Charlton comeback- again

2-2. Not a bad result. An away draw is never bad- especially at Colchester who are a decent team. But worryingly, another two goals conceded. Our defensive lapses need to be cut out if our attacking prowess is going to count for anything. Its no good scoring two if you concede two as well, besides the excitement of it all, that is.

We now enter a period of a few weeks in which teams can climb the league very quickly.

Norwich at home is an interesting fixture. They are a side that have playoff aspirations, and so should come at us a bit.This will leave space in behind for us to exploit (another high scoring game in the offing, perhaps?) with our numerous attackers.

Both Iwelumo and Todorov 'hobbled off' at Colchester. Does anyone know how serious their injuries are?

England 3-0 Israel

So, surprisingly a good performance from England in a game that we never looked like losing.

Wright-Phillips, Owen and Richards got the goals to ensure that Mclaren (wearing a suit and sporting an impressive combover) and Venables (donning his England tracksuit and a black and white striped polo-shirt, with swag written in big letters on the front) looked slightly less pale at the final whistle. Mclaren even looked to have slightly more hair at the end of the game, or maybe it was a trick of the light.

Both Coles were disappointing, and Ferdinand was his usual dopey self, but other than them everyone was uncharacteristically competent. The only other downside was that Heskey performed well enough to earn a recall...

The calm before the storm.

Current ponderings

Fantastic result against Palarse, eh? Apparently, the atmosphere in the stands, and in the changing room after the game was great. Morale in the squad must be superb after a comeback last week and a local derby victory on Saturday. And two consecutive wins puts us up to the heady hights of seventh, only one place outside the play-off places! Wow, us, in the top half... I, like most Charlton fans, am enjoying the Championship; the excitement, the passion, but most of all the optimism I feel going into every game. I genuinly believe we can and should win every week, which is much better than hoping for a draw.

The latest rumour is that Pards is weighing up the possibility of signing a teenage Ireland international on loan, to replace Marcus Bent. Pudon?

England have two games coming up. I love watching England play, but only because I enjoy moaning and shouting at the overrated idiots when they mess it all up- again. Yet, I remain hopeful that one day, maybe far in the future ,there will be a good England side. Fat chance of that with Emile Heskey, yes, Emile Heskey, recalled.

If Mcaren is short of strikers then why not try Agbonlahor, Young, Moore or Derbyshire (all look like players with great potential) instead of Heskey.

Window round-up

The transfer window is finished, and on the whole I am happy with Charlton's wheeling and dealing. The last two days saw two arrivals and two departures.

Both Mills - experienced, tough tackling and influential - and Sodje, six foot odd and wide as a door - are good loan signings, whether as cover or in the first team.

Faye and Bent meanwhile have gone up north, also in "loan" deals. Faye need never return as far as I'm concerned, but I am in the minority of Charlton fans where Bent is concerned. Sure, we paid too much for him; sure, his wages are too high and sure, he doesn't score many goals, but I always thought that he won lots of headers, worked hard (at times), and would be very dangerous in this division. Most other Charlton fans disagree, I know.

I suppose that one reason for all the loans, not just at Charlton, is that it gives the clubs time to haggle over a fee, while the player is still eligible to play.

Today we play Palace. They'll be up for the game, no doubt. But will we? Will our newbees understand the importance of the game? We shall see.