Cambridge want to enjoy the occasion

'Little Cambridge' want to be competitive and enjoy the occasion when they come to The Valley tomorrow.  They are full of praise for Johnnie Jackson: https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/little-cambridge-united-aiming-to-douse-on-fire-charlton-9229917/

Cambridge won 5-0 at Cheltenham on Tuesday.   It seems to have been in large part a below par performance by Cheltenham, but it shows that Cambridge can score goals.  They have now won three games away from home and drawn three.    If they weren't draw specialists at home, they might be higher up the table.

CAS Trust says that the first half of their season has been unpredictable and points out that it is nearly thirty years since our last encounter with them: https://www.castrust.org/2021/12/cambridge-unpredictable/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cambridge-unpredictable

Jackson stymied on new contracts for key players

Johnnie Jackson says that he cannot sort out the contract situations of Ben Purrington and Conor Washington until his own situation is resolved, which is another reason for taking a decision soon.  However, he says that they are very much part of his plans: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-asked-about-contract-talks-for-charlton-duo-conor-washington-and-ben-purrington/

'The Cat' fell out of favour with Adkins and indeed with some Charlton fans who insisted he was useless.  However, Jackson sees him very much as a confidence player suited to the wing back role.

Stockley: we can still go up

Jayden Srockley is convinced that promotion is still possible for Charlton, despite the points gap to the top six: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/jayden-stockley-promotion-is-still-achievable-for-charlton-athletic/

Stockley discusses Tuesday's game, saying that Charlton went toe to toe with Ipswich.

An appeal has been issued for Macaulay Bonne and Joe Pigott who went missing in SE7 on Tuesday evening.  A Charlton spokesman said they had not been seen in the area on Tuesday evening, but Bonne was last seen in Kent trying to hit a barn door with a ball.

Gilbey wants Jackson as manager

Alex Gilbey is 'desperate' for Johnnie Jackson to be appointed manager, the latest senior player to endorse his candidacy: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/alex-gilbey-im-desperate-for-johnnie-jackson-to-be-appointed-charlton-athletics-permanent-manager-now/

It would be good if an announcement could be made at or before Saturday's game.

Gilbey is in a car share with Elliot Lee and George Dobson, perhaps reminiscent of the famous 1990s car share from the Brighton area involving Steve Brown and John Robinson among others: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/alex-gilbey-reveals-that-connection-with-midfield-partners-elliot-lee-and-george-dobson-extends-beyond-the-charlton-midfield/

Charlton bounce back

Charlton bounced back from the disappointment of Shrewsbury with a good performance and a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at The Valley.

For the first portion of the first half the two sides cancelled each other out in a rather scrappy encounter.  There was little action in either box.

A Purrington cross was put over the bar by DJ.

Washington made a great run, the keeper saved but Stockley put the ball low and hard in the net on 26 minutes.

A lunging challenge on Gilbey led to a booking for Donacien.

Gilbey fed Stockley but the ball went across the goal.  

A Washington shot was blocked for a corner.   Stockley's free header went wide.

HT: Addicks 1, Tractors 0

An effort by Purrington was saved after Washington had turned provider.  It was a very good save.

Purrington put in a cross across goal, but there was no one there to receive it after a well constructed move by Charlton.

A header from Lee was just over the bar, Purrington having fed him.

Joe Pigott came on in place of Fraser on 64 minutes.  A shot by Lee was saved, another chance for Charlton.   Clare almost caught the keeper out in play following a corner.

Pearce got a yellow card for a foul.   DJ came off and Leko came on.   Aluko came off for Ipswich and Chaplin came on/  A great run by Gilbey led to a Charlton corner.

The keeper made yet another good save from Washington.   Following a free kick won by Purrington, Walton had to make another good save from Washington.

On 87 minutes Gilbey scored drilling the ball to the right hand side of the keeper.  The move started with great patience by Washington then Lee put the ball through and Gilbey evaded the defenders.

Four minutes were added on but Charlton were comfortable as the revving of reversing tractors echoed from the Jimmy Seed.   Addicks to Victory rang round The Valley.

Charlton made 18 attempts to eight, eight on target.

Curbs said you couldn't pick out a man of the match because there were so many.   It was a thumping 2-0 victory.   We never allowed Ipswich to get going after the first ten minutes.

Matt Holland said that Charlton were more positive in their passing and their play.

Jayden Stockley said: 'I feel great, a bit sore now.   There's always that fear at 1-0.  Both teams cancelled each other out a bit in the first 20 minutes, it needed that goal.  We played some really nice stuff.  In terms of clear cut chances we had a lot.   Our defence has been amazing, DJ put in a shift. We're coming into the best form of the season now as a unit.  Everyone feels part of it.  It was phenomenal to hear the Valley rocking.  Gilbey deserved that goal.  I want to finish my career here and look back on impressive numbers.'

Johnnie Jackson said: 'I'm really pleased, it was a wonderful night for us.  It was an even start.  Even before the goal we started to get on top.  We played some lovely football at times, we should have scored more goals.   We have to be more clinical.   Gilbey feels he should score more goals, which he should, but he's been outstanding for me.  We missed Jason Pearce.  There's going to be some tired lads after that game, we have to manage the training carefully.'

Ipswich's interim boss praised the job Johnnie Jackson is doing at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ipswich-town-interim-boss-mcgreal-complimentary-about-johnnie-jacksons-charlton/

Louis Mendez was full of praise for the Charlton performance in his four takeaways: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-2-0-win-over-ipswich-town-the-addicks-find-another-level/

Tractors head for happy hunting ground

Macauley Bonne will have a point to prove when he plays for Ipswich against Charlton at The Valley tonight.   Since joining the Tractors, he has found the barn door: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/macauley-bonne-may-have-extra-motivation-on-charlton-return-joe-pigott-also-has-strong-links-to-addicks/

The East Anglian press are billing this as 'the battle of the caretakers', but admit that it is 'now or never' time as the Tractors seek to get out of the mud and into gear.   Ipswich have not lost at The Valley since 2008 and have won four and drawn once since then: https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/charlton-athletic-v-ipswich-town-preview-8543910

Ipswich have won three games away, drawn one and lost five.    Charlton are 7th in the form table and Ipswich are 13th.

Jackson pleased with pizza choice

Johnnie Jackson is pleased with the Papa Johns home draw against Milton Keynes Dons as Charlton continue their bid to reach Wembley: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-gives-his-verdict-on-efl-trophy-draw-against-milton-keynes/

I was surprised at how negatively some Charlton fans reacted to the FA Cup draw against Norwich.  It's a home draw against a Premier League team and one we have some chance of beating.