Charlton Gaffer Powell’s Sour Grapes

Charlton manager Chris Powell reacted in much the same way as his players & Supporters following the 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The Charlton manager was angry with the referee’s performance, when perhaps he should have been looking at just why his league leaders have had a drastic dip in form.

Truth be told Charlton were poor and were restricted to half chances throughout the game, fashioning their best chance on 90 minutes when Leon Cort headed over from a corner.

Powell spoke to the Charlton official website:-

I felt we more than warranted a point. We started off well and then Jordan Rhodes had a very good chance brilliantly saved by Ben Hamer.

‘Then we had the penalty incident, which I have no problem with, but I’m more frustrated with the tackle on my player that was restarted by a drop-ball.

‘I’ve seen it. I’ve just asked the referee to have a look with me in his dressing room.

‘They always say to come in half an hour later and I’ve done that, and then he’s told me he’s not allowed to look at it because of rules and regulations by his seniors.

‘It’s a disgraceful tackle,’ he added. ‘I’m not here say people should have been sent off, but if we’re talking about trying to stamp out dangerous tackles and make the safety of players paramount, then when everyone sees it, they will see that it’s not right.’

‘I’ve no problem with the sending off,’ Powell said. ‘[That happens] If you kick out or if you raise your hands, which Lee Novak did, although he only got a yellow card. Kay got a yellow card and Darel Russell got a red card. If that’s how he sees fit, no problem, we move on.’

I don’t want to be talking about getting players sent off, but I would like fairness in the game.

‘I’ve no problem if my players make a foul or if they behave wrongly and they get punished, but it’s got to be right for everyone.

‘I can’t see anyone justifying to me that the tackle on Scott Wagstaff leads to a restart with a drop ball – no one. I’m just perplexed.’

‘It was a bad tackle on him, but we all know the rules.

‘You do have to keep your cool in these situations. It is very hard, though, and anyone who plays football will know if someone fouls you with a bad challenge, not just with a little trip, but a really strong tackle, then you’ve got to try to keep your cool. In some situations, it’s very hard.

‘You have to keep your composure. It’s not easy, but that’s just how football is.’

Some sour grapes in there, that’s for sure, Kay’s challenge was perhaps a little over the top but the reaction from the entire Charlton team to that foul is what saved him a booking, and with it being a 50/50 ball also Wagstaff in some peoples book was also lucky having bust Antony Kay’s nose in the incident.

It’s amazing how opinions and views can be clouded dependent upon which side of the fence you site.

Powell however was happy with his boys commitment and conceded that with 10 men it was going to be tough:-

‘It’s not easy. Huddersfield are a decent team and have got some good players. But my players really pushed themselves to try to get something from it.

‘It was a heroic effort from my boys. We had a chance near the end and really, on reflection, it could have been a draw.

‘I’m thinking I should be walking away with a point, but it’s about results and Huddersfield have got it from the penalty spot and we move on to the remaining seven games.’



In closing its a massive three points for Huddersfield and Charlton & Powell should perhaps be more concerned that this once invincible team is starting to crack right at the end of the season. They may be 11 points clear of us in fourth but we have 24 points to play for as do the other two Yorkshire clubs chasing the top two slots in nPower League One.

Let the chase continue!!

.GAME ON.