And so we're 90 minutes away from the Championship, but will we make it? Birmingham aside, we have the best defence in the league. I'm confident that:
If we score first - we win
If we keep a clean sheet - we win
Any other scenario, I'm not so confident.
And just in case we come off second best today, I won't be too, too disappointed. To get to Wembley from where we were on 3 December 2024 is a fantastic, unforgettable achievement. Then we can move on and look forward with confidence to an assault on the League 1 title next season.
With the wider pitch I think it will give space for Gilbert in the hole, I’m going to put it out there and say he’ll get 2 belters, both outside the box (provided he plays)
Let’s be confident but not cocky or complacent. All reason and logic says we should be decent favourites - finished miles ahead of them in the league, beat them home and away, I think player for player we have the better team. If we play to our best we’ll win and, if we don’t, we don’t deserve it anyway.
I think if there is any lack of confidence or concern it stems from the way Orient play. We are very comfortable against sides with a target man who play it long. We are less comfortable against a team with pace and movement. Orient have both but we have seen that if we can see out the first 20 mins or so we will establish ourselves in the game. They are certainly susceptible at the back and we need to make set pieces count.
This is where my nervousness stems from. We can break games up and are a well organised side. Orient have genuine pace and are brilliant on the counter. We’ve got to be wise to that. They’re certainly a better footballing side to watch. Let’s hope we can stifle them. An early goal for us would be perfect.
Woke up with Allez Allez Allez in my head so hoping that’s a positive omen. If I think about it too much I’m in @oohaahmortimer territory that after three play-off final wins were due a leveller. But in the past we beat Leeds and Sunderland and neither of those are doing badly so there is hope whatever the outcome today. Now COYA!
This feels less like a day out than the previous two I think it's cos after 5 years I just want to get out this bloody league but I know Orient are bang in form Anyway come on you Addicks!
History, omens, dreams and portents are all irrelevant. This will be a close and hard fought game that will probably be decided by a moment of skill or a mistake or a piece of luck.
Having said that I am wearing every item of lucky clothing that I own.
Comments
COYRS keep rolling
something to blame on top of the ref if we lose
He ended up on the losing team........Let's hope that's not the case today.
Enjoy the day everyone, and keep the faith
COYR
feels like 1998 all over again.
Away days at QPR, Watford, Norwich and Southampton instead of Exeter, Lincoln, Mansfield and Palace U21s.
Anyway come on you Addicks!
shitting it.
Busy morning ahead but as soon as we hit 12 I'll be in match day mode nervously shitting myself with excitement...