Joining the prawn sarnie brigade

Would you believe it! The Old Man has won a prize draw with his credit card company - the one that has a promotional tie up with Charlton. The prize is a couple of VIP tickets for the game against Colchester. It seems MBNA, the credit card company, are sponsoring the game and a number of credit card holders have won VIP packages. At first the Old Man thought it was a wind up as they told him the good news over the phone. He didn't hear anything then for over a week, so checked it out with his mate Henry. But now he has had a confirmation call and recieved the details in writing.

Well, the good news is that the Old Man has negotiated an extra place so that both me and Matt can join him. We weren't sure what to expect until we saw the itinery. The bad news is that we can't wear jeans and trainers. But that inconvenience is offset by the fact there is a free bar!!! We have to arrive at midday for a champagne reception. That's followed by a 'tour of The Valley. I assume this will be confined to the west stand, but we'll have to wait and see. Then we have a 'four course silver service meal served in the Centre Circle Suite'. In my initial excitement I didn't read the last word and thought we'd be eating on the pitch. But no, we get to go on the pitch when four guests make a pitch presentation. The food is definitely served in the restaurant.

The itinery is amusing. It says that refreshments are served at half time and at 3.55pm 'return to your seats'. Yes, 3.55pm! Half time will be my big chance to lambast those that don't get back to their seats for the kick off. I don't really care whether we've finished our prawn sandwiches or not. We need to be there for the start of the second half. None of this strolling back ten minutes into the second half. Every game this season you see empty seats in the west stand at the start of the second half. Well, against Colchester there will be at least three people in their seats at kick off.

And what's the protocol about singing in the VIP area? Will we be allowed to stand up and abuse the away supporters? I guess we'll have to find out.

At the end of the game the VIPs can vote for the man of the match. Let's hope it's Big Chris because he's scored a hat trick against his old club. If we can still stand up, at 5.30pm we make the 'man of the match presentations'. And at 5.45pm we are 'welcome to transfer to the Milenium Suite where a pay bar is in operation'. I think the bar staff in the Centre Circle Suite could be busy at 5.40pm!

It promises to be a different and memorable day on Tuesday. I wonder how many other VIPs will be at the ticket office getting their Watford tickets having been to every game this season?

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Pi Pints and pie

The journey up M1 to Leicester was trouble free and we did it in a couple of hours from Essex. Dean did the driving for this one - thanks Dean!We met the Old Man in a strange bar about ten minutes from the ground. It had Sky Sports News, some comfy armchairs and good service. I think it was meant to be a trendy bar. It was fine for a pre match drink but I do puzzle over the thinking that went into the naming of the bar. It was called pi - the mathematical symbol. And just so you come away suitably educated, the windows had the number 3.14159 written on them. I really can't think how maths and beer go together.

After a pint in pi we went to the ground for a pie - it seemed appropriate.

The game itself was poor. I'm sure the bumpy pitch and the wind didn't help, though it didn't seemed to affect the half naked drummer at the top of the stand with the Leicester boys in it. Leicester even have a fixed platform for the drum. Maybe he sees himself as a rival to Tango at Sheffield Wednesday. I think he's also had a few pies - and not of the mathematical variety!

For a while it looked like big Chris was going to be the latest Addick to see red, but he just about managed to avoid a second yellow card. A draw was probably a fair result but we really need to look at the transfer window as an opportunity to get some invention into our play. There's a real prospect of the deason tailing away unless we do.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Happy New Year

The Norwich game involved a fair bit of driving for Matt, so he's sitting this one out. Dean's getting behind the wheel to drive up for this one. The Old Man is visiting relatives in Corby so will be travelling from there. The wonders of mobile phones means that we should be able to hook up before the game for a swift beer. Not sure where though.

Getting to this new stadium is as easy as getting to the old Filbert Street. It's virtually on the same site. Parking at the Rugby ground has always been a good option. Once out of the car park, you're on the main road for a quick journey home. The Walkers stadium has all the features of a newly built stadium. No more stewards laying down because the front row seats are below the level of the pitch. No more crammed facilities at the back of the stand. And no more squeezing through cramped turnstiles. And yet despite all that I quite enjoyed going to Filbert Street. It was one of my favourite grounds because we were under cover and the acoustics were good.

The real attraction this time is to see whether we can maintain some good away form and to have a bet as to who's gonna get sent off this game.

Up The Addicks!

Robin.

Seasonal good will to all men

Except those that make two footed tackles it seems. It's now fashionable to be sent off for lunging in with both feet off the ground this Christmas, and Match of the Day showed a number of similar incidents from the Premiership. Clearly Sodje thinks of himself as a Premiership player as he went for that tackle at Carrow Road. It's not the worst tackle I've seen, but if the rule is that you can't tackle with both feet off the ground, then I guess he deserved to go.

We've now had five games where we've had someone sent off which makes us look like a dirty side. But when you look at the incidents, Sam was caught wrestling; Semedo had two bookings yet they were dubious fouls; Fortune swung an arm - after the final whistle for Christ's sake; Mills couldn't keep his mouth shut and Sodje made a fashionable tackle. In my book only Sodje's tackle could be labelled 'dirty'. But that label will stick unless the players become more disciplined.

When you look at the top of the table you can only speculate where we might be if we hadn't had these unecessary suspensions. Certainly at Norwich we were looking the better team until the sending off. In the second half it was just a matter of time before the Canaries equalised and I suppose we should be grateful that we took a point. We can now look forward to our last game of 2007 at Lineker's crisp stadium on Saturday and hope that 2008 brings better fortune - and discipline - than 2007.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Let's be having you

Poor Norwich supporters. Not only are they saddled with being Canaries, they have Delia Smith running the club. Yet the rejuvenated club have long since sold out their allocation against us on Boxing Day. We're close to selling out which is an achievement when you consider there is no public transport.

Christmas Day celebrations will need to be kept in check as Matt is doing the driving on Boxing Day. He has to get back from his girl's place in Tilbury so we can set off mid morning for Norwich. It's usually a good day out in Norfolk, but somehow it doesn't have the same feel travelling for three hours each way at Christmas.

It'll be a case of fielding the walking wounded for this game, and with Norwich on a bit of a roll, it'll be a tough game. Let's hope our fans are not too hung over and can provide some real support. We'll need it for this one.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

For if you know your history...

...You'll know that 50 years ago Charlton won what the News of the World described as 'the most amazing game in history'.

The late Albert Doyle was Robin's grandad - a man responsible for two more generations of Addicks - and the one game he spoke about more than any other was the famous 7-6 game against Huddersfield.

It was typically Charlton to parade the four surviving members of that team before the Hull game. It must have been great for them to walk the Valley turf once more and remember that game. Life is about memories like that. I hope they enjoyed their day.

In some way - but a very different way - Robin will remember the game against Hull. Mediocre in the extreme with their keeper almost redundant. We clawed our way back only for the departing Danny Mills to do what he does best and get sent off. At the time there was a possibility that we could win the game. But as soon as he went off that changed. He was unbelievably stupid to keep arguing with the ref. We know the refs in this league are sub standard, but there's no need to keep arguing. Danny's had a good half season with us, but unlike the Huddersfield game, our memory of Danny will now be tarnished.

But the day started well. We met up with Toby for a pre-match meal in Legends. The food was good though clearly it was the busiest day of the year in Legends and the club have had to drag in staff from wherever they can to serve the tables. They must have struggled to get any English staff, and you do wonder whether we would be served in any restaurants these days if we didn't have a healthy influx of immigrants. The staff worked hard, and when they get a sense of organisation the service will be good.

But it wasn't a bad day out. Just a shame we didn't get three points.

Up The Addicks!

Happy birthday Toby!

Young Toby from Basildon has reached the ripe old age of 16 today. A lifelong supporter and season ticket holder for the past few years, Toby lives in 'character building' Basildon. Going to school North of the Thames surrounded by West Ham fans always tests your stamina - as other Essex based supporters will know. But although having to go to school with them really is character building, he's stuck with Charlton throughout and hasn't wavered.

So well done Toby and welcome to the tax paying world.

To celebrate his birthday a small group of us will be making an occasion of it with a pre-match meal in Legends. Members of the Essex Branch of the supporters club have had meals there before, so know what to expect. As it's just before Christmas there should be some Christmas fare, but really it's about celebrating Toby's birthday.

So it's an early start on Saturday. Tickets to collect for Norwich and Leicester before the game anyway so we'll need to be there by noon. You tend to get kicked out of Legends 20 minutes before kick off, so we may be there to see the surviving members of the team that beat Huddersfield 7-6 50 years ago. It's a shame that many of those there on the day will have passed on by now, but I'm sure there will be plenty of reminiscing anyway.

As for the game, we won't be at full strength with three regular midfielders out injured. Maybe this will be the true test of how good we are. You'd hope we'd get three points, but when you look at our home record it's anyone's game.

Let's hope it's memorable for Toby. Another 7-6 should do it.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

West Brom 4 Charlton 2

It was all going so well for a while. Me, Matt & Sarah got the 8 o'clock train from Euston, arriving at The Hawthorns in good time to get tickets and sort out a boozer. We decided to try a different pub this year, and it seemed only right that we had a few beers in the Royal Oak before the game. A rough pub, without the luxury of carpet. For some reason the locals preferred to watch some cooking programme that Soccer AM. But the pub was OK and the service good. And unlike the Horse & Groom, it was open.

So we were in good spirits as we approached the game. And the team duly obliged us by taking the lead. It was all going to plan.

But this was West Brom. Now officially a 'bogey' ground for me. West Brom equalised and then took the lead. And though we equalised and made a good game of it, in truth we were beaten by a better side. For the first time this season we came up a team that were better than us. It didn't help that Weaver and the back four didn't gel again. At least three of the goals were scored from within the six yard box, and there has to be questions about our defence. Even our midfield struggled to get the grip they usually get.



This is a long season, and we're not out of the picture yet. We will need to string some results together to push into the top two. On the way home we learned that Watford had lost so we're still only three points off a promotion spot.

On the way home we loitered around the New Street area, reminded that most of our support was out shopping or had watched the game on TV. It was probably a good game to watch, but the three points would have been better. We had the chance to go top and blew it.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Watching or supporting

As we approach our most important game of the season so far, it seems that most Addicks will settle for watching the game on TV. Those of us who want to support the team, will be at The Hawthorns trying to add the vocal support that you just can't give when you're a hundred miles away watching the game on a screen. Apparently we've sold only 600 of our 3,000 allocation. No doubt those of us at the game will have to endure the jibes about poor support from The Baggies' fans.

But poor away support tended to be the norm back in 1975 when I first visited West Brom. I liked the ground then because the away end was covered - a rarity in those days - and there was ample room. There were only a few hundred Addicks there that day to see Geoff Hurst score for West Brom, before we equalised to make it 1-1.

Since then I've seen a puddle divert the ball into our goal and knock us out of the FA cup and lose several times more. The ground is now very different, but the outcome tends to be the same.

This year I'll be getting my tickets at West Brom on the day, though it looks like there's only a couple of us going up by train from Essex. Not sure if Tony's got enough to take his bus up there, and the Old Man is driving from Corby where he's staying with relatives. We might head for the Moat House just off the A41 for a quick pre-match drink. Apparently it lets away supporters in and is not too far from the ground. But as it's a 12.45 kick off there won't be too much time beforehand. There was a bit of trouble after the game the last time we played here, but if we can avoid that, those that are interested might even be able to get home in time for some late night Christmas shopping. Joy!!!

Up The Addicks!

Robin

That was half good

It was difficult to know whether we were really good in the first half or whether Ipswich were really bad. Given their away form, I think it was the latter. But Ambrose was a revelation in his new position and we were worthy of the 3-0 half time lead.

During half time it was easy to get carried away and sure enough some people did. People were heard to speculate that we could get six. But not me. I feared Ipswich would not be as bad in the second half, and that we needed a quick fourth goal to be really sure of the three points.

And so it proved. Their manager gave his team a rocket up their arse and in the first ten minutes Ipswich could conceivably have been on level terms. On the pitch the fireworks started to happen, and off the pitch it sounded like we were under fire also. Apparently there was a firework display locally and the noise it created made it sound like we were in a war zone.

Ipswich certainly upped their game and it was a bit of a battle. Somehow we survived the second half and held on for a much needed home win. The weather conditions only added to the spectacle. Yet at the end of the game there was no euphoria. The ref had a good game, and kept his cards in his pocket for most of the game. But at the final whistle Fortune was red carded and will miss next week's game with West Brom, along with Mills and Sam.

Before the game we ended up in Bartrams because the Horse and Groom was inexplicably closed yet again. Under new management? Think they need a new manager. McLaren's free.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Tractor Boys

Following the away win at Cardiff in midweek we go into this game with fresh optimism. Back up to third in the league and one point behind West Brom, there's a great chance to grab three points at home and set up a clash with the Baggies next week. Typically we think that because we're at home we should get a win.

But this week the formbook throws up a a bit of a quandry. We've lost four out of the last five at home, yet Ipswich have lost most of their games away from home. On the basis that both teams can't lose something must give. I wonder whet the betting is on a 0-0 draw?

Because we'll be out and about in the pre Christmas rush early on, we're likely to be over at The Valley quite early. Not sure how I'm getting to West Brom next week yet, but need to get tickets anyway. I'll consult the fund situation, and maybe get the Norwich tickets as well.

The pre-match pint or four is likely to be back in the Horse and Groom, if they can be arsed to open this time. Apparently we're likely to have our biggest crowd of the season, so getting served might be a problem, but we'll have to see.

A win could set us up for a serious challenge for the leadership over Christmas. Another home defeat could be a serious setback. We'll have to see.

Up The Addicks!


Robin

Cardiff 0 Charlton 2

For two seasons in the Premiership we only won one or two away games - and I wasn't there. We're not even half way through this season in the Championship and we've won seven away games already. It's nights like tonight that you think this is definitely the best season to go to every game. The lows of the last two home games are now matched by the highs of the away wins. The cost of tickets and travel and and the time off work are all worth while on nights like tonight.

But one expense remains a curiosity. Why do we get charged £5.10 to get into Wales, but you can leave for free. Why is that? And why £5.10? What is the extra 10p for? In the course of the season it won't be that significant - but why?

In truth we never hit the heights, but we were well worth the win. Quite simply Cardiff never had enough to break us down. Weaver only had one shot to save, and whilst we didn't exactly cause them too many problems we were clearly the better side. The second half in particular was a rearguard action, typical of an away team. But it was good to get that second goal to ease the nerves.

It was my first experience of Ninian Park, and I have to say it was a crap ground. It was good to be able to stand, but we had to stand behind the seats. That was strange. The locals weren't particularly welcoming and struck up a bit of, er 'banter' with some of the Charlton boys. I can imagine it might kick off with more aggressive away support, but the Cardiff support seemed more preoccupied and frustrated with their own teams shortcomings.

Matt had parked in a good spot so we made a fairly quick getaway, and were well past Bristol by 10.30. I filed this report to the SX Addick on the way home and we're currently due to arrive home by 12.30. That's probably tempting fate though.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Bluebird bound

Another midweek away game and another challenge. The first thing is always to get away from work in good time. I've managed to sort that out for the Cardiff game, but I've been faced with the same problem as with Bristol City and Swindon earlier in the season. Going by public transport means I can't get home after the game.

For this game I won't be staying away as I've managed to pursuade Matt to take me. So he too has the problem in booking time off work. He promises me that he has managed it and we're due to meet up near his offices in Loughton. We should be on the motorway network before 3.00pm, and all being well at Cardiff in time for kick off. It'll be late getting home, but at least it will be home.

It doesn't look like a large contingent from Essex considering we've only sold 400 tickets. Tony isn't taking his bus anyway. Let's just hope there is good reason to make a bit of noise and we continue our away form. We need to.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Not good enough

We can blame the referee, we can blame Darren Ambrose, or we can blame Pardew. It doesn't matter, because the simple fact is that over the past two games we have not been good enough.

The free kick leading to Burnley's first goal was a bit dubious, as was several of the referees decisions. And yes, the standard of referees in this league is poor. But Burnely's first two goals were straightforward set pieces that should have been easy enough to defend against. But for some reason the two centre backs and the goalkeeper can't get it together. Two down in the first quarter, yet Weaver had hardly touched the ball. Burnley then missed a great chance to make it 3-0. Our wingless midfield huffed and puffed, but couldn't create too much up front. And the the two forwards in the reinstated 4-4-2 formation never looked like scoring.

Nobody played that badly, but nobody played that well either. And until we get a cutting edge, Charlton are going nowhere in this league.

Having sorted out how I'm going to get to Cardiff, I got the tickets and watched the West Ham v Chelsea game in Bartrams. I managed to get, and hold onto, front row seats. Unfortunately the club decided to take out all the TVs and leave just one large screen in the corner at head height. This means that as soon as it gets busy hardly anyone can see. Whoever brought this change about is not a football fan and has no idea how the more successful sports pubs operate. The clarity on the screen was so bad that people coming in took a look at the screen and thought Chelsea were winning. The 0-0 scoreline on the screen was so blurred people thought it was 1-0. This brought about a certain amount of confusion when Chelsea did score and the screen went to 1-0. Going to Bartrams before the game made a change, but not sure I'll be there next week.

I'll be off to Cardiff on Tuesday to see if our fortunes change. How many points do we need for safety in this league?

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Claret & Blue

After the bitter midweek disappointment we now face one of those games that has no added spice except the need for three points. Having been to Turf Moor a couple of times in the distant past, I know they don't have the most welcoming of supporters. In fact I recall there was a bit of a rucus when they came to The Valley in a cup tie a few years ago. I don't imagine they'll have massive support on Saturday though.

But in an attempt to get my fill of Claret and Blue, and knowing the Horse and Groom will be shut, I think I'll get over to Bartrams to watch the cheating, lying Hammers on the early TV game. I need to sort out tickets for Cardiff and West Brom anyway.

Burnley have a new manager and come to us on the back of an away win at the league leaders. They won't show any fear, but it'll be interesting to see whether they come at us, or sit back and defend. I can see that this game may go any which way. If we get on top early on and get a quick goal, we could get a hatful. On the other hand we're not that prolific and it could easily be a 0-0 draw. Even a defeat. But please, not another 0-3 defeat. Let's keep the faith.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

A bad night out

What is the world coming to? Pubs shutting when they want to. Not for the first time this year, The Horse and Groom was closed on a match day. Below the the handwritten note saying 'under new management' was a printed sheet of paper saying the pub was closed , and will be again on Saturday. The place has only just re-opened for Christ sake. Helpfully the note suggested we go to the Royal Oak. The bar staff can't cope with the customers from one pub, let alone two. Ironically we had just been in the Oak.

It really was a bad day all round. We met in London for a pint or two and caught the train to Charlton. Now having a beer before you start the journey seems like a good idea. But three stops down the track and you're busting for the loo. By the time we arrived at Charlton things were becoming urgent. We also realised that we needed a cashpoint if we were to have more than one drink. There used to be a cashpoint by the station, but this was obviously too convenient so it has been removed. From there we had to try to establish priorities - piss or pounds!

In years gone by we have used the Conservative club as the Essex Branch base for ticket collections. But these days they want to charge two quid each just to get in. Don't think so!

With groin suitably clenched we went to the cashpoint by the club shop. Out of order. Bugger. Does the newly refurbished Royal Oak have a cash machine in it? Does it hell. A quick visit to the Oak did allow us to use the facilities though. This was when we moved onto the Horse and Groom where we discovered it couldn't be arsed to open. This did cause a problem as we were supposed to meet Matt, Toby and the Basildon boys. Unable to make phone contact with anyone we meandered around to Bartrams. This too has been done up in recent times. We clubbed together to get a quick pint in and stayed there.

A disruptive pre-match routine was matched by a disruptive game. Although Sheffield United had probably the smallest away support (though ours is usually smaller in midweek) their team soon got to grips with our formation and took the lead. Even injury time didn't provide the usual standard of entertainment. We looked good at the start of each half and went close early in the second. But in the end you have to hold your hands up and say, probably for the first time this season, we were beaten by a better team.

The 3-0 defeat hurt after so much recent success. People on message boards have recently been saying how we should prepare for the Premiership. This might be the reality check they need. Let's just focus on the next game against Burnley. Oh Blimey they just won away at Watford!

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Blades

With several connections with family and friends in Sheffield, it's a disappointment that this game's not on a Saturday. The game with Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the season meant that we had a houseful. For this game it'll be the usual routine. We'll be coming to the game from our various work places at various times. It looks like we've settled on the Horse and Groom as the pub of choice this season, though we need to sort out tickets for forthcoming games. We've not used the services of 'Fiddler' and the Essex Branch to get our tickets much this season, mainly because we're not sure who will be going until a late stage. But we need to sort it out soon.

As for the game against The Blades, it looks like a chance to extend our unbeaten run. But we thought that about Plymouth and QPR. This could easily be another banana skin. But if we really are going to push on, we need to win games like this. Playing 4-5-1 seems to have tightened us up at the back, particularly away from home. At home it needs to be more like 4-3-3. With Lloyd Sam and Jerome Thomas we have the players to make it work for us. Let's hope it works on Tuesday night.

Thank God for injury time

Saturday 24th November 2007 marked the end of the international break. And time for me to return from Canada. I'll remember that day for a long while. The plane left Montreal about midnight GMT, and British Airways got me into Heathrow bang on time at 7.00am. The Old Man was there to pick me up so we spent the next hour and a quarter in the car back to Essex. Time for a bite to eat - a confusing meal as I had been up and awake for 24 hours by this time and already had one breakfast. The Old Man came back at 11.30am to pick me up and we set off for Preston. I napped a little, but the motorways were good and we arrived in Preston about 4.00pm. Time for a quick beer or two in the Royal Garrison and back down the hill for my first ever visit to Deepdale.

Deepdale reminded me of when we beat Blackburn in the FA cup, with Darren Pitcher scoring in our famous win many years ago. Three sides of the stadium were in place and offered excellent views, but the stand on our left was missing. We can only speculate that it has been misplaced along with the six discs of data missing from HMRCs Preston offices. But with three quarters of the stadium in place it was quite impressive. Whether Pards and the substitutes thought so might be another matter.

With the adrenalin pumping there was never a problem staying awake for this one. The international break and Preston's new manager didn't stop us looking a classy side for much of the game. In truth I though Preston knocked it about well and caused us some problems in the second half. We need to sort it out when the ball comes into our goalmouth. Weaver never seems to command the area as he should do, and the Preston forwards were big and strong and got their heads to most crosses. But we rode it out and got the win. If we played only 45 minutes each half we'd probably only be mid table. But the Deepdale announcer said the "officials had agreed"a couple of minutes in the first half and four additional minutes in the second half. It sounded as though they had brought in the United Nations to secure that agreement, not just that the ref - previously introduced as "Misseda Friend" - had added the time on.

However he announced it, it was the signal to score a goal in each half and for us to go second in the table for a few hours.

And then the journey home. We had parked in a school playground for thee quid - the cheapest car park this season. Close to the ground, we were able to get away quickly up Sir Tom Finney Way, and follow the signs to teh M6 North. The announcer had told us during the game that the junction going South was closed, bringing a chorus of 'you're not going home' from the sympathetic Preston supporters. So we headed North. This didn't really delay us. I slept for most of the the four hour journey, eventually getting home at 11.15pm.

In a 24 hour period I had travelled for several thousand miles on a plane for seven hours and several hundred miles in a car for nine hours; 16 hours travelling in total with precious little sleep in over 40 hours. But with three precious points it was well worth it.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Chant of the day: That good old favourite - Simon Jordan is a wanker, is a wanker... from the 'imbeciles'

Qualification or 3 points?

The thing about watching England - even from afar, here in Canada - is that it's not that different to watching Charlton. Always flattering to deceive. 2-0 down early on, then pull it back to 2-2, just like at Colchester. But last night England were outclassed and blew their chances, conceding a late winner to Croatia.

It was a big disappointment, and it will hit home in the summer when we have to watch the Euro Championship without England taking part. But I've often played it over in my mind: would I rather have England succeed in a major tournament, or have Charlton get three point on Saturday - this week at Preston? Consistently I come up with the same answer. It's Charlton every time.

I understand the arguments how England's success is good for all levels of the game, with crowds at domestic games soaring and interest heightened. If England were to win a major tournament that would be brilliant, of course. But for me it's always Charlton's fortunes that come first. I've spoken to others that actually go to games and they all say the same. It's their own club that is more important than England. Maybe it's because we can get to see our own club live rather than on the telly. We feel we belong. It's more regular. Whatever. It's always Charlton that comes first.

And this week it's going to take considerably longer to get to the game. My flight leaves Canada at quarter to six local time, arriving at Heathrow at ten past seven on Saturday morning. Plans have now changed at this point. Originally Matt was meant to pick me up drop my bag at home and then off up to Preston. But Matt's car has broken down and he's not going any more. So a call to the Old Man and hopefully we can stick to the same schedule. He'll drive around from Essex and pick me up. I won't now be staying over in Blackpool, but the priority is to go to every game this season. This'll keep the run going. Any delays to the flight - and snow is forecast - and it'll have to be straight up to Preston though. Fingers crossed.

Preston is a new ground for me and the Old Man - the 104th ground for the Old Man! A bit like The Valley, it's a rebuild on the original site. It's always interesting to see whether the renovations have more character than the new builds. Not sure we'll have time to take in the museum, but looking forward to it anyway. Just need to get my head down somewhere en route.

Definitely looking forward to it more than the England game though.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Homeward bound

Having enjoyed a mini sabatical here in Canada, thoughts are now turning to the return home and the challenge of getting to Heathrow, home and Deepdale all in a day. Original plans were to meet Matt at Heathrow, drop stuff at home, a quick nap and drive up to Preston. An overnight stay in Blackpool would have broken the travelling up. But I've now learned that Matt's car has broken down and a plan B is required. This involves the Old Man getting out of his pit at some unearthly hour on Saturday morning to pick me up from the airport at around 7.30am, getting me home and going up to Preston with him. It will be there and back in a day so I'll be going around like a zombie on Sunday, depending on how much shut-eye I get in the car.

It's strange here in Canada with so little news about The Addicks and football in general. Thanks to the advice from a few Canadian based Addicks I'll be watching the England game in a local bar. This'll be the only real football I'll experience out here. But at least last weekend's results mean there's something to cheer rather than jeer at.

Up The Addicks! - and come on England

Robin

Charlton 3 Cardiff 0

Well, on Saturday night we were back up to second in the table. Three consecutive wins following three consecutive defeats. It truly is a funny old game. Totally unpredictable. Except that for each of the last three wins we have scored our first goal (the only goal in the away games) deep into injury time or 'added time' as the media would now have us know it. In truth the game was more even than the score suggested. But we clearly edged it and deserved the win. It doesn't matter when the goals are scored, they all count.

So we start another 'international break' and I set off for Canada on Sunday afternoon. This provides the opportunity for reflection, and I'm sure others will reflect that life in The Championship is far more entertaining than in the Premier League. It obviously helps that we're at the top end of the league. But there are other changes. We can dispense with that silly handshaking stuff with the opposition that we were obliged to do before every game in the Prem. I'm not sure how that ever enhanced the game - or 'product' as the media would describe it.



But clearly money is tight in this league. It's great running out to Red Red Robin every game. But we've got no balls. For those of us that remember Keith Peacock leading the team out, playing keepy uppy - as it's now known - and blasting into an empty net, we miss the pre-match ritual of playing with our balls. On Saturday only the mascots got to play with a ball. Cardiff had no balls at all. In past seasons the warm up consisted of at least half a dozen balls for each side. But this season we're lucky to get one ball for each team. And the players look lost, meandering aimlessly around their half of the pitch. Occasionally they will burst into a short sprint, but most of the time they wander around and greet their team mates like long lost friends. Surely they were in the dressing room together for the team talk only a few minutes before?

But they hug each other or 'high-five' each other as they walk around the pitch.

And then curiously, just as the ref and his linesmen - or 'referees assistants' as they are now properly titled - prepares for kick off, we go into an intimate little huddle. Christ knows what they talk about for the ten seconds they are there together. I'm always worried the opposition will kick off while we're still fannying about, take a long shot and score. Maybe while all the heads are together they are trying to work out what Pardew was on about in the dressing room. Or maybe they are just trying to find out who has the balls. Does anyone have any idea? Are they telling jokes? Whatever it is, it seems to have worked on Saturday.

But it is difficult to predict what will happen in this funny old game - or 'soccer' as the Yanks would have us know it. The bookies know how unpredictable it is. That's why they set silly odds for some bets. Sodje was 33-1 to score the first goal against Cardiff. I know 'cos I had a tenner on him.

Funny old game betting.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

International break ahead

Well if the previous week was bad, this past week has been good. Very good. Somehow the wins away from home always seem that much sweeter. And last minute winners against Southampton and Bristol City were sweeter still. This could be a good season to go to every game, home and away. Obviously we hope that we make it a perfect week with a win against Cardiff, but we've lost the last two home games, so take nothing for granted.

But this Saturday is the last game before the international break. So I'm taking an international break. We'll probably meet the Basildon boys in the Horse and Groom - it's becoming a regular haunt - before working out how many of us are going up to Preston in a couple of weeks. So we need to get tickets before the game, but afterwards I'm off home to pack for a trip to Canada. The loved one is back home studying in Canada so the international break provides just enough time to get to Toronto and back. Flights have been booked for Sunday - after Cardiff - and return on the Saturday morning of the Preston game. Sky kindly agreed to move the game back a few hours to allow me to drop my bag off at home and get up to Preston. If there are no delays it should work OK, but right now I'm not sure how I'm getting up to Preston. Something else to discuss on Saturday.

In the meantime let's just hope we can keep the run going with three points against Cardiff.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Bristol City 0 Charlton 1

Well, this is the first game I've been to on my own this season. It felt a bit odd going on my own, particularly to a ground I've not been to before. Nor was I sure how to get to the ground from the station. But I arrived in plenty of time and managed to walk alongside the river down to the ground, so arrived in plenty of time.

There were around 600 travelling addicks there, but not too many from Essex. For the first time this season we were playing a team above us in the league. I think most of us there would have settled for a draw. And that's what it looked like for 90 minutes. But then a peach of a pass from Reidee, and big Chris was on the end of it again - right in front of the Charlton fans again.

On the basis of the first half we were the better team, but after the break Bristol City stepped it up. We were expecting the draw until Big Chris did his stuff.

Then the challenge of finding my way back to the station in time for the last train. There were buses lined up behind the ground - one of which went back to the station. Despite what seemed like an agonising delay in getting away, we made it back to Temple Meads station. There were some slight problems with the trains, but it eventually came and we made it back to London after 12.30am. With the hotel in Paddington booked and just around the corner, It was a quick beer and bed. Dtraight to work in the morning.

Happy days!

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Bristol bound

With train tickets and hotel booked, it's off to Bristol tomorrow. With fresh enthusiasm from Saturday's win maybe we can be a little more optimistic. Not too optimistic though!

The convoluted arrangements have been made - see earlier post. Following this game I'll be sorting out details for the Preston game. I fly out to Canada on Sunday and get back to Heathrow at 7.00am on the day of the Preston game. Theoretically it's all possible, but right now I'm not sure how I'll be getting up for the game. Still, plenty of time to sort that out after Bristol. The main challenge right now is to find the route from the ground back to te station to catch the last train back to London.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

We've only got ten men

This is what away games are about. Today is the reason we travel the length and breadth of the country. They don't work out like this very often, but when they do they are memorable.

We set off at about 11.00. Toby and his Basildon boys were already on the road. Jane - the trusty sat-nav suggested two hour delays on the M3. Radio reports confirmed the motorway had indeed been closed. Fortunately we were able to take the A3, and head for the park and ride, just off junction 8 of the M27. I don't know how others got on, but it didn't really affect our journey.

Overall the Park and Ride was a good experience, but somehow I wasn't expecting it to cost a fiver. The woman taking the money on the gate said other people had complained about that. Maybe it's because it doesn't say anything on the ticket! But we paid and parked up and got one of several buses waiting. We were droppped off at the ground fifteen minutes later. Half past one. Plenty of time for a couple of beers. We followed signs to the city centre and came across the Plume of Feathers. They had a little portable telly showing the live game and free food so we stayed a while. There were a reasonable number of Addicks already there, but as the pub filled up the atmosphere seemed to change. A glance outside showed there were large groups outside the pub. It's no fun being ambushed in a pub, so we made our way outside. There was a considerable police presence outside using video cameras. Nothing happened while we were there, but there was definitely potential for it.

The threat of trouble seemed to carry into the ground, and there was a commotion at the top of our stand. Typically heavy handed, the stewards made a meal of it and it took four of them to get a young teenager out. There's no way of knowing the justification of their actions, but you can't help there's other ways to defuse the situation rather than inflame it.

After the game the coaches and buses were lined up waiting and as soon as the first Park and Ride bus was full, it left. No hanging around for the coaches. We were escorted away and back to the cars within fifteen minutes. Five minutes later we were back on the motorway - indoors before half past seven. My first experience of such a scheme, and one I'll certainly repeat.

But it was the bit in between that made it special.

We were bright enough and certainly equal to Southampton. But yet again a refereeing performance overshadowed the football. It was always on the cards that someone would be sent off and Semedo was the one to go. With over half the game still to play with only ten men, the prospects looked bleak. But our formation meant that we coped well and definitely gave as good as we got. And we were rewarded for our adventurous play with an injury time goal. If you are going to win 1-0, that's the way to do it. Players and supporters were ecstatic. But even when scoring a goal the ref found something to book Mootoo for. Idiot.

It's a good weekend. A very good weekend!

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Park 'n' ride Saints

One of the conditions of Charlton's return to The Valley was that the club introduced a park and ride scheme. A condition that was never implemented. Mind you, there was a lot of talk of a bowling alley as part of the proposed complexat The Valley, and thankfully that didn't happen either. But since those dark days for Charlton, a lot of clubs have introduced park and ride schemes. Southampton at their St Mary's stadium are one such club. And Saturday may well be the first time I experience wonders of such a scheme. Usually when I go with the old man by car we ignore them, assuming we'll get a good spot to park near the ground anyway.

But on our last trip to St Marys we drove around the warehouses and industrial park near the ground, couldn't find anywhere and ended up in a car park near the station. Now that was OK in daylight, but after the game in the dark and a 30 minute walk via a 'short cut', we couldn't find the car park let alone the car. And when we did, we still got caught in a snarl up getting away from the town.

No, this time we are seriously considering the park and ride scheme and wondering whether this should have been the future for Charlton.

Despite the past three results it seems we have around 2,000 Addicks going to the game on Saturday. Not sure why it's such a popular place to go. OK, it's not too far, but it's much the same type of ground as many others - Stoke, Hull, Coventry, Derby etc. For me it keeps the run going. The aim is to go to every game this season. Whilst there are more challenging places to go, it's not easy to muster the enthusiasm to go anywhere after three consecutive defeats. So full credit to those that are going. Let's hope we can get behind the team and help turn it all round again.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

West Country sorted

It's alright if you live conveniently in south London or Kent, getting to and from these midweek away games is difficult, but possible. If you drive, it's that bit easier still. But if you live in Essex and don't drive, then the midweek away games are a definite challenge. Not for the first time this season I've spent a lot of the day checking out the possibilities for the game against Bristol City on Tuesday week.

The first away game this season in the cup at Swindon, presented a similar challenge and I resolved this by staying in a Travel Lodge. On that occasion my girlfriend was over from Canada and I treated her to a night out at the County Ground. It all worked well, got there by train, saw us win, and came back the following day. I spoil her.

But the fundamental problem is that there is no way home on the night of the game. The train home after the Bristol City game gets back to Paddington at 12.30am which means that I can't get a connection across London to Essex. The coaches will drop off in south London with no way of getting home from there either.

So yesterday I considered the options. All of which mean staying overnight somewhere. Having checked out the hotels in the Bristol area it looked like it was going to be an expensive away day. But assuming I can get back to Bristol Temple Meads station by 10.30, I can get that last train to Paddington and have now booked a hotel room in Paddington. This at least means I can get in to work at a reasonable time and not take too much time off work.

Does anybody know the best and quickest way to get to and from Temple Meads? It's my first time in Bristol!

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Charlton 0 QPR 1

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what has gone wrong. Eight days ago we were looking forward to a clash against Wolves. But we have lost three games in a week - two of them at home. And this latest defeat was against the bottom club that have not won away all season.

We can't just shrug this defeat off and say QPR were lucky. It was us that were lucky! They missed a penalty and several golden chances. I'm not sure their keeper had a proper save to make. And it is difficult to know where the problem is. Basey made a good debut, Lloyd Sam looked lively going forward, and Mills was his usual hard working self. But everything else was lack lustre. And that includes the crowd. Several people near me - not the usual die hards - commented they had never heard the crowd so quiet.

Because we lost at Luton, we don't have a game in the cup this week. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing for a league aspirations. Perhaps it gives us supporters time to dust ourselves down and gear ourselves up for a trip to Southampton next week.

Yet Saturday started off so well. Getting to The Valley from Essex is quick and easy, and relatively cheap. Having left home at 10.30, I had bought tickets, programme and a pint in the Horse and Groom by 11.40. Even managed to see the Crossbar Challenge on Soccer AM in the pub. Perhaps we should have stayed in the pub.

But the pupose of this blog is to provide a record of a season where I get to every game home and away. I knew there would be some logistical problems - and Britol City is providing the first major obstacle - but I hadn't fully appreciated the drain on motivation after three consecutive defeats.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Hoops!

The thing about this league is that you don't normally have too long to wait until the next game. With two previous defeats, this next one against the 'superhoops' from Loftus Road, the game really can't come quick enough. QPR have a new, albeit possibly temporararily appointed, man in charge, so it's difficult to know how this one will go. But we need the win against a team in the bottom three.

Hopefully Charlton fans are not that fickle that we'll be calling for the manager's head if we lose. But getting the win is pretty important if we are to challenge at the top.

This game's on Sky so it's an early kick off. That always screws with the pre-match routine. Probably time for a quick pint either in the Horse and Groom or the re-opened Oak. I also need to pick up tickets for Bristol City away at some stage. I might be going to that one on my own, and still have to sort out travel.

I don't want to tempt fate with a prediction for Saturday. We just need to win!

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Charlton 1 Plymouth 2

Sometimes it takes a while to muster up the enthusiasm to record thoughts after a second consecutive defeat, and our first defeat at home. This is one of those times. But even immediately after the final whistle I had to recognise that Plymouth probably deserved the win. Ok they didn't construct too many chances, but then I don't remember their keeper having too many saves to make. The lasting impression was that Plymouth were up for it and prepared to have a go. Yes, it became a bit feisty, and yes it was one of the worst refereeing performances we have seen for a long time - even in this division. But let's be honest, Plymouth were prepared to work hard and at all stages of the game were prepared to commit numbers going forward. And for that I think they probably just deserved the win.

Having been to Hull earlier this month, I recognise the pleasure the 1,000 plus fans must have felt as they made their way home. The fact that some of them were on the platform at West Ham station waiting to go 'home' to Essex just shows that there are always loads of exiles living in the South East and able to get to even mid week games. Maybe that explains why the Jimmy Seed stand had over 1,000 Plymouth fans, yet at Hull we had a couple of hundred.

Away from the actual match there are always other issues to concern the average Addick - if there is such a thing. On other blogs and websites a number of people have been concerned that they don't get the bottle top when they get a soft drink. Some clubs provide them but we don't apparently. But in the East Stand we do! Not from the official concession places, but from the independent van selling burgers and soft drinks. Waiting for my delicious burger, I witnessed people getting bottles of water and coke with the tops left on. This is a major inconsistency! So if the top is important to you, avoid the official sellers and go to the burger van!

Chant of the game from thePlymouth supporters after Toddy got booked: "You dirty northern bastards".

Up The Addicks!

Robin

An expensive night

Whilst we may welcome the chance to get get back on track at home against Plymouth on Tuesday, we should perhaps spare a thought for Plymouth supporters. Having done a long distance midweek trip to Hull recently I can empathise with any loyal Argyle fans coming up to London for this game. It ain't cheap when you consider the time off work, fares, food, beer and match day ticket. I know! Let's just hope it's an expensive and miserable day out for them and we get three points.

I'm not sure how much we have in common with Plymouth, except that a few years ago we swapped commercial managers with them. It was all recorded for a documentary on TV. We got a modest, mild mannered chap; they got our Steve Sutherland who endeared himself to the locals by declaring 'I don't make tea'. Unsurprisingly they wouldn't do a premanent deal, and sent our bloke back at the end of it all. It was all amiable stuff which presumably allowed us to forge a few bonds. Not exactly a tie up with Inter Milan, but harmless enough.

However that will all change if we don't get anything out of the game on Tuesday. We've played eleven games now and struggled against the teams just below us. Plymouth fall into that category. It's time to step it up a gear.

As for me, I'll be going to the game straight from work in central London. We'll probably meet up in the Horse and Groom, though the Royal Oak should be opening soon. Might have a look in there if I get there early enough. I see tickets for the next couple of away games are now on sale, so might pop round the ticket office for the Southampton tickets before the game. Best to do it before Tuesday's game as it always seems that much harder to muster enthusiasm if we don't get a win.

But of course we will win. Won't we?

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Wolves 2 Charlton 0

Charlton have made enormous progress on a number of fronts over recent years, including in the ticket office. Many Essex supporters use 'Fiddler' to get their tickets, which saves us all having to try to get through to the ticket office, and what used to be hours on the phone. But the ticket office answer the phone much quicker these days and are far more efficient.

That's probably the reason that I didn't check the four tickets I bought from the ticket office last week. We hadn't been sure how many of us were going to Wolves so were later than usual in getting tickets. I bought them at the ticket office - three adults and a junior. It was only when we were sorting the tickets out on the way up to Molineaux that we realised that two tickets were in a different block. We wondered whether they might somehow end up being close to each other, but no. Two seats were some way from the other two. Is it too much for the ticket office to get a request for four tickets all seated together? It wasn't the end of the world, but it's so simple to get right that it is bloody irritating.

Having had two weeks to look forward to it, the game was disappointing. We did OK in the first half without ever showing a cutting edge. Scoring straight after half time meant that Wolves were in the driving seat and we never really looked like getting back into it. We're getting a bit careless with our full backs now as well. Apparently we didn't have anyone in the treatment room a few weeks back. So where are Mootu, Sankofa, Thatcher and Gibbs (he had another injury last week)? And now Powell's injured.

Whilst I like the ground, Molineaux still doesn't have pleasant memories for me. We left yesterday at 11.00 and arrived at 2.00. Not too bad considering the state of the motorways. But it took nearly an hour to get out of the town, arriving back at 8.00 - just as the egg chasing final started. At least we don't have to wait too long for the next game and to get this one out of our system.

Molineaux

I've been to Wolves a few times over the years. The first occasion was when we took about 8,000 up for an FA Cup tie. I was young and went by coach. But Southend and West Ham were also playing in the Midlands and in the mid 1970s it kicked off big style on the motorway service stations. Southend were also in the cup and took a few thousand to their game, so the service stations were like war zones. We lost the game and the day was yet another anti-climax.

I went up a few weeks later for a league game with just a few hundred supporters, and this time were ambushed by Wolves supporters. Not a happy ground.

Then in the early 1990s I went to a midweek game (0 - 0 I think) and couldn't believe the transformation in the ground. We had decent seats, under cover, along the side of the pitch. Like Charlton, Wolves are one of the few grounds that have been rebuilt on the same site. All quite impressive. Mind you, at £27 a ticket it wants to be.

For this game we're going by car. Tony has a bus full of Essex Addicks going from Grays (he might still have a bit of space left though). We considered the train, but ruled it out on the basis of cost. Toby's still at school and might have found it a financial strain as well. So we spoke to the Old Man who didn't take much persuading to drive us up there. So we'll set off late morning up the M40 or M1 / M6 - not sure which yet. Some of the pubs are a bit dodgy, so we'll take suggestions as to where to drink. Tony normally sorts out a Conservative Club or CIU affiliated club, so may give him a call en route.

As for the game it may depend on how fit Reidy is. It's frightening how much we depend on him for our creative play. If we're up for it and take the game to Wolves I think we can get something, but as I've never seen us win there, the normal Charlton pessimism kicks in. It'll be interesting to see how we perform after the international break though.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Highlights

It makes a pleasant change to scan the league table from the top when looking at our position, rather than from the bottom. It's early days and all that, but it's good to be at the top rather than the bottom. It bothers me that the club is advertising our games as promotion clashes and us as title contenders. Of course we want that to be the case, but I just fear this could be setting us up as a fall. We mustn't regard ourselves as a premier league team waiting to get back where we belong. Other clubs and their supporters have been that arrogant in the past and fell on their arse. Nottingham Forest in particular spring to mind.

This season we have a team of new players many haven't played in the premier league, and most weren't with us last season. These players may have the ability but it is gratifying that they realise they have to work hard to impose themselves. After the first few games I think they started to realise this and by and large the results have come. And none better than result at Palace.

We travelled in from Essex and met up at London Bridge for that game. A few beers later and we crammed onto the fast train to Selhurst. The tardis-type toilet proved popular on the 15 minute journey. Why are they so big on trains these days? It's always entertaining to see how many people fail to understand the instructions to lock the door. Not always pleasant, but entertaining.

Walking up from Norwood Junction I remembered how much I really hate everything about the place. The area, their fans, the ground, the Arthur Waite stand, and their chairman. I had to remind myself that, a bit like the sorting hat in Harry Potter, the club chooses you - you don't choose your club. These Palace fans can't help it.

The ground hasn't changed since I was last there. It's still dangerously cramped behind the stand. The view is dreadful and there's no way you're able to sit and watch the game even if you wanted to. You're on your feet the whole time. Apart from our exile years, I always remember the FA Cup replay back in 1970 when we beat them 2-0 and Charlie Wright was chaired off the pitch by Charlton supporters. It was quite a memorable first experience of Selhurst Park.

And this game provided another highlight. Without ever hitting the heights, the team worked hard for the result and we need that level of effort for the rest of the season. Some teams in this league may have limited ability, but we're still going to have to work hard to overcome them. So it was with Palace. The first away win I have seen in two years couldn't have come at a better time or place.

The euphoric celebrations were tempered slightly as we made our way back to the station. Two sets of supporters mixed in a tense atmosphere outside the ground. It wouldn't have taken much for it all to kick off and I'm not sure the police were that well organised to contain it. Fotunately there were no serious incidents on the way back to the station, but it seems there werer elsewhere.

Back home via London Bridge and a few more beers and it was a quite satisfying three points. Lets hope we have a few more such highlights over the rest of the season.

Time out

With 13 games played, roughly a quarter of the season gone, and an international break ahead, it's probably a good time to take time out and review our progress so far.

From the team's point of view we've only lost one game over 90 minutes, and given the team were a bunch of strangers at the start of the season have done really well to get to second place in the league. You'd hope that the team will continue to gel and get better. If that is the case then the signs are good. The highlights for me have been beating Palace again, the result at Hull, and the first 30 minutes against Norwich when they hardly got into our half of the pitch. More of the Palace game in a later post.

But the main reason for this blog is to chart the progress of Robin Rance, who aims to go to every single game this season. Some people want to conquer Everest, others want to go round the world, but Robin has more limited horizons. Every game in a complete season is the limit of Robin's ambitions. Robin usually comes away from a game ranting about something or other, and I'm helping him record his thoughts.

The next quarter of the season will provide Robin with some of his biggest challenges. A couple of midweek away games where there is no obvious means of getting to the game and home again afterwards. His meagre salary means that he might be stretched here. But perhaps his biggest challenge will be to take a two week visit to his girl in Canada and not miss a game. Currently he is due to get back to Heathrow on the day of the Preston game. Obligingly Preston have delayed the kick off, but it's going to be tight. We'll have to see if he makes it - and how he makes it.

Over the next few days Robin will be recounting his escapades at the earlier games that have not yet been recorded on this blog.

More beer

Upminster or Basildon to Charlton can take as little as 45 minutes by train. Even with moderate waits for connections, it rarely takes much more than an hour. Despite the crowds coming away from The Valley you can even get home, usually in about an hour. In fact for the Norwich game we were home an in the local pub by ten to six. But not tonight. Road works, congestion and hanging around for trains meant we didn't get home until nearly 7.00. Coming home is never a problem if we've won, but today felt like a loss. General concensus from the homebound Essex crowd was that we did all right but should have sown the game up long before the end.

Again, I thought we looked a classy side and knocked it about well. But that's no good unless we penetrate the opposition. And we didn't do that enough today. Even so Barnsley's late equaliser made it feel like a defeat. And they could, maybe should have won with a golden chance at the end. Barnsley were amongst the better teams we've played this season and they will argue were worth the point.

With the international break coming up it will give us time to take stock and assess our chances for the rest of the season. But the signs are promising.

Four of us met in the Horse and Groom today before the game to lubricate the vocal chords and watch the early game. There was some dispute as to whether the egg chasing should take priority on the TV, but thankfully the Man U Wigan game won through. During the pre match 'entertainment' we discussed the options for getting to Wolves. The train looks favourite but we'll have to see what the costs are. Tony's bus is an option apparently as there's a few going from Essex.

Before the match a man with lots of bottles of Fosters on his back was found wandering around the back of the East Stand. Come half time when you want a beer, this bloke was nowhere to be seen. Someone should have a word about his promotional techniques. People have been known to die of thirst waiting to be served at the kiosks, so this bloke could do a roaring trade if we could find him!

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Result!

True to their word Charlton appealed against Lloyd Sam's sending off. Predictably the authorities backed their boy and imposed the three game ban. In their appeal Charlton pointed out that fame by frame the video evidence proved that Lloyd was not the aggressor, and the view of the referee and assistant was blocked. But like a proud parent defending their child, so the authorities ignored the evidence and stood by their boy. Maybe Charlton would have more success if they didn't point out so starkly that the referee was 'wrong'. Nobody likes to be wrong, so using softer language might be a better option.

But at least it wasn't frivolous! That in itself was a result.

Another result today was the manager of the month award. Pardew came second so we won't have the curse that comes with that award.

So we have to make our first change to the team line up for three matches. With Jerome Thomas coming on as sub at Hull it could be a straightforward replacement. But the signs are there that the team are beginning to gel. Arguably we have played some of the smaller and lesser teams in this league - Palace fall into both these categories - and beaten them. Barnsley may provide a tougher challenge though and are on a good run. I wouldn't be surprised if we struggle against them. Hopefully even a point will keep us in the top two.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Hull 1 Charlton 2

I don't know if Danny Mills is a nice bloke off the pitch, but on it he can be a nasty piece of work. Kicking the ball out after an injury stoppage rather than give it back to the keeper riled the home fans. His time at Leeds didn't endear him to the locals either. And his no compromise attitude to tackling always causes explosive incidents. But because he's 'ours' it's OK. Because he plays in Charlton red we'll forgive him and get right behind him. Last night Danny was never far from the rough stuff, but there was one particular incident at Hull that suggested he's not alone in the Charlton side.

Challenging him as No 1 thug was young, home grown Lloyd Sam. Off the pitch young Lloyd seems a nice, affable chap. But last night he showed the other side to him. Torturing the Hull defence again he put his legs in the way of captain Ashbee's studs. Then he attacked Ashbee's boots with his body and hit Ashbee's hands with his throat. He then had the audacity to grapple with Ashbee, bringing Mills and Co into an '18 man melee'. From where we were at the other end of the ground it looked like the usual huffing and puffing, but clearly Lloyd Sam had to go. It seems that Danny Mills has a challenger.

Apparently we're going to appeal. Haven't we learned our lesson? This is bound to be another frivolous appeal and our new mean machine will be out for four games. Maybe it'll create an opening for mild mannered Ben Thatcher!

The game itself was a tepid affair for 40 minutes and we scored from our first real bit of pressure. It was difficult to see from the other end, but the ref could easily have given a free kick to the goalkeeper - they usually do if the keeper drops the ball under pressure. But the goal, and then the fracas, certainly livened things up. In the second half we knocked it about nicely and seemed to play on the break. We certainly improved, and ZZ held the ball up nicely for big Chris to seal it at 2-0. Except it didn't seal it up. Hull pulled a goal back and it was typical Charlton. We let a comfortable result turn into blind panic. There were stoppages and injuries galore, but we held on. In fact we didn't realise the final whistle had blown because we had someone being treated for injury at the time. Buut it was a good game to win and made the journey home seem that more palatable.

As for the journey, we went via a working day in Sheffield, so we got there in good time. Except that accidents and a bloody fair meant that it took about an hour to get parked. We settled for the hospital car park, about ten minutes walk. It took ages to get away and we hit the road at about 10.15pm. We passed the two Redwing coaches near Lincoln and were indoors before 1.30am. Apparently the coaches got back at 3.00am.

The KC stadium was fine beer and a variety of pies on offer. And they sell their soft drinks in bottles - with the tops left on. There were no incidents as a result of the Fanta bottle top being left on which begs the question - why can't we have bottle tops at The Valley!

A good night out. I've never seen us lose away at Hull (3-0 and 0-0 previously). Roll on the Tykes on Saturday.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Chant of the night: 'That's why we're going up, that's why we're...' after we scored at our first attempt on goal after 40 minutes.

Up North again

Another purpose built stadium that I've not been to before. They all begin to look the same after you've been to a few of them. But arrangements for getting to this one has taken a bit of planning.


The first thing is that I need to take a day's holiday. That can't be avoided. The next is to work out how I'm going to travel. Fortunately the old man has fixed a business meeting for somewhere in Sheffield earlier that day. He's happy to take me up there if I can get up at 6.00am. This means travelling up the M1 and getting to Sheffield late morning.


Fortunately for me I know a few people in Sheffield so have arranged to meet them over a few beers at lunch time. After that there'll be a bit of waiting around before driving over to Hull later in the afternoon. There's no prospect of extra time for this evening kick off - unlike Luton last week. So if we get away quickly we can get back about 1.30am.


Not surprisingly Tony's not taking people up there in the bus, so it'll be a low turnout. Kim's going up by coach and staying over with other Essex CASC members - in Bexleyheath! I expect there may be a few others catching a coach. Pity we don't command enough support to warrant a pick up from Essex any more. We tried it for a year, but it didn't work out.

So another new ground and bleary eyes in the morning. At this stage I'm planning to go to work on Wednesday, but we'll see.

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

What's a Ricoh?

Had this one planned for some time now. And there promises to be a good turnout of Addicks up at Coventry. Sold over 1200 tickets last time I heard. Tony's taking his bus up from Grays so there'll be a few Essex based supporters there. Tony often organises an overnight stay, but Coventry isn't far enough for that. There and back in a day. Still got a few spaces in the bus if anybody wants to go with him.

As for me, I'm off with Matt and Toby by train. We're booked on the 9.30 from Euston so it'll be an early start. Time for a few beers in Coventry before getting the bus to the Ricoh. Is Ricoh the name of a sponsor? What's a Ricoh? It makes me wonder how effective sponsorship is if we don't know what a Ricoh is. Somebody must know.

I went to the old Highfield Road a few times with some mixed results. The first time was a memorable FA Cup tie back in 1970. Lost 3-0, but it was one of my first away games outside London so I remember it for that. But the Ricoh is a first for me.

Tony usually gets the parking sorted out beforehand. It's either a local Conservative Club or he'll have sorted something out with the football club. Apparently it's not far from junction 3 on the M6. The Addickted site usually provides tips for getting there and where to park and drink. If not the Football Grounds site is worth a visit.

With Dowie getting a result at Man U the other night, the game should be a bit spicy. I think we're good for a 1-1 draw. Let's hope we're a bit better than the other night.

Up The Addicks!

Robin

Luton 3 Charlton 1

There was something inevitable about this one. I rushed away from work to meet up with the Old Man and Kim, so we hit the road just after 5.00pm. It should only take an hour, but overturned cars and road works meant that we were parking up at 7.30pm.

There must have been around 800 Charlton supporters in the 4,500 crowd. It should have been a stroll going one up in the first few minutes. But to be fair, Luton wanted it more than our reserves. They were first to the ball, and although we had some good chances in the first half, Luton ended up deserved winners.

Despite the extra time, road works on the M25, and a burned out lorry, we were home by half past eleven. Another League Cup campaign over for another year.

Up The Addicks!

Robin