The clearout begins

Three players have been told that they will not be offered new contracts.   This will be no surprise to Ben Watson or former Glazier Pape Souare.   Chris Gunter, who has been capped 107 times by Wales, will no doubt look for a contract elsewhere to keep his World Cup hopes alive: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-trio-will-be-leaving-club-this-summer-no-fresh-terms-will-be-tabled/

The news has been greeted calmly by Charlton fans and there have been no reports of rending of shirts.

There is no news about other out of contract players but Thomas Sandgaard will be staying in London until May 1st: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-yet-to-offer-deals-to-any-of-their-out-of-contract-players/

Ryan Inniss will be available for Saturday's game against Shrewsbury Town, but four players are out with knocks: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ryan-inniss-set-for-charlton-athletic-return-against-shrewsbury-but-quartet-all-missing/

Contract renewal talks under way

Charlton are in talks with six players about extending their contracts - Ben Amos, Chuks Aneke, Jake Forster-Caskey, Jason Pearce, Adam Matthews and Ben Watson: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-in-contract-talks-with-six-of-squad-and-confirm-exit-of-trio/

Oshilaja has been let go and Otzumer will not be returning.   Thomas Sandgaard has confirmed that Charlton are interested in two loan players, presumably Famewo and Stockley.

Of those engaged in talks, Ben Watson has attracted some criticism from fans.

Midfielders James Vennings and Ben Dempsey have been offered contracts and various forms of contract have been offered to a number of Academy players: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/james-vennings-and-ben-dempsey-offered-deals-as-addicks-take-up-options-on-ghandour-and-ness/

Watson is the percentage man

Ben Watson is to activate a clause in his contract that will enable him to stay at The Valley next season, having played in the required percentage of matches: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ben-watson-expected-to-extend-charlton-athletic-stay-with-boss-bowyer-revealing-clause-is-game-related/

Watson has his detractors, like most of the squad, but has performed well in front of the back four in recent games.

Unfortunately it looks as if Jake Forster-Caskey will not be available for tomorrow's match against Shrewsbury Town.

Does Ben Watson have a future at Charlton?

Judging by the responses of some Charlton fans on social media, no future at all: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-does-the-future-hold-for-ben-watson-at-charlton-athletic/?fbclid=IwAR0dKidxebC4OneYUumqigBtICed5kD0YsbC8UvlQ3cLU0H9xu8ACKGCCP4

There is going to have to be a major revamp of the squad in the summer, who is in charge of that remains to be seen.   The 'Bowyer out now' crowd have a clear view.   Others of us think that the end of the season is the time to make a balanced assessment given that promotion was not realistic this season (and would probably have not been survivable).

Midfield boost for Saturday

When Charlton face the Rocking Robins on Saturday, Ben Watson will be back in the squad (i.e., warming the bench) and Albie Morgan will be available for selection: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-handed-midfield-selection-boost-ahead-of-swindon-town-match/ 

Given the tendency of the midfield to evaporate into thin air in some recent matches (the tireless Jake Forster-Caskey excluded) any reinforcement of the squad is good news.

Notwithstanding his mistake in slipping on the Soak of Peterborough, I think a start for Andrew Shinnie will be particularly welcome.

Bowyer defends Pratley

After yesterday's game Lee Bowyer's main critics singled out Ben Watson and Darren Pratley for their blame game.  For once I in part agreed with the likes of Desmond from Deal because I did think that Watson had a poor game and made some costly errors.

I was less critical of Pratley and besieged boss Lee Bowyer has come to Pratley's defence, explaining why he plays him at centre back rather than using Deji Oshilaja there: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-explains-why-darren-pratley-has-continued-to-start-in-charltons-defence-ahead-of-centre-half-deji-oshilaja/

Last minute penalty heartbreak for Charlton

Shrewsbury Town equalised through a penalty in the last minute of time added on to deny Charlton victory in a 1-1 draw at Montgomery Waters today.   Charlton have slipped back to 6th in the table and are 9th in the form table.

Such a result should not come as a surprise given that Shrewsbury Town are home draw specialists.  However, Shrewsbury usually concede in time added on.

In the last quarter of an hour Charlton looked nervy after going ahead on 71 minutes through Ben Watson.  The home side piled on the pressure and Charlton lacked composure.  It was an individual mistake by Albie Morgan who created the scenario for the penalty conceded by Gunter after he had sliced his clearance.

The first half was scrappy.  There was a lot of long ball and no real chances of note for either side, although attempted shots by the Shrews lacked accuracy.  The pace was fast.

Maatsen put in an early cross, but there was no one there to connect.  An Aneke shot was blocked.  Gilbey put in a good ball to Aneke, but he was just wide of the post.

Gilbey got a harsh yellow card for what was an unnecessary challenge.  Pugh was the second home player to get a yellow card and walked away moaning.

Aneke shot straight at the keeper.  He then got a yellow card, the bearded referee having been urged on by the 2,000 crowd and the home management team.

HT: 0-0

Charlton tried to be positive as the second half got under way, but there wasn't much creativity and Aneke lacked service.

The home crowd maintained some ragged clapping.

On 60 minutes Gilbey and the utilitarian Forster-Caskey were replaced by Morgan and Williams.

Bogle replaced Aneke on 68 minutes and soon showed his worth.  Good work by him on the right set up Williams who released Gunter.  The ball fell to Watson and his shot took a slight deflection to put Charlton ahead.

Sloppy work by Charlton saw Amos tip the ball on to the crossbar and Pratley had to clear.

Matthews replaced Williams.   One could see the case for bringing Matthews on as Charlton needed additional protection on their right but it was harsh on Williams who admittedly had lost his man a couple of times.  Gunter, who was tiring, should have been withdrawn.

Bowyer told Louis Mendez afterwards that he was 'fuming that Charlton didn’t manage the game at the end there. Says he hauled Jonny Williams off just 22 minutes after he came on because he pulled out of a challenge and you don’t do that in one of his teams.'

Maatsen received a yellow card.  Amos got a touch on the ball when he saw a shot late.

In the four minutes added on, Amos made a great save and then caught the corner.  However, there was nothing he could do to save the powerfully struck penalty.   We had made Shrewsbury look good.

Moaners are saying that Bowyer will lose the dressing room and the fanbase, but that is an over reaction to disappointment.   However, I think that criticisms of players are better made in private.

Seething supremo Lee Bowyer gave his reaction to the result to the SLP: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-lee-bowyer-fumes-over-two-points-dropped-after-shrewsbury-bag-late-leveller-at-the-new-meadow/

A little taste of Suffolk

This was the advert for local sausages at Portland Road, but it was Charlton who came away with a nice taste in their mouth after defeating Ipswich Town 2-0.  Morgan and Bogle scored their first league goals for Charlton.

It was a controlled performance and the big difference from Tuesday night was that the midfield was well-organised and worked as a unit, Ben Watson doing particularly well.

Charlton opened their account on 22 minutes.   After good work by Williams and Matthews on the left, Aneke won the ball back.  Shinnie put the ball in and it may have taken a deflection, but in any case it was a great finish by Morgan on his 50th appearance for the Addicks.

Ipswich suffered a blow after their striker Norwood had to limp off and Drinnan replaced him.

Following an Ipswich free kick, Amos had to make a great save to deal with pace on the header.

Pratley took risks when he failed to usher the ball out, but Judge failed to take advantage of the opportunity and put the ball over.   Subsequently he received a yellow card for a foul on Shinnie.

Charlton seemed edgy in the four minutes added on.

Half time: Tractors 0, Addicks 1

Gilbey replaced Williams on 54 minutes.  Two promising opportunities on the left were wasted, first by Smyth and then by Gilbey.

Smyth was injured and had to be driven off, it was unclear whether it was ankle or knee.  Ipswich brought on Jackson as an attacking substitute.  Bogle replaced Smyth.  Smyth suffered a 'nasty gash' but it doesn't look too bad: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nasty-gash-forces-charlton-athletic-striker-off-as-boss-explains-conor-washington-absence-for-ipswich-game/

A Matthews throw in was collected by Pratley who found Bogle at the far past who had no hesitation in making it 2-0.

Aneke replaced Purrington on 70 minutes who put in some excellent work, particularly in the seven minutes added on.

Maatsen was booked for an argument with Ward who also received a yellow card.  Maatsen will now miss the match against MK Dons as it was his fifth yellow card.  Sanguine supremo Lee Bowyer wanted to give him a 'little rest' anyway: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-makes-admission-over-on-loan-chelsea-defender/

Charlton have moved up to 3rd in the table.

Smiling supremo said that Charlton were back to their best, although they should have scored more: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-lee-bowyer-i-knew-id-get-a-response-against-ipswich-that-was-the-proper-us/

First signing of Sandgaard era

Ben Watson is the first signing of the Sandgaard era: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-sign-former-forest-and-palace-midfielder-ben-watson-to-kick-off-thomas-sandgaard-reign-in-style/

Richard Cawley of the SLP commented, 'Yeah, he is 35. But coming off a really good season for Forest. Convinced he'll be quality for Charlton.'

Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi - speaking in September - said: “He had an amazing season – probably one of the best midfielders in the Championship. He was my captain and my brain on the pitch, so just for that, ‘thank you so much’."

We can do with experienced players alongside our youngsters.