Jun 16
Like him or loathe him, Ronaldo was sensational yesterday as the 2018 World Cup burst into life in Sochi after two underwhelming earlier games. It was all there. The petulance, the berating, the dedication, the brilliance. That was Ronaldo’s 51st career hatrick, which I find unfathomable. Ronaldo is one of the best ever, possibly the best. Let’s see how Messi, in a much better team, responds next.
It is neither a shock, nor the end of the world that players are being moved on. Players each partly culpable for our relegation sold to raise funds through fees and wages, or allowing them to move to a higher level because of contractual obligations (JBG), or because it is fair and proper (Cousins) or simply because they are rubbish (Sarr).
As expected Nick Pope and Johann Berg Gundmundsson were officially unveiled by Burnley today. Tony Watt beat the rush out of Austria to return home to pack his well worn overnight bag and looks set to move to Hearts of the SPL for family reasons. Must be a right pain for our Tony listing his past 5-year addresses when he’s applying to Sky for his movie channel.
Please click for more
I don’t actually mind the new kit. Traditional, low on frills, the proper colour red. The new sponsor is a bit of a talking point. Yes, a load of clubs have gambling companies sponsoring them but its not very community centric Charlton is it? That’s my only gripe, that it is just another layer of what Charlton has always been all about that the owners have peeled off and thrown away. Our history, our culture. Discarded like a Belgium chocolate wrapper.
I like the kit, it’s obviously straight out of the Nike catalogue, but I won’t be buying it as I bought one of these instead. Over 800 protest shirts the organisers have sold, and hats off to them. Terrific effort.
Please click for more
I have to be honest, I’m not really in the mood for football. The tragedy that is Charlton at the moment has sucked all of the football life out of me. For as long as I can remember I’ve looked forward with great anticipation to every major tournament since the first one I can remember in 1974.
I’m optimistic it draws me in. It should, I have a ruddy big above my desk, the timings of the games are good for Bermuda – late morning beer, lunchtime beer and early evening beer – and I will even be back in the UK for parts of it.
Please click for more
So low had any confidence in a Charlton result got that when the commentator on BBC Radio 5 read out the latest score from Elland Road as 1-0 to Leeds after they scored, I actually stopped and thought that we are so bad that we must have somehow contrived to have two goals taken away from us!
In all honesty I felt so removed, so empty during the game that it was hard to care when JBG and then Lookman scored, mind you we should never scoff at beating Leeds even though they are a fully signed up member of the looney tune foreign owner club. Blackpool continued their protests today against the Oyston family with 3,000 marching on Bloomfield Road before the game, which included I noticed a Charlton flag. The Tangerines lost 4-0 to promoted Wigan, which pretty much condemns them to another relegation. Let us just close our eyes and think about for a second.
Please click for more
Johann Berg Gudmundsson will be the lowest league ranked player in the Icelandic squad at this summer’s Euro’s but will be expected to play an important role for the Strákarnir okkar playing at their first major finals. Fortunately for JBG miscellaneous Albanian’s and Northern Irishmen will not make him the lowest levelled player in France, but it is further evidence of how a season that could have showed so much promise for Charlton has been nothing short of a disaster.
When Johann signed his new contract extension in June last year Guy Luzon said that “it shows that Gudmundsson believed in what we are trying to achieve here.” JBG himself tweeted that he was “hopeful we can make some history in the coming years.”
Please click for more
By far. This morning Johann Berg Gudmundsson put pen to paper on a new four year contract, which sends fans many positive messages after a summer so far of frustration and concern.
From the club’s point of view it shows ambition and no doubt securing the Icelandic on this improved deal did not come cheap. It also means, rightly, that they should get good money for him when it is time to sell.
From Gudmundsson: “We want to build a squad for the future and I am one part of that,” he said. “It is really nice for all of the squad to know that players are sticking around and that we are getting some new signings as well. We know that the football club are serious about what they want to do.”
Please click for more
According to more and more sources including Richard Cawley in the SLP, Charlton are close to pulling off the loan signing of Palermo’s Danish striker Simon Makienok.
The 24-year Makienok scored about a goal every other game during three seasons for Brøndby in his home country which prompted a big chase for him across Europe a year ago. However at Palermo the giant striker struggled for both game time and with the local language and the Serie A side are trying to offload him and it looks as if Charlton are favourites to sign him.
Please click for more
First win in 5 or unbeaten in 4. Depends how you look at our closing of this very strange season. I’m just glad that those at The Valley were sent home happy after a 5th goal in Charlton colours for Tony Watt, Watt, Watt and another penalty from Yoni Buyens.
It sounded another game of two halves as Guy Luzon tinkered with his squad resting Jordan Cousins, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Roger Johnson. Luzon’s team selection was also a chance for Alou Diarra to shine in central midfield and for Chris Eagles to play for a new contract out wide. Diarra lasted 11 minutes, Eagles 45. The Frenchman leaving the fray with a knee injury. Please click for more
Anything to do with Sheffield Wednesday is of course always massive. Before the game the Addicks were the only Championship team whose season’s fate was already decided. It was mathematically impossible for the Addicks to go either up or down, whereas Wednesday were in desperate need of more points to stave off relegation!
No, I didn’t buy it either but cheap ticketing meant over 23,000 came through the Hillsborough turnstiles including a healthy Charlton contingent to witness a decent-ish game on a poor pitch between two sides with one eye on their summer holidays.
Please click for more
“We can’t be letting five/ten players go, we need consistency and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on the ins and outs over the summer, that’s for sure.”
I have been impressed with what I have seen and heard from Stephen Henderson since he arrived in SE7 last summer. He has been very impressive in goal and speaks well, and clearly is enjoying his time at the club, despite his absence through injury.
If it wasn’t for the shoulder injury the Irishman would have by now played for the Addicks more than any other club in his career, which has spanned 8 years and 10 different teams, 11 if you include Aston Villa where he started in their youth team.
So it is no surprise that Henderson is so bullish, finally finding a club that has immersed him and where he has found some affinity. Interesting then that he was quoted as saying the above at the top of this post.
Please click for more
Another day, another defeat. Our 14th game without a win. Middlesbrough proved as anticipated too good, but less anticipated was that for a period anyway, we weren’t quite a bad as many thought.
In fact in the latter stages of the 1st half around when JBG stole an excellent equaliser we sounded as if we played with good purpose and intent, driven forward by skipper Johnnie Jackson, on for the unfortunately injured Milos Veljkovic.
At the break, like many I was pleasantly surprised. By the time I’d put my half time cup of tea in the washing up bowl, normal service had been resumed.
Please click for more
After a 1st half where the Addicks showed all the Boxing Day spirit of an empty stocking, the 2nd they shimmered like a star on top of the tree.
Sadly once again we very slow out of the blocks and 0-1 down before we’d even broken sweat. Bob had changed it, and left out youngsters Pope and Fox, hopefully with some good man-management skills, but it was hard to argue against the change.
Gomez played left back, Johnnie Jackson returned from injury to take his place in central midfield and it was George’s turn to start up top as Igor began on the bench. No place for the perennial bench warmers Wilson or Bulot.
Please click for more
A great edge of the seat performance tonight. Not from Charlton but by Peter Finch and Terry Smith on CAFC Player, who delivered another wonderfully biased and passionate commentary.
It was a very good point in the circumstances, and I do wonder if we’d have continued with 11 players after JBG’s penalty, if we might have gone onto win it. Certainly Elland Road was in meltdown and Bob appeared to want to go for it.
As it was we finished with Wilson at left back, Cousins at right back, Gudmundsson right side midfield, Igor left side, Jackson and Coquelin in the middle and with debutant and not match fit Oguchi Onyewu up front on his own.
Please click for more
At half-time yesterday I started to believe that the players were on the same page as Roland Duchâtelet, i.e. they were content with 22 points.
However the 2nd half from the commentary anyway sounded much improved and we played some more incisive football and once Igor was introduced packed a much bigger punch up top.
If Bob can keep Igor and JBG 100% fit then I think we can compete in the top half of the table, and within reach of the play-off’s, without them and until Bob is able to sign some additional recruits we will continue to resemble a patchwork quilt.
Please click for more
I have arrived in Miami from Kansas City this afternoon and joined by a mate we will have a night on the tiles before flying back to Bermuda Saturday evening.
That means tomorrow I will again be away from home whilst the Addicks play signifying more desperate tapping at the phone for two hours.
The International break was a bit of a nuisance and I hope it hasn’t interrupted our good start out of the blocks. Watford took the opportunity to replace their manager despite a terrific start and the Hornets will be playing under former Brighton boss Oscar Garcia for the first time.
Please click for more
I would happily have taken a point beforehand, and the opening half-hour was as I envisaged it with the Bees full of confidence and vigour and us, with 7 new signings, trying to find our feet.
Therefore I was pleased that we took a hold of the game late in the 1st half and then from what I heard and obtained from those there, we played very well in the 2nd half, but of course in true Charlton style were left hanging on at the death.
I was after substance today and I think we got that from Peeters side, who obviously sent them out with a plan after half-time. We had the added bonus of an impressive display from Igor Vetokele as well as Johan Berg Gudmundsson. An extra bonus was Solly slotting into his right back spot and being the majorities man of the match. In front of Roy Hodgson too!
Please click for more
Whilst a little underwhelmed this morning by the signing of Tal Ben Haim, I am certainly ‘whelmed’ by the capture of Icelandic winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
The 23-year old signs on a 2-year contract after leaving Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar on July 1st. Gudmundsson arrives with a very impressive reputation. He has 32 Icelandic caps and came to prominence with this cracking hat-trick against Switzerland in World Cup qualifying.
Please click for more
New York, New York
