Welcome To My World

I received an SMS text message last night after the England v Algeria game.

I imagine the networks were going into meltdown all over England, as people came around to the fact they had wasted a large proportion of their Friday evening.

The message read:
"Well.... Not that I'm an expert but I've never seen football like that before."

My reply, naturally, was:
"Unfortunately, I've seen lots and lots of football just like that!"


The rest of the country are enjoying their Saturday morning, knowing how it feels to be an Addick.

The unfulfilled expectations, coupled with the knowledge that we could see it coming with bells, whistles and lights flashing all seem rather familiar.

There will be a few days of hand wringing, then, just like Charlton fans do after a setback, we'll all be joining together in hope and belief, telling each other that we are at our best when the chips are down, backs against the wall... etc. etc.

Just like at Charlton, we've also become embroiled in the 'booing' debate again.

I can't imagine Wayne Rooney has had much experience of his own supporters showing such vocal displeasure.
He plays for Manchester United who are one of the most successful teams around.
Manchester United fans don't have much reason to boo.

England supporters who have spent ridiculous amounts of time and money following the team to the other side of the world, surely have just as much, (if not more), permission to voice their unhappiness as those of us sitting on our sofas or in pubs back at home.
We were all shaking our heads and asking each other unanswerable questions.

How could X be so good while playing for X but totally invisible, playing for England against the mighty ......Algeria?

Rooney was visibly upset to hear the red and white hordes giving the team the bird but I fear his real issue was with himself.
As someone who was expected to light up the World Cup, possibly being our 2010 version of 1990 Gazza, Wayne Rooney knows he has been a let down.

Unfortunately, my 'highlight' of England's campaign so far has been the bird, (feathered), sitting on the Algeria goal, knowing it was probably one of the safest places in the stadium.

Even the bird has Charlton parallels.
Who else remembers the stubborn pigeon on the pitch at the Valley when Scott Parker returned with Newcastle United?

I imagine by Wednesday afternoon the streets will be empty, except for those members of our community with more interest in shoe shopping or seeing the new Sex and the City movie.
The flags will be on the cars, the shirts will be worn with pride, the flags will be hanging off houses, flats and factories, the population will be together again, arm in arm and getting behind the boys.

Who knows? We might give the international football powerhouse of Slovenia a bit of a stuffing?

Just like Charlton though, we know that for every England high, there'll be a comparable low and it's probably hiding just around the corner, ready to punch us in the teeth.

We wouldn't want to miss it though, would we?