Parky set to wield axe after Lions debacle (From News Shopper)

Parky set to wield axe after Lions debacle

2:02pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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PHIL Parkinson has revealed there will be changes against Gillingham as the Addicks attempt to bounce back from last weekend’s 4-0 pasting at Millwall.

The Valley boss publicly apologised to fans after the game at The Den and now several players who started against the Lions are set to pay the price when the Gills arrive in SE7 on Saturday.

Parkinson said: “We need a positive reaction against Gillingham and so far this week, training has indicated we will get that.

“But we need to do the basics well first and foremost.

“That is what we will be concentrating on between now until Saturday to give ourselves a platform to go on and win a football game by being more solid as a team.

“This is what I will be looking at and picking a team which I feel can give us that.

“As you can imagine the mood on Monday it wasn’t great, but we’ve had a chat with the lads on Tuesday, spoke about the performance and the problems we had and we’ve moved on from it.

“I spoke to them both as a group and individually as well respectively.

“Some people won’t be playing on Saturday who played against Millwall because there has got to be some changes.

“There are people out of the team who deserve to play.

“I’ve spoke to one or two people already but that is normal practice if you make changes.”

Parkinson also warned those players about to face the axe not to blame anyone else for their downfall, and pointed to the attitude of Jose Semedo after he had been dropped as the perfect one to follow.

The manager explained: “For anybody who has been left out of the team there is some disappointment and you want them disappointed, but I think it is a time for self reflection.

“If you do get left out of the team, I want them looking inwardly instead of at external reasons.

“Sometimes it is you and not other peoples fault.

“I’ve been saying to the boys right from the start of the week I think we need a bit of being more honest with ourselves as players.

“If you do get left out, come back similar to what Jose Semedo has done.

“He got left out of the team, I said you’ve been left out for these reasons and he said: ‘I know, I agree. I’ve not done that well but I’ll come back stronger’.

“That’s it, that’s all you can do.”

Parkinson’s decision to play Kyel Reid on the right and switch skipper Nicky Bailey to the left at Millwall perplexed many Addicks fans.

But although the manager conceded the move had not worked out, he was also adamant it wasn’t why Charlton had fallen short on the day.

He said: “Kyel Reid has played on the right before in his career while on loan and for West Ham.

“I felt Nicky Bailey is obviously more comfortable on the left and that young Chris Solly needed protection by having an experienced player playing in front of him.

“I felt with Kyel Reid cutting it in with his left foot with his shooting ability, and Bails on the other side, we had a goal threat.

“It didn’t work out on the day but I don’t honestly feel that cost us the game.

“I think we made mistakes and basically gifted Millwall goals which cost us the game.

“We weren’t resolute enough in our team shape or defending.”

Charlton today signed defender Gary Borrowdale on a 28-day loan from QPR and Parkinson confirmed the left-back will go straight into the squad to face Gillingham.

“Gary Borrowdale is an experienced left back who knows the position,” the manager added.

“He is a good player who has played at a high level and what more reasons do I need than that?”

Charlton’s only injury doubt for this weekend is Reid (tight hamstring), who has missed training this week and will face a fitness test tomorrow.