Feared the worst at first, the teams come out to a near empty Valley and started the game in a similar flat way. Jones made a couple of mistakes in first 3 mins, and their lightening striker blitzed past him and Gillesphey early on with ease.
But after about 10-15 mins we settled into the game and seemed to raise it about 3 gears. We were unlucky not to have at least a couple of goals lead by halftime, and when the goal and sending off happened, it seemed like a game over situation.
Fair play to Peterborough, they had what looked a very young team and showed fantastic spirit playing with 10 men. The done the necessary slowing and we didn’t really get to grips with trying to stretch them. I wasn’t sure of the subs, Godden’s movement and in-box awareness seemed much more likely to lead to a late goal than lumping to Chuks and Miles, but we got what we needed from that corner.
For just 6 or 7 thousand in the ground we made a fair old racket at the end. Such a shame the team continue to get so low turnouts, without the freebies I counted just 42 people in my block and the adjacent block, though it was nice to stand and not worry about anyone behind. Just one executive box in use in the ground too so commercially it seems just as bad.
As others have said the team is unrecognisable from a couple of months ago. It’s been an amazing turnaround, transition, whatever you want to call it. It was another good, well worked and deserved victory last night, this is the most we have played as ‘a team’ where everyone knows their role so quite a long time.
Good post.
On your attendance point, a cold Tuesday night in February is what we would expect for a mid-table Division 3 game, which is what we were just a few games ago. Keep up this run and the crowds will swell - as we all know, initiatives around the edges to increase crowd size have a tiny effect, consistently winning matches and building hope of promotion puts bums on seats.
Some good points here but I think Football needs to look at how they can make the best of the current Sky deal with regards to actual fan attendance. Thankfully we only have Barnsley as a home midweek night game left but in future I'd like to see some tinkering around the fixture list if possible. Some consideration should be given to the distance and travel arrangements that fans have to face on these midweek games. If we would have played Orient at home last night the actual attendance would have been over 10000, yes both clubs are in good form but their close proximity would have increased the attendance in any case. I also think we use our Autumn months, where stepping outside your door does not require three layers of winter warmers just to survive the evening, for silly cup games that I can't even remember the names of. And lastly, when using public transport, especially the trains, how many take a look at the forecast and think, we'll if my last Services are cancelled due to the weather then I ain't getting home, it's a consideration, I live in Canterbury, by train I walk back in the door at midnight, by car I'm hoping that the A2/M2 are not having a cone evening but I'm still home at 23.00. Some thought needed by the Football authorities please, but I'm not hopeful.
Factors.......there was European football being covered last night Man City v Real Madrid for example. Just a few reasons.
Why would anyone want to watch Man City v Real Madrid, when the can watch Charlton? 🤔
One point I haven’t seen mentioned is just how bad Posh have become this season compared to previous ones. Thought they were awful bar a bit of pace upfront. And trying to play like Barcelona at the back was Laughable
I’m not convinced the appetite is there for us (excluding all the freebie waffle) we need a following wind and some to get decent attendances . Even in The Championship how attractive are those fixtures , scum QPR Pompey and a load of northern guff , away support will add to the numbers but home numbers have been crushed by a generally long period of utter guff with the odd highlight . We have never taken so long to get out of the third tier having been relegated in to it .
If we continue as we are, attendances will get higher when the weather improves. For an evening game where it is cold, wet or both you have to drag yourself out. It also helps when you don't get a home game immediately after another as I think some fans may pick one for reasons of costs.
Most has been said but I still can’t believe how bad Dochertys header was from close in that led to the corner that we got the winner from , he headed it to where there were body’s in the way when just the other direction away from the keeper had space.
I love Berry and Godden, two positive pieces of class who are so aware of what’s going on and much quicker thinkers than most of the rest .
People say that its failure all the time we are in this league and I get that but tbh, if we have a team and manager as committed as this one is then I’m happy - let’s face it, with the amount of bodies turning up to games atm, do we justify being a championship club ? I think the team is outperforming the support for home games atm and I hope the no shows can start getting down there coz this team are worth watching and worthy of the effort. I thought Doc had his best game for us last night and all over the pitch things are clicking - Gilbert looked good although a bit lightweight maybe. Things r looking up !!!
Most has been said but I still can’t believe how bad Dochertys header was from close in that led to the corner that we got the winner from , he headed it to where there were body’s in the way when just the other direction away from the keeper had space.
I love Berry and Godden, two positive pieces of class who are so aware of what’s going on and much quicker thinkers than most of the rest .
He struggles to calmly execute the things you expect from a number 10.
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
They are deluded and have always been deluded. I have to live up here with them.
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
They are deluded and have always been deluded. I have to live up here with them.
Am surprised Darragh hasn't sacked Fergie today. Feels like the delusion all stems from him , although I thought he was selling???
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
They are deluded and have always been deluded. I have to live up here with them.
Am surprised Darragh hasn't sacked Fergie today. Feels like the delusion all stems from him , although I thought he was selling???
He needs to be able to hire McCann before he can sack Ferguson
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
They are deluded and have always been deluded. I have to live up here with them.
Am surprised Darragh hasn't sacked Fergie today. Feels like the delusion all stems from him , although I thought he was selling???
He’s the problem, fell out with the new investors who want the money back and the club haven’t paid the rent on their stadium. He’s lost the plot
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
They are deluded and have always been deluded. I have to live up here with them.
Am surprised Darragh hasn't sacked Fergie today. Feels like the delusion all stems from him , although I thought he was selling???
He’s the problem, fell out with the new investors who want the money back and the club haven’t paid the rent on their stadium. He’s lost the plot
I remember some Canadian???? investors being brought in and then DMac brought them out all of a sudden about a year later?
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
They are deluded and have always been deluded. I have to live up here with them.
Am surprised Darragh hasn't sacked Fergie today. Feels like the delusion all stems from him , although I thought he was selling???
He’s the problem, fell out with the new investors who want the money back and the club haven’t paid the rent on their stadium. He’s lost the plot
I remember some Canadian???? investors being brought in and then DMac brought them out all of a sudden about a year later?
Yep they’re the ones, big fallout. I’d be keeping an eye out if I was our owners, chance to poach some of their recruitment team (probably not Fry) if they go down
When I walked out of the Valley on the 3rd December after losing to Crawley, I genuinely thought the season was over, and it would be 6 more months of league one mid table mediocrity.
What a turnaround!
COYA
And how many on here were saying that Jones had to go?!
I was one and will quite happily eat humble pie for the rest of the season. The turnaround has been incredible and not just the results, we are decent to watch too.
I wasn't. I hate the churn of managers we've had, and I've been desperate to see us get some stability. But I was very quiet on that run of form that lead to the Crawley match, as I didn't have a single argument to defend they guy. But here we are! Happy days.
I was very much thinking like you, albeit I wasn't quiet about some of NJ's more self-defeating public remarks. Anyway, while NJ deserves a lot of credit for turning the form around and finally showing us the type of team he wants us to be, he in turn should be acknowledging the role of someone else who has been key to getting us there...
For years, more than 20 for sure, since the season we missed Scott Parker for the first two months I've a "minor injury" I've been banging on about the need to invest in the medical and fitness side. It seemed to be a minority pre-occupation on here, and indeed in the boardroom; but there's a simple logic at work. What's the point of spending money on good players if they are regularly unavailable? This was something that Methven at least asked publicly; I waited for action to back up the words, but along came Dr Will Abbott. We started the season looking fit. Miles and Chuks were clearly carefully managed back to availability. We lost Edwards due to a criminal assault, and during the bad autumn run it looked as though our jinx was back. Bu Ramsey returned on the optimistic end of the schedule, and now we have a full squad barring Ahadme. I cannot recall the last time we went into February with such a fit squad. And if you doubt the importance of that, just go and check out how things look at Huddersfield right now, where their expensive transfer window signing is one of several key players unavailable.
What's more, in these last two games I can't think of a time when a player went down needing treatment (AMB aside). That's pretty remarkable too. Early yesterday Godden seemed to catch his ankle near the touchline, probably down to that bloody pitch, and Terry on commentary was fretting about him- but he shook it off without treatment. We all fret about the games coming thick and fast, and whether some players need resting. Well based on their fitness, the answer is a clear "no". I find this pretty damn amazing, and it gives us a huge advantage at this stage of the season.
NJ has done a great job but I hope he acknowledges the great job done by Will Abbott in getting our medical and fitness regime into shape.
Never mind TC or Small, if I was a Championship club I'd be looking at pinching Will Abbott...
The contrast is enormous from before. All clubs get injuries, but we've massively cut down on the really annoying muscle injuries that so often plague squads (e.g. Spurs). Previously those minor muscle injuries would drag on and on, with players either out forever or rushed back too soon, and then breaking down again.
And the number of late goals we've scored shows our fitness as well. In 2025 we've hardly changed the starting 11, yet despite the miserable weather and poor pitch, the players still have plenty of energy.
Watching the highlights it's ironic that given the ref's fussiness over corners he missed Docherty holding the No.4 to create the space for Macca's header
The angle from behind the goal here shows one of their players giving Jones a bear hug too, so all the nitpicking obviously wasn't having much effect.
Feared the worst at first, the teams come out to a near empty Valley and started the game in a similar flat way. Jones made a couple of mistakes in first 3 mins, and their lightening striker blitzed past him and Gillesphey early on with ease.
But after about 10-15 mins we settled into the game and seemed to raise it about 3 gears. We were unlucky not to have at least a couple of goals lead by halftime, and when the goal and sending off happened, it seemed like a game over situation.
Fair play to Peterborough, they had what looked a very young team and showed fantastic spirit playing with 10 men. The done the necessary slowing and we didn’t really get to grips with trying to stretch them. I wasn’t sure of the subs, Godden’s movement and in-box awareness seemed much more likely to lead to a late goal than lumping to Chuks and Miles, but we got what we needed from that corner.
For just 6 or 7 thousand in the ground we made a fair old racket at the end. Such a shame the team continue to get so low turnouts, without the freebies I counted just 42 people in my block and the adjacent block, though it was nice to stand and not worry about anyone behind. Just one executive box in use in the ground too so commercially it seems just as bad.
As others have said the team is unrecognisable from a couple of months ago. It’s been an amazing turnaround, transition, whatever you want to call it. It was another good, well worked and deserved victory last night, this is the most we have played as ‘a team’ where everyone knows their role so quite a long time.
Also meant to comment that the team/squad are contributing so much more now and no-one is 'hiding'. This isn't meant in a mean way, they were all always contributing but their individual and team contributions are a much better fit these days and make the football and results so more watchable and enjoyable. I don't think anyone was 'hiding' either but now it's much easier to remember all 11 (+) of them and appreciate what they are each bringing.
I think Gass was out having a kick around (before the main warm up) so he must be there or thereabouts. Good luck to him and I do hope, if we need him at some stage, he can be....... to nick an NJ-ism...... a better version of himself.
Factors effecting midweek attendance, first it a league 1 game, second for most of the season we have been a lower mid table side playing poor football, third it was cold, fourth many of are supporters are not within 4 miles of the ground, fifth the number of people working from home, LTF numbers of journeys in rush hour down 20% compared to pre pandemic, sixth the game can be seen on a sports tv/streaming channel, and seventh there was European football being covered last night Man City v Real Madrid for example. Just a few reasons.
My guess is it probably comes down to two key factors but everything you mention will have had an impact. The two key factors imo were/are:
1) although it was cold last night I suspect it’s more an issue that the weather has been shit all winter and the cold spell has been dragging on for fucking ages. Everybody just wants to hibernate at the moment. We need some warmer weather pdq before venturing out and going to a football match starts to seem like a good idea; and
2) we’ve stormed into the play off places out of nowhere over that period of hibernation. Other than the teams we’ve displaced I doubt anybody has really noticed so far that we’re serious contenders now. More people might start to notice after we win on Saturday but I think it’s probably going to take a fans initiative to bring others along to jump start an increase in crowd numbers but that will mean the club has to do something with ticket prices and freebies to season ticket holders.
Seriously ? It's been anything but shit all winter, a few cold days sure but I haven't even turned on any heating yet.
Factors effecting midweek attendance, first it a league 1 game, second for most of the season we have been a lower mid table side playing poor football, third it was cold, fourth many of are supporters are not within 4 miles of the ground, fifth the number of people working from home, LTF numbers of journeys in rush hour down 20% compared to pre pandemic, sixth the game can be seen on a sports tv/streaming channel, and seventh there was European football being covered last night Man City v Real Madrid for example. Just a few reasons.
My guess is it probably comes down to two key factors but everything you mention will have had an impact. The two key factors imo were/are:
1) although it was cold last night I suspect it’s more an issue that the weather has been shit all winter and the cold spell has been dragging on for fucking ages. Everybody just wants to hibernate at the moment. We need some warmer weather pdq before venturing out and going to a football match starts to seem like a good idea; and
2) we’ve stormed into the play off places out of nowhere over that period of hibernation. Other than the teams we’ve displaced I doubt anybody has really noticed so far that we’re serious contenders now. More people might start to notice after we win on Saturday but I think it’s probably going to take a fans initiative to bring others along to jump start an increase in crowd numbers but that will mean the club has to do something with ticket prices and freebies to season ticket holders.
Seriously ? It's been anything but shit all winter, a few cold days sure but I haven't even turned on any heating yet.
Factors effecting midweek attendance, first it a league 1 game, second for most of the season we have been a lower mid table side playing poor football, third it was cold, fourth many of are supporters are not within 4 miles of the ground, fifth the number of people working from home, LTF numbers of journeys in rush hour down 20% compared to pre pandemic, sixth the game can be seen on a sports tv/streaming channel, and seventh there was European football being covered last night Man City v Real Madrid for example. Just a few reasons.
My guess is it probably comes down to two key factors but everything you mention will have had an impact. The two key factors imo were/are:
1) although it was cold last night I suspect it’s more an issue that the weather has been shit all winter and the cold spell has been dragging on for fucking ages. Everybody just wants to hibernate at the moment. We need some warmer weather pdq before venturing out and going to a football match starts to seem like a good idea; and
2) we’ve stormed into the play off places out of nowhere over that period of hibernation. Other than the teams we’ve displaced I doubt anybody has really noticed so far that we’re serious contenders now. More people might start to notice after we win on Saturday but I think it’s probably going to take a fans initiative to bring others along to jump start an increase in crowd numbers but that will mean the club has to do something with ticket prices and freebies to season ticket holders.
Seriously ? It's been anything but shit all winter, a few cold days sure but I haven't even turned on any heating yet.
There's always one 🙄
That's what they say about you Golfie
Be fair it's hardly been a bad winter, a few cold days maybe but in general it's been very mild.
Been very wet, had a couple of cold snaps but nothing prolonged, the cold snaps colder than last year though when scraping ice off the car happened once the whole winter
Got into work this morning full of joy. I was told I had a delivery in Thrapston, not twigging that it's only 15 miles from P'boro, off I headed. When I got there the fork lift driver approached my truck (which is heavily adourned with Charlton flags, lights, shirts etc) and was met with the greeting along the lines of "You got some fecking nerve driving that in here". Made me chuckle, but not as much as when he later added "you lot were lucky. We deserved at least a point".
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
As someone who has been exiled in Thrapston for the past decade, I just registered to show my appreciation for this!! Between the Posh and Cobblers fans up here, it's a lonely life...
Making use of my freedom pass I sometimes take a trip into London for a walkabout, before doing my bit to boost the economy with a pub lunch or Pret sarnie.
Anyway, the thing that genuinely amazes me is the new tower blocks that have (and are) springing up. Whether taking the Abbeywood, Elizabeth or Bexleyheath train lines they are everywhere. Kidbrook, Lewisham, and Woolwich abound with them. On my drive to the Valley along the A206 there are a multitude of them and yet more being built within walking distance of the Valley.
The UK population has risen by 25 million in my lifetime, the population of Greenwich rose by 13 percent between 2011 and 2021 - that can only have accelerated in the last four years. There surely must be scope to increase our home attendance.
I'm not a marketing man, but I'm sure there are plenty of bright young people out there brimming over with ideas to target these high rise people.
The caveat of course is the product we supply, but if we are on a crest of a wave, now would be a good time to start.
Most has been said but I still can’t believe how bad Dochertys header was from close in that led to the corner that we got the winner from , he headed it to where there were body’s in the way when just the other direction away from the keeper had space.
I love Berry and Godden, two positive pieces of class who are so aware of what’s going on and much quicker thinkers than most of the rest .
He struggles to calmly execute the things you expect from a number 10.
Really? I thought he's been decent these last five games, and still improving. He's part of a midfield that has transformed itself recently.
Factors effecting midweek attendance, first it a league 1 game, second for most of the season we have been a lower mid table side playing poor football, third it was cold, fourth many of are supporters are not within 4 miles of the ground, fifth the number of people working from home, LTF numbers of journeys in rush hour down 20% compared to pre pandemic, sixth the game can be seen on a sports tv/streaming channel, and seventh there was European football being covered last night Man City v Real Madrid for example. Just a few reasons.
My guess is it probably comes down to two key factors but everything you mention will have had an impact. The two key factors imo were/are:
1) although it was cold last night I suspect it’s more an issue that the weather has been shit all winter and the cold spell has been dragging on for fucking ages. Everybody just wants to hibernate at the moment. We need some warmer weather pdq before venturing out and going to a football match starts to seem like a good idea; and
2) we’ve stormed into the play off places out of nowhere over that period of hibernation. Other than the teams we’ve displaced I doubt anybody has really noticed so far that we’re serious contenders now. More people might start to notice after we win on Saturday but I think it’s probably going to take a fans initiative to bring others along to jump start an increase in crowd numbers but that will mean the club has to do something with ticket prices and freebies to season ticket holders.
Seriously ? It's been anything but shit all winter, a few cold days sure but I haven't even turned on any heating yet.
There's always one 🙄
That's what they say about you Golfie
Be fair it's hardly been a bad winter, a few cold days maybe but in general it's been very mild.
I think stats show that the average temperature is down over recent years. It feels to me like it's been pretty cold for weeks. And we had four nights when it's been down to -5 in London, something we haven't seen for a few years. Or perhaps it could only happen, to me cos I live in Clapham?
Factors effecting midweek attendance, first it a league 1 game, second for most of the season we have been a lower mid table side playing poor football, third it was cold, fourth many of are supporters are not within 4 miles of the ground, fifth the number of people working from home, LTF numbers of journeys in rush hour down 20% compared to pre pandemic, sixth the game can be seen on a sports tv/streaming channel, and seventh there was European football being covered last night Man City v Real Madrid for example. Just a few reasons.
My guess is it probably comes down to two key factors but everything you mention will have had an impact. The two key factors imo were/are:
1) although it was cold last night I suspect it’s more an issue that the weather has been shit all winter and the cold spell has been dragging on for fucking ages. Everybody just wants to hibernate at the moment. We need some warmer weather pdq before venturing out and going to a football match starts to seem like a good idea; and
2) we’ve stormed into the play off places out of nowhere over that period of hibernation. Other than the teams we’ve displaced I doubt anybody has really noticed so far that we’re serious contenders now. More people might start to notice after we win on Saturday but I think it’s probably going to take a fans initiative to bring others along to jump start an increase in crowd numbers but that will mean the club has to do something with ticket prices and freebies to season ticket holders.
Seriously ? It's been anything but shit all winter, a few cold days sure but I haven't even turned on any heating yet.
There's always one 🙄
That's what they say about you Golfie
Be fair it's hardly been a bad winter, a few cold days maybe but in general it's been very mild.
I think stats show that the average temperature is down over recent years. It feels to me like it's been pretty cold for weeks. And we had four nights when it's been down to -5 in London, something we haven't seen for a few years. Or perhaps it could only happen, to me cos I live in Clapham?
Maybe it’s just those of us that live in London that have felt the prolonged drop in temperatures, which to me often have seemed like they were a lot lower than the temperatures on my phone app were showing. However, given The Valley is in London then it’s not necessarily going to be an attractive venue for an afternoon or evening out, sitting for the most part in a half empty stadium.
Comments
We have never taken so long to get out of the third tier having been relegated in to it .
I love Berry and Godden, two positive pieces of class who are so aware of what’s going on and much quicker thinkers than most of the rest .
Delusion it seems runs through every club.
Am surprised Darragh hasn't sacked Fergie today. Feels like the delusion all stems from him , although I thought he was selling???
I remember some Canadian???? investors being brought in and then DMac brought them out all of a sudden about a year later?
The contrast is enormous from before. All clubs get injuries, but we've massively cut down on the really annoying muscle injuries that so often plague squads (e.g. Spurs). Previously those minor muscle injuries would drag on and on, with players either out forever or rushed back too soon, and then breaking down again.
And the number of late goals we've scored shows our fitness as well. In 2025 we've hardly changed the starting 11, yet despite the miserable weather and poor pitch, the players still have plenty of energy.
Any idea what match Ferguson is referring too as it bears no resemblance to last night.
Be fair it's hardly been a bad winter, a few cold days maybe but in general it's been very mild.
Between the Posh and Cobblers fans up here, it's a lonely life...
Anyway, the thing that genuinely amazes me is the new tower blocks that have (and are) springing up. Whether taking the Abbeywood, Elizabeth or Bexleyheath train lines they are everywhere. Kidbrook, Lewisham, and Woolwich abound with them. On my drive to the Valley along the A206 there are a multitude of them and yet more being built within walking distance of the Valley.
The UK population has risen by 25 million in my lifetime, the population of Greenwich rose by 13 percent between 2011 and 2021 - that can only have accelerated in the last four years. There surely must be scope to increase our home attendance.
I'm not a marketing man, but I'm sure there are plenty of bright young people out there brimming over with ideas to target these high rise people.
The caveat of course is the product we supply, but if we are on a crest of a wave, now would be a good time to start.
Or perhaps it could only happen, to me cos I live in Clapham?