Today we face Hull on a TV stream away from home. It's a real six-pointer given they are only two points above us. A victory would see us move out of the drop zone and potentially climb above Hull, Middlesbrough and Wigan which would be a massive confidence booster. Lose and Hull move out of easy reach and we could also fall further behind Boro (Swansea at home) and Wigan (away at Huddersfield).
I would say that today is our best chance of securing a route to safety. In the remaining matches we have three London derbies which are notoriously difficult to win and three away fixtures at Cardiff, Birmingham and Leeds. Away games may be slightly less stressful affairs given we don't have the home fans breathing aggressively down our necks but you still have to play and beat the opponents in front of you on their pitch.
Hull suffered bad news this week in that half-a-dozen of their players have said they won't risk playing again as their contracts end at the end of the month. This more than levels the playing field with us missing Taylor and possibly Solly. However, I am hugely conscious that we have only managed two wins all season when Taylor hasn't featured. These were were both home games (Leeds and Derby) and without our fans the job won't be any easier against QPR or Millwall. Reading could be a game we might expect to win (they look safe) but the other home match against Wigan is also likely to be a six pointer.
A huge responsibility falls now on Macauley Bonne and I suspect that may be an even harder task if we play with him in a lone striking role with Williams or another in behind. My heart always says Charlton but the head is saying Hull (a draw isn't a good result today). Yes, there will still be 24 points to play for after today but if we lose I suspect we will be looking down the barrel of the gun. The fact that we still face the possibility of a points deduction just adds to the risk.
Relegation is a painful and haunting experience under normal circumstances but given the absolutely car crash that surrounds the ownership of the club and which seriously threatens our existence, fans are understandably more concerned about survival than relegation. I was out walking for a few hours with a couple of fellow Addicks yesterday and the conversation involved the notion of not being overly concerned if we ended up having to leave the Valley to get away from the curse of Duchatelet. Personally, another experience like 1985-92 would be too much for me and starting it in League Two would be catastrophic. No pressure today then lads....
I would say that today is our best chance of securing a route to safety. In the remaining matches we have three London derbies which are notoriously difficult to win and three away fixtures at Cardiff, Birmingham and Leeds. Away games may be slightly less stressful affairs given we don't have the home fans breathing aggressively down our necks but you still have to play and beat the opponents in front of you on their pitch.
Hull suffered bad news this week in that half-a-dozen of their players have said they won't risk playing again as their contracts end at the end of the month. This more than levels the playing field with us missing Taylor and possibly Solly. However, I am hugely conscious that we have only managed two wins all season when Taylor hasn't featured. These were were both home games (Leeds and Derby) and without our fans the job won't be any easier against QPR or Millwall. Reading could be a game we might expect to win (they look safe) but the other home match against Wigan is also likely to be a six pointer.
A huge responsibility falls now on Macauley Bonne and I suspect that may be an even harder task if we play with him in a lone striking role with Williams or another in behind. My heart always says Charlton but the head is saying Hull (a draw isn't a good result today). Yes, there will still be 24 points to play for after today but if we lose I suspect we will be looking down the barrel of the gun. The fact that we still face the possibility of a points deduction just adds to the risk.
Relegation is a painful and haunting experience under normal circumstances but given the absolutely car crash that surrounds the ownership of the club and which seriously threatens our existence, fans are understandably more concerned about survival than relegation. I was out walking for a few hours with a couple of fellow Addicks yesterday and the conversation involved the notion of not being overly concerned if we ended up having to leave the Valley to get away from the curse of Duchatelet. Personally, another experience like 1985-92 would be too much for me and starting it in League Two would be catastrophic. No pressure today then lads....
I truly believe that RD's intransigence is somewhat based on revenge.
ReplyDeleteThe protests in Belgium obviously hurt him and I think the ruination of the club is his intended payback.
Do I think that Varney and Barclay will get a deal done with RD ? absolutely not. That will then leave us in seriously perilous waters and swimming against the tide of inevitability.
If we survive, then our only option will be to ground share.
What a fucking shit situation, how could this come to be...again ?
Great win today but is it just a side show to the very existence of the club ?