Before 3pm on Saturday 16th 2011 we were unbeaten after 12 games played, the best start to a season for Charlton….EVER!

Charlton travelled to Stevenage in the hope of extending that run to 13 games, unfortunately it was not to be and the team walked off the pitch after the final whistle losing 1-0. Yes they had suffered 4 defeats before playing us but they had already had a bog scalp by beating Sheffield Wednesday.

Should we have lost? Probably not as when you look at the quality of the players available in the squad you would think they have the ability to overcome a club like Stevenage, but I suppose this is where I type a cliche such as “That’s football” or “Football’s a funny game”

Whilst the team are flying high no one really questions the tactics used and though after the draw against Tranmere though I posted a blog where I felt the need to question the decision to start Green over Waggy but I understood why Chris Powell had chosen to start with Kermorgant. It wasn’t a loss but probably our worst league performance up till then?

On the Saturday show we attempt to guess the staring line-up before it is announced and we were surprised that Cort was in the starting eleven and that Solly who had been performing well was on the bench. Green and Kermy were both starting too. I understand the only way for them to get match fitness is to get playing time,  surely they have both done well as substitutes so why not stick with that?

We can all sit online, in the pub with the wonder of hindsight and all pretend to be a football manager, as fans we pay to watch in the stands so it’s our prerogative right? There are fans who had already questioned the appointment of Chris Powell before the defeat whose voice has suddenly got louder.

Like all they have the right to a voice, yes we lost yesterday and the performance against Tranmere was dis-jointed but coming out and saying he is not good enough, surely thats not what we want to hear? I just don’t understand that logic, the best start to a season EVER! I know I’ve said that already but I felt it was worth saying it again to drive the point in!!

Chris Powell has been managing the club for about 8/9 months now, so not even a year. If you look across the leagues and at the early days of one Mr Curbishley mistakes are made, the best managers learn from them. So please lets stop this manager bashing, even if you are not 100% sure he is the right man get behind the manager and the boys. It does not help anyone.

I was not at the game so I’m not going to comment on the performance against Stevenage, but I’ve read and heard a few comments from other fans. Many are asking for Wagstaff to start against Carlisle, I for one agree with that. Kermy seems to make us result to long balls even when the manager is shouting out not too, so maybe for that reason he should bring Hayes back in. And Solly? I have no doubt he will start especially after the manager stated that he is his number one right back.

That’s it from me this week, I don’t know what much there else to say. We remain top of the league, top! not 2nd, 3rd, 4th or outside the playoffs. Things could surely be worse?

Turn that frown upside down….UP THE ADDICKS!