It does make one proud!
The away form has been excellent, with four wins on the trot. Since my last post, victory over Bury (2-1) and
Home form has been rather more patchy, with another two-goal lead being relinquished in the draw with
In the Carling Cup, the terrific performance against
While all the talk last year was of the squad taking time to gel, we now have 19 new signings and nobody mentioning any similarity. They are told how the manager wants them to play, have bonded well, and go about their business in the right manner. We will lose this season, it is just a matter of time, but from the evidence so far, the heart is there and heads should not drop after one loss.
I have been mightily impressed by Danny Hollands, and his midfield play – tackling, harrying, taking the easy pass – has been excellent so far; the two headed goals he scored at
The centre of defence has been solid too, and you wouldn’t really want to meet Michael Morrison or Matt Taylor in a dark alley late at night, even though I’m sure both are lovely chaps!
Up front, Paul Hayes is settling in, and I think all he needs is a home goal or two to settle the crowd in his favour. It does annoy me sometimes that we have players who play terrifically well, making goals for others, and scoring at away grounds, but unless they hit a Valley net, there is always a question mark about them. BWP will get more goals having Hayes alongside him, and provided he stays fit and manages his knees well, he looks a sure fire bet to pas the twenty-goal mark.
The difference in the team is astounding from what we saw earlier this year and the Board and management must take a huge amount of pride and pleasure from seeing them do so well. Long may it continue!
Which brings me to the point in time where I can break some news about something that will not be continuing – this blog.
I have had six happy years bashing away at the keyboard, adding opinion to previews and reviews of games, but these posts have become fewer and fewer over the last 15 months or so. My love for Charlton has not diminished, but my love for typing has a little! With other commitments to the fore, something has to give and so I feel it is time to formally close Charlton Athletic Online to new posts. I will leave it up online for posterity, as many Addicks fans (and others) do seem to search out bits and pieces that I have included over the years.
There are many other fabulous blogs about Charlton – many listed on the right hand side of this page – and they have more time than I do to continue with their writing. I read most of them daily, which is possibly one reason why I have less time to write my own posts! I will from now on merely add comments to their posts as and when I feel the urge!
It’s been fun doing this – from the Premiership, to the Championship, to League One. Today’s team have some ability to start our journey in the opposite direction.
Lots of love
Pedro45
Come on you Addicks!
There may be other Charlton blogs but none that put out such lengthy yet reasoned articles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. You'll be missed.
Always quality. Thanks for your time and efforts, Pedro. I will look for your comments.
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you Pedro.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for all your posts.
Pembury Addick
Sorry to read that Pedro. Enjoy reading your thoughts as I do the other blogs. It's sometimes difficult to find the time to write I know. I hope that you may feel enthused again sometime in the future and are able to spare a few moments to commit something to the blog.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Phil.
Thanks Pedro. Always enjoyed your posts and your very considered opinions. With increasing quantity we are losing quality and the demise of Charlton Online won't help that equation.
ReplyDeleteVery sad to lose a Charlton blog. Enjoy the rest!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Pedro, always read your blog. I know it takes a lot of time and effort.
ReplyDeleteHope you can spare the time to write a few lines in celebration of our promotion come May?
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame Pedro but I can understand that you might be sick of the keyboard, particularly after finishing your book.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Dave too. Hope to catch up at a game soon for a pint.
CA
Shame. It is the older, established blogs, yours included, that inspired me over time to create one of my own. I thank you for that as I have really enjoyed indulging in moments of creative writing.
ReplyDeleteI would hope you reconsider your position some time in the future.
Thanks Pedro,
ReplyDeleteAnother well thought out article, you'll be missed, Up the addicks!
Thanks guys! One day I may give it another twirl, but I'll always be reading all the other CAFC blogs!
ReplyDeleteCOYA!
Pedro45
I echo the comments above, but can fully understand your decision as I've been finding it hard to find the time to write my blog in recent months.
ReplyDeleteYour analysis and expansion on the details made your blog unique, but I suspect it also made a bigger commitment to write.
All the best.