Rotherham also see it as a 'tough test'

We are expecting a tough test against Rotherham tomorrow night, but that is also the expectation of their manager Paul Warne.  He says that Charlton are a good footballing side and there is no worse time to play a team than when they have had a change of manager: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/rotherham-united-boss-expecting-tough-test-at-revitalised-charlton-athletic/

Given that he has been talking to Lee Johnson, he will also be alert to Jayden Stockley's head butting technique. 

For his part Johnnie Jackson has a great deal of respect for Rotherham and also sees it as a tough test: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-caretaker-boss-johnnie-jackson-a-big-admirer-of-rotherham-united/ 

Jackson is hoping for a healthy Valley crowd tonight to get behind the team: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-charlton-fans-can-help-us-create-the-perfect-cycle/

Rotherham are currently top of the form table and 3rd in the table.   Charlton are now 8th in the form table.   Away from home the Millers have won four, drawn one and lost one.  They have scored nine goals and conceded two.   The Millers' last victory at The Valley was in 1982 when they won 5-1.

On October 24th they demolished MK Dons, currently 7th in the table, 3-0 away.   Paul Warne commented afterwards: 'I thought we had flashes of absolute excellence and our out of possession stuff was absolutely frightening today.'

Against Sunderland last Saturday they were dominant for large spells of the game.  Warne said, 'We are trying to win every game we play in.  I think if the lads play at their very best they are very difficult to play against.'   Michael Smith had two great finishes and he is League One's leading scorer with 12 goals.

A draw would be a good result.

Conor Washington: 'the wake up call we needed'

Conor Washington says that the sacking of Nigel Adkins may have been the shock to the system that Charlton players needed: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charltons-conor-washington-nigel-adkins-sacking-may-have-been-the-wake-up-call-we-all-needed/

Washington said that Johnnie Jackson demanded intensity, he wanted that intensity really high.

Washington admitted that he should have scored more goals, but said that part of was due to him playing out of position.  Under Jacko he was now playing as part of two up front.

A one sided contest

Four takeaways from Louis Mendez from the 4-0 win over Doncaster.   He says that it was as one sided a contest as you'll ever see and says he is on board for Johnnie Jackson to be manager: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-4-0-win-over-doncaster-rovers-addicks-out-of-the-drop-zone/

Decisive win

Both sides had a cagey start, but the game burst into life when Doncaster cleared off the line from a shot by Lee after ten minutes.   At the other end Famewo received a yellow card.  

Leko was injured and replaced by DJ.  He did have a slight groin injury coming into the game.

Lee put Charlton 1-0 ahead on 21 minutes from a free kick.

Doncaster's finest

Amusement was caused by a topless bloke in the Doncaster end throwing some sparring punches towards the East Stand from 50 feet away. He did briefly get on the pitch and was led away.

Doncaster were having most of the possession, but weren't creating anything.

Gilbey was brought down and the referee awarded a penalty. Conor Washington scored on his 50th appearance for Charlton on 33 minutes to make it 2-0.

Dobson was playing a key role in midfield in winning the first ball.

A shot by Washington was saved well to deny Charlton a third.

Dobson put in an excellent ball to Washington but Purrington put it wide at the near post.

Doncaster did not really create anything in the first half.

HT: 2-0

DJ put in a cross and Charlton won the corner which was taken short and cleared.

The ball was cleared off the line after Stockley got something on it.

A header from Stockley was straight at the keeper after good play from DJ. Doncaster made a substitution with their top scorer Rowe coming on.

Charlton had a free kick in a promising position. Lee took the free kick and Stockley made a run across his man to make it 3-0 on 62 minutes.

Purrington got his claws out to make it 4-0 at the far post on 70 minutes with a superb header after a great ball from DJ.

On 75 minutes Lee went off to a standing ovation and was replaced by Clare. Doncaster also made a substitution.

Davison replaced Washington.

Gilbey put in a shot but the keeper saved to his right after it nearly crept past him. Dahlberg then flicked Stockley's header on to the bar. Without the keeper it could have been six or seven.

Stockley's header went straight at the keeper following a Charlton corner.

Dobson, Pearce, Euell and MacGillivray all did tunnel jumps.

Charlton moved out of the relegation zone. A sterner test awaits on Tuesday. Rotherham beat Sunderland 5-1 today with any head butts. Curbs said it would be a totally different game. If we could get anything against Rotherham we were suddenly looking upwards. We should look at five or six games before making a decision about a manager.

Elliot Lee said it was a good atmosphere with the supporters singing, it gave a lift. 'I am getting my fitness, my sharpness, I had flu three weeks ago. We were better than them all over the pitch. We know we could have got more but we'll take 4-0. It will be a tough game on Tuesday night. We're all high on confidence now.'

Johnnie Jackson said he was really pleased with the clean sheet, a good solid performance, probably should have scored more. It was a blow losing Leko so early, credit to DJ he was ready to come into that role, we had done some work with him for that eventuality earlier in the week. The skip (Pearce) was an absolute rock. We had a real good shape about us, limited them to very few chances. We got the better of them through hard work, Doncaster are a good team. We got 100 per cent commitment from what we were asking of them. There's so much quality in that room but we haven't been showing it. Through pure endeavour and pure intent your quality will show through. An incredibly proud day to see the Valley rocking.

Curbs said the first thing Jacko had done was working on them out of possession. Most of the sessions had been defensive.

Johnson 'astonished' at lack of FA action

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson has told BBC Radio Newcastle that he is astonished at the lack of retrospective action by the FA over the alleged Jayden Stockley headbutt incident.   He alleges that his player had blood pouring from his mouth and would have scared children at Halloween.   Given that it is surprising that he did not require any treatment at the time.

The video evidence is quite clear: this was a shoulder nudge or charge at worst.

Sandgaard 'not as bullish'

CAS chair Heather McKinlay has had a telephone conversation with Thomas Sandgaard: https://www.castrust.org/2021/10/thomas-sandgaard-short-term-actions-v-long-term-goals/

He was not as bullish as earlier regarding the time it is likely to take to move up the leagues and he is quite aware of the financial implications of that: “We’ll be sensible and not do a Derby.”

As a result of the very poor start to the season, the owner now intends to become more closely involved on the football side. Thomas speaks regularly with and respects the views of Curbs, Minto and Browny and feels this provides him with a strong connection into English football. One of Thomas’ sons is presently based in London and will keep close to Sparrows Lane while Thomas is in the USA.

Jackson: play my way

Johnnie Jackson talks about his approach to football and asks Charlton players to adopt the same approach as he did with dedication to the cause and a hard work rate: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve-caretaker-boss-jackson-will-ask-squad-to-play-like-he-did-with-belief-in-the-cause-and-hard-workrate/

JJ admits that his first home game will be 'difficult': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/rovers-will-be-difficult/

Doncaster Rovers are making something of a recovery from their poor form.   3-0 against Cheltenham Town last Saturday, the eventual scoreline was 3-2.  They followed this up with a midweek 1-1 home draw against Cambridge United.

They have lost all seven matches away from home, scoring just two goals and conceding 16.  The weather looks as if it will be wet tomorrow which could make the game more unpredictable.

The long-term injury to Sam Lavelle is a blow to Charlton as he was our best central defender and was settling into the side well.   Famewo is more erratic.   Whether Jason Pearce or West Ham target Deji Elerewe should replace him is being debated among fans.   I think that on balance I would prefer the experience offered by Pearce.