Leveller
Charlton Athletic 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 2
I don’t know what Lennie Lawrence and Robert Lee thought at the end of Saturday’s game but at least they won’t have to go again on Tuesday. And I worry that a lot of other Addicks will be thinking the same this morning as a dark realism descends upon us. That stark realism is that for the first time in four centuries this could be our level for a few years.
Tuesday we have a chance to change fan’s perceptions, injuries might dictate some team changes but Parky and the players owe the hardcore a performance before people find other things to do on a Saturday afternoon.
Yes, it was all bright and fluffy in the first half but for the hundreth time we didn’t take goal advantage. Lennie and Robert were given a raptous reception at half-time but then as the crowd welcomed the players out for the 2nd half, they were made to watch a team of D&R’s limited quality and means dominate us.
The 2nd half must have made for a depressing sight but in true Charlton form, we grab an underserved ‘winner’ before throwing it all away. Is Lennie still looking for a job?
I get it but don’t fully buy the inference that forwards can only score goals if the midfield creates them. Time for Parky to save his shouting and screaming at officials and look a bit more closer to home.
Addicks at The Valley: Mike’s Meanderings; Deepest Darkest; Drinking During the Game; Blackheath Addicted; Hungry Ted; Stickleback, Charlton Casual.
CA fact: Dagenham & Redbridge had only scored one goal away from home in 6 until they came to The Valley on Saturday.
Chicago Addick 
I think you can take some heart from the first half – the wide men tormented us early on but seem more content to shoot than produce balls across the box. Benson seems a little out of sorts, possibly struggling to fit in and to live up to his price tag?
We had a great 2nd half and glad we got something out of the game, would’ve been crushing the lose in that manner.
FWIW once the forwards start finding the net (which is a problem we’re also having), I’m sure you’ll be up there.
Dave, thanks for taking the time to comment. Oh, how we hope you are right. Good luck to the Daggers for the rest of the season.
Thing is, despite being on the back foot in the second half we did look like the team that I believe we can be for the first twenty minutes. The chances we had could well have been put away on another day, and then the game would have been very different.
Even though we have not picked up the points we have expected the players that have been signed have started to look like they are settling in. Even though I was very disappointed with the result if we can manage a little more luck in front of goal tomorrow I can see a decent result.
At 1-0 we looked confident and in complete control. The goal we conceded, which clearly upset the team, probably had a massive effect on the attitude in the second half.
I will go tomorrow full of confidence and I fully expect to see us continue to improve as we have week on week. If we can just stay close to the top two there will be a lot to play for as the season progresses.
Also, let’s remember that at this level very few teams carry replacements for the better players in the squad, and as soon as Dailly comes back in I expect us to really start to show promotion form.
Not beating Dagenham and Redbridge at home is clearly not first choice, but the last time that happened we ended up finishing 9th in the Premier League. Oh, and the last time we drew at Tranmere we went on to win the First Division Title.
It’s not necessarily all bad news, we are unbeaten in three, and there are only six teams in this division that have conceded fewer goals that us and half of them are below us in the table.
I love you KH.
It really felt like League 1 on Saturday CA – and for some time to come. I’d be surprised if there really 14000+ at the Valley. But the fans were very vocal in support throughout – I think at last the booers have gone.
Can’t see us getting out of League One for a long long while. but I didn’t expect a long line of silverware when I made my choice in 1975. So it goes.
but what was spectacular was our line dancing routines at corners – wasn’t that choreography special!
We were practising in the kitchen all afternoon yesterday!
bring your cotton pickin Stetsons and cheque shirts next time CA!
Pembury Addick