Sunday 30 September 2012
Sunday 2 September 2012
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Charlton Athletic
An impressive Nottingham Forest team proved too much for Chris Powell's Charlton Athletic at The City Ground on Saturday.
The Addicks were completely outplayed by Forest in the first-half, and might've felt fortunate to only have conceded once in that first-period. A stronger second-half from Charlton wasn't enough, as they slipped to their first Championship defeat of the season.
Chris Powell stuck with the same side that has played every game so far, with Dale Stephens being the only exception, having been the subject of numerous bids from Aston Villa the previous evening. The midfielder's passing ability and calmness in possession was evidently what Charlton were missing.
Forest started the game very brightly, and should perhaps been a goal up with nine minutes on the clock, former Charlton man Andy Reid's cut-back was hit powerfully at goal by Adlene Guedioura, but he could only find the crossbar.
The team in red did take the lead ten minutes later however, after Chris Solly brought down Simon Cox just outside the left-hand side of the penalty-area. Lewis McGugan swung in a free-kick that Addicks goalkeeper Ben Hamer flapped at, and the ball flew into the far corner.
Not long after and McGugan was at it again, as he saw his shot from just outside the area deflected narrowly wide of Hamer's post. Every player in black breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Charlton's best opportunity of the half came in the closing stages, but Michael Morrison saw his header comfortably saved by Lee Camp.
Charlton looked better in the second-half, and Jordan Cook saw his shot from just outside the area fumbled but eventually saved by Camp. But Forest still had the better chances, and Andy Reid saw his fierce drive across goal from Blackstock's chip unconverted.
With half an hour to go, Danny Haynes replaced Jordan Cook, as Charlton looked for an equaliser.
However Forest came close again soon after, Adlene Guedioura's volley deflected over the bar by Danny Hollands, although the referee gave a goal-kick.
Forest did find themselves two goals to the good with fifteen minutes to go though, as Chelsea loanee and defender Sam Hutchinson found a way through the Charlton defence, and finished neatly past Ben Hamer.
Charlton made two changes soon after this, presumably as a reaction to the goal. Debutant Ricardo Fuller replaced Bradley Wright-Phillips and Danny Hollands was replaced by Salim Kerkar.
Fuller made an immediate impact, and with three minutes to go, he pulled a goal back. Yann Kermorgant spotted Chris Solly on the overlap, whose cross was headed emphatically against the inside of the post by Fuller, and on to Lee Camp and into the net.
Fuller almost helped grab an equaliser, as he found his way into the box and played the ball into Salim Kerkar, whose volley was stopped, probably unintentionally, by the hands of a Forest defender.
Forest could have made it three in the final moments, as Southampton loanee Billy Sharp managed to get the ball past Hamer, but not a combination of Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins.
In spite of the late action, the game ended 2-1 to Forest, and Charlton and Chris Powell did not have any complaints after the final whistle.
Charlton:Hamer; Solly, Wiggins, Morrison, Cort; Jackson, Pritchard, Hollands (Kerkar), Cook (Haynes 59); Wright-Phillips (Fuller 81), Kermorgant.
The Addicks were completely outplayed by Forest in the first-half, and might've felt fortunate to only have conceded once in that first-period. A stronger second-half from Charlton wasn't enough, as they slipped to their first Championship defeat of the season.
Chris Powell stuck with the same side that has played every game so far, with Dale Stephens being the only exception, having been the subject of numerous bids from Aston Villa the previous evening. The midfielder's passing ability and calmness in possession was evidently what Charlton were missing.
Forest started the game very brightly, and should perhaps been a goal up with nine minutes on the clock, former Charlton man Andy Reid's cut-back was hit powerfully at goal by Adlene Guedioura, but he could only find the crossbar.
The team in red did take the lead ten minutes later however, after Chris Solly brought down Simon Cox just outside the left-hand side of the penalty-area. Lewis McGugan swung in a free-kick that Addicks goalkeeper Ben Hamer flapped at, and the ball flew into the far corner.
Not long after and McGugan was at it again, as he saw his shot from just outside the area deflected narrowly wide of Hamer's post. Every player in black breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Charlton's best opportunity of the half came in the closing stages, but Michael Morrison saw his header comfortably saved by Lee Camp.
Charlton looked better in the second-half, and Jordan Cook saw his shot from just outside the area fumbled but eventually saved by Camp. But Forest still had the better chances, and Andy Reid saw his fierce drive across goal from Blackstock's chip unconverted.
With half an hour to go, Danny Haynes replaced Jordan Cook, as Charlton looked for an equaliser.
However Forest came close again soon after, Adlene Guedioura's volley deflected over the bar by Danny Hollands, although the referee gave a goal-kick.
Forest did find themselves two goals to the good with fifteen minutes to go though, as Chelsea loanee and defender Sam Hutchinson found a way through the Charlton defence, and finished neatly past Ben Hamer.
Charlton made two changes soon after this, presumably as a reaction to the goal. Debutant Ricardo Fuller replaced Bradley Wright-Phillips and Danny Hollands was replaced by Salim Kerkar.
Fuller made an immediate impact, and with three minutes to go, he pulled a goal back. Yann Kermorgant spotted Chris Solly on the overlap, whose cross was headed emphatically against the inside of the post by Fuller, and on to Lee Camp and into the net.
Fuller almost helped grab an equaliser, as he found his way into the box and played the ball into Salim Kerkar, whose volley was stopped, probably unintentionally, by the hands of a Forest defender.
Forest could have made it three in the final moments, as Southampton loanee Billy Sharp managed to get the ball past Hamer, but not a combination of Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins.
In spite of the late action, the game ended 2-1 to Forest, and Charlton and Chris Powell did not have any complaints after the final whistle.
Charlton:Hamer; Solly, Wiggins, Morrison, Cort; Jackson, Pritchard, Hollands (Kerkar), Cook (Haynes 59); Wright-Phillips (Fuller 81), Kermorgant.
Subs (not used):Button, Wilson, Dervite, Green.
Goals:Camp og 87
Booked: Jackson 67 (foul on Halford), Morrison 76 (dissent), Kermorgant 89 (dissent)
Nottingham Forest: Camp; Hutchinson, Halford, Collins, Ayala; Guedioura, Gillett, McGugan (Moussi 83), Reid (Coppinger 84); Cox (Sharp 80), Blackstock.
Subs (not used): Evtimov, Harding, Moloney, Majewski.
Goals:McGugan 17, Hutchinson 75
Booked:Guedioura 55 (foul on Hollands), Cox 65 (foul on Hamer), Blackstock 90 (foul on Kerkar)
Ref:G Salisbury
Att: 19,745 (1,067 Charlton)
What the gaffer said: "Obviously, I'm disappointed, but I felt over the ninety minutes we were beaten by the better team"
Tuesday 28 August 2012
Charlton sign Button
Charlton Athletic today completed the signing of goalkeeper David Button from Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, on a two year contract.
“He’s come through the ranks at Tottenham and also has played youth football internationally as well as playing for quite a few clubs on loan, including in the Championship.
“This represents a new chapter for him and it’s great that he feels it’s the right time to make this move and further develop here at The Valley.
“David will provide strong competition in the goalkeeping department and that can only benefit us going forward.”
This signing seems to signal the departure of Charlton substitute goalkeeper John Sullivan, who only played twice in the league for Charlton last season. He is expected to join a lower league club on loan.
The twenty-three year old is already somewhat a journeyman, having represented eleven clubs on loan from Spurs across four divisions. He also boasts thirty-one England caps to his name across four different age groups.
Addicks manager Chris Powell said “We are really happy to bring David to the club, he’s someone we’ve been monitoring for quite some time and is a hugely talented young keeper who is a good age and boasts all the right attributes.
“He’s come through the ranks at Tottenham and also has played youth football internationally as well as playing for quite a few clubs on loan, including in the Championship.
“This represents a new chapter for him and it’s great that he feels it’s the right time to make this move and further develop here at The Valley.
“David will provide strong competition in the goalkeeping department and that can only benefit us going forward.”
This signing seems to signal the departure of Charlton substitute goalkeeper John Sullivan, who only played twice in the league for Charlton last season. He is expected to join a lower league club on loan.
In other news, Sky Sports have reported that West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers have made bids for Charlton's player and young player of the season Chris Solly. One would hope that we do all we can to hold on to him, however if either club is offering a hefty sum, Chris Powell may be left with no choice. Lawrie Wilson would be a direct replacement in the starting line-up, although Powell would most likely want another player as cover, which would most likely be a Premier League loanee.
Villa want Stephens
Sky Sports reported this morning that Premier League team Aston Villa have made a bid for Addicks midfielder Dale Stephens. The twenty-two year old, whom Charlton signed from Oldham last summer, has two years left on his contract at The Valley. He made 30 league starts for The Addicks last season.
My view:
If the money offered is any more than £1million, then take it. Chris Powell has 3 days left in the transfer window to reinvest the money and sign a Championship quality winger. In my opinion, Johnnie Jackson's lack of pace has been 'found out' a little bit in the higher division, but his quality and leadership is still needed on the pitch. If we were to sign a left-sided midfielder, such as Adam Hammill from Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose named has been mentioned on Twitter, then, I believe selling Stephens to Villa would be good business. If however, either the transfer fee is less than £1m, or Powell doesn't feel he has time to sign a satisfactory replacement, then we should do all we can to hold on to Stephens. From Villa's point of view, I think Dale Stephens would really shine in the Premiership. He was prone to getting caught in possession in League One, and it still seems to happen in the Championship. However in the Premier League, with much more time on the ball, his eye for a pass and calmness in possession would really stand out.
Monday 27 August 2012
Charlton Athletic 0-0 Hull City
Charlton played out their first goalless draw since May 2011 amid heavy downpour and thunderstorms against a Hull City, a side that has scored only once so far this season. Steve Bruce looked on frustrated as a man of the match performance from Addicks goalkeeper Ben Hamer kept The Tigers out. Charlton have every reason to feel hard done-by themselves, as Yann Kermorgant's potential match-winning goal was wrongly ruled offside.
In the first-half, chances were a rarity, with Kermorgant coming closest, his fantastic volley equalled by a brilliant save from Manchester United loanee Ben Amos in the Hull goal. Leon Cort headed a Johnnie Jackson corner narrowly wide, a header that should, perhaps, have been on target.
Hull's best chance of the first-period fell former Rangers man Sone Aluko, who having been put through one-on-one by Corry Evans, saw his shot well blocked by Hamer.
A late flag from the linesman denied Charlton a breakthrough, after Bradley Wright-Phillips' shot was fantastically saved by Amos from point-blank range, Yann Kermorgant carefully volleyed the ball home from outside the penalty area. Replays proved that Wright-Phillips was in fact onside.
With twelve minutes to go, The Addicks had a penalty shout turned down, when Bradley Pritchard's well-hit volley was blocked by the arm of Joe Dudgeon.
However it was Hull who almost got the three points, as Charlton were saved by an inspired Ben Hamer. After The Tigers had worked the ball down the left-hand side, Jay Simpson got a shot away on goal that the keeper did very well to get a hand to, before reacting incredibly to push away Aluko's follow up that looked destined for the net.
Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Wiggins, Morrison, Cort; Pritchard, Hollands, Stephens, Jackson; Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips.
Subs (not used): Sullivan, Dervite, Wilson, Kerkar, Green, Cook, Smith.
Hull City: Amos; Rosenior, Dudgeon, Chester, Faye, Bruce (McShane 63); McKenna, Koren, Evans; Aluko, Proschwitz (Simpson 72).
Subs (not used): Oxley, Cairney, Stewart, Olofinjana, McLean.
Ref: S Hooper
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Charlton sign Ricardo Fuller
Fuller was in fact on trial at Charlton in the 1999/00 season, and scored five goals in three games for the reserve side. However, a deal to sign the striker fell through, supposedly due to a back injury.
Hopefully, having played in the Premier League for the last four years, and having played and scored consistently in British football over the last twelve years, he will prove to be a solid acquisition for Powell's team.
Charlton's striking options:
Bradley Wright-Phillips
Yann Kermorgant
Ricardo Fuller
Danny Haynes
Michael Smith
Jordan Cook
Scott Wagstaff
Charlton Athletic 2-1 Leicester City
Kermorgant returns to haunt Foxes
Leicester fans watched on in disbelief as Yann Kermorgant helped Charlton to their first Championship win since May 2009. Bradley Wright-Phillips and the Frenchman bagged two first-half goals for the Addicks, putting them well on their way to an enthralling victory over Chris Powell's former side at The Valley. Leicester could only pull one back in a nail-biting second period, through substitute Andy King, despite having many opportunities to grab a second half equaliser.
With Michael Morrison, Kermorgant and Chris Powell having all played for the East Midlands club, and Leicester full-back Paul Konchesky once being an Addick, the game had plenty of background. However it was forward Kermorgant, the one that chipped it, that grabbed the winner for Charlton.
Both sides named unchanged starting line-ups from the weekend, Leicester having beaten Peterborough comfortably, and Charlton having drawn with promotion front-runners Birmingham City.
The game began in the same way that it ended, with every fan in the ground on the edge of their seat. Leicester had the first real chance of the game, former Fleetwood striker Jamie Vardy managed to get past Leon Cort inside the penalty area, but his close-range effort from the left was closed down by Morrison, however Danny Drinkwater was the first to the blocked effort and fired a shot in at goal, only for that man Morrison to be there again.
Soon after, the Foxes were at it again. Lloyd Dyer found an opening in the Charlton defence, but fired his shot embarrassingly far wide. Hamer was called on upon moments later, as he rushed out to gather a Drinkwater pass that had Vardy chasing.
The next chance came to the Addicks, however, and having steadied themselves after all the early Leicester pressure, managed to get the first goal of the game. Bradley Pritchard played Wright-Phillips through on the edge of the area, and the centre-forward drilled home a fantastic finish into the bottom left corner of Schmeichel's goal. The first Valley goal of the season was celebrated jubilantly by fans and players alike.
A matter of fourteen minutes later, Charlton grabbed their second. A cross from the left was dispatched effortlessly on the half-volley by Kermorgant from the edge of the area, and he celebrated the goal in the obligatory fashion, raising a finger to his lips to silence the jeers from the Foxes fans.
Just before the break, Paul Konchesky tore down the left in typical fashion and drilled a low cross-cum shot across the face of goal, which somehow evaded everyone in the penalty area, including an onrushing Vardy.
At the break, new signing Ricardo Fuller was unveiled in front of the home support, which seemed to delight the majority of fans around the ground.
Nigel Pearson clearly wasn't happy with his team's first-half performance, and made two changes at the break, with Beckford being replaced by one-time England international David Nugent, and Andy King replacing former Manchester United midfielder Matty James.
Not long after the restart a foul on Kermorgant gave Charlton a free-kick, and captain Johnnie Jackson was unfortunate to see his effort well saved and held on to by Kasper Schmeichel.
Leicester finally managed to grab a goal back after fifty-four minutes, through Andy King, who tucked away former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Marshall's pull-back.
Ten minutes later and Leicester made their third and final change, academy graduate Anthony Knockaert coming on in place of Marshall. Knockaert instantly made a difference, playing in the 'number ten role', and Charlton looked like they were struggling to cope. He was constantly picking the ball up between the Addicks' defence and midfield, and saw one good effort saved well by Hamer.
Four minutes later, Dale Stephens was replaced by Lawrie Wilson, who played in a right-midfield position, protecting Chris Solly and allowing Bradley Pritchard to switch into a central midfield role. This did little though to address the Knockaert situation, who managed to weave his way into the box before playing the ball to Lloyd Dyer, whose well struck effort was saved fantastically by Ben Hamer.
The Addicks then made two changes before the ninety minutes were up, Salim Kerkar replacing the tiring skipper Johnnie Jackson, and goalscorer Wright-Phillips making way for young forward Jordan Cook.
Leicester kept piling on the pressure right up until the fourth and final minute of added time, when it climaxed in a corner for the Foxes. Charlton fans were incensed as Michael Morrison was told to leave the field of play for what looked like a facial injury, leaving the Addicks with only ten men on the field for a pivotal moment. Even Schmeichel was in the penalty area this time, but City failed to capitalise, firing over the bar for a Charlton goal-kick. Much to the relief of every fan in the red end of the stadium, that proved to be the final action.
Leicester: Schmeichel; De Laet, Konchesky, Morgan, Moore; Marshall (Knockaert 64), Drinkwater, James (King 46), Dyer; Beckford (Nugent 46), Vardy.
Subs (not used): Logan, Knockaert, Danns, Waghorn, Schlupp. Goals: King 54
Ref: F Graham
Att: 16,658 (1,628 Leicester)
Quote from the gaffer: "This will really have given them food for thought now about what it is like to be in this league, but there won't be too many teams who are going to be better than Birmingham and Leicester City, that's for sure."
From the opposition: "There will be days when we create less chances and win. But you have to give Charlton credit. Chris will be happy with a hard-fought victory- but I expect to get something out of a game like that.
Leicester fans watched on in disbelief as Yann Kermorgant helped Charlton to their first Championship win since May 2009. Bradley Wright-Phillips and the Frenchman bagged two first-half goals for the Addicks, putting them well on their way to an enthralling victory over Chris Powell's former side at The Valley. Leicester could only pull one back in a nail-biting second period, through substitute Andy King, despite having many opportunities to grab a second half equaliser.
With Michael Morrison, Kermorgant and Chris Powell having all played for the East Midlands club, and Leicester full-back Paul Konchesky once being an Addick, the game had plenty of background. However it was forward Kermorgant, the one that chipped it, that grabbed the winner for Charlton.
Both sides named unchanged starting line-ups from the weekend, Leicester having beaten Peterborough comfortably, and Charlton having drawn with promotion front-runners Birmingham City.
The game began in the same way that it ended, with every fan in the ground on the edge of their seat. Leicester had the first real chance of the game, former Fleetwood striker Jamie Vardy managed to get past Leon Cort inside the penalty area, but his close-range effort from the left was closed down by Morrison, however Danny Drinkwater was the first to the blocked effort and fired a shot in at goal, only for that man Morrison to be there again.
Soon after, the Foxes were at it again. Lloyd Dyer found an opening in the Charlton defence, but fired his shot embarrassingly far wide. Hamer was called on upon moments later, as he rushed out to gather a Drinkwater pass that had Vardy chasing.
The next chance came to the Addicks, however, and having steadied themselves after all the early Leicester pressure, managed to get the first goal of the game. Bradley Pritchard played Wright-Phillips through on the edge of the area, and the centre-forward drilled home a fantastic finish into the bottom left corner of Schmeichel's goal. The first Valley goal of the season was celebrated jubilantly by fans and players alike.A matter of fourteen minutes later, Charlton grabbed their second. A cross from the left was dispatched effortlessly on the half-volley by Kermorgant from the edge of the area, and he celebrated the goal in the obligatory fashion, raising a finger to his lips to silence the jeers from the Foxes fans.
Just before the break, Paul Konchesky tore down the left in typical fashion and drilled a low cross-cum shot across the face of goal, which somehow evaded everyone in the penalty area, including an onrushing Vardy.
At the break, new signing Ricardo Fuller was unveiled in front of the home support, which seemed to delight the majority of fans around the ground.
Nigel Pearson clearly wasn't happy with his team's first-half performance, and made two changes at the break, with Beckford being replaced by one-time England international David Nugent, and Andy King replacing former Manchester United midfielder Matty James.
Not long after the restart a foul on Kermorgant gave Charlton a free-kick, and captain Johnnie Jackson was unfortunate to see his effort well saved and held on to by Kasper Schmeichel.
Leicester finally managed to grab a goal back after fifty-four minutes, through Andy King, who tucked away former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Marshall's pull-back.
Ten minutes later and Leicester made their third and final change, academy graduate Anthony Knockaert coming on in place of Marshall. Knockaert instantly made a difference, playing in the 'number ten role', and Charlton looked like they were struggling to cope. He was constantly picking the ball up between the Addicks' defence and midfield, and saw one good effort saved well by Hamer.
The Addicks then made two changes before the ninety minutes were up, Salim Kerkar replacing the tiring skipper Johnnie Jackson, and goalscorer Wright-Phillips making way for young forward Jordan Cook.
Leicester kept piling on the pressure right up until the fourth and final minute of added time, when it climaxed in a corner for the Foxes. Charlton fans were incensed as Michael Morrison was told to leave the field of play for what looked like a facial injury, leaving the Addicks with only ten men on the field for a pivotal moment. Even Schmeichel was in the penalty area this time, but City failed to capitalise, firing over the bar for a Charlton goal-kick. Much to the relief of every fan in the red end of the stadium, that proved to be the final action.
Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Wiggins, Morrison, Cort; Pritchard, Hollands, Stephens (Wilson 81), Jackson (Kerkar 87); Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Cook 90).
Subs (not used): Sullivan, Taylor, Green, Smith. Goals: Wright-Phillips 18, Kermorgant 32Leicester: Schmeichel; De Laet, Konchesky, Morgan, Moore; Marshall (Knockaert 64), Drinkwater, James (King 46), Dyer; Beckford (Nugent 46), Vardy.
Subs (not used): Logan, Knockaert, Danns, Waghorn, Schlupp. Goals: King 54
Ref: F Graham
Att: 16,658 (1,628 Leicester)
Quote from the gaffer: "This will really have given them food for thought now about what it is like to be in this league, but there won't be too many teams who are going to be better than Birmingham and Leicester City, that's for sure."
From the opposition: "There will be days when we create less chances and win. But you have to give Charlton credit. Chris will be happy with a hard-fought victory- but I expect to get something out of a game like that.
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