I couldn't make it up

In previous years I have had an April Fool's spoof. Rebranding consultants were brought in and it was decided to rename the club 'Estuary'. A plan was launched to have a branch of the Jubilee Line from North Greenwich to The Valley.

The East Stand was renamed the Anne Boleyn Stand to attract dissatisfied West Ham customers and was inaugurated by a tableau in which Jonathan Acworth played the King of the Belgians. A statute based on the Mannkin Pis statute in Brussels was to be erected to Roland, the innovation being that it would urinate vinegar.

However, reality is now bizarre than fantasy. How could I come up with a story to trump Roland demanding that the EFL buy the club? Katrien becoming the manager of the Charlton branch of Sofology could not match it.

I think the best of the old ones was renaming the club Estuary to show it was not 'stuck in the mud': Brandovators

This link recalls a successful spoof by the club in 2002 which took in a number of fans: New club crest

Another successful spoof by the club was a report that Millwall were to ground share at The Valley and some of the seats would be painted blue to make them feel at home.

The second goal problem

Charlton beat bottom club Bradford City 1-0 at The Valley this afternoon. Although the three points were welcome, it was in many ways a painful experience.

Charlton went ahead in the first half through a well-taken goal by Lyle Taylor who was well set up by Naby Sarr and Aribo. But then we were unable to score a second goal which would have finished the match off.

Bradford were error prone at the back and needed to have pressure applied to them. After a decent first half, in the second half Charlton lacked urgency and even seemed lethargic. Fortunately, although Bradford were capable of rapid counter attacks, their finishing was poor.

After their opening goal on 18 minutes, Charlton nearly doubled the lead after 22 minutes when Taylor turned provider by squaring for Igor Vetokele, but O'Donnell did well to pull off a save at point-blank range.

Taylor almost added a second after 32 minutes when his curled effort from outside the area hit the post and rebounded out for a goal kick. Bradford should have equalised after 36 minutes when Jacob Butterfield took too long to fire in an effort after Lewis O'Brien beat the offside trap.

Taylor was guilty of firing over the bar from six yards out after 41 minutes while David Ball hit the post for Bradford 10 minutes into the second half.

Louis Mendez reports on the narrow win here: Basement Bantams

Lee Bowyer thought that Charlton dominated the game, although they were sloppy in possession at times and still have an outside chance of a top two finish: Bowyer's hopes

Club loses quarter of a million a week

Charlton had an operating loss of £256,000 a week last season in League One to take total historic losses to just under £60 million. Wages were £140 for every £100 of income, way above the 70 per cent level recommended by Uefa.

Katrien Miere's salary not disclosed as she was chief executive but not a director (she resigned during the financial year). Charlton paid redundancy costs of £374k in 2017/18.

In terms of player trading purchases were £310k and sales £4.4 million. The profit on player trading reduced the operating loss from £13.4m to £10.1m.

Match day income at £3.4m accounted for 46 per cent of the total. It was marginally up by 7 per cent from £3.2m. EFL and Premier League distributions fell by 21 per cent from £1.8m to £1.4m. The EFL distributions dropped from £1.2m to £0.7m (lower payments following relegation) and the Premier League solidarity payment increased from £0.6m to £0.7m.

Commercial income increased by 8 per cent to £1.4m, helped by the run in to the play offs. The strategic report states, 'Continued growth in commercial income is essential for the long-term sustainability of the Football Club.'

Charlton owed Roland £62 million at end of 2017/18 and interest is clocking up on the loans at a modest 2%. Interest cost £770k for the season. The club is worth far less than the value of the outstanding loans which raises concerns about its longer term survival.

Charlton accounts filed

The annual accounts for Charlton Athletic (Holdings) Limited have been filed at Companies House. They are being processed and as soon as they are available I will attempt to analyse them. However, they have been filed using the small companies format which allows a considerable amount of significant information to be withheld.

New contract offer for Lee Bowyer

A new contract offer is expected to be made to Lee Bowyer next week: Bowyer offer

Amid the depredations of Roland, Lee Bowyer has offered hope and pride to Charlton supporters. Just think what he could achieve with more funds.

Oli Gunnar Solksjaer? We've got Bowyer.

Rovers eye Bauer

Blackburn Rovers are interested in signing Patrick Bauer who is out of contract in the summer. However, play off success for Charlton could lead the German to change his mind about staying: Rovers monitor Bauer

Powell sacked

Former Charlton manager Chris Powell has been sacked by relegation threatened Southend United after a run of eleven games without a win: Bid to stave off relegation

Bielik returns with ankle injury

Krystain Bielik has returned from international duty with Poland's Under 21 squad with an ankle injury and shell shocked supremo Lee Bowyer has admitted it doesn't look too good: Injury blow

BTW, Saturday's game against Bradford City will be the first time two managers with the same surname have been up against each other for two years.

Arsenal want Aribo

Reports from more than source are stating that Arsenal want to sign Joe Aribo on a free transfer in the summer: Joe Aribo

Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt are also said to be interested.

Bowyer has insisted that Aribo want to stay and that his agent is stoking up the press stories. However, a lot seems to depend on Charlton gaining promotion: Bowyer's reaction

Charlton would be in top two if Grant had stayed

Lee Bowyer has told the Huddersfield Examiner that Charlton would be in the top two if Karlan Grant had stayed. Charlton miss him in the final third: Bowyer on Grant

Grant is the top scorer for both Charlton and Huddersfield.

Player of the week optimistic

Named as League One Player of the Week by The Times for his superb stop on Saturday from Jonson Clarke-Harris, Dillon Phillips thinks that automatic promotion is still possible for Charlton: Anything can happen

How much do we miss Karlan Grant?

According to stats by Sage from Charlton Life, with Karlan Grant in the side Charlton averaged 1.62 goals per game this season. Since he left we have averaged 0.88 goals per game. Our points per game with Grant was 1.83, but is now 1.55 without him. This may have cost us automatic promotion.

Or, more to the point, the failure to bring in a decent replacement may have been decisive. Thank you Roland.

West wind wins at Bristol

Charlton drew 0-0 with Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon. The blustery conditions were the dominating factor in the game: Conditions ruin game

Lee Bowyer felt that an incorrect offside flag denied Charlton all three points after Josh Cullen tapped the ball home from a Lyle Taylor cross: Pleased with point

Charlton goalkeeper Dillon Phillips produced one of the saves of the season to help earn the Addicks a goalless draw. Jonson Clarke-Harris thought he had broken the deadlock with a well-struck 37th minute free-kick from just outside the box but, with the ball bound for the bottom corner, Phillips dived full length to make a magnificent stop with his left hand.

Rovers' Jack Bonham dived to his right to keep out a 43rd-minute drive from Igor Vetokele after the striker had been put through by Josh Cullen's pass.

Portsmouth beat Scunthorpe to open up a four point lead over Charlton. Sunderland also won.

Tough game on a heavy pitch

Lee Bowyer says that the Bristol Rovers side Charlton face today is a very different one from the team the Addicks beat 3-1 at The Valley earlier in the season. It will be a tough game on a heavy pitch: Tough game

Odds (Coral): Home, 9/5; Draw, 2/1; Charlton, 13/8.

Can Charlton step on the gas?

Bristol Rovers have been doing well away from home, but less well at home. Here a Charlton fan previews tomorrow's match at the Memorial Ground for a Bristol paper: Charlton will hammer someone soon

At home the Gasheads have won four, drawn five and lost nine.

The CAS Trust preview points out that Charlton have an impressive record in recent years against Bristol Rovers, but the Gasheads have had a good run of form recently: Our favourite opponents

Success for women's team

Charlton closed the gap on the top two teams in the FA Women's Championship after defeating the Millwall Lionesses 3-0 in front of a crowd of 638 at The Valley last night: Charlton close on Manchester United

Sudbury defender on trial

AFC Sudbury defender Tyler French is to join Charlton on trial. The Bostik League defender has been transfer listed. He has played two games with Barnsley's Under 23 team, but wants to take a look at Charlton: Tyler French

French considers that he was badly treated by Crystal Palace after the Glaziers messed him around over a contract: Won't give up on his dream

Job done

Charlton beat Burton Albion 2-1 at The Valley tonight to go 10 points ahead of Doncaster in 6th place.

All the significant action occurred in the first half. Taylor scored from a penalty on six minutes. Then the ball hit Bauer's arm and the Brewers were able to equalise with their own penalty.

Then on 33 minutes Reeves took advantage of a Taylor cross to score the winner with a diving header.

Report from Louis Mendez here: Charlton edge out Brewers

Lee Bowyer said that he thought that Charlton looked a little bit lethargic and the fans helped them through the second half. He would guard against any complacency: Charlton won't be taking their foot off the gas

Burton have good away record

After the excitement of Saturday's televised clash with Portsmouth, it's back to the mundane business tonight of a midweek fixture against Burton Albion, but the three points are just as important. The Brewers have a fully fit squad, while Charlton will be without Krystian Bielik and Jonny Williams who went off injured on Saturday. They will both be missed.

Burton are one place ahead of Charlton in the form table. Away from home they have won five, drawn six and lost seven. They beat Coventry away from home on Saturday and have been doing particularly well on the road in 2019.

Odds (Coral) are: Charlton, 11/10; Draw, 9/4; Burton, 27/10.

Referee Tom Bramall was promoted from park football in Sheffield to the Football League in the 2014/15 season having impressed in the Blades Superdraw League.

Player of the week talks about the play off challenge

Lyle Taylor has been named by The Times as League One player of the week. He has said that his suspension seemed like six years and that Charlton need to maintain the intensity they showed against Portsmouth: Addicks can't try and canter into the play offs

Victory is Ours

Portsmouth may have HMS Victory in the Royal Dockyard, but Charlton secured a convincing 2-1 win over Pompey at The Valley yesterday evening - and in front of the television cameras. Charlton are now eight points ahead of Doncaster.

We played some really fluent football at times, although we did sometimes unnecessarily give away possession. Bielik having to go off injured at half time was a blow. As the game entered its closing phase, the midfield seem to be losing energy and it was all a bit harum scarum in the closing minutes. I don't think that Vetokele contributed all that much and he got out muscled at times.

The excellent Joe Aribo fired the Addicks ahead four minutes before the break, only to see that effort cancelled out by Ronan Curtis on the stroke of half-time. But Taylor was ideally placed to sweep home what turned out to be the winner after 51 minutes as the fifth-placed Addicks closed the gap on fourth-placed Pompey to just two points.

Charlton spurned a host of chances before finally getting on the scoresheet as Josh Cullen was initially denied what looked a certain 20th-minute opener when Vetokele was unfortunately placed to block his goal-bound effort. An unmarked Aribo then headed off target from a corner, Taylor blazed over from long range and Cullen made a poor connection with Vetokele's pass as the Addicks pressed but without reward.

After Craig MacGillivray was forced into a save by another Taylor attempt from outside the box, there was nothing the Pompey keeper could do to prevent the hosts from going in front four minutes before the break. After Cullen picked out Aribo inside the box, the midfielder then took two touches before drilling an angled low shot from eight yards into the bottom corner of the net.

But parity was restored on the stroke of half-time when Curtis rose at the back post to meet a Lee Brown corner and power home an unstoppable header past Dillon Phillips.

Early in the second half Curtis again had the ball in the back of the net, only to be correctly adjudged for offside before Charlton restored their lead in the 51st minute. The officials had a decent game, with the referee giving Pompey some deserved yellow cards.

Substitute Ben Reeves teed up Taylor and the Addicks striker made no mistake with the simplest of close-range finishes. Phillips then produced a decent stop to keep out a dipping volley from Curtis, while Tariqe Fosu (who had come on in place of Williams who had hamstring trouble) came close for Charlton with a dangerous shot that sailed inches over.

The Addicks were almost pegged back again on 83 minutes when Jamal Lowe played the ball across the face of goal but Curtis was just unable to apply a finishing touch. Pompey substitute Brett Pitman then saw a curling effort fly inches over, while Lowe's stoppage-time time strike was blocked as Charlton bravely held on.

This was a day to forget Roland's depredations and enjoy the spectacle on the pitch. I accompanied the drum up the road as the relatively new Charlton song was sung. It all kicked off by the station with the police pushing the crowd back.

Red, White and Black Campaign 25 years on

Sky have produced a short video celebrating the campaign 25 years on: Sky Video

No possibility of takeover soon says ex-dierctor

'I don’t think there’s any possibility of it [a takeover] being settled soon,' claims ex-director David White in today's SLP, who also dismissed Duchatelet’s insistence protests have been a hindrance to any sale. Those protests, which the majority of them were humorous, non-threatening and made national press widely - as a potential owner you’d love that.'

'Richard Murray was involved in Aussie consortium approach for Charlton as far back as October 2017, reveals White. Fans' friend Murray has been invisible in recent months. Perhaps it is time to put up missing person notices again.

White accused Duchatelet of having no genuine interest in promotion. White is one of a number of former board members who are owed a total of £7million in loans. Derek Chappell (£1.2m), David Sumners (£250,000), Bob Whitehand (£1.2m), Richard Murray (£2.6m), Maurice Hatter (£1m), David Hughes (£500,000) and White (£250,000) are due the money if the club gain promotion back to the Premier League. It is also potentially up for negotiation to buy out the debt, most likely to happen as part of a takeover process.

Charlton owner Duchatelet recently demanded that the EFL acquire the League One club off of him – which the organisation ruled out in a statement on Wednesday. White, who has supported Charlton for 52 years, told the South London Press: 'There’s nothing that he said which was feasible. As everyone knows, the EFL aren’t set up to own a club and they are not going to bail a club for any reason. They are a co-operative of the 72 [EFL] clubs'

'His business plan undoubtedly means he doesn’t want to get out of League One,' said White. 'The way he has set up suggests the only way he is ever going to make money is zero sum the costs against a player sale per year, roughly. He knows that going up to the Championship, his costs will rise dramatically. That’s nothing to do with buying better players, it’s to do with the actual costs of running the club in the Championship as against where we are now. To me his business plan is to keep the costs as minimal as you can and produce players and sell them on. That’s not feasible in the Championship.'

'That’s the reason the potential loan signing or out of contract player in place of Karlan Grant didn’t happen. It reduced the likelihood of them getting promoted. As far as selling the club, there are two parts to that. I don’t think they made any real effort to sell the club. I’ve been on the periphery as a bond-holder. I’ve been spoken to once directly by the club in the last couple of years and that was to make a derisory offer for my debt. And I spoke once to a potential buyer back in about October 2017, one of the potential Australian consortium, who along with Richard Murray came around to my house to discuss the thing.'

'They haven’t made any effort to engage with us in terms of the debt – what we can do with it or what we want to do with it. Although we’re not necessarily a deciding factor, I know a purchaser would want to engage with us regarding a sale – because most purchasers want a clean slate.'

'In the last year I’ve cleared my mind of all the tittle-tattle. There’s so much noise in the world of social media – a bit of hearsay becomes fact. But I would guess 95 per cent of it is nonsense. Even to the point where people have said it’s close – it’s going to be next week – I don’t think we’ve ever been that close, at all. Which is sad.'

'I strongly believe Charlton as a concern is viable, and the same geographically – the potential fanbase is viable. The only block I can see is the asking price. In saying that, there have been some numbers bandied around – I don’t think anyone is asking £50m for the club. But the problem for a potential buyer is if he’s talking about £25-£30m – my guess – the buyer has got that conundrum of why he doesn’t want to get promoted. The cost of getting promoted and building a viable team, you’re probably talking about another £50m straight away. The purchase price is not necessarily the thing that stops people, it’s the added costs of trying to get to that promised land of the Premier League.'

'The problem in the Championship is that you’ve got all the teams vying for what is really the one place. Other than your Rotherhams and one or two others, they are all trying to buy that place to the Premier League. One might be successful but there are 15 or 16 who have spent the same amount of money and not been successful. Which is why you see the fall away of teams like Ipswich. They tried and tried and tried it but then he [Marcus Evans] has just said: "No, I’m not doing it any more".'

And White doesn’t expect Duchatelet to be gone soon – despite Charlton fans protesting heavily in recent years for his removal. 'I don’t think there’s any possibility of it being settled soon,” said White. “I don’t know the guy, never met him, but he’s obviously stubborn. I don’t think he’ll go "I was wrong all along – here’s the club. I’ll take this amount".'

'It’s either got to get to the point where he has to give up, because he’s getting too much [abuse], or he’ll carry on. I’m a businessman, and I don’t get it. I think his stubbornness will override everything.'

'They can look at the situation at Blackpool. What is the situation with the fanbase and crowds at Blackpool with Oyston being removed? I would not doubt, one bit, if we had decent new owners our first crowd would not be far short of capacity. And you go from there. You [Duchatelet] are effectively causing 20,000 people not to come, rather than saying we got another 7,000 through the gate. It’s the wrong way around.'

Need to win physical battle against Pompey

Lee Bowyer has said his side need to win the physical battle against Portsmouth tomorrow night: Or they will lose

Pompey manager Kenny Jackett points out that they have scored eight goals in their last two games, although admits that Charlton are a competitive side: Confidence can help us build

The CAS Trust preview of the game is here: Time to beat Portsmouth at home

Bowyer has confirmed that he and Johnnie Jackson want to sign new contracts and stay at Charlton.

It will be the 150th issue of Voice of the Valley tomorrow and more takeover insights are promised by editor Rick Everitt. The usual suspects have been toiling away to provide copy.

As usual it is possible to order online for delivery by post in a plain wrapper so that you can enjoy the vapourings of the vinegar pissers in the comfort and privacy of your own home. To celebrate the 150th issue, the first fifty orders online will receive a free photograph of Thomas Driesen working on his laptop as he assesses the suitability of player prospects for Charlton.

Charlton bid report

The Evening Standard has carried a report of a £30m bid for Charlton by a former banker: Bid claim

I have been up in Sheffield today talking to Blades about how they have punched above their weight under Chris Wilder and I have no information about the credibility or otherwise of this story.

Rick Everitt has commented, 'Highly unlikely from everything I've heard, But it[s a fair price.' Which Roland wouldn't accept.

EFL: we will offer any support we can to Duchatalet

The EFL issued the following statement after its Board meeting today: 'As a competition organiser, the EFL regulates against dual interests and, having assessed the suggestion to take control of Charlton Athletic put forward by the Club’s owner Roland Duchatalet, the EFL Board has concluded that that such an arrangement would raise a significant conflict of interest and as such is not one that could be considered.'

'The EFL will be speaking to Mr Duchatalet with regard to the ownership of Charlton Athletic and will continue to offer any support it can in assisting with his aim of finding a suitable new owner for the Club.'

'In meantime, the ongoing EFL review continues and is expected to reach a conclusion before the end of the season.'

VOTV editor Rick Everitt commented: 'Not good enough from EFL on CAFC. No reason to drag out their review over six months and unfair on staff over bonuses. Suggests they are hoping problem goes away first so they don’t have to criticise Duchatelet.'

Driesen still has a say in recruitment

The notes from last night's Fans' Forum have been published online: Contracts update

There have been no new developments on the takeover, although Roland is not prepared to reduce the asking price which makes it unlikely that there will be any bids. Contrary to press reports, no £35m offer was received.

Contract negotiations have started with Lee Bowyer and Johnnie Jackson and it would seem that the intention is to extend them, welcome news.

Perhaps the most surprising news was that Thomas Driesen, he of the late night sessions on his laptop with a pizza and coke, is still acting as an adviser to Roland and scrutinises all incoming players. Part of Steve Gallen's role is to 'sell' players to Driesen.

Duchatelet 'deluded'

The media onslaught on Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet with Henry Winter. the chief football writer of The Times adding his thoughts this morning. The article looks at a number of clubs, including the latest to run into owner trouble, Port Vale.

On Charlton he says 'it is a once model club turned into a soap opera by the Belgian businessman Roland Duchatelet, whose recent utterances include the proposal of selling the club to the EFL, suggesting someone bordering on the deluded.'

'Again, fans have rallied to the club's aid, and if some of their more extreme tactics have cost them some sympathy, at least Charlton devotees have acted while the EFL hesitates.'

The article is headed 'Fans need help to fight bad owners', although it is a bit short of concrete suggestions on how the football authorities might get involved. However, there are no simple solutions, as I argue in the last of my series on barking owners in this Saturday's Voice of the Valley.

CARD have called on fans not to buy season tickets, describing the club as being in 'chaos': CARD appeal

The EFL will discuss Duchatelet's demand that they should buy the club at their board meeting today.

Dean Kiely talks about his time at Charlton

Dean Kiely has give an extensive and very interesting interview about his time with the Addicks He is clearly unhappy about the way in which he left the club and his treatment by Alan Curbishley. He is full of praise for former chief executive Peter Varney in terms of his arrival and departure: Deano pulls no punches

With Curbs knowing he was leaving Charlton at the end of the season, Deano thinks that his treatment of him was 'quite flippant'.

He ranks alongside Sam Bartram in my estimation and that is saying something.

It was my goal says Cullen

Although it was recorded as an own goal, Josh Cullen reckons that his strike at Doncaster on Saturday was his first Charlton goal. He discusses the game and the road ahead: Goal belongs to him

Roland's 'cunning plan' is 'harebrained'

This blog post from The Guardian looks at the fate of a number of clubs with barking owners, taking hope from the ousting of the Oystons at Blackpool: Suffering fans

It starts with the situation at Charlton, describing the 'cunning plan' of Roland's unveiled by Lieven de Turck as 'brilliantly hairbrained' and a 'tragicomedy'.

Rod Liddle has also pitched in, writing in the Sunday Times. He asks whether 'Roland was always this doolally or if owning Charlton has kind of tipped him over the edge.' He describes Roland's missive as 'one of the barmiest letters I have ever seen in relation to football.' The letter 'is a kind of psychotic rhetoric, a wailing in the wind.'

Being a Millwall supporter, Liddle has to get in a few digs as well, claiming that Charlton supporters call his club 'Smallwall'.

The Football League Paper has a back page feature and editorial on Roland's ramblings. VOTV editor Rick Everitt is interviewed and describes Roland's EFL sale proposal as 'clearly an absolutely bonkers idea. No one with any understanding of English football would, or could, take over one of their member clubs. The problem is that he won't sell the club at a realistic price.'

The editorial is headed by the probably hopeless appeal, 'Come on, Roland, and see sense.' It comments that his EFL takeover idea 'was patently ridiculous and has lowered his credibility even further than it already was in the eyes of Charlton fans and the wider football public. The EFL have enough on their plate without having to run Charlton! Surely it is now time for Duchatelet to do the right thing - talk to one of the would-be buyers that want to take Charlton forward and offer them the club at a reasonable price.'

If all this media criticism was appearing in Belgium, it might have some impact on Roland, although it is difficult for anything to penetrate his fog of self justification.

Score draw at Donny

Charlton drew 1-1 at Doncaster Rovers today which one can see as two points taken off Donny. Peterborough have now joined them on 55 points after their 4-2 win over Wycombe.

The Addicks went ahead through an own goal and then the home side equalised almost immediately. There was a late scare when Donny scored but it was rightly ruled offside. Indeed, Louis Mendez named the offside flag as man of the match. Report from Mendez here: Deserved point on the road

Lyle Taylor was denied after racing clear as Charlton started the stronger and it took a spectacular save from Marko Marosi to keep out a fierce drive from Krystian Bielik. Doncaster defender Paul Downing's header was cleared off the line by Chris Solly and Taylor drilled a shot off the upright, while Joe Aribo was denied twice in quick succession.

Charlton were gifted the lead on 72 minutes as Marquis, who had had a first-half goal disallowed for offside, miscued an attempted headed clearance into his own goal. But Doncaster were level within five minutes as Wilks smashed home a low shot.

Doncaster piled on the pressure with Dillon Phillips producing excellent saves on his line from Marquis and Lewis.

Banned supremo Lee Bowyer was pleased with the display this afternoon but not the fact that only one chance was converted. Says that any lingering top two hopes are over after results here and elsewhere today.

Doncaster boss Grant McCann complained that five decisions went against his side, but that's what happens when you are playing a team on the verge of being taken over by the EFL.

'Snake oil salesman' criticised

Oliver Kay, the chief football correspondent of The Times gives it large to Roland Duchatelet in his column this morning. Kay writes, 'In five years as owner of Charlton Athletic. Roland Duchatelet has shown no understanding of the football industry, no empathy with supporters, and no sign of learning from his countless grave mistakes. Now he has issued a "demand" that the EFL buy the club from him.'

'There really should be some mechanism for the FA or an independent arbitrator to intervene in cases such as Charlton's or Coventry City - but for the good of the club, not for the sake of some snake-oil salesman who, having fancied their chances of making a fast buck, has been left with a distressed asset on their hands. EFL regulations do not allow them to interfere in the running of clubs, which they rightly point out would create conflicts of interest. The great pity is that they cannot stop people such as Duchatelet getting involved in the first place.'

Doncaster boss in 'bullish mood'

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann is in bullish mood ahead of Charlton's visit to Doncaster Rovers tomorrow, insisting that 'no wheels have come off here': Anticipating three points

Nevertheless, he has felt it necessary to issue a rallying call to Donny fans: Get behind us

Donny have won nine games at home, drawn five and lost two. They have scored twice as many goals as they have conceded (32-16). CAS Trust in their preview reckon this will be a stiff test for Charlton's credentials: Stiff test

Lee Bowyer will presumably start his harsh three match touchline ban at Doncaster.

According to Oddschecker, odds are home win, 11/9; draw, 45/17; Charlton win, 5/2.

The referee will be Ben Toner from Blackburn, known for his well inked cards. He was the referee at the Charlton v. Coventry game earlier this season. He has refereed more in League Two this season and he was recently dropped from the Blackpool v. Portsmouth clash because of its high profile and sent to Carlisle instead.

EFL 'flabbergasted' by Roland

The English Football League has been 'flabbergasted' by Roland Duchatelet's demand that they should take over Charlton Athletic. The Daily Mail also repudiates his 'fake news' claim: Roland's demand

Apparently Roland received a £30m offer recently but turned it down. That strikes me as a realistic offer, but we are not in the realms of realism. I am starting to believe those who argue that some people in human form are in fact alien space lizards.