Hoddle in frame

The early morning calm of SE7 was punctuated by Addicks dancing in the streets as Radio 5 forecast that Glenn Hoddle would be the new Charlton manager. A Sidcup Hospital spokesman said, 'A number of Charlton fans have been admitted after choking on their cornflakes.'

I cannot believe that Hoddle would be an improvement on Dowie. Let us hope that this is just idle media speculation.

Radio 5 interviewed Deano and Addicks fan Vince N (I can't spell his name). Deano placed his trust in the Charlton leadership, saying that they were 'fantastic' people who had the best interests of the club at heart and were not on an ego trip. He emphasised, 'Players and managers come and go, but the club will remain.'

Vince's basic line was that he was gobsmacked, but he dealt well with what I thought was a silly line of questioning by the Radio 5 presenters who argued that Dowie's performance had been undermined by his separation from his family.