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