Talal Order

There have been plenty of occasions during the past three years or so when I've wondered whether my love of Charlton has waned. And despite writing my blog, feverishly reading all the others, and keeping as up-to-date as possible with all things Addickted, I was feeling as disenchanted with the club as I have perhaps ever done last weekend.

However you can rest assured I need wonder no longer. Instead, I will now be getting odd looks from my neighbours, who will be no doubt be wondering why the shy but polite chap with the funny accent suddenly leapt up in the late afternoon and screamed, "....YESSSSS, F*CKING GET IN THERE." Perhaps I should have known a goal was coming given that Killer had gambled £50 on 0-0 at 15/2, so I trust that El Karkouri will be donating £375 to disabled children in the morning.

The performance had all of the guts and determination that recent ones have lacked; in short it was a 'Charlton performance' and I can't pay it any higher compliment. Let's not pretend we resembled Brazil 1970 (we didn't even resemble the 1870 vintage), but they ran and they harried and they drove on until finally, with the clock having already ticked past 92 minutes, Talal el Karkouri delivered perhaps the most important Charlton free-kick since Danny Mills at Aston Villa in 1999.

Having doubted his managerial acumen, and whilst the jury still remains firmly out, we ought to pay credit to Reed for having the guts to not only hand Lloyd Sam his debut, but as a second striker too; I dare say no-one saw that one coming. And moreover, the addition of Kishishev (who has been treated abominably this season) ensured some extra bite in midfield that the likes of Ambrose and Rommedahl lack. You see, that's the difference between Kish and those two talented underachievers....without all-out effort, he wouldn't have a football career which is why you know that's the least you'll get from him, and you have to love him for it.

The Fox Soccer feed over here was obviously a bonus for me, and picked up on Mark Robson leafing through a bound file entitled 'Set Pieces' (complete with red and white front cover) which was a nice touch, and at least reassured us that the team were prepared if nothing else. Meanwhile, the summariser Gordon McQueen perhaps gave Andy Reid the incentive to put on a masterful performance by questioning his sexuality when a first-half free-kick was awarded to Charlton, "...I think this is a bit too far out for a bender," he suggested.

Here are my proprietary player ratings:

Carson 7 - when you are in the relegation zone and your Player of the Season so far has been the keeper, you know he's been busy (and bloody good too)
Young 7 - delivered the type of Captain's performance we have all been craving for
Traore 5 - obviously went off early, but it's not clear to me yet where he adds value
El Karkouri 7 - has genuinely been a revelation this season, and has finally scored another free-kick too
Hreidarsson 7 - should have scored with a free header, but a good game in two positions
Faye 6 - he's a poor man's Claude Makelele....very poor, homeless probably
Hughes 7 - was that Bryan Hughes or Bryan Robson? Perhaps his best game for the club
Reid 9 - he is BETTER than Puskas (then again Puskas died two weeks ago)
Kishishev 7 - if he didn't give 100% every game, he'd be ploughing turnips in Bulgaria (which is why he gives 100%)
Sam 7 - let's not get carried away, but why oh why have we waited so long to see 'one of our own' come through the ranks and lift the crowd like that?
Bent D 7 - he's like a gang of hoodies ie. sometimes looks more dangerous than he actually is
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Diawara 8 - our best central defender since Rufus; period
Bent M 7 - like it or not, that's two assists in two home games
Holland 10 - just for being such a lovely fella

Tonight represented a vital win clearly, but with Spurs and Liverpool next we could easily find ourselves as adrift as before, if not further. However if we can put in more performances like the one tonight then it may not be enough to escape relegation, but at least we'll go down with a bit of pride intact. In the meantime, let's just wallow in that free-kick because us suffering Addicks deserve it.