Walking home from the shops last Friday in my Charlton shirt (Leigh on Sea) guy shouts out from across the road.
Father and Son glazing company from Hadleigh, both Orient season ticket holders (nice Orient crests on van door )
They were honest about how difficult it is to play good football against Wycombe, how the first leg was the worst game they had seen in years (a few neutral fans I’ve met this week want Orient, said we play awful football, they did only watch the Wycombe games), but were really happy they were playing us in the final. Stated that it would be a more open game and that they wanted Charlton at Wembley, as they know with current form they will beat us with no dramas due to how we play.
Gutted I cant make it over, been a very expensive first half(ish) to the year as me and the missus get ready for an even more expensive end as we're not far off from welcoming our first into the world, I wont lie, I did check flights, trains, times the lot but better not...
Expecting a tight, pretty even game with us edging it, an early goal before finally putting the nerves to bed around 80mins with a second.
We go a goal down early but get one back before half time though Ramsay from a set piece. Go ahead early in the 2nd half with Godden again, only for them to pin us back. Aneke off the bench to score a late winner.
I think it'll start cagey but the first goal will open the game up and it'll be exciting.
Hope Berry is fit. We saw in the last playoffs how important experience is in midfield. See Gilbert playing the role Jonny Williams did off the bench that day, helping us play higher up the pitch as they tire.
Nerves are kicking in already but looking forward to the day out. Hopefully the weather picks up a little!
I would be happy for the same line up from the Wycombe 2nd leg. Hope TC finds some form as he has waivered but on his day, he is a nightmare to defend.
We need to be at it and if we are, I see us winning 2-0/2-1.
Reckon TC will have an absolute blinder after a tough couple games getting doubled up on.
Well the oppo doubling up on our most dangerous player is something he is going to have to get used to. Some players thrive under pressure and live for the big occasion, eg Lyle Taylor. At the moment Tyreece appears to shrink. He has the potential to be our match winner. Commeth the hour, commeth the man. I hope!
Crazy that we’re here again (3rd time for me, 98, 19 and now)
This game has an added dimension for me with all of my 1st cousins on my mum’s side, being as Orient as I am Charlton
It’s a very close relationship as well, every Xmas when I was younger, holidays with them for a week in the summer up until about the age of 15, and I even remember them taking me to watch them play Grimsby at Grimsby in the night during half term when I was about 9/10 in the early 90s.
they’re 5,9 and 10 years older than me and if someone had told us back in the late 80s, early to mid 90s that we would be meeting in a game like this, it would’ve been hard to get my head around. They were primarily division 3 back then and we hardly met. I think the first time in my life was a league cup tie at Selhurst park when my dad let me cross the divide in the holmesdale end because I was as desperate to see them
We didn’t meet them again for a very long time after that
As for the game, unless one of us bottles it and nerves creep in, I think you can toss a coin as to who wins it. I would say momentum wise, they’re slight favourites given the late run to get 6th, plus beating Stockport
I thought the game plan we had against Wycombe in the first leg made sense, but candidly speaking, I thought we were poor in the home leg. Too many balls over the top, rushed passes and not doing the simple things. Hopefully it’s an eye opener for the team and Jones and we’re on it out the blocks
We need Small and Edwards to get down those flanks and TC to have a good game.
I’m sure they’ll be pumped up, so looking forward to it
I’d like to see Tyreece make me sway again. Don’t think he’s been quite on it over the last 4 games and if we are to be successful, we need a game out of him
I have a feeling Chuks will be the difference maker. I was critical about his impact from the bench for much of this season, but the last couple of months have proven he changes the tide late on, allowing TC and Godden more freedom as our opponents panic.
If we're still in the game by the time he comes on, I see us winning it.
The drunken wise old men at spoons are saying Charlton, I cant call it. An old friend of mine, he's in his late 70s, is an O through and through, I know what this means to him, sadly, we're unlikely to bump into each other, would've been great to watch the game together. I like this comment from an Os' forum: 'God will have the hump with Jones working on a Sunday.'
If you'd told me, before the play-offs were set, we'd get Wycombe in the semis and Orient in the final, I'd have taken that as the ideal scenario. Does that mean it will be an easy game or we are definitely going to win? No, it doesn't. However, this team has shown they can win in different ways and will, most of the time, force the opposition to play very well if they want to beat us.
I expect a very different game to the semifinals. I don't think Orient can play to frustrate in the way Wycombe tried to. We'll need to defend well and we can expect to be stretched at times on the larger Wembley pitch. Their style will suit our back line less well than Wycombe's physicality and Mannion should expect to have to make a few saves, but our defence is no push over, no matter what style the opposition plays with. On the flip side, if we get our pressing right, they're more open style and desire to pass out from the back could play into the hands of our suffocating, counter punching style.
I think they will have more of the ball of the ball and perhaps more of the chances but we have the fitness levels to deal with that and will cause them our own problems too. I really think it's too close to call. First goal will, as always, be crucial - I don't want to be in a situation where we are chasing the game but if it's level going into the last 10 minutes then I will back us every time as we have almost always finished stronger than our opponents since Christmas. I'm nervous as hell but it should be a good game.
Home and League stats vs them:
It will be interesting to see which team asserts themselves more on the day at a neutral venue, personally think it will be us.
It'll be 50% Charlton 30% Neutrals and 20% Orient. Technically speaking I would say it's gonna be a less than Neutral game for them.
The fact we are statistically better at home and Orient are better not at home, does concern me.
Charlton are the home team. We’re playing in red, Orient are playing in grey, an away shirt they’ve so far lost 2 of the 5 games when they’ve worn it this season and, although it worryingly appears nobody still has a fucking clue how many tickets have been sold, it’s more than likely there will be more Charlton fans in the ground than Orient fans, possibly almost twice as many. It’s a home game.
I think it's too close to call. What we do have is a resilience about us and a fitness level and resolve that will drive us right through to the end. Hoipefully those 2 late goals at Brisbane Road will play on their minds
Seen a fair few Orient fans very overconfident for this. Even saw one say we don't deserve the home kit after our performance vs Wycombe on his live stream.
Bit rich when you consider they're only here cause of an offside goal. Stockport would have been through if refs could follow rules and VAR was in use like it will be in the final.
The fact we are statistically better at home and Orient are better not at home, does concern me.
Yes but it's not really an away game as nobody is at home.
The point is, 1 team travels better than the other (slightly) and 1 doesnt... so yes nobody is the home team, but we perform better in front of our home crowd.
I’d like to see Tyreece make me sway again. Don’t think he’s been quite on it over the last 4 games and if we are to be successful, we need a game out of him
Slightly concerned he's got a big offer and reserving himself the last few games in case of injury.
Hasn't been the same since around Cambridge away. Isn't getting stuck in as much, isn't tracking as much, isn't running as much, not taking people on.
To get pocketed twice by Grimmer is poor, that lad is a proper league 1 gatekeeper full back. Literally didn't jump for a header against him, didn't try and outmuscle him, has been weird to watch. A few months ago he was getting praise for his physicality, but it seems to have vanished the last month.
Hopefully I'm wrong but the Campbell we saw at Mansfield away, Cambridge away, Huddersfield at home etc isn't present currently.
Tupac has been tripled up on the last few games. He’s had little flashes but not at the usual level. Looked better on Thursday when Jones switched him. Hopefully he gets a bit more freedom on Sunday.
Seen a fair few Orient fans very overconfident for this. Even saw one say we don't deserve the home kit after our performance vs Wycombe on his live stream.
Bit rich when you consider they're only here cause of an offside goal. Stockport would have been through if refs could follow rules and VAR was in use like it will be in the final.
Hope we absolutely dust these lot.
If Stockport had even had some half decent finishing they’d have won that second leg comfortably. I don’t mind Orient being overconfident though, makes me feel more like we will win
I’d like to see Tyreece make me sway again. Don’t think he’s been quite on it over the last 4 games and if we are to be successful, we need a game out of him
Slightly concerned he's got a big offer and reserving himself the last few games in case of injury.
Hasn't been the same since around Cambridge away. Isn't getting stuck in as much, isn't tracking as much, isn't running as much, not taking people on.
To get pocketed twice by Grimmer is poor, that lad is proper league 1 gatekeeper full back. Literally didn't jump for a header against him, didn't try and outmuscle him, has been weird to watch. A few months ago he was getting praise for his physicality, but it seems to have vanished the last month.
Hopefully I'm wrong but the Campbell we saw at Mansfield away, Cambridge away, Huddersfield at home etc isn't present currently.
In fairness to Campbell Wycombe’s entire game plan was to just take him out the game completely. Grimmer’s entire job was to stick to him like glue not give him a yard have Taylor watch the long balls in behind and Simons to just block him off coming inside. Against Orient he’s going to be up against Galbraith REG and Clare on that left hand side. Galbraith likes to get high and wide and leave space in behind because of what he brings going forward, REG hasn’t got a massive physical profile and is a more reserved than aggressive defender and Clare’s positional awareness and reading of the game is arguably his worst attribute. Will be playing a very different side to what he faced at Wycombe which will arguably work in his favour
Think it will be an even game on the whole but if I was an Orient fan I'd be really worried with how many good chances they give away, especially from crosses. Stockport had 2 free headers in the first half last week and then missed two sitters in the last minute of normal and extra time. Think we have the players to put them away as seen over the 2 league games when we scored 3 late goals against them. 2 from similar crosses at their place and Berry going through at The Valley.
Both of Stockport's goals in the first leg also came from crosses. Gilbert's (if he plays) set pieces will have to be much better than what they were against Wycombe but we've seen him do it, especially against this lot.
Comments
That makes sense.
I just wished them luck, in League One next year.
Gutted I cant make it over, been a very expensive first half(ish) to the year as me and the missus get ready for an even more expensive end as we're not far off from welcoming our first into the world, I wont lie, I did check flights, trains, times the lot but better not...
Expecting a tight, pretty even game with us edging it, an early goal before finally putting the nerves to bed around 80mins with a second.
2-0 to the Addicks
Championship football next season.
We go a goal down early but get one back before half time though Ramsay from a set piece. Go ahead early in the 2nd half with Godden again, only for them to pin us back. Aneke off the bench to score a late winner.
COYR
Hope Berry is fit. We saw in the last playoffs how important experience is in midfield. See Gilbert playing the role Jonny Williams did off the bench that day, helping us play higher up the pitch as they tire.
Nerves are kicking in already but looking forward to the day out. Hopefully the weather picks up a little!
I would be happy for the same line up from the Wycombe 2nd leg. Hope TC finds some form as he has waivered but on his day, he is a nightmare to defend.
We need to be at it and if we are, I see us winning 2-0/2-1.
Well the oppo doubling up on our most dangerous player is something he is going to have to get used to.
Some players thrive under pressure and live for the big occasion, eg Lyle Taylor.
At the moment Tyreece appears to shrink.
He has the potential to be our match winner.
Commeth the hour, commeth the man. I hope!
This game has an added dimension for me with all of my 1st cousins on my mum’s side, being as Orient as I am Charlton
It’s a very close relationship as well, every Xmas when I was younger, holidays with them for a week in the summer up until about the age of 15, and I even remember them taking me to watch them play Grimsby at Grimsby in the night during half term when I was about 9/10 in the early 90s.
they’re 5,9 and 10 years older than me and if someone had told us back in the late 80s, early to mid 90s that we would be meeting in a game like this, it would’ve been hard to get my head around. They were primarily division 3 back then and we hardly met. I think the first time in my life was a league cup tie at Selhurst park when my dad let me cross the divide in the holmesdale end because I was as desperate to see them
We didn’t meet them again for a very long time after that
As for the game, unless one of us bottles it and nerves creep in, I think you can toss a coin as to who wins it. I would say momentum wise, they’re slight favourites given the late run to get 6th, plus beating Stockport
I thought the game plan we had against Wycombe in the first leg made sense, but candidly speaking, I thought we were poor in the home leg. Too many balls over the top, rushed passes and not doing the simple things. Hopefully it’s an eye opener for the team and Jones and we’re on it out the blocks
We need Small and Edwards to get down those flanks and TC to have a good game.
I’m sure they’ll be pumped up, so looking forward to it
If we're still in the game by the time he comes on, I see us winning it.
What we do have is a resilience about us and a fitness level and resolve that will drive us right through to the end.
Hoipefully those 2 late goals at Brisbane Road will play on their minds
Bit rich when you consider they're only here cause of an offside goal. Stockport would have been through if refs could follow rules and VAR was in use like it will be in the final.
Hope we absolutely dust these lot.
Hasn't been the same since around Cambridge away. Isn't getting stuck in as much, isn't tracking as much, isn't running as much, not taking people on.
To get pocketed twice by Grimmer is poor, that lad is a proper league 1 gatekeeper full back. Literally didn't jump for a header against him, didn't try and outmuscle him, has been weird to watch. A few months ago he was getting praise for his physicality, but it seems to have vanished the last month.
Hopefully I'm wrong but the Campbell we saw at Mansfield away, Cambridge away, Huddersfield at home etc isn't present currently.
Both of Stockport's goals in the first leg also came from crosses. Gilbert's (if he plays) set pieces will have to be much better than what they were against Wycombe but we've seen him do it, especially against this lot.
I'll go 2-0 Charlton. Godden and Jones