This post continues an occasional series looking back at the 2001-2 season as a distraction from our current woes. Today I looked at how we out foxed this season's likely Premiership champions, Leicester City, at The Valley.
'A commanding Charlton performance saw the Foxes given the brush off in front of the Sky cameras as The Valley on Sunday. It was one of the most convincing Charlton performances of a successful season. The Addicks went 1-0 ahead in the first half with Andy Todd's first goal for the club. The second half saw a stunning volley by Shaun Bartlett which will surely be one of the contenders for goal of the season. The victory left the Addicks in eighth place in the Premiership and still with a chance of a place in Europe.'
'Fluent and authoritative play from Charlton was evident from the kick off.' Jensen and Parker were particularly impressive. However, referee Winter was showing the Addicks no quarter and appeared to be playing to the cameras, giving Todd a yellow card with a theatrical sweeping gesture.
On 39 minutes a corner from Jensen was met with a powerful header from Bartlett which crashed against the bar, Todd reacted quickly to the rebound and put the ball in the net.
Ilic dealt well with Leicester attacks. On 81 minutes Stuart picked out Bartlett with a ball that went over the defence and Bartlett struck a cannonball of a shot that left Royce with no chance.
2 comments:
Great times, the season we got promoted for the first time I had just finished my final year at University and was backpacking around Australia following Charlton's progress from afar. I managed to make it back in time for the play off finals, then had a season ticket for the next few years before moving out of the area. I was single, the economy was booming and I was living the life of Riley in London whilst enjoying Charlton's unlikely successes.
The Charlton board back then seem to have Midas touch, the years following Curbishley's departure were beset by terrible decision making and profligate spending that ultimately led to the shower of shit we see today. Why on earth did they give the job and blank cheque book to Dowie! This is were the rot set in and we have not recovered since.
Royce and Todd are two players who could have been stars for the club if events had turned out differently.
Royce seemed a really talented keeper and certainly superior to Ilic but never really got a break at Charlton and eventually was unfortunate to have to compete with Kiely for the number 1 spot.
We all know about Todd's combustible personality but I actually rate him as the most intelligent centre back we had during our time in the Premiership. He wasn't blessed with pace but never seemed out of position, read the game superbly and was an excellent ball playing defender.
Neither had stellar careers post Charlton but I think both had the talent to achieve quite a bit more.
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