Midweek musings ...

It's been a funny old week really, here are some thoughts on what's been going on:

Preston Away - Not a very good display by all accounts with Pardew making his usual cryptic comments about 'a few players' needing to take a look at themselves. When I switched on the radio with 20 minutes gone and heard we were one-nil up, I really wanted to believe that we could build on what we achieved against Reading and come away with a result. But then the other half of me thought it was all too good to be true and there was no way we could hold onto our lead for the rest of the game. And so it proved. Not going to say any more on this one as I think other blogs have said it all. Disappointing.

Linvoy Primus - For the love of God, how is this not sorted out?! The paperwork still hasn't been signed but despite this he turned out for the reserves against QPR yesterday. And by all accounts he struggled a bit. I have to agree with a number of people and say that this has been a complete balls up by Charlton on the communications front. Pardew announced it in euphoric mood after the Reading game but should we really have known about it until it was a done deal? I'm as interested by new signings as anybody else but it is nice to know exactly what terms they are arriving on.

Martin Cranie - I have to confess to being a sad man and staying up until midnight on Monday watching Sky Sports news. Twenty minutes to go and as a footnote to the hysteria around the Robinho transfer, it was announced that we've signed Martin Cranie on loan until the end of 2008. I've never seen this guy play but I'm a bit confused by him really. I was under the impression that he is a left back and the picture of him on the club website clearly shows him in the England Under 21 number 3 shirt. But then the same website tells us he plays at right back or centre half. Is nothing ever simple?! I hope he can play centre half because that's where we need him.

Zheng Zhi - He's staying! I was expecting news of Mr Zheng becoming a Baggie by the close of the transfer window but no deal could be agreed after the clubs entered discussions. And today Steve Waggott has stated on the club's website that "we were only prepared to let players leave if it was the right deal for the club, and the player in question"(more). It leaves the player in a bit of funny position though. He knows that the club were willing to get rid of him if the price was right but is still going to be playing his football with us (until January at least). Personally I don't think his attitude and commitment have ever been in question and I hope this doesn't alter now. If he isn't too tired (the guy never seems to stop playing) and Pardew uses him wisely then he could play a very important part this season. That said, the opportunity to cash in still presents itself in January when we should have a better idea of whether we're going to be up there this season.