I admire the OP's optimism but I think it's early days to get out the bunting and have a street party.
That doesn't mean I won't support the team or the manager - just that I have what I think is a healthy scepticism. Some may feel that's negative. I think it's realistic.
We have a team which we all recognise is lacking in excellence in some key areas. We have a club that operates under Roland's network structure which is deliberately different from the "normal" way of doing football business. Roland likes a say in player recruitment and team selection relying on a total unknown in Driesen for tactical advice.
Add to that a CEO who clearly hasn't got a Scooby and relies on a PR firm to shore up the image of the club which she and Roland have torn down with their own two hands.....
It's a mess. It's heartbreaking. It's so unecessary.
If there's a reason why I didn't renew my season ticket and haven't been back to the valley this season it's because I don't want to support the management of the club with my money. Yes I am boycotting. Not happy about having to do it - but I don't see any other way forward.
I'm fed up of watching the inept management of the club spending all their time trying to put the shit back in the horse.
The biggest loser out of this for me is my youngest son. He's 13, footy mad, and games at The Valley used to be good quality time together. That's now gone until the regime changes and there is a reason for turning up on a matchday.
That said I'll reiterate my earlier points that I support the team and the manager. Doesn't mean I won't criticise - but does mean a degree of slack is cut for a new gaffer who does need time to try and make things work in a somewhat tipsy-turvey regime. That's probably why most of us don't share that optimism as freely as the OP. It's just too early.
Once he gets told to put Thuram in goal etc he will soon lose that enthusiasm. Not his fault - support him 100%, but he will go the same way as the others. Remember what KM told us: "every manager/coach appointment has been an improvement on the previous one"
We were a decent Championship side under CP and we are now playing the likes of Bury/Rochdale and Fleetwood every week. KM can't see the decline, RD won't spend his money to put us in the big time - so we are just treading water until RD decides to put us in admin.
I quite like KR but to be honest he talks about a club which, in my opinion, bears no resemblance to Charlton, not unless he knows something that we don't know #theproofwillbeinthepudding
He may well turn out to be great for the club, I sincerely hope he does, but to suggest this is a new beginning (with the context of Duchatelet's ownership) is fanciful to the extreme.
Plenty yet to be established before we should accept the management of the club.
- Duchatelet remains the owner - Duchatelet continues to meddle in team affairs - The incompetent Katrien Meire remains the CEO - Thomas Driesen's inolvement continues - The club continue to believe that the issues remain elsewhere and that it is a small group of ringleaders shouting for a non-existent majority. As proved by the quite frankly ridiculous investment in PR and communications.
For me, the change is minimal and I continue to find the situation depressing, despite what Karl Robinson says in a post-match interview.
The boycotters are perfectly justified.
FFS - Would you be happy if we had lost - Just no pleasing some people!
Do you not think it's a little unrealistic to ask 4,000 people to reverse their position after two goalless draws? At least let's win the cup replay first!
No not unrealistic - but just trying ask to ask the better-nature of some of our fans to give him a chance and come and support the team.I really don't think that is asking to much.
I think most protesters and boycotters have continued to back the team - and unless they have proved to be chumps, the manager - while strongly opposing the regime, so nothing will have changed there.
I would probably come back under Duchatalet's ownership if the hapless and poisonous Meire were to be removed. Until then ...
Surely statistically MOST boycotters haven't continued to back the team
Boycotting the ground and the regime doesn't mean that those involved cease to be Charlton fans or to support the team. Any more than it somehow makes those who continue to attend better supporters.
He may well turn out to be great for the club, I sincerely hope he does, but to suggest this is a new beginning (with the context of Duchatelet's ownership) is fanciful to the extreme.
Plenty yet to be established before we should accept the management of the club.
- Duchatelet remains the owner - Duchatelet continues to meddle in team affairs - The incompetent Katrien Meire remains the CEO - Thomas Driesen's inolvement continues - The club continue to believe that the issues remain elsewhere and that it is a small group of ringleaders shouting for a non-existent majority. As proved by the quite frankly ridiculous investment in PR and communications.
For me, the change is minimal and I continue to find the situation depressing, despite what Karl Robinson says in a post-match interview.
The boycotters are perfectly justified.
FFS - Would you be happy if we had lost - Just no pleasing some people!
Do you not think it's a little unrealistic to ask 4,000 people to reverse their position after two goalless draws? At least let's win the cup replay first!
No not unrealistic - but just trying ask to ask the better-nature of some of our fans to give him a chance and come and support the team.I really don't think that is asking to much.
I think most protesters and boycotters have continued to back the team - and unless they have proved to be chumps, the manager - while strongly opposing the regime, so nothing will have changed there.
I would probably come back under Duchatalet's ownership if the hapless and poisonous Meire were to be removed. Until then ...
Surely statistically MOST boycotters haven't continued to back the team
Boycotting the ground and the regime doesn't mean that those involved cease to be Charlton fans or to support the team. Any more than it somehow makes those who continue to attend better supporters.
The claim was about backing the team, Supporting a team is like China having a few hundred million Man Utd fans that have bought the shirt but have never been to a match.
And forget Charlton, when was the last time you spoke to somebody and when they told you they supported another team and you asked them if they actually went to matches and they replied No, that you didn't think his opinions on football were not really worth listening to ?
He may well turn out to be great for the club, I sincerely hope he does, but to suggest this is a new beginning (with the context of Duchatelet's ownership) is fanciful to the extreme.
Plenty yet to be established before we should accept the management of the club.
- Duchatelet remains the owner - Duchatelet continues to meddle in team affairs - The incompetent Katrien Meire remains the CEO - Thomas Driesen's inolvement continues - The club continue to believe that the issues remain elsewhere and that it is a small group of ringleaders shouting for a non-existent majority. As proved by the quite frankly ridiculous investment in PR and communications.
For me, the change is minimal and I continue to find the situation depressing, despite what Karl Robinson says in a post-match interview.
The boycotters are perfectly justified.
FFS - Would you be happy if we had lost - Just no pleasing some people!
Do you not think it's a little unrealistic to ask 4,000 people to reverse their position after two goalless draws? At least let's win the cup replay first!
No not unrealistic - but just trying ask to ask the better-nature of some of our fans to give him a chance and come and support the team.I really don't think that is asking to much.
I think most protesters and boycotters have continued to back the team - and unless they have proved to be chumps, the manager - while strongly opposing the regime, so nothing will have changed there.
I would probably come back under Duchatalet's ownership if the hapless and poisonous Meire were to be removed. Until then ...
Surely statistically MOST boycotters haven't continued to back the team
Boycotting the ground and the regime doesn't mean that those involved cease to be Charlton fans or to support the team. Any more than it somehow makes those who continue to attend better supporters.
The claim was about backing the team, Supporting a team is like China having a few hundred million Man Utd fans that have bought the shirt but have never been to a match.
And forget Charlton, when was the last time you spoke to somebody and when they told you they supported another team and you asked them if they actually went to matches and they replied No, that you didn't think his opinions on football were not really worth listening to ?
Your last paragraph reminds me of a conversation I had with a 70 years old Spurs fan. He's not been to a game in over 2 years but has other hobbies and interests these days, that only leaves him with a small time to worry about his club
Karl Robinson comes across as a Scally Wag who believes in Santa Claus. We needed his enthusiasm after the dirge like atmosphere of the Valley this season.
Sorry to break the news to CL Patrons about Santa.
When /if Lookman goes for an undisclosed fee in the January window, then the 3 players who come gift wrapped in the new year, should be:
The championship quality striker to get us into the Playoffs or better. (it was supposed to be Ajosie but he has fallen short so far )
The Championship quality Midfield Playmaker to run the show.
The Championship quality Midfield With Legs and speed who can score a few goals plus get the ball to the mid field maestro; plus replace Ricky Holmes when he is injured or play together when Ricky is fit.
Karl Robinson, i hope is for Life( 3 seasons in football terms) not just Christmas.
but i fear he may be returned as a unwanted Present as he just doesn't fit the Measurement of the Douchebag.
Karl Robinson comes across as a Scally Wag who believes in Santa Claus. We needed his enthusiasm after the dirge like atmosphere of the Valley this season.
Sorry to break the news to CL Patrons about Santa.
When /if Lookman goes for an undisclosed fee in the January window, then the 3 players who come gift wrapped in the new year, should be:
The championship quality striker to get us into the Playoffs or better. (it was supposed to be Ajosie but he has fallen short so far )
The Championship quality Midfield Playmaker to run the show.
The Championship quality Midfield With Legs and speed who can score a few goals plus get the ball to the mid field maestro; plus replace Ricky Holmes when he is injured or play together when Ricky is fit.
Karl Robinson, i hope is for Life not just Christmas.
but i fear he may be returned as a unwanted Present as he just doesn't fit the Measurement of the Douchebag.
He may well turn out to be great for the club, I sincerely hope he does, but to suggest this is a new beginning (with the context of Duchatelet's ownership) is fanciful to the extreme.
Plenty yet to be established before we should accept the management of the club.
- Duchatelet remains the owner - Duchatelet continues to meddle in team affairs - The incompetent Katrien Meire remains the CEO - Thomas Driesen's inolvement continues - The club continue to believe that the issues remain elsewhere and that it is a small group of ringleaders shouting for a non-existent majority. As proved by the quite frankly ridiculous investment in PR and communications.
For me, the change is minimal and I continue to find the situation depressing, despite what Karl Robinson says in a post-match interview.
The boycotters are perfectly justified.
FFS - Would you be happy if we had lost - Just no pleasing some people!
Do you not think it's a little unrealistic to ask 4,000 people to reverse their position after two goalless draws? At least let's win the cup replay first!
No not unrealistic - but just trying ask to ask the better-nature of some of our fans to give him a chance and come and support the team.I really don't think that is asking to much.
I think most protesters and boycotters have continued to back the team - and unless they have proved to be chumps, the manager - while strongly opposing the regime, so nothing will have changed there.
I would probably come back under Duchatalet's ownership if the hapless and poisonous Meire were to be removed. Until then ...
Surely statistically MOST boycotters haven't continued to back the team
Boycotting the ground and the regime doesn't mean that those involved cease to be Charlton fans or to support the team. Any more than it somehow makes those who continue to attend better supporters.
The claim was about backing the team, Supporting a team is like China having a few hundred million Man Utd fans that have bought the shirt but have never been to a match.
And forget Charlton, when was the last time you spoke to somebody and when they told you they supported another team and you asked them if they actually went to matches and they replied No, that you didn't think his opinions on football were not really worth listening to ?
Are you suggesting that she does not fully support the team?
Not living locally, I have to say that, IMHO, your argument smells of the same sort of stuff I'm generally scraping out of cattle sheds at the weekend.
For two reasons, being a supporter is not just about going to every match (as a measure of support it's the sort of thing that might actually hold water in the Danske Bank Premiership here in Northern Ireland), and there are strong arguments for those who are boycotting in protest against the regime.
Your line is effectively that you can only claim to support Charlton if you go to home games and line the pockets of the regime. In contrast, and again IMHO, under the current regime, if you support Charlton and what the club stands for (the history, including the protests and politicking associated with the Back to the Valley Campaign, and the club's tradition of involvement with the wider community), being at matches is only part of supporting this club (because it is Charlton, and is "unique", in the sense of being unique, in English football).
The current regime have proven themselves, to date, to be utterly incompetent in footballing terms, and utterly disinterested in the wider context of Charlton Athletic. Until the evidence demonstrates that they have learnt from the complete inadequacy of their stewardship of our club, I will not view any development with anything other that outright scepticism.
I quite like Karl Robinson's enthusiasm, but I find myself oddly reminded of a previous incumbent, removed by this regime, blessed with infectious enthusiasm for the club, and with a record breaking promotion season under his belt. When Robinson can match, or at least come close to Chris Powell's record, I may just about accept that they have finally learned.
He may well turn out to be great for the club, I sincerely hope he does, but to suggest this is a new beginning (with the context of Duchatelet's ownership) is fanciful to the extreme.
Plenty yet to be established before we should accept the management of the club.
- Duchatelet remains the owner - Duchatelet continues to meddle in team affairs - The incompetent Katrien Meire remains the CEO - Thomas Driesen's inolvement continues - The club continue to believe that the issues remain elsewhere and that it is a small group of ringleaders shouting for a non-existent majority. As proved by the quite frankly ridiculous investment in PR and communications.
For me, the change is minimal and I continue to find the situation depressing, despite what Karl Robinson says in a post-match interview.
The boycotters are perfectly justified.
FFS - Would you be happy if we had lost - Just no pleasing some people!
Do you not think it's a little unrealistic to ask 4,000 people to reverse their position after two goalless draws? At least let's win the cup replay first!
No not unrealistic - but just trying ask to ask the better-nature of some of our fans to give him a chance and come and support the team.I really don't think that is asking to much.
I think most protesters and boycotters have continued to back the team - and unless they have proved to be chumps, the manager - while strongly opposing the regime, so nothing will have changed there.
I would probably come back under Duchatalet's ownership if the hapless and poisonous Meire were to be removed. Until then ...
Surely statistically MOST boycotters haven't continued to back the team
Boycotting the ground and the regime doesn't mean that those involved cease to be Charlton fans or to support the team. Any more than it somehow makes those who continue to attend better supporters.
The claim was about backing the team, Supporting a team is like China having a few hundred million Man Utd fans that have bought the shirt but have never been to a match.
And forget Charlton, when was the last time you spoke to somebody and when they told you they supported another team and you asked them if they actually went to matches and they replied No, that you didn't think his opinions on football were not really worth listening to ?
Your last paragraph reminds me of a conversation I had with a 70 years old Spurs fan. He's not been to a game in over 2 years but has other hobbies and interests these days, that only leaves him with a small time to worry about his club
Was he a taxi driver and is he now coming to Charlton?
Karl Robinson comes across as a Scally Wag who believes in Santa Claus. We needed his enthusiasm after the dirge like atmosphere of the Valley this season.
Sorry to break the news to CL Patrons about Santa.
When /if Lookman goes for an undisclosed fee in the January window, then the 3 players who come gift wrapped in the new year, should be:
The championship quality striker to get us into the Playoffs or better. (it was supposed to be Ajosie but he has fallen short so far )
The Championship quality Midfield Playmaker to run the show.
The Championship quality Midfield With Legs and speed who can score a few goals plus get the ball to the mid field maestro; plus replace Ricky Holmes when he is injured or play together when Ricky is fit.
Karl Robinson, i hope is for Life not just Christmas.
but i fear he may be returned as a unwanted Present as he just doesn't fit the Measurement of the Douchebag.
Cam down Sam, Cam down.
You're joking about Santa, right?
Of Course i'm Joking about Santa. if he's not a real dude where do the carrots go that i leave out for his Reindeer each Christmas Eve ?
I don't remember Curbs being very media friendly but he was perhaps from a different generation when some managers felt that their job was just on the pitch and training ground and the rest was a nuisance.
KR is younger and gets it that today managing the media is important for the profile and image of the club (and the manager).
I didn't really care that Curbs wasn't media friendly as he produced good teams that won games.
I don't really care if Robinson is media friendly as long as he produces good teams that win games.
Lennie Lawrence was very media friendly, they knew he would always give them interesting, eloquent and honest comments. Maybe too honest sometimes!
Quite so. I often wonder what Lennie would have achieved with a stable situation at The Valley. To keep us in the top flight playing at Parkhurst was virtually achieving the impossible.
I do agree with an earlier post. He only needs one bad run and the regime will boot him out and put Congo Chris in charge. Seen it 7 times before.
No manager has been afforded the opportunity to get out of a rut under this regime.
If he doesn't get what he has supposedly been promised in January, then he has to walk ...otherwise he will undermine any integrity and support that he has obtained thus far.
If they could have got away with it, it would have been Congo Chris as Head Coach. He was in place, but they bottled it. Now they have a Mickey who can't stop talking, and seems to have excited a number of optimists with two stirring nil-nil draws. Two games!!
Let's give it ten league games at least before deciding if he is a good fit, or even get to the end of the season. He needs to stop the rabbiting now and put a run of results together, starting with the FA Cup replay.
If they could have got away with it, it would have been Congo Chris as Head Coach. He was in place, but they bottled it. Now they have a Mickey who can't stop talking, and seems to have excited a number of optimists with two stirring nil-nil draws. Two games!!
Let's give it ten league games at least before deciding if he is a good fit, or even get to the end of the season. He needs to stop the rabbiting now and put a run of results together, starting with the FA Cup replay.
I was at Bradford and as nil-nils go it actually was pretty stirring. We played well and it seems to be an interesting system. I can't wait to read your analysis of it, even with a depleted team, it was a very different experience to Scunthorpe.
I agree with you completely though, even if the football improves, the club is rotten. Most seem to agree the division is weak and there is quality within the team. Robinson might just be using the squad in a way it is more suited. It definitely seemed to play to our strengths on Saturday.
It was nice to come away feeling good about the football though, even if I can't about the club.
If they could have got away with it, it would have been Congo Chris as Head Coach. He was in place, but they bottled it. Now they have a Mickey who can't stop talking, and seems to have excited a number of optimists with two stirring nil-nil draws. Two games!!
Let's give it ten league games at least before deciding if he is a good fit, or even get to the end of the season. He needs to stop the rabbiting now and put a run of results together, starting with the FA Cup replay.
Robinson might just be using the squad in a way it is more suited. It definitely seemed to play to our strengths on Saturday.
I'd been saying all season that Slade wasn't playing to our strengths.
Lookman, Botaka, Holmes, Magennis, Ajose & Novak and he defended !
His quote about emerging talent saving the need for transfer spending, proves that KR is either a buffoon or a scumbag. Either is fine in the eyes of the regime. Both justify rancour, opprobrium and hostility from we addicted. Each new missive from SE7 replenishes my reserves of all 3. I am still yet to hear a cogent argument for accepting the manager/head coach/whatever post at Charlton under the current regime. Nothing KR has said yet is making it any clearer, certainly not this guff about youngsters in the replay. The whys and wherefores of selection and the outcome of tonight's match are utterly irrelevant. Indeed the outcome of league matches under this regime is only relevant insofar as Charlton hopefully avoid further relegation. Descending to the 4th division would extinguish for good, the already vague flicker of hope for a sustainable future for Charlton Athletic FC. Appy xmas one & all, keep smilin'.
Not scoring many goals for such attacking line ups.
Our problems run a lot deeper than the manager, guys.. that smile and positive outlook from Karl will soon be wiped off his face, and the level of interviews and positive article pushing from the Club will slow.
Sure he'll get us going soon, he's not a bad manager - but our problems will keep showing regardless.
Not bothered at all by two FA cup hiccups, absolutely irrelevant competition. What is worrying is that we seem to have triple the chances than when Slade was in charge yet still can't score freely.
Comments
That doesn't mean I won't support the team or the manager - just that I have what I think is a healthy scepticism. Some may feel that's negative. I think it's realistic.
We have a team which we all recognise is lacking in excellence in some key areas. We have a club that operates under Roland's network structure which is deliberately different from the "normal" way of doing football business. Roland likes a say in player recruitment and team selection relying on a total unknown in Driesen for tactical advice.
Add to that a CEO who clearly hasn't got a Scooby and relies on a PR firm to shore up the image of the club which she and Roland have torn down with their own two hands.....
It's a mess. It's heartbreaking. It's so unecessary.
If there's a reason why I didn't renew my season ticket and haven't been back to the valley this season it's because I don't want to support the management of the club with my money. Yes I am boycotting. Not happy about having to do it - but I don't see any other way forward.
I'm fed up of watching the inept management of the club spending all their time trying to put the shit back in the horse.
The biggest loser out of this for me is my youngest son. He's 13, footy mad, and games at The Valley used to be good quality time together. That's now gone until the regime changes and there is a reason for turning up on a matchday.
That said I'll reiterate my earlier points that I support the team and the manager. Doesn't mean I won't criticise - but does mean a degree of slack is cut for a new gaffer who does need time to try and make things work in a somewhat tipsy-turvey regime. That's probably why most of us don't share that optimism as freely as the OP. It's just too early.
Not his fault - support him 100%, but he will go the same way as the others.
Remember what KM told us: "every manager/coach appointment has been an improvement on the previous one"
We were a decent Championship side under CP and we are now playing the likes of Bury/Rochdale and Fleetwood every week. KM can't see the decline, RD won't spend his money to put us in the big time - so we are just treading water until RD decides to put us in admin.
Belgians out.
And forget Charlton, when was the last time you spoke to somebody and when they told you they supported another team and you asked them if they actually went to matches and they replied No, that you didn't think his opinions on football were not really worth listening to ?
We needed his enthusiasm after the dirge like atmosphere of the Valley this season.
Sorry to break the news to CL Patrons about Santa.
When /if Lookman goes for an undisclosed fee in the January window,
then the 3 players who come gift wrapped in the new year, should be:
The championship quality striker to get us into the Playoffs or better.
(it was supposed to be Ajosie but he has fallen short so far )
The Championship quality Midfield Playmaker to run the show.
The Championship quality Midfield With Legs and speed who can score a few goals plus get the ball to the mid field maestro; plus replace Ricky Holmes when he is injured or play together when Ricky is fit.
Karl Robinson, i hope is for Life( 3 seasons in football terms) not just Christmas.
but i fear he may be returned as a unwanted Present as he just doesn't fit the Measurement of the Douchebag.
Cam down Sam, Cam down.
Are you suggesting that she does not fully support the team?
Not living locally, I have to say that, IMHO, your argument smells of the same sort of stuff I'm generally scraping out of cattle sheds at the weekend.
For two reasons, being a supporter is not just about going to every match (as a measure of support it's the sort of thing that might actually hold water in the Danske Bank Premiership here in Northern Ireland), and there are strong arguments for those who are boycotting in protest against the regime.
Your line is effectively that you can only claim to support Charlton if you go to home games and line the pockets of the regime. In contrast, and again IMHO, under the current regime, if you support Charlton and what the club stands for (the history, including the protests and politicking associated with the Back to the Valley Campaign, and the club's tradition of involvement with the wider community), being at matches is only part of supporting this club (because it is Charlton, and is "unique", in the sense of being unique, in English football).
The current regime have proven themselves, to date, to be utterly incompetent in footballing terms, and utterly disinterested in the wider context of Charlton Athletic. Until the evidence demonstrates that they have learnt from the complete inadequacy of their stewardship of our club, I will not view any development with anything other that outright scepticism.
I quite like Karl Robinson's enthusiasm, but I find myself oddly reminded of a previous incumbent, removed by this regime, blessed with infectious enthusiasm for the club, and with a record breaking promotion season under his belt. When Robinson can match, or at least come close to Chris Powell's record, I may just about accept that they have finally learned.
if he's not a real dude where do the carrots go that i leave out for his Reindeer each Christmas Eve ?
I see the FA cup excuses being rolled out demonstrating amply how thin the squad is and sound oh so familiar.
No manager has been afforded the opportunity to get out of a rut under this regime.
Let's give it ten league games at least before deciding if he is a good fit, or even get to the end of the season. He needs to stop the rabbiting now and put a run of results together, starting with the FA Cup replay.
I agree with you completely though, even if the football improves, the club is rotten. Most seem to agree the division is weak and there is quality within the team. Robinson might just be using the squad in a way it is more suited. It definitely seemed to play to our strengths on Saturday.
It was nice to come away feeling good about the football though, even if I can't about the club.
Lookman, Botaka, Holmes, Magennis, Ajose & Novak and he defended !
I am still yet to hear a cogent argument for accepting the manager/head coach/whatever post at Charlton under the current regime. Nothing KR has said yet is making it any clearer, certainly not this guff about youngsters in the replay. The whys and wherefores of selection and the outcome of tonight's match are utterly irrelevant. Indeed the outcome of league matches under this regime is only relevant insofar as Charlton hopefully avoid further relegation. Descending to the 4th division would extinguish for good, the already vague flicker of hope for a sustainable future for Charlton Athletic FC.
Appy xmas one & all, keep smilin'.
Our problems run a lot deeper than the manager, guys.. that smile and positive outlook from Karl will soon be wiped off his face, and the level of interviews and positive article pushing from the Club will slow.
Sure he'll get us going soon, he's not a bad manager - but our problems will keep showing regardless.
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