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