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Posts from the ‘José Riga’ Category

Dec 19

8 Comments

Duchatelet opens his gob again

Tom Rubashow must be rubbing his hands at getting his feet under the desk at Charlton. He is set to start work for the club on January 2nd. If I was him I wouldn’t bother.

The mad crackpot Roland Duchatelet has opened his mouth again:

“He (Chris Powell) is not a clever person and those who think the same are also not clever. In principle we were giving them the advice so they had responsibility and could take responsibility and that is how we work. I find it very stupid that a person who is getting help, an important person for the club, does not accept it. I also find that the activists, some activists at the club, who from their reactions think the coach was right, well they are just stupid people too.”

Dave has it all here.

The video interview is here starting at 1.08.30. Watch him squirm.
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May 8

18 Comments

Chris Wilder

Farewell Jose, see you around some time. Possibly after Chris Wilder sticks two fingers up at Roland Duchatelet due to team interference and replacement Nebojsa Vignjevic takes us dangerously close to the bottom four of League One. I’ll put you down for March 2017 Jose.

I know, I’m in that kind of mood.
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May 6

2 Comments

Good riddance

The last miserly game of a torrid and destructive football season. Not one Addick will shed a tear when the curtain falls tomorrow afternoon. Burnley fans will be in celebratory mood whilst Charlton fans mischievous and angry. 

CARD have been a little bit low key this week allowing the buzz around what may happen on Saturday fill the space and pose questions. I know however there is a lot planned for the watching Sky TV cameras making life once again uncomfortable for Ms Meire, the self-titled Senior Management Team (sic) and that oaf of an owner Roland Duchatelet, up a little bit earlier than normal from his coffin to get his weekly football fix via a dodgy internet feed.
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Apr 21

2 Comments

The day after the day after

Whilst relegation has been an obvious outcome to a calamitous season, I am finding it hard to digest. Looking at that League One table and the top of League Two does not scream ‘Ooh a new ground’ it shouts ‘up yours.’

The days after the Bolton game have produced a whole range of stories, with I am sure many more to come. Roland Duchatelet was at The Valley today and meetings continue with what Meire called the Senior Management Team this afternoon in a London hotel. Undoubtedly whilst it should be Meire’s future on top of the agenda I would expect it to be Jose Riga.

It is also understood that Paul Elliott planned to meet with Duchatelet, although there will be no uplifting videos or media meetings. The owner was greeted this morning at The Valley gates by a flashmob of Addicks complete with banners. Good work.
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Apr 17

2 Comments

Lennie Lawrence

Lennie Lawrence has watched the last 3 Charlton games, which has fuelled rumours that he is negotiating with the club’s current board about re-joining Charlton in the summer. It is thought that Richard Murray is pushing Roland Duchatelet to embrace a British coaching and management structure with Lawrence as Director of Football supporting a Head of Recruitment and a young Head Coach. Where this leaves Jose Riga is unknown.

Of course, and it is my opinion, that Duchatelet will ignore Murray and simply employ another one of his lackeys with Ujpest coach Nebojša Vignjević in pole position. 
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Mar 9

3 Comments

Next off the Merry-go-round

Jose Jeunechamps has left the club about a month after he joined. Riga pushed the addition of Jeunechamps, who has little command of English, onto Duchatelet to be his Assistant First Team Coach but he has now departed back to Belgum to join 2nd Division RFC Seraing. Karel Fraeye is at fellow 2nd Division side Lommel. The Charlton Athletic book of “Who” will be a much sought after Christmas present in years to come.
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Mar 9

5 Comments

Charlton Athletic 0 Milton Keynes 0

A pathetic and pitiful performance lacking in anything that we have held dear from Charlton sides over the years. There was no passion, desire, urgency or organisation in what was a must win game. We had one shot on goal whilst around us clubs and their British managers show fight and determination, we occupy a world of apathy after having any hope and emotion sucked out of us by an owner and his puppets. 

Jose Riga’s team selection and substitutions were baffling edging on the bazaar. I have come to the conclusion that he is just another Roland Duchatelet fraud. Apparently he said that Yaya Sanogo cannot play two games a week. Does our wonderful scouting network have a database of footballers that are only half fit? Anyway problem solved as Sanoga can now put his feet up for 3 games after his idiotic attack on Kay.

I’m not condoning it but if Simon Makienok showed an ounce of Sanogo’s fight then our judgment of him wouldn’t be anywhere near as harsh. The tallest footballer ever to wear the club’s shirt, who cannot win a header. Someone, somewhere in Belgium is laughing at us. 
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Feb 23

1 Comment

Preston North End 2 Charlton Athletic 1

Another defeat. Anyone surprised?

A very weird line up starting with 6 defenders with Chris Solly in central midfield, Morgan Fox somewhere in there too, and Roger Johnson back after bench sores. No Harriott, who gave Fulham problems on Saturday. We could have been forgiven in thinking that master tactician Karel Fraeye was back picking the team. He wasn’t but Riga is only another puppet with slightly longer strings and a better CV.
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Feb 23

3 Comments

Solution or more of the same?

Unless Jose Riga can pull a rabbit out of a hat at Preston tonight I would expect him to start to come under increased scrutiny amongst Addicks. Tonight is Jose’s 7th game in charge and I am starting to wonder if he is not the solution but part of the continuation of the problem.

Riga has been appointed and left/sacked/walked *delete as applicable four times under Duchatelet. He may claim to be his own man, but the facts betray a different image.

Riga was only accepted because he was a known quantity, a decent man, and the best of a horrible bunch of sycophantic no-marks. And frankly Nebojša Vignjević walking into The Valley would have been the end for just about everyone.
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Feb 20

4 Comments

Fulham 3 Charlton Athletic 0

I think that is it. 7 points from safety isn’t any different from this morning, but a gutless 2nd half ending in a sixth 3-0 defeat leaves us rooted to the bottom of The Championship and there isn’t a cat in hells chance of us being able to finish above three other teams.

This relegation was totally avoidable but everything points to it being so meticulously planned by Roland Duchatelet and Katrien Meire, with Richard Murray looking on, encouraging the complete dismantling of this once proud football club. Whereas Meire can’t get out of her own way and Duchatelet, he who doesn’t do failure, happy that his experiement is working, Murray should be utterly ashamed of himself.

If Riga, who I am starting to think we gave far too much credit for in keeping Powell’s squad up last time, is banging the nails in the coffin, then it was the clown Karel Fraeye that bought them from Homebase and left them on the side with a hammer.
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Feb 1

2 Comments

In Riga we trust

Well what choice do we have? But in a pack full of liars, sycophants and total incompetence Jose maybe the only chance we have and we need him on our side, like he needs us on his.
We are in the last chance saloon and we find the 58-year old in there with us. Siege mentality is what is needed, and trust. 

Riga earned our respect first time around. I thought he deserved to continue his work, but he was denied, possibly because he asked for too much self governing, possibly because Roland Duchatelet thought he knew better. I know who I trust. 
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Jan 24

3 Comments

Charlton Athletic 1 Blackburn Rovers 1

A lot better, but it could hardly have been worse. Just the one goal conceded this week predictably by Jordan Rhodes. But a more combative and hard working performance for sure for Jose Riga to build on and the next two games are huge.
More players are needed though, goals are a problem, in fact with JBG completely out of form, creativity leading to goal opportunities are at a premium.

The squad is so devoid of quality that I really hope that Riga is further allowed to strengthen the squad with some quality and not just padding. It was very noticeable that neither Ricardo Vaz Te, Diego Poyet, Roger Johnson or Rhys Williams were in the starting line up yesterday. Williams and Vaz Te not even in the squad. I would not be surprised if Williams is sent back to Middlesbrough early as I’d imagine Duchatelet would want to see some outward movement.
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Jan 22

2 Comments

No more words

Another manic week at work flies by, although I was a little less distracted by Charlton news this week than I was last. I’m sure most working Addicks have not been quite as productive as they should be these last few weeks.

Jose Riga has had a full week with the squad and added to it with the signing of Jorge Teixeira. I think more than a few eyebrows were raised by him signing a 4.5-year contract. He’ll be 30 in August. How is the Naby Sarr 5-year contract working out Ms Meire? I saw Rick Everitt describe Teixeira’s contract length as bonkers. I agree but I expect him to start tomorrow.

One apparent target, Yann Kermorgant, moved to Reading for £500,000, which realized a profit on what the Cherries paid us. Another head shake moment. Charlton were trying to get Yann in on loan, but it is understood that they would not meet the price of a permanent move. I’m personally okay with not seeing Yann again in a Charlton shirt, I’d rather remember him like this.
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Jan 16

13 Comments

Hull City 6 (SIX) Charlton Athletic 0

There can’t be a Charlton fan on the planet that expected that. Who an earth loses 5-0 on a Tuesday and then 6-0 the following Saturday? After all that head hanging and soul searching after Huddersfield? Only at Charlton.

I really thought we would at the very minimum fight like our lives depended on it today, but no, another new low. Our biggest defeat in 32 years and we are still waiting on the apology and offers of ticket refunds.

Riga has only been back 5 minutes and I will exonerate him from blame, but although I have been a huge proponent of supporting the team and not the regime, what an earth was that? Where is the professional pride, the self-respect, the ‘oh I need to work my balls off today for the new manager’? 
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Jan 15

3 Comments

Time to show some pride

Who knows who will be taking the team tomorrow. The club aren’t likely to tell us, but it does look as is Wim de Corte and Jason Euell will prepare and select the team whilst Jose Riga will either sit in the stands or be back in Belgium again packing his toothbrush.

Riga’s appointment, much I suspect to Roland Duchatelet’s surprise, hasn’t had Charlton fans doing back flips, but equally, and I include myself in this, Addicks’ fans are almost entirely wanting Riga to succeed, whereas the baying masses just wanted Fraeye to fall over and clear off, such was his ineffectualness.
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Jan 14

6 Comments

Changes nothing

What exactly does “a search for a new Head Coach has commenced.” mean?

Roland calls Jose Riga on speed dial, concedes on a couple of points, agrees to give him a proper contract after last time, and hey presto. The search for a new Head Coach ends 18 hours after it started.

Lies, lies, lies.
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Jan 13

12 Comments

Comedy gold

Unlike Karel Fraeye, who took little persuading to take the Interim job at Charlton following the departure of Guy Luzon, mostly because old Karel had his head up Roland’s backside at the time, it appears that Nebojša Vignjević was less than happy with Roly’s suggestion that he should leave 2nd placed Ujpest of the Hungarian League and take charge of the laughing stock that is Charlton Athletic.

A backward career step he presumed added to the fact that he would be forced to work with Katrien Meire, so Vignjević said “ne” and who can blame him.

Jose Riga was ahead of Vignjević in the new old coach queue but apparently made too many demands.
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Jan 10

13 Comments

The mark of insanity – Mark 6

Incredulous.

It is widely expected, and we can’t be shocked, that Jose Riga will become Roland Duchaletet’s 6th manager in less than two years by the time Charlton take to the field at Huddersfield on Tuesday night. 6th, 5th, whose counting?

Now if Jose and Karel were the last two managers left in the playground and it was your pick, then there is absolutely no doubt who would be left standing staring at their feet, but REALLY?
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Oct 25

12 Comments

Karel Fraeye is the mark of insanity

To the surprise of no one the South London Press appear to think that Roland Duchatelet will once again ignore any semblence of common sense and install Belgian network patsy Karel Fraeye at The Valley this week, initially in a caretaker role. What is it they say about insanity? Doing the same things over and over again but expecting different results.

This for many Addicks will be a step too far.
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Jul 18

The Kashi promise

Breaking News! Charlton have announced the signing of Ahmed Kashi. Nope, me neither but I am partial to his cereal.

The Algerian was believed to be the player that the club was hoping to play in Belgium, but instead he will watch tonight’s game against St-Truiden and complete his move on Monday.

Born in the north-east of France, Kashi chose to play for Algeria, the birthplace of his parents, and did represent the North African country at the recent African Cup of Nations. The holding midfielder has been signed from Metz, the Ligue 1 team managed by Jose Riga, who took over after Metz were relegated to Ligue 2 last season. Kashi played 21 times last season scoring once.
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Jul 15

Park the coaches

With Bolton’s goalkeeping coach Lee Turner (photo) set to join David Martane on Guy Luzon’s coaching staff we are left to wonder when they will have some more players to coach….

Dougie Freedman & Lennie Lawrence took Turner with them when they left Palace for Bolton in 2012. Freedman knew the 50-year old from when he finished his playing career at Southend United. Turner is Scottish but played his football at Ebbsfleet and Margate before moving into coaching with Southend. Former Addicks favourite Andy Hughes is at Bolton and I would expect gave Turner rave reviews of life in SE7.

David Martane is someone we should know more about, because he will probably one day take over from Guy Luzon as head coach. Let’s be honest, that wouldn’t be a surprise would it? Little is known of Martane, who is just 27 years old, so I took it upon myself to find out about him.
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Feb 2

3 Comments

Beyond parody

If only the makers of Spitting Image were still about, they would have an absolute field day with Roland Duchatelet and his crazy network of puppets characters…. actually I think I was right first time….

Is this really for real? Someone please wake me from this very strange dream I am having.

Standard, who won yesterday in an eventful game at bottom place Lierse, have already fired Guy Luzon and Duchatelet appointed his number two Ivan Vukomanovic in November.
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Jan 22

4 Comments

New head coach bounce

“He’s met the players, he’s had some chats and they are well aware of how he wants to play as well, so we tried that in the first-half.” – Damian Matthew

So Guy Luzon has his work permit, and the Israeli officially becomes the Addicks 24th manager in it’s colourful history.

At the end of the day he will get my support, because wanting the team to be successful is the only way I know. Life and in particular being a Charlton fan is complicated and draining enough without wishing ill of something that has been part of me for 40 years.

When football fans set off for games it is not to support the owner, or the CEO, it is to support a collection of footballers wearing a shirt, representing a club in a community that they have an emotional connection with, and that will be no different on Saturday.
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Jan 19

10 Comments

Bob speaks

Here in his native tongue.

You can spin it through Google Translator, but if you allow me to paraphrase it for you, Peeters says he was “idolised” by fans, and he thought he had a good relationship with Katrien Meire, but they ended up in conflict. The supporters could see we needed better players, but the owner thought he was exaggerating.
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Jan 15

10 Comments

Penny for a Guy

He may well not turn out to be the next Alex Ferguson, but perhaps we have a budding Ronald Koeman on our hands, or Marc Wilmots, or a young Avram Grant. Hey, a young José Riga would satisfy me.

Known by Standard fans and most of the Belgium sports media as a clown, who brought some strange touch-line antics and the long ball to the Belgium’s Jupiler League that had along with the Belgium FA developed some excellent academies and talented young players in less than a decade, we will find out soon enough whether keeping Guy Luzon on the payroll was one of Roland Duchâtelet’s more insightful decisions or one of that of a madman.

The name Guy Luzon first came into our sightline when he was sacked by Standard Liege in October, and I wrote then with an element of surprise that Luzon would remain in the network.
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Jan 13

3 Comments

Will it be anyone else other than Luzon?

I was quite expecting no further comment from the club yesterday, until late in the day Katrien Meire did follow up with comments on cafc.co.uk.

Meire said that the decision was only taken after the game on Saturday, which seems both unlikely and a little too impetuous. I don’t believe her, nor does Bob, especially knowing of recent informed reports from the Israeli media about Guy Luzon, and the fact that Karel Faraeye was at the Cardiff game, but after her comments in the programme on Saturday, I expect Roland Duchâtelet allowed her, a lawyer, to choose her own words.

It doesn’t matter now, what does is who is appointed next as the 4th manager/head coach in 10 months.
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Jan 12

5 Comments

Who is to blame?

Football is all about the blame game, whether we like it or not. Personally my only blame laid at the door of Bob Peeters was his tactical naivety, and as time went on I questioned whether he was able to get his points across to the players.

However Peeters was responsible for introducing a momentous change in the way Charlton played the game. Some of our play was truly inspiring and I thank him for giving that to me, albeit for a only a tiny amount of time, but it is something I will remember.

Peeters’ trouble, our trouble, is the squad is made of straw and has more perforations in it than a Belgium waffle.
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Oct 24

2 Comments

Good flow

“We get good results, there is a good flow around Charlton. People are starting to respect us again and for me that’s the most important thing.”

On Monday night over steak and chips, and no doubt a cold Flemish beer Bob and Roly met to discuss the Addicks season so far and if like me you watched the live You Tube show 1905 yesterday then you would have heard that they are pretty pleased with each other.

Roly as we know is a hands off owner, but came across as reasonably tuned into the happenings at The Valley and in The Championship. We know that Katrien Meire is his eyes and ears and although not the greatest communicator unless there is steak and chips involved, the 1905 interview if hardly ground-breaking was helpful for us Addicks that try to understand his ambitions and persona.

He talked for long lengths about young players and how difficult The Championship is knowing that it can change quickly. Strangely after sacking Guy Luzon on Monday he told us that results are not important. I beg to differ, but I can accept that we are in a long game, which I think to most of us is a more sensible and more satisfying approach.
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Oct 3

Call for Morrison

With Tal Ben Haim missing tomorrow’s game at home to Birmingham one would have think Peeters will turn to Michael Morrison to play in his first league game of the campaign.

Morrison is not as cultured in his style as Bikey and Ben Haim, but he is no clogger either and he deserves his opportunity, and I hope he grabs it. Morrison might be a bit game rusty, but he is known as a hard trainer and would have been privvy to the same drills and methods as everyone else and I see no problem with him playing.
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Sep 6

2 Comments

Riga’s Blackpool journey to end?

Days after Chris Powell got himself back in the game, José Riga looks set to leave Blackpool by the end of this weekend as his peppery relationship with chairman Karl Oyston looks to have irretrievably broken down.

Riga has overseen just 6 games, all lost, but despite this is popular with fans. Matters came to a head with Oyston after he refused to sanction any of Riga’s proposed transfer deadline signings.
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Jun 23

7 Comments

Liking the cut of his jib

I quite liked what Bob Peeters had to say today. Sat in between his boss and Richard Murray, Peeters came across as eager, methodical, personable, witty and up for it.

Duchâtelet looked disinterested and was happy for Peeters to answer all the questions, except for the one about the difference between a head coach and a manager, which startled Roland into action. Meanwhile Murray happily jumped in to explain the benefit of one-year contract agreements, still aggrieved obviously, like we all are, at the £1m the club paid to say goodbye to Alan Pardew.
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May 29

1 Comment

Katrien’s summer hol’s

“I’m just going to check my work emails luv.”

“Oh, do you have too?”

“I just need to check if anything’s going on at the office, maybe Roly has bought that club in Azerbaijan that he’s been banging on about.”

“Oh, okay then, but can you get me a Stella and a waffle on your way back to the pool, I’m going back in for a swim.”
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May 27

3 Comments

Peeters in

Not much of a surprise nor the unheralded announcement. The official statement also mentions that José Riga and Karel Fraeye have also moved on. Nice.

Damian Matthews will stay though as part of Peeters coaching staff, and two others are expected to join him from Belgium.

No mention of a contract period for Peeters, who will be head coach. I wonder if we are now worthy of a bit of an explanation from Duchâtelet or Katrien Meire?
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May 27

18 Comments

Alex Dyer tells all

Alex Dyer deserves our thanks, not just because of the work he did whilst assistant to Chris Powell but also as advisor and coach to José Riga. His loyalty to the club will always stay with me.

Now, after leaving Charlton at the end of his contract, without any legal stipulations, Alex is free to talk, and talk he did in today’s SLP.

The interview is here and here, and pretty damning reading it makes too.
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May 25

1 Comment

Karel Fraeye

Jose Riga’s assistant Karel Fraeye has been located and has been appointed as head coach of Belgium Division 3 side VW Hamme.

A penny for Fraeye’s thoughts then as he returns home to East Flanders in north Belgium, but Hamme represent a level higher than his last job in Belgium at Eendracht Zele.

Horribly translated this is what Karel said about his time at The Valley:
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May 23

3 Comments

Fond farewells

A bit of a bleugh statement on the Official Site yesterday bidding farewell to those players that have not been offered new contracts. It perhaps underscored Roland Duchatelet’s sentiment towards supporter communication. A thank you wouldn’t have been too difficult would it? Especially to players that have grafted so hard and will be remembered fondly such as Leon Cort, Danny Hollands and Bradley Pritchard who in particular epitomised the phrase ‘hard working midfielder.’

Compare this to Chris Powell’s eulogy of Scott Wagstaff when he left the club last summer. The club’s comms team can’t be blamed, they could hardly invent a quote and therefore were left to just factually state the obvious, plus I suspect they have had their own opportunities to say personal goodbyes.

Twitter’s a great medium to communicate with players and pass on messages but it was great to see Leon Cort come onto the Charlton Life Forum yesterday and humbly say his thanks. A sign of class.
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May 21

1 Comment

Riga gone. Peeters in

A lot of drawing the dots this morning especially in Belgium where a number of good sources are reporting that Waasland-Beveren manager Bob Peeters has agreed to become the next manager of Charlton with Jose Riga moving back to AC Milan as Technical Director, the role he left to join us in March.

It is said that Riga is unhappy about not being offered the full time job at Charlton. He was quoted in a Belgium newspaper as saying “I do not imagine for a moment that it stops this way , so brutally. Without bragging on my part, including supporters, we had been very satisfied with the good turn of events and the work I could do in a competition that I had a lot of fun to discover. Now, to know why I have no voice, it remains a total mystery to me.”

This is exceptionally disappointing and shows Duchatelet’s cut throat nature, not to mention some poor man-management skills. Peeters is under contract with Waasland-Beveren until June 2015, so compensation will have to be agreed, although Waasland-Beveren have made a statement that they are “unpleasantly surprised by the reports in the press and if these rumours are correct, the negotiations were conducted without prior authorization for him.”
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May 13

2 Comments

Dervite to leave

Dorian Dervite, one of the stand-outs of Jose Riga’s reign looks set to sign for Bolton.

The Frenchman has said previously that he would like to stay on a long term deal, but I have heard nothing of an offer from the club. There was a ‘Dervite to Bolton’ rumour a month or so back, and knowing what Sordell was earning, it is clear that Bolton have a much higher wage bar, this despite the club’s huge debt.

One would think that Riga would like to keep Dervite, but we still know nothing on Duchatelet’s plans for the head coach. However this interview with a Belgium journal makes it pretty obvious that Riga wants to stay and that he has made his wishes clear to Duchatelet.
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May 7

1 Comment

Hollands and Hughes

Players contracts has been a topic of supporter’s conversation all season. Charlton won’t be alone in having a scratch squad left after June 1st, and I am sure there will be a record number of professionals available on free transfers.

With the loan players gone, Charlton have 18 players out of contract plus the coaching team of Alex Dyer, Damian Matthews, Karel Fraeye and Jose Riga all contract-less after June 1st.

Today Andy Hughes officially left the club, this on the back of Danny Green and Danny Hollands also moving on, although these two yet to be confirmed by the club.
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May 1

3 Comments

Duchâtelet’s plans for José Riga

“We will back you (Jose) 100%, and I really want you to see and hear for yourself a rip-roaring Valley because it will send shivers down your spine.” – what I wrote the day José Riga was appointed.

With rumours growing that Paul Hart will leave the club in the summer to embark on a much bigger challenge, many are talking of what Roland Duchâtelet’s plans are for Jose Riga.

Riga has acheived his goal and I think he has acted in a warm and very professional way in what were very difficult circumstances. He has endeared himself to players and fans, even to the most-avid of Chris Powell supporters, and gone about his job with the minimum of fuss.

Helped no doubt by Alex Dyer and Damien Matthews, who also should take great credit, as well as senior pros such as Johnnie Jackson and Andy Hughes, who was the centre-piece of the immediate post game celebrations on Tuesday, Riga’s ability in quickly adapting to new surroundings and mostly talking in a foreign language has been outstanding. Add to this the non-stop cycle of crucial games, which would’ve not allowed him a lot of time on the training ground to implement his ideas and philosphies, this has to be his greatest achievement in football, in what I maintain has been his biggest ever job.
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Apr 20

2 Comments

4-6-0

As José Riga pulls two names out of his hat tonight to decide which forward-combo he’ll try next I wonder if the CogniTraining connoisseur has considered a formation with no strikers whatsoever?

Dave will be shuddering at the thought but Craig Levein went with this line-up in a Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic. Hmm, that didn’t end well. Then there was Sam Allardyce, who once pointed out that he should be managing Real Madrid.

Big Sam set up his West Ham team earlier this season in a 4-6-0 formation much to those that follow the once World Cup winners angst. Not sure Big Sam and West Ham will end well either.
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Apr 19

2 Comments

Made in Charlton

Some good news earlier today as the Charlton’s U18’s won their Development League after beating QPR 4-3 away from home. Rangers were two points clear going into the final game of the season but in an exciting game the Addicks’ Brandon Hanlan grabbed the winner in the 88th minute.

The U18 Development League works the Play-Off system and as South Division winners we play the runners-up in the North, who were Crewe Alexander and QPR will play Huddersfield Town, the North winners.
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Apr 17

Good Friday after a bad Tuesday

It has been hard to shake Tuesday night. I tend not to dwell on games after 24 hours, but I have struggled with Tuesday. A restless night’s sleep preceeded the flight home yesterday and my unease wasn’t even shoved to one side by a large dose of Games of Thrones.

It was a long way to go to see that, but I have always said that when you pick your games and when you are a Charlton supporter, you have to retain a sense of inevitability.
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Apr 16

6 Comments

Charlton Athletic 1 Barnsley 2

“Many a good night at the football has been ruined by the football” – an old Chinese proverb.

That really was desperate last night and even the most glass half full Addick will have trouble fluffing that performance up.

From before kick off there were a lot of surprised looks amongst us after seeing Riga’s team. Harriott on the right instead of Wilson, no Morrison, Sordell again and no Reza or Astrit. In fact our bench looked pretty tasty and might of won us the old Evening Standard five-a-sides!

I have been keen not to criticize Riga as he and his grey suit attempt to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. This is the Belgian’s biggest ever job in football and his manner has impressed me. He has kept the spirit aided no doubt by the likes of Jackson, Hughes and Morrison. He’s attempted to slow games down and play at a pace we can dictate, utilizing the midfielders more where we have more talent. More passing, allowing for better possession and less pressure on the back five. It was a neat tactic.
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Apr 14

3 Comments

We go together

Tuesday night, and another Addicks game under the lights.

There are big games, there are massive games and there are huge games. All of those boxes are ticked tomorrow as we look to put a glimmer of light between us and the noise below us.
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Mar 27

1 Comment

Eagles didn’t dare to land!

Chris Eagles’ loan did not materialise today despite Charlton and Bolton agreeing wage commitments on the winger who is reported to be earning 30k a week! One would assume that Eagles preferred to count his money sat on the bench at the Reebok.

To be fair to Duchâtelet, Eagles completes a long list of loan deals that Charlton had offered complete with hefty financial obligations. Shaun Wright Phillips, Connor Wickham, Leon Best and Jonny Williams were all more than paper talk but for reasons best known to themselves neither one of the players wanted to come.
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Mar 24

3 Comments

New manager bounce

No, not us. Nottingham Forest have this morning sacked Billy Davies after 8 games without a win and with Forest now out of the Play-Off positions.

Old Addicks foe Neil Warnock is set to take charge until the end of the season. Warnock, who has a powerpoint presentation to rival Ian Dowie will be in his 10th management job and his first game is tomorrow against José Riga’s Addicks. Former Notts County boss Keith Curle is expected to be Warnock’s number two.

Billy Davies, who had just been given a touchline ban only signed a 4-year contract extension at the City Ground last October.
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Mar 23

2 Comments

What goal solution?

I have been wondering what Jose Riga was getting at when he said that goals were already within the squad.

Ignoring Cup goals our top scorers this season are Simon Church and Johnnie Jackson, each have scored 4. Lawrie Wilson and Marvin Sordell follow with 2 each, whilst the departed Yann Kermorgant and Dale Stephens account for a third of our total League goals.
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Mar 18

5 Comments

Charlton Athletic 1 AFC Bournemouth 0

“What gives me pleasure is that it’s happened here in our home, in The Valley.”

Bugger me, as I said after QPR, if there was ever a best way to win a game, then make it in the last minute in front of the Covered End.

It has been an emotionally charged week and if I was there tonight I’m not sure how I would have reacted to Jose Riga’s name being sung by the Covered End, yet equally I feel it is most definitely time to move on.

None of ‘this’ is Jose’s fault, and he has my total backing as I said the day he got appointed. People change, times change, but Addick blood does not fade very easily.

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Mar 12

4 Comments

Charlton Athletic 0 Huddersfield Town 0

“Often when something is new people suspect it, but I will just focus on my qualities.”

Life after Chris Powell didn’t look much different. José Riga selected a side not unlike one Powell would have picked, there was lots of commitment and effort and we still can’t score for toffee.

Riga did begin with Sordell up front, who sounded lively but missed a couple of golden opportunities to give us the three points we desperately needed. Thankfully Hamer was chosen over Thuram and Riga also picked AA and Reza to start. Mind you if Powell had taken off the Iranian for Pritchard with half an hour left the Powell haters would have gone epileptic!
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Mar 12

10 Comments

Who will play in goal tonight?

Because that will tell me everything I need to know about José Riga’s role at Charlton.

Riga may just sit in the stands and allow Dyer and Matthews to pick the team, but they won’t in a million years put Thuram in over Hamer. Nego, AA and Reza may all deserve to start after what happened on Sunday, but Thuram over Hamer will mean Riga is no more his own man than Nookie Bear.

Yesterday I felt sadness, not because we sacked a manager, but because Roland Duchatelet stabbed the club in the heart. To Duchatelet we are not a community, we are a business. I am not a supporter, I am a customer. He talks of fan experience, well in a week he has put the prices of season tickets up, tried to remove fans from the front rows of the Upper North, insist others move their seat, and make Crossbars membership compulsory for a rather large price tag, then wants to dictate to the manager which team to pick, and then unceremoniously sacks him when he doesn’t jump to his tune and brings in one of his “company men” who when Addicks were fighting political elections was designing IT systems for a French insurance company.
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Mar 11

9 Comments

José Riga

José Riga has 20 years experience developing IT systems, the modern day manager eh? He also helped develop the CogiTraining concept, which he introduced at AC Milan. We will no doubt be hearing more about this, but here is the science bit:

‘Modern football goes all about rhythm, timing, spacing and exceptional technical and mental skills. The CogiTraining Method allows initially “normal” players to internalise the essential ingredient of modern football, that is: speed of vision, speed of decision-making, speed of execution.’

Riga’s innovative approach got him working with managers such as Gerard Houllier and Eric Gerets as well as with UEFA and then the Belgium FA. A former player in the lower leagues his first coaching job was with C.S. Visé in the Belgium 3rd Division, twice getting them promoted to Division 2 in two different spells.

He was first team coach at Sprimont-Comblain, who from what I see look like they play in a park. Nonetheless Riga was obviously getting noticed because in 2003 he got a coaching job at Standard Liege.
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Mar 11

4 Comments

Paul Hart

One has to assume that Alex Dyer, Damian Matthews, Ben Roberts, Laurence Bloom and possibly Keith Peacock will all follow Chris Powell out of The Valley car park, although Dyer and Matthews did take training today under the watchful eyes of José Riga.

My attention and concern now turns to Paul Hart. Duchatelet has spoken often about his respect for Charlton’s youth academy and Paul Hart must take the majority of credit for that. He and his team have done a tremendous job nursing and building a foundation for the future of the football club.
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