Charlton Athletic: Special skils: None (Charlton Athletic F.C.)

Member Name: Eazysteve

Product:	Charlton Athletic F.C.
Date:	20/08/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Will let you know when I find them

Disadvantages: Phil Parkinson, The board

Now the new season may only be 3 games old (I write this before the clubs home game against Walsall) but I must admit to being slightly impressed by what I have seen so far. Unlike previous seasons the team has starting playing together quite well and, dare I say it, creating chances in front of goal.

The players, at the moment, look genuinely motivated and up for the challenges of League 1. A pleasant change from last season when they could not string together two passes let alone win a game.

The new signings are fitting in well at the back and with just a couple more additions to the squad the team look like they could actually challenge for promotion this year. All appears to be running smoothly.

However, that as far as I'm concerned is where the good news ends. The club is suffering horrendously from a lack of investment thanks to a board which over the course of three years has undone the previous ten years of hard work to get the club established as a role model for how a top flight football club with limited funds is to be run.

Poor decisions both on and off the field have cost the club two relegations in three years and numerous 'managers' have signed what seems like hundreds of poor players.

But if we ignore all of the bad decisions and forget the past three years you could almost be forgiven for believing that from the start this season we have a chance of success. But let's not forget that this is Charlton Athletic, a club which specialises in underachieving, a club which has the capabilities of scoring goals up until Christmas and then doesn't enter the box for the next three months. A club which sees cup runs as something that happens to other teams. A club where the manager tries to defend a one nil defeat.

But three wins out of three.... Maybe I should start believing?

Summary: Charlton Athletic, a club where the possible is made impossible