Charlton Athletic Online

It's funny when you miss games due to being in transit; as the match at the Valley kicked off, I was having a final shower prior to leaving my hotel. At half-time, my transport had arrived and my bags were being loaded for the drive to the airport. Could I last out, arriving home after midnight not knowing the score; waiting to watch the highlights this morning?

No. As we set off I texted a friend who bounced one back that Big Marcus had just scored. Blimey, I didn't even think he'd be playing! Then as we approached the airport, the (I have to say) disappointing news that the game ended one-all.

Oh well. Reports suggest we played OK with plenty of possession and many missed chances. New signing McLeod came on as sub, but Zheng Zhi didn't feature and neither did Therry Racon (has he actually signed?). And Diawara left in the week too, which is a shame.

It's only a couple of days now before the next match, and Pardew has the choice of blooding more of his squad or giving this team more of a chance to gel. I would hope to see a few changes personally, with Bent left out so he isn't cup-tied in case we do wish to sell him later this month.

How about that then; our goal-scoring hero and I talk about getting rid of him!

Fact of the match for me was that Darren Ambrose was the only Charlton player who started yesterday to have featured in our season opener last year against West Ham!

Things can only get better...and hopefully quickly!