Goodnight Kish
The Charlton player about whom opinion was the most divided, has gone the opposite way to Paddy McCarthy and has joined Leicester City. With the exception of some homegrown players (Fortune, Lisbie etc..), Kish was our longest serving player and deserves (and will surely receive) a warm welcome back to The Valley on 22nd September.
He was signed following promotion back to the Premiership in 2000, and although never especially comfortable or impressive initially at right-back, he nonetheless played a role in achieving 9th place that season.
Always a favourite of Curbs, he was gradually converted to right midfielder and then defensive holding midfielder, and it was in the latter role where he added the most value, doing the donkey work so the likes of Murphy or Jensen could strut their stuff.
He had an unfortunate habit of giving the ball away in a manner that led to goals, but it's perhaps the 'cost of doing business' in that position, unless you are Roy Keane or Claude Makelele (which he wasn't).
He was chosen for Alan Pardew's first game in charge against Fulham, but was substituted at half-time in the next game versus Villa, and then was equally guilty (alongwith ten others) for the diabolical performance at Forest in the Cup. Only two more substitute appearances followed, and he was last seen in a Charlton shirt at Fratton Park, coming on in the 83rd minute in typical fashion to ensure we ground out the result.
Despite the paucity of talent available to Pardew in central midfield, he clearly preferred the likes of Holland and Faye, so he was sent on loan to Leeds, a fate he probably ill-deserved.
Whilst lacking in natural talent and pace, he never lacked for effort and genuinely played as if he cared (because he did). A few more goals (he only managed two) might have been welcomed, but his Charlton career deserves to be looked back upon with fondness, because whilst never fully convincing the fans, he played a key role in our overachieving years in the Premiership.
posted by New York Addick @ 12:34 PM
7 comments
Agree with you 100% NYA. I always liked Kish for his honest, battling qualities. Many is the time I have watched us at a throw in and Kish has been the only one prepared to show for the thrower and then found himself with no-one to play it to (and consequently lost it). He represents those dear old CAFC values, not particularly gifted, but prepared to run himself into the ground for the cause. Good luck Kish.
Totally agree, it was horrible sometimes to hear him booed when substituted. He was a real grafter and during that short 'golden' period when we had a good midfield including Smertin and Murphy Kish really fitted in and played well. He never gave less than 100% which was backed up by his OPTA ratings. A much maligned player in my opinion and I for one wish him well in the future.
He always gave his best. His best wasn't always up to the standards we all hoped for but he should be warmly applauded on his return. I can't help feeling that he might just add to his total of goals at the Valley which would be a little sickening!
Kish always gave 100% effort. Can't think of many others last season that did that. Kish or Romm or big Bent or Ambrose or Thomas; know who would be my 1st choice!
Thanks Kish for the time and effort you gave @ Charlton
I have finally twigged it. Goodnight Kiss. Very droll NYA, very droll.
Sorry to break up this Kish Love-In, but I beg to differ. Just my opinion this, but no amount of honest toil and innocent bohemian charm can compensate for such a complete and utter lack of ability. Kish is quite possibly the worst Bulgarian to pull on a Charlton shirt - EVER.
In the interests of balance I feel compelled to highlight three clauses from your own tribute:
1. "unfortunate habit of giving the ball away in a manner that led to goals".
2. "lacking in natural talent and pace".
3. "a few more goals .... might have been welcomed".
Your words, NYA - not mine ;-)
So, in summary - lovely bloke, most certainly. Always tried hard, no doubt about it. But the sad truth is, at the end of the day, in the final reckoning, when all is said and done....
HE WASN'T VERY GOOD WAS HE?
You are right of course Frankie, but doesn't it go to prove that as fans we actually value traits like graft and determination, over seemingly more beneficial ones like talent?
So when he finally scores a twenty yarder on the 22nd against us, i will have to laugh. Goodbye Mad dog.