Jun 13
I’m quite sad about this, and his departing words brought a little tear to my eye. That goal at Wembley was of our greatest moments.
Prior to Ben Garner arriving we were led to believe that Purrington and his agent were in discussions to sign a new contract, so it could be that Purrington has a better offer or that Garner pulled the rug, whatever we are now even shorter on defenders as we start pre-season this week.
Please click for moreCouldn’t ask for much more than that.
Doncaster were poor, but Jacko’s team executed an astute game plan, pressed and harried, got forward in numbers creating loads of chances and ended with another important clean sheet.
Please click for moreBen Purrington maybe the 7/10 no headlines player, but he will be missed greatly at Fulham on Saturday when Lee Bowyer will turn to either Deji Oshilaja or probably Naby Sarr in a back three as we take on the threat of the joint leading goal scorers.
Bowyer described the absence of Lewis Page as “mind boggling.” The 23-year old has not played for over a year after beginning last season so well showing tenacity and a real threat going forward, and quickly becoming popular with Addicks.
Back with a bang. Wow, I don’t think many of us were expecting that. A squad short on numbers, but never short on belief and resolve, and urged on again by a band of noisy Addicks.
The first half hour was probably as expected, Blackburn dominated possession and we looked like a team thrown a little together in the school playground. Yet there was work rate and the back five looked solid led admirably by Jason Pearce with Darren Pratley in front of him.
Ben Purrington has flown out to Malaga to sign a 3-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Purrington had a year left on his Rotherham contract.
Rich Cawley leaked the move this morning and then today the Rotherham left-back flew out to finalize his move and join the Addicks’ training camp at La Cala.
You’ll never going to believe us, but the reds are going up. Allez, Allez, Allez.
Well, what a journey that was. What a day. What a team, what heroes Lee Bowyer and Johnnie Jackson are. Yesterday will be a day Addicks, team and supporters as one, will remember for the rest of their lives.
The finer details of the game are a little blurry. It was game that flipped from scrappy to nervy to a finely balanced battle. It’s interesting that reports of the game seemed to think we were deserving winners. I wasn’t so sure from where I sat, but Sunderland are a very functional side, hard to beat, but lacking flair. Meanwhile Bowyer has put together a team that can change a game, be the more adventurous, can play around sides. The first goal, which was pure poetry, a great example.
Allez, allez, allez.
A consummate performance yesterday in Salop, the scene of not so fond memories at the end of last season. Since then for Shrewsbury’s part they’ve had their squad and management team ripped apart and have had two managers since. Meanwhile we look much better prepared for promotion 7 months on, and the shoe was on the other foot yesterday as we controlled the game, as they did then.
In May Karlan Grant was at Crawley and Lyle Taylor was a figment of Lee Bowyer’s imagination, but yesterday up front together they caused havoc amongst Shrewsbury’s back line, which was one of the Shrews’ assets last season. Grant could have scored four, but his pace was a constant menace. And it was a sign of his confidence that he stepped up for the penalty and struck it with such aplomb.
Ben Purrington has signed on loan until the end of the season. Purrington is a Rotherham player but has played every league game at Wimbledon this season where he has been on loan.
That alone makes a welcome change to bringing in a loan player that is either returning from injury or an inexperienced young player from a big club that is looking to get some games under his belt. As Lee Bowyer said “the big positive is that he’s played every game at Wimbledon and is ready to go.”
Chicago Addick 