Callum Harriott | Chicago Addick

Aug 5

The first pangs of a new season

I’m liking the cut of Russell Slade’s jib. He says it straight, and talks with authority and honesty. He’s got a little twinkle in his eye too. That can be quite infectious.

I said a while back that if they could bring Jason Pearce into the club, then that would say a lot about Slade’s influence and ability to manage our inadequate CEO, and to get what he wants and or was promised. Pearce joined yesterday and for me is the signing of the summer. Pearce is a winner, vocal and not stupid. He has also been team captain wherever he has played and I suspect he will be for us with Jacko remaining club captain.
Please click for more

Mar 5

3 Comments

Brentford 1 Charlton Athletic 2

A win. We actually scored more goals than the other team. Callum Harriott has often saved his best work away from home for Jose Riga and he was a 2-goal hero, the first after just 19 seconds.

Makienok also hit the bar late on and we have suddenly found where the goal is, although yet another goal was conceded from a corner despite Riga putting his defensive line up in another Karel Fraeye’s automatic team selector. Henderson missing out according to Riga due to a dead leg.
Please click for more

Jan 8

5 Comments

Cup fever. Or will it end in the flu?

When you think about it, it is astonishing that we are only one point from safety. We have won 2 games in 22 matches! That stretch of games over two different managers, Fraeye’s record worse than Luzon’s even though that is hard to believe because it had to be a better decision.

In all seriousness it is incredible that in 25 games we have seen us win just 4 times, yet we are still within a very good fighting chance of staying up, even though the bookies have given up on us. Corals have us at 1/5 to go down.

A long time ago, in fact probably on the eve of the opening weekend, I looked at the teams in The Championship and tried to find 3 other candidates for relegation. Who will be worse than us? And that scheme still very much applies.
Please click for more

Jan 2

4 Comments

Charlton Athletic 1 Nottingham Forest 1

A more spirited performance from Charlton today backed well by Charlton fans throughout – more on those brilliant Addicks later, who continue to protest outside the west stand as I type this.

The returning Callum Harriott made a shock start and was involved in almost every good move Charlton made. Playing in a midfield three he set up Makienok’s equaliser and almost grabbed a winner at the death. Charlton had the better chances, although Forest sounded more comfortable in possession.

At half-time though most Addicks thought the script had already been written when with Forest upping the pressure they scored in the 44th minute, the 4th time in 5 matches that Fraeye’s team have conceded right on half time.
Please click for more

Dec 7

Nottingham Forest 1 Charlton Athletic 1

A draw! Our 11th of the season. Most Addicks would have taken that, although if you had us down for a draw on the Pools, you wouldn’t have been surprised!

I was out most of the day, so had to rely on quick glances, but after losing so heartbreakingly last week, it was great to hear us start today with such poise, and a goal, from Callum Harriott, and very well worked it sounded too.
Please click for more

Jul 18

2 Comments

Goalie coming

It sounds like the Addicks will steal a march on Brighton and sign West Ham’s Stephen Henderson on a season-long loan.

The Irishman has like many young ‘keepers played at a host of clubs, nearly all on loan. The 26-year old began his career at Aston Villa but moved to Bristol City without making his senior debut at Villa Park.

He made 25 appearances for Portsmouth after signing for them in 2011. West Ham signed him from Pompey after a loan spell in which he sat on the bench in the Championship play-off final. He then signed permanently but has never made a first team appearance for the Hammers.
Please click for more

Apr 29

9 Comments

Charlton Athletic 3 Watford 1

“Most of the players are the DNA of Charlton. I’m very happy and very proud and I’m happy to give back to the people. It’s important because we are more than a team we are a squad. And we are more than a squad, we are a club.”

I have an overwhelming feeling of relief over joy. It has been a wretched season but at the very least we grabbed the opportunity to decide our own destiny and put in a performance in front of our own allowing players and fans together to let out a collective deep breath.

There were rightly celebrations too, you can’t afford to pass them up as an Addick, and for the third season in a row the final home game ended with smiles, speeches and hugs all round.

Watford certainly had less impetus than Blackburn, albeit with an injury hit team, and with Riga lining us up in a 4-5-1 formation we took the game to the nothing-to-play-for Hornets and got the all important first goal when Callum Harriott lashed in.
Please click for more

May 31

Ceddy turns down offer

Wolves this afternoon appointed Kenny Jackett as Head Coach. It’s about the most sensible decision to come out of the Molineux boardroom for some time although I will be interested to see how Jackett works with Head of Football Development and Recruitment Kevin Thelwell and fan’s public enemy No.1 Jez Moxey.

Millwall’s search continues with St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas the bookies favourite and it must have been a bloody big ladder that Brighton walked under as their woes don’t seem to be ending any time soon.
Please click for more