Charlton Athletics fall to League 1

A former well established premiership club, and now a league 1 team fighting to restore the glory days at The Valley. Indeed, the past few years have been nothing short of a nightmare for Charlton fans as they watched their favourite team fall to the club's lowest point for almost 20 years. Much debate has risen as to what is the main cause for the Addicks downfall and even the legendary Alan Curbishley has been the subject of much criticism after leaving the club at a pivotal time. "Curbs" left the club as a hero in 2006 after placing Charlton in an era of ecstasy where they competed for European football. Since his departure, no manager has been able to restore the passion in the Charlton shirt and reignite a plagued club. This left much anger within the Charlton faithful as some argued that Curbishley left the club in an unstable situation and should have left once they were secured for the years ahead.

The tenure of Ian Dowie is the subject of which fans try to forget as money was wasted and the club was placed on a downwards spiral which would continue right to the present day. Alan Pardew can not be forgetten, his wreckless use of money has to be scrutinised thoroughly and especially when you evaluate the 2.5 million signing of Luke Varney. Many Charlton fans would agree Varney was a decent signing, however, for such a heavy price tag many would have expected a much better record than what he produced. Millions more were thrown on failures such as Chris Iwelumo and Andy Gray, a strike partnership that was inevitably never going to set the footballing world on fire. This wreckless spending seems to be a formality for Pardew as he evidently has proven at his new club Southampton. Despite arguably doing an excellent job for the Saints, he has spent over 5 million in his first year at the club, and for a league 1 club this is extremely excessive. I recognise that their new owners aren't exactly lacking cash, however, this spending spree for Pardew could destroy many other clubs who haven't got such secure finances as he proved in his prolonged stay at SE7.

Speaking from an unbiased point of view, i do also recognise that the blame must equally be passed right to the top at the hands of the board. Its all very well condemning Pardew for his excessive spending, but the root of this money comes from the likes of Richard Murray who could have easily had said 'no'. Perhaps the real blame is that of the Chairman, perhaps not but one thing is for sure, something has to give at Charlton Athletic soon to kick start and revitalise a club that is punching way below its weight.

In 1984 Charlton Athletic went into administration, and i feel i speak for many Addicks as i say that de ja vu isnt out of the question as fans are constantly kept in the dark over financial affairs. Phil Parkinson, despite his critics, does appear to have restored some pride in the red Charlton shirt and has attracted many supporters back to the Valley which became an intimidating journey for league 1 clubs this year. Despite losing in a fiercely contested play off semi-final against Danny Wilson's Swindon, the passion and effort the players showed on that nerve jangling night reassured many supporters that good times may lie ahead. Credit has to be given to Parkinson, he has walked into a club that many managers would have opted to have steered well clear of. With extremely high expectations, Parkinson fully well knew the demands expected as many want a fast track back to the Premier League. And he didn't shy away and take a easy road out of SE7, he stuck around and has begun to form a team capable of great things. Indeed, he has his critics and has on several occasions not showed the tactical expertise expected from a manager, but he has a lot to learn and with the guidance from fan favourite Mark Kinsella fans will hope they can form a winning formula for Charlton Athletic and start a revival that will see the red robins bob bob bobbing along back to the Premier league.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, i would appreciate it if you could leave your views below in the comments section.

Bye Bye Benitez

A year of utter turmoil at Liverpool football club appears to have reached its pinnacle with the news that Rafael Benitez will step down as manager after 6 years at Anfield. Failure to gain that elusive first Premiership title for the reds became frustrating for one half of Merseyside and ecstasy for the blue side. Despite failing to win the domestic title, he did however manage to master a Champions league title in 2005 against European giants A.C Milan meaning that Liverpool's history of cup winnings in Europe increased further. But after 6 roller coaster years at Liverpool, the club and Rafa sat down and decided it was time for change after a turbulent year seeing Liverpool sink to 7th place and an early exit from the Champions league which they normally fare well in. But amongst most Liverpool fans this wasn't the change they wanted as they have grown increasingly angered by the American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett's reluctance to sell the club. Financially, these loathed owners claim that Liverpool is in a healthy state, but others would argue otherwise. Benitez had been restricted in his spending this year and despite spending a healthy some on Aquilani, he hasn't been blessed with the riches that a club of Liverpool's stature would come to expect. 'It's not a club it's a business to them.' A view heard all too frequently amongst the kop as they beg the 'yank' owners to sell to someone who passionately cares for the club and not the riches they can gain from it.

So what now for Liverpool football club? Many fans accept the fact that they now must be patient and give the new manager time to settle and rebuild a club which has been abused to say the least by these two American antagonists. The primary objective for the new boss must be to keep hold of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard who for the last two years have been pivotal in Liverpool's success. The Kop will be less patient however as every day they become incessantly frustrated with the owners and cry out for someone willing to take the club forwards.

Unless you're a Mancunian or a Toffee, its hard not to sympathise to a club who seemed two years ago to be moving in the right direction with an impressive second place, only to drop 5 places in the subsequent season and not even achieve Champions league football. Early contenders to succeed Benitez are Martin O'Neill and Kenny Dalglish, so who would be the best for a highly demanding managerial position? Il leave that decision up to you so please leave your views in a comment below and also comment on the blog as a whole. Thank you.