What's The Point?

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 2

Charlton have performed everything that underlines the campaign.

Bring on the Redvolution now!!!

From the usual first forty five where we play pretty football and then give away a goal with the opposition's first real attempt on goal to snatching a result from a match that seemed destined to be a defeat.

Although this one was different. I was deep into the coverage of Richard Keys on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (not!!) when just running through in my mind what a draw meant that up came:

Plymouth Argyle 1 Charlton Athletic 2 (Gray 90(pen))

Whilst the delight of 3 points was evident, my mind switched to keeping Pard's in a job until the new year. How unusual such a feeling is. As ardent fans of the Addicks, many of us have come to accept the shortfall of the club over the years and a defeat at Plymouth is no surprise but now we really should be getting results at these places.

The team is not beyond repair but it is who will perform them that needs answering. This came out with a 94th minute equalizer that I cannot deny was deserved but changed the outlook for the Charlton team again.

A point away from home is usually a good thing, that is if you win your home games. The result will again gloss over the cracks that although the selection was improved (the 4-5-1 suiting a better balance away from home), it is still not utilising the squad as is best.

I can see that the team that finished the match at Home Park may well start at St Andrew's. This is less Chris Dickson but restoring Matt Holland after the enforced change. Again there will be no thought in the selection.

LOAN SIGNINGS

Who are we going to get and will they meet the required areas?

Clutching at straws then; we may get a quality centre back to support Mark Hudson but where will the creative, free kick taking midfielder come from?

We urgently need someone to pull the strings. It seems Gray did well behind the striker on Saturday but please don't look to this for a solution. We need some quality but we can also cut some deadwood as well.

I am beyond suggesting who needs to go because I think most selections would be evident on performances and advising Mr Pardew seems a waste of time, because he rarely sees it in front of him.

MOVING ON

The time is now to remain focused on the removal of Pardew. It is imperative that he goes for the good of the club. Many other teams have benefited greatly from this in recent times and we cannot get much worse.

Nice to see SDAP keeping up the good work with the league table and the realistic approach of many other bloggers is reassuring but in support of Pedro45 and the redvolution:

JOIN THE REDVOLUTION NOW!!!

When Saturday comes, another disaster looms?

Well, well, well!!!

Are we going to stand up and be count or not. This is our time and we need to remember that it is not down to Alan Pardew as to where we go from here. It is for the board at the club to make a stand with the supporters and not in opposition to them. Mr Pardew obviously does not have friends in the right places.

Firstly, we are trialling Darren 'can't get any other club' Powell and Ales 'never heard of him' Besta, who has fallen out with his club (who are FC Brno??).

WHAT IS THE POINT!!!

Following this we hear that we have had loan requests rejected for Heidar Helguson (Bolton) and Fabio (Manchester United).

NO SURPRISES THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO COME!!!

As for Hermann returning to SE7 then do not plan for that yet.

It seems to have just been propaganda that allowed some fans to believe that we were moving forward. Just lip service on behalf of Charlton Athletic PLC, I think!!!

Saturday's game takes us to Plymouth who have a similar home record. They are no great shakes and even the current crop of players should be capable of getting a result at Home Park. Let's not be negative on the field and take the game to them. The only win we have away this season was an early goal and 80+ minutes defending. This is ridiculous for our team.

I hope that we can improve on our current momentum and turn results around but a win will only paper over the great big holes that have been formed by Pardew's selections this season. I reiterate my prediction as a conservative one and if we get the playing staff right, we could even sneak a win.

Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 2 Charlton Athletic 2

Here's awaiting the start of the REDvolution.

A Need For Speed

Time is now of the essence if we are to avoid an embarrassing battle to survive in the second tier of English football.

Let's avoid all the ludicrous comments like we a too good to go down or too big a club to get...

STOP!!!

The simple equation is that under Mr Pardew we have not been good enough. Forget the fact that he could not keep us up post Iain 'I wanna go back up north' Dowie. Ignore the issues that he had to sell players after dropping to the Championship. Forget the lack of money to bring in players this season. His decisions have not been good enough.

Compounded at the start of this season, where we went into a supposed promotion bid with just TWO recognised central defenders. He cannot blame the sale of Bougherra on deadline day because this was always a possibility. The decisions that followed were equally obscure. Getting a young right back on loan to cover the central position was wrong. We already had two options for right back in Moutaouakil and Semedo. Then to bring in a crocked centre back who is just off of the scrap heap on loan was just stupid.

Then there is team selection. We can all pick teams and I appreciate that football managers have more about them than just this task but surely he watches the matches.

Nicky Weaver is a good keeper but until we sort out the side I feel it is unfair to fully judge him.

Basey looks good long term, as does Yassin Moutaouakil. Let's stick with them for a period. Youga is a liability in defence and needs to improve to warrant a place. Hudson and Fortune could be a good partnership when Fort's is fully fit but we need cover. Primus will be gone soon and Crainie is only a short term fix.

Shelvey looked like he was going to get the nod to start in midfield but only got one chance. We need to persevere with the younger players. Bailey has come in but the jury is still out there. Holland is great for cover and experience. Sinclair and Racon will give options once available and Semedo is a good bet for a holding role. Josh Wright will get there but it is about managing the time for him and it is crazy to place such responsibility on him at this time. Bouazza looks good but unless we have plans to keep long term then other players need to take priority. Lloyd Sam needs a run in the team and youngsters like Martin Christensen need to be introduced. Ambrose is done. He still looks good in parts but not as a winger any more. I would prefer to stick Luke Varney out wide and utilise the striking roles by other players.

A fit Todorov would be an asset to the side but can he make it back. Andy Gray is struggling and how we miss 'big' Chris Iwelumo. Izale McLeod is fit and should get more time in the team to impose himself. Dickson and Fleetwood need to be tried and them either promoted to the team or let go.

My eleven at the present for the Plymouth game has to include some realism and availability but would be:

Weaver; Moutaouakil, Basey, Hudson, Crainie; Bouazza, Semedo, Bailey, Sam; Todorov, Gray. Subs: Elliott; Primus, Shelvey, Varney, McLeod.

I would love to have included more younger players but it cannot happen overnight. The start of the season would have been good.

One to watch for the game will be Grant Basey. He had an awful game at home to Barnsley but we should not keep discarding players after a bad match.

We desperately need points away from home and perhaps have to accept Pardew is not going anywhere at the moment. Keep the campaign going but not lose sight of the reality of the upcoming games.

Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 2 Charlton Athletic 2

Let's keep searching!