New Charlton player Tariqe Fosu was recommended to Karl Robinson by Ademola Lookman's agent. Robinson says that Fosu has a little bit of arrogance about him, but in the right way. His clips on You Tube don't do him justice: From the Lookman stable
Fosu says that Charlton are a 'massive' club which suggests that he hasn't been to The Valley recently.
Former Charlton loanee Jordan Botaka has signed a three year deal with Sint Truiden.
Jordan Botaka, on loan at Charlton in the season just ended, has been released by Leeds. It's a bit harsh to describe him as a 'flop' at The Valley as this report does, but I certainly wouldn't want to sign him: Jordan Botaka
In another shock, Roger Johnson has been released by Charlton. As the SLP's Richard Cawley commented on Twitter, 'That won't go down well with the fans.'
Charlton are 16th in League One, although still six points off the relegation places, after losing 2-1 at Northampton today. At half time it was 1-1.
A goal from Jordan Botaka was not enough for the Addicks as they lost to the Cobblers. Charlton made three changes to the team as boss Karl Robinson looked to find a winning formula. Lewis Page, Patrick Bauer and Frederik Ulvestad were all drafted back in to the side and they take the place of Jorge Teixeira, Johnnie Jackson and Joe Aribo.
Charlton came under pressure early on but, backed by 1,424 vociferous fans they got a foothold and Jordan Botaka's run down the left, skipping past three challenges, was the promise of things to come.
A header from Michael Smith from a superb Aaron Phillips centre on 32 minutes gave the Cobblers the lead. But Charlton were level just three minutes later when a Holmes corner from the left saw Patrick Bauer force a save from Adam Smith, only for Botaka to volley in from close range. Holmes and Botaka both let fly from distance, their efforts missing the target.
It was a frenetic start to the second half, Northampton attacking with urgency after Botaka had smashed narrowly over after working some space. Then Lee Novak fired over as the Charlton fans rallied their team with some tremendous backing.
But in the 62nd minute Northampton took the lead for a second time. A cross from the right from Phillips on 62 minutes was only half headed out by Nathan Byrne at the back post and John-Joe O'Toole thumped in for 2-1. Charlton simply had no answer and couldn't come back with an equaliser, although they didn't do enough to deserve one.
The Addicks in Northampton showed their solidarity with those marching in Belgium with a chant of 'We want Roland out.'
Shell shocked supremo Karl Robinson took the blame for the results, saying 'we are in a fragile place.' He added, 'It's been a long season.' Yes, it has been for every club, but particularly for Charlton's long suffering fans: Taking the blame
Charlton drew 3-3 at Rochdale yesterday, their third draw in four games, enabling them to secure thirteenth place in the table. Manager Karl Robinson said that the chances the Addicks had missed in the first half had been criminal.
Niall Canavan's opener was cancelled out by Jordan Botaka, while Jorge Teixeira put Charlton ahead before the break before Calvin Andrews' leveller. Substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing gave the home side the lead again, but Teixeira got his second just before full time.
Rochdale went ahead after four minutes following an error by Declan Rudd. He failed to claim McDermott's free kick, allowing Canavan to tap home. However, Rudd did well on 25 minutes with a diving save to keep out Andrews' header.
Five minutes from the break Botaka broke free and though his effort hit the post, he made no mistake with the rebound.
Substitute Stephy Mavididi ran past several home players in a 66th minute run, only to be denied by Wilson. From the corner Bauer nodded down for Teixeira to give the Addicks the lead. Once again Charlton showed they could not hold on to a lead when Henderson's cross was headed past Rudd by Andrew.
Mendez-Laing put a curling shot past a diving Rudd on 84 minutes but Bauer nodded down for Teixeira to score the equaliser two minutes from the end.
Charlton are going to be without Jordan Botaka, Ademola Lookman, Josh Magennis, and possibly Andrew Crofts, due to international call ups for the Swindon away game on 12 November. They have been able to call off games previously as three or more players have been called up for international duty but they agreed that Sky could televise the game at Swindon and by doing so also agreed that they couldn’t request for the game to be called off.
That is the most charitable thing that could be said about Russell Slade's Charlton after a 1-1 draw with Northampton Town left them just above the relegation zone in League One.
Getting off the bus to go to the Rose of Denmark, someone asked me who Charlton were playing today which suggests that Katrien's SE7 campaign has not been a resounding success. The best part of the day was meeting up with old friends. We also talked to two Cobblers supporters.
It was quite a surprise to see Brian Cole working again as pitch announcer. It will be recalled that the lost the job after a game against the Glaziers in which referred to them as 'Crystal Pal****.'
Commenting on the Bury match, Russell Slade said in the programme that we created opportunities but snatched at them and didn't work the goalkeeper enough. That's how it was in the first half today. All of our shots were from outside the box and, not surprisingly, were either off target or straight at the keeper. The Cobblers went ahead on 16 minutes when a decent cross was followed by a decent header from Revell who for some reason was not been properly marked. It will be good to get Bauer back (he was on the bench).
Ricky Holmes was being constantly barracked by the Cobblers fans. Perhaps this put him off a bit, but he has good pace.
We looked better in the second half, particularly after Lookman came on. Andrew Crofts forced Smith into a smart, low save to top his strike around the post, before Nicky Ajose fired just wide after turning neatly. He should really have scored. An assist from Ajose allowed Johnnie Jackson to level the score on 57 minutes.
Jordan Botaka looked lively when he came on. We pressed hard in the last ten minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net. Lookman saw his free kick turned away in the last minute.
I was impressed with Konsa who showed some nice touches.
There were no red or yellow cards and Darren England had a decent game.
Russell Slade has said that he wants to strengthen the central midfield before the transfer window closes. This is our main weakness at the moment: Manager's verdict
Football League Paper scores
Rudd 6 (looked competent to me); Solly 7 (worked tirelessly); Pearce, 6; Konsa, 6 (I would have given a higher score); Fox, 6 (usual mix of good and bad); Foley, 5 (subbed by Lookman on 60, 6, I would have given more); Jackson, 7; Holmes, 7 (subbed by Botaka on 67); Magennis, 6 (subbed by Novak on 80); Ajose 6.
Midfielder Jordan Botaka has signed on a year long loan from Leeds United. He is a DR Congo international: Botaka
The signing has been greeted by the usual chorus of scepticism from the Addickted. The difficulty is that Russell Slade is damned if he doesn't sign anyone and damned if he does. We do need some realism about the quality of signing that can be expected in League One.
Botaka is known as 'The Wizard' because of his skill with his feet and trickery with the ball: Career details
