Driving Rain

As the rain and wind went horizontal, the first part of clothing to give up on providing any water protection was my trousers. My shins became cold and wet, quickly followed by the rest of my legs. The coat initially remained resolute against the onslaught, but then I started to feel dampness in the pockets and round my wrists. I could no longer see, as the driving rain had rendered my glasses more of a hinderance than a help. In the end I took them off, and scanned the field in front of me.

After what seemed like a cold and increasingly wet eternity, there he was. A slight, blonde haired lad of 12, running for his county for the very first time, and wearing only a vest and shorts against the elements came into view, the county name of Surrey emblazoned in black against the yellow vest. His finishing position wasn't great, but then again the majority of boys running were a year older than himself.

As we attempted to get dry afterwards, before getting into the car for the near 300 mile return journey home from Staffordshire, he quietly asked, "How are we doing at Yeovil?" Had it not been for the call up to run for Surrey, the Roon and I had marked Yeovil in the calendar as our one away trip of the season. "Well" I replied, "they can't have had weather as miserable as this".

Well I got that wrong didn't I? What is it about sport that makes normally sane people do this sort of stuff? Major respect to the travelling Charlton faithful that made the long trip down to the West Country, as all the reports I have seen tell me that my discomfort in a muddy field in Staffordshire was being shared in equal measure at Huish Park. As Roon and I made our way down the M6 in silence, the news came through on Five Live that Sodje had been sent off, and then that Yeovil were 1-0 up at half time. Spirits rose on news that Sodje Jnr. had equalised, and reading the reports later, we were unlucky not to have come away with all three points. Two points dropped rather than one gained seemed to be a common take on things, but satisfaction nevertheless that the team had fought well in appalling conditions.

Much like the Roon, Charlton fought the elements well yesterday, so who cares that I had driven 600 miles to see a race that lasted for 17 minutes, it was worth it. I get the feeling 1,500 Charlton fans will know exactly what I mean.

Southampton 2 Charlton 1

Despite having no interest in the Paint Pot, I ended up watching this one on Sky. The performance was woeful, particularly in the first half, and we didn't deserve to score, although it was pleasing that we did. I suspect that the answer to our striker issue, which will have to be resolved in January, if not before, will require Shelvey to be sold. I can't see us raising sufficient funds through the disposal of Dickson and hopefully McLeod, to make it happen any other way.

The team is low on confidence, and on a poor run. I don't see that changing for the visit of Franchise FC, and fully expect to be sitting fourth come the final whistle on Saturday. I only hope the crowd get behind the team, and don't get on their collective backs, but patience is running low, and Parkinson, unfortunately, seems unable to motivate a team in difficulties, which was always my main concern about him earlier in the season. Expectation was rampant off the back of a fine start to the season, but that start, for many, now appears to be the blip, rather than what is happening now. Fingers crossed that they are wrong.

I am now off to Venice for five days to recharge the batteries, so will miss the game on Saturday. With three major players missing for them, who knows, maybe we could get something from that game, but on the evidence of the last month, I just don't see it happening. As ever, I will be delighted to be proved wrong.

Northwich Victoria 1 Charlton 0

I am not going to lay into the team for this one, but only because, as I have posted previously, I cared little for the FA Cup this year. Judging by the performance today, neither did the players. After such an inadequate, and disinterested display, I would find it difficult to believe that any of the players, or the manager will be really down about this, so everything is ok then - yes?

Well no actually. Our relegation, (because that is what it is) form continues, and Northwich could easily have won this 4-0, and would have done, had it not been for the heroics of Dailly, and especially Randolph. Having said that, the latter can be faulted for the Northwich winner, where he really should have been the first player to get to the hopeful ball over the top, that turned out to be the catalyst for the winning goal.

"You're just a small town in Welling" was the chant, and do you know what? I fancy Welling could have done better than Charlton did today. In a weeks time, this will be chip paper, and I will be in Venice. Let's see if Parkinson can earn his money in the clash against Franchise FC, but on both todays, and other recent showings, I have my doubts that he will.