"I know that there are two stories from today's game and I want only to be involved in the sporting one, but we really felt that the fans were pushing us today for the whole 90 minutes" - Jose Riga
It might well be delaying the inevitable, but in a season as woeful as ours, Teixeira's stoppage time winner was rightfully celebrated as if it was the goal that kept us up. And it did matter; regardless of whether it realistically gives us any sensible cause to hope. We, as fans, deserve those all-too-rare moments of delirium. After the game Charlton's other goal scorer, Gudmundsson, stated on Twitter 'what a win this could be for us'. Could being the operative word. Charlton's attempts to pull themselves clear of danger, if judged on an upturn in form and commitment alone, would be encouraging, perhaps even worth getting excited about. Regrettably, determining our own fate seems a million miles away, and requires the collapse of two out of MK Dons, Fulham or Rotherham.
I just can't see it happening, even if we won all of our remaining games. It's the hope that kills you...
Before an actual Charlton goal had been scored, Addicks metaphorically scored one themselves with another well-executed and well-supported protest. Well played CARD. For nearly 5 minutes the ref was forced to stop the game so ground staff, stewards and even the players themselves could clear away hundreds of small foam stress balls from the pitch. I found this excellent video below of the entire event courtesy of Cameron Walker.
My own view of the protest action can be found here.
Special mention to the older chap in the East who very deliberately returned the match ball as slow and carefully as he could after catching it in the crowd. Walking along the isle and down the steps, cradling the ball like a baby, he gently pushed it under the gate next to a bemused steward. His literal interpretation of the club's recent warnings against the 'throwing of any objects in the ground' was met with rapturous applause, and the chap duly lifted his cap and bowed to soak up the adulation thereafter.
A serious underlying issue it might be, but thankfully humour and no small amount of irony have featured heavily in these on-going protests.
Once again, Katrien, I urge you to take a long hard look at any footage you can find of the 'disruption' yesterday (including the 'excellent CCTV' you boast about in this recent threat statement) . This is not the work of a few young and impressionable lost sheep following the flock. No, the demographic is across the board; young and old, established fans and would-be next generation.
You have managed to upset everyone.
Let's hope that another delayed 'inevitable' is the departure of Meire and Duchatelet. Quite how either see a future at a club they have destroyed in such inglorious fashion in little over two years beggars belief.
Poor old Birmingham (did I really just write that?) who have the very unwelcome distinction of being the only club Charlton will have completed the double over this season. Yesterday's victory coming after a one-zero reverse last November. On to Ipswich on Tuesday night. Bizarrely, I'm very tempted to make the trip. It's a ground I've always enjoyed going to, despite our mixed fortunes there. Nothing short of a win will be enough, but if Riga is brave, then just maybe...
OK, I admit, no matter how unlikely it is, I am dreaming of a miracle! Despite what Roland thinks, I don't want this club to fail.
No comments:
Post a Comment