19/12/06
Charlton's Downward Spiral -
Categories: Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Charlton, they suffer another embarrassing defeat. Already in last place in the Premiership, the Addicks had to sit back and watch as their former boss, Alan Curbishley, led West Ham to a famous win over Man United in his first game in charge. And now, today, Charlton have been knocked out of the Carling Cup by League Two Wycombe. That's right, League Two, as in the "fourth division" of English football. Reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup had been the only bright spot of the season for Charlton, and now they are out of that competition too. Iain Dowie, who started the season as Charlton manager and suffered a pre-mature sacking, must now consider himself lucky that he is no longer at the healm of the sinking ship that is Charlton. Whether Dowie was the cause of Charlton's troubles is open for debate, but anyone would have a hard time following Curbishley and Dowie was hardly given a chance. Les Reed now has the task of trying to steer Charlton clear of relegation. It's not too late, but there may be too little quality at the club. Listening to the Charlton fans chanting "you're not fit to wear the shirt" certainly indicates their opinion of the players. We'll see what happens during the July transfer window. My advice to Les Reed: play Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink more!
