Financially, Charlton and QPR are worlds apart. We all know that. The Charlton faithful headed into West London expecting nothing other than a very tough afternoon, but in fairness, that never really happened. QPR won all 3 point thanks to a wonder-goal that should win games of football from a player, Charlie Austin, that we can only dream of having. But despite QPR's talented squad and lengthy spells of possession, Charlton worked hard (no question about that) and managed to hang on for a respectable scoreline that few predicted. Occasionally we would go forward, but sadly, the equaliser just never looked like coming and even Johnnie's late free-kick opportunity sailed woefully over the bar. So often the talismanic hero, Jackson was unable to drag us through this game with such a large gulf in the quality of these two squads.
Considering what they have to look forward to this season, QPR fans sat in silence. A near sell-out London derby and the only time they made any noise was when the Charlton fans reminded them they were at home. Perhaps they have got complacent?
Considering what they have to look forward to this season, QPR fans sat in silence. A near sell-out London derby and the only time they made any noise was when the Charlton fans reminded them they were at home. Perhaps they have got complacent?
So in the end, no complaints from me. I stood with the rest of the 1,800 travelling Addicks and clapped the players off. They reciprocated to a man. Game out of the way. Move on.
The defeat does, however, drop the Addicks closer to the bottom 3 and now Tuesday's 'bonus' game in hand against Doncaster has taken on greater importance. With Ipswich at the Valley next Saturday, this could be a very big week for Charlton. We could end it deep in the relegation zone or looking comfortably mid-table. I think it's fair to say that Charlton deserve a bit of good fortune sooner rather than later...
The result yesterday may not have been what we wanted, but I was pleased to discover a new quality venue for good quality beer thanks to my fellow bloggers Marco and Rob, whom I met up with pre-match. The Old Loyal Britons (or whatever they call it), in SE10 is my sort of pub; run by passionate lovers of good beer it thankfully has a policy of no piped music and no T.V screens showing meaningless games of football. In other words, people can shoot the breeze over a well kept pint.
In all honesty, it was very tempting for Rob, Marco and me to have given the football a miss and stayed in there all day enjoying the fine offerings from Greenwich-based, Hop Stuff Brewery amongst others. To my envy, the chaps went back there post match, but I had to be on my way.
So on to Tuesday. There's nothing better than a midweek game at the Valley.
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