Curbs in new contract talks

Although he has two years to run on his current contract, Alan Curbishley has started new contract talks with the club. He has been linked with moves to various 'big' clubs over the year, starting with Queen's Park Rangers when the Super Hoops thought they were bigger than us.

Although he thought about standing down after the 0-4 home defeat by Manchester United last season, Curbs has been happy at Charlton and probably only something like the England club or a top London club could tempt him away. As his kit sponsor for something approaching ten years, I have got to know him reasonably well. He is clearly a person who has qualities of great native intelligence, footballing judgement and intuition about people. His cool temperament (although he can express himself very firmly) allows him to cope well with pressure.

As it is an evening game and I will not be back home until 1 a.m., this factor, together with work commitments tomorrow, may delay publication of the usual match report. Senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch will be on duty for this important game which could see the Addicks reclaim 2nd place.