Breath of Fresh Air

Sometimes it's hard for football fans to pay due credit to other clubs. However, having watched West Ham beat Fulham with a pair of 'goal of the season' contenders, and then witnessed Wigan's last-gasp defeat of a near full-strength Arsenal side, it would be incongruous of me not to pay tribute to them both.

The Premiership has been predictable enough at the top to cure insomnia, but the usual cycle of the promoted teams struggling has been broken with the exception of Sunderland (who ironically won the title last season), and the 'product' is all the better for it. Both teams play good football, and successfully blend youth and experience. The defensive football in the Premiership is played by the likes of Bolton and Villa these days, despite them having the 'bigger club' mentality.

Admittedly Charlton finished 9th in 2000/01 after bouncing back to the top tier, but I don't recall us playing with such style and seemingly without fear. I was convinced that Paul Jewell for example was just a jammy Northerner with a decent but fortunate record, yet without the tactical nous to truly compete consistently. However Wigan have not got into the top six and a Cup final by kicking lumps out of opponents, and it's hard not to be impressed by the likes of Bullard, Baines, Chimbonda, and Pollitt, none of which were household names in their own households. Meanwhile, the transformation of Jason Roberts into a true Premiership class striker is perhaps Jewell's finest achievement this season.

I have a sneaky soft spot for Arsenal, but last night's result was a one for all real football fans. Seeing Wigan in the Carling Cup Final makes me slightly sick however (with admiration). As Charlton fans we are crying out for the chance of some glory, or just a great day out in Cardiff or Wembley. The play-off final in 1998 will stick in everyone's memory for life, not just because of the result and the incredible tension, but because of the amazing feeling of being amongst 35,000 fellow fans at a neutral ground. Our highly conservative approach has served us well up until now, but I think most fans would now rather finish say 16th in the Premiership and reach a Cup final, than finish 8th.