Jed Steer recall threat

Aston Villa are considering recalling Jed Steer after Nyland had a season ending injury, while their new keeper signing (which I had hoped would avoid a recall) will not be available until Saturday: Jed Steer recall

Steer has had his critics, particularly from those who would prefer us to use a Charlton product in the form of Dillon Phillips, but I think that he has done a good job for us.

The recall has now been confirmed. Dillon Phillips will start in goal against Walsall and Ashley Maynard-Brewer has been recalled from Chelmsford City to provide cover. The intention is to find another keeper to compete with Phillips in the January transfer window.

As Richard Cawley has tweeted, 'The good news keeps coming for Charlton.'

Heads musn't drop says Taylor

Lyle Taylor says that heads mustn't drop at Charlton after two consecutive defeats, although he admits that Walsall are no mugs: Need to maintain focus

Taylor complains that the pitch at the Ricoh was like a cow field, although that's what happens when you share a ground with egg chasers.

Walsall are currently 14th in the table, although third from bottom in the form table where Charlton are in ninth place. Away from home, the Saddlers have won four, drawn four and lost four. Charlton's home record is won eight, drawn two and lost two. Walsall have now been in League One since 2007.

Winger Ross Ginnelly has already left the Saddlers for his new club, Preston North End.

Typical odds are: Charlton 5/6; Draw, 14/5; Away, 15/4.

Referee Ross Joyce is the youngest referee in the Football League, having started at the age of 15. His reputation is a card happy referee who does not let the game flow and likes to be the centre of attention.

Charlton linked with left back

Charlton are being linked with left back Greg Leigh who is currently playing for NAC Breda in the Netherlands, although he has only had five appearances this season. A Manchester City product, he impressed when he was out on loan with Bury.

We badly need a left back, but whether Roland would be prepared to shell out is open to question.

Richard Cawley of the SLP has tweeted, 'Charlton do have interest in Greg Leigh but sounds as if other options being pursued as well. Don't think is nailed on he will be the left back they sign in the January transfer window.' As long as we sign someone.

Too early to assess Pearce injury

Shell shocked supremo Lee Bowyer has said that it is too early to assess the extent of Jason Pearce's injury, but pointed out that Naby Sarr will be coming back from suspension. Billy Clarke is training, but nowhere near ready: Injury updates

Bowyer felt sorry for his players after the Barnsley defeat and questioned the referee's decision-making: Bowyer's verdict

Costly defeat for Charlton

Charlton's 2-1 defeat by Barnsley at Oakwell this afternoon in front of 564 Addicks saw them fall from fourth to sixth in the table with Peterborough winning 4-0 at Accrington. Chris Solly was red carded at the end of the game while a yellow card for Pearce will, I think, mean a suspension for him.

Possession was almost 50-50, but the Addicks had only two shots on target. The two Barnsley goals came in the first quarter of an hour and a 73rd minute strike by Reeves turned out to be nothing more than a consolation.

Barnsley took an early lead when Potts scored from the edge of the box on four minutes. Then on 14 minutes Thiam made it 2-0 with a quality shot from range.

Solly put in a dangerous cross two minutes later, but the keeper was just able to claim it. On 23 minutes the Singalese Thiam was only just over the bar. Six minutes before the break Steer had to make a good save from a low valley.

Steer had to save one on one on 54 minutes. Fosu replaced Pratley on 60 minutes. Pearce was booked for a foul on 63 minutes and Solly a minute later. Toby Stevenson then came on for Pearce who appeared to be injured. Karlan Grant was down with a head injury, but fortunately recovered.

Taylor was fouled in a dangerous position. Fosu's free kick came off the wall, but Reeves scored with the rebound. Dijksteel was booked for a foul. The Barnsley free kick hit the wall. Marshall was replaced by Hackett-Fairchild.

The seven minutes added on saw an effort by Fosu deflected over. In a rather harsh decision Solly then received his second yellow for a foul.

Report from the tireless Louis Mendez is here: Second defeat in three days

Tough challenge at Barnsley

It's a tough challenge for Charlton's injury hit squad as they face Barnsley at Oakwell tomorrow in a fifth versus fourth clash. Lee Bowyer is struggling to field 11 fit players. Eight first team players are missing through injury or suspension.

Barnsley have not been defeated at home this season, winning six and losing five, scoring 17 goals and conceding seven.

On Boxing Day they defeated league bullies Peterborough 2-0. Last Saturday a victory at Blackpool ended a winless December.

The bookies have the Tykes favourites to win with a home win 7/10, draw 18/5 and Charlton win 18/5.

Manager Daniel Stendel favours high-intensity pressing and playing with flair.

If you are thinking of going by train, bear in mind that Northern Rail who serve Barnsley are having one of their regular Saturday strikes.

Jamie Ward heads back to Forest

Jamie Ward heads back to Nottingham Forest on January 1st and whether he returns depends on how big a percentage of his salary Nottingham Forest want as there are limits to what Charlton can afford: Ward's future uncertain

Charlton urgently need reinforcements in the January transfer window with Joe Aribo likely to be out for some time, but it is far from certain whether Roland will loosen the purse strings: Urgent need for signings

Not good enough

'It's Blackpool all over again,' commented VOTV editor Rick Everitt as I left the Ricoh Arena after this afternoon's 2-1 defeat by Coventry City, the same score they secured against us at The Valley. What he meant that was that we had once again conceded a late goal. But the fact of the matter was that our performance throughout was not good enough. Coventry worked hard, but were just that: workmanlike.

Charlton remain fourth but are only one point ahead of Saturday's opponents Barnsley who beat Peterborough who are now two points behind the Addicks.

Dujon Sterling had to make a brilliant goal-saving tackle in the 23rd minute when Nicky Ajose was played through.

We used a get out of gaol card in the first half when the Sky Blues could have been awarded a penalty, after a Patrock Bauer foul for which he was booked, indeed we thought it was just inside, but the referee bottled it, perhaps because he had ignored a Coventry foul just beforehand.

Steer was able to tip the ball over from the free kick. Charlton went close six minutes before the break but Lee Burge saved well from Lyle Taylor's shot. Coventry went ahead just before the break, when Hiwula headed past Steer.

Darren Pratley equalised for us on 58 minutes, taking advantage of a flick on from Bauer in a crowded box. We then had ten minutes or so when we looked threatening. Burge gathered Karlan Grant's low cross after the lively Mark Marshall found a way into the box.

However, after this spell of pressure we seemed to settle for the draw. The fact that both centre backs were carrying yellow cards may explain their failure to get a challenge in for the winning Coventry goal on 88 minutes when Bayliss fired past Steer.

Wiser heads around raised the question of whether Lee Bowyer had selected the right system and tactics, but what was revealed once more was the thinness of the squad. Aribo was not available due to a knee injury which looks like it will be longer than two weeks. The lack of a left back was once again apparent, but we were vulnerable on both flanks and generally lacked width.

Karlan Grant was seen undergoing an fitness test before kick off. He had another one at half time and then came on to replace Ajose. The game benefitted from his positional sense, but he was clearly not fully fit. The subsequent substitute who made a difference was Mark Marshall with his energy and ability to get forward. It was his free kick which set up the Charlton goal.

Lyle Taylor could have picked up a red for a challenge towards the end of the game, but after the referee consulted the linesman he got a yellow, his eighth of the season.

In the five minutes of time added on a clash of heads led to a long delay with George Lapslie led off the field with a bandaged head. His second concussion will surely mean he is not available for a couple of games. The Coventry player had to be stretchered off and hopefully he is ok.

Report from Louis Mendez here: Boxing Day defeat

Shell shocked supremo Lee Bowyer admits that the busy Christmas schedule is taking its toll on his injury ravaged squad: Taking its toll

Charlton join obesity scheme

Charlton are one of five clubs that have signed up to a scheme run by the English Football League Trust called Football Fans in Training. Fans nominated by their GP will be welcomed at The Valley for a three month programme of exercise and healthy eating advice. The scheme aims to help men lose five per cent of their weight and keep it off long term.

Club officials denied that it would be known as the 'Peter Garland Challenge'.

The end of Christmas Day football

Football was once a feature of Christmas Day, but came to an end in the late 1950s as attendances fell: The end of Christmas Day football

The last Christmas Day match at The Valley was in 1956 when Charlton beat Doncaster Rovers 2-0 in front of a crowd of 15,698, petrol rationing being given as the reason for the low attendance.

Many players did not have cars, and had to use sparse public transport services to make their way to The Valley, although sometimes fans gave them a lift.

Once returning from an away fixture 'oop north the Charlton players managed to drink the restaurant car crew under the table.

Visiting the neighbours

On Boxing Day I have my shortest journey for a League One match this season when I go up the road for Charlton's visit to the Ricoh Arena to play Coventry City and hopefully avenge our home defeat to them earlier in the season. It's a difference from my usual two-and-a-half hour journey to The Valley.

Coventry have had a bad run and are currently bottom of the form table while Charlton are second. The Sky Blues are 14th in the League One table. At home they have won four, drawn three and lost four.

Reflecting on their 1-0 defeat by Shrewsbury, manager Mike Robins said they were better in the second half 'but it still wasn't the level we needed to be at. We've got to get together, we all have, and make sure we come back strong on Boxing Day. What [the players] can't afford to do is to become training ground players and not be able to transfer it.'

The away games at Coventry and Barnsley are crucial to Charlton's promotion hopes. Ben Reeves thinks that Charlton are well able to cope with the challenge of the busy schedule over the next two weeks. Darren Pratley's return to action is a boost and there is a strong bench: Eager to get his teeth into festive schedule

Average betting odds are 32 per cent home win; 38 per cent draw; 30 per cent away win.

Happy Christmas to all Addicks. Here's hoping for the departure of Roland in 2019 and promotion.

Reeves: we know we can do better

After the Gillingham match Lee Bowyer made clear his dissatisfaction with Charlton's performance, stating 'I would probably say this is the worst we have played for a while. It just gives me the hump when they don't do it properly at times.

Ben Reeves agrees with his boss, saying 'We know we can play better': We know we can be better

The first half performance was better than the second, so Bowyer's half time words do not seem to have had the desired effect.

Tariqe Fosu has been named League One Player of the Week by The Times this morning.

Roland slips to 3rd place in worst owners league

Roland Duchatelet has lost his first place in the worst owners league voted on by fans, being overtaken by Owen Oyston and Mike Ashley: Worst owners

His ratings were: Communication: 1.09/10; Finance: 1.62/10; Football Operations: 1.17/10; Stadium development/upkeep: 2.71/10; Treatment of fans: 1.05/10; Transparency: 1.09/10.

Against League 3 comment, 'Last years winner for “Worst Owner” retains a podium place for 2018, with Charlton Athletic still reeling from the damage inflicted by their absentee, water-rationing, bonus-witholding Belgian owner.'

129 Charlton fans responded to the survey.

Up the Football League we go

Charlton are fourth in League One on the same number of points as Sunderland (who admittedly have two games in hand) after this afternoon's 2-0 victory over Gillingham at The Valley. The Gills were better than last week's opponents, AFC Wimbledon, although that wouldn't be difficult. They did keep going until the end of the game, but never looked like a major threat, although they were without their star striker, Eaves. After last week's bad weather, conditions were relatively mild and calm.

Charlton didn't look too impressive in the opening minutes of the first half after an over clever attempt at kicking off led to them losing possession. Addicks goalkeeper Jed Steer survived an early scare after dropping Darren Oldaker's free-kick and spilling the ball to Connor Ogilvie, whose effort hit the outside of a post. Steer's distribution was rather poor throughout the game.

But Charlton went ahead in the sixth minute when Fosu's clever low pass picked out an unmarked Reeves in the box and he coolly slotted home. The advantage was almost doubled on the quarter hour as Fosu hit the woodwork before Ogilvie hacked clear.

Brandon Hanlan was perhaps unfortunate to glance a header off target from Ogilvie's delivery but the Gills had goalkeeper Tomas Holy to thank for using his leg to deny Reeves a second. However, there was nothing he could do to prevent Fosu's stunning strike from outside the box flying into the top corner six minutes before the break.

Both the team and the crowd were flat after the break, perhaps because they thought it was job done. Former Addick Hanlan almost had Gillingham right back in contention within a minute of the restart, placing a header agonisingly wide from a corner.

Holy was a relieved man after Reeves' 69th-minute cross cannoned back off the woodwork. Taylor had picked up a few knocks in the course of his usual energetic play and was substituted, although the choice of Hackett-Fairchild was a bit of a surprise.

Gillingham's Elliott List headed wide from close range five minutes from time but Charlton never looked seriously troubled as they maintained their promotion push in a straightforward home success. Substitute Mark Marshall drew a save from the keeper in time added on.

Lee Bowyer said that was the worst Charlton have played for a while. Scrappy at times and gave the ball away sloppily. But feels they still deserved the win.

The report from Louis Mendez is here: Seven wins in eight

Same old song from Roland

Roland Duchatelet has been on Talksport again today, but it is not clear why as he had nothing new to say. VOTV editor Rick Everitt commented, 'Duchatelet is talking rubbish as usual - operating loss is why his asking price is unreasonable. Protests were about cheating the staff out of their bonuses - ask him what the EFL have said to him about that!'

Rick Everitt summarised the interview as follows: 'No answer on player sales in January, no answer on whether he’ll put the price up on promotion, no interest in seeing the team, waffle about the value of the land, sale no further forward but could happen soon.'

Everitt added: 'Operating loss [supposedly putting off buyers] is off the scale because of his mismanagement - if punitive then it affects the asset price. Can’t have it both ways. That’s why he talks about land value BUT the timescale and practicalities of realising that mean it’s not persuasive.'

The claim that protests are putting off buyers is risible as there have hardly been any this year.

It looks like another ego massaging exercise by the barmy Belgian.

Charlton need to stop Eaves

Tom Eaves is the top scorer in League One and Charlton will need to stop him in tomorrow's derby says Lee Bowyer: Gillingham threat. The 6ft 5ins Scouser is now attracting interest from Rangers.

The CAS Trust Preview calls the game 'the battle of the strikers' (Taylor v. Eaves): Match preview

Gillingham are currently 16th in the table and slightly higher in the form table. They have won more matches away from home (four) than at home. Slow starts have been something of a problem for the team.

Odds are 4/6 Charlton, 11/4 draw, 7/2 Gillingham. Our recent record against Gillingham is abysmal with only one win in seven games since the turn of the century.

A new edition of Voice of the Valley will be on sale around the ground before the game. Some of the usual suspects were hoping to start their Christmas libations early, but the vinegar pissers were dragged from their watering holes to provide copy.

As usual, you can order online for delivery to your home, but instead of the usual plain wrapper the envelope will have a photo of the VOTV production team in festive mood at the Royal Victoria Wetherspoons, Ramsgate: Issue 148

Takeover by January?

Lee Bowyer is hopeful that a takeover of Charlton could be completed by the January transfer window: Takeover is close

It appears that the likely new owners are the Australian based consortium, but the composition of the consortium has changed.

Is George Lapslie the new Scott Parker?

In an interesting interview, Lee Bowyer comments:' With my players now, I’d never tell them not to compete. Not to tackle. At Charlton now, we have a player called George Lapslie, who reminds me a bit of Scott Parker. He’s everywhere on the pitch. Tackling, competing for everything. You just have to try and control it. Guide him. But you can’t take that edge away from someone.'

Bowyer says, 'I love the club and I wanted to do whatever I could to help them get back into the Championship. I honestly believed we were going to do that.'

Read the full interview here: Lee Bowyer

Little hope of DaSilva return

Lee Bowyer would like to bring Jay DaSilva back in as an attacking left back in January, but thinks it is not a realistic prospect. This is in spite of the fact that he has not even been on the bench for the last three games at Bristol City: DaSilva hopes

'Bowyer brings hope to unhappy Valley'

That is the headline over a back page feature article in 'The Game' section of The Times today.

'When I was here as a kid it was a nice family club', said Bowyer. 'There was a good relationship between the fans and the players. But when I came back, 18 months or so ago, it didn't seem like that anymore, and it's a shame, because it's a great club.'

'When I took over as manager, I knew that was something I had to put right. And that's what I'm doing. I'm just trying to make the place like it was when I left. Make our football attractive to watch. We've got great players, and they're all together. Once you include the fans in that, it becomes a very difficult place for other teams to play.'

The surprised supremo said, 'I had no intention of becoming a manager. My wife basically said, "You can't sit here watching telly all the time. Go and do your coaching badges, see if you like it." I had no plans, no intentions, but football can change things and now I'm doing it, I'm enjoying it.'

'I'm not too old to lean' says Marshall

Mark Marshall says that he is not too old to learn new things from Charlton boss Lee Bowyer: I can still learn

Marshall said it felt like being hit by a bus when he was injured at Portsmouth and he was still hurting when he played on Saturday.

Clarke: my injury struggle

Today's Football League Paper has a double page spread on Billy Clarke and his struggle to recover from his ACL injury.

Clarke said: 'I'd played the first four months of the season and I was really enjoying it. To have a season ending injury, which has now gone into this season, is unbelievably hard.'

'It's hard times in the gym physically and mentally.' Clarke admits that his method of recovery was largely to take himself away from the team environment. 'There were some lonely times, but it was my own choice.'

'I'm desperate to get back in,' he said. 'Now I'm watching games fully fit and waiting for my opportunity to get back. I give 100 per cent whenever I play and that won't change. I have no doubts I will get back to where I left off. I will also be hungrier and more experienced.'

He commented, 'Lyle Taylor is a great focal point up front and I don't think anyone comes close in this league to his partnership with Karlan Grant. Lee Bowyer has come in and he demands hard work. The same goes for his assistant, Johnnie Jackson. He's gone into coaching as if he's been doing it his whole career.'

Charlton on top of their game

Charlton dealt comfortably with an admittedly poor Wimbledon side at The Valley this afternoon, beating them 2-0 on a bitterly cold, wet and windy afternoon. The Addicks remain in 5th place, but are level on points with Peterborough.

The Addicks suffered an early blow, with just 56 seconds on the clock when Naby Sarr was shown a straight red card by referee Trevor Kettle for a late lunge on Tennai Watson. Sarr now has the unenviable record of the fastest sending off in Charlton history.

Despite this it was Charlton who looked more composed in the early exchanges. They continued to press forward, with Pearce often prominent, and they almost went in front midway through the half when Joe Aribo found Taylor, whose shot was well blocked.

It took until the half hour for the visitors to create their first opportunity but Tom Soares blazed his effort well over. Numerical parity was restored in the 33rd minute when Mitch Pinnock followed in Sarr's footsteps. Pinnock, already on a yellow card for an earlier foul on Ben Reeves, picked up a second caution for diving after going to ground far too easily while trying to shake off the attentions of Patrick Bauer.

Reeves really should have done better when he blasted a shot high over Joe McDonnell's crossbar early in the second half and Aribo also saw two attempts fly off target in quick succession as Charlton continued to knock on the door.

Finally their hard work paid off on the hour and it was Taylor who made the Dons pay with a close-range finish after getting in front of Terrell Thomas to convert Nicky Ajose's excellent delivery.

McDonnell had to rush out of his area to thwart Ajose in the 75th minute, with Taylor testing the visiting keeper moments later with a shot. The game was wrapped up four minutes from time when substitute Mark Marshall, who had been lively when he came on, drilled a low angled drive into the bottom-left corner of McDonnell's net, his first goal of the season.

Lyle Taylor had to have an injection in his toe to enable him to play: Injection needed

Ajose: I could have been top scorer

Nicky Ajose reckons he could have scored as many goals as Karlan Grant or Lyle Taylor if he had had a run in the team: I would have matched their goal total

In your dreams.

Taylor available but not Grant

Lyle Taylor will be available for Saturday's match against his former club AFC Wimbledon, although he will not be 100 per cent. It is certain that Karlan Grant will not be available because of his hamstring injury: Bowyer's verdict

Aribo heads for Bundesliga

With six months left on his contract at Charlton, Joe Aribo is free to sign pre-contract agreements in January. With Benfica and Frankfurt among the clubs interested, it looks as if the Bundesliga will be his new home: Bundesliga move

As the article points out, the talented youngster has been a victim of Roland's penny pinching.

Charlton in their Pomp

Charlton went fifth in League One tonight after they beat league leaders Portsmouth 2-1 in a hard fought match at Fratton Park. The Charlton goals came in the first half, the first from Karlan Grant and then by the substitute who replaced him after he was injured, Nicky Ajose. 899 Addicks saw the win in a crowd of 17,891. Charlton have won on seven of their last eight trips to Portsmouth.

There were promising early signs as Charlton broke dangerously into the Portsmouth half. Grant released Taylor, but his half volley was parried by the keeper. Grant's pace was causing real problems for the home side. Grant went down, but received treatment.

On 24 minutes Aribo set up Taylor who put in a low cross and Grant scored from close range. Grant had to go off on 35 minutes. On 43 minutes good work by Lapslie, who was outstanding throughout, kept the ball in. Taylor was then able to put in a low cross and Ajose scored from close range.

A Reeves effort was blocked on 52 minutes. Reeves was replaced by Marshall as Pompey were getting too much freedom on the Charlton right.

Pompey then applied more pressure. Steer made a save on 60 minutes and Lapslie cleared off the line. Pitman and Sarr had a bout of handbags after a clash and they each got a yellow card. Lowe fell over in the area, the first of a number of Pompey attempts to get a penalty, and was booked for his trouble.

Somehow Charlton survived the onslaught, although there were a number of heart stopping moments. A shot from Taylor was blocked. Bielik had to be taken off after he received the benefit of an elbow and Solly took up the defensive midfield role.

A cynical foul by Thompson on Marshall earned him a yellow card. On 87 minutes Green scored for Portsmouth. Lapslie headed clear on the line. Steer was booked for time wasting.

Six minutes were added on. Former Millwall charm merchant Thompson was sent off after a challenge that left Taylor limping.

Smiling supremo Lee Bowyer was delighted with his side's performance: Delighted

Richard Cawley's match report is here: Addicks show steel

Karlan Grant is to have a scan on his hamstring, while Lyle Taylor left wearing a protective boot. Mark Marshall has damaged ribs.

Addicks will miss injured trio

Lee Bowyer admits that Charlton will miss Darren Pratley, Josh Cullen and Jamie Ward at Portsmouth tonight. He would have liked a more physical presence in midfield: Injured trio will be a major miss

In contrast Portsmouth have been relatively free of injuries. They think that this is in part down to the skill of the medical team and due diligence when signing players: Secrets of injury success

The league leaders have won eight games at home, drawn three and lost just one. They have scored eighteen goals and conceded eight. They are third in the form table and Charlton are fifth.

Toby Stevenson dropped

Toby Stevenson is to be taken out of the Charlton team to face a highly physical Portsmouth at Fratton Park tomorrow: Youngster taken out

The SLP's Richard Cawley thinks that Lee Bowyer will deploy Naby Sarr to counter Pompey's physical threat.

Rob Lee condemns Roland

In a full page interview in today's Football League Paper former Charlton star Rob Lee tells Roland Duchatelet 'if you don't want Charlton. sell up.' Lee said, 'Charlton is a family club and I have never seen so much animosity over an owner.'

He continued, 'I don't get these guys who buy clubs and don't have any interest in running them. They have a lot of money, maybe they get bored and buy a football club. It's not like a business. You've got passionate people who've been involved for generations. Roland has antagonised so many people. It's simple in my eyes - if you don't want it, sell it.'

Discussing Lee Bowyer, he said, 'I know Lee very well and he's doing a great job with the team. It's just obviously off the pitch that's the problem. I think he will just get on with it on the pitch and rightly not get involved in anything else.'

Bleak month starts with defeat

December has been a bleak month for Charlton in recent years and it started with a 2-1 late defeat at Blackpool which saw Charlton fall out of the play off places to 7th.

Blackpool enjoyed the better chances in the first half when Charlton were lacklustre and led after 16 minutes, with Armand Gnanduillet turning home Liam Feeney's cross from close range. They then came close to extending their lead on 32 minutes, as former Addick Joe Dodoo forced Jed Steer into a sprawling save following a counter attack.

Despite struggling to make inroads in the first half, Charlton made an impact after the break, with Joe Aribo tapping home at the far post ten minutes after the restart. The Addicks went from strength to strength in the second period, with Karlan Grant flashing an effort just wide of Mark Howard's post on 78 minutes. The home side scored the winner on 87 minutes.

Sand blasted supremo Lee Bowyer thought that a refereeing decision affected the course of the game with Curtis Tilt not sent off for a second bookable offence: Referee changed course of game

The report from Louis Mendez is here: Late defeat

Heavy pitch anticipated at Blackpool

Lee Bowyer is expecting a heavy pitch when Charlton visit Blackpool tomorrow, but hopes there is no repetition of last year's late postponement: Hoping game will go ahead

A waterlogged pitch would not help Charlton to play their passing game. I watched the Solihull Moors versus Blackpool game on television last Friday and I was not too impressed by the Tangerines. However, their manager thinks they were not at their best and certainly Solihull have a very efficient defence.

The hosts have some classy players in their side, with the attacks being spearheaded by Ivory Coast man Armand Gnanduillet, who has four goals – and his strike-partner Nathan Delfouneso, who also has four. Other threatening players include Mark Cullen, Jordan Thompson and Jay Spearing – whilst Joe Burney, Max Clayton and Paudie O'Connor will not start the tie.

Charlton are two places ahead of Blackpool in the League One table and six places (eighth versus fourteenth) in the form table.

Tony Harrington, who normally referees in the Championship, has been brought in for the game which has been billed as one of the League One ties of the weekend.

Odds (Skybet): Home 6/4; Draw, 21/10; Away, 9/5.

Bowyer: I am over the moon

Lee Bowyer says that he is 'over the moon' after being named League One Manager of the Month, it is something for the club as well as him personally. There is a nice appraisal of his achievements here: Manager of the Month

Unfortunately, 'the curse of manager of the month' means that it is often followed by a dip in form.

Wil Roland retain his crown?

Last year a poll of 4,800 fans voted Roland Duchatelet to be the worst owner in English football. It's a competitive league, but will he retain his title this year? Best and worst owners

Bowyer nominated for manager of the month

Lee Bowyer has been nominated for League One manager of the month for November, his second nomination this season.

During the month he shepherded Charlton into the playoff positions with four wins from four games. The Addicks scored nine goals and conceded just two in the process.

Joe Aribo has been nominated for PFA Fans Player of the Month.

Back to the Valley Day

Today is, of course, Back to the Valley Day. Here is a short video reminder: Back to the Valley

Bowyer unrepentant as Charlton dumped out of the FA Cup

Charlton are out of the FA Cup after a weakened team lost 0-2 to Doncaster Rovers at The Valley this afternoon. The manner of their defeat left some Charlton fans fuming. One tweeted that 'Charlton defrauded their most loyal fans today' (the attendance was 3,249, 250 from Donny). Another tweeted, 'I have one expectation of any #cafc team - try and win the game. Bowyer’s team selection showed he doesn’t care about this game and that is criminal. Remember that this lot are the backup to the 1st 11 and have shown they’re not up for it.'

The visitors went ahead on 67 minutes when a corner deflected off Marshall right in front of Phillips. Their second goal came when a free kick was headed back across goal and former Millwall striker Marquis scored with a header from close range.

Early in the game a Clarke volley was cleared off the line. But first-half opportunities remained few and far between, a point emphasised when nobody was on hand to apply a finishing touch to Mason's dangerous 28th-minute low ball across the face of goal. Addicks goalkeeper Dillon Phillips had to be alert to deal with Herbie Kane's well-struck volley and Kane then saw a free kick sail over just before the break.

Reeves' shot headed behind by Tom Anderson and then Mason had to produce an excellent challenge on Toby Stevenson inside the area. A Clarke free kick was just over the bar. Marshall put in a good cross, but Hackett-Fairchild's touch was heavy. On 87 minutes the keeper had to save well from a Marshall header.

Lee Bowyer defended his decision to make nine changes for this afternoon's cup tie with Doncaster - 'Missed opportunity. What, of winning the FA Cup? We're never going to win it. The opportunity I had was to give Billy Clarke and Ben Reeves minutes.' It will be interesting to see who Doncaster draw in the third round.

Bowyer was pleased with some aspects today, singled out Mark Marshall for praise - 'the best game he's played since I've been in charge'

The report from Louis Mendez is here: Dumped out