Charlton draw fails to burst Cardiff Party

There was rather a large party last night in South Wales as Cardiff City secured their promotion to the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against Charlton.  With a packed house willing their team to promotion it was always going to be difficult for Charlton to make an impact but the players and 600 away fans did their best to deflate the balloons and eat all the cake but to no avail.  The draw was hard earned but not required in the end as Millwall did all the hard work by beating Watford to ensure that Cardiff could finish the season no lower than second.

Hartlepool Fans at Charlton last season*

However, at least I know how Hartlepool fans felt last year during our promotion celebrations (by the way you guys are awesome fans, we'll miss you at the last game of the season this year!  Someone dropped a hint that you might all be turning up as penguins for the last game this year - please tell me it's true!)

It will be great to see an all Wales derby fixture next year, although Cardiff are going to have to work hard in the summer to match the work of Swansea who have comfortably established themselves in the top tier.

Other results mean that Charlton still have slim hopes of a play-off place but it will be tough.  Of the three teams above us Nottingham Forest lost to Middlesbrough (which means Boro are level on points with Charlton and also in contention for a play-off place), while Leicester leapfrogged Bolton in the tables after beating them 3-2. 

With just three games to go its still going to be hard work to overhaul the six point deficit and will rely on a lot of luck going our way in other games.  Bolton are still to play Cardiff (who may be in too much of a celebratory mood to care or will want to win the Championship outright), Boro and Blackpool.  Forest still have to play Leicester as well as Barnsley and Millwall.  Leicester probably have the hardest run in with games at Crystal Palace and Watford still to come as well as Forest.

At least Charlton have all but mathematically secured their Championship place for next year (and we're now playing for pride and position).  Having comprehensively beaten Barnsley last Saturday, I'm also hoping we can do a bit of damage to Wolves this coming Saturday to assist Peterborough in staying up so I can continue my rivalry and banter with a Posh season ticket holder who I watch our games with.

Finally, a big shout out to all those Addicks running the London Marathon this coming Sunday and raising lots of money for good causes.  Good luck with your efforts and given the tragic events in Boston I hope it will be a peaceful event.

Acknowledgements

Hartlepool smurf picture from fancydresscostumes.co.uk/blog/hartlepool-fans-smurf-costumes/