Ipswich Town at home. What was the score? Won 3-1
Rarely as a Charlton fan can one leave the action at half-time confident of 3 points, but that is what I did yesterday being forced to leave the online community at
Charlton Life knowing that we were 3 goals to the good and head off to my ski lesson.
Whilst I was on the chair lift a text gave me confirmation of victory despite an only expected stirring Ipswich fight back. I got a full report later by phone and having seen the
ITV highlights it looked an amazing game, with a little of everything. One must expect a team of Ipswich's quality to throw everything but the kitchen sink at us in front of their travelling fans in the 2nd half but an incisive attacking display in the first 45 minutes had already put the game out of reach. Although being a long suffering Addick, I know how important Weaver's penalty save was early in that 2nd half.
I wrote recently of Pardew's tactical aptitude and he has got it wrong a couple of times recently but not yesterday sending the players out in unexpected positions and going at the Tractor Boys from the off. That first 45 minutes must have been mouth watering to watch. Then in the 2nd half the introduction of Semedo was timed perfectly.
Darren Ambrose has cut a frustrating figure at The Valley. I don't think many of us doubt his ability but I for one has said for a long while that he offers far more in an advanced position, a place where he most regularly played for Ipswich and the England U21's. I am glad that he turned it on yesterday and it gives Pards yet another option, particularly as I actually feel ZZ's energy suits him better in the middle of the pitch.
A great home win then, just what us Addicks had ordered the only blemish being Fortune's stupidity at the end. We now go into next week's crucial game at The Hawthorns without Mills, Sam and Fortune, each suspended and perhaps a concussed Powell. Another test for the squad that Pards has assembled to win us promotion.
Who was on the The Valley: Blackheath Addickted;
Drinking During the Game;
Addicks Championship Diary;
Charlton North Downs;
Frankie Valley.
Reports: Telegraph;
Independent;
Sporting Life;
cafc.co.uk;
Green 'Un.
What Pards' said: "In the first half we were sublime, it's nice to be able to show the fans what we can do."A bottle of fizzy pop for: Darren Ambrose. Was that really the same Darren Ambrose in the first half?