'Gobby' praises Kirk and Stockley

Karl Robinson says that Charlton signing Charlie Kirk was a real coup, while he is also full of praise for Jayden Stockley.   He is also impressed by the centre back partnership of Akin Famewo and Ryan Inniss: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/a-coup-rival-league-one-boss-reckons-charlton-have-landed-a-gem-in-charlie-kirk/

It was really the midfield that let us down yesterday and for many fans Albie Morgan is the new scapegoat player.  He is still a working in progress and I think he would be better as a holding midfielder than a No.10.

Somewhat surprisingly, he was named as star of the match by the Football League Paper.  I would have had difficulty in naming a man of the match for Charlton.

MacGillivray should have done better with the first goal, but it is far too early to write him off as a 'poor keeper', indeed Robinson praises him as one of the best in the division last season.

MK Dons don't have a very well organised defence, so we may be able to score from open play on Tuesday.   However, the usual pessimism and negativity is setting in among Charlton fans with some even saying we are in a relegation battle. 

Charlton win at the Costa del Dartford

Charlton beat Dartford 2-1 at a hot Princes Park this afternoon with goals from DJ and Josh Davison.  The second half was more entertaining than the first.

Nigel Adkins was absent having been pinged and Johnnie Jackson took over from him.

Dartford looked fluent and were not a team of strangers like Welling.   On eight minutes following good work on their right Roberts drew a great save from Havers who cleared on to the inside of the post.

On 12 minutes an Albie Morgan effort was tipped over the bar by keeper King.  On 19 minutes Washington advanced down the left and put in a shot.  Stockley hoped for a tap in, but Dartford were able to defend for a Charlton corner.

On 44 minutes DJ was just wide from a cross from Matthews.

Morgan and Washington played well together.   The quality of crosses was often lacking and there were too many over hit balls.

Player of the half: Albie Morgan who put in some great runs.   Elerewe attracted some favourable comments online.

HT: 0--0

Pearce came on for Famewo and Barker for Matthews.

On 49 minutes DJ made use of a long ball, got past his man and provided a calm, composed finish to make it 0-1.  He was hobbling a bit afterwards.

Charlton never find it easy to hold on to a lead and within two minutes Graham had made it 1-1 with a powerful shot.   On 55 minutes Barker put in a shot that led to a Charlton corner.

On 60 minutes Charlton made wholesale changes replacing everyone except the half time substitutes.

A Clayden shot on 63 minutes produced a Charlton corner (needless to say, all unproductive).  Then on 65 minutes Davison powered a great shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-2.

Graham threatened again and Barker did well.  Charlton fan James Beadle made a great save.  Pearce put in a great challenge on former Addick Aziz.

There was a call for a penalty after a Barker challenge but Dartford just got a corner.  On 87 minutes the home side got a free kick just outside the penalty area but it came off the wall.   Aziz got the ball in the net, but it was ruled offside.

Player of the half: Jason Pearce, in the right place at the right time even if he was rebuked by the referee for taking things too seriously.

Insights on Albie Morgan

Benjy Nurick provides an in depth assessment of Albie Morgan including a discussion about him with Steve Avory.   It has been another frustrating campaign for Morgan who has spent a lot of time on the bench, but questions remains about his defensive awareness and workrate: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/albie-morgan-shows-he-can-be-trusted-by-charlton-boss-adkins-as-steve-avory-provides-insight-into-midfielders-game/

Adkins gives verdict on three players and Jacko

Nigel Adkins was full of praise for Jayden Stockley after his performance in the 3-1 win over Lincoln City: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/phenomenal-nigel-adkins-has-praise-for-one-charlton-player-after-3-1-win-over-lincoln/

Adkins praised Johnnie Jackson for the work he has done on set pieces: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-credited-with-charlton-athletics-set-piece-prowess/

Adkins said that Albie Morgan was talented with the ball, but needed to learn the other side of his game, echoing comments made by Lee Bowyer: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-echoes-lee-bowyers-comments-on-charlton-midfielder-albie-morgan/

Adkins said that he had to take Aneke off before he got sent off: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-subbed-off-chuks-aneke-to-avoid-charlton-gamechanger-picking-up-red-card/

Morgan out of favour with Bowyer

Albie Morgan has not been in the squad for the last three Charlton matches and it's not because he has been injured.   Once again he appears to be out of favour with the somewhat mercurial supremo who says he is 'still learning his game': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/albie-morgan-absence-explained-by-charlton-athletic-chief/

I have to say that I am never quite sure what to make of Morgan who sometimes looks quite good and at other times makes little impact.   It may be that his contemporary George Lapslie was the better player.

It is still uncertain whether Akin Famewo will make the journey to Wigan Pier tomorrow.  Bowyer is waiting for the medics.   

Charlton are to appeal the red card for Chuks Aneke, while Bowyer has defended Darren Pratley: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-appeal-chuks-aneke-red-card-as-lee-bowyer-defends-darren-pratley/

Curbs thought that we should appeal the Aneke red card, but the pundits on The Football League Show thought it was justified.  Personally I doubt whether it will succeed, although I think the referee had a mare (but according to him his worst game changing mistake was down to the linesman).  I was wrong: the card has been overturned.

As for Pratley, he is committed, but the problem is that he is too committed for the modern game.  One might also argue that commitment is a substitute for skill.

Bowyer gets tough with his players

Lee Bowyer is prepared to get tough with his players to improve them.  He would have taken Bonne off at half time after his miss against Reading if he had had other options: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-lee-bowyer-ive-got-to-be-tough-with-my-players-i-only-want-to-help-make-them-better/

Albie Morgan is something of a fans' favourite, but Bowyer says that he has to learn the other side of the game and not let his man run past him at the expense of a goal.

Why Morgan was substituted

Sagacious supremo Lee Bowyer has explained to Richard Cawley of the SLP why Albie Morgan was substituted at half time.  It was simply a tactical decision: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-explains-why-midfielder-was-subbed-off-at-half-time-against-millwall/

Some fans have expressed unhappiness with the decision on social media.   I thought it was the late substitutions that were more problematic.

Signings are welcome

The new contracts signed by Albie Morgan and Josh Davison are welcome for two reasons.   First, I am pleased that they have committed to the club.   Albie Morgan had a good game at Hull and has attracted interest elsewhere.

Second, as Steve Gallen says, it is a sign of a step forward by the club: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53183794

It is an indication of greater stability at last.   Whether there is anything in social media rumours that Peter Varney will join up with Paul Elliott, I don't know, but I am feeling a little more positive - possibly just because we are playing football again.

Tomorrow we face the Super Hoops who have lost two key players, including their captain, because of their financial troubles.  Louis Mendez has noted, 'QPR have the 3rd best attack in the Championship, as well as the 3rd worst defence.'

BTW, it is good to see the doom and gloom merchants at CAS Trust pour cold water on the idea of Sparrows Lane or The Valley being redeveloped.   I always thought that it was nonsense, but some of the typically gloomy Charlton supporters always come back to the idea of a property play: https://www.castrust.org/2020/06/could-they-build-houses-on-the-valley/?fbclid=IwAR2VwhmXEV95Lf4ic-Sj_2s9FJXTLqmKTzgCjtx4p-rTm25Fdu04dc900kU

The only point I would add to those made by the experienced planning consultant who has written the article is that access to any redevelopment of The Valley for residential purposes would be a key issue given the location of the railway line.   It just might be possible to put a few 'penthouses' on top of a redeveloped Jimmy Seed stand.

A friend has done a spreadsheet of remaining results and forecasts Charlton finishing seventh from bottm with 52 points.  Let's hope he's right.

Morgan on his way, and perhaps Davison

With the Charlton midfield well stocked, Albie Morgan is going to be loaned out again to the National League to get some game time. Sagacious supremo Lee Bowyer reckons that it offers better experience than the under 23s. Morgan was formerly at Ebbsfleet: Need for first team experience

Some fans thought he should be going to League One or Two, but the window has closed. Richard Cawley tweeted, 'Think behind scenes there is a feeling he needs to work on his fitness.'

The striker situation is still being evaluated. Josh Davison has done well, but might also need more regular game time, probably in the National League.

'You can't win anything with kids' as Bowyer talks about Morgan

The misplaced comment by so-called pundit Alan Hansen has gone down in football history: Getting it wrong

However, shell shocked supremo Lee Bowyer has made it clear he is not happy being forced to play youngsters like Albie Morgan who are not ready for Championship football.

The grim faced gaffer is quoted in this morning's Football League Paper about Morgan's limitations: 'That second goal shouldn't have happened - that's why Albie went on loan [to Ebbsfleet]. He's a long way away, he's 20 and he's learning the game. We can't afford to just keep playing him and we will concede goals.'

If we had senior midfielders back, he would not be playing. Is he doing well? Yes. But he needs to learn the other side of the game. It's not just him. He's being thrown in at the deep end.'

'They are doing everything they can, but they are just kids. We are running out of players.'

What Albie Morgan needs to do

Grant Basey discusses Albie Morgan's situation. He has fallen down the pecking order at The Valley and failed to get a loan: Advice for Albie

It may be one of those cases where a player was brought on too quickly given the thinness of the squad last season.

Good sense has prevailed and no action is to be taken against Lee Bowyer after his sending off last Saturday.

Morgan told to go out on loan

Albie Morgan has been told by Lee Bowyer to go out on loan. He will not feature in the sagacious supremo's plans for at least the first half of the season in the Championship. Bowyer thinks that the 19-year old needs to improve the defensive side of his game: Morgan told to go on loan