With the season coming to an end, and with us looking pretty much set to be champions, it had me thinking "was the past 2 seasons worth this moment?". The first year in league one ended in disappointment after such a strong start. It became evident our team actually wasn't as good as we thought (with some exceptions), and they fell a little bit short. The second season it was proven that the squad was merely mid table quality and we needed a full shake up. Years of disappointment had taken its toll on some players and fans alike. Whilst PP's style didn't endear all supporters, there is no denying he over achieved with what he had. However the board Decided it was best to part ways, and with new ownership came a new management in the figure of former player, Chris Powell. Not knowing what to expect from the former hero, he got off to a great start with 4 wins- but then the side found themselves wanting, going on a dreadful run, finishing the season in 13th and alienating the fans in the process who thought they didn't have the fight for the shirt. CP was even questioned, with some wondering if he was the right man. His vision however became clear in early July. He released most who were out of contract, and actively seeker to sell most remaining players. He acquired no less than 22 players and began his revolution. 8 months later, we stand here with a squad that has the foundations to compete in the championship, a club legend as our manager, and gaining promotion in such a manner, that it looks apparent it will be johnnie Jackson and co lifting the league trophy at home to Hartlepool on may 5th. So, will the past 2 seasons of disappointment have been worth it to see us crowned champions under CP's guidance? For me- it's hell of a lot sweeter in the way it's panned out. Romantic and ruthless.
Had we gone up in season one of the three in league one, we would've gone straight back down again in my opinion, so much happier with the way it is currently panning out.
Maybe it was worth it I don't know I'm just grateful for the take-over. Otherwise we can look at Portsmouth and think "There but for the grace of God........."
To me its more than 2 seasons, it is more like 5! Dowie managed to undo 10 years of work in 5 months. Pardew manged not to take up the best squad in the Championsip the start the next season with only 1 center half at the club! Parkinson was doomed before he started but as mentioned nearly took us back at the first time of asking. Last season the money ran out and it was pretty clear that we were operating on a shoe string until the new board brough BWP and gave us Sir Chris. To answer the question 5 years of hurt has made this so so much sweeter, if this had happened in the first year in the Championship or the first year in league one it wouldn't of tasted so good!!
Seeing JJ lift that trophy will be redemption. But the past 5 years has made me so so cynical with Football. I am sceptical as to what this success will bring and in many ways I think it will be almost bittersweet. I know that may seem like doom-mongering pessimism but I think it's a well founded point.
Don't lick the lolipop till its yours! If it ends up being bought by someone else that snatched lick can taste bittersweet. It looks as thoughwe have made the down payment on it but we have at least five matches to go before we can say that it is ours to lick. The anticipation will make it sweeter still. That we have gone 5 years being fed on an unbalanced Dowie diet of overpriced scrag end followed by over bitter Pardrops and very poor quality Parkin should make the lolipop taste very sweet indeed. Just dont lick it until we have paid for it!
This is strange. I find myself for once agreeing with every single post on here! This is a fairy tale experience that is so much better because of the extended period of hurt that we have endured but we must be careful not to be premature in our celebrations and be realistic in our expectations for the future. For me though, the single bioggest feel-good element is that we have managed to achieve the very necessary slashing of the root and branch endemic decay that was dragging this club into the gutter but at the same time in Sir Chris maintained a link to the soul of our club. Let's be clear. He has achieved miracles but is still learning his trade. There will be many downs around the corner, but this is fabulous and, more importantly, it feels right.
It's easy to say it's been worth it now but... Say in Summer 2006 you were told that in 5 years' time Charlton would have an absolutely brilliant season, but before then you would have to endure two relegations and the second lowest finishing position in the club's history, what would you have said?
I would have said 'no thanks'. As great as our season has been, the very fact that we're sitting in League One is a source of great embarrassment for me. Nobody remembers Leeds as 'the team who conquered League One two years ago', they remember Leeds as 'the former English giants who had dramatically fell through the leagues.' Financial security etc aside, I'd far rather have gone up at the first time of asking in League One rather than sit through three seasons in this league. Having said that, I do greatly appreciate everything that's been done this season, I just feel that the situation we are in being placed in League One is far from ideal.
I know what you mean Captain. None of us would have taken the "deal" had it been offered five years ago. You are absolutely right to suggest that. But we are where we are. And we need to remember that this magnificent season could easily have gone the other way if tthe gamble of Sir Chris and the clearout had gone pearshaped - as it quite easily could have! And we would really be in the doo-doo now. Maybe "was the last 4 years worth it?" is the wrong question. Its not worth having your legs cut off just to end up with a brilliant pair of crutches. But this year's success sure feels a lot sweeter because of the hardship. I do think if PP had taken us up via the playoffs there was a danger that we'd have yo-yo'd and not actually addredssed the fundamental issues. It feels like we've done that now and that to me, in a sense, makes the pain worthwhile.
It's been worth it for me as a yonger fan to witness a more pure brand of football than the business style Premier League so that's been nice. And selfishly I've enjoyed having no-one sitting near me for 3 years at The Valley. Ponders > I tried to PM you just now but it says I can't as your inbox is too full/popular?
Yeah, very popular for some strange reason. I am like the Dear Deirdre of Not606. Fire away when you are ready, Kish.
