If you could bottle that feeling... I'm sure every football fan will agree that there is nothing quite like it. Tonight seemed to be the perfect night, especially with JJ getting the goal that put us back ahead. Absolutely brilliant, brilliant shifts from all the players and especially from our own academy players, the effort and desire to get over the line was unreal from every one of them. Feel ridiculously proud to be Charlton tonight. Enjoy it ladies and gentlemen xxx
A great night. Crowd up for it from start to finish, north upper looked sold out. The right starting eleven, and set up with the right attitude. Led by an outstanding captain's performance. Callum Harriott take a bow. He made some bad decisions, as he does, but he kept on, and got a rich reward, and the crowd responded. He won't forget tonight in a hurry. Thought Morro was outstanding, he's a priority for a new contract, but the talk is that Dervite is ahead of him.
Interesting that neither Reza nor Church were even in the squad.
Jose Riga has done a decent job, and I like him personally. It's worth noting that NONE of the network players featured tonight at all. But that is for another day. Just delighted to have been here for a great night at The Valley.
Firstly PHEW!!! Secondly well done to the team today! Thirdly well done Riga and Dyer - mission accomplished. I am glad we signed off with a win in what was a compelling match to watch, both teams having decent chances. For once we took ours better than the oppo did. Am I right thinking that Watford were the dirtiest team to play us this season. Shame really as they have a lot of skill and pace they don't need that part of the game. In the end it cost them Riera and our last few minutes of the game was probably a little less frantic than normal. Top marks to Andy Hughes for that 'tackle' on the half way line. Taking one for the team! Special mention goes to Harriott who despite his shortcomings came up trumps today (although he nearly cost us a goal early in the first half). And JJ - real guts for the second goal.
Now we know where we are playing our football next season the soul searching starts now. Let's start with giving some of today's players who are out of contract a new contract. It's going to be an interesting summer to say the least. And to all those heading to Blackpool, enjoy the day even more so and keep the excellent support going!
P.S. I thought the support and atmosphere at The Valley was one of the best in a long time too.
I love nights like this. Walking down to the ground on a warm night, with a real sense of anticipation in the air. Great noise from the covered end and then an excellent goal to see us in at half time. Then the equaliser and we looked like we'd lost the plot, when who should emerge but the captain himself with a classic JJ goal - total determination. CH's second was a peach and we even had a sending off to enjoy. Can't wait for next season now. (What a mug)
Very important, for me, that we did it ourselves and did not simply rely on other teams messing up. Really gives some much needed momentum going into the Summer.
Firstly my mention of Watford what a horrible nasty team from the forearm smash into wild ones face, the shouting at the ref to get our injured player off the field to the sending off. The referee despite the sending off was too lenient with them.
Jacko is becoming a legend in the kinsella mode. I thought that Watford were coming back into it and at 1-1there was only one team going to win it and they did not play in red .. Up step captain fantastic. Morrison got worked over tonight and will know he was in a game but we came through it and well done Callum two great strikes.
Goodbye to the players leaving .. Thanks and good luck. ...
So the probable, unnecessary relegation has been avoided and it has been a great effort by the team at the end of the season, hopefully we will now see investment and put this season behind us. Poyet could be key next season and I hope the offer on the table will keep him.
Just seen Riga on sky and he wants to stick around and build a team on what we have already. He knows and we know that we need better players coming in but that we have a half decent first team already as we saw tonight AND over the last couple of months. To win so emphatically in the end is a great way to put to bed a season which has seen in or close to the bottom three. Duchatelet and Riga have delivered this club Championship football for next season and I sincerely hope that the best out of contract players on show tonight sign up for a couple of years and help us climb the table... Beating Watford tells me we can compete with mid-table teams with the current team...what might we do with some reinforcements over the summer?
PBR ( Well, I THINK that's the correct abbreviation, Seth !)
WHAT A FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE TONIGHT FROM THE LADS !!!!!!! Every single one of them deserves a BIG hug from Fanny on Sunday....
Seriously, I have never seen a more solid display from JJ & Dervite was a rock at the back - really hope he stays. If someone had told me 3 weeks ago that the ever reliable Chris Solly would play 3 back to back games this season, I'd have laughed in their face - what a bonus his recovery has been ! We knew from his very first start that Diego was a special player & he has never shown any sign of changing our minds - the tragedy of the past 12 months is the lack of a new contract offered before he had the chance to show all those Prem managers what he is capable of. Young Jordan was "on his knees" several matches ago but pure adrenalin & desire to give his all for the red shirt has somehow kept him upright. As for Callum & Marvin....whatever Jose has done/said/put in their tea has worked with knobs on - what a transformation before our very eyes !!! Those 2 goals tonight were the icing on the cake in Callum's re-emergence as a quality wide man ....long may it last.
Apologies to those I haven't mentioned but it was SO a team effort tonight with more fight than our 'Enry & Mohammed Ali had put together. I am so proud of each & every one of those lads. It was a much needed fond farewell to the Valley faithful who , as JJ said have stayed on side throughout this bumpy ride. If tonight doesn't sell a shed load more season tickets, then nothing will....
Jose, Karel, Damien & Alex - we thank you for all the hard work on the training pitches & in general behind the scenes to give this team back the heart that seemed to be ripped out when the gaffer departed. The spirit has been rekindled once again & tonight was there for all of us to see. Had this been the second game of the season, as opposed to the second to last, we might have dreamed of promotion but lack of investment, a dodgy pitch, postponed games, a change of manager and even ( surprise, surprise ) a Cup run put that firmly on hold for the time being. Who knows where we'll be in 12 months time but, for me, the signs are positive. Some might say I'm easily pleased ( Mr F will definitely disagree with that !) but tonight I'm buzzing...so please don't rain on my parade.
Now looking forward to Blackpool via Harrogate on Friday and then the opportunity on Sunday to wish the lads a happy holiday & sadly say a fond farewell to those moving on. The rollercoaster will be back in business come August & we will once again take our seats ( maybe even cheaper ones !) & buckle up for the ride. I, for one, can't wait.
Great night, great fight, great support, great result. A long, long hard season. Been playing 2 games a week for 2 months. At many stages this season we've been down, but as JJ said we've all stuck at it. A lot of clubs would have buckled under the season we've had both on and off the field. Elated to have stayed up. Credit to the team for the response after the equaliser. I was worried at that point purely because I thought it might be a knock back too far. Getting that 2nd soon after they scored was vital and the 3rd was euphoria. This team have put us through it this season, but tonight I thought we got our Charlton back. That was proper spirit and to be fair, Harriott's goals were quality. Hats off for him to have the guts to keep trying and going forward. He could've sunk after the Barnsley game. JJ threw himself at that 2nd, something he's not done often enough this season. I know it was probably never on the cards, but it would have been nice if JJ had given Powell a little shout out at the end. We probably wouldn't have stayed up with CP in charge, but part of me wanted that celebration for him as well, given his record over the last 2 seasons and his contribution to Charlton as a whole....
Maybe wishful thinking on my part;)
Top quality support for the run in as well. It's been hard not to moan and keep positive, but the fans have kept going over the last 5 games.
JJ, and I apologise for introducing a sort of Millwallism, but "That's what he does". None of our other midfielders over the last 3 years can be relied on to pop up in those positions, to gamble, to bomb on past the striker(s). That's why he now has 44 goals for the club...
What a night! Really enjoyed it though it wasn't half nervy at times. Harriott was excellent today, he made mistakes, but that's what you expect with a young winger - two fantastic goals and glad he had the confidence to go for it. Jacko was great today too. Some bizarre refereeeing and the east stand lino was getting everything wrong, but sometimes even that doesn't stop us. Thought Watford were playing good football and we were lucky to go in ahead at half time. Deeley's goal was fantastic. So why were some of their players getting the digs in? Seemed bizarre and didn't stop even when Riega was rightly sent off. Fantastic result, still buzzing. Riga's speech at the end sounded a bit like a farewell, anyone else think that?
Lovely post, Fanny. Oh, and the score was just the same as that wonderful midweek promotion match v Preston back in the 70s! (Except this time we didn't go behind after 10 mins and miss a penalty.) Enjoy the celebrations, everyone.
Great night, great atmosphere, great outcome. So, we live to fight another year in the second tier. As fans who don't see what goes on in training etc. we have limited knowledge, but we do know our club, and our players, and most of us were happy with tonight's starting line-up not because it didn't happen to feature the overseas players who've struggled to adapt to the pace of our game, or because our personal favourites were included, but simply because there appeared to be no round pegs in square holes.
Jordan played further forward than where he's really comfortable, but he battled away and was always available, and stopped dirty Watford playing out. Even there, he was so much more effective than out wide. Everywhere else our players did what came most naturally to them. And what a bonus to look at the screen and see the last six names on the teamsheet from our own academy.
As we've done several times recently we started brightly, with verve on the front foot, but this time we had an excellent Callum solo goal to show for it. After Deeney's superb equaliser Watford really fancied it and were on top until Jacko made one more lung-busting surge to get on the end of a measured ball from Fox, who never lost his head on such a tense night. One more volleyed beauty from the tenacious Harriot and it was all over, bar a silly sending off from the petulant Riera. Callum ran them ragged and fully deserved his brace after a couple of games to forget. He showed tremendous spirit to put those behind him and keep being positive - it would've been easy to play safe little passes that couldn't lead to errors.
So, the last few weeks have ended well. We've asked young inexperienced players to do men's work, and they've done it to a man, each earning the right to be considered again next season. The new coach whom many of us expected to be nothing more than a puppet for the new owner has proved himself with largely positive tactics that have brought victories and defeats, but few draws, with what feels like considerably more goals for and against. We all know our failings but we've recently managed to score 3 three times, even without Yann.
Back to tonight, and which ever unfortunate club slips down can rest assured that Watford fought hard - too hard at times. The integrity of the second division shouldn't be doubted as it reaches another thrilling climax. And we can sit back and look on without worrying, reflecting instead on what tonight's levels of hard work, courage, and skill achieved. Well done every Charlton player tonight, and well done to us, the fans for great vocal support. Together we kept our club up after a turbulent season where we kept the best for last. There's something special about a win in SE7 under the lights, and those tunnel jumps will always be reminiscent of the person who brought us back to this level and assembled tonight's stars.
That team photo at the end with JR to the fore will make an interesting little piece of CAFC history one day.
Comments
Interesting that neither Reza nor Church were even in the squad.
Jose Riga has done a decent job, and I like him personally. It's worth noting that NONE of the network players featured tonight at all. But that is for another day. Just delighted to have been here for a great night at The Valley.
Now we know where we are playing our football next season the soul searching starts now. Let's start with giving some of today's players who are out of contract a new contract. It's going to be an interesting summer to say the least. And to all those heading to Blackpool, enjoy the day even more so and keep the excellent support going!
P.S. I thought the support and atmosphere at The Valley was one of the best in a long time too.
Can't wait for next season now. (What a mug)
Jacko is becoming a legend in the kinsella mode. I thought that Watford were coming back into it and at 1-1there was only one team going to win it and they did not play in red .. Up step captain fantastic. Morrison got worked over tonight and will know he was in a game but we came through it and well done Callum two great strikes.
Goodbye to the players leaving .. Thanks and good luck. ...
So the probable, unnecessary relegation has been avoided and it has been a great effort by the team at the end of the season, hopefully we will now see investment and put this season behind us. Poyet could be key next season and I hope the offer on the table will keep him.
As for Lawrie Wilson, I don't know if you know "he used to be shite, but now he's alright, walking in Wilson wonder land"
Duchatelet and Riga have delivered this club Championship football for next season and I sincerely hope that the best out of contract players on show tonight sign up for a couple of years and help us climb the table...
Beating Watford tells me we can compete with mid-table teams with the current team...what might we do with some reinforcements over the summer?
Well done Jose, the lads and our support was superb tonight
Strong, committed performance with no little skill.
Two great goals from Callum, a player who's taken a lot of stick this season but showed tonight what he can bring to the side.
I thought Cousins had a very good game, poyet was immense, Fox did well and the Solly/Wilson combination worked well.
Both Sordell and Obika worked hard in the thankless lone striker role.
Big shout for the skipper for a leaders performance and a leaders goal just when Watford were getting on top.
That Deeney is a bit good.
Well done Jose, well done the players. Well done the fans.
Fingers crossed that the East stander taken to hospital is fit and well to see us build on this next season.
Next year I hope we are fretting about promotion, not relegation.
Live, love, laugh and be happy.
WHAT A FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE TONIGHT FROM THE LADS !!!!!!! Every single one of them deserves a BIG hug from Fanny on Sunday....
Seriously, I have never seen a more solid display from JJ & Dervite was a rock at the back - really hope he stays. If someone had told me 3 weeks ago that the ever reliable Chris Solly would play 3 back to back games this season, I'd have laughed in their face - what a bonus his recovery has been ! We knew from his very first start that Diego was a special player & he has never shown any sign of changing our minds - the tragedy of the past 12 months is the lack of a new contract offered before he had the chance to show all those Prem managers what he is capable of. Young Jordan was "on his knees" several matches ago but pure adrenalin & desire to give his all for the red shirt has somehow kept him upright. As for Callum & Marvin....whatever Jose has done/said/put in their tea has worked with knobs on - what a transformation before our very eyes !!! Those 2 goals tonight were the icing on the cake in Callum's re-emergence as a quality wide man ....long may it last.
Apologies to those I haven't mentioned but it was SO a team effort tonight with more fight than our 'Enry & Mohammed Ali had put together. I am so proud of each & every one of those lads. It was a much needed fond farewell to the Valley faithful who , as JJ said have stayed on side throughout this bumpy ride. If tonight doesn't sell a shed load more season tickets, then nothing will....
Jose, Karel, Damien & Alex - we thank you for all the hard work on the training pitches & in general behind the scenes to give this team back the heart that seemed to be ripped out when the gaffer departed. The spirit has been rekindled once again & tonight was there for all of us to see. Had this been the second game of the season, as opposed to the second to last, we might have dreamed of promotion but lack of investment, a dodgy pitch, postponed games, a change of manager and even ( surprise, surprise ) a Cup run put that firmly on hold for the time being. Who knows where we'll be in 12 months time but, for me, the signs are positive. Some might say I'm easily pleased ( Mr F will definitely disagree with that !) but tonight I'm buzzing...so please don't rain on my parade.
Now looking forward to Blackpool via Harrogate on Friday and then the opportunity on Sunday to wish the lads a happy holiday & sadly say a fond farewell to those moving on. The rollercoaster will be back in business come August & we will once again take our seats ( maybe even cheaper ones !) & buckle up for the ride. I, for one, can't wait.
Maybe wishful thinking on my part;)
Top quality support for the run in as well. It's been hard not to moan and keep positive, but the fans have kept going over the last 5 games.
We can enjoy the summer now.
Riga's speech at the end sounded a bit like a farewell, anyone else think that?
Oh, and the score was just the same as that wonderful midweek promotion match v Preston back in the 70s! (Except this time we didn't go behind after 10 mins and miss a penalty.)
Enjoy the celebrations, everyone.
I'm welling up ...again !
Jordan played further forward than where he's really comfortable, but he battled away and was always available, and stopped dirty Watford playing out. Even there, he was so much more effective than out wide. Everywhere else our players did what came most naturally to them. And what a bonus to look at the screen and see the last six names on the teamsheet from our own academy.
As we've done several times recently we started brightly, with verve on the front foot, but this time we had an excellent Callum solo goal to show for it. After Deeney's superb equaliser Watford really fancied it and were on top until Jacko made one more lung-busting surge to get on the end of a measured ball from Fox, who never lost his head on such a tense night. One more volleyed beauty from the tenacious Harriot and it was all over, bar a silly sending off from the petulant Riera. Callum ran them ragged and fully deserved his brace after a couple of games to forget. He showed tremendous spirit to put those behind him and keep being positive - it would've been easy to play safe little passes that couldn't lead to errors.
So, the last few weeks have ended well. We've asked young inexperienced players to do men's work, and they've done it to a man, each earning the right to be considered again next season. The new coach whom many of us expected to be nothing more than a puppet for the new owner has proved himself with largely positive tactics that have brought victories and defeats, but few draws, with what feels like considerably more goals for and against. We all know our failings but we've recently managed to score 3 three times, even without Yann.
Back to tonight, and which ever unfortunate club slips down can rest assured that Watford fought hard - too hard at times. The integrity of the second division shouldn't be doubted as it reaches another thrilling climax. And we can sit back and look on without worrying, reflecting instead on what tonight's levels of hard work, courage, and skill achieved. Well done every Charlton player tonight, and well done to us, the fans for great vocal support. Together we kept our club up after a turbulent season where we kept the best for last. There's something special about a win in SE7 under the lights, and those tunnel jumps will always be reminiscent of the person who brought us back to this level and assembled tonight's stars.
That team photo at the end with JR to the fore will make an interesting little piece of CAFC history one day.