I really don't want them taking anymore risks with Igor. Next time he comes back in the team he needs to stay in. Another five or six games out could see us dead and buried. Cannot understand why Harriott hasn't been mentioned, he looked as fit as a fiddle v Forest and was a constant threat, with confidence sky high after doing so well at Colchester. I hope being frozen out hasn't ruined all that momentum he returned with. Where is Ahmed Kashi?
Kashi was absolutely quality, and I'm prepared to throw it out there that had he remained fit then we wouldn't be in this mess. His role in those first two games was pivotal to our game play, his tackling was superb and he could mop up a lot of threats before they hit our back four and then distribute the ball out wide for counter attacks. (Although, Bauer in the back four also gave us some additional confidence)
As for Harriott, I think I heard someone say he was having a fitness test on the pitch before Cardiff? I didn't see it myself, but that could be a worthy explanation as he looked good against Forest and he looked like he had a good relationship with Riga during the last spell together. I feel gutted for him actually - he came back from a successful loan where he was well received by the fans, played an absolute blinder and seemed to thrive on his newfound confidence... and he's vanished.
I really don't want them taking anymore risks with Igor. Next time he comes back in the team he needs to stay in. Another five or six games out could see us dead and buried. Cannot understand why Harriott hasn't been mentioned, he looked as fit as a fiddle v Forest and was a constant threat, with confidence sky high after doing so well at Colchester. I hope being frozen out hasn't ruined all that momentum he returned with. Where is Ahmed Kashi?
Kashi was absolutely quality, and I'm prepared to throw it out there that had he remained fit then we wouldn't be in this mess. His role in those first two games was pivotal to our game play, his tackling was superb and he could mop up a lot of threats before they hit our back four and then distribute the ball out wide for counter attacks. (Although, Bauer in the back four also gave us some additional confidence)
As for Harriott, I think I heard someone say he was having a fitness test on the pitch before Cardiff? I didn't see it myself, but that could be a worthy explanation as he looked good against Forest and he looked like he had a good relationship with Riga during the last spell together. I feel gutted for him actually - he came back from a successful loan where he was well received by the fans, played an absolute blinder and seemed to thrive on his newfound confidence... and he's vanished.
What I saw of Kashi I rated him incredibly highly, and we desperately missing his ability to win the ball and his energy.
Callum was apparently struggling with a knee injury before the Cardiff game and didn't pass a fitness test.
We were excellent on the break vs Rotherham and showed signs of it in the last 10 mins on Saturday. I actually think we're better setup right now to play away from home and may find we pick up more points away from SE7. Need to start on Saturday.
It may be that the support away is better than at home as well. Not necessarily louder but more positive and nobody sitting on their hands until they are allowed to hold up their bit of A4.
Let's see on Saturday.
Our away form is worse than our home form.
Home: won 3 drawn 7 lost 6 Away : won 2 drawn 3 lost 10
We were excellent on the break vs Rotherham and showed signs of it in the last 10 mins on Saturday. I actually think we're better setup right now to play away from home and may find we pick up more points away from SE7. Need to start on Saturday.
It may be that the support away is better than at home as well. Not necessarily louder but more positive and nobody sitting on their hands until they are allowed to hold up their bit of A4.
Let's see on Saturday.
Our away form is worse than our home form.
Home: won 3 drawn 7 lost 6 Away : won 2 drawn 3 lost 10
It was the negativity of the fans that saw us get spanked by three or more at at Blackburn, Palace, Boro, Burnley, Huddersfield and Hull.
you can see Riga has got us more organised and harder to break down, but the 14 or what ever games they let KF stay has cost us and i think we may just fall short of staying up.
We were excellent on the break vs Rotherham and showed signs of it in the last 10 mins on Saturday. I actually think we're better setup right now to play away from home and may find we pick up more points away from SE7. Need to start on Saturday.
It may be that the support away is better than at home as well. Not necessarily louder but more positive and nobody sitting on their hands until they are allowed to hold up their bit of A4.
Let's see on Saturday.
Our away form is worse than our home form.
Home: won 3 drawn 7 lost 6 Away : won 2 drawn 3 lost 10
Another way of looking at it is: we've drawn lots of games at home we needed to win, so maybe our chance will come - on the break- away from home. Turning the stat around, 2 of our magnificent haul of 3 wins since August have come away from home.
It's hard to say whether Igor has been rushed back too soon because he looked really fit in his two games (unlike the previous time he came back). His injury might mean he's now one of those players who can only play the matches and not train too much.
We were excellent on the break vs Rotherham and showed signs of it in the last 10 mins on Saturday. I actually think we're better setup right now to play away from home and may find we pick up more points away from SE7. Need to start on Saturday.
It may be that the support away is better than at home as well. Not necessarily louder but more positive and nobody sitting on their hands until they are allowed to hold up their bit of A4.
Let's see on Saturday.
Our away form is worse than our home form.
Home: won 3 drawn 7 lost 6 Away : won 2 drawn 3 lost 10
It was the negativity of the fans that saw us get spanked by three or more at at Blackburn, Palace, Boro, Burnley, Huddersfield and Hull.
What a ridiculous insult to the travelling fans.
Anyway, the crowd is only ever at best the 12th man, the other 11 have to pull their weight as well. The manager has to know what he is doing. The owners have to buy the right players at the right time.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
Well, why would you spend that kind of money???? It's so much better to be known as the nicest footballing rest home in London.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
I have no intention of undermining the efforts of the squad for the battles ahead. They are going to need all the support they can get. However for this season the dye is cast.
Unless the club return to the fundamentals which govern 95% of our competitors we will continue to fail.
What we have is a perversion of the role of a football manager. What we have is a perversion of the role of a head coach. What we have is even a perversion of the role of a sporting director.
The evidence is there across Duchatelets' Standard Liege and our club. How many coaches have "failed" some twice. The squad building process is rotten to the core.
Is it any wonder De Sart the then Sporting Director of Liege when offered the job of "Network Director" chose to decline and then ultimately left Liege?
Any assertion the head coach has the final say over signing is pure "smoke & mirrors". It is a distortion of the truth. Let us be very clear where the responsibility lays.
The coach advises the type of player he wants to strengthen the squad.
Staprix select the individual players they feel meet this category of player.
The CEO works the list to "negotiate" the final deal, ("doesn't she do well?) and advises the head coach she has secured a deal for a player. The only choice the head coach has is whether to say yes or no.
If he says no he is back to square one. Powell with 6/7 players forced on him did not even have that. If the coach, on the basis the player is better than nothing, particularly in the last 24hrs of, or after, a transfer window, says OK he has to work the player into the squad to get him to point he can contribute. It is Hobsons' choice.
It is a complete perversion of the squad building system.
I do not insult the players concerned but all of the assessment, monitoring and "the fit" of any signing necessary by the coach, normally completed before any signing has to be completed after they have signed.
It is why apart from Texeira we are not seeing any of the January/ February signings yet. It is why Riga is saying they are not ready yet. He (with an 18month contract in his back pocket) is making it clear if these are the type of players the executive brings to the table then this will be the consequence of their actions.
Riga first time around, appointed after the transfer window, inherited a squad built by Powell and others. He made very little use of any of the players forced on Powell but reinvigorated "the existing squad". Today in normal terms we do not have "a squad" worthy of the name. Just because you get your own shirt number does not mean you are actually a member of a squad.
This is not a computer game. It is not a "plug and play" exercise. It is a team game, where players have to work together over a period of time, where they instinctively know each others strengths and weaknesses, can naturally read each others play and respond accordingly.
The exercise is one of delivering a unit able to achieve more than the sum of its parts.
To play at a Championship level the speed of the game, the speed of thought and movement demands an almost instinctive response. It all takes time to deliver. It is why so many overseas players struggle. It is why it is such a big step up for the academy scholars. It is why a player like Gomez was a rarity.
Absolutely no disrespect to any of the players involved but when we are staring relegation in the face, with key players injured, and 1/3 of the season left this executive go out and recruit Fanni, Motta, Suk Yun, Johnson, Sanogo none of whom are yet fit enough to contribute to more than the fringes of the contests ahead.
That this is the best the executive of the club can do says it all. It is pitiful. If it were me I am not sure I could look anyone on the playing side of the club in the eyes. I would be embarrassed to be in their company.
No wonder so many players struggle. Hopefully Riga can get an improved response. Hopefully the new players can quickly get up to speed. Hopefully they will be able to pull together to try and make something of the shambolic mess in which they are having to work.
It will be difficult but it has to come from them. They are the professionals. More than a few have been around the block, some more than once. If they are prepared to fight through the challenges the vast majority of us will be behind them.
We were excellent on the break vs Rotherham and showed signs of it in the last 10 mins on Saturday. I actually think we're better setup right now to play away from home and may find we pick up more points away from SE7. Need to start on Saturday.
It may be that the support away is better than at home as well. Not necessarily louder but more positive and nobody sitting on their hands until they are allowed to hold up their bit of A4.
Let's see on Saturday.
Our away form is worse than our home form.
Home: won 3 drawn 7 lost 6 Away : won 2 drawn 3 lost 10
It was the negativity of the fans that saw us get spanked by three or more at at Blackburn, Palace, Boro, Burnley, Huddersfield and Hull.
What a ridiculous insult to the travelling fans.
Anyway, the crowd is only ever at best the 12th man, the other 11 have to pull their weight as well. The manager has to know what he is doing. The owners have to buy the right players at the right time.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
Well, the Doc retired....haven't heard he's been replaced. Perhaps the Head of Comms is doubling up?
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
Surely that would void any insurance?
Maybe Roland is driving Charlton uninsured? Seriously though, it's what I was told and I mentioned it here as it seemed relevant.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
It is completely shocking that they would sign a player without a medical. What the f@ck are they playing at?!?!
But it would go a long way to explaining why Ms Meire said she didn't know what she was going to get when she signed a player. She really doesn't know!
Igor the 50/50 man. Motta and Suk-Young need game time no shit sherlock. Riga obviously doesnt like Fanni either and Sanogo another player with no match fitness gets game time and is injured straight away. Some old shit different manager same twats running the club. Its so boring and predicatable, and they wonder why were pissed off as fans customers,
Other teams sign loanees and they are straight in the team e.g Watt & Graham at Blackburn, Burke at Rotherham, Tomlin at Bristol City, Ramirez at Boro, Forster-Caskey at MK Dons, etc etc. We sign 4 players on loan and none are fit to play, plus Poyet who is largely overlooked. We have no cohesive policy on bringing in players, permanent or loan, and that is a large part of our problem. Shambles.
To be fair, Forster-Caskey was at MK Dons earlier in the year, then went back to Brighton (can't remember if loan ended or if he was injured), and has since gone back.
I really rate him, and he's the type of young player that, if we had a proper scouting network and Director of Football, I'd like to see us get in on loan at the start of a season, with potentially a clause to buy. He is technically very good, has good vision, and a sweet left foot. A midfield three of him, Cousins, and Poyet, although all are barely past 20, sounds like a decent team to me, and JFC and Cousins played at England youth level together.
Have you heard something regarding Diego's future plans, SD ? Are we likely to be in for him at the end of this season ?
I'm somewhat underwhelmed with the lack of fitness of our incoming ...Really expected more from Jose's wish list, if it was his to start with.
All we can hope is that when we have more bodies available and less on the treatment table, we're still in with a shout of edging away from the relegation zone.
I do have some faith in Jose and by all accounts, he seems once again to have the players on side.He's by far the most able manager of the Belgian contingent , but I fear he's being forced to play several sub standard lads due to the injury situation AGAIN.
If he had all the squad players fit & raring to go at this stage, then I'd be confident in his ability to choose a strong, settled team to do us proud.
We'll be there on Saturday and at PNE on Tuesday evening to cheer on the lads, with fingers & legs crossed too.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
It is completely shocking that they would sign a player without a medical. What the f@ck are they playing at?!?!
But it would go a long way to explaining why Ms Meire said she didn't know what she was going to get when she signed a player. She really doesn't know!
That is the rub though isn't it, it is not shocking anymore.
The current owners do not want to spend anymore than they have too, so no medical is a saving. Plus they are showing on a weekly, if not daily basis that they know little about football and how to run a club.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
Surely that would void any insurance?
Maybe Roland is driving Charlton uninsured? Seriously though, it's what I was told and I mentioned it here as it seemed relevant.
Did you hear that through a third party ? Or is that a comprehensive answer from a reliable source. No Medicals ? That would explain why there are so many disabled stickers on the new players cars.
We don't use medicals when we make signings these days, so it's a fitness lottery when we sign someone. I heard from a club employee that having signed Sanogo they found out he wouldn't be fit for six weeks.
Seriously? Players we sign haven't undergone a medical?
What I was told by a club employee, who seems to know what's going on.
Surely that would void any insurance?
Maybe Roland is driving Charlton uninsured? Seriously though, it's what I was told and I mentioned it here as it seemed relevant.
Did you hear that through a third party ? Or is that a comprehensive answer from a reliable source. No Medicals ? That would explain why there are so many disabled stickers on the new players cars.
The medicals are being done but done on the cheap at the NHS Call centre at The Valley. KM had already made this clear in a street interview which she gave a few weeks ago and which appears on a West Country fans web site.
The signing of players is without sense or strategy and is driven by the stats wallahs in Belgium. The inner core is obsessed with adjusting and tweaking the algorithm, to that end Katrien archly announced that in future an additional stat inputted will be if a player had appeared 30 times in the previous season. They really have not got a clue, it's as if they are playing draughts against opponents who play chess. Yes the board is the same, the colours are the same, players take turns, you get to the other side and get rewarded, both games involve Kings...but they are DIFFERENT GAMES ROLAND. This regime, heartbreakingly, don't have a clue.
Igor must be some kind of insurance write off?? It's like you've got a Porsche in the garage but you only paid a grand for it so any more than a Sunday run out and you've got to go back under the bonnet. Sell him for scrap. Get a nice little run-around.
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 5m5 minutes ago PRESS DAY | Assistant Manager Kevin Nugent has arrived... #cafc
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 4m4 minutes ago KN | "We've been on the training ground and have been getting some really good work in over the last 10 days or so. #cafc
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 2m2 minutes ago KN | "As a coaching staff, we've had a bit more time to really have a look and analyse where we need to improve and get better. #cafc 0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
KN | "We were getting too many draws before, and we were hoping to turn them into three points. It hasn't quite gone that way of late. #cafc
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 2m2 minutes ago KN | "We've got a few niggling injuries to contend with. But hopefully come Saturday we'll be strong enough to earn the three points. #cafc
Comments
As for Harriott, I think I heard someone say he was having a fitness test on the pitch before Cardiff? I didn't see it myself, but that could be a worthy explanation as he looked good against Forest and he looked like he had a good relationship with Riga during the last spell together. I feel gutted for him actually - he came back from a successful loan where he was well received by the fans, played an absolute blinder and seemed to thrive on his newfound confidence... and he's vanished.
Callum was apparently struggling with a knee injury before the Cardiff game and didn't pass a fitness test.
Home: won 3 drawn 7 lost 6
Away : won 2 drawn 3 lost 10
Roland OUT.
Anyway, the crowd is only ever at best the 12th man, the other 11 have to pull their weight as well. The manager has to know what he is doing. The owners have to buy the right players at the right time.
"Cry"
Unless the club return to the fundamentals which govern 95% of our competitors we will continue to fail.
What we have is a perversion of the role of a football manager.
What we have is a perversion of the role of a head coach.
What we have is even a perversion of the role of a sporting director.
The evidence is there across Duchatelets' Standard Liege and our club. How many coaches have "failed" some twice. The squad building process is rotten to the core.
Is it any wonder De Sart the then Sporting Director of Liege when offered the job of "Network Director" chose to decline and then ultimately left Liege?
Any assertion the head coach has the final say over signing is pure "smoke & mirrors". It is a distortion of the truth. Let us be very clear where the responsibility lays.
The coach advises the type of player he wants to strengthen the squad.
Staprix select the individual players they feel meet this category of player.
The CEO works the list to "negotiate" the final deal, ("doesn't she do well?) and advises the head coach she has secured a deal for a player. The only choice the head coach has is whether to say yes or no.
If he says no he is back to square one. Powell with 6/7 players forced on him did not even have that. If the coach, on the basis the player is better than nothing, particularly in the last 24hrs of, or after, a transfer window, says OK he has to work the player into the squad to get him to point he can contribute. It is Hobsons' choice.
It is a complete perversion of the squad building system.
I do not insult the players concerned but all of the assessment, monitoring and "the fit" of any signing necessary by the coach, normally completed before any signing has to be completed after they have signed.
It is why apart from Texeira we are not seeing any of the January/ February signings yet. It is why Riga is saying they are not ready yet. He (with an 18month contract in his back pocket) is making it clear if these are the type of players the executive brings to the table then this will be the consequence of their actions.
Riga first time around, appointed after the transfer window, inherited a squad built by Powell and others. He made very little use of any of the players forced on Powell but reinvigorated "the existing squad". Today in normal terms we do not have "a squad" worthy of the name. Just because you get your own shirt number does not mean you are actually a member of a squad.
This is not a computer game. It is not a "plug and play" exercise. It is a team game, where players have to work together over a period of time, where they instinctively know each others strengths and weaknesses, can naturally read each others play and respond accordingly.
The exercise is one of delivering a unit able to achieve more than the sum of its parts.
To play at a Championship level the speed of the game, the speed of thought and movement demands an almost instinctive response. It all takes time to deliver. It is why so many overseas players struggle. It is why it is such a big step up for the academy scholars. It is why a player like Gomez was a rarity.
Absolutely no disrespect to any of the players involved but when we are staring relegation in the face, with key players injured, and 1/3 of the season left this executive go out and recruit Fanni, Motta, Suk Yun, Johnson, Sanogo none of whom are yet fit enough to contribute to more than the fringes of the contests ahead.
That this is the best the executive of the club can do says it all. It is pitiful. If it were me I am not sure I could look anyone on the playing side of the club in the eyes. I would be embarrassed to be in their company.
No wonder so many players struggle. Hopefully Riga can get an improved response. Hopefully the new players can quickly get up to speed. Hopefully they will be able to pull together to try and make something of the shambolic mess in which they are having to work.
It will be difficult but it has to come from them. They are the professionals. More than a few have been around the block, some more than once. If they are prepared to fight through the challenges the vast majority of us will be behind them.
It is though a very big "ask".
Seriously though, it's what I was told and I mentioned it here as it seemed relevant.
But it would go a long way to explaining why Ms Meire said she didn't know what she was going to get when she signed a player. She really doesn't know!
The current owners do not want to spend anymore than they have too, so no medical is a saving. Plus they are showing on a weekly, if not daily basis that they know little about football and how to run a club.
Or is that a comprehensive answer from a reliable source.
No Medicals ?
That would explain why there are so many disabled stickers on the new players cars.
The inner core is obsessed with adjusting and tweaking the algorithm, to that end Katrien archly announced that in future an additional stat inputted will be if a player had appeared 30 times in the previous season.
They really have not got a clue, it's as if they are playing draughts against opponents who play chess. Yes the board is the same, the colours are the same, players take turns, you get to the other side and get rewarded, both games involve Kings...but they are DIFFERENT GAMES ROLAND.
This regime, heartbreakingly, don't have a clue.
Fans can see Russell Slade's press conference in full later this afternoon. #cafc
RS: "Ricky Holmes is also in contention after a bruised foot." #cafc
RS: "Jacko is still a doubt for Saturday. Novak is back training and could possibly return." #cafc
RS: "I was looking to get one more player in, but I didn't want to press the button on something that wasn't the right fit." #cafc
RS: "We wanted them at the club because they are important to what we want to achieve." #cafc
RS: "We rejected some substantial offers for both Lookman and Fox on deadline day." #cafc
Slade on Ulvestad: "He's a really fit lad. Lots of energy. He improves the group and there's a possibility he could make his debut." #cafc
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 5m5 minutes ago
PRESS DAY | Assistant Manager Kevin Nugent has arrived... #cafc
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 4m4 minutes ago
KN | "We've been on the training ground and have been getting some really good work in over the last 10 days or so. #cafc
Charlton Athletic FC @CAFCofficial 2m2 minutes ago
KN | "As a coaching staff, we've had a bit more time to really have a look and analyse where we need to improve and get better. #cafc
0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
KN | "We were getting too many draws before, and we were hoping to turn them into three points. It hasn't quite gone that way of late. #cafc
KN | "We need to make sure that we are hard to beat again and also be a little bit more creative in that final third. #cafc
KN | "Saturday is a big game, as they all are, and it is one that we are all really looking forward to. #cafc
KN | "Coventry have just got their first win and we know that it is going to be a very tough game. #cafc
KN | "We aware that there are going to be protests. Hopefully the fans can be behind us for the 90 minutes and we can get them a win. #cafc
KN | "We've got a few niggling injuries to contend with. But hopefully come Saturday we'll be strong enough to earn the three points. #cafc