Ipswich Town 1 Charlton Athletic 1
One of the best feelings going to an away game is seeing your team grab a late fully deserved equaliser to leave with a point. Add in a homer referee and a penalty save and the return journey is a pretty good one. I wish I was there.
I wasn’t expecting much from today but a win and three draws is a pretty good return from the festive games, particularly as two of the games were against current in form play-off challengers. It’s a nice foundation and meant we did as Chris Powell requested and got something from every game over the Christmas period.
I listened in today to a very complimentary Ipswich commentary and it sounded as if a draw was the least we deserved and as another Addick pointed out on Twitter, referee Mr Atwell must have been gutted when Johnnie Jackson grabbed that 90th minute goal.
I wrote the other day that Jackson is still such an important cog in the team, but at the moment I struggle to see where he would start. Powell left him out today, but cometh the moment, cometh the man with 10 minutes left and the bit between the skipper’s teeth. Great celebrations afterwards if you get to see it.
A word also for ‘keeper Ben Alnwick, who has gone about his work in the last 9 games quietly and confidently and has made a good impression. In fact I saw Hamer was on the bench today, and that’s where he might be for a while as Ben #2 deserves his number one billing. His penalty save from David McGoldrick kept us in it, and was a huge moment in the game. I cannot remember for the life of me the last time we saved a penalty!
I’d like to see Cameron Stewart’s ‘dive’ again, he was one-on-one apparently and it was a real shame that Marvin Sordell had to leave the field before half-time with a hamstring injury just as he is handed a chance to change most fan’s perception.
Chris Powell is still the man in my opinion. Certainly there are some questionable tactical decisions and team selections, but when aren’t there and he has so little resources to juggle with but watch that togetherness when Jackson scored the equaliser today. It says so much about what he has built.
Addick Blogger’s analysis: Chris Powell’s Flat Cap
Chicago Addick 
I also tuned into the Ipswich broadcast and was impressed and pleased by what sounded a veteran and knowledgeable analyst whose comments were fair and balanced throughout the match. While he felt it was a foul on Murphy, which should have been a penalty, he also felt Stewart’s yellow card for simulation should have been an awarded penalty for Charlton as well. I found it interesting that he stated Charlton were playing some pretty decent football, working hard and forcing corners, but lacked the necessary finish and polish in the art of scoring. Is this not what we have been crying for all season? CP does not have the overall quality in place to consistently grab three pointers and in my mind has squeezed as much out of this squad as he possibly can. wherein they play with passion and energy, but simply are falling short in overall team impact and effectiveness. Whether it be current or new owners, if they are serious about better results, then some funding must be found to strengthen for the run down the second half of the season.
Bob, happy New Year to you. I think the Ipswich analyst was Mick Mills.
Happy New Year CA – you are still a tonic when my glass is becoming half empty instead of half full. Let’s be careful what we wish for for our club – and if anyone needs reminding take one look at Mr Tan. xx
Well thank you Pat and happy New Year to you too.
Agree on the ‘careful what you wish for comment’. Without doing any research I would say two-thirds of takeovers are more Tan’s than Abramovich’s. Roland Duchâtelet, whilst being hailed as the messiah in some quarters doesn’t get such a good press from Standard Liege and Sint-Truiden supporters.
Hang in there Pat, it was never easy 🙂
Happy New Year CA. As you know, the goal wasn’t pretty by any means, but we went absolutely mental. All the tedious journeys, the dull football, dodgy decisions – all worth it for that moment of sheer pleasure. Haven’t celebrated so much since JJ’s goal at Watford last season. I thought JJ was very anonymous Sunday, but he has that knack of scoring important ones.
Apart from that pen save, Ben’s handling was excellent in atrocious conditions.
Lovely Cameo of Yann when chasing a ball going out comfortably for an Ipswich goal kick. Slid in, got his foot round the Ipswich defender, kept it in. They got a throw but it kept them penned in and just lifted everyone. The bloke is a legend.
Good moment of humour late on. Ipswich dawdled over a throw in, but shortly after our goal got really frustrated at Solly for not taking a throw quickly. One player kicked the ball at him, got booked, then another did the same! Solly did the shoulder shrugging routine perfectly.
Cameron Stewart looked really sad to be going after the game, and got a hug round the shoulders from CP. Some frustrated at him during the game, but most of our threat came down the left from him and Wiggins. Hope we resign him.
Last word on Sordell – I think given a longer run in the team he would be good for us. Some really nice touches. But I think to compete with our current squad every player has to be a work horse, and he isn’t that.
Cheers
Pembury Addick
Thanks for the comment PA and glad you got to see those celebrations.
Without any quick takeover, I can see Stewart moving on unfortunately. As things stand he is now back at Hull.
I agree with you on Sordell, although with the lack of options up front I have been surprised at how few chances CP has given him. Depending on how bad his injury is, he may well go back to his parent club too.
Happy New Year to you and the family.
Took my 8 year old son to his 2nd away game (last one was Watford last New Years Day). As you can imagine he has an inflated opinion of what away matches are generally like! And he thinks Johnnie Jackson should be England captain. Was a great moment when the goal went in, brilliant team spirit shared with the fans, hope that doesn’t change with new owners.
Happy new year to you and all Addicks.
Happy New Year to you too Rob. I remember I took my son to Southampton away, he was 7, and Iwelumo scored a winner in the last minute right in front of us. He has never forgotten it and I think that was the day he became a real Charlton fan. Great memories – rare, but great!