Some signs of hope in defeat

Some Charlton fans saw some hope after yesterday's anticipated defeat by Peterborough with Coventry rated a good acquisition along with Bakinson.

The visitors dominated the first half and deserved to make the 29th-minute breakthrough when Mason-Clark curled a shot beyond Addicks keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Charlton, who have now lost four of their last five league games, were booed off at half-time and boss Michael Appleton made a double change in an attempt to spark life into his side.

The changes had an immediate effect as the hosts drew level just three minutes after the restart when May headed home from close range after Tyreeq Bakinson's shot was blocked.

However, they finished the game empty-handed when Mason-Clark drilled in a low drive 15 minutes from time.

Michael Appleton has said that Charlton will not stand in Scott Fraser's way if he wants to leave in the transfer window: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/we-wont-stand-in-his-way-michael-appleton-on-charlton-midfielders-future-after-absence-from-squad-against-peterborough/

His performances have not been inspired this season, indeed he always had his critics - but then that is to be expected if you play for Charlton.

May return bothers Posh

Peterborough United are concerned about the return of Alfie May for tomorrow's fixture at The Valley: https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/boost-for-charlton-athletic-is-not-good-news-for-peterborough-united-4473997

Even so, our leaky defence does not make me confident of a good outcome.

The signing of Conor Coventry from West Ham has been completed in the face of competition from the Massives: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-complete-permanent-signing-of-west-ham-midfielder-conor-coventry/

In their preview of the game, CAS Trust think that a 0-0 is unlikely: https://castrust.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=47ab8cc58db1fe6727e9ed9c2&id=85eec395e0&e=97ed1d02c3

Ramsgate fan breaks silence

There has been a long and surprising silence on the part of VOTV former editor Rick Everitt, but at last he has broken cover with an penetrating and in depth analysis of tonight's opportunity to ask questions of three Charlton directors: https://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2023-24-blogs/9-1-24-questions-to-be-asked-about-charlton-s-future/

Whilst I recognise that the Rickster is not everyone's cup of tea, few people have as much understanding of the history of Charlton.   He asks some important questions about the plight of the club and asks fans not to be distracted by second order questions such as the price of food and drink or even new signings.

You need to read the article for yourself but here are some key points:

'The lack of any clarity about who is steering the ship and how they intend to get it to its destination, whether that is the Championship or above. Nobody in their right mind could imagine that the club can ever be financially sustainable in League One.

Now we can probably agree that competence has been in very short supply at The Valley for many years, but the idea the club can limit its operating losses in this way short of a revolution in wider football funding is pure fantasy.

One of the key drivers in Charlton’s extraordinary rise in the 1990s and 2000s was the connection between the fans and the club, up to and including the board. This was possible because supporters knew the club was open, honest and engaged with them.  That has not been true for at least a decade.'

Transfer turbulence

Sheffield Wednesday have expressed an interest in West Ham midfielder and Charlton target Conor Coventry:https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-given-permission-to-enter-talks-with-west-ham-united-midfielder-4469217

Jonson Clarke-Harris is yet to agree personal terms with Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/posh-boss-claims-clarke-harris-yet-to-agree-personal-terms-with-charlton-athletic/

Charlton have a history of signing injured players and Lewis Fiorini will be heading straight for the treatment table at Sparrows Lane after 18 months of 'injury hell.'   However, he played for Michael Appleton at Lincoln City.  So that's all right then.

John Eustace, mistakenly replaced by Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City, is still without a job.  The Sunday Times warned yesterday that he should be careful or he would end up at Charlton.

A familiar story as Charlton fail to hold on to lead

Charlton failed to hold on to a lead three times at Port Vale yesterday and was once again conceded a late goal.

Port Vale and Charlton remain separated only by goal difference in the League One table after playing out a 3-3 draw at Vale Park.

Charlton led on three occasions, through Corey Blackett-Taylor, Daniel Kanu and Tyreece Campbell, but Ethan Chislett's successfully converted penalty and goals from Uche Ikpeazu and Gavin Massey earned Vale a point.

Chances were at a premium in the early stages and Charlton took the lead out of nowhere in the 27th minute when Blackett-Taylor slotted home after latching onto Louie Watson's header back into the box from a cleared corner.

Vale were level just before half-time, though, as Chislett sent Ashley Maynard-Brewer the wrong way from the penalty spot after Massey's attempted cross hit Karoy Anderson's arm in the area.  Some Addicks thought that the penalty award was harsh, but handballs are given these days when a player does nothing.

The visitors started the second half brightly and their pressure told shortly before the hour mark, with Kanu capitalising on some poor defending to poke the ball into the net after a one-two with Tayo Edun.  Four minutes later, the Valiants equalised for a second time thanks to Ikpeazu's header from captain Nathan Smith's cross.

The Addicks went ahead again in the 83rd minute courtesy of Campbell's first-time shot from substitute Terell Thomas' cross-cum-shot.

But they could not hold on for victory as Massey's fantastic curling effort from the edge of the area secured Vale a share of the spoils in the second minute of stoppage time.

VOTV website editor Rick Everitt comments: 'The 3-3 draw at Port Vale means Charlton have failed to win more than once in ten consecutive third tier matches for only the second time since WW2 (14 campaigns). The previous time was under Chris Powell in Feb/Mar 2011.'

Elsewhere 'Gobby' (Karl Robinson) has been appointed manager at Salford City in the hope that he can talk them out of relegation. However, he was too talkative as he was sent off in the 14th minute of his first home game. Also sent off was Ryan Inniss, now on a vegan diet with Forest Green Rovers.

Club hierarchy backs Appleton

Charlton's hopes of a top six finish are effectively over for another disappointing season, but those in charge of the club continue to back Michael Appleton who has been the focus of fan fury: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletics-league-one-slump-set-to-accelerate-transfer-window-plans-with-michael-appleton-still-backed-by-club-hierarchy/

I am no fan of Appleton, but I think that the problems are more fundamental and don't look like being solved in the January transfer window.  

CAF Trust try to predict the unpredictable in relation to tomorrow's trip to beautiful downtown Burslem.  If anyone is going to fail it's Charlton not Vale; https://www.castrust.org/2024/01/fruit-for-thought-as-we-face-port-vale/

Charlton swoop for Championship centre back

Richard Cawley reports that 'Plymouth's left-sided centre-back Macaulay Gillesphey has been spotted at The Valley. Charlton are close to deal for the 27-year old and it will be a six figure fee.'

Gillesphey has made a total of 78 starts and 13 substitute appearances for Argyle since signing from Australian A League club Brisbane Roar in the summer of 2021.  He played 35 times for the Pilgrims in their 2022/23 League One title-winning campaign but missed the start of this season due to injury and since returning to fitness has been limited to just three starts and one appearance off the bench.

Charlton have not kept a clean sheet for 12 games.

Charlton are also interested in 23-year old West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry.   His contract ends in June and he would be available for a small fee: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-interested-in-january-transfer-window-deal-for-west-ham-united-midfielder/