Crunch time on takeover

Richard Cawley reports: 'Sounds as if it is crunch time for the Charlton takeover bid by the consortium involving Joshua Friedman and Gabriel Brener, in terms of a resolution either way by the end of this week.'

Aaron Henry has signed a two year contract extension with the option of another 12 months: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-midfielder-signs-two-year-contract-extension-with-option-of-additional-12-month-extension/

He may go out on loan next season to aid his development.

Holden makes a good call on exit decisions

I think that Dean Holden got his cull of players and decisions on retained players just about right.  Michael Hector and Terrell Thomas deserved a place, although Aaron Henry will need to continue his development on loan: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-offer-trio-new-deals-but-defender-and-midfielder-to-leave/

Albie Morgan always tried his hardest, but lacks the consistent quality needed in a team hopefully aiming for promotion.  He should find his level in League Two, perhaps reunited with George Lapslie at Gillingham.

Sean Clare may count himself a little unlucky, but never made a position his own.  Again, thanks for everything.   Ryan Inniss will have time to curate his red card collection.

There are six players returning from loans and we may not want to hold on to any of them, apart possibly from Deji Elerewe, but he may have a future at Bromley.   There must be a question mark over Joe Wollacott's future.   Maynard-Brewer has his critics, but perhaps needs a more experienced keeper to challenge him.

Good riddance to Macaulay Bonne who was not the danger at Championship or League One level that the Zimbabwe press thinks, but perhaps it was a slow news day in Harare: https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zim-born-striker-linked-with-charlton-athletic-summer-exit/

Difficult decisions about retained players

It is expected that the retained list will be out next week: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-set-to-announce-retained-list-for-2023-24-campaign-early-next-week/

There are eight out of contract first team players named about whom difficult decisions will have to be made.   Has Aaron Henry shown enoigh?   Probably not.   Should Ryan Inniss be shown the red card from the club?

Albie Morgan is a tricky decision.  He does show flashes of real quality, but are there enough of them?  Does he lack consistency?

Lucas sent for scan

Corey Blackett-Taylor, who attracted transfer interest from Wigan in the January window, has seen his contract extended by 12 months: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-attackers-contract-extended-by-a-further-12-months/

Lucas Ness is being sent for a scan to assess the extent of his knee injury: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-defender-sent-for-scan-to-determine-extent-of-knee-injury/

Ryan Inniss has recovered from his dental problem and will travel to Morecambe tomorrow.

Dean Holden is reluctant to say anything about contract talks with young players, believed to be Lucas Ness and Aaron Henry: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-asked-about-latest-state-of-play-on-contract-talks-with-young-prospects/

Garner wants Henry to stay

Ben Garner wants Aaron Henry to stay at Charlton and sign a long-term contract: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-hoping-player-with-huge-potential-signs-new-long-term-contract/

12 first team players have contracts that run out this season, including Clare and Dobson, but the club have an option on Dobson.

Garner hopes Henry will stay

Ben Garner is hoping that Aaron Henry can be part of his long-term plans.  He is out of contract at the end of the season: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-hoping-young-midfield-prospect-stays-for-the-long-term/

Henry relives his wonder strike

Aaron Henry relives his wonder strike against QPR and also talks about his spot kick.   He says that Bem Garner has been wonderful with the younger players since he came in: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/addicks-hero-on-his-penalty-calmness-and-that-wonder-strike/

Charlton go through on penalties

Charlton knocked Queens Park Rangers out of the first round of the Carabao Cup after a 5-4 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

The Championship side improved after the break when Wales forward Tyler Roberts took less than 20 minutes of his debut to blast the Super Hoops ahead as his superb right-footed effort nestled into the top corner.

But an even better goal levelled it as youngster Aaron Henry smashed a half-cleared corner into the top corner from the edge of the box in the 90th minute.

QPR's Stefan Johansen saw his opening penalty kick in the shootout saved by Joe Wollacott - the only miss from 12 yards as Eoghan O'Connell converted the winning spot-kick for the Addicks.

Charlton - who made eight team changes - edged a goalless opening period as Miles Leaburn had two early chances, while Diallang Jaiyesimi and Jake Forster-Caskey also went close.

Ben Garner commented: “A high performance game, a good level throughout. Really proud of our performance, especially first-half. They made changes and became stronger. Disappointed to be behind but reaction pleasing. Showed desire to get what we deserved from the game.”

QPR manager Beale said: ‘The best team on the night went through. Ben and his team were better than us, especially first-half. We were decent enough second- half. But we brought 3,000 fans here tonight and they wanted to see more from their team.    No complaints. Charlton for large parts of the first-half were better than us and that’s on me. It’s bitterly disappointing.”

Attendance was 5,629.

Henry thinks that loan spell has been a big boost

Aaron Henry talks about the progress he has made at Wealdstone and hopes this will help put him in contention for the first team squad next season.  I have certainly read favourable reports in The Non-League Paper: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-midfield-talent-aaron-henry-on-bouncing-back-from-arsenal-rejection-wealdstone-loan-move-boosting-his-first-team-prospects-at-valley/

Henry talks about being signed by Arsenal at five and released at eight.   This almost seems exploitative to me.  

He also makes it clear that Nigel Adkins was not his biggest fan and did not try to develop him as much as other managers.   Another black mark for the Adkins diet.

Davison 'makes an impact'

After the pundits spent some time bigging up Millwall in this morning's Football League Show, you could have missed the coverage of our game with a blink of an eye.

However, the pundits did acknowledge that the team had been 'ravaged by injuries'. something that many fans have not been prepared to make an allowance for.

One of them then said that Johnnie Jackson was very popular with fans, although that was not the impression you got from social media before this week's two wins.  Keyboard warriors said that he had to go.  Perhaps a time to try some Survey Monkey polls again to get a better view of what fans think.

The pundits also said that Josh Davison had 'made an impact' at Swindon, finding his goal scoring boots.  He scored his fifth goal with them yesterday in the 3-1 defeat at Crawley.

I wouldn't have him back.  Many fans thought he was not good enough even for League Two, but he may find his level there and we are now unlikely to be relegated.   Good luck to him in the fourth tier.

Aaron Henry scored for Wealdstone in their 4-2 defeat to league leaders Stockport County yesterday.  Charles Clayden is staying with the Stones until the end of the season.

No loan deals for Academy duo

Steve Avory does not envisage Aaron Henry and Charlie Barker needing to go out on loan to continue their development, it can be done at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/young-charlton-athletic-duo-dont-need-loans-this-season-to-continue-their-playing-development/

Either of them could feature in the first team, at least from the bench.   Barker has impressed in the past and has looked good in pre-season games.

Quality goals at Park View Road

Charlton scored three quality goals to beat Welling United at Park View Road this evening and retain the Crown Berger Cup in front of a crowd of 1,152.

Charlton played a 4-3-3 formation.  The lively Clayden hit the bar,  Then on 12 minutes DJ provided a great finish with his left foot to make it 1-0.  A good header from Dempsey was saved by the keeper.

There was nearly a second when DJ fed Morgan who displayed great movement but Stockley was unable to tap the ball home.   More great work by DJ set up Stockley but the 'headmaster' put the ball just wide.

On 29 minutes former Orient under 23 Clayden cut inside and used his left foot to put the ball between the keeper's legs to make it 2-0.

On 32 minutes Morgan was just over from distance with the keeper off his line.

Player of the half: DJ, Albie Morgan and Clayden were all candidates, but Clayden just edged it.  He will be knocking on the first team door.   On Clayden, Nigel Adkins said: 'It's still early days for everybody. There's a pathway for young players to come through the academy. That's why we have the academy. We're having a good look at everybody.'

Half time: Wings 0, Addicks 2

The Welling team in the second half were more physical, particularly in midfield, and had more of the ball.

MacGillivray had to tip the ball over the bar from a Wings corner.

Having just seen a free kick sail over, Henry struck the ball long and hard beating the keeper to make it 3-0 on 57 minutes.

MacGillivray was replaced as keeper by Harvey.  He didn't have a lot to do, but showed himself to be capable when required.

On the transfer window, Nigel Adkins said: 'We'll be bringing more players in. Ideally, I would have loved to have the team we start the season with for the first day of preseason but everybody is working hard behind the scenes.'

Nigel Adkins gives his reactions here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-gives-his-verdict-on-3-0-win-over-welling-expresses-confidence-on-transfer-front/

Youngsters called up

Charlie Barker and Aaron Henry have been called up to join the squad for the trip to Bristol Rovers on Saturday with the Addicks hit by defensive injuries and the suspension of Jason Pearce: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlie-barker-and-aaron-henry-will-be-part-of-charlton-squad-for-bristol-rovers-match/

I was a little surprised that Charlie Barker has faded from view to the extent that he has, but then I don't see what happens in training or the under 23s.   Anyway, needs must.

Youngsters sign up

Charlie Barker, who has played in seven games this season, and Aaron Henry have signed their first professional contracts at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-agree-long-term-contracts-for-two-of-their-rising-stars/