Pards rumours not well founded

Alan Pardew is having a difficult time at West Ham, given the failure of the Argentinian start to deliver. Moreover, West Ham fans seem to have developed the kinds of excessive expectations that were once more typical of Spurs supporters.

However, rumours that a sacked Pardew would then join the coaching team at The Valley are well wide of the mark. Before he went to West Ham, he might well have topped the Charlton board's contingency list should Alan Curbishley depart. But he could hardly fit in as a junior member of an Iain Dowie set up.

Moreover, I think that the current Irons board have the sense not to sack Pardew because of a run of bad results. If Media Sports Investments took over, it might be a different story. But it is by no means certain that this relatively shadowy consortium will actually be able to put together a credible bid.

It's almost like a silly season at the moment. With the lack of club football stories available, the papers are having to look at things like the fact that Darren Bent couldn't open the doors of his new motor in his underground garage.

Even Leamington are trying to hype a friendly game tonight, circulating rumours that a major new signing from the Football League will be playing.