What a difference a
win makes. Suddenly it’s game on once more, especially with both Scunthorpe and
Peterborough failing to win at home. We are back, however bizarrely, in the
position that if everyone wins all the games they have left we will secure a
play-off spot. Of course there are going to be twists and turns, and one win
doesn’t make for a real about-turn. But we’re back in the mix and with grounds
for hope (assuming of course that because of the result Roland hasn’t just
added another few million to the agreed asking price).
I can’t of course
comment on the performance and mood as I wasn’t there (but all the reports are
suitably positive). But I was at a football match on Friday night and, although
the fortunes of my adopted French team Lyon Duchere are not going to be of
interest to many Addicks, something quite pertinent happened, rather
unexpectedly. Best start at the beginning.
Duchere have of later
managed to stabilise results and their league position (in France’s third
division, National). After a poor run of results through to early February saw
them drop into a relegation place (four go down out of 18 – and this season
it’s rather confusing as there are only 17 teams competing, someone pulled out
or something else happened to the eighteenth team is ‘Exempt’, which on paper
fulfils fixtures against the other teams but no points are awarded) and they
stopped the rot with a 1-0 win away at Marseille Consolat, the following three
games ended in draws: the 2-2 home game against Entente, which was notable for
two outrageous goals flagged up back home in The Guardian (the second of which
was a stunning stoppage-time equaliser for Duchere), a 3-3 draw away at
Avranches (which featured another stoppage-time equaliser, but this time of the
unwelcome variety), then a creditable 1-1 home draw against high-flying Rodez.
The next round saw
Duchere notionally away at Exempt, so no points accrued. But going into
Friday’s home game against Boulogne on paper Duchere were unbeaten in five
rounds but with only one actual win. And in a ridiculously tight league they
were still just one point above a relegation place. So, not unlike us
yesterday, something of a must-win game. Boulogne were placed above Duchere in
the league but only by three points, with no chance of promotion (it has
tightened up a little at the top as Red Star have fallen away rather and Laval
and Beziers have moved into contention, although Rodez and Grenoble still top
the league and the battle for the two automatic promotion spots and the
play-off place really involves the top five, with now a five-point gap to
sixth).
The first 10 minutes
or so were cagey. Boulogne moved the ball well and had a left-winger who looked
dangerous, while Duchere looked confident and as though they had a plan,
starting the game with their big centre-forward. He held play up well and
others fed off him and through hard work Duchere began to get on top. It was
clear that with the guy up front and tall centre-backs they had a height
advantage from set pieces and the Boulogne keeper looked dodgy, spilling a
couple of balls and not looking commanding in the air. You sensed a set-piece
could be an opportunity for Duchere, but we were kept wondering as the first
couple of corners they won were wasted, not even clearing the midriff of the
guy on the near post. Corner number three after around 20 minutes and things changed.
Good pace and elevation and one of the centre-backs made a run to the near
post, was first to the ball, and planted the header into the net.
That seemed to settle
some nerves and for the rest of the first half Duchere were well on top,
playing decent stuff and creating chances, while Boulogne struggled to retain
the ball. Duchere broke on the right side and while the first shot was parried
by the keeper the defender muffed the clearance and was lucky to see the ball
hit the bar and go over, then just before the break another ball into the box
and another header, this one came crashing back off the bar.
At the break Duchere
were good value for their lead and nobody could have complained if they had
been two to the good. But at half-time they collectively had a nose bleed. They
began well enough but it seemed to me that some early joy in sitting back and
intercepting Boulogne’s forward moves to hit them on the break turned into a
tactic which progressively backfired. Duchere began to go deep, very deep. They
had put in a big effort in the first half and may well have been tiring,
Boulogne of course had nothing to lose, and nerves may well have played a part.
You actually had to go back to 24 November for Duchere’s last home win.
Whatever the reasons,
the second half increasingly became a backs-to-the-wall job. Now balls were hit
long and high out of defence to a knackered front-man with no support. They
just kept coming back. Duchere’s packed defence coped well for most of the
time, but there were moments, in particular when for once a guy was free and
beat the Duchere keeper to the ball, only for his header to settle onto the
roof of the net. Fine margins indeed. And late on an erratic referee (who
received an earful in English walking off) developed a habit of ignoring rather
blatant fouls only to whistle for the next contact. One end-result was a
Boulogne free-kick just outside the area. In stoppage time there was a final
drama as Duchere’s keeper came out to clear and was left stranded. But the blessed
relief of the final whistle came shortly after and Duchere had the points. At
the break they were deservedly ahead, at full-time nobody could have complained
had Boulogne grabbed at least an equaliser.
Even now Duchere are
only two points above a relegation place, it really is that tight. ‘Exempt ‘on
paper occupies the bottom place and Creteil look as if they’ve gone, with just
21 points from 24 played and an eight-points gap to the team above them in
16th, Avranches. Chambly now occupy the last relegation place, level on points
(29) with Avranches. To put things in context they won 6-2 on Friday. Above
them are three teams on 30 points (Dunkerque, Marseille Consolat and Pau), then
Duchere, along with Boulogne and Les Herbiers, on 31. Seventh-placed Cholet
with 32 points are just three above the relegation places, that’s how tight it
is. In the next round Duchere have a tough one, away to second-placed Grenoble.
After that a six-pointer at home to Dunkerque, then away to currently
third-placed Laval. So it isn’t going to be easy any time soon.
What was strange
about Friday night was me. Now for sure I want Duchere to avoid relegation but
in terms of emotional commitment they’re not exactly on a par with Charlton,
whatever the effect of the past few years. We went to the game knowing it was
an important one, and it proved to be tight right to the end, not exactly a
classic but gripping in its way. And I found myself shouting out in
exasperation over refereeing decisions, head in hands as a Duchere breakaway in
the final minutes wasn’t converted, and genuinely anxious when Boulogne
threatened. In short, I was involved and it mattered.
Now I can’t say what
it’s going to be like for me and other boycotters assuming the takeover happens
and matches at The Valley (plus the periodic trip away) become part of life
again. Will we be able to pick up where we left off? If Friday’s anything to go
it may be easier than we might fear.
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