As I come into the new season, any suggestions or tips on players to buy would be appreciated.
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2010-2011 Season, the Coca Cola Championship
Returning to the Championship after a one year absence was going to need some time to settle in, so after a busy transfer window, obtaining no less than 7 players, we were able to also fit in 5 pre-season matches.
Transfers
Zavon Hines (West Ham United) - Free
Zavon was on loan with us for the whole of last season, and he matured greatly, getting into double figures for goals and goals laid on. Having been released at the end of the season, he was snapped up immediately, as the first signing of the transfer window.
Jack Cork (Chelsea) - 6 month loan
Already an experienced Championship player, Jack is a promising defensive midfielder, who will doubtless become very useful with the absence of Jose Semedo until December. Was meant to join in January, but Charlton already had 4 Under-21 loanees in.
Michael Woods (Chelsea) - Free
Michael has also played in this level for a couple of teams, and has performed very well. Infamous in this division for his long shots, he is also a very composed central midfielder, who should fit in comfortably with the other players in that position.
Calum Davenport (West Ham United) - Free
A very able centre-back, he is unavailable until January due to medical reasons, but should be a very good signing when he does eventually return.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Arsenal) - Free
A promising versatile player, Emmanuel-Thomas can play all along the midfield, and also in the central defense position. Defence was highlighted as our weakest link last season and Jay should establish some stability in that role.
Nacer Barazite (Arsenal) - 6 month loan
A long term loanee last season, Nacer is now accustomed to the surroundings at the Valley. Impressed last season, and will be staking his claim against Jonjo again this campaign.
Jerzy Dudek (Free Agent) - Free
Jerzy is a very accomplished goalkeeper, and with Darren Randolph leaving on a free in the summer, and Ger Hanley going on loan to Brighton, it was neccessary to provide not only back-up to Rob Elliot, but a competitor. He may only be a short-term measure, but Dudek has still got the ability to compete at this level.
Pre-Season
Charlton 2 - 5 West Ham United
A topsy turvy game; Ashton bagged a brace in the opening half an hour, before Zavon Hines pulled one back before half time. A Chris Solly penalty evened things up in the 70th minute, before West Ham put their foot down. On the 80th minute, Dean Ashton completed a hat-trick, before goals in the 91st and 94th minute for West Ham completed what on paper looks like a rout.
Charlton 1 - 1 Sunderland
A quiet, but solid game from the Addicks. Chinedu Obasi of Sunderland gave them the lead before Nacer Barazite capitalised on a defensive error to tuck away the equaliser.
Charlton 0 - 2 Bolton
A professional performance from Bolton was no doubt helped by a lack of any real drive or ambition from Charlton as they sat back and let Bolton control the game. Goals from Gardner and Davies won the game.
Charlton 1 - 3 Chelsea
Chelsea showed their supreme class, taking a 3 goal lead in the opening half an hour, with goals from Nicolas Anelka (2), and Alex. Two of these goals came from set pieces. Charlton grabbed a nice consolation on half time by Leon McKenzie, and what could have been the start of the come back, but Chelsea held on strong to deny them.
Charlton 5 - 0 Market Drayton
A first win of pre-season came against hapless Market Drayton. Serge Deble, signed two seasons ago, before being sent on loan to Angers in France, scored a marvellous hat-trick, and he could be the competitor to Zavon Hines that was needed last season. A sublime finish from Emmanuel-Thomas and a coolly taken goal from Barazite finished them off.
1 Win, 1 Draw and 3 losses is arguably an unimpressive pre-season, but I rarely take much notice of pre-season and next month kicks off with a game against Birmingham, who we have already faced 3 times under my reign.
Squad List 2010/2011
1. Jerzy
DUDEK
2. Abubakari
YAKUBU
3. Kelly
YOUGA
4. Nicky
BAILEY (c)
5. Miguel
LLERA
6. Jose
SEMEDO
7. Jonjo
SHELVEY
8. Therry
RACON
9. Leon
McKENZIE
10. Deon
BURTON
11. Nacer
BARAZITE
12. Zavon
HINES
13. Michael
WOODS
14. Matt
SPRING
15. Alex
STAVRINOU
16.
MAHAN
17. Serge
DEBLE
18. Sam
SODJE
19. Chris
SOLLY
22. Rob
ELLIOT
23. Antoine
SIBIERSKI
24. Jack
CORK
25. Jay
EMMANUEL-THOMAS
26. Yado
MAMBO
August 2010 coming up..
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August 2010
August is always a busy month, and with 7 games played, starting on the 7th August, it was always going to be a tough first month back in the Championship, and so it proved..
Birmingham 0 - 2 Charlton
A return to the top flight was marked by a brilliant 2-0 victory against newly-relegated Birmingham City. It was always going to be a tough game, but an absolute wonder goal from debutant Michael Woods from 30 yards gave us the lead before Serge Deble doubled that advantage on the half hour mark. Birmingham made a few half-hearted attempts to get back into the game, but it ended in a very satisfying 2-0 victory.
Gillingham 1 - 4 Charlton (League Cup 1st Round)
Two wins in two and looking good; Charlton never looked back when Shelvey gave them the lead early on, and Hines made it 2 before half time. Gillingham pulled one back, before conceding a penalty, which youngster Alex Stavrinou converted to score his first goal for the club. In the final minutes, Gillingham conceded another penalty, which Antoine Sibierski scored for his first of the season and into the Second Round.
Charlton 2 - 2 Doncaster
Arguably the most frustrating result of the month. A fantastic performance from Charlton in the first half only resulted in a 1-0 lead, after having 2 goals disallowed, and having given the crossbar a good battering. Heffernan converted a penalty conceded by Emmanuel-Thomas early in the second half to make it 1-1. But fantastic work from Jonjo Shelvey played Leon McKenzie in to double his tally for the season and make it 2-1 with 10 minutes to go. But in the final moments, Doncaster scored a last gasp equaliser to break Charlton's fans hearts.
Portsmouth 0 - 0 Charlton
Another game against one of the recently relegated sides, and a very good performance from an impressive Charlton side. Away from home, one might have expected them to bottle it but they stood firm and put on a few counter-attacks, but to no avail. Neither team managed to take advantage of their chances, and it ended nil all, probably the fairest result.
Charlton 1 - 1 QPR
Very nearly our first loss at the Valley under Sam's reign, with QPR having taken the lead mid-way through the second half. But a brilliant cross from Ivorian Mahan was headed by Hines onto Cerny for an unfortunate own goal, deep into stoppage time.
Portsmouth 0 - 1 Charlton (League Cup 2nd Round)
A 2nd game of 3 in one week ended in victory for Charlton, although I'm sure they would have preferred this was the Championship match instead. A fantastic cross from Mahan early in the first half was converted by Shelvey, and that was all it took to beat Portsmouth this time round.
Bolton 3 - 1 Charlton
Having lost to Bolton in pre-season, there is no doubt they would have wanted to have got one over Luis Sanchez's men. But hopes of that looked unlikely when Chung-Yong gave Bolton an early lead. But fantastic work from Bailey and Shelvey let Hines in who tapped into an open goal to make it one apiece. But in the end, 3 games in a week proved to much for the Charlton players, as they conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes to capitulate against a stronger Bolton side, goals coming from O'Brien and Chung-Yong again.
News
The first month of the new season, and things aren't looking too bad for Charlton. Having played all of the relegated Premier League sides, it would be fair to say there is an easier stretch ahead. But as the game against Doncaster showcased, no game in this division will be easy and strength in depth is going to be tested. For that reason, David Elm was brought in on loan from Fulham to provide cover for McKenzie and the out-of-form Deon Burton. This will last until January, with an option to extend.
Jim Magilton of QPR won Manager of the Month for the Coca-Cola Championship in August, which shows that we did well to hold them to a draw.
More to follow, as we progress in the Championship, and also a 3rd Round League Cup tie against Newcastle United to enjoy..
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September 2010
A tough month, but every month in the Championship is and there were some very dissapointing performances from the Addicks this month.
Charlton 1 - 1 Sheffield United
When we met Sheffield United, they were sitting top of the league with goals coming from everywhere but it was us who took the led early on with a nice finish from Nicky Bailey. But with the goals flowing for the Blades, Ched Evans scored his 5th goal of the season after being played in brilliantly to beat Dudek.
Reading 0 - 0 Charlton
Having visited this stadium in the League Cup and losing 1-0 after a contraversial red card, Charlton were looking to avenge that defeat, but they found a sturdy Reading side. Despite some nice football, Charlton could not break them down and it ended 0-0. This game was more noticeable for injuries to Sam Sodje and Jerzy Dudek, key defensive players
Charlton 3 - 1 Cardiff
A very impressive home victory against an in form Cardiff came courtesy of an early goal from Barazite, before Joe Ledley levelled before the break. But late second half goals from debutant loanee David Elm and Pawel Kazmierczak's cool finish for his first at Charlton was enough to settle the matter.
Newcastle 4 - 0 Charlton
A poor performance from Charlton saw them trampled at St. James' Park and ended with injuries to Yakubu and Jack Cork, leaving us with youngster Yado Mambo in centre-back, where he had a torrid time against the likes of Xisco and Geovanni. The 4-0 scoreline in the end didn't flatter Newcastle.
Charlton 2 - 2 Crystal Palace
Charlton's incredible home record continued in this game, but it was a game they arguably could and should have won. An early penalty was converted by Nicky Bailey before Crystal Palace equalised just after the break. But a fantastic ball from David Elm set Zavon Hines on his way to coolly finish before celebrating in front of the home fans. But with five minutes to go, Miguel Llera fell asleep on a free kick and Sean Scannell broke free behind him to head home a dissapointing late equaliser.
Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 1 Charlton
The scoreline failed to flatter Sheffield Wednesday as they dominated this encounter against a surprisingly lacklustre Charlton team. Claudio Lopez scored an impressive finish early on before adding a beautiful free-kick. Charlton's equaliser came through debutant Bjorn Helge Riise, from a fantastic cross by Chris Solly, replacing the injured Yakubu. But Charlton failed to offer anything more and the score ended 2-1.
News
The biggest news is the capture of two Fulham reserve players, Bjorn Helge Riise and David Elm. They are two very strong and experienced players, who have already shown how much they can add to the team. With McKenzie failing to find the form he had last season, and Deon Burton really struggling for fitness, they could be vital in the coming months. September was ravaged my injuries to key players, and a loss of form for our front men, Jonjo Shelvey being particularly dissapointing, and our one win came through loanee Barazite who had replaced him. We'll be looking for a much more impressive month in October, and hopefully get a few games on the board. We are now 17th.
..
