Ref should really have consulted VAR twice if not three times. Especially when TC got smashed in the face with an outstretched arm. Then we lose the ref for 10 minutes because his VAR audio wasn't working... Was that all game?
So happy now that we've won, but that was such a tense, nervy affair that I couldn't say I enjoyed it at all. Apart maybe for the five minutes after the goal, and maybe from about thirty seconds before the ref blew the final whistle. And it felt so different from 2019, perhaps because we were favourites to win, but mainly I think because we've just endured five miserable years in League One, which has seen the club's standing diminished, especially when compared to our south London neighbours; and losing out today would have been a crushing blow. There was so much at stake today. Right from the start you could tell that it wasn't going to be a classic, and the atmosphere never reached the levels of the Valley semi second leg imho, but today was all about winning. I never had to drop a beta blocker, which I'm supposed to do if the heart rate goes too high 😂 I also couldn't believe that the entire row behind us was empty. We were in the second tier, just below the hospitality boxes. They have their own seating, but the row below their area was deserted, as far as the eye could see.
There were also empty blocks in the upper tiers, up the Orient end. You could see where they separated the sold seats from the unsold areas. There should be some sort of investigation in the why there were so many empty areas when there seemed to be so many Charlton fans unable to buy tickets. But I had a nice surprise after the match. I thought I'd only backed us for auto promotion, but discovered I'd also backed us for promotion full stop. And I'd also forgotten that I'd backed Macca to score anytime. The game itself doesn't really need analysis. We did what it took to win the game, and little more. Haven't seen a replay of the goal yet, but it looked like a solid strike. I had a premonition he'd score from a free kick. The defense was excellent again, and Ramsay pulled off one of his blocks in the first half when we were under a bit of pressure. Jones won so much in the air, Edwards was solid, and Gillesphey had a very good game again. And it was amazing to see the players mingling with the fans on Wembley way after the game. Shook Lloydy's hand and said thank you, and had a pic with Mannion (who had a great game, catching everything!) It all felt a bit surreal, so soon after such an important match. My overriding feeling now is relief rather than joy. There's a lot of work to be done before the next Championship season starts on the 8th August. Much as I love this team, I wonder how many of them will be in the starting line up on that day.
I was in level 2 row 15, and the row behind ,16 was empty. Looks like the Wembley policy was not to sell the seats immediately below the hospitality boxes. Wish I could say I did not have to take my beta blocker, but popped 2.5mg tablet.
For those saying TC didn’t show up, without him we don’t win the free kick for the goal
Or we have someone that doesn't go to ground on every tackle or confuse themselves when running at the full back, or check their run when they've got the opportunity to run at goal if they keep their sprint going.
Just backpedalling a touch here but we also have to remember the ages of Small and TC, not at the races today really, but they're young and stepping up a level might just be what is needed for them to shine.
Three edgey playoff games however no goals conceded across those three game. Fantastic defensive effort to be admired even if not pleasing on the eye Poor game this one but relatively even imo, neither team really created much. The one bit of quality in the game won it.
. TBH we’ve been spoilt in the previous two playoff finals with high drama.
This one less so but whatever way you do it, it’s the same result. Enjoy it and let’s hope we give the championship a good go.
Really sorry to be petty but, I really hope Dan Agyei enjoyed doing the Mendonca celebration in the pointless cup game earlier in the season, didn’t really work out for him since
Had time to reflect & all I can say is.. ...you can't beat a clean sheet win 😀
Thought it was an even game. Yes, they came into it late on the 2nd half but only because we knew we could see it out. Lloyd Jones is head & shoulders our best centre half & he won all the headers he need to. If I was an Orient fan I'd be disappointed - they had a lot of the ball but did very little with it.
Imo the best team won because we scored & they didn't. And ultimately that is the name of the game.
PWR - I guess I would be lying if I thought it be so easy but our defence totally schooled the free flowing attack of Orient. Now I need to get back to my celebratory beer.COYR!!!!
Brilliant day. Amazing support. Fantastic result. Once we went ahead I just knew we'd hold on to win, even if it was nervy at times. We just defend so brilliantly and don't lose when we go ahead.
How many headers did Jones win today? 400? Mannion was in complete control of his box all game. We kept Orient’s excellent attacking players at bay all game and limited them to shots outside the box.
We didn't play the best football by a long shot but we did what we had to do.
Managed to get over to where my dad was sat to celebrate at the end of the game which was superb. So nice to share a moment like that after the absolutely shit few years he's had.
More emotional after this game than in 98 and 19, not sure why. Nathan Jones is the absolute nuts. On train to Taunton now and hope I don’t wake up in Plymouth 🤷♂️
Fate worse than death to wake up in Plumerff, mate 😆
There were a lot of unhappy fans at the ticket office after kick-off. I bought eight tickets, seven of us went in, and then the scanner told me that my ticket had already been scanned. I tried every ticket I bought, still couldn't get in. Had to run to the ticket office where there was a big queue with everyone having the same problem. People were being told that if their tickets were already scanned, there was nothing that could be done. Saw a lot of families going home devastated. Somehow, I got lucky, and the guy printed me a new ticket. (So obviously they hadn't all been scanned). I missed the first 30 minutes, but was pretty sure I wasn't going to get in at all!
On train home to Suffolk now… so pleased we’re back up to championship…… what a brilliant day…… finished it in weatherspoons next to Baker Street with great singing and loads of charlton…… playoffs next season…. why not 🤷♂️ But let’s just finish enjoying the day first…… 😄
Couldn’t sleep last night, was up at 3am, just got home, knackered, but who cares! Football was clean sheet all day long, met CAFC fans from all over the world again and chatted to a fair few Orient fans, who were all Tottenham, West Ham and a bunch of Millwall in their mates box.
What a day, Son is so pleased and already working out next seasons matches Thank god for my lucky pants, back in to storage for the next time
Really sorry to be petty but, I really hope Dan Agyei enjoyed doing the Mendonca celebration in the pointless cup game earlier in the season, didn’t really work out for him since
The only game that matters is the game that matters DDOUBLEE, it mattered today for sure.
Winning was all that mattered. Jones made sure a football game didn’t break out & Orient were too powderpuff to do anything about it! I was expecting a 5 goal thriller!! 🤦🏻♂️
Comments
Wish I could say I did not have to take my beta blocker, but popped 2.5mg tablet.
COYR!! 💪🏻💪🏻
Poor game this one but relatively even imo, neither team really created much. The one bit of quality in the game won it.
So glad we won, momentum is with us and we have to capitalise.
For all the new fancy talk in football of XG, possession and whatever else, there is only one statistic that counts at the end of a match.
On the train back to Cornwall, Exeter behind us and just running along the sea wall at Dawlish.
Hope to be back home soon after 10pm.
It's been a long weekend - but we did it! 😊
COYR!
Had time to reflect & all I can say is.. ...you can't beat a clean sheet win 😀
Thought it was an even game. Yes, they came into it late on the 2nd half but only because we knew we could see it out. Lloyd Jones is head & shoulders our best centre half & he won all the headers he need to. If I was an Orient fan I'd be disappointed - they had a lot of the ball but did very little with it.
Imo the best team won because we scored & they didn't. And ultimately that is the name of the game.
closest efforts were from deflections.
Who gives a flying eff. Hard work was done before that.
Our defence though. Surely the best we've had in a very very long time. So solid and structured.
How many headers did Jones win today? 400? Mannion was in complete control of his box all game. We kept Orient’s excellent attacking players at bay all game and limited them to shots outside the box.
We didn't play the best football by a long shot but we did what we had to do.
Managed to get over to where my dad was sat to celebrate at the end of the game which was superb. So nice to share a moment like that after the absolutely shit few years he's had.
What a day!
Believe me I know!
3 Play-Off games no goals conceded. COYR !!
Football was clean sheet all day long, met CAFC fans from all over the world again and chatted to a fair few Orient fans, who were all Tottenham, West Ham and a bunch of Millwall in their mates box.
Thank god for my lucky pants, back in to storage for the next time