The journey continues
How nice was it to follow yesterday’s results after the conclusion of our game. Stress levels: zero.
Oxford shoved Wednesday aside and Derby, Hull and Wrexham will contest the final place-off place next week. Meanwhile it does look like Millwall will need to beat Oxford, whatever happens in the Southampton v Ipswich game on Tuesday.
Can you imagine how long this week would have seemed if we’d lost on Saturday?
Yet, we did not and we go to Swansea without a care in the world and in great spirits. After that the work begins, although I suspect next season’s work started today.
Relegation would have been desperate, especially as the togetherness between ownership and supporters is on a different planet to 2016 and 2020. I didn’t fear that we were sleepwalking to relegation these past few weeks, but I was fearful that we were going to have a real ‘Charlton moment’ and were making it so difficult for ourselves.
The season had turned from exciting to excruciatingly painful, but what we’ve lacked in quality we’ve made up for in desire and The Valley rocked yesterday to our tune.
Our start both exaggerated our abilities and amended ambitions within the fanbase (mine was always to stay up), but it also gave us a real foundation of points. By the first week of November we were already on 25 points, half of the expected 50 point minimum.
Injuries literally hurt us. Key players were missed and our squad that doesn’t have eleven Championship ready players let alone a squad full struggled badly for a period of time. We were taught some serious lessons before Christmas, our secret was out and our magic touch deserted us and we suddenly looked like a fish out of water.
Only the Pompey abandoned game (RIP Norm), punctuated five straight defeats. We steadied the ship a bit before being well beaten by Norwich and then losing fatefully late at Fratton Park. Oh, how we would have welcomed that lost point on our total these past few weeks.
With the January transfer window open we steadied the ship only to be embarrassingly humbled at The Den, yet we again recovered and continued to add points to the board that gave us decent breathing space above those teams caught up in a relegation battle alongside Sheffield Wednesday.
After a 7-point week ending at Oxford, where we were poor that day but made sure we didn’t lose, I think we were all breathing and sleeping comfortably.
That all changed in a four week spell as we made it harder and harder for ourselves. Looking back we only needed 3 points after Oxford but The Valley, a fortress last season was suddenly a straw house as we lost four games in a row there.
We missed out on the Hillsborough opportunity but even though a sloppy and lucky 0-0 would’ve had the desired effect against Hull it was beautiful to see The Valley cheer on a fantastic win.
A second season in The Championship, and the journey continues.
Well summarised, CA. Personally, for me our difficulties started without warning when we lost at home to Southampton 1-5 on 22nd November, with our strong and then usually reliable defence letting in 3 goals in 8 minutes. From then on, our season was different, as we struggled to score goals. During our dreadful run in, my only consolation was that I couldn’t believe that a very strong Millwall team would ever be beaten on the last day by Oxford if they were still in the mix for automatic promotion, although I feared the worst if they could do no better than the playoffs. Fortunately none of that matters now. We are safe and can look forward to enjoying the summer with our heads full of endless thoughts of exciting news of unbelievable signings.
Roll on next August!
Thanks for blogs throughout the season mate always enjoy them 👍. Living 200 miles away these days I only get to a handful of aways these days but never saw them lose in the flesh! Three draws (Hull, WBA & Sheff Weds) and two wins (Sheff Utd, & Middlesbrough). That 1-0 (Dykes) Boro game with half of the ‘second’ string selected, Lloyd off injured early doors and only a couple of shots on target definitely deserves a mention. It was like the Alamo and against all odds its result was invaluable in getting us over the line. Onwards and upwards COYRs
My pleasure Sleepy Head.
That Middlesbrough result was definitely one of the best of the season.
Our season was saved by the loan deals we made (in and also out) in the January transfer window. Credit goes to the owners and to recruitment and coaching teams.
Agreed. There’s a good argument to say they were better than the summer signings.
It’s been a challenging season and some of the loan signings have helped us improve and get to safety….credit has to go to all the backroom staff…coaches and medics who constantly had to hone approaches to taking on teams to get results.
Also praise to all supporters who stuck with the team every week to spur us on.
I’m looking forward to next season and feel confident “things can only get better!!”
It is very strange how allegiance to a football club gets into your blood. Since 5pm on Saturday I swear my demeanour has changed for the good, as my inner self forgets the background worries of this seasons haunting possibility of relegation. I know I am not alone in having had concerns of our ability to remain in the Championship for a second season, and I suspect the majority of the nearly 20,000 bodies at the Valley at the weekend had those suspicions too. But, the Club,in its entirity, suceeded in its quest to be better. Yes, there were bumps along the way, but they were overcome. This season has been a learning curve,next season we will learn some more, and the aim must be a mid table finish at least, to keep the momentum going. I will look forward to feeling the same this time next year, as I feel today.COYR.
I do agree the January loan signings have been excellent, just when you think we can all relax on comes the world cup. Best wishes to our very own Lyndon dykes who as been a breath of fresh air up top, old fashioned center forward coyr
Couldn’t have written a better “end of term” report myself. Nathan and his back room staff have done a great job, dealing with injuries and the long term absence of Godden. I wonder where we would have been in the league if he had been fit all season; his Watford goal showed what we missed. Some excellent loan signings helped get us over the line. Look forward to next season .
Hi CA , it was nice to read your summary of our season and your blogs through out the season, we sign off against Swansea next week with no worries or sleepless nights thinking of relegation, looking forward to the comings and goings in the summer everyone enjoy your summer coyr
You too, Worsley.
Must contact my sleep clinic and the Vatican. The insomia that came upon me over past weeks has miraculously vanished. It happened around 5pm last Saturday triggered by a roar that came from somewhere near the Thames Barrier and somehow made its way down to the South Coast. Truly a blessing. Just like the consistantly excellent Charlton match summaries from CA that I enjoy every week. I am truly grateful for both of these gifts.
You are a blessing. Thank you for your visitations to this church. COYA.
Gave up on the other Church for a bit when prayers weren’t answered for the Millwall game. Live long and prosper! UTA