Two points lost

That was the feeling as we left the Ricoh Arena. We took an early lead and seemed to sit back and try to hit the Sky Blues on the break. We certainly seemed to play the more fluent football, but we really should have taken the game to the home side.

Essex supporters travelled by coach, train, car and Tony's minibus. A relatively short and simple journey by road. Quicker by train, but the station is miles from the ground. So we had a few beers in the city centre and made our way by bus to the ground.

We arrived at the Ricoh in time for another beer and were pleasantly surprised by the service. On the concourse were tellys showing the early game. A couple of well staffed bars, with several Happy Meal options. You don't get Balti pies and beer in McDonalds' Happy Meals though. All under cover with a fair amount of space.

I mentioned in an earlier report that Charlton are now selling 300ml bottles of Fosters in the East Stand - for £3. Get this... Coventry sell 500ml Carling bottles for £2.90. That's 66% more for 10p less. I'm sure Coventry don't make a loss, so why are Charlton trying to rip off our own fans. Admittedly neither club let you keep the bottle top or give you a glass, but I can cope with that. If Coventry can do it at that price why can't we?

Another example of Coventry's pragmatism was opening the gates at half time so people could go outside for a fag. Simple straightforward logic which no doubt kept the smokers happy.

At the end of the game there was a sense of anticlimax. But that's nothing new for travelling Addicks. Now looking forward to a similar anticlimax at Hull on Tuesday.

Chant of the game: 'Your ground's too big for you.'

Up The Addicks!

Robin