Up and running!

Why, oh-why do Charlton Athletic always do this to us? At 4pm on Saturday afternoon, I was feeling queasy; a bottom-of-the-table placing looked on the cards and all the early season optimism looked about to be quashed. Doubting Thomas had been whispering to me for weeks that we have bought a team of unknowns for the Championship and that we face another season of disappointment because of it. To make matters even worse, Wednesday have conceded 7 so far this season and looked very ordinary despite the two-goal lead.

I reminded myself that Pardew is to be trusted completely. He speaks with total confidence doesn't he? He doesn't panic. He can judge a player. He's been here before and gone on to build promotion winning sides. Surely he will now be doing what he does best and we will see a second half renaissance. Even if we don't win, we can grab a point. It will likely take a couple of months before our new team is firing on all cylinders. We've been at rock bottom before - remember the dozens of regular faces drinking in the bar under the Covered End. Driven there in sheer frustration whilst the game was still being played. Determined to get some meagre enjoyment out of another day of Charlton disappointment.

Cue the second half revival. Zheng Zhi's introduction gives immediate balance and composure to the midfield. Thomas gets slightly wider and starts thinking about crossing and not winning free-kicks. Todorov is holding the ball up and linking play. Semedo looks strangely more comfortable at full back. Reid performs his trademark shift of weight and bang! 1-0 with still 40 minutes to go! They are beginning to play now. Wednesday are shrinking and the gaps are beginning to appear. Zheng is swarming in midfield and pings a through-ball into the path of Big Chris who shows us for the first time that there might be more to his game than his height and shoulders suggest. And doesn't he looked pleased with himself? Not sure I could look happier if I had scored the equaliser. Something tells me we can get a winner here. Can't remember us doing this since...Coventry in the F A Cup? More flowing football and chances before Big Chris does it again. Another run and shot fired in followed by unbridalled celebrations. Pleased too for Bougherra who avoided the temptation to rise to the bait of the taunting Owls fans and even now remains restrained, although he has been pushing forward like never before in the last 15 minutes, determined to see a winner.

The obvious cliche is heard twice before I get to my exit. The spirits are lifted, we are off and running. If only we can play like this at Palace on Saturday.

Come on you Reds!