Two down...

...and one to go!

So far my wishes and predictions have come good...which is somewhat unusual for me, usually fate dictates the team I want to win as a neutral, lose...but, Gillingham beat Shrewsbury, and Scunthorpe beat Millwall, but then maybe I wasn't such a neutral for those, having lived Gillingham way, and being a Charlton fan. Now we're left with today's fate...Burnley or Sheffield United...and I just can't bring myself to want Sheffield to win...and I've admired Burnley's sheer hard graft this season, and they deserve something more from it all...or it might be I just like Eagle's boyish grin and dark hair...over Mr Bean's slightly older one...

So yes, I want Burnley to win...there, more nailed to the proverbial mast!

Yesterdays end to the Premier League's season gave us a nail-biting climax, though maybe it was more predictable than commentators would have us believe. I can say, I'm glad I wasn't one of the fans... I did want Hull to survive, they deserve another bite of the cherry, and for all the commentators trying to make much of Manchester United's changed team, it still had several regular first team players in...and just to make those same commentators look idiots, ManU won!

And now there is one...one team left in the PL in the north east...seems quite remarkable really, given their utter support of their teams... There will be differences in what happens next at the two clubs...Newcastle fans want Ashley to go, for his handling of their beloved, even when he did do what they wanted, it was still his fault, and Middlesbrough fans...they have Gibson, and a fairer chairman (we are told) never lived. So, will Shearer stay to manage, with or without dear Dowie...I think yes, yesterday hurt him deeply...and as he said it was a whole season at fault (even their second messiah can't work every miracle), I think he'll want to be involved in re-establishing the clubs integrity for it's fans. Will Southgate still be at Middlesbrough is a different thing. He's had several seasons, rather than several matches, to get things right...he is/was working with his players...he sounds as though he's staying, but...and there's always that rather large but...will he be given more time and more resources? Some clubs you know it's a nailed on certainty one way or the other...with Gibson...it's, who knows! The local club that did remain up...Sunderland...have lost their manager. In a honest interview, their manager Ricky Sbragia resigned...his decision, so they can get a bigger name...how's that for a footballing ego. Others should take note...

So, Charlton know their opposition for the 2009/10 season...the next date we know to watch for is 17 June, at 10:00am, when the fixture lists are published. Then the start of the official transfer window 1 July(players out of contract can be signed before), and finally the start of the season...8 August...and the teams we're playing...

01. Brentford

Manager: Andy Scott

02. Brighton & Hove Albion

Manager: Russell Slade

03. Bristol Rovers

Manager: Paul Trollope

04. Carlisle United

Manager: Greg Abbott

05. Charlton Athletic

Manager: Phil Parkinson

06. Colchester United

Manager: Paul Lambert

07. Exeter City

Manager: Paul Tisdale

08. Gillingham

Manager: Mark Stimson

09. Hartlepool United

Manager: Chris Turner

10. Huddersfield Town

Manager: Lee Clark

11. Leeds United

Manager: Simon Grayson

12. Leyton Orient

Manager: Geraint Williams

13. Millwall

Manager: Kenny Jackett

14. Milton Keynes Dons

Manager: Roberto di Matteo

15. Norwich City

Manager: Bryan Gunn

16. Oldham Athletic

Manager: Dave Penney

17. Southampton(deducted 10 points)

Manager: Mark Wotte

18. Southend United

Manager: Andy Tilson

19. Stockport County(in administration)

Manager: Vacant

20. Swindon Town

Manager: Danny Wilson

21. Tranmere Rovers

Manager: Ronnie Moore

22. Walsall

Manager: Chris Hutchings

23. Wycombe Wanderers

Manager: Peter Taylor

24. Yeovil Town

Manager: Terry Skiverton