Got back from Swansea last night and just have not had the energy after a completely manic weekend. After being up at 5 to leave Dartford (sorry for waking you Medders...) I literally didn’t sleep for 23 hours.
Going back to my old uni haunt was a bit weird - nothing has changed in the four and a half years since I left apart from all the new student birds look bloody young.
Had a few jars in the Uplands before leaving for the ground pretty early as one of the guys I was staying with wanted an away ticket. Red Pete – you’re going to love this – I asked one of the stewards if I can get an away ticket because I ‘lost’ mine (lying is naughty kids) and he said that I can just go and buy one at the away end… (luckily a Charlton fan overheard my conversation and had a spare which he gave to us for a tenner, so if you’re reading this mate – cheers).
The Liberty Stadium is another identikit stadium but nice (it has a bloody haridressers underneath it). Got in, met porkpie and davemehmet and started cracking on the Coors (bottled beer Henry) and had another 4 or so before kick off.
On to the game…
Really was a game of two halves – that completely overran us in the first half, freekicks on the edge of the box, no retention of possession and no real chances for us – was thinking it was going to be a typical away game. The goal was a silly one to give away, a rare indecisive moment from Murty let in Dyer and Elliot had no chance.
I’ll slip in here that the ref was absolutely dire – yellow cards, left right and centre for stupid, nothing fouls.
We came out for the second half much more positive, Shelvey got more involved, Dickson seemed to run a bit more and Racon started to get hold of the mightly impressive Leon Britton in the centre. We got a bit of fortune with the goal but no more than we deserved, a Shelvey shot, the Bailey free kick and the Ambrose shot (good save I thought rather than a miss) could have won it for us, but equally they missed a few decent chances at the end, plus I thought they could have a penalty.
All in all, I think a draw was a fair result and we came back from behind really positively in the second half which was a big plus point. Hearing the other results deflated me slightly, but on the basis of this performance I can see us picking up more points than losing them – whether or not it will be enough is another matter.
I then went out and got absolutely bladdered, made 10 Welsh people sing Valley Floyd Road in a bar and then passed out at about 4.30.
Elliot – 8, made a great point blank save, couldn’t do anything about the goal. Assured performance.
Murty – 6, mistake for the goal and subbed off after a customary injury I suspect.
Wardson, 7 & 7, looked like a proper centre back pairing – dealt well with Scotland and Gomez breaking from midfield could have been damaging but they stood up well.
Youga, 5, this guy is crazy Dyer got the better of him all game and he just filled me with so much fear whenever the ball went near him
Soares, 6, never really got into the game but didn’t nothing right or wrong.
Bailey, 8, another game, another goal. Battled hard from being pushed out on the wing but he is developing there.
Racon, 7, couldn’t get close to Britton/Gomez in the first half but came into his own in the second. Not as much of an attacking threat as in previous games but with the five across the midfield his role had to change.
Spring, 6, I thought he was pretty anonymous and that’s all I have to say on that.
Shelvey, 7, first game as an official pro and he done well. Needs to work a bit on fitness/pacing himself to get a full game at a high standard but thought he linked up ok with Dickson when he could
Dickson, 7, was worried about him playing up top on his own and the first half showed this. Not sure if he ran around enough first half but made up for it in the second. Could have been put through a couple of times if not for cynical fouls.
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I had heard an awful lot of good stuff about Ward, but thought he looked a bit hesitant and flat-footed at times. Mind you, he can't exactly hide with that hairdo, can he?! I felt Youga had one of his better games - not faultless, but not any worse than Murty on the day. (Good old Matty H was our best full back!) I thought Dickson was a handful for their defence throughout the game, and he sussed the ref in the second half - if they were getting free kicks for making a meal out of the slightest contact, then he could play that game too - clever lad.
Shelvey was very impressive - the Swans fans around us thought he was an experienced 30 year old.
Best player on the pitch was Leon Britton. Shame he didn't stick to the politics ;-)
A draw was a fair result, and we had some luck right at the end with the pen appeal and their second miss of an open goal from a couple of yards out.
And how great it was to see our players and fans all applauding each other in true teamspirit at the end.
I thought the match became quite open and end to end in last 10 mins - either side could have won it, so don't feel we were overly cautious about hanging onto a point.
didn't hear any our end but I thought I heard a song about Jordan that included the words 'Maddy McCann' or were my ears deceiving me ??
Disgraceful.
Anyway - lets draw a line under that now.
Can I just clarify that this was by a text message, not WSS kicking me as he rolled out of bed...
No need to wriggle, Medders ...... everone knows you are very best friends.
;o)
Disgraceful.
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I am glad you mentioned this Glenn as I was going to mention that.
As you could see ,as I was stood next to you, I was absolutely seething at that.In 21 years of following Charlton......
Those who know me can understand why I was rather miffed.
Thankfully it was was not sung anymore after that. I was ashamed and embarassed at this obnoxious lot who were sat in the rows behind us. Anyway they represent a small minority.
I am glad he did as that episode put a right dampener on the weekend. Hope the Mumbles experience was fun.
Cracking weekend had by one and all - though Ben was a bit delicate on sunday morning and slept for most of the journey on the way home. these youngsters have no stamina :-).
Good to see you.
Well done Ben