Yesterday morning my wife said to me" CND why don't you go to the gym instead of the Valley as I don't think I can take any more of your sullen, grumpy, bad moods after another Charlton defeat". Going to the the gym is a necessity, not necessarily a pleasure, as to be honest its pretty boring running on a tread mill for 30 minutes. The only reason I go is to keep my Blood pressure and Cholesterol under control as unfortunately there is a history of heart decease from my Mothers side of the family. Luckily my current Blood Pressure reading is 127/77 and Cholesterol 4.8, which is pretty good for a sedentary office worker like myself who is nearly 53. Anyway after far too much information , the sport I love and could play almost every day of the week is Tennis (Shame about Murray at the Aussi Open, but sun and stifling heat is bound to affect a very white Scottish born Brit who hardly saw the sun in his youth. So I nearly went to the gym but had a last minute change of heart and I'm so pleeeeeee'sssd I did. Having left it very late to leave the office, and being caught in traffic I just about managed to grab a couple of very decent pints of IPA at the Fox Under The Hill. Approaching the ground after parking the car near Charlton Park all I could hear was Palarce supporters singing what you would expect and my heart sank even further when I saw how many empty seats there were in all parts of the ground. Just before the kick off the covered end got their act together and out sang the hoards of Palace supporters with there rendition of Valley Floyd Road.
The Match
For the first 15 minutes we played as though we were the team chasing a play-off spot and we so deserved our opening goal . A disappointing Lloyd Sam caused panic in the Palace box from a good cross which was poorly dealt with and as the ball fell to Mathew Spring who produced a great volley to give the tubby Speroni no chance from 10 yards . Of course, as we have done most of the season at the Valley, we start brightly, score a cracking goal then go into panic mode and sit back and invite the opposition to attack, which fortunately, on this occasion was very poor and Palace only produced one decent shot that Elliott did very well to save with his feet.
It was not a great match but I couldn't care a tuppence as we just needed a win. The tension at times was unbearable and I'm sure my blood pressure for most of the match was at 180/110 , which can be heart attack level. The defense was magnificent the whole ninety minutes with Hudson the pick of the back four. He hobbled most of the match but every tackle and header was timed to perfection. Matt Holland came on for the unfortunate Fortune who may well be out for the season. A special mention for such an underrated player who gives everything every game -Matt Holland, not spectacular, but a real trooper who never shy's away from any situation . What a hero in the back four he was, and it was so nice to hear most of crowd sing" There is only one Matty Holland". Dickson came on for Gray and I do wish he would start as he seems to unsettle defences with his unorthodox running and pace and he created a great chance from virtually nothing towards the end of the match. After holding out for ninety minutes, the five minutes of injury time seemed like an eternity, but the boys managed to hold out and all credit to them, the celebrations from Hudson and especially the home grown Elliott brought tears to my eyes.
This result means there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel but what sort of team can we can field at Burnley as it is very disconcerting after all the injuries to the back four.
Warnock made a valid point after the match and I quote
"Charlton players should disgusted with themselves. "
If they'd put that effort in when Alan Pardew were here they'd not be in the position they are in now"
To be honest the same thing happen last season.
Great celebrations at the end by the management but all could be worthless if we are relegated.
Elliott 8 Not a lot to do but kept his head and made a great save in the second half.
Murty 8 He still has pace for a 34 year old and I hope we can sign him permanently
Fortune 7 Good game -unfortunately injured for the season now.
Holland 9 Magnificent in the unaccustomed position in the back four
Hudson 9 Captain Fantastic
Youga 7 Did most things right
Sam 6 Looked out of sorts
Spring 7 Good buy and I have high hopes for him-looks good on the ball and of course scored the all important goal
Bailey 7 Did a job
Soares 7 A good debut in a difficult match
Gray 6 A very hard game for him
Burton 8 Best game so far and held the ball up well, he and was a nuisance through out
Dickson 7 The crowd love him and he needs to start the next match
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9 comments:
So you know the magic formula now CND,make sure you do all those things before the Cardiff game.
By the way,are you an East Stander? I think you sit a couple of rows in front of me.You have an aisle seat I think.If not you have a double!
Blimey CND, fancy having blood pressure concerns and sitting through those last 15 mins!
I took myself into the Covered End for the first time in a few years as I didn't have my son with me. Drinking in the bar beforehand i was struck by how many weren't wearing shirts of scarves. The gaps in the crowd were alarming. I thought we got behind the boys reasonably well for such a derby, but it was nowhere near the white hot atmosphere of last year's fixture.
We missed the drummer.
I was in C block lower tier, and when we got hacked off with a lack of song from J block started a few of our own.
Can't say I was over impressed by the Palace fans though - thought that with 3000 they could have made more row, and barely made a whisper in the last 20 mins.
The awful form we have shown since last February has sucked the confidence and bounce out of the fans. But there is still a substantial defiant hard core, and that win will do much restore confidence on and off the pitch.
Quality wise it was shite game, but I simply care about the result - we've played much better in the past and not got a result.
Whilst Mr W may be right with his comment upon Charlton players' effort levels, how the bleedin hell does he know! He doesn't watch us every week does he. And if he calls that time wasting he obviously doesn't watch any Champions league football or he'd seen some pedigree time wasting by comparison.
Today I am cream crackered. I clapped, danced, sang and bounced. Better than any areobics class!
Pembury Addick
Hi Ketts
Yes I do have a aisle seat in the East Stand and I must say It would be great just to have a chat at half-time along with Pembury who must be close by
Maybe we can get together for the next match for a bevy or two.
As far as a double I dont think there would be anyone that unfortunate.
Great last night and we only need another seven of those and a few away to make our dreams come true.
Hi Pembury
A lot of passion last night from the players and eventually the fans. Been missing for sometime A real feel good factor today and I want it to last until the end of the season. Hopefully we can meet up at the next game.
All the best CND
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