So 4737 home fans in attendance last night. Are 3/4 of those numbers gonna turn up on Thursday to fill the Jimmy Seed 🤔.. I don’t think so. Split the JS to allow more noise into the Valley COME ON CHARLTON
Unfortunately we can’t do that in time…..need special police agreement for a start off, plus a few other safety hurdles to get over. Not enough time to pull it all together.🤔
A big positive will be Small starting. Watson tries but doesn't give us much and he is prone to errors.
On the contrary I am of the opinion that Watson is a lot more of a defenders defender, thus doesn’t seem to shine in the system we play because more suited to small going forward etc. I think if Watson was RB in a back 4 he’d look slightly better than what’s possibly showing at the moment,
I think when called upon Watson has done well apart from falling asleep for Peterboroughs first goal up there. The system doesn't suit him but he's deputised well and contributed
It doesn't matter what style of football Wycombe play, how long they have been in the EFL, how many people live in the town, the bottom line is their crowds will never grow all the time you have a ground in the arse end of nowhere, with very restrictive parking, and virtually no easily accessible transport links
It’s a stretch comparing us to Wycombe. Down here in London, we’re up against endless distractions and surrounded by clubs with glittering histories and bulging trophy cabinets, all within spitting distance. The fight for attention is a different beast entirely.
You can get to Arsenal in just over an hour from Wycombe tbf.
If you say Greenwich and Bexley are legitimate Charlton catchment areas, that's over 535,000 people on our doorstep; and gates of 14,000 home fans represents only 2.6% of that number.
The entire district of Wycombe has a population of c175,00. Home support of c4,500 fans represents 2.6% of that population.
Charlton Pros: Integrated transport system thanks to London location, with easy access from north Kent too. 104 years of Football League history. Good history - FA Cup winners, seasons in top flight, including PL.
Charlton Cons: Have to compete for support with other, more successful London clubs within easy access thanks to integrated transport system. Playing below historic level.
Wycombe Pros: One club town. Playing above historical level.
Wycombe Cons: Close proximity to London. Southern commuter town, so not traditional football hotbed. Only 32 years of Football League history, most of it in tier 3 and 4. Stadium in poor location.
Therefore, I still think it is a weird stick to beat them with. If you half the population of Nottingham, you get c160,000. Notts County averaged around 9,500 home fans in L2. That's 5.9% of that population. They play literally across a bridge from twice European champions & current PL high flyers Nottingham Forest. The equivalent at The Valley would be 31,565 home fans. Ergo, we really can't be too snooty.
It has to be said that it was a shocking turnout by them for such an important game.
It’s a stretch comparing us to Wycombe. Down here in London, we’re up against endless distractions and surrounded by clubs with glittering histories and bulging trophy cabinets, all within spitting distance. The fight for attention is a different beast entirely.
You can get to Arsenal in just over an hour from Wycombe tbf.
If you say Greenwich and Bexley are legitimate Charlton catchment areas, that's over 535,000 people on our doorstep; and gates of 14,000 home fans represents only 2.6% of that number.
The entire district of Wycombe has a population of c175,00. Home support of c4,500 fans represents 2.6% of that population.
Charlton Pros: Integrated transport system thanks to London location, with easy access from north Kent too. 104 years of Football League history. Good history - FA Cup winners, seasons in top flight, including PL.
Charlton Cons: Have to compete for support with other, more successful London clubs within easy access thanks to integrated transport system. Playing below historic level.
Wycombe Pros: One club town. Playing above historical level.
Wycombe Cons: Close proximity to London. Southern commuter town, so not traditional football hotbed. Only 32 years of Football League history, most of it in tier 3 and 4. Stadium in poor location.
Therefore, I still think it is a weird stick to beat them with. If you half the population of Nottingham, you get c160,000. Notts County averaged around 9,500 home fans in L2. That's 5.9% of that population. They play literally across a bridge from twice European champions & current PL high flyers Nottingham Forest. The equivalent at The Valley would be 31,565 home fans. Ergo, we really can't be too snooty.
It has to be said that it was a shocking turnout by them for such an important game.
I don’t actually disagree. But I just don’t think it’s a stick we can beat them with, given that in terms of ratio of fans per local population the two clubs are the same. As I think AFKA said, it is more a shock that the crowd was below many of their league gates.
I can’t believe how woefully bad Greg Doherty was yesterday, just a reminder that he isn’t going to be good enough going forward
IF we go up, more than happy with the majority of our defense, Godden, Campbell and Coventry.
Agree with the rest but think we'd have to replace Godden. His goalscoring over four seasons in the Championship is 6, 12, 8 and 6. And he'll be 34 next season - I think anything more than a squad role would be beyond him.
Bigger crowds guarantee absolutely nothing. Leeds, Derby and others are case studies of that.
It’s all about what the players do on the pitch.
Hostile bigger crowds can make a difference.
I find that a myth personally. The Doncaster home game being the biggest relatable example of that. Our crowd was amazing that night but most people forgot we lost the game 1-3
Completely agree. It can also motivate, rather than intimidate the opposition. Especially the kind who usually get to play in front of 4/5k.
Some appalling behaviour from a few of our supporters tonight.
A few people who found their seats occupied were threatening those in them with violence and hurling abuse at them.
Ridiculously, this was happening at the back of the stadium by people who wanted to sit!
First an old man hobbled to the back of the stand with his grandson supporting him. They found their seats taken and, instead of asking them to move, they IMMEDIATELY began shouting 'C*nts' at them over and over. The people moved, but several others got involved and politely informed them that, if they were sat at the back, they would be standing for 90 minutes. These people were also called c*nts for trying to be helpful.
Subsequently, another old man arrived by himself and found his seat taken by a youngster.
The young guy politely explained that people generally sit where they like at away games, but the old man was adamant that he wanted his seat. The youngster moved for him, but the old man still kept kicking off and was threatening to beat the young supporter up for having dared to sit in his seat in the first place.
The youngster quipped back asking the old man if it was the first away game of his life. Ridiculously, the old man responded with 'Actually, it's the second away game I have been to! Wrexham the other week was the first away game I ever went to!'
He didn't seem to realise that he was proving the youngster's point as, when others also asked if he would be fine standing for 90 minutes, he proudly boasted that this was his third game all season (he also went to Burton at home) and that he used to be a season ticket holder when we were in the Premier League, so he knows what it's like. It was reiterated that everybody in front of him would be standing, but he kept going on about how many seasons he had watched us at home in the Premier League, so he knew best.
Queue kick-off and the pair of old men began kicking off, yelling at those around then to sit down and be respectful, since they had paid for tickets and deserved to be able to watch the match just like the rest of us.
It was pointed out to them by those in front that, if they sat down, they wouldn't be able to see as the people in front of them would be stood up and so on as almost everybody was standing.
They complained to the stewards to try and get everybody to sit, but the stewards had witnessed their earlier altercations and reminded them that they had been told to sit at the front if they wanted to sit down as neither allocated seating or seating itself was being enforced.
The old man who was alone was a nightmare for the rest of the match. As well as constantly whining about having to stand, he was complaining that Charlton fans were singing and the drummer was drumming!
Instead of accepting responsibility, he directed his anger at the youngster who was originally in his seat, constantly threatening to beat him up once they were out the ground.
It was already a rather dull game, especially the first half, but having to endure 90 minutes of whining on top, made it an evening worse experience.
It's came up many times before about how Valley Gold is overvalued and supporters who actually attend matches miss out over those that don't go. But seeing a guy who has been to three games in the past 18 years attending a sold out away end tonight really takes the biscuit.
I have to say having followed Charlton home & away for 50 years, I've never seen so many people there yesterday that I didn't recognize. Yes there were plenty of regulars, but I stood up and looked all around at half time and recognized 2 people.
Early goal is key on Thursday. If we get that I think their confidence, or what is left of it, will crumble. With minimal away support they won't have much singing to help them out.
Fortunately well have 24 odd thousand and won't be in need of music to drown them out, sheer volume of numbers will.
Lets not forget they have best away record other than Brum, and believe they have scored more away goals than anyone
Just hope the non red cards don't come to bite us on the arse
Yes. I am a bit more cautious than some on here. I actually think they are the sort of team that will enjoy the role of pantomime villain.
Cos let’s not get too carried away, it isn’t going to be like the Toolbox with coked up scaffolders frothing at the mouth at throw ins and corners. It’ll be loud and proud. But I reckon Wycombe will enjoy that.
It’s up to the players to let the football do the talking & not get dragged into a war of attrition again.
Should have used the playoff semi as a perfect game to test run the away fans in the West Stand. Give them 2k tickets at the end of it and put us all in the Jimmy Seed
I would also make sure the speakers in the Jimmy Seed are at full blast as well when the Wycombe players come out to warm up, return there little trick which didn’t go unnoticed yesterday.
Addicks to Victory on a loop for an hour before the game
I’m all for intimidation, but I draw the line at crimes against humanity.
Lets not forget they have best away record other than Brum, and believe they have scored more away goals than anyone
Just hope the non red cards don't come to bite us on the arse
I noticed some Wycombe comments along the same lines, saying they're a better team away from home than at home and 0-0 was a good result for them but when I checked the league table it said they had won 12, drawn 6 and lost 5 (42pts) both at home and away.
Given that they have the exact same WDL record at home and away, and our home record (51pts: won 15, drawn 6, lost 2) is 1.5x better than our away record (34pts: won 10, drawn 4, lost 9) then I feel confident we are capable of getting a better result at the Valley against us than we did at Adams Park.
A thoroughly grizzly game with (hoof ball aside) no real attempt to pass the ball by either side until Wycombe’s manic pressing wore them out and we started to play in the last 20 minutes.
The introduction of Anderson and Small also helped turn the tide in our favour and, but for two very good saves from near post Norris near the end, we’d have nicked it. The home side were happy to run the clock down and settle for a draw. That is also a reflection of our side’s levels of fitness, which will be very important should Thursday’s game go to extra time.
We couldn’t get going in midfield and, as a result, Godden and Campbell were outnumbered and left feeding off long ball scraps against big central defenders. Wycombe’s closing down and long ball approach dictated the music of the match until the latter stages but Edwards, Gillesphey, Jones and Ramsey stood up exceptionally well to the aerial bombardment, showing quality, grit and resilience.
An unedifying experience football-wise in what must be one of the more bucolic grounds in the EFL. We were fortunate to get away from the Millbrook School parking pretty quickly and were home before 10 but, as others have said, the location of the stadium is poor in terms of accessibility. I read that Wycombe only sold 5,006 home tickets, which is mediocre to say the least and, even allowing for the fact that Buckinghamshire is hardly a hotbed of football, the ground’s location can hardly help.
The obvious positives from our perspective are the clean sheet and the fact that our three injured players were fit to return. Hopefully Thierry Small will be able to start, as we look very unbalanced without him. His absence makes us more one dimensional and helps teams to double up on Campbell.
I think that Wycombe will probably park the bus on Thursday and hope to nick a goal or take the game to penalties. With 24,000 home supporters in full throttle, we’ll hopefully see them off. An early goal would help to settle the nerves, although that’s what I thought when Krystian Bielik stuck one in after a few minutes against Donny ( ! ).
I can’t believe how woefully bad Greg Doherty was yesterday, just a reminder that he isn’t going to be good enough going forward
IF we go up, more than happy with the majority of our defense, Godden, Campbell and Coventry.
Agree with the rest but think we'd have to replace Godden. His goalscoring over four seasons in the Championship is 6, 12, 8 and 6. And he'll be 34 next season - I think anything more than a squad role would be beyond him.
Good option though for a team trying to stay up in the championship which we would be.
We would need about 5/6 new quality players to stand a chance of staying up.
Should have used the playoff semi as a perfect game to test run the away fans in the West Stand. Give them 2k tickets at the end of it and put us all in the Jimmy Seed
I would also make sure the speakers in the Jimmy Seed are at full blast as well when the Wycombe players come out to warm up, return there little trick which didn’t go unnoticed yesterday.
Addicks to Victory on a loop for an hour before the game
I’m all for intimidation, but I draw the line at crimes against humanity.
I applaud Wycombe for their efficiency in putting away the worst teams in this league but I’ve never seen such a clear cut difference in sets of results between good and bad opponents.
If they’d just managed average returns against teams around them during the season, they’d probably be automatically promoted instead of Wrexham.
I applaud Wycombe for their efficiency in putting away the worst teams in this league but I’ve never seen such a clear cut difference in sets of results between good and bad opponents.
If they’d just managed average returns against teams around them during the season, they’d probably be automatically promoted instead of Wrexham.
Is it just me or am I missing something re; all this needle directed at Wycombe and their fanbase?
I thought it was a fairly uneventful game and both sides looked poor, but we will probably be slightly happier with the result given it looked the game plan was to not get beat.
There were some poor tackles by some of theirs admittedly, but I can't understand how off the back of that fairly drab game, it's riled a few up.
That's not having a dig at those that are riled up, simply that based on what I saw, I can't understand some of the animosity in the post match comments
Really? The way Leahy got Chuks sent off a couple of weeks ago. The fact Kone tried to do Ramsay and should have seen red. The fact Odoh elbowed Gilly and should have seen red. The constant falling over and cheating. The fact my eardrums are still ringing from the shit blasted to us at half time at such volume. The fact they can’t sell 5,000 home seats for a play off game. The fact their stadium is in the arse end of nowhere.
Sorry but fuck em. I really dislike them.
I’ll take your word for it Re: the tannoy, and yes, there were some bad tackles. I was surprised to see the ‘tinpot’ rhetoric directed to them. I guess you had to be there (I wasn’t), but to me, it seems odd that a lot of what I’ve seen on social media and X etc is us calling them tinpot. They’re never going to be able to pack out their ground and they can’t help level of their support based on their history and size.
I think we’ll be up for the second leg, but if their players, manager and fans take any notice of all this, it’s good fuel to stoke their fire
I applaud Wycombe for their efficiency in putting away the worst teams in this league but I’ve never seen such a clear cut difference in sets of results between good and bad opponents.
If they’d just managed average returns against teams around them during the season, they’d probably be automatically promoted instead of Wrexham.
I can’t believe how woefully bad Greg Doherty was yesterday, just a reminder that he isn’t going to be good enough going forward
IF we go up, more than happy with the majority of our defense, Godden, Campbell and Coventry.
The rest, not so sure. I feel we need someone to compliment Coventry. I was disappointed in Doc yesterday who should be standing out in that type of game, and I feel Cov actually looked quite nervous.
Hoping they can both pick it up for these potential last two games, as we need them at it to have a chance. Can't keep bypassing the midfield, especially if TC isn't at it.
Coventry and Docherty got through a lot of work in the first half but we're not able to get the ball down to play, that was in the main because of Wycombe's long ball tactics and falling to the floor at every opportunity. Their Managers tactics stifled not only us but his own side, watch the last twenty minutes, their players were pulling up with cramp and we were dominating. I think Dodds will try the same again at the Valley, basically because he doesn't have a plan so once again it's important we don't concede and just as important that we have a decent ref who will see serious foul play for what it is.
Eric said ''It's came up many times before about how Valley Gold is overvalued and supporters who actually attend matches miss out over those that don't go. But seeing a guy who has been to three games in the past 18 years attending a sold out away end tonight really takes the biscuit''
Just as an aside, I was in the first Valley Gold tranche plus I have 2 season tickets giving me 480 points for Wycombe away at 2pm - I think it was phase 5 and there were no tickets left at 2.01pm so I don't think it would have been a Valley Gold issue. I'm totally supportive of those who go to the most away matches getting preference, but I'd be amazed if the guy you described got his because of Valley Gold. As an aside luckily I accompanied my mate who had 580 loyalty points so I was able to go. We sat on the far left as we were looking at the pitch and there were plenty of empty seats if people were prepared to move about a bit
Eric said ''It's came up many times before about how Valley Gold is overvalued and supporters who actually attend matches miss out over those that don't go. But seeing a guy who has been to three games in the past 18 years attending a sold out away end tonight really takes the biscuit''
Just as an aside, I was in the first Valley Gold tranche plus I have 2 season tickets giving me 480 points for Wycombe away at 2pm - I think it was phase 5 and there were no tickets left at 2.01pm so I don't think it would have been a Valley Gold issue. I'm totally supportive of those who go to the most away matches getting preference, but I'd be amazed if the guy you described got his because of Valley Gold. As an aside luckily I accompanied my mate who had 580 loyalty points so I was able to go. We sat on the far left as we were looking at the pitch and there were plenty of empty seats if people were prepared to move about a bit
Especially if they didn’t mind moving to a different stand.
Our support was incredible. They tried to play music over the top of us, but the tunes they chose (excluding You can call me Al) just seemed to help with the atmosphere.
Scrappy game. I thought they looked knackered by the end, and I think we’d have scored had it gone on for much longer.
Small made a difference, when Small is on the pitch we have a threat down by wings.
With every game, I’m more impressed by Edwards.
Post match - the bus journey back to the station was a killer. The ground is at the end of an industrial estate, and so getting out of it is a nightmare.
Their ground and support is National League/League 2 at best. I know (and rightly so) that results determine the division you’re in, but they really aren’t a Championship outfit, so let’s beat them on Thursday, as we are!
Lets not forget they have best away record other than Brum, and believe they have scored more away goals than anyone
Just hope the non red cards don't come to bite us on the arse
Their away record and goals have come from their good form earlier in the season. Last 4 away they’re 11th in the form table. last 8 they’re 8th. Basically getting worse. Decent little site this for those that like form tables. https://www.soccerstats.com/formtable.asp?league=england3
Comments
Not enough time to pull it all together.🤔
It has to be said that it was a shocking turnout by them for such an important game.
Yes there were plenty of regulars, but I stood up and looked all around at half time and recognized 2 people.
Just hope the non red cards don't come to bite us on the arse
Only away game from top 7 they picked up points was a 5-0 win at Stockport.
Cos let’s not get too carried away, it isn’t going to be like the Toolbox with coked up scaffolders frothing at the mouth at throw ins and corners. It’ll be loud and proud. But I reckon Wycombe will enjoy that.
It’s up to the players to let the football do the talking & not get dragged into a war of attrition again.
We've got a great home record too.
Given that they have the exact same WDL record at home and away, and our home record (51pts: won 15, drawn 6, lost 2) is 1.5x better than our away record (34pts: won 10, drawn 4, lost 9) then I feel confident we are capable of getting a better result at the Valley against us than we did at Adams Park.
A thoroughly grizzly game with (hoof ball aside) no real attempt to pass the ball by either side until Wycombe’s manic pressing wore them out and we started to play in the last 20 minutes.
The introduction of Anderson and Small also helped turn the tide in our favour and, but for two very good saves from near post Norris near the end, we’d have nicked it. The home side were happy to run the clock down and settle for a draw. That is also a reflection of our side’s levels of fitness, which will be very important should Thursday’s game go to extra time.
We couldn’t get going in midfield and, as a result, Godden and Campbell were outnumbered and left feeding off long ball scraps against big central defenders. Wycombe’s closing down and long ball approach dictated the music of the match until the latter stages but Edwards, Gillesphey, Jones and Ramsey stood up exceptionally well to the aerial bombardment, showing quality, grit and resilience.
An unedifying experience football-wise in what must be one of the more bucolic grounds in the EFL. We were fortunate to get away from the Millbrook School parking pretty quickly and were home before 10 but, as others have said, the location of the stadium is poor in terms of accessibility. I read that Wycombe only sold 5,006 home tickets, which is mediocre to say the least and, even allowing for the fact that Buckinghamshire is hardly a hotbed of football, the ground’s location can hardly help.
The obvious positives from our perspective are the clean sheet and the fact that our three injured players were fit to return. Hopefully Thierry Small will be able to start, as we look very unbalanced without him. His absence makes us more one dimensional and helps teams to double up on Campbell.
I think that Wycombe will probably park the bus on Thursday and hope to nick a goal or take the game to penalties. With 24,000 home supporters in full throttle, we’ll hopefully see them off. An early goal would help to settle the nerves, although that’s what I thought when Krystian Bielik stuck one in after a few minutes against Donny ( ! ).
We would need about 5/6 new quality players to stand a chance of staying up.
If they’d just managed average returns against teams around them during the season, they’d probably be automatically promoted instead of Wrexham.
@Callumcafc says so
Just as an aside, I was in the first Valley Gold tranche plus I have 2 season tickets giving me 480 points for Wycombe away at 2pm - I think it was phase 5 and there were no tickets left at 2.01pm so I don't think it would have been a Valley Gold issue. I'm totally supportive of those who go to the most away matches getting preference, but I'd be amazed if the guy you described got his because of Valley Gold.
As an aside luckily I accompanied my mate who had 580 loyalty points so I was able to go. We sat on the far left as we were looking at the pitch and there were plenty of empty seats if people were prepared to move about a bit
With every game, I’m more impressed by Edwards.
Their ground and support is National League/League 2 at best. I know (and rightly so) that results determine the division you’re in, but they really aren’t a Championship outfit, so let’s beat them on Thursday, as we are!
Last 4 away they’re 11th in the form table.
last 8 they’re 8th. Basically getting worse.
Decent little site this for those that like form tables.
https://www.soccerstats.com/formtable.asp?league=england3