Monday 18 March 2024

Another one that got away

My partner laughs when we are watching a Premier League game, which she thinks is the only place football is played (apart from La Liga) and I say, 'former Charlton player'.

When Alfie Doughty was 18 he was sent on loan from the Addicksto Kingstonian in the Isthmian League. He spent around 10 weeks playing in the seventh tier of English football before returning to his boyhood club.

Five and a half years on, and Doughty has played in the fifth tier in the National League with Bromley, experienced relegation from the Championship with Charlton and struggled to get into the team at Stoke City.

Now he is 24 and has not only helped Luton Town get promoted to the Premier League but has become one of their standout players in England’s top flight.

Doughty spent 15 years at Charlton’s academy, coming through with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa. His aim has always been to play in the top division and he is doing it with aplomb.

His versatility and trustworthiness have meant he has been relied on both sides of the pitch at wing-back, and heading into their match with Burnley, no Luton player had created more chances than Doughty.  A high number of those chances have arrived from set pieces, with Doughty in charge of free kicks and corners. Only West Ham United midfielder James Ward-Prowse has created more chances from set pieces in the Premier League than the Luton player this season.

Doughty’s drive and deliveries are among the top reasons Luton remain in a fight to stay in the Premier League. As for Doughty, this level looks more and more like one he belongs at.


Saturday 16 March 2024

May scores 25th goal of season

Charlton are 17th in League One after a 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town, ten points clear of relegation zone leaders Cheltenham, although they have two games in hand.

Alfie May's 25th goal of the season was not enough for Charlton as Fleetwood hit back late to earn a 1-1 draw .

May scored from the penalty spot but substitute Ryan Graydon rescued a point for the hosts with six minutes left, rounding keeper Harry Isted before tucking home from a tight angle.

The Cod Army started strongly with Xavier Simons denied by a super save from Isted.   More on Isted here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/harry-isted-on-putting-northampton-town-error-behind-him-and-draw-at-fleetwood-town/ 

Former Addick Jayden Stockley also headed inches wide, still with less than 10 minutes played.. The hosts continued to press, Brendan Wiredu and Gavin Kilkenny also going close.

The Addicks' first decent chance came after 36 minutes when Macaulay Gillesphey drilled narrowly over the top.

The visitors went ahead in first-half added time when May tucked home a penalty after he had been felled by charm merchant Shaun Rooney.

Fleetwood went close soon after the restart when Bosun Lawal saw a well-struck shot saved by Isted. Wiredu also headed wide from Phoenix Patterson's cross.

At the other end Thierry Small's effort was saved by Jay Lynch, before Graydon went on to salvage a point for the hosts with time running out.

Top LMA job for Pardoo?


Safe in his hands

Alan Pardew, 62, is among those standing in the election to succeed Howard Wilkinson as the chairman of the League Managers Association (LMA).

Now 80, Wilkinson is standing down at the end of the season after 34 years leading the organisation he helped to establish. Eight people, including both male and female candidates, have been nominated for the position and the LMA’s 680 members will send ballot papers next week and have four weeks to vote.

Pardew’s pitch includes that he has played and managed at every level, and that he wants to promote more inclusion of ethnic minority coaches.

No doubt he will not mention that he screwed up big time at Charlton.

Friday 15 March 2024

Can we be fleet of foot at Fleetwood?

Although they are third from bottom in the real table,. Fleetwood moved up to 15th in the form table last weekend and secured a respectable 0-0 draw at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.   This was also the scoreline away at promotion chasing Stevenage last Saturday.

Fleetwood claim that defensive solidity is their key, but they have conceded 30 goals at home and won just four, drawn three and lost eleven.

Perhaps the owner will deliver one of his inspirational messages from his prison cell and the Cod Army will see a result banged to rights.

Fleetwood has a population of 26,000 which is about a quarter the size of the mini conurbation I live in and there is just a third tier non-league team here which seems more realistic.



BBC1's Football Focus are visiting my non-league club Leamington tomorrow to mark Paul Holleran's (pictured) 700th game in charge (the programme will go out on Easter Saturday).   Some bleeping may be necessary.   Holleran does not hold back in advising referees.

CAST preview here: https://castrust.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=47ab8cc58db1fe6727e9ed9c2&id=236c1f0de8&e=97ed1d02c3

Why Roland was half right

I have never been one of the 'things were better under Roland' school.  Indeed, they have become a lot quieter recently.  There is the Steve Sutherland argument that we were wrong to upset him given that he still owns The Valley and Sparrows Lane.

Where Roland was half right was in pursuing a multi club model.   Manchester City pioneered it, but now Liverpool have realised they have to follow suit: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2024/03/why-liverpool-have-to-follow-multi-club.html

Where Roland went wrong was that he didn't have enough money to buy good or at least promising clubs and the football knowledge to deploy players across the clubs.

However, the tide of globalisation continues in football and no domestic regulator is going to stop it.  The model may return to Charlton one day.


LuaLua deal pending

No deal for Fosu at Charlton, but one for LuaLua is pending: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/physical-phenomenon-charlton-boss-confirms-deal-pending-for-former-luton-and-brighton-winger-lualua/

More about LuaLua here: https://www.castrust.org/2024/03/who-is-kazenga-lua-lua/

Nathan Jones has stated what Conor Wickham brings to the squad in the absence of Aneke and Leaburn and also explains why Lloyd Jones did not feature last week: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-on-adding-size-and-presence-with-deal-for-ex-palace-striker-and-update-on-lloyd-jones-availability/

Tuesday 12 March 2024

One place drop

Stopping by for a curry at lunchtime in the Royal Spa today, I was surprised to see an Exeter City player enjoying the express lunch.   However, it was a convenient stopping place on his way to Shrewsbury.  The curry must have done him good as the Grecians defeated Shropshire's finest 3-0.

Charlton have dropped one place in League One tonight with Wycombe going above them as clubs used up games in hand.  However, Cheltenham are still ten points behind at the head of the relegation zone.

The home game against Wigan on March 23rd has been postponed due to international call ups.

Shareholder Charlie Methven has been giving it large to Crystal Palace and West Ham: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/narrow-self-interest-charlton-athletic-shareholder-hits-out-at-crystal-palace-and-west-ham-over-efl-funding/

I understand that Charlton have now apologised to West Ham for the OTT comments.

May I also add to the praise for the debut of 12-year old Sydney on Charlton Live on Saturday.   There's a lot to be said for starting in the media at a young age.   Photo below is of me on live television at age 13.