Same seats, same division next season

That was the comment of Paul from Bexleyheath as he said goodbye to me after last night's play off defeat at The Valley. It was also goodbye for the summer to Steve from Petts Wood and a less fond farewell to the Bloke Behind Me. Although I was sitting a few seats from my usual place, his complaints were still very audible.

Yesterday I predicted that it would be 2-1 at full time, go to extra time (although no more goals were scored) and would then be down to the lottery of penalties. Charlton captain Nicky Bailey blazed high and wide. I don't think one should blame any one player for a defeat of this kind, but it was typical of his over pumped up approach to the game.

Charlton and Swindon have drawn twice during the season and played over what amounts to 220 minutes or more of football (over 10 minutes of time added on last night) but it was difficult to say which team was the better, as was also reflected in their relative places in the table.

The stats were in Charlton's favour: 57 to 43 per cent possession; 20 to eight shots on target; and 11 to 4 corners. But, of course, it's getting the ball in the net that counts and that has been a challenge all season.

Even when I got to Marylebone there were rocking Robins chanting 'Wem-ber-ley'. Whether they can overcome the Spanners remains to be seen. I doubt whether we would have done, and would have a defeat against them at Wembley being even more bitter? Personally, I think it's our interests for them to go up and cause mayhem in the Championship.

The one thing Wembley would have given the club is a much needed pay day. Others know more about the financial situation at the club than I do, but there are clearly going to have to be further cutbacks.

I was disappointed but not surprised by last night's outcome. I always thought it would take us two or three seasons to get out of this division. At the beginning of the season I thought we would be on the fringes of the play offs, but just fail to make them, so we have done better than I hoped.

The game

What other blogs have already emphasised is that one could not fault the commitment or the passion of the Charlton players to the cause last night. They gave their all and it produced an exciting match, albeit one that ended in deflation. The attendance was a little disappointing, below those against Gillingham and Leeds, but then one has to remember that those figures include season ticket holders who were not in the ground.

Before the game in the pub, Mooney was rubbished and his selection was seen as evidence of Parkinson's ineptness as a manager. Well, he scored the two goals. The first one was a scrambled affair which could well have been an own goal, but they all count. The second one was very well taken. Also one cannot fault Mooney's work rate, although I am not sure that dashing all over the pitch is a sign of real skill.

A word of praise also for the much criticised Burton. He may not score many goals, but he is an intelligent player who can hold the ball up well, read the game and provide good flicks and lay offs. Unfortunately, when had a chance to score and win the match for the Addicks, he could not turn quite quickly enough and that is the downside of an older journeyman striker.

I also thought that Frazer Richardson had another good game and came very close to scoring in extra time with a thunderbolt. Reid also added a clear attacking threat (whereas Sam was a bit of a disappointment) and it is a shame we probably cannot afford him for next season.

As for the sending offs, it seemed to me that Greer actually caught Burton in the neck and I had a good view as it was straight in front of me, but others thought that the contact was lower. In any case, the referee had no hesitation in reaching for his red card. My view and that of those around me was that Llera also had to go, but others disagree with that. It does seem odd that kicking a player while he is on the ground is only a yellow card offence.

The disapperance of the Swindon keeper after the first minute did not have that much effect on the game. His replacement, Phil Smith, might have had a plain man's name, but he was your everyday effective keeper. After all, when Elliot had to be replaced by Randolph, he was at least as good. Looks as if Randolph may be going though as we are apparently bringing in a keeper from Woking as the back up. I'm told he only costs £800k a week, so we will have a player who earns less than many fans.

The Rocking Robins came storming out of the traps after half time which is what you would expect them to do. I don't think we had been instructed to sit back, it was just that they were pumping long balls into the box. Also, Swindon always looked particularly dangerous on the counter attack. Their goal was, however, a result of a mix up in which Bailey just tried to be too clever. Bailey did make some good contributions in the game as a whole, but he can also sacrifice possession needlessly.

I thought that Racon did lift us when he came on and actually posed more of an attacking threat than I saw from him all season. Semedo also did his job very well throughout. However, it was not enough and neither team was really able to break the other down.

Quite a nasty incident outside after the game. The crowd was moving slowly and a fan cut right across it in a hurry, knocking into one person. His wife complained and the fan turned nasty, saying to her husband, 'You are an old man and I will knock your head off.' He continued to make threats. Charming from someone in their early twenties.

However, the fans really excelled themselves in getting behind the team and the mood today is disappointed but upbeat. As our train drew into GX, I saw the Chalfont St.Peter Addick 'Uncle Albert' get off looking understandably dispirited. I got home at 1.30 a.m., but I am glad I went and my allegiance remains as firm as ever.

News developments will be followed here over the summer. When I get time, I will do a re-design as the conceit of 'Championship Diary' will have to be abandoned and there will be a re-launch as 'Third Division Diary'. No doubt some pessimists will say that will have to be replaced after a year by 'Fourth Division Diary'.

I think we will still be in contention next year. Southampton will be a major challenge, but Norwich, Leeds and probably Millwall will have gone and I am not that daunted by Peterborough or Plymouth or the teams coming up, although the Owls will be there or thereabouts. Some teams may start to stop thinking of their match against us as their cup final as we lose the shine of a 'big' club.