Charlton: Relegation Despair or European Glory?
Posted by The Addickted in Charlton, Iain Dowie | 26 September 2006
A new manager, 9 new signings, 3 points from 18, and a whole lot of anxious Charlton fans. Far from boring times at the Valley this season! It is safe to say that the future is in the balance. Can Dowie turn it around? Is there too much pressure on Bent? Which signings will come good? I don't know, but the alarm bells are ringing!
Pre-season in any South-London pub you may have heard murmerings of "...A fresh start..." or "...a UEFA place..." but now the tone has changed somewhat. Currently you're much more likely to hear moans of relegation or about the possible early exit of Dowie.
The Optimists Argument: As the team gel, our injury list decreases and we get some easier fixtures, the only way to go is up! Every team has a bad run and having played Man Utd, Chelski, league leaders Portsmouth and undefeated Villa, there is a light at the end of the tunnel (after we have played the Woolwich Arsenal). Richard Murray is a fair chairman, he'll let Dowie and his new recruits settle in before passing judgement. Darren Bent shouldered the pressure of lone striker last season and ended the Premiership's as the top English scorer. Now with Hasselbaink he has someone to share it with and has the ability to get more from open play.
The Pessimists Argument: Wrong, Dowie doesn't know the Premiership and if he doesn't chop and change he'll end up out of a job. Already Charlton have fallen below expectations and don't look like picking up points in the next two games against Arsenal or the Cottagers - who look unbeatable at home at the moment. Injuries? Tough fixtures? Just another list of managerial excuses. What we can see is poor performances on the pitch, a worrying lack of goals and an ominous league table.
My view tends to the more optimistic side, yes there are excuses, but they all sound valid, and its nigh on impossible for us to carry on the way we started the season or we'll be relagated in a couple of months! For anyone who has been watching there have been brief spells of some very good passing football, not seen by the Valley faithful in years under "Sir" Alan Curbishley, and it is certainly something to build on. I suppose my advice to any worrying Charlton fans/followers is not to panic and to ignore those "alarm bells" I mentioned earlier.
This is my maiden article, so please let me know your views on my writing and on this topic. I look forward to posting after the Arsenal game.
Comments
tis good. i like it. same can be said for spurs as well
Yes, It has been a difficult start to the new season. Whoever you are these eqarly fixtures are a hard start. With all the new players coming in late and the mounting injuries mainly to those new players, things have not had time to settle. One thing is for sure, last seasons team that finished was NOT good enough to complete another season in this league! My only concern is, if the ROT sets in before we get a good run together with all the new players. If that dioes not happes, I think we will eventually do well. Here's hoping. I think that Reid and FAye will be key and Hughes and Holland need to be benched ASAP.
Very nice article. I think personally I would fall into the pessimists category. Oh well, C'mon the 'mighty' addicks!
