1st half bad subsitution / never make a subsitution when defending a corner unless absolutely necessary - that didn't seem to be the case.
JJ had been out of action for several minutes already, unable to run and barely even walking. He needed to come off and it was just unfortunate that it had to be when we were defending a corner.
9 of the 10 outfield players were the same ones that started the first game of the season, Yann for Hayes the only change. Says something about consistency of selection but also the fitness of the players
9 of the 10 outfield players were the same ones that started the first game of the season, Yann for Hayes the only change. Says something about consistency of selection but also the fitness of the players
I think that was deliberate policy by SCP for the 'stalwarts' to play the last game of the season, hence Cort, Pritchard and Haynes were only on the bench. It was also notable that N'Guesan wasn't even in the 16, if it had been a crunch game he would definitely have played or taken Euell's place.
Great day with my daughter she's seen 10 games and we've won every one. We stayed behind after and she got a photo with Chris and the Trophy! she was in tears and must admit I was bit choked up myself. The whole day was brilliant and so much better than 2000 against Ipswich, thanks Chris and the Team a fantastic season.
9 of the 10 outfield players were the same ones that started the first game of the season, Yann for Hayes the only change. Says something about consistency of selection but also the fitness of the players
Yanns first instinct was to get his head on the cross but realised he wasn't going to make it and got a boot onto it to stop the ball going out or get it back into danger area. It went in and was fairly flukey. Great technique to even get to it though. He's a very very talented footballe.
Could not make the game but your pictures and videos have brought the whole event to me. Deeply emotional. You know exactly what I mean. Thanks everyone.
Caught up with my housemate Ian ( Eirik Bakke ) from Oz in the morning and went up with his family. Ian and I popped into the Lib pre game, it was only 12 ish, so it was quite quiet at that time in there, then went to the Oak. In the business club for lunch, met some great fella's there. Brilliant seat in the Lower west, stilladdicted was in the seat in front of me, great to meet you! And to top it off, there was a very beautiful woman in the seat next to me who I had a good laugh with all afternoon. Her dad has something to do with the Charlton vet's team. Stunning woman! ;-)
Pre game was superb, just couldn't stop smiling, the club put on a great show, red devils parachuting in was excellent, the whole stadium enjoyed it! Opera singing, well, it suited the occasion, and I liked the fact that the fella singing it explained that the last part of the song translated to we 'will not be defeated' I think it was, and again the whole stadium was in raptures. The lady opera singer, a sexy woman if ever I saw one! A rendition of Valley floyd road was great too!
Before a ball was kicked 'Stand up for the champions' was belted out and the WHOLE crowd, nigh on 27 thousand were up and singing it, sent shivers down the spine, and was one a many moments that put a lump in my throat.
So the game, as posted previously, first half a little flat, and due to the beers pre game, I held on a long as possible, but had to go to the loo and missed H'pool's goal!
Second half, well, we did look like the deserved champions. cracking football, sometimes snappy other times patient, but we controlled the half. I saw CP run down the length of the touchline to join the players jumping around when Haynes scored. He was jumping around like he was playing!! Kermy's goal, whether he meant it or not, what a goal, on the volley, looped over the keeper to nestle in the far bottom corner. Quality!
The crowd, and not just the Covered end, all played there part, it was electric!! I looked around me at times, and there was just a sea of smiling happy people!
The smurfs of Hartlepool looked liked they enjoyed there day, and got a warm round of applause from all the charlton fans. When they we leaving at the end, the Charlton fans behind them in the Jimmy Seed gave them a clap, to which they responded in kind. I think It's great when fans can enjoy a day together from opposing teams.
Beers back in the bar after, and met the legend that is Keith Peacock!! Obviously a very busy man that day and was being pulled from pillar to post but took 5 minutes to have a chat with me, he loved the fact that I'd come over from Oz for the celebrations, what a gentleman he is. A true Charlton Legend!!
Down the Lib after the game! Now that was a proper kness up!! The singer they had on was good, but the lads and lasses belting out along with her was something special!! Singing our hearts out, the whole crowd in there were in full voice! there was some fella running around in his Pajama bottoms! Again, a evening I wont forget in a long time.
I'm moving back closer to the UK in the summer, and I'll be down charlton alot more next season.
But I'm so pleased I was there yesterday, it is one I'll never forget.
A great and memorable day ( for the third Saturday running ! ) and the club really did us proud, as did our own support and the Smurfs. The festivities were excellent and it was great to have old heroes like the Curbs and Richard Rufus pitchside.
As for the game, I thought the three stand out performers were Pritchard ( who completely changed the game ), Haynes ( pace to burn ) and Yann ( apart from the goal, some excellent balls through to BWP ).
The only thing that could have improved it was if Chris Solly's late left footer was a foot lower. Now that would have warranted a pitch invasion...
How many times has CP used 4-3-3 this season? Changed the game. I know he tried it when he first arrived but we didn't have players to make it work. may see it more next year perhaps?
Pity Solly couldn't have stuck that chance away as he was the only outfield player (out of the original starting 11) that hadn't scored this season.
Think the roof would have come off if it had gone in.
that would have been a beauty
One of the main things that got me about that was just how easy Solly found it to get into a shooting position... Train him all summer at shooting and play him as a right winger is what I say (with my tongue slightly in my cheek)
Firstly the game. Poor first half obviously not helped by the long delay & change of routine for the warm up due to the Red Devils, although with their display I'm not fussed. BWP proved we may need another clinical striker next season, but again worked hard for his chances. Going 4-3-3 when Haynes & Pritchard came on changed it. Think Haynes will be an important player for us next season (maybe replacing BWP). Stephens had one of his better games for a while while Wiggins looked much better attacking wise in the 4-3-3 formation. Great "finish" from Yann!!
Now onto the party. I thought as we club, they did very well. From the red & white card, to the Red Devils to the music choices. The atmosphere was great, especially with the Stand Up for the Champions ringing around the packed Valley. The presentation was worth the delayed wait, although I was disappointed for the lack of fireworks. The smoke pre-game made up for it though. Nice touch during the lap of honour when the club looked to have organised Solly, Yann & Wiggins together with the trophy for a pic (maybe for the top 3 in the Player of the Year award?!).
I never felt like we wouldn't win. SCP running to celebrate & then his post match speech. Yann scoring. All made for a fitting end to the season.
(was asking too much for Solly to finish off that chance for the perfect day).
My mother collapsed at half time unfortunately, so we managed to miss the second half, although we did manage to hear faint cheering sounds through the medical room walls before heading off to sit in a & e for a few hours - the first half was definitely better than that experience!
Good result though, and looking forward to them hopefully putting the whole of the second half on cafc player.
Summary of the game: We were shite 1st half but in the 2nd we really picked it up for the last 30 mins and Yann's goal made me go absolutely mental.
The red evils was the really highlight of the pre - match entertainment apart from the fact that I spotted myself in the programme doing the Poznan at Preston.
After the match I was down the front of the east stand congratulating everyone and I only had a little chat with Yann who said his goal was deliberate and that he loves it here, I still haven't washed my right hand which he shook ; ) .
Well - just coming down from the high of Saturday, and felt inspired to join this forum. First attended the Valley in 1965, but never experienced a day like 5th May 2012. It was perfect, from the Red Devils, magnificent opera singers, presentation, post match celebrations, smurfs and managing to sneak a victory. For my daughter, it was her first ever visit - hope she doesn't think all matches are like that one.
Well - just coming down from the high of Saturday, and felt inspired to join this forum. First attended the Valley in 1965, but never experienced a day like 5th May 2012. It was perfect, from the Red Devils, magnificent opera singers, presentation, post match celebrations, smurfs and managing to sneak a victory. For my daughter, it was her first ever visit - hope she doesn't think all matches are like that one.
Well - just coming down from the high of Saturday, and felt inspired to join this forum. First attended the Valley in 1965, but never experienced a day like 5th May 2012. It was perfect, from the Red Devils, magnificent opera singers, presentation, post match celebrations, smurfs and managing to sneak a victory. For my daughter, it was her first ever visit - hope she doesn't think all matches are like that one.
Nice one - and welcome!
Welcome Blond Bobby and don't trust Off_it! If he's being nice he wants something :-)
Comments
A word for the 'pool fans who stayed for the presentation and clapped the team.
Excellent.
Think the roof would have come off if it had gone in.
That was a great gesture, Bing & hope you are feeling better now Lancs.
Caught up with my housemate Ian ( Eirik Bakke ) from Oz in the morning and went up with his family. Ian and I popped into the Lib pre game, it was only 12 ish, so it was quite quiet at that time in there, then went to the Oak. In the business club for lunch, met some great fella's there. Brilliant seat in the Lower west, stilladdicted was in the seat in front of me, great to meet you! And to top it off, there was a very beautiful woman in the seat next to me who I had a good laugh with all afternoon. Her dad has something to do with the Charlton vet's team. Stunning woman! ;-)
Pre game was superb, just couldn't stop smiling, the club put on a great show, red devils parachuting in was excellent, the whole stadium enjoyed it! Opera singing, well, it suited the occasion, and I liked the fact that the fella singing it explained that the last part of the song translated to we 'will not be defeated' I think it was, and again the whole stadium was in raptures. The lady opera singer, a sexy woman if ever I saw one! A rendition of Valley floyd road was great too!
Before a ball was kicked 'Stand up for the champions' was belted out and the WHOLE crowd, nigh on 27 thousand were up and singing it, sent shivers down the spine, and was one a many moments that put a lump in my throat.
So the game, as posted previously, first half a little flat, and due to the beers pre game, I held on a long as possible, but had to go to the loo and missed H'pool's goal!
Second half, well, we did look like the deserved champions. cracking football, sometimes snappy other times patient, but we controlled the half. I saw CP run down the length of the touchline to join the players jumping around when Haynes scored. He was jumping around like he was playing!! Kermy's goal, whether he meant it or not, what a goal, on the volley, looped over the keeper to nestle in the far bottom corner. Quality!
The crowd, and not just the Covered end, all played there part, it was electric!! I looked around me at times, and there was just a sea of smiling happy people!
The smurfs of Hartlepool looked liked they enjoyed there day, and got a warm round of applause from all the charlton fans. When they we leaving at the end, the Charlton fans behind them in the Jimmy Seed gave them a clap, to which they responded in kind. I think It's great when fans can enjoy a day together from opposing teams.
Beers back in the bar after, and met the legend that is Keith Peacock!! Obviously a very busy man that day and was being pulled from pillar to post but took 5 minutes to have a chat with me, he loved the fact that I'd come over from Oz for the celebrations, what a gentleman he is. A true Charlton Legend!!
Down the Lib after the game! Now that was a proper kness up!! The singer they had on was good, but the lads and lasses belting out along with her was something special!! Singing our hearts out, the whole crowd in there were in full voice! there was some fella running around in his Pajama bottoms! Again, a evening I wont forget in a long time.
I'm moving back closer to the UK in the summer, and I'll be down charlton alot more next season.
But I'm so pleased I was there yesterday, it is one I'll never forget.
Live, love, laugh and be happy!!!
As for the game, I thought the three stand out performers were Pritchard ( who completely changed the game ), Haynes ( pace to burn ) and Yann ( apart from the goal, some excellent balls through to BWP ).
The only thing that could have improved it was if Chris Solly's late left footer was a foot lower. Now that would have warranted a pitch invasion...
BWP proved we may need another clinical striker next season, but again worked hard for his chances.
Going 4-3-3 when Haynes & Pritchard came on changed it. Think Haynes will be an important player for us next season (maybe replacing BWP).
Stephens had one of his better games for a while while Wiggins looked much better attacking wise in the 4-3-3 formation.
Great "finish" from Yann!!
Now onto the party.
I thought as we club, they did very well.
From the red & white card, to the Red Devils to the music choices.
The atmosphere was great, especially with the Stand Up for the Champions ringing around the packed Valley.
The presentation was worth the delayed wait, although I was disappointed for the lack of fireworks. The smoke pre-game made up for it though.
Nice touch during the lap of honour when the club looked to have organised Solly, Yann & Wiggins together with the trophy for a pic (maybe for the top 3 in the Player of the Year award?!).
I never felt like we wouldn't win.
SCP running to celebrate & then his post match speech.
Yann scoring.
All made for a fitting end to the season.
(was asking too much for Solly to finish off that chance for the perfect day).
Good result though, and looking forward to them hopefully putting the whole of the second half on cafc player.
Hope the day ended well for you and your mum is ok?
So glad to have my Charlton back after these six long dark years.
Ahh, bless.
Summary of the game: We were shite 1st half but in the 2nd we really picked it up for the last 30 mins and Yann's goal made me go absolutely mental.
The red evils was the really highlight of the pre - match entertainment apart from the fact that I spotted myself in the programme doing the Poznan at Preston.
After the match I was down the front of the east stand congratulating everyone and I only had a little chat with Yann who said his goal was deliberate and that he loves it here, I still haven't washed my right hand which he shook ; ) .
Got to pissed after that to remember much else.
What a day, what a game and what a season.