...'It's a funny old game'

...So a winning start to 2012 for us then.

It was a funny old afternoon, and to coin a phrase a funny old game.

The kick off delay was a pain, but did make it an altogether different experience in the lower west.  The drummers from the North Stand had relocated to the West, so added to the usual atmosphere we of the living dead usually enjoy.

The game itself was both frustrating and a wee bit blander than the 2-0 final scoreline may have suggested to those who were not there.  At times, despite the 17 odd thousand that were there at the ground, it was quieter than usual. But I put this down to general nerves of the players and supporters alike, worried about the prospect of another defeat in this potential banana skin of a game. Don't get me wrong, we were and are a better side than the Bee's, but we did find it very difficult to carve out any straight up chances. BWP really does need to get what is becoming that allusive goal, he is beginning to cut a frustrated figure and low in confidence.

As seems usual with Rosler the Tossers Brentford side, there was a fair bit of gamesmanship and foul play involved.  The most surprising thing being that they did not receive a single booking.

I'm all for blood and thunder tackles, and even a bit of argy bargy, but Alexander's antics for a couple of late free kicks were at best irritating and at worst just plain unsporting behaviour. Cheating if you want. Blind siding the goalkeeper whilst he is trying to line up his wall for a direct free kick just isn't right!

As it was the (once again) awful officiating and Brentfords gamesmanship was not enough to thwart Charlton unpretty but effectual performance. And a collective cheer of relief wrung out across the Valley when Green kept his composure and nerve to control the long ball from Hamer and clinically plant the ball past the Bee's keeper.

With one or two players rested I thought Cort did a good job filling in for Taylor, Pritchard despite his inexperience did well in the midfield, tackled back if and when he ever lost possession and continues to impress.  New boy Clarke, although I appreciate he was only on for a short period, did not inspire me at all. I think one position we really need to address in the transfer window is a second striker of BWP's quality. To both cover for injury and to provide a bit of direct competition for the strikers place.

We can now look forward to the light relief of a cup game against premiership opposition (is it just me or does it still seem weird that we are going to top flight Fulham as third division underdogs looking to spring a 'cup shock'?) followed by two huge games against both of our closest promotion rivals from Sheffield.