Five Years On...

Almost exactly 5 years ago Charlton played Cardiff under the lights at The Valley, winning by an impressive 3-0 scorline after two first half goals from Sam Sodje and Chris Iwelumo plus another in the second half from Zheng Zhi. Pardew purred in typical smarmy fashion after the game as Charlton moved up into an automatic promotion position and Cardiff's then-manager, Dave Jones, lamented that they were "all in it together" following yet another disappointing result. Only goal difference kept Cardiff out of the relegation zone after that defeat. How the roles have been reversed since then? Ironically, Charlton could be the ones heading for the relegation zone after 90 mins tomorrow.  

 

I remember that night fondly as I won nearly £800 after correctly predicting the first goal scorer and final score! I'm no gambler, and I placed the bet on a whim with small change in my pocket.

 

How I'd love a repeat of that night tomorrow when table-topping Cardiff visit the Valley once again!

 

Last Saturday was always going to be tough against an in-form Boro, but after a decent enough 30 mins in which we took the lead, Charlton steadily fell apart, handing possession away far too freely with unforced errors and poor desision-making that cost us dearly against an impressive looking Boro. We have the sort of injury list that would hurt any team in any division, but we are looking strangely disorganised and seriously low on quality and confidence at the moment, which is a big worry. The league table does not look good despite some recent encouraging away performances and I can't recall a time when Charlton so desperately need a home win to halt the decline. Powell's lack of experience as a manager shows sometimes, but he will need to find a system that can grind out results with the players that are available to him now.

 

One things for sure, unlike the idiots calling for his head, I remain with the majority of fair-minded Addicks that are 100% behind Sir Chris and his ability to turn this poor form around.

 

I was due to take my 6 year old lad for what would have been only his second ever Charlton game on Saturday, but the grim weather and the lure of watching Madagascar 3 at the cinema with his sister and Nan meant I sensed his heart wasn't in it and I made a late substitution with my Mum coming along instead. I was gutted my boy didn't seem up for it, but I'm not going to force him. Probably for the best given the result. My Mum has seen enough dark times to not give up.

 

I've said so many times that The Valley under floodlights is a magical place and we need it to be tomorrow night. It's still a bit early for sleepless nights but I'd swap a large win at the bookies for 3 points for Charlton.  Come on you Addicks!