That split-second when The Valley takes a sharp intake of breath as a last-minute chance presents itself to be walloped home in front of the Covered End.
The brief moment when you're on notice that something great could be about to happen.
Wallop!
Net bulge to confirm!
Bedlam in home stands while a sold out Jimmy Seed start to dutifully shuffle out.
An ideal start and it was great to see a bigger crowd and the benefit that will bring to the local economy as well as the club. One thing that could usefully be addressed is getting passengers off the platform at Charlton station from packed trains rather more quickly than at a snail’s pace.
The problem is the lack of Oyster readers. Just 2 on each side, which is hopelessly inadequate for the crowds.
Back in the PL days, there was no tapping in and out, so crowds could just walk straight through.
aswell as the defence being there usual solid classy bunch
Still too Early to judge Kelman but he needs to learn to either hold the ball up properly or flick it on he was doing neither today and being thrown about abit
dont want to jinx leaburn but as soon as he came on he looked more slender and pacey than we have seen in a long time
As ever, lovely to be back at home in the sunshine of August. Nice, big crowd (and very decent [albeit maybe a little quiet for their numbers] away support) to celebrate our return to Championship football.
For me, it was always going to be about trying to get a result today - setting the mood for the season and getting us off on the right foot. As ever, a cagey first half (something I've become all too accustomed to with NJ) that was rewarded with a stunning, cinema finish. For Knibbs to come off the bench, on his first game and with no pre-season whatsoever, to finish with natural composure shows we may have signed someone who has some real class. It was a special moment for him that galvanised a performance befitting an NJ team.
Lots of positives across the park - our defenders who we know so much about did in the Championship what they did in L1. LJones was once again immense and was my MotM. Ramsay and Edwards won their 1v1s. Bell slotted in well to add some more pace - couple of eyebrow-raising moments on the ball, but broadly performed well. Coventry was the metronome and everything positive came through him in QB-style pockets of space. Apter was particularly disciplined in his WB role and showed so many great signs of the good things and threat he can carry. Carey was quiet in the first half, but grew in endeavour in the second. All the subs came on and made the difference we needed to, so massive credit for NJ on that front.
There were some minor niggles in the performance too - it's still early days and some players will take time to get get acclimatised to the league. Kaminski worried me with his magnetic preference for his line and 6 yard box. We were very, very lucky with the penalty shout for Watford, and on watching that on the replay, he did clatter their lad. I'm fearful of seeing goals going against us due to indecision. I'll chalk it up to some nerves and move on, but something to watch. TC carried pace as ever, although final product wasn't there today. Again, give him some time to get into this league. Doc was probably the one I was most disappointed with. Quality with the ball simply wasn't there and I fear his place in the team is going to be under threat. For all the things he brings to this team, there will be people knocking on the door for his berth in the team. Finally (and I've spoken about this already on here), give Kelman time. He was denied almost any service and it's a selfless task. I'm on the fence as to whether he can work with TC - maybe Tanto/Leaburn will prove as better foil.
More crappy refs - we just got the rub of the green more than they did. Watford fans have every right to be bemused with his decisions going our way as much as they did generally - and the big ones he got wrong. I won't complain though - he just could have absolutely changed the game and denied the dramatic finish.
More drama. More last minute wins. More NJ.
That's what you get for calling him a w*nker, my Herts friends.
Really enjoyed today, good game of football and we went toe to toe with an established championship team with some expensive players. I know it’s hard to judge Watford but they have some very tidy ballers, but evidently so do we.
Carey and Apter look like absolute bargains, really intricate play together and should be able to cope in this league well. Our entire defence is class, Edwards for me the pick of the bunch, he had one of the trickiest players in the league against him and he won the battle comfortably.
Doc and TC were the weak links today, TC had a couple of decent moments but his overall play and decision making were poor. I know wingers flash hot and cold but some of his errors today led to dangerous counter attacks. He’s still an asset and he will grow but I think that should be from the bench.
Docherty for me is chasing shadows. He gets about loads but what does he actually achieve? He always seems just behind the play and when he receives the ball it’s never on the turn, looking to drive. His first thought is back to a defender. With Coventry sitting deep we need a box to box, someone able to make the transition and carry play forward. Step forward JRC but I think we need further cover here.
Kelman had a difficult start but I think he will grow and as others have said he needs a Leaburn/Tanto to play off, he will come good.
Glad to be back in this league where we belong, feeling positive about this season and prediction would be a healthy 14/15th.
Great result for Bristol City but Sheffield Utd are an accident waiting to happen. They should never have sacked Chris Wilder who got them playing better than they actually are. Bit like Nathan Jones did with us last season. They’ll do well enough but those players who did it for Wilder are now playing a different way and it might be some time before they gel.
Whenabouts was the second penalty for us that the ref didn’t call? I saw the obvious one against Edwards but I genuinely missed the second one
Tanto drove towards the goal and was fouled in the process, ref played advantage, was then dragged or chopped down in the box (can't remember which) and the ref played on for some reason. We barely had an advantage at that point too so should have been brought back for the initial foul at least
I’m in Lisbon with the Mrs, we were walking down a street and I was watching. I shouted like 15/10 when we scored, 100’s of people turned round and she walked off. You can’t take my Charlton away.
Really impressed with the way Jones, Edwards and Ramsay stepped up today, and looked completely at home.
Carey was a pleasant surprise today, he looked quite classy on the ball, and had a great relationship with his former Blackpool colleague Apter. Apter himself put in some excellent crosses, and looks to be building a great partnership with Ramsay already.
Docherty wasn't great today. Not doing much with the ball, and giving away an incredibly dangerous free kick with that rugby tackle.
Kaminski had a horrible moment which should have cost us a penalty. I've no idea why he didn't come and claim the ball, it was a completely basic bit of keeping which for some reason he chose not to do. Definitely something to work on this week...
Kelman struggled a bit out there. I'm not sure the "Godden" lone striker role especially suited him, as it left us with no focal point for our attacks. Sending on Miles, then Tanto gave their defenders way more to think about, which will partially account for the defending which left Knibbs unmarked at that corner.
Comments
Attendance: 21,778 (3,138 from Charlton)
Umm.
The brief moment when you're on notice that something great could be about to happen.
Wallop!
Net bulge to confirm!
Bedlam in home stands while a sold out Jimmy Seed start to dutifully shuffle out.
Can't beat it.
Back in the PL days, there was no tapping in and out, so crowds could just walk straight through.
aswell as the defence being there usual solid classy bunch
Still too Early to judge Kelman but he needs to learn to either hold the ball up properly or flick it on he was doing neither today and being thrown about abit
dont want to jinx leaburn but as soon as he came on he looked more slender and pacey than we have seen in a long time
what a day and what a win
buzzzzing
For me, it was always going to be about trying to get a result today - setting the mood for the season and getting us off on the right foot. As ever, a cagey first half (something I've become all too accustomed to with NJ) that was rewarded with a stunning, cinema finish. For Knibbs to come off the bench, on his first game and with no pre-season whatsoever, to finish with natural composure shows we may have signed someone who has some real class. It was a special moment for him that galvanised a performance befitting an NJ team.
Lots of positives across the park - our defenders who we know so much about did in the Championship what they did in L1. LJones was once again immense and was my MotM. Ramsay and Edwards won their 1v1s. Bell slotted in well to add some more pace - couple of eyebrow-raising moments on the ball, but broadly performed well. Coventry was the metronome and everything positive came through him in QB-style pockets of space. Apter was particularly disciplined in his WB role and showed so many great signs of the good things and threat he can carry. Carey was quiet in the first half, but grew in endeavour in the second. All the subs came on and made the difference we needed to, so massive credit for NJ on that front.
There were some minor niggles in the performance too - it's still early days and some players will take time to get get acclimatised to the league. Kaminski worried me with his magnetic preference for his line and 6 yard box. We were very, very lucky with the penalty shout for Watford, and on watching that on the replay, he did clatter their lad. I'm fearful of seeing goals going against us due to indecision. I'll chalk it up to some nerves and move on, but something to watch. TC carried pace as ever, although final product wasn't there today. Again, give him some time to get into this league. Doc was probably the one I was most disappointed with. Quality with the ball simply wasn't there and I fear his place in the team is going to be under threat. For all the things he brings to this team, there will be people knocking on the door for his berth in the team. Finally (and I've spoken about this already on here), give Kelman time. He was denied almost any service and it's a selfless task. I'm on the fence as to whether he can work with TC - maybe Tanto/Leaburn will prove as better foil.
More crappy refs - we just got the rub of the green more than they did. Watford fans have every right to be bemused with his decisions going our way as much as they did generally - and the big ones he got wrong. I won't complain though - he just could have absolutely changed the game and denied the dramatic finish.
More drama.
More last minute wins.
More NJ.
That's what you get for calling him a w*nker, my Herts friends.
I assume there was 3000 from Watford,
3138 Charlton and 15640 tourists with their half and half scarfs.
Doc and TC were the weak links today, TC had a couple of decent moments but his overall play and decision making were poor. I know wingers flash hot and cold but some of his errors today led to dangerous counter attacks. He’s still an asset and he will grow but I think that should be from the bench.
the transition and carry play forward. Step forward JRC but I think we need further cover here.
COYR!
Tough this league.
Carey was a pleasant surprise today, he looked quite classy on the ball, and had a great relationship with his former Blackpool colleague Apter. Apter himself put in some excellent crosses, and looks to be building a great partnership with Ramsay already.
Docherty wasn't great today. Not doing much with the ball, and giving away an incredibly dangerous free kick with that rugby tackle.
Kaminski had a horrible moment which should have cost us a penalty. I've no idea why he didn't come and claim the ball, it was a completely basic bit of keeping which for some reason he chose not to do. Definitely something to work on this week...
Kelman struggled a bit out there. I'm not sure the "Godden" lone striker role especially suited him, as it left us with no focal point for our attacks. Sending on Miles, then Tanto gave their defenders way more to think about, which will partially account for the defending which left Knibbs unmarked at that corner.