able to identify and sign players himself, as he would have to coach them and make sure they fit into the side. When Duchâtelet would not allow this, he removed him. His replacement was shepherded in rapidly, Jose Riga having worked for him before. It was all planned in advance. It's hard to look at the timing and not be cynical. With a run of friendly fixtures upcoming, it would be as easy a start as possible for the new "Head Coach".

We were bottom of the league, but with four games in hand. People will gloss over that second piece of information. Significantly, Powell faced large gaps between league fixtures, which exaggerated the importance of victories as well as defeats, given others were gaining more ground due to their more regular league fixtures. Furthermore, Riga has had the benefit of a lot of winnable games in and amongst the more difficult fixtures, which means the impact of defeats has been limited somewhat.

The Perils of the Network:

Riga has done a decent enough job, and he deserves credit for not disrupting the team spirit that was such a valuable asset during the tenure of Chris Powell. But after the sacking, nothing has felt the same. Results have improved somewhat, but its been a struggle to enjoy football the way I did before, knowing how the club is being run.

Some have embraced the decision as if it was based solely on the performance in the league this season - due to their happiness, they've been willing to falsely perceive a radical change in style, hailing "better football", re-writing the past and suggesting it was dire under Powell. Others have been more circumspect, willing to continue in support of the players on the pitch, whilst maintaining their dislike for what is happening in the boardroom. But for me, the sacking was the final event that shattered any trust I was willing to place in the new ownership. As a result, I've become horribly disillusioned. 

Whatever happens on the pitch, knowing that we're being run this way means I can't enjoy it. Riga can do as good a job as he likes, but what use is that if the owner's priority isn't our club? We're in an experimental network, with players changing hands in order to make more profit for the central owner. Football is secondary for Duchâtelet. 

Powell was an obstacle to Roland and his network - you only need to look at the wording of the club statement to see that - but his removal meant that the club no longer has anybody in a position of power who hasn't previously been involved with Standard Liege. Isn't this quite a concerning development? Their actions to date don't suggest that they are trustworthy at all.

To demonstrate the fantasy of this network, and how in reality it is impractical, we already have a case study. Yohan Thuram was drafted in by Duchâtelet, despite Charlton possessing two quality keepers in the form of Alnwick and Hamer. Thuram started matches in February due to Hamer being injured, and Alnwick being sold against the wishes of Powell. His performances were characterised by indecision, with poor handling and a desire to save everything with his feet inspiring little confidence in him. Reports surfacing last week were that he refused to travel to Leeds with the team, protesting about his lack of first team football. His case shows that he was sent here by Duchâtelet for the benefit of the player, not the club, in his attempt to raise his profile and his transfer price. The return of Thuram in the squad just one week later was a disgrace - a player refusing to play for a club should be sacked, not merely forgiven. It was a serious breach of trust - something we're getting used to these days.

Similarly, Piotr Parzyszek was signed at the end of the January transfer window, but is clearly not ready for first team football. Was this signing made with the interests of Championship safety; to replace the huge hole left by the wilful sale of Kermorgant? Again, it's a ploy to develop a young player before he's sold on for profit. Some even suggest that it is to develop the player until he's ready to join Liege. Any benefit Charlton might receive won't last long.

It's not a network that will serve our club's interest. It's for the benefit of Duchâtelet. England is a place where players get noticed, and Charlton will become a nice feeder club for him, not in the sense that all our young players will be sent to a Standard Liege, but in the sense that we'll just be a conveyor belt for his talent. Players will come and go, without the understanding of what Charlton means to us all. Thuram clearly isn't interested. His rebellion is potentially a sign of things to come if we don't throw all these players we're handed into the first team.

Our greatest strength in the past few seasons has been our team spirit. With significant transfer activity in the summer, we might see better players come in, but also a number of players leaving. Exciting European talent on the pitch sounds great - but its not enough on its own to improve the side. You need a backbone. You need that fighting spirit. If we become a conveyor belt in this network, who can confidently say that apathy towards the cause won't become an issue? Thuram has already demonstrated as much. 

It feels like we could become a hollowed-out shell of a football club. "But Charlton will always be Charlton", they'll say. Such a vague statement. The Charlton I supported isn't the Charlton I see out on the pitch any more. There came a line in the sand. I don't have it in me to draw such clear distinctions between the pitch and the boardroom. Charlton as a football club is threatened by this new order, and I can't help but fear for it. Try enjoying football when that's all you can think about.

Charlton has always been an independent football club. Its always been the priority. We're merely a cog in a rich businessman's new experiment. I have no appetite for supporting something like that. 

Maintaining unconditional support in something you no longer believe in is impossible.

Failing to Rediscover the Passion:

What's been most disheartening is the fickle nature of many football supporters. The Valley Party did such incredible work to return Charlton to our home, but you wonder if we were exiled this summer, how many would simply say that it doesn't matter. In this day and age, a lot tend to perceive football as being all about results. It is frowned upon by many to develop strong emotional attachments to players and managers that mean we are sad when they leave - cries of many to simply 'move on' as if nothing had happened miss the importance of these emotional attachments in football. Less than a month after a hero was fired, hearing the Covered End singing Jose Riga's Red Army was like a knife through the heart. Its not his squad. He may be a nice enough guy, but his position and his appointment are a sign of what's wrong. A "Head Coach" doesn't have any control of recruitment, and he might not even stay beyond the summer. The singing of his name less than a month after the sacking of someone we all had faith in demonstrates that football fans would sing the name of any old bugger if he won them a game or two. You want people in a club who understand what its all about, but a month in South-East London won't teach Jose that. 

The fans of today that only care about results feel the need to vocalise their importance. That's all that matters to them. If we import a completely alien set of players from Europe, they have no attachment to the club at all, but we win more games, they'll see it as an improvement. We'll be expected to enjoy supporting our club more based on simply results, rather than by feeling encapsulated in the process of achieving them. Results mean nothing if you feel no connection to the victorious team. The greatest achievement of Powell was that he built a side we could identify with once again, full of players fully committed to the cause, who knew what the club was all about. That is what Charlton Athletic is really about. Ultimately, if results are all you care about, you can support any club and little would change. But at Charlton, we've always felt there was that little bit extra special about our own club, and that's what brought out that passion. 

Following on from the clear demonstration that team spirit is vital, its worrying to think what might happen in future withing this network of interchangeable talent. How can players be convinced of the club's ambitions when Duchâtelet keeps his plans such a secret? Football is rarely suited to rapid change, and grand ideas are rarely translated into great success without huge injections of capital. It took Powell two and a half years to get Charlton back to where it belongs in the Championship. Risking destabilisation for the sake of a network jeopardises the club, and with the kind of short-termism characterised by the singing of Riga's name, people will sleep-walk into the trap and only realise when its too late. "He's saving our season" misses the point - he's not in charge of our club. The destiny of Charlton rests with Duchâtelet, not a manager any more. He's shown that he'll put profit before points - just look at January.

Assessing the various actions during the tenure of Duchâtelet, its clear enough that his intentions are not based solely in our interest. I won't be fobbed off by a cynically timed contract extension, or the installation of stadium Wi-Fi, and made to think that everything is actually fine.

Powell was the best thing about our football club. We've got nobody left in a position of power that really understands what we're about. We've lost that, but we are expected to accept the new order as if it's enhancing our club. For me, it's ruining it. The passion I had still hasn't returned. It can't, not with so many fears unanswered regarding the way the club is run. 

I've failed to rediscover the love of Charlton. A victory against a relegation rival is supposed to fill you with happiness, but instead it was just mild satisfaction. Hearing the Covered End sing the name of a man they'd never heard of a month ago was painful. It was a demonstration of just how passive supporters can be to real changes; how blind they can be to the real issues. Hull City season ticket holders barely rejected the name change that struck at the heart of their club's history; Cardiff City have seen an increasing number of fans simply accept Vincent Tan's changing of their identity. People are coming into football clubs and making huge changes, which put at risk the identity which we all became so wrapped up in supporting. The willingness to simply accept and move on is alarming, and deeply saddening. You'd hope that people would be willing to stand up for their club and defend it if the time for action came - given recent events, though, you fear people won't bother.

People who say football is a business, spoken as if they think they're a clever detective, miss the point entirely. We don't support football because of it's likeness to a business. Justifying actions that undermine the club with the words "it's a business" strike at the very heart of what a football club means to people. I don't care solely about profit. I don't care solely about results, either. I'd hate to be a supporter of a team that wins every week, because it would be boring, and you'd be surrounded by glory hunters who demand a win every match. That's not what makes Charlton so great as a club. We've experienced the highs and the lows many times, but above all else the players we identify with have done so as well. It was a shared ethos, a community, an understanding that Charlton Athletic always seems to be punching above it's weight. Players like Jackson and Kermorgant, and men like Chris Powell knew that. They understood Charlton. They understand what values the club represents, and why it means so much to so many. It's a community, not a brand. But now there's nobody left in a position of power who sees Charlton in the same way. In this network, we are not the priority. We've lost our independence. We've lost our identity. And that is not something you can just forget about. Results mean nothing if you lose the passion you had for a club you could identify strongly with.

Even then, who says this network is going to be a success anyway?

If you trust Roland based on his actions to date, then you'll trust anyone...

Charlton 3-2 Brighton: "It just felt like Charlton today"

Following the encouraging draw at Bolton, Chris Powell's men were able to successfully defeat a strong Brighton side thanks to a heroic team performance. 

On the long journey home from Bolton following Saturday's draw, my thoughts rarely deviated from the performance of Yann Kermorgant. The combative Frenchman - such a rare commodity - had put in an archetypal performance, hinting that he could reach and surpass the heights of his exploits last season. This obsessive focus was partly as a consequence of my love of the man, but that was not all. The dynamism that a fit-and-firing Kermorgant brings to the side gave real reason for optimism. The pieces were falling in to place on Saturday, and whilst we'd rather have returned south with three points instead of one, Yann's performance in that role gave hope of better things to come.

Fast forward to Boxing Day, skipping out the ritual festivities, and that hope remained. Brighton promised to pose a stern test for this Charlton side, but one that they were capable of passing should the performance be of the required standard.

An early kick-off gave the Addicks a chance to secure points before fellow strugglers had the chance, perhaps instilling a bit of worry into their subsequent performance. Rarely should another team's score factor into match preparation, but you can't rule it out. Far from focussing on others, though, the Addicks had to concentrate on the task at hand. Two home games in four days provided a great chance to ease those relegation fears.

Chris Powell retained the same players that started the game at Bolton, meaning Chris Solly was making his first home appearance since his injury lay-off. Alnwick continued in Hamer's absence, whilst Richard Wood was back at the heart of defence with Michael Morrison. Wilson's more advanced role would give him more freedom to venture forward, whilst Kermorgant partnered Church up top once again.

A strong contingent had travelled up from the south coast, ready to cheer on a side which had won three of their last four away games.

The Valley surface was heavy, meaning many of the early passes were a little short of pace. Once the sides adjusted, the contest began in earnest...

Brighton looked a strong side. Close control of the ball enabled them to put together a few clinical passes to shift the ball out of areas of danger and into space. Ulloa's return up front gave their attack a focal point, and a few swift moves enabled them to trouble the Charlton back line. He threatened to set up an opener, but his cut-back was too far away for the oncoming attacker to connect with.

A dangerous Brighton move down the left saw a Will Buckley shot blocked on the edge of the area. The rebounding ball fell towards Stephens, who was nudged in the back by Crofts, but no foul was given. The header fell to Ulloa, who twisted, turned and struck a low shot into the right corner of the net. Alnwick was unable to adjust and dive in the muddy goalmouth. Goal for the Seagulls.

Far from feeling sorry for themselves after the goal, Charlton were energised, and sought an immediate response. Cameron Stewart cut inside and fired a shot towards goal, but it kept on rising and was comfortably over the bar by the time it reached the goal.

An incisive pass from Stephens found Kermorgant, moving towards his own goal away from his marker. He controlled, turned and fed through Church, who was slightly too far away from goal, his curled effort blocked.

A couple of half-chances followed, one for each side. Crofts had a shot comfortably held by Alnwick, whilst Stephens arrowed a long range free-kick over the bar and into the crowd.

Cousins and Stephens in the middle weren't sitting as deep as they had been at Bolton, and their industry combined with heart saw many Brighton moves thwarted. Wood and Morrison were winning the contest in the air, whilst Solly and Wiggins were standing firm against the threat of Buckley and Lopez.

Another promising attack was created down the left hand side thanks to some positive play by Rhoys Wiggins. His cross into the box didn't quite fall for Kermorgant, deflecting off the defender close by. Yann instinctively stabbed the ball through into space on the right side of the area, where Lawrie Wilson had advanced. The right-midfielder had a free shot, which he powered past Brezovan in the Brighton goal, hauling the Addicks level.

It was a deserved goal. After going behind, the response had been positive. Charlton were looking to put together moves using Kermorgant aerial strength, as well as by overlapping down the flanks.

"He used to be shite, but now he's alright" sang the Upper North contingent. I was confused by the implied criticism of Wilson, who's done a great job every time he's been asked to by Powell. After adjusting to the demands of the Championship, he's been a strong and versatile player down the right for us. He deserves a bit more than being labelled 'alright'!

Few clear-cut chances were created before the break. Wilson broke down the left but Church couldn't divert the cross on target. Bridcutt fired a powerful shot narrowly wide for the visitors. Wiggins charged down the left, but his cross came to nothing.

The interval arrived, greeted by applause from the home fans. A chance for Powell to refocus the players' minds and renew their purpose.

What followed was one of the best spells of high-intensity football I've seen this side play since that blitz against Cardiff 13 months ago. The midfield pressed with more conviction; unrelenting Addicks pressure followed. Stewart broke down the left and reched the by-line, but Upson rose to prevent Kermorgant heading towards goal.

A counter-attack resulted in Kermorgant sprinting clear from the half-way line. He looked to continue the run beyond El-Abd, shifting his angle of attack towards the corner flag. A cynical challenge from El-Abd denied the Frenchman any chance of moving towards goal. Despite the clear absence of any intent to play the ball, referee Russell deemed that only a yellow was required. By the letter of the law, a correct call, but too often players can make professional fouls and escape with a yellow. From the free-kick, the ball was played wide to Solly in space, who crossed into a flock of Seagulls defenders, and the ball was cleared.

After yet more pressing, and yet more pressure, Charlton put together another great attack. Stewart crossed towards the edge of the box, behind Kermorgant. He tried an acrobatic shot to divert the ball into the net, but it was mis-kicked. Wilson had again advanced into the box, and he collected the ball, knocked it out wider into a bit of space, before firing high into the net once again. For the second time, Brezovan was beaten by power, and for the second time Wilson stood with hands behind his ears, a sign that he had answered those critics.

Charlton attacked again. Church and Kermorgant broke from half-way, with the former charging down the left wing. Only a defensive leap could prevent Kermorgant from heading at goal once again.

Brighton calmed the game down with some slow passing around the back, which enabled them to regain a foothold. A few pot-shots failed to trouble Alnwick in the Charlton goal, but the threat of a few well-placed passes releasing Ulloa had not disappeared.

Church once again covered a lot of ground to take the ball down the left. He knocked the ball past El-Abd and attempted to run beyond him, only to be pushed to ground cynically once again. Surely another foul worthy of a yellow, and a deserved sending off. Referee Russell, however, baffled the home crowd by waving away protests for a free-kick. Shambles.

Barnes, brought on to give Brighton some impetus up top, and immediately found himself unmarked at a corner, but couldn't adjust to the flight of the ball and headed over. Soon after, Ulloa gave the Addicks cause for alarm, heading a Brodcutt corner past Alnwick towards the front post. Fortunately, Dale Stephens was positioned to nod the ball clear, and preserve the home side's lead.

Down the other end, in front of the North Upper, Wiggins beat two players and shaped to cut inside. His run took him across the edge of the area, where he was scythed down by El-Abd in the process of passing to Wilson on the right. After an advantage, the referee awarded the free kick to Charlton.

The ball was a few yards to the left of the D, just outside the line of the post. The referee failed to move the wall back ten yards, so just gave up. Yann was standing over the ball, narrowing his eyes to focus on finding the top left corner. The wall encroached gradually as Kermrogant waited for the whistle. It was blown and a hush fell over the Valley.

Yann stepped up to the ball and struck the ball over the wall. It curved, it dipped. Brezovan stood motionless. The crowd stared. Whilst the ball was in the air, time seemed to slow. The ball was destined for the top corner. It found the target. A goal for Kermorgant!

Pure unbridled joy in the Covered End. It was as cleanly struck as they come. The perfect free-kick from a man who had battled hard all day to create and deny at both ends of the pitch. His first set-piece goal since scoring against Wycombe in the game where the League One title was secured. A fitting finish from a man capable of footballing perfection.

With 15 minutes still to play, Powell looked to secure the three points that were there for the taking. But Brighton were able to apply some pressure, and came very close to scoring with 10 to go. A shot hit one post, before another hit the other. Narrow escapes for the home side.

Stewart was replaced by Evina to strengthen the defences down the left hand side, whilst the hard-working Church was replaced by Dervite. Once again he'd run himself into the ground up front, chasing scraps. An important role but an under-appreciated one.

Charlton dug deep, with Solly, Wilson and Kermorgant combining admirably with little support in an attempt to keep the ball away from their own goal. Solly had been superb, displaying strength in defence and energy in attack. But there was only so much they could do before Brighton stole the ball and launched another offensive.

90 minutes had elapsed before the seemingly inevitable goal came about. Stephens made a rash challenge that could've conceded a penalty, but Brighton played on, with the ball crossed to Barnes. His first shot was blocked, but a second bounced through to Ulloa, who tapped home despite a hint of offside.

Charlton clung on thanks to some unsubtle time-wasting, but the job was done. Three points!

Yann was covered in mud, showing just how good his performance had been. He was applauded off the park a hero, along with all the other players. To witness Powell's tunnel jump once more was a welcome moment of happiness after a tough season up to this point. The man himself was thrilled as well.

That was a proper Charlton performance. One we can all be proud of.

Wilson will rightly win many plaudits for his performance, one that was undoubtedly among his best for Charlton. The two goals will grab the headlines, but it was not the only aspect of his play that impressed. Both goals were taken clinically, struck with power and accuracy that strikers would be proud of. He was a threat on the right as well, often combining with Solly to piece together dangerous attacks. The song does him a disservice, as he's settled into the club extremely well. Another 'Powell player' who makes up for any potential shortcomings with energy and desire.

Solly also caught the eye, with his defending strong and that darting attacking instinct back on display. On one occasion he span past a player and cut inside to set up a chance, delighting the crowd. The sight of him charging down the flank is an inspiring one. A true Charlton lad, his heart well and truly devoted to the cause.

Morrison and Wood were excellent at the back, with the latter particularly strong. He adds an extra organisational element to the backline, and whilst he might not be the polished ball-player like Dervite, he adds solidity at the back. The first goal will have frustrated, but otherwise the pair were strong and repelled a lot of danger.

Wiggins had a superb game. He is a real threat going forward down the left, combining with Stewart, swinging crosses in and sometimes even cutting inside on his own individual run. Powell's flat 4-4-2 system requires strong full-back assistance going forward, and that's exactly what Wiggins provides. Earning the free-kick for Yann to score was among his best moments.

Stephens showed a marked improvement on his Bolton display, accurately feeding the ball to Kermorgant on occasion. A lot of his best work was done in defence, alongside Cousins, who once again covered a lot of ground and protected the back four on numerous occasions. We are benefitting not only from a settled midfield pairing, but also the contrasting roles the two play. Stephens can involve himself more in attack thanks to the defensive cover that Cousins provides. The latter is growing in confidence and skill with every game.

Stewart had one of his quieter games, but he still caused trouble down the right hand side. He forced Salter to concede foul and collect a yellow card for a cynical shirt pull after he'd been beaten. A couple of crosses caused alarm, and a couple of shots almost found their way towards goal.

Church's role was one that could easily go unnoticed, but his tireless efforts up front are vital to Charlton's attacking play. He had to chase a few balls over the top and into the channels, and did so with success. He couldn't always find his man with the crosses, but his industry allows Charlton to win the ball high up the pitch, and commit men forward. He is starting to click in his partnership with Kermorgant, which is hugely encouraging.

Now, on to Yann himself. The Gallic genius was back to his heroic best. His battling, warrior-like display was characterised by his muddied shirt and shorts at full time. He had thrown himself around in both attack and defence to win the game for his side. His headers in defence were almost as important as his headers in attack. He dropped deep, played others in, took the running up himself at times, looked to score when he could. Everything. Oh, and that free kick. It was as well struck as is humanly possibly. Perfection. He was everywhere for the team today. Back to his best. A vital component of this Charlton side, and one who can win us games on days like this.

Chris Powell rightly kept faith in those that played at Bolton, as they rewarded him with three points. A fantastic team performance which showed real cohesion, particularly after half time in that spell leading up to the second goal. Given the lack of resources we have, the team spirit has become a priceless commodity, as it is strong enough to lift all involved to play as well as they did today. Kermorgant typified the brilliance of the Addicks. Brighton were no pushovers, and it needed a collective effort to overcome them.

The win eases the pressure in this relegation scrap. Furthermore, results went Charlton's way in the subsequent kick-offs, meaning a gap of four points has been opened up.

Games like that live long in the memory. In the words of Powell himself, "it just felt like Charlton today". A team of heroes pull together to put in a superb collective performance and take all three points. It helps when those Charlton players show their quality. It wasn't just Yann who did that today. You could make a case to suggest that everyone was at the top of their game. Long may it continue.

With the encouragement of the Bolton performance, and now the uplifting success of the Brighton effort, attention now turns to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. If we can maintain the same level of intensity and spirit, then we have a great chance of picking up another victory, and further easing the fears of relegation.

Once again, Powell shows he's capable of turning things around with a settled group of players. We don't have the ability to splash the cash on Premier League players, so his hands are tied. When you consider the contract situation, his efforts appear nothing short of miraculous. He makes up for perceived tactically conservativeness by instilling the players with enough self-belief and confidence to play as they did today. The man is worth his weight in gold.

Powell's delight was reflected by the Valley faithful. A fantastic Christmas present after a tough few weeks and months. His job now is to harness this feeling and keep up the momentum. He has dispelled the doubters once again, but much remains to be done.

A great victory. Chris Powell is a hero. And I bloody love Yann Kermorgant.

Charlton 0-2 Derby: Victory Eludes Spirited Addicks

15th December 2008: Under the stewardship of caretaker manager Phil Parkinson, it looked like the Addicks might secure a vital three points to give hope of survival. 2-1 up in the 4th minute of stoppage time, Derby had a throw which bounced away from one defender, was flicked on by another and bobbled its way straight to an unmarked Nathan Ellington in the box, who fired home an equaliser. The only feeling I can remember is one of utter dejection. Whilst yesterday's game was slightly different, it resulted in a similar low following the full-time whistle. 

Saturday's game was always going to be a tough one. Derby arrived on the back of five straight victories, following a revival in fortunes brought about by the appointment of Steve McLaren. Charlton had failed to win in three, with a broader trend of 4 goals in 5 games suggesting reason for concern. Defeat was not a surprise, therefore, but the match left an unexpected feeling of misery and dejection - the pattern of the match again followed a similar trend to those of recent weeks, as the Addicks were competitive and full of energy, but again fell agonisingly short.

A shift in tactics saw Powell give another chance to Danny Green on the right-wing in place of the industrious Simon Church, whilst Pritchard returned centrally in the absence of Johnnie Jackson. It meant a 4-5-1 formation with Kermorgant on his own up front, and whilst the defensive approach is never completely welcome at home, it was understandable given Derby's strong recent form.

McLaren's impact on Derby was clear to see from the outset. Short goal kicks were taken to give the ball to the centre back, who worked with the full back to try and move the ball forward, shifting play to the other flank if the route was blocked. Charlton didn't press relentlessly, but they did their job sufficiently to force some long balls forward. The home side stole the ball in midfield and played it forward to Kermorgant on occasion, with the Frenchman distributing the ball to the wider areas.

Chances came. Morrison found himself in space 25 yards out, and whilst his powerful shot was on target, it was comfortably caught by Grant in goal. Stewart's cross found its way to Stephens in the area but his volleyed effort went over, with the timing made more difficult by the blustery wind. Green curled a free-kick towards the far post, and it ended up heading for the top corner, only to be tipped over the bar. Kermorgant was forced to improvise, given the absence of a strike partner, but Pritchard's advanced role meant he could collect a number of the knock-downs. Stewart was quiet, but Stephens and Green were positive, whilst Jordan Cousins was covering a lot of ground in an excellent defensive display.

Derby threatened too, but the game remained even. Chris Martin had a shot from outside the box delfected on its way wide, and Alnwick caught a header following the corner. Some neat play worked the ball forward outisde the area, where a clumsy Dervite intervention conceded a free-kick. Jamie Ward struck his effort towards Alnwick's left post, but as the keeper dived across, the shot flicked the head of Wiggins, deflecting it to the right of the keeper and into the back of the net. It was a sucker punch following positive Addicks play. Another example of luck deserting the Addicks.

Charlton didn't respond to the goal well, and Bryson found space among a number of red shirts who didn't close him down, striking his shot across goal towards the top corner. Alnwick was forced into a two-handed save high to his left to keep the score at 0-1 going into the break. A late half-chance fell to Kermorgant, 35 yards from goal following a headed clearance by the keeper, but he couldn't manage to reach the goal with his chipped effort and it was headed clear.

The response after half-time was much better, and almost immediately rewarded. Wilson broke down the right and crossed for Stephens, who couldn't connect cleanly and his shot bounced wide. Kermorgant had a chance to shoot through a clutch of players, but it bobbled towards goal, and Morrison failed to control on the turn to keep the chance alive.

Derby were attempting to control the game, taking time out whenever they could and making subtle fouls to kill any momentum the Addicks could build. The home side struggled to break down the well organised Rams but it wasn't down to a lack of effort. Dale Stephens was throwing himself about in midfield, riskily but bravely jumping into tackles in an attempt to win the ball. Cousins continued to mop up defensively alongside him. Green couldn't get into the game - a familiar tale - and was replaced by Simon Church, with Pritchard being hauled off to unfair sarcastic cheers, to be replaced by Callum Harriott.

Powell changed the formation to a rather lopsided one, with Harriott employed as an attacking midfielder just behind the strikers, whilst Stewart continued to play left wing. Initially, chances were hard to come by, but as Derby sat deeper and deeper, Charlton began to create. The best of them fell to Morrison, who found himself at the back post leaping to get on the end of an exquisite chipped cross from Kermorgant. His header went narrowly, agonisingly wide. A big miss.

Stewart threatened sporadically, whilst Harriott twisted and turned but couldn't beat enough players to get a clear shot on goal. The Addicks' attempts to score were summed up when Kermorgant struck a shot from a cross, which was blocked by Harriott standing just a couple of yards in front of him.

Charlton could have had a penalty if it weren't for weak, feeble refereeing. Kermorgant was marked from a corner by two players, both with arms around his chest. In attempting to free himself, the Frenchman went to ground, but was inexplicably penalised for an infringement, despite having been contained by the arms of the opponents. The decision was especially galling when Morrison was later deemed to have fouled Martin (who was backing into him) for putting his arms around his chest. It typified the inconsistent performance of the referee, and once again the Addicks didn't get the decisions. Kermorgant didn't get a decision all game, until late on when the referee finally gave him a free-kick. His sarcastic applause of the ref was thoroughly warranted, such was his incompetence, but out came the yellow card. Another jobsworth.

Derby continued to grind, wasting time and using their physicality to impose their defensive strength. The ref only waved his arm occasionally to encourage quicker play. They had to cope with spells of good pressure, but only one chance caused any great alarm. Kermorgant flicked on for Church, bursting through into the box alongside a defender, but his rushed effort from the angle was well saved. It was a tough chance.

In a late gamble, Powell hauled off Wilson and sent Sordell on up front, though all he managed was one overhit pass when a counter-attack beckoned. The gap at right-back allowed substitute Connor Sammon into space following a poor clearance, and he slid a through ball to Bryson who chipped Alnwick and put the game to bed. It was a sickening late blow but all too predictable given the recent run of luck endured by the Addicks.

All the passion and anger directed at the referee and the frustration at Charlton's lack of an equaliser was replaced solely by a feeling of deep resignation. The Valley fell flat. For all the fight they had showed, once again the Addicks had fallen short, and though the result had been predictable all week, the nature of the game meant that there was a lot of hurt.

--

There weren't really any players who could be singled out as having poor games, but I am increasingly inclined to think that we are better off with Richard Wood at the back instead of Dervite. He looked a bit clumsy in defence today, and whilst he is assured on the ball, the organisation and conviction brought by Wood is something we really need at the minute. Wiggins didn't quite hit the heights of his performance at Yeovil last week, whilst Green again struggled to come up with that well executed cross.

Cousins and Stephens again played well, the former in particular impressing thanks to his defensive exploits. We aren't being outplayed in midfield, but that is largely as a consequence of fielding an extra player centrally so as not to be overrun. That in turn is having an impact on our goal-scoring ability. Kermorgant did his best in isolated circumstances, but he was missing a player ahead of him who he could link with and create chances for. When someone clicks with him, it'll be a hugely profitable partnership, but it is something still eluding us. Stewart was kept quiet, but he is always a threat when cutting inside off the left, and can make ground to put in crosses as well.

Derby were strong, and you can see why they have been winning games. It is a confidence thing. Powell can only instill a certain amount of that in his sides, but the rest is down to results, which continue to evade Charlton. That tiny absence of conviction when critical moments arise is what is costing us at the minute. With the resources available we don't have a large array of tactical options open to us, and Powell is trying to make the most of what he has available. Its not easy, hence the struggles, but criticism of effort and desire is definitely a long way wide of the mark. Faith in these players is needed, as we are unlikely to be able to bring many others in. These are the players who will have save this club from relegation. Full backing them is crucial if we want to avoid a repeat of the last time we were relegated, and ended up sinking without trace.

Powell tried a new system against a side which needed to be contained, and it was largely successful. The only breaches to the defence were caused by a deflected free-kick and an absent right-back late on when chasing an equaliser. The players once again played well, but the failure to seize upon those crucial moments in the match is what is frustrating at the moment. Had Morrison's headed chance found the net, it could well have acted as a catalyst enabling Charlton to go on and win the game. Instead, it went wide, and further chances could not be taken either. Whilst the absence of goals is one of the major reasons we find ourselves struggling, again you got the impression that fortune was not on our side. Our league position cannot be blamed simply on bad luck, but fortune has definitely not helped recently. Decisions are more often than not going against us. More decisive performances are needed on the pitch, but also you sometimes need that rub of the green to help you out.

A few words on the relegation battle, and reactions after defeat: Again there has been widespread criticism of the performance, brought about largely thanks to the result. Powell's suggestion that the players gave it their all has been met with scepticism by a number of fans, but this feeling is simply born out of a frustration at the result. When times are tough, there is obviously anger at the situation, but many choose to channel this in completely the wrong way by vehemently criticising the players and the manager, when ultimately they put up a good fight. It indicates that many fans feel that Charlton have an obligation to them to win games, and that failure to do so justifies any form of criticism. Whilst everyone has a right to complain, in the aftermath of a defeat it is rarely constructive in nature, and the direct attacks on players and individuals is more likely to have negative consequences than positive ones. The existence of social media means that instead of calming down over a pint, or in the car on the way home, the immediate feeling of frustration is encapsulated in a series of tweets, often directly attacking the club's players. The atmosphere between fans of differing views can become poisonous, and particularly so given that many take a perverse pleasure in moaning after defeat. The dissenters are a vocal minority, but one that can clearly have an impact on player morale.

The critical, negative reaction comes from an inability to be objective about things, and view the wider situation that the club, players and manager are in. The game frustrated, but it didn't tell us anything we didn't already know about the situation that Charlton Athletic Football Club is in. The squad is weaker than it was last year thanks to the dire financial situation, and we have a co-chairman who is gambling with the contract situation which is creating a huge amount of uncertainty off the field. You cannot suggest that this doesn't impact on the playing staff in any way. Whilst commitment is visibly there, contractual uncertainty breeds doubt, which is not something that helps keep a group strong and resolute. Powell has no money for additions, thus must make the most of what he has available. What he has achieved so far is remarkable, and thankfully the majority realise this.

Powell is undoubtedly the man we want in charge, as his fighting spirit and resolve has often been embodied by Charlton in some of the more unlikely victories during his tenure. We must stick together and keep the faith, as the season ahead will be full of difficult times. Supporting a football club is not a one way street - the players need us to back them. Their effort is there. All that is lacking is that little bit of quality, and that little bit of luck.

Objectivity after defeat is difficult. I had to avoid social media last night due to the outpouring of emotion following the result, as I knew it would further increase the pain. We all feel the pain of defeat, but we need to accept that times are tough. I have always been one to have faith in the people I support, and I see no reason why these players, and this manager, cannot turn the current run of form around. It will be hard, but it can be done.

Keep the faith.

Yeovil Town 2-2 Charlton: Luck Deserts Addicks Again

A huge game for Charlton was going perfectly, until a mad few minutes saw hopes of victory crushed. Luck has completely deserted us. The team put in a great shift but just a couple of errors and again things conspired against them. Times are tough but the team need to be backed, and certainly don't deserve much of the criticism being levelled at them.

Following a tricky run of games against QPR, Ipswich and Reading, the trip to fellow struggles Yeovil was one of huge importance. It represented a great chance for Charlton to distance themselves further from the relegation scrap.

Powell selected the same team that had beaten Doncaster and lost to Ipswich, but he added a slight tactical slant to the XI. Instead of playing Jackson out on the left, he was deployed as part of a central midfield trio. Cameron Stewart switched from right wing to left wing at will, meaning the formation was somewhat lopsided - but not in a bad way.

The sun shone during a good first half for the away side

The first half an hour of the game saw both teams struggle to string together decent passages of play, but of the two sides Yeovil had marginally more success. Alnwick was forced into a couple of comfortable saves as Ishmael Miller made a nuisance of himself. One shot from outside the box looked destined for the top corner but it drifted over the bar.

Despite Yeovil having more attacks, Charlton had the best chance of the half. Cameron Stewart was given the ball out on the left and cut inside and aimed a shot at the far corner. Only a flying save by Dunn denied the Addicks an opener.

Soon after it was Yeovil again pressing, but Alnwick diffused the situation with a confident catch from a corner. He made a quick throw out to Stewart on the left wing, who only had a couple of defenders ahead of him. He carried the ball forward to the left corner of the box, once again cut inside and fired a shot from just inside the D. It curved away from Dunn, who was unable to divert the path of the ball with his despairing dive, and the ball buried itself in the bottom right hand corner.

Absolute joy in the away end. Before long there was even more cause for celebration. Again the ball was with Stewart on the left, but instead of cutting inside he shaped to beat the right back on the outside. His left footed chipped cross was too heavy for Church, but he knew Jackson was advancing towards the back post so cleared the way. The Addicks skipper headed the ball downward and past Dunn in the Yeovil goal. Double delight. Jackson was once again saluting the travelling support - he embodies the heart and the fighting spirit of this club more than anyone else.

For the first time in a while, we'd taken our chances, and the 2-0 scoreline was a reflection of the effectiveness of our counter-attacking play. Having watched Charlton for a number of years, though, we knew the job wasn't finished.

Yeovil made a double substitution but the impact on the pattern of play was minimal. Charlton were defending slightly deeper down the far end of the pitch, and that obviously causes nerves, but we actually enjoyed our best spell of the match as the hour mark approached. Some good passing football moved the ball up the pitch, and Cousins fired a shot narrowly wide from just outside the area.

Yeovil started to apply the pressure, and having worked an opportunity down the left. The cross from just outside the box was aimed across goal, deflecting off Morrison and into the net past the helpless Alnwick. The home crowd burst into life and and the momentum swung towards the home team.

Kermorgant challenged for a header but was harshly penalised due to the Yeovil player making a meal of it. Inexplicably, he was booked. It was a genuine challenge for the ball which Yann won, but as the defender went to ground he got the decision. From the long ball forward, Charlton failed to deal with a scramble outside the box, and with Miller having turned Dervite, he was brought down, and a penalty awarded. Difficult to tell from a distance but word is that the decision was indisputable. The incident that led up to it wasn't, however.

We never seem to save penalties, and there was no change here. Alnwick dived to right but Miller had drilled his spot-kick high down the middle into the back of the net. 2-2, Huish Park rocking.

Charlton hadn't defended the set piece well, but they still had a chance to win the game. That was until referee Dawson had his say. Hughes and Miller had collided going for a header, with the former lying injured on the floor as a result. The ball rebounded out to the left where Jackson made a strong challenge, winning the ball convincingly. However, the Yeovil player made a meal of it, and as there was a hint of aggression detected by the ref, it was deemed a foul. Whether it was two-footed was debatable. Pawson blew for the foul and gleefully reached for his back pocket, producing a red card. Tackling has increasingly been demonised in football, and Jackson certainly has reason to feel aggrieved.

The change in weather reflected the change in fortunes for the Addicks

Distraught. In the space of ten minutes a comfortable lead had vanished, replaced by a desperation to cling on to a point, and deny Yeovil a vital win. There was a sense of disbelief on the away terrace, with a combination of mistakes and misfortune conspiring to prevent victory.

Yeovil pressed for a winner. A quick break down the left almost saw the home side to break into the box, only for a superbly timed sliding challenge from Wiggins to deny them. Soon after, after a long ball and lots of headed contests, the ball fell to Miller, who seemed to have the goal at his mercy but placed his shot wide of the post.

Charlton held on, with Hughes having replaced Cousins after a knock, Church making way for Solly after the sending off, and Wood replacing Stewart in added time. Dawson added five minutes to try and allow his side to score a winner, but the game was drawn after a late but ultimately futile a track by the Addicks.

The players trudged over to thank the travelling support, who responded with their own applause. There was a feeling of defeat despite the point that had been secured. It took a while to shake off that feeling.

The refereeing performance was terrible. Dawson favoured the home side in the second half especially, with a couple of key decisions going against the Addicks. When will we finally get a good break...

Rhoys Wiggins had a fantastic game, with heroic defending and threatening attacking play down the left. Stephens played well centrally, whilst Church worked his socks off again without being created a clear cut chance. Kermorgant played really well in patches, particularly the early period of the second half, but he couldn't make enough clinical passes in the final third. Alnwick played well, particularly when he threw the ball for Stewart to score the opening goal, and claimed each cross with conviction. Stewart himself was the reason we took a two goal lead into half time.

Tactically, Powell's slant on 4-4-2 worked very well, largely down to the creative spark that Cameron Stewart gives us. He may not be the most consistent player but his importance to our side cannot be overstated. The liveliness of his play combined with the powerful right foot he has makes him a vital component of the side. We somehow need to keep hold of him beyond January.

The performance was once again valiant but the smallest of errors carried the dearest of consequences. Powell will undoubtedly take positives from the way we played, but in not closing out the game we displayed our vulnerability when our backs are against the wall.

It's undeniable that we are in a poor position in this league, but this bunch of players are trying so hard at the moment without getting any reward. Football is a results business, of course, but these players have proven capable of winning games, and with a bit more confidence and that rub of the green, our form will pick up. It's just a matter of sticking with the team through this tough spell and showing our full support for them. It's a two-way process, supporting a football club. Big tests lie ahead, and a lot of work needs to be done, but the players need us to keep backing them.

Charlton 0-1 Ipswich Town: Addicks' Inconsistency Frustrates

The 21st anniversary of the great return to the Valley
was not celebrated with on-field success.

You know things won't go well when the teams switch ends before kick-off... An early goal and an inability to create meaningful chances to get back into the game left many Addicks feeling dejected at full-time. 

The main differences between today and Tuesday night's win against Doncaster were composure on the ball, accuracy of passing and success down the wings. Ipswich did their job after taking the lead, closing down each Charlton player with haste and forcing mistakes. Morrison and Dervite initially struggled to deal with the loose ball, and a good through ball released McGoldrick in on goal, only to be denied by a great Alnwick save, diving to his left. From the corner, the keeper was forced to make another save from a free header, and then reacted superbly to block a close-range shot. Clearly rattled, Charlton still struggled to settle. Another routine corner was not dealt with, and Smith headed Ipswich in front. From that moment on, it was an exercise in game management for Mick McCarthy's men. For all their efforts, Charlton were not playing much coherent football - a consequence of both Ipswich's high-tempo pressing game and a desertion of composure. The game saw few chances, as Charlton struggled to create down the flanks, whilst long balls forward were easily dealt with by the strong centre-back pairing of Smith and Berra. Frustration was compounded late on, when at last a chance was created, but the referee had failed to play advantage, having blown early to deny Stewart a clear chance on goal. It was not a game worth recounting in any great detail. Instead, it served to highlight a number of issues Charlton are going to have to deal with in order to avoid an unpleasant relegation scrap.

One of the main issues facing this current Charlton side is the lack of goals being scored. 14 scored in 17 games this season shows why wins have been few and far between. Only Yeovil (13) have scored fewer. Ipswich hassled the Addicks well, but that does not entirely explain why the only shot on target was a mis-hit Wiggins cross. Pressed high up the pitch, decisions were rushed and too often we resorted to searching balls over the top for Church to chase on to. With Stewart more suited to cutting inside, and Jackson playing more centrally, we struggle for width - a price worth paying to be more defensively solid. The full-backs are important players given the way Powell sets the team up, but today they struggled for support, and the final ball was often blocked, or just poorly hit. Wiggins didn't have the best of games, whilst Wilson managed a couple of decent crosses without success. The other option available was the long ball - often decried for its predictability and lack of success. Kermorgant was winning the odd header, but was visibly annoyed at times when team-mates failed to make the correct run for the flick on. Similarly, Church struggled to get on the end of the hopeful balls aimed in his direction. The one save Gerken made was when Wiggins got into an advanced position in the box and skewed his cross towards the top corner. Not a prolific afternoon in front of goal.

How do we remedy the lack of goals? The suggestion that Kermorgant is more of a hindrance than a help is odd, given his creativity and strength in the air. Whilst we did resort to too many long balls, this was fuelled by a lack of success in other areas of the pitch. This is symptomatic of the style of play Powell is forced to adopt with the resources he has available. Counter-attacking play is the best method with which to have success, but as was seen last season, this was often to the detriment of home successes. By committing more players to attacking roles, he leaves the defence slightly more exposed, and we probably don't have the individual skill to deal with that imbalance. The game against Doncaster showed that success can be had at home with this style, but the high-tempo pressing game of Ipswich caused innumerable errors. Decision making was rushed, and thus poor. The accuracy of passing fell and the tight control of the ball required deserted Charlton. When usually they can break quickly up the pitch, Ipswich's defensive mentality for much of the game prevented significant counter-attacks. The consequence was a lacklustre performance which left many feeling dejected.

The one chance we did create was after an incompetent refereeing decision, late on when Kermorgant was cynically fouled (again) and an advantage was not played. Sordell's well-timed through ball had released Cameron Stewart clean through on goal for the first time, but to the utter dismay of every Charlton fan, play had been halted. It merely served to make the afternoon's experience an even more painful one.

The long-ball to Yann is an easy option, and rightly it has been pointed out that we resort to it too often. When used well, it is a deadly weapon, as Kermorgant has the ability to rise above defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities. However, when defences work out how to deal with it, which usually involves inhibiting Yann so that he can't leap as successfully, alternative routes to goal need to be used. Kermorgant dropping deep offers a good option as he is a skilled distributor, but the issue today was a lack of space as well as a lack of quality out wide. We struggled to get Stewart in good advanced positions. Jackson is better employed centrally. Without the full-backs charging forward we have little else to offer, especially when the midfield has little time on the ball. What all these deficiencies really point to is a lack of quality player able to change the game.

Our squad is thin, and after two seasons without investment, its lack of evolution is becoming clear. Powell continues to do a great job with the players available, but the lack of depth in quality means he is restricted in his tactical approach. Without the variety, there is no reliable formation set in stone that will guarantee success. The players work hard and often they are rewarded for their graft with victory, but when that extra bit of quality is required to get something from a game, we often fall down.

The potential takeover offers hope, along with fears of a relocation from the Valley. In the short term, though, it could provide the relief needed. There is no doubt that the uncertain contract situation will be affecting various players in different ways from others. Uncertainty breeds doubt, and confidence falls. Whilst today's performance is clearly not all down to the off-field situation, it certainly plays its part. If the purchase of the club does go through, the contract situation needs to be resolved quickly, as it will bring necessary stability. The potential to bring in a couple of quality players, especially in attack, would hopefully bring the impetus we need to increase our goals-per-game ratio. That said, without it we need a more balanced strategy. The searching balls for Church are too often uncusccessful, and without dominance in the air, long-balls to Yann become too much of a lottery. What is missing is composure, conviction and accuracy. When chances do come, we need to be far more clinical, but the lack of opportunities created must be remedied as well. To do that, the midfield needs to be stronger, and the defence must refrain from pumping long-balls forward all the time. Kermorgant and Church received poor service, with the former having to adjust to inaccurate long-balls too often, and the latter chasing numerous lost causes. With accuracy and composure we may have created an opening to level the game.

Credit must be given to Ipswich. It was a classic Mick McCarthy victory, which involved defending the lead from early on with high-tempo pressing up the pitch. His tactics played a massive part in the result. Charlton improved as the game went on, but failed to find the incision required. I never like to hear booing, but the crowd's reaction was one of frustration at full-time, understandable after a game with such limited success. Criticism of Powell overlooks the issue he has with squad depth - his options are extremely limited. He is confident in the eleven men he sends out onto the field, but is not always rewarded with success. He will be as gutted as anyone after the defeat, and will use the pain to motivate a return to form.

The whole afternoon was one that is best forgotten, mainly due to the crippling despair it inflicted on me. Looking ahead, we have the chance to repeat our successes away from home with trips to Reading and Yeovil. The latter is a huge fixture - potentially what pundits love to call a "six pointer". I will simply term it a must-win game. We are struggling - that much is clear to see. Faith in the manager and the squad is required. If investment does come, Powell is exactly the man to use it wisely. Now is not a time to panic. There is plenty of time left in the season, but still clearly a lot of work still to do.

Keep the faith.

Revitalised Addicks Desperately Close to a Deserved Win

Charlton Athletic 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Following a difficult start to the season, and particular hardship in the last two games, Charlton rallied to produce a sensational performance which fell agonisingly short of victory. 

Forced into more changes to his team, the initial feeling was one of worry. It was going to take a spirited effort to get a result against what looked like a strong visiting Forest side. Bradley Pritchard was out following concussion on Saturday. Kermorgant wasn't deemed fit enough to make the squad, and neither was Jackson. With Cort and Solly still absent, Powell was once again forced to experiment tactically with the players available. Hamer remained in goal, whilst Richard Wood was preferred to Dorian Dervite at the heart of defence. Powell went with a central midfield trio of Cousins, Stephens and Gower, with Callum Harriott deployed behind the strike pairing of Church and Sordell.

The Match

The atmosphere built superbly, with a chorus of 'Chrissy Powell's Red Army' ringing around the ground. But the game got off to the worst possible start. Cousins was deemed to have made a very soft foul wide on the right, level with the 18 yard line. Andy Reid swung the kick in towards the far post, lobbing Hamer, kissing the post and landing in the back of the net. It was typical of our lack of fortune of late.

Ben Hamer stares aghast as Reid's free-kick goes in off the post

Despite the setback, the home crowd remained positive and noisy, continuing to back the team and refuse to give in to the negative minority that has been vocal recently. And despite the goal, the Addicks looked hungry, their spirit unwavering. They created a number of chances, many of which could (and probably should) have been taken: Wiggins crossed for Church, a deflection making the flight of the ball more favourable, but his header was weak and the ball cleared. Similarly, Sordell was on the end of a Harriott cross but couldn't score. Then followed an agonising quadruple-chance: Stephens shot from range but the keeper could only parry. A couple of scuffed Sordell efforts were blocked before the ball fell perfectly to Stephens at an angle about 10 yards out. He went for power but blazed the shot well over the bar.

Forest were clinging on, but almost doubled their lead following some very fortunate ricochets that almost took the ball into the net. Wood headed clear but only to Mackie, who stumbled into the box and had his low shot well saved. The ball bounced up into Wilson's chest and was heading in, but he managed to chase it and avert the danger with a clinical left footed clearance.

Half-time arrived, with the Addicks applauded off the field. The home side had been by far the superior team, but when you're struggling for points things don't always fall your way. The early goal could well have punctured the spirit and belief of Charlton, but they had admirably fought back, and were unlucky not to have at least been level.

Little changed after half time, with Charlton still creating chances and the home crowd continuing to be very vocal in their support.

After some clever interplay, Harriott was released into the area with a chance to shoot. The defender just got a boot to it, forcing the ball across the face of goal. Sordell slid but couldn't reach it. The ball ran towards Wilson in acres of space near the byline. Sordell was quick to his feet and free. Wilson swept in a low cross, and the striker turned the ball into the net with a clinical and powerful side footed strike.

GET IN THERE!

The goal had been a very long time coming, and was nothing less than the home side deserved. Sordell was joyous, running over towards a leaping Wilson and sliding toward the North-East corner. The crowd had erupted - each chance had built the pressure and it was finally released in one explosion of ecstasy. For five full minutes the Covered End was so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. The spirit of Cardiff rekindled.

Spurred on by the phenomenal home support, Charlton almost stole a second. Church applied the pressure out wide left, forcing a hasty clearance which bounced off Mark Gower into the path of Sordell in the area. Stephens was making the perfect run into the 18 yard box to be fed the ball, but Sordell - now brimming with confidence - turned and shot with his left foot, but couldn't beat the keeper.

Billy Davies was forced into a double change, and ordered his side to calm the game down, as they had been startled by the tempo and noise in the early stages of the second half. He succeeded to an extent, as Andy Reid had an opening but stabbed his shot over.

The home crowd began to waver, suddenly filled with nerves. But still Charlton created chances. A Harriott cross was almost turned in at the back post by Richard Wood, who stretched but couldn't reach the ball. Forest hit back, with Mackie's back heeled effort at the other end soon after was well saved by Ben Hamer.

Sordell was clearly on a high following his goal, as he turned to fire a 30-yard strike just wide of goal. Powell made his first change fairly late in the game, with Andy Hughes replacing Gower in midfield.

Charlton once again came agonisingly close to winning it. The ball was bouncing around in the Forest area, until Cousins flicked it goalwards with a technical left footed effort. It curved and crashed into the bar, and the ensuing scramble saw two more half chances blocked and cleared.

A Wiggins free kick was angled towards the far post, where Andy Hughes was in space. He scuffed his cross, which was chested back by Morrison at the front post towards Harriott, who fired his shot gloriously over the bar and into the upper tier.

For all the enterprise of Stephens, and the industry of Hughes, it was Jordan Cousins who continued to star; the ball broke loose in the Charlton box and it looked like Forest might have stolen a winner, but Cousins flung himself to ground and made a spectacular, vital block.

Despite a nervy string of corners for Forest, the game finished all square.

The Addicks were applauded from the pitch, and deservedly so. It had been a fantastic performance, one which would have seen us score about four or five goals if on a good run of form. But whenever things look bleak, Chris Powell manages to motivate his side to produce performances like that. He was cheered as he left the pitch. The way the game had gone, especially following the past two weeks, it felt like a victory. Powell showed huge appreciation to the Valley faithful, whose support had been flawless all night.

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Player Performances

Few Addicks fans were able to agree on a man of the match, simply because so many had played out of their skins. For me, two players deserve particular praise, given what they were tasked with and what they produced.

Jordan Cousins: After impressing during his home debut in that infamous abandoned game, Cousins again showed his class with a clinical, all-round performance. He was strong in the tackle, precise in his passing and positive going forward. His block was crucial and he was ultimately unfortunate not to score. Not only was he technically very good, but also he was composed on and off the ball. A 90-minute showing that promises a lot to come from him in future.

Richard Wood: One of the less heralded signings, but definitely one of the most shrewd. Wood won everything in the air, timing his leaps to perfection. He was strong in the air, composed on the ball, and robust in the tackle. He even stretched to try and score at the far post. Before the game, you wondered why Dervite had been dropped, but Wood showed why Powell had put his faith in the former Coventry skipper. A classic centre-half performance.

It wasn't just the two above who deserved praise. Wiggins and Wilson were magnificent, especially given the absence of wide midfielders to work with. They always looked to burst forward on the counter, with Wilson creating the equaliser. Wiggins, criticised recently for his performances, emphatically proved his worth. Morrison was again steady at the heart of defence, leading the side well.

Stephens benefitted from the formation Powell had chosen, as it meant he had options open to him in the middle of the pitch. A few times he was able to instigate incisive fast-flowing passing moves, with the help of Mark Gower. He also played well, passing and hassling with energy.

Harriott was once again a live-wire, able to provide the link between the midfield and the forwards. Whilst he's someone that doesn't always offer an end product, the fact that be is constantly looking to create chances is a real positive, and with time he can become a quality attacking threat. 

Simon Church will probably be wondering how he didn't score tonight, but he put in a valiant and important effort up front. He was industrious, and was rewarded in his regular chasing down of the Forest defence by forcing the error that almost allowed Sordell to score. Church was forced off due to a leg injury, his absence allowing Forest more time at the back.

Sordell had a game of two halves. The first largely passed him by, as frustratingly he didn't quite appear to be on the same wavelength as the midfielders looking to play him the ball. But after his superbly taken goal, he was a man transformed. His confidence rocketed, which is what you want from a striker. He kept looking for goal, although he may have been better off looking for Stephens on the occasion that he was better positioned. However, his renewed self belief will give the whole squad a boost, as at last he's given them a reason to be confident in him.

Andy Hughes came on and orchestrated the midfield. He made one exceptional interception that enabled a counter attack, and was often seen motivating his team-mates. Whenever he takes to the field, he always proves his worth both as a footballer and a leader.

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A word on Andy Reid. Forest as a side struggled to produce the quality they are capable of, but Reid definitely stood out as a professional tonight. His technique is superb, and he looked in better shape than ever. Whilst his goal was probably a fluke, he was unlucky not to score another in the second half. One of the few players who warrants applause on return to the Valley, and deservedly so.

Forest manager Billy Davies was full of praise for the Addicks, recognising that his side had been lucky to pick up a point. His assertion that Forest scored too early, however, was one of the weirder excuses I've heard from opposition managers. It was a fortunate goal, which meant that the Addicks had to rebound quickly and not let their heads drop. They did so magnificently.

Chris Powell is such a hero. Once again he's lifted his squad when morale hit rock bottom, to the extent that even though depleted by injury, his side made one of the promotion candidates look the weaker team. The performance was a testament to his continued belief in his players, and hard work on the training ground shaping them into a strong side.

You'd be a fool to want this club to be rid of Chris Powell. He has taken plenty of stick for recent results, and whilst some of it is justified, we are far stronger as a club with him at the helm than we would be without him.

Hopefully a similarly inspiring performance will be produced on Saturday for the visit of Blackpool. If we can maintain that level of quality, with the addition of players like Kermorgant returning from injury, then we have every reason to be confident of producing results.

Tonight, the passion was most definitely there, both on and off the pitch. It renewed the faith of many, and rekindled the spirit of others. If only we'd grabbed all three points...

Patience...

This is an article I wrote for the excellent Valley Talk fanzine, published in August. Given our current form on the pitch, I feel its significantly relevant going into tomorrow's game with Nottingham Forest. 

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Patience is always an interesting topic to bring up in relation to football. Fans and owners pay a lot of money into their football clubs, and will rightly expect some sort of return on their investment. On the other hand, the football world is a volatile place. Things don't just fall into place and happen immediately. Patience is important. At the moment I would suggest however that there is a serious lack of that trait in football these days.

Take the specific area of management as a case in point. Due to owners ploughing money into their respective clubs, expectations are high. Only so many clubs can be successful in a league structure, so logically a few managers won't be able to deliver. As a consequence, they get the sack.

The problem gets even worse when you factor in the number of chairmen and owners with unrealistic, even wildly ambitious expectations. More and more managers fall foul of displeased owners, and impatient pockets of supporters. When Alan Pardew is the second longest serving manager in the Premier League, you know something has to be done.

As I've mentioned, the culture of impatience has spread into the stands. Obviously it would make me a fool to point at every fellow football supporter and tell them they are the problem. That's obviously not the case. But there are an increasing number who seem to be demanding success too hastily. Booing used to be something of a last resort, when things had been too bad for too long. Nowadays, if you're losing at half time, don't expect to be applauded off.

The same frustrations expressed over the course of 90 minutes are seen increasingly over the course of seasons. Arsenal fans are perennially moaning about not winning trophies, despite finishing in the top four of English football year after year, and getting to see Champions League football each season. It's that kind of inability to accept repeat achievements that annoys me. The idea that a club has to advance every year is a foolish one. Many fans are grounded, but an increasing minority don't seem to be.

Inevitably this leads to me drawing comparisons with Charlton. We are fortunate to support such a fantastic football club. Last season was beyond what I believed we could achieve with the financial problems that arose over the summer, but there were moments where pockets of unrest emerged. A mid-table season, almost by definition, involves good runs and bad runs. Everyone was happy when the team was winning, but what irked me was the tendency of many to turn, almost in an instant, when things didn't go our way.

In October we were steamrollered in the second half by Middlesbrough, eventually losing 4-1. The disquiet was significant. That Tuesday we found ourselves 0-2 down inside 20 minutes to Cardiff at home. With the echoes of dissent still looming from Saturday, what followed was inspiring. The majority refused to give in to the negativity of the minority, and the vocal support did not cease despite the scoreline. We went on to win 5-4. I'm not saying that the result was down to the support, but you'd be mad to suggest the same sort of incredible fightback could've happened had the players been receiving abuse left right and centre.

Later in the season, when we were at risk of slipping into an awfully tight relegation battle, the response was not quite as encouraging. Booed off somewhat inevitability after a poor defeat to Millwall, and then at 0-2 down against Bolton there was real anger. The players were strong enough to turn that match around and win it, none more so than that man Yann who banished his penalty demons by scoring the winner from the spot. What followed was a wonderful unbeaten run to finish the season, lifting us to a superb ninth position. It was an incredible way to finish our first year back in the second tier, which produced some really unexpected and special moments along the way.

And yet some looked at our late surge and decided that we should've made the playoffs, and we'd underachieved. Right...

The inability to be objective, realistic and therefore satisfied with what is achieved is problematic. If you went back to August last year and assessed the financial situation, which prevented any more than a couple of additions to the squad, ninth would've appeared a distant dream. Most of us were rightly thrilled with the fantastic team spirit shown throughout the year, embodied by Chris Powell, that enabled us to bounce back from the low points. I for one couldn't have asked for more last season. 

The retort to that would be that I'm not someone showing enough ambition. You can have all the ambition in the world, but it won't leave you with much satisfaction unless you are coming first. We are not a powerhouse in English football, and inevitability we will lose games. Sticking with a team through the bad times makes the highs feel a whole lot higher. That is the value of patience.

By no means is this a suggestion that we should all be happy to settle for mediocrity. Far from it. But when you are part of a club rebuilding after a tough few years, not demanding immediate success, and supporting the players who are giving their all is important.

Things take time to grow. Be patient. It's often rewarding in the end.

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The original piece had the words "Hopefully we don't have a chairman or owner who loses his patience during this rebuilding process, who fails to recognise that something special is developing at our football club." After the summer we endured in the transfer market, its probably safe to say that its Chris Powell who's showing the patience, given he is deprived of resources to such an extent. Whilst much of the current situation can be blamed on the owners, and their inaction, it is important to point out that they have stuck by their man. Powell remains well backed personally. If only the same were the case financially...

I for one hope that we can rekindle the 'spirit of Cardiff', if you like, and show our support for the players on the pitch. Times have been tough of late, but being hostile about mistakes often creates a negative feedback loop. Confidence is low, so lets get behind the team tomorrow night.

Keep The Faith.