Getting the Robin Bobbing Again

[deltablue]

Strolling comfortably again, though Norwich have no business being that high.

[powells_red_army]

2020/21 February/March Round Up

Charlton 2-2 Liverpool

Cha: Del Monte 4, Mesa 31

Liv: Fontaine o.g 2, Lucas 23

Charlton 2-0 West Ham

Cousins 4, Saitov 79

CSKA Moscow 1-3 Charlton (Champions League 1st Knockout Round 1st Leg)

CSK: Lunev 62

Cha: Mesa 57, 72, Rugani 78

Charlton 5-3 Blackpool (Fa Cup 5th Round)

Cha: Reis 8, Pizzini 23, Mesa 34, Raptis 61, 90+5

Bla: Chester 44, 70, Le Roy 87

Charlton 3-1 Chelsea

Cha: Marzorati 9, Mesa 64, Reis 71

Che: Yarmolenko 77

Arsenal 1-1 Charlton

Ars: Ramsey 81

Cha: Del Monte 11

Bolton 2-2 Charlton

Bol: Mutch 18, Oluch 57

Cha: Mesa 9, 14

Charlton 5-1 (8-2) CSKA Moscow (Champions League 1st Knockout Round 2nd Leg)

Cha: Mesa 3, 10, 36, 40, Yefremov 82

CSK: Shaqiri 90

Brighton 3-3 Charlton (Fa Cup Quarter-Final)

Bri: Obita 27, Hope 57, 90+2

Cha: Reis 1, Del Monte 17, 45

Charlton 2-1 Man Utd

Cha: Miranda 39, Cousins 77

Man: Vertonghen 85

Sunderland 1-5 Charlton

Sun: Cousin 45+2

Cha: Mesa 10, 69, 86, Del Monte 61, 72

Charlton 1-0 Brighton (Fa Cup Quarter-Final Replay)

Mesa 25

Review:

A good couple of months sees us marching closer to the league title 7 points clear with just 7 to play. After a kind draw in the Fa Cup so far we are now into the semis where we will take on Cardiff. In Europe we demolished CSKA Moscow and will now take on Barcelona in the Quarter-Finals; having knocked the Catalans out 2 of the past 3 years we go into the game full of confidence. If we get through we will face either Shakhtar who we beat in the goup stage or Bayern Munich who knocked us out last season. In the other half of the draw the winner of Roma Vs Lyon will face AC Milan or Man City.

End of March

[powells_red_army]

Strolling comfortably again, though Norwich have no business being that high.

There are some really odd league positions for teams 10 years in now. Newport County, Wrexham & Gillingham are all in the Championship whilst Middlesbrough are now in League 2 and fighting relegation.

[powells_red_army]

2020/21 April/May Round Up

Barcelona 2-1 Charlton (Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg)

Bar: Messi 21, 90+4 pen

Cha: Yefremov 82

Charlton 4-0 West Brom

Mesa 4, 34, Podstawski 37, Rugani 43

Charlton 4-1 (5-3) Barcelona (Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg)

Cha: Amrhein o.g 42, Raptis 74, Roth 83, Cousins 90+1

Bar: Sanchez 10

Charlton 3-1 Cardiff (Fa Cup Semi-Final)

Cha: 33, 90+1, Reis 50

Car: Groenendaal 14

Wolves 0-2 Charlton

Raptis 38, Mesa 70

Stoke 1-1 Charlton

Sto: Gill 31

Cha: Miranda 89

FC Bayern 1-1 Charlton (Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg)

Bay: Leandro 48

Cha: Pizzini 36

Charlton 4-0 Q.P.R

Mesa 17, Reis 24, Rugani 62, Saitov 74pen

Charlton win Premier League

Charlton 3-1 (4-2) FC Bayern (Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg)

Cha: Saitov 53pen, 90+6, Miranda 89

Bay: Kroos 3

Tottenham 2-0 Charlton

Coulibaly 16, 90+2

Charlton Vs Swansea (Fa Cup Final)

With the Premier League all wrapped up this was part 2 of our treble attempt. After dominating the 1st half but failing to score we were confident we could get a goal after the break and win the match. Disaster struck though after 59 minutes when Van Der Steen slotted home after an error from Daniele rugani. With us pushing more men forward we were vulnerable to the counter attack and with 14 minutes left we were in even bigger trouble when a Swansea counter attack led to a corner that Louis Laing headed in. Try as we might we couldn't find a way past Michael Vorm and the Swans hung on to lift the trophy and deny our shot at history.

Charlton 2-0 Fulham

Del Monte 28, Pizzini 38

Blackburn 2-5 Charlton

Bla: Edwards 22, McCulloch 79

Cha: Mesa 7, 20, 39, Rugani 36, Podstawski 76

Our final game ended with a comfortable win the real drama though was to be found at White Hart Lane where with 89 minutes gone Wolves equalised to surely send Liverpool down and keep themselves up. However in the 3rd minute of injury time Tottenham scored again to win 3-2 and keep the side from Anfield who lost 5-2 at home to Bolton with their 2nd goal also coming in injury time up.

Final League Table

Lyon Vs Charlton (Champions League Final)

3 goals in 7 minutes decided this game as lifted our 2nd Champions League Trophy.

Charlton Win Champions League

As well as the team trophies Gabriel Mesa was named footballer of the year & again finished as the Premier League's top goalscorer.

[powells_red_army]

2020/21 Season Round Up

2020/21 Winners

Premier League - Charlton

Fa Cup - Swansea

League Cup - Liverpool

Champions League - Charlton

Europa League - Espanyol

2020/21 Squad Part 1 Part 2

Goalkeepers

Diego Fontaine was our number 1 a position he will hopefully keep for many years. He finished a good season 2nd in the Golden Glove award behind Joe Hart.

Defenders

Our first choice back 4 changed this year when Jose Cristovao left for Arsenal. Arne Hille performed well in his place as did young protege Alejandro Reed who I have high hopes for. At Centre back Simone Marzorati did well when called up and yound Russian Full back Oleg Zakharov did well at Right back when Rainer Fuchsenthaler was out.

Midfielders

Our Midfield took a bit of a hit when Marcel Risse was lost through injury early in the season but young winger Andis Reis did very well as his replacement. We didn't miss Mojtaba Asghari as much as we could have thanks to the excellent performances of Iordannis Raptis.

Forwards

Gabriel Mesa had a blip but recovered well to become our all time leading scorer and again top the scoring charts in the Premier League & Europe. Korbinian Roth had his best season for us as did Pavel Yefremov both of whom filled in well.

Youth Prospects

The money we have invested in our youth/training facilities is really starting to pay off now. Young defender Kevin Machel made 1 appearance for us whilst making a further 19 appearances for Bristol Rovers & Stockport during loan spells. Alejandro Reed was a revelation making over 20 appearances whilst still 16. Iordannis Raptis made 33 appearances and bagged 10 goals mainly playing just behing the Striker whilst Danny Fry came on 6 times as a sub.

This year we have another 3 players who I think could make an impact for us. Joel Blochlinger can play in central midfield or on the left and has already made 3 appearances. Central Midfielder Tasos Vlachos has made 1 appearance for us whilst the best of the bunch could be right winger Michael Garilli who made his debut as a 15 year old.

Finances/Reputation

We made a nice £12.5m profit last year which included a £3.85m buyout of the Jose Cristovao clause we got from Arsenal last summer. We remain 6th in the European rich list whilst we climb to the top of the ranking for our European performances. The stadium meanwhile has been delayed for 2 months meaning we will start the season still playing at the Valley.

[TABLE=class: MsoNormalTable, width: 933]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]Season

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Division

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

League Position

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

FA Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

League Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Kent Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

Continental

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2011/12

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

League 1

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

S-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2012/13

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Championship

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

6^th (Lost in Playoff Final)

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

4^th Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2013/14

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Championship

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd (Won Playoffs)

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2014/15

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

8^th

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2015/16

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

6^th

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2016/17

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Q-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

EL - Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2017/18

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Q-Finals

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2018/19

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2019/20

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Last 16

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE=class: MsoNormalTable, width: 933]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2020/21

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 217, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Runners-Up

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

2nd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 Season Preview

Transfers In

Benat Alkorta - GK - Free - Athletic

Transfers Out

Marcel Risse - Released, Contract Expired

Marcos - Released, Contract Expired

Jamie Kane - Released, Contract Expired

Paddy Moore - Released, Contract Expired

Christopher Brown - Released, Contract Expired

Mohammed Abdi - Released, Contract Expired

I didn't really feel I needed to go out & spend big this season with our youngsters developing nicely. I was a little concerned though as to whether either of our young keepers could replace Diego Fontaine should he be out for any significant period. The signing of Alkorta on a free provided me with an insurance policy just in case. The only notable departure was that of Risse who is still out injured until about November & who may have struggled to get back in the side thanks to the emergence of Andis Reis & Iordannis Raptis.

Board Expectations

Premier League: Win

Fa Cup: Final

League Cup: Not Important

Kent Cup: Not Important

Champions League: Semi-Final

Community Shield: Not Important

European Super Cup: Win

Media Prediction: 2nd

Title Odds: 5/2 - 2nd Favourites

Winning the league for a 4th year in a row no side has ever done will be our number 1 aim. Making a better job of defending the Champions League than our last effort is also important. After getting so close to the treble last season having another go at that would be a nice aim to have.

Pre Season

Kentish Town 0-2 Charlton

Real Salt Lake 0-3 Charlton

Houston 1-4 Charlton

Portland 0-4 Charlton

A win over Kentish Town was followed up by us taking part in a tour of America that we were invited to go on. We wrapped up comfortable victories in all 3 matches before flying home & trying to win the Community Shield for a 3rd time.

Charlton 4-1 Swansea (Community Shield)

Cha: Mesa 15, 20, Szilagyi o.g 80, Zakharov 87

Swa: Odhiambo 77

We got a measure of revenge for the Swans Fa Cup win with a comfortable victory that sets up the season perfectly.

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 August/September Round Up

Before the 11th season of my reign gets under way here is my current best overall team.

West Brom 1-6 Charlton

Wes: Mcarthur 45+2

Cha: Del Monte 1,5, Mesa 28, Hamer o.g 55, Reis 61, Pizzini 67

Charlton 3-1 Newport County - Last ever game @ The Valley

Cha: Mesa 27, 74, Podstawski 81

New: Traore 78

Charlton 2-1 Espanyol (European Super Cup)

Cha: Rugani 31, 34

Esp: Castro 79

Charlton 2-1 Cardiff - 1st game @ Curbishley Park

Cha: Del Monte 32, Cousins 60

Car: Den Driessche 87

Kobenhavn 2-3 Charlton (Champions League Group Stage)

Kob: Lindberg 25, 90+1

Cha: Mesa 45+1, 61, 88

Norwich 0-5 Charlton

Reis 14, 48, Podstawski 20, Mesa 25, Cathcart o.g 43

Charlton 3-1 Cardiff (League Cup 3rd Round)

Cha: Raptis 3, Williams o.g 45+1, Yefremov 70

Car: Martin 2

Charlton 1-1 Chelsea

Cha: Raptis 86

Che: Neymar 89

Charlton 3-0 Sevilla (Champions League Group Stage)

Reis 15, Yefremov 81, Rojo o.g 86

Review:

An almost perfect start to the season ruined by Neymar's late goal. Apart from that we can have no complaints about how well we have started. We said goodbye to the Valley on a high & opened the new stadium to a full house & gave the fans a win. In Europe we have another group we should progress from realtively easily. Sporting of Portugal are the other team in our group and we even recorded a rare win in the League Cup.

End of September

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 October/November Round Up

Tottenham 3-4 Charlton

Tot: Kishna 60, Batista 74, Bassong 88

Cha: Mesa 7, 24, Pizzini 15, Zakharov 90+4

Charlton 5-2 Sunderland

Cha: Mesa 12, 17, 74, 77pen, Saitov 27

Sun: Schonewille 47, Fischer 70

Charlton 4-1 Sporting (Champions League Group Stage)

Cha: Del Monte 11, Mesa 13, Fuchsenthaler 26, Rugani 58

Spo: Reis o.g 66

Charlton 3-2 Man City

Cha: Pizzini 10, Saitov 57, 87pen

Man: Fontaine o.g 20, Lamela 65

Charlton 2-1 Gillingham (League Cup 4th Round)

Cha: Marzorati 39, 62

Gil: Ojala 36

Wigan 1-1 Charlton

Wig: Di Santo 26

Cha: Blochlinger 39

Sporting 1-0 Charlton (Champions League Group Stage)

Silva 45+1

Aston Villa 0-1 Charlton

Podstawski 15

Charlton 5-1 Bromley (Kent Senior Cup 2nd Round)

Cha: Del Monte 20, 64, Rugani 24, Roth 62, 73

Bro: Kavanagh 68

Charlton 3-2 Liverpool

Cha: Podstawski 38, Pizzini 83, Del Monte 90

Liv: Bourgeois 48, 86

Charlton 2-1 Kobenhavn (Champions League Group Stage)

Cha: Del Monte 4, 90

Kob: Johannesson 47

Swansea 0-2 Charlton

Dosek o.g 47, Miranda 90+1

Review:

A flattering couple of months for us as we really haven't played as well as our results suggest with a few late goals getting us out of trouble in some matches. 1 point clear of Arsenal but now with 2 games in hand as our fixture list piles up. In Europe the defeat to Sporting means we need to get something in Sevilla if we are to top the group.

End of November

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 December/January Round Up

Sevilla 2-2 Charlton (Champions League Group Stage)

Sev: Denis 3, Pablo 90

Cha: Mesa 49, Del Monte 60

Final Group Table

Charlton 3-1 Blackburn

Cha: Mesa 7, 14, 48

Bla: Edwards 54

Charlton 0-1 Coventry (League Cup Quarter-Final)

Eaves 9

Al-Shabab 0-3 Charlton (Club World Championship Semi-Final)

Roth 33, Raptis 55, Blochlinger 90+2

San Lorenzo 1-3 Charlton (Club World Championship Final)

San: Cisneros 62

Cha: Mesa 6, 39, Del Monte 60

Stoke 2-0 Charlton

Newnes 75, Armanteros 87

Charlton 2-0 Newcastle

Pizzini 28, Reis 65

Charlton 2-1 Man Utd

Cha: Mesa 36, Del Monte 45+2

Man: Wallace 52

Charlton 2-0 West Brom

Miranda 28, Machel 90+1

Carlisle 2-1 Charlton (Fa Cup 3rd Round)

Car: Massampu 16, Puncheon 35

Cha: Marzorati 58

Arsenal 1-1 Charlton

Ars: De Jong 90+3

Cha: Del Monte 33

Charlton 2-2 Stoke

Cha: Mesa 2, Reis 62

Sto: Gill 56, Januzaj 87

Charlton 2-1 West Ham

Cha: Reis 42, Cousins 45+2

Wes: Welbeck 84

Cardiff 2-1 Charlton

Car: Martin 14, Groenendaal 40

Cha: Remy 42

Bolton 0-2 Charlton

Del Monte 3, Rugani 62

Chelsea 2-2 Charlton

Che: Neymar 32, Rodwell 55

Cha: Del Monte 69, Raptis 80

Charlton 2-2 Norwich

Cha: Mesa 2, 30

Nor: Stegeman 10, Parkinson 32

Newport County 0-1 Charlton

Saitov 31

Review:

A really busy couple of months that have taken their toll on our team & our form. Too many draws & silly defeats including being knocked out of both the League & Fa Cups by League 1 sides. Fortunately the form of those around us hasn't been brilliant either & it means with 13 games to go we are 5 points clear although Villa do have a game in hand on us. In Europe we got the point we needed to win the group & we will now face off against Bayern Munich; the 4th year in a row we have met in the competition.

End of January

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 February/March Round Up

Chatham 0-11 Charlton (Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final)

Yefremov 13, 14, 45, Garilli 24, 70, Miranda 30, 37, Marzorati 46, Raptis 49, Cormell o.g 79, Blochlinger 86

Charlton 3-1 Tottenham

Cha: Del Monte 2, Mesa 34pen, Reis 87

Tot: Mols 58

Sunderland 0-3 Charlton

DEl Monte 14, Gamez o.g 39, Mesa 74

FC Bayern 1-2 Charlton (Champions League 1st Knockout Round 1st Leg)

Bay: Ayew 36

Cha: Mesa 31, 45+1pen

Charlton 4-2 Wigan

Cha: Miranda 14, Del Monte 23, Rugani 64, 85

Wig: Di Santo 1, 82

Man City 0-1 Charlton

Pizzini 84

Charlton Vs Aston Villa

Apparently this was a title decider. I think someone forgot to tell Villa.

Charlton 3-2 (5-3) FC Bayern (Champions League 1st Knockout Round 2nd Leg)

Cha: Miranda 9, 66, Reis 27

Bay: Ayew 80, Fuchsenthaler o.g 85

West Ham 1-0 Charlton

McMahon 57

Liverpool 0-3 Charlton

Mesa 22, 45+1, 81

A.C Milan 3-1 Charlton (Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg)

Mil: Versteeg 31, 80, El Shaarawy 76

Cha: Del Monte 86

Review:

A good couple of months in the league not counting the West Ham defeat obviously. The title should be ours now; the wins over Man City & then Villa pretty much made sure of that. In Europe we have work to do after a poor performance in Milan although Lorenzo Del Monte's late goal at least gives us some hope. If we do get through to the semis we will face either Sevilla or Real Madrid (3-0 up) with Barcelona (2-0 up) or Besiktas facing Man City or Lyon (1-0 up) in the other half of the draw.

End of March

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 April Round Up

Ebbsfleet 2-5 Charlton (Kent Senior Cup Semi-Final)

Ebb: West 39, Sales 55

Cha: Garilli 16, 38, Marzorati 30, 44, Yefremov 73

Charlton 4-1 (5-4) A.C Milan (Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg)

Cha: Pizzini 26, Rugani 31, 97, Mesa 51

Mil: El Shaarawy 55

Blackburn 1-0 Charlton

Edwards 90

Charlton 2-2 Swansea

Cha: Mesa 17, Garilli 45

Swa: Reed o.g 21, Sankey 64

Charlton Vs Real Madrid (Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg)

A remarkable 1st leg that we probably should have won by more. Unfortunately the Morata red card was due to his tackle on Daniele Rugani & it left Rugani with a broken leg that will leave him out of action for the next 7 months.

Charlton 3-1 Arsenal

Cha: Saitov 45+1, Raptis 77, Cousins 89

Ars: Boast 31

Real Madrid 3-1 (4-4) Charlton (Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg)

Charlton win 4-3 on penalties

Mad: Higuain 13, 19, Ongenda 30

Cha: Mesa 81

Newcastle 1-4 Charlton

New: Spanik 32

Cha: Mesa 10, 15, 79pen, Garilli 45+3

Charlton win Premier League

Review:

A great month for us as we became the 1st side ever to win the title 4 years in a row & with 2 games to spare as well. In Europe we had 2 fantastic nights at Curbishley park; 1st coming from 3-1 down to defeat A.C Milan in extra time then defeating Real. In Madrid we made things hard for ourselves but we triumphed in a penalty shoot out to claim victory & a final place against Barcelona a side we have a good recent record against given that we have knocked them out of the competition in 3 of the past 4 years.

End of April

[abulezz]

Congrats on winning 4 years in a row! Good luck against Barcelona

[ArsenalMetro]

Liverpool are really flirting with the Championship...

Great work with Charlton!

[powells_red_army]

Congrats on winning 4 years in a row! Good luck against Barcelona

Thanks, very happy about the 4th title probably our most comfortable so far.

[powells_red_army]

Liverpool are really flirting with the Championship...

Great work with Charlton!

Cheers. They stayed up on the last day last season and its going to the wire again.

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 May Round Up

Charlton 1-1 Bolton

Cha: Del Monte 17

Bol: Oluoch 90+3

Man Utd 2-1 Charlton

Man: Ilori 6, Howey 27

Cha: Marzorati 78

With the title wrapped up the drama was once again at the bottom of the table where Liverpool had to win at Arsenal & hope Cardiff lost.

Final League Table

Charlton Vs Barcelona (Champions League Final)

Going into the game given our record vs Barcelona we were confident. After just 23 seconds we were slightly less confident. After 5 minutes we were fearing the worst. For the remaining 85 minutes we were the better side unfortunately the damage had already been done.

Dartford 1-4 Charlton (Kent Senior Cup Final)

Dar: Rose 20

Cha: Miranda 29, 64, Raptis 51, McQueen 68

Review:

A dissapointing end to the season as we failed to win either of our final 2 league games & then lost to Barcelona after a nightmare start.

[deltablue]

Wow, bye bye Liverpool

[powells_red_army]

2021/22 Season Round Up

2021/22 Winners

Premier League - Charlton

Fa Cup - Stoke

League Cup - Aston Villa

Champions League - Barcelona

Europa League - PSG

2020/21 Squad Part 1 Part 2

Goalkeepers

Diego Fontaine is our number 1 by some distance he continues to develop & improve.

Defenders

With Arne Hille missing much of the season through injuury Alejandro Reed had plenty of opportunities to fill in at left back & did well leading to him getting his first England under 21 call ups. At Centre Bcak with Daniele Rugani out for a while Simone Marzorati will have a big chance to get some serious playing time under his belt early next season. At right back Rainer Fuchsenthaler continues to be our first choice & he may remain that way as it seems Oleg Zhakarov might not get a work permit that would allow us to extend his contract.

Midfielders

Nicola Pizzini & Tomas Podstawski continue to be our 1st choice pairing in central midfield but they are under pressure to perform with several talented youngsters eager for opportunities. In the attacking roles Andis Reis & Lorenzo Del Monte both did well however Evgeny saitov had a bit of an off year & young winger Michael Garilli should see increased playing time next season.

Forwards

Gabriel Mesa had another fine season & was named Players Player of the year whilst also winning the best player in Europe award for the 2nd time in 3 years. His backups were less impressive Iordannis Raptis didn't do as well as he did last season whilst Korbinian Roth was injured for much of the season. With no really good young striker coming through I may need to invest in the summer.

Youth Prospects

Our youth prospects on the whole didn't do as well as we would have liked. Kevin Machel only made 2 appearances for us with another 5 for Kettering in a loan spell. Joel Blochlinger made 10 apps for us with another 5 for Sheffield Wednesday. Michael Garilli did do well though with 16 appearances & 6 goals & with him only just turning 17 he has a bright future. The one new recruit who stands out is central midfielder Andy Roberts; unfortunately for him that is at the moment a position of strength.

Finances/Reputation

We made a £28.7m loss for the season in part due to the £13.5m stadium expansion which will give us just over 10,000 more seats. There is also a training facilities upgrade that cost £1.8m after the old facilities were downgraded. Our worldwide reputation increased to put us 3rd only behind Barcelona & Real Madrid whilst despite the loss we climbed in the list of worlds richest clubs to 5th ahead of Atletico Madrid. In the European Ranking points however we fell 1 spot to 2nd after Barca's Champions league victory.

[TABLE=class: MsoNormalTable, width: 933]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]Season

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Division

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

League Position

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

FA Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

League Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Kent Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

Continental

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2011/12

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

League 1

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

S-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2012/13

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Championship

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

6^th (Lost in Playoff Final)

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

4^th Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2013/14

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Championship

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd (Won Playoffs)

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2014/15

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

8^th

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2015/16

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

6^th

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2016/17

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Q-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

EL - Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2017/18

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Q-Finals

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2018/19

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2019/20

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Last 16

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2020/21

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Runners-Up

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL - Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 80, bgcolor: transparent]2021/22

[/TD]

[TD=width: 173, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 198, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 113, bgcolor: transparent]

Q-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 161, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Runners-Up

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 Season Preview

World Cup 2022

The World Cup in Qatar ended with victory for Spain & dissapointment for Argentina & Gabriel Mesa who played the whole game & had opened the scoring. He finished as joint 2nd top scorer in the tournament behind Iker Muniain & was named in the World Cup Dream Team.

Transfers In

Tobias Strobl - AMRL/ST - £2m (Potentially £4.5m with add ons) - Gladbach

Marcus Hain - GK - Free - Gladbach

Lorenzo Valentini - DR - £2.5m - Parma

Transfers Out

Benat Alkorta - Released, Contract Expired

Danny Fry - Released, Contract Expired

Ollie Cooke - Released, Contract Expired

Jermaine Palmer - Released, Contract Expired

Ifeanyi Okafor - Released, Contract Expired

Matt Marney - Released, Contract Expired

Brian McCormack - Released, Contract Expired

Will McQueen - Released, Contract Expired

Pavel Yefremov - Released, Contract Expired

With no really good young strikers coming through I felt I needed to get in a promising backup to Gabriel Mesa & due to Gladbach being 1 of our feeder clubs I was alerted to 16 year old Tobias Strobl. The opportunity to sign him was to good to turn down & he could be the next Mesa with the right coaching. Oleg Zakharov was denied a work permit although he remains with us as I haven't released him; if he stays until Jan 1 he will become eligible for British Citizenship. However in the short term we needed a replacement and with 4 1/2 stars potential 17 year old Lorenzo Valentini could well be it & hopefully the long term replacement for Rainer Fuchsenthaler.

At the keeper position another player that was highlighted to us was Marcus Hain with 4 stars potential & with him available on a free after his release from Gladbach he come straight into the squad as our new number 2. Of the players that left only Pavel Yefremov really made an impact but with him also unable to get a new work permit & with Strobl signed he was expendable.

Board Expectations

Premier League: Win

Fa Cup: Final

League Cup: Not Important

Kent Cup: Not Important

Champions League: Semi-Final

Community Shield: Not Important

Media Prediction: 1st

Title Odds: 5/2 - 2nd Favourites (Man City Favourites)

For the 1st time we are now predicted to finish 1st. Although not by the bookmakers it seems. Can we win a 5th straight title? Can we bounce back in the Champions League after the dissapointment of last season?

Pre Season

Newport 0-9 Charlton

Cowes 0-10 Charlton

FC Dallas 1-2 Charlton

Portland 0-2 Charlton

Charlton 6-2 Bordeaux

After 2 games on the Isle of Wight we headed to America for 2 matches before flying home & beating Bordeaux in a thriller. We then lined up for another attempt at winning the Community Shield.

Charlton 3-1 Swansea (Community Shield)

Cha: Garilli 8, Cousins 24, Reis 45+2

Sto: Pinau 53

A comfortable victory over Stoke saw us win the Community Shield again.

[powells_red_army]

A quick heads up on this thread; I am going to continue with it however the updates maybe less frequent. As I have done pretty much most of my aims I am going to start a Journeyman career save tonight. Feel free to make suggestions on which leagues to load (I'm planning on starting somewhere other than England).

[City2000]

You've done a cracking job with Charlton

As for the journeyman career, depends on your computer specs aswell but I loaded all leagues to start with, went unemployed and took the first offer that came my way. My PC couldn't handle all leagues so I removed about half of them off once I had settled at my first club. The add/remove feature makes things alot better this year.

Alternatively just load the leagues that take your fancy and you may want to manage in at some stage.

[deltablue]

I wondered how long you could keep up interest.

[powells_red_army]

I wondered how long you could keep up interest.

Unfortunately it's the problem with a 1 club career I find it has a limited shelf life. It sounds a bit stupid but things have gone to well to quickly.

[deltablue]

Not at all, a few years either of consistent success, or non-progression and it's hard for that not to happen. In the case of the latter it's also likely if you're working your way towards a goal, though not club-specific, as I've been amazed how much I've wanted a opportunity to go after a few years so far on my career, which wouldn't happen if I wasn't on a long road working upwards.

[Richey2008]

What happened to Risse after he was cast on the scrapheap? did he ever make it back playing?

[powells_red_army]

What happened to Risse after he was cast on the scrapheap? did he ever make it back playing?

Yeah he was signed by FC Zurich & is now plying his trade in Switzerland. Doing ok for them but his attributes have dropped a bit since his injury. I was going to try & bring him back as part of our staff when he retired but at the moment in his future plans it says he has no interest in remaining in football.

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 August Round Up

West Brom 1-2 Charlton

Wes: Geus 90

Cha: Garilli 33, Reis 81

Charlton 4-2 Newcastle

Cha: Fuchsenthaler 21, Pizzini 24, Van Delft o.g 56, Mesa 61

New: Long 57, 62

Chelsea 3-3 Charlton

Che: Yarmolenko 11, Legrand 31, Lukaku 42

Cha: Mesa 21, 27, 74

Review:

A solid start to the season with 7 points from our opening 3 games. Unfortunately just before the start of the season Simone Marzorati picked up an injury which meant with Daniele Rugani still out Rainer Fuchsenthaler had to fill in at Centre back with 17 year old Lorenzo Valentini playing all 3 games at right back. In the Champions League we have been drawn in Group H alongside Atletico Madrid, HSV & Maccabi Tel Aviv. Meanwhile in the League Cup 3rd Round we have been given a trip to Blackburn.

End of August

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 September/October Round Up

Charlton 2-1 Leicester

Cha: Reis 2, Marzorati 58

Lei: Kale 90+1

Charlton 2-0 Atletico Madrid (Champions League Group Stage)

Reis 65, Raptis 90

Norwich 0-1 Charlton

Reis 56

Blackburn 1-1 (2-4 on pens) Charlton (League Cup 3rd Round)

Bla: N'Diaye 83

Cha: Marzorati 35

Charlton 3-0 West Ham

Podstawski 28, Strobl 55, Remy 90

Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-3 Charlton (Champions League Group Stage)

Mac: Menachem 33

Cha: Raptis 23, Marzorati 66, Reis 83

Bolton 2-3 Charlton

Bol: Cruijff 16, Oluoch 59

Cha: Mesa 36, Del Monte 43, 87

Charlton 0-0 Man Utd

HSV 4-5 Charlton (Champions League Group Stage)

HSV: Sigurdsson 6, 12, 58, Uludag 47

Cha: Mesa 2, 23pen, 62, 89, Reis 81

Charlton 3-2 Tottenham

Cha: Hylands o.g 34, Mesa 42, Saitov 43

Tot: Simon 46, Coulibaly 56

Charlton 1-0 West Ham (League Cup 4th Round)

Strobl 7

Aston Villa 1-3 Charlton

Ast: Benali 86

Cha: Rugani 57, Del Monte 69, Pizzini 70

Review:

An almost perfect couple of months as we won every game except the home draw with Man Utd. 1 point clear of Tottenham at the top who have also been in good form. In europe we got 3 wins from 3 including a great comeback against HSV and it leaves us with a 100% record & looking good to progress. Our reserve/youth side also managed to make progress in the League Cup booking a home Quarter-Final against Man City.

End of October

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 November/December Round Up

Charlton 1-1 HSV (Champions League Group Stage)

Cha: Reis 73

HSV: Heung-Min 90

Wolves 0-1 Charlton

Rugani 5

Charlton 4-2 Bromley (Kent Senior Cup 2nd Round)

Cha: Roth 46, 90+3, Remy 71, Rugani 86

Bro: Smith 3pen, Farmer 40

Charlton 0-0 Cardiff

Atletico Madrid 3-3 Charlton (Champions League Group Stage)

Atl: Dubois 43, 87, Cen 90+3

Cha: Cousins 13, Mesa 30, 64

Swansea 2-2 Charlton

Swa: Doyle 88, Bayraktar 90+2

Cha: Mesa 49, Saitov 59

Charlton 1-2 Man City (League Cup Quarter-Final)

Cha: Strobl 63

Man: Maitre 45+2, Papadopoulos 111

Charlton 4-0 Stoke

Reis 14, 60, Mesa 22, 79

Charlton 2-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Champions League Group Stage)

Saitov 38pen, 42

Final Champions League Group Table

Blackburn 0-3 Charlton

Mesa 41, 88, Pizzini 82

Charlton 6-0 Sunderland

Garilli 16, Mesa 25, 27, 69, 79, Cousins 90+2

Charlton 1-0 Man City

Mesa 44pen

Birmingham 0-4 Charlton

Reis 23, Del Monte 31, Garilli 49, Remy 59

Charlton 1-0 Arsenal

Strobl 51

Crystal Palace 0-2 Charlton (Fa Cup 3rd Round)

Marzorati 29, Adaribioyo o.g 61

Review:

A busy but good couple of months that sees us sit top of the table 2 points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham. In a London dominated top of the table the 2 of us are starting to pull away from Arsenal & Chelsea in 3rd & 4th. The only real dissapointments in the league were the results against the Welsh sides especially the Swansea game where we somehow drew despite being 2 up with only 2 minutes to play. Our defense has especially been pleasing with us recording 8 clean sheets in a row. In Europe we comfortably topped our group to progress. It would have been even more comfortable had we not let HSV & Madrid grab late equalisers. In the 1st Knockout round we will take on PSG. After losing our last 2 Fa Cup games we also returned to winning ways defeating Crystal Palace in a game which certainly pleased the fans.

End of December

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 January Round Up

Newcastle 1-0 Charlton

Long 82

Charlton 1-0 Chelsea

Garilli 12

Charlton 3-0 West Brom

Pizzini 8, Mesa 33pen, 88

Leicester 3-3 Charlton

Lei: Cousins o.g 50, Gordon 60, Clements 80

Cha: Mesa 42, 45+2, Garilli 58

Charlton 5-2 Norwich

Cha: Del Monte 3, Cathcart o.g 25, Garilli 38, Mesa 56, 69

Nor: Berget 24, Mihailovic 90

West Ham 2-3 Charlton

Wes: Bosma 10, Welbeck 90+2

Cha: Reis 1, Del Monte 61, 68

Charlton 3-0 Birmingham (Fa Cup 4th Round)

Mesa 10, 86, Cousins 54

Whitstable 0-4 Charlton (Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final)

Saitov 30, Raptis 55, Miranda 58, Marzorati 77

Review:

After getting off to the worst possible start this year we have to be reasonably happy with our month overall. 3 points clear of Tottenham who are realistically the only team that should be able to catch us unless something goes horribly wrong. Our defense was hurt this month by injuries to Daniele Rugani, Lorenzo Valentini & Alejandro Reed but none of them fortunately should be out for any longer than about 5 weeks. In the Fa Cup after beating Birmingham we will now face Southampton at Curbishley Park in the 5th round & with the Saints currently 20th in the Championship we are big favourites to make it to the last 8 once more.

End of January

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 February/March Round Up

Charlton 2-0 Bolton

Mesa 68, 70

Man Utd 3-1 Charlton

Man: Ilei 27, McCann 44, Moreau 76

Cha: Mesa 21

PSG 1-4 Charlton (Champions League 1st Knockout Round 1st Leg)

PSG: Michel 36

Cha: Mesa 6, Del Monte 21, Marzorati 62, Miranda 71

Charlton 3-1 Southampton (Fa Cup 5th Round)

Cha: Marzorati 29, Roth 48, Machel 70

Sou: Iliev 90

Charlton 2-1 Aston Villa

Cha: Mesa 19, Reis 26

Ast: McCarthy 9

Tottenham 0-2 Charlton

Cousins 27, Del Monte 34

Charlton 4-0 Wolves

Mesa 2, 21, 31, Del Monte 51

Charlton 1-0 (5-1) PSG (Champions League 1st Knockout round 2nd Leg)

Forbs 17

Arsenal 1-1 Charlton (Fa Cup Quarter-Final)

Ars: N'Diaye 19

Cha: Mesa 56

Sunderland 1-0 Charlton

Fischer 45+1

Charlton 2-1 Arsenal (Fa Cup Quarter-Final Replay)

Cha: Pizzini 22, Mesa 95

Ars: Quaye 44

Review:

Despite 2 defeats we had a decent couple of months with our 5th consecutive title getting closer. 7 points clear of Tottenham with only 7 games to play. The biggest win was the victory at Tottenham where we dominated from start to finish & deservedly won 2-0. In Europe we easily overcame PSG & booked our place in the last 8 of the Champions League where we will face off against AC Milan the side we beat at the same stage last season. If we get past them we will face off against Real Madrid or Inter in the semis. In the other half of the draw there is an all English Quarter-Final as Man City take on Aston Villa with the winners of that facing either Barcelona or Porto.

We also made progress in the Fa Cup defeating Arsenal in extra time in a replay after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates. In the semi final we will take on current Fa Cup holders & relegation threatened Stoke. In the other semi Chelsea face off against Cardiff.

End of March

[deltablue]

More glory awaits.

[powells_red_army]

More glory awaits.

Hopefully. After being denied the treble 2 years ago by Swansea in the Fa Cup I really would like to finally do that.

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 April Round Up

Charlton 2-0 Gillingham (Kent Senior Cup Semi-Final)

Machel 77, Marzorati 80

Charlton 2-0 AC Milan (Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg)

Reis 21, Mesa 55pen

Cardiff 2-3 Charlton

Car: Altman 54, Berahino 77

Cha: Saitov 45, Rugani 57, Raptis 90+1

AC Milan 3-1(3-3) Charlton (Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg)

Charlton win on away goals

Mil: Miguel 2, Macheda 50, Diaz 74

Cha: Cousins 26

Stoke 0-3 Charlton (Fa Cup Semi-Final)

Reis 20, Del Monte 26, Cunha o.g 87

Stoke 0-2 Charlton

Mesa 39, Newnes o.g 88

Charlton 2-2 Swansea

Cha: Mesa 45+2, 53

Swa: Bayraktar 11, 48

Charlton 4-2 Real Madrid (Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg)

Cha: Muniain o.g 8, Cousins 13, Rugani 28, Raptis 72

Rea: Anderson 56, Ongenda 57

Charlton 2-1 Blackburn

Cha: Podstawski 32, Pizzini 67

Bla: Fontaine o.g 23

Review:

Another good month in the league that sees us on the verge of making it 5 in a row. 8 points clear of Tottenham with just 3 games left to play. We also made progress in the Fa Cup as we knocked out the holders Stoke comfortably. In the final we will now face Chelsea. In Europe after seeing off AC Milan we now face off against Real Madrid who we beat at this stage of the tournament last season. If we get through we are likely to face a rematch against Barcelona who are 4-1 up on Aston Villa after the 1st leg.

End of April

[powells_red_army]

2022/23 May & End of Season Round Up

Real Madrid 2-3 (4-7) Charlton (Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg)

Rea: Muniain 39, 90

Cha: Del Monte 34, Raptis 80, Mesa 85

Man City 2-1 Charlton

Man: Dongou 38, 89

Cha: Mesa 21

Chelsea 1-3 Charlton (Fa Cup Final)

Che: Kuiper 65

Cha: Mesa 35, 63, Rugani 52

Charlton 5-0 Birmingham

Duncan 8, Mesa 52, 79, 85, Garilli 73

Arsenal 3-2 Charlton

Ars: Quaye 51, 83, Valentini o.g 63

Cha: Blochlinger 66, Saitov 85

Barcelona Vs Charlton (Champions League Final)

In a rematch of last season we faced Barcelona & with the 2 of us having won the previous 4 Champions League finals that run was guaranteed to be extended. This time we came out of the traps quicker than last year & we grabbed the 1st goal thanks to Lorenzo Del Monte.

With the trophy almost in our hands though it was snatched away 3 minutes from the end as Barcelona grabbed an equaliser. as extra time started it seemed as if we were still recovering from that late leveller & Barca were in front less than 100 seconds into the extra half hour. This time it was Barcelona's turn to be denied late on as young winger Michael Garilli scored in the 119th minute to take the game to a penalty shoot out. We held our nerves better & thanks to a couple of saves from Diego Fontaine we lifted the trophy for a 3rd time.

Maidstone 0-7 Charlton (Kent Senior Cup Final)

Blochlinger 8, Strobl 12, Cox o.g 55, Duncan 58, Garilli 61, Mesa 72, 77

Review:

A fantastic season that sees us win the treble. Dissapointing to lose 2 of our last 3 league games but ultimately that doesn't matter now. Our rivalry with Barcelona saw us come out on top just 12 months after we suffered heartbreak in the final. Defending the trophy; something we have never done before is now the aim.

End of Season Table

[TABLE=class: MsoNormalTable, width: 744]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]Season

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Division

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

League Position

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

FA Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

League Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Kent Cup

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

Continental

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2011/12

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

League 1

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

S-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2012/13

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Championship

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

6^th (Lost in Playoff Final)

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

4^th Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2013/14

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Championship

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd (Won Playoffs)

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2014/15

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

8^th

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2015/16

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

6^th

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Semis

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

N/A

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2016/17

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Q-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

EL - Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2017/18

[/TD]

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Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd

[/TD]

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3^rd Rd

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3^rd Rd

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[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Q-Finals

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2018/19

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

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[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2019/20

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Last 16

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2020/21

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Runners-Up

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

2^nd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

CL - Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2021/22

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

3^rd Rd

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Q-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Runners-Up

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 70, bgcolor: transparent]2022/23

[/TD]

[TD=width: 117, bgcolor: transparent]

Premier League

[/TD]

[TD=width: 165, bgcolor: transparent]

1^st

[/TD]

[TD=width: 94, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]

Q-Finals

[/TD]

[TD=width: 77, bgcolor: transparent]

Winners

[/TD]

[TD=width: 126, bgcolor: transparent]

CL – Winners

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Squad Stats Part 1 Part 2

Goalkeepers

Diego Fontaine had his best season so far for us & the young Keeper is getting better & better. He managed to lift his 1st Golden Glove trophy this season & a call up to either the French or Prtugese squad is surely not far away.

Defenders

Our defense had a good season in front of Fontaine. The back 4 were reasonably settled with Lorenzo Valentini coming in & doing well at right back. Jordan Cousins & Daniele Rugani continue to be the rock at the heart of the defense whilst also contributing valuable goals. At left back young American born Alejandro Reed was rewarded for his good form with an England cap & his label of being the next Ashley Cole is starting to turn heads. Simone Marzorati continues to play well when called upon as our 3rd choice central defender & is now regularly called up to the Italian squad whilst Rainer Fuchsenthaler is a consistent performer at either full back position when needed.

Midfielders

Skipper Tomas Podstawski had his best season yet & his partnership in the middle of the park with Nicola Pizzini is a key part of our success. Youngster Joel Blochlinger spent some time out on loan & did ok towards the end of the season when given first team opportunities. In the attacking roles Michael Garilli on the right is a real talent, Lorenzo Del Monte continuers to play well behind the Striker whilst Andis Reis was fantastic on the left. Evgeny Saitov has had a slightly more reduced role this year but did ok whilst Iordannis Raptis never really got a real run in the side.

Forwards

Gabriel Mesa was once again voted best player in Europe & had an amazingly good season again. He is now without question 1 of my greatest ever signings in FM history. Tobias Strobl struggled to make much of an impact but in his defense he was used a lot as a sub & also quite often in un favoured roles out wide.

Youth Prospects

Striker Gary Duncan is the real big prospect this year. Labelled somewhat unfortunately as the next Emile Heskey he could be a solid contributor for us next season even at 16 years of age. The other decent prospect is central midfielder Ernest Butler. Unfortunately for Butler we are strong in the middle of midfield & he may struggle to get near a 1st team place.

Finances

The club made a profit of £72K last year. With wages going up & a few players out of contract next summer I will be going to the board & trying to get them to increase the capacity as soon as that option comes available.

[powells_red_army]

2023/24 Season Preview

Transfers

My aim in order to try & keep myself interested is to not sign anymore players. The only people I want coming into the squad are those from our yout team. What should be my last signing was bringing back an old face in Ben Hamer who helped us from League 1 up into the Premier League. He joins as backup to Diego fontaine after Marcus Hain was sold to Porto for £1.5m.

Also going were back up left back Arne Hille who wanted a stupid amount of money considering he is now a back up & with oleg Zakharov back from Bulgaria & now with a work permit I felt able to let him go. The only other 2 players to leave the club who really contributed last year were midfielders Sergio Miranda & Killian Remy. With Joel Blochlinger ready for more of a first team role & with youngsters like Ernest Butler coming through the 2 of them were allowed to depart.

Our new partnership with League 1 side Barnet should be able to help both of us. Young Keeper Andrew Jones along with midfielders Andy Roberts & Tasos Vlachos have been sent on loan to the Bees for some experience & hopefully development. Korbinian Roth meanwhile after struggling to break through desperately needs the football & with his contract up at the end of the season is playing for his future.

2023/24 First Team Squad

Finances

Board Expectations

Premier League: Win

Fa Cup: Win

League Cup: Not Important

Kent Cup: Not Important

Champions League: Final

Community Shield: Not Important

European super Cup: Win

Media Prediction: 1st

Title Odds: 2/1 Favourites

We are again predicted to end the season as Champions whilst the bookmakers also agree making us favourites on our own for the 1st time.

Pre Season

Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Charlton

Real Salt lake 0-2 Charlton

Chivas USA 1-2 Charlton

we were invited on a tour of the USA for pre season where we won 2 & drew 1. Our final game before the season was the Community Shield where we faced Tottenham.

Charlton 2-0 Tottenham (Community Shield)

Mesa 4, Cousins 90+3

[powells_red_army]

2023/24 August Round Up

Charlton 3-1 Aston Villa

Cha: Raptis 1, Rugani 44, Mesa 51

Ast: Rugani o.g 88

West Brom 0-0 Charlton

Review:

An unspectacular opening month of the season sees us get 4 points from our opening 2 games & leaves us 4th in the table. We had a flying start to the season with Iordannis Raptis scoring after just 23 seconds to give us the lead against Villa. Slightly dissapointed to give away a late goal but it didn't really hurt us. We should have beaten West Brom after dominating the majority of the game but 4 points is a decent return. In the Champions League draw we have been given a relatively straightforward group alongside Shakhtar, Zenit & Basel, 2 long distance away games would be the only real concern but we should be able to win the group pretty easily.

End of August