*****

Although my predictions of new signings before the Huddersfield game proved incorrect, we are likely to see at least one of Parky’s hat-trick of signings in some capacity when we venture down to Oggy Land.

Exeter are yet to win this season in the league although they are still undefeated at home with a couple of draws against Bristol Rovers and Colchester so it’s not going to be an easy game. Although a draw would not be a terrible result we need to be going into games like this with the attitude of taking the game to the opposition, creating chances and putting them on the back foot – and winning. The line-up Parkinson chooses come 3pm on Saturday will show his and the team’s intent.

The main gripe fans seemed to have had this season so far is the lack of chances we are creating. Is it because we simply don’t have that “spark” of a player or is it something tactically? Personally I think it’s down to tactics – Lee Martin playing off a lone striker doesn’t seem to work despite a lot of endeavour, and the centre midfield pairings so far this season have failed to take a gamble and run on ahead of strikers. When was the last time we saw 5 people in the box when attacking?

<CLICK HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW AND SUPPORTERS POLL

…….

“Your support is f****** s**t”, “Your ground’s too big for you” and even the introspective “Where were you when we were s**t?” are some of the familiar songs belted out at grounds up and down the country every weekend without any sense of irony or self awareness.

There’s a lot of debate and oft derision about low crowd attendances home and away amongst football supporters. If you watch the Pathe films on t’internet or similar sentimental footage that gets reeled out on Football Focus it is common to see packed out stadium full of rattle- waving, rosette- wearing men and women jostling for position in vast crowded stands.

So why the decline? Surely now the average football fan has more leisure time and expendable dough than ever before and certainly more than in the black and white era of rosettes and flat caps?

CLICK BELOW FOR FULL ARTICLE

Q. Mark, its been an amazing rollercoaster for AFCB since going into administration in Feb 2008. Could you briefly summerise how the club’s fortunes, on and off the pitch, have panned out in that period ?

So much has gone on. Administration meant relegation from League One in 07/08 thanks to the -10 points deduction, it was just too big an ask to recover from. That summer was a nightmare; several bidders for the club turned out to be time wasters, and at one point there was a lot of doubt as to whether AFCB would actually start the 08/09 season. If the club couldn’t secure a viable owner then the Football League would not release the ‘golden share’ that allows a club to be a member of the League.

FOR FULL INTERVIEW CLICK LINK BELOW

http://www.charltonlife.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=36021

We know this, because we were there.

We stood there, in August 1921, proudly watching that club play its first ever Football League fixture. We were there for every subsequent relegation and promotion.

We were there when the club finished in the top four of the Football League, three years running. And we debated with our friends, proud of our club, adamant that we were the best team in England. And Britain. And the world. Probably.

ARTICLE CONTINUES ON LINK BELOW:

http://www.charltonlife.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=36027

The loss of Bailey, Burton, Richardson and Sam from the starting XI is of course a blow and combined with the departures of Shelvey, Mooney and Randolph leaves our squad desperately threadbare. At the time of writing, we still need another 2 strikers, a right winger and a goalkeeper at the very least.

On to Saturday, and what seems like the 38th year running we entertain a newly promoted team at The Valley in the form of Bournemouth. A club that has done fantastically well over the past couple of years dealing with financial pressures off the pitch but still producing a competitive team on it. Something that is essential for Charlton this year if we want to ensure the future of the club.

FOR FULL PREVIEW AND SUPPORTERS VIEWS AND PREDICTION POLL, CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK…..

http://www.charltonlife.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=35985

Not for the first time in recent years, the decision leaves supporters asking more questions than it provides answers, particular on whether it was a decision enforced from the boardroom, or created by the indifference of the manager.

For full article, CLICK HERE

We asked Lennie Lawrence who, with hindsight, would be the first three names he would put on his teamsheet from his time as Charlton manager, and asked you to try and match it.

Of the 51 entries, two of you failed to match any, 19 matched one player, 26 of you matched two players and just four of you matched all three. Sadly one of them was Mrs AFKA and she still isn’t talking to me after telling her she wasn’t eligible to win the prize !

The top three that Lennie gave was as follows:

1. Peter Shirtliff
2. John Humphrey
3. Robert Lee

Congratulations to Andrew Skinner, Welling who emerged victorious from the draw of the final three. He didn’t supply a photo so you can guess that he is no oil painting.

The breakdown of votes were as follows:

John Humphrey – 32
Bob Bolder – 29
Peter Shirtliff – 26
Robert Lee – 25
Colin Walsh – 8
Mark Aizlewood – 5
Mark Reid – 4
Steve Gritt – 4
Nicky Johns – 3
Jim Melrose – 3
Carl Leaburn – 3
Andy Peake – 2
Steve Thompson – 2
Derek Hales – 2
Colin Pates – 1
Paul Williams – 1
John Pearson -1
Alan Kernaghan -1
John Robinson – 1 (WTF ??)

Thanks to everyone who entered, and also to Green Umbrella Publishing for supplying the prize.

“Lennie” is out now, available from all good bookshops and also via our Charlton Life Amazon link.

Lennie has now penned the story of his rise from school teacher to football manager, recounting the many tales along the way.

Charlton Life is now offering you the chance to win a signed copy of ‘Lennie’.

We asked the great man the following question:

“looking back from all the time you managed Charlton, who on reflection would be the first three players you would put on your teamsheet’.

How to enter

All you have to do is send an email titled ‘Lennie Competition’ to:

afka_smudge@hotmail.com

with your three guesses of whom Lennie is likely to have said by 6pm Sunday 1st November.

All entries with three correct players will be entered into a hat and publicly drawn on Monday 2nd November. In the event of no entry correctly guessing all three, all entries with two correct names will be entered. The winner will be announced on Monday 2nd November. All entries to include full name and town of residence.

****

Many years ago Lennie Lawrence threatened to write a book about his time a Charlton. There was certainly enough packed into his nine year spell at the club, including winding up orders, high court visits, numerous Chairmen, promotion, play-offs, relegation and of course ground sharing and the Valley Party to warrant one if not more volumes.

So when the news of his autobiography leaked it was met with some anticipation. Surely, we hoped, it would be better than the last ex-Addick manager’s effort. And despite having the same ghost writer as Curb’s tome it is, but in some ways it is just as frustrating.

As a Charlton fan I would have been happy for the tale to start and finish with his time with the Addicks but the reality of publishing means that Middlesbrough, Bradford, Luton, Cardiff and Bristol Rovers also get a look in. But a warning to any Plymouth, Lincoln or Grimsby fans;  you can read all the bits about your club in a few minutes while standing in the local book shop. I wouldn’t recommend you investing £15.

The balance of coverage of his time at Charlton compared to most of Lennie’s other clubs is fair but there are surprisingly few anecdotes or tales. All the key events are there but anyone who has ever heard Lennie talk about them with his wit and insight will be disappointed. Paul Miller is let go for spitting and that is it. John Pearson and Mark Aizlewood suddenly appear in opponents Leeds play-off side but with their departures from Charlton having gone unmentioned. The three games against Leeds deserved more but the drama isn’t brought out. The 1983 season end, loser goes down game v Bolton is described, rightly, by Lennie as “one of the most significant matches in the history of Charlton Athletic” but without a proper explanation of just why.

The book moves along quickly and the season by season format is easy to follow. Lennie is generous in his praise of players, coaches and directors he has worked with and his description of his working relationship with Sam Hammam is fascinating. I would have liked to have had a lot more about Lennie, the man, as well as such an experienced and much travelled manager’s views on the nature of management and the role of the Director of Football than was allowed for in the, almost bolted on, final chapter. One quote however made me think immediately of Phil Parkinson and what he is currently trying to achieve:

“man management is also an important ingredient of the job. You can do what you like with the players throughout the week in terms of coaching, tactics and training, but they have to want to go out on a Saturday and play for you. They can play for the Club and the shirt and their family and friends. All of that, but they have to want to play for the manager”.

The editing leaves something to be desired. A few stories seem to be missing a set-up before the punch line, and I thought the Valley Party polled 14,838 votes not 14,839 but that is a minor quibble. It is an enjoyable read that reminds you that “Houdini” has worked his magic at so many clubs, rarely with any money to spend, as well as having a few freely admitted minor disasters along the way.

One major disaster though was thankfully avoided. Lennie reveals that he was very close to being offered the manager’s job at Millwall but thankfully for Lennie’s legendary status the Millwall board decided that Steve Claridge would be better suited for the Lions.

How right they were.

Keep your eyes on the Charlton Life Forum next week, for a chance to win a copy of Lennie.