As happy as a pig in muck

That’s why we’re Champions! I thought to myself as I followed the fortunes of the League One Play-Off’s this weekend. I had a strong feeling for both Stevenage and MK Dons but at the halfway stage the stronger sides, on paper at least, hold the aces.

Even though I feel only enmity to MK, I would prefer a lesser team to join us and Wednesday in the next level up. The quicker we get to 50 points etc…. Joking, jo-king!

In fact I don’t know about you but I am still wallowing in last Saturday’s events. Indeed about this time last week we were all still raising glasses. It was quite a season wasn’t it?

The club released five players this week, six if you include Conor Gough who moved to Bristol Rovers. The 6ft 7 18-year old had a bit of a nightmare debut last weekend but was still praised by his manager.

None of the other five were a surprise. The Doc one would have thought might be offered something at Wycombe, Mikel Alonso had already returned to Spain and wasn’t on the pitch after the Hartlepool game. Jason Euell was and although I sang with great gusto his song, I think it might well be time for Euelly to hang up his boots.

Jase is a regular on the npower Football League podcast, and recently hosted a Sunday night Charlton Live. Media is something he has talked about doing and with a little more practice and fluency he will hopefully get more chances. Certainly he can’t be worse than some of the muppets that get opportunities on Sky.

With the three loan players returning to their clubs, N’Guessan to the Spanners, Cook to QPR and Darel Russell to Preston (one of 21 players released this week by Graham Westley) that makes 9 squad members gone overall. Potentially I think Paul Hayes, John Sullivan, Andy Hughes, Scott Wagstaff and Leon Clarke, each under contract, may well be sold if the deal is right for Powell and the player.

For now, it is all about enjoying the moment, and I personally took great satisfaction from seeing the happy faces of Hayes, Sullivan and Hughes after the recent games. Leon Clarke must wonder what the future holds after being quickly offloaded by Powell. He can point to a sparkling resume though that now includes three promotions in one season!

The players and staff are now in Las Vegas, and I imagine painting the town red (and white). Looks like there has been a Twitter ban though as each one the Tweeters has been very silent since they left the country.

Finally massive congratulations to Chris Solly for winning the Player of the Year. Chris was the 10th home grown player to win the award. Can you name the others?

Solly also came out top of the Charlton Life Statbank, which is based on marks out of ten for each match awarded by fans actually at the game. A much more accurate measurement of performance in my mind. Interestingly Johnnie Jackson who came 3rd in the POTY was listed 11th in the cumulative player marks for the season.