Much Consternation !

Over that last few days the 4-5-1 v 4-4-2 debate has raged on netaddicks. About 90% of fans are right behind Curbs and supportive of the 4-5-1 citing that with the current personnel and the lack of a holding midfielder this is the formation best suited to us at the moment. Of course, eighth in the table and just three points off fifth makes it appear that everything in the garden is rosy. On the other hand the other 10% say that we lack ambition and at Fulham especially should have been more adventurous in the closing stages when three points were there for the taking. Some though, GolfAddick especially, don't exactly help their cause !!

However, sanity is restored in a post by the voice of reason SailorBrowneye.

For me, I'm generally happy with 4-5-1 at the moment and it can be sucessfully argued that far from being a negative formation it has enabled us to created numerous chances in the last three away games when better finishing would have brought us more than the three points we gained. We certainly deserved more. However, when opportunities arise as at Fulham to push on and gain extra points then Curbs must be more adventurous and change formation rather than just personnel.

One things for certain though. Football in the PL is getting boring generally. More teams are playing it safe as relegation from the league would be catastrophic for most and so at the start of the season the ambition for seventeen teams is aiming for forty points and safety. Everton, who are widely considered to be having a good season, resort to 4-5-1, even at home, and Bolton and Boro' play this system on a regular basis. Many others below us such as Fulham and Portsmouth also regularly employ it as well and at times as many as ten teams will be playing this system. Even Man Utd, and Chelsea last night v Barcelona, are not exempt from it's use. However, to use it constantly when safety has been achieved is, in my opinion, unnecessary. Let's not forget football is supposed to be entertainment but much of what we are seeing at the moment is turgid and dull and if the situation continues then fans of all clubs, not just Charlton, will begin deserting in their droves. The cash-cow that is Sky is being milked dry and unless the product improves it is hard to see where football is heading except downwards for all but the 'big three'.
On a brighter note, European qualification is certainly achievable. The in-fighting between fans has to stop and the need is for us all to get behind Curbs and the players are cheer them on to European glory. Put aside your differences for the next 10 games and use all your energy to this end. European qualification is the next step for the Club and there is no reason we can't achieve that this season. So, all together 'Alan C's Red and White Army' !!

Finally, there is no truth in the rumour that Deano has been tapped-up by Man Utd.