Playing With Intent – Charlton 4, Blackpool 1

Well, it looks like Pardew's got it right – yesterday's match was one of the best Charlton performances I've seen in a long time, and the 4-1 scoreline barely underlined the superiority of the home side.

Sticking with the 4-4-2 that showed promise the previous week against West Brom, Blackpool couldn't cope with the constant waves of Charlton attacks. I lost count of the efforts on goal by the end of the match, which will hopefully raise the confidence levels of a team so bereft of creativity after the continued absence of Andy Reid.

Bougherra headed home the first as Blackpool gifted a free header in the box. Only minutes later, a great run from Varney saw him slip his shot between the Seasider's defenders and past ex-Addick Rachubka. 2-0 After 10 minutes, and Charlton were flying.

Blackpool threatened to make a game of it just 2 minutes later as Ben Burgess hit a cracking volley past a helpless Weaver, but Zheng Zhi restored the 2-goal cushion with a cool finish after more tireless work from Varney.

For once we were a team playing with intent, and we threatened to score even more. Youga and Viewtoakill were fantastic in pushing forward to pressure the Blackpool defence, and there were many times that Mou was playing ahead of Lloyd Sam to support the attack.

Youga was particularly impressive, playing with an air of nonchalance yet always being in the right place to challenge, and distributing the ball effectively. Other bloggers have noticed a similarity to Alex Song, and I'd echo that sentiment. A real find at left back, and he was under our noses all the chuffing time!

The star of the game for me though was the hardworking Zhi, and his tireless effort was rewarded with his second of the game in the 52nd minute. In a defensive lapse all too similar to the first goal, Bougherra crashed a header against the post and Zhi duly smashed home the rebound.

You really did get the feeling that we were capable of scoring on every attack, and it should have been 5 when substitute Thomas somehow blazed over an open goal from 6 yards after yet another great run from Varney.

Iwelumo and Dickson came on for the final 10 minutes, and I hope the starting line-up from now will be Varney +1 on the basis of this display. McLeod again disappointed and failed to threaten with 80 minutes on the pitch, and I think he has to get out on loan quick.

Iwelumo would be a great partner to Varney, but only if the team can stop the temptation to launch the ball to him at every opportunity. I'm sure Pards has made it clear to Big Chris that he's been out of the side purely on a team basis, and that it's always the intention for him to return when we start playing football again.

I think the corner could have been turned though after two good displays, and a lot of it is due to the nature and intent of the two wing-backs.

If you have players who want to keep the ball at their feet, it will stay there.

Half Time Oranges

I can’t tell you too much positive stuff about Blackpool I’m afraid – I know bugger all about tomorrow’s opposition, but if they’re anywhere near as bad as the town it should be a walkover.

Luckilly this is a home game, as Blackpool actually ranked lower than Cardiff on my ‘away-trip-ometer’ when I looked at the fixtures list – nothing against Cardiff as a city, it’s just that I prefer to come back from an away game without resembling a pin-cushion. ;)

My last visit to Blackpool was a few years ago to meet a mate for the weekend, and what a time I had. Anyone with a romanticised view of this seaside town in recent years must be either bordering on insanity, or posses the honesty levels of a dodgy MP on donation day.

The seafront is littered with more tacky wares than a closing down sale in a pound shop, and the visitors are equally as cultured. I can’t recall ever seeing as many stag and hen parties in one place – you couldn’t move for drunken tossers staggering out of pubs at noon, and this wasn’t even a match day.

It’s a shame for the locals as the town could be so much nicer, and I do blame the influx of boozed-up cretins. Residents must be continually frustrated to the point of suicide by the weekly arrival of some of the shallowest swimmers in the gene pool.

Anyway, now I’ve managed to make myself welcome on the North West coast, on to the home side…

I hope Pardew intends to stick with the same side from the West Brom game, partly from a purely selfish viewpoint as I want to see what I missed out on last week. I’ve been calling for a serious look at 4-4-2 for ages, and a run out against a team unbeaten over the Christmas period will be another good test.

I expect Blackpool to turn up looking for a point, so a switch back to 4-5-1 would be a negative step suiting an away side hoping to snatch something on the break. Sticking with the shape from last week with the support of Viewtoakill and Youga on the wings should hopefully keep Blackpool pressed in their own half, something we’ve been crying out to do as a home team for so long.

I’m going for a home win on this one, and anything that can raise the morale further before a tough trip to West Brom on Tuesday will be a bonus.

Cotton Wool Culture

Image c/o Wikipedia Commons

I spotted an absolute corker in the kitchen today. Whilst reaching for the washing tablets in order to fade what little colour remains in my home kit, a gem on the detergent box caught my attention.

“Do not ingest.”

I'm not making this up – take a look at your detergent back home and check it out for yourself. I mean, FFS – I know I was hungry, but what the hell is the world coming to when companies feel compelled to inform you not to dine on washing powder???

It gets worse though. After the disappointment of missing out on a non-biological meal, my attention turned to my fabric softener from the same manufacturer. Perfectly safe to drink apparently – it must be, no ingestion warnings! Although you're buggered if it gets in your eyes.

Ridiculous isn't it – if anyone is stupid enough to require a warning on one of those products, won't they need it on both!?!

Sadly, risk-aversion in business and establishments is becoming increasingly common in UK society, and this latest episode shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Practically anything that has the slightest potential to cause so much as a warm cuddle has to be plastered with disclaimers and safety information.

My beer tells me to “drink responsibly”. My iPod cheerfully tells me “don't steal music”. My packets of nuts informs me it “may contain nuts”... People are simply becoming sh*t-scared of getting sued these days, and it's getting plain daft.

In contrast I spent last Christmas in Thailand, and the place was like a breath of fresh air. OK, perhaps not literally – I felt like I'd smoked 40 B&H the moment I took my first gulp of Bangkok 'oxygen', but the place teaches you to take care of yourself.

Electric power cables dangle perilously above your head. Stalls with questionable hygiene (but incredible food) line the street. If you're feeling crazy, you can walk into a tiger sanctuary without cages. All things with varying degrees of risk in terms of Western society, but it makes you feel so much more alive. More importantly, you take responsibility for yourself.

It's always somebody else's fault for so many people these days. "Didn't get a warning - not my fault". No room for common sense in this place, no Siree. We're becoming a nation clinically insulated to risk, being led a merry jig by a motley crew of consumer-law killjoys all too busy suffocating us in cotton wool.

What people seem to be forgetting is the impact of common sense and learned behaviour. It's often said that “the man who makes the most mistakes learns the fastest”, but we're not even getting the chance these days.

Isn't this what evolution and progress is all about? Losing the ability to make a mistake robs a person of their ability to question, and to discover things for themselves. If this progresses further, the natural conclusion is to devoid yourself of making any kind of decision and live life on a perpetually dull auto-pilot.

Could this be reverse-evolution? With less mistakes and discoveries through choice, it's arguable that the basis for progress as we know it could be blighted.

I suppose at least we might see some honesty on our season tickets in future though...

“Ticket may provide only limited entertainment” - it could happen yet...     ;)

Cashing In The Chips

Well, I've made up for my plasticity after staying away from The Valley on Saturday – I've got my West Brom ticket for my first ever trip to The Hawthorns, and I've finally contracted Cup Fever.

Why? Well, it's the prospect of another away tie to come, and Peterborough lie in wait for the victors.

I always enjoy the road trips, and you've only got to look at this season's results to see why. So far I've had the fun of Stoke, Palace, Coventry, Hull, Preston and Norwich – Stoke result aside, that's a pretty good haul.

The team seems to dig in so much more away from The Valley – perhaps the pressure to perform isn't as great, the weight of expectation lessened, the support stronger... only the players can be sure what makes them tick.

One thing I know I can rely on against the Baggies next week is a bit of comeback from a certain comedian pictured above – Frank Skinner owes us one. He's the one on the right by the way - apologies for blanking out my boat-race, but us bloggers have to keep some level of mystery... ;)

I met him a few years ago in a London pub and he was a genuinely likeable guy. Didn't know me from Adam, but chatted for a while about random stuff, football, the 4-1 stuffing they dished out at The Valley the previous season, and staying up thanks to the Palace result. I wished Frank well for West Brom and he did the same for us.

Well Frankie boy, it's time for me to cash in my chips. I'll take a result next week please if that's alright with you. Nothing flashy necessary – no hat-tricks in 10 minutes like a certain Mr Earnshaw was gifted, a nice tidy 1-0 will suffice.

After all, you'll want to concentrate on the league won't you? Your mate Adrian Chiles must be gagging for West Brom to be back on Match Of The Day!

Come on matey, you know it makes sense... I've another away trip to plan!

Changes Rung – Charlton 1, WBA 1

Image © Charlton Athletic

Looks like I missed out yesterday then – Viewtoakill, Youga, Varney, McLeod, Basey and Dickson were all given a chance, and by all accounts we actually played some football.

With a 4-4-2 formation the emphasis had to be about keeping the ball on the deck, especially considering a forward pairing who won't trouble too many defenders in the air.

I've no problem with playing it long occasionally, but after 10 games or so of constant hoofing it was time for the ball to be reacquainted with the Valley turf. Iwelumo's been great for us this season, but the temptation to lump the ball forward when he plays has clearly proved too great at times.

It's really promising to hear about Youga's performance – I'm yet to see him in a Charlton shirt, but the glowing reviews on the back of yesterday's result make him seem like a new signing for us.

The combination of him and Mouataouakil at the back could give us the attacking spark we so desperately need at the moment – despite the experience of the Mills/Powell pairing, their occasional bursts forward looked all too telegraphed at times due to their lack of pace.

We've looked flat on the wings for much of this season, and with Reid's prolonged absence, this new combination could provide a basis for the creativity we've needed. The linkup with Thomas and Sam on the flanks could provide a real scare to defences at this level. Equally important, the added excitement will help get a recently disillusioned crowd back on side.

The performance yesterday could aid the club as they consider their moves in the transfer window. Basey and Youga have the left covered, Mou and Bougherra can operate on the right, leaving the focus on improving the cover at centre-back. The midfield and strikers need a kick up the arse more than anything else at the moment, so I can't see too much movement in the dressing room this month.

So, hats off to Pards for having a go at it, and giving me another chance to take my first trip to The Hawthorns. Let's hope the kit-man uses his second chance and packs the right shorts this time... ;)

Case For The Kids

I'm wondering if I'm going to regret missing the game today. There's rumours that Pardew's selection will have a whiff of a 'run out' for some of the younger fringe players, and I for one would wholeheartedly support this approach.

This may aggravate some fans who feel the cup is special and should be respected, but let's be honest – in the last few games has anyone really deserved to keep their place? We're always screaming to give the young blood a chance, and today is the ideal opportunity. Change it up and see what happens.

The reality is that the league is more important to us this season than the last few years. We've always done enough recently to cling to mid-table or thereabouts in the Prem and looked forward to the prospect of cup glory, which sadly always ended in miserable failure.

Things are different now. We're in real danger of going stale at the moment, and are playing like a dull mid-table team a league lower than we're comfortable with. The opportunity of playing a team like West Brom with a changed line-up is a gift right now, and one that should be taken.

If we were playing a team from another division, higher or lower, we'd simply be playing to avoid embarrassment. We'd try hard to grind out a result and learn nothing from it. Playing the best team in our league totally removes the pressure – we've an idea of what we're up against, and can try out some different tactics.

In fact I'm kicking myself right now that my day will consist of 2 trips to Essex and back in the car (which passed with flying colours by the way!), rather than an afternoon out at The Valley casting an eye over a youthful side hungry to stake a place in the first team.

Today could possibly see any of Viewtoakill, Racon, Dickson, Christiansen, Arter, Youga, Sankofa and Basey, some of which are players I won't get a chance to see normally unless I get off my lazy arse and finally attend a reserves match. Varney could get a chance to shine in a standard 4-4-2, and McLeod may have a shot at showing his goal at The Hawthorns wasn't just a fluke.

Having said all that, Pardew might still opt for the same boring toss we've been subjected to for the last few games. I urge you Pards – take a risk today! No-one's expecting us to win, you've seen what happens when the Woolwich Rejects play the kids! Be a devil...

There's 4½ hours til kick-off as I write this Pards, you've still got time...

Anyone For A Sing Song?

There's been a lot of talk of late about stadium atmosphere after Ferguson's latest lambasting of the Old Trafford prawn sandwich brigade faithful, and it's interesting to take a look in our own back yard at The Valley.

Charlton have never been flash enough for prawn sandwiches (a rip-off Wimpy joint at best), have never really been fashionable, but are well known for being friendly, welcoming, and passionate about what we stand for. Along with Richard Murray's investment, the fans are how the club is still in existence today.

We're often criticised for being one of the quieter clubs, and although there are times when we create a lot of noise, we do sometimes emulate the North-London based Woolwich rejects of Arsenal in the library stakes.

The clichés are always there about the effect of the 'twelfth man', but I do believe it has an effect. However, in customary hypocritical form, I'll put my hands up as being one of the quiet ones a lot of the time. I'll happily sing Valley Floyd Road, Red Army, CAFC, SAP etc, but I'd never be the one starting a song and won't always join in.

You see, sometimes I just want to concentrate on the game. I don't always feel I want to sing, but there are other times when I feel the team needs a bit of a spur and I'll pipe up. If I'm quiet it doesn't necessarily mean I'm not backing the lads.

Who's responsible for the noise though? If the team puts in an abject display and doesn't appear to be trying, why should we even bother? You can't really win with this one – if you don't sing, it will all too often be noted by the manager that we're not getting behind the team and it becomes 'our problem'. But are we responsible for the ones creating the spark, or does this lie with the players and the manager?

Personally, I think it rests on the attitudes of the team. A flash of brilliance, a neat turn, a clever pass, chasing down their man, a crunching tackle, just bloody trying – that will get me going, get me out of my seat, and squawking like a demented reject from X Factor. Alternatively, if no-one on the pitch is giving a toss, I'm not sure they deserve it. It shouldn't take a song from people getting paid a tiny fraction of a player's salary to spark them into it in the first place - these are professionals who should want to win.

Cutting off our noses we may be in such instances – but as much as a football fan has the right to revel and join in the success, don't we also have the right to show our dissatisfaction? The Wycombe cup game last year was a case in point – after such a disgraceful display, if it wasn't for the berating of the crowd it's arguable we may have missed out on getting Pardew in before Christmas.

I'm no fan of the 'boo boys' by any means – I can't stand it when people start booing after the fist misplaced pass, but on that bleak match last December I'll put it in the 'time and place' bracket.

What can the club do to help though? For a start, there has to be the acceptance that not everyone wants to sing through the game. After their relocation to Eastlands, Manchester City attempted to generate atmosphere by introducing a 'singing section'. Despite fears such a move may keep the noise isolated to a single area, by all reports it seems that this has led to noise spreading throughout other areas as people are more confident to join in.

Whilst I'm not keen on having designated singing sections, one thing I would be keen on is the re-introduction of standing areas in the ground. This would have a number of benefits to the club and supporters:
- capacity would increase
- prices should reduce as a result
- standing generally encourages more vocal support
- people who want to stay seated can, and without the problem of persistent standers

One thing I definitely don't want to see is the relocation of away supporters. I'm very proud that Charlton carry on the tradition of giving away fans their own end behind the goal, and I find it sickening that clubs such as Newcastle and more recently Aston Villa are putting away supporters in less 'intimidating' areas.

It's the cowards way out isn't it? Hide the away fans, keep them out of sight, away from the penalty areas and places where they could have a stronger effect on the match and have an influence on officials. In fact, I positively welcome vocal away support – the banter can be excellent and I think in many ways it spurs us on to give the same backing to our own team.

The reaction at the Blackpool game next week will be an interesting one after tomorrow's result – if West Brom knock us out (as I expect), the league means more to us than ever.

Let's hope the player's feel the same way – I could do with a good old sing song...