QPR put Charlton through the hoops

Charlton went down 3-1 to a resurgent QPR at Loftus Road today.   QPR went ahead early doors, but Charlton managed to equalise in the second half.   For a while they were in the ascendancy but QPR went ahead again.   Exposed at the back as they tried for an equaliser, the Addicks went 3-1 down in time added on.

QPR started with real intent and were soon 1-0 up. Paul Smyth scored against his former club from Vale's cross - Kone with a dummy to allow the ball to run for the winger.    Richard Caswley commented, ‘Kaminski has got to be doing better with that, is my first thought. Goes with his legs to try and keep it out.’

The Addicks improved in the final 20-25 minutes of the first period with Leaburn striking the top of the crossbar. But Cawley noted an all too familiar story, a lack of quality in the final third, including most of the crosses put in. Scare right at the end of the half with Norrington-Davies' header clipping the outside of the post but looked like Kaminski had it covered.

Charlton equalised after Campbell put in a deep cross but Apter's shot struck the ball down into the turf and the bounce takes it past the QPR keeper Walsh.   It was Apter’s first goal for the club.

QPR went ahead again after their Japanese midfielder Saito had come off the bench.  His body swerve took him away from Jones.   The low shot creept into bottom right corner of the net.    It might well have got a slight nick off the two Charlton  defenders who slid in to try and block.

For the third goal, Kaminski started to come for the ball, then decided against it. Kone punished that indecision, slid the ball into the net for his second goal since signing from Wycombe.

Nathan Jones was clearly not happy at full-time.  The shell shocked supremo marched straight on to the pitch to talk to referee Andrew Kitchen.   As usual, some of the officiating was questionable with the lino oddly failing to assist the referee on one key decision although had the clearer view.

Nathan Jones was unhappy about the fact Mbengue not given a second yellow for his foul on Kelman when the score was 1-1. The Charlton boss says that referee told him it wasn't penalised further due to the attack "not being in a promising position".

But the simple fact is that Charlton were outplayed, a verdict being echoed by the keyboard warriors.  One fan has already told the BBC that Jones's position must be 'under consideration'.   This is the usual silly nonsense one gets from some fans, but there is case for saying that Charlton should have hung on for the away point in front of a home crowd that was getting restive rather than trying to get all three.

QPR lord ramps up feud with Addick

Lord Toby Young is a keen QPR supporter and often writes about them in his Spectator column. but this week he has turned his ire on Charlton fanzine editor Rick Everitt.

Young complains that he had a wasted day trip to Thanet where he was hoping to confront Everitt on Margate beach.   Everitt sensibly decided he had better things to do on a Tuesday morning.

Young has now declared the Rickster to be a 'Town Hall tyrant.'  I'm not sure that Thanet has a town hall, but no matter.

What the noble lord doesn't seem to realise is that a keen Charlton fan like Everitt is likely to be at Loftus Road on Saturday.  At high noon they could indulge in handbags at six paces.

Young more or less invites Everitt to take him and his followers to court, but again I suspect Everitt would regard this as a waste of time and money.

On the pitch, the Super Hoops are hoping to avenge their defeat by Coventry: https://www.castrust.org/2025/08/can-qpr-bounce-back/

Return of the prodigal?

The Addicks will definitely add to their ranks before Monday’s 7pm transfer window deadline accosting to Nathan Jones.

“We will strengthen this squad in the next three or four days,” he said. “We have a list, we are working through certain things. There is scope and there is a desire to improve on at least one level.”

If so, it means that the recruitment drive will tick them over into double figures for incoming deals, comments Richard Cawley.

“To be fair to the board they have never said ‘no’ in terms of anything. We have managed the budget very, very well. We always try to stay within budget….we have. Jim Rodwell (managing director) has done fantastically well staying within budget on everything."

“We’re in a good place. I usually want a little more quality, constantly, but I’m very aware that we have to stay within budget. The board have backed us this year. So let’s see what comes about in the next two to three days. It’s always an interesting one - it’s like a mental sandwich - where people want to do deals and one kickstarts another. So who knows?”

Richard Cawley has commented on Twitter: ! om Lockyer posting pictures on his Instagram from his Charlton playing days. Amari'i Bell giving it the [deleted]. A quick web search tells me Lockyer's #tbt could mean Throwback Thursday. I can confirm it is Thursday. I can't confirm whether it means any more than that.’

International break may help injured to recover

Under pressure manager Nathan Jones said at this afternoon's press conference about two key injured players: 

“We’ve had to manage Matty [Godden]. He played through the pain barrier last year, so we had to rectify that over the summer (he underwent surgery. It was so important that we got him to the end of last season - he was one of the best strikers in the league and he was our top goal scorer.

“He was important to us and Miles (Leaburn) was injured. We felt we needed to get him through (the games) and as a result of that he’s had a shortened pre-season. He is now back on the grass and we just have to build him up.

“What we don’t want to do is bring him back too quickly, he then pulls a hamstring and is out for another month.

“Luke Berry is exactly the same. He played through stuff last year."

“Those two are the only two now that we have as absentees. Hopefully they will be back soon. The international break gives us a two-week window, without missing games, to put a bit of work into them. They will be in a better place coming out of that.”

Why I don't like the Super Hoops

I have a particular dislike for QPR.  I am a bit hazy about dates (found out it was 4th October 1997), but Curbs haven't been manager without Gritty for all that long.   We went to Loft**** Road and beat them 4-2 (and demolished them more than the score would suggest).

Shell shocked QPR fans then decided they wanted a young attacking manager who could be brought from a smaller club.   Curbs was formally approached, as he subsequently admitted, and did consider it, but decided he would go on building something at Charlton.

I also remember that when they had their first (disastrous) takeover and a QPR fan who was interviewed on tv said: 'In five years time there will be one question: which is the bigger club, Real Madrid or Queens Park Rangers.'

Talk about delusions of grandeur.   In fact a recent report by the New York Times suggests that they are the only 'leading' London club that have fallen back in terms of average league position.   Mind you, one did get the impression that in  New York they thought they were the royal team playing in Windsor Great Park.

That brings me to Loft**** Road.   They know it's an awful stadium and have been trying to leave for years, something that Brentford succeeded in doing.   It's like a series of shoeboxes on their side.

I haven't been there for a long while, but at one time they had Japanese tourists near the away end who laughed and took photos every time we got cross with the referee.

They also have some weird fans.   Lord Toby Young is the son of Michael Young who wrote a brilliant book called The Rise of the Meritocracy which people saw as a celebration when it was really a warning delivered before its time.

Great oaks often overshadow their saplings.  Just consider Robert 'So' Peston on ITV who he is the son of a brilliant economist.

Young often uses his columns in the Spectator to moan about the travails of following QPR (to be fair, he does go to away games).  However, more recently he has got into a ridiculous spat with VOTV fanzine editor Rick Everitt.

Young heads something called the Free Speech Union which seems to be made up of people who are all for free speech provided you agree with them.  He recently named Everitt as a threat to western civilisation as we know it.  Many people dislike the Rickster (I don't), but I have never seen him as much of a threat except possibly to Spanners and Glaziers.

Anyway Young offered Rick the equivalent of pistols at dawn (actually 10.30 am) on Margate beach which he rightly ignored, going to The Valley instead.

And I fear they will beat us on Saturday (a draw is actually more likely).

Here are my notes on the match, I feared I would not make it back from a tiresome EU meeting in Brussels

A working trip to Greece meant that I wasn't able to see Charlton's morale boosting wins that had preceded the Stockport match:4-0 at Norwich and the 4-1 victory over Bradford. Now my attendance at Loftus Road was in doubt. 

The end of the week would see me representing the UK's interests in Brussels and the secretary of the committee had warned me that the meeting could be long and difficult. Hence, it was scheduled to continue on Saturday, but I took a risk and booked myself on the last flight on Friday night to Birmingham. Come Friday afternoon, the predicted difficulties were arising. 

Would I have to get one of Brussels's crazy Moroccan taxi drivers to take me the wrong way down one way streets (something they don't need much encouragement to do!) to make my plane. I had told the chair that I wanted to be at Loftus Road the next day. Suddenly, from nowhere, he produced a sum of money which solved the main obstacle, and I was on the flight to Brum.

Next day saw me on the train to Marlylebone. Radio 5 commented that QPR were quietly confident of victory, observing that 'the cream must rise to the top' in Division 1! Well, we are used to being patronised by the media.

On walking to Baker Street, disaster struck. The Hammersmith and City line was out owing to 'subsisdence at Edgware Road', so I had to go across to the Central Line and travel to White City. I arrived five minutes late somewhat hot and flustered.

But what a feast of football! As the QPR web page later admitted, Charlton came determined to win and comprehensively outplayed the 'Super Hoops'. What is more, the Charlton faithful outsung a largely silent home support. Robinson took us 1-0 ahead, and after QPR had equalised, Steve Jones put us ahead before half time. 

A second Robinson goal and one by substitute Phil Chapple completed the picture. In the last fifteen minutes, however, we let QPR back into the game. Our defensive weaknesses under pressure became apparent and only a couple of great saves by Andy Peterson stopped it going to 3-4. And, as QPR had come back from 4-0 at Port Vale to draw 4-4 last season, anything could have happened then.

Nevertheless, a sparkling Charlton performance. Good attacking football, with Kinsella in midfield playing probably his best game of the season to date. So Charlton fans could with justification chant, 'QPR, ha! ha! ha!' However, as far as the media were concerned, it was not a question of Charlton winning, but of QPR losing.

One of the ironies here is that another QPR supporter is a former Cabinet Secretary and it was the Cabinet Office who had landed me with this assignment in Brussels, claiming they were short staffed.

Jones calls for more strengthening

Nathan Jones has made it clear he wants defensive additions before the transfer window closes, reports Richard Cawley.

The ‘really disappointed’ Welshman said after the defeat at Cambridge:  “We have to (add to the defenders at the club). We have to strengthen in that area because if we don't strengthen in that area it only takes one or two [to get injured or suspended] and we're exposed. And, with the greatest of respects, the Championship is different."

Jones fears that Charlton would be stretched defensively against QPR.   Additions do not depend on further exits with seven players all out on loan.

Some fans feel with good reason that we need more firepower up front but, as the Chicago Addick has pointed out, last night showed that the reserve back five are not good enough.

Cup defeat gives moaners a boost

League Two Cambridge United beat Championship Charlton Athletic to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup and moaners rounded on Nathan Jones.

The shell shocked supremo told BBC Radio London: "I thought we were way, way off. I don't want to use any adjectives that are disrespectful but we were way off our level, we were outbattled, outfought.

"There's three or four things in all those goals that we could have done better, that we do well normally.  I didn't see any fight, any energy. Normally we outwork, out-press, outrun teams. Tonight I can't remember us doing that."

Jones changed his entire starting XI from Saturday's defeat to Leicester City and the U's made the much stronger start to the game, with goals from James Brophy and Kylian Kouassi putting them 2-0 up inside 30 minutes.

Ibrahim Fullah struck from range to halve the deficit just before half-time with his second goal in two EFL Cup games this season.

Zak Bradshaw restored the home side's two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half before Neil Harris' side saw out a deserved win against the Addicks, who had Karoy Anderson sent off deep into added time for catching Ibsen Rossi in the head with a high boot.

Summer signings Charlie Kelman and Tanto Olaofe came into the Charlton side both looking for their first goals for the club, while Joe Rankin-Costello and Harvey Knibbs were also included as Jones gave his new players a chance at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

But the visitors looked disjointed in the early stages and the visitors took full advantage as Brophy swept home his third goal of the season following a neat cutback from Elias Kachunga.  Blackpool loanee Kouassi doubled the lead on 29 minutes as he outmuscled Charlton defender Zach Mitchell before clinically finishing past Ashley Maynard-Brewer for his first goal for the club.

Charlton improved as the half wore on and a moment of quality from Fullah brought them back into the game.   The 18-year-old cut inside from the left before smashing an effort past U's keeper Jake Eastwood with a minute of normal time remaining in the first half.

Bradshaw reacted quickest following a strong save from Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer to deny Kachunga and put the hosts in control on 55 minutes with his first goal at EFL level.

Both sides made several changes in the second half which was interrupted by multiple head injuries, resulting in 14 minutes of added time at the end.   But the Addicks would not find a way back and had Anderson sent off as he made contact with the head of Rossi in the Cambridge box and was shown a red card.

The word from the King’s Head at Deal is that this is the worst cup defeat since Northwich Victoria, but that was televised.   It would have been nice to progress, but minutes have to be given to players who have lacked them.

 

Varney gives the full sp on Parker departure

Like many fans, the departure of Scott Parker for Chelsea when we had a chance of European qualification left me with a bad taste in the mouth at the time, but Peter Varney gives a more informed and balanced view in Richard Cawley’s Substack.   Just a few excerpts as a taster (Varney also discusses the plot to sabotage The Valley floodlights).

‘Scott was like a lot of players. He wanted to play for England and in the Champions League. At the time Chelsea were a big club with Roman Abramovich coming on the scene. It transpired that Richard Murray had said, at the time when Scott last signed a contract, that he could go if a top-four club came in for him.

One of the things that fans often say is that, with a chance of Europe, how could he just walk away? They say that it is all about the money and whatever else. Of course money plays a part. They offered him significantly more than he was on at Charlton and a long contract. So it was about that, but it was also that ambition to play for England, play in the Champions League and test himself against the best players in the world.

It’s just a shame how it ended because I would say he is one of the best players to ever play for Charlton. So that legacy is so sad - he was massive for us in the Premier League, and in getting to the Premier League. Scott would be absolutely exhausted when he came off after any of our games. He ran and ran and ran.

He was so instrumental to Charlton and the way we played. He did the work of two players, effectively, box to box. And he could get goals. When you get a pattern of play, a shape - we weren’t having many injuries - and everything is rosey in the camp then there is no doubt if you lose your best player, him and Claus Jensen dominated the midfield, it has a massive effect.’

Not so Super Hoops will want to get their season back on track

Celebrating their newly owned stadium, Coventry City crushed next Saturday’s opponents Queens Park Rangers 7-1 on Saturday.

The New York Times has been trying to make sense of what happened using the expected goals model.  It’s clear that speculative sharp-shooting played a big role in their result. Two goals came from outside the box, and the overall xG per shot stood at a paltry 0.07.

Take Coventry striker Victor Torp’s brace. His first saw him reach behind him to guide the ball through a sea of bodies into the bottom-right corner. The xG value of this shot is 0.04, and it’s pretty reasonable to estimate that only one in every 25 of these efforts goes in, given the precise nature of the finish that is required with so many players between Torp and the goal.

His second was even more spectacular and unlikely: a ferocious curler into the top-right corner. The model puts it at a one per cent chance, and again, it’s difficult to argue with that assessment.

But stringing together that many low-probability finishes in a single game is incredibly rare. By analysing the individual xG of each of Coventry’s 19 shots, the model puts the chance of scoring seven or more at 0.004 per cent — roughly 1 in 25,000.

The unlikeliness the model assigns is matched by the observed data. Across 18,631 matches in England’s top four leagues, the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A since the 2019-20 season, only two produced a larger single-game xG over performance: Wigan’s record-equalling 8-0 win over Hull in the Championship in 2020 and Mansfield’s 9-2 victory against Harrogate Town in League Two in 2024.

Single games are subject to so much randomness that no one model can fully capture it. Even the chances that feed into xG are context-dependent over 90 minutes: a high-value opportunity can come from a calamitous mistake or a fortunate bounce rather than repeatable attacking play. That variance makes huge outliers like Coventry’s possible (though still improbable).

QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh should have prevented four goals. While his positioning and shot-stopping were far from pristine, this feels an unduly harsh assessment of his display on Saturday, and it’s hard to fault him for the majority of the goals.

Coventry’s over performance was mainly down to freakishly good finishing, but the model probably did undervalue the value of their opportunities. But the very rarity of an over performance like this points to their clinical display being a massive statistical outlier rather than evidence of a busted model.   (Anyone familiar with a basic two variable linear regression knows that such outliers occur).

The result doesn’t help very much as QPR will be determined to prevent a repetition in front of their home crowd.

 

The blame game

Leicester City have their man of their match and keeper to thank for their 1-0 victory at The Valley on Saturday.   Conor Coventry is a scapegoat player for a few fans but his shot needed a great save.

However, now the blame game for the defeat can start.  The mood was considerably brighter on Saturday evening at the King's Head on Deal's seafront as Desmond and his few friends gathered to enjoy a few pints and a good moan about Charlton.

But let's look at the candidates.

The referee

One thing I don't like is when managers and fans start blaming the referee for a result.  Yes, they make a lot of mistakes, sometimes important ones.   But some realism is needed: faced with a marginal decision between a relegated Premier League club and a promoted League One club, it's not hard to predict the outcome.

Richard Cawley provides a balanced assessment on his Substack page: ‘What appears to have caught [referee Dean] Whitestone’s eye is the contact between Josh Edwards and Leicester’s Caleb Okoli. And he blew his whistle before the ball ended up in the back of the net.

The Charlton wing-back has his right arm wrapped around the neck of his opponent, who seems particularly keen to hit the turf directly in the official’s eyeline. There is often plenty of contact allowed inside the penalty area from set-pieces. Not on this occasion.

Addicks boss Nathan Jones found the decision tough to take. The Welshman was careful with his comments, keen to avoid any disciplinary scrape with the FA. He clearly felt that Whitestone overly-protected Leicester’s players during the match. “They felt that our physicality, aggression and how we press was something they didn’t want to do - and that was helped out,” said Jones, who added the reason behind striking off his namesake’s goal was “an absolute fairytale”.

It probably partly depends on which technical area you are standing in as to whether you feel it was a foul,’ concluded Cawley.

Jones

Why did he start Leaburn rather than Kelman?   Tactics and the fact that Leaburn had been impressive in training during the week.   Fans don't (usually) see what happens in training but managers can't disregard it.

In any case Leaburn had a decent game.  If anyone had a mare it was Tyreece Campbell.

Where the pessimists have a point is our inability to score goals.  We had plenty of chances in the second half.    We miss Godden, but need to score without him.

On Saturday the Super Hoops will be looking to avenge their drubbing by Coventry City.   My Sky Blue neighbour was round my house on Sunday celebrating the result and the fact that Coventry had now bought their stadium.   Coventry fans have been through the mill with their former owners, playing in Northampton and Birmingham, but now the wealth of Stratford upon Avon has come to their rescue.

I know a little about just how many multi-millionaires live in that town often in discreet but fabulous houses (I have been fortunate enough to be invited into a couple).   The town council owns a lot of the central town and were able to fork out for a nice new stadium for Stratford Town (the Bardsmen) with  all weather training pitches.  But don't expect 'verily' and 'forsooth' if you find yourself at the Anne Hathaway!

Close, but no cigar

Charlton lost 0-1 to Leicester at The Valley this afternoon.  It's the first game the Addicks have lost at home since December 2024.   Charlton played well, but the relegated Premier League side had one moment of real quality.   The Addicks had their chances in the second half, but could not find the back of the net, although one attempt by Jones was disallowed because of a tussle in the box.

Bright start to this game, end-to-end stuff with Abdul Fatawu on the right and Jeremy Monga on the left showing quick feet for City and earning their side a corner.  Kayne Ramsay needed a spot of treatment for a facial injury before they take it.

Leaburn was unlucky to be caught half a yard offside,   An Addicks corner was unproductive.   A Leaburn shot deflected for a corner.   Conor Coventry picks a Leicester pocket in their own half but Miles Leaburn sees a 20-yard blast cannon over the bar off Jannik Vestergaard, and the Foxes are able to deal with Josh Edwards' curling corner.

Leicester had a lot of the ball in the opening stages but the vast majority of it has been in their own half or on halfway. Charlton were doing a good job of pressing them into errors.

Jordan Ayew managed to get in behind Lloyd Jones for a moment and drove towards the box, Jones manages to get back goal side and forces Ayew to eventually drag a low shot a yard or so wide of Thomas Kaminski's right hand post from just inside the area.

Good battle between Jordan Ayew and Lloyd Jones with the Addicks defender being penalised after bundling into the forward in midfield.

Nathan Jones was making himself useful, trotting onto the pitch to help remove a foil balloon and streamers which had blown onto the playing surface.

Clumsy from Abdul Fatawu who barges Tyreece Campbell over near the corner flag giving the Addicks a useful set-piece opportunity. Conor Coventry's high cross was however routine for Leicester keeper Jakub Stolarczyk to claim just outside his six-yard box.

Charlton had a very clear plan to press the Leicester players high up in their own half when they're on the ball and so far it's working.  Conor Coventry and Greg Docherty haven't given the Foxes any room to move in the midfield and when they do turn the ball over the Addicks get players forward quickly and looked a threat.

Abdul Fatawu provided  a rasping 25-yard strike from the right which Lloyd Jones stooped to deflect behind off that big forehead of his.  The corner drops to Louis Page on the edge of the box but the 17-year-old snatches at his volley and blazes well over the crossbar.

Josh Edwards whipped in a free-kick from the right flank which is met by the head of Kayne Ramsay at the back stick, only for his effort to fly off-target.

Steve Brown said we had not allowed the Foxes to settle into any rhythm at all, the pressure was so good.  Good move from Charlton as Miles Leaburn played a neat reverse pass through for Sonny Carey, whose inviting near-post cross was well cut-out by the sliding Luke Thomas.

Conor Coventry ooks aim from 25 yards and scorches a swerving effort towards the top corner, only for Jakub Stolarczyk to fly across to his left and tip the ball around the angle of post and bar.   Great save.

Kayne Ramsay was penalised for a challenge on Jeremy Monga which gives Leicester the chance to get the ball in the box but once again they can't make anything of it.

Four minutes added on.   An aerial collision near the Addicks box bought both sets of trainers back onto the pitch to treat Abdul Fatawu and Josh Edwards.

Leicester had enjoyed more of the ball in accordance with their possession style but the Addicks were well drilled and prevented the visitors from doing much with it in dangerous areas.   Steve Brown praised the harassing by Charlton.

HT: 0-0

Charlton started the half on the front foot and Tyreece Campbell wins a corner down the left. Conor Coventry's ball in was met by the head of Lloyd Jones, with Hamza Choudhary just glancing it past Coventry's next corner was met by Kayne Ramsay at the far post and Jakub Stolarczyk makes a fine block on his line at near point blank range. 

The dangerous and experienced Fataw opened the scoring for the Foxes on 48 minutes with a brilliant goal.    Leiceter worked the ball neatly through the Charlton press to Abdul Fatawu on the right. The winger drifted inside towards the box, got a yard on Josh Edwards and bends a glorious effort from an angle into the far top corner of Thomas Kaminski's goal.   He had no chance of saving it.

The first goal Charlton have allowed this season, from the first shot on target they have allowed in their box across the three matches.

The Addicks were seeking a quick response and a cross from the right breaks to Tyreece Campbell just beyond the far post but Hamza Choudhary did brilliantly to throw himself in the way of Campbell's strike and deflect behind for a corner.

Miles Leaburn just put a little too much force behind his angled through ball for Greg Docherty who had acres of space darting into the Foxes box and the ball rolled through to the grateful Jakub Stolarczyk.   Heads in hands all round for the Addicks, that was a real chance.

Conor Coventry went into the book for hauling back Boubakary Soumare as he threatened to break away.   Jordan Ayew followed him into the book for his protests to ref Dean Whitestone.

It was Charlton.  Miles Leaburn somehow corralled a high ball in the box, spins, and sees his near post strike on the stretch deflected behind for another corner.  Josh Edwards' corner drops to Sonny Carey but his fierce volley from 18 yards is blocked in a forest of legs.

Tyreece Campbell and Miles Leaburn combined to send Rob Apter haring down the right but his low shot was heading for the side-netting, until it is tipped behind by Jakub Stolarczyk, who got hisangles wrong, for once.  Rob Edwards had two attempts to take his corner as the ball was rolling the first time but a looping header from Lloyd Jones at the far post evaded the stretch of Stolarczyk and somehow skews past the upright off the heel of Conor Coventry.

Lloyd Jones went into the book for a foul on Patson Daka and Leicester almost capitalised from the deep free-kick, Jannik Vestergaard getting two bites at the cherry in the goalmouth but scuffed his final effort from the floor which made it a simple save for Thomas Kaminski flopping to his right.

Another Charlton corner from Josh Edwards was met by a flashing header from Conor Coventry at the near post, taking advantage of some static defending from Jannik Vestergaard, but his effort flew over the Foxes crossbar.   This was a real chance.

Harry Winks and Silko Thomas came on for Leicester, with Jeremy Monga and Oliver Skipp the ones to make way as Marti Cifuentes tried to regain the initiative in the final 20 minutes or so.

Rob Apter went off to loud applause and Kelman came on.    Carey came off and Harvey Knibbs came on.

Josh Edwards put in a mighty throw which Miles Leaburn met with a powerful close-range header which was straight at keeper Jakub Stolarczyk who clings on well

The Foxes made sure their substitutions took an eternity.  Greg Docherty and Miles Leaburn went off for the Addicks with Tanto Olaofe and Joe Rankin-Costelloe sent on to try and spark an equaliser for the Addicks with five minutes plus added time remaining.    Josh Edwards was replaced  by Gillesphey.

Charlton were throwing everything forward at the moment with Lloyd Jones staying up top as a makeshift forward and proving a handful for Caleb Okoli in particular.  Six minutes were added on. A deep Addicks corner was nodded back into the middle where Tyreece Campbell could only steer a header over the bar from eight yards out.  He had time and space to do better.

Those in attendance saw a real contest, but the armchair managers will soon be at their keyboards explaining how they would have done better.

Steve Brown said that we won in every department, but admitted that we were guiilty of missing some very good opportunities.  

Times notes 55th birthday of lifelong Charlton fan

Today The Times announces the 55th birthday of lifelong Charlton fan, author and broadcaster Charlie Connelly.   

For over ten years Charlie lived in Deal, but perhaps it was encounters with Desmond from Deal that finally drove him to live north of the border: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/5285243/charlie-connelly-on-his-love-for-dundee/

Charlie was a contemporary of my middle daughter at uni.   She retired with her husband to a farm in Spain as she approached 50 (now joined by my granddaughter and great-granddaughter) and always reminds me that she is a multi-millionaire rather than a mere millionaire. Actually, I never managed to get Charlie's book on radio back off her.   However, he is best known now for his one man show on the shipping forecast.  It always sells out.

Charlie's early books included one on the Liechtenstein national team (which I really enjoyed) and also one on football in London.

I once asked him if he had ever played football competitively and apparently once he was drafted in by a non-league reserve side short of players.   He was out of puff after 30 minutes.

Charlie still has to make the decision which of the Dundee teams to back in his new home.

Jones: 'Championship is probably the most relentless League'

Question to Nathan Jones at yesterday’s press conference: ‘Leicester City, Premier League champions not that long ago, heading to The Valley on Saturday. There seems a little unrest from Foxes fans over the way their club is being run. How do you assess the challenge?’

Jones: “They are a stern test. They were playing Premier League football last season. They have got Premier League footballers and individuals who can hurt you at any time.

“We can’t concern ourselves with what is going on at Leicester. We just have to prepare Charlton. If we are the best versions of ourselves then that is all we can ask. We are very proud of our best version, so that is all we can do.

“Whatever else happens, happens. They are a fantastic club and one of the favourites to go back up.

“We will be saying this week in and week out, there is not one of the 46 games when we do a press conference where you are going: ‘Well, this should be an easy one tomorrow or Saturday’. That won’t happen at this level. There aren’t any gimmes at Championship level. It is probably the most relentless league.”

Four Four Two says: ''The Foxes' managerial change was slow and a possible points deduction is looming, but enough quality remains for a play-off push. Monga - who was six when Leicester won the title - is a prodigous talent.'   [He made his debut as a Premier League player aged 15 in April].

The fan forecast a 2nd place finish: 'I won't be happy unless we bounce straight back.  Promotion is essential.''  He names the key player as Abdu Fotowu, who destroyed the Championship in his first season but missed most of the last campaign through injury.'   He also thinks the club needs a reliable centre back.

CAS Trust reminds us that we have a good record at The Valley against the Foxes: https://www.castrust.org/2025/08/leicester-city-overpriced-and-overpaid/

Nigels form shock partnership with Greenwich University

Greenwich University have for a long time been aligned with Charlton but now they have formed a partnership with Crystal Palace: https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/25397074.university-greenwich-partners-crystal-palace-fc/?ref=rss

A lot of claptrap is spouted about their core values aligning, but Greenwich is our home borough.  And as someone who was born in Greenwich, I take particular offence.

Towards the end of my career a West London university offered me a six figure salary to take a senior position.   If it had been Greenwich I would have accepted and then there would have been a partnership!

Jones: we are looking for one more body

Charlton facing the biggest challenge of their season so far when Leicester City visit The Valley on Saturday.  The Foxes are forecast to finish sixth by Four Four Two.

Richard Cawley reports that Nathan Jones has stated on transfers: "What we probably want to do is add, at least one body. We know the position we need it. Maybe to do that, we want to make sure our numbers are good. "

“The club have been amazing in backing us and they then trusted us to put players out, developing the assets. We have done that. Gassan has got a really good move and started really well. Alex Mitchell has got a move. Kaheim has gone and is in a wonderful place there. It is important if they are not going to impact on us now, it is important we keep developing the asset and sending them to the right clubs."

Nathan Jones revealed that centre-back Reece Burke is back in full training this week. The Charlton boss said goalkeeper Will Mannion missed the Bristol City game due to a "minor accident" but is also back fully up to speed.

Topics covered at today's press conference included Kayne Ramsay's contractual situation, whether one of the senior goalkeepers is set to make an exit and the decision to start Amari'i Bell ahead of Wembley goal hero Macaulay Gillesphey.

Wycombe in for Chuks

There are reports that Wycombe Wanderers are interested in signing free agent and former Addick Chuks Aneke: https://the72.co.uk/2025/08/19/wycombe-wanderers-offered-chuks-aneke/

Chuks is the sort of player that the Chairboys like, but Burton Albion are also interested and St. Mirren are said to be prepared to offer him the kilt.

Wherever he ends up, the 32-year old will provide work for the club's medical department, but good luck to him.  He did his best for us.

Goodbye Tracey

Today we say goodbye to Tracey Leaburn as Head of Player Care.  She has provided 10 years of great service to the club, not least in staying put at The Valley as one of a trio who stood up to individuals who were a great threat to the club's existence.  The surname Leaburn is legendary at Charlton and I wish her every success and happiness in the future.

I only met fellow blogger Dave Thomson (Drinking During the Game) once when Murray mints called in all Charlton bloggers for a meeting.   That was at a time when the blogsphere was more populated and of greater importance.

Dave sadly passed away in 2023 from cancer and his daughter Heather is undertaking a 30 mile walk to raise money for cancer research: https://www.castrust.org/2025/08/sponsor-heather-thomson-in-memory-of-her-father/

Football is more than the game itself.  A few days ago I made a routine visit to my chiropodist.   She is a keen Villa fan (season ticket holder) and we usually talk football, but she was more restrained than usual.  Then she revealed that her father whom she went to games with had passed away and she couldn't raise her normal enthusiasm for the season.

Alex Mitchell heads for Devon

Alex Mitchell has joined Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan.    Richard Cawley comments: ‘Always expected the centre-back, 23, to make a temporary move away from Charlton.’   Some fans have responded with sad emojis to the news.

Mitchell has always shown a strong desire to play first-team football, even going back to when he was on Millwall’s books.

Nathan Jones: “He’s at an age where he needs game time and given the form of others and our new signings the loan move to a good club like Plymouth was a good opportunity and we weren’t going to stand in his way."

Cawley adds: ‘Remains to be seen what happens with Zach Mitchell. It seems he has impressed Nathan Jones but he also has a strong desire for regular game time.’

Praise for 'remarkable' Charlton

Yesterday's Football League Paper has a very positive story about Charlton: 'Charlton Athletic's change in fortunes over the past nine months has been little short of remarkable .... Turn the clock back to last December and the Addicks' rise was hard to predict.   [Indeed the over large crowd of pessimists at Charlton was predicting we would be playing in League Two the following season.]

Nathan Jones commented: 'There's a certain level I always demand from players and if we reach it, we reap the rewards.  We have confidence in ourselves, we always feel we have a goal in us, and I need us to keep looking up.'

Jones added: 'It's been a matter of getting minutes into new players and bedding them in, it's absolutely vital.   The early indications are bright.  We preached to our transfer targets what Charlton is all about, where we think we are going and what we think they can do for us.   That enticed a lot of them and now feel there is a great blend in the club.'

'I always take recruitment so seriously because I have learned the hard way no matter how good I think I am, if I get recruitment wrong and have a bad group, success is quite simply impossible.'

'This is a journey, not a destination.  We don't just want to keep pace with the level, we want to affect the level and really make our mark in the Championship.'

Charlton have fallen back to 10th after Sunday's games.

The one downside risk is that clubs will start to realise that it's not just a matter of turning up to claim three easy points from sure fire relegation candidates, but they need to take us seriously.

Gasman opens his account

Shortly after coming on as a late substitute for Stevenage yesterday, Gassan Adahme scored in their 2-0 victory over Northampton.   The Gasman scored 90 seconds after coming on and sent Boro to the top of the League One table.

On 82 minutes the Boro No.10, Dan Kemp, put the ball into the channel for the Gasman to hook across the keeper who was stretching.

Give us a K: one of Team Lisbie, Kyreece, contributed to Colchester's 2-0 victory at Shrewsbury with a late goal.

Creditable away point

Charlton are 8th in the Championship after a creditable 0-0 away draw at Bristol City (Millwall are 15th).  The home side dominated the first half with the Addicks relying on counter attack.   Charlton came more into their own in the second half with Apter having the best chance of scoring.

It’s nearly nine hours since the Addicks last conceded in a league match (including play-offs).

In the first half Charlton were defensively very organised and work so hard to press. City had a few moments when they've got into good positions but Thomas Kaminski was protected very well. Keeper only had the one save to make from Hirakwa's shot from the edge of the box.

City were doubling up on Rob Apter every time he got on the ball. With good reason.

Apter forced Bristol City keeper Vitek into a save low down to his left after being fed on the right of the box by Carey.   Clearest chance either side produced, although Bristol City's Anis Mehmeti hit the woodwork in the second half with a well-struck effort.

Kayne Ramsay was excellent .   He made a fine block to cut out Hirakwa's cross and also produced a couple of crunching and perfectly-timed sliding challenges.

Nathan Jones was going ballistic towards the end of the match about some of the officials' decisions.

As the game went into seven minutes of added time, Charlton summer signing Harvey Knibbs had a close-range chance smothered by Vítek.

Shipshape and Bristol fashion?

Bristol City are on their 11th season in the Championship and hav have always fallen short of promotion: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/01/parachute-payments-make-life-difficult.html

Owner Steve Lansdown* is getting increasingly frustrated and has indicated his willingness to sell up.

For a city of its size Bristol has punched below its weight in football terms.   It does have two clubs, although when Charlton negativists say we are a laughing stock, the Gasheads always come into mind.

What strikes me is that the fans of both clubs are a bit odd.   There has been trouble between Charlton and City fans in the past.   Some years ago a Gashead I know slightly offered me a lift to a midweek fixture against Charlton.   I declined being pretty sure we would win and he would take it badly.   We won 5-1 and he confirmed that he would have left me in Bristol.

Of course, Bristol is in a strong egg chasing area and Bristol City are also heavily involved in rugby union.

Four Four Two reckons they will finish 12th.   They think City have an energetic squad but lack the top end quality hat would secure them a play off place against richer rivals.

Having said that, City beat Sheffield United 4-1 away last week, although I suspect that was as much a story about the Blades post Chris Wilder as ir was about City, although they were keen to avenge their play off semi-final defeat there, losing 6-0 on aggregate.   Neither defence looked solid in last weekend's game.

This is a big test for Nathan Jones and his side, but we will do well to get a point.   At least moaners will be able to come up from under their stones.

*Of Hargreaves Lansdown, the Bristol-based  funds supermarket.   I have been a client since the 1980s and have been very satisfied.  

The gasman departs

Gassan Ahadme has joined Stevenage on loan. Nathan Jones had said yesterday at his press conference that outgoings were in the pipeline. The former Ipswich Town striker has not featured in the matchday squad for any of their competitive fixtures. Minimal game time over pre-season as well

Rodwell on Ahadme's loan to Stevenage: "Gassan was desperately unlucky. We know we signed a good player when we signed Gassan from Ipswich last year. He was desperately unlucky with injuries, some of them were really quite freakish. "We are well-stocked in that position. Gassan is here with us on a long-term contract. He needs to go. He needs to score goals, which I am sure he will do.

Stevenage have started very, very well in their league campaign and they really wanted to do the deal. "These things take time. Players need to work out if it is the right deal for them and we have got to agree a deal with Stevenage. These things don't happen as quickly as I would often like. "Hopefully it will be a really good move for Gassan and he'll score a lot of goals."

The news has been received calmly by fans.    Thanks for all you tried to do and good fortune in finding your level at Boro.

Addicks ease past Stevenage

Charlton comfortably beat League One side Stevenage 3-1 to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.   Miles Leaburn calmly slotted the Addicks into the lead before Ibrahim Fullah doubled the advantage with a goal on his first start for the club.  Luke Berry made the game safe as he headed in the Addicks' third after the break.

Having beaten Watford 1-0 thanks to Harvey Knibbs' late winner on their return to the Championship on Saturday, Nathan Jones gave his goal scoring signing his first start since joining from Reading.

Knibbs was one of 11 changes with Joe Rankin-Costello making his debut alongside Fullah at The Valley.

Leaburn, who scored 10 goals last season as Charlton won promotion via the play-offs, opened his account for 2025-26 as he slotted in Isaac Olaofe's pass after Dan Phillips had given away the ball.

Nine minutes later, Fullah made it a debut to remember as he outmuscled his marker to shoot home Henry Rylah's cross into the bottom corner.

Dan Kemp blasted over for Stevenage shortly after the break, while at the other end Taye Ashby-Hammond was on hand to keep the ball out after Berry had redirected Rankin-Costello's shot towards goal.

Berry did find the net soon after as he stooped to head home Daniel Kanu's cross to seal matters.

But Stevenage finished the tie strongly and cut the deficit when Freestone headed in Jasper Pattenden's cross before Phoenix Patterson forced a good save from Will Mannion.

Charlie Kelman saw a stoppage-time effort deflect just wide for the Addicks as they progressed to the next round.

Richard Cawley reports Nathan Jones praised Isaac Olaofe for the assist that led to Miles Leaburn's opener for Charlton  last night but also talked about the summer signing 'over-thinking' a good scoring chance in the first half.    Jones was also very bullish on Danny Hylton stepping up his coaching responsibilities following the departure of James Brayne to Sunderland.

We should do cups

One of the few downsides to Alan Curbishley's tenure as a manager is that we didn't take cups seriously.  I always thought that a solid Premier League side should have a punt at the league cup.

Obviously Nathan Jones will use tonight's Carabao Cup game against Stevenage as a way of giving minutes to players who didn't feature on Saturday or only as late substitutes.  Nevertheless, a win would give us momentum and offers the prospect of a later round tie against a top flight club.   The money comes in handy as well.

Having finished 14th in League One last year, Stevenage are forecast to finish 15th this year by Four Four Two.  They state: 'Let by Carl Perigianni. Borough had a top eight defence last term, but there's no loan star Murray Cooper in goal any more and the attack lacks guile.   Both the midfield depth and manageroal set up look strong. however.'

The fan quoted says, 'The football isn't always amazing.'

Young international midfielder signed

Richard Cawley reports: 'Charlton have signed Jamaican U17 international midfielder Nehmani McNamee-Burke. He was born and raised in Brixton before moving to the Netherlands. McNamee-Burke played for FC Volendam last season.'

Rickster finds his mojo again

Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt may have been engaged in a spat with Tory free speech fanatic Lord Toby Young.  This was supposed to end with pistols at dawn with the hapless QPR supporter on Margate beach, but Everitt had better things to do with his time.

Silent for a long period, the fanzine editor has found his mojo with positive vibes from yesterday's gane and whole experience: https://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2025-26-blogs/10-9-addicks-on-a-winner-even-before-late-strike/

Three points, clean sheet

A time added on goal by Harvey Knibbs gave Charlton a 1-0 opening win in the Championship at The Valley this afternoon.

It was a frenetic final few minutes with Watford feeling they should have had a penalty when Thomas Kaminski crumpled Nestory Irankunda.

But on balance, Charlton carved out the better of the chances and could have won by a larger margin had the cards fallen more kindly.   Watford’s keeper made three excellent saves.

Both managers will no doubt have words to say about penalty shouts with Charlton's Josh Edwards having a big shout when coming together with Jeremy Ngakia earlier in the second half.

A corner on the left is slung to the back post by Conor Coventry and Lloyd Jones does enough to get the ball back into the mixer where substitute Harvey Knibbs hammered home from six yards out.

Towards the end of the second half, Robert Apter picked up the ball on the right front edge and dances across just outside the 18 yard area looking for an opening.   He has a go but his curling effort from 20 yards just fizzed over the upright.

Charlton looked defensively very solid, although crosses sometimes posed a challenge.

The big day arrives

It seems to have come up more quickly than some of us anticipated, but today Charlton face Watford at The Valley in the first of their Championship games in the new season.   CAS Trust has some fun with the turnover of Watford managers: https://www.castrust.org/2025/08/watford-in-new-manager-shock/

Many moons ago Murray mints said that the Championship was in effect a Premier League Division Two.  That is even more so today with parachute payments providing further funding for what are already big clubs.   It's going to be tough and Charlton fans will need to display a patience for which they are not noted.  

If there is one word I would use to describe last year's successful side it would be 'resilience'.   My view is that the key matches in a season are often away matches midweek.   That was the case last season at Mansfield.   They are not a great side, but they are tough to beat on their own patch, not least in wintry conditions.   When we won there, I thought that we might be in with a chance of promotion.

Unlike the barmy Belgian, the board have spent sensibly to try and stay in the division.  No, they didn't enter the Izak bidding war, but they have made some realistic acquisitions with potential.   The criticism of their strategy is obvious, and has been made by the 'experts' conjured up by The New York Times, but needs must.

The new side needs to gel and there are some tricky selection decisions.   The Sparrows Lane treatment table is already occupied, with Matty Godden having undergone a 'procedure' on his knee.

As for today's opponents, Four Four Two has them finishing 15th.    We should be able to beat them and it would be a great start to the season, but a draw is more likely.

Charlton team belongs in 'the division below'

From The Athletic:

Pigott: Things look very bleak for Sheffield Wednesday before a ball has even been kicked. Hull City were fortunate not to go down last year, and despite impressing in their first year up after promotion, Oxford United will find it harder this time around.

Evans: Norwich City, Wednesday, Oxford. It’s a very poor second-tier this season and I reckon as many as 10 teams will be nervously looking over their shoulder at various stages. West Bromwich Albion also look like a club heading for trouble.

Sutcliffe: Wednesday, Charlton Athletic, Hull. The latter’s scattergun approach to player and manager recruitment is likely to come home to roost. Newly promoted Charlton have cherry-picked a lot of last season’s League One talent, but the danger with such an approach is ending up with a team that really belongs in the division below.

Buckingham: It’s sad to say, but it already looks as if Wednesday are doomed after a summer that means they’re turning up for a gunfight armed with a water pistol. I’ve also got concerns for Hull, who narrowly avoided the drop last season, but I’ll go with Oxford and Charlton to complete the three. They have decent managers in Gary Rowett and Nathan Jones, but both have shortcomings.

Weatherspoon: Wednesday’s awful off-field summer speaks volumes. Hull nearly dropped down last season and have little to crow about either. After those two, it’s one from as many as 10. Oxford signing young striker Will Lankshear on loan from Tottenham Hotspur could prove crucial in keeping them up. If they survive again, the end of Preston North End’s dreary 11-year stay in this division looms.

Additional comments

'It feels like Charlton will struggle. The Valley, in south-east London, is a decent away day, though.'

'I’ve been impressed with Charlton’s business. A mixture of solid Championship experience — Amari’i Bell, Reece Burke, goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, Joe Rankin-Costello — plus players who have shown signs they could handle the step up to the second tier — Charlie Kelman, Rob Apter, Harvey Knibbs and Tanto Olaofe. They’ll have enough to remain in the division.'

'Charlton risk being a ‘Best of League One’ side in the wrong division, but the inadequacies of others will see them just about secure safety.'

Young Fish Costa Fortune

I was saddened to hear of the premature death of Jorge Costa, one of the best defenders we have ever had, even if for just 20 games.   Young, Fish, Costa, Fortune: what a line up.

'He comes from Portugal and he ****ing hates Millwall..'   Doubtless he had never heard of them, but Charlton fans took him to their hearts.

I remember him squaring up to, and glaring down, some hapless attacker at The Valley.   Costa in tears at his last game at Old Trafford.  And coming back with Porto for the Steve Brown testimonial.

It's understood Costa, who was Porto's director of football, suffered a cardiac arrest at the club's training ground in Olival according to Portuguese media.

Rickster's glass is half full

Ramsgate-based fan and VOTV editor Rick Everitt looks at 'the coming storm' in the Championship and assesses Charlton's prospects compared with our last two promotions to our favourite division: https://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2025-26-blogs/31-7-at-last-it-s-back-to-where-we-once-belonged/

End of the Pier

More negative news from down the coast at Deal.   Leading armchair critic Desmond from Deal has had to call off his meeting for Kent coast malcontents at the end of Deal Pier.  Some potential participants felt they could not manage the trek up the pier and others did not like the vegetarian/vegan theme of the café there, one unfortunate having been asked whether he needed milk in his tea.

However, all is not lost.  Des says: 'I had a word with Graham at the King's Head on the sea front and he said we could meet there if there weren't too many of us (no problem about that) and we did insult Palace, Millwall or Gillingham.