Lloyd Jones has been named in the League One Team of the Year. He was also picked by Four Four Two for their list of the top fifty EFL players.
Josh Edwards reckons that Jones has been 'like a brick wall' (other labels are available): https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/hes-been-a-brick-wall-charlton-defenders-praise-for-vice-captain-lloyd-jones/
Burton Albion's draw against Wigan last night means that they will survive in League One and don't need to take points off us on Saturday.
We don't need to risk any injured players, or indeed any key players on Saturday, but it would be good to get a win in front of what promises to be a bumper crowd. My forecast at the beginning of the season was 3-1.
The toughest test in the play off semi-finals could be tenacious Stockport. If we beat them and face Wycombe at Wembley, I would be confident of our chances. Leyton Orient could be trickier with their new American owners.
Wycombe fans (Sid and Doris Bonkers) will have a short trip to Wembley from Beechy Bucks. However, hopefully the Chairboys are losing form at the crucial time, even if they think they might have learnt lessons from our hammering of them.
Wycombe are owned by one of the world's wealthiest men, but so far he has not been splashing the cash. They could be more of a threat next season if we both end up in League One, but there is real hope that we won't be.
Even moaners have had to concede that Conor Coventry puts in s a shift and it is therefore no surprise that he has been selected for a feature interview by The Athletic (the online publication from the New York Times stable.
Conor Coventry is open, engaging and affable, but one
question from The Athletic prompts the former West Ham United
youth product to pause for thought.
It is 14 months since the midfielder swapped West Ham for
League One Charlton Athletic in search of opportunities. He has become a lynchpin in Nathan Jones’ promotion-chasing
team,, but emotions are still raw for the 25-year-old when it comes to his
former club.
“I find it weird watching West Ham,” Coventry tells The
Athletic. “I haven’t been back to the London Stadium since leaving. If I
went back, I can picture the lads giving me stick and telling me to let it go.
Coventry made 10 first-team appearances for West Ham, but
they were sporadic. From a debut in September 2018 against Macclesfield Town,
then of League Two, in the Carabao Cup, Coventry was never given a regular run
of games.
Charlton first showed interest around November and it just
felt right. Even the new start at
Charlton has had difficulties. He was signed by Michael Appleton on January 12
— but within 12 days the manager had been sacked and replaced by Jones, with
Charlton in relegation trouble.
“It was a difficult time leaving West Ham and then the
change at Charlton. When the gaffer (Jones) arrived, we spoke when he took over
about where I could improve and what he liked about me.
“I’m a more well-rounded footballer now, but there’s still
more to come. I’ve overcome disappointments and not playing consistently in my
career. But this is the best I’ve felt and I needed this stability.
This season, Coventry and Charlton, who have been in League
One for five years, have been transformed. He has started 42 of their 44 league
games and impressed in his holding midfield role as Jones has built a team with
a play-off place secured. In November, his form earned a senior call-up for the
Republic of Ireland squad for the Nations League game against England.
“Last summer, I arrived for pre-season with the intention of
being in the team, so it’s great to feature heavily in the push for promotion —
the gaffer has shown great faith in me,” Coventry says.
“Maybe people from the outside thought we wouldn’t be around
it. But we all had confidence we would compete and here we are now. I believe
the club can return back to where it belongs (the Premier League, where they
have not played since 2006-07).
“We’ve seen it with recent performances from the team. The
club is back on a rise and hopefully we can end the season on a high. I look
back positively on my year here.”
That was the verdict of Nathan Jones on the 3-0 defeat at Wrexham with Charlton hit with injuries - and that to Lloyd Jones sounds particularly worrying: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-defeat-at-wrexham-a-game-too-far-as-charlton-battle-with-injuries-ahead-of-play-off-campaign/
I was surprised that so many Charlton fans thought that Wrexham would roll over in the same way as Wycombe. They had automatic promotion in their sights. What they have created from a non-league start is not a circus but a minor global brand.
Unfortunately after being 0-2 down Stockport managed to beat Lincoln 3-2 so we are back in 5th. Let's hope we can get to 4th as it would give us a better start in the play off lottery. Leyton Orient may be in with a shout under their new American owners. With Wycombe playing Stockport there is a variety of possible outcomes in terms of play off line ups. If Reading qualify, they may be disqualified by the EFL because of their unresolved ownership issues.
The excessive pessimism of the 'We'll be playing Bromley next season' moaners had been replaced by an excessive optimism that we could get automatic promotion, although more realism now seems to be creeping back in. However, the squad was never as bad as some made out and some of them have developed over the season. I intend to spend a few days on the Kent coast in the summer and if I can find Desmond from Deal and Derek from Dymchurch and all the other seaside pessimists I will ask them why they are so miserable.
My forecast was 3-1 for this game, but we didn't get the consolation goal. Louis Mendez provides his usual forensic analysis, emphasising the impact of the absence of Lloyd and Small: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-wrexham-3-charlton-athletic-0-addicks-top-two-hopes-ended-as-wrexham-seal-promotion-to-second-tier/
Wrexham will be automatically promoted if they beat Charlton tomorrow and Wycombe drop points against Orient. Wrexham captain James McClean [sic] has understandably called it a 'huge' match: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/wrexham-captain-james-mcclean-demands-his-side-deliver-in-huge-league-one-match-against-charlton-athletic/
Wrexham supremo and former Charlton manager Phil Parkinson is said to be 'relaxed' ahead of the encounter, although he looks grim faced in the accompanying photo as if someone has been spotted in the Charlton end in a clown costume: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/enjoy-it-wrexham-boss-parkinson-staying-relaxed-ahead-of-pivotal-league-one-meeting-with-charlton-athletic/
Charlton fans seem to be in an optimistic mood as they prepare to cross the Welsh border and sample the delights of Wrexham. I had the Wycombe game down as a win at the beginning of the season and this as a 3-1 defeat, but a draw may now be more likely. However, I don't think one can read the results of this game off the win at Wycombe.
After I congratulated a Burnley fan the other day, he responded 'Good luck in the play offs' and that looks like a realistic call.
CAS Trust preview here: https://www.castrust.org/2025/04/wrexham-showdown/
Given that Miles Leaburn is injured, Nathan Jones is understandably upset that Chuks Aneke's red card has not been overturned: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-jones-left-fuming-as-chuks-anekes-red-card-upheld-on-appeal/
Not a surprise, however. First, the authorities are always reluctant to undermine referees by challenging their decisions. Second, listening to Steve Brown's account at the time (even though he tends to look for negatives), Aneke was at least unwise in his response to provocation.
Jones has had to 'clarify' his remarks about Wrexham being a circus, saying he did not mean any disrespect to a well-run club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-jones-addresses-wrexham-the-circus-comment-ahead-of-mega-league-one-showdown/
Sometimes Jones speaks before he thinks, but then his emotional nature appeals to many fans.
Nathan Jones has called Saturday's opponents Wrexham 'a circus' and it seems to have got under the skin of the Welsh side: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/wrexham-a-circus-says-charlton-boss-before-league-one-showdown/
Whether it's a smart move in the pre-match mind games or something Jones will come to rue remains to be seen.
Before the Hollywood glamour boys arrived Wrexham was not without its comic elements, not least Mickey Thomas.
During his football career, Thomas became involved in a counterfeit currency scam, whereby he laundered the money through Wrexham's trainees. North Wales Police arrested him in 1993 and following a conviction he was sentenced to 18 months in jail. It has been alleged that 10p coins were involved (remember this was a long time ago).
In August 1992, Thomas was attacked by two men in a country
lane at Dyserth, Clwyd. He was sitting in his Volkswagen with a
29-year-old woman, when his window was smashed and he was assaulted with a
hammer and a screwdriver. Thomas was admitted to hospital with 15 stab wounds
to his left buttock.
It was alleged that the woman was his sister-in-law and that his posture was more vigorous than the word 'sitting' would imply.
Nathan Jones has high hopes for the Charlton future of young defender Zach Mitchell, currently loaned out to St. Johnstone where he has suffered an injury setback: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-still-has-high-hopes-for-loaned-out-youngster/
Nathan Jones was clearly unhappy about Chuks Aneke being sent off at Wycombe, but it doesn't look as if the club will challenge the red card: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-jones-on-aneke-red-card-there-is-more-on-that-i-can-promise-you/
Lloyd Jones is understandably pleased with his defensive contribution this season and in particular the way he dealt with Wycombe striker Richard Kone: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/it-means-a-lot-charlton-defensive-rock-jones-delighted-after-20th-clean-sheet-of-season/
The Times said this morning that Charlton were a team coming into form at the right time and they demonstrated that with a 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in beechy Bucks this afternoon. The clean sheet was offset by the dismissal of Chuks Aneke in time added on for violent conduct. Earlier Nathan Jones was booked for excessive celebration.
Charlton remain in 4th place. Second placed Wrexham won at Blackpool and Charlton face what Steve Brown called a 'massive game' there next week.
The Addicks bossed Wycombe from start to finish and took an
11th-minute lead through Lloyd Jones' well-taken half volley past goalkeeper Will
Norris.
It was 2-0 after 24 minutes thanks to a brilliant strike
from Luke Berry, who fired home from 15 yards.
Wycombe rarely offered anything in attack, indeed it was 86 minutes before Will Mannion had to deal with a shot on target. Richard Kone
was starved of service and around the hour mark the game was wrapped up.
Norris slipped when receiving a back pass from Xavier Simons
and Matt Godden tapped in Charlton's third in the 58th minute.
Four minutes later, moaners' target Karoy Anderson scored a header to send
the 1,849 travelling fans into ecstasy.
With players such as Godden taken off, Charlton stepped off the gas in the closing phase of the game.
Conor Coventry had an excellent game in midfield and Macualy Gillesphey was outstanding.
His ears ringing from an angry phone call from the steppes, Wycombe's shell shocked supremo Mike Dodds rued the loss of their defensive record and said that Charlton had forced them into errors and were really aggressive on second balls: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/wycombe-boss-looking-to-conduct-autopsy-after-4-0-loss-to-charlton-athletic/
Nathan Jones says that he was very pleased with the level of performance: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/national/25104962.nathan-jones-hails-outstanding-charlton-display-wallop-wycombe/
Wycombe head coach Mike Dodds says that Charlton are a good side and Nathan Jones is a 'brilliant' manager: https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/ll-against-good-side-mike-040000972.html?
This could be just a classic case of a manager getting his excuses in first, but the Chairboys have only lost at home three times in the league this season.
Charlton are capable of upturning the furniture this afternoon and upsetting the Genghis Khan of technology, although I am less optimistic than most Addicks.
Macaulay Gillsphey is playing. McIntyre, who has attracted recent criticism, has been dropped completely.
The Athletic makes rhe League One promotion race its lead story this morning.
Here are some excerpts: 'Only time will tell on that score, but there can be little doubt that it’s advantage Wycombe Wanderers in the race to clinch the runners-up spot behind already promoted Birmingham City after Mike Dodds’ side were given a helping hand from the most unlikely of sources.
In 10 years as a professional and more than 275 senior
appearances, Taylor Moore had found the net just twice. But, by heading in Matt
Butcher’s first-half corner to net his first goal since New Year’s Day, 2019,
the Bristol Rovers defender knocked Wrexham off course in their quest to reach
the Championship.
Matty James rescued a point for Phil Parkinson’s men, who
nevertheless surrendered second spot courtesy of Wycombe’s 2-0 victory at
Bolton Wanderers. One point separates Wrexham and Wycombe, and Wycombe’s goal
difference is superior by five.
Adding to a fascinating promotion mix are Charlton Athletic
who, despite being five points adrift with just nine still up for grabs, still
retain their own hopes given they are still to play both Wycombe and Wrexham.
“We’re still in a great position,” insisted Parkinson.
“There are three games to go and, hopefully, some more twists along the way.
You can’t discount anyone. Charlton face Wycombe (on Monday) and they can’t
both win."
On paper, Wycombe’s looks the tougher with home games
against Charlton and Stockport, plus a visit to play-offs hopefuls Leyton
Orient. Equally, though, Charlton having those six-pointers at Adams Park and
then The Racecourse means Nathan Jones’ side cannot be discounted.'
Nathan Jones has emphasised that Charlton need to win all their three remaining games if they are to secure automatic promotion: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-charlton-need-to-win-all-their-remaining-games-to-keep-automatic-promotion-dream-alive/
It is mathematically possible, but it seems to me that the excessive pessimism of earlier in the season has now been overtaken by excessive optimism.
Even in League One, money talks in football and all the top three clubs are wealthy, but the Chairboys have the backing of a Kazakh billionaire and are tipped by many pundits to be in the Premier League in a few years' time.
Technology entrepreneur Mikhail Lomtadze has a net worth, according to Forbes, of $5.8billion and that makes him the 592nd richest person in the world right now.
On the pitch, the headline in The Times this morning is 'Wycombe hit stride at perfect time', noting their 2-0 win away at Bolton, themselves play off hopefuls. This was the third consecutive win for the Chairboys.
Wycombe's coach says that teams visiting beecby Bucks are showing them 'extra respect': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/boss-of-charlton-athletic-promotion-rivals-in-league-one-makes-respect-claim/
One way of interpreting that is that teams are adopting a defensive strategy and relying on counter attacks to score and these tactics could well earn Charlton a draw.
CAS Trust note: 'Given that Wycombe have been in a promotion challenge all season, their level of support is very disappointing. Apart from the Wrexham game their attendance is usually less than 5000 and sometimes short of 4000. The 1800 Addicks fans travelling on Monday could well comprise at least a third of the crowd and surely will be making all the noise.'
Nathan Jones has assured Charlton's owners, some of whom were at The Valley yesterday, that the club is a 'different animal' now: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletics-owners-told-their-football-club-is-now-a-different-animal/
We will soon know whether the optimists or the realists are right.
Matty Godden's 18th goal of the season helped Charlton secure their place in the League One play-offs with a 2-1 win over away draw specialists Northampton.
Luke Berry put the Addicks ahead in the ninth minute. The attacking midfielder struck a right-footed volley home after Northampton defender TJ Eyoma could only partially cut out Godden's cross.
Dara Costelloe equalised for the visitors soon after. The striker sent goalkeeper Will Mannion the wrong way from the penalty spot after referee Ollie Yates penalised Tom McIntyre for handling Tariqe Fosu's teasing delivery.
Charlton made a rather hesitant start to the second half producing a torrent of moaning from Steve Brown who accused them of being naive. Chuks Aneke came on as a substitute soon afterwards with Tyreece Campbell reverting to right wing-back with Small at left wing-back. Some of Small's shortcomings drove Nathan Jones to distraction.
Former Charlton winger Fosu produced a terrible miss in the 53rd minute from close range after being picked out by Tyler Roberts – his attempt harmlessly drifting out towards the left touchline.
Godden rattled the crossbar in the 67th minute from Thierry Small's cross but the veteran striker made no mistake four minutes later, sliding his finish underneath Northampton goalkeeper Lee Burge after racing on to Chuks Aneke's flick-on.
Northampton substitute James Wilson was just unable to reach Costelloe's pass as Charlton endured a nervy finish with Mannion making two good saves in the five minutes added on. However, the home side's tactics produced further expressions of exasperation from moaner Brown.
The Addicks moved up to fourth in the table one point above Stockport. The Shoe Army posed some challenges in a tough game, but the Addicks face a much tougher test on Monday in beechy Bucks against Kazakh-owned Wycombe Wanderers.
As the Shoe Army plans to descend on The Valley on Friday, the Cobblers are planning to derail Charlton's play off hopes in front of what is expected to be the biggest home crowd of the season: https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2025/april/17/kevin-nolan-17-04/
I had this down as a 3-0 win at the beginning of the season, but every game is potentially tricky.
Northampton are five points clear of the drop zone so they are not entirely out of relegation trouble and a point (as they gained at home to Reading last Saturday) would be a good result for them.
Away from home they have won five, drawn eight and lost eight. Along with Wigan and Reading, this makes them the away draw specialists in League One. Three of their last six matches have been drawn.
Nathan Jones is not taking any risks with Lloyd Jones, the implication is that he will be available for the vital game at Wycombe on Monday: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-not-taking-any-risky-approach-with-vice-captain-lloyd-jones/
Will Mannion looks back on his season: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-not-taking-any-risky-approach-with-vice-captain-lloyd-jones/
Thierry Small will soon be out of contract and has attracted the attention of Premier League promotion hopefuls Millwall and Preston North End: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-asked-about-thierry-small-amid-millwall-transfer-links/
Nathan Jones says no one has spoken to him, but that doesn't mean there is no interest.
Nathan Jones has been shortlisted as manager of the season. Looking at the other contenders I would have thought that Chris Davies was the most likely winner, but it it is still an honour for the manager and the club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-shortlisted-for-league-one-manager-of-the-season/
It's not so long since leading moaners were calling for his early dismissal. Managers need time to turn a club around, there is far too much short termism in football.
Charlton fans are understandably focused on the various permutations of results that could see us promoted to the Championship. The financial challenges we will face there are brushed aside.
We should remember that:
However, any analysis of Championship finances is sobering: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/04/championship-finances-are-little-less.html
Charlton spent £430k on agents between February 2024 and February 2025, FA figures reveal. They ranked fifth in League One in terms of the amount spent, just ahead of Stockport County, and accounted for six per cent of all such expenditure in League One.
Huddersfield topped the charts with spending of £.1m, followed by Wrexham at £784k and Birmingham City at £590k. Lowest spenders were relegated Shrewsbury Town at £76k.
David Storey takes an in depth and sympathetic look at Charlton's 'brilliant' Academy, but pointing out the challenges that even such a successful operation (ranked 12th) faces in trying to compete with the elite clubs, not least in London: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/charlton-athletic-gold-mine-blessing-curse-3640469
'Chopper' Harris confesses that he is a big Nathan Jones fan. The former Spanners boss reckons that Charlton will do well in the play offs: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/cambridge-united-boss-harris-backing-charlton-athletic-to-do-well-in-league-one-play-offs/
A 14th minute goal from returning Tyreece Campbell was enough to give Charlton all three points at Cambridge United this afternoon. Unfortunately Stockport won 3-1 at home against Rotherham so we remain in fifth place.
The Addicks had five shots on target against none by the home side. Louis Mendez described it as 'a scappy win.' The game lacked quality, particularly in the second half, but securing the three points was what mattered.
In the first half Matt Godden hit the upright from the edge of the area.
Campbell struck with the first attack of the match after 14
minutes when he was allowed time on the left to cut inside and fire low beyond
Jack Stevens.
History almost repeated itself 12 minutes later when
Campbell shot from a similar position before this time being denied by a good
low Stevens save.
Moments later Campbell touched the ball on to Matty Godden,
whose shot came back off the far post with Stevens beaten.
Cambridge were almost handed an equaliser just before half
time when Josh Edwards headed James Brophy's cross narrowly wide of his own
post.
After a low-quality second half, Cambridge could have
snatched a point four minutes from the end when Edwards carried the ball
forward before shooting wide from the edge of the box.
Nathan Jones said that it was a case of doing the basics really well, it was never going to be a great footballing game: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/it-wasnt-ever-going-to-be-a-good-footballing-game-nathan-jones-on-massive-three-points-for-charlton-athletic/
Louis Mendez provides a forensic analysis of the game, naming Macualy Gillsphey as start man (also chosen by the Football League Paper): https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-cambridge-united-0-charlton-athletic-1-addicks-keep-pressure-on-with-rugged-win-at-the-abbey/
Josh Edwards comments on the bobbly pitch: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/josh-edwards-charlton-stood-up-to-cambridge-test-to-close-in-on-claiming-league-one-play-off-spot/
'Chopper' Harris admits that he is in for 'a really tough game' against Charlton at the Abbey 'Stadium' tomorrow. The home side are unbeaten in their last four games, albeit three of them have been draws and are still engaged in a fight against relegation. At home this season they have won just five games, drawn six and lost nine. However, they have been relatively tight defensively.
Last week they won 1-0 at bottom club Shrewsbury. Salop's finest have lost Gareth Ainsworth as their manager and have seen an American takeover run into the sands because of unspecified legal problems. Michael Appleton is now in charge. For Cambridge it was their first win in seven.
I had this down as a 1-1 draw at the beginning of the season and I would say that a draw is the most likely result. The moaners were already crawling out from beneath their stones last week and an away point will certainly see Nathan Jones criticised for his team selection, formation and substitutions.
Of course, the confirmation of the club's basket case finances makes promotion even more imperative. The extra revenues in the Championship would be offset by extra costs, but we might become more attractive to investors with really serious money.
CAS Trust point out that three of our five remaining games are away from home, two of them tough tests against promotion rivals: https://www.castrust.org/2025/04/opposites-attract/
Matty Godden says that no season is going to be 'plain sailing': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-top-scorer-matty-godden-no-successful-season-is-ever-going-to-be-all-plain-sailing/
A little behind schedule, Charlton have submitted their2023/24 accounts. Once they have been uploaded at Companies House, I will undertake more analysis. In the meantime, I am using the summary of football finance guru Kieran Maguire. They make worrying reading.
Revenue was £8.8m down 10%. Wages £12.1m up 18%. Wages £138
for every £100 revenue, a very high figure more typical of the Championship. Operating loss £14.6m up 48% (£280k a week). Severance
pay (to manager?) £746k. Exec pay £1.9m up
80% (but remember, salmon coloured chinos don’t pay for themselves, quips
Maguire). Player purchases £1.9m. Player
sales were £1.3m.
Maguire states that Charlton total losses over the years are £71.5m.
Maguire has also revealed: 'Charlton’s auditors are unable to say whether or not the 23/24 accounts are accurate following a cyber attack against the club which meant that the auditors could not obtain supporting evidence.'
At one time it looked as if the only award he would get was for moaners' scapegoat player, but now Macaulay Gillesphey is in the running for League One Player of the Month: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-defender-up-for-league-one-award/
Fan experts are wavering between excessive optimism and incipient pessimism about the promotion race, but Charlton captain Greg Docherty is expecting more twists and turns: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/there-is-more-than-one-way-charlton-captain-expecting-more-twists-and-turns-in-league-one-promotion-race/
I have always thought that automatic promotion was a remote possibility given the presence of three money bag clubs, but I remain optimistic about a play off place, hopefully 4th. However, a play off place does nor equal promotion: if we get to Wembley, fortune may not shine on us for a third time.
Phil Alexander has been linked with the Charlton chief executive vacancy created by the departure of Charlie Methven, according to Rick Everitt. Richard Cawley comments, ‘Sounds as if the formerly long-serving Crystal Palace chief executive, who also filled the same role at Bristol City, is keen to get back into the game and would be interested in the role.’
Everitt believes managing director Jim Rodwell is also keen
on the role, although he has been the object of some criticism by fans.
Claus Jensen recalls his years at Charlton as the best time of his career. He praises Curbs and recalls that goal at Arsenal on the 'Black Sabbath', voted by Charlton fans as the best goal ever: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/claus-jensen-charlton-athletic-was-the-best-part-of-my-career-the-memories-are-very-strong/
Charlton fought back from a 0-2 deficit to draw 2-2 with Lincoln City at The Valley this afternoon, the second half goals coming from Gillesphey and Docherty.
Charlton are now 5th, eight points off an automatic promotion place (but I never thought automatic promotion was likely). They are one point behind Stockport in 4th.
Charlton were without two key players, Tyreece Campbell and Lloyd Jones: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/in-form-charlton-athletic-attacker-misses-lincoln-city-match-due-to-injury/
Charlton had 60 per cent of the possession and six shots on target for three to Lincoln.
Imps striker James Collins put the visitors in front after
18 minutes after he met Erik Ring's corner at the near post to head beyond Will Mannion.
Collins, a January signing from Derby, made it 2-0 in the
49th minute. Ben House chested the ball down for the striker to produce a smart
turn away from marker Tom McIntyre before finding the bottom left of the net.
Macaulay Gillesphey cut the deficit eight minutes later, the
Addicks centre-back sweeping in from close range after substitute Chuks Aneke
had forced a botched Josh Edwards corner back towards the six-yard box.
Charlton captain Greg Docherty levelled in the 76th minute,
producing a sharp left-footed finish after Edwards' long throw was only
partially cleared.
Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens made a superb save to deny
Matty Godden, with Aneke also seeing an attempt drift narrowly wide of the
right post as the promotion-chasing Addicks pushed hard for a winner.
After the Addicks drew level, the Imps used every opportunity to slow the game down and their keeper got a yellow card for time wasting. He also made two excellent saves.
Shell shocked supremo Nathan Jones was in a bad mood after the game, but took responsibility for what happened, admitting faults in preparation and an excessive passivity: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-manager-keeps-his-anger-on-a-simmer-after-2-2-draw-against-lincoln-city/
He's been silent for a long time but now former fanzine editor Rick Everitt has emerged from his wardrobe to celebrate recent achievements at The Valley and declare that there are some grounds for optimism: https://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2024-25-blogs/4-4-25-jones-silences-critics-to-lead-charlton-revival/
The latest CAST survey also shows greater optimism and positivity among fans: https://www.castrust.org/2025/04/optimism-is-growing/
The survey did show a gradual scattering of the fan base away from the 'core area', although 12 per xcent still live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and 62 per cent live in South London or Kent.
My guess would be that in the 1950s two-thirds lived in the boroughs of Greenwich, Woolwich and Bexley or in immediately adjacent areas such as Lewisham and Dartford.
BTW, I read in a national newspaper this week that Eltham may soon be called 'Blackheath borders!'
I had this forecast as a 2-1 win for Charlton in the Badger League at the start of the season and given our defensive strength it could well be 2-0.
The Imps have not been able to emulate the late charge towards the play-offs they pulled off last year and sitting 12th, they seem likely to stay around that area. Michael Skubala’s side are 10 points behind the play-off spots but a hefty 14 above the bottom three. They are also mid-table in the form table.
Away from home they have won just five times, drawn six and lost nine.
Last week they lost just 1-0 at Wycombe, having parked their combine harvesters in front of the goal, but eventually made a defensive error that let the Kazakhs in. I expect we will see more of that at The Valley tomorrow, parking the agricultural equipment in front of the goal. However, the likes of Campbell should be able to find a way through.
Charm merchant Lincoln captain Paudie O'Connor was shown a straight red a few minutes before the end of the game after lashing out at Joe Low.
One must always be careful of reading results off the table, but I am reasonably confident that Fortress Valley will be rocking after 98 minutes tomorrow.
CAS Trust note that they have made little impact on top six teams: https://www.castrust.org/2025/04/charlton-face-lincoln-on-final-stretch-to-promotion-summit/Miles Leaburn is out injured for rest of season. It is not quite clear whether this includes any play offs, so perhaps he might have an opportunity to come off the bench at Wembley and score the winner: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-striker-miles-leaburn-to-miss-rest-of-league-one-campaign/
The latest Four Four Two has a 'best and worst at Charlton' feature written by 'lifelong Addick Paddy Pamment'. (Who he? Ed)
He does, reasonably enough, seem to be a bit fixated on the Curbs Premier League era. Personally I would have found room for some players from the 1950s and also given Lennie Lawrence an honourable mention. But you can draw up your own lists.
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Moaners complained about the exclusion of Lloyd Jones from the squad at Mansfield and the inclusion of Tom McIntyre in his kilt. In fact McIntyre had a good game and Nathan Jones has explained that he does not want to take any risks with his namesake: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-not-prepared-to-take-any-risks-with-key-performer/
Charlton fans chanted 'Nathan Jones' Red Army' at the end of the tricky Mansfield game.
Mansfield made it difficult for Charlton tonight in a tough match on the old Nottinghamshire coalfield, but the Addicks claimed all three points with a 2-1 win. Steve Brown, never one to praise easily, hailed it as a 'massive victory'. Mansfield had a tight defence and were capable of disrupting Charlton.
Nevertheless, a key contribution was made by players derided as 'useless' by moaners earlier in the season: Matt Godden, Tyreece Campbell and Claus Aneke. Godden was seen earlier in the season as an inadequate replacement for Alfie May, Campbell was often scapegoated and Aneke was supposed to be a crock.
Conor Coventry put in a real shift and displayed some skill. A calf injury kept Lloyd Jones out. Tom McIntyre did a good job of replacing him.
Godden opened the scoring in the first half with the home side equalising on 40 minutes. Mansfield had a tight defence, but Tyreece Campbell then put Charlton ahead on 71 minutes. Campbell was applauded by the Addickted after he had to be taken off following a knock.
Mansfield then threw every piece of discarded mining equipment they could find at Charlton, but the Addicks stayed firm. In the five minutes added on an under pressure Aneke put in a strong shot from distance which the keeper had to tip over the bar, giving Charlton two corners.
Charlton were impressive for the first half-hour and almost went ahead after two minutes, Thierry Small heading a good chance wide from Tyreece Campbell's cross. Christy Pym was down well to save from Macaulay Gillesphey after 13 minutes.
But in the 22nd minute Louis Reed's loose pass at the back
intended for his keeper rolled straight to Matty Godden who made no mistake in
tucking away his gift.
Stags went up a gear and after Reed had drilled inches wide
in the 29th minute they were level after 40 minutes. Baily Cargill's cross was headed out to Matty
Craig who smashed an unstoppable rising finish home from 16 yards off the
underside of the bar.
Soon after, Will Mannion had to get down to deny Caylan
Vickers as Stags ended the half on a high.
Josh Edwards saw his shot blocked on the line on the hour
after a scramble from a corner. But
Charlton noses were in front again with 16 minutes to go as Tennai Watson found
Campbell to his right and he beat Stephen McLaughlin before tucking a low 15-yard
finish inside the near post.
Charlton defended well under late pressure before Pym saved
superbly from a powerful Chuks Aneke shot in added time.
It was also a win for Mrs Brown as with hubby off in the wastes of Notts she was able to load the dishwasher without complaints about the left side not being utilised.
Wycombe Wanderers could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to Shrewsbury, but Stockport beat Stevenage 3-0. Huddersfield lost 1-0 at Lincoln and Bolton made it into the top six.
