Liverpool etc..

Once it became clear that Wigan were not going to lose at Sheffield United, our game at Liverpool became even more meaningless, but at least we bow out of the Premiership with our heads held high. Unfortunately Bougherra had his hands held high instead of his head, and he is looking as raw as steak tartare despite his lofty transfer fee.

It was perhaps appropriate that our first and last goals of the season were scored by Darren Bent, comfortably our supreme outfield performer and true professional in every sense of the word. I understand that he may well be moving to Spurs as early as this week, and if so (and indeed wherever he ultimately ends up), he leaves with our apologies that his teammates did not meet his high standards.

The West Ham saga will run and run, and rightly so. Whilst it has been rightly pointed out elsewhere that Sheffield United will be less formidable Championship opponents than the Hammers, I'm far-sighted enough to be able to put the general plight of the so-called beautiful game ahead of Charlton's own self-interest. Thus within financial reason, I hope we continue to be a part of the 'Gang of Four/Five/Six/Seven*' (*delete as appropriate).

As expected, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been removed from the payroll quicker than you can say "P45." He must rank as one of the great disappointments of this season, having scored bags of goals at 'Boro last season. Whilst it is easiest to blame the player given that none of our three managers got much out of him, surely he would have been a more productive option than Marcus Bent if given the chances? More such announcements are surely imminent, and will give us some early clues as to Pardew's thinking for next season.

Work commitments require me to take a few days off from this blog - however please check back in due course as I have plenty to say about what went wrong, and where we go from here. Thanks for reading this season - I hope I've been able to provide some humour and occasional insights during a difficult period for the club.