Game 46
So here we are then. We made it, game 46. Swansea City away.
You could’ve had a baby in the time since the opening day against Watford, which is actually still quite fresh in my memory. Not having a baby, I’ve never actually had a baby, but the Watford game. What a great day that was even though I spent 14 hours of it on an airplane.
I wrote this before that Watford game in August: “46 games is a journey that will be probably bring days, weeks or months of despair. There will be unsettling moments but what is required from us is a steely belief and togetherness.”
That was wasn’t written with clever foresight, that was written with my eyes wide open. The goal was to stay up, and stay up we did.
As a club we grew, we consolidated and we continue on this journey.
With safety eventually guaranteed it is now about finishing as high as we can. No one really remembers where you finish in the mid to bottom half of a table, but aesthetically it looks better.
Swansea like many in The Championship have had a mixed season, and a change of manager. They’ve looked promotion challengers and they’ve looked relegation candidates, but have ended in the midtable zone.
I thought they were good at our place but Alan Sheehan was sacked a week or so later, so assume that wasn’t a popular opinion. They also have in their ranks the division’s top scorer in Žan Vipotnik, who was an excellent free signing two years ago.
Tickets sold were close to 2,000 for the away end tomorrow. Our away support again this season has been magnificent.
Nathan Jones was singing the virtues of South Wales in his press conference, but omitted I noticed any mention of Swansea.
If you are heading to De Cymru, enjoy and get behind the boys. It has been one hell of a season, but we are all here to tell the tale.
CA you are too modest! Your gift of prophesy regarding the Championship rollercoaster was spot on. As for me, I look forward to the best night’s sleep I had on a Friday night since last August. Here’s hoping we clip the Swan’s wings, and the magnificent travelling Addicks have something to celebrate. Ain’t life (in the Championship for another year) grand! And so to that “great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast”. Just wake me in time for the kick-off.
Well, the goal of Championship football next season has been achieved by all and sundry connected with Charlton Athletic Football Club. In fourteen weekends’ time,it all starts again.The restless nights, bitten fingernails, and declining mental health will all return. In the meantime we have a transfer window and a World Cup to look forward to. Lets hope it’s a good summer all round,until the hard work starts again.
CA Thanks for another season of excellent reports, thoughts and insights – always spot on!
Hopefully onwards and upwards next season!
Tom
And breathe out !!!
Well that was a very entertaining season and hopefully we can get a win at Swansea now that we are safe.!!!
It will be an important pre-season with very important and crucial decisions to be made to build on what’s been achieved.
I’m off to support Charlton women who face Birmingham to hopefully get into the WSL….a win or draw will be enough 🙏
The U18s have an important game next Saturday against Hull so still very important games ahead.
COYRs !!!!!!!
I do hope we get a win at Swansea, don’t mind a draw and even if we lose, I’ll be happy as long as we give them a game.
The staying up feeling is great, although we will need some new players for next season, which hopefully we can afford.
Cliffb50 you reminded me, although not going to the match, I do hope our ladies win promotion today, they have done so well this year, dropping off a bit towards the end, so nothing but a win or draw and we are there.
Come On You Ladies.
The Charlton women just missed out on promotion today losing 2-0 to Birmingham but have another stab at promotion as they now play Leicester at The Valley on Saturday 23rd April….
We need all Charltons fans out in force to support the team vocally to get through…..clear your dairies,get your tickets,and roar the women on….