Can this man be trusted? Derek Chappell has sat in the shadows all season, but he finally spoke on Friday after the club sold another player. The time that Bougherra's transfer took tells me that he really didn't want to go. I am sure an agent worth his salt could have engineered a move much earlier if the player was desperate to leave, the Algerian finally went to Glasgow Rangers, perhaps a sensible move, although Betis would have sought his style better.

Now I haven't seen a lot of Magic in the flesh, but I think it's fair to say that Addick fans didn't see him pull that many rabbits out of hats in the 37 games he played for us. It is not that he is gone that worries me, it is the timing following the advertisement of a fire sale by Pardew and then the empty words that followed.

"Apart from reconfiguring the squad, I think it's desirable that we should have a squad of player that are settled at the club and a club that is also settled with its players."

I've read that statement a few times and I have no idea what Chappell is saying. The communication between fans and board despite Ben Hayes' sterling efforts has got gradually worse during the last couple of seasons. I never did get the courtesy of a response from Steve Waggott following my email dated May 30th, although I know the issues were discussed at board level.

With ZZ set to follow Bougherra I think the fans have deserved better this summer from the two new individuals at the top of the club. They have personally not endeared themselves to me, but hey I don't live in Kent and won't be buying a season ticket.

It has been left to us with too much time on our hands and a life of following little Charlton to work out the maths ourselves. The £15m rights issue and the sale of anyone worth any money has allowed the club to operate from a Championship cost base. It's a sensible plan, and I'm assuming it was Chappell's not Richard Murray, from the side-snipe by Pardew.

The board are rightly getting their costs under control which means that if we have another average season, we shouldn't become another Southampton or Leicester. Astute planning but at what cost to ambition, team spirit, the supporter's faith and the mindset of the manager?

"There are some decisions that I can't dictate. I'm never going to interfere with finances as the bottom line is the security of this club and if I'm told a player has to go for that reason, then he has to go." (more)

There was once a two-year plan, that I reckon has actually become a one-year plan, and yep Pardew blew it. The upside is that we re-invent Charlton to the one we all talk about when we've had too many shandies. Journeymen, exciting youngsters and players that give a shit.

The downside is that Pardew walks, we are not good enough to compete and the fans after being duped into buying a season ticket to watch a promotion chasing team lose trust in the board. Timing has never been the club's best strength.... it could be a difficult week being an Addick.  ¶ 19:11